EN BANC

[G.R. No. 142675. July 22, 2005.]

VICENTE AGOTE Y MATOL, petitioner, vs. HON. MANUEL F.
LORENZO, Presiding Judge, RTC, Brn!" #$, Mni% nd
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE&, respondents.
Public Attorney's Ofce for petitioner.
&YLLABU&
1.REE!"A# #A$% A&&EA#'% &E("(")N *)R RE+"E$ )N CER(")RAR"% &R)&ER
REE!, $-ERE &AR(, RA"'E' )N#, ./E'(")N' )* #A$% REE!"E' )* A&&EA#
AN! CER(")RAR" ARE /(/A##, E0C#/'"+E AN! N)( A#(ERNA("+E )R '/CCE''"+E.
1 At t2e out3et, it 4u3t 5e 3tre33e6 t27t petitioner ne8er put in i33ue t2e f79tu7l
:n6in;3 of t2e tri7l 9ourt. $27t 2e <ue3tion3 i3 37i6 9ourt=3 le;7l 9on9lu3ion t27t
Rep. A9t No. >2?4 97nnot 5e retro79ti8ely 7pplie6 to 2i4. /n<ue3tion75ly, t2e i33ue
r7i3e6 i3 one purely of l7@. A3 @e 278e 37i6 in 797@i@ili Gol6 inin; 7n6
!e8elop4ent Co., "n9. 8. Court of Appe7l3A *or 7 <ue3tion to 5e one of l7@, t2e 374e
4u3t not in8ol8e 7n eB74in7tion of t2e pro57ti8e 87lue of t2e e8i6en9e pre3ente6
5y t2e liti;7nt3 or 7ny one of t2e4. An6 t2e 6i3tin9tion i3 @ellCDno@nA t2ere i3 7
<ue3tion of l7@ in 7 ;i8en 973e @2en t2e 6ou5t or 6iEeren9e 7ri3e3 73 to @27t t2e
l7@ i3 on 7 9ert7in 3t7te of f79t3% t2ere i3 7 <ue3tion of f79t @2en t2e 6ou5t or
6iEeren9e 7ri3e3 73 to t2e trut2 or t2e f7l3e2oo6 of t2e f79t3 7lle;e6. Con3i6erin;
t27t FGu6;4ent3 of re;ion7l tri7l 9ourt3 in t2e eBer9i3e of t2eir ori;in7l Guri36i9tion
7re to 5e ele87te6 to t2e Court of Appe7l3 in 973e3 @2en 7ppell7nt r7i3e3 <ue3tion3
of f79t or 4iBe6 <ue3tion3 of f79t 7n6 l7@,F @2ile F7ppe7l3 fro4 Gu6;4ent3 of t2e
[374e 9ourt3] in t2e eBer9i3e of t2eir ori;in7l Guri36i9tion 4u3t 5e 5rou;2t 6ire9tly to
t2e 'upre4e Court in 973e3 @2ere t2e 7ppell7nt r7i3e3 only <ue3tion3 of l7@,F
petitioner 32oul6 278e 7ppe7le6 t2e tri7l 9ourt=3 rulin; to t2i3 Court 5y @7y of 7
petition for re8ie@ on 9ertior7ri in 799or67n9e @it2 Rule 45 of t2e 1??7 Rule3 of Ci8il
&ro9e6ure, 73 74en6e6, pur3u7nt to Rule 41, 'e9tion 2 H9I of t2e 374e Rule3, 8iJ.A . .
