EN BANC

[G.R. No. L-39999. May 31, 1984.] ROY PADILLA, FILOMENO GALDONES, ISMAEL GONZALGO and JOSE FARLEY BEDEA,petitioners, vs. COURT OF APPEALS, respondent.

isenando !i""a"#$, r. %or petitioners. &'e o"i(itor Genera" %or respondent.

SYLLABUS 1.REME)*AL LA+, CR*M*NAL -R.CE)/RE, C*!*L AC&*.N 0.R REC.!ER1 .0 C*!*L L*AB*L*&1 *M-L*E)L1 *N &*&/&E) +*&2 CR*M*NAL AC&*.N, E3CE-&*.N. 4 e(tion 1 o% R#"e 111 o% t'e R#"es o% Co#rt states t'e %#nda5enta" proposition t'at 6'en a (ri5ina" a(tion is instit#ted, t'e (i7i" a(tion %or re(o7ery o% (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed is i5p"ied"y instit#ted 6it' it. &'ere is no i5p"ied instit#tion 6'en t'e o%%ended party, e:press"y 6ai7es t'e (i7i" a(tion or reser7es 'is ri9't to instit#te it separate"y ;Morte, r. 7. A"7i$o, <r., 1=1 CRA >>1?. >.*)., *)., </)GMEN& .0 AC@/*&&AL, GR./N) 0.R E3&*NG/* 2MEN& .0 C*!*L L*AB*L*&1. 4 &'e e:tin(tion o% t'e (i7i" a(tion 8y reason o% a(A#itta" in t'e (ri5ina" (ase re%ers e:("#si7e"y to (i7i" "ia8i"ity e: de"i(to %o#nded on Arti("e 1== o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code ;E"(ano 7. 2i"", BB CRA 98, !irata 7. .('oa, 81 CRA 4B>?. *n ot'er 6ords, t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity 6'i(' is a"so e:tin9#is'ed #pon a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed is t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e a(t as a (ri5e. 3.*)., *)., *)., *)., )ECLARA&*.N &2A& &2E 0AC& 0R.M +2*C2 &2E C*!*L M*G2& AR* E )*) N.& E3* &, *N)* -EN ABLE. 4 &'e C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" e:tin9#is'es t'e "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed %or da5a9es on"y 6'en it in("#des a de("aration t'at t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" 5i9't arise did not e:ist. &'#s, t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity is not e:tin9#is'ed 8y a(A#itta" 6'ere t'e a(A#itta" is 8ased on reasona8"e do#8t ;-NB 7. Catipon, 98 -'i". >8D? as on"y preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired in (i7i" (ases, 6'ere t'e (o#rt e:press"y de("ares t'at t'e "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed is not (ri5ina" 8#t on"y (i7i" in nat#re ;)e G#$5an 7.

A"7ia, 9D -'i". EE8, -eop"e 7. -anti9, s#pra? as, %or instan(e, in t'e %e"onies o% esta%a, t'e%t, and 5a"i(io#s 5is('ie% (o55itted 8y (ertain re"ati7es 6'o t'ere8y in(#r on"y (i7i" "ia8i"ity ; ee Art. 33>, Re7ised -ena" Code?, and 6'ere t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity does not arise %ro5 or is not 8ased #pon t'e (ri5ina" a(t o% 6'i(' t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted ;Castro 7. Co""e(tor o% *nterna" Re7en#e, 4 CRA 1=93, see Re9a"ado, Re5edia" La6 Co5pendi#5, 1933 ed., p. D>3?. 4.*)., *)., *)., A+AR) .0 )AMAGE *N AME </)GMEN& .0 AC@/*&&AL </ &*0*E), REA .N . 4 &'ere appear to 8e no so#nd reasons to reA#ire a separate (i7i" a(tion to sti"" 8e %i"ed (onsiderin9 t'at t'e %a(ts to 8e pro7ed in t'e (i7i" (ase 'a7e a"ready 8een esta8"is'ed in t'e (ri5ina" pro(eedin9s 6'ere t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted. )#e pro(ess 'as 8een a((orded t'e a((#sed. 2e 6as, in %a(t, e:onerated o% t'e (ri5ina" ('ar9e. &'e (onstit#tiona" pres#5ption o% inno(en(e (a""ed %or 5ore 7i9i"ant e%%orts on t'e part o% prose(#tin9 attorneys and de%ense (o#nse", a Feener a6areness 8y a"" 6itnesses o% t'e serio#s i5p"i(ations o% perC#ry, and a 5ore st#died (onsideration 8y t'e C#d9e o% t'e entire re(ords and o% app"i(a8"e stat#tes and pre(edents. &o reA#ire a separate (i7i" a(tion si5p"y 8e(a#se t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted 6o#"d 5ean need"ess ("o99in9 o% (o#rt do(Fets and #nne(essary d#p"i(ation o% "iti9ation 6it' a"" its attendant "oss o% ti5e, e%%ort, and 5oney on t'e part o% a"" (on(erned. E.*)., *)., *)., 0*L*NG .0 *N)E-EN)EN& C*!*L AC&*.N 0.R )AMAGE -/R /AN& &. AR&*CLE >9, NE+ C*!*L C.)E, N.& AN E3CL/ *!E REME)1. 4 Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ne6 Ci7i" Code ("ear"y and e:press"y pro7ides a re5edy %or t'e p"ainti%% in (ase t'e de%endant 'as 8een a(A#itted in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. *t 5ere"y e5p'asi$es t'at a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es is not pre("#ded 8y an a(A#itta" %or t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(t or o5ission. &'e Ci7i" Code pro7ision does not state t'at t'e re5edy (an 8e a7ai"ed o% on"y in a separate (i7i" a(tion. A separate (i7i" (ase 5ay 8e %i"ed 8#t t'ere is no state5ent t'at s#(' separate %i"in9 is t'e on"y and e:("#si7e per5issi8"e 5ode o% re(o7erin9 da5a9es. &'ere is not'in9 (ontrary to t'e Ci7i" Code pro7ision in t'e rendition o% a C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" a6ardin9 da5a9es in t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(tion. &'e t6o (an stand side 8y side. A C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" operates to e:tin9#is' t'e (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity #n"ess t'ere is a ("ear s'o6in9 t'at t'e a(t %ro5 6'i(' (i7i" "ia8i"ity 5#st arise did not e:ist. DECISION GUTIERREZ, JR., < G
p

&'is is a petition %or re7ie6 on (ertiorari o% a Co#rt o% Appea"sH de(ision 6'i(' re7ersed t'e tria" (o#rtHs C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion and a(A#itted t'e petitioners o% t'e (ri5e o% 9ra7e (oer(ion on t'e 9ro#nd o% reasona8"e do#8t 8#t inspite o% t'e a(A#itta" ordered t'e5 to pay Coint"y and se7era""y t'e a5o#nt o% -9,===.== to t'e (o5p"ainants as a(t#a" da5a9es.
Cdpr

&'e petitioners 6ere ('ar9ed #nder t'e %o""o6in9 in%or5ationG

I&'e #ndersi9ned 0is(a" a((#sed R.1 -A)*LLA, 0*L.MEN. GAL).NE , -E-*&. BE)EJA, 1.LL1 R*C., )A!*) BERM/N)., !*LLAN.AC, R.BER&. R. ALE , !*LLAN*A, R.ME. GARR*)., <. E .R&EGA, <R., R*CAR). CELE &*N., REAL*NG. a"ias IKAML.NI, <.2N ).E a"ias &A&., and 0./R&EEN ;14? R*CAR). ).E o% t'e (ri5e o% GRA!E C.ERC*.N, (o55itted as %o""o6sG I&'at on or a8o#t 0e8r#ary 8, 19D4 at aro#nd 9G== oH("o(F in t'e 5ornin9, in t'e 5#ni(ipa"ity o% <ose -an9ani8an, pro7in(e o% Ca5arines Norte, -'i"ippines, and 6it'in t'e C#risdi(tion o% t'is 2onora8"e Co#rt, t'e a8o7e-na5ed a((#sed, Roy -adi""a, 0i"o5eno Ga"dones, -epito BedeLa, 1o""y Ri(o, )a7id Ber5#ndo, !i""anoa(, Ro8erto Rosa"es, !i""ania, Ro5eo Garrido, <ose .rte9a, <r., Ri(ardo Ce"estino, Rea"in9o a"ias Ka5"on, <o'n )oe a"ias &ato, and 0o#rteen Ri('ard )oes, 8y (on%ederatin9 and 5#t#a""y 'e"pin9 one anot'er, and a(tin9 6it'o#t any a#t'ority o% "a6, did t'en and t'ere 6i"%#""y, #n"a6%#""y, and %e"onio#s"y, 8y 5eans o% t'reats, %or(e and 7io"en(e pre7ent Antonio !er9ara and 'is %a5i"y to ("ose t'eir sta"" "o(ated at t'e -#8"i( MarFet, B#i"din9 No. 3, <ose -an9ani8an, Ca5arines Norte, and 8y s#8seA#ent"y %or(i8"y openin9 t'e door o% said sta"" and t'erea%ter 8r#ta""y de5o"is'in9 and destroyin9 said sta"" and t'e %#rnit#res t'erein 8y a:es and ot'er 5assi7e instr#5ents, and (arryin9 a6ay t'e 9oods, 6ares and 5er('andise, to t'e da5a9e and preC#di(e o% t'e said Antonio !er9ara and 'is %a5i"y in t'e a5o#nt o% -3=,===.== in (on(ept o% a(t#a" or (o5pensatory and 5ora" da5a9es and %#rt'er t'e s#5 o% ->=,===.== as e:e5p"ary da5a9es. I&'at in (o55ittin9 t'e o%%ense, t'e a((#sed tooF ad7anta9e o% t'eir p#8"i( positionsG Roy -adi""a, 8ein9 t'e in(#58ent 5#ni(ipa" 5ayor, and t'e rest o% t'e a((#sed 8ein9 po"i(e5en, e:(ept Ri(ardo Ce"estino 6'o is a (i7i"ian, a"" o% <ose -an9ani8an, Ca5arines Norte, and t'at it 6as (o55itted 6it' e7ident pre5editation.I

&'e Co#rt o% 0irst *nstan(e o% Ca5arines Norte, &ent' <#di(ia" )istri(t rendered a de(ision, t'e dispositi7e portion o% 6'i(' states t'atG

*N !*E+ .0 &2E 0.REG.*NG, t'e Co#rt %inds t'e a((#sed Roy -adi""a, 0i"o5eno Ga"done$, *s5ae" Gon$a"9o and <ose -ar"ey BedeLa 9#i"ty 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t o% t'e (ri5e o% 9ra7e (oer(ion, and 'ere8y i5poses #pon t'e5 to s#%%er an i5prison5ent o% 0*!E ;E? 5ont's and .ne ;1? day, to pay a %ine o% -E==.== ea(', to pay a(t#a" and (o5pensatory da5a9es in t'e a5o#nt o% -1=,===.==, 5ora" da5a9es in t'e a5o#nt o% -3=,===.==, and anot'er -1=,===.== %or e:e5p"ary da5a9es, Coint"y and se7era""y, and a"" t'e a((essory pena"ties pro7ided %or 8y "a6, and to pay t'e proportionate (osts o% t'is pro(eedin9s. I&'e a((#sed 0ederi(o Rea"in9o a"ias HKa5"onH, )a7id Ber5#do, C'ristop'er !i""aoa(, Godo%redo !i""ania, Ro5eo Garrido, Ro8erto Rosa"es, Ri(ardo Ce"estino and <ose .rte9a, are 'ere8y ordered a(A#itted on 9ro#nds o% reasona8"e do#8t %or t'eir (ri5ina" parti(ipation in t'e (ri5e ('ar9ed.I

&'e petitioners appea"ed t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion to t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s. &'ey (ontended t'at t'e tria" (o#rtHs %indin9 o% 9ra7e (oer(ion 6as not s#pported 8y t'e e7iden(e. A((ordin9 to t'e petitioners, t'e to6n 5ayor 'ad t'e po6er to order t'e ("earan(e o% 5arFet pre5ises and t'e re5o7a" o% t'e (o5p"ainantsH sta"" 8e(a#se t'e 5#ni(ipa"ity 'ad ena(ted 5#ni(ipa" ordinan(es p#rs#ant to 6'i(' t'e 5arFet sta"" 6as a n#isan(e per se. &'e petitioners stated t'at t'e "o6er (o#rt erred in %indin9 t'at t'e de5o"ition o% t'e (o5p"ainantsH sta"" 6as a 7io"ation o% t'e 7ery dire(ti7e o% t'e petitioner Mayor 6'i(' 9a7e t'e sta"" o6ners se7enty t6o ;B>? 'o#rs to 7a(ate t'e 5arFet pre5ises. &'e petitioners A#estioned t'e i5position o% prison ter5s o% %i7e 5ont's and one day and o% a((essory pena"ties pro7ided 8y "a6. &'ey a"so ('a""en9ed t'e order to pay %ines o% -E==.== ea(', -1=,===.== a(t#a" and (o5pensatory da5a9es, -3=,===.== 5ora" da5a9es, -1=,===.== e:e5p"ary da5a9es, and t'e (osts o% t'e s#it.
(dp'i"

&'e dispositi7e portion o% t'e de(ision o% t'e respondent Co#rt o% Appea"s statesG
I+2ERE0.RE, 6e 'ere8y 5odi%y t'e C#d95ent appea"ed %ro5 in t'e sense t'at t'e appe""ants are a(A#itted on 9ro#nd o% reasona8"e do#8t, 8#t t'ey are ordered to pay Coint"y and se7era""y to (o5p"ainants t'e a5o#nt o% -9,D==.==, as a(t#a" da5a9es.I

&'e petitioners %i"ed a 5otion %or re(onsideration (ontendin9 t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e de%endants-appe""ants as to (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity res#"ts in t'e e:tin(tion o% t'eir (i7i" "ia8i"ity. &'e Co#rt o% Appea"s denied t'e 5otion 'o"din9 t'atG ::: ::: :::

I. . . Happe""antsH a(A#itta" 6as 8ased on reasona8"e do#8t 4 6'et'er t'e (ri5e o% (oer(ion 6as (o55itted, not on %a(ts t'at no #n"a6%#" a(t 6as (o55itted, as t'eir taFin9 t'e "a6 into t'eir 'ands, destr#(tin9 ;si(? (o5p"ainantsH properties is #n"a6%#", and, as e7iden(e on re(ord esta8"is'ed t'at (o5p"ainants s#%%ered a(t#a" da5a9es, t'e i5position o% a(t#a" da5a9es is (orre(t.I

ConseA#ent"y, t'e petitioners %i"ed t'is spe(ia" (i7i" a(tion, (ontendin9 t'atG
* &2E C./R& .0 A--EAL C.MM*&&E) A GRA!E ERR.R .0 LA+ .R GRA!EL1 AB/ E) *& )* CRE&*.N *N *M-. *NG /-.N -E&*&*.NER -A1MEN& .0 )AMAGE &. C.M-LA*NAN& A0&ER AC@/*&&*NG -E&*&*.NER .0 &2E CR*ME C2ARGE) 0R.M +2*C2 A*) L*AB*L*&1 AR. E.

** &2E C./R& .0 A--EAL ERRE) *N 2.L)*NG *N *& RE .L/&*.N )A&E) )ECEMBER >D, 19B4 &2A& *NCE A--ELLAN& H AC@/*&&AL +A BA E) .N REA .NABLE )./B&, N.& .N 0AC& &2A& N. /NLA+0/L AC& +A C.MM*&&E), &2E *M-. *&*.N .0 AC&/AL )AMAGE * C.RREC&. *** &2E C./R& .0 A--EAL C.MM*&&E) A LEGAL *NC.N * &ENC1, *0 N.& -LA*N </)*C*AL ERR.R, *N 2.L)*NG *N *& A--EALE) RE .L/&*.N &2A& -E&*&*.NER C.MM*&&E) AN /NLA+0/L AC&, &2A& * , H&AK*NG &2E LA+ *N&. &2E*R 2AN) , )E &R/C&*NG ;si(? HC.M-LA*NAN& H -R.-ER&*E H, A0&ER 2.L)*NG *N *& MA*N )EC* *.N .0 N.!EMBER D, 19B4 &2A& &2E AC& 0.R +2*C2 &2E1 +ERE C2ARGE) )*) N.& C.N &*&/&E GRA!E C.ERC*.N AN) &2E1 +ERE N.& C2ARGE) .0 AN1 .&2ER CR*ME. *! &2E C./R& .0 A--EAL ERRE) *N .R)ER*NG &2E -E&*&*.NER 2ERE*N, A--ELLAN& *N CA-G.R. N.. 134ED-CR, <.*N&L1 AN) E!ERALL1, &. -A1 C.M-LA*NAN& -9,D==.== *N /--. E) AC&/AL )AMAGE .

&'e iss#e posed in t'e instant pro(eedin9 is 6'et'er or not t'e respondent (o#rt (o55itted a re7ersi8"e error in reA#irin9 t'e petitioners to pay (i7i" inde5nity to t'e (o5p"ainants a%ter a(A#ittin9 t'e5 %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" ('ar9e. -etitioners 5aintain t'e 7ie6 t'at 6'ere t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity 6'i(' is in("#ded in t'e (ri5ina" a(tion is t'at arisin9 %ro5 and as a (onseA#en(e o% t'e (ri5ina" a(t, and t'e de%endant 6as a(A#itted in t'e (ri5ina" (ase, ;no (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" (ase?, no (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" ('ar9e (o#"d 8e i5posed #pon 'i5. &'ey (ite pre(edents to t'e e%%e(t t'at t'e "ia8i"ity o% t'e de%endant %or t'e ret#rn o% t'e a5o#nt re(ei7ed 8y 'i5 5ay not 8e en%or(ed in t'e (ri5ina" (ase 8#t 5#st 8e raised in a separate (i7i" a(tion %or t'e re(o7ery o% t'e said a5o#nt ;-eop"e 7. -anti9, 9B -'i". B48, %o""o6in9 t'e do(trine "aid do6n in Mani"a Rai"road Co. 7. 2onora8"e Rodo"%o Ba"ta$ar, 49 ..G. 38B4, -#e8"o (ontra A8e""era, D9 -'i". D>3, -eop"e 7. MaLa9o, D9 -'i". 49D, -eop"e 7. Miranda, E CRA 1=DB, A"da8a 7. E"epaLo, 11D -'i". 4EB?.
(drep

*n t'e (ase 8e%ore #s, t'e petitioners 6ere a(A#itted not 8e(a#se t'ey did not (o55it t'e a(ts stated in t'e ('ar9e a9ainst t'e5. &'ere is no disp#te o7er t'e %or(i8"e openin9 o% t'e 5arFet sta"", its de5o"ition 6it' a:es and ot'er instr#5ents, and t'e (artin9 a6ay o% t'e 5er('andi$e. &'e petitioners 6ere a(A#itted 8e(a#se t'ese a(ts 6ere deno5inated (oer(ion 6'en t'ey proper"y (onstit#ted so5e ot'er o%%ense s#(' as t'reat or 5a"i(io#s 5is('ie%. &'e respondent Co#rt o% Appea"s stated in its de(isionG
I0or a (o5p"aint to prosper #nder t'e %ore9oin9 pro7ision, t'e 7io"en(e 5#st 8e e5p"oyed a9ainst t'e person, not a9ainst property as 6'at 'appened in t'e (ase at 8ar. . . . ::: ::: ::: I&'e ne:t pro8"e5 isG May t'e a((#sed 8e (on7i(ted o% an o%%ense ot'er t'an (oer(ionM 0ro5 a"" appearan(es, t'ey s'o#"d 'a7e 8een prose(#ted eit'er %or t'reats or 5a"i(io#s 5is('ie%. B#t t'e "a6 does not a""o6 #s to render C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion %or eit'er o% t'ese o%%enses %or t'e reason t'at t'ey 6ere not indi(ted %or t'ese o%%enses. &'e in%or5ation #nder 6'i(' t'ey 6ere prose(#ted does not a""e9e t'e e"e5ents o% eit'er t'reats or 5a"i(io#s 5is('ie%. A"t'o#9' t'e in%or5ation 5entions t'at t'e a(t 6as H8y 5eans o% t'reatsH, it does not a""e9e t'e parti(#"ar t'reat 5ade. An a((#sed person is entit"ed to 8e in%or5ed o% t'e nat#re o% t'e a(ts

i5p#ted to 'i5 8e%ore 'e (an 8e 5ade to enter into tria" #pon a 7a"id in%or5ation. I+e r#"e t'at t'e (ri5e o% 9ra7e (oer(ion 'as not 8een pro7ed in a((ordan(e 6it' "a6. I+'i"e appe""ants are entit"ed to a(A#itta", t'ey ne7ert'e"ess are (i7i""y "ia8"e %or t'e a(t#a" da5a9es s#%%ered 8y t'e (o5p"ainants 8y reason o% t'e de5o"ition o% t'e sta"" and "oss o% so5e o% t'eir properties, &'e e:tin(tion o% t'e pena" a(tion does not (arry 6it' it t'at o% t'e (i7i", #n"ess t'e e:tin(tion pro(eeds %ro5 a de("aration in a %ina" C#d95ent t'at t'e %a(t %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" 5i9't arise did not e:ist. ;R#"e 111, e(. 3 ;(?, Re7. R#"es o% Co#rt, Lapera" 7. A"i$a, E1 .G.R. 1311, -eop"e 7. !e"e$, 44 .G. 1811?. *n t'e instant (ase, t'e %a(t %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" 5i9't arise, na5e"y, t'e de5o"ition o% t'e sta"" and "oss o% t'e properties (ontained t'erein, e:ists, and t'is is not denied 8y t'e a((#sed. And sin(e t'ere is no s'o6in9 t'at t'e (o5p"ainants 'a7e reser7ed or 6ai7ed t'eir ri9't to instit#te a separate (i7i" a(tion, t'e (i7i" aspe(t t'erein is dee5ed instit#ted 6it' t'e (ri5ina" a(tion. ;R#"e 111, e(. 1, Re7. R#"es o% Co#rt?. ::: ::: :::

e(tion 1 o% R#"e 111 o% t'e R#"es o% Co#rt states t'e %#nda5enta" proposition t'at 6'en a (ri5ina" a(tion is instit#ted, t'e (i7i" a(tion %or re(o7ery o% (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed is i5p"ied"y instit#ted 6it' it. &'ere is no i5p"ied instit#tion 6'en t'e o%%ended party e:press"y 6ai7es t'e (i7i" a(tion or reser7es 'is ri9't to instit#te it separate"y. ;Morte r. 7. A"7i$o, <r., 1=1 CRA >>1?. &'e e:tin(tion o% t'e (i7i" a(tion 8y reason o% a(A#itta" in t'e (ri5ina" (ase re%ers e:("#si7e"y to (i7i" "ia8i"ity e: de"i(to %o#nded on Arti("e 1== o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code. ;E"(ano 7. 2i"", BB CRA 98, !irata 7. .('oa, 81 CRA 4B>?. *n ot'er 6ords, t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity 6'i(' is a"so e:tin9#is'ed #pon a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed is t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e a(t as a (ri5e.
(d""

As ear"y as 194>, t'e #pre5e Co#rt speaFin9 t'ro#9' <#sti(e <or9e Bo(o8o in Barredo 7. Gar(ia et a". B3 -'i". D=B "aid do6n t'e r#"e t'at t'e sa5e p#nis'a8"e a(t or o5ission (an (reate t6o Finds o% (i7i" "ia8i"ities a9ainst t'e a((#sed and, 6'ere pro7ided 8y "a6, 'is e5p"oyer. &'ere is t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e a(t as a (ri5e and t'e "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e sa5e a(t as a A#asi-de"i(t. Eit'er one o% t'ese t6o types o% (i7i" "ia8i"ity 5ay 8e en%or(ed a9ainst t'e a((#sed. 2o6e7er, t'e o%%ended party (annot re(o7er da5a9es

#nder 8ot' types o% "ia8i"ity. 0or instan(e, in (ases o% (ri5ina" ne9"i9en(e or (ri5es d#e to re(F"ess i5pr#den(e, Arti("e >1BB o% t'e Ci7i" Code pro7idesG
IResponsi8i"ity %or %a#"t or ne9"i9en(e #nder t'e pre(edin9 arti("e is entire"y separate and distin(t %ro5 t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 ne9"i9en(e #nder t'e -ena" Code. B#t t'e p"ainti%% (annot re(o7er da5a9es t6i(e %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission o% t'e de%endantI

e(tion 3 ;(? o% R#"e 111 spe(i%i(a""y pro7ides t'atG

I e(. 3..t'er (i7i" a(tions arisin9 %ro5 o%%enses. 4 *n a"" (ases not in("#ded in t'e pre(edin9 se(tion t'e %o""o6in9 r#"es s'a"" 8e o8ser7edG ::: ::: ::: ;(?E:tin(tion o% t'e pena" a(tion does not (arry 6it' it e:tin(tion o% t'e (i7i", #n"ess t'e e:tin(tion pro(eeds %ro5 a de("aration in a %ina" C#d95ent t'at t'e %a(t %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" 5i9't arise did not e:ist. *n ot'er (ases, t'e person entit"ed to t'e (i7i" a(tion 5ay instit#te it in t'e C#risdi(tion and in t'e 5anner pro7ided 8y "a6 a9ainst t'e person 6'o 5ay 8e "ia8"e %or restit#tion o% t'e t'in9 and reparation or inde5nity %or t'e da5a9e s#%%ered.

