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.&*(- /-P *(+(0 petitioners0 1s. 2)'. ('3&%.&4(-3& -PP&**-3& C)5%30 6&*(P& 7)3()'7 and S2(%*&/ 7)3()'70 respondents. !!2 Septe8ber 9&n +an:7.%. 'o. "09!04 & C ( S ( ) ' %&7-*-4)0 ;.< )ne o= the ironi: 1erities o= li=e0 it has been said0 is that sorro> is so8eti8es a to?:hstone o= lo1e. - tragi: ill?stration is pro1ided by the instant :ase0 >herein t>o lo1ers died >hile still in the pri8e o= their years0 a bitter episode =or those >hose li1es they ha1e to?:hed. @hile >e :annot eApe:t to a>ard :o8plete ass?age8ent to their =a8ilies thro?gh see8ingly prosai: legal 1erbiage0 this disposition sho?ld at least ter8inate the a:ri8ony and ran:or o= an eAtended B?di:ial :ontest res?lting =ro8 the ?n=ort?nate o::?rren:e. (n this =inal deno?e8ent o= the B?di:ial re:o?rse the stages >hereo= >ere alternately initiated by the parties0 petitioners are no> be=ore ?s seeCing the re1ersal o= the B?dg8ent o= respondent :o?rt pro8?lgated on ;an?ary 20 !9D in -C-7.%. CV 'o. 6!060 >ith the =ollo>ing de:retal portion< E@2&%&6)%&0 the de:ision o= the lo>er :o?rt dis8issing plainti==Fs :o8plaint is hereby re1ersedG and instead0 B?dg8ent is hereby rendered senten:ing de=endants0 Bointly and solidarily0 to pay to plainti==s the =ollo>ing a8o?nts< . .oral da8ages0 P#00000.000G 2. &Ae8plary da8ages0 P 00000.00G #. -ttorneyFs =ees0 P200000.000 and :osts. 2o>e1er0 denial o= de=endants-appelleesF :o?nter:lai8s is a==ir8ed.E Synthesized =ro8 the =indings o= the lo>er :o?rts0 it appears that respondent spo?ses are the legiti8ate parents o= ;?lie -nn 7otiong >ho0 at the ti8e o= the deplorable in:ident >hi:h tooC pla:e and =ro8 >hi:h she died on ;an?ary H0 !"!0 >as an 9-year old =irst year :o88er:e st?dent o= the 5ni1ersity o= San Carlos0 Ceb? CityG >hile petitioners are the parents o= @endell *ibi0 then a 8inor bet>een 9 and ! years o= age li1ing >ith his a=oresaid parents0 and >ho also died in the sa8e e1ent on the sa8e date. 6or 8ore than t>o I2J years be=ore their deaths0 ;?lie -nn 7otiong and @endell *ibi >ere s>eethearts ?ntil 4e:e8ber0 !"9 >hen ;?lie -nn broCe ?p her relationship >ith @endell a=ter she s?pposedly =o?nd hi8 to be sadisti: and irresponsible. 4?ring the =irst and se:ond >eeCs o= ;an?ary0 !"!0 @endell Cept pestering ;?lie -nn >ith de8ands =or re:on:iliation b?t the latter persisted in her re=?sal0 pro8pting the =or8er to resort to threats against her. (n order to a1oid hi80 ;?lie -nn stayed in the ho?se o= her best =riend0

.alo? -l=onso0 at the :orner o= .aria Cristina and ;?ana )s8eKa Streets0 Ceb? City0 =ro8 ;an?ary " to #0 !"9. )n ;an?ary H0 !"!0 ;?lie -nn and @endell died0 ea:h =ro8 a single g?nshot >o?nd in=li:ted >ith the sa8e =irear80 a S8ith and @esson re1ol1er li:ensed in the na8e o= petitioner Cresen:io *ibi0 >hi:h >as re:o1ered =ro8 the s:ene o= the :ri8e inside the residen:e o= pri1ate respondents at the :orner o= 7eneral .aAilo8 and 4. ;aCosale8 streets o= the sa8e :ity. 4?e to the absen:e o= an eye>itness a::o?nt o= the :ir:?8stan:es s?rro?nding the death o= both 8inors0 their parents0 >ho are the :ontending parties herein0 posited their respe:ti1e theories dra>n =ro8 their interpretation o= :ir:?8stantial e1iden:e0 a1ailable reports0 do:?8ents and e1iden:e o= physi:al =a:ts. Pri1ate respondents0 berea1ed o1er the death o= their da?ghter0 s?b8itted that @endell :a?sed her death by shooting her >ith the a=oresaid =irear8 and0 therea=ter0 t?rning the g?n on hi8sel= to :o88it s?i:ide. )n the other hand0 petitioners0 p?zzled and liCe>ise distressed o1er the death o= their son0 reBe:ted the i8p?tation and :ontended that an ?nCno>n third party0 >ho8 @endell 8ay ha1e displeased or antagonized by reason o= his >orC as a nar:oti:s in=or8er o= the Constab?lary -nti-'ar:oti:s 5nit IC-'5J0 8?st ha1e :a?sed @endellFs death and then shot ;?lie -nn to eli8inate any >itness and thereby a1oid identi=i:ation. -s a res?lt o= the tragedy0 the parents o= ;?lie -nn =iled Ci1il Case 'o. %- """H in the then Co?rt o= 6irst (nstan:e o= Ceb? against the parents o= @endell to re:o1er da8ages arising =ro8 the latterFs 1i:ario?s liability ?nder -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code. -=ter trial0 the :o?rt belo> rendered B?dg8ent on ):tober 200 !90 as =ollo>s< E@2&%&6)%&0 pre8ises d?ly :onsidered0 B?dg8ent is hereby rendered dis8issing plainti==sF :o8plaint =or ins?==i:ien:y o= the e1iden:e. 4e=endantsF :o?nter:lai8 is liCe>ise denied =or la:C o= s?==i:ient 8erit.E 2 )n appeal to respondent :o?rt0 said B?dg8ent o= the lo>er :o?rt dis8issing the :o8plaint o= therein plainti==s-appellants >as set aside and another B?dg8ent >as rendered against de=endants-appellees >ho0 as petitioners in the present appeal by :ertiorari0 no> s?b8it =or resol?tion the =ollo>ing iss?es in this :ase< . @hether or not respondent :o?rt :orre:tly re1ersed the trial :o?rt in a::ordan:e >ith established de:isional la>sG and 2. @hether or not -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code >as :orre:tly interpreted by respondent :o?rt to 8aCe petitioners liable =or 1i:ario?s liability. # (n the pro:eedings be=ore the trial :o?rt0 4r. ;es?s P. Cerna0 Poli:e .edi:o-*egal )==i:er o= Ceb?0 s?b8itted his =indings and opinions on so8e post?lates =or deter8ining >hether or not the g?nshot >o?nd >as in=li:ted on @endell *ibi by his o>n s?i:idal a:t.