. . By re73on, t2en, of t2e 787il75ility to petitioner of t2e re4e6y of 7 petition for
re8ie@ un6er Rule 45, 2i3 ri;2t to re3ort to 7 petition for 9ertior7ri un6er Rule 65 @73
eEe9ti8ely fore9lo3e6, pre9i3ely 5e97u3e one of t2e re<uire4ent3 for t2e 787il4ent
of t2e l7tter re4e6y i3 t27t Ft2ere 32oul6 5e no 7ppe7l, or 7ny pl7in, 3pee6y 7n6
76e<u7te re4e6y in t2e or6in7ry 9our3e of l7@,F t2e re4e6ie3 of 7ppe7l 7n6
9ertior7ri 5ein; 4utu7lly eB9lu3i8e 7n6 not 7ltern7ti8e or 3u99e33i8e. A3 9orre9tly
o53er8e6 5y t2e Court of Appe7l3, @27t petitioner 32oul6 278e 6one @73 to t7De 7n
7ppe7l fro4 t2e tri7l 9ourt=3 or6er of July 15, 1??? @2i92 6enie6 2i3 4otion for
re9on3i6er7tion of t2e 7y 1>, 1??? Gu6;4ent of 9on8i9tion.
2."!.% R/#E' )* &R)CE!/RE% A, BE RE#A0E! )R '/'&EN!E! $-ENE+ER (-E
"N(ERE'( )* J/'("CE RE./"RE'% CA'E A( BAR. 1 &etitioner=3 973e i3 @or3e
9o4poun6e6 5y t2e f79t t27t e8en 2i3 perio6 for 7ppe7l 276 7lre76y pre39ri5e6
@2en 2e :le6 @it2 t2e Court of Appe7l3 2i3 9ertior7ri petition in CACG.R. '& No. 2??1C
/!K. (2e Rollo of 37i6 973e re8e7l3 t27t petitioner re9ei8e6 2i3 9opy of t2e tri7l
9ourt=3 or6er 6enyin; 2i3 4otion for re9on3i6er7tion on July 20, 1???. A3 t2e 374e
Rollo 32o@3, it @73 only on Au;u3t 2L, 1???, or 7fter 4ore t27n :fteen H15I 67y3
@2en petitioner :le6 2i3 @ron; re4e6y of 9ertior7ri @it2 t2e 7ppell7te 9ourt. Be t27t
73 it 47y, t2e Court feel3 t27t it 4u3t 3<u7rely 766re33 t2e i33ue r7i3e6 in t2i3 973e
re;7r6in; t2e retro79ti8ity of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, @27t @it2 t2e re7lity t27t t2e
pro8i3ion3 t2ereof 7re un6ou5te6ly f78or75le to petitioner. *or t2i3 purpo3e, t2en, @e
327ll eBer9i3e our prero;7ti8e to 3et 73i6e te92ni97litie3 in t2e Rule3 7n6 F2ol6 t2e
5ull 5y it3 2orn3,F 3o to 3pe7D. After 7ll, t2e po@er of t2i3 Court to 3u3pen6 it3 o@n
rule3 @2ene8er t2e intere3t of Gu3ti9e re<uire3 i3 not @it2out le;7l 7ut2ority or
pre9e6ent. "n 'oli9itor Gener7l, et 7l. 83. (2e etropolit7n 7nil7 Aut2ority, @e 2el6A
/n<ue3tion75ly, t2e Court 273 t2e po@er to 3u3pen6 pro9e6ur7l rule3 in t2e eBer9i3e
of it3 in2erent po@er, 73 eBpre33ly re9o;niJe6 in t2e Con3titution, to pro4ul;7te
rule3 9on9ernin; =ple76in;, pr79ti9e 7n6 pro9e6ure in 7ll 9ourt3.= "n proper 973e3,
pro9e6ur7l rule3 47y 5e rel7Be6 or 3u3pen6e6 in t2e intere3t of 3u53t7nti7l Gu3ti9e,
@2i92 ot2er@i3e 47y 5e 4i397rrie6 5e97u3e of 7 ri;i6 7n6 for47li3ti9 762eren9e to
3u92 rule3. . . . $e 278e 476e 3i4il7r rulin;3 in ot2er 973e3, t2u3A Be it re4e45ere6
t27t rule3 of pro9e6ure 7re 5ut 4ere tool3 6e3i;ne6 to f79ilit7te t2e 7tt7in4ent of
Gu3ti9e. (2eir 3tri9t 7n6 ri;i6 7ppli97tion, @2i92 @oul6 re3ult in te92ni97litie3 t27t
ten6 to fru3tr7te r7t2er t27n pro4ote 3u53t7nti7l Gu3ti9e, 4u3t 7l@7y3 5e 78oi6e6. . .