&'e C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" e:tin9#is'es t'e "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed %or da5a9es on"y 6'en it in("#des a de("aration t'at t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" 5i9't arise did not e:ist. &'#s, t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity is not e:tin9#is'ed 8y a(A#itta" 6'ere t'e a(A#itta" is 8ased on reasona8"e do#8t ;-NB 7. Catipon, 98 -'i". >8D? as on"y preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired in (i7i" (ases, 6'ere t'e (o#rt e:press"y de("ares t'at t'e "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed is not (ri5ina" 8#t on"y (i7i" in nat#re ;)e G#$5an 7. A"7ia, 9D -'i". EE8, -eop"e 7. -anti9, s#pra? as, %or instan(e, in t'e %e"onies o% esta%a, t'e%t, and 5a"i(io#s 5is('ie% (o55itted 8y (ertain re"ati7es 6'o t'ere8y in(#r on"y (i7i" "ia8i"ity ; ee Art. 33>, Re7ised -ena" Code?, and, 6'ere t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity does not arise %ro5 or is not 8ased #pon t'e (ri5ina" a(t o% 6'i(' t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted ;Castro 7. Co""e(tor o% *nterna" Re7en#e, 4 CRA 1=93, ee Re9a"ado, Re5edia" La6 Co5pendi#5, 1983 ed., p. D>3?.
(dp'i"

Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code a"so pro7ides t'atG

I+'en t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion is a(A#itted on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission 5ay 8e instit#ted. #(' a(tion reA#ires on"y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e. /pon 5otion o% t'e

de%endant, t'e (o#rt 5ay reA#ire t'e p"ainti%% to %i"e a 8ond to ans6er %or da5a9es in (ase t'e (o5p"aint s'o#"d 8e %o#nd to 8e 5a"i(io#s. I*% in a (ri5ina" (ase t'e C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" is 8ased #pon reasona8"e do#8t, t'e (o#rt s'a"" so de("are. *n t'e a8sen(e o% any de("aration to t'at e%%e(t, it 5ay 8e in%erred %ro5 t'e te:t o% t'e de(ision 6'et'er or not t'e a(A#itta" is d#e to t'at 9ro#nd.I

More re(ent"y, 6e 'e"d t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e de%endant in t'e (ri5ina" (ase 6o#"d not (onstit#te an o8sta("e to t'e %i"in9 o% a (i7i" (ase 8ased on t'e sa5e a(ts 6'i(' "ed to t'e (ri5ina" prose(#tionG
I. . . &'e %indin9 8y t'e respondent (o#rt t'at 'e spent said s#5 %or and in t'e interest o% t'e Capi$ A9ri(#"t#ra" and 0is'ery ('oo" and %or 'is persona" 8ene%it is not a de("aration t'at t'e %a(t #pon 6'i(' Ci7i" Case No. !-3339 is 8ased does not e:ist. &'e (i7i" a(tion 8arred 8y s#(' a de("aration is t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed, 6'i(' is t'e one i5p"ied"y instit#ted 6it' t'e (ri5ina" a(tion. ; e(tion *, R#"e ***, R#"es o% Co#rt.? #(' a de("aration 6o#"d not 8ar a (i7i" a(tion %i"ed a9ainst an a((#sed 6'o 'ad 8een a(A#itted in t'e (ri5ina" (ase i% t'e (ri5ina" a(tion is predi(ated on %a(t#a" or "e9a" (onsiderations ot'er t'an t'e (o55ission o% t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed. A person 5ay 8e a(A#itted o% 5a"7ersation 6'ere, as in t'e (ase at 8ar, 'e (o#"d s'o6 t'at 'e did not 5isappropriate t'e p#8"i( %#nds in 'is possession, 8#t 'e (o#"d 8e rendered "ia8"e to restore said %#nds or at "east to 5aFe a proper a((o#ntin9 t'ereo% i% 'e s'a"" spend t'e sa5e %or p#rposes 6'i(' are not a#t'ori$ed nor intended, and in a 5anner not per5itted 8y app"i(a8"e r#"es and re9#"ations.I ;Rep#8"i( 7. Be""o, 1>= CRA >=3?.

&'ere appear to 8e no so#nd reasons to reA#ire a separate (i7i" a(tion to sti"" 8e %i"ed (onsiderin9 t'at t'e %a(ts to 8e pro7ed in t'e (i7i" (ase 'a7e a"ready 8een esta8"is'ed in t'e (ri5ina" pro(eedin9s 6'ere t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted. )#e pro(ess 'as 8een a((orded t'e a((#sed. 2e 6as, in %a(t, e:onerated o% t'e (ri5ina" ('ar9ed. &'e (onstit#tiona" pres#5ption o% inno(en(e (a""ed %or 5ore 7i9i"ant e%%orts on t'e part o% prose(#tin9 attorneys and de%ense (o#nse", a Feener a6areness 8y a"" 6itnesses o% t'e serio#s i5p"i(ations o% perC#ry, and a 5ore st#died (onsideration 8y t'e C#d9e o% t'e entire re(ords and o% app"i(a8"e stat#tes and pre(edents. &o reA#ire a separate (i7i" a(tion si5p"y 8e(a#se t'e a((#sed 6as a(A#itted 6o#"d 5ean need"ess ("o99in9 o% (o#rt do(Fets and

#nne(essary d#p"i(ation o% "iti9ation 6it' a"" its attendant "oss o% ti5e, e%%ort, and 5oney on t'e part o% a"" (on(erned.
Cdpr

&'e tria" (o#rt %o#nd t'e %o""o6in9 %a(ts ("ear"y esta8"is'ed 8y t'e e7iden(e add#(ed 8y 8ot' t'e prose(#tion and t'e de%enseG
::: ::: ::: I;9?*n t'e 5ornin9 o% 0e8r#ary 8, 19D4, t'en C'ie% Ga"dones, (o5p"yin9 6it' t'e instr#(tions (ontained in said Me5orand#5 No. 3> o% t'e Mayor, and #pon seein9 t'at Antonio !er9ara 'ad not 7a(ated t'e pre5ises in A#estion, 6it' t'e aid o% 'is po"i(e5en, %or(ed #pon t'e store or sta"" and ordered t'e re5o7a" o% t'e 9oods inside t'e store o% !er9ara, at t'e sa5e ti5e taFin9 in7entory o% t'e 9oods taFen o#t, pi"ed t'e5 o#tside in %ront o% t'e store and 'ad it (ordoned 6it' a rope, and a%ter a"" t'e 9oods 6ere taFen o#t %ro5 t'e store, ordered t'e de5o"ition o% said sta"" o% Antonio !er9ara. in(e t'en #p to t'e tria" o% t'is (ase, t'e 6'erea8o#ts o% t'e 9oods taFen o#t %ro5 t'e store nor t'e 5ateria"s o% t'e de5o"is'ed sta"" 'a7e not 8een 5ade Fno6n.I

&'e respondent Co#rt o% Appea"s 5ade a si5i"ar %indin9 t'atG

I.n t'e 5ornin9 o% 0e8r#ary 8t', 8e(a#se t'e said !er9aras 'ad not #p to t'at ti5e (o5p"ied 6it' t'e order to 7a(ate, t'e (o-a((#sed C'ie% o% -o"i(e Ga"dones and so5e 5e58ers o% 'is po"i(e %or(e, 6ent to t'e 5arFet and, #sin9 a:, (ro68ars and 'a55ers, de5o"is'ed t'e sta"" o% t'e !er9aras 6'o 6ere not present or aro#nd, and a%ter 'a7in9 %irst in7entoried t'e 9oods and 5er('andise %o#nd t'erein, t'ey 'ad t'e5 8ro#9't to t'e 5#ni(ipa" 8#i"din9 %or sa%eFeepin9. *nspite o% noti(e ser7ed #pon t'e !er9aras to taFe possession o% t'e 9oods and 5er('andise t'#s taFen a6ay, t'e "atter re%#sed to do so. I&'e "oss and da5a9e to t'e !er9aras as t'ey e7a"#ated t'e5 6ereG Cost o% sta"" (onstr#(tion-1,3==.== !a"#e o% %#rnit#re and eA#ip5ent destroyed3==.== !a"#e o% 9oods and eA#ip5ent taFen8,===.== 4444 -9,D==.== I*t is not disp#ted t'at t'e a((#sed de5o"is'ed t'e 9ro(ery sta"" o% t'e (o5p"ainants !er9aras and (arted a6ay its (ontents. &'e de%ense t'at

t'ey did so in order to a8ate 6'at t'ey (onsidered a n#isan(e per se is #ntena8"e. &'is %inds no s#pport in "a6 and in %a(t. &'e (o#p"e 'as 8een payin9 renta"s %or t'e pre5ises to t'e 9o7ern5ent 6'i(' a""o6ed t'e5 to "ease t'e sta"". *t is, t'ere%ore, %ar-%et('ed to say t'at t'e sta"" 6as a n#isan(e per se 6'i(' (o#"d 8e s#55ari"y a8ated.

&'e petitioners, t'e5se"7es, do not deny t'e %a(t t'at t'ey (a#sed t'e destr#(tion o% t'e (o5p"ainantHs 5arFet sta"" and 'ad its (ontents (arted a6ay. &'ey stateG
I.n 0e8r#ary 8, 19D4, despite persona" p"eas on !er9aras 8y t'e Mayor to 7a(ate t'e passa9e6ays o% MarFet B#i"din9 No. 3, t'e !er9aras 6ere sti"" in t'e pre5ises, so t'e petitioners C'ie% o% -o"i(e and 5e58ers o% t'e -o"i(e 0or(e o% <ose -an9ani8an, p#rs#ant to t'e MayorHs dire(ti7es, de5o"is'ed t'e store o% t'e !er9aras, 5ade an in7entory o% t'e 9oods %o#nd in said store, and 8ro#9't t'ese 9oods to t'e 5#ni(ipa" 8#i"din9 #nder t'e (#stody o% t'e M#ni(ipa" &reas#rer, . . .I

&'e on"y s#pposed o8sta("e is t'e pro7ision o% Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code, ear"ier (ited, t'at I6'en t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion is a(A#itted on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission 5ay 8e instit#ted.I A((ordin9 to so5e s('o"ars, t'is pro7ision o% s#8stanti7e "a6 (a""s %or a separate (i7i" a(tion and (annot 8e 5odi%ied 8y a r#"e o% re5edia" "a6 e7en in t'e interests o% e(ono5y and si5p"i(ity and %o""o6in9 t'e di(tates o% "o9i( and (o55on sense.
(dp'i"

As stated 8y retired <#d9e <. Ce$ar an9(oG

I. . . i% t'e Co#rt %inds t'e e7iden(e s#%%i(ient to s#stain t'e (i7i" a(tion 8#t inadeA#ate to C#sti%y a (on7i(tion in t'e (ri5ina" a(tion, 5ay it render C#d95ent a(A#ittin9 t'e a((#sed on reasona8"e do#8t, 8#t 'o"d 'i5 (i7i""y "ia8"e nonet'e"essM An a%%ir5ati7e ans6er to t'is A#estion 6o#"d 8e (onsistent 6it' t'e do(trine t'at t'e t6o are distin(t and separate a(tions, and 6i"" ;a? dispense 6it' t'e reinstit#tin9 o% t'e sa5e (i7i" a(tion, or one 8ased on A#asi-de"i(t or ot'er independent (i7i" a(tion, and o% presentin9 t'e sa5e e7iden(e, ;8? sa7e t'e inC#red party #nne(essary e:penses in t'e prose(#tion o% t'e (i7i" a(tion or ena8"e 'i5 to taFe ad7anta9e o% t'e %ree ser7i(es o% t'e %is(a", and ;(? ot'er6ise reso"7e t'e #nsett"in9 i5p"i(ations o% per5ittin9 t'e reinstit#tion o% a separate (i7i" a(tion 6'et'er 8ased on de"i(t, or A#aside"i(t, or ot'er independent (i7i" a(tions.

I. . . B#t %or t'e (o#rt to 8e a8"e to adC#di(ate in t'e 5anner 'ere s#99ested, Art. >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code s'o#"d 8e a5ended 8e(a#se it ("ear"y and e:press"y pro7ides t'at t'e (i7i" a(tion 8ased on t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission 5ay on"y 8e instit#ted in a separate a(tion, and t'ere%ore, 5ay not in%erentia""y 8e reso"7ed in t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(tion. &o dis5iss t'e (i7i" a(tion #pon a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed and disa""o6 t'e reinstit#tion o% any ot'er (i7i" a(tion, 6o#"d "iFe6ise render, #nC#sti%ia8"y, t'e a(A#itta" on reasona8"e do#8t 6it'o#t any si9ni%i(an(e, and 6o#"d 7io"ate t'e do(trine t'at t'e t6o a(tions are distin(t and separate. I*n t'e "i9't o% t'e %ore9oin9 e:position, it see5s e7ident t'at t'ere is 5#(' sop'istry and no pra95atis5 in t'e do(trine t'at it is in(onsistent to a6ard in t'e sa5e pro(eedin9s da5a9es a9ainst t'e a((#sed a%ter a(A#ittin9 'i5 on reasona8"e do#8t. #(' do(trine 5#st re(o9ni$e t'e distin(t and separate ('ara(ter o% t'e t6o a(tions, t'e nat#re o% an a(A#itta" on reasona8"e do#8t, t'e 7e:atio#s and oppressi7e e%%e(ts o% a reser7ation or instit#tion o% a separate (i7i" a(tion, and t'at t'e inC#red party is entit"ed to da5a9es not 8e(a#se t'e a(t or o5ission is p#nis'a8"e 8#t 8e(a#se 'e 6as da5a9ed or inC#red t'ere8y ; an9(o, -'i"ippine La6 on &orts and )a5a9es, pp. >88->89?.

+e see no need to a5end Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code in order to a""o6 a (o#rt to 9rant da5a9es despite a C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" 8ased on reasona8"e do#8t. +'at Arti("e >9 ("ear"y and e:press"y pro7ides is a re5edy %or t'e p"ainti%% in (ase t'e de%endant 'as 8een a(A#itted in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. *t 5ere"y e5p'asi$es t'at a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es is not pre("#ded 8y an a(A#itta" %or t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(t or o5ission. &'e Ci7i" Code pro7ision does not state t'at t'e re5edy (an 8e a7ai"ed o% on"y in a separate (i7i" a(tion. A separate (i7i" (ase 5ay 8e %i"ed 8#t t'ere is no state5ent t'at s#(' separate %i"in9 is t'e on"y and e:("#si7e per5issi8"e 5ode o% re(o7erin9 da5a9es.
(d""

&'ere is not'in9 (ontrary to t'e Ci7i" Code pro7ision in t'e rendition o% a C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" and a C#d95ent a6ardin9 da5a9es in t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(tion. &'e t6o (an stand side 8y side. A C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" operates to e:tin9#is' t'e (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity. *t does not, 'o6e7er, e:tin9#is' t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity #n"ess t'ere is ("ear s'o6in9 t'at t'e a(t %ro5 6'i(' (i7i" "ia8i"ity 5i9't arise did not e:ist. A di%%erent (on("#sion 6o#"d 8e attri8#tin9 to t'e Ci7i" Code a tri7ia" reA#ire5ent, a pro7ision 6'i(' i5poses an #n(a""ed %or 8#rden 8e%ore one 6'o 'as a"ready

8een t'e 7i(ti5 o% a (onde5na8"e, yet non-(ri5ina", a(t 5ay 8e a((orded t'e C#sti(e 6'i(' 'e seeFs. +e %#rt'er note t'e rationa"e 8e'ind Art. >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code in arri7in9 at t'e intent o% t'e "e9is"ator t'at t'ey (o#"d not possi8"y 'a7e intended to 5aFe it 5ore di%%i(#"t %or t'e a99rie7ed party to re(o7er C#st (o5pensation 8y 5aFin9 a separate (i7i" a(tion 5andatory and e:("#si7eG
I&'e o"d r#"e t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" (ase a"so re"eases 'i5 %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity is one o% t'e 5ost serio#s %"a6s in t'e -'i"ippine "e9a" syste5. *t 'as 9i7en rise to n#58er"ess instan(es o% 5is(arria9e o% C#sti(e, 6'ere t'e a(A#itta" 6as d#e to a reasona8"e do#8t in t'e 5ind o% t'e (o#rt as to t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed. &'e reasonin9 %o""o6ed is t'at inas5#(' as t'e (i7i" responsi8i"ity is deri7ed %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" o%%ense, 6'en t'e "atter is not pro7ed, (i7i" "ia8i"ity (annot 8e de5anded. I&'is is one o% t'ose (ases 6'ere (on%#sed t'inFin9 "eads to #n%ort#nate and dep"ora8"e (onseA#en(es. #(' reasonin9 %ai"s to dra6 a ("ear "ine o% de5ar(ation 8et6een (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity and (i7i" responsi8i"ity, and to deter5ine t'e "o9i(a" res#"t o% t'e distin(tion. &'e t6o "ia8i"ities are separate and distin(t %ro5 ea(' ot'er, .ne a%%e(ts t'e so(ia" order and t'e ot'er, pri7ate ri9'ts. .ne is %or t'e p#nis'5ent or (orre(tion o% t'e o%%ender 6'i"e t'e ot'er is %or reparation o% da5a9es s#%%ered 8y t'e a99rie7ed party. . . . *t is C#st and proper t'at, %or t'e p#rposes o% t'e i5prison5ent o% or %ine #pon t'e a((#sed, t'e o%%ense s'o#"d 8e pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. B#t %or t'e p#rpose o% inde5ni%yin9 t'e (o5p"ainin9 party, 6'y s'o#"d t'e o%%ense a"so 8e pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8tM *s not t'e in7asion or 7io"ation o% e7ery pri7ate ri9't to 8e pro7ed on"y 8y preponderan(e o% e7iden(eM *s t'e ri9't o% t'e a99rie7ed person any "ess pri7ate 8e(a#se t'e 6ron9%#" a(t is a"so p#nis'a8"e 8y t'e (ri5ina" "a6M ;Code Co55ission, pp. 4E-4D?.

A separate (i7i" a(tion 5ay 8e 6arranted 6'ere additiona" %a(ts 'a7e to 8e esta8"is'ed or 5ore e7iden(e 5#st 8e add#(ed or 6'ere t'e (ri5ina" (ase 'as 8een %#""y ter5inated and a separate (o5p"aint 6o#"d 8e C#st as e%%i(a(io#s or e7en 5ore e:pedient t'an a ti5e"y re5and to t'e tria" (o#rt 6'ere t'e (ri5ina" a(tion 6as de(ided %or %#rt'er 'earin9s on t'e (i7i" aspe(ts o% t'e (ase. &'e o%%ended party 5ay, o% (o#rse, ('oose to %i"e a separate a(tion. &'ese do not e:ist in t'is (ase. Considerin9 5oreo7er t'e de"ays s#%%ered 8y t'e (ase in t'e tria", appe""ate, and re7ie6 sta9es, it 6o#"d 8e #nC#st to t'e (o5p"ainants in t'is (ase to reA#ire at t'is ti5e a separate (i7i" a(tion to 8e %i"ed.

+it' t'is in 5ind, 6e t'ere%ore 'o"d t'at t'e respondent Co#rt o% Appea"s did not err in a6ardin9 da5a9es despite a C#d95ent o% a(A#itta". +2ERE0.RE, 6e 'ere8y A00*RM t'e de(ision o% t'e respondent Co#rt o% Appea"s and dis5iss t'e petition %or "a(F o% 5erit. . .R)ERE).

&2*R) )*!* *.N

[G.R. No. 1>>44E. No7e58er 18, 199B.] DR. NINEVETCH CRUZ, petitioner, vs. COURT OF APPEALS and LYDIA UMALI, respondents.

&ranA#i"ino 0. Meris La6 .%%i(e %or petitioner.

