THE UNITED STATES, vs.SEVERINO VALDES Y GUILGAN G.R. No. L-14128 December 10, 1918 TORRES, J.

: This cause was institute b! a com"#aint $i#e b! the "rosecutin% attorne! be$ore the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ this cit!, char%in% )everino *a# es ! Gui#%an an +u%o Labarro ! ,una#a i, a#ias +u%o Navarro ! ,una ia, with the crime o$ arson, an , on the 20th o$ -a! o$ the "resent !ear, .u %ment was ren ere whereb! )everino or 'austino *a# es u Gui#%an was sentence to si/ !ears an one a! o$ presidio mayor an to "a! one-ha#$ o$ the costs. 'rom this .u %ment this e$en ant a""ea#e . 0ith res"ect to +u%o Labarro or Navarro, the "rocee in%s were ismisse with the other ha#$ o$ the costs de officio. ,etween 8 an 9 o1c#oc2 in the mornin% o$ 3"ri# 28th o$ this !ear, when -. D. Lewin was absent $rom the house in which he was #ivin% his $ami#!, at No. 428, )an Ra$ae# )treet, )an -i%ue#, -rs. 3uc2bac2, who a""ears to have been a resi ent o$ the nei%hborhoo , ca##e -rs. Lewin an to# her that much smo2e was issuin% $rom the #ower $#oor o$ the #atter1s house, $or unti# then -rs. Lewin ha not notice it, an as soon as her attention was brou%ht to the $act she or ere the servant 5au#ino ,ana# to #oo2 $or the $ire, as he i an he $oun , so as2e with 2erosene oi# an "#ace between a "ost o$ the house an a "artition o$ the entreso#, a "iece o$ a .ute sac2 an a ra% which were burnin%. 3t that moment the e$en ant *a# es was in the entresol, en%a%e in his wor2 o$ c#eanin%, whi#e, the other e$en ant +u%o Labarro was c#eanin% the horses 2e"t at the "#ace. 6n the same mornin% o$ the occurrence, the "o#ice arreste the e$en ants, havin% been ca##e $or the "ur"ose b! te#e"hone. )everino *a# es, a$ter his arrest, accor in% to the statement, 7/hibit &, rawn u" in the "o#ice station, a mitte be$ore severa# "o#icemen that it was he who ha set the $ire to the sac2 an the ra%, which ha been notice on the ate mentione . an he a#so who ha starte the severa# other $ires which ha occurre in sai house on "revious a!s8 that he ha "er$orme such acts throu%h the in ucement o$ the other "risoner, +u%o Labarro, $or the! $e#t resentment a%ainst, or ha troub#e with, their masters, an that, as he an his coaccuse were $rien s, he acte as he i un er the "romise on Labarro1s "art to %ive him a "eso $or each such $ire that he shou# start. The e$en ant )everino *a# es a mitte , in an a$$i avit, that he ma e ec#arations in the "o#ice station, a#thou%h he enie havin% "#ace the ra% an "iece o$ .ute sac2, soa2e with 2erosene, in the "#ace where the! were $oun , an state , that it was the servant 5au#ino who ha one so. +e a##e%e that, on bein% arrai%ne , he state that he ha set $ire to a "i#e o$ r! man%o #eaves that he ha %athere to%ether, which is contrar! to the statement he ma e in the "o#ice station, to wit, that he ha set the $ire to the sai ra% an "iece o$ sac2 un er the house. 'or #ac2 o$ evi ence an on his counse#1s "etition, the case was ismisse with res"ect to the other e$en ant +u%o Labarro. 6win% to the re"eate attem"ts ma e $or about a month "ast, since )everino *a# es ,e%an to serve the Lewin $ami#!, to burn the house above mentione . occu"ie b! the #atter an in which this e$en ant was em"#o!e , some "o#icemen were watchin% the bui# in% an one o$ them, 3ntonio Garcia e# &i ., one mornin% "rior to the commission o$ the crime, accor in% to his testimon!, saw the e$en ant *a# es c#imbin% u" the wa## o$ the warehouse behin the we##in% house, in which warehouse there was some straw that ha "revious#! been burne , an that, when the e$en ant notice the "resence o$ the "o#iceman, he esiste $rom c#imbin% the wa## an enterin% the warehouse. The $act o$ settin% $ire to a .ute sac2 an a ra%, soa2e with 2erosene oi# an "#ace besi e an u"ri%ht o$ the house an a "artition o$ the entreso# o$ the bui# in%, thus en an%erin% the burnin% o$ the #atter, constitutes the crime o$ $rustrate arson o$ an inhabite house, on an occasion when some o$ its inmates were insi e o$ it.. This crime o$ "rovi e $or an "unishe b! artic#e 949, in connection with artic#es 4, "ara%ra"h 2, an :9 o$ the 5ena# &o e, an the so#e "roven "er"etrator o$ the same b! irect "artici"ation is the e$en ant )everino *a# es, $or, notwithstan in% his enia# an unsubstantiate e/cu#"ations, the

recor isc#oses conc#usive "roo$ that it was he who committe the sai un#aw$u# act, as it was a#so he who was %ui#t! o$ havin% set the other $ires that occurre in sai house. (n an a$$i avit the e$en ant a mitte havin% ma e ec#arations in the "o#ice station, an thou%h at the tria# he enie that he set $ire to the sac2s an the ra% which were $oun soa2e in 2erosene an burnin%, an , without "roo$ whatever, #ai the b#ame unto his co e$en ant, the $act is that con$esse to havin% set $ire to a "i#e o$ r! #eaves whereb! much smo2e arose $rom the #ower "art o$ the house, but which, however, i not $orewarn his mistress, -rs. Lewin, thou%h she shou# have notice it, an he a##owe the sac2 an the ra% to continue burnin% unti# -rs. 3uc2bac2 noticin% a #ar%e vo#ume o$ smo2e in the house, %ave the a#arm. No "roo$ was submitte to substantiate the accusation he ma e a%ainst the servant 5au#ino, who a""arent#! is the same "ersons as the river +u%o Labarro. The crime is c#assi$ie on#! as $rustrate arson, inasmuch as the e$en ant "er$orme a## the acts conceive to the burnin% o$ sai house, but neverthe#ess., owin% to causes in e"en ent o$ his wi##, the crimina# act which he inten e was not "ro uce . The o$$ense committe cannot be c#assi$ie as consummate arson b! the burnin% o$ sai inhabite house, $or the reason that no "art o$ the bui# in% ha !et commence to burn, a#thou%h, as the "iece o$ sac2 an the ra%, soa2e in 2erosene oi#, ha been "#ace near "artition o$ the entresol, the "artition mi%ht have starte to burn, ha the $ire not been "ut out on time. There is no e/tenuatin% or a%%ravatin% circumstance to be consi ere in a connection with the commission o$ the crime, an there$ore the "ena#t! o$ presidio mayor imme iate#! in$erior in e%ree to that s"eci$ie in artic#e 949 o$ the 5ena# &o e, shou# be im"ose in its me ium e%ree. 'or the $ore%oin% reasons the .u %ment a""ea#e $rom shou# be a$$irme , with the mo i$ication however, that the "ena#t! im"ose u"on the e$en ant sha## be %iven ei%ht !ears an one a! o$ presidio mayor, with the accessor! "ena#ties "rescribe in artic#e 9; o$ the &o e. The e$en ant sha## a#so "a! the costs o$ both instances. )o or ere . G.R. No. L-4160 July 29, 19 2

ANITA TAN vs. STANDARD VA!UU" OIL !O., JULITO STO DO"INGO, IG"IDIO RI!O, #$% RURAL TRANSIT !O., e$en ants-a""e##ees. &AUTISTA ANGELO, J.: 3nita Tan is the owner o$ the house o$ stron% materia#s base in the &it! o$ -ani#a, 5hi#i""ines. 6n -a! 4, 1949, the )tan ar *acuum 6i# &om"an! or ere the e#iver! to the Rura# Transit &om"an! at its %ara%e at Ri<a# 3venue 7/tension, &it! o$ -ani#a, o$ 1,929 %a##ons o$ %aso#ine usin% a %aso#ine tan2-truc2 trai#er. The truc2 was riven b! =u#ito )to. Domin%o, who was he#"e (%mi io Rico. 0hi#e the %aso#ine was bein% ischar%e to the un er%roun tan2, it cau%ht $ire, whereu"on =u#ito )to. Domin%o rove the truc2 across the Ri<a# 3venue 7/tension an u"on reachin% the mi #e o$ the street he abon one the truc2 with continue movin% to the o""osite si e o$ the $irst street causin% the bui# in%s on that si e to be burne an etro!e . The house o$ 3nita Tan was amon% those estro!e an $or its re"air she s"ent 512,000. 3s an a$termath o$ the $ire, =u#ito )to. Domin%o an (mi%i io Rico were char%e with arson throu%h rec2#ess im"ru ence in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ -ani#a where, a$ter tria#, both were ac>uitte , the court ho# in% that their ne%#i%ence was not "roven an the $ire was ue to an un$ortunate acci ent. 3nita Tan then brou%ht the action a%ainst the )tan ar *acuum 6i# &om"an! an the Rura# Transit &om"an!8, inc#u in% the two em"#o!ees, see2in% to recover the ama%es she has su$$ere $or the estruction o$ her house. De$en ants $i#e se"arate motions to ismiss a##e%in% in substance that ? a@ "#ainti$$As action is barre b! "rior .u %ment an ? b@ "#ainti$$As com"#aint states no cause o$ action8 an this motion havin% been sustaine , "#ainti$$ e#evate the case to this &ourt im"utin% ei%ht errors to the court a quo.

The recor isc#oses that the #ower court ismisse this case in view o$ the ac>uitta# o$ the two em"#o!ees o$ e$en ant )tan ar *acuum 6i# &om"an! who were char%e with arson throu%h rec2#ess im"ru ence in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ -ani#a. (n conc#u in% that accuse were not %ui#t! o$ the acts char%e because o$ the $ire was acci enta#, the court ma e the $o##owin% $in in%sB Cthe accuse (mi%i io Rico cannot in an! manner be he# res"onsib#e $or the $ire to the three houses an %oo s therein above mentione . +e was not the cause o$ it, an he too2 a## the necessar! "recautions a%ainst such contin%enc! as he was con$ronte with. The evi ence throws no #i%ht on the cause o$ $ire. The witnesses $or the "rosecution an $or the e$ense testi$ie that the! i not 2now what cause the $ire. (t was un$ortunate acci ent $or which the accuse (i%mi io Rico cannot be he# res"onsib#e.C 3n a simi#ar $in in% was ma e with res"ect to the other accuse that the in$ormation $i#e a%ainst the accuse b! the 'isca# contains an itemi<e statement o$ the ama%es su$$ere b! the victims, inc#u in% the one su$$ere b! 3nita Tan, thereb! in icatin% the intention o$ the "rosecution to eman in emnit! $rom the accuse in the same action, but that notwithstan in% this statement with res"ect to ama%es, 3nita Tan i not ma2e an! reservation o$ her ri%ht to $i#e a se"arate civi# action a%ainst the accuse as re>uire b! the Ru#es o$ &ourt Ru#e 10;, section 1-?a@. 3s 3nita Tan $ai#e to ma2e reservation, an the accuse were ac>uitte , the #ower court ru#e that she is now barre $rom $i#in% this action a%ainst the e$en ants. This ru#in% is so $ar as e$en ants =u#io )to. Domin%o an (mi%i io Rico are concerne is correct. The ru#e is that Ce/tinction o$ the "ena# action oes not carr! with it e/tinction o$ the civi#, un#ess the e/tinction "rocee s $rom the ec#aration in a $ina# .u %ment that the $act $rom which the civi# mi%ht arise i not e/istC ?Ru#e 10;, section 1- , Ru#es o$ &ourt@. This "rovision means that the ac>uitta# o$ the accuse $rom the crimina# char%e wi## not necessari#! e/tin%uish the civi# #iabi#it! un#ess the court ec#ares in the .u %ment that the $act $rom which the civi# #iabi#it! mi%ht arise an i not e/ist. +ere it is true that =u#ito )to. Domin%o an (%mi io Rico were ac>uitte , the court ho# in% that the! were not res"onsib#e $or the $ire that estro!e the house o$ the "#ainti$$,Dwhich as a ru#e wi## not necessari#! e/tin%uish their civi# #iabi#it!,Dbut the court went $urther b! statin% that the evi ence throws no #i%ht on the cause o$ $ire an that it was an un$ortunate acci ent $or which the accuse cannot be he# res"onsib#e. (n our o"inion, this ec#aration $its we## into the e/ce"tion o$ the ru#e which e/em"ts the two accuse $rom civi# #iabi#it!. 0hen the court ac>uitte the accuse because the $ire was ue to an un$ortunate acci ent it actua##! sai that the $ire was ue to a $ortuitous event $or which the accuse are not to b#ame. (t actua##! e/onerate them $rom civi# #iabi#it!. ,ut the case ta2es a i$$erent as"ect with res"ect to the other e$en ants. 'or one thin%, the "rinci"#e o$ res judicata cannot a""#! to them $or the sim"#e reason that the! were not inc#u e as co-accuse in the crimina# case. Not havin% been inc#u e in the crimina# case the! cannot en.o! the bene$it resu#tin% $rom the ac>uitta# o$ the accuse . This bene$it can on#! be c#aime b! the accuse i$ a subse>uent action is #ater ta2en a%ainst them un er the Revise 5ena# &o e. 3n this action can on#! be maintaine i$ "ro"er reservation is ma e an there is no e/"ress ec#aration that the basis o$ the civi# action has not e/iste . (t is, there$ore, an error $or the #ower court to ismiss the case a%ainst these two e$en ants more so when their civi# #iabi#it! is "re icate or $acts other than those attribute to the two em"#o!ees in the crimina# case. Ta2e, $or instance, o$ the )tan ar *acuum 6i# &om"an!. this com"an! is sue not "recise#! because o$ su""ose ne%#i%ent acts o$ its two em"#o!ees =u#ito )to. Domin%o an (%mi io Rico but because o$ acts o$ its own which mi%ht have contribute to the $ire that estro!e the house o$ the "#ainti$$. The com"#aint contains e$inite a##e%ations o$ ne%#i%ent acts "ro"er#! attributab#e to the com"an! which "roven an not re$ute ma! serve as basis o$ its civi# #iabi#it!. Thus, in "ara%ra"h 9 o$ the $irst cause o$ action, it is e/"ress#! a##e%e that this com"an!, throu%h its em"#o!ees, $ai#e to ta2e the necessar! "recautions or measures to insure sa$et! an avoi harm to "erson an ama%e to "ro"ert! as we## as to observe that e%ree o$ care, "recaution an vi%i#ance which the circumstances .ust#! eman e , thereb! causin% the %aso#ine the! were un#oa in% to catch $ire. the "recautions or measures which this com"an! has a##e%e #! $ai#e to ta2e to "revent $ire are not c#ear#! state , but the! are matters o$ evi ence which nee not now be etermine . )u$$ice it to sa! that such a##e%ation $urnishes enou%h

basis $or a cause o$ action a%ainst this com"an!. There is no nee $or the "#ainti$$ to ma2e a reservation o$ her ri%ht to $i#e a se"arate civi# action, $or as this court a#rea ! he# in a number o$ cases, such reservation is not necessar! when the civi# action contem"#ate is not erive $rom the crimina# #iabi#it! but one base on culpa aquiliana un er the 6# &ivi# &o e ?artic#es 1902 to 1910@. These two acts are se"arate an istinct an shou# not be con$use one with the other. 5#ainti$$ can choose either ?3suncion 5ar2er vs. +on. 3.= 5an#i#io supra, ". 1.@ The case o$ the Rura# Transit &o. is even more i$$erent as it is "re icate on a s"ecia# "rovisions o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. Thus, artic#e 101, Ru#e 2, o$ sai &o e "rovi esB 3rt. 101. Rules regarding civil liability in certain cases. D The e/em"tion $rom crimina# #iabi#it! estab#ishe in sub ivisions 1, 2, 4, 9 an : o$ artic#e 12 an in sub ivision 4 o$ artic#e 11 o$ this &o e oes not inc#u e e/em"tion $rom civi# #iabi#it!, which sha## be en$orce to the $o##owin% ru#esB /// /// ///

)econ . (n cases $a##in% within sub ivision 4 o$ artic#e 11, the "ersons $or whose bene$it the harm has been "revente sha## be civi##! #iab#e in "ro"ortion to the bene$it which the! have receive . 3n on this "oint, the com"#aint contains the $o##owin% avermentsB 4. That a$ter the corres"on in% tria# the sai e$en ants were ac>uitte an e$en ant =u#io )to. Domin%o was ac>uitte , on the %roun that he so acte causin% ama%e to another in or er to avoi a %reater evi# or in.ur!, un er artic#e 11, "ara%ra"h 4 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as shown b! the "ertinent "ortion o$ the ecision o$ this +onorab#e &ourt in sai case, ate 6ctober 28, 1949, which rea s as $o##owsB En er the $ore%oin% $acts, there can be no oubt that ha the accuse =u#ito )to. Domin%o not ta2en the %aso#ine tan2-truc2 trai#er out in the street, a bi%%er con$#a%ration wou# have occurre in Ri<a# 3venue 7/tension, an , "erha"s, there mi%ht have been severa# eaths an bearin% in min the "rovisions o$ 3rtic#e 11, "ara%ra"h 4 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e the accuse =u#ito )to. Domin%o incurre no crimina# #iabi#it!. 4. That it was conse>uent#! the e$en ant Rura# Transit &o., $rom whose "remises the burnin% %aso#ine tan2-truc2 trai#er was riven out b! e$en ant =u#ito )to. Domin%o in or er to avoi a %reater evi# or in.ur!, $or whose bene$it the harm has been "revente un er artic#e 101, secon subsection o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. &onsi erin% the above >uote #aw an $acts, the cause o$ action a%ainst the Rura# Transit &om"an! can har #! be is"ute , it a""earin% that the ama%e cause to the "#ainti$$ was brou%ht about main#! because o$ the esire o$ river =u#ito )to. Domin%o to avoi %reater evi# or harm, which wou# have been the case ha he not brou%ht the tan2-truc2 trai#er to the mi #e o$ the street, $or then the $ire wou# have cause the e/"#osion o$ the %aso#ine e"osit o$ the com"an! which wou# have resu#te in a con$#a%ration o$ much %reater "ro"ortion an conse>uences to the houses nearb! or surroun in% it. (t cannot be enie that this com"an! is one o$ those $or whose bene$it a %reater harm has been "revente , an as such it comes within the "urview o$ sai "ena# "rovision. The ac>uitta# o$ the accuse cannot, there$ore, be eeme a bar to a civi# action a%ainst this com"an! because its civi# #iabi#it! is com"#ete#! ivorce $rom the crimina# #iabi#it! o$ the accuse . The ru#e re%ar in% reservation o$ the ri%ht to $i#e a se"arate civi# action oes not a""#! to it. 0here$ore, the or er a""ea#e $rom is hereb! mo i$ie as $o##owsB it is a$$irme with re%ar to e$en ants =u#ito )to. Domin%o an (%mi io Rico8 but it is reserve

with re%ar to e$en ants )tan ar *acuum 6i# &om"an! an Rura# Transit &om"an!, with costs. '(o)l( *+. A,-#l GR N6. 100 )&R3 429 L-92:88 6&T. 1;, 1980

The accuse , in e$ense o$ himse#$, trie to show that he was insane at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$enseB H Two wee2s "rior to -arch 1:, 198;, Rosa#ino1s wi$e notice that he a""ears to be in ee" thou%ht a#wa!s, ma#treatin% their chi# ren when he was not use to it be$ore. There were a#so times that her husban wou# in$orm her that his $eet an hea were on $ire when in truth the! were not. H 6n that $ate$u# a!, Rosa#ino com"#aine o$ stomachache but the! i n1t bother to bu! me icine as the "ain went awa! imme iate#!. Therea$ter, he went bac2 to the store. ,ut when 3n rea $o##owe him to the store, he was no #on%er there. 0orrie , she #oo2e $or him. 6n her wa! home, she hear "eo"#e sa!in% that a stabbin% occurre . )he saw her husban in her "arents-in-#aw1s house with "eo"#e mi##in% aroun . )he as2e her husban wh! he i the act, to which Rosa#ino answere , FThat1s the on#! cure $or m! ai#ment. ( have cancer o$ the heart. ($ ( on1t 2i## the ecease in a number o$ a!s, ( wou# ie.G That same a!, the accuse went to -ani#a. Dr. )antia%o an Dr. 7chave< o$ the Nationa# &enter $or -enta# +ea#th testi$ie that the accuse was con$ine in the menta# hos"ita#, as "er or er o$ the tria# court ate 3u%. 1;, 198;. ,ase on the re"orts o$ their sta$$, the! conc#u e that Rosa#ino was "s!chotic or insane #on% be$ore, urin% an a$ter the commission o$ the a##e%e crime an c#assi$ie his insanit! as an or%anic menta# isor er secon ar! to cerebro-vascu#ar acci ent or stro2e. ,ut Dr. ,a#atbat who treate the accuse $or ai#ments secon ar! to stro2e, an Dr. Lim who testi$ie that the accuse su$$ere orm occ#usive isease, conc#u e that Rosa#ino was somehow rehabi#itate a$ter a series o$ me ica# treatment in their c#inic. (ssueB 06N the accuse was insane urin% the commission o$ the crime char%e . +e# B No. 'or insanit! to re#ieve the "erson o$ crimina# #iabi#it!, it is necessar! that there be a com"#ete e"rivation o$ inte##i%ence in committin% the act, that he acts wIo the #east iscernment an that there be com"#ete absence or e"rivation o$ the $ree om o$ the wi##. En er 5hi#i""ine .uris iction, there1s no e$inite test or criterion $or insanit!. +owever, the e$inition o$ insanit! un er )ec 1049J o$ the Revise 3 ministrative &o e can be a""#ie . (n essence, it states that insanit! is evince b! a eran%e an "erverte con ition o$ the menta# $acu#ties, which is mani$este in #an%ua%e or con uct. 3n insane "erson has no $u## an c#ear un erstan in% o$ the nature an conse>uence o$ his act. 7vi ence o$ insanit! must re$er to the menta# con ition at the ver! time o$ oin% the act. +owever, it is a#so "ermissib#e to receive evi ence o$ his menta# con ition $or a reasonab#e "erio be$ore an a$ter the time o$ the act in >uestion. The va%aries o$ the min can on#! be 2nown b! outwar acts. (t is not usua# $or an insane "erson to con$ront a s"eci$ie "erson who ma! have wron%e him. ,ut in the case at han , the accuse was ab#e to -rs. )i%ua. 'rom this, it can be in$erre that the accuse was aware o$ his acts. This a#so estab#ishe that the accuse has #uci interva#s. -oreover, Dr. 7chave< testi$ie to the e$$ect that the a""e##ant cou# have been aware o$ the nature o$ his act at the time he committe it when he shoute ? urin% #aborator! e/amination@ that he 2i##e -rs. )i%ua. This statement ma2es it hi%h#! oubt$u# that the accuse was insane when he committe the act. The $act that the accuse was carr!in% an enve#o"e where he hi the $ata# wea"on, that he ran awa! $rom the scene o$ the inci ent a$ter he stabbe the victim severa# times, that he $#e to -ani#a to eva e arrest, in icate that he was conscious an 2new the conse>uences o$ his acts in stabbin% the victim. ?This was ta2en $rom the T&1s ecision@. =u %mentB >uestione ecision 3''(R-7D.

.A!TS: +onorato 3mba# was marrie with 'e#icu#a $or 19 !rs. )he a""eare to be a shrew an ne%#ect$u# wi$e. )he sta!e awa! $rom the con.u%a# home at times. +e 2i##e her when the #atter $ai#e to bu! a me icine $or 3mba# who was a$$#icte with in$#uen<a. The two en%a%e in a heate a#tercation. 'e#icu#a to# her husban that it wou# be better i$ he were ea . That remar2 in$uriate 3mba# an im"e##e him to attac2 his wi$e. +e went to the baran%a! ca"tain an in$orme that he 2i##e his wi$e. 3$ter ma2in% that ora# con$ession, 3mba# too2 a "e icab, went to the munici"a# ha## an surren ere to a "o#iceman. Durin% the tria#, he "#ea e not %ui#t! an , thru his counse# e o$icio, the e$ense o$ 3mba# was insanit!. Dr. ,a#bas state urin% tria#B ,e$ore the commission o$ the crime, he was norma#. 3$ter the commission o$ the crime, norma#, but urin% the commission o$ the crime, that is what we ca## F5s!chosisG ue to short $rustration to#erance. The &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ &ami%uin convicte him o$ "arrici e, sentencin% him to rec#usion "er"etua an or erin% him to "a! an in emnit! o$ 5h"12,000 to the heirs o$ his ecease wi$e, 'e#icu#a *icente-3mba#. ISSUE: 0hether or not 3mba# was insane an is not %ui#t! o$ the crime o$ "arrici e. RULING: 3rt. 12 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e e/em"ts $rom crimina# #iabi#it! an imbeci#e or an insane "erson un#ess the #atter has acte urin% a #uci interva#. The #aw "resumes that ever! "erson is o$ soun min , in the absence o$ "roo$ to the contrar! ?E) vs. -artine<, 44 5hi# 409@. The #aw a#wa!s "resumes a## acts to be vo#untar!. (t is im"ro"er to "resume that acts were e/ecute unconscious#!. (n or er that insanit! ma! be ta2en as an e/em"tin% circumstance, there must be com"#ete e"rivation o$ inte##i%ence in the commission o$ the act or that the accuse acte without the #east iscernment. -ere abnorma#it! o$ his menta# $acu#ties oes not e/c#u e im"utabi#it!. 3mba# is %ui#t! o$ "arrici e with the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! surren er to the authorities. 3rtic#e 24: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e "unishes "arrici e with rec#usion "er"etua to eath. The #esser "ena#t! shou# be im"ose because o$ the "resence o$ one miti%atin% circumstance an that absence o$ a%%ravatin% circumstance. !ASE DIGEST ON 'EO'LE *. DUNGO /199 S!RA 060 1199123 NatureB 3utomatic review o$ the ecision o$ the RT& o$ 5am"an%a convictin% the accuse o$ mur er. 'actsB 6n -arch 1:, 198; between 2B00 an 4B00"m, the accuse went to -rs. )i%ua1s o$$ice at the De"artment o$ 3%rarian Re$orm, 3"a#it, 5am"an%a. 3$ter a brie$ ta#2, the accuse rew a 2ni$e $rom the enve#o"e he was carr!in% an stabbe -rs. )i%ua severa# times. 3$ter which he e"arte $rom the o$$ice with b#oo staine c#othes, carr!in% a b#oo ie b#a e wea"on. The auto"s! re"ort revea#e that the victim sustaine 14 woun s, 9 o$ which were $ata#. Ro o#$o )i%ua, husban o$ the ecease , testi$ie that sometime in 'ebruar! 198;, the accuse Rosa#ino Dun%o in>uire $rom him wh! his wi$e was re>uirin% so man! ocuments $rom him. Ro o#$o e/"#aine to him the "roce ure at the D3R.

&ase G.R.No.

o$

5eo"#e

o$

the ;929:

Guevarra

vs.

3#mo ovar 2:=anuar!1989

3t his arrai%nment on 6ctober 29, 2000, accuse -a""e##ant, with the assistance o$ his counse#, entere a "#ea o$ not %ui#t!.8 Therea$ter, tria# on the merits ensue . The "rosecution "resente the ora# testimonies o$ the victim 3338 her minor cousin8 her $ather8 an Dr. =oana -anat#ao, the -unici"a# +ea#th 6$$icer o$ Guinobatan, 3#ba!. The e$ense "resente the accuse -a""e##ant himse#$, who vehement#! enie committin% the crimes im"ute to him an -anue# &asimiro, &#er2 o$ &ourt (( o$ the -unici"a# Tria# &ourt at Guinobatan, 3#ba!. 6n =anuar! 1;, 2004, the tria# court ren ere its Decision 9 $in in% the accuse a""e##ant %ui#t! o$ the crime o$ ra"e an im"ose the "ena#t! mentione above. The recor o$ this case was $orwar e to this &ourt in view o$ the Notice o$ 3""ea# $i#e b! the accuse - a""e##ant.10 3ccuse -a""e##ant $i#e his 3""e##ant1s ,rie$11 on =u#! 19, 2004, whi#e the 5eo"#e, throu%h the 6$$ice o$ the )o#icitor Genera#, $i#e its 3""e##ee1s ,rie$ 12 on December 19, 2004. 5ursuant to our "ronouncement in 5eo"#e v. -ateo,14 mo i$!in% the "ertinent "rovisions o$ the Revise Ru#es on &rimina# 5roce ure inso$ar as the! "rovi e $or irect a""ea#s $rom the RT& to this &ourt in cases in which the "ena#t! im"ose b! the tria# court is eath, rec#usion "er"etua or #i$e im"risonment, an the Reso#ution ate )e"tember 19, 1999 in C(nterna# Ru#es o$ the )u"reme &ourt,C the case was trans$erre , $or a""ro"riate action an is"osition, to the &3 where it was oc2ete as &3-G.R. &R-+.&. No. 00;1;. 3s state at the be%innin% hereo$, the &3, in its ecision o$ =u#! 14, 2009, in &3G.R. &R-+.&. No. 000;1;, a$$irme with mo i$ication the .u %ment o$ conviction "ronounce b! the tria# court. 0e >uote the $a##o o$ the &3 ecisionB 0+7R7'6R7, the .u %ment o$ conviction is 3''(R-7D. The accuse , Richar )arcia ! 6#ivera, is or ere to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ D73T+, an to "a! the victim, M333N, the amount o$ ?1@ 5;9,000.00 as civi# in emnit!8 ?2@ 590,000.00 as mora# ama%es, an ?4@ 529,000.00 as e/em"#ar! ama%es. Let the entire recor s o$ this case be e#evate to the )u"reme &ourt $or review, "ursuant to 3.-. No. 00-9-04-)& ?3men ments to the Revise Ru#es o$ &rimina# 5roce ure to Govern Death 5ena#t! &ases@, which too2 e$$ect on 6ctober 19, 2004. )6 6RD7R7D. 6n )e"tember 40, 2009, the case was e#evate to this &ourt $or $urther review. 14 (n our Reso#ution19 o$ November 19, 2009, we re>uire the "arties to simu#taneous#! submit their res"ective su""#ementa# brie$s. 3ccuse -a""e##ant $i#e his )u""#ementa# ,rie$1: on 3"ri# ;, 200:. +avin% $ai#e to submit one, the 6$$ice o$ the )o#icitor Genera# ?6)G@ was eeme to have waive the $i#in% o$ its su""#ementa# brie$. (n his ,rie$ $i#e be$ore the &3, accuse -a""e##ant raise the $o##owin% assi%nment o$ errorsB ( T+7 L607R &6ERT GR3*7LO 7RR7D (N G(*(NG &R7D7N&7 T6 T+7 T7)T(-6NO 6' M333N, Mher cousinN an Mher $atherN. (( T+7 L607R &6ERT GL3R(NGLO 7RR7D (N R7=7&T(NG T+7 D7'7N)7 6' 3L(,( (NT7R56)7D ,O T+7 3&&E)7D 0+(&+ () -6R7 &R7D(,L7.

.A!TS O. THE !ASE: The 5etitioner =ohn 5hi#i" Guevarra, "etitione the court $or a s"ecia# civi# action $or certiorari a%ainst the +on. =u %e (%nacio 3#mo ovar o$ the cit! court o$ Le%as"i. The "etitioner, then 11 !ears o# was tar%et shootin% with his best $rien Teo oro 3mine, =r. an three other chi# ren in the bac2!ar in the mornin% o$ 296ctober1984. En$ortunate#!, Teo oro was hit b! a "e##et on the #e$t co##ar bone, wIc then cause his eath. ISSUE O. THE !ASE:

&an an 11- !ear o# bo! be char%e wI the crime o$ homici e thru rec2#ess im"ru enceH - (ntent an iscernment are two i$$erent conce"ts. (ntent meansB a etermination to o certain thin%s8 an aim8 the "ur"ose o$ the min , inc#u in% such 2now#e %e as is essentia# to such intent. Discernment meansB the menta# ca"acit! to un erstan the i$$erence between ri%ht an wron% - 0hi#e the! ?intent an iscernment@ are "ro ucts o$ menta# "rocesses wIin a "erson8 intent re$ers to the esire o$ one1s act ?active@ whi#e iscernment re$ers to the mora# si%ni$icance that a "erson ascribes to an act ?"assive@ - -inors 9!rs to 19!rs are "resume to be without crimina# ca"acit!8 but this "resum"tion ma! be rebutte i$ it cou# be "roven that the! were ca"ab#e o$ a""reciatin% the nature an crimina#it! o$ the act, that is, that ?the!@ acte wI iscernment - Discernment is embrace wIin the conce"t o$ inte##i%ence wIc is one o$ the e#ements o$ a cu#"ab#e $e#on!, thus it is im"ortant that a minor 9!rs to be#ow 19 !rs o$ a%e to have acte wI iscernment to show that he acte wI inte##i%ence thus bein% #iab#e $or the o$$ense un er 3rt 4:9 o$ the R.5& HELD: 57T(T(6N D()-())7D '6R L3&K 6' -7R(T 3ND T+7 TR6 7''7&T(*7 1;)75T7-,7R198: () L('T7D. L7T (T ,7 R7-3ND7D T6 T+7 L607R &6ERT '6R TR(3L 6N T+7 -7R(T). N6 &6)T). 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES vs. RI!HARD O. SAR!IA G.R. No. 169641 S()4(,-(5 10, 2009 LEONARDO-DE !ASTRO, J.: 6n automatic review is the ecision1 ate =u#! 14, 2009 o$ the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s ?&3@ in &3-G.R. &R-+& No. 00;1; which a$$irme , with mo i$ications, an ear#ier ecision2 o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt ?RT&@ o$ Li%ao &it!, ,ranch 14, in &rimina# &ase No. 4144, $in in% herein accuse -a""e##ant Richar 6. )arcia a#ias CNo%iC %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the crime o$ ra"e 4 committe a%ainst 333,4 an sentence him to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ Rec#usion 5er"etua an to "a! the amount o$ 590,000.00 as civi# in emnit!, 590,000.00 as mora# ama%es, an the cost o$ the suit. +owever, the &3 mo i$ie the "ena#ties im"ose b! the RT& b! im"osin% the eath "ena#t!, increasin% the awar o$ civi# in emnit! to 5;9,000.00, an awar in% 529,000.00 as e/em"#ar! ama%es, asi e $rom the 590,000.00 $or mora# ama%es. The crime o$ ra"e was a##e%e #! committe sometime in 199: a%ainst 333, a $ive ?9@ !ear o# %ir#. 3$ter a#most $our ?4@ !ears, 3331s $ather $i#e a com"#aint 9 $or acts o$ #asciviousness a%ainst herein accuse -a""e##ant on =u#! ;, 2000. E"on review o$ the evi ence, the 6$$ice o$ the 5rovincia# 5rosecutor at Li%ao, 3#ba! u"%ra e the char%e to ra"e.: The (n$ormation; ate )e"tember 9, 2000 rea sB That sometime in 199: at ,aran%a! DoLa Tomasa, -unici"a#it! o$ Guinobatan, 5rovince o$ 3#ba!, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , with #ew an unchaste esi%n, an b! means o$ $orce, threats an intimi ation, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! have se/ua# intercourse with M333N, who was then : !ears o$ a%e, a%ainst her wi## an consent, to her ama%e an "re.u ice. 3&T) &6NTR3RO T6 L30.

((( T+7 L607R &6ERT GR3*7LO 7RR7D (N N6T 3&PE(TT(NG T+7 3&&E)7D R(&+3RD )3R&(3. The evi ence $or the "rosecution is summari<e b! the 6)G in the 3""e##eeAs ,rie$, as $o##owsB 6n December 1:, 199:, $ive-!ear-o# M333N, to%ether with her Mcousin an two other "#a!matesN, was "#a!in% in the !ar o$ )a#in% &riso#o%o near a man%o tree. )u en#!, a""e##ant a""eare an invite M333N to %o with him to the bac2!ar o$ )a#in% &riso#o%o1s house. )he a%ree . En2nown to a""e##ant, M3331s cousinN $o##owe them. E"on reachin% the "#ace, a""e##ant remove M3331sN shorts an un erwear. +e a#so remove his trousers an brie$. Therea$ter, he or ere M333N to #ie own on her bac2. Then, he #a! on to" o$ her an inserte his "enis into M3331sN "rivate or%an. 3""e##ant ma e an u"-an - own movement ?CNa% a"a a"a tabiC@. M333N $e#t severe "ain insi e her "rivate "art an sai Cara!.C )he a#so $e#t an intense "ain insi e her stomach. M3331s cousinN, who "ositione herse#$ aroun $ive ?9@ meters awa! $rom them, witnesse a""e##ant1s astar #! act. +orri$ie , M3331s cousinN instinctive#! rushe to the house o$ M3331sN mother, her aunt 7mi#!, an to# the #atter what she ha seen. M3331sN mother answere that the! ?re$errin% to Q333 an her cousinR were sti## ver! !oun% to be ta#2in% about such matters. -eanwhi#e, a$ter satis$!in% his #ust, a""e##ant stoo u" an or ere M333N to "ut on her c#othes. 3""e##ant then #e$t. 5er"#e/e , M3331s cousinN imme iate#! returne to the bac2!ar o$ )a#in% &riso#o%o where she $oun M333N cr!in%. 3""e##ant, however, was %one. M3331s cousinN a""roache M333N an as2e her what a""e##ant ha one to her. 0hen M333N i not answer, Mher cousinN i not as2 her an! $urther >uestion an .ust accom"anie her home. 3t home, M333N i not te## her mother what a""e##ant ha one to her because she $eare that her mother mi%ht s#a" her. Later, when her mother washe her bo !, she $e#t a %ratin% sensation in her "rivate "art. Therea$ter, M333N ca##e $or Mher cousinN. M3331s cousinN came to their house an to# M3331sN mother a%ain that a""e##ant ha ear#ier ma e an u"-an - own movement on to" o$ M333N. M3331s motherN, however i not sa! an!thin%. 3t that time, M3331sN $ather was wor2in% in -ani#a. Dr. =oana -anat#oa is the -unici"a# +ea#th 6$$icer o$ Guinobatan, 3#ba!. )he testi$ie thatB ?1@ it was the rura# hea#th o$$icer, Dr. Reantaso, who con ucte a "h!sica# e/amination on M333N8 ?2@ Dr. Reantaso "re"are an si%ne a me ico#e%a# certi$icate containin% the resu#t o$ M333N1s e/amination8 ?4@ Dr. Reantaso, however, ha a#rea ! resi%ne as rura# hea#th o$$icer o$ Guinobatan, 3#ba!8 ?4@ as a me ica# octor, she can inter"ret, the $in in%s in sai me ico-#e%a# certi$icate issue to M333N8 ?9@ M333N1s me ica# $in in%s are as $o##owsB Cne%ative $or introita# vu#var #aceration nor scars, "er$orate h!men, com"#ete, "in2ish va%ina# mucosa, va%ina# a mits #itt#e $in%er with resistance8 ?:@ the $in in% Cne%ative $or introita# bu#var #aceration nor scarsC means, in #a!man1s #an%ua%e, that there was no showin% o$ an! scar or woun , an ?;@ there is a com"#ete "er$oration o$ the h!men which means that it cou# have been sub.ecte to a certain trauma or "ressure such as strenuous e/ercise or the entr! o$ an ob.ect #i2e a me ica# instrument or "enis.1; 6n the other han , the tria# court summari<e the version o$ the e$ense as $o##owsB

Richar )arcia, 24 !ears o# , sin%#e, stu ent an a resi ent o$ DoLa Tomasa, Guinobatan, 3#ba! enie he ra"e M333N. 0hi#e he 2nows M3331sN "arents, because sometimes the! %o to their house #oo2in% $or his $ather to borrow mone!, he oes not 2now M333N herse#$. +is $ather retire as a $ireman $rom &ris"a in 1991 whi#e his mother wor2e as an a%ricu#turist in the -unici"a#it! o$ Teresa, 3nti"o#o, Ri<a#. 3s an a%ricu#turist o$ the De"artment o$ 3%ricu#ture, his mother wou# brin% see #in%s an atten seminars in ,atan%as an ,a%uio. The! were resi in% in &ainta, Ri<a# when sometime in 1992 the! trans$erre resi ence to Guinobatan, 3#ba!. +is $ather is $rom baran%a! -asarawa% whi#e his mother is $rom baran%a! DoLa Tomasa both o$ Guinobatan, 3#ba!. 3$ter their trans$er in Guinobatan, his mother continue to be an a%ricu#turist whi#e his $ather ten e to his 1-hectare coconut #an . Richar testi$ie he was between $ourteen ?14@ an $i$teen ?19@ !ears o# in 1992 when the! trans$erre to Guinobatan. ,etween 1992 an 1994 he was out o$ schoo#. ,ut $rom 1994 to 1998 he too2 his hi%h schoo# at -asarawa% +i%h )choo#. +is ai#! routine was at about 4B00 o1c#oc2 in the a$ternoon a$ter schoo# be$ore "rocee in% home he wou# usua##! "#a! bas2etba## at the bas2etba## court near the church in DoLa Tomasa about 1 2i#ometer awa! $rom their house. 0hen her mother su$$ere a stro2e in 1999 he an his $ather too2 turns ta2in% care o$ his mother. Richar enie mo#estin% other %ir#s ... an was most sur"rise when he was accuse o$ ra"in% M333N. +e 2nows )a#in% &riso#o%o an the #atter1s "#ace which is more than ha#$ 2i#ometer to their house. Richar c#aime )a#vacion ,obier, %ran mother o$ -ae &hristine &amu, whose eath on -a! ;, 2000 was im"ute to him an $or which a case $or -ur er un er &rimina# &ase No. 408; was $i#e a%ainst him with the oci#e coo"eration o$ M3331sN "arents who are re#ate to )a#vacion, concocte an insti%ate M3331sN ra"e char%e a%ainst him to ma2e the case $or -ur er a%ainst him stron%er an #i$e $or him miserab#e. +e was incarcerate on -a! 10, 2000 $or the -ur er char%e an two ?2@ months #ater whi#e he a#rea ! in etention, the ra"e case su""ose #! committe in 199: was $i#e a%ainst him in the -unici"a# Tria# &ourt ?-T&@ o$ Guinobatan, 3#ba!. +e was to #earn about it $rom his sister, -arivic, on a )un a! a$ternoon sometime on =u#! 20, 2000 when his sister visite him in .ai#. +e natura##! %ot an%r! when he hear o$ this ra"e char%e because he i not o such thin% an reca##e te##in% his sister the! can %o to a octor an have the chi# e/amine to "rove he i not ra"e her. )ubse>uent#!, $rom his sister a%ain he was to #earn that the ra"e case was or ere ismisse . 6n cross-e/amination, Richar a mitte M3331sN mother, is a#so re#ate to his $ather, M333 mother1sN $ather, bein% a secon cousin o$ his $ather. Richar is convince it is not the #en in% o$ mone! b! his $ather to the 3331s $ami#! as the motive $or the #atter to $i#e the ra"e case a%ainst him but the insti%ation o$ )a#vacion ,obier. -anue# 3. &asimiro, &#er2 o$ &ourt (( o$ the -unici"a# Tria# &ourt ?-T&@, Guinobatan, 3#ba!, testi$ie on the recor s o$ &rimina# &ase No. ;0;8 $i#e in -T& Guinobatan, 3#ba! a%ainst Richar )arcia $or Ra"e in re#ation to R3 ;:10 re#ative to the a##e%e with rawa# o$ sai ra"e case but the accuse throu%h counse# $ai#e to $orma##! o$$er the mar2e e/hibits re#ative to sai case.18 3ccuse -a""e##ant a##e%es that the tria# court erre in convictin% him, as the "rosecution was not ab#e to "rove his %ui#t be!on reasonab#e oubt. +e assai#e the cre ibi#it! o$ the "rosecution witnesses, 333, her cousin an her $ather on the $o##owin% %roun sB ?1@ the testimonies o$ 333 an her cousin were inconsistent with each other8 ?2@ the victim was con$use as to the ate an time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense8 ?4@ there was a $our-!ear e#a! in $i#in% the crimina# case, an the on#! reason wh! the! $i#e the sai case was Cto he#" )a#vacion ,obier %et a conviction o$ this same accuse in a mur er case $i#e b! sai )a#vacion ,obier $or the eath o$ her %ran au%hter -ae &hristine &amu on -a! ;, 2000.C 3ccuse -a""e##ant stresse that the same )a#vacion ,obier he#"e 3331s $ather in $i#in% the sai case $or ra"e. 3ccuse -a""e##ant a#so c#aime that the "rosecution $ai#e to "rove that he em"#o!e $orce, threats or intimi ation to achieve his en . 'ina##!, accuse -a""e##ant har"e on the $in in% in the me ica# certi$icate issue b! Dr. Reantaso an inter"rete b! Dr. =oana -anat#ao, statin% Cne%ative $or introita# bu#var #aceration nor scar which means that there was no showin% o$ an! scar or woun .C (n his 3""e##eeAs ,rie$ accuse -a""e##ant "ointe out the inconsistencies between 3331s an her cousin1s testimonies as $o##owsB ?1@ the cousin testi$ie that she

"#a!e with 333 at the time o$ the inci ent, whi#e 333 testi$ie that she was oin% nothin% be$ore accuse -a""e##ant invite her to the bac2 o$ the house o$ a certain )a#in%8 ?2@ the cousin testi$ie that when she saw accuse -a""e##ant oin% the "ush-an -"u## motion whi#e on to" o$ 333, the #atter shoute in a #ou voice contrar! to 3331s testimon! that when accuse -a""e##ant was insi e her an starte the u"-an - own motion, she sai Cara!C8 ?4@ when the cousin returne to 333 a$ter te##in% the #atter1s mother what accuse -a""e##ant ha one to 333, she $oun 333 cr!in%. 333 however testi$ie that, a$ter "uttin% on her c#othes, she invite the cousin to their house8 an ?4@ the cousin testi$ie that other chi# ren were "#a!in% at the time o$ the inci ent, but 333 testi$ie that there were on#! $our o$ them who were "#a!in% at that time. 3s it is o$t-re"eate , inconsistencies in the testimonies o$ witnesses, which re$er on#! to minor etai#s an co##atera# matters, o not a$$ect the veracit! an wei%ht o$ their testimonies where there is consistenc! in re#atin% the "rinci"a# occurrence an the "ositive i enti$ication o$ the accuse . )#i%ht contra ictions in $act even serve to stren%then the cre ibi#it! o$ the witnesses an "rove that their testimonies are not rehearse . Nor are such inconsistencies, an even im"robabi#ities, unusua#, $or there is no "erson with "er$ect $acu#ties or senses. 19 The a##e%e inconsistencies in this case are too inconse>uentia# to overturn the $in in%s o$ the court a >uo. (t is im"ortant that the two "rosecution witnesses were one in sa!in% that it was accuse -a""e##ant who se/ua##! abuse 333. Their "ositive, can i an strai%ht$orwar narrations o$ how 333 was se/ua##! abuse b! accuse -a""e##ant evi ent#! eserve $u## $aith an cre ence. 0hen the ra"e inci ent ha""ene , 333 was on#! $ive ?9@ !ears o# 8 an when she an her cousin testi$ie , the! were bare#! 9 an 11 !ears o# , res"ective#!. This &ourt has ha occasion to ru#e that the a##e%e inconsistencies in the testimonies o$ the witnesses can be e/"#aine b! their a%e an their ine/"erience with court "rocee in%s, an that even the most can i o$ witnesses commit mista2es an ma2e con$use an inconsistent statements. This is es"ecia##! true o$ !oun% witnesses, who cou# be overwhe#me b! the atmos"here o$ the courtroom. +ence, there is more reason to accor them am"#e s"ace $or inaccurac!.20 3ccuse -a""e##ant ca"ita#i<es on 3331s inabi#it! to reca## the e/act ate when the inci ent in 199: was committe . 'ai#ure to reca## the e/act ate o$ the crime, however, is not an in ication o$ $a#se testimon!, $or even iscre"ancies re%ar in% e/act ates o$ ra"es are inconse>uentia# an immateria# an cannot iscre it the cre ibi#it! o$ the victim as a witness.21 (n 5eo"#e v. 5ura<o,22 0e ru#e B 0e have ru#e , time an a%ain that the ate is not an essentia# e#ement o$ the crime o$ ra"e, $or the %ravamen o$ the o$$ense is carna# 2now#e %e o$ a woman. 3s such, the time or "#ace o$ commission in ra"e cases nee not be accurate#! state . 3s ear#! as 1908, we a#rea ! he# that where the time or "#ace or an! other $act a##e%e is not an essentia# e#ement o$ the crime char%e , conviction ma! be ha on "roo$ o$ the commission o$ the crime, even i$ it a""ears that the crime was not committe at the "recise time or "#ace a##e%e , or i$ the "roo$ $ai#s to sustain the e/istence o$ some immateria# $act set out in the com"#aint, "rovi e it a""ears that the s"eci$ic crime char%e was in $act committe "rior to the ate o$ the $i#in% o$ the com"#aint or in$ormation within the "erio o$ the statute o$ #imitations an at a "#ace within the .uris iction o$ the court. 3#so in 5eo"#e v. )a#a#ima,24 the &ourt he# B 'ai#ure to s"eci$! the e/act ates or time when the ra"es occurre oes not i"so $acto ma2e the in$ormation e$ective on its $ace. The reason is obvious. The "recise ate or time when the victim was ra"e is not an e#ement o$ the o$$ense. The %ravamen o$ the crime is the $act o$ carna# 2now#e %e un er an! o$ the circumstances enumerate un er 3rtic#e 449 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. 3s #on% as it is a##e%e that the o$$ense was committe at an! time as near to the actua# ate when the o$$ense was committe an in$ormation is su$$icient. (n "revious cases, we ru#e that a##e%ations that ra"es were committe Cbe$ore an unti# 6ctober 19, 1994,C Csometime in the !ear 1991 an the a!s therea$ter,C Csometime in November 1999 an some occasions "rior an Ior subse>uent theretoC an Con or about an sometime in the !ear 1988C constitute su$$icient com"#iance with )ection 11, Ru#e 110 o$ the Revise Ru#es on &rimina# 5roce ure.