. (i4e 7n6 7;7in, t2i3 Court 273 3u3pen6e6 it3 o@n rule3 7n6 eB9epte6 7 p7rti9ul7r
973e fro4 t2eir oper7tion @2ene8er t2e 2i;2er intere3t3 of Gu3ti9e 3o re<uire.
L.CR""NA# #A$% RE&/B#"C AC( N). >2?4% G"+EN RE(R)AC("+E E**EC( "N *A+)R
)* (-)'E ACC/'E! /N!ER &.!. N). 1>66% N) 'E&ARA(E )**EN'E )* '"&#E
"##EGA# &)''E''")N )* *"REAR' $-ERE (-E /N#"CEN'E! *"REAR "' /'E! "N
(-E C)"''")N )* AN)(-ER CR"E. 1 A3 e7rly 73 Au;u3t 1??7, t2e 4ont2 7fter
Rep. A9t No. >2?4 tooD eEe9t, t2i3 Court 273 pronoun9e6 in GonJ7le3 83. Court of
Appe7l3 t27t 37i6 l7@ 4u3t 5e ;i8en retro79ti8e eEe9t in f78or of t2o3e 799u3e6
un6er &.!. No. 1>66. 'in9e t2en, t2i3 Court 276 9on3i3tently 762ere6 to t2e GonJ7le3
rulin;. *or 3ure, in &eople 83. +7l6eJ, @2ere t2e 799u3e6 @73 927r;e6 @it2 t2e
9o4pleB 9ri4e of 4ultiple 4ur6er @it2 6ou5le fru3tr7te6 4ur6er 7n6 ille;7l
po33e33ion of :re7r43 7n6 744unition3 un6er t@o 3ep7r7te infor47tion3, t2i3 Court
e8en tooD 7 5ol6er 3t7n9e 5y 7pplyin; Rep. A9t No. >2?4 retro79ti8ely 3o t27t t2e
799u3e6 t2erein 47y not 5e 9on8i9te6 of t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43, 5ut refu3e6 to 7pply t2e 374e retro79ti8ely 3o 73 to 7;;r787te t2e 9ri4e of
4ur6er. (2e +7l6eJ rulin; 276 5een 7pplie6 in 7 2o3t of 3u53e<uent 973e3. ,et, in
ot2er 973e3, 7lt2ou;2 t2e Court 276 ;i8en Rep. A9t No. >2?4 retro79ti8e eEe9t 3o 73
to pre8ent t2e 9on8i9tion of 7n 799u3e6 of t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r4 @2en t2e 37i6 unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 Fu3e6F to 9o44it t2e 9ri4e of 4ur6er
or 2o4i9i6e, t2e Court 6i6 not 7ppre9i7te t2i3 Fu3eF of 3u92 unli9en3e6 :re7r4 73 7n
7;;r787tin; 9ir9u43t7n9e 73 pro8i6e6 t2erein, @2en t2e Fu3eF of 7n unli9en3e6
:re7r4 @73 not 3pe9i:97lly 7lle;e6 in t2e infor47tion, 73 re<uire6 5y t2e Rule3 on
Cri4in7l &ro9e6ure.
