Complaint Affidavit

 

Republic of the Philippines  Department of Justice OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR  PROSECUTOR  Makati City

 ABC CORPORATION, Inc., represented 

 

by its ALEXANDER Asset Services Group Head, SCOTT A. Finance PAREJA, Complainant,   Complainant,

-versus-

 

I.S. No. _____________________________  _____________________________  For: Art. 310 in relation to Article  Article   208 of the Revised Penal Code  (Qualified Theft)  Theft) 

SUNSHINE P. CUARESMA,  CUARESMA,  Respondent.   Respondent. x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x 

C O M P L A I N T - A F F I D A V I T  I,  ALEXANDER SCOTT A. PAREJA PAREJA,, Filipino, of legal age, with office address at   10th floor, Ayala Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue,  Makati City, after having been sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose  and state that: 1. 

I am the Asset Services Group Finance Manager of complainant    ABC CORPORATION, INC., INC., (hereinafter referred to as “ ABC”  and/or the “Company Company””), a corporation duly organized and existing under the   laws of the Philippines with business address at 10th floor, Ayala Tower One &  Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.  City.  2. 

Complainant ABC is engaged in the business of providing real   estate management, administrative, business process and consultancy  services. Among its services is the lease management of various properties  such as DFE Cortes. 3. 

As the Asset Services Group (ASG) Finance Head of ABC, my   duties include acting as head on ASG accounting matters, monitoring   accounting work in ASG, coordinating with the ASG business line leaders in   monitoring and collection of ASG accounts receivables, and performing related   duties and responsibilities. As such, I have been authorized to file the instant

 

criminal complaint as shown in the Secretary Certificate evidencing my  authority which is herein attached as Anne as Annex “A”.  4. 

Respondent SUNSHINE P. CUARESMA (“CUARESMA (“CUARESMA”) ”)   was a  former Accounting Assistant of complainant ABC who was in charge of   collecting lease rentals, deposits and other fees from complainant ABC’s ABC ’s  client. Her address is 188 Samson Road, Barangay 74, Sona 7, District II,   Caloocan. 5. 

Sometime in July 2015, Cuaresma’s Cuaresma ’s   absenteeism had become  increasingly apparent. This brought to my attention her pending deliverables   which included the advance rental payments by Missy Chua for the property  management service of DFE Cortes Limited. 6. 

Upon verification, it was confirmed that the advance rental  payment was received by Cuaresma in Makati City from Missy Chua of DFE Cortes  Limited upon presentation of Receipt Nos. 2406 and 2411 dated April 10, 2015  and June 24, 2015, respectively, covering the total amount of FOUR HUNDRED  THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO 88/100

 

(P400,952.88).  Annexes  -1”. of  Receipt Nos. 2406 and 2411 are attached as “ B” B” and A“Bcopy 7. 

The foregoing amount was supposed to be deposited by Cuaresma  under the account of DFE Cortes Limited. However, no record exists that such  deposit had been made. This prompted the Company to conduct a preliminary  internal audit investigation requiring Cuaresma to report on the matter and  submit her explanation.  A copy of the Preliminary Internal Audit Findings is  attached as An as Annex nex “C ”.   8. 

On October 20, 2015, in the course of the Company’s  investigation, Cuaresma submitted a written explanation expressly admitting   that she unlawfully took the money owned by complainant ABC, and asked   for forgiveness. For the immediate reference of the Honorable Office, the full text  of Cuaresma’s  written explanation, which is herein attached as  Annex “D”, is   quoted as follows:  follows:  “OCTOBER 20, 2015 

 AKO PO SI SUNSHINE SUNSHINE P. CUARESMA CUARESMA ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT ASSISTANT SA ABC   INAAKO AT INAAMIN NA ANG COLLECTION NUONG APRIL 10, 2015 SA DFE CORTES NI MISSY CHUA PATUNGKOL SA ANIM NA BUWAN NA RENTA  AY    AKING KINOLEKTA KINOLEKTA AT HINDI HINDI NAIDEPOSIT NAIDEPOSIT LABAG MAN SA AKIN KALOOBAN  DAHIL SA AKING PERSONAL AT PAMILYANG PANGANGAILANGAN HINDI KO  NAIWASAN NA GAMITIN ANG NASABING PERA NA 400,952.88.  GAYUNMAN AKO AY NAKAPAG DEPOSITO NA NAGKAKAHALAGA HIGIT   KUMULAN KUMULANG G 25,000. 

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 AKO AY NANGANGAKO NANGANGAKO NA NAKIKIPAGTULUN NAKIKIPAGTULUNGAN GAN SA PAMUNUAN NG   ABC UPANG MABAYARAN MABAYARAN ANG NATITIRA NATITIRA PANG BALANSE. BALANSE. LUBOS PO   AKONG NAGSISI SA AKING NAGAWA KAMALIAN. KAMALIAN. AKO PO AY HUMIHIN HUMIHINGI GI  NG TULONG SA INYO NAWA’Y  NAINTINDIHAN  NAINTINDIHAN NINYO NA NAPILITAN LANG  AKO UNANG UNA DAHIL SA KALUSUGAN KALUSUGAN NG AKING INA AT UMAASA PO    AKO SA AKING PAKIKIPAGTULUNGA PAKIKIPAGTULUNGAN N AY MAITUWID KO PO ANG AKING  PAGKAKAMALI.  (SGD.) SUNSHINE P. CUARESMA”   9. 

