FACTS:

On May 27, 1994, petitioner Ernesto Pil-ey and his co-accused, Constancio Manochon and Waclet Anamot, were charged with violation of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 533, or the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law. The Information alleged that the accused, conspiring and confederating with one another, unlawfully and feloniously took, stole, and loaded a male cow onto a Ford Fiera without the consent of the owner, resulting in damages amounting to P10,000.

Private complainant Rita Khayad reported that her cow went missing on April 16, 1994. Her grandson, Ronnie Faluyan, witnessed a cow similar to Rita's being loaded into a blue Ford Fiera driven by Manochon, accompanied by Pil-ey. Rita later filed a police report, naming the accused as primary suspects. During a confrontation between the parties, Pil-ey admitted to taking the cow and asked for a settlement, but Rita refused.

The accused presented a different version of events. They claimed that Anamot offered his cow for sale and butchering to Manochon, who agreed to buy it for P7,000. Pil-ey was asked by Anamot to confirm with Manochon if the cow could be scheduled for butchering. After obtaining Manochon's consent, Pil-ey went to Sitio Taed, found the cow, tied it to a tree, and went home to wait for Manochon. They subsequently loaded the cow into the Ford Fiera, butchered it at Manochon's house, and prepared it for sale.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found the accused guilty of violating the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law and sentenced them to ten years and one day of imprisonment as minimum, to twelve years, five months, and eleven days of imprisonment as maximum. The RTC also ordered the accused to jointly and severally pay P10,000 to the offended party.

The accused appealed the RTC's decision, but the Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling in its entirety. The accused's motions for reconsideration were subsequently denied.

ISSUES:

1. Whether the accused are liable for violating Presidential Decree No. 533, or the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law.

RULING:

1. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals, affirming the ruling of the Regional Trial Court, finding the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Presidential Decree No. 533.

PRINCIPLES:

• Violation of Presidential Decree No. 533, or the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law, is a crime punishable under the law.

• The prosecution has the burden of proving the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.