SYNOPSIS )r. Nine7et(' Cr#$, petitioner 'erein, and one )r. Lina Er(i""o, t'e attendin9 anest'esio"o9ist d#rin9 t'e s#r9i(a" operation per%or5ed on Lydia /5a"i, 6ere ('ar9ed 6it' Ire(F"ess i5pr#den(e and ne9"i9en(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ideI %or t'e deat' o% t'e "atter. &ria" ens#ed a%ter 8ot' t'e petitioner and )r. Lina Er(i""o p"eaded not 9#i"ty to t'e ('ar9e. A%ter tria", a de(ision 6as rendered 8y t'e M#ni(ipa" &ria" Co#rt in Cities ;M&CC? o% an -a8"o City dis('ar9in9 Er(i""o o% t'e responsi8i"ity %or t'e deat' o% /5a"i. 2o6e7er, Cr#$ 6as %o#nd 9#i"ty as ('ar9ed and 6as senten(ed to s#%%er an indeter5inate pena"ty. &'e petitioner appea"ed to t'e Re9iona" &ria" Co#rt, 6'i(' a%%ir5ed in toto t'e de(ision o% t'e M&CC. 'e t'en %i"ed a petition %or re7ie6 6it' t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s 8#t to no a7ai", 'en(e, t'is petition %or (ertiorariassai"in9 t'e de(ision pro5#"9ated 8y t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s. *n s#8stan(e, t'e iss#e raised 8e%ore t'e #pre5e Co#rt is 6'et'er or not t'e e7iden(e on re(ord s#pports t'e petitionerHs (on7i(tion o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide, arisin9 %ro5 an a""e9ed 5edi(a" 5a"pra(ti(e. A((ordin9 to t'e #pre5e Co#rt, a re7ie6 o% t'e re(ords o% t'is (ase 6i"" s'o6 t'e a8sen(e o% any e:pert testi5ony on t'e 5atter o% t'e standard o% (are e5p"oyed 8y ot'er p'ysi(ians o% 9ood standin9 in t'e (ond#(t o% si5i"ar operations. E:pert testi5ony s'o#"d 'a7e 8een o%%ered to pro7e t'at t'e (ir(#5stan(es (ited 8y t'e (o#rts 8e"o6 are (onstit#ti7e o% (ond#(t %a""in9 8e"o6 t'e standard o% (are e5p"oyed 8y ot'er p'ysi(ians in 9ood standin9 6'en per%or5in9 t'e sa5e operation. +'en t'e A#a"i%i(ations o% a p'ysi(ian are ad5itted, t'ere is an ine7ita8"e pres#5ption t'at 'e taFes t'e ne(essary pre(a#tion and e5p"oys t'e 8est o% 'is Fno6"ed9e and sFi"" in attendin9 to 'is ("ients, #n"ess t'e (ontrary is s#%%i(ient"y esta8"is'ed. &'e pres#5ption 5ay 8e

re8#tted 8y e:pert opinion, 6'i(' is "a(Fin9 'erein. -etitioner, t'ere%ore, 6as a(A#itted o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide, 8#t s'e 6as 'e"d (i7i""y "ia8"e %or t'e deat' o% t'e 7i(ti5 and ordered to pay t'e 'eirs o% t'e de(eased t'e a5o#nt o% -E=,===.== as (i7i" "ia8i"ity, -1==,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, and -E=,===.== as e:e5p"ary da5a9es. SYLLABUS 1.CR*M*NAL LA+, RECKLE *M-R/)ENCE, ELEMEN& . 4 &'e e"e5ents o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e areG ;1? t'at t'e o%%ender does or %ai"s to do an a(t, ;>? t'at t'e doin9 or t'e %ai"#re to do t'at a(t is 7o"#ntary, ;3? t'at it 8e 6it'o#t 5a"i(e, ;4? t'at 5ateria" da5a9e res#"ts %ro5 t'e re(F"ess i5pr#den(e, and ;E? t'at t'ere is ine:(#sa8"e "a(F o% pre(a#tion on t'e part o% t'e o%%ender, taFin9 into (onsideration 'is e5p"oy5ent or o((#pation, de9ree o% inte""i9en(e, p'ysi(a" (ondition, and ot'er (ir(#5stan(es re9ardin9 persons, ti5e and p"a(e.
&a2*)

>.REME)*AL LA+, E!*)ENCE, &E &*M.N*AL, E3-ER& &E &*M.N1, NECE AR1 *N E &ABL* 2*NG &2E &AN)AR) .0 CARE *N &2E ME)*CAL -R.0E *.N AN) &2A& &2E -21 *C*ANH C.N)/C& *N &2E &REA&MEN& AN) CARE 0ALL BEL.+ /C2 &AN)AR), AB EN& *N CA E A& BAR. 4 +'et'er or not a p'ysi(ian 'as (o55itted an Iine:(#sa8"e "a(F o% pre(a#tionI in t'e treat5ent o% 'is patient is to 8e deter5ined a((ordin9 to t'e standard o% (are o8ser7ed 8y ot'er 5e58ers o% t'e pro%ession in 9ood standin9 #nder si5i"ar (ir(#5stan(es 8earin9 in 5ind t'e ad7an(ed state o% t'e pro%ession at t'e ti5e o% treat5ent or t'e present state o% 5edi(a" s(ien(e. *n t'e re(ent (ase o% Leoni"a Gar(ia-R#eda 7. +i"%redo L. -as(asio, et a"., G.R. No. 118141, epte58er E, 199B, t'is Co#rt stated t'at in a((eptin9 a (ase, a do(tor in e%%e(t represents t'at, 'a7in9 t'e needed trainin9 and sFi"" possessed 8y p'ysi(ians and s#r9eons pra(ti(in9 in t'e sa5e %ie"d, 'e 6i"" e5p"oy s#(' trainin9, (are and sFi"" in t'e treat5ent o% 'is patients. 2e t'ere%ore 'as a d#ty to #se at "east t'e sa5e "e7e" o% (are t'at any ot'er reasona8"y (o5petent do(tor 6o#"d #se to treat a (ondition #nder t'e sa5e (ir(#5stan(es. *t is in t'is aspe(t o% 5edi(a" 5a"pra(ti(e t'at e:pert testi5ony is essentia" to esta8"is' not on"y t'e standard o% (are o% t'e pro%ession 8#t a"so t'at t'e p'ysi(ianHs (ond#(t in t'e treat5ent and (are %a""s 8e"o6 s#(' standard. 0#rt'er, inas5#(' as t'e (a#ses o% t'e inC#ries in7o"7ed in 5a"pra(ti(e a(tions are deter5ina8"e on"y in t'e "i9't o% s(ienti%i( Fno6"ed9e, it 'as 8een re(o9ni$ed t'at e:pert testi5ony is #s#a""y ne(essary to s#pport t'e (on("#sion as to (a#sation. E:pert testi5ony s'o#"d 'a7e 8een o%%ered to pro7e t'at t'e (ir(#5stan(es (ited 8y t'e (o#rts 8e"o6 are (onstit#ti7e o% (ond#(t %a""in9 8e"o6 t'e standard o% (are e5p"oyed 8y ot'er p'ysi(ians in 9ood standin9 6'en

per%or5in9 t'e sa5e operation. *t 5#st 8e re5e58ered t'at 6'en t'e A#a"i%i(ations o% a p'ysi(ian are ad5itted, as in t'e instant (ase, t'ere is an ine7ita8"e pres#5ption t'at in proper (ases 'e taFes t'e ne(essary pre(a#tion and e5p"oys t'e 8est o% 'is Fno6"ed9e and sFi"" in attendin9 to 'is ("ients, #n"ess t'e (ontrary is s#%%i(ient"y esta8"is'ed. &'is pres#5ption is re8#tta8"e 8y e:pert opinion 6'i(' is so sad"y "a(Fin9 in t'e (ase at 8en('. 3.C*!*L LA+, )AMAGE , REC.!ER1 0.R AN *N</R1, NEGL*GENCE M/ & BE &2E -R.3*MA&E CA/ E .0 &2E *N</R1. 4 *n C'an L#9ay 7. t. L#FeHs 2ospita", *n(., 1= CA Reports 41E [19DD], 6'ere t'e attendin9 p'ysi(ian 6as a8so"7ed o% "ia8i"ity %or t'e deat' o% t'e (o5p"ainantHs 6i%e and ne68orn 8a8y, t'is Co#rt 'e"d t'atG I*n order t'at t'ere 5ay 8e a re(o7ery %or an inC#ry, 'o6e7er, it 5#st 8e s'o6n t'at t'e HinC#ry %or 6'i(' re(o7ery is so#9't 5#st 8e t'e "e9iti5ate (onseA#en(e o% t'e 6ron9 done, t'e (onne(tion 8et6een t'e ne9"i9en(e and t'e inC#ry 5#st 8e a dire(t and nat#ra" seA#en(e o% e7ents, #n8roFen 8y inter7enin9 e%%i(ient (a#ses.H *n ot'er 6ords, t'e ne9"i9en(e 5#st 8e t'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% t'e inC#ry. 0or, Hne9"i9en(e, no 5atter in 6'at it (onsists, (annot (reate a ri9't o% a(tion #n"ess it is t'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% t'e inC#ry (o5p"ained o%.H And Ht'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% an inC#ry is t'at (a#se, 6'i(', in nat#ra" and (ontin#o#s seA#en(e, #n8roFen 8y any e%%i(ient inter7enin9 (a#se, prod#(es t'e inC#ry, and 6it'o#t 6'i(' t'e res#"t 6o#"d not 'a7e o((#rred.H I 4.*)., *)., -RE-.N)ERANCE .0 E!*)ENCE, RE@/*RE), L*AB*L*&1 E &ABL* 2E) *N CA E A& BAR. 4 &'e pro8a8i"ity t'at LydiaHs deat' 6as (a#sed 8y )*C 6as #nre8#tted d#rin9 tria" and 'as en9endered in t'e 5ind o% t'is Co#rt a reasona8"e do#8t as to t'e petitionerHs 9#i"t. &'#s, 'er a(A#itta" o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide. +'i"e 6e (ondo"e 6it' t'e %a5i"y o% Lydia /5a"i, o#r 'ands are 8o#nd 8y t'e di(tates o% C#sti(e and %air dea"in9 6'i(' 'o"d in7io"a8"e t'e ri9't o% an a((#sed to 8e pres#5ed inno(ent #nti" pro7en 9#i"ty 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. Ne7ert'e"ess, t'is Co#rt %inds t'e petitioner (i7i""y "ia8"e %or t'e deat' o% Lydia /5a"i, %or 6'i"e a (on7i(tion o% a (ri5e reA#ires proo% 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, on"y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired to esta8"is' (i7i" "ia8i"ity. 0or ins#%%i(ien(y o% e7iden(e t'is Co#rt 6as not a8"e to render a senten(e o% (on7i(tion 8#t it is not 8"ind to t'e re(F"ess and i5pr#dent 5anner in 6'i(' t'e petitioner (arried o#t 'er d#ties. A pre(io#s "i%e 'as 8een "ost and t'e (ir(#5stan(es "eadin9 t'ereto e:a(er8ated t'e 9rie% o% t'ose "e%t 8e'ind. &'e 'eirs o% t'e de(eased (ontin#e to %ee" t'e "oss o% t'eir 5ot'er #p to t'e present ti5e and t'is Co#rt is a6are t'at no a5o#nt o% (o5passion and (o55iseration nor 6ords o% 8erea7e5ent (an s#%%i(e to ass#a9e t'e sorro6 %e"t %or t'e "oss o% a "o7ed one. Certain"y, t'e a6ard o% 5ora" and

e:e5p"ary da5a9es in %a7or o% t'e 'eirs o% Lydia /5a"i are proper in t'e instant (ase. DECISION FRANCISCO, < G
p

I)o(tors are prote(ted 8y a spe(ia" r#"e o% "a6. &'ey are not 9#arantors o% (are. &'ey do not e7en 6arrant a 9ood res#"t. &'ey are not ins#rers a9ainst 5is'aps or #n#s#a" (onseA#en(es. 0#rt'er5ore t'ey are not "ia8"e %or 'onest 5istaFes o% C#d95ent. . . .I

&'e present (ase a9ainst petitioner is in t'e nat#re o% a 5edi(a" 5a"pra(ti(e s#it, 6'i(' in si5p"est ter5s is t'e type o% ("ai5 6'i(' a 7i(ti5 'as a7ai"a8"e to 'i5 or 'er to redress a 6ron9 (o55itted 8y a 5edi(a" pro%essiona" 6'i(' 'as (a#sed 8odi"y 'ar5. ! *n t'is C#risdi(tion, 'o6e7er, s#(' ("ai5s are 5ost o%ten 8ro#9't as a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es #nder Arti("e >1BD o% t'e Ci7i" Code, " and in so5e instan(es, as a (ri5ina" (ase #nder Arti("e 3DE o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code # 6it' 6'i(' t'e (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es is i5p"ied"y instit#ted. *t is 7ia t'e "atter type o% a(tion t'at t'e 'eirs o% t'e de(eased so#9't redress %or t'e petitionerHs a""e9ed i5pr#den(e and ne9"i9en(e in treatin9 t'e de(eased t'ere8y (a#sin9 'er deat'. &'e petitioner and one )r. Lina Er(i""o 6'o 6as t'e attendin9 anaest'esio"o9ist d#rin9 t'e operation o% t'e de(eased 6ere ('ar9ed 6it' Ire(F"ess i5pr#den(e and ne9"i9en(e res#"tin9 to ;si(? 'o5i(ideI in an in%or5ation 6'i(' readsG
I&'at on or a8o#t Mar(' >3, 1991, in t'e City o% an -a8"o, Rep#8"i( o% t'e -'i"ippines and 6it'in t'e C#risdi(tion o% t'is 2onora8"e Co#rt, t'e a((#sed a8o7ena5ed, 8ein9 t'en t'e attendin9 anaest'esio"o9ist and s#r9eon, respe(ti7e"y, did t'en and t'ere, in a ne9"i9en(e ;si(?, (are"ess, i5pr#dent, and in(o5petent 5anner, and %ai"in9 to s#pp"y or store s#%%i(ient pro7isions and %a(i"ities ne(essary to 5eet any and a"" e:i9en(ies apt to arise 8e%ore, d#rin9 andNor a%ter a s#r9i(a" operation (a#sin9 8y s#(' ne9"i9en(e, (are"essness, i5pr#den(e, and in(o5peten(e, and (a#sin9 8y s#(' %ai"#re, in("#din9 t'e "a(F o% preparation and %oresi9't needed to a7ert a tra9edy, t'e #nti5e"y deat' o% said Lydia /5a"i on t'e day %o""o6in9 said s#r9i(a" operation.I $

&ria" ens#ed a%ter 8ot' t'e petitioner and )r. Lina Er(i""o p"eaded not 9#i"ty to t'e a8o7e-5entioned ('ar9e. .n Mar(' 4, 1994, t'e M#ni(ipa" &ria" Co#rt in

Cities ;M&CC? o% an -a8"o City rendered a de(ision, t'e dispositi7e portion o% 6'i(' is 'ere#nder A#oted as %o""o6sG

I+2ERE0.RE, t'e (o#rt %inds t'e a((#sed )ra. Lina Er(i""o not 9#i"ty o% t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed %or ins#%%i(ien(y o% e7iden(e 6'i"e 'er (o-a((#sed )ra. Nine7et(' Cr#$ is 'ere8y 'e"d responsi8"e %or t'e deat' o% Lydia /5a"i on Mar(' >4, 1991, and t'ere%ore 9#i"ty #nder Art. 3DE o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code, and s'e is 'ere8y senten(ed to s#%%er t'e pena"ty o% > 5ont's and 1 day i5prison5ent o% arresto 5ayor 6it' (osts.I %

&'e petitioner appea"ed 'er (on7i(tion to t'e Re9iona" &ria" Co#rt ;R&C? 6'i(' a%%ir5ed in toto t'e de(ision o% t'e M&CC& pro5ptin9 t'e petitioner to %i"e a petition %or re7ie6 6it' t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s 8#t to no a7ai". 2en(e t'is petition %or re7ie6 on (ertiorari assai"in9 t'e de(ision pro5#"9ated 8y t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s on .(to8er >4, 199E a%%ir5in9 petitionerHs (on7i(tion 6it' 5odi%i(ation t'at s'e is %#rt'er dire(ted to pay t'e 'eirs o% Lydia /5a"i -E=,===.== as inde5nity %or 'er deat'. ' *n s#8stan(e, t'e petition 8ro#9't 8e%ore t'is Co#rt raises t'e iss#e o% 6'et'er or not petitionerHs (on7i(tion o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide, arisin9 %ro5 an a""e9ed 5edi(a" 5a"pra(ti(e, is s#pported 8y t'e e7iden(e on re(ord.
d(tai

0irst t'e ante(edent %a(ts. .n Mar(' >>, 1991, prose(#tion 6itness, Ro6ena /5a"i )e .(a5po, a((o5panied 'er 5ot'er to t'e -erpet#a" 2e"p C"ini( and Genera" 2ospita" sit#ated in Ba"a9tas treet, an -a8"o City, La9#na. &'ey arri7ed at t'e said 'ospita" at aro#nd 4G3= in t'e a%ternoon o% t'e sa5e day. ( -rior to Mar(' >>, 1991, Lydia 6as e:a5ined 8y t'e petitioner 6'o %o#nd a I5yo5aI ) in 'er #ter#s, and s('ed#"ed 'er %or a 'ystere(to5y operation on Mar(' >3, 1991. Ro6ena and 'er 5ot'er s"ept in t'e ("ini( on t'e e7enin9 o% Mar(' >>, 1991 as t'e "atter 6as to 8e operated on t'e ne:t day at 1G== oH("o(F in t'e a%ternoon. ! A((ordin9 to Ro6ena, s'e noti(ed t'at t'e ("ini( 6as #ntidy and t'e 6indo6 and t'e %"oor 6ere 7ery d#sty pro5ptin9 'er to asF t'e attendant %or a ra9 to 6ipe t'e 6indo6 and t'e %"oor 6it'. " Be(a#se o% t'e #ntidy state o% t'e ("ini(, Ro6ena tried to pers#ade 'er 5ot'er not to pro(eed 6it' t'e operation. # &'e %o""o6in9 day, 8e%ore 'er 5ot'er 6as 6'ee"ed into t'e operatin9 roo5, Ro6ena asFed t'e petitioner i% t'e operation (o#"d 8e postponed. &'e petitioner (a""ed Lydia into 'er o%%i(e and t'e t6o 'ad a

(on7ersation. Lydia t'en in%or5ed Ro6ena t'at t'e petitioner to"d 'er t'at s'e 5#st 8e operated on as s('ed#"ed. $ Ro6ena and 'er ot'er re"ati7es, na5e"y 'er '#s8and, 'er sister and t6o a#nts 6aited o#tside t'e operatin9 roo5 6'i"e Lydia #nder6ent operation. +'i"e t'ey 6ere 6aitin9, )r. Er(i""o 6ent o#t o% t'e operatin9 roo5 and instr#(ted t'e5 to 8#y ta9a5et a5p#"es 6'i(' Ro6enaHs sister i55ediate"y 8o#9't. A8o#t one 'o#r 'ad passed 6'en )r. Er(i""o (a5e o#t a9ain t'is ti5e to asF t'e5 to 8#y 8"ood %or Lydia. &'ey 8o#9't type IAI 8"ood %ro5 t'e t. Gera"d B"ood BanF and t'e sa5e 6as 8ro#9't 8y t'e attendant into t'e operatin9 roo5. A%ter t'e "apse o% a %e6 'o#rs, t'e petitioner in%or5ed t'e5 t'at t'e operation 6as %inis'ed. &'e operatin9 sta%% t'en 6ent inside t'e petitionerHs ("ini( to taFe t'eir sna(Fs. o5e t'irty 5in#tes a%ter, Lydia 6as 8ro#9't o#t o% t'e operatin9 roo5 in a stret('er and t'e petitioner asFed Ro6ena and t'e ot'er re"ati7es to 8#y additiona" 8"ood %or Lydia. /n%ort#nate"y, t'ey 6ere not a8"e to (o5p"y 6it' petitionerHs order as t'ere 6as no 5ore type IAI 8"ood a7ai"a8"e in t'e 8"ood 8anF. &'erea%ter, a person arri7ed to donate 8"ood 6'i(' 6as "ater trans%#sed to Lydia. Ro6ena t'en noti(ed 'er 5ot'er, 6'o 6as atta('ed to an o:y9en tanF, 9aspin9 %or 8reat'. Apparent"y t'e o:y9en s#pp"y 'ad r#n o#t and Ro6enaHs '#s8and to9et'er 6it' t'e dri7er o% t'e a((#sed 'ad to 9o to t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita" to 9et o:y9en. Lydia 6as 9i7en t'e %res' s#pp"y o% o:y9en as soon as it arri7ed. %B#t at aro#nd 1=G== oH("o(F -.M. s'e 6ent into s'o(F and 'er 8"ood press#re dropped to D=NE=. LydiaHs #nsta8"e (ondition ne(essitated 'er trans%er to t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita" so s'e (o#"d 8e (onne(ted to a respirator and %#rt'er e:a5ined. & &'e trans%er to t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita" 6as 6it'o#t t'e prior (onsent o% Ro6ena nor o% t'e ot'er re"ati7es present 6'o %o#nd o#t a8o#t t'e intended trans%er on"y 6'en an a58#"an(e arri7ed to taFe Lydia to t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita". Ro6ena and 'er ot'er re"ati7es t'en 8oarded a tri(y("e and %o""o6ed t'e a58#"an(e. ' /pon LydiaHs arri7a" at t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita", s'e 6as 6'ee"ed into t'e operatin9 roo5 and t'e petitioner and )r. Er(i""o re-operated on 'er 8e(a#se t'ere 6as 8"ood oo$in9 %ro5 t'e a8do5ina" in(ision. ( &'e attendin9 p'ysi(ians s#55oned )r. Barto"o5e An9e"es, 'ead o% t'e .8stetri(s and Gyne(o"o9y )epart5ent o% t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita". 2o6e7er, 6'en )r. An9e"es arri7ed, Lydia 6as a"ready in s'o(F and possi8"y dead as 'er 8"ood press#re 6as a"ready =N=. )r. An9e"es t'en in%or5ed petitioner and )r. Er(i""o t'at t'ere 6as not'in9 'e (o#"d do to 'e"p sa7e t'e patient. !) +'i"e t'e petitioner 6as ("osin9 t'e a8do5ina" 6a"", t'e patient died. ! &'#s, on Mar(' >4, 1991, at 3G== oH("o(F in t'e 5ornin9, Lydia /5a"i 6as prono#n(ed dead. 2er deat' (erti%i(ate states

Is'o(FI as t'e i55ediate (a#se o% deat' and I)isse5inated *ntra7as(#"ar Coa9#"ation ;)*C?I as t'e ante(edent (a#se. !! *n (on7i(tin9 t'e petitioner, t'e M&CC %o#nd t'e %o""o6in9 (ir(#5stan(es as s#%%i(ient 8asis to (on("#de t'at s'e 6as indeed ne9"i9ent in t'e per%or5an(e o% t'e operationG
I. . . , t'e ("ini( 6as #ntidy, t'ere 6as "a(F o% pro7ision "iFe 8"ood and o:y9en to prepare %or any (ontin9en(y t'at 5i9't 'appen d#rin9 t'e operation. &'e 5anner and t'e %a(t t'at t'e patient 6as 8ro#9't to t'e an -a8"o )istri(t 2ospita" %or reoperation indi(ates t'at t'ere 6as so5et'in9 6ron9 in t'e 5anner in 6'i(' )ra.Cr#$ (ond#(ted t'e operation. &'ere 6as no s'o6in9 t'at 8e%ore t'e operation, a((#sed )ra. Cr#$ 'ad (ond#(ted a (ardio p#"5onary ("earan(e or any typin9 o% t'e 8"ood o% t'e patient. *t 6as ;si(? said in 5edi(a" par"an(e t'at t'e It'e a8do5en o% t'e person is a te5p"e o% s#rprisesI 8e(a#se yo# do not Fno6 t'e 6'o"e t'in9 t'e 5o5ent it 6as open ;si(? and s#r9eon 5#st 8e prepared %or any e7ent#a"ity t'ereo%. &'e patient ;si(? ('art 6'i(' is a p#8"i( do(#5ent 6as not presented 8e(a#se it is on"y t'ere t'at 6e (o#"d deter5ine t'e (ondition o% t'e patient 8e%ore t'e s#r9ery. &'e (o#rt a"so noti(ed in E:'. I0-1I t'at t'e sister o% t'e de(eased 6is'ed to postpone t'e operation 8#t t'e patient 6as pre7ai"ed #pon 8y )ra. Cr#$ to pro(eed 6it' t'e s#r9ery. &'e (o#rt %inds t'at Lydia /5a"i died 8e(a#se o% t'e ne9"i9en(e and (are"essness o% t'e s#r9eon )ra. Nine7et('Cr#$ 8e(a#se o% "oss o% 8"ood d#rin9 t'e operation o% t'e de(eased %or e7ident #npreparedness and %or "a(F o% sFi"", t'e reason 6'y t'e patient 6as 8ro#9't %or operation at t'e an -a8"o City )istri(t 2ospita". As s#(', t'e s#r9eon s'o#"d ans6er %or s#(' ne9"i9en(e. +it' respe(t to )ra. Lina Er(i""o, t'e anaest'esio"o9ist, t'ere is no e7iden(e to indi(ate t'at s'e s'o#"d 8e 'e"d Coint"y "ia8"e 6it' )ra. Cr#$ 6'o a(t#a""y did t'e operation.I !"