2o>e1er0 ?nd?e e8phasis >as pla:ed by the lo>er :o?rt on the absen:e o= g?npo>der or tattooing aro?nd the >o?nd at the point o= entry o= the b?llet. (t sho?ld be e8phasized0 ho>e1er0 that this is not the only :ir:?8stan:e to be taCen into a::o?nt in the deter8ination o= >hether it >as s?i:ide or not. (t is tr?e that said >itness de:lared that he =o?nd no e1iden:e o= :onta:t or :lose-:onta:t o= an eAplosi1e dis:harge in the entran:e >o?nd. 2o>e1er0 as pointed o?t by pri1ate respondents0 the body o= de:eased @endell *ibi 8?st ha1e been >ashed at the =?neral parlor0 :onsidering the hasty inter8ent thereo= a little a=ter eight I9J ho?rs =ro8 the o::?rren:e >herein he died. 4r. Cerna hi8sel= :o?ld not :ategori:ally state that the body o= @endell *ibi >as le=t ?nto?:hed at the =?neral parlor be=ore he >as able to :ond?:t his a?topsy. (t >ill also be noted that 4r. Cerna >as negligent in not :ond?:ting a para==in test on @endell *ibi0 hen:e possible e1iden:e o= g?npo>der resid?e on @endellFs hands >as =ore1er lost >hen @endell >as hastily b?ried. .ore spe:i=i:ally0 4r. Cerna testi=ied that he :ond?:ted an a?topsy on the body o= @endell *ibi abo?t eight I9J ho?rs a=ter the in:ident or0 to be eAa:t0 eight I9J ho?rs and t>enty I20J 8in?tes based on the re:ord o= deathG that >hen he arri1ed at the Cos8opolitan 6?neral 2o8es0 the body o= the de:eased >as already on the a?topsy table and in the stage o= rigor 8ortisG and that said body >as not >ashed0 b?t it >as dried. H 2o>e1er0 on redire:t eAa8ination0 he ad8itted that d?ring the 9-ho?r inter1al0 he ne1er sa> the body nor did he see >hether said body >as >iped or >ashed in the area o= the >o?nd on the head >hi:h he eAa8ined be:a?se the de:eased >as inside the 8org?e. D (n =a:t0 on :ross-eAa8ination0 he had earlier ad8itted that as =ar as the entran:e o= the >o?nd0 the traBe:tory o= the b?llet and the eAit o= the >o?nd are :on:erned0 it is possible that @endell *ibi shot hi8sel=. 6 2e =?rther testi=ied that the 8?zzle o= the g?n >as not pressed on the head o= the 1i:ti8 and that he =o?nd no b?rning or singeing o= the hair or eAtensi1e la:eration on the g?nshot >o?nd o= entran:e >hi:h are general :hara:teristi:s o= :onta:t or near-:onta:t =ire. )n dire:t eAa8ination0 4r. Cerna nonetheless 8ade these :lari=i:ation< EL (s it not a =a:t that there are :ertain g?ns >hi:h are so 8ade that there >o?ld be no bla:C resid?e or tattooing that :o?ld res?lt =ro8 these g?ns be:a?se they are >hat >e :all :leanM - /es0 sir. ( Cno> that there are >hat >e :all s8oCeless po>der. -33/. )%3(N< L /es. So0 in :ases0 there=ore0 o= g?ns >here the po>der is s8oCeless0 those indi:ations that yo? said 8ay not r?le o?t the possibility that the g?n >as :loser than 2H in:hes0 is that :orre:tM - (= the . . . ass?8ing that the g?n ?sed >as .. the b?llet ?sed >as a s8oCeless po>der. L -t any rate0 do:tor0 =ro8 . . . disregarding those other 8atters that yo? ha1e noti:ed0 the singeing0 et:.0 =ro8 the traBe:tory0 based on the traBe:tory o= the b?llet as sho>n in yo?r o>n sCet:h0 is it not a =a:t that the g?n :o?ld ha1e been =ired by the person hi8sel=0

