The Cebu City Regional Trial Court has sentenced a woman to nine years imprisonment for engaging in an illegal numbers game locally known as suertres masiao.
Judge Alexander Acosta of Branch 9 found Marilyn Carteciano guilty of violating Republic Act 9287 or the act increasing the penalties on illegal numbers game.
In his decision, Acosta gave credence to the testimonies of the police officers who arrested Carteciano on Feb. 22, 2013.
“Unfortunately, the accused miserably failed to persuade this court. Her defenses is anchored solely on her own bare testimony unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence to prop up such negative and self-serving allegations,” Acosta said.
Carteciano was arrested by officers of the Punta Princesa Police who conducted an extensive operation against all forms of illegal gambling in the barangay.
She was released after posting bail in court. But she was arrested again after the verdict was read in open court last Sept. 25.
Carteciano is presently detained at the female dormitory of the Cebu City Jail in barangay Kalunasan.
The accused was caught writing on a paper stub the illegal number combinations, while bettors surrounded her.
When the police approached the group, the bettors scampered away, leaving Carteciano who was in possession of gambling paraphernalia.
Carteciano denied all the allegations against her, saying she was simply walking when a policeman and a police asset invited her to go with them.
When they arrived at the police station, she said she was surprised when the policeman asked her to sign some papers to attest that she had in her possession a stub and a ballpen.
Carteciano said she did not have any knowledge as to where the stub and the ballpen came from.
But Judge Acosta said he was not convinced with Carteciano’s defenses.
He cited a Supreme Court ruling which repeatedly stated that “denials, if unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence, are unworthy of credence.”
Carteciano’s lawyer Ivy Gonzales is asking the court to reconsider its decision.