Leg Forms Sample Petition for Certiorari

8/12/2019 Leg Forms Sample Petition for Certiorari

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUPREME COURT

MANILA

XXX,

Petitioner,

- versus - S.C. G.R. No. __________________

For Certiorariunder Rule 65(case number in OCP)

XXX

Respondents.

x-------------------------------------------------x

PETITION FOR CERTIORARI

Petitioner XXX (Petitioner!)" b# counsel,res$ect%ull# states&

I. NATURE OF THE PETITION

'.' is is a Petition %or Certiorariunder Rule 65 o% te Rules o% Court

see*in+ to annul and set aside te %ollo,in+ Resolutions rendered in connection ,it

(CS N/01R 2N OCP)" entitled" XXX vs. XXX., %or a3in+ been issued ,itout4urisdiction or ,it +ra3e abuse o% discretion amountin+ to lac* or excess o% 4urisdiction&

a. Resolution dated '' anuar# 7'' (First ssailed Resolution!)'

rendered b# 88888" +i3in+ due course to Pri3ate Res$ondent 888

(Pri3ate Res$ondent!) %%ida3it Com$laint dated 6 Februar# 779

(%%ida3it Com$laint!)" and recommendin+ te %ilin+ o% 2n%ormationsa+ainst Petitioner" amon+ oters" %or te %ollo,in+ o%%enses& (i) :iolation

o% Section ;(e) o% Re$ublic ct No. ;7'

S$ecial Prosecutor 222? ctin+ @irector" Prosecution 1ureau 8" Omar A.

' certi%ied true co$# o% te Resolution dated '' anuar# 7'' (First ssailed

Resolution!) is attaced ereto as Annex Aand made an inte+ral $art ereo%. co$# o% Res$ondent 888 (Res$ondent 888!) %%ida3it Com$laint dated 6

Februar# 779 (%%ida3it Com$laint!) is attaced ereto as Annex Band made an inte+ral $art

ereo%.; certi%ied true co$# o% te Resolution dated '9 Februar# 7' (Second ssailed

Resolution!) is attaced ereto as Annex C and made an inte+ral $art ereo%.


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Sa+adal (Prosecutor Sa+adal!)" to& (a) disa$$ro3e ssistant S$ecial

Prosecutor 22 0ar# nn . 8xxxxBs (Prosecutor 8xxxx!)

recommendation to +rant PetitionerBs 0otion %or Reconsideration (to8xxxx Resolution dated anuar# ''" 7'') dated 0a# 7'' (0otion

%or Reconsideration!)" as contained in er 0emorandum dated onorable Court trou+ er counsel" xxxxxx.

222. Public Res$ondent" te xxx" in er ca$acit# as te xxxx" ,o issued tessailed Resolutions" ma# be ser3ed ,it $leadin+s" motions" notices" Resolutions"

Orders and oter $a$ers o% tis >onorable Court at te xxxx.

222.; Pri3ate Res$ondent" xxxx" is a Fili$ino" o% le+al a+e" and is te $rime

mo3er %or all te abo3e trum$ed-u$ car+es a+ainst Petitioner. >e ma# be ser3ed ,it$leadin+s" motions" notices" Resolutions" Orders and oter $a$ers o% tis >onorable Court

at is residence ,it address at xxxx.

I'. STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

(2nsert Facts)

'. STATEMENTOF THE CASE

(2nstert statement o% te case" or te $ortion o% te %acts ,ic $ertains to te

adulter#" i.e." %rom %ilin+ o% te com$laint?$er%ormance o% acts ,ic ser3e as

basis o% te com$laint. us" #ou are +i3en %reedom to add %acts in $art 2: notincluded in te resolution. 1e creati3e. )

'I. (ROUNDS IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION

I

PUBLIC RESPONDENT ACTED )ITH (RA'E ABUSE OF

DISCRETION AMOUNTIN( TO LAC* OR EXCESS OF

+URISDICTION IN ISSUIN( THE ASSAILED RESOLUTIONS

FINDIN( PROBABLE CAUSE A(AINST PETITIONER FOR'IOLATION OF SECTION E OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. $%!

RA $%!. THE ELEMENT OF UNDUE IN+UR/ TO THE

(O'ERNMENT OR UN)ARRANTED BENEFITS TO AN/

PART/ IS CLEARL/ ABSENT.

A. PUBLIC BIDDIN( )AS NOT RE0UIRED UNDER THE

CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE NO (O'ERNMENT

PROCUREMENT IS IN'OL'ED, AND ABSENCE OF THE

SAME DID NOT RESULT IN UNDUE IN+UR/ TO THE

PRO'INCIAL (O'ERNMENT. NEITHER DID THE LAC*

OF COMPETITI'E BIDDIN( CREATE UN)ARRANTED

BENEFITS IN FA'OR OF XXXXX SINCE THE N(O

MEREL/ ACTED AS CONDUIT OF THE FUNDS.

B. THE MOA CONTAINED SUFFICIENT SAFE(UARDS TO

PRE'ENT THE ACCRUAL OF UN)ARRANTED

BENEFITS TO XXXXX AND TO PROTECT THE

;


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PRO'INCIAL (O'ERNMENT FROM BEIN( IN+URED

OR DISAD'ANTA(ED.

C. AT ALL TIMES, PETITIONER ACTED )ITHIN THE

BOUNDS OF HER AUTHORIT/ AND IN (OOD FAITH.

