People vs. Cabanada (2017)

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES vs. ROBELYN CABANADA

G.R. No. 221424, July 19, 2017 

PERALTA, J.:

Facts: Appellant Cabanada was charged with the crime of Qualified Theft, the Information alleges that the accused, being then employed as housemaid of complainant Catherine Victoria, with grave abuse of confidence and taking advantage of the trust reposed upon her with intent to gain, feloniously take, steal and carry away some valuable items and money in cash in the aggregate amount of ₱154,000.00 belonging to the complainant, without her knowledge and consent, to her damage and prejudice.

The defense narrated that at around 9:00 a.m. on April 12, 2009, Cabanada went to Catherine's house to work as a stay-out housemaid, and left around 9:00 p.m. upon arrival of the Victoria family. On the same date, the plantsadora came around 9:00 a.m. and left at 3:00 p.m. On the next day, Cabanada returned to the house to resume her work. She was washing clothes when Catherine called her and asked about the missing items. She denied any knowledge of the same.

Issue: Whether or not appellant is guilty of the crime of qualified theft.

Ruling: Yes. The elements of Qualified Theft committed with grave abuse of confidence are as follows: 1. Taking of personal property; 2. That the said property belongs to another; 3. That the said taking be done with intent to gain; 4. That it be done without the owner's consent; 5. That it be accomplished without the use of violence or intimidation against persons, nor of force upon things; 6. That it be done with grave abuse of confidence.

The following circumstances are established during the trial: Cabanada worked as Victoria's housemaid for several years and has unrestricted access to all parts of the house; on April 12, 2009, she was left alone at the house; the plantsadora, who only reported for work every Sunday, had no access to the house and the car; Cabanada was alone from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. after the plantsadora left at 3:00 p.m.; Cabanada admitted to the police in the presence of Catherine at the latter’s residence that she stole the money and led them to her room where they recovered the ₱l6,0000.00 cash.

Ratio Decidendi: When accused admitted the crime while at the residence of her employer, she was not yet taken into custody or otherwise deprived of her freedom.

Gist: Before Us for review is the Decision of the CA, which affirmed the Decision of the RTC, finding appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Qualified Theft.