(n this case, 3331s ec#aration that the ra"e inci ent too2 "#ace on December 19, 199: was e/"#aine b! the tria# court, an we >uoteB The ra"e too2 "#ace in 199:. 3s ear#ier note b! the &ourt the ate December 19, 199: mentione b! M333N ma! have been arbitrari#! chosen b! the #atter ue to the intense cross-e/amination she was sub.ecte but the &ourt be#ieves it cou# have been in an! month an ate in the !ear 199: as in $act neither the in$ormation nor M3331sN sworn statement mention the month an ate but on#! the !ear.24 Li2ewise, witnesses1 cre ibi#it! is not a$$ecte b! the e#a! in the $i#in% o$ the case a%ainst accuse -a""e##ant. Neither oes the e#a! bo#ster accuse -a""e##ant1s c#aim that the on#! reason wh! this case was $i#e a%ainst him was Cto he#" )a#vacion ,obier %et a conviction o$ this same accuse -a""e##ant in the case o$ mur er $i#e b! )a#vacion ,obier $or the eath o$ her %ran au%hter -ae &hristine &amu on -a! ;, 2000.C The ra"e victim1s e#a! or hesitation in re"ortin% the crime oes not estro! the truth o$ the char%e nor is it an in ication o$ eceit. (t is common $or a ra"e victim to "re$er si#ence $or $ear o$ her a%%ressor an the #ac2 o$ coura%e to $ace the "ub#ic sti%ma o$ havin% been se/ua##! abuse . (n 5eo"#e v. &o#oma 29 we even consi ere an 8-!ear e#a! in re"ortin% the #on% histor! o$ ra"e b! the victim1s $ather as un erstan ab#e an not enou%h to ren er incre ib#e the com"#aint o$ a 14-!ear-o# au%hter. Thus, in the absence o$ other circumstances that show that the char%e was a mere concoction an im"e##e b! some i## motive, e#a! in the $i#in% o$ the com"#ainant is not su$$icient to e$eat the char%e. +ere, the $ai#ure o$ 3331s "arents to imme iate#! $i#e this case was su$$icient#! .usti$ie b! the com"#ainant1s $ather in the #atter1s testimon!, thusB P ,ut, i !ou not sa!, "#ease correct me i$ ( am wron%, !ou %ot an%r! when !our wi$e to# !ou that somethin% ha""ene to +a<e# wa! bac2 in 199:H 3 Oes, sir. P Oet, es"ite !our an%er !ou were te##in% us that !ou waite unti# =une to $i#e this caseH 3 3$ter ( hear about the inci ent, ( an m! wi$e ha a ta#2 $or which reason that urin% that time we ha no mone! !et to use in $i#in% the case, so we waite . 0hen we were ab#e to save enou%h amounts, we $i#e the case.2: 3ccuse -a""e##ant a#so conten s that he cou# not be #iab#e $or ra"e because there is no "roo$ that he em"#o!e $orce, threats or intimi ation in havin% carna# 2now#e %e o$ 333. 0here the %ir# is be#ow 12 !ears o# , as in this case, the on#! sub.ect o$ in>uir! is whether Ccarna# 2now#e %eC too2 "#ace. 5roo$ o$ $orce, intimi ation or consent is unnecessar!, since none o$ these is an e#ement o$ statutor! ra"e. There is a conc#usive "resum"tion o$ absence o$ $ree consent when the ra"e victim is be#ow the a%e o$ twe#ve.2; 3ccuse -a""e##ant har"s on the me ica# re"ort, "articu#ar#! the conc#usion >uote as $o##owsB Cne%ative $or introita# bu#var #aceration nor scars, which means, in #a!man #an%ua%e, that there was no showin% o$ an! scar or woun .C The &ourt has consistent#! ru#e that the "resence o$ #acerations in the victim1s se/ua# or%an is not necessar! to "rove the crime o$ ra"e an its absence oes not ne%ate the $act o$ ra"e. 3 me ica# re"ort is not in is"ensab#e in a "rosecution $or ra"e. 28 0hat is im"ortant is that 3331s testimon! meets the test o$ cre ibi#it!, an that is su$$icient to convict the accuse . 3ccuse -a""e##ant1s e$ense o$ enia# was "ro"er#! re.ecte . Time an time a%ain, we have ru#e that enia# #i2e a#ibi is the wea2est o$ a## e$enses, because it is eas! to concoct an i$$icu#t to is"rove. 'urthermore, it cannot "revai# over the "ositive an une>uivoca# i enti$ication o$ a""e##ant b! the o$$en e "art! an other witnesses. &ate%orica# an consistent "ositive i enti$ication, absent an!

showin% o$ i## motive on the "art o$ the e!ewitness testi$!in% on the matter, "revai#s over the a""e##ants1 e$ense o$ enia# an a#ibi. 29 The sha##ow h!"othesis "ut $orwar b! accuse -a""e##ant that he was accuse o$ ra"in% 333 ue to the insti%ation o$ )a#vacion ,obier har #! convinces this &ourt. 6n this score, the tria# court a"t#! reache the $o##owin% conc#usionB STrue, )a#vacion ,obier active#! assiste 3331s $ami#! $i#e the instant case a%ainst the accuse , but the &ourt be#ieves M3331sN "arents $ina##! eci e to $i#e the ra"e case because a$ter the! have come to rea#i<e a$ter what ha""ene to -ae &hristine &amu that what "revious#! M333 an her cousinN to# her mother an which the #atter ha continua##! i%nore is a$ter a## true. 333 was bare#! 9 !ears o$ a%e when she testi$ie . (t has been stresse o$ten enou%h that the testimon! o$ ra"e victims who are !oun% an immature eserve $u## cre ence. (t is im"robab#e $or a %ir# o$ com"#ainant1s a%e to $abricate a char%e so humi#iatin% to herse#$ an her $ami#! ha she not been tru#! sub.ecte to the "ain$u# e/"erience o$ se/ua# abuse. 3t an! rate, a %ir# o$ ten er !ears, innocent an %ui#e#ess, cannot be e/"ecte to bra<en#! im"ute a crime so serious as ra"e to an! man i$ it were not true. 40 5arents wou# not sacri$ice their own au%hter, a chi# o$ ten er !ears at that, an sub.ect her to the ri%ors an humi#iation o$ "ub#ic tria# $or ra"e, i$ the! were not motivate b! an honest esire to have their au%hter1s trans%ressor "unishe accor in%#!.41 +ence, the #o%ica# conc#usion is that no such im"ro"er motive e/ists an that her testimon! is worth! o$ $u## $aith an cre ence. The %ui#t o$ accuse -a""e##ant havin% been estab#ishe be!on reasonab#e oubt, we iscuss now the "ro"er "ena#t! to be im"ose on him. 3rtic#e 449 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as amen e b! Re"ub#ic 3ct No. ;:99,42 was the %overnin% #aw at the time the accuse -a""e##ant committe the ra"e in >uestion. En er the sai #aw, the "ena#t! o$ eath sha## be im"ose when the victim o$ ra"e is a chi# be#ow seven !ears o$ a%e. (n this case, as the a%e o$ 333, who was $ive ?9@ !ears o# at the time the ra"e was committe , was a##e%e in the in$ormation an "roven urin% tria# b! the "resentation o$ her birth certi$icate, which showe her ate o$ birth as =anuar! 1:, 1991, the eath "ena#t! shou# be im"ose . +owever, this &ourt $in s %roun $or mo i$!in% the "ena#t! im"ose b! the &3. 0e cannot a%ree with the &31s conc#usion that the accuse -a""e##ant cannot be eeme a minor at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense to entit#e him to the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit! "ursuant to 3rtic#e :8?2@ 44 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. 0hen accuse a""e##ant testi$ie on -arch 14, 2002, he a mitte that he was 24 !ears o# , which means that in 199:, he was 18 !ears o$ a%e. 3s $oun b! the tria# court, the ra"e inci ent cou# have ta2en "#ace Cin an! month an ate in the !ear 199:.C )ince the "rosecution was not ab#e to "rove the e/act ate an time when the ra"e was committe , it is not certain that the crime o$ ra"e was committe on or a$ter he reache 18 !ears o$ a%e in 199:. (n assessin% the atten ance o$ the miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit!, a## oubts shou# be reso#ve in $avor o$ the accuse , it bein% more bene$icia# to the #atter. (n $act, in severa# cases, this &ourt has a""reciate this circumstance on the basis o$ a #one ec#aration o$ the accuse re%ar in% his a%e.44 En er 3rtic#e :8 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, when the o$$en er is a minor un er 18 !ears, the "ena#t! ne/t #ower than that "rescribe b! #aw sha## be im"ose , but a#wa!s in the "ro"er "erio . +owever, $or "ur"oses o$ eterminin% the "ro"er "ena#t! because o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit!, the "ena#t! o$ eath is sti## the "ena#t! to be rec2one with. 49 Thus, the "ro"er im"osab#e "ena#t! $or the accuse -a""e##ant is rec#usion "er"etua. (t is note that the &ourt is %rante iscretion in awar in% ama%es "rovi e in the &ivi# &o e, in case a crime is committe . )"eci$ica##!, 3rtic#e 2204 o$ the &ivi# &o e "rovi es that Cin crimes, the ama%es to be a .u icate ma! be res"ective#! increase or #essene accor in% to the a%%ravatin% or miti%atin% circumstances.C The issue now is whether the awar o$ ama%es shou# be re uce in view o$ the "resence here o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit! o$ the accuse at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense.

3 review o$ the nature an "ur"ose o$ the ama%es im"ose on the convicte o$$en er is in or er. 3rtic#e 10; o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e e$ines the term Cin emni$ication,C which is inc#u e in the civi# #iabi#it! "rescribe b! 3rtic#e 104 o$ the same &o e, as $o##owsB 3rt. 10;. (n emni$ication-0hat is inc#u e . T (n emni$ication $or conse>uentia# ama%es sha## inc#u e not on#! those cause the in.ure "art!, but a#so those su$$ere b! his $ami#! or b! a thir "erson b! reason o$ the crime. Re#ative to civi# in emnit!, 5eo"#e v. *ictor4: ratiocinate as $o##owsB The #ower court, however, erre in cate%ori<in% the awar o$ 590,000.00 to the o$$en e "art! as bein% in the nature o$ mora# ama%es. 0e have hereto$ore e/"#aine in 5eo"#e v. Gementi<a that the in emnit! authori<e b! our crimina# #aw as civi# #iabi#it! e/ e#icto $or the o$$en e "art!, in the amount authori<e b! the "revai#in% .u icia# "o#ic! an asi e $rom other "roven actua# ama%es, is itse#$ e>uiva#ent to actua# or com"ensator! ama%es in civi# #aw. (t is not to be consi ere as mora# ama%es thereun er, the #atter bein% base on i$$erent .ura# $oun ations an assesse b! the court in the e/ercise o$ soun iscretion. 6ne other "oint o$ concern has to be a resse . (n ictments $or ra"e continue unabate an the #e%is#ative res"onse has been in the $orm o$ hi%her "ena#ties. The &ourt be#ieves that, on #i2e consi erations, the .uris"ru entia# "ath on the civi# as"ect shou# $o##ow the same irection. +ence, startin% with the case at bar, i$ the crime o$ ra"e is committe or e$$ective#! >ua#i$ie b! an! o$ the circumstances un er which the eath "ena#t! is authori<e b! the "resent amen e #aw, the in emnit! $or the victim sha## be in the increase amount o$ not #ess than 5;9,000.00. This is not on#! a reaction to the a"athetic societa# "erce"tion o$ the "ena# #aw, an the $inancia# $#uctuations over time, but a#so an e/"ression o$ the is"#easure o$ the &ourt over the inci ence o$ heinous crimes a%ainst chastit!. ?7m"hasis )u""#ie @ The &ourt has ha the occasion to ru#e that mora# ama%es are #i2ewise com"ensator! in nature. (n )an 3n res v. &ourt o$ 3""ea#s,4; we he# B / / / -ora# ama%es, thou%h inca"ab#e o$ "ecuniar! estimation, are in the cate%or! o$ an awar esi%ne to com"ensate the c#aimant $or actua# in.ur! su$$ere an not to im"ose a "ena#t! on the wron% oer. ?7m"hasis )u""#ie @ (n another case, this &ourt a#so e/"#aine B 0hat we ca## mora# ama%es are treate in 3merican .uris"ru ence as com"ensator! ama%es awar e $or menta# "ain an su$$erin% or menta# an%uish resu#tin% $rom a wron% ?29 &.=.). 819@.48 ?7m"hasis )u""#ie @ Thus, accor in% to #aw an .uris"ru ence, civi# in emnit! is in the nature o$ actua# an com"ensator! ama%es $or the in.ur! cause to the o$$en e "art! an that su$$ere b! her $ami#!, an mora# ama%es are #i2ewise com"ensator! in nature. The $act o$ minorit! o$ the o$$en er at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense has no bearin% on the %ravit! an e/tent o$ in.ur! cause to the victim an her $ami#!, "articu#ar#! consi erin% the circumstances atten in% this case. +ere, the accuse -a""e#ant cou# have been ei%hteen at the time o$ the commission o$ the ra"e. +e was accor e the bene$it o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit! because o$ a #ac2 o$ "roo$ re%ar in% his actua# a%e an the ate o$ the ra"e rather than a mora# or evi entiar! certaint! o$ his minorit!. (n an! event, notwithstan in% the "resence o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit!, which warrants the #owerin% o$ the "ub#ic "ena#t! b! one e%ree, there is no .usti$iab#e %roun to e"art $rom the .uris"ru entia# tren in the awar o$ ama%es in the case o$ >ua#i$ie ra"e, consi erin% the com"ensator! nature o$ the awar o$ civi# in emnit! an mora# ama%es. This was the same stance this &ourt too2 in 5eo"#e v. &an e#ario, 49 a case eci e on =u#! 28, 1999, which i not re uce the awar o$ ama%es. 3t that time, the ama%es amounte to 5;9,000.00 $or civi# in emnit! an 590,000.00 $or mora# ama%es, even i$ the

"ub#ic "ena#t! im"ose on the accuse was #owere b! one e%ree, because o$ the "resence o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit!. The "rinci"a# consi eration $or the awar o$ ama%es, un er the ru#in% in 5eo"#e v. )a#ome40 an 5eo"#e v. Puiachon41 is the "ena#t! "rovi e b! #aw or im"osab#e $or the o$$ense because o$ its heinousness, not the "ub#ic "ena#t! actua##! im"ose on the o$$en er. Re%ar in% the civi# in emnit! an mora# ama%es, 5eo"#e v. )a#ome e/"#aine the basis $or increasin% the amount o$ sai civi# ama%es as $o##owsB The &ourt, #i2ewise, a$$irms the civi# in emnit! awar e b! the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s to )a##! in accor ance with the ru#in% in 5eo"#e v. )ambrano which statesB C3s to ama%es, we have he# that i$ the ra"e is "er"etrate with an! o$ the atten in% >ua#i$!in% circumstances that re>uire the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!, the civi# in emnit! $or the victim sha## 5;9,000.00 S 3#so, in ra"e cases, mora# ama%es are awar e without the nee "roo$ other than the $act o$ ra"e because it is assume that the victim has su$$ere mora# in.uries entit#in% her to such an awar . +owever, the tria# court1s awar o$ 590,000.00 as mora# ama%es shou# a#so be increase to 5;9,000 "ursuant to current .uris"ru ence on >ua#i$ie ra"e.C (t shou# be note that whi#e the new #aw "rohibits the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!, the "ena#t! "rovi e $or b! #aw $or a heinous o$$ense is sti## eath an the o$$ense is sti## heinous. &onse>uent#!, the civi# in emnit! $or the victim is sti## 5;9,000.00. 5eo"#e v. Puiachon a#so ratiocinates as $o##owsB 0ith res"ect to the awar o$ ama%es, the a""e##ate court, $o##owin% "revai#in% .uris"ru ence, correct#! awar e the $o##owin% amounts8 5;9,000.00 as civi# in emnit! which is awar e i$ the crime is >ua#i$ie b! circumstances warrantin% the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!8 5;9,000.00.00 as mora# ama%es because the victim is assume to have su$$ere mora# in.uries, hence, entit#in% her to an awar o$ mora# ama%es even without "roo$ thereo$, / / / 7ven i$ the "ena#t! o$ eath is not to be im"ose on the a""e##ant because o$ the "rohibition in R.3. No. 944:, the civi# in emnit! o$ 5;9,000.00 is sti## "ro"er because, $o##owin% the ratiocination in 5eo"#e v. *ictor, the sai awar is not e"en ent on the actua# im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t! but on the $act that >ua#i$!in% circumstances warrantin% the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t! atten e the commission o$ the o$$ense. The &ourt ec#are that the awar o$ 5;9,000.00 shows Cnot on#! a reaction to the a"athetic societa# "erce"tion o$ the "ena# #aw an the $inancia# $#uctuations over time but a#so the e/"ression o$ the is"#easure o$ the court o$ the inci ence o$ heinous crimes a%ainst chastit!.C The #itmus test there$ore, in the etermination o$ the civi# in emnit! is the heinous character o$ the crime committe , which wou# have warrante the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!, re%ar #ess o$ whether the "ena#t! actua##! im"ose is re uce to rec#usion "er"etua. 3s to the awar o$ e/em"#ar! ama%es, 3rtic#e 2229 o$ the &ivi# &o e "rovi es that e/em"#ar! or corrective ama%es are im"ose in a ition to the mora#, tem"erate, #i>ui ate or com"ensator! ama%es. 7/em"#ar! ama%es are not recoverab#e as a matter o$ ri%ht. The re>uirements o$ an awar o$ e/em"#ar! ama%ees areB ?1@ the! ma! be im"ose b! wa! o$ e/am"#e in a ition to com"ensator! ama%es, an on#! a$ter the c#aimant1s ri%ht to them has been estab#ishe 8 ?2@ the! cannot be recovere as a matter o$ ri%ht, their etermination e"en in% u"on the amount o$ com"ensator! ama%es that ma! be awar e to the c#aimant8 ?4@ the act must be accom"anie b! ba $aith or one in a wanton, $rau u#ent, o""ressive or ma#evo#ent manner.42 )ince the com"ensator! ama%es, such as the civi# in emnit! an mora# ama%es, are increase when >ua#i$ie ra"e is committe , the e/em"#ar! ama%es shou# #i2ewise be increase in accor ance with "revai#in% .uris"ru ence.44

(n sum, the increase amount o$ 5;9,000.00 each as civi# in emnit! an mora# ama%es shou# be maintaine . (t is a#so "ro"er an a""ro"riate that the awar o$ e/em"#ar! ama%es be #i2ewise increase to the amount o$ 540,000.00 base on the #atest .uris"ru ence on the awar o$ ama%es on >ua#i$ie ra"e. Thus, the &3 correct#! awar e 5;9,000.00 as civi# in emnit!. +owever the awar o$ 590,000.00 as mora# ama%es is increase to 5;9,000.0044 an that o$ 529,000.00 as e/em"#ar! ama%es is #i2ewise increase to 540,000.00.49 -eanwhi#e, when accuse -a""e##ant was etaine at the New ,i#ibi 5rison "en in% the outcome o$ his a""ea# be$ore this &ourt, Re"ub#ic 3ct ?R.3.@ No. 9444, the =uveni#e =ustice an 0e#$are 3ct o$ 200: too2 e$$ect on -a! 20, 200:. The RT& ecision an &3 ecision were "romu#%ate on =anuar! 1;, 2004 an =u#! 14, 2009, res"ective#!. The "romu#%ation o$ the sentence o$ conviction o$ accuse -a""e##ant han e own b! the RT& was not sus"en e as he was about 29 !ears o$ a%e at that time, in accor ance with 3rtic#e 192 o$ 5resi entia# Decree ?5.D.@ No. :04, The &hi# an Oouth 0e#$are &o e 4: an )ection 42 o$ 3.-. No. 02-1-18-)&, the Ru#e on =uveni#es in &on$#ict with the Law. 4; 3ccuse -a""e##ant is now a""ro/imate#! 41 !ears o$ a%e. +e was "revious#! etaine at the 3#ba! 5rovincia# =ai# at Le%as"i &it! an trans$erre to the New ,i#ibi 5rison, -untin#u"a &it! on 6ctober 14, 2004. R.3. No. 9444 "rovi es $or its retroactive a""#ication as $o##owsB )ec. :8. &hi# ren 0ho +ave ,een &onvicte an are )ervin% )entence. T 5ersons who have been convicte an are servin% sentence at the time o$ the e$$ectivit! o$ this 3ct, an who were be#ow the a%e o$ ei%hteen ?18@ !ears at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense $or which the! were convicte an are servin% sentence, sha## #i2ewise bene$it $rom the retroactive a""#ication o$ this 3ct. /// The a$ore>uote "rovision a##ows the retroactive a""#ication o$ the 3ct to those who have been convicte an are servin% sentence at the time o$ the e$$ectivit! o$ this sai 3ct, an who were be#ow the a%e o$ 18 !ears at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense. 0ith more reason, the 3ct shou# a""#! to this case wherein the conviction b! the #ower court is sti## un er review. +ence, it is necessar! to e/amine which "rovisions o$ R.3. No. 9444 sha## a""#! to accuse a""e##ant, who was be#ow 18 !ears o# at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense. )ec. 48 o$ R.3. No. 9444 "rovi es $or the automatic sus"ension o$ sentence o$ a chi# in con$#ict with the #aw, even i$ heIshe is a#rea ! 18 !ears o$ a%e or more at the time heIshe is $oun %ui#t! o$ the o$$ense char%e . (t rea sB )ec. 48. 3utomatic )us"ension o$ )entence. T 6nce the chi# who is un er ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense is $oun %ui#t! o$ the o$$ense char%e , the court sha## etermine an ascertain an! civi# #iabi#it! which ma! have resu#te $rom the o$$ense committe . +owever, instea o$ "ronouncin% the .u %ment o$ conviction, the court sha## "#ace the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw un er sus"en e sentence, without nee o$ a""#icationB 5rovi e , however, That sus"ension o$ sentence sha## sti## be a""#ie even i$ the .uveni#e is a#rea ! ei%hteen ?18@ o$ a%e or more at the time o$ the "ronouncement o$ hisIher %ui#t. E"on sus"ension o$ sentence an a$ter consi erin% the various circumstances o$ the chi# , the court sha## im"ose the a""ro"riate is"osition measures as "rovi e in the )u"reme &ourt on =uveni#e in &on$#ict with the Law. The above->uote "rovision ma2es no istinction as to the nature o$ the o$$ense committe b! the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw, un#i2e 5.D. No. :04 an 3.-. No. 02-1-18-)&.48 The sai 5.D. an )u"reme &ourt ?)&@ Ru#e "rovi e that the bene$it o$ sus"en e sentence wou# not a""#! to a chi# in con$#ict with the #aw i$, amon% others, heIshe has been convicte o$ an o$$ense "unishab#e b! eath, rec#usion "er"etua or #i$e im"risonment. (n construin% )ec. 48 o$ R.3. No. 9444, the &ourt is %ui e b! the basic "rinci"#e o$ statutor! construction that when the #aw oes not istin%uish, we shou# not istin%uish. 49 )ince R.3. No. 9444 oes not istin%uish between a minor who has been convicte o$ a ca"ita# o$$ense an

another who has been convicte o$ a #esser o$$ense, the &ourt shou# a#so not istin%uish an shou# a""#! the automatic sus"ension o$ sentence to a chi# in con$#ict with the #aw who has been $oun %ui#t! o$ a heinous crime. -oreover, the #e%is#ative intent, to a""#! to heinous crimes the automatic sus"ension o$ sentence o$ a chi# in con$#ict with the #aw can be %#eane $rom the )enate e#iberations90 on )enate ,i## No. 1402 ?=uveni#e =ustice an De#in>uenc! 5revention 3ct o$ 2009@, the "ertinent "ortion o$ which is >uote be#owB ($ a mature minor, ma!be 1: !ears o# to be#ow 18 !ears o# is char%e , accuse with, or ma! have committe a serious o$$ense, an ma! have acte with iscernment, then the chi# cou# be recommen e b! the De"artment o$ )ocia# 0e#$are an Deve#o"ment ?D)0D@, b! the Loca# &ounci# $or the 5rotection o$ &hi# ren ?L&5&@, or b! m! "ro"ose 6$$ice o$ =uveni#e 0e#$are an Restoration to %o throu%h a .u icia# "rocee in%8 but the we#$are, best interests, an restoration o$ the chi# shou# sti## be a "rimor ia# or "rimar! consi eration. 7ven in heinous crimes, the intention shou# sti## be the chi# 1s restoration, rehabi#itation an reinte%ration. /// ?(ta#ics su""#ie @1avvphi1 Nonethe#ess, whi#e )ec. 48 o$ R.3. No. 9444 "rovi es that sus"ension o$ sentence can sti## be a""#ie even i$ the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw is a#rea ! ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e or more at the time o$ the "ronouncement o$ hisIher %ui#t, )ec. 40 o$ the same #aw #imits the sai sus"ension o$ sentence unti# the sai chi# reaches the ma/imum a%e o$ 21, thusB )ec. 40. Return o$ the &hi# in &on$#ict with the Law to &ourt. T ($ the court $in s that the ob.ective o$ the is"osition measures im"ose u"on the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw have not been $u#$i##e , or i$ the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw has wi##$u##! $ai#e to com"#! with the con ition o$ hisIher is"osition or rehabi#itation "ro%ram, the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw sha## be brou%ht be$ore the court $or e/ecution o$ .u %ment. ($ sai chi# in con$#ict with the #aw has reache ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e whi#e un er sus"en e sentence, the court sha## etermine whether to ischar%e the chi# in accor ance with this 3ct, to or er e/ecution o$ sentence, or to e/ten the sus"en e sentence $or a certain s"eci$ie "erio or unti# the chi# reaches the ma/imum a%e o$ twent!-one ?21@ !ears. ?em"hasis ours@ To ate, accuse -a""e##ant is about 41 !ears o$ a%e, an the .u %ment o$ the RT& ha been "romu#%ate , even be$ore the e$$ectivit! o$ R.3. No. 9444. Thus, the a""#ication o$ )ecs. 48 an 40 to the sus"ension o$ sentence is now moot an aca emic.91 +owever, accuse -a""e##ant sha## be entit#e to a""ro"riate is"osition un er )ec. 91 o$ R.3. No. 9444, which "rovi es $or the con$inement o$ convicte chi# ren as $o##owsB )ec. 91. &on$inement o$ &onvicte &hi# ren in 3%ricu#tura# &am"s an 6ther Trainin% 'aci#ities. T 3 chi# in con$#ict with the #aw ma!, a$ter conviction an u"on or er o$ the court, be ma e to serve hisIher sentence, in #ieu o$ con$inement in a re%u#ar "ena# institution, in an a%ricu#tura# cam" an other trainin% $aci#ities that ma! be estab#ishe , maintaine , su"ervise an contro##e b! the ,E&6R, in coor ination with the D)0D. The civi# #iabi#it! resu#tin% $rom the commission o$ the o$$ense is not a$$ecte b! the a""ro"riate is"osition measures an sha## be en$orce in accor ance with #aw.92 0+7R7'6R7, the ecision o$ the &3 ate =u#! 14, 2009 in &3-G.R. &R-+.&. No. 00;1; is hereb! 3''(R-7D with the $o##owin% -6D('(&3T(6N)B ?1@ the "ena#t! o$ eath im"ose on accuse -a""e##ant is re uce to rec#usion "er"etua894 an ?2@ accuse -a""e##ant is or ere to "a! the victim the amount o$ 5;9,000.00 an 540,000.00 as mora# ama%es an e/em"#ar! ama%es, res"ective#!. The awar o$ civi# in emnit! in the amount o$ 5;9,000.00 is maintaine . +owever, the case sha## be R7-3ND7D to the court a >uo $or a""ro"riate is"osition in accor ance with )ec. 91 o$ R.3. 9444.

'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES vs. ALLEN UDTOJAN "ANTALA&A, G.R. No. 106226 July 20, 2011 'ERALTA, J.: 'or this &ourtAs consi eration is the Decision 1 ate =u#! 41, 2008 o$ the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s ?&3@ in &3-G.R. &R-+.&. No. 00240--(N, a$$irmin% the 6mnibus =u %ment2 ate )e"tember 14, 2009, o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt, ,ranch 1, ,utuan &it! in &rimina# &ase No. 10290 an &rimina# &ase No. 10291, $in in% a""e##ant 3##en E to.an -anta#aba, %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ vio#ation o$ )ections 9 an 11, 3rtic#e (( o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct ?R3@ 91:9. The $acts, as cu##e $rom the recor s, are the $o##owin%B The Tas2 'orce Re%iona# 3nti-&rime 7mer%enc! Res"onse ?R3&7R@ in ,utuan &it! receive a re"ort $rom an in$ormer that a certain 3##en -anta#aba, who was seventeen ?1;@ !ears o# at the time, was se##in% shabu at 5uro2 4, ,aran%a! 4, 3%ao District, ,utuan &it!. Thus, a bu!-bust team was or%ani<e , com"ose o$ 561 Ran ! 5a.o, 561 7ric )imon an two ?2@ "oseur-bu!ers who were "rovi e with two ?2@ "ieces o$ 5100 mar2e bi##s to be use in the "urchase. 3roun ; oAc#oc2 in the evenin% o$ 6ctober 1, 2004, the team, arme with the mar2e mone!, "rocee e to 5uro2 4, ,aran%a! 4, 3%ao District, ,utuan &it! $or the bu!-bust o"eration. The two "oseur-bu!ers a""roache 3##en who was sittin% at a corner an sai to be in the act o$ se##in% shabu. 561 5a.o saw the "oseurbu!ers an a""e##ant ta#2in% to each other. 3$terwar s, the a""e##ant han e a sachet o$ shabu to one o$ the "oseur-bu!ers an the #atter %ave the mar2e mone! to the a""e##ant. The "oseur-bu!ers went bac2 to the "o#ice o$$icers an to# them that the transaction has been com"#ete . 5o#ice o$$icers 5a.o an )imon rushe to the "#ace an han cu$$e the a""e##ant as he was #eavin% the "#ace. The "o#ice o$$icers, sti## in the area o$ o"eration an in the "resence o$ baran%a! o$$icia#s Richar ). Tan o! an Gresi# a ,. Tuma#a, searche the a""e##ant an $oun a bi% sachet o$ shabu. 561 )imon a#so "ointe to the baran%a! o$$icia#s the mar2e mone!, two "ieces o$ 5100 bi##, thrown b! the a""e##ant on the %roun . 3$ter the o"eration, an in the "resence o$ the same baran%a! o$$icia#s, the "o#ice o$$icers ma e an inventor! o$ the items recovere $rom the a""e##ant which areB ?1@ one bi% sachet o$ shabu which the! mar2e as R-5-1-10-01-048 ?2@ one sma## sachet o$ shabu which the! mar2e as R-5 2-10-01-048 an ?4@ two ?2@ "ieces o$ one hun re "esos mar2e mone! an a $i$t! "eso ?590@ bi##. Therea$ter, a #etterre>uest was "re"are b! (ns"ector 'er inan ,. Daci##o $or the #aborator! e/amination o$ the two ?2@ sachets containin% a cr!sta##ine substance, u#tra-vio#et e/amination on the "erson o$ the a""e##ant as we## as the two ?2@ "ieces o$ one hun re "esos mar2e mone!. The re>uest was brou%ht b! 561 5a.o an "ersona##! receive b! 5o#ice (ns"ector *ir%inia )ison-Gucor, 'orensic &hemica# 6$$icer o$ the Re%iona# &rime Laborator! 6$$ice U(( ,utuan &it!, who imme iate#! con ucte the e/amination. The #aborator! e/amination revea#e that the a""e##ant teste "ositive $or the "resence o$ bri%ht oran%e u#tra-vio#et $#uorescent "ow er8 an the cr!sta##ine substance containe in two sachets, se"arate#! mar2e as R-5-1-10-01-04 an R-5-2-10-01-04, were "ositive#! i enti$ie as metham"hetamine h! roch#ori e. Therea$ter, two se"arate (n$ormations were $i#e be$ore the RT& o$ ,utuan &it! a%ainst a""e##ant $or vio#ation o$ )ections 9 an 11 o$ R3 91:9, statin% the $o##owin%B &rimina# &ase No. 10290 That on or about the evenin% o$ 6ctober 1, 1004 at 5uro2 4, ,aran%a! 4, 3%ao, ,utuan &it!, 5hi#i""ines an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , without authorit! o$ #aw, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##!, an $e#onious#! se## <ero "oint <ero $our one two ?0.0412@ %rams o$ metham"hetamine h! roch#ori e, otherwise 2nown as shabu which is a an%erous ru%. &6NTR3RO T6 L30 B ?*io#ation o$ )ec. 9, 3rt. (( o$ R.3. No. 91:9@. 4

&rimina# &ase No. 10291 That on or about the evenin% o$ 6ctober 1, 2004 at 5uro2 4, ,aran%a! 4, 3%ao, ,utuan &it!, 5hi#i""ines an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , without authorit! o$ #aw, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! "ossess <ero "oint si/ one three one ?0.:141@ %rams o$ metham"hetamine h! roch#ori e, otherwise 2nown as shabu, which is a an%erous ru%. &6NTR3RO T6 L30B ?*io#ation o$ )ection 11, 3rt. (( o$ R.3. No. 91:9@.4 7ventua##!, the cases were conso#i ate an trie .oint#!. 3""e##ant "#ea e N6T GE(LTO to the char%es a%ainst him. Therea$ter, tria# on the merits ensue . (n its 6mnibus =u %ment9 ate )e"tember 14, 2009, the RT& $oun the a""e##ant %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the o$$ense char%e , the is"ositive "ortion o$ which, rea sB 0+7R7'6R7, the &ourt hereb! $in s accuse 3##en -anta#aba ! E to.an GE(LTO be!on reasonab#e oubt in &rimina# &ase No. 10290 $or se##in% shabu, a an%erous ru%, as e$ine an "ena#i<e un er )ection 9, 3rtic#e (( o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 91:9. 3s "rovi e $or in )ec. 98 o$ R.3. 91:9, where the o$$en er is a minor, the "ena#t! $or acts "unishab#e b! #i$e im"risonment to eath sha## be rec#usion "er"etua to eath. 3s such, 3##en -anta#aba ! E to.an is hereb! sentence to R7&LE)(6N 57R57TE3 an to "a! a $ine o$ 'ive +un re Thousan 5esos ?5900,000.00@. (n &rimina# &ase No. 10291, the &ourt #i2ewise $in s accuse 3##en -anta#aba ! E to.an GE(LTO be!on reasonab#e oubt $or i##e%a##! "ossessin% shabu, a an%erous ru%, wei%hin% 0.:141 %ram as e$ine an "ena#i<e un er )ection 11, 3rtic#e (( o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 91:9 an accuse bein% a minor at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense, a$ter a""#!in% the (n eterminate )entence Law, he is accor in%#! sentence to si/ ?:@ !ears an one ?1@ a!, as minimum, to ei%ht ?8@ !ears, as ma/imum o$ "rision ma!or an to "a! a $ine o$ Three +un re Thousan 5esos ?5400,000.00@. )6 6RD7R7D.: The &3 a$$irme in toto the ecision o$ the RT&. (t is"ose o$ the case as $o##owsB 0+7R7'6R7, the Decision o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt, ,ranch 1, ,utuan &it! ate )e"tember 14, 2009 a""ea#e $rom $in in% the accuse -a""e##ant 3##en E to.an -anta#aba %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt with the crime o$ *io#ation o$ )ection 9 an )ection 11, 3rtic#e (( o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct 91:9, otherwise 2nown as the &om"rehensive Dan%erous Dru%s 3ct, is 3''(R-7D in toto, with costs a%ainst accuse -a""e##ant. )6 6RD7R7D.; Thus, the "resent a""ea#. 3""e##ant states the #one ar%ument that the #ower court %rave#! erre in convictin% him o$ the crime char%e es"ite $ai#ure o$ the "rosecution to "rove his %ui#t be!on reasonab#e oubt. 3ccor in% to a""e##ant, there was no evi ence o$ actua# sa#e between him an the "oseur-bu!er. +e a#so ar%ues that the chain o$ custo ! o$ the sei<e shabu was not estab#ishe . 'ina##!, he asserts that an accuse shou# be "resume innocent an that the bur en o$ "roo$ is on the "rosecution.

The "etition is unmeritorious. 3""e##ant insists that the "rosecution i not "resent an! evi ence that an actua# sa#e too2 "#ace. +owever, base on the testimon! o$ 561 Ran ! 5a.o, there is no oubt that the bu!-bust o"eration was success$u##! con ucte , thusB The above on#! con$irms that the bu!-bust o"eration rea##! occurre . 6nce a%ain, this &ourt stresses that a bu!-bust o"eration is a #e%a##! e$$ective an "roven "roce ure, sanctione b! #aw, $or a""rehen in% ru% "e #ers an istributors. 11 (t is o$ten uti#i<e b! #aw en$orcers $or the "ur"ose o$ tra""in% an ca"turin% #awbrea2ers in the e/ecution o$ their ne$arious activities. 12 (n 5eo"#e v. Roa, 14 this &ourt ha the o""ortunit! to e/"oun on the nature an im"ortance o$ a bu!-bust o"eration, ru#in% thatB (n the $irst "#ace, coor ination with the 5D73 is not an in is"ensab#e re>uirement be$ore "o#ice authorities ma! carr! out a bu!-bust o"eration. 0hi#e it is true that )ection 8:14 o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 91:9 re>uires the Nationa# ,ureau o$ (nvesti%ation, 5N5 an the ,ureau o$ &ustoms to maintain Cc#ose coor ination with the 5D73 on a## ru%-re#ate matters,C the "rovision oes not, b! so sa!in%, ma2e 5D73As "artici"ation a con ition sine >ua non $or ever! bu!-bust o"eration. 3$ter a##, a bu!-bust is .ust a $orm o$ an in $#a%rante arrest sanctione b! )ection 9, Ru#e 11419 o$ the Ru#es o$ the &ourt, which "o#ice authorities ma! ri%ht$u##! resort to in a""rehen in% vio#ators o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 91:9 in su""ort o$ the 5D73. 1: 3 bu!-bust o"eration is not inva#i ate b! mere non-coor ination with the 5D73. Neither is the #ac2 o$ "rior survei##ance $ata#. The case o$ People v. Lacbanes1; is >uite instructiveB (n People v. Ganguso,18 it has been he# that "rior survei##ance is not a "rere>uisite $or the va#i it! o$ an entra"ment o"eration, es"ecia##! when the bu!bust team members were accom"anie to the scene b! their in$ormant. (n the instant case, the arrestin% o$$icers were #e to the scene b! the "oseur-bu!er. Grantin% that there was no survei##ance con ucte be$ore the bu!-bust o"eration, this &ourt he# in People v. Tranca,19 that there is no ri%i or te/tboo2 metho o$ con uctin% bu!-bust o"erations. '#e/ibi#it! is a trait o$ %oo "o#ice wor2. The "o#ice o$$icers ma! eci e that time is o$ the essence an is"ense with the nee $or "rior survei##ance.20 The ru#e is that the $in in%s o$ the tria# court on the cre ibi#it! o$ witnesses are entit#e to %reat res"ect because tria# courts have the a vanta%e o$ observin% the emeanor o$ the witnesses as the! testi$!. This is more true i$ such $in in%s were a$$irme b! the a""e##ate court. 0hen the tria# courtAs $in in%s have been a$$irme b! the a""e##ate court, sai $in in%s are %enera##! bin in% u"on this &ourt.21 (n connection therewith, the RT&, as a$$irme b! the &3, was a#so correct in $in in% that the a""e##ant is e>ua##! %ui#t! o$ vio#ation o$ )ection 11 o$ R3 91:9, or the i##e%a# "ossession o$ an%erous ru%. 3s an inci ent to the #aw$u# arrest o$ the a""e##ant a$ter the consummation o$ the bu!-bust o"eration, the arrestin% o$$icers ha the authorit! to search the "erson o$ the a""e##ant. (n the sai search, the a""e##ant was cau%ht in "ossession o$ 0.:141 %rams o$ shabu. (n i##e%a# "ossession o$ an%erous ru%s, the e#ements areB ?1@ the accuse is in "ossession o$ an item or ob.ect which is i enti$ie to be a "rohibite ru%8 ?2@ such "ossession is not authori<e b! #aw8 an ?4@ the accuse $ree#! an conscious#! "ossesse the sai ru%.22 3s a e$ense, a""e##ant enie that he owns the shabu an the mar2e mone! con$iscate $rom him. +owever, base on his cross-e/amination, such enia# was not convincin% enou%h to merit reasonab#e oubt, thusB (nci enta##!, the e$enses o$ enia# an $rame-u" have been invariab#! viewe b! this &ourt with is$avor $or it can easi#! be concocte an is a common an stan ar e$ense "#o! in "rosecutions $or vio#ation o$ the Dan%erous Dru%s 3ct. (n or er to "ros"er, the e$enses o$ enia# an $rame-u" must be "rove with stron% an convincin% evi ence.24

10

3nother contention raise b! the a""e##ant is the $ai#ure o$ the "rosecution to show the chain o$ custo ! o$ the recovere an%erous ru%. 3ccor in% to him, whi#e it was (ns"ector 'er inan ,. Daci##o who si%ne the re>uest $or #aborator! e/amination, on#! "o#ice o$$icers 5a.o an )imon were "resent in the bu!-bust o"eration. )ection 21 o$ R3 91:9 rea sB )7&. 21. &usto ! an Dis"osition o$ &on$iscate , )ei<e , an Ior )urren ere Dan%erous Dru%s, 5#ant )ources o$ Dan%erous Dru%s, &ontro##e 5recursors an 7ssentia# &hemica#s, (nstrumentsI5ara"herna#ia an Ior Laborator! 7>ui"ment. T The 5D73 sha## ta2e char%e an have custo ! o$ a## an%erous ru%s, "#ant sources o$ an%erous ru%s, contro##e "recursors an essentia# chemica#s, as we## as instrumentsI"ara"herna#ia an Ior #aborator! e>ui"ment so con$iscate , sei<e an Ior surren ere , $or "ro"er is"osition in the $o##owin% mannerB ?1@ The a""rehen in% team havin% initia# custo ! an contro# o$ the ru%s sha##, imme iate#! a$ter sei<ure an con$iscation, "h!sica##! inventor! an "hoto%ra"h the same in the "resence o$ the accuse or the "ersonIs $rom whom such items were con$iscate an Ior sei<e , or hisIher re"resentative or counse#, a re"resentative $rom the me ia an the De"artment o$ =ustice ?D6=@, an an! e#ecte "ub#ic o$$icia# who sha## be re>uire to si%n the co"ies o$ the inventor! an be %iven a co"! thereo$. Non-com"#iance b! the a""rehen in%Ibu!-bust team with )ection 21 is not $ata# as #on% as there is .usti$iab#e %roun there$or, an as #on% as the inte%rit! an the evi entiar! va#ue o$ the con$iscate Isei<e items are "ro"er#! "reserve b! the a""rehen in% o$$icerIteam.29 (ts non-com"#iance wi## not ren er an accuse 1s arrest i##e%a# or the items sei<e Icon$iscate $rom him ina missib#e. 2: 0hat is o$ utmost im"ortance is the "reservation o$ the inte%rit! an the evi entiar! va#ue o$ the sei<e items, as the same wou# be uti#i<e in the etermination o$ the %ui#t or innocence o$ the accuse .2; (n this "articu#ar case, it is un is"ute that "o#ice o$$icers 5a.o an )imon were members o$ the bu!-bust o"eration team. The $act that it was (ns"ector 'er inan ,. Daci##o who si%ne the #etter-re>uest $or #aborator! e/amination oes not in an! wa! a$$ect the inte%rit! o$ the items con$iscate . 3## the re>uirements $or the "ro"er chain o$ custo ! ha been observe . 3s testi$ie to b! 562 5a.o re%ar in% the "roce ure un erta2en a$ter the consummation o$ the bu!-bust o"erationB 3s ru#e b! this &ourt, what is crucia# in the chain o$ custo ! is the mar2in% o$ the con$iscate item which, in the "resent case, was com"#ie with, thusB &rucia# in "rovin% chain o$ custo ! is the mar2in% 29 o$ the sei<e ru%s or other re#ate items imme iate#! a$ter the! are sei<e $rom the accuse . -ar2in% a$ter sei<ure is the startin% "oint in the custo ia# #in2, thus, it is vita# that the sei<e contraban are imme iate#! mar2e because succee in% han #ers o$ the s"ecimens wi## use the mar2in%s as re$erence. The mar2in% o$ the evi ence serves to se"arate the mar2e evi ence $rom the cor"us o$ a## other simi#ar or re#ate evi ence $rom the time the! are sei<e $rom the accuse unti# the! are is"ose o$ at the en o$ crimina# "rocee in%s, obviatin% switchin%, C"#antin%,C or contamination o$ evi ence.40 3nent the a%e o$ the a""e##ant when he was arreste , this &ourt $in s it a""ro"riate to iscuss the e$$ect o$ his minorit! in his sus"ension o$ sentence. The a""e##ant was seventeen ?1;@ !ears o# when the bu!-bust o"eration too2 "#ace or when the sai o$$ense was committe , but was no #on%er a minor at the time o$ the "romu#%ation o$ the RT&As Decision. (t must be note that R3 9444 too2 e$$ect on -a! 20, 200:, whi#e the RT& "romu#%ate its ecision on this case on )e"tember 14, 2009, when sai a""e##ant was no #on%er a minor. The RT& i not sus"en the sentence in accor ance with 3rtic#e 192 o$ 5.D. :04, The Child and outh !elfare Code 41 an )ection 42 o$ 3.-. No. 02-1-18-)&, the Rule on "uveniles in Conflict #ith the La#$42 the #aws that were a""#icab#e at the time o$ the "romu#%ation o$ .u %ment, because the im"osab#e "ena#t! $or vio#ation o$ )ection 9 o$ R3 91:9 is #i$e im"risonment to eath.

(t ma! be ar%ue that the a""e##ant shou# have been entit#e to a sus"ension o$ his sentence un er )ections 48 an :8 o$ R3 9444 which "rovi e $or its retroactive a""#ication, thusB )7&. 48. 3utomatic )us"ension o$ )entence. - 6nce the chi# who is un er ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense is $oun %ui#t! o$ the o$$ense char%e , the court sha## etermine an ascertain an! civi# #iabi#it! which ma! have resu#te $rom the o$$ense committe . +owever, instea o$ "ronouncin% the .u %ment o$ conviction, the court sha## "#ace the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw un er sus"en e sentence, without nee o$ a""#icationB 5rovi e , however, That sus"ension o$ sentence sha## sti## be a""#ie even i$ the .uveni#e is a#rea ! ei%hteen !ears ?18@ o$ a%e or more at the time o$ the "ronouncement o$ hisIher %ui#t. E"on sus"ension o$ sentence an a$ter consi erin% the various circumstances o$ the chi# , the court sha## im"ose the a""ro"riate is"osition measures as "rovi e in the )u"reme &ourt MRu#eN on =uveni#es in &on$#ict with the Law. //// )ec. :8. &hi# ren 0ho +ave ,een &onvicte an are )ervin% )entence. 5ersons who have been convicte an are servin% sentence at the time o$ the e$$ectivit! o$ this 3ct, an who were be#ow the a%e o$ ei%hteen ?18@ !ears at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense $or which the! were convicte an are servin% sentence, sha## #i2ewise bene$it $rom the retroactive a""#ication o$ this 3ct. /// +owever, this &ourt has a#rea ! ru#e in People v. %arcia44 that whi#e )ection 48 o$ R3 9444 "rovi es that sus"ension o$ sentence can sti## be a""#ie even i$ the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw is a#rea ! ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e or more at the time o$ the "ronouncement o$ hisIher %ui#t, )ection 40 o$ the same #aw #imits the sai sus"ension o$ sentence unti# the chi# reaches the ma/imum a%e o$ 21. The "rovision statesB )7&. 40. Return o$ the &hi# in &on$#ict with the Law to &ourt. - ($ the court $in s that the ob.ective o$ the is"osition measures im"ose u"on the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw have not been $u#$i##e , or i$ the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw has wi##$u##! $ai#e to com"#! with the con ition o$ hisIher is"osition or rehabi#itation "ro%ram, the chi# in con$#ict with the #aw sha## be brou%ht be$ore the court $or e/ecution o$ .u %ment. ($ sai chi# in con$#ict with the #aw has reache ei%hteen ?18@ !ears o$ a%e whi#e un er sus"en e sentence, the court sha## etermine whether to ischar%e the chi# in accor ance with this 3ct, to or er e/ecution o$ sentence, o5 4o (74($% 48( +u+)($%(% +($4($9( :o5 # 9(54#;$ +)(9;:;(% )(5;o% o5 u$4;l 48( 98;l% 5(#98(+ 48( ,#7;,u, #<( o: 4=($4y-o$( 1212 y(#5+. +ence, the a""e##ant, who is now be!on the a%e o$ twent!-one ?21@ !ears can no #on%er avai# o$ the "rovisions o$ )ections 48 an 40 o$ R3 9444 as to his sus"ension o$ sentence, because such is a#rea ! moot an aca emic. (t is hi%h#! note that this wou# not have ha""ene i$ the &3, when this case was un er its .uris iction, sus"en e the sentence o$ the a""e##ant. The recor s show that the a""e##ant $i#e his notice o$ a""ea# at the a%e o$ 19 ?2009@, hence, when R3 9444 became e$$ective in 200:, a""e##ant was 20 !ears o# , an the case havin% been e#evate to the &3, the #atter shou# have sus"en e the sentence o$ the a""e##ant because he was a#rea ! entit#e to the "rovisions o$ )ection 48 o$ the same #aw, which now a##ows the sus"ension o$ sentence o$ minors re%ar #ess o$ the "ena#t! im"ose as o""ose to the "rovisions o$ 3rtic#e 192 o$ 5.D. :04.44 Neverthe#ess, the a""e##ant sha## be entit#e to a""ro"riate is"osition un er )ection 91 o$ R3 No. 9444, which "rovi es $or the con$inement o$ convicte chi# ren as $o##owsB49 )7&. 91. &on$inement o$ &onvicte &hi# ren in 3%ricu#tura# &am"s an other Trainin% 'aci#ities. - 3 chi# in con$#ict with the #aw ma!, a$ter conviction an u"on

11

or er o$ the court, be ma e to serve hisIher sentence, in #ieu o$ con$inement in a re%u#ar "ena# institution, in an a%ricu#tura# cam" an other trainin% $aci#ities that ma! be estab#ishe , maintaine , su"ervise an contro##e b! the ,E&6R, in coor ination with the D)0D. (n $in in% the %ui#t be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the a""e##ant $or vio#ation o$ )ection 9 o$ R3 91:9, the RT& im"ose the "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua as man ate in )ection 984: o$ the same #aw. 3 vio#ation o$ )ection 9 o$ R3 91:9 merits the "ena#t! o$ #i$e im"risonment to eath8 however, in )ection 98, it is "rovi e that, where the o$$en er is a minor, the "ena#t! $or acts "unishab#e b! #i$e im"risonment to eath "rovi e in the same #aw sha## be rec#usion "er"etua to eath. ,asica##!, this means that the "ena#t! can now be %ra uate as it has a o"te the technica# nomenc#ature o$ "ena#ties "rovi e $or in the Revise 5ena# &o e. The sai "rinci"#e was enunciate b! this &ourt in People v. %imon,4; thusB 0e are not unaware o$ cases in the "ast wherein it was he# that, in im"osin% the "ena#t! $or o$$enses un er s"ecia# #aws, the ru#es on miti%atin% or a%%ravatin% circumstances un er the Revise 5ena# &o e cannot an shou# not be a""#ie . 3 review o$ such octrines as a""#ie in sai cases, however, revea#s that the reason there$or was because the s"ecia# #aws invo#ve "rovi e their own s"eci$ic "ena#ties $or the o$$enses "unishe thereun er, an which "ena#ties were not ta2en $rom or with re$erence to those in the Revise 5ena# &o e. )ince the "ena#ties then "rovi e b! the s"ecia# #aws concerne i not "rovi e $or the minimum, me ium or ma/imum "erio s, it wou# conse>uent#! be im"ossib#e to consi er the a$orestate mo i$!in% circumstances whose main $unction is to etermine the "erio o$ the "ena#t! in accor ance with the ru#es in 3rtic#e :4 o$ the &o e. This is a#so the rationa#e $or the ho# in% in "revious cases that the "rovisions o$ the &o e on the %ra uation o$ "ena#ties b! e%rees cou# not be %iven su""#ementar! a""#ication to s"ecia# #aws, since the "ena#ties in the #atter were not com"onents o$ or contem"#ate in the sca#e o$ "ena#ties "rovi e b! 3rtic#e ;1 o$ the $ormer. The su""#etor! e$$ect o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e to s"ecia# #aws, as "rovi e in 3rtic#e 10 o$ the $ormer, cannot be invo2e where there is a #e%a# or "h!sica# im"ossibi#it! o$, or a "rohibition in the s"ecia# #aw a%ainst, such su""#ementar! a""#ication. The situation, however, is i$$erent where a#thou%h the o$$ense is e$ine in an ostensib#! "unishe un er a s"ecia# #aw, the "ena#t! there$or is actua##! ta2en $rom the Revise 5ena# &o e in its technica# nomenc#ature an , necessari#!, with its uration, corre#ation an #e%a# e$$ects un er the s!stem o$ "ena#ties native to sai &o e. 0hen, as in this case, the #aw invo#ve s"ea2s o$ "rision correcciona#, in its technica# sense un er the &o e, it wou# conse>uent#! be both i##o%ica# an absur to "osit otherwise. //// 5re$atori#!, what or inari#! are invo#ve in the %ra uation an conse>uent#! etermine the e%ree o$ the "ena#t!, in accor ance with the ru#es in 3rtic#e :1 o$ the &o e as a""#ie to the sca#e o$ "ena#ties in 3rtic#e ;1, are the sta%e o$ e/ecution o$ the crime an the nature o$ the "artici"ation o$ the accuse . +owever, un er "ara%ra"h 9 o$ 3rtic#e :4, when there are two or more or inar! miti%atin% circumstances an no a%%ravatin% circumstance, the "ena#t! sha## be re uce b! one e%ree. 3#so, 48( )5(+($9( o: )5;*;l(<(% ,;4;<#4;$< 9;59u,+4#$9(+, #+ )5o*;%(% ;$ A54;9l(+ 66 #$% 60, 9#$ 5(%u9( 48( )($#l4y -y o$( o5 4=o %(<5((+, o5 (*($ ,o5(. These "rovisions o$ 3rtic#es :4?9@, :; an :8 shou# not a""#! in toto in the etermination o$ the "ro"er "ena#t! un er the a$orestate secon "ara%ra"h o$ section 20 o$ Re"ub#ic 3ct No. :429, to avoi anoma#ous resu#ts which cou# not have been contem"#ate b! the #e%is#ature. Thus, "ara%ra"h 9 o$ 3rtic#e :1 "rovi es that when the #aw "rescribes a "ena#t! in some manner not s"ecia##! "rovi e $or in the $our "rece in% "ara%ra"hs thereo$, the courts sha## "rocee b! ana#o%! therewith. +ence, when the "ena#t! "rescribe $or the crime consists o$ one or two "ena#ties to be im"ose in their $u## e/tent, the "ena#t! ne/t #ower in e%ree sha## #i2ewise consist o$ as man! "ena#ties which $o##ow the $ormer in the sca#e in 3rtic#e ;1. ($ this ru#e were to be

a""#ie , an since the com"#e/ "ena#t! in this case consists o$ three iscrete "ena#ties in their $u## e/tent, that is, "rision correcciona#, "rision ma!or an rec#usion tem"ora#, then one e%ree #ower wou# be arresto menor, estierro an arresto ma!or. There cou# , however, be no $urther re uction b! sti## one or two e%rees, which must each #i2ewise consist o$ three "ena#ties, since on#! the "ena#ties o$ $ine an "ub#ic censure remain in the sca#e.1avvphi1 The &ourt ru#es, there$ore, that whi#e mo i$!in% circumstances ma! be a""reciate to etermine the "erio s o$ the corres"on in% "ena#ties, or even re uce the "ena#t! b! e%rees, in no case shou# such %ra uation o$ "ena#ties re uce the im"osab#e "ena#t! be!on or #ower than "rision correcciona#. (t is $or this reason that the three com"onent "ena#ties in the secon "ara%ra"h o$ )ection 20 sha## each be consi ere as an in e"en ent "rinci"a# "ena#t!, an that the #owest "ena#t! shou# in an! event be "rision correcciona# in or er not to e"reciate the seriousness o$ ru% o$$enses. (nter"retatio $ien a est ut res ma%is va#eat >uam "ereat. )uch inter"retation is to be a o"te so that the #aw ma! continue to have e$$icac! rather than $ai#. 3 "er$ect .u icia# so#ution cannot be $or%e $rom an im"er$ect #aw, which im"asse shou# now be the concern o$ an is accor in%#! a resse to &on%ress.48 &onse>uent#!, the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit! 49 can now be a""reciate in $i/in% the "ena#t! that shou# be im"ose . The RT&, as a$$irme b! the &3, im"ose the "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua without consi erin% the minorit! o$ the a""e##ant. Thus, a""#!in% the ru#es state above, the "ro"er "ena#t! shou# be one e%ree #ower than reclusion perpetua, which is reclusion temporal$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit! havin% been a""reciate . Necessari#!, a#so a""#!in% the (n eterminate )entence Law ?()L30@, the minimum "ena#t! shou# be ta2en $rom the "ena#t! ne/t #ower in e%ree which is prision mayor an the ma/imum "ena#t! sha## be ta2en $rom the me ium "erio o$ reclusion temporal, there bein% no other miti%atin% circumstance nor a%%ravatin% circumstance. 40 The ()L30 is a""#icab#e in the "resent case because the "ena#t! which has been ori%ina##! an in ivisib#e "ena#t! ?reclusion perpetua to eath@, where ()L30 is ina""#icab#e, became a ivisib#e "ena#t! ?reclusion temporal@ b! virtue o$ the "resence o$ the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance o$ minorit!. There$ore, a "ena#t! o$ si/ ?:@ !ears an one ?1@ a! o$ prision mayor, as minimum, an $ourteen ?14@ !ears, ei%ht ?8@ months an one ?1@ a! o$ reclusion temporal, as ma/imum, wou# be the "ro"er im"osab#e "ena#t!. >HERE.ORE, the Decision ate =u#! 41, 2008 o$ the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s ?&3@ in &3-G.R. &R-+.&. No. 00240--(N, a$$irmin% the 6mnibus =u %ment ate )e"tember 14, 2009 o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt, ,ranch 1, ,utuan &it! in &rimina# &ase No. 10290 an &rimina# &ase No. 10291, $in in% a""e##ant 3##en E to.an -anta#aba, %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ vio#ation o$ )ections 9 an 11, 3rtic#e (( o$ R3 91:9 is hereb! A..IR"ED with the "ODI.I!ATION that the "ena#t! that shou# be im"ose on a""e##antAs conviction o$ vio#ation o$ )ection 9 o$ R3 91:9, is si/ ?:@ !ears an one ?1@ a! o$ prision mayor, as minimum, an $ourteen ?14@ !ears, ei%ht ?8@ months an one ?1@ a! o$ reclusion temporal, as ma/imum. RO>ENO 'O"OY, vs.'EO'LE O. THE 1 0646S()4(,-(5 29, 2004 'ANGANI&AN, J.: 'HILI''INE, G.R. No.

