G.R. No. L-6404, February 27, 1911
THE UNITED STATES vs. MAGDALENA ESQUEJO

FACTS

Magdalena Esquejo was charged with illegal possession of opium under Act No. 1910. Internal-revenue agent Homer G. Smith testified that on February 3, 1910, in Binalonan, Pangasinan, he entered a house and found Esquejo holding a small bottle. He claimed she tried to conceal it, but he seized it and identified it as opium ash. When questioned, Esquejo allegedly said it was medicine for her illness. Esquejo testified that a local practicante (medical practitioner) named Vijunco had just handed her the bottle as medicine for her sick mother, collected payment, and hastily left. She denied knowing it contained opium and claimed she did not attempt to conceal it. Her testimony was corroborated by family members present. Vijunco, called in rebuttal, denied ever being in the house or prescribing medicine. However, Smith’s cross-examination revealed Vijunco had just exited the house before the arrest, suggesting collusion between Vijunco and Smith to entrap Esquejo.

ISSUE

Whether Magdalena Esquejo is guilty of illegal possession of opium, considering the doubt regarding her knowledge that the substance contained opium.

RULING

No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction. While Esquejo’s possession of the opium ash was proven, the evidence created reasonable doubt as to whether she knew the bottle contained opium. Her explanationthat she received it as medicine for her mother from Vijuncowas consistent with innocence and corroborated by witnesses. The Court found Vijunco’s testimony untrustworthy and noted inconsistencies in Smith’s account, possibly due to language barriers and cultural differences. Given the reasonable doubt about her criminal intent, Esquejo was acquitted. The judgment of the trial court was reversed, and she was ordered released, with costs de oficio.