4."!.% "!.% 'EC(")N 1 (-ERE)*, C)N'(R/E!. 1 "n &eople 83. $7lp7n . #76G77l74,
t2i3 Court, interpretin; t2e 3u5Ge9t pro8i3o in 'e9tion 1 of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, 7pplie6
t2e 573i9 prin9iple3 in 9ri4in7l l7@, 7n6 97te;ori97lly 2el6A . . . A 3i4ple re76in;
t2ereof 32o@3 t27t if 7n unli9en3e6 :re7r4 i3 u3e6 in t2e 9o44i33ion of 7ny 9ri4e,
t2ere 97n 5e no 3ep7r7te oEen3e of 3i4ple ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43. -en9e, if
t2e =ot2er 9ri4e= i3 4ur6er or 2o4i9i6e, ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 5e9o4e3
4erely 7n 7;;r787tin; 9ir9u43t7n9e, not 7 3ep7r7te oEen3e. 'in9e 6ire9t 7337ult
@it2 4ultiple 7tte4pte6 2o4i9i6e @73 9o44itte6 in t2i3 973e, 7ppell7nt 97n no
lon;er 5e 2el6 li75le for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43. oreo8er, pen7l l7@3 7re
9on3true6 li5er7lly in f78or of t2e 799u3e6. "n t2i3 973e, t2e pl7in 4e7nin; of RA
>2?4=3 3i4ple l7n;u7;e i3 4o3t f78or75le to 2erein 7ppell7nt. +erily, no ot2er
interpret7tion i3 Gu3ti:e6, for t2e l7n;u7;e of t2e ne@ l7@ 6e4on3tr7te3 t2e
le;i3l7ti8e intent to f78or t2e 799u3e6. A99or6in;ly, 7ppell7nt 97nnot 5e 9on8i9te6 of
t@o 3ep7r7te oEen3e3 of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 7n6 6ire9t 7337ult @it2
7tte4pte6 2o4i9i6e. . . . (2e l7@ i3 9le7rA t2e 799u3e6 97n 5e 9on8i9te6 of 3i4ple
ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43, pro8i6e6 t27t =no ot2er 9ri4e @73 9o44itte6 5y t2e
per3on 7rre3te6.= "f t2e intention of t2e l7@ in t2e 3e9on6 p7r7;r7p2 @ere to refer
only to 2o4i9i6e 7n6 4ur6er, it 32oul6 278e eBpre33ly 37i6 3o, 73 it 6i6 in t2e t2ir6
p7r7;r7p2. +erily, @2ere t2e l7@ 6oe3 not 6i3tin;ui32, neit2er 32oul6 @e. (2e
7fore4entione6 rulin; @73 reiter7te6 7n6 7pplie6 in t2e 3u53e<uent 973e3 of &eople
83. G7r9i7, @2ere t2e Gu6;4ent of 9on8i9tion of t2e 799u3e6C7ppell7nt3 for ille;7l
po33e33ion of :re7r43 @73 3et 73i6e t2ere 5ein; 7not2er 9ri4e 1 Di6n7ppin; for
r7n3o4 1 @2i92 t2ey @ere perpetr7tin; 7t t2e 374e ti4e% &eople 83. Bern7l, @2ere
t2e Court retro79ti8ely 7pplie6 Rep. A9t No. >2?4 in 799u3e6C7ppell7nt=3 f78or
5e97u3e it @oul6 4e7n 2i3 79<uitt7l fro4 t2e 3ep7r7te oEen3e of ille;7l po33e33ion
of :re7r43% 7n6 &eople 83. Bu3t747nte, @2ere, in refu3in; to 9on8i9t t2e 799u3e6C
7ppell7nt of t2e 3ep7r7te oEen3e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43, t2e Court 6e9l7re6
t27t in3of7r 73 it i3 f78or75le to t2e 7ppell7nt, t2e pro8i3ion3 of Rep. A9t No. >2?4
32oul6 5e 7pplie6 li5er7lly 7n6 retro79ti8ely in t27t 7ppell7nt 4u3t 5e 79<uitte6 of
t2e 927r;e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43.
5."!.% "!.% $"'!) (-ERE)* N)( '/BJEC( () RE+"E$% (-E ')#EN &)$ER AN!