II




FINDIN( PROBABLE CAUSE FOR MAL'ERSATION OF

PUBLIC FUNDS. NOT ALL THE ELEMENTS OF SAID CRIME

ARE PRESENT.

'II. DISCUSSION

I




FINDIN( PROBABLE CAUSE A(AINST PETITIONER FOR

'IOLATION OF SECTION E OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. $%!

RA $%!. THE ELEMENT OF UNDUE IN+UR/ TO THE(O'ERNMENT OR UN)ARRANTED BENEFITS TO AN/

PART/ IS CLEARL/ ABSENT.

:22.' e elements o% te crime $unisable under Section ;(e) o% R ;7'onorable Court a$tl# states&

2ndeed" $robable cause need not be based on clear and con3incin+

e3idence o% +uilt" neiter on e3idence establisin+ +uilt be#ond reasonable

doubt and de%initel#" not on e3idence establisin+ absolute certaint# o%+uilt" but it certainl# on. Aananas" et al." G.R. No. '57E99" 0a# 776" E< SCR "

em$asis and underscorin+ su$$lied. See also Pila$il 3. Sandi+anba#an" G.R. No. '7'


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(O'ERNMENT. NEITHER DID THE

LAC* OF COMPETITI'E BIDDIN(

CREATE UN)ARRANTED

BENEFITS IN FA'OR OF XXXXX

SINCE THE N(O MEREL/ ACTED

AS CONDUIT OF THE FUNDS.

:22.9 at is $unisable under Section ; (e) o% R ;7'< is te act o%

causin+ an# undue in4ur# to an# $art#" or te +i3in+ to an# $ri3ate $art# un,arranted

bene%its" ad3anta+e or $re%erence in te discar+e o% te $ublic o%%icerIs %unctions.'9

:22.E 2n tis case" Public Res$ondentBs erroneous %indin+ o% $robable cause

a+ainst Petitioner %or 3iolation o% Section ;(e) o% R ;7'< in+es on te absence o%

$ublic biddin+ (or an# oter acce$table mode o% $rocurement under te la,) $rior to te

a,ard o% te contract" te 0O" in %a3or o% 88888" contrar# to te reDuirements o% R


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ereas" te FO/N@2ON J88888K" a non-+o3ernmental

or+aniation %ocusin+ on $ro3idin+ basic social ser3ices to te $eo$le o%8xxxx as si+ni%ied its intention to mana+e" administer" and im$lement

te Pro3incial Rice Pro+ram=!

:22.'' 2n tis re+ard" te First ssailed Resolution itsel% ac*no,led+es tat

te 0O contained no sti$ulations as to te amount o% te contract ' --- stren+tenin+PetitionerBs $osition tat te 0O does not contem$late a con3e#ance o% bene%it"

$ecuniar# or oter,ise" to 88888.

:22.' Clearl#" te Public Res$ondent +ra3el# abused er discretion indisre+ardin+ te abo3e %acts and %indin+ tat un,arranted bene%its accrued to 88888.

e trut o% te matter is tat 88888 did not e3en recei3e an# bene%it" muc less an

un,arranted one. ccordin+l#" tere is no basis on record %or te Public Res$ondent to

conclude tat Petitioner accorded un,arranted bene%its" ad3anta+e or $re%erence to88888.

:22.'; Petitioner cannot li*e,ise be car+ed ,it a3in+ acted ,it mani%est

$artialit# sim$l# because no com$etiti3e $ublic biddin+ ,as conducted be%ore se

entered into te 0O ,it 88888. is >onorable Court ex$lained tat actin+ ,itmani%est $artialit# is one o% te tree modes o% committin+ te o%%ense de%ined b# Section

;(e)" and de%ined te term mani%est $artialit#!" tus&

BPartialit#B is s#non#mous ,it LbiasB ,ic Lexcites a dis$osition

to see and re$ort matters as te# are ,ised %or rater tan as te# are.B ...

Proo% o% te existence o% an# o% tese modes in connection ,it te$roibited acts under Section ;(e) sould su%%ice to ,arrant con3iction.!

ere is mani%est $artialit# ,en tere is a clear" notorious" or$lain inclination or $redilection to %a3or one side or $erson rater tan

anoter.!;

:22.' >ere" contrar# to ,ell-settled rules" te Public Res$ondent did not

s$eci%# and alle+e te %acts %rom ,ic it based te conclusion tat Petitioner acted ,it

mani%est $artialit# in %a3or o% 88888. 2n Dela Chica v. Sandiganbayan2, it ,asex$lained tat te mode b# ,ic te o%%ense ,as committed" e.g., !,it mani%est

$artialit#!" must be alle+ed ,it $articularit#" tus&

2t is not enou+ to alle+e tat te acts ,ere ,ill%ull#" unla,%ull#

or criminall# caused ,itout statin+ tat te same ,as done in a manner

b# ,ic te accused could be eld liable %or te s$eci%ic o%%ense car+ed.

is Court as ruled tat in order tat one ma# be eld criminall# liableunder Section ;(e) o% R.. ;7'


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ev3r8ss 3nex7us";6e ne>63>en7e 4us5 ;e "66e>e< ?351

9"r537u6"r35# 3n 51e 3n:8r4"538n su::373en56# 58 3n:8r4 51e "77use< 8:

51e 71"r>e ">"3ns5 134 "n< 58 en";6e 51e 78ur5 9r89er6# 58 reno,e3er" tat te 0O ,as not

sub4ected to com$etiti3e $ublic biddin+ is not %atal to PetitionerBs cause. 2nasmuc as no

+o3ernment $rocurement is in3ol3ed in tis case" com$etiti3e $ublic biddin+ is notreDuired. e relationsi$ %ormed bet,een te Pro3incial Go3ernment and 88888

$ursuant to te 0O does not e3en ex$ose te Pro3incial Go3ernment to an# %inancial

liabilit#. 2% at all" te %inancial ris* to te +o3ernment is ,it res$ect to te $ossibilit# o%

te %armer bene%iciaries de%aultin+ on te loans extended to tem b# te $ro3ince trou+88888.