the 1i:ti8 hi8sel=0 @endell *ibi0 be:a?se it sho>s a point o= entry a little abo1e the right ear and point o= eAit a little abo1e that0 to be 1ery =air and on yo?r oathM - -s =ar as the point o= entran:e is :on:erned and as =ar as the traBe:tory o= the b?llet is :on:erned and as =ar as the angle or the 8anner o= =ire is :on:erned0 it :o?ld ha1e been =ired by the 1i:ti8.E " -s sho>n by the e1iden:e0 there >ere only t>o ?sed b?llets 9 =o?nd at the s:ene o= the :ri8e0 ea:h o= >hi:h >ere the b?llets that hit ;?lie -nn 7otiong and @endell *ibi0 respe:ti1ely. -lso0 the sCet:h prepared by the .edi:o-*egal 4i1ision o= the 'ational +?rea? o= (n1estigation0 ! sho>s that there is only one g?nshot >o?nd o= entran:e lo:ated at the right te8ple o= @endell *ibi. 3he ne:ropsy report prepared by 4r. Cerna states< AAA AAA AAA

E7?nshot >o?nd0 &'3%-'C&0 o1aloid0 0.D A 0.H :8.0 >ith :ont?sion :ollar >idest in=eriorly by 0.2 :8.0 edges in1erted0 oriented ?p>ard0 lo:ated at the head0 te8poral region0 right0 2.9 :8s. behind and D.D :8s. abo1e right eAternal a?ditory 8eat?s0 dire:ted slightly =or>ard0 ?p>ard and to the le=t0 in1ol1ing sCin and so=t tiss?es0 8aCing a p?n:hin =ra:t?re on the te8poral bone0 right0 penetrating :ranial :a1ity0 la:erating eAtensi1ely along its :o?rse the brain tiss?es0 =ra:t?ring parietal bone0 le=t0 and =inally 8aCing an &O(3 >o?nd0 irreg?lar0 2.0 A .9 :8s.0 edges IeJ1erted0 parietal region0 le=t0 2.0 :8s. behind and 2.! :8s. abo1e le=t eAternal a?ditory 8eat?s. AAA AAA AAA

E&1iden:e o= :onta:t or :lose-:onta:t =ire0 s?:h as b?rning aro?nd the g?nshot >o?nd o= entran:e0 g?npo>der tatooing Isi:J0 s8?dging0 singeing o= hair0 eAtensi1e la:eration or b?rsting o= the g?nshot >o?nd o= entran:e0 or separation o= the sCin =ro8 the ?nderlying tiss?e0 are absent.E 0 )n :ross-eAa8ination0 4r. Cerna de8onstrated his theory >hi:h >as 8ade o= re:ord0 th?s< EL 'o>0 >ill yo? please ?se yo?rsel= as @endell *ibi0 and =ollo>ing the entran:e o= the >o?nd0 the traBe:tory o= the b?llet and the eAit o= the >o?nd0 and 8eas?ring yo?rsel= 2H in:hes0 >ill yo? please indi:ate to the 2onorable Co?rt ho> >o?ld it ha1e been possible =or @endell *ibi to Cill hi8sel=M @ill yo? please indi:ate the 2H in:hesM @(3'&SS< - -:t?ally0 sir0 the 2H in:hes is approAi8ately one ar8Fs length. -33/. S&'('('7< ( >o?ld liCe to 8aCe o= re:ord that the >itness has de8onstrated by eAtending his right ar8 al8ost straight to>ards his head.E

Pri1ate respondents assail the =a:t that the trial :o?rt ga1e :reden:e to the testi8onies o= de=endantsF >itnesses *ydia -ng and ;a8es &nriP?e 3an0 the =irst being a resident o= an apart8ent a:ross the street =ro8 the 7otiongs and the se:ond0 a resident o= the ho?se adBa:ent to the 7otiong residen:e0 >ho de:lared ha1ing seen a Eshado>E o= a person at the gate o= the 7otiong ho?se a=ter hearing shots there=ro8. )n :ross-eAa8ination0 *ydia -ng testi=ied that the apart8ent >here she >as staying =a:es the gas stationG that it is the se:ond apart8entG that =ro8 her >indo> she :an see dire:tly the gate o= the 7otiongs and0 that there is a =ire>all bet>een her apart8ent and the gas station. 2 -=ter seeing a 8an B?8p =ro8 the gate o= the 7otiongs to the roo=top o= the 3ans0 she :alled the poli:e station b?t the telephone lines >ere b?sy. *ater on0 she talCed >ith ;a8es &nriP?e 3an and told hi8 that she sa> a 8an leap =ro8 the gate to>ards his roo=top. # 2o>e1er0 ;a8es &nriP?e 3an testi=ied that he sa> a Eshado>E on top o= the gate o= the 7otiongs0 b?t denied ha1ing talCed >ith anyone regarding >hat he sa>. 2e eAplained that he li1es in a d?pleA ho?se >ith a garden in =ront o= itG that his ho?se is neAt to 6elipe 7otiongFs ho?seG and he =?rther ga1e the =ollo>ing ans>ers to these P?estions< E-33/. )%3(N< I3) @(3'&SSJ. L @hat is the height o= the >all o= the 7otiongFs in relation to yo?r ho?seM @(3'&SS< - (t is abo?t 9 =eet. -33/. )%3(N< I3) @(3'&SSJ L -nd >here >ere yo? looCing =ro8M @(3'&SS< - 6ro8 ?pstairs in 8y li1ing roo8. -33/. )%3(N I3) @(3'&SSJ L 6ro8 /o?r li1ing roo8 >indo>0 is that :orre:tM @(3'&SS< - /es0 b?t not 1ery :lear be:a?se the >all is high.E

