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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC junks drugs case vs prisoner who died during appeal of his conviction

SC junks drugs case vs prisoner who died during appeal of his conviction

Published Sep 13, 2021 01:38 pm

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the dismissal of the illegal drugs case against a prisoner who died on Aug. 15, 2020 at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City while his conviction was pending appeal.

In a resolution posted last Sept. 9, dismissed by the SC was the case of Yoalfrael N. Consulta who had been convicted by the Calamba City regional trial court (RTC) in 2018 and sentenced to life imprisonment for the sale of illegal drugs and possession of drugs paraphernalia.

Consulta challenged the trial court’s decision before the CA but failed. He then filed a notice of appeal before the SC.

While the SC case was pending, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) informed the High Court that Consulta died on Aug. 15, 2020. The SC resolution did not state the cause of Consulta’s death.

“Pursuant to Article 89(1) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), accused-appellant’s (Consulta’s) death pending appeal of his conviction extinguishes his civil and criminal liabilities,” the SC said.

Article 89 of RPC states that criminal liability is totally extinguished “by the death of the convict, as to the personal penalties; and as to pecuniary penalties, liability therefor is extinguished only when the death of the offender occurs before final judgment.”

“WHEREFORE, the April 1, 2019 Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-GR. CR-H.C. No. 10935 is SET ASIDE and Criminal Case No. 27153-16-C before the Regional Trial Court is DISMISSED. SO ORDERED,” the SC ruled.

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