:22.'6 t an# rate" te mere absence o% $ublic biddin+" assumin+ arguendo

tat one is reDuired in te $resent case" sould not automaticall# translate to a %indin+ o%in4ur#" dama+e or disad3anta+e to te +o3ernment tat ,ould ,arrant te %indin+ o%

$robable cause to indict a $ublic o%%icial %or 3iolation o% Section ;(e) o% R ;7'"3ns5 51e >8vern4en5.

2% te accused is to be sent to 4ail" it must be because tere is solid

e3idence to $in tat $erson do,n" n85 ;e7"use 8: 51e 843ss38n 8: "

9r87eonorable Court

ex$lained&

side %rom $rotectin+ $ublic interest b# +i3in+ te $ublic te best

$ossible ad3anta+es trou+ o$en com$etition" LJaKnoter sel%-e3ident

$ur$ose o% $ublic biddin+ is to a3oid or $reclude sus$icion o% %a3oritismand anomalies in te execution o% $ublic contracts.B!E

5 m$asis and underscorin+ su$$lied.6 G.R. No. '67''" E u+ust 776" __ SCR __. See also 0arDue 3. Sandi+anba#an"

G.R. Nos. 'E77- and Caunan 3. Peo$le" G.R. Nos. 'E'


9/23

:22.'E >ere" te abo3e rationale ,as not circum3ented" and te $ublic interest

,as u$eld rater tan dama+ed" because te Pro3incial Go3ernment ,as able to

e%%icientl# im$lement its rice $ro+ram cu( credit %acilit# b# ta$$in+ te ex$ertise andser3ices o% te $ri3ate sector at no cost. 2t bears notin+ tat te $ro3ince actuall# as

limited resources" and assistance suc as te one extended b# 88888 is crucial.

Petitioner is co+niant o% tis


10/23

te burden o% $ro3in+ er innocence on Petitioner" contrar# to te constitutional

$resum$tion o% innocence.;

:22.; e Public Res$ondent also +ra3el# abused er discretion ,en se

ado$ted te recommendations tat $ur$ort to %ind $robable cause but ,ere not su$$orted

b# la, and te e3idence on record. 2t is ,ort notin+ tat u$on re3ie, o% terecommendation to %ile car+es a+ainst Petitioner and er co-accused" Prosecutor 8xxxx

cate+oricall# stated in er 0emorandum tat tere is no basis %or te %indin+ tat te

0O did not +o trou+ $ublic biddin+" to ,it&

Furter" te in3esti+atin+ $rosecutorBs %indin+ tat te contract

a,arded to te 88888 did not +o trou+ te $rocess o% $ublic biddin+as no basis. First" tere ,as no alle+ation in te a%%ida3it?com$laint tat

$ri3ate com$lainant ,as suin+ te accused b# reason o% lac* o% biddin+.

Second" tere ,as neiter a CO %indin+ as to tat e%%ect. e

in3esti+atin+ $rosecutor cannot add e3idence b# mere sus$icion ors$eculation on te basis tat tere ,ere no biddin+ documents at and.!;5

:22. 2n e%%ect" tere%ore" te Public Res$ondent ex$anded te accusations

a+ainst Petitioner and added +rounds not contained in te com$laint %iled b# Pri3ateRes$ondent. is is $atent +ra3e abuse o% discretion on te $art o% te Public Res$ondent"

,o sould be admonised tere%or and ,ose %indin+s sould be set aside. s tis

>onorable Court eld in e/ano v. X0000, et al.1#&

xxx Petitioner attributes $artialit# on te $art o% 8xxxx @esierto

%or a3in+ $artici$ated in te rein3esti+ation o% te instant case des$ite te%act tat e earlier $artici$ated in te initial $reliminar# in3esti+ation o%

te same ,en e ,as a S$ecial Prosecutor b# concurrin+ in te

recommendation %or te %ilin+ o% te in%ormation be%ore teSandi+anba#an.

e a+ree ,it te $etitioner. Stead%astl#" ,e a3e ruled tat 51e

8::37er ?18 rev3e?s " 7"se 8n "99e"6 s18u6< n85 ;e 51e s"4e 9ers8n

?18se


11/23

2n earlier recommendin+ te %ilin+ o% in%ormation" ten S$ecial

Prosecutor @esierto ,as alread# con3inced" %rom tat moment" tat$robable cause exists to indict te accused. 2t becomes a %ar%etced

$ossibilit# tat in a subseDuent re3ie, o% te same" 8xxxx @esierto ,ould

ma*e a turnabout and ta*e a $osition contradictor# to is earlier %indin+.