-nalyzing the =oregoing testi8onies0 >e agree >ith respondent :o?rt that the sa8e do not inspire :reden:e as to the reliability and a::?ra:y o= the >itnessesF obser1ations0 sin:e the 1is?al per:eptions o= both >ere obstr?:ted by high >alls in their respe:ti1e ho?ses in relation to the ho?se o= herein pri1ate respondents. )n the other hand0 >itness .anolo -l=onso0 testi=ying on reb?ttal0 attested >itho?t :ontradi:tion that he and his sister0 .alo? -l=onso0 >ere >aiting =or ;?lie -nn 7otiong >hen they heard her s:rea8G that >hen .anolo :li8bed the =en:e to see >hat >as going on inside the 7otiong ho?se0 he heard the =irst shotG and0 not 8ore than =i1e IDJ se:onds later0 he heard another shot. ConseP?ently0 he >ent do>n =ro8 the =en:e and dro1e to the poli:e station to report the in:ident. D .anoloFs dire:t and :andid testi8ony establishes and eAplains the =a:t that it >as he >ho8 *ydia -ng and ;a8es &nriP?e 3an sa> as the Eshado>E o= a 8an at the gate o= the 7otiong ho?se.

@e ha1e per=or:e to reBe:t petitionersF e==ete and ?ns?bstantiated pretension that it >as another 8an >ho shot @endell and ;?lie -nn. (t is signi=i:ant that the *ibi =a8ily did not e1en point to or present any s?spe:t in the :ri8e nor did they =ile any :ase against any alleged E;ohn 4oe.E 'or :an >e s?stain the trial :o?rtFs d?bio?s theory that @endell *ibi did not die by his o>n hand be:a?se o= the o1er>hel8ing e1iden:e testi8onial0 do:?8entary and pi:torial the :on=l?en:e o= >hi:h point to @endell as the assailant o= ;?lie -nn0 his 8oti1e being re1enge =or her reBe:tion o= his persistent pleas =or a re:on:iliation. PetitionersF de=ense that they had eAer:ised the d?e diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily0 hen:e they sho?ld not be :i1illy liable =or the :ri8e :o88itted by their 8inor son0 is not borne o?t by the e1iden:e on re:ord either. Petitioner -8elita /ap *ibi0 8other o= @endell0 testi=ied that her h?sband0 Cresen:io *ibi0 o>ns a g?n >hi:h he Cept in a sa=ety deposit boA inside a dra>er in their bedroo8. &a:h o= these petitioners holds a Cey to the sa=ety deposit boA and -8elitaFs Cey is al>ays in her bag0 all o= >hi:h =a:ts >ere Cno>n to @endell. 3hey ha1e ne1er seen their son @endell taCing or ?sing the g?n. She ad8itted0 ho>e1er0 that on that =ate=?l night the g?n >as no longer in the sa=ety deposit boA. 6 @e0 a::ordingly0 :annot b?t entertain serio?s do?bts that petitioner spo?ses had really been eAer:ising the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily by sa=ely lo:Cing the =atal g?n a>ay. @endell :o?ld not ha1e gotten hold thereo= ?nless one o= the Ceys to the sa=ety deposit boA >as negligently le=t lying aro?nd or he had =ree a::ess to the bag o= his 8other >here the other Cey >as. 3he diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily reP?ired by la> in a parent and :hild relationship :onsists0 to a large eAtent0 o= the instr?:tion and s?per1ision o= the :hild. Petitioners >ere gra1ely re8iss in their d?ties as parents in not diligently s?per1ising the a:ti1ities o= their son0 despite his 8inority and i88at?rity0 so 8?:h so that it >as only at the ti8e o= @endellFs death that they allegedly dis:o1ered that he >as a C-'5 agent and that Cresen:ioFs g?n >as 8issing =ro8 the sa=ety deposit boA. +oth parents >ere sadly >anting in their d?ty and responsibility in 8onitoring and Cno>ing the a:ti1ities o= their :hildren >ho0 =or all they Cno>0 8ay be engaged in dangero?s >orC s?:h as being dr?g in=or8ers0 " or e1en dr?g ?sers. 'either >as a pla?sible eAplanation gi1en =or the photograph o= @endell0 >ith a hand>ritten dedi:ation to ;?lie -nn at the ba:C thereo=0 9 holding ?pright >hat :learly appears as a re1ol1er and on ho> or >hy he >as in possession o= that =irear8. (n setting aside the B?dg8ent o= the :o?rt a P?o and holding petitioners :i1illy liable0 as eAplained at the start o= this opinion0 respondent :o?rt >a1ed aside the protestations o= diligen:e on the part o= petitioners and had this to say< E. . . (t is still the d?ty o= parents to Cno> the a:ti1ity o= their :hildren >ho 8ay be engaged in this dangero?s a:ti1ity in1ol1ing the 8ena:e o= dr?gs. 2ad the de=endantsappellees been diligent in s?per1ising the a:ti1ities o= their son0 @endell0 and in Ceeping said g?n =ro8 his rea:h0 they :o?ld ha1e pre1ented @endell =ro8 Cilling ;?lie -nn