0e##-estab#ishe is the "rinci"#e that the $actua# $in in%s o$ the tria# court, when a$$irme b! the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s, are bin in% on the hi%hest court o$ the #an . +owever, when $acts are misinter"rete an the innocence o$ the accuse e"en s on a "ro"er a""reciation o$ the $actua# conc#usions, the )u"reme &ourt ma! con uct a review thereo$. (n the "resent case, a care$u# ree/amination convinces this &ourt that an Cacci entC cause the victim1s eath. 3t the ver! #east, the testimonies o$ the cre ib#e witnesses create a reasonab#e oubt on a""e##ant1s %ui#t. +ence, the &ourt must u"ho# the constitutiona# "resum"tion o$ innocence. T8( !#+( ,e$ore us is a 5etition $or Review 1 un er Ru#e 49 o$ the Ru#es o$ &ourt, see2in% to set asi e the 'ebruar! 28, 2001 Decision2 an the 6ctober 40, 2001 Reso#ution4

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o$ the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s ?&3@ in &3TGR &R No. 18;99. The &3 a$$irme , with mo i$ications, the -arch 8, 1999 .u %ment4 o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt ?RT&@9 o$ (#oi#o &it! ?,ranch 29@ in &rimina# &ase No. 4:921, $in in% Roweno 5omo! %ui#t! o$ the crime o$ homici e. The assai#e &3 Decision is"ose as $o##owsB C0+7R7'6R7, "remises consi ere , -6D('(7D as to "ena#t! in the sense that the M5etitionerN R607N6 56-6O is sentence to su$$er an in eterminate "rison term o$ si/ ?:@ !ears, $our ?4@ months an ten ?10@ a!s o$ "rision ma!or minimum, as minimum, to $ourteen ?14@ !ears ei%ht ?8@ months an twent! ?20@ a!s o$ rec#usion tem"ora# me ium, as ma/imum, the ecision a""ea#e $rom is hereb! 3''(R-7D in a## other res"ects.C: The cha##en%e &3 Reso#ution enie "etitioner1s -otion $or Reconsi eration. 5etitioner was char%e in an (n$ormation wor e thusB CThat on or about the 4th a! o$ =anuar! 1990, in the -unici"a#it! o$ )ara, 5rovince o$ (#oi#o, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , arme with his .49 service "isto#, with e#iberate intent an eci e "ur"ose to 2i##, an without an! .usti$iab#e cause or motive, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! assau#t, attac2 an shoot one T6-3) ,3L,63 with the service "isto# he was then "rovi e , in$#ictin% u"on the #atter %unshot woun s on the vita# "arts o$ his bo !, which irect#! cause the eath o$ sai victim therea$ter.C; T8( .#94+ Version of the Prosecution The 6$$ice o$ the )o#icitor Genera# ?6)G@ "resente res"on ent1s version o$ the $acts as $o##owsB CTomas ,a#boa was a master teacher o$ the &once"cion &o##e%e o$ )cience an 'isheries in &once"cion, (#oi#o. C6n =anuar! 4, 1990, about ;B40 in the mornin%, some "o#icemen arrive at the &once"cion &o##e%e to arrest ,a#boa, a##e%e #! in connection with a robber! which too2 "#ace in the munici"a#it! in December 1989. 0ith the arrest e$$ecte , ,a#boa an the "o#icemen "asse b! the &once"cion 7#ementar! )choo# where his wi$e, =essica, was in a %et-to%ether "art! with other )choo# 3 ministrators. 0hen his wi$e as2e him, V0h! wi## !ou be arreste H1 M+Ne answere VM7ven (N o not 2now wh! ( am arreste . That is wh! ( am even %oin% there in or er to $in out the reason $or m! arrest.1 C,a#boa was ta2en to the +ea >uarters o$ the a#rea ! e$unct 421st 5hi#i""ine &onstabu#ar! &om"an! at &am" =a#an oni, )ara, (#oi#o. +e was etaine in the .ai# thereat, a#on% with 7 %ar )amu io, another sus"ect in the robber! case. CLater that a!, about a #itt#e "ast 2 o1c#oc2 in the a$ternoon, "etitioner, who is a "o#ice ser%eant, went near the oor o$ the .ai# where ,a#boa was etaine an irecte the #atter to come out, "ur"orte #! $or tactica# interro%ation at the investi%ation room, as he to# ,a#boaB VLet1s %o to the investi%ation room.1 The investi%ation room is at the main bui# in% o$ the com"oun where the .ai# is #ocate . The .ai# %uar on ut!, Nicostra o 7ste"ar, o"ene the .ai# oor an wa#2e towar s the investi%ation room. C3t that time, "etitioner ha a %un, a .49 ca#iber "isto#, tuc2e in a ho#ster which was han%in% b! the si e o$ his be#t. The %un was $u##!

embe e in its ho#ster, with on#! the han #e o$ the %un "rotru in% $rom the ho#ster. C0hen "etitioner an ,a#boa reache the main bui# in% an were near the investi%ation room, two ?2@ %unshots were hear . 0hen the source o$ the shots was veri$ie , "etitioner was seen sti## ho# in% a .49 ca#iber "isto#, $acin% ,a#boa, who was #!in% in a "oo# o$ b#oo , about two ?2@ $eet awa!. 0hen the &omman in% 6$$icer o$ the +ea >uarters arrive , he isarme "etitioner an irecte that ,a#boa be brou%ht to the hos"ita#. Dr. 5a#ma ?$irst name not "rovi e @ ha""ene to be at the crime scene as he was visitin% his brother in the 5hi#i""ine &onstabu#ar!. 0hen Dr. 5a#ma e/amine ,a#boa, he ?Dr. 5a#ma@ sai that it was unnecessar! to brin% ,a#boa to the hos"ita# $or he was ea . CE"on the re>uest o$ -rs. =essica ,a#boa, the wi$e o$ the ecease , Dr. Ricar o =abonete, the me ico-#e%a# o$$icer o$ the Nationa# ,ureau o$ (nvesti%ation, Re%ion *(, (#oi#o &it!, con ucte an auto"s! on the remains o$ Tomas ,a#boa. The $o##owin% were his $in in%sB V5a##or, inte%umens an nai#be s. V0oun , %unshotB ?1@ 7NTR3N&7, ownwar s an me ia##!, e %es, mo i$ie b! sutures, surroun e b! abrasion co##ar, 0.: cm. (n its chest, #e$t si e, 10.0 cms. $rom anterior mi #ine, 121.0 cms. 'rom #e$t hee#, irecte me ia##! bac2war s $rom #e$t to ri%ht, "enetratin% chest wa## thru 9th intercosta#s s"ace into thoracic cavit!, "er$oratin% thru an thru, u""er #obe, #e$t #un%, #aceratin% #e$t ventricu#ar wa## causin% "unche out $racture, 8th thoracic vertebra an ma2e an 7U(T, sta##ate in sha"e, 1.0 / 0.8 cm. 7 %es, mo i$ie b! sutures, bac2, ri%ht si e, 8.0 cms. 'rom "osterior mi #ine, 11;.0 cms. 'rom ri%ht hee# ?2@ 7NTR3N&7, ova#oi , oriente me ia##! ownwar s, e %es suture , 0.; cm. on its wi est "ortion, at in$ero-me ia# bor er, h!"ochon riac re%ion, #e$t si e, 4.0 cms. 'rom anterior mi #ine, 109.0 cms. 'rom #e$t hee#, irecte bac2war s, #atera##! wa## into "enetratin% ab omina# cavit!, "er$oratin% thru an thru, stomach, hea o$ the "ancreas an mesenter!, ma2e an e/it, ova#i , 1.0 / 0.8 cm., oriente me ia##! u"war s, e %es, suture , bac2, #e$t si e, #eve# o$ 9th intercosta# s"ace, 4.9 cms. 'rom "osterior mi #ine, 110.0 cms. 'rom #e$t hee#. / / /. V&3E)7 6' D73T+B +emorrha%e, massive secon ar! to %unshot woun s on chest an ab omen. VR7-3RK)B ,o ! "revious#! emba#me an auto"sie .1 CDr. =aboneta testi$ie that the two ?2@ woun s he $oun on / / / ,a#boa1s bo ! were %unshot woun s. The entrance o$ M0Noun No. 1 was to the #e$t si e o$ the chest about the #e$t ni""#e an e/ite to the ri%ht si e o$ the bac2. (ts tra.ector! was bac2war s then ownwar s $rom #e$t to ri%ht. 3s to the "ossib#e "osition o$ the assai#ant, Dr. =aboneta o"ine that the no<<#e o$ the %un was "robab#! in $ront o$ the victim an was more to the #e$t si e, an the %un must have been a #itt#e bit hi%her than the entrance woun . 0oun No. 2 was #ocate imme iate#! be#ow the arch o$ the ribs, #e$t si e. (ts irection was bac2war s an #atera##! u"war s. Dr. =aboneta estimate that when it was in$#icte , the assai#ant must have "ointe the %un1s no<<#e to the ri%ht si e $ront o$ the victim. The istance between the entrance "oints o$ woun s No. 1 an No. 2 was $oun to be about 1:.0 centimeters.C8 Version of the Defense

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The 5etition a o"te the narration o$ $acts in the assai#e &3 Decision, which in turn cu##e them $rom the tria# court. The RT& summari<e the testimonies o$ De$ense 0itnesses 7rna ,asa, the #one e!ewitness to the inci ent8 7 en Le%as"i8 Dr. )a#va or -a##o =r.8 an "etitioner himse#$, as $o##owsB C7rna ,asaB C/ / / M6Nn =anuar! 4, 1990, she was wor2in% in their o$$ice in the cam" u" to the a$ternoon8 at about "ast 2 o1c#oc2 that a$ternoon whi#e wor2in% on the bac2#o%s, she hear some noise an e/chan%e o$ wor s which were not c#ear, but it seeme there was %rowin% troub#e8 she o"ene the oor to veri$! an saw Roweno 5omo! an Tomas ,a#boa %ra""#in% $or the "ossession o$ the %un8 she was insi e the room an one meter awa! $rom the oor8 5omo! an ,a#boa whi#e %ra""#in% were two to three meters awa! $rom the oor8 the %ra""#in% ha""ene so $ast an the %un o$ 5omo! was su en#! "u##e out $rom its ho#ster an then there was e/"#osion8 she was not certain who "u##e the %un. / / /. C7 en Le%as"iB C/ / / M3Ns ear#! as 1B40 o1c#oc2 in the a$ternoon o$ =anuar! 4, 1990 she was insi e the investi%ation room o$ the 5& at &am" =a#an oni, )ara, (#oi#o8 at about 2 o1c#oc2 that same a$ternoon whi#e there insi e, she hear a commotion outsi e an she remaine seate on the bench8 when the commotion starte the! were seate on the bench an a$ter the commotion that woman so# ier ?re$errin% to 7rna ,asa@ stoo u" an o"ene the oor an she saw two "ersons %ra""#in% $or the "ossession o$ a %un an imme iate#! two successive shots ran% out8 she i not #eave the "#ace where she was seate but she .ust stoo u"8 a$ter the shots, one o$ the two men $a## own / / /. C3ccuse -"etitioner Roweno 5omo!B C+e is 40 !ears o# an a 5N5 member o$ the (#oi#o 5rovincia# -obi#e 'orce &om"an! then attache to the e$unct 421st 5& &om"an!8 he was one o$ the investi%ators o$ their out$it8 about 2 o1c#oc2 or "ast that time o$ =anuar! 4, 1990 he %ot Tomas ,a#boa $rom their stoc2a e $or tactica# interro%ation8 as he was a#rea ! ho# in% the oor 2nob o$ their investi%ation room an about to o"en an enter it, a## o$ a su en he saw Tomas ,a#boa a""roach him an ta2e ho# or %rab the han #e o$ his %un8 Tomas ,a#boa was a sus"ect in a robber! case who was a""rehen e b! the "o#ice o$ &once"cion an then turne over to them ?5&@ an "#ace in their stoc2a e8 he as2e the ser%eant o$ the %uar to #et ,a#boa out o$ the stoc2a e $or interro%ation8 $rom the stoc2a e with ,a#boa wa#2in% with him, he ha his .49 ca#iber "isto# "#ace in his ho#ster attache to his be#t on his waist8 then as he was ho# in% the oor2nob with his ri%ht han to o"en the oor, the victim, who was two meters awa! $rom him, su en#! a""roache him an %rabbe his %un, but a## o$ a su en he he# the han #e o$ his %un with his #e$t han 8 he re#ease his ri%ht han $rom the oor2nob an , with that ri%ht han , he he# the han #e o$ his %un8 Tomas ,a#boa was not ab#e to ta2e actua# ho# o$ the %un because o$ his e$$orts in "reventin% him ?,a#boa@ $rom ho# in% the han #e o$ his %un8 he use his #e$t han to "arr! the move o$ ,a#boa8 a$ter he he# the han #e o$ his %un with his ri%ht han , in a matter o$ secon s, he $e#t somebo ! was ho# in% his ri%ht han 8 he an ,a#boa %ra""#e an in two or three secon s the %un was rawn $rom its ho#ster as both o$ them he# the %un8 more %ra""#in% $o##owe an $ive secon s a$ter the %un was ta2en $rom its ho#ster it $ire , the victim was to his ri%ht si e when the attem"t to %rab his %un be%an an was sti## to his ri%ht when the %un was rawn $rom its ho#ster unti# it $ire , as the! were sti## %ra""#in% or wrest#in%8 his %un was a#rea ! #oa e in its chamber an coc2e when he #e$t his house, an it was #oc2e when it $ire 8 urin% the %ra""#in% he use his #e$t han to "revent ,a#boa $rom ho# in% his %un, whi#e the victim use his ri%ht han in tr!in% to reach the %un8 a$ter the %un $ire , the! were

se"arate $rom each other an ,a#boa $e##8 he is ta##er than ,a#boa thou%h the #atter was bi%%er in bui# 8 he cannot sa! nor etermine who o$ them was stron%er8 a$ter ,a#boa $e##, )%t. 3#a% shoute sa!in% Vsto" that1 an he saw )%t. 3#a% a""roachin%8 sometime a$ter, &a"t. Ro#an o -ac#an%, their comman in% o$$icer, came, %ot his %un, an sai that the case be investi%ate as to what rea##! ha""ene . +e sai that when his %un was "ut in its ho#ster on#! its han #e "rotru es or comes out $rom it. CE"on cross-e/amination, he sai that ,a#boa was a sus"ect in a robber! case that ha""ene urin% the $irst wee2 o$ December, 19898 he was the one who $i#e that case in the town o$ )an Dionisio an that case invo#ves other "ersons who were a#so etaine 8 be$ore =anuar! 4, 1990 he ha a#so the chance to invite an interro%ate ,a#boa but who enie an! robber! case8 / / / M(Nt was a$ter he too2 his #unch that a! when &a"t. -ac#an% ca##e him to con uct the interro%ation8 when he too2 ,a#boa $rom the stoc2a e he i not te## him that he ?,a#boa@ was to be investi%ate in the investi%ation room which was house in the main bui# in% which is $i$t! meters, more or #ess, $rom the stoc2a e, #i2ewise houses the a ministrative o$$ice, the o$$ice o$ the comman in% o$$icer, o$$icer o$ the o"erations ivision an that o$ the si%na# ivision8 his %un was in its ho#ster when the victim trie to %rab it ?%un@8 $rom the time he sense that the victim trie to %rab his %un, he #oc2e the victim8 the han o$ the victim was on to" o$ his han an he $e#t the victim was attem"tin% to %et his %un8 that the entire han #e o$ his %un was e/"ose when "#ace insi e its ho#ster8 he cannot te## whether the victim, whi#e stru%%#in% with him, was ab#e to ho# an! "ortion o$ his %un $rom the ti" o$ its barre# to the "oint where its hammer is #ocate 8 urin% the inci ent his %un was $u##! #oa e an coc2e 8 )%t. 3#a% i not a""roach, but .ust viewe them an "robab#! re"orte the inci ent to their comman in% o$$icer8 he was not ab#e to ta#2 to )%t. 3#a% as he ?5omo!@ was not in his ri%ht sense8 when his comman in% o$$icer came some $ive to ten minutes #ater an too2 awa! his %un he i not te## him an!thin%. CDr. )a#va or -a##o =r. C+e is the Rura# +ea#th 5h!sician o$ )ara who con ucte the auto"s! on the ca aver o$ Tomas ,a#boa that a$ternoon o$ =anuar! 4, 19908 in his auto"s! $in in%s res"ectin% which he ma e an auto"s! re"ort he sai he $oun two entrance woun s on the victim, the $irst on the #e$t chest with tra.ector! me ia##! ownwar , whi#e the secon one is on the #e$t si e o$ the stomach with tra.ector! somewhat %oin% u"war 8 at the same time o$ his e/amination he saw this victim to be wearin% a #i%ht-co#ore T-shirt an a .ac2et8 other than the T-shirt worn b! the victim, he i not see or $in an! "ow er burns an mar2s an that those otte mar2s in the T-shirt were be#ieve b! him to be "ow er burns as the! #oo2 #i2e one8 he a#so $oun a e$orme s#u% in the "oc2et o$ the .ac2et o$ the victim.C9 Rul;$< o: 48( !ou54 o: A))(#l+ The &3 anchore its Decision on the $o##owin% $actua# $in in%sB 1@ the victim was not success$u# in his attem"ts to %rab the %un, since "etitioner ha been in contro# o$ the wea"on when the shots were $ire 8 2@ the %un ha been #oc2e "rior to the a##e%e %rabbin% inci ent an imme iate#! be$ore it went o$$8 it was "etitioner who re#ease the sa$et! #oc2 be$ore he e#iberate#! $ire the $ata# shots8 an 4@ the #ocation o$ the woun s $oun on the bo ! o$ the ecease i not su""ort the assertion o$ "etitioner that there ha been a %ra""#in% $or the %un. To the a""e##ate court, a## the $ore%oin% $acts iscre ite the c#aim o$ "etitioner that the eath o$ ,a#boa resu#te $rom an acci ent. &itin% 5eo"#e v. Re!es, 10 the &3 maintaine that Ca revo#ver is not "rone to acci enta# $irin% i$ it were sim"#! han e over to the ecease as a""e##ant c#aims because o$ the nature o$ its mechanism, un#ess it was a#rea ! $irst coc2e an "ressure was e/erte on the tri%%er in the "rocess o$ a##e%e #! han in% it over. ($ it were uncoc2e , then

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consi erab#e "ressure ha to be a""#ie on the tri%%er to $ire the revo#ver. 7ither wa!, the shootin% o$ the ecease must have been intentiona# because "ressure on the tri%%er was necessar! to ma2e the %un $ire.C11 -oreover, the a""e##ate court obvious#! concurre with this observation o$ the 6)GB CM5etitioner1sN theor! o$ acci ent wou# have been easier to be#ieve ha the victim been shot on#! once. (n this case, however, M"etitionerN shot the victim not on#! once but twice, thereb! estab#ishin% M"etitioner1sN etermine e$$ort to 2i## the victim. ,! an! stretch o$ the ima%ination, even assumin% without a mittin% that the $irst shot was acci enta#, then it shou# not have been $o##owe b! another shot on another vita# "art o$ the bo !. The $act that M"etitionerN shot the victim two ?2@ times an was hit on two i$$erent an istant "arts o$ the bo !, in$#icte $rom two i$$erent #ocations or an%#es, means that there was an intent to cause the victim1s eath, contrar! to M"etitioner1sN "retensions o$ the a##e%e acci enta# $irin%. (t is an o$t-re"eate "rinci"#e that the #ocation, number an %ravit! o$ the woun s in$#icte on the victim have a more revea#in% ta#e o$ what actua##! ha""ene urin% the inci ent. / / /.12 'urthermore, the &3 ebun2e the a#ternative "#ea o$ se#$- e$ense. (t he# that "etitioner ha miserab#! $ai#e to "rove the atten ance o$ un#aw$u# a%%ression, an in is"ensab#e e#ement o$ this .usti$!in% circumstance. 0hi#e substantia##! a$$irmin% the $actua# $in in%s o$ the RT&, the &3 isa%ree with the conc#usion o$ the tria# court that the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ abuse o$ "ub#ic "osition ha atten e the commission o$ the crime. 3ccor in%#!, the "ena#t! im"ose b! the RT& was mo i$ie b! the a""e##ate court in this mannerB C/ / / M'Nor "ub#ic "osition to be a""reciate as an a%%ravatin% circumstance, the "ub#ic o$$icia# must use his in$#uence, "resti%e an ascen anc! which his o$$ice %ives him in rea#i<in% his "ur"ose. ($ the accuse cou# have "er"etrate the crime without occu"!in% his "osition, then there is no abuse o$ "ub#ic "osition.1 ?5eo"#e vs. =o!no, 404 )&R3 :99, :;0@. (n the instant case, there is no showin% that the M"etitionerN ha a "reme itate "#an to 2i## the victim when the $ormer $etche the #atter $rom the stoc2a e, thus, it cannot be conc#u e that the "ub#ic "osition o$ the M"etitionerN $aci#itate the commission o$ the crime. There$ore, the tria# court1s $in in% that the sai a%%ravatin% circumstance that M"etitionerN too2 a vanta%e o$ his "ub#ic "osition to commit the crime cannot be sustaine . +ence, there bein% no a%%ravatin% an no miti%atin% circumstance "rove , the ma/imum o$ the "ena#t! sha## be ta2en $rom the me ium "erio o$ rec#usion tem"ora#, a "ena#t! im"osab#e $or the crime o$ homici e. / / /.C14 +ence, this 5etition.14 I++u(+ (n his -emoran um, "etitioner submitte the $o##owin% issues $or the &ourt1s consi erationB C(. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s committe serious an reversib#e error in a$$irmin% "etitioner1s conviction es"ite the insu$$icienc! o$ the "rosecution1s evi ence to convict the "etitioner, in contrast to "etitioner1s overwhe#min% evi ence to su""ort his theor!I e$ense o$ acci ent. C((. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s committe %rave an reversib#e error in a$$irmin% the conviction o$ the "etitioner on a mani$est#! mista2en in$erence that when the %un $ire , the "etitioner was in $u## contro# o$ the han #e o$ the %un, because what the testimonies o$ isintereste witnesses an the "etitioner revea# was that the %un $ire whi#e

"etitioner an ,a#boa were both ho# in% the %un in $orce$u# e$$orts to wrest the %un $rom each other. C(((. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s %rave#! erre in a$$irmin% the so#icitor %enera#1s observation that the $act that "etitioner shot the victim twice estab#ishes "etitioner1s etermine e$$ort to 2i## the victim. C(*. The a""e##ate court committe serious misa""rehension o$ the evi ence "resente when it ru#e that the tra.ector! o$ the woun s was $ront-to-bac2 be#!in% the a##e%ation o$ "etitioner that he an the victim were si e-b!-si e each other when the %ra""#in% ensue . C*. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s $ai#e to iscern the rea# im"ort o$ "etitioner1s reaction to the inci ent when it state that the umb$oun e reaction o$ "etitioner a$ter the inci ent stron%#! ar%ues a%ainst his c#aim o$ acci enta# shootin%. C*(. The a""e##ate court committe %rave error when it isre%ar e motive or #ac2 o$ it in eterminin% the e/istence o$ vo#untariness an intent on the "art o$ "etitioner to shoot at the victim when the same was "ut in serious oubt b! the evi ence "resente . C*((. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s was mista2en in ru#in% that the e$ense o$ acci ent an se#$- e$ense are inconsistent. C*(((. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s obvious#! erre in the im"osition o$ the "ena#ties an ama%es.C19 (n sum, the $ore%oin% issues can be narrowe own to twoB 'irst, whether the shootin% o$ Tomas ,a#boa was the resu#t o$ an acci ent8 an secon , whether "etitioner was ab#e to "rove se#$- e$ense. T8( !ou54?+ Rul;$< The 5etition is meritorious. .;5+4 I++u(: Accidental Shooting Time#ess is the #e%a# a a%e that the $actua# $in in%s o$ the tria# court, when a$$irme b! the a""e##ate court, are conc#usive. 1: ,oth courts "ossess timehonore e/"ertise in the $ie# o$ $act $in in%. ,ut where some $acts are misinter"rete or some etai#s over#oo2e , the )u"reme &ourt ma! overturn the erroneous conc#usions rawn b! the courts a >uo. 0here, as in this case, the $acts in is"ute are crucia# to the >uestion o$ innocence or %ui#t o$ the accuse , a care$u# $actua# ree/amination is im"erative. 3cci ent is an e/em"tin% circumstance un er 3rtic#e 12 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o eB C3rtic#e 12. &ircumstances which e/em"t $rom crimina# #iabi#it!. T The $o##owin% are e/em"t $rom crimina# #iabi#it!B /// /// ///

V4. 3n! "erson who, whi#e "er$ormin% a #aw$u# act with ue care, causes an in.ur! b! mere acci ent without $au#t or intent o$ causin% it.1C 7/em"tion $rom crimina# #iabi#it! "rocee s $rom a $in in% that the harm to the victim was not ue to the $au#t or ne%#i%ence o$ the accuse , but to circumstances

15

that cou# not have been $oreseen or contro##e . 1; Thus, in eterminin% whether an Cacci entC atten e the inci ent, courts must ta2e into account the ua# stan ar s o$ #ac2 o$ intent to 2i## an absence o$ $au#t or ne%#i%ence. This etermination inevitab#! brin%s to the $ore the main >uestion in the "resent caseB was "etitioner in contro# o$ the .49 ca#iber "isto# at the ver! moment the shots were $ire H Petitioner Not in Control of the Gun When It Fired The recor s show that, other than "etitioner himse#$, it was 7rna ,asa who witnesse the inci ent $irsthan . +er account, narrate urin% cross-e/amination, etai#e the events o$ that $ate$u# a$ternoon o$ =anuar! 4, 1990 as $o##owsB The $ore%oin% account emonstrates that "etitioner i not have contro# o$ the %un urin% the scu$$#e. The ecease "ersistent#! attem"te to wrest the wea"on $rom him, whi#e he reso#ute#! trie to thwart those attem"ts. That the han s o$ both "etitioner an the victim were a## over the wea"on was cate%orica##! asserte b! the e!ewitness. (n the course o$ %ra""#in% $or the %un, both han s o$ "etitioner were $u##! en%a%e -- his ri%ht han was tr!in% to maintain "ossession o$ the wea"on, whi#e his #e$t was war in% o$$ the victim. (t wou# be i$$icu#t to ima%ine how, un er such circumstances, "etitioner wou# coo##! an e$$ective#! be ab#e to re#ease the sa$et! #oc2 o$ the %un an e#iberate#! aim an $ire it at the victim. (t wou# there$ore a""ear that there was no $irm $actua# basis $or the $o##owin% ec#aration o$ the a""e##ate courtB CM5etitionerN a mitte that his ri%ht han was ho# in% the han #e o$ the %un whi#e the #e$t han o$ the victim was over his ri%ht han when the %un was $ire . This ec#aration wou# sa$e#! #ea us to the conc#usion that when the %un went o$$ herein M"etitionerN was in $u## contro# o$ the %un.C19 Release of the Gun s Firing of the Gun $oth Accidental Safet! "oc# and

bo ! as he was $a##in% own an re#easin% his ho# on "etitioner1s han / / /.C20 Thus, the a""e##ate court1s re#iance on 5eo"#e v. Re!es41 was mis"#ace . (n that case, the &ourt isbe#ieve the accuse who escribe how his %un ha e/"#o e whi#e he was sim"#! han in% it over to the victim. +ere, no simi#ar c#aim is bein% ma e8 "etitioner has consistent#! maintaine that the %un acci enta##! $ire in the course o$ his stru%%#e with the victim. -ore si%ni$icant#!, the "resent case invo#ves a semi-automatic "isto#, the mechanism o$ which is ver! i$$erent $rom that o$ a revo#ver, the %un use in Re!es.22 En#i2e a revo#ver, a semiautomatic "isto#, as su$$icient#! escribe b! "etitioner, is "rone to acci enta# $irin% when "ossession thereo$ becomes the ob.ect o$ a stru%%#e. Alleged Gra%%ling Not Negated &! Frontal "ocation of Wounds 6n the basis o$ the $in in%s o$ Dr. =aboneta showin% that the woun s o$ the ecease were a## $ronta#, the a""e##ate court re.ecte "etitioner1s c#aim that a %ra""#in% $or the wea"on ever occurre . (t he# that Ci$ there was in ee a %ra""#in% between the two, an that the! ha been si e Mb!N si e / / / each other, the woun s thus in$#icte cou# not have ha a $ront-to-bac2 tra.ector! which wou# #ea to an in$erence that the victim was shot $ronta##!, as observe b! Dr. =aboneta.C24 6r inari#!, the #ocation o$ %unshot woun s is in icative o$ the "ositions o$ the "arties at the "recise moment when the %un was $ire . Their "ositions wou# in turn be re#evant to a etermination o$ the e/istence o$ variab#es such as treacher!, a%%ression an so on. (n the $actua# conte/t o$ the "resent case, however, the #ocation o$ the woun s becomes inconse>uentia#. 0here, as in this case, both the victim an the accuse were %ra""#in% $or "ossession o$ a %un, the irection o$ its no<<#e ma! continuous#! chan%e in the "rocess, such that the tra.ector! o$ the bu##et when the wea"on $ires becomes un"re ictab#e an erratic. (n this case, the e!ewitness account o$ that as"ect o$ the tra%ic scu$$#e shows that the "arties1 "ositions were unstea !, an that the no<<#e o$ the %un was neither e$inite#! aime nor "ointe at an! "articu#ar tar%et. 0e >uote the e!ewitness testimon! as $o##owsB (n his 5etition, this e/"#anation is %iven b! "etitionerB C/ / /. The &ourt o$ 3""ea#s erre in conc#u in% that ,a#boa was shot $ronta##!. 'irst, because the "osition o$ the %un oes not necessari#! in icate the "osition o$ the "erson or "ersons ho# in% the %un when it $ire . This is es"ecia##! true when two "ersons were %ra""#in% $or the "ossession o$ the %un when it $ire , as what e/act#! trans"ire in this case. / / /. CMTheN testimon! c#ear#! emonstrates that the "etitioner was on the #e$t si e o$ the victim urin% the %ra""#in% when the %un $ire . The secon woun was thus in$#icte this wiseB when the $irst shot hit ,a#boa, his u""er bo ! was "ushe ownwar owin% to the 2noc2in% "ower o$ the ca#iber .49 "isto#. ,ut he i not #et %o o$ his %ri" o$ the han o$ "etitioner an the %un, ,a#boa "u##in% the %un own as he was %oin% own. 0hen the %un went o$$ the secon time hittin% ,a#boa, the tra.ector! o$ the bu##et in ,a#boa1s bo ! was %oin% u"war because his u""er bo ! was "ushe ownwar twistin% to the #e$t. (t was then that ,a#boa #et %o o$ his %ri". 6n cross-e/amination, "etitioner testi$ie , what ( notice was that a$ter successive shots we se"arate $rom each other. This se>uence o$ events is #o%ica# because the "rota%onists were %ra""#in% over the %un an were movin% ver! $ast. / / /.C2: Presence 'le(ents of Accident of All the

5etitioner testi$ie that the .49 ca#iber service "isto# was e>ui""e with a sa$et! #oc2 that, un#ess re#ease , wou# "revent the $irin% o$ the %un. Des"ite this sa$et! $eature, however, the evi ence showe that the wea"on $ire an hit the victim -not .ust once, but twice. To the a""e##ate court, this $act cou# on#! mean that "etitioner ha e#iberate#! un#oc2e the %un an shot at the victim. This conc#usion a""ears to be non se>uitur. (t is un is"ute that both "etitioner an the victim %ra""#e $or "ossession o$ the %un. This $ren<ie %ra""#in% $or the wea"on -- thou%h brie$, havin% been $inishe in a matter o$ secon s -- was $ierce an vicious. The e!ewitness account am"#! i##ustrate the #o%ica# conc#usion that cou# not be ismisse B that in the course o$ the scu$$#e, the sa$et! #oc2 cou# have been acci enta##! re#ease an the shots acci enta##! $ire . That there was not .ust one but two shots $ire oes not necessari#! an conc#usive#! ne%ate the c#aim that the shootin% was acci enta#, as the same circumstance can easi#! be attribute to the mechanism o$ the .49 ca#iber service %un. 5etitioner, in his technica# escri"tion o$ the wea"on in >uestion, e/"#aine how the is"ute secon shot ma! have been brou%ht aboutB C/ / / 5etitioner a#so testi$ie on cross-e/amination that a ca#iber .49 semi-automatic "isto#, when $ire , imme iate#! s#i es bac2war throwin% awa! the em"t! she## an returns imme iate#! carr!in% a%ain a #ive bu##et in its chamber. Thus, the %un can, as it i , $ire in succession. *eri#!, the #ocation o$, an istance between the woun s an the tra.ectories o$ the bu##ets .ibe "er$ect#! with the c#aim o$ the "etitionerB the tra.ector! o$ the $irst shot %oin% ownwar $rom #e$t to ri%ht thus "ushin% ,a#boa1s u""er bo !, ti#tin% it to the #e$t whi#e ,a#boa was sti## c#utchin% "etitioner1s han over the %un8 the secon shot hittin% him in the stomach with the bu##et %oin% u"war o$ ,a#boa1s

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The e#ements o$ acci ent are as $o##owsB 1@ the accuse was at the time "er$ormin% a #aw$u# act with ue care8 2@ the resu#tin% in.ur! was cause b! mere acci ent8 an 4@ on the "art o$ the accuse , there was no $au#t or no intent to cause the in.ur!.2; 'rom the $acts, it is c#ear that a## these e#ements were "resent. 3t the time o$ the inci ent, "etitioner was a member -- s"eci$ica##!, one o$ the investi%ators -- o$ the 5hi#i""ine Nationa# 5o#ice ?5N5@ statione at the (#oi#o 5rovincia# -obi#e 'orce &om"an!. Thus, it was in the #aw$u# "er$ormance o$ his uties as investi%atin% o$$icer that, un er the instructions o$ his su"erior, he $etche the victim $rom the #atter1s ce## $or a routine interro%ation. 3%ain, it was in the #aw$u# "er$ormance o$ his ut! as a #aw en$orcer that "etitioner trie to e$en his "ossession o$ the wea"on when the victim su en#! trie to remove it $rom his ho#ster. 3s an en$orcer o$ the #aw, "etitioner was ut!-boun to "revent the snatchin% o$ his service wea"on b! an!one, es"ecia##! b! a etaine "erson in his custo !. )uch wea"on was #i2e#! to be use to $aci#itate esca"e an to 2i## or maim "ersons in the vicinit!, inc#u in% "etitioner himse#$. 5etitioner cannot be $au#te $or ne%#i%ence. +e e/ercise a## the necessar! "recautions to "revent his service wea"on $rom causin% acci enta# harm to others. 3s he so assi uous#! maintaine , he ha 2e"t his service %un #oc2e when he #e$t his house8 he 2e"t it insi e its ho#ster at a## times, es"ecia##! within the "remises o$ his wor2in% area. 3t no instance urin% his testimon! i the accuse a mit to an! intent to cause in.ur! to the ecease , much #ess 2i## him. 'urthermore, Nicostrato 7ste"ar, the %uar in char%e o$ the etention o$ ,a#boa, i not testi$! to an! behavior on the "art o$ "etitioner that wou# in icate the intent to harm the victim whi#e bein% $etche $rom the etention ce##. The "artici"ation o$ "etitioner, i$ an!, in the victim1s eath was #imite on#! to acts committe in the course o$ the #aw$u# "er$ormance o$ his uties as an en$orcer o$ the #aw. The remova# o$ the %un $rom its ho#ster, the re#ease o$ the sa$et! #oc2, an the $irin% o$ the two successive shots -- a## o$ which #e to the eath o$ the victim -- were su$$icient#! emonstrate to have been conse>uences o$ circumstances be!on the contro# o$ "etitioner. 3t the ver! #east, these $actua# circumstances create serious oubt on the #atter1s cu#"abi#it!. Petitioner s Not Conclusi*e of Guilt Su&se)uent Conduct

)ince the eath o$ the victim was the resu#t o$ an acci enta# $irin% o$ the service %un o$ "etitioner -- an e/em"tin% circumstance as e$ine in 3rtic#e 12 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e -- a $urther iscussion o$ whether the assai#e acts o$ the #atter constitute #aw$u# se#$- e$ense is unnecessar!. >HERE.ORE, the 5etition is GRANTED an the assai#e Decision REVERSED. 5etitioner is A!@UITTED. No costs. !ASE DIGEST ON 'EO'LE *. DORIA /A01 S!RA 660 1199923 H Two civi#ian in$ormants in$orme the 5N5 Narcom that one F=un was en%a%e in i##e%a# ru% activities an the Narcom a%ents eci e to entra" an arrenst F=unG in a bu!-bust o"eration. H 6n the a! o$ entra"ment, 564 -an#an%it han e F=unG the mar2e bi##s an F=unG instructe 564 -an#an%it to wait $or him whi#e he %ot the mari.uana $rom his associate. H 0hen the! met u", F=unG %ave 564 somethin% wra""e in "#astic u"on which 564 arreste F=unG. The! $ris2e =un but i not $in the mar2e bi##s on him. F=unG revea#e that he #e$t the mone! at the house o$ his associate name FnenethG H The! wen to Neneth1s house. 564 -an#an%it notice a carton bo/ un er the inin tab#e an notice somethin% wra""e in "#astic insi e the bo/. H )us"icious, 564 entere the house an too2 ho# o$ the bo/ an $oun that it ha 10 bric2s o$ what a""eare to be rie mari.uana #eaves. H )imu#taneous#!, )561 ,a ua recovere the mar2e bi##s $rom Neneth. The "o#icemen arreste Neneth an too2 both her an =un, to%ether with the co<, its contents an the mar2e bi## an turne them over to the investi%ator at hea >uarters, H =un was then #earne to be '#orencio Doria whi#e Neneth is *io#ata Ga ao. H The! were both convicte $e#onious#! se##in%, a ministerin% an %ivin% awa! to another 11 "#astic ba%s o$ sus"ecte mari.uana $ruitin% to"s, in vio#ation o$ R.3 :429, as amen e b! R3 ;:99 (ssueB 06N *io#eta Ga ao is #iab#e H 7ntra"ment is reco%ni<e as a va#i e$ense that can be raise b! an accuse W "arta2es the nature o$ a con$ession W avoi ance. H 3merican $e era# courts an state courts usua##! use the Fsub.ectiveG or Fori%in o$ intentG test #ai own in )orre##s v. E.). to etermine whether entra"ment actua##! occurre . The $ocus o$ the in>uir! is on the accuse 1s "re is"osition to commit the o$$ense is char%e , his state o$ min an inc#ination be$ore his initia# e/"osure to %overnment a%ents. H 3nother test is the ob.ective test where the test o$ entra"ment is whether the con uct o$ the #aw en$orcement a%enst was #i2e#! to in uce a norma##! #awabi in% "erson, other than one who is rea ! an wi##in%, to commit the o$$ense. H The ob.ective test in bu!-bust o"erations eman s that the etai#s o$ the "ur"orte transaction must be c#ear#! W a e>uate#! shown. &ourts shou# #oo2 at a## $actors to etermine the "re is"osition o$ an accuse to commit an o$$ense in so $ar as the! are re#evant to etermine the va#i t! o$ the e$ense o$ in ucement.

To both the tria# an the a""e##ate courts, the con uct o$ "etitioner imme iate#! a$ter the inci ent was in icative o$ remorse. 3##e%e #!, his %ui#t was evi ent $rom the $act that he was C umb$oun e ,C accor in% to the &38 was Cmum, "a#e an tremb#in%,C accor in% to the tria# court. These behaviora# reactions su""ose #! "oint to his %ui#t. Not necessari#! so. +is behavior was un erstan ab#e. 3$ter a##, a minute ear#ier he ha been ca#m#! escortin% a "erson $rom the etention ce## to the investi%atin% room8 an , in the ne/t breath, he was #oo2in% at his com"anion1s b#oo ie bo !. +is reaction was to be e/"ecte o$ one in a state o$ shoc2 at events that ha trans"ire so swi$t#! an en e so re%rettab#!. S(9o$% I++u(: Self+Defense 5etitioner a vance se#$- e$ense as an a#ternative. Grantin% ar%uen o that he intentiona##! shot ,a#boa, he c#aims he i so to "rotect his #i$e an #imb $rom rea# an imme iate an%er. )e#$- e$ense is inconsistent with the e/em"tin% circumstance o$ acci ent, in which there is no intent to 2i##. 6n the other han , se#$- e$ense necessari#! contem"#ates a "reme itate intent to 2i## in or er to e$en onese#$ $rom imminent an%er. 28 3""arent#!, the $ata# shots in the instant case i not occur out o$ an! conscious or "reme itate e$$ort to over"ower, maim or 2i## the victim $or the "ur"ose o$ se#$e$ense a%ainst an! a%%ression8 rather, the! a""eare to be the s"ontaneous an acci enta# resu#t o$ both "arties1 attem"ts to "ossess the $irearm.

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H (n the case at bar, Ga ao was not cau%ht re -han e urin% the bu!bust o"eration to %ive %roun $or her arrest uner )ec. 9a o$ Ru#e 114. )he was not committin% an! crime. &ontrar! to the $in in% o$ the T&, there was no occasion at a## $or Ga ao to $#ee $rom the "o#icement to .usti$! her arrest in Fhot "ursuitG H Neither cou# her arrest ne .usti$ie un er secon instance o$ F"ersona# 2now#e %eG in Ru#e 114 as this must be base u"on "robab#e cause which means an actua# be#ie$ or reasonab#e %roun s $or sus"icion. Ga ao was arreste so#e#! on the basis o$ the a##e%e in enti$ication ma e b! her co-accuse . 564 -an#an%t, however, ec#are in his irect e/amination that a""e##ant Doria name his co-accuse in res"onse to his >uer! as to where the mar2e mone! was. Doria i not "oint to Ga ao as his associate in the ru% business, but as the "erson with whom he #$et the mar2e bi##s. This i enti$ication oes not necessari#! #ea to the conc#usion that Ga ao cons"ire with Doria in "ushin% ru%s, ($ there is no showin% that the "erson who e$$ecte the warrant#ess arrest ha , in his own ri%ht, 2now#e %e o$ the acts im"#icatin% the "erson arreste to the "er"etration o$ a crimina# o$$ense, the arrest is #e%a##! ob.ectionab#e. H 'urthermore, the $act that the bo/ containin% about : 2i#os o$ mari.uana was $oun in Ga ao1s house oes not .usti$! a $in in% that she herse#$ is %ui#t! o$ the crime char%e . H The "rosecution thus ha $ai#e to "rove that Ga ao cons"ire with Doria in the sa#e o$ the sai ru%. Thus, Ga ao is ac>uitte !ASE DIGEST ON 'EO'LE *. DIOBNO /6A '8;l. 601 119A623 'actsB Ou +ion%, a &hinaman, ha e#o"e with the au%hter o$ 7"i$anio Dio2no. Later when the Ou +ion% saw the 7"i$anio an his son, Roman, comin%, Ou +ion% ran u"stairs in his house. ,ut was cau%ht b! two an stabbe unti# Ou +ion%1s nei%hbor noti$ie the "o#ice who res"on e to the crime. +e# B There are 4 miti%atin% circumstances. 'irst, the "resence o$ the $i$th miti%atin% circumstance o$ R5& 314, that is, imme iate vin icaXtion o$ a %rave o$$enseSma! be ta2en into consi eration in $avor o$ the 2 accuse , because a#thou%h the e#o"ement too2 "#ace on =an. 4, 1949, W the a%%ression on the ;th o$ sai month W !ear, the o$$ense i n1t cease whi#e ?the ab ucte au%hter1s@ whereabouts remaine un2nown W her marria%e to the ecease un#e%a#i<e . There$ore, there was no interru"tion $rom the time the o$$ense was committe to the vin icaXtion thereo$. The accuse be#on%s to a $ami#! o$ o# customs to whom the e#o"ement o$ a au%hter wI a man constitutes a %rave o$$ense to their honor W causes isturbance o$ the "eace W tran>ui#it! o$ the home W at the same time s"rea s unXeasiness W an/iet! in the min s o$ the members thereo$. The :th miti%atin% circumstance o$ havin% acte u"on an im"u#se so "ower$u# as natura##! to have "ro uce "assion or ob$uscation, ma! a#so be a""reciate . That the accuse saw Ou +ion% run u"stairs when he became aware o$ their "resence, as i$ he re$use to ea# with them a$ter havin% %rave#! o$$en e them, was certain#! a stimu#us stron% enou%h to "ro uce in their min a $it o$ "assion which b#in e them an #e them to commit the crime wI which the! are char%e . *in ication o$ %rave o$$ense cannot co-e/ist wI "assion W ob$uscation. ,ut where there are other $acts, a#thou%h c#ose#! connecte wI the $act u"on which one circumstance is "remise , the other circumstance ma! be a""reciate as base on the other $act. There are two $acts which are c#ose#! connecte , name#!B ?1@ e#o"ement, which is a %rave o$$ense to a $ami#! o$ o# customs, W ?2@ re$usa# to ea# with him, a stimu#us stron% enou%h to "ro uce in his min a $it o$ "asXsion. Thus, the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vin ication o$ a %rave o$$ense was base on the $act o$ e#o"eXment W that o$ "assion on the $act that the ecease , instea o$ meetin% him W as2in% $or $or%iveness, ran awa! $rom the accuse . The ;th circumstance o$ R5& 314, consistin% o$ havin% surren ere himse#$ imme iate#! to the a%ents o$ "ersons in authorit!, shou# a#so be ta2en into consi eration in $avor o$ 7"i$anio.

,oth shou# be %rante the bene$its o$ the in eterminate sentence "rovi e in 3ct No. 4104, as amen e b! 3ct No. 4229, which "rescribes a "ena#t! the minimum o$ which sha## be ta2en $rom that ne/t #ower to "rision ma!or, or "rision correcciona# o$ $rom : mos W 1 a! to : !rs. En er the circumstances o$ the case, the! are thus sentence to an in eterminate "ena#t! $rom 1 !ears W 2 a!s o$ "rision correcciona# to 8 !ears W 1 a! o$ "rision ma!or, cre itin% them with oneha#$ o$ the time urin% which the! have un er%one "reventive im"risonment W to in emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease . G.R. No. L-A224A A)5;l 1 , 1900 THE 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES vs.EUGENIO !RISOSTO"O, GAN!AY!O, J.: 6n &hristmas a!, December 29, 19:;, between :B00 an ;B00 oA c#oc2 in the evenin% at )to. Rosario, +a%ono!, ,u#acan, whi#e 7u%enio &risostomo was "assin% near the house o$ Romeo Geronimo, he met the #atter an invite him to have a rin2 in the "#ace o$ a $rien . Romeo ec#ine the o$$er. )u en#! 7u%enio rushe towar s Romeo who was then stan in% near a store $acin% the street with his bac2 towar s 7u%enio an shot him with a .22 ca#iber revo#ver at a istance o$ one ?1@ meter. The bu##et entere about two ?2@ inches be#ow the a/i##a ?arm"it@ an came out on the ri%ht si e o$ the chest about one ?1@ inch to the sternum. Romeo $e## to the %roun morta##! woun e whi#e 7u%enio ran awa!. ,!-stan ers who were near the "#ace such as De#$in Lo"e<, 7rnesto Tri##ana 3"o#onio )antos an -anue# Tama!o an others who were a## $rien s o$ both the victim an assai#ant came to the ai o$ the $a##en victim an brou%ht him to the Re!es +os"ita# at the 5ob#acion o$ +a%ono! where the octor "ronounce the victim ea u"on arriva#. Thus, the! brou%ht the victimAs bo ! to his home. 3n in$ormation $or mur er was $i#e b! the "rovincia# $isca# in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance ?&'(@ o$ ,u#acan a%ainst 7u%enio &risostomo char%in% him o$ the crime o$ mur er as $o##owsB That on or about the 29th a! o$ December, 19:;, in the munici"a#it! o$ +a%ono!, "rovince o$ ,u#acan, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the sai accuse 7u%enio &risostomo, arme with a $irearm an with intent to 2i## one Romeo 'e#i"e Geronimo, i then an there un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#!, with evi ent "reme itation an treacher!, attac2, assau#t an shoot the sai Romeo 'e#i"e Geronimo with the $irearms he was then "rovi e , hittin% the #atter on the chest, causin% serious "h!sica# in.uries thereon, which irect#! cause the eath o$ the sai Romeo 'e#i"e Geronimo. 3$ter the arrai%nment wherein accuse entere a "#ea o$ not %ui#t! an a%ain urin% the tria#, the accuse si%ni$ie his intention to with raw his "#ea o$ not %ui#t! to the char%e o$ mur er an to substitute it with a "#ea o$ %ui#t! to a #esser char%e o$ homici e an "ra!e that he be a##owe to "rove the miti%atin% circumstances. The same "#ea was ma e b! the accuse a$ter the "rosecution ha reste its case but the $isca# i not a%ree. Thus the court enie the "etition. 3 ecision was ren ere on -arch 28, 19:9 convictin% the accuse o$ the o$$ense char%e , the is"ositive "ortion o$ which rea s as $o##owsB (N *(70 6' T+7 '6R7G6(NG &6N)(D7R3T(6N), the court $in s the accuse 7EG7N(6 &R()6)T6-6 %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the crime o$ -ERD7R, "unishe un er 3rt. 248 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, without an! mo i$!in% circumstance an hereb! sentences him to Reclusion Perpetua$ with the accessories o$ the #awB to in emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease in the sum o$ T07L*7 T+6E)3ND 57)6) ?512,000.00@8 an to "a! the costs.

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Not satis$ie therewith the accuse now inter"ose this a""ea# a##e%in% that the tria# court committe the $o##owin% assi%ne errorsB ( T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N '(ND(NG T+3T D7'7ND3NT- 3557LL3NT +3) 3D-(TT7D +3*(NG K(LL7D R6-76 G7R6N(-6, (N)T73D 6' L(-(T(NG (T) '(ND(NG T6 T+7 TRE7 7UT7NT 6' +() 3D-())(6N. (( T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N '(ND(NG T+3T T+7R7 () 7*(D7N&7 ,7O6ND R73)6N3,L7 D6E,T T+3T D7'7ND3NT-3557LL3NT K(LL7D R6-76 G7R6N(-6, (N)T73D 6' '(ND(NG T+3T N6 7*(D7N&7 +3D ,77N 5R7)7NT7D 3) T6 T+7 3&TE3L &3E)7 6' D73T+, T+7R7 +3*(NG ,77N N6 3ET65)O 57R'6R-7D 6N T+7 ,6DO 6' R6-76 G7R6N(-6. ((( T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N '(ND(NG T+3T D7'7ND3NT- 3557LL3NT +3D 3&T7D 0(T+ TR73&+7RO. (* T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N N6T '(ND(NG T+3T D7'7ND3NT- 3557LL3NT () 7NT(TL7D T6 T+7 -(T(G3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7 6' DRENK7NN7)). * T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N N6T 355R7&(3T(NG (N '3*6R 6' 3557LL3NT T+7 -(T(G3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7 6' *6LENT3RO )ERR7ND7R. *( T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N N6T 355R7&(3T(NG D7'7ND3NT-3557LL3NTA) 6''7R T6 5L73D GE(LTO T6 T+7 &+3RG7 6' +6-(&(D7 ?T+7 TRE7 &R(-7 &6--(TT7D (' 6N7 +3D (N '3&T ,77N &6--(TT7D 3) 3 -(T(G3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7. *(( T+7 L607R &6ERT 7RR7D (N N6T &R7D(T(NG D7'7ND3NT-3557LL3NT 0(T+ T+7 5R(*(L7G7D -(T(G3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7 6' 5R7)7N&7 6' T06 6RD(N3RO -(T(G3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7) 0(T+6ET T+7 5R7)7N&7 6' 3NO 3GGR3*3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7. En er the $irst assi%ne error a""e##ant c#aims that the tria# court erre in $in in% that he a mitte havin% 2i##e the victim. Testi$!in% in his e$ense the a""e##ant c#aims that at the time o$ the inci ent when he saw the victim he "#a!e a .o2e on him b! rawin% his %un $rom his waist an "ointin% the same to the victim but the %un su en#! went o$$, its bu##et hittin% the victim. Ta2en b! sur"rise he $#e .