@ue $rocess dictates tat one called u$on to resol3e a dis$ute ma#

not re3ie, is decision on a$$eal. e ta*e our bearin+s %roma(balesChro(ite 'ining Co. v. Court o3 %ppeals ,ic succinctl# ex$lained tat&

2n order tat te re3ie, o% te decision o% a

subordinate o%%icer mi+t not turn out to be %arce" tere3ie,in+ o%%icer must $er%orce be oter tan te o%%icer

,ose decision is under re3ie,= oter,ise" tere could be

no di%%erent 3ie, or tere ,ould be no real re3ie, o% te

case. e decision o% te re3ie,in+ o%%icer ,ould be abiased 3ie,= ine3itabl#" it ,ould be te same 3ie, since

bein+ uman" e ,ould not admit tat e ,as mista*en inis %irst 3ie, o% te case.

Cojuangco, Jr. v. Presidential Commission on Good

Government 78n7e 8::37er 58 1"nis actuation must ins$ire tat belie%. is is aninstance ,en a$$earance is as im$ortant as realit#.

e same rule o% tumb sould a$$l# to an

in3esti+atin+ o%%icer conductin+ a $reliminar#in3esti+ation. is is te reason ,# under Section '69< o%

te %ormer Re3ised dministrati3e Code" te Secretar# o%

ustice" ,o as su$er3ision o3er te $rosecution arm o%te +o3ernment" is +i3en am$le $o,er to desi+nate anoter

$rosecutor to andle te in3esti+ation and $rosecution o% a

case ,en te $rosecutor andlin+ te same is oter,isedisDuali%ied b# $ersonal interest" or is unable or %ails to

$er%orm is dut#. (/nderlinin+ su$$lied)!

:22.5 e same unanimit# bet,een te role o% $rosecutor! and 4ud+e!

$roibited in te %ore+oin+ cases +larin+l# subsists ,it res$ect to te Public Prosecutor

in te instant cases a+ainst Petitioner. >ence" te ssailed Resolutions must be nulli%iedand set aside.

B. THE MOA CONTAINED

SUFFICIENT SAFE(UARDS TO

PRE'ENT THE ACCRUAL OF

UN)ARRANTED BENEFITS TO

XXXXX AND TO PROTECT THE

PRO'INCIAL (O'ERNMENT

''


12/23

FROM BEIN( IN+URED OR

DISAD'ANTA(ED.

:22.6 mon+ te obli+ations o% 88888 under te 0O is teim$lementation o% a s#stem %or te $ro$er recei$t" custod#" release and disbursement o%

J88888BsK %unds" in3entor# and oter assets.!;90ore im$ortantl#" 88888 is car+ed

,it te establisment and maintenance o% an e::373en5 3n5ern"6 "u s#s5e4 58

ensure 51"5 "sse5s "re 9r85e75eonorable

Court in tis ,ise&

Gross inexcusable ne+li+ence does not si+ni%# mere omission o%

duties nor $lainl# te exercise o% less tan te standard de+ree o%$rudence. Rater" it re%ers to ne+li+ence caracteried b# te ,ant o% e3en

te sli+test care" actin+ or omittin+ to act in a situation ,ere tere is a

dut# to act" not inad3ertentl# but ,ill%ull# and intentionall#" ,it

conscious indi%%erence to conseDuences inso%ar as oter $ersons ma# bea%%ected.!;

BGross ne+li+enceB as been so de%ined as ne+li+encecaracteried b# te ,ant o% e3en sli+t care" actin+ or omittin+ to act in a

situation ,ere tere is a dut# to act" not inad3ertentl# but ,ill%ull# and

intentionall# ,it a conscious indi%%erence to conseDuences in so %ar asoter $ersons ma# be a%%ected. 2t is te omission o% tat care ,ic e3en

inattenti3e and tou+tless men ne3er %ail to ta*e on teir o,n

$ro$ert#.B!

;9 0O" rt. ;(6).;E 0O" rt. ;(E)= em$asis and underscorin+ su$$lied.;< 0O" rt. ;(').7 0O" rt. ;(6).' 0O" rt. ;(''). 0O" rt. (;).; 0.. imene nter$rises 3. e >onorable 8xxxx" et al." G.R. No. '55;79" 6 une

7''" __ SCR __. Fonacier" et al. 3. Sandi+anba#an" G.R. Nos. A-576


13/23


14/23

:22.;; e case o% Sisto+a v. Desierto56%urter stated&

3identl#" 4ere ;"< :"351 8r 9"r53"635# "n< ne>63>en7e 9er se

"re n85 en8u>1 :8r 8ne 58 ;e 1e6< 63";6e unonorable Court" in

a%%irmin+ te %indin+s o% te 8xxxx tat tere ,as no $robable cause to car+e teaccused terein %or 3iolation o% Section ;(e) o% R ;7'


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FINDIN( PROBABLE CAUSE FOR MAL'ERSATION OF

PUBLIC FUNDS. NOT ALL THE ELEMENTS OF SAID CRIME

ARE PRESENT.

D. PETITIONER XXXXX HAD NO

CUSTOD/ OF THE SUB+ECT

PUBLIC FUNDS AND SHE IS NOT

THE ACCOUNTABLE OFFICER FOR

THE SAME.

