Remedial Law> Rule 33> Demurrer to Evidence

GREGORIO SINGIAN, JR., petitioner vs THE HONORABLE SANDIGANBAYAN (Third

Division), THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, and THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON
GOOD GOVERNMENT, respondents
G.R. Nos. 195011-19; September 30, 2013
Doctrine: A demurrer to the evidence is an objection by one of the parties in an action, to the effect
that the evidence which his adversary produced is insufficient in point of law, whether true or not,
to make out a case or sustain the issue. The party demurring challenges the sufficiency of the
whole evidence to sustain a verdict. The court, in passing upon the sufficiency of the evidence
raised in a demurrer, is merely required to ascertain whether there is competent or sufficient
evidence to sustain the indictment or to support a verdict of guilt.
The grant or denial of a Demurrer to Evidence is left to the sound discretion of the court, and its
ruling on the matter shall not be disturbed in the absence of a grave abuse of such discretion.
FACTS:
Singian, as Executive Vice President of ISI, and several others were charged with several counts
of violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The cases involved the
purported granting of loans by the government Philippine National Bank (PNB) to Integrated Shoes
Inc for P20,500,000 on different dates. The Committee found that these were behest loans for not
having been secured with sufficient collaterals and obtained with undue haste. Singian and the
other accused pleaded not guilty and trial ensued. Singian filed a Demurrer on the following
grounds: (1) lack of proof of conspiracy with any PNB official; (2) the contracts with PNB contained
provisions that are beneficial, and not manifestly and grossly disadvantageous, to the government;
(3)the loans could not be characterized as behest loans because they were secured by sufficient
collaterals and ISI increased its capitalization; and (4) assuming the loans are behest loans,
petitioner could not be held liable for lack of any participation. The prosecution filed an opposition
noting that petitioners arguments constitute matters of defense which should be passed upon only
after trial on the merits.
Sandiganbayan denied the Demurrer and the Motion for Recon. Singian filed to SC via Rule 65.
ISSUE:
Whether or not the arguments of Singian is proper for a Demurrer.
HELD:
NO. A demurrer to the evidence is an objection by one of the parties in an action, to the effect that
the evidence which his adversary produced is insufficient in point of law, whether true or not, to
make out a case or sustain the issue. The party demurring challenges the sufficiency of the whole
evidence to sustain a verdict. The court, in passing upon the sufficiency of the evidence raised in a
demurrer, is merely required to ascertain whether there is competent or sufficient evidence to
sustain the indictment or to support a verdict of guilt. Sufficient evidence for purposes of frustrating
a demurrer thereto is such evidence in character, weight or amount as will legally justify the judicial
or official action demanded according to the circumstances. To be considered sufficient therefore,
the evidence must prove: (a) the commission of the crime, and (b) the precise degree of
participation therein by the accused.
The Sandiganbayan found that the prosecution presented sufficient or competent evidence to
establish the 3 material elements of the crime charged. First, although petitioner is a private
person, he was shown to have connived with his co-accused. Second, ISI and PNB entered into
several loan transactions and credit accommodations. Finally, the loan transactions proved
disadvantageous to the government. The grant or denial of a Demurrer to Evidence is left to the
sound discretion of the court, and its ruling on the matter shall not be disturbed in the absence of a
grave abuse of such discretion.
The grant or denial of a Demurrer to Evidence is left to the sound discretion of the court, and its
ruling on the matter shall not be disturbed in the absence of a grave abuse of such discretion. In

this case, the Supreme Court finds no showing that the conclusions made by the SB on the
sufficiency of the evidence of the prosecution at the time the prosecution rest its case, were
manifestly mistaken. The SB did not exercise its judgment in a whimsical or capricious manner.
The Supreme Court concurred with the prosecution that the presence or absence of the elements
of a crime is evidentiary in nature and is a matter of defense that may be passed upon after a fullblown trial on the merits. Petitioners claims and defenses in his Demurrer to Evidence can best be
tackled during trial.