No oubt $rom the sai version o$ the a""e##ant he e$$ective#! a mitte havin% shot the victim Romeo Geronimo. (n $act he $#e $rom the scene o$ the crime u"on rea#i<in% the %ravit! o$ what he ha committe . (t is c#ear that it was that sin%#e shot that $e##e the victim which was the imme iate cause o$ his eath. (n ee , urin% the tria# an as #ate as a$ter the "rosecution ha reste its case, the a""e##ant o$$ere to with raw his "#ea o$ not %ui#t! an substitute it with a "#ea o$ %ui#t! o$ the #essor o$$ense o$ homici e but the "rosecution re$use to a%ree with his "ro"osa#. En er the secon assi%ne error the a""e##ant c#aims that as no auto"s! was "er$orme on the bo ! o$ the victim the "rosecution has not estab#ishe the actua# cause o$ eath o$ the victim. +e conten s that the eath certi$icate o$ the victim ?7/hibit 3@ to which he o$$ere no ob.ection is a missib#e on#! to estab#ish the $act o$ eath not the cause o$ the eath o$ the victim. +e $urther avers that the testimon! o$ Dr. =uan )antos who e/amine the bo ! o$ the victim but i not "er$orm an auto"s! shows that he i not >ua#i$! as an e/"ert witness8 an even i$ he were an e/"ert witness there was no basis $or him to ren er an o"inion as to the cause o$ eath o$ the victim. 'urther, a""e##ant a##e%es that Dr. )antos mentione two ?2@ woun s o$ i$$erent si<es but otherwise with e/act#! i entica# characteristics $rom which the "ossibi#it! ma! be e uce that the victim ma! have been shot twice, the secon time b! a "erson other than the a""e##ant. These ar%uments are evoi o$ merit. Dr. )antos, who was then the munici"a# hea#th o$$icer o$ +a%ono!, ,u#acan, cate%orica##! testi$ie that the cause o$ eath o$ the ecease was a throu%h an throu%h %unshot woun which was cause b! a bu##et. 1 3#thou%h he ma! not be an e/"ert witness, as a "h!sician an hea#th o$$icer he is certain#! >ua#i$ie to %ive an o"inion as to the cause o$ eath o$ the victim. +e e/terna##! e/amine the bo ! o$ the ecease on the same ni%ht o$ the inci ent, an $oun no other si%n o$ e/terna# vio#ence e/ce"t the shot woun . 2 En er such circumstances, one nee not be an e/"ert to ren er an o"inion that the sai %unshot woun was the cause o$ eath o$ the victim. &ontrar! to the contention o$ the a""e##ant, Dr. )antos "ointe out the i$$erence between the two ?2@ woun s on the bo ! o$ the victim in that the #e$t a/i##a woun was on#! 2.9 mi#imeters, whi#e the ri%ht chest woun was 8 mi#imeters in iameter8 that the $ormer was roun whi#e the #atter was ova#8 an that the $ormer was ee" whi#e the #atter was sha##ower +e enie that the woun s were o$ i entica# a""earance. A Dr. )antos em"hasi<e that the #e$t a/i##a woun is the "oint o$ entr! o$ the bu##et whi#e the ri%ht chest woun is its "oint o$ e/it an that the sai woun s were cause b! one bu##et. The tra.ector! o$ the bu##et was $rom the #e$t a/i##a to the ri%ht chest. 4 The s"ecu#ation o$ the a""e##ant that the victim ma! have been shot twice is thus tota##! without basis. The eath certi$icate an the notes issue b! Dr. )antos a$ter his e/terna# e/amination o$ the bo ! o$ the victim estab#ish the cause o$ eath o$ the ecease contrar! to the contention o$ the a""e##ant. (n this .uris iction such eath certi$icate an notes issue b! sai munici"a# hea#th o$$icer in the re%u#ar "er$ormance o$ his ut! are prima facie evi ence o$ the cause o$ eath o$ the victim. 6 -oreover, the sai eath certi$icate is not on#! con$irme b! the testimon! o$ Dr. )antos an b! two ?2@ e!ewitnesses -anue# Tama!o an De#$in Lo"e< who state that the! saw the a""e##ant rush at the victim an su en#! shoot him8 that the victim $e## own a$ter he was hit8 an that the! brou%ht him to the hos"ita# but the octor "ronounce him ea on arriva#. These two witnesses are mutua# $rien s o$ both the ecease an the a""e##ant so that their testimonies are $ree $rom an! sus"icion o$ bias or "re.u ice. The a""e##ant assai#s the $in in%s o$ the court a quo that he acte with treacher! in the commission o$ the o$$ense as a thir assi%ne error. +e conten s that whi#e it ma! be true that he su en#! attac2e the victim, it oes not a""ear that he ha conscious#! a o"te the mo e o$ attac2 inten e to $aci#itate the "er"etuation o$ the o$$ense without ris2 to himse#$. (n $act a""e##ant c#aims that he was run2 an

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as such he cou# not have re$#ecte on the s"ecia# means o$ the e/ecution o$ the act. There is treacher! when the o$$en er commits an! o$ the crimes a%ainst the "erson, em"#o!in% means, metho or $orms in the e/ecution thereo$ which ten irect#! an s"ecia##! to insure its e/ecution, without ris2 to himse#$ arisin% $rom the e$ense which the o$$en e "art! mi%ht ma2e. 6 The su enness o$ the attac2 oes not, o$ itse#$, su$$ice to su""ort the $in in%s o$ alevosia. 0 There must be evi ence that the mo e o$ attac2 was conscious#! a o"te b! the a""e##ant to ma2e it im"ossib#e or har $or the "erson attac2e to e$en himse#$ or reta#iate. 9 (n the "resent case, the a""e##ant a mitte that he ha a "revious a#tercation with the victim wherein he was hit b! the ecease with a bott#e because o$ certain i$$erences the! ha in a bi##iar ha## a#thou%h he c#aime to have resume $rien #! re#ations with the victim therea$ter. 10 Neverthe#ess, at the time o$ the inci ent, the a""e##ant went throu%h the motion o$ invitin% the victim to .oin him in a rin2in% s"ree which the victim ec#ine an then su en#!, without an! ceremon!, he shot the victim whi#e his ?the victimAs@ bac2 was turne . The a""e##ant use a %un, a #etha# wea"on to insure his esi%n to 2i## the victim. +e $ire at him at a short istance aimin% at a vita# s"ot o$ his bo !. The victim was unarme . 'rom the environmenta# circumstances o$ the case, alevosia has been $u##! estab#ishe . 11 En er the $ourth assi%ne error a""e##ant a##e%es that he is entit#e to the miti%atin% circumstance o$ run2enness. +e asserts that he ha been rin2in% $rom one oAc#oc2 in the a$ternoon on that &hristmas a! an that he ha been run2 $ive ?9@ times in his entire #i$e so that it is not habitua#. En er 3rtic#e 19 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, into/ication o$ the o$$en er sha## be ta2en into consi eration as a miti%atin% circumstance when the o$$en er committe a $e#on! in a state o$ into/ication, i$ the same is not habitua# or subse>uent to the "#an to commit sai $e#on!. 6therwise when habitua# or intentiona#, it sha## be consi ere as an a%%ravatin% circumstance. The a##e%ation o$ the a""e##ant that he was run2 when he committe the o$$ense is se#$-servin% an uncorroborate . ,esi es, a""e##ant a mitte that at that time he was on#! i<<!, 12 an that he was on the wa! to another rin2in% s"ree. 6bvious#! he ha not run2 enou%h. +e remembers the etai#s o$ the shootin%, the time it starte an en e , how much wine he imbibe an the "ersons who were with him. +e rea#i<e the %ravit! o$ the o$$ense he committe so he $#e an hi $rom the authorities. +e sou%ht sanctuar! in the cha"e# o$ )to. Rosario, boar e a tric!c#e %oin% to the poblacion an too2 a La -a##orca bus to -ani#a. 3## these are acts o$ a man whose menta# ca"acit! has not been im"aire . 3s the $i$th assi%ne error a""e##ant ar%ues that he shou# be cre ite with the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! surren er statin% that a#thou%h he hi himse#$ $rom the authorities $or ten ?10@ a!s, he vo#untari#! surren ere to the authorities therea$ter u"on the a vice o$ his "arents. The re>uisites o$ vo#untar! surren er areB ?a@ that the o$$en er ha not actua##! been arreste 8 ?b@ that the o$$en er surren ere himse#$ to a "erson in authorit! or the #atterAs a%ent8 an ?c@ that the surren er was vo#untar!. 1A The testimon! o$ the a""e##ant is not is"ute b! the "rosecution that whi#e in hi in%, u"on the a vise o$ his "arents, he vo#untari#! surren ere on =anuar! 4, 19:8, so he was etaine in the munici"a# .ai# o$ +a%ono!. 14 The &ourt a%rees that the a""e##ant is entit#e to this miti%atin% circumstance. +owever, he cannot be cre ite with the miti%atin% circumstance o$ a "#ea o$ %ui#t! to a #esser o$$ense o$ the char%e o$ homici e as invo2e un er the si/th assi%ne error. The re>uisites o$ the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! "#ea o$ %ui#t! areB ?1@ that the o$$en er s"ontaneous#! con$esse his %ui#t8 ?2@ that the con$ession o$ %ui#t was ma e in o"en court, that is, be$ore the com"etent court

that is to tr! the case8 an ?4@ that the con$ession o$ %ui#t was ma e "rior to the "resentation o$ evi ence $or the "rosecution. 1 (n the "resent case the a""e##ant o$$ere to enter a "#ea o$ %ui#t! to the #esser o$$ense o$ homici e on#! a$ter some evi ence o$ the "rosecution ha been "resente . +e reiterate his o$$er a$ter the "rosecution reste its case. This is certain#! not miti%atin%. 16 (n the #i%ht o$ the $ore%oin% iscussion, the seventh assi%ne error where the a""e##ant c#aims that he shou# be entit#e to the "rivi#e%e miti%atin% circumstance is conse>uent#! without merit. The o$$ense committe is the crime o$ mur er as the 2i##in% was >ua#i$ie b! treacher!. 16 &onsi erin% that the commission o$ the o$$ense is atten e b! the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! surren er, a""#!in% the (n eterminate )entence Law, the a""e##ant is hereb! im"ose the in eterminate "ena#t! o$ im"risonment o$ Ten ?10@ Oears an 6ne ?1@ Da! o$ prision mayor as minimum to )eventeen ?1;@ Oears, 'our ?4@ -onths, an 6ne ?1@ Da! o$ reclusion temporal as ma/imum. The in emnit! $or the eath o$ the victim is increase to 540,000.00. 0+7R7'6R7, with the above mo i$ication as to the "ena#t! an in emnit!, the ecision a""ea#e $rom is 3''(R-7D in a## other res"ects, with costs a%ainst accuse -a""e##ant. G.R. No. L-20106 "#598 1 , 1966 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES, "#ainti$$, vs.TO"AS NAVAS!A, .LOREN!IO GERALDES, LORENCO SO&ERANO #$% "ANUEL "AR@UEC, e$en ants. 'ER !URIA": 6n December 18, 19:2, Tomas Navasca, '#orencio Gera# es, Loren<o )oberano an -anue# -ar>ue< were char%e with the crime o$ robber! with homici e committe b! a ban be$ore the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ Davao, ,ranch ((( ?&rimina# &ase ;;12@, the in$ormation rea in% as $o##owsB That on or about -arch 1;, 1999, in the -unici"a#it! o$ ,ansa#an, 5rovince o$ Davao, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this &ourt, the abovementione accuse , a## arme with ea #! wea"ons, cons"irin%, con$e eratin% to%ether an he#"in% one another, an with intent to %ain an b! means o$ $orce u"on thin%s an vio#ence a%ainst "ersons, i then an there wi#$u##!, un#aw$u##! an crimina##! ta2e, stea# an carr! awa! the sum o$ 6ne Thousan 7i%ht +un re ?51,800.00@ 5esos be#on%in% to Go )o a#ias 603, to the ama%e an "re.u ice o$ the #atter in the a$oresai amount, an on the same occasion thereo$, an in "ursuance o$ sai cons"irac!, the abovementione accuse , with intent to 2i## i then an there wi#$u##!, un#aw$u##! an crimina##! attac2, assau#t an shoot sai G6 )6 a#ias 603, thereb! in$#ictin% u"on him in.uries which cause his eath. ,e$ore arrai%nment, the commitment o$ the accuse Tomas Navasca to the Nationa# -enta# +os"ita# was or ere an "rocee in%s a%ainst him sus"en e a$ter the court ha a .u %e him as su$$erin% $rom menta# isor er, on the stren%th o$ the re"ort an recommen ation o$ a court-a""ointe octor ?7/hibit C3C@, an a$ter the court ha satis$ie itse#$ Cthat he cannot un erstan the nature o$ the "rocee in%s to be con ucte a%ainst him.C Due tria# "rocee e a%ainst the remainin% accuse , an on =anuar! ;, 19::, the court ren ere its ecision, the is"ositive, "ortion o$ which rea s as $o##owsB 0+7R7'6R7, in con$ormit! to 3rt. 294, "ara%ra"h 1 in re#ation to 3rt. 29: o$ the Revise 5ena# &one, the accuse 'L6R7N&(6 G7R3LD7) an -3NE7L -3RPE7Y sentence each o$ them to the su"reme an e/treme "ena#t! o$ eath.

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,! reason o$ the "ena#t! im"ose , this case is now be$ore us on automatic a""ea#. 'rom the e/tra-.u icia# a mission ?7/hibit C,C@ an )oberano, the $o##owin% $acts can be %athere . testimon! o$ Loren<o

3t about 9B00 oAc#oc2 in the a$ternoon o$ -arch 1;, 1999 on his wa! home a$ter bu!in% DDT $or his corn, he saw his co-accuse sittin% on the roa b! the river at ,o. Ri<a#B -anue# -ar>ue< ho# in% a thom"son, Tomas Navasca arme with a "isto# an '#orencio Gera# es carr!in% a carbine. +e bou%ht tuba as re>ueste b! Navasca an a$ter the same was consume b! Navasca an Gera# es, he was invite to %o with the %rou" to serena e. 6n their wa!, as the! "asse the house o$ a certain 5rimo, the #atter was s#a""e b! Navasca an threatene with a 49 ca#. "isto# shou# he not consent to %o with the %rou" to rob. 6ut o$ $ear, he i not re$use an as the! reache the house o$ their inten e victim, he was %iven a huntin% 2ni$e b! Navasca an to# to stan %uar outsi e the house. 'rom where he stoo , he hear %unshots comin% $rom the house, a$ter which his com"anions went out o$ the same an the! a#to%ether $#e . 'rom the account o$ -rs. =ose$a De#e.eros, wi ow o$ Go )o, the $o##owin% trans"ire insi e their house which #e to the robber! an eath o$ her husban . 3t about :B00 oAc#oc2 in the evenin% o$ -arch 1;, 1999, she was havin% inner with her husban Go so at their house in &urba a, ,ansa#an, when three "ersons arme with CshortC an C#on%C Cartic#esC entere their house, or ere them to %o u"stairs an irecte her husban to o"en a trun2 where their mone! was 2e"t. Go )o %ave the mone! amountin% to 51,800.00 to the men, a$ter which the man with the Cshort artic#eC $ire at Go )o man! times. The #on% artic#esC were not use . 3$ter shootin% the victim, the men $#e , an her husban was brou%ht to the ,ro2enshire -emoria# +os"ita# where he ie as a resu#t o$ C%unshot woun throu%h an throu%h, with invo#vement o$ ab omina# or%ansC an severe, secon ar! hemorrha%e ?7/hibit C&C@. The witness $urther testi$ie that because o$ $ear, she cou# neither ( enti$! the arme men who shot an rob her husban , nor remember their si<e an hei%ht ?t.s.n. =anuar! 14, 19:9, ". 89@. 'rom the recor s o$ the case, the vita# #in2 between the accuse an the crime consists in the e/tra-.u icia# con$ession o$ '#orencio Gera# es ?7/hibit C3C@ an the e/tra-.u icia# a mission ?7/hibits C,C W C,-1C@ an testimon! o$ Loren<o )oberano in court. Notab#!, both Gera# es an )oberano re"u iate their res"ective statements, c#aimin% that their so-ca##e statements were "re"are b! the "o#ice an that the! were com"e##e to a$$i/ their si%natures thereto a$ter the! ha been ma#treate , an , in the case o$ )oberano, a$ter he ha , in a ition, been "romise $ree om. 3$ter a meticu#ous stu ! o$ the recor s an mature e#iberation, it is unnecessar! $or us to iscuss the >uestion s>uare#! raise b! Gera# es re%ar in% the vo#untariness an truth o$ his statement ?7/hibit C3C@, $or it is our view that even without the e/tra-.u icia# statement o$ Gera# es, the e/tra-.u icia# statement an testimon! o$ Loren<o )oberano in o"en court, corroborate b! the other evi ence $or the "rosecution, su$$ice to .usti$! the a$$irmance o$ the conviction o$ a## the accuse b! the tria# court. 0e cannot sustain the ar%ument o$ Loren<o )oberano that his statement was "re"are b! the &hie$ o$ 5o#ice an that he a$$i/e his thumbmar2 thereto a$ter he ha been ma#treate an "romise $ree om because there are certain characteristic $eatures in his statement that re$ute his c#aim o$ invo#untariness. To cite a $ewB ($ it be true that the "o#ice "re"are his statement, it wou# not contain etai#s which are inconsistent with the etai#s mentione in the e/tra-.u icia# con$ession o$ Gera# es. ,ut inconsistencies o e/ist between the statements o$ Gera# es an )oberano. Thus, sai Gera# esB 6n the other han , )oberano state that even be$ore he 2new o$ the "#an to rob an even be$ore the! starte on their wa!, '#orencio Gera# es was a#rea ! with the %rou" o$ Navasca, -ar>ue< an another "erson whom he i not 2now.

3nother reason which ar%ues a%ainst the invo#untariness o$ )oberanoAs statement is that it contains etai#s which on#! he istinct#! 2now such as his "revious conviction $or the the$t a "#ow an the number o$ !ears o$ his sentence. ,esi es, com"#aine o$ the ma#treatment an the a##e%e on#! a$ter he ha "revious#! testi$ie an ha been the tria# court. +ereto$ore, this &ourt has he# that these $eatures in an e/tra-.u icia# a mission are "roo$s not o$ invo#untariness an $a#sit! but rather o$ vo#untariness an truth. 1 The "aramount consi eration, however, which, to our min , wei%hs heavi#! in $avor o$ the vo#untariness an truth o$ )oberanoAs a mission an testimon! in court is the si%ni$icant $act that he too2 the witness stan as witness $or the "rosecution notwithstan in% the severe a monition b! the tria# .u %e o$ the conse>uences o$ his testimon!. *eri#!, the tria# .u %e ha "ainsta2in%#! a vise an in$orme the accuse o$ his ri%hts as an accuse an cou# not be in icte $or ere#iction o$ his uties as .u %e, as shown b! the $o##owin% "ortion o$ the transcri"tB No more e/"ress waiver o$ the ri%ht o$ not testi$!in% a%ainst onese#$ can be ha than what )oberano ha one in the tria# court. +is statements c#ear#! in icate an awareness an un erstan in% o$ the conse>uences o$ his testimon!, !et, notwithstan in%, he insiste , as in $act he i testi$! a%ainst himse#$ an his coaccuse . Nor can it be sus"ecte that his act o$ testi$!in% was "rom"te b! his be#ie$ that, in oin% so, he wou# be re#ease , $or, in his own wor sB The subse>uent retraction b! )oberano o$ his e/tra-.u icia# statement an his testimon! in court re%ar in% the same cannot etract $rom its truth an vo#untariness, consi erin% that his retraction came, not at the tria# D $or he a$$irme the truth o$ the contents on his statement at the tria# D but on#! after he ha been convicte an sentence , to%ether with some o$ his co-accuse . Nor was the enia# o$ the motion $or new tria# which was $i#e b! his counse# on the %roun o$ the retraction b! )oberano o$ his testimon! in court, an im"rovi ent act b! the tria# .u %e, $or, time an a%ain, it has been he# b! this &ourt that retraction o$ "revious testimon! is not a %roun $or new tria#. 2 The testimonies o$ two witnesses $or the "rosecution $orti$! the $in in% that the e/tra-.u icia# statement o$ )oberano was vo#untari#! ma e. Thus, &hie$ o$ 5o#ice 3#$onso Gome< testi$ie that the >uestions therein were as2e an answere in the *isa!an ia#ect which )oberano s"ea2s an un erstan s an #ater on trans#ate into 7n%#ish. -unici"a# =u %e +ermene%i# o &abreros testi$ie that when )oberano was brou%ht be$ore him to subscribe to his statement, he as2e the sai accuse i$ he un erstoo 7n%#ish an u"on receivin% a ne%ative re"#!, he rea the ocument in the &ebu-*isa!an ia#ect. Therea$ter, he as2e the accuse i$ he un erstoo what were rea to him an i$ the! were correct, to which the accuse %ave his a$$irmation. (n a ition, the $in in% o$ the tria# court as to the earnestness an $i e#it! o$ the "rosecutin% $isca# as a%ainst the accusation o$ the accuse that he was "romise $ree om b! the same $isca# D a $in in% which wi## not or inari#! be isturbe b! the a""e##ate courts in the absence o$ c#ear evi ence to the contrar! D is eterminative o$ the unre#iabi#it! an incre ibi#it! o$ the %roun s re#ie u"on in the motion $or new tria# an retraction o$ his testimon! b! )oberano. +avin% a##a!e a## $ears as to the invo#untariness an $a#sit! o$ )oberanoAs testimon!, we now "rocee to corre#ate the same with the other evi ence $or the "rosecution. The testimon! o$ )oberano that Navasca, -ar>ue< an Gera# es an another "erson whom he cou# not ( enti$! were arme with a.49 ca#. "isto#, a thom"son, a carbine an a bo#o, res"ective#!, when the! went u" into the house o$ the victim, is co##aborate b! the testimon! o$ -rs. =ose$a De#e.eros, the wi$e o$ the victim an on#! e!ewitness to the commission o$ the crime, when she testi$ie that three men arme with Cshort an #on% artic#esC entere their house at about :B00. oAc#oc2 in the evenin% ?e/act#! the same time that )oberano sai the! reache the house o$ their inten e victim@ an "rocee e to accom"#ish their crimina# scheme. 'rom the testimon! o$ )oberano an -rs. De#e.eros, the ( entities o$ the three men with C)hort an #on% artic#esC have thus been 7stab#ishe ?t.s.n. =anuar! 14, 19:9, "". ;9-808 110-114@.

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The testimon! o$ )oberano that the $ata# wea"on was a .49 ca# "isto# is corroborate b! -rs. De#e.eros when she state that the man with the Cshort artic#eC $ire at her husban but the C#on% artic#esC were not use ?t.s.n. =anuar! 14, 19:9, ". 1128 ". 84@. The ensnarin% net o$ co##ective res"onsibi#it! was cast with the a mission o$ )oberano that he was arme with a huntin% 2ni$e as he stoo %uar outsi e the house o$ Go )o whi#e his com"anions "er"etrate the crime insi e the house. Ta2e this to%ether with the testimon! o$ the #one e!ewitness D -rs. De#e.eros D that the three men who entere their house were arme with Cshort an #on% artic#esC which )oberano himse#$ escribe as a .49 ca#. "isto#, a thom"son an a carbine, an there conver%es into shar" $ocus the res"onsibi#it! a""ertainin% to a ban without havin% to consi er the statement o$ )oberano that one o$ the men was arme with a bo#o, $or it su$$ices to estab#ish the e/istence o$ a ban that more than three arme men ta2e "art in the commission o$ a crime. The evi ence $or the "rosecution c#ear#! estab#ishe that the members o$ the ban committe the crime o$ robber! on the occasion o$ which a homici e was committe , thus c#assi$!in% the crime as one o$ robber! with homici e. (t has a#so been estab#ishe that the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ ban atten e the commission o$ the crime an none o$ the members thereo$ attem"te to "revent the same. The state o$ the evi ence $or the "rosecution bein% such, we now assa! the e$ense o$ the accuse . The e$ense o$ a## the accuse is anchore on the ina missibi#it! o$ the e/tra.u icia# con$ession o$ '#orencio Gera# es ?7/hibit C3C@ an the e/tra-.u icia# a mission o$ Loren<o )oberano ?7/hibits C,C W C,-1C@ on the %roun that these were obtaine b! $orce an "romise o$ $ree om an hence, invo#untar!. 3s we have mentione ear#ier, it oes not behoove this court to etermine the vo#untariness or invo#untariness o$ both e/tra-.u icia# statements, it bein% enou%h that other evi ence a uce at the tria# $u#$i## the re>uire >uantum o$ evi ence to convict the accuse . Li2ewise, we $oun that the e/tra-.u icia# statement o$ )oberano contains the in icia o$ vo#untariness an his testimon! in the court as "rosecution witness ne%ates the sus"icion o$ a "romise o$ $ree om. 0oven to%ether, with the other evi ence o$ the "rosecution, the "attern $or the crime has thus been $orme , an the c#aim o$ )oberano as to the invo#untariness o$ his a mission as we## as that o$ his testimon! must $a##. The crime estab#ishe b! the evi ence $or the "rosecution is robber! with homici e atten e b! the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ ban . (n the case o$ People vs. &pduhan$ A we he# that i$ the crime o$ robber! with homici e is committe b! a ban , the in ictab#e o$$ense wou# sti## be robber! with homici e with the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ ban an not robber! in ban with homici e. The "ena#t! $or the crime o$ robber! with homici e is reclusion perpetua to eath. The crime havin% been committe b! a ban , a## the members thereo$ are #iab#e $or each o$ the assau#ts committe , 4 un#ess an! one o$ them attem"te to "revent their commission. No evi ence was a uce b! an! o$ the accuse that he ha attem"te to "revent the commission o$ the crime, hence a## must be he# #iab#e $or the crime o$ robber! with homici e. There bein% one a%%ravatin% circumstance an no miti%atin% circumstance to o$$set the same in the case o$ '#orencio Gera# es an -anue# -ar>ue<, the "ena#t! o$ eath was correct#! im"ose on them. The act o$ testi$!in% $or the "rosecution, without "revious ischar%e, b! Loren<o )oberano shou# be consi ere in his $avor as a miti%atin% circumstance ana#o%ous to a "#ea o$ %ui#t!, hence there e/ist in the case o$ Loren<o )oberano, one miti%atin% circumstance an one a%%ravatin% circumstance which o$$set each other. &onse>uent#!, Loren<o )oberano was "ro"er#! sentence to reclusion perpetua. &onsi erin% the #en%th o$ time that has e#a"se $rom the time the accuse Tomas Navasca was committe to the Nationa# -enta# +os"ita#, the Director o$ the sai hos"ita# shou# now con uct a $u##-b#own e/amination o$ the menta# state o$ the sai accuse $or the "ur"ose o$ eterminin% his menta# ca"acit! to stan tria#, an therea$ter submit the "ro"er re"ort an recommen ations to this &ourt.

3&&6RD(NGLO, the .u %ment a quo $in in% '#orencio Gera# es, -anue# -ar>ue< an Loren<o )oberano %ui#t! o$ the crime o$ robber! with homici e an sentencin% '#orencio Gera# es an -anue# -ar>ue< to the su"reme "ena#t! o$ eath an Loren<o )oberano to reclusion perpetua, is hereb! a$$irme . 3## the accuse are or ere to in emni$!, .oint#! an severa##!, the heirs o$ Go )o alias 603 in the amount o$ 51,800 re"resentin% the mone! sto#en an the increase amount o$ 512,000 , as in emni$! $or the eath o$ Go )o alia 603 The Director o$ the Nationa# -enta# +os"ita# is hereb! irecte to &on uct without e#a! o$ $u##b#own e/amination o$ the menta# state o$ the accuse Tomas Navasca $or the "ur"ose o$ eterminin% this menta# ca"acit! to stan tria#, an therea$ter submit the "ro"er re"ort an recommen ations to this &ourt &osts a%ainst the a""e##ants. Peo%le *s. Wal%an "ad,aala( ! -ila%il .G.R. No. /01/23+4/. Se%te(&er /35 67778 2: 3"r 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES, appellee$ LADJAALA" ! "IHAJIL #l;#+ D>AR'AN,E appellant. Ponente' P&(G&()*&( .A!TS:The tria# court $oun the a""e#ant %ui#t! o$ maintainin% a ru% en, an o$$ense $or which was sentence to reclusion perpetua. 3""e#ant1s %ui#t was estab#ishe b! the testimon! o$ 5rosecution 0itness , who himse#$ ha use the e/tension house o$ a""e##ant as a ru% en on severa# occasions, inc#u in% the time o$ the rai . The $ormer1s testimon! was corroborate b! a## the rai in% "o#ice o$$icers who testi$ie be$ore the court. That a""e#ant i not en! ownershi" o$ the house an its e/tension #ent cre ence to the "rosecution1s stor!. The tria# court a#so convicte a""e##ant o$ irect assau#t with mu#ti"#e counts o$ attem"te homici e. (t $oun that FMtNhe act o$ the accuse Mo$N $irin% an -14 ri$#e MatN the "o#icemenM,N who were about to enter his house to serve a search warrant / / /G constitute such com"#e/ crime. 3si e $rom $in in% a""e##ant %ui#t! o$ irect assau#t with mu#ti"#e attem"te homici e, the tria# court convicte him a#so o$ the se"arate o$$ense o$ i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms un er 5D 18::, as amen e b! R3 8294, an sentence him to : !ears o$ prision correccional to 8 !ears o$ prision mayor. ISSUE: 0hether or not a""e##ant can be convicte se"arate#! o$ i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms a$ter usin% sai $irearm in the commission o$ another crime. HELD: N6. The a""ea#e Decision was a$$irme with mo i$ications. 3""e##ant is $oun %ui#t! on#! o$ two o$$ensesB ?1@ irect assau#t an mu#ti"#e attem"te homici e with the use o$ a wea"on an ?2@ maintainin% a ru% en. RATIO: The #aw is c#earB the accuse can be convicte o$ sim"#e i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms, "rovi e that Fno other crime was committe b! the "erson arreste .G ($ the intention o$ the #aw in the secon "ara%ra"h were to re$er on#! to homici e an mur er, it shou# have e/"ress#! sai so, as it i in the thir "ara%ra"h. *eri#!, where the #aw oes not istin%uish, neither shou# Mthe courtsN. The &ourt is aware that this ru#in% e$$ective#! e/onerates a""e##ant o$ i##e%a# "ossession o$ an --14 ri$#e, an o$$ense which norma##! carries a "ena#t! heavier than that $or irect assau#t. 0hi#e the "ena#t! $or the $irst is prision mayor, $or the secon it is on#! prision correccional. (n ee , the accuse ma! eva e conviction $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms b! usin% such wea"ons in committin% an even #i%hter o$$ense, #i2e a#arm an scan a# or s#i%ht "h!sica# in.uries, both o$ which are vs. >AL'AN

22

"unishab#e b! arresto menor. This conse>uence, however, necessari#! arises $rom the #an%ua%e o$ R3 8294, whose wis om is not sub.ect to the &ourt1s review. 3n! "erce"tion that the resu#t reache here a""ears unwise shou# be a resse to &on%ress. (n ee , the &ourt has no iscretion to %ive statutes a new meanin% etache $rom the mani$est inten ment an #an%ua%e o$ the #e%is#ature. MThe &ourtAsN tas2 is constitutiona##! con$ine on#! to a""#!in% the #aw an .uris"ru ence to the "roven $acts, an Mthis &ourtN have one so in this case. !ELINO, SR. *+. !A !#+( D;<(+4 ANGEL !ELINO, SR. *+. !OURT O. A''EALS, ET AL. G.R. No. 160 62 Ju$( 29, 2006 .A!TS: Two se"arate in$ormations were $i#e be$ore the RT& char%in% "etitioner with vio#ation o$ the %unban an i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms. 5etitioner $i#e a -otion to Puash conten in% that he Ccannot be "rosecute $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms ?R.3. 8294@ . . . i$ he was a#so char%e o$ havin% committe another crime o$ MsicN vio#atin% the &ome#ec %un ban un er the same set o$ $acts.G The tria# court enie the motion to >uash on the %roun that Cthe other o$$ense char%e . . . is not one o$ those enumerate un er R.3. 8294 . . . .C The enia# was a$$irme on a""ea#. +ence this "etition, where "etitioner conten s that the mere $i#in% o$ an in$ormation $or %un ban vio#ation a%ainst him necessari#! bars his "rosecution $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms. ISSUE: Di the court err in en!in% the -otion to PuashH HELD: No. The #aw is c#earB the accuse can be convicte o$ sim"#e i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearms, "rovi e that Cno other crime was committe b! the "erson arreste .C ($ the intention o$ the #aw in the secon "ara%ra"h were to re$er on#! to homici e an mur er, it shou# have e/"ress#! sai so. 3s accusation is not s!non!mous with %ui#t, there is !et no showin% that "etitioner i in $act commit the other crime char%e . &onse>uent#!, the "roviso oes not !et a""#!. (n sum, when the other o$$ense invo#ve is one o$ those enumerate un er R.3. 8294, an! in$ormation $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearm shou# be >uashe because the i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearm wou# have to be trie to%ether with such other o$$ense, either consi ere as an a%%ravatin% circumstance in mur er or homici e, or absorbe as an e#ement o$ rebe##ion, insurrection, se ition or attem"te cou" Aetat. &onverse#!, when the other o$$ense invo#ve is not one o$ those enumerate un er R.3. 8294, then the se"arate case $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ $irearm shou# continue to be "rosecute .

u"on the #atter the $o##owin% %unshot woun s or in.uries, to witB 6n 11 =anuar! 1989, an amen e in$ormation 2 $or mur er was a#so $i#e a%ainst a""e##ant rea in% as $o##owsB That, on or about the 14th a! o$ December, 1984 in the &it! o$ Ta%bi#aran, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , without an! .usti$iab#e cause an with intent to 2i##, evi ent "reme itation treacher!, whi#e actin% un er the in$#uence o$ ru%s, with crue#t! an e#iberate#! au%mentin% the su$$erin% o$ the victim, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! attac2, assau#t an shot one 'rancis 7rnest 7scano with the use o$ an un#icense )-(T+ W 07))6N 3irwei%ht ca#iber .48 revo#ver with )eria# Number 499424 hittin% an in$#ictin% u"on the #atter the $o##owin% %unshot woun s or in.uries which %unshot woun s or in.uries irect#! cause his eath, to the ama%e an "re.u ice o$ the heirs o$ the ecease name#!B =u %e W -rs. 'rancisco Re! +. 7scano, in the amount to be "rove urin% the tria# o$ the case. 3cts committe contrar! to the "rovisions o$ 3rtic#e 248 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, in re#ation to )ection 1; o$ ,atas 5ambansa ,#%. 1;9, with the >ua#i$!in% a%%ravatin% circumstances o$ evi ent "reme itation, treacher! an actin% un er the in$#uence o$ an%erous ru%s an crue#t!. 3""e##ant entere a "#ea o$ not %ui#t! in both cases. The two ?2@ crimina# cases were conso#i ate u"on motion o$ the "rosecution an trie .oint#!. 6n 41 =u#! 198:, the tria# court ren ere a ecision A convictin% a""e##ant un er both in$ormations. The is"ositive "ortion o$ the ecision rea as $o##owsB 0+7R7'6R7, a## the $ore%oin% "remises consi ere , ecision is hereb! ren ere in &rimina# &ase No. 400; $in in% the accuse Renato Tac-an ! +i"os GE(LTO be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ (##e%a# 5ossession o$ 'irearms an 3mmunitions >ua#i$ie with -ur er un er )ection 1, "ara%ra"hs 1 an 2 o$ 5resi entia# Decree No. 18:: an hereb! sentences sai Renato Tac-an ! +i"os to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ D73T+. 'urther, ecision is a#so ren ere in &rimina# &ase No. 4012 $in in% the same accuse Renato Tac-an ! +i"os GE(LTO be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ -ur er un er 3rtic#e 248 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, in re#ation to ,atas 5ambansa ,#%. 1;9 an 5.D. 18::. 3""reciatin% the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ evi ent "reme itation ?treacher! use to >ua#i$! the crime to mur er@ an the s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstances o$ actin% whi#e un er the in$#uence o$ an%erous ru%s an with the use o$ an un#icense $irearm an with insu#t to a "erson in authorit! an there bein% no miti%atin% circumstance to o$$set them, an sentences the sai Renato Tac-an ! +i"os to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ D73T+. The accuse is #i2ewise or ere to in emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease 'rancis 7rnest 7scano in the amount o$ T+(RTO T+6E)3ND 57)6) ?540,000.00@8 to "a! actua# com"ensator! ama%es in the amount o$ 6N7 +ENDR7D 7(G+T T+6E)3ND T+R77 +ENDR7D T7N 57)6) ?5108,410.00@8 to "a! mora# ama%es to =u %e 'rancisco 7scano, =r., the sum o$ 6N7 +ENDR7D T+6E)3ND 57)6) ?5100,000.00@ an to -rs. L! ia 7scano the sum o$ 6N7 +ENDR7D T+6E)3ND 57)6) ?5100,000.00@ $or the menta# an%uish an su$$erin% each e/"erience because o$ the eath o$ 'rancis 7rnest. 3## such amount sha## earn #e%a# interest $rom the time this ecision sha##

'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES vs. RENATO TA!-AN Y HI'OS, G.R. No. 66AA0-A9 .(-5u#5y 26, 1990 .ELI!IANO, J.: 3ccuse Renato Tac-an a""ea#s $rom the ecision o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt o$ Ta%bi#aran &it!, convictin% him o$ >ua#i$ie i##e%a# "ossession o$ a $irearm an ammunition in &rimina# &ase No. 400; an o$ mur er in &rimina# &ase No. 4012 an im"osin% u"on him the "ena#t! o$ eath in both cases. 6n 18 December 1984, a""e##ant was char%e with vio#ation o$ )ection 1, "ara%ra"h ?2@, o$ 5resi entia# Decree No. 18::, committe as $o##owsB That, on or about the 14th a! o$ December 1984, in the &it! o$ Ta%bi#aran 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , whi#e actin% un er the in$#uence o$ ru%s an without an! #icense or "ermit $rom the "ro"er authorities, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! have i## his "ossession, custo ! an contro# an un#icense $irearm, a )-(T+ W 07))6N 3irwei%ht ca#iber .48 revo#ver with )eria# Number 499424 with 'ive ?9@ s"ent she##s an 'ive ?9@ #ive ammunitions an without an! .usti$iab#e cause an with intent to 2i##, use the sai $irearm an ammunitions to shoot one 'rancis 7rnest 7scano ((( hittin% an in$#ictin%

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become $ina# an e/ecutor! unti# $u##! satis$ie . The accuse sha## a#so "a! the costs. )6 6RD7R7D. (mme iate#! a$ter "romu#%ation o$ the ecision, a""e##ant si%ni$ie his intention to a""ea# to this &ourt, a#thou%h the same was sub.ect to automatic review b! this &ourt. (n his brie$, a""e##ant assi%ne the $o##owin% as errors a##e%e #! committe b! the tria# courtB (. The #ower court erre in be#ievin% the "rosecutionAs version o$ the case instea o$ accor in% $u## $aith an cre ence to the e$en antAs version. ((. The tria# court erre in not ho# in% that Renato Tac-an was .usti$ie in shootin% the ecease . (((. The tria# court erre in not ho# in% that in ?sic@ the #east the e$en ant acte in incom"#ete se#$- e$ense in shootin% the ecease . (*. The tria# court erre in not ho# in% that 5.D. 18:: is ina""#icab#e to the e$en ant inasmuch as sai ecree was en$orceab#e on#! urin% the e/istence o$ the -artia# Law Re%ime. *. The tria# court erre in not ho# in% that the e$en ant was "#ace twice in .eo"ar ! $or havin% been "rosecute $or vio#ation o$ 5.D. 18:: es"ite his bein% "rosecute $or mur er in an in$ormation which a##e%es that the accuse use an un#icense $irearm in 2i##in% the ecease . *(. The tria# court erre in not a .u %in% the e$en ant innocent o$ mur er. 'rom the recor , the $acts ma! be co##ate an summari<e as $o##owsB 3""e##ant Renato Tac-an, then ei%hteen ?18@ !ears an seven ?;@ months o$ a%e, an the ecease 'rancis 7rnest 7scano (((, $i$teen ?19@ !ears o# , were c#assmates in the thir !ear o$ hi%h schoo# o$ the Divine 0or &o##e%e in Ta%bi#aran &it!. The! were c#ose $rien s, bein% not on#! c#assmates but a#so members o$ the same %an%, the ,ron/ %an%. Renato ha been to the house where 'rancis an his "arents #ive , on one or two occasions. 6n those occasions, 'rancisA mother notice that Renato ha a han %un with him. 'rancis was then a vise b! his mother to istance himse#$ $rom Renato. 4 'rancis with rew $rom the ,ron/ %an%. The re#ationshi" between Renato an 'rancis turne sour. )ometime in )e"tember 1984, Renato an 'rancis >uarre##e with each other, on which occasion 'rancis bo i#! #i$te 3rno# Rome# e $rom the %roun . 3rno# was $rien an com"anion to Renato. The >uarre# resu#te in Renato an 'rancis bein% brou%ht to the hi%h schoo# "rinci"a#As o$$ice. The straine re#ationshi" between the two ?2@ erstwhi#e $rien s was a%%ravate in #ate November 1984 when 'rancis teame that Renato, to%ether with other members o$ the ,ron/ %an%, was #oo2in% $or him, a""arent#! with the intention o$ beatin% him u". 'urther eterioration o$ their re#ationshi" occurre sometime in the $irst wee2 o$ December 1984, when %ra$$iti a""eare on the wa## o$ the thir !ear hi%h schoo# c#assroom an on the armrest o$ a chair in that c#assroom, e"recatin% the ,ron/ %an% an escribin% Renato as C bayot+ ?homose/ua#@ Renato attribute the %ra$$iti to 'rancis. 3t about 2B00 oAc#oc2 in the a$ternoon o$ 14 December 1984, Renato entere Room 19 o$ the hi%h schoo# bui# in% to atten his 7n%#ish ((( c#ass. Renato "#ace

his scra"boo2 "re"are $or their -athematics c#ass on his chair, an a""roache the teacher, -rs. Li#iosa ,a#uma, to raise a >uestion. E"on returnin% to his chair, he $oun 'rancis sittin% there, on the scra"boo2. Renato was an%ere b! what he saw an "rom"t#! 2ic2e the chair on which 'rancis was seate . 'rancis, however, e/"#aine that he ha not intentiona##! sat own on RenatoAs scra"boo2. 3 $ist$i%ht wou# have ensue but some c#assmates an two ?2@ teachers, -rs. ,a#uma an -r. Damaso 5asi#bas, intervene an "revente them $rom assau#tin% each other. 3$ter the two ?2@ ha >uiete own an a""arent#! sha2en han s at the instance o$ -rs. ,a#uma, the #atter resume her 7n%#ish ((( c#ass. 'rancis sat on the #ast row to the e/treme ri%ht o$ the teacher whi#e Renato was seate on the same #ast row at the e/treme #e$t o$ the teacher. 0hi#e the 7n%#ish ((( c#ass was sti## %oin% on, Renato s#i""e out o$ the c#assroom an went home to %et a %un. +e was bac2 at the c#assroom a""ro/imate#! $i$teen ?19@ minutes #ater.
6

The -athematics c#ass un er -r. Damaso 5asi#bas sche u#e $or 4B00 ".m. ha .ust starte in Room 19 when Renato su en#! burst into the room, shut the oor an with both han s raise , ho# in% a revo#ver, shoute C0here is 'rancisHC E"on si%htin% 'rancis seate behin an to the #i%ht o$ stu ent Rue# En%ab, Renato $ire at 'rancis, hittin% a noteboo2, a %eometr! boo2 an the armrest o$ Rue#As chair. 'rancis an Rue# .um"e u" an with severa# o$ their c#assmates rushe $orwar towar s the teacherAs "#at$orm to see2 "rotection $rom their teacher. Renato $ire a secon time, this time hittin% the b#ac2boar in $ront o$ the c#ass. 'rancis an the other stu ents rushe bac2 towar s the rear o$ the room. Renato wa#2e towar s the center o$ the c#assroom an $ire a thir time at 'rancis, hittin% the concrete wa## o$ the c#assroom. 'rancis an a number o$ his c#assmates rushe towar s the oor, the on#! oor to an $rom Room 19. Renato "rocee e to the teacher, s "#at$orm nearest the oor an $or the $ourth time $ire at 'rancis as the #atter was rushin% towar s the oor. This time, 'rancis was hit on the hea an he $e## on the bac2 o$ Rue# an both $e## to the $#oor. Rue# was "u##e out o$ the room b! a $rien 8 'rancis remaine s"raw#e on the $#oor b#ee in% "ro$use#!. 6 Renato then went out o$ Room 19, an "ace between Rooms 14 an 19. 3 teacher, -r. 5ab#o ,a#uma, a""arent#! unaware that it was Renato who ha %unne own 'rancis, a""roache Renato an as2e him to he#" 'rancis as the #atter was sti## a#ive insi e the room. Renato thereu"on re-entere Room 19, c#ose the oor behin him, sa!in%B C)o, he is sti## a#ive. 0here is his chestHC )tan in% over 'rancis s"raw#e $ace own on the c#assroom $#oor, Renato aime at the chest o$ 'rancis an $ire once more. The bu##et entere 'rancisA bac2 be#ow the ri%ht shou# er, an e/ite on his $ront chest .ust above the ri%ht ni""#e. 0 Renato then #e$t with two ?2@ remainin% stu ents an #oc2e 'rancis a#one insi e Room 19. Renato "rocee e to the %roun $#oor an entere the $acu#t! room. There, he $oun some teachers an stu ents an or ere them to #oc2 the oor an c#ose the win ows, in e$$ect ho# in% them as hosta%es. +e a#so re#oa e his %un with $ive ?9@ bu##ets. 3$ter some time, a team o$ 5hi#i""ine &onstabu#ar! troo"ers #e b! &a"t. Larino La<o arrive an surroun e the $acu#t! room. 0ith a han -he# "ub#ic a ress evice, &a"t. La<o ca##e u"on Renato to surren er himse#$ Renato i not res"on to this ca##. RenatoAs brother a""roache &a"t. La<o an vo#unteere to "ersua e his brother to %ive u". RenatoAs $ather who, b! this time ha a#so arrive , "#ea e with Renato to surren er himse#$ Renato then turne over his %un to his brother throu%h an o"enin% in the ba#ustra e o$ the $acu#t! room. &a"t. La<o too2 the %un $rom RenatoAs brother, went to the oor o$ the $acu#t! room, entere an "#ace Renato un er arrest. 9 -eantime, as soon as Renato #e$t Room 19, some teachers an stu ents came to rescue 'rancis but cou# not o"en the oor which Renato ha #oc2e behin him. 6ne o$ the stu ents entere the room b! c#imbin% u" the secon $#oor on the outsi e an throu%h the win ow an o"ene the oor $rom the insi e. The teachers an stu ents brou%ht 'rancis own to the %roun $#oor $rom whence the 5& so# iers rushe him to the &e#estino Ga##ares -emoria# +os"ita#. 10 'rancis ie be$ore reachin% the hos"ita#. &a"t. La<o brou%ht Renato to the 5& +ea >uarters at &am" Da%oho!, Ta%bi#aran &it!. The o$$icer e"osite the revo#ver recovere $rom Renato which was an 3irwei%ht )mith an 0esson .48 ca#iber revo#ver, with )eria# No. 499424, as we## as the $ive ?9@ #ive bu##ets remove $rom the sai revo#ver, an the $ive ?9@

24

em"t! cartri %es which Renato ha turne over to him. ,a##istic e/amination con ucte b! )u"ervisin% ,a##istician, 3rtemio 5an%aniban, Nationa# ,ureau o$ (nvesti%ation, &ebu, showe that the em"t! cartri %e cases ha been $ire $rom the revo#ver recovere $rom Renato. 11 3""e##ant at the outset assai#s the tria# court $or havin% be#ieve the "rosecutionAs version o$ the $acts instea o$ the version o$$ere b! the a""e##ant. The tria# court too2 into account, inter alia, the "ositive an irect testimon! o$B 1. -rs. Li#iosa ,a#uma who testi$ie as to, amon% other thin%s, the events which too2 "#ace insi e her 7n%#ish ((( c#assroom imme iate#! be$ore the shootin%8 2. Rue# En%ab D a $i$teen ?19@ !ear o# c#assmate o$ Renato an 'rancis, who ha $a##en on the $#oor with 'rancis when the #atter was $ina##! hit b! Renato8 4. Damaso 5asi#bas D the -athematics teacher who was ho# in% his c#ass when Renato ha burst into Room 19 an starte $irin% at 'rancis8 an 4. Na"o#eon =umauan D another si/teen ?1:@ !ear o# , c#assmate o$ Renato an 'rancis who was insi e the c#assroom when Renato ha starte $irin% at 'rancis an who was on#! about a $oot awa! $rom the hea o$ 'rancis when Renato, havin% re-entere Room 19, ha $ire at 'rancis as the #atter was s"raw#e on the $#oor o$ the c#assroom. 3$ter care$u# e/amination o$ the recor , we $in no reason to isa%ree with the conc#usion o$ the tria# court that Renato ha in ee shot an 2i##e 'rancis un er the circumstances an in the manner escribe b! these witnesses. 1. The claim of self,defense. Renato c#aime that he was actin% in se#$- e$ense, or at #east in incom"#ete se#$e$ense, when he shot 'rancis. 'or a c#aim o$ se#$- e$ense to be sustaine , the c#aimant must show b! c#ear an convincin% evi ence that the $o##owin% re>uisites e/iste B a@ un#aw$u# a%%ression on the "art o$ the victim8 b@ reasonab#e necessit! o$ the means em"#o!e b! the accuse to re"e# the a%%ression8 an c@ #ac2 o$ su$$icient "rovocation on the "art o$ the accuse .
12

as "ointe out b! the )o#icitor Genera#, 'rancis was obvious#! without a $irearm or other wea"on when Renato returne an burst into Room 19 eman in% to 2now where 'rancis was an $orthwith $irin% at him re"eate #!, without the s#i%htest re%ar $or the sa$et! o$ his other c#assmates an o$ the teacher. There bein% no un#aw$u# a%%ression, there sim"#! cou# not be se#$- e$ense whether com"#ete or incom"#ete, 16 an there is accor in%#! no nee to re$er to the other re>uirements o$ #aw$u# se#$- e$ense. 2. The claim that P.-. (o. 1.// is inapplicable. 3s "ointe out at the outset, a""e##ant was char%e with un#aw$u# "ossession o$ an un#icense $irearm, a )mith an 0esson 3irwei%ht.48 ca#iber revo#ver with $ive ?9@ s"ent bu##ets an $ive ?9@ #ive ones an with havin% use such $irearm an ammunition to shoot to eath 'rancis 7rnest 7scano (((, in vio#ation o$ )ection 1 o$ 5.D. No. 18::. )ection 1 o$ 5.D. No. 18:: "rovi es, in re#evant "art, thatB )ection 1. 0nla#ful 1anufacture$ %ale$ &cquisition$ -isposition or Possession of 2irearms or &mmunition or )nstruments 0sed or )ntended to be 0sed in the 1anufacture of 2irearms or &mmunition. 3 The "ena#t! o$ reclusion temporal in its ma/imum "erio to reclusion perpetua sha## be im"ose u"on an! "erson who sha## un#aw$u##! manu$acture, ea# in, ac>uire, is"ose, or possess any firearms$ "art o$ $irearm, ammunition, or machiner!, too# or instrument use or inten e to be use in the manu$acture o$ an! $irearm or ammunition. )f homicide or murder is committed #ith the use of an unlicensed firearm$ the penalty of death shall be imposed. ?7m"hasis su""#ie @ 3""e##ant ur%es that 5.D. No. 18:: is ina""#icab#e to him Cconsi erin% that the reason $or its M5.D. No. 18::N issuance no #on%er e/ists.C +e ar%ues that 5.D. No. 18:: was en$orceab#e on#! urin% the e/istence o$ martia# #aw, an that when martia# #aw was C#i$te in 19;9,C the reason $or the Ce/istenceC o$ 5.D. No. 18:: $a e awa!, with the resu#t that the Cori%ina# #aw on $irearms, that is, )ection 2:92 o$ the MRevise N 3 ministrative &o e, to%ether with its "re-martia# #aw amen ments, came into e$$ect a%ain thereb! re"#acin% 5.D. No. 18::.C 16 There is nothin% in 5.D. No. 18:: ?which was "romu#%ate on 29 =une 1984@ which su%%ests that it was inten e to remain in e$$ect on#! $or the uration o$ the martia# #aw im"ose u"on the countr! b! $ormer 5resi ent -arcos. Neither oes the statute contain an! "rovision that so "rescribes its #a"sin% into nonen$orceabi#it! u"on the termination o$ the state or "erio o$ martia# #aw. 6n the contrar!, 5.D. No. 18:: b! its own terms "ur"orte to Cconso#i ate, co i$! an inte%rateC a## "rior #aws an ecrees "ena#i<in% i##e%a# "ossession an manu$acture o$ $irearms, ammunition an e/"#osives in or er Cto harmoni<e their "rovisions as we## as to u" ate an revise certain "rovisions an "rior statutes Cin or er to more e$$ective#! eter vio#ators o$ the #aw on $irearms, ammunitions an e/"#osives.C 10 3""e##antAs contention is thus without basis in $act. 4. The claim that there #as no treachery. 3""e##ant conten s that there was no treacher! "resent because be$ore an! shot was $ire , Renato ha shoute Cwhere is 'rancisHC 3""e##ant in e$$ect su%%ests his o"enin% statement was a warnin% to 'rancis an that the $irst three ?4@ shots he ha $ire at 'rancis were mere#! warnin% shots. -oreover, bui# in% u"on his own testimon! about the a##e%e threat that 'rancis ha uttere be$ore he ?Renato@ #e$t his 7n%#ish ((( c#ass to %o home an %et a %un, a""e##ant ar%ues that 'rancis must have antici"ate his return an thus ha su$$icient time to "re"are $or the comin% o$ the a""e##ant. 20 3""e##antAs contention, whi#e in%enious, must be re.ecte . The tria# court ma e a $in in% o$ treacher! ta2in% e/"#icit account o$ the $o##owin% $actorsB