:22.;E 2n orres v. People58, tis >onorable Court ex$lained te co3era+e o%

rticle '9 o% te RPC" tus&

n accountable $ublic o%%icer" ,itin te $ur3ie, o% rticle '9o% te Re3ised Penal Code" is one ,o as custod# or control o% $ublic

%unds or $ro$ert# b# reason o% te duties o% is o%%ice. e nature o% te

duties o% te $ublic o%%icer or em$lo#ee" te %act tat as $art o% is dutiese recei3ed $ublic mone# %or ,ic e is bound to account and %ailed to

account %or it" is te %actor ,ic determines ,eter or not mal3ersation

is committed b# te accused $ublic o%%icer or em$lo#ee.!5E

:22.;< us" to be liable %or 0al3ersation o% Public %unds under rticle '9 o%te RPC" tis >onorable Court ruled in anggote v. Sandiganbayan"5


16/23

Fun7538n 8: 51e

(8vern4en5 Pr8se7u58r

e determination o% $robable cause durin+ a $reliminar#

in3esti+ation is a %unction o% te +o3ernment $rosecutor" ,o in tis caseis te xxxxx. s a rule" te Court does not inter%ere in te xxxxxIs exercise

o% discretion in determinin+ $robable cause" unless tere are com$ellin+

reasons.

xxx xxx xxx

Noneteless" te Court ma# exercise its certiorari $o,er ,en te+o3ernment $rosecutor unreasonabl# re%uses to %ile an in%ormation e3en i%

clearl# ,arranted b# te e3idence. is certiorari $o,er ,as reco+nied in

Socrates 3. Sandi+anba#an" ,ic enumerated te remedies o% te

o%%ended $art# or com$lainant" as %ollo,s& (') to %ile an action %ormandamus in case o% +ra3e abuse o% discretion= () to lod+e a ne,

com$laint a+ainst te o%%enders be%ore te xxxxx and reDuest te conducto% a ne, examination as reDuired b# la,= (;) to institute administrati3e

car+es a+ainst te errin+ $rosecutor" a criminal com$laint under rticle

7E o% te Re3ised Penal Code" or a ci3il action %or dama+es under rticle9 o% te Ci3il Code= () to secure te a$$ointment o% anoter $rosecutor=

or (5) to institute anoter criminal action i% no double 4eo$ard# is

in3ol3ed.

N8 Pr34" F"73e Ev3"538n 78ns535u5es " re"63s537 =ue 3n 78ur5 . s

discussed earlier" te $resent $etitioners did not submit an# $roo% insu$$ort o% teir accusations a+ainst res$ondents.

>ence" te Court is bound to res$ect te de$ut# xxxxxIs$ro%essional 4ud+ment in %indin+ te case dismissible" absent a so,in+ o%

+ra3e abuse o% discretion. Go3ernment resources and te time and e%%ort o%

$ublic o%%icials ,ould be needlessl# ,asted i% te courts allo,

unmeritorious cases to be %iled and +i3en due course. 2t ,ould be better todismiss a case" li*e te $resent one in ,ic te circumstances blatantl#

so, tat te act com$lained o% does not constitute te o%%ense car+ed.!

:22. $$l#in+ te %ore+oin+ 4uris$rudential +uideline o% tis >onorable Court"

it beoo3es te Public Res$ondent at te outset to sim$l# onorable

'6


17/23

Court certainl# cannot countenance suc ille+al conduct es$eciall# %rom a i+

constitutional o%%ice as te Public Res$ondent.

:22.5 us" Public Res$ondent committed +ra3e abuse o% discretion amountin+

to lac* or excess o% 4urisdiction in issuin+ and a$$ro3in+?a%%irmin+ te ssailed

Resolutions. e %act tat te absence o% te %ore+oin+ elements sould a3e establisedte absence o% an# $robable cause to old Petitioner liable %or 0al3ersation o% Public

Funds" and tus ,arrantin+ no less tan an outri+t dismissal o% te car+e a+ainst

Petitioner" is $roo% in itsel% tat Public Res$ondent acted in a ,imsical and arbitrar#manner" contrar# to la, and settled 4uris$rudence" in %indin+ instead" tat tere is

$robable cause to car+e Petitioner ,it said o%%ense.

E. THERE IS NO SHO)IN( THAT

PETITIONER DERI'ED AN/

BENEFIT FROM THE LOAN

PROCEEDS FOR THE PRO'INCIALRICE PRO(RAM.

:22.6 2n te ssailed Resolutions" Public Res$ondent a3ers tat tere is noso,in+ tat te %armers bene%ited %rom te J0OK!6'and tat te JccusedK ,ere not

able to so, trou+ documentar# e3idence" or at least" a $ro+ram re$ort tat te

mone#reacedte su$$osed bene%iciaries o% te $ro3incial rice $ro+ram!6 Suc

arbitrar# s,ee$in+ conclusion is erroneous and baseless as it disre+ards teo3er,elmin+ e3idence on record ,ic $ro3e tat te $ublic %unds" indeed" did not onl#

reac but ,ere li*e,ise utilied b# te 8xxxx %armers.