!/(, )* (-E C)/R( () "N(ER&RE( AN! A&&#, (-E #A$ !)E' N)( "NC#/!E (-E
&)$ER () C)RREC( B, REA!"NG "N() (-E #A$ $-A( "' N)( $R"((EN (-ERE"N.
1 Gui6e6 5y t2e fore;oin;, t2e Court 97nnot 5ut 3et 73i6e petitioner=3 9on8i9tion in
Cri4in7l C73e No. ?6C14?>20 for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r4 3in9e 7not2er 9ri4e
@73 9o44itte6 7t t2e 374e ti4e, i.e., 8iol7tion of C)E#EC Re3olution No. 2>26 or
t2e Gun B7n. A64itte6ly, t2i3 rulin; i3 not @it2out 4i3;i8in;3 9on3i6erin; t27t it
@oul6 4e7n petitioner=3 79<uitt7l of t2e 4ore 3eriou3 oEen3e of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43 @2i92 97rrie3 7 4u92 2e78ier pen7lty t27n 8iol7tion of t2e C)E#EC ;unC
57n re3olution. -o@e8er, 73 @e 278e r7tion7liJe6 in #76G77l74A . . . "n6ee6, t2e
799u3e6 47y e876e 9on8i9tion for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 5y u3in; 3u92
@e7pon3 in 9o44ittin; 7n e8en li;2ter oEen3e, liDe 7l7r4 7n6 397n67l or 3li;2t
p2y3i97l inGurie3, 5ot2 of @2i92 7re puni3275le 5y 7rre3to 4enor. (2i3 9on3e<uen9e,
2o@e8er, ne9e337rily 7ri3e3 fro4 t2e l7n;u7;e of RA >2?4, @2o3e @i36o4 i3 not
3u5Ge9t to t2e Court=3 re8ie@. Any per9eption t27t t2e re3ult re792e6 2ere 7ppe7r3
un@i3e 32oul6 5e 766re33e6 to Con;re33. "n6ee6, t2e Court 273 no 6i39retion to ;i8e
3t7tute3 7 ne@ 4e7nin; 6et792e6 fro4 t2e 47nife3t inten64ent 7n6 l7n;u7;e of
t2e le;i3l7ture. )ur t73D i3 9on3titution7lly 9on:ne6 only to 7pplyin; t2e l7@ 7n6
Guri3pru6en9e to t2e pro8en f79t3, 7n6 @e 278e 6one 3o in t2i3 973e. (2e 3ole4n
po@er 7n6 6uty of t2e Court to interpret 7n6 7pply t2e l7@ 6oe3 not in9lu6e t2e
po@er to 9orre9t 5y re76in; into t2e l7@ @27t i3 not @ritten t2erein. $2ile @e
un6er3t7n6 re3pon6ent &eople=3 9ontention t27t t2e Fu3eF of t2e :re7r4 3ee4e6 to
278e 5een t2e 47in 9on3i6er7tion 6urin; t2e 6eli5er7tion3 of t2e 3u5Ge9t pro8i3ion
of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, t2e f79t re47in3 t27t t2e @or6 Fu3eF ne8er foun6 it3 @7y into
t2e :n7l 8er3ion of t2e 5ill @2i92 e8entu7lly 5e974e Rep. A9t No. >2?4. (2e Court=3
27n63 7re no@ tie6 7n6 it 97nnot 3upply t2e per9ei8e6 6e:9ien9y in t2e :n7l 8er3ion
@it2out 9ontr78enin; t2e 4o3t 573i9 prin9iple3 in t2e interpret7tion of pen7l l7@3
@2i92 276 7l@7y3 le7ne6 in f78or of t2e 799u3e6. /n6er our 3y3te4 of ;o8ern4ent
@2ere po@er3 7re 7llo97te6 to t2e t2ree HLI ;re7t 5r7n92e3, only t2e #e;i3l7ture 97n
re4e6y 3u92 6e:9ien9y, if 7ny, 5y proper 74en64ent of 'e9. 1 of Rep. A9t No.
