This is a classic case of slow disposition of criminal cases covering a period of around 10 years and 11 months and 25 days from the time that the accused Romeo Lintag y Laureola was arrested for alleged sale of illegal drugs “shabu” by the police authorities on October 25, 2005 until he was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court on September 06, 2016.
Case Of Illegal Sale of “Shabu”?
Romeo Linatg y Laureola was arrested for the alleged sale of illegal drugs “shabu” on October 25, 2005 by the police and subsequently charged in an Information for “Violation of Section 5, Article II, of Republic Act No. 9165” otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002”.
When arraigned the accused has entered a plea of not guilty.
After the trial, the Regional Trial Court of Manila Branch 53 has rendered a decision dated June 27, 2012 convicting the accused for the crime of sale of drugs 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 of Manila Branch 53 has erred in convicting him since according to the accused the prosecution has failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The Court of Appeal however sustained the judgment of conviction by the Regional Trial Court of Manila Branch 53 in its entirety per its decision dated November 12, 2014.
Hence, he brings the ruling of the Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court.
On September 6, 2016, the Supreme Court has reverse and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and acquitted the accused for the crime of “Violation of Sec. 5, Article II of R.A. 9165” otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002” and at the same time ordered his immediate release from the Bureau of Corrections.
Delay In The Disposition Of The Case
It took almost 6 years and 8 months and 2 days from the time that the accused was arrested on October 25, 2005 until the Regional Trial Court of Manila Branch 53 has rendered its Decision dated June 27, 2012.
On appeal from the Regional Trial Court of Manila Branch 53 to the Court of Appeal it almost took 2 years and 4 months and 16 days before the Court of Appeal ruled on his appeal dated November 12, 2014.
From the ruling of the Court of Appeal up to the elevation of the case to the Supreme Court, it took the latter court almost 1 year and 9 months and 25 days before the same finally rendered a favorable judgment of acquittal to the accused.
Thus, it almost takes 10 years and 11 months and 12 days before Romeo Lintag y Laureola obtained justice in this instant case.
Indeed, a slow administration of justice.
Case reference: People of the Philippines vs. Romeo Lintag y Aureola G.R. No. 219855 http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2016/september2016/219855.pdf
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Here in the Philippines, a lot of cases like this happens.
The accused have already suffered a lot in jail before it us finally proven that he is not involved in the case thrown at him.
Now that we have a new president, I hope he also finds the time to make a law expediting the cases of those being proved guilty but is already in jail.
Sad that the former president Arroyo is one of them. She suffered much while being in house arrest before she's finally freed because she wasn't proven to be guilty.