&'e R&C reiterated t'e a8o7e5entioned %indin9s o% t'e M&CC and #p'e"d t'e "atterHs de("aration o% Iin(o5peten(y, ne9"i9en(e and "a(F o% %oresi9't and sFi"" o% appe""ant ;'erein petitioner? in 'and"in9 t'e s#8Ce(t patient 8e%ore and a%ter t'e operation.I !# And "iFe6ise a%%ir5in9 t'e petitionerHs (on7i(tion, t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s e('oed si5i"ar o8ser7ations, t'#sG
I. . . +'i"e 6e 5ay 9rant t'at t'e #ntidiness and %i"t'iness o% t'e ("ini( 5ay not 8y itse"% indi(ate ne9"i9en(e, it ne7ert'e"ess s'o6s t'e a8sen(e o% d#e (are and s#per7ision o7er 'er s#8ordinate e5p"oyees. )id t'is #nsanitary (ondition per5eate t'e operatin9 roo5M +ere t'e s#r9i(a" instr#5ents proper"y steri"i$edM Co#"d t'e (onditions in t'e .R 'a7e (ontri8#ted to t'e in%e(tion o% t'e patientM .n"y t'e petitioner (o#"d

ans6er t'ese, 8#t s'e opted not to testi%y. &'is (o#"d on"y 9i7e rise to t'e pres#5ption t'at s'e 'as not'in9 9ood to testi%y on 'er de%ense. Any6ay, t'e a""e9ed I#n7eri%ied state5ent o% t'e prose(#tion 6itnessI re5ains #n('a""en9ed and #nre8#tted. LiFe6ise #ndisp#ted is t'e prose(#tionHs 7ersion indi(atin9 t'e %o""o6in9 %a(tsG t'at t'e a((#sed asFed t'e patientHs re"ati7es to 8#y &a9a5et (aps#"es 6'i"e t'e operation 6as a"ready in pro9ress, t'at a%ter an 'o#r, t'ey 6ere a"so asFed to 8#y type IAI 8"ood %or t'e patient, t'at a%ter t'e s#r9ery, t'ey 6ere a9ain asFed to pro(#re 5ore type IAI 8"ood, 8#t s#(' 6as not any5ore a7ai"a8"e %ro5 t'e so#r(e, t'at t'e o:y9en 9i7en to t'e patient 6as e5pty, and t'at t'e son-in-"a6 o% t'e patient, to9et'er 6it' a dri7er o% t'e petitioner, 'ad to r#s' to t'e an -a8"o City )istri(t 2ospita" to 9et t'e 5#('-needed o:y9en. A"" t'ese (on("#si7e"y s'o6 t'at t'e petitioner 'ad not prepared %or any #n%oreseen (ir(#5stan(es 8e%ore 9oin9 into t'e %irst s#r9ery, 6'i(' 6as not e5er9en(y in nat#re, 8#t 6as e"e(ti7e or pre-s('ed#"ed, s'e 'ad no ready anti8ioti(s, no prepared 8"ood, proper"y typed and (ross-5at('ed, and no s#%%i(ient o:y9en s#pp"y.
Cdpr

Moreo7er, t'ere are a "ot o% A#estions t'at Feep na99in9 /s. +as t'e patient 9i7en any (ardio-p#"5onary ("earan(e, or at "east a ("earan(e 8y an internist, 6'i(' are standard reA#ire5ents 8e%ore a patient is s#8Ce(ted to s#r9ery. )id t'e petitioner deter5ine as part o% t'e preoperati7e e7a"#ation, t'e 8"eedin9 para5eters o% t'e patient, s#(' as 8"eedin9 ti5e and ("ottin9 ti5eM &'ere is no s'o6in9 t'at t'ese 6ere done. &'e petitioner C#st appears to 'a7e 8een in a '#rry to per%or5 t'e operation, e7en as t'e %a5i"y 6anted a postpone5ent to Apri" D, 1991. .87io#s"y, s'e did not prepare t'e patient, neit'er did s'e 9et t'e %a5i"yHs (onsent to t'e operation. Moreo7er, s'e did not prepare a 5edi(a" ('art 6it' instr#(tions %or t'e patientHs (are. *% s'e did a"" t'ese, proo% t'ereo% s'o#"d 'a7e 8een o%%ered. B#t t'ere is none. *ndeed, t'ese are o7er6'e"5in9 e7iden(e o% re(F"essness and i5pr#den(e.I !$

&'is Co#rt, 'o6e7er, 'o"ds di%%erent"y and %inds t'e %ore9oin9 (ir(#5stan(es ins#%%i(ient to s#stain a C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion a9ainst t'e petitioner %or t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide. &'e e"e5ents o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e areG ;1? t'at t'e o%%ender does or %ai"s to do an a(t, ;>? t'at t'e doin9 or t'e %ai"#re to do t'at a(t is 7o"#ntary, ;3? t'at it 8e 6it'o#t 5a"i(e, ;4? t'at 5ateria" da5a9e res#"ts %ro5 t'e re(F"ess i5pr#den(e, and ;E? t'at t'ere is ine:(#sa8"e "a(F o% pre(a#tion on t'e part o% t'e o%%ender, taFin9 into

(onsideration 'is e5p"oy5ent or o((#pation, de9ree o% inte""i9en(e, p'ysi(a" (ondition, and ot'er (ir(#5stan(es re9ardin9 persons, ti5e and p"a(e. +'et'er or not a p'ysi(ian 'as (o55itted an Iine:(#sa8"e "a(F o% pre(a#tionI in t'e treat5ent o% 'is patient is to 8e deter5ined a((ordin9 to t'e standard o% (are o8ser7ed 8y ot'er 5e58ers o% t'e pro%ession in 9ood standin9 #nder si5i"ar (ir(#5stan(es 8earin9 in 5ind t'e ad7an(ed state o% t'e pro%ession at t'e ti5e o% treat5ent or t'e present state o% 5edi(a" s(ien(e. !% *n t'e re(ent (ase o% Leoni"a Gar(ia-R#eda 7. +i"%red L. -as(asio, et a"., !& t'is Co#rt stated t'at in a((eptin9 a (ase, a do(tor in e%%e(t represents t'at, 'a7in9 t'e needed trainin9 and sFi"" possessed 8y p'ysi(ians and s#r9eons pra(ti(in9 in t'e sa5e %ie"d, 'e 6i"" e5p"oy s#(' trainin9, (are and sFi"" in t'e treat5ent o% 'is patients. 2e t'ere%ore 'as a d#ty to #se at "east t'e sa5e "e7e" o% (are t'at any ot'er reasona8"y (o5petent do(tor 6o#"d #se to treat a (ondition #nder t'e sa5e (ir(#5stan(es. *t is in t'is aspe(t o% 5edi(a" 5a"pra(ti(e t'at e:pert testi5ony is essentia" to esta8"is' not on"y t'e standard o% (are o% t'e pro%ession 8#t a"so t'at t'e p'ysi(ianHs (ond#(t in t'e treat5ent and (are %a""s 8e"o6 s#(' standard. !' 0#rt'er, inas5#(' as t'e (a#ses o% t'e inC#ries in7o"7ed in 5a"pra(ti(e a(tions are deter5ina8"e on"y in t'e "i9't o% s(ienti%i( Fno6"ed9e, it 'as 8een re(o9ni$ed t'at e:pert testi5ony is #s#a""y ne(essary to s#pport t'e (on("#sion as to (a#sation. !( *55ediate"y apparent %ro5 a re7ie6 o% t'e re(ords o% t'is (ase is t'e a8sen(e o% any e:pert testi5ony on t'e 5atter o% t'e standard o% (are e5p"oyed 8y ot'er p'ysi(ians o% 9ood standin9 in t'e (ond#(t o% si5i"ar operations. &'e prose(#tionHs e:pert 6itnesses in t'e persons o% )r. 0"oresto Ari$a"a and )r. Nieto a"7ador, <r. o% t'e Nationa" B#rea# o% *n7esti9ation ;NB*? on"y testi%ied as to t'e possi8"e (a#se o% deat' 8#t did not 7ent#re to i""#5inate t'e (o#rt on t'e 5atter o% t'e standard o% (are t'at petitioner s'o#"d 'a7e e:er(ised. A"" t'ree (o#rts 8e"o6 8e6ai" t'e inadeA#a(y o% t'e %a(i"ities o% t'e ("ini( and its #ntidiness, t'e "a(F o% pro7isions s#(' as 8"ood, o:y9en, and (ertain 5edi(ines, t'e %ai"#re to s#8Ce(t t'e patient to a (ardio-p#"5onary test prior to t'e operation, t'e o5ission o% any %or5 o% 8"ood typin9 8e%ore trans%#sion, and e7en t'e s#8seA#ent trans%er o% Lydia to t'e an -a8"o 2ospita" and t'e reoperation per%or5ed on 'er 8y t'e petitioner. B#t 6'i"e it 5ay 8e tr#e t'at t'e (ir(#5stan(es pointed o#t 8y t'e (o#rts 8e"o6 see5ed 8eyond (a7i" to (onstit#te re(F"ess i5pr#den(e on t'e part o% t'e s#r9eon, t'is (on("#sion is sti"" 8est arri7ed at not t'ro#9' t'e ed#(ated s#r5ises nor (onCe(t#res o% "ay5en, in("#din9 C#d9es, 8#t 8y t'e #nA#estiona8"e Fno6"ed9e o% e:pert 6itnesses. 0or 6'et'er a p'ysi(ian or s#r9eon 'as e:er(ised t'e reA#isite de9ree o% sFi"" and

(are in t'e treat5ent o% 'is patient is, in t'e 9enera"ity o% (ases, a 5atter o% e:pert opinion.") &'e de%eren(e o% (o#rts to t'e e:pert opinion o% A#a"i%ied p'ysi(ians ste5s %ro5 its rea"i$ation t'at t'e "atter possess #n#s#a" te('ni(a" sFi""s 6'i(' "ay5en in 5ost instan(es are in(apa8"e o% inte""i9ent"y e7a"#atin9. " E:pert testi5ony s'o#"d 'a7e 8een o%%ered to pro7e t'at t'e (ir(#5stan(es (ited 8y t'e (o#rts 8e"o6 are (onstit#ti7e o% (ond#(t %a""in9 8e"o6 t'e standard o% (are e5p"oyed 8y ot'er p'ysi(ians in 9ood standin9 6'en per%or5in9 t'e sa5e operation. *t 5#st 8e re5e58ered t'at 6'en t'e A#a"i%i(ations o% a p'ysi(ian are ad5itted, as in t'e instant (ase, t'ere is an ine7ita8"e pres#5ption t'at in proper (ases 'e taFes t'e ne(essary pre(a#tion and e5p"oys t'e 8est o% 'is Fno6"ed9e and sFi"" in attendin9 to 'is ("ients, #n"ess t'e (ontrary is s#%%i(ient"y esta8"is'ed. "! &'is pres#5ption is re8#tta8"e 8y e:pert opinion 6'i(' is so sad"y "a(Fin9 in t'e (ase at 8en('. E7en 9rantin9 ar9#endo t'at t'e inadeA#a(y o% t'e %a(i"ities and #ntidiness o% t'e ("ini(, t'e "a(F o% pro7isions, t'e %ai"#re to (ond#(t pre-operation tests on t'e patient, and t'e s#8seA#ent trans%er o% Lydia to t'e an -a8"o 2ospita" and t'e reoperation per%or5ed on 'er 8y t'e petitioner do indi(ate, e7en 6it'o#t e:pert testi5ony, t'at petitioner 6as re(F"ess"y i5pr#dent in t'e e:er(ise o% 'er d#ties as a s#r9eon, no (o9ent proo% e:ists t'at any o% t'ese (ir(#5stan(es (a#sed petitionerHs deat'. &'#s, t'e a8sen(e o% t'e %o#rt' e"e5ent o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(eG t'at t'e inC#ry to t'e person or property 6as a (onseA#en(e o% t'e re(F"ess i5pr#den(e. *n "iti9ations in7o"7in9 5edi(a" ne9"i9en(e, t'e p"ainti%% 'as t'e 8#rden o% esta8"is'in9 appe""antHs ne9"i9en(e and %or a reasona8"e (on("#sion o% ne9"i9en(e, t'ere 5#st 8e proo% o% 8rea(' o% d#ty on t'e part o% t'e s#r9eon as 6e"" as a (a#sa" (onne(tion o% s#(' 8rea(' and t'e res#"tin9 deat' o% 'is patient. "" *n C'an L#9ay 7. t. L#FeHs 2ospita", *n(., "#6'ere t'e attendin9 p'ysi(ian 6as a8so"7ed o% "ia8i"ity %or t'e deat' o% t'e (o5p"ainantHs 6i%e and ne68orn 8a8y, t'is Co#rt 'e"d t'atG
I*n order t'at t'ere 5ay 8e a re(o7ery %or an inC#ry, 'o6e7er, it 5#st 8e s'o6n t'at t'e HinC#ry %or 6'i(' re(o7ery is so#9't 5#st 8e t'e "e9iti5ate (onseA#en(e o% t'e 6ron9 done, t'e (onne(tion 8et6een t'e ne9"i9en(e and t'e inC#ry 5#st 8e a dire(t and nat#ra" seA#en(e o% e7ents, #n8roFen 8y inter7enin9 e%%i(ient (a#ses.H *n ot'er 6ords, t'e ne9"i9en(e 5#st 8e t'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% t'e inC#ry . 0or, Hne9"i9en(e, no 5atter in 6'at it (onsists (annot (reate a ri9't o% a(tion #n"ess it is t'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% t'e inC#ry (o5p"ained o% .H And Ht'e pro:i5ate (a#se o% an inC#ry is t'at (a#se, 6'i(', in nat#ra" and (ontin#o#s seA#en(e, #n8roFen 8y any e%%i(ient inter7enin9 (a#se, prod#(es t'e

inC#ry, and 6it'o#t 6'i(' t'e res#"t 6o#"d not 'a7e o((#rred.HI "$;E5p'asis s#pp"ied.?

)r. Ari$a"a 6'o (ond#(ted an a#topsy on t'e 8ody o% t'e de(eased s#55ari$ed 'is %indin9s as %o""o6sG
IAtty. Ca('eroG @.1o# 5entioned a8o#t yo#r A#topsy Report 6'i(' 'as 8een 5arFed as E:'. IA-1-8I. &'ere appears 'ere a si9nat#re a8o7e t'e type6ritten na5e 0"oresto Ari$a"a, <r., 6'ose si9nat#re is t'atM A.&'at is 5y si9nat#re, sir. @.)o yo# a%%ir5 t'e tr#t' o% a"" t'e (ontents o% E:'. IA-1-8IM A..n"y as to t'e a#topsy report no. 91-=9, t'e ti5e and p"a(e and e7eryt'in9 a%ter t'e post 5orte5 %indin9s, sir. @.1o# 5entioned on yo#r I-ost Morte5 0indin9sI a8o#t s#r9i(a" in(ision, 14G= (5., in%ra#58i"i(a" area, anterior a8do5ina" area, 5id"ine, 6i"" yo# p"ease e:p"ain t'at in yo#r o6n "an9#a9eM A.&'ere 6as in(ision 6o#nd ;si(? t'e area C#st 8e"o6 t'e na7e", sir. @.And t'e "ast para9rap' o% t'e post5orte5 %indin9s 6'i(' * readG /ter#s, pear-s'aped and pa"e 5eas#rin9 B.E : E.E : E.= (5. 6it' so5e s#r%a(e nod#"ation o% t'e %#ndi( area posterior"y. C#tse(tion s'o6s di%%#se"y pa"e 5yo5etri#5 6it' areas o% streaF ind#ration. &'e o7aries and adne:a" str#(t#res are 5issin9 6it' t'e ra6 s#r%a(es pat('ed 6it' ("otted 8"ood. #r9i(a" s#t#res 6ere noted on t'e operati7e site. *ntestines and 5esenteries are pa"e 6it' 8"ood ("ots noted 8et6een t'e 5esentri( %o"ds. 2e5operitone#5G 3== s.s., ri9't para(o"i( 9#tter, E= (.(., "e%t para(o"i( 9#tter >== (.(., 5esentri( area, 1== (.(., ri9't pe"7i( 9#tter

sto5a(' e5pty. .t'er 7is(era" or9ans, pa"e.H, 6i"" yo# p"ease e:p"ain t'at on ;si(? yo#r o6n "an9#a9e or in ordinary. . . . A.&'ere 6as a #ter#s 6'i(' 6as not atta('ed to t'e adne:a" str#(t#res na5e"y o7aries 6'i(' 6ere not present and a"so si9n o% pre7io#s s#r9i(a" operation and t'ere 6ere ;si(? ("otted 8"ood, sir. @.2o6 a8o#t t'e o7aries and adne:a" str#(t#resM A.&'ey are 5issin9, sir. @.1o# 5ean to say t'ere are no o7ariesM A.)#rin9 t'at ti5e t'ere are no o7aries, sir. @.And t'ere 6ere "iFe6ise si9n o% s#r9i(a" s#t#resM A.1es, sir. @.2o6 a8o#t t'e intestines and 5esenteries are p"a(e ;si(? 6it' 8"ood ("ots noted 8et6een t'e 5esenteri( %o"ds, 6i"" yo# p"ease e:p"ain on ;si(? t'isM A.*n t'e peritonea" (a7ity, t'ey are 5ost"y peritonia" 8"ood . . . @.And 6'at (o#"d 'a7e (a#sed t'is 8"oodM A.+e"", ordinari"y 8"ood is %o#nd inside t'e 8"ood 7esse". B"ood 6ere ;si(? o#tside as a res#"t o% t'e inC#ries 6'i(' destroyed t'e inte9rity o% t'e 7esse" a""o6in9 8"ood to sip ;si(? o#t, sir. @.By t'e nat#re o% t'e post5orte5 %indin9s indi(ated in E:'. A-1-B, (an yo# te"" t'e (o#rt t'e (a#se o% deat'M A.1es, sir. &'e (a#se o% deat' isG Gross %indin9s are (o5pati8"e 6it' 'e5orr'a9i( s'o(F. @.Can yo# te"" t'e #s 6'at (o#"d 'a7e (a#sed t'is 'e5orr'a9i( s'o(F M A.+e"" 'e5orr'a9i( s'o(F is t'e res#"t o% 8"ood "oss.

@.+'at (o#"d 'a7e t'e e%%e(t o% t'at "oss o% 8"oodM A./nattended 'e5orr'a9e, sir.
"%

;E5p'asis s#pp"ied.?

&'e %ore9oin9 6as (orro8orated 8y )r. Nieto a"7adorG

I@.And 6ere yo# a8"e to deter5ine t'e (a#se o% deat' 8y 7irt#e o% t'e e:a5ination o% t'e spe(i5en s#85itted 8y )r. Ari$a"aM A.+it'o#t Fno6"ed9e o% t'e a#topsy %indin9s it 6o#"d 8e di%%i(#"t %or 5e to deter5ine t'e (a#se o% deat', sir. @.2a7e yo# a"so e:a5ined t'e post 5orte5 o% )r. Ari$a"aM A.1es, sir, and 8y 7irt#e o% t'e a#topsy report in (onne(tion 6it' yo#r pat'o"o9y report. @.+'at (o#"d 'a7e (a#sed t'e deat' o% t'e 7i(ti5 M A.&'is pat'o"o9i( e:a5ination are ;si(? (o5pati8"e 6it' t'e person 6'o died, sir. @.+i"" yo# e:p"ain to #s t'e 5eanin9 o% 'e5orr'a9i( (o5pati8"e M A.*t 5eans t'at a person died o% 8"ood "oss. Meanin9 a person died o% non-rep"a(e5ent o% 8"ood and so t'e 7i(ti5 8e%ore s'e died t'ere 6as s'o(F o% di5inis' o% 8"ood o% t'e (ir(#"ation. 'e died 5ost pro8a8"y 8e%ore t'e a(t#a" (o5p"ete 8"ood "oss, sir.