Testi$!in% in his own beha#$, Renato sai that a $ew minutes be$ore the en o$ -rs. ,a#umaAs 7n%#ish ((( c#ass, 'rancis ha a""roache himB 0e note at the outset that there was no evi ence be$ore the &ourt, e/ce"t RenatoAs own testimon!, that 'rancis ha uttere the above statements attribute to him b! Renato. 3#thou%h there ha been about twent!-$ive ?29@ other stu ents, an the teacher, in the c#assroom at the time, no corroboratin% testimon! was o$$ere b! the e$ense. (n the secon "#ace, assumin% ? arguendo mere#!@ that 'rancis ha in ee ma e those statements, such utterances cannot be re%ar e as the un#aw$u# a%%ression which is the $irst an most $un amenta# re>uirement o$ se#$- e$ense. 3##e%e #! uttere in a hi%h schoo# c#assroom b! an obvious#! unarme 'rancis, such statements cou# not reasonab#! ins"ire the Cwe## %roun e an reasonab#e be#ie$C c#aime b! Renato that Che was in imminent an%er o$ eath or bo i#! harm.C 14 En#aw$u# a%%ression re$ers to an attac2 that has actua##! bro2en out or materia#i<e or at the ver! #east is c#ear#! imminentB it cannot consist in ora# threats or a mere#! threatenin% stance or "osture. 1 'urther

25

1. Room 19 o$ the Divine 0or &o##e%e +i%h )choo# De"artment Ta%bi#aran &it!, is situate in the secon $#oor o$ the bui# in%. (t is a corner room an it has on#! one ?1@ oor which is the on#! means o$ entr! an e/it8 2. 3t the time o$ the attac2, the ecease was seate on his chair insi e his c#assroom an was writin% on the armrest o$ his chair an a#so ta#2in% to Rue# En%ab an whi#e their teacher, -r. Damaso 5asi#bas was chec2in% the atten ance. The ecease was not aware o$ an! im"en in% assau#t neither i he have an! means to e$en himse#$8 4. The accuse use an airwei%ht )mith W 0esson .48 ca#iber revo#ver in shootin% to eath the e$ense#ess an he#"#ess 'rancis 7rnest 7scaLo8 4. The attac2 was so su en an so une/"ecte . the accuse conscious#! conceive that mo e o$ attac28 9. The accuse $ire at 'rancis a%ain an a%ain an i not %ive him a chance to e$en himse#$. 3$ter the ecease was hit on the hea an $e## to the $#oor whi#e he was a#rea ! s"raw#e an com"#ete#! e$ense#ess the accuse $ire at him a%ain an the ecease was hit on the chest8 :. The ecease was not arme . +e was tota##! e$ense#ess. +e was abso#ute#! not aware o$ an! comin% attac2. 21 The &ourt a#so "ointe out that Renato must have 2nown that 'rancis whi#e insi e Room 19 ha no means o$ esca"e there bein% on#! one ?1@ oor an Room 19 bein% on the secon $#oor o$ the bui# in%. Renato in e$$ect b#oc2e the on#! e/it o"en to 'rancis as he stoo on the teacherAs "#at$orm c#osest to the oor an $ire as 'rancis an Rue# sou%ht to ash throu%h the oor. RenatoAs >uestion Cwhere is 'rancisHC cannot reasonab#! be re%ar e as an e$$ort to warn 'rancis $or he shot at 'rancis the instant he si%hte the #atter, seate an ta#2in% to Rue# En%ab. That Renato $ire three ?4@ shots be$ore hittin% 'rancis with the $ourth shot, can on#! be ascribe to the in i$$erent mar2manshi" o$ Renato an to the $act that 'rancis an the other stu ents were scurr!in% $rom one "art o$ the room to the other in an e$$ort to eva e the shots $ire b! Renato. The cumu#ative e$$ect o$ the circumstances un erscore b! the tria# court was that the attac2 u"on 'rancis ha been carrie out in a manner which isab#e 'rancis $rom e$en in% himse#$ or reta#iatin% a%ainst Renato. 'ina##!, the circumstance that Renato, havin% been in$orme that 'rancis was sti## a#ive, re-entere Room 19 an $ire a%ain at 'rancis who #a! on the $#oor an bathe with his own b#oo , mani$este RenatoAs conscious choice o$ means o$ e/ecution which irect#! an es"ecia##! ensure the eath o$ his victim without ris2 to himse#$. 22 0e are com"e##e to a%ree with the tria# court that treacher! was here "resent an that, there$ore, the 2i##in% o$ 'rancis 7rnest 7scaLo ((( was mur er. 9. The claim that there #as no evident premeditation. The tria# court a#so $oun the "resence o$ evi ent "reme itation an a""reciate the same as a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance. +ere, it is the ur%in% o$ the a""e##ant that the re>uisites o$ evi ent "reme itation ha not been su$$icient#! shown. (n or er that evi ent "reme itation ma! be ta2en into account, there must be "roo$ o$ ?a@ the time when the o$$en er $orme his intent to commit the crime8 ?b@ an action mani$est#! in icatin% that the o$$en er ha c#un% to his etermination to commit the crime8 an ?c@ o$ the "assa%e o$ a su$$icient interva# o$ time between the etermination o$ the o$$en er to commit the crime an the actua# e/ecution thereo$, to a##ow him to re$#ect u"on the conse>uences o$ his act. 2A The e$ense "ointe out that bare#! $i$teen ?19@ minutes ha e#a"se $rom the time Renato #e$t his 7n%#ish ((( c#ass an the time he returne with a %un. 0hi#e there was testimon! to the $act that be$ore that $ata# a! o$ 14 December 1984, an%er an resentment ha we##e u" between 'rancis an Renato, there was no evi ence a e>uate#! showin% when Renato ha $orme the intention an etermination to

ta2e the #i$e o$ 'rancis. 3ccor in%#!, we must iscar evi ent "reme itation as an a%%ravatin% circumstance. :. The claim that the 4illing #as not done under the influence of a dangerous drug. )ection 1; o$ ,.5. ,#%. 1;9 which was "romu#%ate on 2 -arch 1982 "rovi es as $o##owsB )7&. 1;. The "rovisions o$ an! #aw to the contrar! notwithstan in%, when a crime is committe b! an o$$en er who is un er the in$#uence o$ an%erous ru%s, such state sha## be consi ere as a >ua#i$!in% a%%ravatin% circumstance in the e$inition o$ a crime an the a""#ication o$ the "ena#t! "rovi e $or in the Revise 5ena# &o e. The tria# court $oun that 'rancis was 2i##e b! Renato whi#e the #ater was un er the in$#uence o$ a an%erous ru%, s"eci$ica##! mari.uana, an too2 that into account as a Cs"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstanceC. No me ica# evi ence ha been submitte b! the "rosecution to show that Renato ha smo2e mari.uana be$ore %unnin% own 'rancis. 'ourteen ?14@ a!s ha e#a"se a$ter December 14, 1984 be$ore Renato was me ica##! e/amine $or "ossib#e traces o$ mari.uana8 the resu#ts o$ the e/amination were ne%ative. De$ense witness Dr. Ro%e#io 3scona testi$ie that in or er to have a me ica##! va#i basis $or eterminin% the "resence o$ mari.uana in the human s!stem, the "atient must be e/amine within twent!$our ?24@ hours $rom the time he is su""ose to have smo2e mari.uana. 24 The "rosecution ha "resente 6r#an o ,a#aba, a stu ent at the Divine 0or &o##e%e, +i%h )choo# De"artment, who testi$ie that he $oun Renato an one =aime Racho insi e the menAs room o$ the +i%h )choo# De"artment suc2in% smo2e $rom a han -ro##e thin% that #oo2 #i2e a ci%arette, that he ha as2e Renato what that was an that Renato ha re"#ie damo ?mari.uana@. 2 0hi#e the testimon! o$ 6r#an o ,a#aba was corroborate b! two ?2@ other "rosecution witnesses, we be#ieve that 6r#an o ,a#abaAs testimon! was incom"etent to show that what Renato an =aime Racho were smo2in% insi e the menAs room was in ee mari.uana. (t was "ointe out b! a"e##ant that 6r#an o ,a#aba ha never smo2e nor sme##e mari.uana. (n the absence o$ me ica# evi ence, the &ourt too2 into account certain etai#e $actors as circumstantia# evi ence su""ortin% the testimon! o$ 6r#an o ,a#aba. These circumstances wereB The circumstance o$ "#ace where the 2i##in% was committe , the circumstance o$ the manner o$ the attac2, the circumstance o$ ho# in% hosta%e some teachers an stu ents insi e the $acu#t! room, the circumstance o$ terri$!in% an entire schoo#, the circumstance that sittin% on a scra"boo2 is too insi%ni$icant as to arouse "assion stron% enou%h to motivate a 2i##in%, are circumstantia# evi ences that %ave the court no room $or oubt that "rosecution witnesses 6r#an o ,a#aba, ,en.amin 3m"er an 3##an e #a )erna truth$u##! to# the court that the! saw the accuse smo2in% mari.uana insi e the com$ort room at 1B49 in the a$ternoon o$ December 14, 1984. ... . 26 The above circumstances "ointe to b! the tria# court ma! be in icative o$ "assionate an%er on the "art o$ Renato8 we o not be#ieve that the! necessari#! show that Renato ha smo2e mari.uana be$ore enterin% his 7n%#ish ((( c#ass. (n the absence o$ com"etent me ica# or other irect evi ence o$ in%estion o$ a an%erous ru%, courts ma! be war! an critica# o$ in irect evi ence, consi erin% the severe conse>uences $or the accuse o$ a $in in% that he ha acte whi#e un er the in$#uence o$ a "rohibite ru%. The &ourt consi ers that the evi ence "resente on this "oint was sim"#! ina e>uate to su""ort the ru#in% o$ the tria# court that Renato ha shot an 2i##e 'rancis whi#e un er the in$#uence o$ a "rohibite ru%. ;. The claim that appellant had voluntarily surrendered.

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3""e##ant conten s that he ha vo#untari#! surren ere an that the tria# court shou# have consi ere that miti%atin% circumstance in his $avor. The tria# court i not, an we consi er that it correct#! re$use to o so. 'irst#!, Renato surren ere his %un, not himse#$, 26 b! han in% over the wea"on throu%h the ba#ustra e o$ the $acu#t! room. )econ #!, he surren ere the %un to his brother, who was not in an! case a "erson in authorit! nor an a%ent o$ a "erson in authorit!. 20 Thir #!, Renato i not surren er himse#$ he was arreste b! &a"t. La<o. The $act that he i not resist arrest, i not constitute vo#untar! surren er. 29 'ina##!, i$ it be assume that Renato ha surren ere himse#$, such surren er cannot be re%ar e as voluntary an spontaneous. Renato was ho#e u" in the $acu#t! room, in e$$ect ho# in% some teachers an stu ents as hosta%es. The $acu#t! room was surroun e b! 5hi#i""ine &onstabu#ar! so# iers an there was no esca"e o"en to him. +e was not entit#e to the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! surren er. 8. !hether or not the crime #as committed in contempt of or #ith insult to the public authorities. The tria# court he# that the shootin% to eath o$ 'rancis ha been one Cin contem"t o$ or with insu#t to the "ub#ic authoritiesB En er Re"ub#ic 3ct 19;8, as amen e , a teacher o$ a "ub#ic or "rivate schoo# is consi ere a "erson in authorit!. The $act that -r. Damaso 5asi#bas, the teacher in mathematics, was a#rea ! chec2in% the atten ance i not eter the accuse $rom "ursuin% his evi# act, The accuse i%nore his teacherAs "resence an "#eas. Not !et satis$ie with the crime an terror he ha one to 'rancis an the entire schoo#, the accuse entere the $acu#t! room an he# hosta%e the teachers an stu ents who were insi e that room. To the court, this act o$ the accuse was an insu#t to his teachers an to the schoo#, an act o$ ca##us isre%ar o$ otherAs $ee#in%s an sa$et! an com"#ete#! re"rehensib#e. A0 0e be#ieve the tria# court erre in so $in in% the "resence o$ a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance. 3rtic#e 192 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as amen e b! Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 19;8 an 5resi entia# Decree No. 299, "rovi es as $o##owsB 3rt. 192. Persons in authority and agents of persons in authority. 3 !ho shall be deemed as such. 3 )n applying the provisions of the preceding and other articles of this Code$ any person directly vested #ith jurisdiction$ whether as an in ivi ua# or as a member o$ some court or %overnment cor"oration, boar , or commission, shall be deemed a person in authority. 3 barrio ca"tain an a baran%a! chairman sha## a#so be eeme a "erson in authorit!. 3 "erson who b! irect "rovision o$ #aw or b! e#ection or b! a""ointment b! com"etent authorit!, is char%e with the maintenance o$ "ub#ic or er an the "rotection an securit! o$ #i$e an "ro"ert!, such as a barrio counci#man, barrio "o#iceman an baran%a! #ea er an an! "erson who comes to the ai o$ "ersons in authorit!, sha## be eeme an a%ent o$ a "erson in authorit!. )n applying the provisions of &rticles 15. and 161 of this Code$ teachers$ professors an "ersons char%e with the su"ervision of "ub#ic or duly recogni7ed private schools$ co##e%es an universities, an #aw!ers in the actua# "er$ormance o$ their "ro$essiona# uties or on the occasion o$ such "er$ormance, shall be deemed persons in authority. ?3s amen e b! 5.D. No. 299, )e"tember 19, 19;4 an ,atas 5ambansa ,#%. 8;4, =une 12, 1989@.

&are$u# rea in% o$ the #ast "ara%ra"h o$ 3rtic#e 192 wi## show that whi#e a teacher or "ro$essor o$ a "ub#ic or reco%ni<e "rivate schoo# is eeme to be a C"erson in authorit!,C such teacher or "ro$essor is so eeme on#! $or "ur"oses o$ a""#ication o$ 3rtic#es 148 ? irect assau#t u"on a "erson in authorit!@, an 191 ?resistance an isobe ience to a "erson in authorit! or the a%ents o$ such "erson@ o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. (n mar2e contrast, the $irst "ara%ra"h o$ 3rtic#e 192 oes not i enti$! s"eci$ic artic#es o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e $or the a""#ication o$ which an! "erson C irect#! veste with .uris iction, etc.C is eeme Ca "erson in authorit!.C ,ecause a "ena# statute is not to be %iven a #on%er reach an broa er sco"e than is ca##e $or b! the or inar! meanin% o$ the or inar! wor s use b! such statute, to the isa vanta%e o$ an accuse , we o not be#ieve that a teacher or "ro$essor o$ a "ub#ic or reco%ni<e "rivate schoo# ma! be re%ar e as a C"ub#ic authorit!C within the meanin% o$ "ara%ra"h 2 o$ 3rtic#e 14 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, A1 the "rovision the tria# court a""#ie in the case at bar. 3&&6RD(NGLO, the ecision o$ the tria# court ate 41 =u#! 198: is hereb! -6D('(7D in the $o##owin% manner an to the $o##owin% e/tent on#!B 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES vs.'A!ITO STO. TO"AS G.R. No+. L-40A6669 Au<u+4 22, 190 !UEVAS, J.: 3t about ten oAc#oc2 in the evenin% o$ -a! 24, 19:;, tra%e ! struc2 at the resi ence o$ the GRELL3) situate in the munici"a#it! o$ Donso#, )orso%on. 3$ter the smo2e o$ %un $ire ha c#eare , two ?2@ "ersons were $oun ea insi e the house o$ the Gru##as bathe in their own b#oo , name#!B )3L*3&(6N GRELL3, wi$e o$ the herein accuse -a""e##ant who #a! "rostrate on the $#oor at the sa#a8 an a""e##antAs mother-in-#aw &6N)6L3&(6N ,7L-6NT7 *D3. D7 GRELL3 who a""eare seate motion#ess on a chair with her bo ! rec#inin% on a tab#e. The thir victim N3T(*(D3D GRELL3, !oun%er sister o$ )a#vacion, near#! esca"e eath but #i2ewise su$$ere %unshot woun s necessitatin% hos"ita#i<ation $or a#most a month. 3s an a$termath o$ the a$oresai shootin% inci ent, three &rimina# &ases were $i#e be$ore the then &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ )orso%on-,ranch (((, a%ainst a""e##ant 53&(T6 )T6. T6-3). 6ne $or 53RR(&(D7 un er &rimina# &ase No. 22, $or the eath o$ )a#vacion Gru##a8 another one $or -ERD7R un er &rimina# &ase No. 24, $or the eath o$ a""e##antAs mother-in-#aw &onso#acion ,e#monte * a. e Gru##a8 an the thir one $or 'RE)TR3T7D -ERD7R un er &rimina# &ase No. 29, $or the near $ata# shootin% o$ Nativi a Gru##a, a""e##antAs sister-in#aw. 3$ter tria#, $o##owin% a "#ea o$ N6T GE(LTO entere u"on arrai%nment, accuse was convicte an therea$ter sentence as $o##owsB 1. (n &rimina# &ase No. 22B to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua8 an to in emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease )a#vacion Gru##a in the amount o$ 519,000.008 "#us 510,000.00 b! wa! o$ mora# ama%es8 2. (n &rimina# &ase No. 24B to su$$er an in eterminate "ena#t! o$ twe#ve ?12@ !ears as the minimum, to twent! ?20@ !ears o$ reclusion temporal8 an to in emni$! the heirs o$ ecease &onso#acion * a. e Gru##a in the amount o$ 519,000.008 an to "a! 510,000.00 as mora# ama%es "#us 59,000.00 as "unitive ama%es. 4. (n &rimina# &ase No. 29B to su$$er an in eterminate "ena#t! o$ ten ?10@ !ears o$ prison mayor$ as the minimum o$ twent! ?20@ !ears o$ rec#usion tem"ora# as the ma/imum8 an to in emni$! Nativi a Gru##a, in the amount o$ 5;00.00 as actua# ama%es8 510,000.00 as mora# ama%es8 an 59,000 as "unitive ama%es8 "#us 'rom the a$oresai .u %ment, accuse venti#ate an a""ea# to this &ourt, see2in% the reversa# o$ his a$oresai conviction on the %roun that the tria# court a##e%e #! erre D

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( (N +6LD(NG T+3T )3L*3&(6N GRELL3 () T+7 0('7 6' T+7 3&&E)7D-3557LL3NT8 (( (N '(ND(NG T+3T N3T(*(D3D GRELL3 0(TN7))7D T+7 )+66T(NG 6' )3L*3&(6N GRELL3 3ND &6N)6L3&(6N *D3. D7 GRELL38 ((( (N '(ND(NG T+3T TR73&+7RO 3&&6-53N(7D T+7 )+66T(NG 6' N3T(*(D3D GRELL38 (* (N '(ND(NG T+3T T+7 3GGR3*3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7 6' 3,E)7 6' )E57R(6R )TR7NGT+ 3TT7ND7D T+7 &6--())(6N 6' T+7 6''7N)78 * (N T3K(NG (NT6 3&&6ENT T+7 3GGR3*3T(NG &(R&E-)T3N&7 6' D07LL(NG (N T+7 (-56)(T(6N 6' 57N3LT(7)8 *( (N '(ND(NG T+3T N3T(*(D3D GRELL3 )E''7R7D 57R-3N7NT D7'6R-(TO 'R6- T+7 (N=ERO 0+(&+ &6ELD +3*7 &3E)7D +7R D73T+8 *(( (N 303RD(NG D3-3G7) D7)5(T7 T+7 3,)7N&7 6' 3 &L73R 3ND &6N*(N&(NG 5R66' (N )E556RT T+7R76'8 an *((( (N &6N*(&T(NG 3557LL3NT 6N T+7 ,3)() 6' 5ER7LO &(R&E-)T3NT(3L 7*(D7N&7. The "rosecutionAs version o$ the inci ent in >uestion as summari<e b! the )o#icitor Genera# runs thusD 6n -a! 24, 19:; at about 10B00 oAc#oc2 in the evenin%, Nativi a Gru##a, then a 19 !ear o# %ir#, was en%rosse in rea in% the (##ustrate &#assics in her be room at the Gru##a resi ence in Danso#, )orso%on ?"". 19, 21, tsn, 'eb. 29, 19:9@. 3#so then at home, were her ne"hews, 'i e#, 5acito, =r., an Roberto, her sisters, ,#esi# a an )a#vacion, her mother &onso#acion Gru##a, a niece, 3#ma an their mai 3ve#ina ,or eos ?", 44, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:8@. 3 brother, )i/to, was out o$ the house at that time, whi#e two other brothers )amue# an 3#$re o, were as#ee" in the house o$ Nativi a As %ran mother #ocate at the bac2 o$ their resi ence ?". 48, tsn, (bi @. ,etween 10B00 oAc#oc2 an 11B00 oAc#oc2 that same evenin%, )a#vacion Gru##aAs husban , 5acito )to. Tomas arrive b! car an 2noc2e at

the $ront oor o$ the Gru##a resi ence an u"on hearin% the 2noc2in%, Nativi a "rocee e to the $ront oor to o"en it but 5acito ha wa#2e towar s the bac2 oor an 2noc2e u"on it. ?". 4, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. 5acitoAs wi$e, )a#vacion, "rocee e to meet him in the 2itchen. 6nce insi e, 5acito as2e his wi$e to %o with him, to%ether with their chi# ren, an rushe the mai to %et their thin%s "ac2e $or Le%as"i &it!. Nativi a saw the cou"#e ta#2in% in the sa#a. ?". 9, tsn, (bi .@. 3wa2ene b! 5acito an )a#vacionAs conversation, &onso#acion Gru##a, )a#vacion an Nativi a As mother, came out o$ her be room an .oine the s"ouses in the sa#a. There, 5acito as2e his mother-in-#awAs "ermission to brin% his wi$e an chi# ren to Le%as"i &it!. )"ea2in% in the ia#ect, &onso#acion Gru##a re"#ie , C5acito, m! au%hter cannot %o with !ou to Le%as"i because she oes not want to #ive with !ou. )he can no #on%er en ure the su$$erin%s she is un er%oin% because o$ !our .ea#ous!.C 5acito, however, retorte , C-a!, ( cannot ta#2 over this thin% with !ou an! #on%er an ( wou# #i2e *acion to %o with me to Le%as"i.C ?". 9, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@ 3$ter which, he turne to his wi$e an as2e her whether she was %oin% with him, but she answere that she cou# not o so because their !oun%est chi# ,#esi# a, then on#! seven months o# , was with $ever ?". 4:, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:88 ". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. Later, whi#e Nativi a was a#rea ! in her room she hear a series o$ %unshots that cause her to sto""e rea in%, an she went out her room to see 5acito $irin% at her sister ?". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:88 "". :, 44 an 49, tsn, 'eb. 29, 19:9@. 3$ter the series o$ %unshot b! 5acito, Nativi a then saw her mother seate , motion#ess, on a chair about three meters $rom 5acito, her bo ! rec#inin% on a tab#e, whi#e her sister #a! "rostrate on the $#oor ?"". 29, 41-44, tsn. Dec. 9, 19:88 ". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. Then, in res"onse to Nativi a As ca## o$ C-ana!C, -rs. )to. Tomas raise her hea s#i%ht#! but was a""arent#! too wea2 to rise ?". 2;, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:88 ". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. Nativi a "#ea e with 5acito to s"are )a#vacionAs #i$e te##in% him that the #atter wou# %o with him to Le%as"i. ,ut her "#eas merite no more than an e/"ression o$ C+mmmC $rom 5acito who be%an to re#oa his revo#ver ?". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. 3t this .uncture, Nativi a su en#! remembere that her sister ha to# her, sometime in the "ast, that 5acito ha threatene to 2i## a## the members o$ the Gru##a $ami#! ?". :, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:8@. )care b! this reco##ection, Nativi a thou%ht o$ esca"in%, an $orthwith returne to her be room, her bac2 now towar s the accuse , her han s raise in a %esture o$ surren er. 3s she entere her room she hear %unshots a%ain, an she turne aroun to $in out at whom the accuse was $irin%, but as she i so, she $e#t her #e$t arm %o numb ?". 44, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:8, ". ;, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:88 ". 4;, tsn, 'eb. 29, 19:9@. )he saw her #e$t arm b#ee an trie to su""ort it with her ri%ht han , but 5acito shot her once more, this time hittin% her ri%ht $orearm ?". 49, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:8@. 'ri%htene A to eath, she ran throu%h the $ront oor, shoutin% $or he#" at the to" o$ her voice ?". 49, tsn, Dec. 9, 19:88 ". ;, tsn, Dec. 2;, 19:88 ". 42, tsn, 'eb. 29, 19:9@. E"on reachin% a oromon tree some ten meters awa! $rom her house, she met Re!na# o -asan>ue an +os"icio 5asibi, who were on their wa! to $in out the cause o$ the successive %unshots that the! ha hear whi#e conservin% in the "ar2 near the munici"a# bui# in%.

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Nativi a thereu"on re>ueste Re!na# o -asan>ue to %o to her mother an sister, te##in% him that the! ha been shot an so -asan>ue com"#ie , an ran towar s Nativi a As house ?"". 9, 1:-20, tsn, -arch 41, 19;0@. E"on reachin% the oor o$ the Gru##a resi ence, -asan>ue saw 5acito )to. Tomas insi e, his ri%ht han ho# in% a %un an his bac2 towar s the oor. -asan>ue #i2ewise saw )a#vacion #!in% on the $#oor an &onso#acion #eanin% a%ainst a tab#e ?"". :;, tsn, (bi @. 3$rai that he mi%ht be shot i$ he were seen b! 5acito, -asan>ue #e$t imme iate#!, an he overtoo2 Nativi a Gru##a near the house o$ -r. ,arios, her arms bein% he# b! +os"icio 5asibi ?"". 10, 11, tsn, (bi @. E"on reachin% the corner o$ &a##e Tres -arias, the! met )i/to Gru##a, a brother o$ Nativi a , who ha a#so been a#arme b! the shots he hear . )i/to went with them to the munici"a# bui# in%, an on the wa!, Nativi a un$o# e to him the tra%ic inci ent ?". 11, tsn, -arch 41, 19;08 ". 1:, tsn, 3"ri# 1, 19;0@. 1 6n the other han , a""e##antAs version o$ the inci ent ten s to show that it was his wi$e )a#vacion Gru##a who acci enta##! shot his mother-in-#aw, the ecease &onso#acion ,e#monte * a. e Gru##a. )ummin% u" his evi ence, it a""ears that he went to Donso#, )orso%on on the $ata# a! in >uestion in or er to $etch his wi$e )a#vacion Gru##a an their chi# ren $or "ur"oses o$ brin%in% them to Le%as"i &it! since he wi## have to be con$ine in a hos"ita# on the $o##owin% a! u"on or ers o$ his octor. E"on reachin% his wi$eAs "#ace, he 2noc2e at the bac2 oor near the 2itchen. )a#vacion o"ene the oor. Ri%ht then an there, a""e##ant to# her to %et rea ! $or Le%as"i &it! with their chi# ren. )a#vacion re$use to #eave $or Le%as"i &it! an i%nore a""e##antAs "#ea. 3""e##ant then entere the room occu"ie b! his mother-in-#aw, &onso#acion, to %et the suitcase containin% his chi# renAs c#othes. &onso#acion was awa2ene an #earnin% o$ a""e##antAs "ur"ose in %oin% to their "#ace, she an%ri#! curse the #atter. 3""e##ant then reiterate an e/"#aine to his mother-in-#aw, ?&onso#acion@ his "ur"ose in $etchin% his wi$e an chi# ren. 3 verba# a#tercation therea$ter ensue between them urin% which time, accuse -a""e##ant bran e his mother-in-#aw as C 2unsinti ora. 3n%ere b! the harsh an iscourteous wor s o$ the a""e##ant, &onso#acion %rabbe both han s o$ the #atter $rom behin an whi#e stru%%#in% to $ree himse#$ $rom his mother- in-#aw, )a#vacion %rabbe a""e##antAs -a%num 49; revo#ver $rom the #atterAs shou# er ho#ster, an when )a#vacion saw accuse 2ic2in% her mother, she $ire the %un hittin% the a""e##ant at the #ower man ib#e is#ocatin% his man ib#e an shatterin% com"#ete#! his "har!n/. The $orce o$ the %un $ire ri$te the a""e##ant, $orcin% him to $a## b! his si e on the $#oor b#ee in% an %as"in% $or breath. )a#vacion $e## on her 2nees besi e the $a##en bo ! o$ accuse -a""e##ant an in a moment o$ se#$-recrimination uttere out o$ $ear. C( "u##e the tri%%er o$ the %un when ( saw !ou 2ic2e m! mother. ( i not o it "ur"ose#!, &itoC re$errin% to the a""e##ant. 3ccuse -a""e##ant then succee e in reachin% $or the %un he# b! his wi$e )a#vacion. )a#vacion war e him o$$ an ca##e her mother $or he#". )a#vacion, &onso#acion an a""e##ant then be%an %ra""#in% $or the %un. (n the "rocess, the %un went o$$ hittin% &onso#acion who was thrown bac2war into a chair. )ti##, accuse -a""e##ant an )a#vacion continue to %ra""#e $or the "ossession o$ the %un unti# both o$ them $e## on the $#oor with )a#vacion $a##in% on to" o$ the a""e##ant. 3s the! continue %ra""#in% near a tab#e, the %un a%ain e/"#o e . 'ina##!, )a#vacion s#ow#! re#a/e her ho# on the %un an sai C( am hit, &itoC, an therea$ter $e## on the $#oor. Later, accuse -a""e##ant hear a noise comin% $rom the room o$ Nativi a Gru##a, sister o$ )a#vacion. 3$rai that someone was tr!in% to %ain entrance into the be room, accuse -a""e##ant instinctive#! re#oa e his %un an $ire in the %enera# irection o$ the be room where the noise came $rom. The noise sto""e an su en#! Nativi a cr!in%, came out o$ the be room across the sa#a. 6 3s wi## be note , a""e##ant enies an! #iabi#it! $or the eath o$ )a#vacion ?his ecease wi$e@, &onso#acion ?his mother-in-#aw@, an the near $ata# shootin% o$ Nativi a ?his sister-in-#aw@, c#aimin% that the eath o$ the two ?2@ a$orementione victims was "ure#! acci enta#, the $irin% o$ his %un that hit them bein% brou%ht about b! )a#vacionAs %ra""#in% with him $or the "ossession thereo$. Dis"utin% this c#aim, however, an tota##! emo#ishin% the veracit! o$ sai assertion, are the

in.uries sustaine b! the ecease as shown b! the "ost mortem e/amination con ucte u"on their ca avers. )a#vacion Gru##a su$$ere $our ?4@ %unshot woun sB one on the "osterior as"ect o$ her nec28 another one on the chest8 a thir one on the #e$t ab omina# re%ion8 an a $ourth one on the ri%ht $orearm. 0 -rs. &onso#acion Gru##a on the other han , #i2ewise sustaine $our ?4@ %unshot woun sBDone on the #e$t $ace .ust be#ow the chee2bone8 a secon one on the #e$t si e o$ the nec28 a thir one on the #e$t chee2 at the #eve# o$ the secon rib8 an a $ourth one at the bac2 #e$t si e o$ her bo !. These mu#ti"#e %unshot woun s sustaine b! the two ?2@ a$orementione victims conc#usive#! ne%ate the theor! es"ouse b! the a""e##ant-that the shootin% was mere#! acci enta#. 6n the contrar!, the! were mute but vivi testimonia#s o$ the manner b! which the! were in$#icte -in icatin% that both )a#vacion an &onso#acion were e#iberate#! $ire u"on b! the a""e##ant thereb! sustainin% those various %unshot woun s resu#tin% in their eath. The same ho# s true with re%ar s to Nativi a . That she was intentiona##! $ire u"on b! the a""e##ant is c#ear#! estab#ishe b! her c#ear an strai%ht$orwar testimon! which o not a""ear to have been ente es"ite ri%orous an ri%i cross-e/amination. Nativi a testi$ie that the e/chan%e o$ wor s between a""e##ant an his wi$e )a#vacion at their sa#a awa2ene her. &omin% out o$ her be room, Nativi a .oine the s"ouses ?a""e##ant an )a#vacion@ an her mother &onso#acion in the sa#a. The inci ent was "rece e b! a""e##antAs "#ea u"on &onso#acion to a##ow )a#vacion to %o with him to Le%as"i &it! since he was %oin% to enter the hos"ita# the $o##owin% a!. &onso#acion to# a""e##ant that her au%hter )a#vacion is no #on%er wi##in% to %o an #ive with him because o$ the unto# miseries an su$$erin%s she has un er%one at his han s brou%ht about b! a""e##antAs .ea#ous!. Turnin% u"on his wi$e ?)a#vacion@ a""e##ant a#so %ot a ne%ative answer. ,esi es, ,)a#vacion to# a""e##ant that their au%hter ,#esi# a was su$$erin% $rom hi%h $ever at the time. 3s the heate e/chan%e o$ wor s went on between a""e##ant ,on the one han an &onso#acion an )a#vacion at the other, an whi#e Nativi a was returnin% to her be room, a series o$ %unshots rent the air. )he then turne aroun an saw a""e##ant $irin% at )a#vacion. 3s she ste""e bac2 into their sa#a, she saw accuse ho# in% his revo#ver. 4 )he a#so saw her mother &onso#acion about three meters awa! $rom the a""e##ant a#rea ! rec#inin% on a tab#e tota##! motion#ess. Nativi a ca##e her but there was no answer. &onso#acion was a#rea ! ea . Nativi a continue "#ea in% to the a""e##ant to s"are the #i$e o$ his sister )a#vacion te##in% him that the #atter wi## now %o with him to Le%as"i &it!. Nativi a As "#ea, however, $e## on ea$ ears. 'ri%htene that a""e##ant ma! now vent his ire on her an a#rea ! "anic2! at the time, she rushe bac2 to her be room with her han s raise in %esture o$ surren er. 3s she was enterin% her room she a%ain hear %unshots. )he turne aroun to see whom the accuse was $irin% at on#! to $in out that she was a#rea ! hit at her #e$t arm which was "ro$use#! b#ee in% at that time. )he trie to su""ort it with her ri%ht arm, but the accuse a%ain $ire at her this time hittin% her at her ri%ht $orearm. )he #ost no time runnin% out o$ the house "assin% b! their $ront oor to esca"e $rom the a""e##ant, simu#taneous#! shoutin% $or he#". 7/amine an treate b! Dr. 3 an R. 7va o$ the 3#ba! 5rovincia# +os"ita# on that same ni%ht, she was $oun to have su$$ere %unshot woun s at the "osterior #atera# si e, mi #e thir #e$t $orearm8 another %unshot woun with #acerate e %es on the "osterior sur$ace o$ her #e$t e#bow8 a thir %unshot woun with #acerate e %es on ista# 1I9 "osterior sur$ace #e$t arm8 an a com"oun $racture o$ the #e$t $orearm. Testi$!in% on the sai in.uries, Dr. 7va state that the in.ur! o$ the #e$t $orearm which "enetrate throu%h an throu%h, causin% a com"oun $racture comminute with bone $ra%ments which necessitate an o"eration cou# have cause the eath o$ the "atient were it not $or the time#! sur%er! because com"#ications cou# have arisen an tetanus wou# have set in. That a""e##antAs %un which ha $ina##! been etermine to be a -a%num 49; revo#ver was $ire intentiona##! a""eare $urther corroborate b! the em"t! she##s

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$oun at the sa#a o$ the Gru##asA resi ence. &hie$ o$ 5o#ice )a#vatierra res"on in% to the re"ort o$ the shootin% inci ent, $oun ten ?10@ em"t! she##s on the $#oor o$ the sa#a o$ -rs. Gru##aAs house. (ns"ectin% the -a%num revo#ver o$ the a""e##ant, he $oun insi e its chamber one em"t! she## an another #ive bu##et. &onsi erin% that the revo#verAs chamber cou# accommo ate on#! si/ ?:@ bu##ets at a time an as a mitte b! the a""e##ant himse#$, the %un was re#oa e a$ter bein% em"tie . ($ the $irst shot was acci enta#, wh! was there a necessit! to re#oa the sai %unH 0ou# that not be invitin% more troub#e that cou# #ea to more isastrous conse>uencesH ($ his version is true, he shou# have thrown that %un awa! to "revent a re"etition o$ it bein% $ire b! acci ent. ,ut that is not what he i . +is re#oa in% o$ that %un estro!s an unrave# the $a#sit! o$ his concoction. To subscribe with a""e##antAs c#aim o$ acci enta# shootin% wi## be %u##ibi#it! at its hi%hest. The tria# court $oun Nativi a Gru##a to be a ver! cre ib#e witness. +er testimon! a""eare "ositive, cate%orica# an une>uivoca# es"ite ri%i an thorou%h crosse/amination. )he has never waivere much #ess vaci##ate at an! time throu%hout the entire course o$ her testimon!. 3s a"t#! observe b! the tria# courtD3 care$u# ana#!sis o$ Nativi a As testimon! %ives out the revea#in% $act that she saw somethin% e#se, an this was the horrib#e s"ectac#e o$ her he#"#ess sister bein% $ire at "ointb#an2 b! the accuse , Nativi a stuc2 to this statement, ma2in% no mention whatsoever, however, that she saw the accuse oin% the same to an e>ua# be#ove i$ not a $ar earer in ivi ua# in the "erson o$ her mother whom, she saw at the same moment seate motion#ess. This unembe#ishe testimon! o$ Nativi a , who cou# have so easi#! "ointe an accusin% $in%er at the accuse as havin% been #i2ewise seen b! her $irin% at her mother, e/u es nothin% #ess than the untarnishe truth o$ what she actua##! saw an s"o2e o$. ($ her "ur"ose in ec#arin% $orthri%ht that she actua##! saw accuse 5acito )to. Tomas $irin% at )a#vacion was none other than to $a#se#! im"#icate him, how easi#! cou# she have one the same inso$ar as the inci ent concerne her motherZ 0e can o no #ess in accor in% her the same cre ence since the recor is bere$t o$ an! circumstance o$ note that wi## ne%ate +is +6N6RAs $in in%s an conc#usions. 6 (n view thereo$, 0e $in no merit in a""e##antAs assi%nment o$ error nos. ((, (((, *( an *(((. (n &rimina# &ase No. 22, accuse -a""e##ant was char%e with an convicte o$ 53RR(&(D7, the victim bein% his wi$e )a#vacion Gru##a. 3""e##ant, however, conten s that even assumin% he cou# be ma e #iab#e $or the eath o$ )a#vacion, !et his conviction $or "arrici e is erroneous, his marria%e to the #atter bein% nu## an voi since he is "revious#! marrie to a certain 5rima 5atanao wa!bac2 in 1944. (n su""ort o$ his a$oresai c#aim, he "resente 5rima 5atanao who testi$ie on this a##e%e marria%e. +e a#so intro uce a /ero/ co"! o$ his a##e%e marria%e certi$icate 6 with 5atanao. E"on ob.ection, however, b! the "rosecution, the tria# court re.ecte sai /ero/ co"! since a mission thereo$ vio#ates the best evi ence ru#e. 0e a%ree with +is +onorAs ru#in%, the same bein% we##ta2en. )ection 2, Ru#e 140 o$ the Ru#es o$ &ourt "rovi esB )ec. 2. 9riginal #riting must be produce e:ceptions .D There can be no evi ence o$ a writin% the contents o$ which is the sub.ect o$ in>uir!, other than the ori%ina# writin% itse#$, e/ce"t in the $o##owin% casesB a@ 0hen the ori%ina# has been #ost, estro!e , or cannot be "ro uce in court8 c@ 0hen the ori%ina# is in the "ossession o$ the "art! a%ainst whom the evi ence is o$$ere , an the #atter $ai#s to "ro uce it a$ter reasonab#e notice8

c@ 0hen the ori%ina# is a recor or other ocument in the custo ! o$ a "ub#ic o$$icer8 @ 0hen the ori%ina# has been recor e in an e/istin% recor a certi$ie co"! o$ which is ma e evi ence b! #aw8 e@ 0hen the ori%ina# consists o$ numerous accounts or other ocuments which cannot be e/amine in court without %reat #oss o$ time an the $act sou%ht to be estab#ishe $rom them is on#! the %enera# resu#t o$ the who#e. None o$ the a$oresai circumstances a""eare "roven b! the e$ense evi ence that wi## su$$icient#! warrant a mission o$ the /ero/ co"! in >uestion. The uncorroborate testimon! o$ 5atanao har #! su$$ice to overthrow the #e%a#it! o$ a""e##antAs marria%e to the ecease )a#vacion Gru##a. 3nent a""e##antAs submission that the tria# court erre in consi erin% we##in% as an a%%ravatin% circumstance, we $in the same bere$t o$ an! #e%a# su""ort. There is no is"ute that the "#ace where the crimes herein invo#ve were committe is the house o$ &onso#acion Gru##a. (t is there where she #ives with her au%hter, Nativi a Gru##a ?the other victim@ an where )a#vacion Gru##a was tem"orari#! sta!in% in or er to esca"e $rom the bruta#ities o$ the a""e##ant brou%ht about b! the #atterAs .ea#ous!. The $act that )a#vacionAs sta! in the sai "#ace ma! be consi ere as a tem"orar! so.ourn a s no va#i it! to a""e##antAs stance on this "oint. 3s we ear#ier he# in People vs. Galapia, 0 the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ we##in% is "resent when the a""e##ant 2i##e his wi$e in the house occu"ie b! her other than the con.u%a# home. )imi#ar#!, we##in% is a%%ravatin% where the o$$en e "art! was ra"e in a boar in% house rente b! her. 9 3""e##ant a#so >uestions the tria# courtAs $in in%s that Nativi a Gru##a su$$ere "ermanent e$ormit! 10 b! reason o$ the in.uries sustaine b! her. 'urthermore, he a#so asserts that no treacher! atten e the shootin% o$ Nativi a . 3 review o$ the evi ence on recor , however, c#ear#! in icates that Nativi a was $ire u"on b! the a""e##ant whi#e she was enterin% her be room with her bac2 turne a%ainst the a""e##ant. #t was whi#e she was runnin% awa! with her arms raise in surren er that accuse $ire at her. Treacher! there$ore c#ear#! atten e the attac2 ma e u"on her. 11 0ith res"ect to the >uestione e$ormit!, it was in ubitab#! shown that she is now "ermanent#! maine . +er #e$t arm became shorter than her ri%ht arm as a resu#t o$ the %unshot woun sustaine b! her. 3## ho"e o$ her #e$t arm bein% restore to its norma# #en%th ha been tota##! $orec#ose . (n short, her "resent con ition is be!on me ica# re"air. ,! reason thereo$, she is now e/"ose to "ub#ic ri icu#e asi e $rom havin% s"ent some 5;00.00 $or her hos"ita#i<ation. )he a#so #ost the chance o$ a #i$etime to better her $uture in the $orm o$ a scho#arshi" %rant b! the (nsu#ar Li$e 3ssurance &or"oration amountin% to 510,000.00. The two ?2@ bu##ets "um"e into her bo ! $rom the %un o$ the accuse e"rive her o$ a better tomorrow an tota# #oss o$ the monetar! va#ue o$ sai scho#arshi" %rant to which she is ri%ht$u##! entit#e to. 3si e $rom "arrici e, accuse -a""e##ant was #i2ewise $oun %ui#t! o$ -ERD7R $or the eath o$ her mother-in-#aw &onso#acion * a. e Gru##a. The (n$ormation in this case 12 a##e%e evi ent "reme itation as the >ua#i$!in% circumstance. 0e, however, $oun no evi ence on recor "rovin% the e/istence o$ sai circumstance. &onso#acion was $ire u"on whi#e ar%uin% with the a""e##ant, the #atter havin% "robab#! b#ac2e -oute when he therea$ter s>uee<e the tri%%er o$ his %un aime at &onso#acion. There is #i2ewise no evi ence on recor showin% the manner b! which he was attac2e an Ior $ire u"on b! the a""e##ant. +ence, a""e##ant ma! be #iab#e on#! $or +omici e. 0+7R7'6R7, the .u %ment a""ea#e $rom is hereb! 3''(R-7D. G.R. No. L-A0449 O94o-(5 A1, 1969

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THE 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES, "#ainti$$-a""e##ee, vs. ANTONIO GAR!IA Y !A&ARSE #l;#+ FTONY "ANOBF #$% REYNALDO ARVISO V RE&ELLECA #l;#+ FRENE &ISUGO,F e$en ants-a""e##ants. A&AD SANTOS, J.: This is an a""ea# $rom the ecision o$ 3"ri# 1;, 19:9 b! the &ircuit &rimina# &ourt at 5asi%, Ri<a#, which $oun the accuse %ui#t! o$ mur er an sentence them to the eath "ena#t!. The #e%a# ver ict hin%es on the testimon! o$ the #one e!ewitness $or the "rosecution, -rs. &ora<on Dio>uino 5aterno, sister o$ the ecease , 3"o#onio Dio>uino, =r. )he testi$ie that at the time o$ the inci ent, she resi e at *entani##a )treet, 5asa! &it!. )he #ive at 5asa! &it! $or about $ive months be$ore movin% to another we##in% at Timo% 3venue, Pue<on &it!. 0hi#e resi in% at 5asa! &it!, she conceive a chi# an urin% this "erio , it was not unusua# $or her, accom"anie b! her husban , to ste" out o$ the house in the wee hours o$ the mornin%. The! set out on these irre%u#ar wa#2s about $ive times. Durin% her resi ence at 5asa! &it!, her brother 3"o#onio visite her $ami#! $or about twent! times. )ometimes her brother wou# sta! instea at their "arentsA house at -untin#u"a, Ri<a#. +e usua##! s"ent his wee2en s in his resi ence at ,o. ,a#uba , 5orac, 5am"an%a. 3"o#onio an her husban were ver! c#ose to each other8 whenever 3"o#onio "ai them a visit, he usua##! s#e"t in the house an sou%ht their he#" on various "rob#ems. ,e$ore the inci ent which %ave rise to this case, &ora<onAs husban in$orme her that he saw 3"o#onio en%a%e in a rin2in% s"ree with his %an% in $ront o$ an estab#ishment 2nown as ,i##As 5#ace at -. e #a &ru< )treet. 5asa! &it!. (n her sworn statement be$ore the 5asa! &it! 5o#ice e/ecute on November 4, 19:8, &ora<on surmise that her husban must have been "aintin% the town re ?Cna% %oo timeC@ in that same "#ace. E"on #earnin% this in$ormation $rom her husban , &ora<on obtaine "ermission to #eave the house at 4B00 a.m. so she cou# $etch her brother. 3t that time, she ha not been aware that 3"o#onio was in 5asa! &it!8 she ha been o$ the be#ie$ that he was with his $ami#! in 5am"an%a. )he went to $etch him because she wante him to esca"e the untowar in$#uence o$ his %an%. (n e/"#ainin% the rationa#e $or her noctura# mission, she em"#o!e in her sworn statement the $o##owin% #an%ua%eB CDahi# iton% si =unior a! meron na 2amin% naba#itaan na naaa2a! n% bar2a a ni!a sa "a%%awa n% hin i mabuti.C 6n her wa!, as she roun e the corner o$ 5.&. )antos )treet, &ora<on saw her brother $#eein% a %rou" o$ about seven "ersons, inc#u in% the two accuse , 3ntonio Garcia an Re!na# o 3rviso. )he reco%ni<e the two accuse because the! were $ormer %an%mates o$ her brother8 in $act, she 2new them be$ore the inci ent b! their a#iases o$ CTon! -ano2C an CRene ,isu%o, C res"ective#!. &ora<on saw that the chase was #e b! the two accuse , with 3ntonio carr!in% a #on% shar" instrument. Later, in the course o$ %ivin% her sworn statement be$ore the 5asa! &it! 5o#ice on , November 4, 19:8, &ora<on "ositive#! ( enti$ie 3ntonio an Re!na# o, who were then at the o$$ice o$ the Genera# (nvesti%ation )ection, )ecret )ervice Division, 5asa! &it! 5o#ice De"artment. )he a#so state that i$ she saw the other members o$ the %rou" a%ain, "erha"s she cou# #i2ewise ( enti$! them. 3t the tria#, &ora<on #i2ewise "ointe out the two accuse . Durin% the inci ent, she e/erte e$$orts to ( enti$! the other %rou" members, ta2in% care to concea# herse#$ as she i so. )he hear a %unshot which cause her to see2 cover. 0hen she venture to #oo2 $rom where she was hi in%, about 20 meters awa!, she saw the %rou" catch u" with her brother an ma#treat him. )ome beat him with "ieces o$ woo , others bo/e him. (mme iate#! a$terwar s, the %rou" scam"ere awa! in i$$erent irections. 3ntonio was #e$t behin . +e was sittin% astri e the "rostrate $i%ure o$ 3"o#onio, stabbin% the #atter in the bac2 with his #on% 2ni$e. &ora<on was not ab#e to observe where 3ntonio #ater $#e , $or she cou# har #! bear to witness the scene.