:22.9 F3rs5, as admitted b# Public Res$ondent in te First ssailed Resolution"

tere is notin+ in te 0O as to te amount o% te contract.! 6;e absence o% a

contract $rice in te 0O is $roo% in itsel% tat no mone#" ,eter b# a+reement oroter,ise" ,as e3er $assed on b# Petitioner %or te bene%it o% 88888. Rater" ,at is

clear is tat 88888" b# 3irtue o% te 0O" 3olunteered to assist in te im$lementation

o% te same b# te $ro3incial +o3ernment. us" Petitioner did not +rant an# amount o%

mone#" in %a3or o% 88888. Notabl#" no e3idence ,as e3en $resented and considered inorder to establis a ,ell-en+endered belie% tat suc anomalous transaction e3en too*

$lace. Public Res$ondent based instead its %indin+s on mere s$eculation and surmises"

suc as te alle+ed %act tat ccused 8xxxx eld con%lict in interest $ositions" i.e." te$osition o% $ro3incial le+al o%%icer and director o% 88888" at te time tat te 0O

,as entered into" tus raisin+ te sus$icion as to te le+alit# o% te 0O" 6,ere in %act"

easil# 3eri%iable records ,ould so, tat at tat time" ccused 8xxxx ,as no lon+er adirector o% 88888.Q In 851er ?8r


18/23

%rom te $ro3incial +o3ernment to te %armer bene%iciaries. 2t is tus be#ond dis$ute tat

te Priorit# >#brid Price Pro+ram ,as success%ul and tat te $ublic %unds did not

redound to te bene%it o% 88888 or Petitioner.

:22.< T13r#brid Rice Pro+ram.

:22.55 o reiterate" tere is no so,in+ tat Petitioner and?or 88888 +ained

an#tin+ %rom te execution o% te 0O and te tem$orar# trans%er o% te loan $roceeds.nd it is not incumbent u$on eiter o% tem to $ro3e tat te# did not a$$ro$riate" ta*e"

66 0emorandum dated < @ecember 7''" $. ''" nnex _! ereo%.69 0emorandum dated < @ecember 7''" $$. ;-.6E Id.6< 0emorandum dated < @ecember 7''" $. 6.

'E


19/23

or misa$$ro$riate te $ublic %unds" ,eter intentionall# or trou+ ne+li+ence. Suc

burden rests on te Pri3ate Res$ondent and te $rosecution. >a3in+ %ailed to carr# tis

burden" no $robable cause can be deemed to exist to indict Petitioner %or 0al3ersation o%Public Funds.

:22.56 Not,itstandin+ te %ore+oin+" Public Res$ondent" trou+ te ssailedResolution" still ruled tat tere ,as $robable cause to car+e Petitioner ,it

0al3ersation o% Public Funds. Clearl#" Public Res$ondent acted ,it +ra3e abuse o%

discretion" amountin+ to lac* or excess o% 4urisdiction in disre+ardin+ te o3er,elmin+e3idence on record so,in+ te 3alidit# and le+alit# o% te 0O and its im$lementation"

in tat $ublic %unds ,ent to and ,ere utilied b# te intended bene%iciaries" te 8xxxx

%armers" and in rulin+ tat tere ,as $robable cause to old Petitioner %or trial"

not,itstandin+ te absence o% e3idence to su$$ort suc %indin+.

F. THERE IS NO SHO)IN( THAT

PETITIONER NE(LI(ENTL/

CAUSED OR CONSENTED TO AN/APPROPRIATION, TA*IN(, OR

MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC

FUNDS.

:22.59 e e3idence li*e,ise %ails to establis tat tere ,as ne+li+ence on te

$art o% Petitioner in te $er%ormance o% er %unctions as Go3ernor tat enabled 88888

to a$$ro$riate" ta*e" or misa$$ro$riate te loan $roceeds %or te $ri3ate $ur$oses o% te

NGO.:22.5E 2n&eano v. ;on. Do(ingo86, te Court laid do,n te standard --- a*in to

tat %or tort cases --- %or determinin+ te existence o% ne+li+ence in a case %or

0al3ersation o% Public Funds trou+ abandonment or ne+li+ence. us&

Ne+li+ence is te omission to do sometin+ ,ic a reasonableman" +uided b# tose considerations ,ic ordinaril# re+ulate te conduct

o% uman a%%airs" ,ould do" or te doin+ o% sometin+ ,ic a $rudent

and reasonable man ,ould do. e test b# ,ic to determine te

existence o% ne+li+ence in a $articular case ma# be stated as %ollo,s& @idte de%endant in doin+ te alle+ed ne+li+ent act use tat reasonable care

and caution ,ic an ordinar# $rudent $erson ,ould a3e used in te

same situation 2% not" e is +uilt# o% ne+li+ence. e la, ere in e%%ectado$ts te standard su$$osed to be su$$lied b# te ima+inar# conduct o%

te discreet $ater%amilias o% te Roman Aa,. e existence o% ne+li+ence

in a +i3en case is not determined b# re%erence to te $ersonal 4ud+ment o%te actor in te situation be%ore im. e Aa, considers ,at ,ould be

rec*less" blame,ort#" or ne+li+ent in te man o% ordinar# intelli+ence

and $rudence and determines liabilit# b# tat.!9'

:22.5< Public Res$ondent" o,e3er" acted ,it +ra3e abuse o% discretion

amountin+ to lac* or excess o% 4urisdiction in issuin+?a$$ro3in+ te ssailed Resolutions

%indin+ $robable cause a+ainst Petitioner inasmuc as it $laces te burden o% $ro3in+teir innocence on Petitioner and er co-accused" contrar# to te constitutional