Co#rtG

*s it possi8"e do(tor t'at t'e "oss o% t'e 8"ood 6as d#e on ;si(? operationM
A.Based on 5y pat'o"o9ist %indin9, sir. @.+'at (o#"d 'a7e (a#sed t'is "oss o% 8"oodM A.Many, sir. A patient 6'o 'a7e #nder9one s#r9ery. Anot'er 5ay 8e a 8"ood 7esse" 5ay 8e (#t 6'i"e on operation and t'is (a#se ;si(? 8"eedin9, or 5ay 8e set in t'e (o#rse o% operation, or 5ay 8e ;si(? 'e died a%ter t'e operation. .% (o#rse t'ere are ot'er (a#se ;si(?.

Atty. Ca('eroG @.Espe(ia""y so do(tor 6'en t'ere 6as no 8"ood rep"a(e5entM A.1es, sir.I
"&

;E5p'asis s#pp"ied.?

&'e testi5onies o% 8ot' do(tors esta8"is' 'e5orr'a9e or 'e5orr'a9i( s'o(F as t'e (a#se o% deat'. 2o6e7er, as "iFe6ise testi%ied to 8y t'e e:pert 6itnesses in open (o#rt, 'e5orr'a9e or 'e5orr'a9i( s'o(F d#rin9 s#r9ery 5ay 8e (a#sed 8y se7era" di%%erent %a(tors. &'#s, )r. a"7adorHs e"a8oration on t'e 5atterG
IAtty. -as(#a"G @.)o(tor, a5on9 t'e (a#ses o% 'e5orr'a9e t'at yo# 5entioned yo# said t'at it (o#"d 8e at t'e 5o5ent o% operation 6'en one "osses ;si(? (ontro" o% t'e presen(e, is t'at (orre(tM )#rin9 t'e operation t'ere is "ost ;si(? o% (ontro" o% t'e (#t 7esse"M A.1es, sir. @..r t'ere is a %ai"#re to "i9ate a 7esse" o% (onsidera8"e si$eM A.1es, sir. @..r e7en i% t'e 7esse" 6ere "i9ated t'e Fnot 5ay 'a7e s"ipped "ater onM A.1es, sir. @.And yo# a"so 5entioned t'at it 5ay 8e possi8"e a"so to so5e ("ottin9 de%e(t, is t'at (orre(tM A.May 8e ;si(?.I
"'

;E5p'asis s#pp"ied?.

)e%ense 6itness, )r. B# C. Castro a"so 9a7e t'e %o""o6in9 e:pert opinionG
I@.)o(tor e7en a patient a%ter an operations ;si(? 6o#"d s#%%er 'e5orr'a9e 6'at 6o#"d 8e t'e possi8"e (a#ses o% s#(' 'e5orr'a9e ;si(?M A.A5on9 t'ose 6o#"d 8e 6'at 6e (a"" *ntra7as(#"ar Coa9#"ation and t'is is t'e reason %or t'e 8"eedin9, sir, 6'i(' (annot 8e pre7ented 8y anyone, it 6i"" 'appen to anyone, anyti5e and to any persons ;si(?, sir.

C./R&G +'at do yo# t'inF o% t'e (a#se o% t'e 8"eedin9, t'e (#ttin9 or t'e operations done in t'e 8odyM A.Not re"ated to t'is one, t'e 8"eedin9 'ere is not re"ated to any (#ttin9 or operation t'at * ;si(? 'a7e done. @.Aside %ro5 t'e )*C 6'at (o#"d anot'er (a#ses ;si(? t'at (o#"d 8e t'e (a#se %or t'e 'e5orr'a9e or 8"eedin9 in a patient 8y an operations ;si(?M A.*n 9enera" sir, i% t'ere 6as an operations ;si(? and it is possi8"e t'at t'e "i9at#re in t'e s#t#re 6as ;si(? 8e(o5e ;si(? "oose, it is ;si(? 8e(o5es "oose i% pro7en. ::: ::: ::: @.*% t'e person 6'o per%or5ed an a#topsy does not %ind any #nti9't ;si(? ("ot ;si(? 8"ood 7esse" or any s#t#re t'at 8e(o5e ;si(? "oose t'e (a#se o% t'e 8"eedin9 (o#"d not 8e attri8#ted to t'e %a#"t o% t'e s#8Ce(tM A.)e%inite"y, sir.I
"(

;E5p'asis s#pp"ied.?

A((ordin9 to 8ot' do(tors, t'e possi8"e (a#ses o% 'e5orr'a9e d#rin9 an operation areG ;1? t'e %ai"#re o% t'e s#r9eon to tie or s#t#re a (#t 8"ood 7esse", ;>? a""o6in9 a (#t 8"ood 7esse" to 9et o#t o% (ontro", ;3? t'e s#8seA#ent "oosenin9 o% t'e tie or s#t#re app"ied to a (#t 8"ood 7esse", and ;4? and a ("ottin9 de%e(t Fno6n as )*C. *t is si9ni%i(ant to state at t'is C#n(t#re t'at t'e a#topsy (ond#(ted 8y )r. Ari$a"a on t'e 8ody o% Lydia did not re7ea" any #ntied or #ns#t#red (#t 8"ood 7esse" nor 6as t'ere any indi(ation t'at t'e tie or s#t#re o% a (#t 8"ood 7esse" 'ad 8e(o5e "oose t'ere8y (a#sin9 t'e 'e5orr'a9e. #) 2en(e t'e %o""o6in9 pertinent portion o% )r. Ari$a"aHs testi5onyG
I@G)o(tor, in e:a5inin9 t'ese str#(t#res did yo# Fno6 6'et'er t'ese 6ere s#t#red "i9at#re or p"ain "i9at#re AGLi9at#re, sir. @G+e 6i"" e:p"ain t'at "ater on. )id yo# re(a"" i% t'e (#t str#(t#res 6ere tied 8y %irst s#t#rin9 it and t'en tyin9 a Fnot or t'e tie 6as 5ere"y p"a(ed aro#nd t'e (#t str#(t#re and tiedM

AG* (annot re(a"", sir. @GAs a 5atter o% %a(t, yo# (annot re(a"" 8e(a#se yo# did not e7en 8ot'ered ;si(? to e:a5ine, is t'at (orre(tM AG+e"", * 8ot'ered eno#9' to Fno6 t'at t'ey 6ere s#t#red, sir. @G o, t'ere%ore, )o(tor, yo# 6o#"d not Fno6 6'et'er any o% t'e (#t str#(t#res 6ere not s#t#red or tied neit'er 6ere yo# a8"e to deter5ine 6'et'er any "oose s#t#re 6as %o#nd in t'e peritonea" (a7ityM AG* (o#"d not re(a"" any "oose s#t#red ;si(?, sir.I
#

.n t'e ot'er 'and, t'e %indin9s o% a"" t'ree do(tors do not pre("#de t'e pro8a8i"ity t'at )*C (a#sed t'e 'e5orr'a9e and (onseA#ent"y, LydiaHs deat'. )*C 6'i(' is a ("ottin9 de%e(t (reates a serio#s 8"eedin9 tenden(y and 6'en 5assi7e )*C o((#rs as a (o5p"i(ation o% s#r9ery "ea7in9 ra6 s#r%a(e, 5aCor 'e5orr'a9e o((#rs. #! And as testi%ied to 8y de%ense 6itness, )r. B# C. Castro, 'e5orr'a9e d#e to )*C I(annot 8e pre7ented, it 6i"" 'appen to anyone, anyti5e.I #" 2e testi%ied %#rt'erG
I@.No6, #nder t'at (ir(#5stan(e one o% t'e possi8i"ity as yo# 5entioned in ;si(? )*CM A.1es, sir. @.And yo# 5entioned t'at t'is (annot 8e pre7entedM A.1es, sir. @.Can yo# e7en predi(t i% it rea""y 'appen ;si(?M A.-ossi8"e, sir. @.Are t'ere any spe(i%i( %indin9s o% a#topsy t'at 6i"" te"" yo# 6'et'er t'is patient s#%%ered a5on9 s#(' t'in9s as )*CM A.+e"", * did reser7e 8e(a#se o% t'e (ondition o% t'e patient. @.No6, )o(tor yo# said t'at yo# 6ent t'ro#9' t'e re(ord o% t'e de(eased Lydia /5a"i "ooFin9 %or t'e ('art, t'e operated ;si(? re(ords, t'e post 5orte5 %indin9s on t'e 'istop'ani( ;si(? e:a5ination 8ased on yo#r e:a5ination o% re(ord, do(tor, (an

yo# 5ore or "ess says ;si(? 6'at part are ;si(? (on(erned (o#"d 'a7e 8een t'e (a#sed ;si(? o% deat' o% t'is Lydia /5a"iM A.As %ar as t'e 5edi(a" re(ord is (on(ern ;si(? t'e (a#sed ;si(? o% deat' is dessi5#"ated ;si(? *ntra !as(#"ar Coa9#"ation or t'e )*C 6'i(' res#"ted to 'e5orr'a9e or 8"eedin9s, sir. @.)o(tor 8ased on yo#r %indin9s t'en t'ere is Fno6in9 ;si(? t'e do(tor 6o#"d say 6'et'er t'e do(tor 'er ;si(? 'as 8een ;si(? %a#"tM A&&1. MAL!E)AG +e 6i"" 5o7ed ;si(? to striFe o#t t'e ;si(? 8ased on %indin9 t'ey C#st read t'e ('art as 6e"" as t'e ot'er re(ord. A&&1. -A C/ALG -re(ise"y 8ased on t'is e:a5ination. A&&1. MAL!E)AG Not %indin9, t'ere 6as no %indin9 5ade. C./R&G 2e is on"y readin9 t'e re(ord. A&&1. -A C/ALG 1es, sir. A.No, sir, t'ere is no %a#"t on t'e part o% t'e s#r9eon, sir .I
44

&'is Co#rt 'as no re(o#rse 8#t to re"y on t'e e:pert testi5onies rendered 8y 8ot' prose(#tion and de%ense 6itnesses t'at s#8stantiate rat'er t'an (ontradi(t petitionerHs a""e9ation t'at t'e (a#se o% LydiaHs deat' 6as )*C 6'i(', as attested to 8y an e:pert 6itness, (annot 8e attri8#ted to t'e petitionerHs %a#"t or ne9"i9en(e. &'e pro8a8i"ity t'at LydiaHs deat' 6as (a#sed 8y )*C 6as #nre8#tted d#rin9 tria" and 'as en9endered in t'e 5ind o% t'is Co#rt a reasona8"e do#8t as to t'e petitionerHs 9#i"t. &'#s, 'er a(A#itta" o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide. +'i"e 6e (ondo"e 6it' t'e %a5i"y o% Lydia /5a"i, o#r 'ands are 8o#nd 8y t'e di(tates o% C#sti(e and %air dea"in9 6'i(' 'o"d in7io"a8"e t'e ri9't o% an a((#sed to 8e pres#5ed inno(ent #nti" pro7en 9#i"ty 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. Ne7ert'e"ess, t'is Co#rt %inds t'e petitioner (i7i""y "ia8"e %or t'e

deat' o% Lydia /5a"i, %or 6'i"e a (on7i(tion o% a (ri5e reA#ires proo% 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, on"y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired to esta8"is' (i7i" "ia8i"ity. #$ &'e petitioner is a do(tor in 6'ose 'ands a patient p#ts 'is "i%e and "i58. 0or ins#%%i(ien(y o% e7iden(e t'is Co#rt 6as not a8"e to render a senten(e o% (on7i(tion 8#t it is not 8"ind to t'e re(F"ess and i5pr#dent 5anner in 6'i(' t'e petitioner (arried o#t 'er d#ties. A pre(io#s "i%e 'as 8een "ost and t'e (ir(#5stan(es "eadin9 t'ereto e:a(er8ated t'e 9rie% o% t'ose "e%t 8e'ind. &'e 'eirs o% t'e de(eased (ontin#e to %ee" t'e "oss o% t'eir 5ot'er #p to t'e present ti5e #% and t'is Co#rt is a6are t'at no a5o#nt o% (o5passion and (o55iseration nor 6ords o% 8erea7e5ent (an s#%%i(e to ass#a9e t'e sorro6 %e"t %or t'e "oss o% a "o7ed one. Certain"y, t'e a6ard o% 5ora" and e:e5p"ary da5a9es in %a7or o% t'e 'eirs o% Lydia /5a"i are proper in t'e instant (ase. +2ERE0.RE, pre5ises (onsidered, petitioner )R. N*NE!E&C2 CR/O is 'ere8y AC@/*&&E) o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 in 'o5i(ide 8#t is ordered to pay t'e 'eirs o% t'e de(eased Lydia /5a"i t'e a5o#nt o% 0*0&1 &2./ AN) -E . ;-E=,===.==? as (i7i" "ia8i"ity, .NE 2/N)RE) &2./ AN) -E . ;-1==,===.==? as 5ora" da5a9es, and 0*0&1 &2./ AN) -E . ;-E=,===.==? as e:e5p"ary da5a9es.
LLpr

Let a (opy o% t'is de(ision 8e %#rnis'ed to t'e -ro%essiona" Re9#"ation Co55ission ;-RC? %or appropriate a(tion. . .R)ERE).

0*R & )*!* *.N

[G.R. No. 14BB=3. Apri" 14, >==4.] PHILIPPINE RABBIT BUS LINES, INC., petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, respondent. DECISION PANGANIBAN, < G
p

+'en t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee a8s(onds or C#5ps 8ai", t'e C#d95ent 5eted o#t 8e(o5es %ina" and e:e(#tory. &'e e5p"oyer (annot de%eat t'e %ina"ity o% t'e C#d95ent 8y %i"in9 a noti(e o% appea" on its o6n 8e'a"% in t'e 9#ise o% asFin9 %or a re7ie6 o% its s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity. Bot' t'e pri5ary (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee and t'e s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e e5p"oyer are (arried in one sin9"e de(ision t'at 'as 8e(o5e %ina" and e:e(#tory.

&'e Case
Be%ore t'is Co#rt is a -etition %or Re7ie6 #nder R#"e 4E o% t'e R#"es o% Co#rt, assai"in9 t'e Mar(' >9, >=== ! and t'e Mar(' >B, >==1 " Reso"#tions o% t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s ;CA? in CA-GR C! No. E939=. -etitionerHs appea" %ro5 t'e C#d95ent o% t'e Re9iona" &ria" Co#rt ;R&C? o% an 0ernando, La /nion in Cri5ina" Case No. >E3E 6as dis5issed in t'e %irst Reso"#tion as %o""o6sG
I+2ERE0.RE, %or a"" t'e %ore9oin9, t'e 5otion to dis5iss is GRAN&E) and t'e appea" is ordered )* M* E).I #

&'e se(ond Reso"#tion denied petitionerHs Motion %or Re(onsideration.

&'e 0a(ts

&'e %a(ts o% t'e (ase are s#55ari$ed 8y t'e CA in t'is 6iseG

I.n <#"y >B, 1994, a((#sed [Napo"eon Ro5an y Ma(adan9dan9] 6as %o#nd 9#i"ty and (on7i(ted o% t'e (ri5e o% re(F"ess i5pr#den(e res#"tin9 to trip"e 'o5i(ide, 5#"tip"e p'ysi(a" inC#ries and da5a9e to property and 6as senten(ed to s#%%er t'e pena"ty o% %o#r ;4? years, nine ;9? 5ont's and e"e7en ;11? days to si: ;D? years, and to pay da5a9es as %o""o6sG Ha.to pay t'e 'eirs o% </ &*N. &.RRE t'e s#5 o% -E=,===.== as inde5nity %or 'is deat', p"#s t'e s#5 o% ->E,383.==, %or %#nera" e:penses, 'is #nearned in(o5e %or one year at ->,E==.== a 5ont', -E=,===.== as inde5nity %or t'e s#pport o% Renato &orres, and t'e %#rt'er s#5 o% -3==,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, H8.to t'e 'eirs o% E &RELLA !ELER., t'e s#5 o% -E=,===.== as inde5nity %or 'er deat', t'e s#5 o% ->3B,3>3.BE %or %#nera" e:penses, 'er #nearned in(o5e %or t'ree years at -4E,===.== per ann#5, and t'e %#rt'er s#5 o% -1,===,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es and ->==,===.== as attorneyHs %ees[,] H(.to t'e 'eirs o% L.RNA ANC2E&A, t'e s#5 o% -E=,===.== as inde5nity %or 'er deat', t'e s#5 o% ->>,838.== as %#nera" e:penses, t'e s#5 o% ->=,E44.94 as 5edi(a" e:penses and 'er "oss o% in(o5e %or 3= years at -1,===.== per 5ont', and t'e %#rt'er s#5 o% -1==,===.== %or 5ora" da5a9es, Hd.to MA/REEN BRENNAN, t'e s#5 o% ->>9,DE4.== as 'ospita" e:penses, do(torHs %ees o% -1B=,===.== %or t'e ort'opedi( s#r9eon, ->>,E==.== %or t'e [n]e#ro"o9ist, an additiona" inde5nity [o%] at "east -1E=,===.== to (o7er %#t#re (orre(tion o% de%or5ity o% 'er "i58s, and 5ora" da5a9es in t'e a5o#nt o% -1,===,===.==, He.to R. *E BALA<., t'e s#5 o% -3,ED1.4D as 5edi(a" e:penses, ->,===.== as "oss o% in(o5e, and ->E,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, H%.to &ERE *&A &AM.N).NG, t'e s#5 o% -19,8==.4B as 5edi(a" e:penses, -8==.== %or "oss o% in(o5e, and ->E,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es,

H9.to </L*ANA &AB&AB, t'e a5o#nt o% -E8=.81 as 5edi(a" e:penses, -4,D==.== as a(t#a" da5a9es and 'er "oss earnin9s o% -1,4==.== as 6e"" as 5ora" da5a9es in t'e a5o#nt o% -1=,===.==, H'.to M*G/EL AR@/*&.LA, t'e s#5 o% -1>,4B3.8> as 'ospita" e:penses, -14,E3=.== as do(torHs %ees, -1,===.== %or 5edi(ines and -E=,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, Hi.to CLAR*&A CABANBAN, t'e s#5 o% -1EE.== %or 5edi(a" e:penses, -8B.== %or 5edi(ines, -1,B1=.== as a(t#a" da5a9es and -E,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, HC.to MAR*AN. CABANBAN, t'e s#5 o% -1,39E.== %or 'ospita" 8i""s, -E==.== %or 5edi(ine, ->,1==.== as a(t#a" da5a9es, -1,>==.== %or "oss o% in(o5e and -E,===.== as 5ora" da5a9es, HF.to La /nion E"e(tri( Co5pany as t'e re9istered o6ner o% t'e &oyota 2i-A(e !an, t'e a5o#nt o% ->E=,===.== as a(t#a" da5a9es %or t'e (ost o% t'e tota""y 6re(Fed 7e'i("e, to t'e o6ner o% t'e Ceepney, t'e a5o#nt o% ->>,D98.38 as a(t#a" da5a9es,H I&'e (o#rt %#rt'er r#"ed t'at [petitioner], in t'e e7ent o% t'e inso"7en(y o% a((#sed, s'a"" 8e "ia8"e %or t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ities o% t'e a((#sed. E7ident"y, t'e C#d95ent a9ainst a((#sed 'ad 8e(o5e %ina" and e:e(#tory. IAd5itted"y, a((#sed 'ad C#5ped 8ai" and re5ained at-"ar9e. *t is 6ort' 5ention[in9] t'at e(tion 8, R#"e 1>4 o% t'e R#"es o% Co#rt a#t'ori$es t'e dis5issa" o% appea" 6'en appe""ant C#5ps 8ai". Co#nse" %or a((#sed, a"so ad5itted"y 'ired and pro7ided 8y [petitioner], %i"ed a noti(e o% appea" 6'i(' 6as denied 8y t'e tria" (o#rt. +e a%%ir5ed t'e denia" o% t'e noti(e o% appea" %i"ed in 8e'a"% o% a((#sed. I i5#"taneo#s"y, on A#9#st D, 1994, [petitioner] %i"ed its noti(e o% appea" %ro5 t'e C#d95ent o% t'e tria" (o#rt. .n Apri" >9, 199B, t'e tria" (o#rt 9a7e d#e (o#rse to [petitionerHs] noti(e o% appea". .n )e(e58er 8, 1998, [petitioner] %i"ed its 8rie%. .n )e(e58er 9, 1998, t'e .%%i(e o% t'e o"i(itor Genera" re(ei7ed [a] (opy o% [petitionerHs] 8rie%. .n <an#ary 8, 1999, t'e . G 5o7ed to 8e e:(#sed %ro5 %i"in9 [respondentsH] 8rie% on t'e 9ro#nd t'at t'e . GHs a#t'ority to represent -eop"e is (on%ined to (ri5ina" (ases on appea". &'e 5otion 6as 'o6e7er denied per .#r

reso"#tion o% May 31, 1999. .n Mar(' >, 1999, [respondent]Npri7ate prose(#tor %i"ed t'e instant 5otion to dis5iss.I % ;Citations o5itted?

R#"in9 o% t'e Co#rt o% Appea"s

&'e CA r#"ed t'at t'e instit#tion o% a (ri5ina" (ase i5p"ied t'e instit#tion a"so o% t'e (i7i" a(tion arisin9 %ro5 t'e o%%ense. &'#s, on(e deter5ined in t'e (ri5ina" (ase a9ainst t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee, t'e e5p"oyerHs s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity as set %ort' in Arti("e 1=3 o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code 8e(o5es (on("#si7e and en%or(ea8"e. &'e appe""ate (o#rt %#rt'er 'e"d t'at to a""o6 an e5p"oyer to disp#te independent"y t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity %i:ed in t'e (ri5ina" (ase a9ainst t'e a((#sede5p"oyee 6o#"d 8e to a5end, n#""i%y or de%eat a %ina" C#d95ent. in(e t'e noti(e o% appea" %i"ed 8y t'e a((#sed 'ad a"ready 8een dis5issed 8y t'e CA, t'en t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion and t'e a6ard o% (i7i" "ia8i"ity 8e(a5e %ina" and e:e(#tory. *n("#ded in t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed 6as t'e e5p"oyerHs s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity. 2en(e, t'is -etition.
&

&'e *ss#es
-etitioner states t'e iss#es o% t'is (ase as %o""o6sG
IA.+'et'er or not an e5p"oyer, 6'o d#ti%#""y parti(ipated in t'e de%ense o% its a((#sed-e5p"oyee, 5ay appea" t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion independent"y o% t'e a((#sed. IB.+'et'er or not t'e do(trines o% A"7are$ 7. Co#rt o% Appea"s ;1E8 CRA EB? and 1#say 7. Adi" ;1D4 CRA 494? app"y to t'e instant (ase.I

'

&'ere is rea""y on"y one iss#e. *te5 B a8o7e is 5ere"y an adC#n(t to *te5 A.