>2?4.
6."!.% "!.% ACC/'E! CANN)( BE C)N+"C(E! )* (-E 'E&ARA(E CR"E )* "##EGA#
&)''E''")N )* *"REAR !E'&"(E (-E *AC( (-A( (-E /N#"CEN'E! *"REAR $A'
N)( AC(/A##, /'E! () C)"( (-E )**EN'E )* +")#A(")N )* (-E C)E#EC
G/NCBAN. 1 A3 @ritten, 'e9. 1, Rep. A9t No. >2?4 re3tr7in3 t2e Court fro4
9on8i9tin; petitioner of t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r4 6e3pite
t2e f79t t27t, 73 in Al4ei67, t2e unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 not 79tu7lly Fu3e6.F *or 3ure,
t2ere i3, in t2i3 973e, 9lo3er rel7tion 5et@een po33e33ion of unli9en3e6 :re7r4 7n6
8iol7tion of t2e C)E#EC ;unC57n t27n t2e ille;7l po33e33ion of unli9en3e6 :re7r4
to t2e 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of pro2i5ite6 6ru;3 in Al4ei67.
' E C I & I O N
GARCIA, J pA
"n t2i3 7ppe7l 5y @7y of 7 petition for re8ie@ on certiorari un6er Rule 45 of t2e Rule3
of Court, petitioner Vicente Agote y Matol 3eeD3 to 7nnul 7n6 3et 73i6e t2e follo@in;
re3olution3 of t2e Court of Appe7l3 in CA-G.R. SP o. !""#-$%&, to @itA
1.Resolution dated Septe'ber #() #""", ( 6i34i33in; t2e
&etition for Certiorari @it2 &r7yer for t2e "33u7n9e of 7
(e4por7ry Re3tr7inin; )r6er :le6 5y t2e petitioner
7;7in3t t2e -onor75le 7nuel *. #orenJo, &re3i6in;
Ju6;e, Re;ion7l (ri7l Court, 7nil7, Br7n92 4L for
refu3in; to retro79ti8ely 7pply in 2i3 f78or Repu5li9 A9t
No. >2?4 ) % 7n6,
2.Resolution dated *ebruary +) !,,,, $ 6enyin; petitioner=3
4otion for re9on3i6er7tion.
A3 9ulle6 fro4 t2e ple76in;3 on re9or6, t2e follo@in; 7re t2e un6i3pute6 f79tu7l
7nte9e6ent3A
&etitioner +i9ente A;ote y 7tol @73 e7rlier 927r;e6 5efore t2e 37l7 of re3pon6ent
Gu6;e @it2 "lle;7l &o33e33ion of *ire7r43 un6er &re3i6enti7l !e9ree No. 1>66 # 7n6
8iol7tion of C)E#EC Re3olution No. 2>26 * HGun B7nI, 6o9Dete6 73 Cri4in7l C73e3
No. ?6C14?>20 7n6 ?6C14?>21, re3pe9ti8ely, 7lle;e6ly 9o44itte6, 73 follo@3A
CR""NA# CA'E N). ?6C14?>20
(27t on or 75out April 27, 1??6 in t2e City of 7nil7, &2ilippine3,
t2e 37i6 799u3e6 6i6 t2en 7n6 t2ere @illfully, unl7@fully,
Dno@in;ly 278e in po33e33ion 7n6 un6er 2i3 9u3to6y 7n6 9ontrol,
)ne H1I .L> 97l. Re8. @it2out 3eri7l no. @it2 four H4I li8e 5ullet3.
$it2out :r3t 278in; 3e9ure6 fro4 t2e proper 7ut2oritie3 t2e
ne9e337ry li9en3e t2erefor.
C)N(RAR, () #A$.
