Couple gets life for selling drugs

CEBU, Philippines - The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of a couple in Barangay Punta Princesa who was sentenced by the Regional Trial Court to suffer life imprisonment after having found guilty for selling illegal drugs in 2006.

Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles of the 18th division of appellate court upheld the RTC decision finding Amy Lequigan and her live-in partner Charlie Sabella guilty of Section 5, Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive dangerous Drugs Act.

Ingles sustained the penalty of life imprisonment and P500,000 fine meted by the trial court against the couple.  

Ingles said the prosecution was able to establish that Lequigan, who appealed her conviction, and her co-accused were caught in the act of selling shabu during a buy-bust operation.

"In totality, proof beyond reasonable doubt, as found by the trial court was established against accused-appellant. Trial courts are our eyes. They have the distinct advantage of observing the demeanor and conduct of witnesses during trial," the decision reads.

In his 16-page decision, Ingles said he found enough evidence that would warrant the conviction of Lequigan.

"The credence given by the court a quo regarding the prosecution witnesses' testimonies is further warranted by the absence of any showing that they were impelled by some evil motive in rendering such testimony. We conform to the rule that unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the members of the buy-bust team were inspired by any improper motive to falsely charge accused-appellant of a serious offense, or were not properly performing their duty, their testimonies on the operation deserve full faith and credit," Ingles ruled.

Lequigan was arrested on October 4, 2006 during a buy-bust operation conducted by the members of Punta Princesa Police Station. Her live-in partner was able to elude arrest during the operation but was later arrested in 2009.— (FREEMAN)