&'e Co#rtHs R#"in9

&'e -etition 'as no 5erit.

Main *ss#eG -ropriety o% Appea" 8y t'e E5p"oyer

-ointin9 o#t t'at it 'ad seasona8"y %i"ed a noti(e o% appea" %ro5 t'e R&C )e(ision, petitioner (ontends t'at t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion a9ainst t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee 'as not attained %ina"ity. &'e %or5er insists t'at its appea" stayed t'e %ina"ity, not6it'standin9 t'e %a(t t'at t'e "atter 'ad C#5ped 8ai". *n e%%e(t, petitioner ar9#es t'at its appea" taFes t'e p"a(e o% t'at o% t'e a((#sede5p"oyee. +e are not pers#aded.

Appea"s in Cri5ina" Cases

e(tion 1 o% R#"e 1>> o% t'e >=== Re7ised R#"es o% Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re states t'#sG
IAny party 5ay appea" %ro5 a C#d95ent or %ina" order, #n"ess t'e a((#sed 6i"" 8e p"a(ed in do#8"e Ceopardy.I

C"ear"y, 8ot' t'e a((#sed and t'e prose(#tion 5ay appea" a (ri5ina" (ase, 8#t t'e 9o7ern5ent 5ay do so on"y i% t'e a((#sed 6o#"d not t'ere8y 8e p"a(ed in do#8"e Ceopardy. ( 0#rt'er5ore, t'e prose(#tion (annot appea" on t'e 9ro#nd t'at t'e a((#sed s'o#"d 'a7e 8een 9i7en a 5ore se7ere pena"ty. ) .n t'e ot'er 'and, t'e o%%ended parties 5ay a"so appea" t'e C#d95ent 6it' respe(t to t'eir ri9't to (i7i" "ia8i"ity. *% t'e a((#sed 'as t'e ri9't to appea" t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion, t'e o%%ended parties s'o#"d 'a7e t'e sa5e ri9't to appea" as 5#(' o% t'e C#d95ent as is preC#di(ia" to t'e5.

Appea" 8y t'e A((#sed +'o <#5ps Bai"

+e""-esta8"is'ed in o#r C#risdi(tion is t'e prin(ip"e t'at t'e appe""ate (o#rt 5ay, #pon 5otion or 5ot# proprio, dis5iss an appea" d#rin9 its penden(y i% t'e a((#sed C#5ps 8ai". &'e se(ond para9rap' o% e(tion 8 o% R#"e 1>4 o% t'e >=== Re7ised R#"es o% Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re pro7idesG
I&'e Co#rt o% Appea"s 5ay a"so, #pon 5otion o% t'e appe""ee or 5ot# proprio, dis5iss t'e appea" i% t'e appe""ant es(apes %ro5 prison or (on%ine5ent, C#5ps 8ai" or %"ees to a %orei9n (o#ntry d#rin9 t'e penden(y o% t'e appea".I !

&'is r#"e is 8ased on t'e rationa"e t'at appe""ants "ose t'eir standin9 in (o#rt 6'en t'ey a8s(ond. /n"ess t'ey s#rrender or s#85it to t'e (o#rtHs C#risdi(tion, t'ey are dee5ed to 'a7e 6ai7ed t'eir ri9't to seeF C#di(ia" re"ie%. "

Moreo7er, t'is do(trine app"ies not on"y to t'e a((#sed 6'o C#5ps 8ai" d#rin9 t'e appea", 8#t a"so to one 6'o does so d#rin9 t'e tria". <#sti(e 0"oren$ ). Re9a"ado s#((in(t"y e:p"ains t'e prin(ip"e in t'is 6iseG
I. . .. +'en, as in t'is (ase, t'e a((#sed es(aped a%ter 'is arrai9n5ent and d#rin9 t'e tria", 8#t t'e tria" in a8sentia pro(eeded res#"tin9 in t'e pro5#"9ation o% a C#d95ent a9ainst 'i5 and 'is (o#nse" appea"ed, sin(e 'e nonet'e"ess re5ained at "ar9e 'is appea" 5#st 8e dis5issed 8y ana"o9y 6it' t'e a%oresaid pro7ision o% t'is R#"e [R#"e 1>4, P8 o% t'e R#"es on Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re]. . . .I #

&'e a((#sed (annot 8e a((orded t'e ri9't to appea" #n"ess t'ey 7o"#ntari"y s#85it to t'e C#risdi(tion o% t'e (o#rt or are ot'er6ise arrested 6it'in 1E days %ro5 noti(e o% t'e C#d95ent a9ainst t'e5. $ +'i"e at "ar9e, t'ey (annot seeF re"ie% %ro5 t'e (o#rt, as t'ey are dee5ed to 'a7e 6ai7ed t'e appea". %

0ina"ity o% a )e(ision in a Cri5ina" Case

As to 6'en a C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion attains %ina"ity is e:p"ained in e(tion B o% R#"e 1>= o% t'e >=== R#"es o% Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re, 6'i(' 6e A#oteG
IA C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion 5ay, #pon 5otion o% t'e a((#sed, 8e 5odi%ied or set aside 8e%ore it 8e(o5es %ina" or 8e%ore appea" is per%e(ted. E:(ept 6'ere t'e deat' pena"ty is i5posed, a C#d95ent 8e(o5es %ina" a%ter t'e "apse o% t'e period %or per%e(tin9 an appea", or 6'en t'e senten(e 'as 8een partia""y or tota""y satis%ied or ser7ed, or 6'en t'e a((#sed 'as 6ai7ed in 6ritin9 'is ri9't to appea", or 'as app"ied %or pro8ation.I

*n t'e (ase 8e%ore #s, t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee 'as es(aped and re%#sed to s#rrender to t'e proper a#t'orities, t'#s, 'e is dee5ed to 'a7e a8andoned 'is appea". ConseA#ent"y, t'e C#d95ent a9ainst 'i5 'as 8e(o5e %ina" and e:e(#tory. &

Lia8i"ity o% an E5p"oyer in a 0indin9 o% G#i"t

Arti("e 1=> o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code states t'e s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ities o% innFeepers, as %o""o6sG
I*n de%a#"t o% t'e persons (ri5ina""y "ia8"e, innFeepers, ta7ernFeepers, and any ot'er persons or (orporations s'a"" 8e (i7i""y "ia8"e %or (ri5es

(o55itted in t'eir esta8"is'5ents, in a"" (ases 6'ere a 7io"ation o% 5#ni(ipa" ordinan(es or so5e 9enera" or spe(ia" po"i(e re9#"ation s'a"" 'a7e 8een (o55itted 8y t'e5 or t'eir e5p"oyees. I*nnFeepers are a"so s#8sidiary "ia8"e %or restit#tion o% 9oods taFen 8y ro88ery or t'e%t 6it'in t'eir 'o#ses %ro5 9#ests "od9in9 t'erein, or %or pay5ent o% t'e 7a"#e t'ereo%, pro7ided t'at s#(' 9#ests s'a"" 'a7e noti%ied in ad7an(e t'e innFeeper 'i5se"%, or t'e person representin9 'i5, o% t'e deposit o% s#(' 9oods 6it'in t'e inn, and s'a"" %#rt'er5ore 'a7e %o""o6ed t'e dire(tions 6'i(' s#(' innFeeper or 'is representati7e 5ay 'a7e 9i7en t'e5 6it' respe(t to t'e (are and 7i9i"an(e o7er s#(' 9oods. No "ia8i"ity s'a"" atta(' in (ase o% ro88ery 6it' 7io"en(e a9ainst or inti5idation o% persons #n"ess (o55itted 8y t'e innFeeperHs e5p"oyees.I

Moreo7er, t'e %ore9oin9 s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity app"ies to e5p"oyers, a((ordin9 to Arti("e 1=3 6'i(' readsG
I&'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity esta8"is'ed in t'e ne:t pre(edin9 arti("e s'a"" a"so app"y to e5p"oyers, tea('ers, persons, and (orporations en9a9ed in any Find o% ind#stry %or %e"onies (o55itted 8y t'eir ser7ants, p#pi"s, 6orF5en, apprenti(es, or e5p"oyees in t'e dis('ar9e o% t'eir d#ties.I

2a7in9 "aid a"" t'ese 8asi( r#"es and prin(ip"es, 6e no6 address t'e 5ain iss#e raised 8y petitioner.

Ci7i" Lia8i"ity )ee5ed *nstit#ted in t'e Cri5ina" -rose(#tion

At t'e o#tset, 6e 5#st e:p"ain t'at t'e >=== R#"es o% Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re 'as ("ari%ied 6'at (i7i" a(tions are dee5ed instit#ted in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion.
)2Ea&

e(tion 1 o% R#"e 111 o% t'e (#rrent R#"es o% Cri5ina" -ro(ed#re pro7idesG

I+'en a (ri5ina" a(tion is instit#ted, t'e (i7i" a(tion %or t'e re(o7ery o% (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e o%%ense ('ar9ed s'a"" 8e dee5ed instit#ted 6it' t'e (ri5ina" a(tion #n"ess t'e o%%ended party 6ai7es t'e (i7i" a(tion, reser7es t'e ri9't to instit#te it separate"y or instit#tes t'e (i7i" a(tion prior to t'e (ri5ina" a(tion. I::: ::: :::I

.n"y t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed arisin9 %ro5 t'e (ri5e ('ar9ed is dee5ed i5p"ied"y instit#ted in a (ri5ina" a(tion, t'at is, #n"ess t'e o%%ended party 6ai7es t'e (i7i" a(tion, reser7es t'e ri9't to instit#te it separate"y, or instit#tes it prior to

t'e (ri5ina" a(tion. ' 2en(e, t'e s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e e5p"oyer #nder Arti("e 1=3 o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code 5ay 8e en%or(ed 8y e:e(#tion on t'e 8asis o% t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion 5eted o#t to t'e e5p"oyee. ( *t is ("ear t'at t'e >=== R#"es de"eted t'e reA#ire5ent o% reser7in9 independent (i7i" a(tions and a""o6ed t'ese to pro(eed separate"y %ro5 (ri5ina" a(tions. &'#s, t'e (i7i" a(tions re%erred to in Arti("es 3>, !) 33, ! 34 !! and >1BD !" o% t'e Ci7i" Code s'a"" re5ain Iseparate, distin(t and independentI o% any (ri5ina" prose(#tion 8ased on t'e sa5e a(t. 2ere are so5e dire(t (onseA#en(es o% s#(' re7ision and o5issionG 1.&'e ri9't to 8rin9 t'e %ore9oin9 a(tions 8ased on t'e Ci7i" Code need not 8e reser7ed in t'e (ri5ina" prose(#tion, sin(e t'ey are not dee5ed in("#ded t'erein. >.&'e instit#tion or t'e 6ai7er o% t'e ri9't to %i"e a separate (i7i" a(tion arisin9 %ro5 t'e (ri5e ('ar9ed does not e:tin9#is' t'e ri9't to 8rin9 s#(' a(tion. 3.&'e on"y "i5itation is t'at t'e o%%ended party (annot re(o7er 5ore t'an on(e %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission. !# +'at is dee5ed instit#ted in e7ery (ri5ina" prose(#tion is t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity arisin9 %ro5 t'e (ri5e or de"i(t per se ;(i7i" "ia8i"ity e: de"i(to?, 8#t not t'ose "ia8i"ities arisin9 %ro5 A#asi-de"i(ts, (ontra(ts or A#asi-(ontra(ts. *n %a(t, e7en i% a (i7i" a(tion is %i"ed separate"y, t'e e: de"i(to (i7i" "ia8i"ity in t'e (ri5ina" prose(#tion re5ains, and t'e o%%ended party 5ay 4 s#8Ce(t to t'e (ontro" o% t'e prose(#tor 4 sti"" inter7ene in t'e (ri5ina" a(tion, in order to prote(t t'e re5ainin9 (i7i" interest t'erein. !$ &'is dis(#ssion is (o5p"ete"y in a((ord 6it' t'e Re7ised -ena" Code, 6'i(' states t'at I[e]7ery person (ri5ina""y "ia8"e %or a %e"ony is a"so (i7i""y "ia8"e.I !% -etitioner ar9#es t'at, as an e5p"oyer, it is (onsidered a party to t'e (ri5ina" (ase and is (on("#si7e"y 8o#nd 8y t'e o#t(o5e t'ereo%. ConseA#ent"y, petitioner 5#st 8e a((orded t'e ri9't to p#rs#e t'e (ase to its "o9i(a" (on("#sion 4 in("#din9 t'e appea". &'e ar9#5ent 'as no 5erit. /ndisp#ted"y, petitioner is not a dire(t party to t'e (ri5ina" (ase, 6'i(' 6as %i"ed so"e"y a9ainst Napo"eon M. Ro5an, its e5p"oyee. *n its Me5orand#5, petitioner (ited a (o5pre'ensi7e "ist o% (ases dea"in9 6it' t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% e5p"oyers. &'erea%ter, it noted t'at none (an 8e app"ied to it, 8e(a#se Iin a"" t'[o]se (ases, t'e a((#sedHs e5p"oyer did not

interpose an appea".I !& *ndeed, petitioner (annot (ite any sin9"e (ase in 6'i(' t'e e5p"oyer appea"ed, pre(ise"y 8e(a#se an appea" in s#(' (ir(#5stan(es is not possi8"e. &'e (ases dea"in9 6it' t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% e5p"oyers #ni%or5"y de("are t'at, stri(t"y speaFin9, t'ey are not parties to t'e (ri5ina" (ases instit#ted a9ainst t'eir e5p"oyees. !' A"t'o#9' in s#8stan(e and in e%%e(t, t'ey 'a7e an interest t'erein, t'is %a(t s'o#"d 8e 7ie6ed in t'e "i9't o% t'eir s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity. +'i"e t'ey 5ay assist t'eir e5p"oyees to t'e e:tent o% s#pp"yin9 t'e "atterHs "a6yers, as in t'e present (ase, t'e %or5er (annot a(t independent"y on t'eir o6n 8e'a"%, 8#t (an on"y de%end t'e a((#sed.

+ai7er o% Constit#tiona" a%e9#ard A9ainst )o#8"e <eopardy

-etitionerHs appea" o87io#s"y ai5s to 'a7e t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee a8so"7ed o% 'is (ri5ina" responsi8i"ity and t'e C#d95ent re7ie6ed as a 6'o"e. &'ese intentions are apparent %ro5 its Appe""antHs Brie% !( %i"ed 6it' t'e CA and %ro5 its -etition ") 8e%ore #s, 8ot' o% 6'i(' ("ai5 t'at t'e tria" (o#rtHs %indin9 o% 9#i"t Iis not s#pported 8y (o5petent e7iden(e.I " An appea" %ro5 t'e senten(e o% t'e tria" (o#rt i5p"ies a 6ai7er o% t'e (onstit#tiona" sa%e9#ard a9ainst do#8"e Ceopardy and t'ro6s t'e 6'o"e (ase open to a re7ie6 8y t'e appe""ate (o#rt. &'e "atter is t'en (a""ed #pon to render C#d95ent as "a6 and C#sti(e di(tate, 6'et'er %a7ora8"e or #n%a7ora8"e to t'e appe""ant. "! &'is is t'e risF in7o"7ed 6'en t'e a((#sed de(ides to appea" a senten(e o% (on7i(tion. "" *ndeed, appe""ate (o#rts 'a7e t'e po6er to re7erse, a%%ir5 or 5odi%y t'e C#d95ent o% t'e "o6er (o#rt and to in(rease or red#(e t'e pena"ty it i5posed. "# *% t'e present appea" is 9i7en (o#rse, t'e 6'o"e (ase a9ainst t'e a((#sede5p"oyee 8e(o5es open to re7ie6. *t t'#s %o""o6s t'at a pena"ty 'i9'er t'an t'at 6'i(' 'as a"ready 8een i5posed 8y t'e tria" (o#rt 5ay 8e 5eted o#t to 'i5. -etitionerHs appea" 6o#"d t'#s 7io"ate 'is ri9't a9ainst do#8"e Ceopardy, sin(e t'e C#d95ent a9ainst 'i5 (o#"d 8e(o5e s#8Ce(t to 5odi%i(ation 6it'o#t 'is (onsent. +e are not in a position to se(ond-9#ess t'e reason 6'y t'e a((#sed e%%e(ti7e"y 6ai7ed 'is ri9't to appea" 8y C#5pin9 8ai". *t is ("ear, t'o#9', t'at petitioner 5ay not appea" 6it'o#t 7io"atin9 'is ri9't a9ainst do#8"e Ceopardy.

E%%e(t o% A8s(ondin9 on t'e Appea" -ro(ess

Moreo7er, 6it'in t'e 5eanin9 o% t'e prin(ip"es 9o7ernin9 t'e pre7ai"in9 (ri5ina" pro(ed#re, t'e a((#sed i5p"ied"y 6it'dre6 'is appea" 8y C#5pin9 8ai" and t'ere8y 5ade t'e C#d95ent o% t'e (o#rt 8e"o6 %ina". "$ 2a7in9 8een a %#9iti7e %ro5 C#sti(e %or a "on9 period o% ti5e, 'e is dee5ed to 'a7e 6ai7ed 'is ri9't to appea". &'#s, 'is (on7i(tion is no6 %ina" and e:e(#tory. &'e Co#rt in -eop"e 7. An9 Gio( "% r#"edG
I&'ere are (ertain %#nda5enta" ri9'ts 6'i(' (annot 8e 6ai7ed e7en 8y t'e a((#sed 'i5se"%, 8#t t'e ri9't o% appea" is not one o% t'e5. &'is ri9't is 9ranted so"e"y %or t'e 8ene%it o% t'e a((#sed. 2e 5ay a7ai" o% it or not, as 'e p"eases. 2e 5ay 6ai7e it eit'er e:press"y or 8y i5p"i(ation. +'en t'e a((#sed %"ees a%ter t'e (ase 'as 8een s#85itted to t'e (o#rt %or de(ision, 'e 6i"" 8e dee5ed to 'a7e 6ai7ed 'is ri9't to appea" %ro5 t'e C#d95ent rendered a9ainst 'i5. . . .I "&

By %"eein9, t'e 'erein a((#sed e:'i8ited (onte5pt o% t'e a#t'ority o% t'e (o#rt and p"a(ed 'i5se"% in a position to spe(#"ate on 'is ('an(es %or a re7ersa". *n t'e pro(ess, 'e Fept 'i5se"% o#t o% t'e rea(' o% C#sti(e, 8#t 'oped to render t'e C#d95ent n#9atory at 'is option. "' #(' (ond#(t is into"era8"e and does not in7ite "enien(y on t'e part o% t'e appe""ate (o#rt. "( ConseA#ent"y, t'e C#d95ent a9ainst an appe""ant 6'o es(apes and 6'o re%#ses to s#rrender to t'e proper a#t'orities 8e(o5es %ina" and e:e(#tory. #) &'#s %ar, 6e 'a7e ("ari%ied t'at petitioner 'as no ri9't to appea" t'e (ri5ina" (ase a9ainst t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee, t'at 8y C#5pin9 8ai", 'e 'as 6ai7ed 'is ri9't to appea", and t'at t'e C#d95ent in t'e (ri5ina" (ase a9ainst 'i5 is no6 %ina".

#8sidiary Lia8i"ity /pon 0ina"ity o% <#d95ent

As a 5atter o% "a6, t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% petitioner no6 a((r#es. -etitioner ar9#es t'at t'e r#"in9s o% t'is Co#rt inMiranda 7. Ma"ate Gara9e Q &a:i(a8, *n(., # A"7are$ 7. CA #! and 1#say 7. Adi" #" do not app"y to t'e present (ase, 8e(a#se it 'as %o""o6ed t'e Co#rtHs dire(ti7e to t'e e5p"oyers in t'ese (ases to taFe part in t'e (ri5ina" (ases a9ainst t'eir e5p"oyees. By parti(ipatin9 in t'e de%ense o% its e5p"oyee, 'erein petitioner tries to s'ie"d itse"% %ro5 t'e #ndisp#ted r#"in9s "aid do6n in t'ese "eadin9 (ases.

#(' post#rin9 is #ntena8"e. *n disse(tin9 t'ese (ases on s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity, petitioner "ost tra(F o% t'e 5ost 8asi( tenet t'ey 'a7e "aid do6n 4 t'at an e5p"oyerHs "ia8i"ity in a %indin9 o% 9#i"t a9ainst its a((#sed-e5p"oyee is s#8sidiary. /nder Arti("e 1=3 o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code, e5p"oyers are s#8sidiari"y "ia8"e %or t'e adC#di(ated (i7i" "ia8i"ities o% t'eir e5p"oyees in t'e e7ent o% t'e "atterHs inso"7en(y. ## &'e pro7isions o% t'e Re7ised -ena" Code on s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity 4 Arti("es 1=> and 1=3 4 are dee5ed 6ritten into t'e C#d95ents in t'e (ases to 6'i(' t'ey are app"i(a8"e. #$ &'#s, in t'e dispositi7e portion o% its de(ision, t'e tria" (o#rt need not e:press"y prono#n(e t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% t'e e5p"oyer. *n t'e a8sen(e o% any (o""#sion 8et6een t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee and t'e o%%ended party, t'e C#d95ent o% (on7i(tion s'o#"d 8ind t'e person 6'o is s#8sidiari"y "ia8"e. #% *n e%%e(t and i5p"i(ation, t'e sti95a o% a (ri5ina" (on7i(tion s#rpasses 5ere (i7i" "ia8i"ity. #& &o a""o6 e5p"oyers to disp#te t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity %i:ed in a (ri5ina" (ase 6o#"d ena8"e t'e5 to a5end, n#""i%y or de%eat a %ina" C#d95ent rendered 8y a (o5petent (o#rt. #' By t'e sa5e toFen, to a""o6 t'e5 to appea" t'e %ina" (ri5ina" (on7i(tion o% t'eir e5p"oyees 6it'o#t t'e "atterHs (onsent 6o#"d a"so res#"t in i5proper"y a5endin9, n#""i%yin9 or de%eatin9 t'e C#d95ent. &'e de(ision (on7i(tin9 an e5p"oyee in a (ri5ina" (ase is 8indin9 and (on("#si7e #pon t'e e5p"oyer not on"y 6it' re9ard to t'e %or5erHs (i7i" "ia8i"ity, 8#t a"so 6it' re9ard to its a5o#nt. &'e "ia8i"ity o% an e5p"oyer (annot 8e separated %ro5 t'at o% t'e e5p"oyee. #( Be%ore t'e e5p"oyersH s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity is e:a(ted, 'o6e7er, t'ere 5#st 8e adeA#ate e7iden(e esta8"is'in9 t'at ;1? t'ey are indeed t'e e5p"oyers o% t'e (on7i(ted e5p"oyees, ;>? t'at t'e %or5er are en9a9ed in so5e Find o% ind#stry, ;3? t'at t'e (ri5e 6as (o55itted 8y t'e e5p"oyees in t'e dis('ar9e o% t'eir d#ties, and ;4? t'at t'e e:e(#tion a9ainst t'e "atter 'as not 8een satis%ied d#e to inso"7en(y. $) &'e reso"#tion o% t'ese iss#es need not 8e done in a separate (i7i" a(tion. B#t t'e deter5ination 5#st 8e 8ased on t'e e7iden(e t'at t'e o%%ended party and t'e e5p"oyer 5ay %#""y and %ree"y present. #(' deter5ination 5ay 8e done in t'e sa5e (ri5ina" a(tion in 6'i(' t'e e5p"oyeeHs "ia8i"ity, (ri5ina" and (i7i", 'as 8een prono#n(ed, $ and in a 'earin9 set %or t'at pre(ise p#rpose, 6it' d#e noti(e to t'e e5p"oyer, as part o% t'e pro(eedin9s %or t'e e:e(#tion o% t'e C#d95ent.