7otiong. 3here=ore0 appellants are liable ?nder -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code >hi:h pro1ides< F3he =ather0 and in :ase o= his death or in:apa:ity0 the 8other0 are responsible =or the da8ages :a?sed by their 8inor :hildren >ho li1e in their :o8pany.F E2a1ing been grossly negligent in pre1enting @endell *ibi =ro8 ha1ing a::ess to said g?n >hi:h >as allegedly Cept in a sa=ety deposit boA0 de=endants-appellees are s?bsidiarily liable =or the nat?ral :onseP?en:e o= the :ri8inal a:t o= said 8inor >ho >as li1ing in their :o8pany. 3his 1i:ario?s liability o= herein de=endants-appellees has been reiterated by the S?pre8e Co?rt in 8any :ases0 pro8inent o= >hi:h is the :ase o= 6?ellas 1s. Cadano0 et. al. I*- HH0!0 ):t. # 0 !6 0 # SC%- #6 -#6"J0 >hi:h held that< F3he s?bsidiary liability o= parents =or da8ages :a?sed by their 8inor :hildren i8posed by -rti:le 2 90 o= the 'e> Ci1il Code :o1ers obligations arising =ro8 both P?asi-deli:ts and :ri8inal o==enses.FF F3he s?bsidiary liability o= parentFs arising =ro8 the :ri8inal a:ts o= their 8inor :hildren >ho a:ted >ith dis:ern8ent is deter8ined ?nder the pro1isions o= -rti:le 2 900 '.C.C. and ?nder -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code0 be:a?se to hold that the =or8er only :o1ers obligations >hi:h arise =ro8 P?asi-deli:ts and not obligations >hi:h arise =ro8 :ri8inal o==enses0 >o?ld res?lt in the abs?rdity that >hile =or an a:t >here 8ere negligen:e inter1enes the =ather or 8other 8ay stand s?bsidiarily liable =or the da8ages :a?sed by his or her son0 no liability >o?ld atta:h i= the da8age is :a?sed >ith :ri8inal intent.F I# SC%- #6 -#62J. E. . . (n the instant :ase0 8inor son o= herein de=endants-appellees0 @endell *ibi so8eho> got hold o= the Cey to the dra>er >here said g?n >as Cept ?nder lo:C >itho?t de=endantspo?ses e1er Cno>ing that said g?n had been 8issing =ro8 that sa=ety boA sin:e !"9 >hen @endell *ibi hadJ a pi:t?re taCen >herein he pro?dly displayed said g?n and dedi:ated this pi:t?re to his s>eetheart0 ;?lie -nn 7otiongG also sin:e then0 @endell *ibi >as said to ha1e Cept said g?n in his :ar0 in Ceeping ?p >ith his s?pposed role o= a C-'5 agent . . .E AAA AAA AAA

E+ased on the =oregoing dis:?ssions o= the assigned errors0 this Co?rt holds that the lo>er :o?rt >as not :orre:t in dis8issing herein plainti==s-appellantsF :o8plaint be:a?se as preponderantly sho>n by e1iden:e0 de=endants-appellees ?tterly =ailed to eAer:ise all the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= the =a8ily in pre1enting their 8inor son =ro8 :o88itting this :ri8e by 8eans o= the g?n o= de=endants-appellees >hi:h >as =reely a::essible to @endell *ibi =or they ha1e not reg?larly :he:Ced >hether said g?n >as still ?nder lo:C0 b?t learned that it >as 8issing =ro8 the sa=ety deposit boA only a=ter the :ri8e had been :o88itted.E I&8phases o?rs.J !

@e agree >ith the :on:l?sion o= respondent :o?rt that petitioners sho?ld be held liable =or the :i1il liability based on >hat appears =ro8 all indi:ations >as a :ri8e :o88itted by their 8inor son. @e taCe this opport?nity0 ho>e1er0 to digress and dis:?ss its ratio:ination there=or on B?rispr?dential di:ta >hi:h >e =eel reP?ire :lari=i:ation. (n i8posing san:tions =or the so-:alled 1i:ario?s liability o= petitioners0 respondent :o?rt :ites 6?ellas 1s. Cadano0 et al 20 >hi:h s?pposedly holds that EItJhe s?bsidiary liability o= parents =or da8ages :a?sed by their 8inor :hildren i8posed by -rti:le 2 90 o= the 'e> Ci1il Code :o1ers obligations arising =ro8 both P?asi-deli:ts and :ri8inal o==enses0E =ollo>ed by an eAtended P?otation ostensibly =ro8 the sa8e :ase eAplaining >hy ?nder -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code and -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code parents sho?ld ass?8e s?bsidiary liability =or da8ages :a?sed by their 8inor :hildren. 3he P?oted passages are set o?t t>o paragraphs ba:C0 >ith pertinent ?nders:oring =or p?rposes o= the dis:?ssion here?nder. 'o>0 >e do not ha1e any obBe:tion to the do:trinal r?le holding0 the parents liable0 b?t the :ategorization o= their liability as being s?bsidiary0 and not pri8ary0 in nat?re reP?ires a hard se:ond looC :onsidering pre1io?s de:isions o= this :o?rt on the 8atter >hi:h >arrant :o8parati1e analyses. )?r :on:ern ste8s =ro8 o?r readings that i= the liability o= the parents =or :ri8es or P?asi-deli:ts o= their 8inor :hildren is s?bsidiary0 then the parents :an neither in1oCe nor be absol1ed o= :i1il liability on the de=ense that they a:ted >ith the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily to pre1ent da8ages. )n the other hand0 i= s?:h liability i8p?ted to the parents is :onsidered dire:t and pri8ary0 that diligen:e >o?ld :onstit?te a 1alid and s?bstantial de=ense. @e belie1e that the :i1il liability o= parents =or P?asi-deli:ts o= their 8inor :hildren0 as :onte8plated in -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code0 is pri8ary and not s?bsidiary. (n =a:t0 i= >e apply -rti:le 2 !H o= said :ode >hi:h pro1ides =or solidary liability o= Boint tort=easors0 the persons responsible =or the a:t or o8ission0 in this :ase the 8inor and the =ather and0 in :ase o= his death o= in:apa:ity0 the 8other0 are solidarily liable. -::ordingly0 s?:h parental liability is pri8ary and not s?bsidiary0 hen:e the last paragraph o= -rti:le 2 90 pro1ides that EItJ he responsibility treated o= in this arti:le shall :ease >hen the persons herein 8entioned pro1e that they obser1ed all the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily to pre1ent da8ages.E @e are also pers?aded that the liability o= the parents =or =elonies :o88itted by their 8inor :hildren is liCe>ise pri8ary0 not s?bsidiary. -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code pro1ides< E-rt. 0 . AAA %?les regarding :i1il liability in :ertain :ases. AAA AAA

