2017 (G.R. No. 210266, Cruz V People) PDF
2017 (G.R. No. 210266, Cruz V People) PDF
DECISION
LEONEN , J : p
The possession and use of a counterfeit credit card is considered access device
fraud and is punishable by law. To successfully sustain a conviction for possession and
use of a counterfeit access device, the prosecution must present not only the access
device but also any evidence that proves that the access device is counterfeit. HTcADC
This resolves a Petition 1 for Review on Certiorari assailing the Decision 2 dated
July 4, 2013 and Resolution 3 dated November 26, 2013 of the Court of Appeals, which
a rmed the conviction of petitioner Anthony De Silva Cruz (Cruz) by the Regional Trial
Court 4 for violation of Republic Act No. 8484, otherwise known as the Access Devices
Regulation Act of 1998.
Cruz was charged with violation of Section 9 (a) and (e) of Republic Act No. 8484,
which provide:
SECTION 9. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts shall constitute access
device fraud and are hereby declared to be unlawful:
(a) producing, using, tra cking in one or more counterfeit access
devices;
xxx xxx xxx
(e) possessing one or more counterfeit access devices or access
devices fraudulently applied for[.]
The Informations against him read:
Under Criminal Case No. 06-0479
That on or about the 18th day of April 2006, in the City of Parañaque,
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously have in his
possession and control a counterfeit access device (Citibank Visa Card with No.
4539 7207 8677 7008) in violation of the aforecited law.
CONTRARY TO LAW.
xxx xxx xxx
Under Criminal Case No. 06-0480
That on or about the 18th day of April 2006, in the City of Parañaque,
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously use a
counterfeit Citibank Visa Card with No. 4539 7207 8677 7008 an access device,
in buying from complainant Duty Free Philippines herein represented by
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Redentor M. Quejada, one (1) pair of Ferragamo shoes worth US$363.00, to the
damage and prejudice of the complainant in the aforementioned amount of
US$363.00 or P18,876.00 more or less.
CONTRARY TO LAW.
xxx xxx xxx
Under Criminal Case No. 06-0481
That on or about the 18th day of April 2006, in the City of Parañaque,
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously use a
counterfeit Citibank Visa Card with No. 4539 7207 8677 7008 an access device,
in buying from complainant Duty Free Philippines herein represented by
Redentor M. Quejada, two (2) bottles of perfume worth US$96.00, to the
damage and prejudice of the complainant in the aforementioned amount of
US$96.00 or P4,992.00 more or less.
CONTRARY TO LAW. 5
Cruz was arraigned on October 17, 2006, where he pleaded not guilty for each
charge. 6 Trial on the merits ensued. 7
According to the prosecution, on April 18, 2006, at around 7:30 p.m., Cruz
allegedly tried to purchase two (2) bottles of Calvin Klein perfume worth US$96.00
from Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall. Danilo Wong (Wong), the cashier at the Perfume
Section, testified that Cruz paid for the purchase using a Citibank Visa credit card. 8 The
transaction was approved, although Wong doubted the validity of the credit card since
the number at the back was not aligned. 9
At around 8:00 p.m., Cruz allegedly tried to purchase a pair of Ferragamo shoes
worth US$363.00. 1 0 Ana Margarita Lim (Lim), the cashier on duty, facilitated the sales
transaction. 1 1 Cruz paid for the purchase using a Citibank Visa credit card bearing the
name "Gerry Santos," with credit card number 4539 7207 8677 7008. 1 2 When Lim
asked for Cruz's Duty Free shopping card, Cruz presented a shopping card with the
name of "Rodolfo Garcia." 1 3 Lim asked for another identi cation card, and Cruz gave
her a driver's license bearing the name "Gerry Santos." 1 4
Lim proceeded to the mall's Electronic Section to swipe the credit card for
approval. 1 5 The card was approved, but she noticed that the last four (4) digits of the
card were not properly embossed and its validity date started in November 2006. 1 6
She called Citibank to verify the credit card. 1 7
Upon veri cation, Citibank informed Lim that the credit card was counterfeit and
that the real Gerry Santos was the Head of Citibank's Fraud Risk Management Division.
