4/16/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly there is reasonable doubt on their culpability. To overcome the presumption of innocence, the prosecution must prove the accused's criminal liability beyond reasonable doubt; it cannot be overcome by merely relying on the weakness of the defense. The prosecution's duty to prove the accused's criminal liability must rise or fall upon its own merits.[45] WHEREFORE, the July 24, 2018 Decision of the Court of Appeals m CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 08883 is REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accused-appellant Samiah S. Abdulah is ACQUITTED for the prosecution's failure to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. She is ordered immediately RELEASED from detention unless she is confined for some other lawful cause. Let a copy of this Decision be furnished to the Superintendent of the Correctional Institution for Women for immediate implementation. The Superintendent is directed to report to this Court the action she has taken within five (5) days from receipt of this Decision. Copies shall also be furnished to the Director General of the Philippine National Police and the Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for their information. Let entry of final judgment be issued immediately. SO ORDERED. Gesmundo, Carandang, Zalameda, and Gaerlan, JJ., concur. NOTICE OF JUDGMENT Sirs / Mesdames: Please take notice that on March 11, 2020 a Decision, copy attached hereto, was rendered by the Supreme Court in the above-entitled case, the original of which was received by this Office on July 23, 2020 at 2:53 p.m. Very truly yours, (Sgd.) MISAEL DOMINGO C. BATTUNG III Division Clerk of Court ORDER OF RELEASE TO: The Director General BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS 1770 Muntinlupa City https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66117 8/12

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