A Case Of Justice Delayed Justice Deny

   Every system invented by human beings is not absolutely perfect. Take for example our judicial system.

We are familiar with so many instances of persons being wrongfully convicted, then languishing in jail for so many years, but when the case reached the Supreme Court the accused is eventually and finally acquitted.

There is nothing so disgusting and revolting than for an innocent person to be wrongfully convicted.

The saying that it is better to acquit a guilty person than to wrongfully convict an innocent person is a case in point that actually happened to Juan Richard Tionloc.

The Rape Case Against Juan Richard Tionloc

   Juan Richard Tionloc was charged with the crime of Rape under Article 266-A, paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code. It was alleged that on September 29, 2009 in Manila, Philippines, Juan Richard Tionloc by means of force and intimidation, has committed rape on the person of the private complainant “AAA” (name of the complainant not disclosed in the interest of privacy and due to legal provision prohibiting name disclosure of complainant).

He was subsequently arraigned in the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 37.

He pleaded not guilty. Trial of the case then follows.

On February 15, 2012 he was convicted by the Regional Trial Court. The RTC has sentenced him to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua or imprisonment ranging from 20 years and 1 day to 40 years.

He appealed his case before the Court of Appeal (CA) on the ground that the prosecution has failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.  On September 29, 2013, the Court of Appeal has affirmed the decision of the Regional Trial Court.

Not satisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, he brings the case before the Supreme Court.

On February 15, 2017, the Supreme Court has reversed and set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, this time acquitting Juan Richard Tionloc and eventually ordering his release from jail.

Case Analysis

   It must be noted that Juan Richard Tionloc was arraigned in this case on September 29, 2008 and was convicted on February 15, 2012 by the Regional Trial Court.

It took almost more than three (3) years before the TRC render a judgment.

The judgement of conviction by the RTC was subsequently affirmed by the Court of Appeal on September 26, 2013.

From the Regional Trial Court to the Court of Appeal, it took almost more than one (1) year and 7 months and 11 days before the Court of Appeal issued its ruling.

It was only on February 15, 2017 that he was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court.

From the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, it took almost four (4) years, four (4) months and 19 days before the Supreme Court has finally resolved the case.

Thus, it took almost 8 years, 4 months and almost 15 days before Juan Richard Tionloc was finally acquitted for the crime of rape.

He was almost languishing in jail for more than eight (8) years. He cannot post any bail since the crime of rape in the Philippines is consider as a non-bailable offense.

Juan Richard Tinloc has languished and continues to languish in jail for more than eight (8) years before he finally obtained justice in this case.

Truly Juan Richard Tionloc’s case is classic example of justice delayed is a justice deny case.

(Case Reference: People of the Philippines vs. Juan Richard Tionloc y Marquez G.R. No. 212193, Jurisprudence Philippine Supreme Court, http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2017/february2017/212193.pdf)

Image source: http://islamabadpost.com/2016/11/justice-in-pakistan/