$resum$tion o% innocence.9e %ollo,in+ erroneous statement is ,ort i+li+tin+" to

,it&

97 G.R. No. E;9E" ul# '


20/23

1# deliberatel# +i3in+ $re%erence to 88888 in de%iance to te

rules on +o3ernment $rocurement" addin+ to it te %act tat teres$ondents ,ere not able to so, trou+ documentar# e3idence" or at

least" a $ro+ram re$ort" tat te mone# +i3en to 88888 actuall# reaced

trou+ a credit %acilit# te su$$osed bene%iciaries o% te $ro3incial rice$ro+ram" te act o% Go3ernor 8xxxx...is as +ood as $ermittin+" trou+

abandonment or ne+li+ence" J88888K to ta*e suc $ublic %unds.!9;

:22.67 No,ere in te 0O does it so, tat Petitioner +a3e er consent to

88888Bs a$$ro$riation" ta*in+" or misa$$ro$riation o% te loan $roceeds --- as in %act

none o% tese occurred ere. 2nstead" te a+reement merel# in3ol3ed constitutin+88888 as a cannel trou+ ,ic te $ublic %unds ,ill reac te %armer bene%iciaries.

:22.6' Rater" ,at is clearl# establised on record is tat te 0O contained

te necessar# $ro3isions to ensure tat te %unds released to te NGO are $ro$erl#accounted %or.

:22.6 F3rs5, under te 0O" 88888" ad te obli+ation" amon+ oters" to

ensure tat o%%icial recei$ts ,ere issued to te $ro3incial +o3ernment %or te %unds to be

loaned out to te 8xxxx %armers"9im$lement a s#stem %or te $ro$er recei$t" custod#"release and disbursement! o% %unds" in3entor# and oter assets.!9588888 ,as li*e,ise

car+ed ,it te maintenance o% an e%%icient internal auditin+ s#stem to ensure tat

assets are $rotected" accountin+ records are reliable and accurate" mana+erial $olicies are

adered to" and o$erational e%%icienc# is maintained!96as ,ell as te im$lementation o%te ccountin+ and 0ana+ement 2n%ormation S#stem to record and monitor

transactions.!99

:22.6; Clearl#" contrar# to te %indin+ under te First ssailed Resolution" te

%ore+oin+ so, tat tere is no basis to old tat tere are no sti$ulations under te

J0OKas to te terms o% re%erence ,it res$ect to te sco$e o% ser3ices.! 9E Rater",at is e3ident %rom te record is tat tere are su%%icient +uidelines ,it res$ect to te

im$lementation o% te Priorit# >#brid Rice Pro+ram.

:22.6 Se78n


21/23

nd it is not incumbent u$on eiter o% tem to $ro3e tat te# did not a$$ro$riate" ta*e"

or misa$$ro$riate te $ublic %unds" ,eter intentionall# or trou+ ne+li+ence. Suc

burden rests on te Public and Pri3ate Res$ondents.

:22.66 2nstead o% carr#in+ out suc burden" Public and Pri3ate Res$ondents"

instead" si%ted te burden to te Petitioner. e Public and Pri3ate Res$ondent souldnot be allo,ed to si%t te burden o% establisin+ te $resence o% te elements and?or

$robable cause a+ainst te Petitioner. e Public and Pri3ate Res$ondents a3e onl#

o%%ered s$eculation" n85 9r88:" as to te existence o% te alle+ed $robable cause a+ainstPetitioner. 2t is a basic rule in e3idence tat 51e ;ur"538ns ei incu(bit probatio, -ui dicit, non -ui negat.E' 2%

te Public and Pri3ate Res$ondents claim tat Petitioner committed unla,%ul acts" ten it

must $ro3e its claim b# com$etent e3idence" rel#in+ on te stren+t o% its o,n e3idenceand not u$on te ,ea*ness o% tat o% te accused. E>a3in+ %ailed to carr# tis burden" no

$robable cause can be deemed to exist to indict Petitioner %or 0al3ersation o% Public

Funds.

:22.69 us" Public Res$ondent clearl# acted in a ,imsical and ca$ricious

manner in si%tin+ te burden o% $ro3in+ te commission o% te o%%ense or te $robablecause tereo%" on Petitioner.

:22.6E 2n li+t o% te %ore+oin+ discussion on te actions ,itout or in excess o%autorit# o% te Public Res$ondent" it is clear tat te Public Res$ondent acted" and

continues to act" ,it +ra3e abuse o% discretion in re%usin+ to& (a) dismiss outri+t te

Com$laint %%ida3it ,ic is insu%%icient to commence te conduct o% criminal or

administrati3e $roceedin+s= (b) consider te o3er,elmin+ e3idence on record tatestablis tat tere is no $robable cause to car+e Petitioner ,it an# o%%ense as te

e3idence on record" instead" indubitabl# so, tat Petitioner did not commit an# ille+al

or unla,%ul acts(s) and Petitioner acted at all times in +ood %ait" ,it te autorit# anda$$ro3al o% te SP" and ,itin te bounds o% er autorit#= (c) immediatel# dismiss or

disa$$ro3e te recommendation o% %ilin+ car+es a+ainst te %or $al$able ,ant o% merit or

insu%%icienc# in substance.:22.6< e Public Res$ondent as te $ublic dut# to determine te su%%icienc# o%

te com$laint" and tis is done b# e3aluatin+ te recitals and annexes?e3idence tereon.

is is to establis $robable cause -- to en+ender a ,ell-%ounded belie% tat res$ondent

committed a crime and tat e is $robabl# +uilt# tereo%. 2n tis case" no ,a# can PublicRes$ondent %ind te %%ida3it Com$laint su%%icient and %ind $robable cause on te basis

o% o3er,elmin+ e3idence ,ic so, tat Petitioner did not commit an#

ille+al?unla,%ul act(s). us" ad Public Res$ondent considered te e3idence on record"%%ida3it Com$laint as ,ell as te ssailed Resolutions ,ill a3e no le+ to stand on and

te car+es a+ainst Petitioner ,ould a3e been dismissed %or bein+ bere%t o% le+al and

%actual merit. 2t is clear tat Public Res$ondent as cosen not to $er%orm its $ositi3edut# reDuired b# la," and ence" committed +ra3e abuse o% discretion.