1 8 Lim was advised to transfer the matter to the Security Department. 1 9
Cruz and Rodolfo De Silva Cruz were turned over to the Criminal Investigation
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Detective Group and brought to Camp Crame for questioning. 2 2 Citibank Visa credit
card number 4539 7207 8677 7008 was also turned over to the Criminal Investigation
Detective Group. 2 3
Gerardo T. Santos (Santos) testi ed that he rst heard of Cruz's name in May
2004. 2 4 Cruz and his wife Aileen were then managing Antonely's Fabric Warehouse and
were involved in incidents related to credit card fraud. Santos did not le a case against
them for lack of basis. He came across Cruz's name again in 2005, with regard to a
fraudulent transaction with a Thai restaurant in Shoemart Megamall. 2 5 He also testified
that the credit card number was validly issued to a certain Jessamine Bongat, and that
the counterfeit credit card had been previously used on several fraudulent occasions. 2 6
After the prosecution formally offered their evidence, Cruz led a Demurrer to
Evidence asserting that the credit card was inadmissible since it was presented and
offered by the prosecution in violation of A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC. 2 7
On August 6, 2009, Branch 274 of the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque City
denied the Demurrer to Evidence and stated that the credit card receipts were properly
identi ed by the witnesses. 2 8 The trial court also stated that the alleged counterfeit
credit card was offered in evidence by the prosecution. 2 9
Despite notice, Cruz and his counsel did not appear during the scheduled
hearings for the presentation of his defense. Later, Cruz manifested to the trial court
that he was waiving his right to present evidence. 3 0
On May 5, 2010, the trial court rendered its Judgment 3 1 nding Cruz guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 9 (a) and (e) of Republic Act No. 8484
in Criminal Case Nos. 06-0479 and 06-0480, when he used a counterfeit access device
to purchase a pair of shoes worth US$363.00. However, it acquitted Cruz in Criminal
Case No. 06-0481 upon nding that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond
reasonable doubt of using a counterfeit access device to purchase two (2) bottles of
perfume worth US$96.00. 3 2 The dispositive portion of the Judgment reads:
WHEREFORE, all the foregoing considered, the Court nds the accused
ANTHONY DE SILVA CRUZ as follows:
(1) Under Criminal Case No. 06-0479, GUILTY beyond reasonable
doubt of the offense of Violation of Section 9, par. (a) of Republic Act No. 8484,
as stated in the Information, and accordingly hereby penalizes the said accused
to suffer indeterminate sentence of ne of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00)
and imprisonment of six (6) years prision correccional as minimum, to ten (10)
years prision mayor as maximum.
(2) Under Criminal Case No. 06-0480, GUILTY beyond reasonable
doubt of the offense of Violation of Section 9, par. (a) of Republic Act No. 8484
as stated in the Information, and accordingly hereby sentences the said accused
to suffer indeterminate sentence of ne of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00)
and imprisonment of ten (10) years prision mayor as minimum to twelve (12)
years prision mayor as maximum.
(3) Under Criminal Case No. 06-0481, NOT GUILTY of the offense of
Violation of Section 9, par. (a) of Republic Act No. 8484 as charged in the
Information, and accordingly hereby acquits the said accused therefrom.
SO ORDERED. 3 3
Aggrieved, Cruz appealed to the Court of Appeals. On July 4, 2013, the Court of
Appeals rendered the Decision 3 4 denying the appeal and upholding Cruz's conviction.
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According to the Court of Appeals, the prosecution was able to establish that
Cruz had in his possession a counterfeit access device. 3 5 It also held that A.M. No. 03-
1-09-SC does not absolutely preclude the admission of evidence that has not been pre-
marked during pre-trial since courts may, in its discretion and "for good cause shown,"
still admit the evidence. 3 6
However, the Court of Appeals modi ed the penalties to delete the words
"prision correccional" and "prision mayor" as the law itself 3 7 provides the penalties to
be imposed. 3 8 The dispositive portion of the Decision reads:
WHEREFORE , the appeal is DISMISSED . The Judgment of the Regional
Trial Court of Parañaque City in Criminal Case Nos. 06-0479 & 06-0480 are
AFFIRMED with MODIFICATIONS .
In Criminal Case Nos. 06-0479, accused-appellant ANTHONY DE SILVA
CRUZ is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 9 (e) of
R.A. No. 8484 and is sentenced to a prison term of six (6) years, as minimum, to
ten (10) years, as maximum, and to pay a ne of Ten Thousand Pesos
(P10,000.00).
In Criminal Case No. 06-0480, accused-appellant ANTHONY DE SILVA
CRUZ is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 9 (a) of
the R.A. No. 8484 and is sentenced to a prison term of ten (10) years, as
minimum, to twelve (12) years, as maximum, and to pay a ne of US$726.00 or
P37,752.00.