0hen &ora<on mustere the coura%e to a""roach her brother, she saw that he was bathe in a "oo# o$ his own b#oo . The inci ent threw her in a state o$ nervous con$usion, an she reso#ve to re"ort the inci ent to her !oun%er sister, who #ive at La2an u#a )treet, 5asa! &it!. +er sister in turn eci e to brea2 the news to their $ather at -untin#u"a. )ubse>uent#!, &ora<on #earne that the "o#ice authorities were searchin% $or her brotherAs %an%mates $or havin% 2i##e him. )he a#so #earne that the sus"ects were in hi in%. 6n the same a! D 6ctober 19, 19:8 D accom"anie b! her $ami#!, she went at 2B00 ".m. to the 5o#ice De"artment to in>uire about her brotherAs cor"se. The! were irecte to the 'uneraria 5o"u#ar, where an auto"s! was he# . )ometime #ater, on November 1, 19:8, she trans$erre resi ence to Pue<on &it!. Dr. -ariano &ueva, =r. testi$ie that he con ucte a post,mortem e/amination on the ca aver o$ the ece ent 3"o#onio, an that he "re"are the corres"on in% Necro"s! Re"ort. Dr. &ueva $oun that the ecease su$$ere 22 stab woun s in the i$$erent "ortions o$ his hi"s8 in the $ront "ortion o$ the chest an nec28 in the bac2 "ortion o$ the torso8 an in the ri%ht han . +e testi$ie that the woun s sustaine b! the ecease brou%ht about a massive hemorrha%e which cause eath. +e a#so testi$ie that it is "ossib#e that the instrument mar2e as 7/hibit C,C cou# have been use in in$#ictin% the mu#ti"#e stab woun s sustaine b! the ecease , e/ce"t the stab woun s on the nec2. ,oth the accuse too2 re$u%e in the e$ense o$ a#ibi. 3ntonio Garcia c#aime that at that time o$ the inci ent D startin% with the chase an en in% with the victimAs eath D in the mornin% o$ 6ctober 19, 19:8, he was at a "#ace ca##e 5acitaAs &anteen which a .oins ,i##As 5#ace at -, e #a &ru< )treet. Re!na# o 3rviso c#aime that in the evenin% o$ the "rece in% ni%ht ?6ctober 18, 19:8@ he went on a rin2in% s"ree with his $rien s at 5acitaAs &anteen. +e went home at 10B40 ".m. an s#e"t u" to ;B00 a.m. o$ 6ctober 19, 19:8. 'rom ;B00 a.m. o$ that a!, he "er$orme his uties as a bus con uctor b! ca##in% $or "assen%ers near 5acitaAs &anteen. The tria# court "in"ointe the issue as revo#vin% aroun the ( entit! o$ the "ersons who "artici"ate in the 2i##in% o$ the ecease . it ban2e on the testimon! o$ the witness, &ora<on Dio>uino, who "ositive#! ( enti$ie the accuse as "artici"ants in the attac2. Notin% that Cthe e$ense i not even attem"t to "resent an! evi# motive on the "art o$ the witness,C the court conc#u e that Cthe two accuse too2 "art in the "er"etuation o$ the crime char%e .C (t %ave short shri$t to the e$ense o$ a#ibi "resente b! the two accuse , notin% that, b! their own a mission, the two accuse were resi ents o$ the vicinit! o$ the crime. (n res"ect o$ the circumstances atten in% the crime it sai B ,ut consi erin% the a%%ravatin% circumstances o$ ni%httime8 su"erior stren%th8 an treacher!, which three a%%ravatin% circumstances ha been su$$icient#! estab#ishe b! the "rosecution, the same cannot be o$$set b! sai vo#untar! surren er to a "erson in authorit! o$ his a%ent, "#us the unconteste $act that ecease , 3"o#onio Dio>uino, =r. su$$ere no #ess than 22 stab woun s, convincin% evi ence o$ the a""arent crimina# "erversit! o$ the accuse , the court, there$ore, has no a#ternative but to im"ose the su"reme "ena#t!. 3n ren ere .u %ment as $o##owsB (N *(70 6' T+7 '6R7G6(NG, the &ourt $in s the accuse , 3ntonio Garcia v &abarse an Re!na# o 3rviso ! Rebe##e<a, GE(LTO, be!on reasonab#e oubt, o$ the crime o$ -ur er un er 3rtic#e 248, o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as char%e un er 3rtic#e 248, o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as char%e in the in$ormation, an consi erin% the a%%ravatin% circumstances surroun in% the commission o$ the crime,

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each one o$ them is hereb! sentence to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ D73T+. The two accuse are $urther or ere to in emni$!, the heirs o$ the ecease , 3"o#onio Dio>uino, =r. in the amount o$ T07L*7 AT+6E)3ND ?512,000,00@ 57)6), .oint#! an severa##! an to "a! their "ro"ortionate share o$ the costs. (n their ,rie$, the accuse conten e that the #ower court erre B in not consi erin% ni%httime an su"erior stren%th as absorbe in treacher!B in $in in% ni%httime as an a%%ravatin% circumstance es"ite abso#ute absence o$ evi ence that ni%httime was "ur"ose#! sou%ht to insure the e/ecution o$ the crime8 in $in in% su"erior stren%th as an a%%ravatin% circumstance es"ite absence o$ evi ence to sustain such a $in in%8 in $in in% treacher! as an a%%ravatin% circumstance es"ite absence o$ evi ence to that e$$ect8 in not statin% the >ua#i$!in% circumstance o$ the a##e%e crime8 in ho# in% that the accuse Re!na# o 3rviso stabbe an hit the victim when there is no evi ence as to the "artici"ation o$ the sai accuse 3rviso in the e/ecution o$ the a##e%e crime8 an in $ai#in% to consi er the materia# inconsistencies, "re.u ice an other circumstances in the uncorroborate testimon! o$ the on#! e!ewitness, ren erin% sai testimon! not worth! o$ be#ie$. The assi%nment o$ errors b! the accuse is anchore on their attem"t to iscre it the #one e!ewitness $or the "rosecution, a $unction which, i$ success$u##! un erta2en, wou# tota##! ob#iterate the ne/us between the accuse an the crime. The e$ense vi%orous#! maintaine that the testimon! o$ the on#! e!ewitness is a $abrication, an that she was in $act absent $rom the scene which she escribe in both her sworn statement an in her testimon! at the tria#. The e$ense asserte that &ora<on Dio>uinoAs testimon! was ri #e b! materia# inconsistencies. The e$ense sou%ht to ca"ita#i<e on the iscre"anc! o$ a s2etch ma e b! &ora<on an the s2etch ma e b! 5asa! &it! 7#ectrica# 7n%ineer =aime 3rrio#a. &ora<onAs s2etch shows =uan )umu#on% 7#ementar! )choo# to be ri%ht in $ront o$ 5.&. )antos )treet8 whi#e 3rrio#aAs s2etch shows that the schoo# is about 149 meters $rom the corner o$ the street. The e$ense conten e that the iscre"anc! was a e#iberate $a#sehoo on the "art o$ the witness, &ora<on testi$ie that she was near the corner o$ 5.&. )antos )treet when she saw her brother un er chase in $ront o$ the schoo#, an that she met the %rou" in $ront o$ the schoo# in a matter o$ $ive secon s, more or #ess. The e$ense assai#e her testimon! on this "oint as incre ib#e on the %roun that the istance between the "oint where she saw her brother bein% chase , u" to the "oint where she met them, is 149 meters, an no human bein% can cover that istance in $ive secon s. -oreover, &ora<on testi$ie that she was 20 meters awa! $rom the "#ace where the accuse cau%ht u" with her brother. 3%ain, the e$ense critici<e her testimon! in this res"ect b! "ointin% out that the true istance is 1;9 meters. The e$ense insiste that &ora<onAs s2etch o$ the #oca#e o$ the crime ?7/hibit C1C@ constitutes Cthe hi%h "oint o$ $a#sit! o$ her testimon!.C The e$ense sou%ht to substantiate this c#aim b! ar%uin% that $rom her s2etch, it a""ears that she never crosse "aths with her brother or his "ursuers. The witness testi$ie that she saw her brother at the "oint which is $our to $ive meters $rom the corner o$ 5.&. )antos )treet. Oet she a#so testi$ie that she saw the inci ent $rom 20 meters. The witness c#aime she hi a$ter hearin% the shot at a "oint which is 1;0 meters $rom the scene o$ the crime. The e$ense ar%ue that she cou# not have covere the istance in such a short time, an that this be#ies her c#aim that she was on#! 20 meters $rom the scene o$ the crime. The e$ense "ointe out that 3rrio#aAs s2etch ?7/hibit C2C@ shows that the schoo# is 149 meters $rom the scene o$ the crime, an the "oint where the witness c#aime she viewe the crime is 1;0 meters $rom the scene o$ the crime thus %ivin% the #ie to her c#aim that she was 20 meters awa!. The a##e%e inconsistencies in &ora<onAs testimon! D which the e$ense ma2es much o$ D are not irreconci#ab#e with the "h!sica# $acts, 3t the outset, it shou# not be over#oo2e that &ora<on was testi$!in% as an e!ewitness to the traumatic inci ent b! which her brother met a vio#ent eath at the han s o$ a mob. Natura##!, &ora<on can not be e/"ecte to e#iver a testimon! which "asses microsco"ic scrutin! an scru"u#ous armchair ana#!sis o$ the $acts, con ucte un er

circumstances $ar remove $rom the turbu#ence an emotiona# co#or o$ the event as it actua##! trans"ire . &l contrario$ i$ &ora<onAs testimon! were meticu#ous#! accurate with res"ect to istance covere an the time ta2en to ne%otiate it, an im"artia# observer wou# won er whether such e/actitu e were not the "ro uct o$ "revious rehearsa#, i$ not o$ $abrication. (n times o$ stress, the human min is $re>uent#! over"owere b! the ebb an $#ow o$ emotions in turmoi#8 an it is on#! .u icious to ta2e into consi eration the natura# mani$estations o$ human con uct, when the "h!sica# senses are sub ue b! the "s!cho#o%ica# state o$ the in ivi ua#. &ora<on was a resi ent o$ 5asa! &it! $or on#! about $ive months. )he testi$ie that she is not $ami#iar with the streets a#on% -. e #a &ru< )treet. -oreover, &ora<on i not cate%orica##! testi$! that she covere the istance o$ 149 meters in $ive secon s. -o#e accurate#!, she testi$ie that she wa#2e $or a "erio o$ $rom $ive to ten secon s, more or #ess. 5ut in this wa!, the "erio was su$$icient to a##ow her to ne%otiate the istance. -oreover, &ora<on i not sta! roote to one s"ot whi#e the inci ent was ta2in% "#ace, but surre"titious#! e %e her wa! u" to -a%tiba! )treet, which is c#oser to the "#ace o$ the 2i##in%. The e$ense a#so c#aims that the e#a! which &ora<on a##owe to trans"ire, be$ore re"ortin% the crime to the authorities an %ivin% her sworn statement ?on November 4, 19:8@, is in icative o$ $abrication. The 2i##in% too2 "#ace be$ore awn o$ 6ctober 19, 19:8, (n the a$ternoon o$ the same a!, &ora<on an her $ami#! went to the 5o#ice De"artment to in>uire about the remains o$ her brother. &ora<on a#rea ! 2new that the "o#ice were ta2in% ste"s to roun u" the 2i##ers. )he incurre no $au#t in waitin% unti# the cu#"rits were arreste be$ore con$rontin% them an %ivin% her statement. (t wou# have been the better "art o$ #e%a# "roce ure i$ she ha %iven her statement ear#ier8 but since she was on#! a 22!ear o# house2ee"er at that tune, she can not be he# to a hi%her stan ar o$ iscretion. The e$ense $urther conten s that the $ai#ure to "resent &ora<onAs husban in court in icates that &ora<on was not actua##! at the scene o$ the crime at 4B00 oAc#oc2 in the mornin%. (t the e$ense $e#t that the husban ha a contribution to ma2e in the cause o$ truth, there was nothin% which "revente them $rom com"e##in% his "rocess b! summons. This the! $ai#e to o8 an their omission shou# not be ta2en to re$#ect a verse#! on the "rosecution, who evi ent#! be#ieve that the husban As testimon! was unnecessar!, 'ina##!, the e$ense c#aims that it was unnatura# $or &ora<on, a$ter viewin% her brotherAs bo !, to "rocee to her sisterAs house one 2i#ometer awa!, instea o$ returnin% to her own house, which was .ust a b#oc2 or so awa!. (t is not unnatura# $or a witness to a %ruesome event, to choose to con$er with a "erson boun to her b! ties o$ consan%uinit!, even i$ such a con$erence necessitates that she traverse a #on%er istance. The e/ercise o$ .u %ment, on the s"ot, shou# not be %au%e b! reason a""#ie in hin si%ht with a metrica# !ar stic2. The ne/t ma.or bur en which the e$ense un ertoo2 to assume was to conten that the accuse Re!na# o 3rviso is innocent because there is no evi ence as to his "artici"ation in the e/ecution o$ the crime. (t is c#aime that there is abso#ute absence o$ evi ence to show that Re!na# o was a irect "artici"ant an that the on#! evi ence a%ainst him is that he was seen "ursuin% the victim. +owever, the $in in% o$ Re!na# oAs %ui#t stems, not $rom his irect "artici"ation in the crimina# e/ecution, but $rom his "artici"ation in the cons"irac! to 2i## the ecease . +is "artici"ation in the cons"irac! is su""orte b! &ora<onAs testimon! that he an 3ntonio were the #ea ers o$ the "ac2 $o##owin% c#ose#! at the hee#s o$ the victim. (t is we## estab#ishe that cons"irac! ma! be in$erre $rom the acts o$ the accuse themse#ves, when such acts "oint to a .oint "ur"ose an esi%n. 3 concerte assau#t u"on the victim b! the e$en ants ma! in icate cons"irac!. ?55 v. -onro! W ( ica, L-111;;, 6ct. 40, 1998, 104 5hi#. ;99@. &ons"irac! e/ists i$, at the time o$ the commission o$ the o$$ense, the e$en ants ha the same crimina# "ur"ose an were unite in its e/ecution. ?55 v. Datu Dima ,inahasin%, L-484;, 3"ri# 28, 199:, 98 5hi#. 902@. Those who are members o$ the ban o$ ma#e$actors b! which a mur er is committe an are "resent at the time an "#ace o$ the commission o$ the crime, thus contributin% b! their "resence to au%ment the "ower o$ the ban

32

an to ai in the success$u# rea#i<ation o$ the crime, are %ui#t! as "rinci"a#s even i$ the! too2 no "art in the materia# act o$ 2i##in% the ecease . ?E) v. 3be#in e, No. 949, Dec. 10, 1902, 1 5hi#. 9:88 5eo"#e v. &arunun%an, L-14284, )e"t. 40, 19:0, 109 5hi#. 944@. To estab#ish cons"irac!, it is not essentia# that there be "roo$ as to "revious a%reement to commit a crime. (t is su$$icient that the ma#e$actors have acte in concert, "ursuant to the same ob.ective. ?55 vs. )an Luis, L-24:9, -a! 29, 1990, 8: 5hi#. 489@. &ons"irac! nee not be estab#ishe b! irect evi ence o$ acts char%e , but ma! an %enera##! must be "roven b! a number o$ in e$inite acts, con itions an circumstances which var! accor in% to the "ur"ose to be accom"#ishe . ($ it be "rove that two or more "ersons aime b! their acts towar s accom"#ishment o$ the same un#aw$u# ob.ect, each oin% a "art. so that their acts, thou%h a""arent#! in e"en ent, were in $act connecte an coo"erative, in icatin% a c#oseness o$ "ersona# association an concurrence o$ sentiment, a cons"irac! ma!be in$erre thou%h no actua# meetin% amon% them to concert is "roven ?55 v. &o#man L::92-94, 'eb. 28, 1998, 104 5hi#. :@. 3 cons"irac! ma! be entere into a$ter the commencement o$ overt acts #ea in% to the consummation o$ the crime. ?55 v. ,arre o, L-2;28, Dec. 29, 1990, 8; 5hi#. 800@. &ons"irac! im"#ies concert o$ esi%n an not "artici"ation in ever! etai# o$ e/ecution ?55 v. &arbone#, L-241;;, -arch 19, 192:, 48 5hi#. 8:88 55 v. Danan, L-1;::, -arch 41, 1949, 84 5hi#. 292@. 0hen a %rou" o$ seven men, more or #ess, %ive chase to a sin%#e unarme in ivi ua# runnin% $or his #i$e, an the! overta2e him an in$#ict woun s on his bo ! b! means o$ shootin%, stabbin%, an hittin% with "ieces o$ woo , there is cons"irac! to 2i##8 an it oes not etract $rom their status as cons"irators that there is no evi ence o$ "revious a%reement, it bein% su$$icient that their wi##s have concurre an the! #abore to achieve the same en . The e$ense submits that the $ai#ure o$ the #ower court to s"eci$! the >ua#i$!in% circumstance in the crime o$ mur er is vio#ative o$ the &onstitution an the Ru#es o$ &ourt. 0e $in no such in$irmit!. )ince the "rinci"#e concerne is Crea i#! un erstoo $rom the $acts, the conc#usion an the "ena#t! "ose ., an e/"ress s"eci$ication o$ the statute or e/"osition o$ the #aw is not necessar!.C ?5eo"#e vs. )i#o, L-;91:, -a! 29, 199:, 99 5hi#. 21:@. (n the absence o$ a s"eci$ication b! the tria# court, the e$ense surmise that the >ua#i$!in% circumstance in this case is evi ent "reme itationB but the e$ense ar%ue that evi ent "reme itation was not shown. 0e a%ree. En er norma# con itions, cons"irac! %enera##! "resu""oses "reme itation. ,ut in the case o$ im"#ie cons"irac!, evi ent "reme itation ma! not be a""reciate , in the absence o$ "roo$ as to how an when the "#an to 2i## the victim was hatche or what time e#a"se be$ore it was carrie out, so that it can not be etermine i$ the accuse ha Csu$$icient time between its ince"tion an its $u#$i##ment is"assionate#! to consi er an acce"t the conse>uences.C There shou# be a showin% that the accuse ha the o""ortunit! $or re$#ection an "ersiste in e/ecutin% his crimina# esi%n. ?55 v. &usto ia, L-;442, 6ctober 24,1999, 9; 5hi#. :988 55 v. -en o<a an )inu-a%, L-414: an L-414;, -arch 28, 1992, 91 5hi#. 988 55 v. Oturia%a, L-281:, -a! 41, 1990, 8: 5hi#. 9448 55 v. Lo<a a, No. 4:998, Nov. 1:, 1940, ;0 5hi#. 9298 55 v. E"ao -oro, L-:;;1, -a! 28, 199;, 5hi#. 101 5hi#. 122:8 55 v. )a2am, No. 419::, Dec. ;, 1944, :1 5hi#. 2;B 55 v. 5era#ta, L-190:9, 6ct. 29, 19:8, 29 )&R3 ;998 55 v. 5are.a, L-2194;, Nov. 29, 19:9, 40 )&R3 :94@. 7ven in the absence o$ evi ent "reme itation, the crime o$ mur er in this case mi%ht sti## be >ua#i$ie b! treacher!, which is a##e%e in the in$ormation. ,ut the e$ense ar%ue that treacher! was not "resent. 0e are so convince . (t is an e#ementar! a/iom that treacher! can in no wa! be "resume but must be $u##! "roven. ?E) v. 3si#o, No. 199;, =an. 40, 1909, 4 5hi#, 1;98 E) v. 3rci%a, No. 1129, 3"ri# :, 1904, 2 5hi#. 1108 55 v. Durante, No. 41101, 3u%. 24, 1929, 94 5hi#. 4:48 55 v. 5e#a%o, L-24884, 3u%. 41, 19:8, 24 )&R3 102;@, 0here the manner o$ the attac2 was not "roven, the e$en ant shou# be %iven the bene$it o$ the oubt, an the crime shou# be consi ere homici e on#!. ?&ar"io, 84 5hi#. 9098 3mansec, )o 5hi#, 424@. (n People vs. 1etran ?L-4209, =u#! 2;, 1991, 89 5hi#. 944@. the a%%ravatin% circumstances o$ ai o$ arme men, abuse o$ su"eriorit!, an nocturnit!, were consi ere as constitutin% treacher!, which >ua#i$ie the crime as mur er, since

there was no irect evi ence as to the manner o$ the attac2. +owever, in this case we be#ieve that the correct >ua#i$!in% circumstance is not treacher!, but abuse o$ su"eriorit!. +ere we are con$ronte with a he#"#ess victim 2i##e b! assai#ants su"erior to him in arms an in numbers. ,ut the attac2 was not su en nor une/"ecte , an the e#ement o$ sur"rise was #ac2in%. The victim cou# have ma e a e$ense8 hence, the assau#t invo#ve some ris2 to the assai#ants. There bein% no showin% when the intent to 2i## was $orme , it can not be sai that treacher! has been "roven. 0e be#ieve the correct ru#e is $oun in 5 eople vs. Proceso *ustos ?No. 1;;:4, =u#! 24, 1924, 49 5hi#. 9@, where alevosia was not a""reciate because it was eeme inc#u e in abuse o$ su"eriorit!. 0e $in that abuse o$ su"eriorit! atten e the o$$ense, $o##owin% a #on% #ine o$ cases which ma e this $in in% on "ara##e# $acts 6ur .uris"ru ence is e/em"#i$ie b! the ho# in% that where $our "ersons attac2e an unarme victim but there was no "roo$ as to how the attac2 commence an treacher! was not "roven, the $act that there were $our assai#ants wou# constitute abuse o$ su"eriorit!. ?5eo"#e vs. Lasa a, No. :;42, =an. 2:, 1912, 21 5hi#. 28;8 E) v. ,ana%a#e, No. ;8;0, =an. 10, 1914, 24 5hi#. :9@. +owever, the in$ormation oes not a##e%e the >ua#i$!in% circumstance o$ abuse o$ su"eriorit!8 hence, this circumstance can on#! be &reate as %eneric a%%ravatin%. ?5eo"#e v. 3cusar, L-1;98, Dee. 29, 1948, 82 5hi#. 4908 5eo"#e v. ,e.e, L-8249, =u#! 19, 199:, 99 5hi#. 10928 5eo"#e v. ,autista, L-24404, -a! 20, 19:9, 28 )&R3 184@. The o$$ense too2 "#ace at 4B00 oAc#oc2 in the mornin%. (t ma! there$ore be sai that it was committe at ni%ht, which covers the "erio $rom sunset to sunrise, accor in% to the New &ivi# &o e, 3rtic#e 14. (s this basis $or $in in% that nocturnit! is a%%ravatin%H The Revise 5ena# &o e, 3rtic#e 14, "rovi es that it is an a%%ravatin% circumstance when the crime is committe in the ni%httime, whenever nocturnit! ma! $aci#itate the commission o$ the o$$ense. There are two tests $or nocturnit! as an a%%ravatin% circumstanceB the objective test$ un er which nocturnit! is a%%ravatin% because it $aci#itates the commission o$ the o$$ense8 an the subjective test$ un er which nocturnit! is a%%ravatin% because it was "ur"ose#! sou%ht b! the o$$en er. These two tests shou# be a""#ie in the a#ternative. (n this case, the sub.ective test is not "asse because there is no showin% that the accuse "ur"ose#! sou%ht the cover o$ ni%ht time. Ne/t, we "rocee an a""#! the ob.ective test, to etermine whether nocturnit! $aci#itate the 2i##in% o$ the victim. 3 %rou" o$ men were en%a%e in a rin2in% s"ree, in the course o$ which one o$ them $#e , chase b! seven others. The crimina# assau#t on the victim at 4B00 a.m. was invite b! nocturna# cover, which han ica""e the view o$ e!ewitnesses an encoura%e im"unit! b! "ersua in% the ma#e$actors that it wou# be i$$icu#t to etermine their ( entit! because o$ the ar2ness an the re#ative scarcit! o$ "eo"#e in the streets. There circumstances combine to "ass the ob.ective test, an e $in that nocturnit! is a%%ravatin% because it $aci#itate the commission o$ the o$$ense. Nocturnit! entice those with the #ust to 2i## to $o##ow their im"u#ses with the $a#se coura%e born out o$ the be#ie$ that the! cou# not be rea i#! ( enti$ie . The in$ormation a##e%es that the crime o$ mur er was atten e b! the two >ua#i$!in% circumstances o$ treacher! an evi ent "reme itation. Neither o$ these >ua#i$!in% circumstances was "rove 8 hence, the 2i##in% can not be >ua#i$ie into mur er, an constitutes instea the crime o$ homici e, which is "unishe b! reclusion temporal. (t is not controverte that the accuse vo#untari#! surren ere to the authorities8 the! are there$ore entit#e to the miti%atin% circumstance o$ vo#untar! surren er. This #one miti%atin% circumstance o$$set b! the two %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstances o$ abuse o$ su"eriorit! an nocturnit!, "ro uces the resu#t that in the crime o$ homici e, one a%%ravatin% circumstance remains. 0+7R7'6R7, the .u %ment o$ the court a quo is hereb! mo i$ie in that the two accuse , 3ntonio Garcia ! &abarse an Re!na# o 3rviso ! Rebe##e<a, are sentence to un er%o an in eterminate im"risonment o$ 10 !ears as minimum to 18 !ears as ma/imum, but in a## other res"ects a$$irme . )6 6RD7R7D.

33

G.R. No. L-19491

Au<u+4 A0, 1960

2. That ni%httime was "ur"ose#! sou%ht to $aci#itate the commission o$ the crime8 an . 4. That a vanta%e was ta2en o$ su"erior stren%th, accuse an their com"anions, who were $u##! arme , bein% numerica##! su"erior to the o$$en e "arties who were unarme an e$ense#ess. 0hen the case was ca##e $or tria# on 3u%ust 9, 19:1, 3tt!. Tiro# in$orme the court a >uo that he was a""earin% a#so $or 3" uhan, but on#! as counse# de oficio. (n view o$ this mani$estation, the tria# court a""ointe 3tt!. Tiro# as counse# de oficio $or the sai accuse . 'orthwith, 3tt!. Tiro# mani$este that 3" uhan wou# chan%e his $ormer "#ea o$ not %ui#t! to a "#ea o$ %ui#t!. The recor isc#oses that a$ter the tria#, .u %e ha re"eate #! a""rise 3" uhan o$ the severit! o$ the o$$ense $or which he was in icte an the stron% "ossibi#it! that the ca"ita# "ena#t! mi%ht be im"ose u"on him es"ite a "#ea o$ %ui#t!, 3" uhan "ersiste in his intention to "#ea %ui#t! with the re>uest, however, that the eath "ena#t! be not im"ose . Then a$ter hearin% the ar%uments o$ 5rovincia# 'isca# =esus N. ,orromeo an 3tt!. Tiro# on the e$$ect o$ artic#es 299 an 29: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e on the case at bar, the tria# .u %e a vise the herein accuse anew that he cou# be sentence to eath notwithstan in% his "ro.ecte "#ea o$ %ui#t!, but the #atter reiterate his esire to con$ess his %ui#t on the s"eci$ic con ition that he be sentence to #i$e im"risonment. 7ventua##!, however, 3" uhan esiste $rom "#ea in% %ui#t! an #et his "revious "#ea stan on recor a$ter $urther warnin%s that he $ace the %rave an%er o$ bein% sentence to eath in view o$ the circumstances o$ his case. ,ut the a$oresai esistance was mere#! momentar! as it i not en the accuse As e>uivocation on the matter o$ his "#ea. 3$ter a $ive-minute recess re>ueste b! 3tt!. Tiro# in or er to con$er with the accuse , the $ormer in$orme the court a >uo that his c#ient wou# insist on enterin% a "#ea o$ %ui#t!. )ubse>uent#! the "rosecutin% $isca# an the counse# de oficio resume their ora# ar%uments re%ar in% the e$$ect on the instant case o$ artic#es 299 an 29:, "articu#ar#! the use o$ un#icense $irearm as a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance un er the #atter artic#e. 3#so iscuss were the e/istence an e$$ect o$ the a##e%e miti%atin% an a%%ravatin% circumstances. 3## o$ these "oints wi## be #ater ana#!<e . 0hen the #ower court subse>uent#! reviewe the "rocee in%s, it $oun that the accuse As "#ea o$ %ui#t! was ambi%uous. +ence, on 3u%ust 40, 19:1, the case was reo"ene with res"ect to 3" uhan, an on sai ate the #atter entere a cate%orica# "#ea o$ %ui#t!, as evi ence b! the recor B &6ERT ?To 3ccuse 3" uhan, =r.@B The &ourt reo"ene this case because a$ter a review o$ the "rocee in%s it $oun that !our "#ea was not e$inite. (n answer to a >uestion o$ the &ourt !ou sim"#! sai C( wi## .ust enter the "#ea o$ %ui#t!C. The &ourt wants to 2now whether !ou enter the "#ea o$ %ui#t! o$ the crime char%e in the secon amen e in$ormation. 6n the same a!, the court a quo ren ere its ecision, the "ertinent is"ositive "ortion o$ which rea sB. 5R7-()7) &6N)(D7R7D, the &ourt ren ers .u %ment $in in% accuse 3"o#onio 3" uhan, =r., a#ias =unior %ui#t! o$ the com"#e/ crime o$ robber! with homici e, "unishe b! 3rtic#e 294 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, in re#ation to 3rtic#e 29: o$ the %ame &o e, as amen e , an sentences him to su$$er the "ena#t! o$ eath. &onsi erin% that 3" uhan ha vo#untari#! con$esse his %ui#t in o"en court, then the on#! as"ect o$ the case "ro"er#! sub.ect to review is the correctness o$ the "ena#t! im"ose b! the court a quo. (n this res"ect, the a""reciation o$ the use o$ un#icense $irearm as a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance ?art. 29:@ in $i/in% the a""ro"riate "ena#t! $or robber! with homici e ?3rt, 294 M1N@ committe b! a ban with the use o$ un#icense $irearms, an the inter"#a! an counter-ba#ancin% o$ the

THE 'EO'LE O. THE 'HILI''INES, "#ainti$$-a""e##ee, vs. A'OLONIO A'DUHAN, JR. #l;#+ JUNIOR, ET AL., e$en ants, A'OLONIO A'DUHAN, JR. #l;#+ JUNIOR, e$en ant-a""e##ant. !ASTRO, J.: This is an automatic review o$ the .u %ment ren ere on 3u%ust 40, 19:1 b! the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ ,oho# ?=u %e +i"o#ito 3#o "resi in%@ convictin% 3"o#onio 3" uhan, =r. o$ robber! with homici e an sentencin% him to eath an Cto i emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease Geronimo -iano in the amount o$ 5:,000.00, to in emni$! the heirs o$ the other ecease Norberto 3ton in the same amount o$ 5:,000.00 ...C 6n 3u%ust 2, 19:1 the accuse 3" uhan, then re"resente b! 3tt!. Davi 6can%as, to%ether with his co-accuse Ro u#$o +uiso an 'e#i"e Puimson, both re"resente b! 3tt!. Davi Tiro#, "#ea e not %ui#t! to a secon amen e in$ormation which recitesB. The un ersi%ne 5rovincia# 'isca# accuses 3"o#onio 3" uhan, =r., a#ias =unior, Ro u#$o +uiso an 'e#i"e Puimson o$ the crime o$ Robber! with +omici e, committe as $o##owsB That on or about the 24r a! o$ -a!, 19:1, at about ;B00 oAc#oc2 in the evenin%, in the -unici"a#it! o$ -abini, 5rovince o$ ,oho#, 5hi#i""ines, the above-name accuse an $ive ?9@ other "ersons whose true names are not !et 2nown ?the! are "resent#! 2nown on#! with their a#iases o$ ,ernabe -iano, Ru !, 3n%e#-3n%i, Romeo an Ton!@ an who are sti## at #ar%e ?the! wi## be char%e in se"arate in$ormation or in$ormations as soon as the! are arreste an "re#iminar! "rocee in%s in &rim. &ase No. 1;: com"#ete be$ore the =ustice o$ the 5eace &ourt@, a## o$ them arme with i$$erent un#icense $irearms, a%%ers, an other ea #! wea"ons, cons"irin%, con$e eratin% an he#"in% one another, with intent o$ %ain, i then an there wi##$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#! enter, b! means o$ vio#ence, the we##in% house o$ the s"ouses +onorato -iano an 3ntonia -iano, which was a#so the we##in% house o$ their chi# ren, the s"ouses Geronimo -iano an +ermini%i# a e -iano8 an , once insi e the sai we##in% house, the above-name accuse with their $ive ?9@ other com"anions, i attac2, hac2 an shoot Geronimo -iano an another "erson b! the name o$ Norberto 3ton, who ha""ene to be a#so in the sai we##in% house, thereb! in$#ictin% u"on the sai two ?2@ "ersons "h!sica# in.uries which cause their eath8 an therea$ter the same accuse an their $ive ?9@ other com"anions, i ta2e an carr! wa! $rom sai we##in% house cash mone! amountin% to Three +un re Twent!-two 5esos ?5422.00@, 5hi#i""ine &urrenc!, be#on%in% to +onorato -iano an Geronimo -iano, to the ama%e an "re.u ice o$ the sai +onorato -iano an the heirs o$ the ecease Geronimo -iano in the sum o$ Three +un re Twent!-two 5esos ?5422.00@ with res"ect to the amount robbe , an a#so to the ama%e an "re.u ice o$ the heirs o$ ecease Geronimo -iano an Norberto 3ton b! reason o$ the eath o$ these two "ersons. 3ct committe contrar! to the "rovisions o$ 3rt. 294, "ar. 1, o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e with the s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance that the crime was committe b! a ban with the use o$ un#icense $irearms ?3rt. 29:, Rev. 5ena# &o e@, an other a%%ravatin% circumstances, as $o##owsB 1. That the crime was committe in the we##in% o$ the o$$en e "arties without an! "rovocation $rom the #atter8

34

atten ant miti%atin% an a%%ravatin% circumstances, wou# o$ the "ena#t! im"osab#e.

etermine the severit!

"revent the same. ?3s amen e b! Re". 3ct No. 12@. ?7m"hasis su""#ie @. The a$ore->uote art. ;<5 enumerates $ive c#asses o$ robber! with vio#ence a%ainst or intimi ation o$ "ersons an "rescribes the corres"on in% "ena#ties. The case at bar $a##s un er art. 294?1@ which e$ines robber! with homici e an $i/es the "ena#t! $rom reclusion perpetua to eath. &rticle ;<6 "rovi es, inter alia, that when the o$$enses escribe in sub ivisions 4, 4 an 9 o$ art. 294 are committe b! a ban , the "ro"er "ena#ties must be im"ose in the ma/imum "erio s. The circumstance o$ ban is there$ore >ua#i$!in% on#! in robber! "unishe b! sub ivisions 4, 4, an 9 o$ art. 294. &onse>uent#!, art. 299 is ina""#icab#e to robber! with homici e, ra"e, intentiona# muti#ation, an lesiones graves resu#tin% in insanit!, imbeci#it!, im"otenc! or b#in ness. ($ the $ore%oin% c#asses o$ robber! which are escribe in art. 294?1@ an ?2@ are "er"etrate b! a ban , the! wou# not be "unishab#e un er art. 299, but then cuadrilla wou# be a %eneric a%%ravatin% un er 3rt. 14 o$ the &o e. 1 +ence, with the "resent wor in% o$ art. 299 2 there is no crime as Crobber! with homici e in ban .C ($ robber! with homici e is committe b! a ban , the in ictab#e o$$ense wou# sti## be enominate as Crobber! with homici eC un er art. 294?1@, but the e#ement o$ ban , as state above, wou# be a""reciate as an or inar! a%%ravatin% circumstance. &rticle ;</$ as >uote above, e$ines Cban C, creates the s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ use o$ un#icense $irearm, an "rovi es the crimina# #iabi#it! incurre b! the members o$ the ban . The ascertainment o$ the e$inite $unction an ran%e o$ a""#icabi#it! o$ this artic#e in re#ation to artic#es 294 an 299 is essentia# in the is"osition o$ the case at bar. (n im"osin% the eath "ena#t!, the tria# court a""ears to have accor e va#i it! to the 5rovincia# 'isca#As contention that in robber! with homici e committe b! a ban , the use o$ un#icense $irearm must be a""reciate as a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance "ursuant to art. 29:. Thus convince , the tria# .u %e stresse in his ecision that Cun er the e/"ress man ate o$ the #aw, we cannot esca"e the ar uous tas2 o$ im"osin% the eath "ena#t!.C )ubscribin% to the sai "osition, the )o#icitor Genera# a s that the C"ena#t! $or robber! un er the circumstances mentione in 3rtic#es 294, "ara%ra"h 1, an 29: o$ the &o e is the ma/imum o$ rec#usion "er"etua to eath, or the su"reme "ena#t! o$ eath. This is man ator!.C . 6n the other han , 3tt!. 3#berto -. -eer, the accuse As counse# e o$icio in the "resent review, conten s that the use o$ un#icense $irearm, i$ ever a""reciate in the case at bar, must be consi ere a %eneric a%%ravatin% $actor which Cma! be o$$-set b! the e/istence o$ miti%atin% circumstances so that the "ena#t! to be im"ose shou# be the "ena#t! o$ rec#usion "er"etua.C . ,oth the $ore%oin% contentions are untenab#e. 3$ter a "erce"tive ana#!sis o$ the "rovisions o$ art. 29:, we reach the consi ere o"inion that the sai artic#e is e/c#usive#! #in2e an sin%u#ar#! a""#icab#e to the imme iate#! antece ent "rovision o$ art. 299 on robber! in ban , as the #atter artic#e, in turn, is e/"#icit#! #imite in sco"e to sub ivisions 4, 4, an 9 o$ art. 294. &onse>uent#!, a#thou%h the use o$ un#icense $irearm is a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance un er art. 29:, as amen e b! Re". 3ct 12, 4 it cannot be a""reciate as such in re#ation to robber! with homici e, escribe an "ena#i<e un er "ara%ra"h 1 o$ art. 294. 3s "revious#! state , art. 299 "rovi es that i$ an! o$ the c#asses o$ robber! escribe in sub ivisions 4, 4, an 9 o$ art. 294 is committe b! a ban , the o$$en er sha## be "unishe b! the ma/imum "erio o$ the "ro"er "ena#t!. &orres"on in%#!, the imme iate#! $o##owin% "rovisions o$ art. 29: e$ine the term Cban C, "rescribe the co##ective #iabi#it! o$ the members o$ the ban , an state that Cwhen an! o$ the arms use in the commission o$ the o$$ense be in un#icense $irearm, the "ena#t! to be im"ose u"on a## the ma#e$actors sha## be the ma/imum o$ the corres"on in% "ena#t! "rovi e b! #aw.C *iewe $rom the conte/tua#

The is"osition o$ the >uestion at han necessitates a iscussion o$ the interre#ation amon% artic#es 294, 299 an 29: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. 'or this "ur"ose the sai artic#es are hereun er >uote B 3RT. 294. Robbery #ith violence against or intimidation of persons D Penalties. D 3n! "erson %ui#t! o$ robber! with the use o$ vio#ence a%ainst or intimi ation o$ an! "erson sha## su$$erB 1. The "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua to eath, when b! reason or on occasion o$ the robber!, the crime o$ homici e sha## have been committe . 2. The "ena#t! o$ reclusion temporal in its me ium "erio to reclusion perpetua$ when the robber! sha## have been accom"anie b! ra"e or intentiona# muti#ation, or i$ b! reason or on occasion o$ such robber!, an! o$ the "h!sica# in.uries "ena#i<e in sub ivision 1 o$ artic#e 2:4 sha## have been in$#icte . 4. The "ena#t! o$ reclusion temporal$ when b! reason or on occasion o$ the robber!, an! o$ the "h!sica# in.uries "ena#i<e in sub ivision 2 o$ the artic#e mentione in the ne/t "rece in% "ara%ra"h, sha## have been in$#icte . 4. The "ena#t! o$ prision mayor in its ma/imum "erio to reclusion temporal in its me ium "erio , i$ the vio#ence or intimi ation em"#o!e in the commission o$ the robber! sha## have been carrie to a e%ree c#ear#! unnecessar! $or the commission o$ the crime, or when in the course o$ the e/ecution, the o$$en er sha## have in$#icte u"on an! "erson not res"onsib#e $or its commission an! o$ the "h!sica# in.uries covere b! sub ivisions 4 an 4 o$ sai artic#e 2:4. 9. The "ena#t! o$ prision correccional in its ma/imum "erio to prision mayor in its me ium "erio in other cases. ?3s amen e b! Re". 3ct 18.@. 3RT 299. Robbery #ith physical injuries$ committed in an uninhabited place and by a band$ or #ith the use of firearm on a street$ road or alley. D )f the offenses mentioned in subdivisions three$ four$ and five of the ne:t preceding article sha## have been committe in an uninhabite "#ace or b! a ban , or b! attac2in% a movin% train, street car, motor vehic#e or airshi", or b! enterin% the "assen%ersA com"artments in a train or, in an! manner, ta2in% the "assen%ers thereo$ b! sur"rise in the res"ective conve!ances, or on a street, roa hi%hwa!, or a##e!, an the intimi ation is ma e with the use o$ a $irearm, the o$$en er shall be punished by the ma:imum period of the proper penalties. ?3s amen e b! Re". 3cts Nos. 12 an 4;4.@ ?7m"hasis su""#ie @ . 3RT. 29:. -efinition of a band and penalty incurred by the members thereof.D 0hen more than three arme ma#e$actors ta2e "art in the commission o$ a robber!, it sha## be eeme to have been committe b! a ban . !hen any of the arms used in the commission of the offense be an unlicensed firearm the penalty to be imposed upon all the malefactors shall be the ma:imum of the corresponding penalty provided by la#$ without "re.u ice to the crimina# #iabi#it! $or i##e%a# "ossession o$ such un#icense $irearm. 3n! member o$ a ban who is "resent at the commission o$ a robber! b! the ban , sha## be "unishe as "rinci"a# o$ an! o$ the assau#ts committe b! the ban , un#ess it be shown that he attem"te to

35

re#ation o$ artic#es 299 an 29:, the wor Co$$enseC mentione in the above>uote "ortion o$ the #atter artic#e #o%ica##! means the crime o$ robber! committe b! a ban , as the "hrase Ca## the ma#e$actorsC in ubitab#! re$ers to the members o$ the ban an the "hrase Cthe corres"on in% "ena#t! "rovi e b! #awC re#ates to the o$$enses o$ robber! escribe in the #ast three sub ivisions o$ art. 294 which are a## encom"asse within the ambit o$ art. 299. 7vi ent#!, there$ore, art. 29: in its entiret! is esi%ne to am"#i$! an mo i$! the "rovision on robber! in ban which is nowhere to be $oun but in art. 299 in re#ation to sub ivisions 4, 4, an 9 o$ art. 294. *eri#!, in or er that the a$oresai s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ use o$ un#icense $irearm ma! be a""reciate to .usti$! the im"osition o$ the ma/imum "erio o$ the "ro"er "ena#t! it is a con ition sine >ua non that the o$$ense char%e be robber! committe b! a ban within the contem"#ation o$ art. 299. To reiterate, since art. 299, oes not a""#! to sub ivision 1 an 2 o$ art. 294, then the s"ecia# a%%ravatin% $actor in >uestion, which is so#e#! a""#icab#e to robber! in ban un er art. 299, cannot be consi ere in $i/in% the "ena#t! im"osab#e $or robber! with homici e un er art. 294?1@, even i$ the sai crime was committe b! a ban with the use o$ un#icense $irearms. The #e%is#ative intent o$ ma2in% art. 29: coro##ar! to art. 299 with res"ect to robber! in ban was unmista2ab#! articu#ate b! &on%ressman 3#bano in his s"onsorshi" s"eech on +. ,. No. 124 ?subse>uent#! enacte as Re". 3ct No. 12, amen in%, amon% others, artic#es 299 an 29: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e@. )ai &on%ressman 3#banoB C3rtic#e 29: as a coro##ar! o$ 3rtic#e 299 wou# chan%e the e$inition hereto$ore 2nown o$ the term Cban C un er the #aw. The "ur"ose o$ this amen ment is to in.ect therein the e#ement o$ a%%ravation, when an! member o$ the ban carries an un#icense $irearm . .C 4. The s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ use o$ un#icense $irearm, however, was initia##! a""#icab#e to a## the sub ivisions o$ art. 294 since the sai Re". 3ct No. 12 a#so amen e art. 299 to inc#u e within its sco"e a## the c#asses o$ robber! escribe in art. 294. 0ith the then en#ar%e covera%e o$ art. 299, art. 29:, bein% coro##ar! to the $ormer, was "er$orce ma e a""#icab#e to robber! with homici e ?art. 294M1N@. Thus, in 5eo"#e vs. ,ersamin, 9 this &ourt, in "assin%, o"ine B CThe use o$ un#icense $irearm is a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstancea""#icab#e on#! in cases o$ robber! in ban ?3rt. 29:, Revise 5ena# &o e, as amen e b! )ection 4, Re"ub#ic 3ct No. 12@.C . (n the sai case, this &ourt ec#are in e$$ect that in robo con homici io the use o$ un#icense $irearm is not a s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance when the sai o$$ense is not committe b! a ban . (n$erentia##!, ha the robber! with homici e in ,ersamin been "er"etrate b! a ban , the use o$ un#icense $irearm wou# have been a""reciate . This im"#ie "ronouncement wou# have been .usti$ie un er art. 29: in re#ation to art. 299, as amen e b! Re". 3ct 12. ,ut the a$oresai in$erence #ost a## #e%a# moorin%s in 1949 with the enactment o$ Re". 3ct 4;4 which e/c#u e sub ivisions 1 an 2 o$ art. 294 $rom the covera%e o$ art. 299. )ince art. 29:, as re"eate #! em"hasi<e above, is coro##ar! to art. 299, the iminution o$ the #atterAs sco"e corres"on in%#! re uce the $ormerAs e/tent o$ a""#icabi#it!. (n other wor s, the "assa%e o$ the $ore%oin% amen ment i not on#! .ettison the $irst two sub ivisions o$ art. 294 $rom the "eri"her! o$ art. 299 but a#so remove the sai sub ivisions ?which "ertain, inter a#ia, to the o$$ense o$ robber! with homici e@ $rom the e$$ective ran%e o$ art. 29:. Notwithstan in% that the s"ecia# a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ use o$ un#icense $irearm cannot be a""reciate in the instant case, we are constraine , in the $ina# ana#!sis, to observe that the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t! on the accuse 3" uhan wou# a""ear to be a #o%ica# #e%a# conse>uence, because as a%ainst the atten ant miti%atin% circumstances the a%%ravatin% circumstances numerica##! an >ua#itative#! "re"on erate. 3$ter 3" uhan ha "#ea e %ui#t!, the e$ense counse# o$$ere $or consi eration three miti%atin% circumstances, name#!, "#ea o$ %ui#t!, into/ication, an #ac2 o$ intent to commit so %rave a wron%. )ubse>uent#!, however, the e$ense with rew the #ast mentione miti%atin% circumstance a$ter the "rosecution ha with rawn the a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ abuse o$ su"erior stren%th. The $o##owin% mani$estations a""ear on recor B .

'rom the above "rocee in%s in the tria# court, it wou# a""ear that what the "rosecution actua##! inten e to a mit was the non-habitua#it! o$ the accuse to rin2in% #i>uor, not as a matter o$ $act, but ue to the )tateAs inabi#it! to is"rove the same. The "rosecution a""arent#! i not conce e the actua# into/ication o$ the accuse . 0e are o$ the $irm conviction that, un er the environmenta# circumstances, the e$ense was not re#ieve o$ its bur en to "rove the accuse As actua# state o$ into/ication. 6therwise, to a""reciate the atten ance o$ a miti%atin% $actor on the mere a##e%ation o$ the accuse , cou"#e with the ubious ac>uiescence o$ the "rosecution, wou# o"en wi e the avenue $or unscru"u#ous an eceit$u# co##usion between e$ense an "rosecution in or er to un u#! an un.ust#! minimi<e the "ena#t! im"osab#e u"on the accuse . The #ast "ara%ra"h o$ art. 19 o$ the &o e "rovi esB. CThe into/ication o$ the o$$en er sha## be ta2en into consi eration as a miti%atin% circumstance when the o$$en er has committe a $e#on! in a state o$ into/ication, i$ the same is not habitua# or subse>uent to the "#an to commit sai $e#on! but when the into/ication is habitua# or intentiona# it sha## be consi ere as an a%%ravatin% circumstance. ?7m"hasis su""#ie @. En er the $ore%oin% "rovision, into/ication is miti%atin% when it is not habitua# or intentiona#, that is, not subse>uent to the "#an to commit the crime. +owever, to be miti%atin% the accuse As state o$ into/ication must be "rove . : 6nce into/ication is estab#ishe b! satis$actor! evi ence, ; then in the absence o$ "roo$ to the contrar!C it is "resume to be non-habitua# or unintentiona#. 8 . (n 5eo"#e vs. Nob#e 9 the e$en ant testi$ie that be$ore the mur er he too2 a bott#e o$ wine an ran2 #itt#e b! #itt#e unti# he %ot run2. The "o#iceman who arreste the accuse testi$ie that the #atter sme##e wine an vomite . The &ourt he# that the evi ence "resente was not satis$actor! to warrant a miti%ation o$ the "ena#t!. (nto/ication was #i2ewise not com"etent#! "rove in a case 10 where the on#! evi ence was that the e$en ant ha a %a##on o$ tuba with him at the time he committe the crime. (n the case at bar the accuse mere#! a##e%e that when he committe the o$$ense char%e he was into/icate a#thou%h he was Cnot use to be run2,C 11This se#$servin% statement stan s uncorroborate . 6bvious#!, it is evoi o$ an! "robative va#ue. To reca"itu#ate, the accuse has in his $avor on#! one miti%atin% circumstanceB "#ea o$ %ui#t!. 3s a$orementione , the e$ense with rew its c#aim o$ C#ac2 o$ intent to commit so %rave a wron%C an $ai#e to substantiate its contention that into/ication shou# be consi ere miti%atin%. 0hi#e an un>ua#i$ie "#ea o$ %ui#t! is miti%atin%, it at the same time constitutes an a mission o$ a## the materia# $acts a##e%e in the in$ormation, inc#u in% the a%%ravatin% circumstances therein recite . 12 The $our a%%ravatin% circumstances are ?1@ ban 8 ?2@ we##in%8 ?4@ ni%httime8 an ?4@ abuse o$ su"erior stren%th. The circumstance o$ abuse o$ su"eriorit! was, however, with rawn b! the "rosecution on the %roun that since the o$$ense o$ robber! with homici e was committe b! a ban , the e#ement o$ cua ri##a necessari#! absorbs the circumstance o$ abuse o$ su"erior stren%th. 0e be#ieve that sai with rawa# was i##-a vise since the circumstances o$ ban an abuse o$ su"eriorit! are se"arate an istinct #e%a# conce"ts. The e#ement o$ ban is a""reciate when the o$$ense is committe b! more than three arme ma#e$actors re%ar #ess o$ the com"arative stren%th o$ the victim or victims. +ence, the in is"ensab#e com"onents o$ cua ri##a are ?1@ at #east $our ma#e$actors an ?2@ a## o$ the $our ma#e$actors are arme . 6n the other han , the %ravamen o$ abuse o$ su"eriorit! is the ta2in% a vanta%e b! the cu#"rits o$ their co##ective stren%th to over"ower their re#ative#! wea2er victim or victims. +ence, in the #atter a%%ravatin% $actor, what is ta2en into account is not the number o$ a%%ressors nor the $act that the! are arme , but their re#ative "h!sica# mi%ht vis-a-vis the o$$en e "art!. Grantin%, however, that the sai with rawa# was va#i , there sti## remain three a%%ravatin% circumstances which ren er inuti#e the so#itar! e/tenuatin% circumstance o$ "#ea o$ %ui#t!. The "rosecution oes not nee to "rove the sai

36

three circumstances ?a## a##e%e in the secon amen e in$ormation@ since the accuse b! his "#ea o$ %ui#t!, has su""#ie the re>uisite "roo$. 14 +ence, we wi## not be#abor our iscussion o$ the atten ance a%%ravatin% circumstances. The sett#e ru#e is that we##in% is a%%ravatin% in robber! with vio#ence or intimi ation o$ "ersons, 14 #i2e the o$$ense at bar. The rationa#e behin this "ronouncement is that this c#ass o$ robber! cou# be committe without the necessit! o$ trans%ressin% the sanctit! o$ the home. -ora a is inherent on#! in crimes which cou# be committe in no other "#ace than in the house o$ another, such as tres"ass an robber! in an inhabite house. 19 This &ourt in 5eo"#e vs. 5inca, 1: citin% 5eo"#e vs. *a# e<, 1; ru#e that the Ccircumstances ?o$ we##in% an sca#in%@ were certain#! not inherent in the crime committe , because, the crime bein% robber! with vio#ence or intimi ation a%ainst "ersons ?s"eci$ica##!, robber! with homici e@ the authors thereo$ cou# have committe it without the necessit! o$ vio#atin% or sca#in% the omici#e o$ their victim.C &ue##o &a#on o"ines that the commission o$ the crime in anotherAs we##in% shows %reater "erversit! in the accuse an "ro uces %reater a#arm. 18. Nocturnit! is a%%ravatin% when it is "ur"ose#! an e#iberate#! sou%ht b! the accuse to $aci#itate the commission o$ the crime 19 or to "revent their bein% reco%ni<e or to insure unmo#este esca"e. 20 Nocturni a must concur with the intent an esi%n o$ the o$$en er to ca"ita#i<e on the intrinsic im"unit! a$$or e b! the ar2ness o$ ni%ht. 21 (n the case at bar, the a$$i avit ?e/h. (-1@ o$ the accuse 3" uhan shows that he an his co-ma#e$actors too2 a vanta%e o$ the ni%httime in the "er"etration o$ the o$$ense as the! waite unti# it was ar2 be$ore the! came out o$ their hi in% "#ace to consummate their crimina# esi%ns. (n his ecision, the tria# .u %e recommen s to, the 5resi ent o$ the Re"ub#ic the commutation o$ the eath sentence which he im"ose on the accuse to #i$e im"risonment. The )o#icitor Genera# su""orts this recommen ation $or e/ecutive c#emenc!. 0e $in no com"e##in% reason to .usti$! such recommen ation. &ontrar! to the tria# .u %eAs observation, the accuse As "#ea o$ %ui#t! was $ar $rom Cs"ontaneousC an CinsistentC. (t wi## be reca##e that his initia# "#ea was one o$ not %ui#t!. Later, he chan%e his "#ea but with the "ersistent con ition that he be sentence to #i$e im"risonment, not eath. (t was on#! a$ter much e>uivocation that he $ina##! eci e to C.ustC "#ea %ui#t!. ,ecause his "#ea was sti## ambi%uous, the court a >uo ha to reo"en the case to ascertain its rea# nature. &once in%, however, that his "#ea was Cs"ontaneousC an Cinsistent,C such mani$estation o$ sincere re"entance cannot serve to ob#iterate the atten ant a%%ravatin% circumstances which "atent#! revea# the accuse As crimina# "erversit!. (t a""ears $rom a cursor! rea in% o$ the ecision un er review that the tria# .u %e a#so anchore his recommen ation on the %roun that there is Cthe "ossibi#it! that the $irearm was use in or er to counteract the resistance o$ the ecease .C This is no .usti$ication at a## $or e/ecutive c#emenc!. 'irst#!, the above observation is a mere con.ecture - in the #an%ua%e o$ the "resi in% .u %e, a C"ossibi#it!.C )econ #!, even %rantin% that the sai observation re#ates to the actua# ha""enin%, to em"#o! a $irearm in sub uin% the #aw$u# resistance o$ innocent "ersons is a crimina# act b! an! stan ar . 7ven as we "ur%e the ecision un er review o$ its errors, we must hasten to commen the tria# .u %e, the +on. +i"o#ito 3#o, $or his earnest an "atient e$$orts to $oresta## the entr! o$ an im"rovi ent "#ea o$ %ui#t! b! the accuse 3" uhan, notwithstan in% that the #atter was a#rea ! re"resente b! a counse# e o$icio an hence "resume to have been a vise "ro"er#!. =u %e 3#o ma e sure that the accuse c#ear#! an $u##! un erstoo the seriousness o$ the o$$ense char%e an the severit! o$ the "ena#t! attache to it. 0hen the accuse "ro"ose to con$ess his %ui#t, =u %e 3#o re"eate #! warne him that the eath "ena#t! mi%ht be im"ose es"ite his "#ea o$ %ui#t!. 3s a$orementione , when it a""eare that 3" uhanAs "#ea o$ %ui#t! was ambi%uous, =u %e 3#o reo"ene the case to etermine with e$initiveness the nature o$ his "#ea. The virtue o$ =u %e 3#oAs e$$orts in ascertainin% whether 3" uhan "#ea e %ui#t! with $u## 2now#e %e o$ the si%ni$icance an conse>uences o$ his act, recommen s

itse#$ to a## tria# .u %es who must re$rain $rom acce"tin% with a#acrit! an accuse As "#ea o$ %ui#t!, $or whi#e .ustice eman s a s"ee ! a ministration, .u %es are ut! boun to be e/tra so#icitous in seein% to it that when an accuse "#ea s %ui#t! he un erstan s $u##! the meanin% o$ his "#ea an the im"ort o$ an inevitab#e conviction. 3s a $ina# commentar! on the crimina# con uct o$ the accuse herein, it must be em"hasi<e that the instant review was e#a!e $or severa# !ears because he esca"e $rom the New ,i#ibi 5risons on =une 1;, 19:4, #ess than si/ months a$ter he was committe to the sai "enitentiar!. +e was recommitte on =u#! 10, 19:4 with a new mittimus $rom the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ Le!te $or robber! in ban in crimina# case 10099, $or which he was sentence to serve a "rison term o$ $rom 8 !ears an 1 a! to 12 !ears an 1 a! commencin% on 6ctober 41, 19:4. 22 +is recommitment was re"orte to this &ourt on#! on =u#! 9, 19::. Notwithstan in% the $ore%oin% is>uisition, $or $ai#ure to secure the re>uire number o$ votes, the "ena#t! o$ eath cannot be #e%a##! im"ose . The "ena#t! ne/t #ower in e%ree - rec#usion "er"etua - shou# conse>uent#! be im"ose on the accuse . 3&&6RD(NGLO, with the mo i$ication that the eath sentence im"ose u"on 3"o#onio 3" uhan, =r. b! the court a >uo is re uce to rec#usion "er"etua, the .u %ment a >uo is a$$irme in a## other res"ects, without "ronouncement as to costs 5hi#i""ineLaw.in$o 5hi#i""ine #e%a# materia#s atabase +ome 'orum '3P )ite -a" Terms 5rivac! Re>uests &ontact Es

G.R. No. L-14466, U.S. *. &#luyo4

Re"ub#ic SU'RE"E -ani#a 7N ,3N& D7&()(6N November :, 1919

o$

the

5hi#i""ines !OURT

G.R. No. THE UNITED STATES, vs. JOSE I. &ALUYOT, e$en ant-a""e##ant. 2ilemon %otto &ttorney,General Paredes for appellee. for

L-144;: "#ainti$$-a""e##ee,

appellant.

