Record of the Senate - Integrated Bar of the Philippines

12 TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012Ms. Cristi. A decision was rendered on September 5, 2001, Sir.Mr. Roy. How many decisions were rendered because you told me earlier there were two cases?Ms. Cristi. Only one decision, Sir, because the two cases were consolidated.Mr. Roy. Does that mean that they were heard jointly?Ms. Cristi. Yes, Sir.Mr. Roy. All right. Now, what was the decision of the—do you have a copy of that decisionwith you?Ms. Cristi. Yes, Sir.Mr. Roy. Your Honor, the decision has been previously marked....Ms. Roxas. Your Honor please, we would like to manifest that the Defense has already causedthe marking of the same exhibit and this is Exhibit “176” for the Defense.The Presiding Officer. All right, noted.Mr. Roy. Can you tell us, Madam Witness, what is the dispositive—what does the dispositiveportion of the decision state? Can you please attest to the outcome of the decision?Ms. Roxas. We have already admitted, Your Honor, on the same, that there was a conviction.Mr. Roy. Your Honor, I am a little perplexed. I thought that there had been no admissionsprecisely why I have been directed to proceed.Ms. Roxas. We have made several stipulations already on the matters. Perhaps, Counsel herewould be able to propound questions on those matters which we have not stipulated upon.The Presiding Officer. I said disregard the stipulation. Let it be—Ms. Roxas. We will submit, Your Honor.The Presiding Officer. Direct the questions and subject to the objections of the Prosecution.Mr. Roy. Thank you, Your Honor. May I just therefore request that the Clerk of Court, whois here to certify the decision and to attest to its authenticity, anyway, read the dispositive portion forthe benefit of the record and all concerned.The Presiding Officer. Proceed. The Witness may read the dispositive portion of the Decision.Ms. Cristi.“WHEREFORE, in Criminal Case No. Q-96-68147, the Court finds accused Jose MariaBasa III, Raymunda Gorospe Basa and Virgilio Macabenta GUILTY beyond reasonabledoubt of the crime charged in the Information for libel. And the Court sentences them to sufferthe penalty of four (4) months and twenty-one (21) days as minimum to one (1) year, eight(8) months and twenty-one (21) days as maximum, ordering them to pay jointly and solidarilyCristina Basa Roco-Corona the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) moraldamages; and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for attorney’s fees.“Accused Cecilia Henson-Basa, Betsie Basa-Chavez and Flor Maria Guidote Basa arehereby ACQUITTED.