SO ORDERED. 39 (Emphasis in the original) HEITAD
Cruz moved for reconsideration, but the Motion was denied in the Resolution 4 0
dated November 26, 2013.
Hence, petitioner Anthony De Silva Cruz led before this Court a Petition for
Review on Certiorari. 4 1
Petitioner argues that according to A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC, the corpus delicti or the
alleged counterfeit credit card is inadmissible since it was not marked and identi ed
during pre-trial. 4 2 He alleges that the testimonies of the prosecution's witnesses were
inconsistent as to the identi cation of the credit card and its eventual turnover to the
police. 4 3 Petitioner asserts that the trial court and the Court of Appeals disregarded
the constitutional presumption of innocence by making an inference of guilt based on
his silence during trial. 4 4
The O ce of the Solicitor General, on the other hand, maintains that the
counterfeit credit card is admissible as evidence since A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC allows the
trial court to admit the evidence, if, in its discretion, there was "good cause shown" for
its admission. 4 5 It also notes that there was no inconsistency between Lim's and
Wong's testimonies, since they were testifying on two different situations they
witnessed. 4 6
The O ce of the Solicitor General further argues that "the unexplained failure of
the accused to testify . . . gives rise to an inference that he did not want to testify
because he did not want to betray himself." 4 7 It points out that petitioner's attempt to
flee the premises is an implied admission of guilt. 4 8
While the case was pending before this Court, petitioner's counsel withdrew 4 9
and another counsel entered an appearance on his behalf. A Motion for Leave of Court
to File Supplemental Petition for Review was led together with the Entry of
Appearance of his new counsel. 5 0
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Aside from reiterating that the prosecution witnesses' testimonies were
inconsistent with each other, 5 1 petitioner insists that his former counsel negligently
defended his cause by failing to present evidence on his behalf and failing to cross-
examine the prosecution's witnesses. 5 2 Petitioner adds that Redentor Quejada was not
duly authorized by Duty Free Philippines to le the complaint on its behalf based on an
invalid Special Power of Attorney. 5 3 Thus, he prays that the July 4, 2013 Decision and
November 26, 2013 Resolution be reversed, or in the alternative, the case be remanded
to the trial court for the presentation of his evidence. 5 4
The issues for resolution are:
First, whether the prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that
petitioner was guilty of violating Section 9 (a) and (e) of Republic Act No. 8484.
Corollary to this is whether the counterfeit access device can still be presented in trial
despite not having been presented and marked during pre-trial; and
Second, whether the negligence of petitioner's former counsel binds petitioner.
I
Republic Act No. 8484, otherwise known as the Access Devices Regulation Act of
1998, defines an access device as:
any card, plate, code, account number, electronic serial number, personal
identi cation number, or other telecommunications service, equipment, or
instrumental identi er, or other means of account access that can be used to
obtain money, good, services, or any other thing of value or to initiate a transfer
of funds (other than a transfer originated solely by paper instrument). 5 5
Since a credit card is "any card, plate, coupon book, or other credit device
existing for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, property, labor or services or
anything of value on credit," 5 6 it is considered an access device.
Section 9 (a) and (e) make the possession and use of a counterfeit access
device as "access device fraud" that is punishable by law:
SECTION 9. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts shall constitute access
device fraud and are hereby declared to be unlawful:
(a) producing, using, tra cking in one or more counterfeit access
devices;
xxx xxx xxx
(e) possessing one or more counterfeit access devices or access
devices fraudulently applied for[.]
A counterfeit access device is "any access device that is counterfeit, ctitious,
altered, or forged, or an identi able component of an access device or counterfeit
access device." 5 7 Under Section 9 (a) and (e) of Republic Act No. 8484, the possession
and use of an access device is not illegal. Rather, what is prohibited is the possession
and use of a counterfeit access device. Therefore, the corpus delicti of the crime is not
merely the access device, but also any evidence that proves that it is counterfeit.