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STREET, J.: This cause has been brou%ht to the )u"reme &ourt u"on an a""ea# "rosecute b! =ose (. ,a#u!ot $rom a .u %ment o$ the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ the 5rovince o$ ,ataan, convictin% him o$ the crime o$ mur er, committe 3u%ust 4, 1918, u"on the "erson o$ &onra o Lerma, %overnor o$ sai "rovince, an sentencin% him to un er%o the "ena#t! o$ eath, to in emni$! the heirs o$ the ecease in the sum o$ 51,000, an to "a! the costs. 3t the %enera# e#ection which was he# on =une :, 191:, &onra o Lerma was e#ecte %overnor o$ the 5rovince o$ ,ataan. 6ne o$ his com"etitors u"on this occasion was the accuse , =ose (. ,a#u!ot, who came out thir in the race. 3s a resu#t o$ this contest a $ee#in% o$ "ersona# rancor was eve#o"e in the min o$ ,a#u!ot a%ainst his success$u# com"etitor, an urin% the two !ears which $o##owe the accuse became $u##! imbue with the i ea that Governor Lerma was "ersecutin% him. (n the !ear 1918 ,a#u!ot was "rosecute in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance o$ the cit! o$ -ani#a $or the o$$ense o$ estafa in connection with a #oan o$ mone! which ha been ne%otiate at the 5hi#i""ine Nationa# ,an2. This "rocee in% ha been trie an in the ear#! a!s o$ 3u%ust, 1918, was "en in% ecision b! the .u %e who trie the case. E"on the or%ani<ation o$ the Nationa# Guar , ,a#u!ot ha been commissione as ca"tain in that bo !, an owin% "ossib#! to the "en enc! o$ the accusation $or estafa an its ama%in% e$$ects u"on his re"utation, he ha been as2e to resi%n $rom the "osition o$ ca"tain in the Nationa# Guar 8 an a#thou%h he ha not resi%ne when the act which %ave occasion to this "rosecution occurre , he ha a""arent#! been tem"orari#! re#ieve $rom ut! with that or%ani<ation "en in% investi%ation. The mis$ortunes above mentione , as we## as others o$ a minor character, were attribute b! ,a#u!ot to the machinations o$ Governor Lerma, a## o$ which serve to $oment an increase his $ee#in% o$ enmit! towar s the #atter. 6n 3u%ust 2, 1918, the e$en ant #e$t the cit! o$ -ani#a an went to the town o$ 6rion, in the 5rovince o$ ,ataan, ta2in% with him a revo#ver. 7ar#! on the $o##owin% a!, 3u%ust 4, he shi""e to -ani#a $rom 6rion a "iano be#on%in% to his wi$e, an at 8 a.m., went to ,a#an%a, the ca"ita# o$ the 5rovince, arrivin% at the recor er1s o$$ice in the "rovincia# bui# in% at about 9 o1c#oc2 a.m., where he in>uire $or Governor Lerma. +e was to# that the %overnor ha not arrive , but was e/"ecte #ater. The accuse accor in%#! etermine to wait in the recor er1s o$$ice, which serve as a sort o$ anteroom to the o$$ice o$ the %overnor. 3t about 11 o1c#oc2 a. m. the %overnor arrive . +e an the accuse %reete each other in a $rien #! manner b! sha2in% han s8 an the %overnor, u"on bein% in$orme that ,a#u!ot ha ca##e to con$er with him, invite ,a#u!ot into his o$$ice. ,a#u!ot hesitate , havin% note the "resence o$ another ca##er, an as2e i$ the #atter i not have a "rior ri%ht to an interview. The %overnor sai that ,a#u!ot shou# enter $irst, which the #atter accor in%#! i . The %overnor an the accuse remaine a#one in the $ormer1s o$$ice $or 4 or 4 minutes, whereu"on it occurre to Governor Lerma that the interview mi%ht be more e/ten e than he ha e/"ecte , an he accor in%#! re>ueste that ,a#u!ot shou# with raw #on% enou%h $or the %overnor to con$er with one 3ntonino 3ran.ue<, the other ca##er to whom re$erence has a#rea ! been ma e. ,a#u!ot accor in%#! with rew into the recor er1s o$$ice an to# 3ran.ue< that the %overnor wante to see or ta#2 to him. 3ran.ue< then went in an ha a con$erence with the %overnor $or a $ew minutes about the a""ointment o$ the $ormer as chie$ o$ "o#ice $or the munici"a#it! o$ Lima!. 0hen 3ran.ue< came out ,a#u!ot sai that it was now his turn an a%ain entere the %overnor1s o$$ice. The evi ence shows that at the time ,a#u!ot reentere the %overnor1s o$$ice the #atter was sittin% behin his es2 in an or inar! o$$ice chair. ,a#u!ot a""roache the es2 an u"on reachin% a "osition irect#! in $ront o$ the %overnor s"o2e certain wor s which were hear , thou%h not istinct#!, b! "ersons in the recor er1s o$$ice, 3ntonino 3ran.ue< mere#! hear the accuse ca## out F%overnor,G

whi#e Gre%orio e Gu<man un erstoo ,a#u!ot to be as2in% the %overnor $or his revo#ver. The accuse himse#$ testi$ie that his re$erence to the revo#ver was inten e to a monish the %overnor to "re"are $or a morta# combat an he sa!s that the wor s s"o2en were theseB ,3LEO6T. (t a""ears to me that !our revo#ver an mine have the same ca#ibre. G6*7RN6R L7R-3. No sir8 mine is 42. ,3LEO6T. )o is mine. ,e "re"are because one o$ us must ie. The accuse %ives a co#or to this conversation which seems to us somewhat unnatura#, an his statement as to what occurre , es"ecia##! with re$erence to the #en%th o$ time that e#a"se a$ter he entere the %overnor1s o$$ice unti# the $irst shot was $ire , is who##! #ac2in% in verisimi#itu e. 0hat rea##! occurre , as the #ower court $oun , an as the testimon! o$ the witnesses in the recor er1s o$$ice shows, is that the $irst shot was $ire within a $ew secon s a$ter ,a#u!ot reentere the %overnor1s o$$ice an that the interva# which e#a"se was scarce#! more than su$$icient to a##ow ,a#u!ot to reach the %overnor1s es2. The in$erence is conc#usive that, imme iate#! u"on as2in% the %overnor about his revo#ver, an iscoverin% that he was unarme , ,a#u!ot rew his own revo#ver an $ire . (n the testimon! %iven b! ,a#u!ot himse#$ a circumstance is mentione which a""ears to us im"ortant in this connection. +e sa!s that whi#e he was sittin% in the recor er1s o$$ice, awaitin% the arriva# o$ Governor Lerma, 5au#o *ene%as, a %uar attache to the "rovincia# .ai#, came u" an a$ter s"ea2in% in a #ow voice with the recor er, entere the o$$ice o$ the %overnor an "resent#! emer%e , brin%in% a revo#ver an some cartri %es. ,a#u!ot notice that the revo#ver was ischar%e an remar2e to the "erson havin% it in han that an un#oa e revo#ver is #ess use$u# even than a cane. The %uar re"#ie that he was not the "erson char%e with #oa in% it, but was %oin% to ta2e it out to be c#eane , whereu"on he isa""eare carr!in% the revo#ver with him. This act o$ carr!in% awa! o$ the revo#ver $rom Governor Lerma1s o$$ice was es"ecia##! notice b! ,a#u!ot an natura##! $rom this he must have su""ose that the revo#ver seen b! him was a wea"on common#! 2e"t in the %overnor1s o$$ice. The sti## $urther in$erence was obvious to ,a#u!ot that the %overnor u"on arriva# wou# be unarme in his o$$ice, un#ess he shou# "ossib#! brin% a revo#ver u"on his "erson. This circumstance shows that the wor s which ,a#u!ot irecte to Governor Lerma imme iate#! be$ore the $ata# attac2 were inten e to iscover whether Governor Lerma was in $act unarme . E"on iscoverin% that Governor Lerma i not have his revo#ver at han , the accuse at once rew his own wea"on an $ire . ,a#u!ot there$ore 2new Governor Lerma to be unarme an "ractica##! e$ense#ess, an it is "#ain that the attac2 was not be%un unti# the assai#ant was $u##! assure u"on this "oint. The bu##et $irst $ire b! ,a#u!ot entere in the $ronta# re%ion o$ the ri%ht shou# er b#a e o$ Governor Lerma an in$#icte a woun o$ minor im"ortance, "assin% throu%h the a$oresai "art o$ the bo ! an "enetratin% the bac2 o$ the chair in which the %overnor was sittin%. 5assin% on $rom the chair, the ba## entere the wa## o$ the o$$ice bui# in%, but was so $ar s"ent that it i not "enetrate ee"#!. (nstea it mere#! ma e a circu#ar ho#e in the wa## o$ mo erate e"th an reboun e , $a##in% on the $#oor. The #ine o$ irection $o##owe b! the ba## in icates that the accuse irecte the shot in somewhat ownwar irection an that Governor Lerma was in a## "robabi#it! rec#inin% bac2war s in the chair at the instant the shot struc2 him. The %overnor imme iate#! arose. +is $ree action was im"e e b! the tab#e in $ront, an b! the wa##s o$ the o$$ice behin an on either si e, since his tab#e was in a corner o$ his o$$ice. +is e/it was $urther obstructe b! a sma## boo2 stan on his imme iate ri%ht. +is on#! convenient irection o$ esca"e was, there$ore, in the irection to his #e$t b! wa! o$ the s"ace between the #e$t corner o$ his es2 an the wa## nearb!. This irection the %overnor accor in%#! too2, irectin% himse#$ towar s a "assa%ewa! in the wa## a $ew $eet $rom his es2 #ea in% into a corri or. 0hen the %overnor ha c#eare the es2 so as to #eave a $ree s"ace between himse#$ an his assai#ant, the istance which se"arate them was on#! a $ew $eet.

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,a#u!ot meanwhi#e turne somewhat to his ri%ht an a vance s#i%ht#! in the irection ta2en b! Governor Lerma. The #atter esirin% to ma2e %oo his esca"e, starte to run in the irection a$oresai , an ,a#u!ot, raisin% his revo#ver, a%ain $ire . The ba## struc2 Governor Lerma in the re%ion o$ the ri%ht shou# er b#a e an "asse throu%h the bo ! an inch or two $rom the woun ma e b! the $irst shot. The $irin% o$ the secon shot was seen b! 3ntonino 3ran.ue<, whose attention ha been attracte b! the noise o$ the $irst shot. ,ein% then seate at a es2 in the recor er1s o$$ice near the oor #ea in% into the %overnor1s o$$ice, this witness imme iate#! arose u"on hearin% the $irst shot, an havin% arrive at a "oint in the %overnor1s o$$ice where stoo a screen, occ#u in% irect vision $rom the oor to the %overnor1s es2, he "#ace himse#$ at the si e o$ the screen an was thus ab#e to see the scene then bein% transacte . (t was at this instant that ,a#u!ot, with his arm e/ten e , $ire the secon shot at his $#eein% victim. The %overnor at this moment ha his ri%ht han raise to his a#rea ! woun e shou# er an was runnin% in a irection awa! $rom his assai#ant rather than towar s him. (mme iate#! u"on seein% this shot $ire , 3ran.ue<, instea o$ intervenin% to save the %overnor, as wou# have been becomin%, turne an $#e to obtain succor. ,oni$acio -encias, the sanitar! o$$icia#, who e/amine the woun s o$ Governor Lerma, sa!s that both o$ the $irst two woun s were ma e b! bu##ets which entere $rom the $ront. This is obvious#! true as to the $irst, but as to the secon there seems to be room $or oubt. The ins"ection ma e b! the octor ma! have been su"er$icia#, an his o"inion ma! have been "art#! a matter o$ mere in$erence $rom his in$ormation as to the %enera# $eatures o$ the tra%e !. 3t an! rate he oes not state an! "articu#ars $rom which it cou# c#ear#! be iscovere that the secon shot entere $rom the $ront. The witness 3ran.ue< ma2es it c#ear that as the matter "resente itse#$ to his e!e, the %overnor was $#eein% with his ri%ht si e, rather than his $ront, e/"ose to ,a#u!ot. This witness sa!s that the %overnor1s $ace was turne in the irection o$ his $#i%ht, thou%h he thin2s the %overnor cou# have seen what ,a#u!ot was oin%. (n this view the secon shot shou# a""arent#! have entere $rom behin . The "oint we consi er o$ #itt#e im"ortance, inasmuch as it is obvious that ,a#u!ot was the a%%ressor throu%hout an that the secon shot was $ire at an unarme man whose on#! "ur"ose was to e$$ect an esca"e to a "#ace o$ sa$et!. 0hether at the instant this shot was $ire Governor Lerma ma! have ha his bo ! turne so as momentari#! to con$ront his assai#ant, movin% awa! si ewise, can have no bearin% u"on the >ua#i$ication an character o$ the crime. The testimon! o$ ,a#u!ot to the e$$ect that as soon as Governor Lerma emer%e $rom behin the tab#e the two en%a%e in a han to han stru%%#e is "re"osterous in the e/treme. 3$ter the secon shot was $ire , Governor Lerma continue his $#i%ht a#on% the corri or an , instea o$ attem"tin% to "ass out to the ri%ht into the recor er1s o$$ice, which wou# have e/"ose him to the an%er o$ another shot whi#e "assin% throu%h the o"en s"ace, he too2 re$u%e in a c#oset at the en o$ the corri or. 6nce within, he shut the oor an "#ace himse#$ in a "osition to obstruct the entrance o$ his "ursuer, who vain#! attem"te to o"en the oor. The %overnor then be%an to ca## a#ou $or he#", an ,a#u!ot, .u %in% the "osition o$ the %overnor1s hea $rom the irection o$ the soun thus emitte , $ire his revo#ver in the irection in icate . The bu##et "asse throu%h the "ane# o$ the oor an struc2 Governor Lerma in the $orwar "art o$ the hea near an above the ri%ht tem"#e. (t "asse ownwar s an came out throu%h the #e$t e!e, #oosenin% the e!eba## in its soc2et. This woun was necessari#! $ata#, thou%h not instant#! so8 an the %overnor evi ent#! #ost consciousness at once. ,a#u!ot, $ee#in% the movement o$ the bo ! within the c#oset, o"ene the oor without resistance. 3s he i so the bo ! o$ Governor Lerma shot $orwar out o$ the c#oset, as i$ in an attitu e to embrace the s#a!er, who rew bac2war s, an the bo ! $e## "rone on the $#oor. (n this "osition it remaine an was $oun "rostrate a $ew minutes #ater b! "erson who came u"on the scene. Death ensue in about two or three hours, without recover! o$ consciousness. ,a#u!ot, imme iate#! a$ter the tra%e !, ste""e over to a win ow o$ the room over#oo2in% the "ub#ic s>uare an ca##in% to a s>ua o$ &onstabu#ar!, who were

irectin% themse#ves to the "rovincia# bui# in%, in icate that the! shou# come u". 3t the same time he threw his revo#ver to the %roun , with three em"t! she##s an others that ha not been ischar%e . E"on the arriva# o$ the &onstabu#ar! he surren ere without resistance. The o$$ense committe in this case e/hibits $eatures mar2e #! simi#ar to those which characteri<e the crime which was the sub.ect o$ "rosecution in Enite )tates vs. Gi# ?14 5hi#. 940@8 an the o$$ense here committe was "ro"er#! >ua#i$ie b! the tria# .u %e as mur er, in which was "resent the >ua#i$!in% circumstance o$ alevosia. The "resence o$ this e#ement is easi#! an in our o"inion irre$utab#! in icate in the con itions an manner both o$ the ori%ina# attac2 an o$ the $ina# act b! which the o$$ense was consummate . 0ith re$erence to the manner in which the attac2 was be%un, the "roo$ shows that access was %aine b! ,a#u!ot, to the %overnor1s o$$ice u"on the "rete/t that he esire a $rien #! interview8 an a#thou%h the straine re#ations e/istin% between the two, owin% to their "o#itica# anta%onisms, was a""reciate b! both, there was nothin% in the situation to warn the %overnor o$ im"en in% troub#e. The $act ,a#u!ot ha a#rea ! been ca##e into the o$$ice u"on the %overnor1s $irst arriva# an ha with rawn $or a $ew moments to "ermit another "erson to have an interview was a#so ca#cu#ate to "ut the %overnor o$$ his %uar at the moment ,a#u!ot reentere the o$$ice. ,ein% seate in a rec#inin% chair, an hemme in b! obstac#es which "revente him $rom reachin% his assai#ant, it is "#ain that the unarme %overnor cou# ma2e no e$$ectua# e$ense a%ainst a "erson arme with such a ea #! wea"on as a revo#ver. (t is obvious a#so that the means an metho s thus e#iberate#! se#ecte b! the assai#ant were inten e to insure the e/ecution o$ the crime without an! ris2 to himse#$ arisin% $rom the e$ense which the o$$en e "art! cou# ma2e. 0e nee not etain ourse#ves to ana#!<e the con itions which e/iste when the secon shot was $ire , an we "ass on to the thir , with the sin%#e observation that the entire assau#t $rom the be%innin% must be consi ere continuous an that the secon shot was $ire whi#e the victim was en eavorin% to $#ee to a "#ace o$ sa$et!. The "resence o$ alevosia in the $irin% o$ the thir shot seems to be too "atent to "ermit o$ controvers!. The victim in his e$$ort to esca"e ha been riven to ta2e re$u%e in the c#oset, an with the oor shut, it was im"ossib#e $or him to see what his assai#ant was oin% or to ma2e an! e$ense whatever a%ainst the shot irecte throu%h the "ane# o$ the oor. (t was as i$ the victim ha been boun or b#in $o# e , or ha been treacherous#! attac2e $rom behin in a "ath obscure b! the ar2ness o$ ni%ht. 7ven su""osin% that alevosia ha not been "resent in the be%innin% o$ the assau#t, it wou# be necessar! to $in this e#ement "resent $rom the manner in which the crime was consummate . (n Enite )tates vs. 7#icana# ?49 5hi#. 209@ =ustice -ore#an sai B This court has he# re"eate #! that, even thou%h the be%innin% o$ an attac2 resu#tin% in the eath o$ the ecease is $ree $rom treacher! o$ an! sort, neverthe#ess it wi## be $oun "resent i$, at the time the $ata# b#ow is struc2, the ecease is he#"#ess an unab#e to e$en himse#$. 0hi#e the writer o$ this o"inion $ormer#! he# the view that, where there is no treacher! in the attac2 which resu#ts in the eath o$ the ecease , there can be no treacher! which wi## >ua#i$! the crime as mur er notwithstan in% the $act that, at the time the $ata# b#ow was struc2, the ecease was unarme an e$ense#ess, neverthe#ess, the court havin% he# so $re>uent#! the contrar!, the writer acce"ts the octrine so we## estab#ishe . There was "resent in the o$$ense in >uestion the %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance that sai o$$ense was committe in a "#ace where "ub#ic authorit! was en%a%e in the ischar%e o$ ut!. ?)ubsec. 19, art. 10, 5ena# &o e.@ There is no iscernib#e i$$erence at this "oint between the "resent case an that o$ Enite )tates vs. Gi# ?14 5hi#. 940, 944@, in which this a%%ravatin% circumstance was ec#are to be "resent. The tria# court a#so $oun that the crime in >uestion was characteri<e b! the $urther a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ evi ent "reme itation. &ertain items o$ "roo$

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which ten stron%#! to show the "resence o$ this e#ement ma! be brie$#! mentione . (t was testi$ie b! one 5e ro -a%a.es, a $rien o$ the accuse , that on =u#! 14, 1918, ,a#u!ot in the course o$ a conversation with -a%a.es e/hibite i##$ee#in% a%ainst Lerma an sai that Lerma wou# "a! $or the mis$ortunes that were be$a##in% him ?,a#u!ot@. Domin%o Linta%, compadre o$ the accuse , testi$ie that on the 'ri a! in the month o$ 3u%ust, "rior to the commission o$ the crime in >uestion, he saw the e$en ant in 6rion8 that when he an the e$en ant shoo2 han s the #atter s>uee<e his han ti%ht#! an sai , F5arece ser >ue esta es #a u#tima ve< >ue vamos a ar #a manoG Mma! be that this wi## be the #ast time we wi## sha2e han sN. This remar2 is es"ecia##! noteworth!, since it shows that the accuse contem"#ate some occurrence which wou# have %rave conse>uences to him. 6n the mornin% o$ 3u%ust 4, the a! on which the crime was committe , the accuse as2e more than one "erson i$ the! thou%ht he was in ,i#ibi , intimatin% that a $a#se rumor to this e$$ect ha been ma#icious#! circu#ate b! his arch-enem!, Governor Lerma. This shows c#ear#! that the min o$ the accuse was $i/e u"on Lerma as the su""ose author o$ his wron%s. No ver! satis$actor! e/"#anation is %iven b! the accuse as to the reason $or his tri" to 6rion an es"ecia##! to ,a#an%a8 an the conc#usion is irresistib#e that he was carrie to the #atter "#ace b! a thirst $or ven%eance . 'urthermore, the con uct o$ the accuse in the ne/t a! or two succee in% the commission o$ the crime was that o$ a "erson stimu#ate b! a $ee#in% o$ %rati$ication over the success$u# accom"#ishment o$ a $i/e "ur"ose, not the con uct o$ one e$$ecte b! %rie$ over the $ata# resu#ts o$ a su en an une/"ecte a#tercation. 3t no time i he e/hibit an! si%n o$ re%ret $or the act committe . The conc#usion reasonab#! to be rawn $rom the evi ence as a who#e is that the accuse , $or severa# a!s "rior to the "er"etration o$ this mur er, ha etermine to see2 an interview or encounter with Governor Lerma re%ar #ess o$ conse>uences. (t is im"ossib#e to sa! at what moment the etermination to ta2e #i$e became a $i/e reso#ution. The esi%n to 2i## was "robab#! entertaine when the accuse went in the ear#! mornin% o$ 3u%ust 4 to the %overnor1s o$$ice, an the "uttin% o$ this reso#ution into e$$ect was at once etermine u"on when the accuse $oun that the %overnor was unarme . (n or er to constitute the e#ement o$ 2nown "reme itation in the crime o$ mur er it is not necessar! that the s#a!er shou# have "re$i%ure in his min a## o$ the etai#s o$ the crime or etermine u"on the e/act moment when he shou# carr! his "ur"ose into e$$ect. (t is enou%h that the etermination to ta2e #i$e shou# have been $orme $or a "erio su$$icient#! #on% to a##ow the actor time to re$#ect coo##! u"on the character an the conse>uences o$ the act, the accom"#ishment o$ the crime bein% #e$t to some suitab#e o""ortunit! such as chance or esi%n ma! "resent. (t is thus mani$est that the conc#usion o$ the tria# court that the o$$ense was characteri<e b! 2nown "reme itation is b! no means without su""ort in the evi ence. Neverthe#ess, as an e/"ress ru#in% on this "oint is unnecessar! to the is"osition o$ the case, was conce e to the accuse the bene$it o$ the "ossib#e oubt, an we accor in%#! re$rain $rom ma2in% an! e/"ress $in in%s as to the "resence o$ sai e#ement. (t is conten e in beha#$ o$ the accuse that the crime in >uestion was >ua#i$ie b! two e/tenuatin% circumstances, name#!, $irst, that it was committe un er Fan im"u#se so "ower$u# as natura##! to have "ro uce "assion an ob$uscationG ?art. 9, subsec. ;, 5ena# &o e@, an , secon #!, that Fthe o$$en er ha no intention to commit so %reat a wron% as that committe .G ?3rt. 9, subsec. 4, 5ena# &o e@. This contention rests u"on certain statements $oun in the testimon! o$ the accuse an which, in our o"inion, are iscre ite b! other evi ence. ,a#u!ot states that he be%an his $irst interview with Governor Lerma on 3u%ust 4 b! sa!in% that he wishe Di"uta o M e#e%ateN Re!es o$ ,ataan cou# have been "resent as there were certain thin%s which he wante to sa! in the "resence o$ them both. ,a#u!ot then state that there was no oubt that Governor Lerma ha won in the "o#itica# contest an that it was a#so un eniab#e that in a## his own mis$ortunes the %overnor ha "#a!e an im"ortant an irect "art. The %overnor, accor in% to ,a#u!ot, thereu"on re"#ie B Fviene uste con #a misma >ue.a, )r. ,a#u!ot, "ero no somos enemi%osH )i $ueramos ami%os, menos ma#8 ! uste en nuestro #u%ar hubiera hecho #o mismo como uste ha hecho con mi compadre *e#e< >ue acaba e ser se"ara o e #a Guar ia Naciona#.G MOou come with the same com"#aint, -r. ,a#u!ot, but, are we not enemiesH ($ we were $rien s, not >uite so ba . ($ !ou were in our "#ace !ou wou# have one the same as !ou have one with m!

$rien ?compadre@ *e#e< who has .ust been ischar%e $rom the Nationa# Guar .N ,a#u!ot sa!s that in re"#! to this he "roteste that he ha nothin% to o with the se"aration o$ &a"tain *e#e< $rom the Nationa# Guar . 3t his .uncture the %overnor su%%este that the interview was %oin% to be somewhat #en%th! an re>ueste that ,a#u!ot shou# !ie# his turn $or a $ew minutes unti# the %overnor cou# have a short interview with 3ran.ue<. Thereu"on the interview was interru"te in the manner a#rea ! state , ,a#u!ot with rawin% $or a $ew moments into the recor er1s o$$ice. ,a#u!ot sa!s that, when he was rea mitte into the "resence o$ the %overnor, he seate himse#$ in the same chair in $ront o$ the %overnor1s es2 where he ha been seate be$ore, an the conversation was resume . This conversation accor in% to ,a#u!ot was o$ the $o##owin% tenorB ,a#u!ot sa!s that, u"on bein% in$orme b! Governor Lerma that =u %e &once"cion ha ren ere .u %ment a%ainst him in the estafa case con emnin% him to "rison, he #ost his hea , as he was in hi%h ho"es o$ bein% ac>uitte in that "rosecution. +e accor in%#!, at the c#ose o$ the $ore%oin% wor s im"ute to Governor Lerma, rose $rom his chair an use the wor s which we have >uote in a $ormer "art o$ this o"inion with re$erence to the ca#ibre o$ Governor Lerma1s revo#ver, at the same time unbuttonin% his coat an "ro ucin% his own wea"on. 7ven su""osin% that the conversation between the accuse an Governor Lerma was e/act#! as state b! ,a#u!ot, the #an%ua%e use b! Governor Lerma was not such as cou# have "ro uce "assion an ob$uscation in ,a#u!ot su$$icient to constitute the miti%atin% circumstance e$ine in subsection ; o$ artic#e 9 o$ the 5ena# &o e. (t is to be note , however, that no such conversation as that above transcribe cou# "ossib#! have ta2en "#ace in the interva# between the reentrance o$ ,a#u!ot into the %overnor1s o$$ice an the time when the wor s a resse to the %overnor about the revo#ver were hear in the recor er1s o$$ice. 'rom the testimon! %iven b! the witnesses 5e ro Gon<a#es, 3ntonino 3ran.ue< an Gre%orio e Gu<man, we consi er it to be irre$utab#! estab#ishe that the $irst shot was $ire within nine or ten secon s a$ter ,a#u!ot reentere the %overnor1s o$$ice an that the interva# which e#a"se was scarce#! more than su$$icient to a##ow ,a#u!ot to reach the %overnor1s es2. The min o$ an unbiase "erson must a#so be im"resse with the inverisimi#itu e o$ im"utin% to Governor Lerma 2now#e %e o$ a .u %ment ren ere b! a court in the &it! o$ -ani#a a%ainst ,a#u!ot o$ which ,a#u!ot was i%norant, $or un er section 41 o$ the &o e o$ &rimina# 5roce ure sentence in such a "rocee in% as that then "en in% a%ainst this accuse must be "ronounce in the "resence o$ the con emne "erson, an i$ ,a#u!ot ha in $act been convicte he himse#$ wou# have been amon% the $irst to #earn o$ it. (t is hi%h#! im"robab#e that %overnor Lerma wou# have been %ui#t! o$ con uct so unbecomin% as to have en%a%e in banterin% a "o#itica# enem! over a matter so e#icate, when .u %ment ha not in $act been "ronounce . 6ur conc#usion is that ,a#u!ot1s account o$ the wor s which "asse between him an Governor Lerma imme iate#! "rior to the $irin% o$ the $irst shot must be re.ecte as $a#se. The contention that the accuse ha no intention to commit so %reat a wron% as that committe rests u"on the statement o$ ,a#u!ot that the thir shot was acci enta##! ischar%e $rom his revo#ver whi#e he was attem"tin% to "ush o"en the oor o$ the c#oset in which the Governor ha ta2en re$u%e. This "retension is har #! eservin% o$ serious notice, as it is re$ute not on#! b! the circumstantia# evi ence bearin% u"on this "hase o$ the tra%e ! but a#so b! an a mission ma e b! ,a#u!ot on 3u%ust 9 in conversation with 7usebio Re!es, re"orter o$ a -ani#a news"a"er. (n this conversation ,a#u!ot state that he "ursue the ecease to the oor o$ the c#oset an , havin% observe $rom the cries emitte b! Governor Lerma that the #atter was seate behin the oor, he ?,a#u!ot@ ischar%e his "isto# in the irection where he ivine the %overnor to be. 0e have no oubt as to the truth o$ this a mission, an it is a com"#ete re$utation o$ the su%%estion that the ischar%e o$ the revo#ver was acci enta#. 0hat we have thus $ar sai su$$ices to emonstrate that in s#a!in% Governor Lerma, the accuse was %ui#t! o$ mur er with at #east one a%%ravatin% circumstance an that the "ena#t! $or mur er was "ro"er#! im"ose in its

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ma/imum e%ree. (t is, however, $urther insiste in the brie$ o$ the 3ttorne!Genera# that in rea#it! two crimes were committe b! the accuse in the same act, name#!, mur er an assau#t u"on a "erson in authorit!. En er this conce"tion o$ the case a#so the "ena#t! $or mur er shou# be im"ose in its ma/imum e%ree un er artic#e 89 o$ the 5ena# &o e. 0e a%ree with the 3ttorne!-Genera# u"on the "ro"osition that the same act in $act resu#te in this case in the "er"etration o$ two crimes. That the homici e is to be characteri<e as mur er we have a#rea ! etermine 8 an it is un eniab#e that, an attac2 was in the same act ma e u"on a "erson in authorit! whi#e e/ercisin% the uties o$ his o$$ice, as char%e in the com"#aint, since the ecease was, as a "rovincia# %overnor, an authorit! within the meanin% o$ artic#e 249 o$ the 5ena# &o e. These consi erations in our o"inion su""#! an a itiona# irre$utab#e basis $or the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t! b! the tria# .u %e thou%h his ecision i not iscuss this as"ect o$ the case. 0hat has been sai is su$$icient to is"ose o$ so much o$ the a""ea# as is concerne with the commission o$ the o$$ense an its #e%a# >ua#i$ication un er the #aw. 6ther >uestions, however, are raise re#ative to the con itions un er which the case was ca##e to tria# an the manner in which the "rosecution was con ucte in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance. (n this connection various errors o$ #aw are im"ute , in a se"arate assi%nments, to the action o$ the +on. &ar#os (m"eria#, who acte as .u %e in the court be#ow. (n the $irst s"eci$ication o$ error the a""e##ant a##e%es that Fhe was not %iven am"#e o""ortunit! to e$en himse#$,G because the court enie his attorne!1s #ast re>uest $or a continuance. E"on this %roun the a""e##ant see2s to secure $rom this court, i$ not a reversa# o$ the .u %ment, at #east an or er $or a new tria#. The assi%nment o$ error is in our o"inion without merit. (t a""ears in evi ence that on 3u%ust 4, 1918, the "rovincia# $isca# $i#e an in$ormation in the court o$ the .ustice o$ the "eace char%in% the accuse with the crime o$ mur er. 6n the 9th, he a""eare an waive the ri%ht to be e$en e b! an attorne! an re>ueste that the Fe:pedienteG be sent to the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance as soon as "ossib#e. 6n the 9th, an in$ormation was $i#e in the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance, whereu"on -anue# ,an<on, a re%u#ar#! a mitte member o$ the bar, was a""ointe b! the court as attorne! e o$$icio $or the e$en ant u"on the #atter1s re>uest, an he was u#! arrai%ne , enterin% a "#ea o$ not %ui#t!. 6n that ate the attorne!s $or the Government as2e that the tria# be set $or the 12th, but the counse# $or the accuse re>ueste that it be set $or the 19th, which "etition was %rante . 3$ter the case was ca##e $or hearin% on the 19th, the court receive a te#e%ram $rom *icente )otto, then a member o$ the bar in -ani#a, statin% that he ha been em"#o!e b! the $ami#! o$ the accuse an as2in% that the hearin% be "ost"one unti# the $o##owin% -on a!. The attorne!s $or the Government ob.ecte to this re>uest but the court, neverthe#ess, "ost"one the hearin% unti# the $o##owin% a!, an )otto was imme iate#! noti$ie b! te#e%ram o$ that or er. )otto at once e"arte $or ,a#an%a an was "resent in court when the case was ca##e $or tria# the ne/t mornin%. ,an<on was authori<e b! the court to retire $rom the case on#! with the e$en ant1s consent an a$ter )otto ha ma e his a""earance an ta2en char%e o$ the case. 'rom the $ore%oin% statement it is seen that the accuse was at a## times re"resente be$ore the court b! a com"etent attorne!, an no $act is a uce which wou# enab#e us to sa! that he was in an! wise embarrasse in the ma2in% o$ his e$ense b! the action o$ the court in settin% the case $or tria# on 3u%ust the si/teenth an "rocee in% with it on that a!. (t cannot be "ermitte that a tria# court shou# be "ut in error $or re$usin% a continuance when there is nothin% whatever to show that the accuse was in $act "re.u ice b! the action ta2en. 0here a continuance is sou%ht on the %roun o$ want o$ "re"aration, an a$$i avit shou# or inari#! be $i#e showin% in what res"ect the a""#icant is not rea ! an that he has ma e reasonab#e e/ertions to "re"are $or tria# without success, or some %oo reasons $or not ma2in% such e/ertions. ?14 &or. =ur., 184.@ Nothin% o$ the 2in was one in this case8 an when )otto actua##! a""eare in court an assume the uties o$ attorne! $or the accuse , no a""#ication $or a continuance o$ an! sort was rea##! ma e. 6n the contrar! the attorne! was content mere#! to cause a note to be ma e in the recor to the e$$ect that he res"ect$u##! "roteste a%ainst the te#e%ram which the court ha sent to him the a! be$ore noti$!in% that the cause was set $or tria# on the 1:th. No statement whatever was ma e showin%

wh! $urther e#a! was necessar!. The action ta2en b! the court was in our o"inion in no wise "re.u icia# an was there$ore not erroneous. (n Enite )tates vs. Lao &hueco ?4; 5hi#. 94@, it was he# that Fwhen an accuse is ob#i%e to come to tria# without havin% the o""ortunit! to cite his witnesses it cannot be sai that he is %iven the o""ortunit! to be trie com"#ete#!, $u##! an im"artia##! as the #aw "rescribes, an a new tria# wi## be or ere .G ,ut in that case the accuse was e"rive o$ the o""ortunit! to sub"oena his witnesses, whereas in the case at bar neither the accuse nor his attorne! in$orme the court that there was an! witness that the! wante to be cite . (t oes not a""ear even now that there was an! essentia# witness whom he cou# have "resente ha not the case been trie on 3u%ust 1:th. 0hen the accuse was arrai%ne on 3u%ust 9 the court to# him that, i$ he ha an! witness that he wante the court to sub"oena, he shou# so in$orm the court as soon as "ossib#e in or er that the tria# o$ the case mi%ht not be e#a!e . The secon assi%nment o$ error raises a >uestion which is a resse to the "ersona# >ua#i$ication o$ his +onor, &ar#os 3. (m"eria#, to "resi e at the hearin% o$ this case. The e/ce"tion to the tria# .u %e was base on the $act that the #atter ha atten e the $unera# obse>uies o$ Governor Lerma, which ha been characteri<e b! mar2e mani$estations o$ "ub#ic %rie$ an s!m"ath!. This $act was re#ie u"on as showin% that =u %e (m"eria# was biase an cou# not be re#ie on to tr! the accuse with rectitu e, .ustice, an im"artia#it!. The .u %e, however, i not acce e to this su%%estion an "rocee e with the tria# as a#rea ! state . There is in our o"inion no merit in the assi%nment. No "re.u ice on the "art o$ the .u %e is in $act shown, an the recor b! no means bears out the assum"tion that the .u %e was in $act in an! wise biase . 'urthermore, the ob.ection raise is not base u"on an! o$ the %roun s o$ is>ua#i$ication state in section 8 o$ 3ct No. 190. This section e/"ress#! enumerates without ambi%uit! the cases in which a .u %e or .ustice o$ the "eace is is>ua#i$ie $rom actin% as such, an the e/"ress enumeration o$ these cases e/c#u es others. )uch is the tenor o$ the ecisions o$ this court in the cases o$ 5er$ecto vs. &ontreras ?28 5hi#. 948@, an =oa>uin vs. ,arretto ?29 5hi#. 281@. (n the case #ast cite it was he# that e/treme e#icac! was no %roun $or is>ua#i$!in% a .u %e $rom tr!in% a case. The ecisions .ust cite are civi# cases but in the absence o$ e/"ress "rovision in the &o e o$ &rimina# 5roce ure, the ana#o%! is o$ va#ue. (n the thir assi%nment it is im"ute as error that the court at the hearin% enie a motion o$ the attorne! o$ the accuse to with raw the "#ea o$ not %ui#t! "revious#! entere b! him in or er to "ermit a emurrer to be $i#e to the in$ormation. The attorne! i not isc#ose to the court the %roun on which he "ro"ose to base his emurrer, an as the in$ormation a""ears to be su$$icient, it is evi ent that this motion was mere#! i#ator!, an the court committe no error in re$usin% to acce e thereto. The action o$ the tria# court in "assin% u"on an a""#ication o$ this character is #ar%e#! iscretionar! an is not sub.ect to review e/ce"t where the .u icia# iscretion a""ears to have been abuse . The $ourth s"eci$ication is a resse to the su""ose error o$ the court in re$usin% to com"e# the "rovincia# $isca# to "ro uce in court at the re>uest o$ the attorne! $or the accuse certain written statements which ha been ma e b! the witnesses 5e ro Gon<a#es, Gre%orio e Gu<man, an 3ntonio 3ran.ue< in a "re#iminar! in>uir! con ucte b! the $isca# "re"arator! to this "rosecution. (t a""ears that a$ter the witnesses above mentione ha been e/amine in court $or the "rosecution, the! were turne over to the attorne! $or the accuse an were b! him $u##! cross-e/amine . Later, when the %ivin% o$ testimon! $or the "rosecution ha been conc#u e , the e$ense "rocee e to intro uce sun r! witnesses who were e/amine in ue course. 3$ter $our ha thus testi$ie , an imme iate#! be$ore the accuse was "#ace u"on the stan in his own beha#$, his attorne! ma e the re>uest that the ec#arations or statements above re$erre to shou# be "ro uce . The attorne! $or the "rosecution ob.ecte on the %roun that one "art! cannot be com"e##e to "ro uce evi ence in $avor o$ the other. The court was o$ the o"inion that the written ec#arations the "ro uction o$ which was sou%ht were o$ a "rivi#e%e nature an accor in%#! overru#e the motion. 0e are o$ the o"inion that the court was not in error in re$usin% to com"e# the "ro uction o$ the ocuments in >uestion. The! were not ori%ina# or in e"en ent evi ence o$ such a

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character as to %ive the accuse an un>ua#i$ie ri%ht to com"e# their "ro uction, an no "ro"er basis was #ai in the cross-e/amination o$ the witnesses who ha ma e those statements to .usti$! their "ro uction with a view to the im"eachment o$ the ec#arants. The re>uest was o$ course base u"on the su""osition or e/"ectation that i$ the statements o$ the witnesses be$ore the $isca# were "ro uce , the! mi%ht be $oun to contain somethin% i$$erent $rom what was containe in their testimon! %iven in court. 0e 2now o$ no ru#e o$ "ractice which sustains the contention o$ the a""e##ant. The statements in >uestion were not the sworn ec#arations o$ witnesses ta2en in con$ormit! with the re>uirements o$ section 14 o$ Genera# 6r ers, No 98, an which are common#! attache to the F e:pedienteG transmitte b! the committin% ma%istrate to the &ourt o$ 'irst (nstance. (n the case at bar the "re#iminar! e/amination be$ore the committin% ma%istrate was waive b! the accuse , an the ec#arations o$ the witnesses $or the "rosecution were there$ore not ta2en be$ore the ma%istrate. The ec#arations re$erre to were, on the contrar!, ta2en in an investi%ation con ucte b! the $isca# un er the authorit! o$ section 1:8; o$ the 3 ministrative &o e. This section authori<es the $isca#, i$ he eems it wise, to con uct an investi%ation into the matter o$ an! crime or mis emeanor $or the "ur"ose o$ institutin% or carr!in% on a crimina# "rosecution. (t is e/"ress#! ec#are that this section sha## not be construe to authori<e a "rovincia# $isca# to act as a .ustice o$ the "eace in an! "re#iminar! investi%ation. The "rocee in% here contem"#ate is o$ an a ministrative character, an the in$ormation thereb! ac>uire is inten e $or the use o$ the $isca# in the con uct o$ the "rosecution. )uch ec#arations there$ore "ertain to the o$$icia# $i#e in the o$$ice o$ the "ub#ic "rosecutor an are not sub.ect to "ro uction at the mere re>uest o$ the attorne! $or the accuse where no %roun there$or ha been #ai . (n or er that we ma! not be misun erstoo , as we## as $or the "ur"ose o$ c#ari$!in% the "ractice in such matters, a $ew wor s ma! here b! "ro"er#! sai in res"ect to the "ro"er mo e o$ "rocee in% in a case where a "art! wishes to %et be$ore the court contra ictor! statements ma e b! a witness who is testi$!in% $or the a versar! "art!. 'or instance, i$ the attorne! $or the accuse ha in$ormation that a certain witness, sa! 5e ro Gon<a#es, ha ma e an si%ne a sworn statement be$ore the $isca# materia##! i$$erent $rom that %iven in his testimon! be$ore the court, it was incumbent u"on the attorne! when cross-e/aminin% sai witness to irect his attention to the iscre"anc! an to as2 him i$ he i not ma2e such an such statement be$ore the $isca# or i$ he i not there ma2e a statement i$$erent $rom that e#ivere in court. ($ the witness a mits the ma2in% o$ such contra ictor! statement, the accuse has the bene$it o$ the a mission, whi#e the witness has the o""ortunit! to e/"#ain the iscre"anc!, i$ he can. 6n the other han , i$ the witness enies ma2in% an! such contra ictor! statement, the accuse has the ri%ht to "rove that the witness i ma2e such statement8 an i$ the $isca# shou# re$use u"on ue notice to "ro uce the ocument, secon ar! evi ence o$ the contents thereo$ wou# be a missib#e. This "rocess o$ cross-e/aminin% a witness u"on the "oint o$ "rior contra ictor! statements is ca##e in the "ractice o$ the 3merican courts F#a!in% a "re icateG $or the intro uction o$ contra ictor! statements. (t is a#most universa##! acce"te that un#ess a %roun is thus #ai u"on cross-e/amination, evi ence o$ contra ictor! statements are not a missib#e to im"each a witness8 thou%h un oubte #! the matter is to a #ar%e e/tent in the iscretion o$ the court. 0e wish to a that in a case o$ this 2in , i$ the accuse ha , b! a$$i avit or otherwise, ma e it a""ear to the satis$action o$ the court that the witnesses name ha ma e statements in their ec#arations be$ore the $isca# materia##! at variance with their statements in court an that the "ro uction o$ sai ec#arations was necessar! or even esirab#e, in the interests o$ .ustice, the court wou# have ha am"#e "ower to or er their "ro uction. No such showin%, or intimation, was ma e in this case8 an the attorne! who ma e the motion was mere#! an%#in% at ran om to iscover somethin% that mi%ht "rove to be $avorab#e to his c#ient. To "ut a court in error $or re$usin% to entertain such a motion wou# encoura%e $rivo#ous e#a!s an ten to embarrass the s"ee ! an "ro"er a ministration o$ .ustice. The #ast assi%nment irecte to su""ose error o$ #aw in the action o$ the tria# court is to the e$$ect that the .u %e ma e his ecision without hearin% the assessors who acte at the tria#. (n this connection it a""ears that at the re>uest

o$ the accuse two assessors were a""ointe in accor ance with the "rovisions o$ sections 194-1:1 o$ 3ct No. 190, which "rovisions were e/ten e to crimina# causes b! 3ct No. 24:9 o$ the 5hi#i""ine Le%is#ature. The recor oes not show that the assessors in the case be$ore us were in $act consu#te b! the .u %e, an the ecision o$ the court ma2es no mention o$ them. 0e are o$ the o"inion that the irre%u#arit!, i$ such it be, is immateria#. The $unctions o$ the assessor are "ure#! a visor!, an the res"onsibi#it! $or the ecision rests e/c#usive#! with the .u %e. The statute oes not re>uire that the o"inions o$ the assessors sha## be recor e e/ce"t where two or more assessors are o$ the o"inion that the court1s $in in%s o$ $act are wron%. (n the si#ence o$ the recor it is to be "resume not on#! that the $unctions o$ the assessors were "ro"er#! "er$orme but that the! a%ree with the $in in%s o$ the court. This "resum"tion is borne out in the case be$ore us b! the circumstance that a$ter the recor s o$ the case ha been sent u" to this court, the c#er2 o$ court o$ ,ataan $orwar e as "art o$ sai recor s certi$ications si%ne b! the assessors who ha sat in the case, statin% that the! ha rea the ecision ren ere b! the court an that the! concurre in the $in in%s o$ $act ma e therein. (t is not necessar! that the recor shou# a$$irmative#! show that the .u %e consu#te the assessors be$ore ma2in% his ecision as in the absence o$ a showin% to the contrar! it is to be "resume that he i so. 'rom the "rece in% iscussion it is a""arent that, in the view sustaine b! the ma.orit! o$ the members o$ this court, no materia# error was committe b! the tria# .u %e either in the mo e o$ con uctin% the tria# or in the >ua#i$ication o$ the crime an $i/in% the "ena#t! atten ant thereu"on. +owever, as one o$ the =ustices o$ this court is not in accor with the ma.orit! with re%ar to the "ro"riet! o$ the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!, the "ena#t! im"ose must, in con$ormit! with the re>uirements o$ 3ct No. 2;2: o$ the 5hi#i""ine Le%is#ature, be re uce $rom eath to cadena perpetua with the accessor! "ena#ties "rescribe in artic#e 94 o$ the 5ena# &o e. 3s thus mo i$ie the .u %ment a""ea#e $rom is a$$irme , with costs a%ainst the a""e##ant. )o or ere . 5765L7 6' T+7 5+(L(55(N7), plaintiff,appellee$ vs. =E3N G6NY3L7) 7)&6T7, =R. [ =un -anti2a o$ )ta. Lucia, 3n%at, ,u#acan an *(&T6R 3&EO3N ! 6&+6*(LL6) [ *ic 3rro!o o$ )to. NiLo, 5ob#acion, ,ustos, ,u#acan, accused,appellants. D7&()(6N &3LL7=6, )R., ".B Robber! with homici e is c#assi$ie as a crime a%ainst "ro"ert!. Neverthe#ess, treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in sai crime i$ the victim o$ homici e is 2i##e treacherous#!. The )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain so ru#e . )o oes the &ourt ru#e in this case, as it ha one $or eca es. ,e$ore the &ourt on automatic review is the Decision 1M1N o$ ,ranch 11 o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt o$ ,u#acan in &rimina# &ase No. 444---9; convictin% accuse -a""e##ants =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r. an *ictor 3cu!an o$ the com"#e/ crime o$ robber! with homici e, metin% on each o$ them the su"reme "ena#t! o$ eath, an or erin% them to "a! the heirs o$ the victim, )561 =ose &. -anio, =r., the tota# amount o$ 5400,000.00 b! wa! o$ actua# an mora# ama%es an to "a! to 'ive )tar ,us, (nc., the amount o$ 5:,000.00 b! wa! o$ actua# ama%es. The 'acts The antece ent $acts as estab#ishe b! the "rosecution are as $o##owsB 6n )e"tember 28, 199: at "ast mi ni%ht, Ro o#$o &acatian, the re%u#ar river o$ 'ive )tar 5assen%er ,us bearin% 5#ate No. 3,)-;94, rove the bus $rom its termina# at 5asa! &it! to its estination in ,o#inao, 5an%asinan. 3#so on boar was Romu#o Di%a", the re%u#ar con uctor o$ the bus, as we## as some "assen%ers. 3t &amachi#e, ,a#intawa2, si/ "assen%ers boar e the bus, inc#u in% *ictor 3cu!an an =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r. who were wearin% maon%

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"ants, rubber shoes, hats an .ac2ets. 2M2N =uan seate himse#$ on the thir seat near the ais#e, in the mi #e row o$ the "assen%ers1 seats, whi#e *ictor stoo b! the oor in the mi -"ortion o$ the bus besi e Romu#o. 3nother "assen%er, )561 =ose &. -anio, =r., a resi ent o$ 3n%e#es &it!, was seate at the rear "ortion o$ the bus on his wa! home to 3n%e#es &it!. Tuc2e on his waist was his service %un bearin% )eria# Number ;:980:. 7ver! now an then, Ro o#$o #oo2e at the si e view mirror as we## as the rear view an center mirrors insta##e ato" the river1s seat to monitor an! incomin% an overta2in% vehic#es an to observe the "assen%ers o$ the bus. The #i%hts o$ the bus were on even as some o$ the "assen%ers s#e"t. 0hen the bus was trave##in% a#on% the hi%hwa! in 5#ari e#, ,u#acan, =uan an *ictor su en#! stoo u", whi""e out their han %uns an announce a ho# u". 5etri$ie , Ro o#$o %#ance at the center mirror towar s the "assen%ers1 seat an saw =uan an *ictor arme with han %uns. =uan $ire his %un u"war to awa2en an scare o$$ the "assen%ers. *ictor $o##owe suit an $ire his %un u"war . =uan an *ictor then accoste the "assen%ers an iveste them o$ their mone! an va#uab#es. =uan iveste Romu#o o$ the $ares he ha co##ecte $rom the "assen%ers. The $e#ons then went to the "#ace -anio, =r. was seate an eman e that he show them his i enti$ication car an wa##et. -anio, =r. brou%ht out his i enti$ication car bearin% No. 00898. 4M4N =uan an *ictor too2 the i enti$ication car o$ the "o#ice o$$icer as we## as his service %un an to# himB FPasensya 4a na Pare$ papatayin 4a namin$ baril mo rin and papatay sa iyo. G The "o#ice o$$icer "#ea e $or merc!B FPare maa#a 4a sa a4in. 1ay pamilya a4o. G +owever, *ictor an =uan i%nore the "#ea o$ the "o#ice o$$icer an shot him on the mouth, ri%ht ear, chest an ri%ht si e o$ his bo !. -anio, =r. sustaine si/ entrance woun s. +e $e## to the $#oor o$ the bus. *ictor an =uan then move towar s the river Ro o#$o, seate themse#ves besi e him an or ere the #atter to maintain the s"ee o$ the bus. Ro o#$o hear one o$ the $e#ons sa!in%B FGanyan lang ang pumatay ng tao. Parang pumapatay ng mano4. G The other sai B F&yos na naman tayo pare. 1ala4i,la4i ito.G *ictor an =uan $urther to# Ro o#$o that a$ter the! ?*ictor an =uan@ sha## have a#i%hte $rom the bus, he ?Ro o#$o@ shou# continue rivin% the bus an not re"ort the inci ent a#on% the wa!. The robbers assure Ro o#$o that i$ the #atter wi## $o##ow their instructions, he wi## not be harme . *ictor an =uan or ere Ro o#$o to sto" the bus a#on% the over"ass in -e/ico, 5am"an%a where the! a#i%hte $rom the bus. The robber! was over in 29 minutes. 0hen the bus reache Dau, -aba#acat, 5am"an%a, Ro o#$o an Romu#o $orthwith re"orte the inci ent to the "o#ice authorities. The ca aver o$ )561 -anio, =r. was brou%ht to the $unera# "ar#or where Dr. 3#e.an ro D. To#entino, the -unici"a# +ea#th 6$$icer o$ -aba#acat, 5am"an%a, "er$orme an auto"s! on the ca aver o$ the "o#ice o$$icer. The octor "re"are an si%ne an auto"s! re"ort etai#in% the woun s sustaine b! the "o#ice o$$icer an the cause o$ his eathB F,o ! sti## $#acci ?not in ri%or mortis@ bathe with his own b#oo . There were : entrance woun s an : e/it woun s. 3## the entrance were #ocate on his ri%ht si e. 3n entrance ?0.9 cm / 0.9 cm.@ #ocate in$ront o$ the ri%ht ear e/ite at the #e$t si e .ust be#ow the ear #obe. 3nother entrance throu%h the mouth e/ite at the bac2 o$ the hea $racturin% the occi"ut with an o"enin% o$ ?1.9 cm / 2 cm@. ,#oo &)' an brain tissues came out. 3nother $ata# bu##et entere at the u""er ri%ht cornea o$ the sternum, entere the chest cavit! "ierce the heart an #e$t #un% an e/ite at the #e$t a/i##ar! #ine. )evere hemorrha%e in the chest cavit! came $rom the heart an #e$t #un%. The other 4 bu##ets entere the ri%ht si e an e/ite on the same si e. 6ne entrance at the to" o$ the ri%ht shou# er e/ite at the me ia# si e o$ the ri%ht arm. The other entere above the ri%ht breast an e/ite at the ri%ht #atera# ab omina# wa## trave##in% be#ow musc#es an subcutaneous tissues without enterin% the cavities. Last#! another bu##et entere above the ri%ht i#iac crest trave##e su"er$icia##! an e/ite above the ri%ht in%uina# #ine. &ause o$ DeathB