<#st 8e(a#se t'e present petitioner parti(ipated in t'e de%ense o% its a((#sede5p"oyee does not 5ean t'at its "ia8i"ity 'as trans%or5ed its nat#re, its "ia8i"ity re5ains s#8sidiary. Neit'er 6i"" its parti(ipation erase its s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity. &'e %a(t re5ains t'at sin(e t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyeeHs (on7i(tion 'as attained %ina"ity, t'en t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% t'e e5p"oyer ipso %a(to atta('es. A((ordin9 to t'e ar9#5ent o% petitioner, %airness di(tates t'at 6'i"e t'e %ina"ity o% (on7i(tion (o#"d 8e t'e proper san(tion to 8e i5posed #pon t'e a((#sed %or C#5pin9 8ai", t'e sa5e san(tion s'o#"d not a%%e(t it. *n e%%e(t, petitionere5p"oyer sp"its t'is (ase into t6oG %irst, %or itse"%, and se(ond, %or its a((#sede5p"oyee. &'e #ntena8i"ity o% t'is ar9#5ent is ("ear"y e7ident. &'ere is on"y one (ri5ina" (ase a9ainst t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee. A %indin9 o% 9#i"t 'as 8ot' (ri5ina" and (i7i" aspe(ts. *t is t'e 'ei9't o% a8s#rdity %or t'is sin9"e (ase to 8e %ina" as to t'e a((#sed 6'o C#5ped 8ai", 8#t not as to an entity 6'ose "ia8i"ity is dependent #pon t'e (on7i(tion o% t'e %or5er. &'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% petitioner is in(identa" to and dependent on t'e pe(#niary (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee. in(e t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e "atter 'as 8e(o5e %ina" and en%or(ea8"e 8y reason o% 'is %"i9't, t'en t'e %or5erHs s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity 'as a"so 8e(o5e i55ediate"y en%or(ea8"e. Respondent is (orre(t in ar9#in9 t'at t'e (on(ept o% s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity is 'i9'"y (ontin9ent on t'e i5position o% t'e pri5ary (i7i" "ia8i"ity.

No )epri7ation o% )#e -ro(ess

As to t'e ar9#5ent t'at petitioner 6as depri7ed o% d#e pro(ess, 6e reiterate t'at 6'at is so#9't to 8e en%or(ed is t'e s#8sidiary (i7i" "ia8i"ity in(ident to and dependent #pon t'e e5p"oyeeHs (ri5ina" ne9"i9en(e. *n ot'er 6ords, t'e e5p"oyer 8e(o5es ipso %a(to s#8sidiari"y "ia8"e #pon t'e (on7i(tion o% t'e e5p"oyee and #pon proo% o% t'e "atterHs inso"7en(y, in t'e sa5e 6ay t'at a(A#itta" 6ipes o#t not on"y 'is pri5ary (i7i" "ia8i"ity, 8#t a"so 'is e5p"oyerHs s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity %or 'is (ri5ina" ne9"i9en(e. $! *t s'o#"d 8e stressed t'at t'e ri9't to appea" is neit'er a nat#ra" ri9't nor a part o% d#e pro(ess. $" *t is 5ere"y a pro(ed#ra" re5edy o% stat#tory ori9in, a re5edy t'at 5ay 8e e:er(ised on"y in t'e 5anner pres(ri8ed 8y t'e pro7isions o% "a6 a#t'ori$in9 s#(' e:er(ise. $# 2en(e, t'e "e9a" reA#ire5ents 5#st 8e stri(t"y (o5p"ied 6it'. $$

*t 6o#"d 8e in(orre(t to (onsider t'e reA#ire5ents o% t'e r#"es on appea" as 5ere"y 'ar5"ess and tri7ia" te('ni(a"ities t'at (an 8e dis(arded. $% *ndeed, de7iations %ro5 t'e r#"es (annot 8e to"erated. $& *n t'ese ti5es 6'en (o#rt do(Fets are ("o99ed 6it' n#5ero#s "iti9ations, s#(' r#"es 'a7e to 8e %o""o6ed 8y parties 6it' 9reater %ide"ity, so as to %a(i"itate t'e order"y disposition o% t'ose (ases. $' A%ter a C#d95ent 'as 8e(o5e %ina", 7ested ri9'ts are a(A#ired 8y t'e 6innin9 party. *% t'e proper "osin9 party 'as t'e ri9't to %i"e an appea" 6it'in t'e pres(ri8ed period, t'en t'e %or5er 'as t'e (orre"ati7e ri9't to enCoy t'e %ina"ity o% t'e reso"#tion o% t'e (ase. $( *n %a(t, petitioner ad5its t'at 8y 'e"pin9 t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee, it parti(ipated in t'e pro(eedin9s 8e%ore t'e R&C, t'#s, it (annot 8e said t'at t'e e5p"oyer 6as depri7ed o% d#e pro(ess. *t 5i9't 'a7e "ost its ri9't to appea", 8#t it 6as not denied its day in (o#rt. %) *n %a(t, it (an 8e said t'at 8y C#5pin9 8ai", t'e a((#sed-e5p"oyee, not t'e (o#rt, depri7ed petitioner o% t'e ri9't to appea". A"" to"d, 6'at is "e%t to 8e done is to e:e(#te t'e R&C )e(ision a9ainst t'e a((#sed. *t s'o#"d 8e ("ear t'at on"y a%ter proo% o% 'is inso"7en(y 5ay t'e s#8sidiary "ia8i"ity o% petitioner 8e en%or(ed. *t 'as 8een s#%%i(ient"y pro7en t'at t'ere e:ists an e5p"oyer-e5p"oyee re"ations'ip, t'at t'e e5p"oyer is en9a9ed in so5e Find o% ind#stry, and t'at t'e e5p"oyee 'as 8een adC#d9ed 9#i"ty o% t'e 6ron9%#" a(t and %o#nd to 'a7e (o55itted t'e o%%ense in t'e dis('ar9e o% 'is d#ties. &'e proo% is ("ear %ro5 t'e ad5issions o% petitioner t'at I[o]n >D A#9#st 199=, 6'i"e on its re9#"ar trip %ro5 Laoa9 to Mani"a, a passen9er 8#s o6ned 8y petitioner, 8ein9 t'en operated 8y petitionerHs dri7er , Napo"eon Ro5an, %i9#red in an a((ident in an <#an, La /nion . . .I % Neit'er does petitioner disp#te t'at t'ere 6as a"ready a %indin9 o% 9#i"t a9ainst t'e a((#sed 6'i"e 'e 6as in t'e dis('ar9e o% 'is d#ties. +2ERE0.RE, t'e -etition is 'ere8y )EN*E), and t'e assai"ed Reso"#tions A00*RME). Costs a9ainst petitioner. . .R)ERE).
AECa(&

EN BANC
[G.R. No. B4=41. <#"y >9, 198B.] THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, p"ainti%%appe""ee, vs. ROGELIO LIGON * TRIAS and FERNANDO GABAT * ALMERA, a++,s-d, FERNANDO GABAT * ALMERA, a((#sed-appe""ant. SYLLABUS 1.REME)*AL LA+, E!*)ENCE, 0*N)*NG .0 0AC& .0 &2E &R*AL C./R& GENERALL1 ACC.R)E) GREA& RE -EC&. 4 As a r#"e, t'e %indin9s o% %a(t o% t'e tria" (o#rt are a((orded 9reat respe(t and are not dist#r8ed on appea", #n"ess it is s'o6n t'at t'e %indin9s are not s#pported 8y t'e e7iden(e, or t'e (o#rt %ai"ed to (onsider (ertain 5ateria" %a(ts and (ir(#5stan(es in its e7a"#ation o% t'e e7iden(e. *n t'e (ase at 8ar, a (are%#" re7ie6 o% t'e re(ord s'o6s t'at (ertain 5ateria" %a(ts and (ir(#5stan(es 'ad 8een o7er"ooFed 8y t'e tria" (o#rt 6'i(', i% taFen into a((o#nt, 6o#"d a"ter t'e res#"t o% t'e (ase in t'at t'ey 6o#"d introd#(e an e"e5ent o% reasona8"e do#8t 6'i(' 6o#"d entit"e t'e a((#sed to a(A#itta". >.*)., *)., *)., CA E A& BAR, AN E3CE-&*.N. 4 +'i"e t'e prose(#tion 6itness, Casti""o, 5ay 8e a disinterested 6itness 6it' no 5oti7e, a((ordin9 to t'e (o#rt a A#o, Iot'er t'an to see t'at C#sti(e 8e done,I 'is testi5ony, e7en i% not tainted 6it' 8ias, is not entire"y %ree %ro5 do#8t 8e(a#se 'is o8ser7ation o% t'e e7ent (o#"d 'a7e 8een %a#"ty or 5istaFen. &'e ta:i(a8 6'i(' Casti""o 6as dri7in9 6as "o6er in 'ei9't (o5pared to t'e Ko58i in 6'i(' Ga8at 6as ridin9 4 a %a(t ad5itted 8y Casti""o at t'e tria". <#di(ia" noti(e 5ay a"so 8e taFen o% t'e %a(t t'at t'e rear 6inds'ie"d o% t'e 19B8 !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i is on t'e #pper portion, o((#pyin9 appro:i5ate"y one-t'ird ;1N3? o% t'e rear end o% t'e 7e'i("e, t'#s

5aFin9 it 7is#a""y di%%i(#"t %or Casti""o to o8ser7e ("ear"y 6'at transpired inside t'e Ko58i at t'e %ront end 6'ere Ga8at 6as seated. &'ese are (ir(#5stan(es 6'i(' 5#st 8e taFen into (onsideration in e7a"#atin9 Casti""oHs testi5ony as to 6'at e:a(t"y 'appened 8et6een Ga8at and t'e (i9arette 7endor d#rin9 t'at (r#(ia" 5o5ent 8e%ore t'e "atter %e"" do6n. As t'e ta:i(a8 6as ri9't 8e'ind t'e Ko58i, %o""o6in9 it at a distan(e o% a8o#t t'ree 5eters, Casti""oHs "ine o% 7ision 6as partia""y o8str#(ted 8y t'e 8a(F part o% t'e Ko58i. 2is testi5ony t'at 'e sa6 Ga8at 9ra8 t'e (i9arette 8o: %ro5 Rosa"es and %or(i8"y pry "oose t'e "atterHs 'and %ro5 t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e Ko58i is t'#s s#8Ce(t to a reasona8"e do#8t, spe(ia""y (onsiderin9 t'at t'is o((#rren(e 'appened in C#st a 5atter o% se(onds, and 8ot' 7e'i("es d#rin9 t'at ti5e 6ere 5o7in9 %ast in t'e tra%%i(. 3.*)., *)., G/*L& .0 ACC/ E) N.& E &ABL* 2E) BE1.N) REA .NABLE )./B&. 4 Considerin9 t'e a8o7e (ir(#5stan(es, t'e Co#rt is not (on7in(ed 6it' 5ora" (ertainty t'at t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed 0ernando Ga8at 'as 8een esta8"is'ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. *n o#r 7ie6, t'e A#ant#5 o% proo% ne(essary to s#stain Ga8atHs (on7i(tion o% so serio#s a (ri5e as ro88ery 6it' 'o5i(ide 'as not 8een 5et in t'is (ase. 2e is t'ere%ore entit"ed to a(A#itta" on reasona8"e do#8t. 4.*)., CR*M*NAL -R.CE)/RE, </)GMEN& .0 AC@/*&&AL ).E N.& A/&.MA&*CALL1 E3&*NG/* 2 C*!*L L*AB*L*&1. 4 2o6e7er, it does not %o""o6 t'at a person 6'o is not (ri5ina""y "ia8"e is a"so %ree %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity. +'i"e t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion 5#st 8e esta8"is'ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, on"y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired in a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es. &'e C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" e:tin9#is'es t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed on"y 6'en it in("#des a de("aration t'at t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity 5i9't arise did not e:ist. E.*)., *)., *)., RA&*.NALE. 4 &'e reason %or t'e pro7isions o% Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code, 6'i(' pro7ides t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t does not ne(essari"y e:e5pt 'i5 %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission, 'as 8een e:p"ained 8y t'e Code Co55ission as %o""o6sG I&'e o"d r#"e t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" (ase a"so re"eases 'i5 %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity is one o% t'e 5ost serio#s %"a6s in t'e -'i"ippine "e9a" syste5. *t 'as 9i7en rise to n#58er"ess instan(es o% 5is(arria9e o% C#sti(e, 6'ere t'e a(A#itta" 6as d#e to a reasona8"e do#8t in t'e 5ind o% t'e (o#rt as to t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed. &'e reasonin9 %o""o6ed is t'at inas5#(' as t'e (i7i" responsi8i"ity is deri7ed %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" o%%ense, 6'en t'e "atter is not pro7ed, (i7i" "ia8i"ity (annot 8e de5anded. . . . I&'is is one o% t'ose (ases 6'ere (on%#sed t'inFin9 "eads to #n%ort#nate and

dep"ora8"e (onseA#en(es. #(' reasonin9 %ai"s to dra6 a ("ear "ine o% de5ar(ation 8et6een (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity and (i7i" responsi8i"ity, and to deter5ine t'e "o9i(a" res#"t o% t'e distin(tion. &'e t6o "ia8i"ities are separate and distin(t %ro5 ea(' ot'er. .ne a%%e(ts t'e so(ia" order and t'e ot'er, pri7ate ri9'ts. .ne is %or t'e p#nis'5ent or (orre(tion o% t'e o%%ender 6'i"e t'e ot'er is %or reparation o% da5a9es s#%%ered 8y t'e a99rie7ed party. &'e t6o responsi8i"ities are so di%%erent %ro5 ea(' ot'er t'at arti("e 1813 o% t'e present ; panis'? Ci7i" Code reads t'#sG I&'ere 5ay 8e a (o5pro5ise #pon t'e (i7i" a(tion arisin9 %ro5 a (ri5e, 8#t t'e p#8"i( a(tion %or t'e i5position o% t'e "e9a" pena"ty s'a"" not t'ere8y 8e e:tin9#is'ed.I D.*)., *)., *)., CA E A& BAR. 4 *n t'e instant (ase, 6e %ind t'at a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e e:ists s#%%i(ient to esta8"is' t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% Ga8at arises. .n t'e 8asis o% t'e tria" (o#rtHs e7a"#ation o% t'e testi5onies o% 8ot' prose(#tion and de%ense 6itnesses at t'e tria" and app"yin9 t'e A#ant#5 o% proo% reA#ired in (i7i" (ases, 6e %ind t'at a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e esta8"is'es t'at Ga8at 8y 'is a(t and o5ission 6it' %a#"t and ne9"i9en(e (a#sed da5a9e to Rosa"es and s'o#"d ans6er (i7i""y %or t'e da5a9e done. Ga8atHs 6i"%#"" a(t o% (a""in9 Rosa"es, t'e (i9arette 7endor, to t'e 5idd"e o% a 8#sy street to 8#y t6o sti(Fs o% (i9arettes set t'e ('ain o% e7ents 6'i(' "ed to t'e deat' o% Rosa"es. &'ro#9' %a#"t and ne9"i9en(e, Ga8at ;1? %ai"ed to pre7ent t'e dri7er %ro5 5o7in9 %or6ard 6'i"e t'e p#r('ase 6as (o5p"eted, ;>? %ai"ed to 'e"p Rosa"es 6'i"e t'e "atter ("#n9 pre(ario#s"y to t'e 5o7in9 7e'i("e, and ;3? did not en%or(e 'is order to t'e dri7er to stop. 0ina""y, Ga8at a(A#ies(ed in t'e dri7erHs a(t o% speedin9 a6ay, instead o% stoppin9 and pi(Fin9 #p t'e inC#red 7i(ti5. &'ese pro7en %a(ts taFen to9et'er are %ir5 8ases %or %indin9 Ga8at (i7i""y "ia8"e #nder t'e Ci7i" Code %or t'e da5a9e done to Rosa"es. DECISION YAP, < G
p

&'is is an appea" %ro5 t'e C#d95ent o% t'e Re9iona" &ria" Co#rt o% Mani"a, Bran(' 33, rendered on 0e8r#ary 1B, 198D, (on7i(tin9 t'e a((#sed-appe""ant, 0ernando Ga8at, o% t'e (ri5e o% Ro88ery 6it' 2o5i(ide and senten(in9 'i5 to re("#sion perpet#a. &'e 7i(ti5 6as <ose Rosa"es y .rti$, a se7enteen-year o"d 6orFin9 st#dent 6'o 6as earnin9 'is Feep as a (i9arette 7endor. 2e 6as a""e9ed"y ro88ed o% 'is (i9arette 8o: (ontainin9 (i9arettes 6ort' -3==.== 5ore or "ess.

.n"y 0ernando Ga8at 6as arrested and 8ro#9't to tria" and (on7i(ted. &'e ot'er a((#sed, Ro9e"io Li9on, 6as ne7er appre'ended and is sti"" at "ar9e. &'e %ata" in(ident 'appened on a #nday, .(to8er >3, 1983 at a8o#t DG1= p.5. &'e a((#sed, 0ernando Ga8at, 6as ridin9 in a 19B8 !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i o6ned 8y 'is %at'er, Antonio Ga8at, and dri7en 8y t'e ot'er a((#sed, Ro9e"io Li9on. &'e Ko58i 6as (o5in9 %ro5 EspaLa treet 9oin9 to6ards t'e dire(tion o% @#iapo. 0ernando Ga8at 6as seated 8eside t'e dri7er, in t'e %ront seat 8y t'e 6indo6 on t'e ri9't side o% t'e Ko58i. At t'e interse(tion o% @#e$on Bo#"e7ard and Ler5a treet 8e%ore t#rnin9 "e%t to6ards t'e #nderpass at C.M. Re(to A7en#e, t'e Ko58i 'ad to stop as t'e tra%%i( "i9't 6as red. +'i"e 6aitin9 %or t'e tra%%i( "i9't to ('an9e, 0ernando Ga8at 8e(Foned a (i9arette 7endor, <ose Rosa"es y .rti$ ;Rosa"es %or s'ort? to 8#y so5e (i9arettes %ro5 'i5. Rosa"es approa('ed t'e Ko58i and 'anded Ga8at t6o sti(Fs o% (i9arettes. +'i"e t'is transa(tion 6as o((#rrin9, t'e tra%%i( "i9't ('an9ed to 9reen, and t'e Ko58i dri7en 8y Ro9e"ioLi9on s#dden"y 5o7ed %or6ard, As to 6'at pre(ise"y 'appened 8et6een Ga8at and Rosa"es at t'e (r#(ia" 5o5ent, and i55ediate"y t'erea%ter, is t'e s#8Ce(t o% (on%"i(tin9 7ersions 8y t'e prose(#tion and t'e de%ense. *t is not (ontro7erted, 'o6e7er, t'at as t'e Ko58i (ontin#ed to speed to6ards @#iapo, Rosa"es ("#n9 to t'e 6indo6 o% t'e Ko58i 8#t apparent"y "ost 'is 9rip and %e"" do6n on t'e pa7e5ent. Rosa"es 6as r#s'ed 8y so5e 8ystanders to t'e -'i"ippine Genera" 2ospita", 6'ere 'e 6as treated %or 5#"tip"e p'ysi(a" inC#ries and 6as (on%ined t'ereat #nti" 'is deat' on .(to8er 3=, 1983.
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0o""o6in9 ("ose 8e'ind t'e Ko58i at t'e ti5e o% t'e in(ident 6as a ta:i(a8 dri7en 8y -r#den(io Casti""o. 2e 6as 8e'ind t'e Ko58i, at a distan(e o% a8o#t t'ree 5eters, tra7e""in9 on t'e sa5e "ane in a s"i9't"y o8"iA#e position ;Ia "itt"e 8it to t'e ri9'tI?. ! As t'e Ko58i did not stop a%ter t'e 7i(ti5 %e"" do6n on t'e pa7e5ent near t'e %oot o% t'e #nderpass, Casti""o p#rs#ed it as it sped to6ards Ro:as Bo#"e7ard, 8eepin9 'is 'orn to 5aFe t'e dri7er stop. +'en t'ey rea('ed t'e L#neta near t'e Ri$a" 5on#5ent, Casti""o sa6 an o6ner-type Ceep 6it' t6o persons in it. 2e so#9't t'eir assistan(e in ('asin9 t'e Ko58i, te""in9 t'e5 InaFaaFsidente n9 tao.I " &'e t6o 5en in t'e Ceep Coined t'e ('ase and at t'e interse(tion o% !ito Cr#$ and Ro:as Bo#"e7ard, Casti""o 6as a8"e to o7ertaFe t'e Ko58i 6'en t'e tra%%i( "i9't t#rned red. 2e i55ediate"y 8"o(Fed t'e Ko58i 6'i"e t'e Ceep p#""ed #p ri9't 8e'ind it. &'e t6o 5en on 8oard t'e Ceep t#rned o#t to 8e po"i(e o%%i(ers, -atro"5en Leonardo -#9ao and -eter *9na(io. &'ey dre6 t'eir 9#ns and to"d t'e dri7er, Ro9e"io Li9on, and 'is (o5panion, 0ernando Ga8at, to a"i9't %ro5 t'e Ko58i. *t 6as %o#nd o#t t'at t'ere 6as a t'ird person inside t'e Ko58i, a (ertain Rodo"%o -ri5i(ias 6'o 6as s"eepin9 at t'e rear seat. # &'e t'ree 6ere a"" 8ro#9't 8y t'e po"i(e o%%i(ers to t'e +estern -o"i(e )istri(t and t#rned

o7er to -%(. 0er5in -ay#an. &'e ta:i(a8 dri7er, -r#den(io Casti""o, a"so 6ent a"on9 6it' t'e5. &'e 6ritten state5ents o% Casti""o and Rodo"%o -ri5i(ias 6ere taFen 8y t'e tra%%i( in7esti9ator, -%(. 0er5in -ay#an. $ -ay#an a"so prepared a &ra%%i( A((ident Report, dated .(to8er >3, 1983. % 0ernando Ga8at and Rodo"%o -ri5i(ias 6ere re"eased ear"y 5ornin9 t'e %o""o6in9 day, 8#t Ro9e"io Li9on 6as detained and t#rned o7er to t'e City 0is(a"Hs .%%i(e %or %#rt'er in7esti9ation.