6irst. (n :ases o= s?bdi1isions . . . 20 and # o= -rti:le 20 the :i1il liability =or a:ts :o88itted by . . . a person ?nder nine years o= age0 or by one o1er nine b?t ?nder =i=teen years o= age0 >ho has a:ted >itho?t dis:ern8ent0 shall de1ol1e ?pon those ha1ing s?:h

person ?nder their legal a?thority or :ontrol0 ?nless it appears that there >as no =a?lt or negligen:e on their part.E I 8phases s?pplied.J 2 -::ordingly0 B?st liCe the r?le in -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code0 ?nder the =oregoing pro1ision the :i1il liability o= the parents =or :ri8es :o88itted by their 8inor :hildren is liCe>ise dire:t and pri8ary0 and also s?bBe:t to the de=ense o= la:C o= =a?lt or negligen:e on their part0 that is0 the eAer:ise o= the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily. 3hat in both P?asi-deli:ts and :ri8es the parents pri8arily respond =or s?:h da8ages is b?ttressed by the :orresponding pro1isions in both :odes that the 8inor transgressor shall be ans>erable or shall respond >ith his o>n property only in the absen:e or in :ase o= insol1en:y o= the =or8er. 3h?s0 =or :i1il liability eA P?asi deli:to o= 8inors0 -rti:le 2 92 o= the Ci1il Code states that EIiJ= the 8inor :a?sing da8age has no parents or g?ardian0 the 8inor . . . shall be ans>erable >ith his o>n property in an a:tion against hi8 >here a g?ardian ad lite8 shall be appointed.E 6or :i1il liability eA deli:to o= 8inors0 an eP?i1alent pro1ision is =o?nd in the third paragraph o= -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code0 to >it< ESho?ld there be no person ha1ing s?:h . . . 8inor ?nder his a?thority0 legal g?ardianship or :ontrol0 or i= s?:h person be insol1ent0 said . . . 8inor shall respond >ith IhisJ o>n property0 eA:epting property eAe8pt =ro8 eAe:?tion0 in a::ordan:e >ith :i1il la>.E 3he :i1il liability o= parents =or =elonies :o88itted by their 8inor :hildren :onte8plated in the a=oresaid r?le in -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code in relation to -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code has0 aside =ro8 the a=ore:ited :ase o= 6?ellas0 been the s?bBe:t o= a n?8ber o= :ases adB?di:ated by this Co?rt0 1iz.< &A:onde 1s. Cap?no0 et al.0 22 -raneta 1s. -rreglado0 2# Salen0 et al. 1s. +al:e0 2H Paleyan0 et:.0 et al. 1s. +angCili0 et al.0 2D and &l:ano0 et al0 1s. 2ill0 et al. 26 Parentheti:ally0 the a=oresaid :ases >ere basi:ally on the iss?e o= the :i1il liability o= parents =or :ri8es :o88itted by their 8inor :hildren o1er ! b?t ?nder D years o= age0 >ho a:ted >ith dis:ern8ent0 and also o= 8inors D years o= aye or o1er0 sin:e these sit?ations are not :o1ered by -rti:le 0 0 %e1ised Penal Code. (n both instan:es0 this Co?rt held that the iss?e o= parental :i1il liability sho?ld be resol1ed in a::ordan:e >ith the pro1isions o= -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code =or the reasons >ell eApressed in Salen and adopted in the :ases hereinbe=ore en?8erated that to hold that the :i1il liability ?nder -rti:le 2 90 >o?ld apply only to P?asi-deli:ts and not to :ri8inal o==enses >o?ld res?lt in the abs?rdity that in an a:t in1ol1ing 8ere negligen:e the parents >o?ld be liable b?t not >here the da8age is :a?sed >ith :ri8inal intent. (n said :ases0 ho>e1er0 there are ?n=ort?nate 1arian:es res?lting in a regrettable in:onsisten:y in the Co?rtFs deter8ination o= >hether the liability o= the parents0 in :ases in1ol1ing either :ri8es or P?asi-deli:ts o= their 8inor :hildren0 is pri8ary or s?bsidiary. (n &A:onde0 >here the D-year old 8inor >as :on1i:ted o= do?ble ho8i:ide thro?gh re:Cless i8pr?den:e0 in a separate :i1il a:tion arising =ro8 the :ri8e the 8inor and his =ather >ere held Bointly and se1erally liable =or =ail?re o= the latter to pro1e the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily. 3he sa8e liability in solid?8 and0 there=ore0 pri8ary liability >as i8posed in a separate :i1il a:tion in -raneta on the parents and their H-year