On October 27, 2015, complainant ABC issued a demand letter  for the return of the money stolen by Cuaresma. On even date, Cuaresma  submitted a letter promising to return the money in scheduled installments,  and tendered her resignation from the Company. A Company. A copy of complainant ABC ’’ss  Demand Letter is attached as A as A  nnex “ E” E” while copies of Cuaresma’s promissory   letter and resignation letter are attached as Annexes as  Annexes “F” an  and d “ G” G”, respectively   .   .  10. 

Despite complainant ABC’s ABC’s   consideration, Cuaresma failed to  restitute or otherwise return the stolen amount thus prompting the Company   to issue a final demand letter on October 5, 2016. A 2016. A copy of complainant ABC ’’ss  “ ”. 

 final demand letter is attached A attached A  nnex H 11. 

The Company was further constrained to seek the services of   counsel who advised it that the acts committed by Cuaresma constitute the   crime of Qualified Theft as defined and punished under Article 310 in relation   to Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code. 12. 

Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code thus reads:

Who are liable for theft  –  Theft   Theft is committed by any    person who, with intent to gain but without violence against, or  intimidation of persons nor force upon things, shall take the personal    property of another without the latter’s consent.”  “Art. 308.

13. 

In the case of People v. Teresita Puig and Romeo Porras, G.R.  No. 173654-765, 173654-765,  August 28, 2008 , the Supreme Court enumerated the  elements of the crime of theft as follows:

1.  1.  2.  2.  3.  3.  4.  4. 

14. 

Intent to gain;  gain;  Unlawful taking;  taking;  Personal property belonging to another;  another;   Absence of violence or intimidation against persons or force  upon things.  things. 

 All the foregoing elements are clearly present in this case case..

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15. 

Cuaresma unlawfully took the personal property of complainant   ABC representing the payment to the Company of DFE Cortes Limited in the  total amount of FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO   88/100 (P400,952.88) thus satisfying the second and third elements of the   crime of theft. 16. 

Cuaresma’s unlawful taking was without the knowledge of, much  Cuaresma’ less consent from, complainant ABC, and was made with intent to gain. Apart   from being presumed, intent to gain is evident from Cuaresma Cuaresma’s  own declaration  ’s own that she did not deposit the payment of Missy Chua of DFE Cortes because she  used it for her personal needs;2 thus satisfying the first element of the crime of   theft. 17. 

As a result of Cuaresma’s Cuaresma’s   unlawful taking, complainant ABC  incurred damage which, however, was not attended by any violence or  intimidation against persons or force upon things thus satisfying the fourth   element of the crime of theft. 18. 

Moreover, the crime of theft is qualified due to the presence of the 

 

qualifying of grave abuse of confidence. of grave confidence. Article 310 of the Revised Penal Codecircumstance provides:

Qualified Theft Theft..  –  The crime of theft shall be punished  by the penalties next higher by two degrees that those respectively   specified in the next preceding article, if committed by a domestic  servant, or with grave abuse of confidence , or if the property stolen is a  motor vehicle, mail matter or large cattle or consists of coconuts taken from  the premises of the plantation or fish taken from a fishpond or fishery, or if    property is taken on the occasion of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic  eruption, or any other calamity, vehicular accident or civil disturbance.”  “Art. 310.

19. 

In conjunction with Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code, the  Supreme Court in the case of People v. Puig3 enumerated the elements of the  crime of Qualified Theft as follows: “1.   2.  3.  4.  5.  6. 

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Taking of personal property;  That the said property belongs to another;  That the said taking be done with intent to gain;  That it be done without the owner’s consent;  That it be accomplished without the use of violence or   intimidation against persons, nor of force upon things;  That it be done with grave abuse of confidence.” 

C.f. Annex “D” of this Complaint-Affidavit G.R. No.173654-765.

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20. 

The first five elements of the crime of Qualified Theft are clearly  satisfied as discussed above. 21. 

The qualifying circumstance of grave of grave abuse of confidence confidence is clearly  present since Cuaresma could not have stolen the money belonging to   complainant ABC had she not been in charge of collecting lease rentals,   deposits and other fees. In other words, Cuaresma could not have stolen the  total amount of FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO   88/100 (P400,952.88) belonging to complainant ABC were it not for the  grave abuse of confidence which the Company reposed on her as Accounting   Assistant .  22. 

Considering that the acts complained of transpired in Makati City,  this Complaint-Affidavit is hereby filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor  of Makati City. 23. 

I am executing this Complaint-Affidavit in order to attest to the   truth of the foregoing and in support of the criminal charge for Qualified Theft   as defined and punished under Article 310 in relation to Article 308 of the   Revised Penal Code against respondent, SUNSHINE P. CUARESMA.  CUARESMA.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this   day of May 2017 at Makati City,

 ALEXANDER SCOTT PAREJA  PAREJA  Complainant-Affiant  

SUBSCRIBED exhibiting AND SWORN to before meNo. this1234 day of May last 20171 with complainant-affiant to me Passport issued May 2017.

 

I hereby certify that I have personally examined the Affiant and that I am  fully satisfied that he voluntarily executed and understood his Complaint-   Affidavit. Doc. No. ____; Page No.____; Book No. ___; Series of ____.  ____. 

KIM JOHN V. VILLA Notary Public Attorney’s Roll No. 52055  52055   PTR No. 5323550/ 01.04.16/ Iloilo IBP (Lifetime) No. LRN-010317/Iloilo MCLE Compliance No. V-0019654/ April 22, 2016

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