*n7esti9atin9 0is(a" A"%redo Cantos, %i"ed an in%or5ation in (o#rt a9ainst Ro9e"io Li9on dated )e(e58er D, 1983 ('ar9in9 'i5 6it' 2o5i(ide t'r# Re(F"ess *5pr#den(e. & i: 5ont's "ater, 'o6e7er, or on <#ne >8, 1984, Assistant 0is(a" Cantos %i"ed anot'er in%or5ation a9ainst Ro9e"io Li9on and 0ernando Ga8at %or Ro88ery 6it' 2o5i(ide. ' 2e %i"ed t'e "atter in%or5ation on t'e 8asis o% a #pp"e5enta" A%%ida7it o% -r#den(io Casti""o ( and a Coint a%%ida7it o% Ar5ando Espino and Ro5eo Casti", (i9arette 7endors, 6'o a""e9ed"y 6itnessed t'e in(ident on .(to8er >3, 1983. ) &'ese a%%ida7its 6ere a"ready prepared and 5ere"y s6orn to 8e%ore 0is(a" Cantos on <an#ary 1B, 1984.
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.n .(to8er 31, 1983, an a#topsy 6as (ond#(ted 8y t'e 5edi(o-"e9a" o%%i(er o% t'e Nationa" B#rea# o% *n7esti9ation, )r. .r"ando !. a"7ador, 6'o stated in 'is a#topsy report t'at t'e (a#se o% deat' o% Rosa"es 6as Ipne#5onia 'ypostati(, 8i"atera", se(ondary to tra#5ati( inC#ries o% t'e 'ead.I &'e prose(#tion tried to esta8"is', t'ro#9' t'e so"e testi5ony o% t'e ta:i(a8 dri7er, -r#den(io Casti""o, t'at Ga8at 9ra88ed t'e 8o: o% (i9arettes %ro5 Rosa"es and pried "oose t'e "atterHs 'and %ro5 t'e 6indo6 o% t'e Ko58i, res#"tin9 in t'e "atter %a""in9 do6n and 'ittin9 t'e pa7e5ent. *n its de(ision, t'e tria" (o#rt s#55ari$ed t'e testi5ony o% Casti""o as %o""o6sG At a8o#t DG== oH("o(F in t'e e7enin9 o% .(to8er >3, 1983, Casti""o 6as t'en dri7in9 'is ta:i(a8 a"on9 Ler5a treet near 0ar Eastern /ni7ersity, and at t'e interse(tion o% Ler5a and @#e$on Bo#"e7ard, t'e tra%%i( "i9't ('an9ed %ro5 9reen to red. &'e 7e'i(#"ar tra%%i( stopped and -r#den(io Casti""oHs ta:i 6as ri9't 8e'ind a !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i. +'i"e 6aitin9 %or t'e tra%%i( "i9't to ('an9e to 9reen, Casti""o id"y 6at('ed t'e !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i and sa6 Ga8at, t'e passen9er sittin9 8eside t'e dri7er, si9na" to a (i9arette 7endor. &'e (i9arette 7endor, Rosa"es, approa('ed t'e ri9't side o% t'e Ko58i. +'i"e Rosa"es 6as 'andin9 t'e (i9arettes to Ga8at, t'e tra%%i( "i9't s#dden"y ('an9ed to 9reen. +'en t'e Ko58i 5o7ed %or6ard, Ga8at s#dden"y 9ra88ed t'e (i9arette 8o: 'e"d 8y Rosa"es. &aFen a8a(F, <ose Rosa"es ran 8eside t'e Ko58i and 6as a8"e to 'o"d on to t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e ri9't %ront door 6it' 'is ri9't 'and. +'i"e Rosa"es 6as ("in9in9 to t'e 6indo6si"", 6it' 8ot' %eet o%%

t'e 9ro#nd, t'e Ko58i (ontin#ed to speed to6ards t'e C.M. Re(to #nderpass. Casti""o, 6'o 6as ("ose"y %o""o6in9 t'e Ko58i, t'en sa6 Ga8at %or(i8"y re5o7e t'e 'and o% Rosa"es %ro5 t'e 6indo6si"" and t'e "atter %e"" %a(e do6n on @#e$on Bo#"e7ard near t'e Re(to #nderpass. ! &'e 7ersion o% t'e de%ense, on t'e ot'er 'and, 6as s#55ari$ed 8y t'e (o#rt as %o""o6sG .n t'e date and ti5e in A#estion, 0ernando Ga8at, 31 years o"d, an #nder6riter, 6as or 8oard t'e !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i dri7en 8y Ro9e"io Li9on. &'e Ko58i 'ad to stop at t'e interse(tion o% Ler5a treet and @#e$on Bo#"e7ard 6'en t'e tra%%i( "i9't t#rned red. 0ernando Ga8at, 6'o 6anted to 8#y (i9arettes, (a""ed a (i9arette 7endor 6'o approa('ed t'e ri9't side o% t'e Ko58i. Ga8at 8o#9't t6o sti(Fs o% (i9arettes and 'anded to t'e (i9arette 7endor, Rosa"es, a -E.== 8i"". *n order to ('an9e t'e -E.== 8i"", Rosa"es p"a(ed 'is (i9arette 8o: (ontainin9 assorted (i9arettes on t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e %ront door o% t'e Ko58i 8et6een t'e ar5 o% Ga8at and t'e 6indo6 %ra5e. #dden"y, t'e tra%%i( "i9't ('an9ed %ro5 red to 9reen and Ro9e"io Li9on 5o7ed t'e 7e'i("e %or6ard, 'eed"ess o% t'e transa(tion 8et6een Ga8at and t'e (i9arette 7endor. As t'e 7e'i("e sped on6ard, t'e (i9arette 8o: 6'i(' 6as sA#ee$ed 8et6een t'e ri9't ar5 o% Ga8at and t'e 6indo6 %ra5e %e"" inside t'e Ko58i. Rosa"es t'en ran 8eside t'e 7e'i("e and ("#n9 to t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e 5o7in9 7e'i("e. Ga8at testi%ied t'at 6'en 'e sa6 t'e (i9arette 7endor ("in9in9 on t'e side o% t'e %ront door, 'e to"d Li9on to 7eer to t'e ri9't in order t'at Rosa"es (o#"d 9et o%% at t'e side6a"F. 2o6e7er, Ga8at de("ared, t'at Li9on said t'at it (o#"d not 8e done 8e(a#se o% t'e 5o7in9 7e'i(#"ar tra%%i(. &'en, 6'i"e t'e 7e'i("e s"o6ed do6n and Li9on 6as 5ane#7erin9 to t'e ri9't in an atte5pt to 9o to6ard t'e side6a"F, Rosa"es "ost 'is 9rip on t'e 6indo6 %ra5e and %e"" to t'e pa7e5ent o% @#e$on Bo#"e7ard. Ga8at a""e9ed"y s'o#ted at Li9on to stop 8#t Li9on rep"ied t'at t'ey s'o#"d 9o on to Las -iLas, and report t'e in(ident to t'e parents o% Ga8at, and "ater t'ey 6o#"d (o5e 8a(F to t'e s(ene o% t'e in(ident. 2o6e7er, 6'i"e t'e Ko58i 6as speedin9 a"on9 )e6ey Bo#"e7ard, it 6as 8"o(Fed 8y t'e ta:i o% -r#den(io Casti""o and a Ceep dri7en 8y po"i(e5en. Ga8at and Li9on 6ere 8ro#9't to po"i(e 'eadA#arters, 8#t neit'er o% t'e5 e:e(#ted any 6ritten state5ent. " &'e tria" (o#rt 9a7e %#"" (reden(e to t'e prose(#tionHs 7ersion, statin9 t'at t'ere (an 8e no do#8t t'at Ga8at %or(i8"y tooF or 9ra88ed t'e (i9arette 8o: %ro5 Rosa"es 8e(a#se, ot'er6ise, t'ere (o#"d 8e no reason %or t'e "atter to r#n a%ter t'e Ko58i and 'an9 on to its 6indo6. &'e (o#rt a"so 8e"ie7ed Casti""oHs testi5ony t'at Ga8at %or(i8"y re5o7ed or pried o%% t'e ri9't 'and o% Rosa"es %ro5 t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e Ko58i, ot'er6ise, t'e "atter (o#"d not 'a7e %a""en do6n, 'a7in9 a ready 8een a8"e to 8a"an(e 'i5se"% on t'e step8oard.
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.n t'e ot'er 'and, t'e tria" (o#rt dis5issed as in(redi8"e t'e testi5ony o% Ga8at t'at t'e (i9arette 7endor p"a(ed t'e (i9arette 8o: on t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e Ko58i, 'o"din9 it 6it' 'is "e%t 'and, 6'i"e 'e 6as tryin9 to 9et %ro5 'is po(Fet t'e ('an9e %or t'e E-peso 8i"" o% Ga8at. &'e (o#rt said t'at it is o% (o55on Fno6"ed9e t'at (i9arette 7endors p"yin9 t'eir trade in t'e streets do not "et 9o o% t'eir (i9arette 8o:, no 7endor "ets 9o o% 'is pre(io#s 8o: o% (i9arettes in order to ('an9e a peso 8i"" 9i7en 8y a (#sto5er. As a r#"e, t'e %indin9s o% %a(t o% t'e tria" (o#rt are a((orded 9reat respe(t and are not dist#r8ed on appea", #n"ess it is s'o6n t'at t'e %indin9s are not s#pported 8y t'e e7iden(e, or t'e (o#rt %ai"ed to (onsider (ertain 5ateria" %a(ts and (ir(#5stan(es in its e7a"#ation o% t'e e7iden(e. *n t'e (ase at 8ar, a (are%#" re7ie6 o% t'e re(ord s'o6s t'at (ertain 5ateria" %a(ts and (ir(#5stan(es 'ad 8een o7er"ooFed 8y t'e tria" (o#rt 6'i(', i% taFen into a((o#nt, 6o#"d a"ter t'e res#"t o% t'e (ase in t'at t'ey 6o#"d introd#(e an e"e5ent o% reasona8"e do#8t 6'i(' 6o#"d entit"e t'e a((#sed to a(A#itta". +'i"e t'e prose(#tion 6itness, Casti""o, 5ay 8e a disinterested 6itness 6it' no 5oti7e, a((ordin9 to t'e (o#rt a A#o,Iot'er t'an to see t'at C#sti(e 8e done,I 'is testi5ony, e7en i% not tainted 6it' 8ias, is not entire"y %ree %ro5 do#8t 8e(a#se 'is o8ser7ation o% t'e e7ent (o#"d 'a7e 8een %a#"ty or 5istaFen. &'e ta:i(a8 6'i(' Casti""o 6as dri7in9 6as "o6er in 'ei9't (o5pared to t'e Ko58i in 6'i(' Ga8at 6as ridin9 - a %a(t ad5itted 8y Casti""o at t'e tria". # <#di(ia" noti(e 5ay a"so 8e taFen o% t'e %a(t t'at t'e rear 6inds'ie"d o% t'e 19B8 !o"Fs6a9on Ko58i is on t'e #pper portion, o((#pyin9 appro:i5ate"y one-t'ird ;1N3? o% t'e rear end o% t'e 7e'i("e, t'#s 5aFin9 it 7is#a""y di%%i(#"t %or Casti""o to o8ser7e ("ear"y 6'at transpired inside t'e Ko58i at t'e %ront end 6'ere Ga8at 6as seated. &'ese are (ir(#5stan(es 6'i(' 5#st 8e taFen into (onsideration in e7a"#atin9 Casti""oHs testi5ony as to 6'at e:a(t"y 'appened 8et6een Ga8at and t'e (i9arette 7endor d#rin9 t'at (r#(ia" 5o5ent 8e%ore t'e "atter %e"" do6n. As t'e ta:i(a8 6as ri9't 8e'ind t'e Ko58i, %o""o6in9 it at a distan(e o% a8o#t t'ree 5eters, Casti""oHs "ine o% 7ision 6as partia""y o8str#(ted 8y t'e 8a(F part o% t'e Ko58i. 2is testi5ony t'at 'e sa6 Ga8at 9ra8 t'e (i9arette 8o: %ro5 Rosa"es and %or(i8"y pry "oose t'e "atterHs 'and %ro5 t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e Ko58i is t'#s s#8Ce(t to a reasona8"e do#8t, spe(ia""y (onsiderin9 t'at t'is o((#rren(e 'appened in C#st a 5atter o% se(onds, and 8ot' 7e'i("es d#rin9 t'at ti5e 6ere 5o7in9 %ast in t'e tra%%i(. +e %ind it si9ni%i(ant t'at in 'is state5ent 9i7en to t'e po"i(e t'at 7ery e7enin9, $ Casti""o did not 5ention t'at 'e sa6 Ga8at %or(i8"y pryin9 o%% t'e 'and o% Rosa"es %ro5 t'e 6indo6si"" o% t'e Ko58i, a"t'o#9' t'e po"i(e report prepared 8y t'e in7esti9atin9 o%%i(er, -%(. 0er5in M. -ay#an, on t'e sa5e date,

stated t'at 6'en t'e tra%%i( si9na" ('an9ed to 9reen and t'e dri7er stepped on t'e 9as, t'e (i9arette 8o: o% t'e (i9arette 7endor ;Rosa"es? 6as 9ra88ed 8y t'e passen9er ;Ga8at? and Iinstant"y t'e %or5er ("#n9 to t'e door and 6as dra99ed at a distan(e 6'i"e at t'e sa5e ti5e t'e "atter p#n('ed t'e 7endorHs ar5 #nti" t'e sa5e ;si(? %e"" to t'e pa7e5ent,I t'#s s'o6in9 t'at d#rin9 t'e po"i(e in7esti9ation Casti""o 5#st 'a7e 9i7en a state5ent to t'e po"i(e 6'i(' indi(ated t'at Ga8at did so5et'in9 to (a#se Rosa"es to %a"" %ro5 t'e Ko58i. % *t 6as 8y 6ay o% a s#pp"e5entary a%%ida7it prepared 8y t'e "a6yer o% t'e (o5p"ainant and s6orn to 8y Casti""o 8e%ore t'e Assistant City 0is(a" on <an#ary 1B, 1984 t'at t'is 7ita" detai" 6as added. &'is s#pp"e5entary a%%ida7it 6as 5ade t'e 8asis %or %i"in9 anot'er in%or5ation ('ar9in9 8ot' Ga8at and t'e dri7er 6it' t'e (ri5e o% Ro88ery 6it' 2o5i(ide. Considerin9 t'e a8o7e (ir(#5stan(es, t'e Co#rt is not (on7in(ed 6it' 5ora" (ertainty t'at t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed 0ernando Ga8at 'as 8een esta8"is'ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. *n o#r 7ie6, t'e A#ant#5 o% proo% ne(essary to s#stain Ga8atHs (on7i(tion o% so serio#s a (ri5e as ro88ery 6it' 'o5i(ide 'as not 8een 5et in t'is (ase. 2e is t'ere%ore entit"ed to a(A#itta" on reasona8"e do#8t. 2o6e7er, it does not %o""o6 t'at a person 6'o is not (ri5ina""y "ia8"e is a"so %ree %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity. +'i"e t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" prose(#tion 5#st 8e esta8"is'ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t, on"y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e is reA#ired in a (i7i" a(tion %or da5a9es. & &'e C#d95ent o% a(A#itta" e:tin9#is'es t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% t'e a((#sed on"y 6'en it in("#des a de("aration t'at t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity 5i9't arise did not e:ist. '

&'e reason %or t'e pro7isions o% Arti("e >9 o% t'e Ci7i" Code, 6'i(' pro7ides t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed on t'e 9ro#nd t'at 'is 9#i"t 'as not 8een pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t does not ne(essari"y e:e5pt 'i5 %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity %or t'e sa5e a(t or o5ission, 'as 8een e:p"ained 8y t'e Code Co55ission as %o""o6sG
pr(d

I&'e o"d r#"e t'at t'e a(A#itta" o% t'e a((#sed in a (ri5ina" (ase a"so re"eases 'i5 %ro5 (i7i" "ia8i"ity is one o% t'e 5ost serio#s %"a6s in t'e -'i"ippine "e9a" syste5. *t 'as 9i7en rise to n#58er"ess instan(es o% 5is(arria9e o% C#sti(e, 6'ere t'e a(A#itta" 6as d#e to a reasona8"e do#8t in t'e 5ind o% t'e (o#rt as to t'e 9#i"t o% t'e a((#sed. &'e reasonin9 %o""o6ed is t'at inas5#(' as t'e (i7i" responsi8i"ity is deri7ed %ro5 t'e (ri5ina" o%%ense, 6'en t'e "atter is not pro7ed, (i7i" "ia8i"ity (annot 8e de5anded.

I&'is is one o% t'ose (ases 6'ere (on%#sed t'inFin9 "eads to #n%ort#nate and dep"ora8"e (onseA#en(es. #(' reasonin9 %ai"s to dra6 a ("ear "ine o% de5ar(ation 8et6een (ri5ina" "ia8i"ity and (i7i" responsi8i"ity, and to deter5ine t'e "o9i(a" res#"t o% t'e distin(tion. &'e t6o "ia8i"ities are separate and distin(t %ro5 ea(' ot'er. .ne a%%e(ts t'e so(ia" order and t'e ot'er, pri7ate ri9'ts. .ne is %or t'e p#nis'5ent or (orre(tion o% t'e o%%ender 6'i"e t'e ot'er is %or reparation o% da5a9es s#%%ered 8y t'e a99rie7ed party. &'e t6o responsi8i"ities are so di%%erent %ro5 ea(' ot'er t'at arti("e 1813 o% t'e present ; panis'? Ci7i" Code reads t'#sG I&'ere 5ay 8e a (o5pro5ise #pon t'e (i7i" a(tion arisin9 %ro5 a (ri5e, 8#t t'e p#8"i( a(tion %or t'e i5position o% t'e "e9a" pena"ty s'a"" not t'ere8y 8e e:tin9#is'ed.I *t is C#st and proper t'at, %or t'e p#rposes o% t'e i5prison5ent o% or %ine #pon t'e a((#sed, t'e o%%ense s'o#"d 8e pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8t. B#t %or t'e p#rpose o% inde5ni%yin9 t'e (o5p"ainin9 party, 6'y s'o#"d t'e o%%ense a"so 8e pro7ed 8eyond reasona8"e do#8tM *s not t'e in7asion or 7io"ation o% e7ery pri7ate ri9't to 8e pro7ed on"y 8y a preponderan(e o% e7iden(eM *s t'e ri9't o% t'e a99rie7ed person any "ess pri7ate 8e(a#se t'e 6ron9%#" a(t is a"so p#nis'a8"e 8y t'e (ri5ina" "a6M I0or t'ese reasons, t'e Co55ission re(o55ends t'e adoption o% t'e re%or5 #nder dis(#ssion. *t 6i"" (orre(t a serio#s de%e(t in o#r "a6. *t 6i"" ("ose #p an ine:'a#sti8"e so#r(e o% inC#sti(e 4 a (a#se %or disi""#sion5ent on t'e part o% t'e inn#5era8"e persons inC#red or 6ron9ed.I (

*n t'e instant (ase, 6e %ind t'at a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e e:ists s#%%i(ient to esta8"is' t'e %a(ts %ro5 6'i(' t'e (i7i" "ia8i"ity o% Ga8at arises. .n t'e 8asis o% t'e tria" (o#rtHs e7a"#ation o% t'e testi5onies o% 8ot' prose(#tion and de%ense 6itnesses at t'e tria" and app"yin9 t'e A#ant#5 o% proo% reA#ired in (i7i" (ases, 6e %ind t'at a preponderan(e o% e7iden(e esta8"is'es t'at Ga8at 8y 'is a(t and o5ission 6it' %a#"t and ne9"i9en(e (a#sed da5a9e to Rosa"es and s'o#"d ans6er (i7i""y %or t'e da5a9e done. Ga8atHs 6i"%#"" a(t o% (a""in9 Rosa"es, t'e (i9arette 7endor, to t'e 5idd"e o% a 8#sy street to 8#y t6o sti(Fs o% (i9arettes set t'e ('ain o% e7ents 6'i(' "ed to t'e deat' o% Rosa"es. &'ro#9' %a#"t and ne9"i9en(e, Ga8at ;1? %ai"ed to pre7ent t'e dri7er %ro5 5o7in9 %or6ard 6'i"e t'e p#r('ase 6as (o5p"eted, ;>? %ai"ed to 'e"p Rosa"es 6'i"e t'e "atter ("#n9 pre(ario#s"y to t'e 5o7in9 7e'i("e, and ;3? did not en%or(e 'is order to t'e dri7er to stop. 0ina""y, Ga8at a(A#ies(ed in t'e dri7erHs a(t o% speedin9 a6ay, instead o% stoppin9 and pi(Fin9 #p t'e inC#red 7i(ti5. &'ese pro7en %a(ts taFen to9et'er are %ir5 8ases %or %indin9 Ga8at (i7i""y "ia8"e #nder t'e Ci7i" Code !) %or t'e da5a9e done to Rosa"es.

+2ERE0.RE, C#d95ent is rendered a(A#ittin9 t'e appe""ant Ga8at %or t'e (ri5e o% Ro88ery 6it' 2o5i(ide. 2o6e7er, 'e is 'ere8y 'e"d (i7i""y "ia8"e %or 'is a(ts and o5issions, t'ere 8ein9 %a#"t or ne9"i9en(e, and senten(ed to inde5ni%y t'e 'eirs o% <ose Rosa"es y .rti$ in t'e a5o#nt o% -1E,===.== %or t'e "atterHs deat', -1,B33.3E %or 'ospita" and 5edi(a" e:penses, and -4,1==.== %or %#nera" e:penses. &'e a""e9ed "oss o% in(o5e a5o#ntin9 to ->=,===.==, not 8ein9 s#pported 8y s#%%i(ient e7iden(e, is )EN*E). Costs de o%%i(io. . .R)ERE).