)hoc2, massive interna# an e/terna# hemorrha%e, com"#ete brain estruction an in.ur! to the heart an #e$t #un% cause b! mu#ti"#e %unshot woun s.G4M4N Ro o#$o an Romu#o "rocee e to the "o#ice station o$ 5#ari e#, ,u#acan where the! re"orte the robber! an %ave their res"ective sworn statements. 9M9N )561 -anio, =r. was survive b! his wi$e Rosario -anio an their $our !oun% chi# ren. Rosario s"ent 520,000.00 $or the co$$in an 510,000.00 $or the buria# #ot o$ the s#ain "o#ice o$$icer.:M:N -anio, =r. was 48 !ears o# when he ie an ha a %ross sa#ar! o$ 58,089.00 a month.;M;N ,are#! a month therea$ter, or on 6ctober 29, 199:, at about mi ni%ht, )564 Romeo -eneses, the team #ea er o$ 3#ert Team No. 1 o$ Tar#ac 5o#ice )tation, an 564 '#orante ). 'errer were at the "o#ice chec2"oint a#on% the nationa# hi%hwa! in Tar#ac, Tar#ac. 3t the time, the ,amban%-&once"cion bri %e was c#ose to tra$$ic an the "o#ice o$$icers were tas2e to ivert tra$$ic to the )ta. Rosa roa . -omentari#!, a white co#ore ta/i cab without an! "#ate number on its $ront $en er came to view. -eneses sto""e the cab an as2e the river, who turne out to be the accuse =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r., $or his i enti$ication car . =uan to# -eneses that he was a "o#iceman an han e over to -eneses the i enti$ication car o$ )561 -anio, =r. an the mone! which =uan an *ictor too2 $rom -anio, =r. urin% the heist on )e"tember 28, 199:. 8M8N -eneses became sus"icious when he note that the i enti$ication car ha a#rea ! e/"ire on -arch 1:, 1999. +e as2e =uan i$ the #atter ha a new "a! s#i". =uan cou# not "ro uce an!. +e $ina##! con$esse to -eneses that he was not a "o#iceman. -eneses brou%ht =uan to the "o#ice station. 0hen "o#ice o$$icers $ris2e =uan $or an! ea #! wea"on, the! $oun $ive #ive bu##ets o$ a 9 mi##imeter $irearm in his "oc2et. The "o#ice o$$icers con$iscate the ammunition. (n the course o$ the investi%ation, =uan a mitte to the "o#ice investi%ators that he an *ictor, a#ias *ictor 3rro!o, sta%e the robber! on boar 'ive )tar ,us an are res"onsib#e $or the eath o$ )561 -anio, =r. in 5#ari e#, ,u#acan. -eneses an 'errer e/ecute their .oint a$$iavit o$ arrest o$ =uan.9M9N =uan was subse>uent#! turne over to the 5#ari e# 5o#ice )tation where Romu#o i enti$ie him throu%h the #atter1s "icture as one o$ those who robbe the "assen%ers o$ the 'ive )tar ,us with 5#ate No. 3,);94 an 2i##e )561 -anio, =r. on )e"tember 28, 199:. (n the course o$ their investi%ation, the 5#ari e# 5o#ice )tation (nvesti%ators #earne that *ictor was a native o$ Laoan%, Northern )amar.10M10N 6n 3"ri# 4, 199;, an (n$ormation char%in% =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r. an *ictor 3cu!an with robber! with homici e was $i#e with the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt o$ ,u#acan. The (n$ormation rea sB That on or about the 28th a! o$ )e"tember 199:, in the munici"a#it! o$ 5#ari e#, "rovince o$ ,u#acan, 5hi#i""ines, an within the .uris iction o$ this +onorab#e &ourt, the above-name accuse , cons"irin%, con$e eratin% to%ether an mutua##! he#"in% each other, arme with $irearms, i then an there wi#$u##!, un#aw$u##! an $e#onious#!, with intent o$ ?sic@ %ain an b! means o$ $orce, vio#ence an intimi ation, ta2e, rob an carr! awa! with one ?1@ nec2#ace an cash in MtheN un etermineM N amount o$ one )561 =ose &. -anio, =r., to the ama%e an "re.u ice o$ the sai owner in the sai un etermineM N amount8 that simu#taneous#! or on the occassion ?sic@ o$ sai robber!, sai accuse b! means o$ vio#ence an intimi ation an in $urtherance o$ their cons"irac! attac2, assau#t an shoot with the service $irearm o$ the sai )561 =ose &. -anio, =r., thereb! in$#ictin% serious "h!sica# in.uries which resu#te ?sic@ the eath o$ the sai )561 =ose &. -anio, =r. &ontrar! to #aw.11M11N

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6n the stren%th o$ a warrant o$ arrest, the "o#ice o$$icers arreste *ictor in Laoan%, Northern )amar an ha him incarcerate in the ,u#acan 5rovincia# =ai#. 3ssiste b! 3tt!. Ramiro 6sorio, their counse# de parte, =uan an *ictor were u#! arrai%ne an entere their "#ea o$ not %ui#t! to the char%e. Tria# therea$ter ensue . 3$ter the "rosecution ha reste its case on 3u%ust 2:, 1998, =uan esca"e $rom the "rovincia# .ai#. 12M12N The tria# court issue a bench warrant on )e"tember 22, 1998 $or the arrest o$ sai accuse -a""e##ant. 14M14N (n the meantime, *ictor a uce his evi ence. *ictor enie the char%e an inter"ose the e$ense o$ a#ibi. +e testi$ie that in 199:, he wor2e as a tire man in the vu#cani<in% sho" #ocate in ,an%a (, 5#ari e#, ,u#acan owne b! Ton! ,o! Ne%ro. 6n one occasion, (#ar e *ictorino, a customer o$ Ton! ,o! Ne%ro, or ere *ictor to se## a tire. *ictor so# the tire but i not turn over the "rocee s o$ the sa#e to (#ar e. The #atter hate *ictor $or his mis ee . The sho" was #ater emo#ishe an a$ter two months o$ em"#o!ment, *ictor returne to ,aran%a! -uwa#-,uwa#, Laoan%, Northern )amar. 6n )e"tember 2:, 199:, at 9B40 ".m., *ictor was at the town $iesta in Laoan%. *ictor an his $rien s, =ose"h (rin%co an Ric2e! Lorcio were havin% a rin2in% s"ree in the house o$ ,aran%a! &a"tain (2e ,a#u!a. 3t 11B40 ".m., the three #e$t the house o$ the baran%a! ca"tain an atten e the "ub#ic ance at the town au itorium. *ictor an his $rien s #e$t the au itorium at 9B40 a.m. o$ )e"tember 2;, 199:. *ictor #i2ewise testi$ie that he never met =uan unti# his arrest an etention at the ,u#acan 5rovincia# =ai#. 6ne o$ the inmates in sai "rovincia# .ai# was (#ar e *ictorino. *ictor #earne that (#ar e im"#icate him $or the robber! o$ the 'ive )tar ,us an the 2i##in% o$ )561 -anio, =r. to hit bac2 at him $or his $ai#ure to turn over to (#ar e the "rocee s o$ the sa#e o$ the #atter1s tire. 6n =anuar! 14, 1999, =uan was rearreste in Daet, &amarines Norte. 14M14N +owever, he no #on%er a uce an! evi ence in his beha#$. The *er ict o$ the Tria# &ourt 6n -arch 11, 1999, the tria# court ren ere its Decision .u %ment $in in% =uan an *ictor %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the crime char%e , mete on each o$ them the "ena#t! o$ eath an or ere them to "a! 5400,000.00 as actua# an mora# ama%es to the heirs o$ the victim an to "a! the 'ive )tar ,us &om"an! the amount o$ 5:,000.00 as actua# ama%es. The ecreta# "ortion o$ the ecision rea sB 0+7R7'6R7, this &ourt $in s both accuse , =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r. an *ictor 3cu!an GE(LTO be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ Robber! with +omici e as "ena#i<e un er 3rt. 294 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e as amen e an hereb! sentences both to su$$er the su"reme "ena#t! o$ Death an to in emni$! the heirs o$ the #ate )561 =ose &. -anio, =r., the amount o$ 5400,000.00 as actua# an mora# ama%es an to "a! the 'ive )tar ,us 5:,000.00 as actua# ama%e. )6 6RD7R7D.19M19N 3ssi%nment o$ 7rrors =uan an *ictor assai# the Decision o$ the tria# court an conten thatB ( T+7 TR(3L &6ERT 7RR7D (N +6LD(NG T+3T R6D6L'6 &3&3T(3N 3ND R6-EL6 D(G35, DR(*7R 3ND &6NDE&T6R 6' T+7 '(*7 )T3R ,E), R7)57&T(*7LO, 07R7 3,L7 T6 56)(T(*7LO (D7NT('O T+7 T06 ?2@ -7N 0+6 +7LD-E5 T+7(R ,E) 3ND K(LL7D 6N7 53))7NG7R T+7R76' 3T 3R6END 4B00 61&L6&K (N T+7 73RLO -6RN(NG 6' )75T7-,7R 28, 199:.

(( T+7 TR(3L &6ERT 7RR7D (N '(ND(NG T+7 T06 ?2@ 3&&E)7D GE(LTO ,7O6ND R73)6N3,L7 D6E,T 6' T+7 &R(-7 6' R6,,7RO 0(T+ +6-(&(D7.1:M1:N The &ourt1s *er ict 3nent the $irst assi%nment o$ error, =uan an *ictor conten that the tria# court committe a reversib#e error in re#!in% on the testimon! o$ Ro o#$o, the bus con uctor, $or convictin% them o$ the crime char%e . The! aver that a#thou%h their counse# was ab#e to initia##! cross-e/amine Ro o#$o, the $ormer $ai#e to continue with an terminate his cross-e/amination o$ the sai witness throu%h no $au#t o$ his as the witness $ai#e to a""ear in subse>uent "rocee in%s. The! assert that even i$ the testimonies o$ Ro o#$o an Romu#o were to be consi ere , the two witnesses were so "etri$ie urin% the robber! that the! were not ab#e to #oo2 at the $e#ons an hence cou# not "ositive#! i enti$! accuse -a""e##ants as the "er"etrators o$ the crime. The! ar%ue that the "o#ice investi%ators never con ucte a "o#ice #ine-u" $or the i enti$ication o$ the authors o$ the crime. The contentions o$ =uan an *ictor are not meritorious. There is no $actua# an #e%a# basis $or their c#aim that the! were i##e%a##! e"rive o$ their constitutiona# an statutor! ri%ht to $u##! cross-e/amine Ro o#$o. The &ourt a%rees that the ri%ht to cross-e/amine is a constitutiona# ri%ht anchore on ue "rocess. 1;M1;N (t is a statutor! ri%ht $oun in )ection 1?$@, Ru#e 119 o$ the Revise Ru#es o$ &rimina# 5roce ure which "rovi es that the accuse has the ri%ht to con$ront an crosse/amine the witnesses a%ainst him at the tria#. +owever, the ri%ht has a#wa!s been un erstoo as re>uirin% not necessari#! an actua# cross-e/amination but mere#! an o""ortunit! to e/ercise the ri%ht to cross-e/amine i$ esire . 18M18N 0hat is "roscribe b! statutor! norm an .uris"ru entia# "rece"t is the absence o$ the o""ortunit! to cross-e/amine.19M19N The ri%ht is a "ersona# one an ma! be waive e/"ress#! or im"#ie #!. There is an im"#ie waiver when the "art! was %iven the o""ortunit! to con$ront an cross-e/amine an o""osin% witness but $ai#e to ta2e a vanta%e o$ it $or reasons attributab#e to himse#$ a#one. 20M20N ($ b! his actuations, the accuse #ost his o""ortunit! to cross-e/amine who##! or in "art the witnesses a%ainst him, his ri%ht to cross-e/amine is im"#ie #! waive . 21M21N The testimon! %iven on irect e/amination o$ the witness wi## be receive or a##owe to remain in the recor .22M22N (n this case, the ori%ina# recor s show that a$ter severa# resettin%s, the initia# tria# $or the "resentation b! the "rosecution o$ its evi ence-in-chie$ was set on November 18, 199; an December 9, 199;, both at 9B00 a.m. 24M24N Ro o#$o testi$ie on irect e/amination on November 18, 199;. The counse# o$ =uan an *ictor $orthwith commence his cross-e/amination o$ the witness but because o$ the mani$estation o$ sai counse# that he cannot $inish his cross-e/amination, the court or ere the continuation thereo$ to December 9, 199;. 24M24N 6n December 9, 199;, Ro o#$o i not a""ear be$ore the court $or the continuation o$ his crosse/amination but Rosemarie -anio, the wi ow o$ the victim i . The "rosecution "resente her as witness. +er testimon! was terminate . The court or ere the continuation o$ the tria# $or the cross-e/amination o$ Ro o#$o on =anuar! 20, 1998 at 8B40 a.m.29M29N Durin% the tria# on =anuar! 20, 1998, Ro o#$o was "resent but accuse -a""e##ants1 counse# was absent. The court issue an or er ec#arin% that $or $ai#ure o$ sai counse# to a""ear be$ore the court $or his cross-e/amination

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o$ Ro o#$o, *ictor an =uan waive their ri%ht to continue with the crosse/amination o$ sai witness.2:M2:N Durin% the tria# set $or 'ebruar! 4, 1998, the counse# o$ =uan an *ictor a""eare but i not move $or a reconsi eration o$ the court1s or er ate =anuar! 20, 1998 an $or the reca## o$ Ro o#$o &acatian $or $urther cross-e/amination. (t behoove counse# $or =uan an *ictor to $i#e sai motion an "ra! that the tria# court or er the reca## o$ Ro o#$o on the witness stan . =uan an *ictor cannot .ust $o# their arms an su"ine#! wait $or the "rosecution or $or the tria# court to initiate the reca## o$ sai witness. (n ee , the &ourt he# in 2ulgado vs. Court of &ppeals, et alB /// The tas2 o$ reca##in% a witness $or cross e/amination is, in #aw, im"ose on the "art! who wishes to e/ercise sai ri%ht. This is so because the ri%ht, bein% "ersona# an waivab#e, the intention to uti#i<e it must be e/"resse . )i#ence or $ai#ure to assert it on time amounts to a renunciation thereo$. Thus, it shou# be the counse# $or the o""osin% "art! who shou# move to cross-e/amine "#ainti$$1s witnesses. (t is absur $or the "#ainti$$ himse#$ to as2 the court to sche u#e the cross-e/amination o$ his own witnesses because it is not his ob#i%ation to ensure that his e"onents are cross-e/amine . +avin% "resente his witnesses, the bur en shi$ts to his o""onent who must now ma2e the a""ro"riate move. (n ee , the ru#e o$ "#acin% the bur en o$ the case on "#ainti$$1s shou# ers can be construe to e/tremes as what ha""ene in the instant "rocee in%s. 2;M2;N The tria# was reset to -arch 41, 3"ri# 1; an 24, 1998, a## at 8B40 a.m. because o$ the non-avai#abi#it! o$ the other witnesses o$ the "rosecution. 28M28N 6n -arch 41, 1998, the "rosecution "resente Dr. 3#e.an ro To#entino, 562 Rene e #a &ru< an Romu#o Di%a". Durin% the tria# on 3"ri# 1;, 1998, the counse# o$ =uan an *ictor $ai#e to a""ear. The tria# was reset to =une 4, 19 an 2:, 1998. 29M29N The tria# sche u#e on =une 4, 1998 was cance##e ue to the absence o$ the counse# o$ =uan an *ictor. The court issue an or er a""ointin% 3tt!. Roberto Ramire< as counse# $or accuse -a""e##ants. Durin% the tria# on 3u%ust 2:, 1998, 3tt!. Ramire< a""eare in beha#$ o$ =uan an *ictor. The "rosecution reste its case a$ter the "resentation o$ )562 Romeo -eneses an $orma##! o$$ere its ocumentar! evi ence. The ne/t tria# was set on )e"tember 24, 1998 at 8B40 a.m. 40M41N 6n November 11, 1998, =uan an *ictor commence the "resentation o$ their evi ence with the testimon! o$ *ictor.41M42N The! reste their case on =anuar! 2;, 1999 without an! evi ence a uce b! =uan. =uan an *ictor i not even $i#e an! motion to reo"en the case be$ore the tria# court ren ere its ecision to a##ow them to cross-e/amine Ro o#$o. The! remaine mute a$ter .u %ment was ren ere a%ainst them b! the tria# court. Neither i the! $i#e an! "etition $or certiorari with the &ourt o$ 3""ea#s $or the nu##i$ication o$ the 6r er o$ the tria# court ate =anuar! 20, 1998 ec#arin% that the! ha waive their ri%ht to cross-e/amine Ro o#$o. (t was on#! on a""ea# to this &ourt that =uan an *ictor averre $or the $irst time that the! were e"rive o$ their ri%ht to cross-e/amine Ro o#$o. (t is now too #ate in the a! $or =uan an *ictor to o so. The octrine o$ esto""e# states that i$ one maintains si#ence when in conscience he ou%ht to s"ea2, e>uit! wi## ebar him $rom s"ea2in% when in conscience he ou%ht to remain si#ent. +e who remains si#ent when he ou%ht to s"ea2 cannot be hear to s"ea2 when he shou# be si#ent. The contention o$ accuse -a""e##ants =uan an *ictor that Ro o#$o an Romu#o $ai#e to i enti$! them as the "er"etrators o$ the crime char%e is isbe#ieve b! the tria# court, thusB

3s can be %athere $rom the testimonies o$ the witnesses $or the "rosecution, on )e"tember 28, 199:, the accuse boar e at aroun 4B00 a.m. a 'ive )tar ,us riven b! Ro o#$o &acatian, boun to 5an%asinan, in &amachi#e, ,a#intawa2, Pue<on &it!. Twent! ?20@ minutes or so #ater, when the bus reache the vicinit! o$ Nabua%, 5#ari e#, ,u#acan, a#on% the North 7s"resswa!, the accuse with %uns in han su en#! stoo u" an announce a ho# -u". )imu#taneous#! with the announcement o$ a ho# -u", 7scote $ire his %un u"war s. 3cu!an, meanwhi#e, too2 the %un o$ a man seate at the bac2. ,oth then went on to ta2e the mone! an va#uab#es o$ the "assen%ers, inc#u in% the bus con uctor1s co##ections in the amount o$ 5:,000.00. Therea$ter, the uo a""roache the man at the bac2 te##in% him in the vernacu#ar F5asensi!a 2a na "are, "a"ata!in 2a namin. ,ari# mo rin an% "a"ata! sa i!o.G The! "ointe their %uns at him an $ire severa# shots ob#ivious o$ the "#ea $or merc! o$ their victim. 3$ter the shootin%, the #atter co##a"se on the $#oor. The two ?2@ then went bac2 at the $ront "ortion o$ the bus behin the river1s seat an were overhear b! the bus river, &acatian, ta#2in% how eas! it was to 2i## a man. The robber! an the 2i##in% were over in 29 minutes. E"on reachin% the -e/ico over"ass o$ the 7/"resswa! in 5am"an%a, the two ?2@ %ot o$$ the bus. The river rove the bus to the -aba#acat 5o#ice )tation an re"orte the inci ent. Durin% the investi%ation con ucte b! the "o#ice, it was $oun out that the s#ain "assen%er was a "o#iceman, )561 =ose &. -anio, =r. o$ the &a#oocan &it! 5o#ice De"artment. The above version came $rom Ro o#$o &acatian an Romu#o Di%a", bus river an con uctor, res"ective#!, o$ the i##-$ate 'ive )tar ,us.42M44N The &ourt a%rees with the tria# court. (t ma! be true that Romu#o was $ri%htene when =uan an *ictor su en#! announce a ho# u" an $ire their %uns u"war , but it oes not $o##ow that he an Ro o#$o $ai#e to have a %oo #oo2 at =uan an *ictor urin% the entire time the robber! was ta2in% "#ace. The &ourt has he# in a catena o$ cases that it is the most natura# reaction o$ victims o$ vio#ence to strive to see the a""earance o$ the "er"etrators o$ the crime an to observe the manner in which the crime was committe .44M49N Ro o#$o an Romu#o ha a %oo #oo2 at both =uan an *ictor be$ore, urin% an a$ter the! sta%e the robber! an be$ore the! a#i%hte $rom the bus. The evi ence on recor shows that when =uan an *ictor boar e the bus an whi#e the sai vehic#e was on its wa! to its estination, Romu#o statione himse#$ b! the oor o$ the bus #ocate in the mi -section o$ the vehic#e. The #i%hts insi e the bus were on. =uan seate himse#$ in the mi #e row o$ the "assen%ers1 seat near the center ais#e whi#e *ictor stoo near the oor o$ the bus about a meter or so $rom Romu#o. 44M4:N Romu#o, =uan an *ictor were near each other. -oreover, =uan iveste Romu#o o$ his co##ection o$ the $ares $rom the "assen%ers.49M4;N Romu#o thus ha a $ace-to-$ace encounter with =uan. 3$ter shootin% )561 -anio, =r. at the rear "ortion o$ the bus, =uan an *ictor "asse b! where Romu#o was stan in% an %ave their instructions to him. &onsi erin% a## the $acts an circumstances, there is no iota o$ oubt that Romu#o saw an reco%ni<e =uan an *ictor be$ore, urin% an a$ter the heist. 4:M48N Ro o#$o #oo2e man! times on the rear, si e an center view mirrors to observe the center an rear "ortions o$ the bus be$ore an urin% the robber!. Ro o#$o thus saw =uan an *ictor sta%e the robber! an 2i## )561 -anio, =r. with im"unit!B -oreover, when he was accoste b! )564 Romeo -eneses on 6ctober 29, 199; in Tar#ac, Tar#ac, =uan was in "ossession o$ the i enti$ication car 4;M44N o$ the s#ain "o#ice o$$icer. =uan $ai#e to e/"#ain to the tria# court how an un er what circumstances he came into "ossession o$ sai i enti$ication car . =uan must necessari#! be consi ere the author o$ the robber! an the 2i##in% o$ )561 -anio, =r. (n People v. 1antung,48M44N we he# B

26 27 28 29 30 31

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 45

/// MTNhe recover! o$ "art o$ the #oot $rom -antun% or the time o$ his arrest %ave rise to a #e%a# "resum"tion o$ his %ui#t. 3s this &ourt has he# , VM(Nn the absence o$ an e/"#anation o$ how one has come into "ossession o$ sto#en e$$ects be#on%in% to a "erson woun e an treacherous#! 2i##e , he must necessari#! be consi ere the author o$ the a%%ression an eath o$ the sai "erson an o$ the robber! committe on him.1 0hi#e "o#ice investi%ators i not "#ace =uan an *ictor in a "o#ice #ine-u" $or "ro"er i enti$ication b! Ro o#$o an Romu#o, it cannot thereb! be conc#u e that absent such #ine-u", their i enti$ication b! Romu#o an Ro o#$o as the authors o$ the robber! with homici e was unre#iab#e. There is no #aw or "o#ice re%u#ation re>uirin% a "o#ice #ine-u" $or "ro"er i enti$ication in ever! case. 7ven i$ there was no "o#ice #ine-u", there cou# sti## be "ro"er an re#iab#e i enti$ication as #on% as such i enti$ication was not su%%este or insti%ate to the witness b! the "o#ice. 49 M49N (n this case, there is no evi ence that the "o#ice o$$icers ha su""#ie or even su%%este to Ro o#$o an Romu#o the i entities o$ =uan an *ictor as the "er"etrators o$ the robber! an the 2i##in% o$ )561 -anio, =r. The 'e#on! &ommitte b! =uan an *ictor The &ourt $in s that the tria# court committe no error in convictin% =uan an *ictor o$ robber! with homici e. 3rtic#e 294, "ara%ra"h 1 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as amen e b! Re"ub#ic 3ct ;:99, rea sB 3rt. 294. - Robbery #ith violence against or intimidation of persons. - Penalties. 3n! "erson %ui#t! o$ robber! with the use o$ vio#ence a%ainst or intimi ation o$ an! "erson sha## su$$erB 1. The "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua to eath, when b! reason or on occasion o$ the robber!, the crime o$ homici e sha## have been committe , or when the robber! sha## have been accom"anie b! ra"e or intentiona# muti#ation or arson. To warrant the conviction o$ =uan an *ictor $or the sai char%e, the "rosecution was bur ene to "rove the con$#uence o$ the $o##owin% essentia# e#ementsB /// ?a@ the ta2in% o$ "ersona# "ro"ert! with the use o$ vio#ence or intimi ation a%ainst a "erson8 ?b@ the "ro"ert! thus ta2en be#on%s to another8 ?c@ the ta2in% is characteri<e b! intent to %ain or animus lucrandi an ? @ on the occasion o$ the robber! or b! reason thereo$, the crime o$ homici e, which is therein use in a %eneric sense, was committe . ///40M4:N The intent to rob must "rece e the ta2in% o$ human #i$e. 41M4;N (n robber! with homici e, so #on% as the intention o$ the $e#ons was to rob, the 2i##in% ma! occur be$ore, urin% or a$ter the robber!. (n People v. *arut,42M48N the &ourt he# thatB (n the contro##in% )"anish version o$ artic#e 294, it is "rovi e that there is robber! with homici e Fcuan o con motivo o con ocasi\n e# robo resu#tare homici ioG. F,asta >ue entre a>ue# este e/ista una re#aci\n meramente ocasiona#. No se re>uiere >ue e# homici io se cometa como me io e e.ecuci\n e# robo, ni >ue e# cu#"ab#e ten%a intenci\n e matar, e# e#ito e/iste se%]n constanta .uris"ru encia, aun cuan o no concurra animo homici a. (nc#uso si #a muerte sobreviniere "or mero acci ente, siem"re >ue e# homici io se "ro u<ca con motivo con ocasi\n e# robo, sien o in i$erente >ue #a muerte sea anterior, coet^nea o "osterior a _steG ?2 &ue##o &a#on, Derecho 5ena#, 19;9 14th 7 . 5. 8;2@. 7ven i$ the victim o$ robber! is other than the victim o$ the homici e committe on the occasion o$ or b! reason o$ the robber!, neverthe#ess, there is on#! one sin%#e an in ivisib#e $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e. 3## the crimes committe on the occasion or b! reason o$ the robber! are mer%e an inte%rate into a sin%#e an

in ivisib#e $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e. This was the ru#in% o$ the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain on )e"tember 9, 188:, et sequitur cite b! this &ourt in People v. 1angulabnan$ et al.44M49N 0e see, there$ore, that in or er to etermine the e/istence o$ the crime o$ robber! with homici e it is enou%h that a homici e wou# resu#t b! reason or on the occasion o$ the robber! ?Decision o$ the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain o$ November 2:, 1892, an =anuar! ;, 18;8, >uote in 2 +i a#%o1s 5ena# &o e, ". 2:; an 2992:0, res"ective#!@. This +i%h Tribuna# s"ea2in% o$ the accessor! character o$ the circumstances #ea in% to the homici e, has a#so he# that it is immateria# that the eath wou# su"ervene b! mere acci ent ?Decision o$ )e"tember 9, 188:8 6ctober 22, 190;8 3"ri# 40, 1910 an =u#! 14, 191;@, "rovi e that the homici e be "ro uce b! reason or on occasion o$ the robber!, inasmuch as it is on#! the result obtaine , without re$erence or istinction as to the circumstances, causes, mo es or "ersons intervenin% in the commission o$ the crime, that has to be ta2en into consi eration ?Decision o$ =anuar! 12, 1889 T see &ue##o &a#on1s &o i%o 5ena#, ". 901-902@. &ase #aw has it that whenever homici e has been committe b! reason o$ or on the occasion o$ the robber!, a## those who too2 "art as "rinci"a#s in the robber! wi## a#so be he# %ui#t! as "rinci"a#s o$ robber! with homici e a#thou%h the! i not ta2e "art in the homici e, un#ess it a""ears that the! en eavore to "revent the homici e.44M90N (n this case, the "rosecution "rove be!on reasonab#e oubt that =uan an *ictor cons"ire an con$abu#ate to%ether in robbin% the "assen%ers o$ the 'ive )tar ,us o$ their mone! an va#uab#es an Romu#o o$ his co##ections o$ the $ares o$ the "assen%ers an in 2i##in% )561 -anio, =r. with im"unit! on the occasion o$ the robber!. +ence, both =uan an *ictor are %ui#t! as "rinci"a#s b! irect "artici"ation o$ the $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e un er "ara%ra"h 1, 3rtic#e 294 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, as amen e b! R.3. ;:99, "unishab#e b! reclusion perpetua to eath. The 5ro"er 5ena#t! The tria# court im"ose the su"reme "ena#t! o$ eath on =uan an *ictor $or robber! with homici e, e$ine in 3rtic#e 294, "ara%ra"h 1 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, "unishab#e with reclusion perpetua. En er 3rtic#e :4, "ara%ra"h 1 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, the $e#ons shou# be mete the su"reme "ena#t! o$ eath when the crime is committe with an a%%ravatin% circumstance atten ant in the commission o$ the crime absent an! miti%atin% circumstance. The tria# court i not s"eci$! in the ecreta# "ortion o$ its ecision the a%%ravatin% circumstances atten ant in the commission o$ the crime man atin% the im"osition o$ the eath "ena#t!. +owever, it is evi ent $rom the $in in%s o$ $acts containe in the bo ! o$ the ecision o$ the tria# court that it im"ose the eath "ena#t! on =uan an *ictor on its $in in% that the! shot )561 -anio, =r. treacherous#! on the occasion o$ or b! reason o$ the robber!B /// The two ?2@ accuse are incom"arab#e in their ruth#essness an base re%ar $or human #i$e. 3$ter stri""in% the "assen%ers o$ their mone! an va#uab#es, inc#u in% the $irearm o$ the victim, the! came to eci e to e/ecute the #atter seemin%#! because he was a "o#ice o$$icer. The! #ost no time "ouncin% him at the rear section o$ the bus, aime their $irearms at him an , in a erisive an humi#iatin% tone, to# him, be$ore "u##in% the tri%%er, that the! were rather sorr! but the! are %oin% to 2i## him with his own %un8 an therea$ter, the! simu#taneous#! $ire "oint b#an2 at the ha"#ess "o#iceman who was "ractica##! on his 2nees be%%in% $or his #i$e. 3$terwhich, the! ca#m#! "ositione themse#ves at the $ront boastin% $or a## to hear, that 2i##in% a man is #i2e 2i##in% a chic2en ?F5aran% "uma"ata! n% mano2G@. 7scote, in "articu#ar, is a c#ass b! himse#$ in ca##ousness. ///. 49M91N

39 40 41 42

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The &ourt a%rees with the tria# court that treacher! was atten ant in the commission o$ the crime. There is treacher! when the $o##owin% essentia# e#ements are "resent, vi7B ?a@ at the time o$ the attac2, the victim was not in a "osition to e$en himse#$8 an ?b@ the accuse conscious#! an e#iberate#! a o"te the "articu#ar means, metho s or $orms o$ attac2 em"#o!e b! him. 4:M92N The essence o$ treacher! is the su en an une/"ecte attac2 b! an a%%ressor on the unsus"ectin% victim, e"rivin% the #atter o$ an! chance to e$en himse#$ an thereb! ensurin% its commission without ris2 o$ himse#$. Treacher! ma! a#so be a""reciate even i$ the victim was warne o$ the an%er to his #i$e where he was e$ense#ess an unab#e to $#ee at the time o$ the in$#iction o$ the coup de grace.4;M94N (n the case at bar, the victim su$$ere si/ woun s, one on the mouth, another on the ri%ht ear, one on the shou# er, another on the ri%ht breast, one on the u""er ri%ht cornea o$ the sternum an one above the ri%ht i#iac crest. =uan an *ictor were arme with han %uns. The! $irst isarme )561 -anio, =r. an then shot him even as he "#ea e $or ear #i$e. 0hen the victim was shot, he was e$ense#ess. +e was shot at c#ose ran%e, thus insurin% his eath. The victim was on his wa! to re.oin his $ami#! a$ter a har a!1s wor2. (nstea , he was merci#ess#! shot to eath, #eavin% his $ami#! in %rie$ $or his untime#! emise. The 2i##in% is a %rim e/am"#e o$ the utter inhumanit! o$ man to his $e##owmen. The issues that now come to $ore are ?1@ whether or not treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici e8 an i$ in the a$$irmative, ?b@ whether treacher! ma! be a""reciate a%ainst =uan an *ictor. 6n the $irst issue, we ru#e in the a$$irmative. This &ourt has ru#e over the !ears 48M94N that treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in the $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e, a s"ecia# com"#e/ crime ?un delito especial complejo@ an at the same time a sin%#e an in ivisib#e o$$ense ? uno solo indivisible@.49M99N +owever, this &ourt in two cases has he# that robber! with homici e is a crime a%ainst "ro"ert! an hence treacher! which is a""reciate on#! to crimes a%ainst "ersons shou# not be a""reciate as a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance. 90M9:N (t he# in another case that treacher! is not a""reciate in robber! with ra"e "recise#! because robber! with ra"e is a crime a%ainst "ro"ert!. 91M9;N These ru#in%s o$ the &ourt $in su""ort in case #aw that in robber! with homici e or robber! with ra"e, homici e or ra"e are mere#! inci ents o$ the robber!, with robber! bein% the main "ur"ose an ob.ect o$ the crimina#.92M98N (n ee , in People vs. Cando,94M99N two istin%uishe members o$ this &ourt a vocate a review o$ the octrine that treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici e. The! o"ine that treacher! is a""#icab#e on#! to crimes a%ainst "ersons. 3$ter a##, in People vs. *ariquit,65=/>? this &ourt in a per curiam ecision "romu#%ate in !ear 2000 ec#are that treacher! is a""#icab#e on#! to crimes a%ainst "ersons. +owever, this &ourt he# in People vs. Cando that treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici e, citin% its "rior ru#in%s that in robber! with homici e, treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance when the victim o$ homici e is 2i##e with treacher!. This &ourt o"te not to a""#! its ru#in% ear#ier that !ear in People vs. *ariquit. Le%a# Luminaries in crimina# #aw an eminent commentators o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e are not in $u## accor either. &hie$ =ustice Ramon &. 3>uino ?Retire @ sa!s that treacher! is a""reciate on#! in crimes a%ainst "ersons as e$ine in Tit#e 10, ,oo2 Two o$ the &o e.99M:1N &hie$ =ustice Luis ,. Re!es ?Retire @ a#so is o$ the o"inion that treacher! is a""#icab#e on#! to crimes a%ainst "ersons. 9:M:2N +owever,

=ustice '#oren< D. Re%a#a o ?Retire @ is o$ a i$$erent view. 9;M:4N +e sa!s that treacher! cannot be consi ere in robber! but can be a""reciate inso$ar as the 2i##in% is concerne , citin% the ecisions o$ this &ourt in People vs. *alagtas98M:4N $or the "ur"ose o$ eterminin% the "ena#t! to be mete on the $e#on when the victim o$ homici e is 2i##e with treacher!. (t must be reca##e that b! Ro!a# 6r er o$ December 1;, 188: the 1890 5ena# &o e in $orce in )"ain, as amen e b! the Codigo Penal Reformado de 1.@> was a""#ie in the 5hi#i""ines. The 5ena# &o e o$ 188; in the 5hi#i""ines was amen e b! 3ct 4819, now 2nown as the Revise 5ena# &o e, which was enacte an "ub#ishe in )"anish. (n construin% the 6# 5ena# &o e an the Revise 5ena# &o e, this &ourt ha accor e res"ect an "ersuasive, i$ not conc#usive e$$ect to the ecisions o$ the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain inter"retin% an construin% the 1890 5ena# &o e o$ )"ain, as amen e b! Codigo Penal Reformado de 1.@>.99M:9N 3rtic#e 14, "ara%ra"h 1: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e rea sB 3RT. 14. &ggravating circumstances. T The $o##owin% are a%%ravatin% circumstancesB /// 1:. That the act be committe with treacher! ? alevosia@. There is treacher! when the o$$en er commits an! o$ the crimes a%ainst the "erson, em"#o!in% means, metho s, or $orms in the e/ecution thereo$ which ten irect#! an s"ecia##! to insure its e/ecution, without ris2 to himse#$ arisin% $rom the e$ense which the o$$en e "art! mi%ht ma2e. The #aw was ta2en $rom &ha"ter (*, 3rtic#e 10, "ara%ra"h 2 o$ the 18:0 5ena# &o e an the Codigo Penal Reformado de 1.@> o$ )"ain which rea sB 3rt. 10 ...2. 7.ecutar e# hecho con a#evosia. +a! a#evosia cuan o e# cu#"ab#e comete cua#>uiera e #os e#itos contra las personas em"#ean o me ios, mo os o $or mas en #a e.ecucion que tiendan irecta ! es"ecia#mente a ase%urar#a sin ries%o "ara su "ersona, >ue "roce a e #a e$ensa que pudiera hacer el ofendido. /// 3rtic#e 14, "ara%ra"h 1: o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e is a re"ro uction o$ the 1890 5ena# &o e o$ )"ain an the Codigo Penal Reformado de 1.@> with a s#i%ht i$$erence. (n the #atter #aw, the wor s F las personasG ?the "ersons@ are use , whereas in 3rtic#e 14, "ara%ra"h :, o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e, the wor s Fthe "ersonG are use . Goin% b! the #etter o$ the #aw, treacher! is a""#icab#e on#! to crimes a%ainst "ersons as enumerate in Tit#e 7i%ht, &ha"ters 6ne an Two, ,oo2 (( o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. +owever, the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain has consistent#! a""#ie treacher! to robber! with homici e, c#assi$ie as a crime a%ainst "ro"ert!. &itin% ecisions o$ the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain, &ue##o &a#on, a note commentator o$ the )"anish 5ena# &o e sa!s that es"ite the strict an e/"ress re$erence o$ the "ena# co e to treacher! bein% a""#icab#e to "ersons, treacher! a#so a""#ies to other crimes such as robber! with homici eB:0M::N &un cuando el Codigo solo se refiere a los delitos contra las personas$ cabe estimarla en los que no perteneciendo a este titulo se determinan por muerte o lesiones$ como$ en el robo con homicidio , ! en e# homici io e# =e$e e# 7sta o >ue es un e#ito contra #a se%uri a interior e# 7sta o, ! no obstante #a re$erencia estricta e# te/to #e%a# a #os e#itos contra #as "ersonas no es #a a#evosia a"#icab#e a #a ma!oria e e##os, no #o es en e# homici io, "ues como su

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concurrencia #o cua#i$ica #o trans$orma en e#ito istinto, en asesinato, ni en e# homici io consenti o ?art. 409@, ni en #a riLa tumu#tuaria ?art. 408@ ni en e# in$antici io ?art. 410@. ///. :1M:;N *ia a a#so sa!s that treacher! is a""reciate in crimes a%ainst "ersons ?delitos contra personas@ an a#so in robber! with homici e ?robo con homicidio@.:2M:8N FContra las personas. - Lue%o #a circunstancia e a#evosia so#o "ue e a"reciarse en #os e#itos "rovistos es e e# art. 41; a# 44;, ! en a#%un otro, como e# e robo con homicidio, atentario, a #a ve< >ue contra #a "ro"rie a , contra #a "ersona.G Thus, treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance to robber! with homici e a#thou%h sai crime is c#assi$ie as a crime a%ainst "ro"ert! an a sin%#e an in ivisib#e crime. Treacher! is not a >ua#i$!in% circumstance because as ru#e b! the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain in its ecision ate )e"tember 11, 18;8, the wor Fhomici eG is use in its broa est an most %eneric sense.:4M:9N 3rtic#e :2, "ara%ra"h 1 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e "rovi es that in iminishin% or increasin% the "ena#t! $or a crime, a%%ravatin% circumstances sha## be ta2en into account. +owever, a%%ravatin% circumstances which in themse#ves constitute a crime s"ecia##! "unishab#e b! #aw or which are inc#u e b! the #aw in e$inin% a crime an "rescribin% a "ena#t! there$or sha## not be ta2en into account $or the "ur"ose o$ increasin% the "ena#t!.:4M;0N En er "ara%ra"h 2 o$ the #aw, the same ru#e sha## a""#! with res"ect to an! a%%ravatin% circumstances inherent in the crime to such a e%ree that it must o$ necessit! accom"an! the commission thereo$. 1. 3%%ravatin% circumstances which in themse#ves constitute a crime s"ecia##! "unishab#e b! #aw or which are inc#u e b! the #aw in e$inin% a crime an "rescribin% the "ena#t! there$or sha## not be ta2en into account $or the "ur"ose o$ increasin% the "ena#t!. /// 2. The same ru#e sha## a""#! with res"ect to an! a%%ravatin% circumstances inherent in the crime to such a e%ree that it must be o$ necessit! accom"an! the commission thereo$. Treacher! is not an e#ement o$ robber! with homici e. Neither oes it constitute a crime s"ecia##! "unishab#e b! #aw nor is it inc#u e b! the #aw in e$inin% the crime o$ robber! with homici e an "rescribin% the "ena#t! there$or. Treacher! is #i2ewise not inherent in the crime o$ robber! with homici e. +ence, treacher! shou# be consi ere as a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici e $or the im"osition o$ the "ro"er "ena#t! $or the crime. (n its %entencia ate -arch 14, 18;;, the )u"reme &ourt o$ )"ain ec#are that treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance not on#! in crimes a%ainst "ersons but a#so in robber! with homici e. The hi%h court o$ )"ain a""#ie 3rtic#e ;9 o$ the )"anish 5ena# &o e ?3rtic#e :2 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e@ an ru#e that since treacher! is not a constitutive e#ement o$ the crime o$ robber! with homici e nor is it inherent in sai crime, without which it cannot be committe , treacher! is an a%%ravatin% circumstance to sai crime. The hi%h court o$ )"ain was not im"ervious o$ the $act that robber! with homici e is c#assi$ie as a crime a%ainst "ro"ert!. (n ee , it s"eci$ica##! ec#are that the c#assi$ication o$ robber! with homici e as a crime a%ainst "ro"ert! is irre#evant an inconse>uentia# in the a""#ication o$ treacher!. (t $urther ec#are that it wou# be $uti#e to ar%ue that in crimes a%ainst "ro"ert! such as robber! with homici e, treacher! wou# have no a""#ication. This is so, the hi%h tribuna# ru#e , because #hen robbery is coupled

#ith crimes committed against persons$ the crime is not only an assault ?ataca@ on the property of the victims but also of the victims themselves AofendeB B /// >ue #a circunstancia a%ravante e alevosia ni es constitutiva e# e#ito com"#e.o e robo ! homici io, ni e ta# mo o inherente >ue sin e##a no "ue a cometerse, sin >ue >ue"a ar%uir >ue en #os e#itos contra #a "ro"ie a no ebe a>ue##a tener a"#icacion, porque cuando estos son complejos de los que se cometen contra las personas$ no solo se ataca a la propiedad$ sino que se ofende a estas. ///:9M;1N In fine5 in the a%%lication of treacher! as a generic aggra*ating circu(stance to ro&&er! 9ith ho(icide5 the la9 loo#s at the constituent cri(e of ho(icide 9hich is a cri(e against %ersons and not at the constituent cri(e of ro&&er! 9hich is a cri(e against %ro%ert!. :reacher! is a%%lied to the constituent cri(e of ;ho(icide< and not to the constituent cri(e of ;ro&&er!< of the s%ecial co(%le= cri(e of ro&&er! 9ith ho(icide. :he cri(e of ro&&er! 9ith ho(icide does not lose its classification as a cri(e against %ro%ert! or as a s%ecial co(%le= and single and indi*isi&le cri(e si(%l! &ecause treacher! is a%%reciated as a generic aggra*ating circu(stance. :reacher! (erel! increases the %enalt! for the cri(e confor(a&l! 9ith Article 10 of the Re*ised Penal Code a&sent an! generic (itigating circu(stance. (n its %entencia, ate =u#! 9, 18;;, the hi%h tribuna# o$ )"ain a#so ru#e that when the victim o$ robber! is 2i##e with treacher!, the sai circumstance shou# be a""reciate as a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici eB /// >ue si a"arece "roba o >ue e# "rocesa o ! su co-reo convinieron en matar a un conoci o su!o, com"aLero e via.e, "ara #o cua# esviaron caute#osamente #os carros >ue %uiaban, en uno e #os cua#es iba e# inter$ecto, iri%ien o#os "or otro camino >ue con ucia a un a#.ibon, ! a# ##e%ar a este, va#ien ose e en%aLo "ara hacer ba.ar a icho inter$ecto, se #an<aron e im"roviso sobre e#, tiran o#o en tierra, roban o#e e# inero, #a manta ! #os ta#e%os >ue ##evaba, ! atan o#e a# "ie una "ie ra e mucho "eso, #e arro.aron con e##a a icho a#.ibon, a os estos hechos, no cabe duda que constituyen el delito complejo del art. 61/$ num. )$ con la circunstancia agravante de alevosia$ puesto que los medios$ forma y modos empleados en la ejecucion del crimen tendieron directa y especialmente a asegurarla sin riesgo para sus autores$ procedente de la defensa del ofendido.:: M;2N (n sum then, treacher! is a %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance in robber! with homici e when the victim o$ homici e is 2i##e b! treacher!. 6n the secon issue, we a#so ru#e in the a$$irmative. 3rtic#e :2, "ara%ra"h 4 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e which was ta2en $rom 3rtic#e 80 o$ the Codigo Penal Reformado de 1.@>,:;M;4N "rovi es that circumstances which consist in the materia# e/ecution o$ the act, or in the means em"#o!e to accom"#ish it, sha## serve to a%%ravate or miti%ate the #iabi#it! o$ those "ersons on#! who ha 2now#e %e o$ them at the time o$ the e/ecution o$ the act or their coo"eration therein. The circumstances atten in% the commission o$ a crime either re#ate to the "ersons "artici"atin% in the crime or into its manner o$ e/ecution or to the means em"#o!e . The #atter has a irect bearin% u"on the crimina# #iabi#it! o$ a## the accuse who have 2now#e %e thereo$ at the time o$ the commission o$ the crime or o$ their coo"eration thereon. :8M;4N 3ccor in%#!, the )"anish )u"reme &ourt he# in its %entencia ate December 1;, 18;9 that where two or more "ersons "er"etrate the crime o$ robber! with homici e, the %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance o$ treacher! sha## be a""reciate a%ainst a## o$ the $e#ons who ha 2now#e %e o$ the manner o$ the 2i##in% o$ victims o$ homici e, with the ratiocination thatB

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/// si "or #a Le! basta haberse e.ecuta o un homici io sim"#e con motivo ] ocasi\n e# robo "ara #a im"osicion e #a "ena e# art. 91:, num. (, no "ue e sere ni aun iscutib#e >ue, concurrien o #a a%ravante e alevosia, se aumente #a crimina#i a e #os e#incuentes8 sien o a"#icab#e a todos #os autores e# hecho in ivisib#e, "or>ue no es circunstancia >ue a$ecte a #a "ersona#i a e# e#incuente, e #as >ue hab#a e# art. 80 e# &o i%o "ena# en su "rimera "arte, sino >ue consiste en #a e.ecusion materia# e# hecho ! en #os me ios em"#ea os "ara ##evar#e a cabo, cuan o e e##os tuvieron conocimiento to os #os "artici"antes en e# mismo "or e# concierto "revio ! con #as con iciones estab#eci a en #a se%un a "arte e# cita o articu#o.:9M;9N ,e that as it ma!, treacher! cannot be a""reciate a%ainst =uan an *ictor in the case at bar because the same was not a##e%e in the (n$ormation as man ate b! )ection 8, Ru#e 110 o$ the Revise Ru#es on &rimina# 5roce ures which rea sB %ec. .. Desi%nation o$ the o$$ense. - The com"#aint or in$ormation sha## state the esi%nation o$ the o$$ense %iven b! the statute, aver the acts or omissions constitutin% the o$$ense an s"eci$! its >ua#i$!in% an a%%ravatin% circumstances. ($ there is no esi%nation o$ the o$$ense, re$erence sha## be ma e to the section or subsection o$ the statute "unishin% it. 3#thou%h at the time the crime was committe , %eneric a%%ravatin% circumstance nee not be a##e%e in the (n$ormation, however, the %enera# ru#e ha been a""#ie retroactive#! because i$ it is more $avorab#e to the accuse . ;0M;:N 7ven i$ treacher! is "roven but it is not a##e%e in the in$ormation, treacher! cannot a%%ravate the "ena#t! $or the crime. There bein% no mo i$!in% circumstances in the commission o$ the $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e, =uan an *ictor shou# each be mete the "ena#t! o$ reclusion perpetua con$ormab#! with 3rtic#e :4 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e. &ivi# Liabi#it! o$ =uan an *ictor The tria# court awar e the tota# amount o$ 5400,000.00 to the heirs o$ )561 -anio, =r. The court i not s"eci$! whether the sai amounts inc#u e civi# in emnit! $or the eath o$ the victim, mora# ama%es an the #ost earnin%s o$ the victim as a "o#ice o$$icer o$ the 5N5. The &ourt sha## thus mo i$! the awar s %rante b! the tria# court. )ince the "ena#t! im"ose on =uan an *ictor is reclusion perpetua, the heirs o$ the victim are entit#e to civi# in emnit! in the amount o$ 590,000.00. The heirs are a#so entit#e to mora# ama%es in the amount o$ 590,000.00, Rosemarie -anio havin% testi$ie on the $actua# basis thereo$.;1M;;N &onsi erin% that treacher! a%%ravate the crime, the heirs are a#so entit#e to e/em"#ar! ama%es in the amount o$ 529,000.00. This &ourt he# in People vs. Catubig;2M;8N that the retroactive a""#ication o$ )ection 8, Ru#e 110 o$ the Revise Ru#es o$ &rimina# 5roce ure shou# not im"air the ri%ht o$ the heirs to e/em"#ar! ama%es which ha a#rea ! accrue when the crime was committe "rior to the e$$ectivit! o$ the sai ru#e. =uan an *ictor are a#so .oint#! an severa##! #iab#e to the sai heirs in the tota# amount o$ 540,000.00 as actua# ama%es, the "rosecution havin% a uce evi ence recei"ts $or sai amounts. The heirs are not entit#e to e/"enses a##e%e #! incurre b! them urin% the wa2e as such e/"enses are not su""orte b! recei"ts.;4M;9N +owever, in #ieu thereo$, the heirs are entit#e to tem"erate ama%es in the amount o$ 520,000.00.;4M80N The service $irearm o$ the victim was turne over to the 7vi ence &usto ian o$ the &a#oocan &it! 5o#ice )tation "er or er o$ the tria# court on 6ctober 22, 199;. ;9M81N The "rosecution

$ai#e to a uce ocumentar! evi ence to "rove the c#aim o$ 'ive )tar ,us, (nc. in the amount o$ 5:,000.00. +ence, the awar shou# be e#ete . +owever, in #ieu o$ actua# ama%es, the bus com"an! is entit#e to tem"erate ama%es in the amount o$ 54,000.00.;:M82N The heirs are #i2ewise entit#e to ama%es $or the #ost earnin%s o$ the victim. The evi ence on recor shows that )561 -anio, =r. was born on 3u%ust 29, 1998. +e was 2i##e on )e"tember 28, 199: at the a%e o$ 48. +e ha a %ross month#! sa#ar! as a member o$ the 5hi#i""ine Nationa# 5o#ice o$ 58,0:9.00 or a %ross annua# sa#ar! o$ 59:,;80.00. +ence, the heirs are entit#e to the amount o$ 51,494,920.00 b! wa! o$ #ost earnin%s o$ the victim com"ute , thusB IN LIGHT O. ALL THE .OREGOING , the Decision o$ the Re%iona# Tria# &ourt o$ ,u#acan is hereb! 3''(R-7D with -6D('(&3T(6N). 3ccuse -a""e##ants =uan Gon<a#es 7scote, =r. an *ictor 3cu!an are hereb! $oun %ui#t! be!on reasonab#e oubt o$ the $e#on! o$ robber! with homici e e$ine in 3rtic#e 294, "ara%ra"h 1 o$ the Revise 5ena# &o e an , there bein% no mo i$!in% circumstances in the commission o$ the $e#on!, hereb! metes on each o$ them the "ena#t! o$ RCCL0%)9( PCRPCT0&. )ai accuse -a""e##ants are hereb! or ere to "a! .oint#! an severa##! the heirs o$ the victim )561 =ose &. -anio, =r. the amounts o$ 590,000.00 as civi# in emnit!, 590,000.00 as mora# ama%es, 51,449,920.00 $or #ost earnin%s, 540,000.00 as actua# ama%es an 529,000.00 as e/em"#ar! ama%es. The awar o$ 5:,000.00 to the 'ive )tar ,us, (nc. is e#ete . +owever, the sai cor"oration is awar e the amount o$ 54,000.00 as tem"erate ama%es.

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