This is another case of unreasonable delay in the disposition of criminal case covering a period of 10 years and 8 months and 4 days from the time that the accused Richard Guinto y San Andres was arrested by the police authorities on January 20, 2004 for alleged sale of prohibited drugs “shabu” until he was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court per its decision dated September 24, 2014.
Case Of Alleged Sale Of Illegal Drugs “Shabu”
Richard Guinto y San Andres was charged in an Information for alleged “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 Pasig City Branch 164 has rendered a decision dated October 8, 2008 convicting the accused and imposing upon him the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of 500,000.00 Philippine Pesos.
He appeal his conviction before the Court of Appeal, contending among other things, that the Regional Trial Court Pasig City Branch 164 has erred in convicting him since according to the accused the prosecution has failed to prove to establish his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The Court of Appeal however has sustained the judgment of conviction of the Regional Trial Court Pasig City Branch 164 in its entirety per its decision dated January 31, 2011.
Thus, they bring the ruling of the Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on September 24, 2014 has reverse and set aside the judgment of conviction of the Regional Trial Court 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 the release of the accused from the legal custody.
Unreasonable Delay In The Resolution Of Criminal Cases
It took almost 4 years and 8 months and 18 days from the time that the accused was arrested by the police authorities on January 20, 2004 until the Supreme Court has rendered its decision dated September 24, 2014.
On appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court Pasig City Branch 164 to the Court of Appeal, it took 2 years and 3 months and 23 days before the Court of Appeal has rendered its decision dated January 31, 2011.
From the ruling of the Court of Appeal up to the elevation of the case to the Supreme Court, it took 2 years and 7 months and 24 days before the latter court has finally resolved the matter.
In truth this is another case of justice delayed is justice denied case under the Philippine laws and jurisprudence.
How many more accused are languishing in jail before the Supreme Court finally resolved their criminal cases?
There must be some ways and means in order to give the constitutional rights of the accused to a speedy trial a living reality.
Case reference: People of the Philippines vs. Richard Guinto y San Andres G.R. No. 198314
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2014/september2014/198314.pdf
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