Petitioner was found in possession of Citibank Visa credit card number 4539
7207 8677 7008, which bore the name "Gerry Santos." 5 8 He used the same credit card
to purchase Ferragamo shoes worth US$363.00 at Duty Free Fiesta Mall. 5 9 Citibank
Visa credit card number 4539 7207 8677 7008 was later proven to be a counterfeit
access device. 6 0
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Possession of a counterfeit access device is punishable by imprisonment of not
less than six (6) years and not more than 10 years and a ne of P10,000.00 or twice the
value obtained by the offense, whichever is higher. On the other hand, use of a
counterfeit access device is punishable by imprisonment of not less 10 years but not
more than 12 years and a ne of P10,000.00 or twice the value obtained by the offense,
whichever is higher:
SECTION 10. Penalties. — Any person committing any of the acts
constituting access device fraud enumerated in the immediately preceding
section shall be punished with:
(a) a ne of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or twice the value
obtained by the offense, whichever is greater and imprisonment for
not less than six (6) years and not more than ten (10) years, in the
case of an offense under Section 9 (b)-(e), and (g)-(p) which does
not occur after a conviction for another offense under Section 9; ATICcS
Court:
How come that it will be certification? That card?
Pros. Rodriguez:
No, that this card is not the — because this is a . . .
Court:
What is the certi cation of the Citibank Exhibit F? Does it mention that that
card is part?
Pros. Rodriguez:
Yes. Your Honor. At this point, exhibiting to this Honorable Court Exhibit "F"
reads that, "Citibank Visa Card with embossed account number 4539-7207-
8677-7008," which is the physical evidence in this case presented to this
Court, is a counterfeit, Your Honor. So, this is only part of Exhibit F.
Court:
Okay, the Court will allow that.
Atty. De Guia:
We will just put our continuing objection on record, Your Honor. 66
(Emphasis supplied)
The prosecution was able to present and mark during pre-trial Citibank's
certi cation that the access device used was counterfeit. It is this certi cation that
makes the possession and use of the access device illegal. Therefore, the trial court
determined that the access device could still be presented at trial since it merely
formed part of an exhibit that had already been presented and marked during pre-trial.
III
Petitioner points out the alleged inconsistencies in the testimonies of Ana
Margarita Lim and Danilo Wong. 6 7 Wong testi ed that the credit card presented in trial
was not the same credit card that petitioner used in purchasing the Calvin Klein
perfumes worth US$96.00. 6 8
The determination of the credibility of witnesses is a question of fact that should
not be reviewed by this Court in a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the
Rules of Court. 6 9 There are exceptions to this rule; 7 0 however, none of those
exceptions are present here. Even if we were to review the witnesses' testimonies,
petitioner's argument would still be unmeritorious.
Two (2) transactions took place on the night of April 18, 2006: the purchase of
perfumes at Counter 15 7 1 and the purchase of shoes at Counter 12. 7 2 Lim, the cashier
for Counter 12, and Wong, the cashier for Counter 15, were called to testify on two (2)
different transactions. There can be no inconsistency between two witnesses testifying
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on two different occurrences.
Petitioner also points out other inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses'
testimonies, such as whom among Lim and Redentor Quejada turned over the credit
card to the police; 7 3 whether petitioner introduced himself; 7 4 and why Lim did not
bother to make a copy of petitioner's driver's license. 7 5
These alleged inconsistencies are minor and do not detract from the conclusion
that petitioner used a counterfeit access device in the purchase of goods.
In any case, the trial court found these witnesses credible. Its assessment on the
credibility of the witnesses is entitled to great weight and respect, especially if it is
affirmed by the Court of Appeals. 7 6
"[T]he ight of an accused discloses a guilty conscience." 7 7 Petitioner does not
deny that he tried to escape from Duty Free Fiesta Mall when the police arrived. Taken
together with the prosecution's evidence, it is enough to convince this Court that
petitioner is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of possession and use of a counterfeit
access device.
IV
Petitioner, now grasping at straws, argues that his previous counsel, Atty. Edwin
Michael P. Musico (Atty. Musico), negligently defended his cause. 7 8
The rule is that negligence of a counsel binds the client except: when counsel
exhibits reckless or gross negligence that deprives the client of due process; when the
outright application of the rule results in the deprivation of liberty and property through
a technicality; or when it serves the interests of justice. 7 9
Petitioner alleges that Atty. Musico negligently failed to attend scheduled
hearings before the trial court, conduct cross-examination of the witnesses, and
present evidence on his behalf. 8 0
Records, however, show that petitioner's counsel was not prevented from
objecting to the presentation of the counterfeit credit card during trial, which he
repeatedly did and even offered continuing objection. 8 1 Atty. Musico was also able to
cross-examine Lim and Redentor Quejada, 8 2 the two witnesses petitioner claimed had
inconsistent testimonies. Atty. Musico even led a Demurrer to Evidence after the
prosecution made its formal offer. 8 3
Although there were, indeed, instances where Atty. Musico failed to attend the
scheduled hearings, 8 4 petitioner was never deprived of due process. The Order 8 5
dated February 8, 2010 of the trial court shows it was petitioner's decision to forego
the presentation of evidence on his behalf:
In today's hearing, the accused through counsel manifested that despite
the resolution of the Demurrer to Evidence, the defense will not be presenting
evidence. In view whereof [sic], the defense having considered as waiving the
right to present evidence, this case is now submitted for decision. 8 6
The burden of proof was on the prosecution. Petitioner did not even need to
present evidence. To successfully sustain a conviction, the prosecution must rely on the
strength of its evidence, and not on the weakness of the defense. 8 7 The prosecution's
evidence in this case was enough to overcome the presumption of innocence.
