Perez v. People

Summary

Ramon F. Perez, a private individual, was prosecuted for falsifying a public document under Articles 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code. The Court of Appeals found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt in its December 11, 2012 decision. Perez appealed to the Supreme Court via petition for review, but the Supreme Court denied his petition on March 9, 2015, finding no reversible error in the CA's judgment. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and imposed an indeterminate penalty of one year and one day to four years, nine months, and ten days of imprisonment, plus P30,000 moral damages, P5,000 fine with subsidiary imprisonment, costs of suit, and 6% legal interest per annum on all amounts from finality until full payment. The case demonstrates the criminal liability of private individuals who falsify public documents by making it appear that persons participated in proceedings when they did not actually participate.