:22.97 0ore im$ortantl#" te Public Res$ondent as te $ositi3e dut# to exercise

its 3ast $o,ers o% $rosecution 4udiciousl#" and ma*e certain tat it insulates te State%rom %ri3olous $rosecutions" and s$are $etitioner %rom te needless ex$ense" ri+ors"

anxiet#" $ublic umiliation" $olitical arassment" and $ersecution o% te baseless and

unsubstantial %%ida3it Com$laint and ssailed Resolutions s tis >onorable Court en

bancreminded te Public Res$ondent instrada v. Desierto&41

E' Ru%ina Patis Factor#" et al. 3. lusitain" G.R. No. '67" ' ul# 77" ; SCR 'E"

E= em$asis su$$lied.E Ibid.E; G.R. Nos. '69'7-'5 and '69;E" 0arc " 77'" ;5; SCR 5" at 5;7= em$asis and

underscorin+ su$$lied.

'


22/23

2t is te sacred dut# o% te res$ondent 8xxxx to balance te ri+t

o% te State to $rosecute te +uilt# and te ri+t o% an accused to a %air

in3esti+ation and trial ,ic as been cate+oried as te Qmost%undamental o% all %reedoms.Q o be sure" te dut# o% a $rosecutor is more

to do 4ustice and less to $rosecute. H3s 3s 51e 8;63>"538n 58 3nsure 51"5 51e

9re6343n"r# 3nves53>"538n 8: 51e 9e53538ner s1"66 1"ve " 73r7us-:ree"548s91ere. >e as to $ro3ide te restraint a+ainst ,at Aord 1r#ce calls

Qte im$atient 3eemence o% te ma4orit#.Q

:22.9' 2ndeed JtKere is no Duestion on te need to %erret out and ex$el $ublic

o%%icers ,ose acts ma*e bureaucrac# s#non#mous ,it +ra%t in te $ublic e#e" and toeliminate s#stems o% +o3ernment acDuisition $rocedures ,ic co3ertl# ease corru$t

$ractices. 1ut te remed# is not to indict and 4ail e3er# $erson ,o a$$ens to a3e

si+ned a $iece o% document or ad a and in im$lementin+ routine +o3ernment

$rocurement" nor does te solution %ester in te indiscriminate use o% te cons$irac#teor# ,ic ma# s,ee$ into 4ail e3en te most innocent ones. o sa# te least" tis

res$onse is excessi3e and ,ould sim$l# en+ender catastro$ic conseDuences!E

:22.9 e Public Res$ondentBs deliberate re%usal to dismiss te %ri3olous

car+es a+ainst $etitioner" ,ic is clearl# $oliticall# moti3ated and bere%t o% %actual andle+al merit" is certainl# te 3er# same circus! tis >onorable Court en banc ,arned

a+ainst instrada v. Desierto.

:22.9; For tese reasons" Petitioner im$lores te su$reme autorit# o% tis

>onorable Court to abate te Public Res$ondentBs ille+al and re$reensible acts trou+

te extraordinar# remed# o% certiorari.

PRA/ER

>RFOR" Petitioner XXXXX res$ect%ull# $ra#s tat tis >onorable Court+i3e due course to tis Petition %or Certiorariand render 4ud+ment as %ollo,s&

(') 2SS/ a rit o% CertiorariNN/AA2NG" R:RS2NG and S2NG

S2@ te Resolutions dated '' anuar# 7'' and '9 Februar# 7'issued b# te 8xxxx" and in lieu tereo%"

() 2SS/ an OR@R @20S2SS2NG te all te car+es a+ainst te

Petitioner.

Petitioner $ra#s %or suc oter or %urter relie% as ma# be deemed 4ust and

eDuitable under te $remises.

a+ui+ Cit# %or 0anila" 5 0a# 7'.

AR

!eriication and Certiication o "on#$orum %&opping $ollo's

Co$# %urnised&

E Sistoa 3. @esierto" G.R. No. '9E" ; Se$tember 77" __ SCR __" __.


23/23

8888

8888

8888

EXPLANATION FOR SER'ICE B/ RE(ISTERED MAIL

2n com$liance ,it Rule ';" Section '' o% te Rules o% Court" undersi+ned

counsel" res$ect%ull# mani%ests tat te %ore+oin+ PETITION FOR CERTIORARI isbein+ ser3ed b# re+istered mail on te $arties" because o% time and distance constraints

and te tem$orar# una3ailabilit# o% o%%ice messen+ers ,ic render $ersonal ser3ice

im$racticable.

LA)/ER

Leg Forms Sample Petition for Certiorari

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