This is another specific example of unreasonable delay in the disposition of criminal cases covering a period of 11 years and 5 months and 19 days from the time that the accused Sonia Bernel Nuarin was arrested by the police authorities on February 3, 2003 for alleged sale of illegal drugs “shabu” until she was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court per its decision dated July 22, 2015.
Case Of Alleged Sale Of Illegal Drugs “Shabu”
Sonia Bernel Nuarin was arrested for the alleged sale of illegal drugs known as “shabu” by the police authorities on February 3, 2003 and was subsequently charged in an Information for “Violation of Section 5, Art. II, of R.A. 9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act Of 2002”.
When arraigned the accused has entered a plea of not guilty.
After the trial, the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 80 has rendered a decision dated May 25, 2007 convicting the accused for illegal sale of drugs “shabu” and imposing upon her the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of 500,000.00 Philippine Pesos.
She appeal her conviction before the Court of Appeal, contending among other things that the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 80 erred in convicting her since according to the accused the prosecution has failed to establish her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The Court of Appeal however has sustained the judgment of conviction of the Regional Trial Court Quezon City, Branch 80 in its entirety per its decision dated April 25, 2009.
Thus, she brings the ruling of the Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on July 22, 2015, has reverse and set aside the judgment of conviction of the Court of Appeal and acquitted the accused for the crime of “Violation of Sec. 5, Art. II, of R.A. 9165” otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” and further order her release from the custody of the law.
Unreasonable Delay In The Resolution Of Criminal Case
It took almost 4 years and 3 months and 22 days from the time that the accused was arrested on February 3, 2003 until the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City Branch 80 has rendered a decision dated May 25, 2007.
On appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court Quezon City Branch 80 to the Court of Appeal, it took almost 1 year and 11 months and 3 days before the Court of Appeal has ruled on her appeal on April 28, 2009.
From the ruling of the Court of Appeal up to the elevation of the case to the Supreme Court, it took almost 5 years and 2 months and 22 days before the latter court has finally rendered a favorable judgment of acquittal to the accused.
In truth this is another case of justice delayed is justice denied situation under the Philippine laws and jurisprudence.
I wonder how many more persons are languishing in jail until their criminal cases are finally resolved by the Supreme Court.
Case reference: People of the Philippines vs. Sonia Bernel Nuarin G.R. No. 188698 http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2015/july2015/188698.pdf
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