old son >ho >as =o?nd g?ilty o= =r?strated ho8i:ide0 b?t on the a?thority o= -rti:le 2 !H o= the Ci1il Code pro1iding =or solidary responsibility o= t>o or 8ore persons >ho are liable =or a P?asi-deli:t. 2o>e1er0 in Salen0 the =ather >as de:lared s?bsidiarily liable =or da8ages arising =ro8 the :on1i:tion o= his son0 >ho >as o1er D b?t less than 9 years o= age0 by applying -rti:le 2 90 b?t0 this ti8e0 disregarding -rti:le 2 !H o= the Ci1il Code. (n the present :ase0 as already eAplained0 the petitioners herein >ere also held liable b?t s?pposedly in line >ith 6?ellas >hi:h p?rportedly de:lared the parents s?bsidiarily liable =or the :i1il liability =or serio?s physi:al inB?ries :o88itted by their #-year old son. )n the other hand0 in Paleyan0 the 8other and her !-year old son >ere adB?dged solidarily liable =or da8ages arising =ro8 his :on1i:tion =or ho8i:ide by the appli:ation o= -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code sin:e this is liCe>ise not :o1ered by -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code. 6inally0 in &l:ano0 altho?gh the son >as a:P?itted in a ho8i:ide :harge d?e to Ela:C o= intent0 :o?pled >ith 8istaCe0E it >as r?led that >hile ?nder -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code there sho?ld be solidary liability =or da8ages0 sin:e the son0 Ealtho?gh 8arried0 >as li1ing >ith his =ather and getting s?bsisten:e =ro8 hi8 at the ti8e o= the o::?rren:e0E b?t Eis no> o= age0 as a 8atter o= eP?ityE the =ather >as only held s?bsidiarily liable. (t bears stressing0 ho>e1er0 that the %e1ised Penal Code pro1ides =or s?bsidiary liability only =or persons :a?sing da8ages ?nder the :o8p?lsion o= irresistible =or:e or ?nder the i8p?lse o= an ?n:ontrollable =earG 2" innCeepers0 ta1ernCeepers and proprietors o= establish8entsG 29 e8ployers0 tea:hers0 persons and :orporations engaged in ind?stryG 2! and prin:ipals0 a::o8pli:es and a::essories =or the ?npaid :i1il liability o= their :oa::?sed in the other :lasses. #0 -lso0 :o8ing ba:C to respondent :o?rtFs relian:e on 6?ellas in its de:ision in the present :ase0 it is not eAa:tly a::?rate to say that 6?ellas pro1ided =or s?bsidiary liability o= the parents therein. - :are=?l s:r?tiny sho>s that >hat respondent :o?rt P?oted 1erbati8 in its de:ision no> on appeal in the present :ase0 and >hi:h it attrib?ted to 6?ellas0 >as the syllab?s on the la> report o= said :ase >hi:h spoCe o= Es?bsidiaryE liability. 2o>e1er0 s?:h :ategorization does not spe:i=i:ally appear in the teAt o= the de:ision in 6?ellas. (n =a:t0 a=ter re1ie>ing therein the :ases o= &A:onde0 -raneta and Salen and the dis:?ssions in said :ases o= -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code in relation to -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code0 this Co?rt :on:l?ded its de:ision in this >ise< E.oreo1er0 the :ase at bar >as de:ided by the Co?rt o= -ppeals on the basis o= e1iden:e s?b8itted therein by both parties0 independent o= the :ri8inal :ase. -nd responsibility =or =a?lt or negligen:e ?nder -rti:le 2 "6 ?pon >hi:h the present a:tion >as instit?ted0 is entirely separate and distin:t =ro8 the :i1il liability arising =ro8 =a?lt or negligen:e ?nder the Penal Code I-rt. 2 ""J0 and ha1ing in 8ind the reasons behind the la> as hereto=ore stated0 any dis:?ssion as to the 8inorFs :ri8inal responsibility is o= no 8o8ent.E 5nder the =oregoing :onsiderations0 there=ore0 >e hereby r?le that the parents are and sho?ld be held pri8arily liable =or the :i1il liability arising =ro8 :ri8inal o==enses