We will no longer discuss petitioner's allegation that Redentor Quejada was not
authorized by Duty Free Philippines to le the criminal complaint since petitioner failed
to attach any proof to substantiate this allegation. AIDSTE
2. Id. at 28-41.
3. Id. at 42-43.
4. Id. at 46-56.
5. Id. at 46-47, Regional Trial Court Decision.
6. Id. at 47.
7. Id.
8. Id. at 49 and 55.
9. Id.
10. Id. at 48 and 55.
11. Id.
12. Id. at 55.
13. Id. at 30.
14. Id. at 48.
15. Id. at 48.
16. Id.
17. Id.
18. Id.
19. Id.
20. Id. at 50.
27. Id. at 31. A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC (2004), Proposed Rule on Guidelines to be Observed by Trial
Court Judges and Clerks of Court in the Conduct of Pre-Trial and Use of Deposition-
Discovery Measures.
28. Id. at 31-32.
34. Id. at 28-41. The Decision, docketed as CA-G.R. CR No. 33756, was penned by Associate
Justice Angelita A. Gacutan and concurred in by Associate Justices Fernanda Lampas
Peralta (Chair) and Francisco P. Acosta of the Tenth Division, Court of Appeals, Manila.
SECTION 10. Penalties. — Any person committing any of the acts constituting access
device fraud enumerated in the immediately preceding section shall be punished with:
(a) a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or twice the value obtained by the offense,
whichever is greater and imprisonment for not less than six (6) years and not more than
ten (10) years, in the case of an offense under Section 9 (b)-(e), and (g)-(p) which does
not occur after a conviction for another offense under Section 9;
(b) a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or twice the value obtained by the offense,
and imprisonment for not less than ten (10) years and for not more than twelve (12)
years, in the case of an offense under Section 9 (a), and (f) of the foregoing section,
which does not occur after a conviction for another offense under Section 9; and
(c) a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or twice the value obtained by the offense,
or imprisonment for not less than twelve (12) years and not more than twenty (20) years,
or both, in the case of any offense under Section 9, which occurs after a conviction for
another offense under said subsection, or an attempt to commit the same.
40. Id. at 42-43. The Resolution was penned by Associate Justice Angelita A. Gacutan and
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concurred in by Associate Justices Fernanda Lampas Peralta and Francisco P. Acosta
of the Former Tenth Division, Court of Appeals, Manila.
60. Id.
63. Re: Proposed Rule on Guidelines to be Observed by Trial Court Judges and Clerks of Court
in the Conduct of Pre-Trial and Use of Deposition-Discovery Measures (2004).
64. Rollo, p. 16.
65. Fortune Corporation v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 108119, January 19, 1994, 229 SCRA 355,
371 [Per J. Regalado, Second Division].
66. Rollo, pp. 57-61, TSN dated August 1, 2007.
76. See People v. Diu, 708 Phil. 218, 232 (2013) [Per J. De Castro, First Division]: "Thus, it has
been an established rule in appellate review that the trial court's factual findings —
including its assessment of the credibility of the witnesses, the probative weight of their
testimonies, and the conclusions drawn from the factual findings — are accorded great
respect and even conclusive effect. These factual findings and conclusions assume
greater weight if they are affirmed by the Court of Appeals."
77. People v. Dalinog, 262 Phil. 98, 111 (1990) [Per C.J. Fernan, Third Division], citing People v.
Anquillano, 233 Phil. 456, 460-461 (1987) [Per J. Cruz, En Banc].
78. Rollo, pp. 121-122.
79. See Dimarucot v. People, 645 Phil. 218, 227 (2010) [Per J. Villarama, Jr., Third Division].
86. Id.
87. See People v. Magallanes, 231 Phil. 89, 98 (1987) [Per J. Paras, Second Division].