SC upholds man’s drug conviction

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court has affirmed the ruling of the lower court convicting a man for illegal possession of drugs.

The SC’s decision, penned by Associate Justice Jose Portugal Perez of the second division, found no mistake in the lower court’s decision finding Dennis Tancinco, a resident of Cebu City, guilty of violating Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

“We have ruled that findings of fact of the trial court, particularly when affirmed by the Court of Appeals, are accorded great weight. This is because the trial judge has the distinct advantage of closely observing the demeanor of the witnesses, as well as the manner in which they testify, and is in a better position to determine whether or not they are telling the truth. On that score alone, Tancinco’s appeal ought to have been dismissed outright,” the decision reads.

Tancinco appealed his conviction, claiming the lower courts’ erred in convicting him for having in possession of 5.36 grams of shabu on May 5, 2006 at about 4:35 p.m.

Tancinco denied owning the seized shabu, claiming he was a victim of a frame-up by the police officers.

Tancinco is sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment and a fine of P400,000. (FREEMAN)