CR""NA# CA'E N). ?6C14?>21
(27t on or 75out April 27, 1??6, in t2e City of 7nil7,
&2ilippine3, t2e 37i6 799u3e6 6i6 t2en 7n6 t2ere, @illfully,
unl7@fully 7n6 Dno@in;ly 278e in 2i3 po33e33ion 7n6 un6er 2i3
9u3to6y 7n6 9ontrol one H1I .L> 97l. Re8. @it2out 3eri7l nu45er,
@it2 four H4I li8e 744unitionM5ullet3 in t2e 92745er, 5y t2en
7n6 t2ere 97rryin; t2e 374e 7lon; +. 7p7 EBt. 't7. e37, t2i3
City, @2i92 i3 7 pu5li9 pl79e on t2e 7fore37i6 67te @2i92 i3
9o8ere6 5y 7n ele9tion perio6, @it2out :r3t 3e9urin; t2e @ritten
7ut2ority fro4 t2e C)E#EC, 73 pro8i6e6 for 5y t2e C)E#EC
Re3olution No. 2>2>, in rel7tion to RA No. 7166 HGun B7nI.
C)N(RAR, () #A$. CA9"E'
)n 7rr7i;n4ent, petitioner ple76e6 FNot GuiltyF to 5ot2 927r;e3. (2ere7fter, t2e t@o
H2I 973e3 @ere trie6 Gointly.
E8entu7lly, in 7 6e9i3ion 67te6 7y 1>, 1???, t2e tri7l 9ourt ren6ere6 7 Gu6;4ent of
9on8i9tion in 5ot2 973e3, 3ep7r7tely 3enten9in; petitioner to 7n in6eter4in7te
pen7lty of ten H10I ye7r3 7n6 one H1I 67y of prision 'ayor, 73 4ini4u4, to ei;2teen
H1>I ye7r3 ei;2t H>I 4ont23 7n6 one H1I 67y of reclusion te'poral, 73 47Bi4u4, in
799or67n9e @it2 &!. No. 1>66 in Cri'. Case o. "--#("+!, Hille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r4I, 7n6 to 7 pri3on ter4 of one H1I ye7r in Cri'. Case o. "--#("+!# H8iol7tion
of t2e C)E#EC Re3olution on ;un 57nI.
e7n@2ile, on June 6, 1??7, Repu5li9 A9t No. >2?4 + @73 7ppro8e6 into l7@.
&ointin; out, 74on; ot2er3, t27t t2e pen7lty for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 un6er
&.!. No. 1>66 273 7lre76y 5een re6u9e6 5y t2e 3u53e<uent en79t4ent of Rep. A9t
No. >2?4, 2en9e, t2e l7tter l7@, 5ein; f78or75le to 2i4, 32oul6 5e t2e one 7pplie6 in
6eter4inin; 2i3 pen7lty for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43, petitioner 4o8e6 for 7
re9on3i6er7tion of t2e 7y 1>, 1??? 6e9i3ion of t2e tri7l 9ourt.
"n it3 or6er 67te6 July 15, 1???, , 2o@e8er, t2e tri7l 9ourt 6enie6 petitioner=3
4otion, 37yin;A
$2ile t2e l7@ HR.A. >2?4I i3 in6ee6 f78or75le to t2e 799u3e6 7n6
t2erefore 32oul6 5e 476e retro79ti8e @e 7re 7l3o ;ui6e6 5y Art.
4 of t2e Ci8il Co6e @2i92 3t7te3 t27t l7@3 327ll 278e no
retro79ti8e eEe9t, unle33 t2e 9ontr7ry i3 pro8i6e6. Repu5li9 A9t
>2?4 6i6 not 3o pro8i6e t27t it 327ll 278e 7 retro79ti8e eEe9t.
(2e 'upre4e Court liDe@i3e in t2e 973e of Padilla .s.