:o88itted by their 8inor :hildren ?nder their legal a?thority or :ontrol0 or >ho li1e in their :o8pany0 ?nless it is pro1en that the =or8er a:ted >ith the diligen:e o= a good =ather o= a =a8ily to pre1ent s?:h da8ages. 3hat pri8ary liability is pre8ised on the pro1isions o= -rti:le 0 o= the %e1ised Penal Code >ith respe:t to da8ages eA deli:to :a?sed by their :hildren ! years o= age or ?nder0 or o1er ! b?t ?nder D years o= age >ho a:ted >itho?t dis:ern8entG and0 >ith regard to their :hildren o1er ! b?t ?nder D years o= age >ho a:ted >ith dis:ern8ent0 or D years or o1er b?t ?nder 2 years o= age0 s?:h pri8ary liability shall be i8posed p?rs?ant to -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code. # 5nder said -rti:le 2 900 the en=or:e8ent o= s?:h liability shall be e==e:ted against the =ather and0 in :ase o= his death or in:apa:ity0 the 8other. 3his >as a8pli=ied by the Child and /o?th @el=are Code >hi:h pro1ides that the sa8e shall de1ol1e ?pon the =ather and0 in :ase o= his death or in:apa:ity0 ?pon the 8other or0 in :ase o= her death or in:apa:ity0 ?pon the g?ardian0 b?t the liability 8ay also be 1ol?ntarily ass?8ed by a relati1e or =a8ily =riend o= the yo?th=?l o==ender. #2 2o>e1er0 ?nder the 6a8ily Code0 this :i1il liability is no>0 >itho?t s?:h alternati1e P?ali=i:ation0 the responsibility o= the parents and those >ho eAer:ise parental a?thority o1er the 8inor o==ender. ## 6or :i1il liability arising =ro8 P?asi-deli:ts :o88itted by 8inors0 the sa8e r?les shall apply in a::ordan:e >ith -rti:les 2 90 and 2 92 o= the Ci1il Code0 as so 8odi=ied. (n the :ase at bar0 >hether the death o= the hapless ;?lie -nn 7otiong >as :a?sed by a =elony or a P?asi-deli:t :o88itted by @endell *ibi0 respondent :o?rt did not err in holding petitioners liable =or da8ages arising there=ro8. S?bBe:t to the pre:eding 8odi=i:ations o= the pre8ises relied ?pon by it there=or and on the bases o= the legal i8perati1es herein eAplained0 >e :onBoin in its =indings that said petitioners =ailed to d?ly eAer:ise the reP?isite diligentissi8i patris =a8ilias to pre1ent s?:h da8ages. -CC)%4('7*/0 the instant Petition is 4&'(&4 and the assailed B?dg8ent o= respondent Co?rt o= -ppeals is hereby -66(%.&40 >ith :osts against petitioners. S) )%4&%&4. 'ar1asa0 C.;.0 7?tierrez0 ;r.0 Cr?z0 Padilla0 +idin0 7riKo--P?ino0 .edialdea0 %o8ero0 'o:on and +ellosillo0 ;r.0 ;;.0 :on:?r. 6eli:iano0 ;.0 is on lea1e. 4a1ide0 ;r.0 ;.0 'o part. ( ?sed to be :o?nsel o= one o= the parties. .elo and Ca8pos0 ;r.0 ;;.0 tooC no part. 6ootnotes , 3his petitioner is indi:ated or re=erred to in so8e pleadings as ECresen:io alias @illia8 *ibi.E . Penned by ;?sti:e +ien1enido C. &Ber:ito0 >ith the :on:?rren:e o= ;?sti:es ;orge %. CoP?ia0 .ariano -. Nosa and 6loreliana Castro-+artolo8eG %ollo0 "-#H. 2. Per ;?dge .ario 4. )rtizG %e:ord on -ppeal0 -C-7.%. CV 'o. 6!0600 2!. #. %ollo0 D!.

H. 3S'0 'o1e8ber !0 !"!0 "-9. D. (bid.0 id.0 !-20. 6. (bid.0 id.0 0. ". (bid.0 id.0 6- ". 9. &Ah. &+- and &+-2. !. &Ah. OG 6older o= &Ahibits0 Ci1il Case 'o. %- """H0 #9. 0. &Ah. @G ibid.0 id.0 #". . 3S'0 'o1e8ber !0 !"!0 22. 2. 3S'0 4e:e8ber 2"0 !"!0 D6-6 . #. (bid.0 id.0 62-69. H. (bid.0 id.0 92-9#. D. 3S'0 ;?ne H0 !900 H-60 9- D. 6. 3S'0 -pril 0 !900 22-29G -pril 290 !900 6-". ". 3S'0 -pril 0 !900 2"-29. 9. &Ah. ; and ;- 0 6older o= &Ahibits0 Ci1il Case 'o. %- """H0 2!. !. %ollo0 # -##. 20. # SC%- #6 I !6 J. 2 . Par. 2 o= -rt. 2 re=ers to Ea person ?nder nine years o= age0E >hi:h sho?ld 8ore a::?rately read Enine years o= age or ?nderE sin:e Par. # thereo= speaCs o= one Eo1er nine . . . .E See also the :o8ple8entary pro1isions o= -rt. 20 0 P.4. 'o. 60# and -rt. 22 0 &.). 'o. 20!0 as a8ended0 in=ra0 6n #2 and ##. 22. 0 Phil. 9H# I !D"J. 2#. 0H Phil. D2! I !D9J. 2H. 0" Phil. "H9 I !60J. 2D. H0 SC%- #2 I !" J. 26. "" SC%- !9 I !""J. 2". 3hird r?le0 -rt. 0 0 in relation to pars. D and 6 o= -rt. 2. 29. -rt. 02. 2!. -rt. 0#. #0. -rt. 0. # . @hile %.-. 'o. 690! a8ended -rt. 2#H o= the 6a8ily Code to pro1ide that 8aBority :o88en:es at the age o= 9 years0 -rt. 2#6 thereo=0 as liCe>ise a8ended0 states that EInJothing in this Code shall be :onstr?ed to derogate =ro8 the d?ty or responsibility o= parents and g?ardians =or :hildren and >ards belo> t>enty-one years o= age 8entioned in the se:ond and third paragraphs o= -rti:le 2 90 o= the Ci1il Code.E #2. -rt. 20 0 P.4. 'o. 60#. ##. -rt. 22 o= &.). 'o. 20!0 as a8ended by &.). 'o 22"0 pro1ides< EParents and other persons eAer:ising parental a?thority shall be :i1illy liable =or the inB?ries and da8ages :a?sed by the a:t or o8issions o= their ?ne8an:ipated :hildren li1ing in their :o8pany and ?nder their parental a?thority s?bBe:t to the appropriate de=enses pro1ided by la>.E \---!e-library! 6.0 Philippines Copyright 2000 by Sony Valdez---/ I[ !!2V"6#$ C%&S&'C() *(+( , and -.&*(- /-P *(+(0 petitioners0 1s. 2)'. ('3&%.&4(-3& -PP&**-3& C)5%30 6&*(P& 7)3()'7 and S2(%*&/ 7)3()'70 respondents.0 7.%. 'o. "09!00 !!2 Septe8ber 90 &n +an:J