Conspiracy and Proposal to Commit a Felony Act No. 292 of the Phil. Commission Date: 1906, Nov 3 Sec. 4. If two or more persons Ponente:Carson, J conspire to overthrow, put down or destroy by force, the Government of the United States in the Philippine SUMMARY: that the necessary preparations had been made Islands or the Government of the Philippine Islands, or by force to Francisco Bautista, Aniceto de Guzman and Tomas and that he "held the people in readiness." prevent, hinder or delay, the Puzon convicted of conspiracy to overthrow, put down, 6. Tomas Puzon accepted a commission as execution of any law of the United and destroy by force the Gov’t of the US in the Phil. brigadier-general offered from Jose R. Muñoz, a States or of the Philippine Islands, or Islands and the Gov’t of the Phil. Islands leader in the movement; when the insurrection by force to seize, take, or possess, was nearing, Puzon held meetings with Muñoz any property of the United States or ISSUES: where plans were made for the coming of the Government of the Philippine 1. WON Francisco Bautista was guilty of conspiracy insurrection; Islands, contrary to the authority to overthrow the Gov’t 7. Aniceto de Guzman’s conviction rests upon his thereof, [act*] of such persons shall 2. WON Aniceto de Guzman was guilty of acceptance of a number of bonds from one of be punished by a fine of not more conspiracy to overthrow the Gov’t the conspirators (such bonds were for the than [five*] thousand dollars, and by imprisonment, with or without hard 3. WON Tomas Puzon was guilty of conspiracy to raising of funds). labor, for a period not more than six overthrow the Gov’t years.
FACTS: HOLDING: (*words enclosed not exact; no clear
1. In 1903 a junta was organized by Filipino copy in the internet) residents in Hongkong, for the purpose of Yes. Evidence on record sufficiently proves Francisco overthrowing the Gov’t in the Philippines. Bautista’s guilt. 2. Prim Ruiz was recognized as titular head, Artemio Ricarte as chief of the military forces; Yes. Puzon claimed he never joined the conspiracy, that 3. December 1903, Ricarte came to Manila and he accepted his commission as brigadier-general with no held meetings in Manila and adjoining intention of ever taking further action, and merely provinces; at these meetings new members because he did not wish to vex his friend Muñoz. were engaged and plans made for the However, his statements were contrary to written organization of an army and for raising of statement signed by him when he was first arrested. money; 4. Conspirators did in fact take the field but was Counsel contended that the acceptance or possession of unsuccessful; an appointment as an officer of the military forces of the 5. Francisco Bautista, a Manila resident, was an conspiracy should not be considered as evidence against intimate friend of the said Ricarte; facilitated him in the light of the decisions in the cases of US vs. Ricarte’s arrival in Manila by forwarding money; Antonio de los Reyes, US vs. Silverio Nuñez, US vs. took part in the meetings of the conspirators, Eusebio de la Serna, and United States vs. Bernardo and at one of these meetings assured Ricarte Manalo. Doctrine in these cases being that mere possession of a commission in a revolutionary army, without any other overt act, is not sufficient proof of guilt of the defendant.
But where a genuine conspiracy is shown to have
existed, and it is proven that the accused voluntarily accepted an appointment as an officer in that conspiracy, this fact may properly be taken into consideration as evidence of his relations with the conspirators.
No. Evidence does not sustain conviction of Aniceto de
Guzman. It does not appear that he knew of the existence of the conspiracy or that, when he received the bonds wrapped in a bundle, he knew what it contained, nor that he ever assumed any obligation with respect to these bonds. He, himself, states that when he opened the bundle and discovered the contents he burned them, and that he never had any dealings with the conspirators connected to the conspiracy.
Additionally, imposition subsidiary imprisonment in the
event of insolvency and failure to pay their respective fines is set aside there being no authority in law of such provision.
RULING:
Judgment and sentence of the trial court, with regard
Aniceto de Guzman, reversed; De Guzman acquitted
Judgment and sentence, with regards to Francisco
Bautista and Tomas Puzon, affirmed except imposition of subsidiary imprisonment