SC acquits 7 Sinos of drug charges

**Admin** Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:12 pm

MANILA, Philippines

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of seven Chinese who were found guilty by the Pasig regional trial court for possession of illegal drugs.

In a six-page resolution, the SC’s Second Division affirmed the May 22, 2007 ruling of the Court of Appeals that said anti-narcotics policemen who nabbed the suspects last January 28, 2002 had breached protocol during the arrest.

the SC’s Second Division dismissed the petition of government prosecutors to reverse the May 22, 2007 of the CA’s Tenth Division which ruled in favor of releasing the seven Chinese nationals after anti-narcotics policemen breached protocol in arresting them.

Acquitted from drug charges were Cai Xihe alias Chua Sak Hap, Tian Sang, Cai Dushi alias Chua Tok Sit, Yan Qizhong alias Sing Hong, Lao Chi Diak alias Chi Jak, King Cheng, and Lim Chamou alias Cha Bon.

The seven foreigners were sentenced to reclusion perpetua on March 20, 2003 by the Branch 164 of Pasig City RTC and ordered to pay a fine of P5 million each after finding them guilty of maintaining a laboratory used in manufacturing methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in San Juan City.

The Chinese nationals, however, denied the charges and said they were framed-up by the raiding team.

In acquitting the suspects, the SC said that under Section 1, Rule 122 of the 2000 Rules of Criminal Procedure, any party may appeal from a judgment or final order, unless the accused will be placed in double jeopardy.

The only was to nullify an acquittal is through a proper petition for certiorari to show grave abuse of discretion, it added.

“In general, the rule is that a remand to a trial court of a judgment of acquittal brought before the SC on certiorari cannot be had unless there is a finding of mistrial. The prosecution cannot appeal or bring error proceedings from a judgment in favor of defendant in a criminal case, be it issued by the trial court or the CA, in absence of a statute clearly conferring that right,” the Court ruled. - GMANews.TV

**Admin** Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:27 pm

A rubbish system???

It is being found guilty by the regional trial court for possession of illegal drugs, but dismissed by the SC second division.

The big question is...

1.) Is there any money involve to accquit the suspects ???

2.) Is it the system of goverment ineffective???

2.) Is there any corruption involve???

Pls. post your comments or suggestion about this case

SC acquits 7 Sinos of drug charges

SC acquits 7 Sinos of drug charges

Is this a good system of government ???