CA 6e9l7re6A =(2e tri7l 9ourt 7n6 t2e re3pon6ent 9ourt 7re 5oun6
to 7pply t2e ;o8ernin; l7@ 7t t2e ti4e of t2e 7ppell7nt=3
9o44i33ion of t2e oEen3e for it i3 7 rule t27t l7@3 7re repe7le6
only 5y 3u53e<uent one3. "n6ee6, it i3 t2e 6uty of Gu6i9i7l
oN9er3 to re3pe9t 7n6 7pply t2e l7@ 73 it 3t7n63.
(2erefro4, petitioner @ent to t2e Court of Appe7l3 on 7 petition for certiorari @it2
pr7yer for 7 te4por7ry re3tr7inin; or6er, t2ere7t 6o9Dete6 73 CA-G.R. SP o. !""#-
$%&.
"n t2e 2erein 7337ile6 resolution dated Septe'ber #() #""", - t2e 7ppell7te 9ourt
6i34i33e6 petitioner=3 re9our3e on t@o H2I ;roun63, to @itA H7I t2e re4e6y
of certiorari787ile6 of 5y petitioner i3 i4proper 3in9e 2e 32oul6 278e 7ppe7le6 fro4
t2e July 15, 1??? or6er of t2e tri7l 9ourt% 7n6 H5I l79D of Guri36i9tion, 73 t2e i33ue
in8ol8e6 i3 7 pure <ue3tion of l7@ 9o;niJ75le 5y t2e 'upre4e Court.
$it2 2i3 4otion for re9on3i6er7tion 278in; 5een 6enie6 5y t2e 7ppell7te 9ourt in it3
3u53e<uent resolution o/ *ebruary +) !,,,, . petitioner i3 no@ @it2 u3, 3u54ittin;
for re3olution t2e follo@in; i33ue3A H1I @2et2er t2e Court of Appe7l3 erre6 in
6i34i33in; 2i3 petition for certiorari% 7n6 H2I @2et2er t2e 9ourt3 5elo@ erre6 in not
;i8in; Rep. A9t No. >2?4 7 retro79ti8e 7ppli97tion.
(2e petition i3 p7rtly 4eritoriou3.
At t2e out3et, it 4u3t 5e 3tre33e6 t27t petitioner ne8er put in i33ue t2e f79tu7l
:n6in;3 of t2e tri7l 9ourt. $27t 2e <ue3tion3 i3 37i6 9ourt=3 le;7l 9on9lu3ion t27t
Rep. A9t No. >2?4 97nnot 5e retro79ti8ely 7pplie6 to 2i4. /n<ue3tion75ly, t2e i33ue
r7i3e6 i3 one purely of l7@. A3 @e 278e 37i6 in Maca0i0ili Gold Mining and
%e.elop'ent Co.) 1nc. .. Court o/ Appeals. (/
*or 7 <ue3tion to 5e one of l7@, t2e 374e 4u3t not in8ol8e 7n
eB74in7tion of t2e pro57ti8e 87lue of t2e e8i6en9e pre3ente6 5y
t2e liti;7nt3 or 7ny one of t2e4. An6 t2e 6i3tin9tion i3 @ellC
Dno@nA t2ere i3 7 <ue3tion of l7@ in 7 ;i8en 973e @2en t2e 6ou5t
or 6iEeren9e 7ri3e3 73 to @27t t2e l7@ i3 on 7 9ert7in 3t7te of
f79t3% t2ere i3 7 <ue3tion of f79t @2en t2e 6ou5t or 6iEeren9e
7ri3e3 73 to t2e trut2 or t2e f7l3e2oo6 of t2e f79t3
7lle;e6. !AE"C9
Con3i6erin; t27t 23udg'ents o/ regional trial courts in t4e e5ercise o/ t4eir original
3urisdiction are to be ele.ated to t4e Court o/ Appeals in cases 04en appellant raises
6uestions o/ /act or 'i5ed 6uestions o/ /act and la02, @2ile Fappeals /ro'
3udg'ents o/ t4e 7sa'e courts8 in t4e e5ercise o/ t4eir original 3urisdiction 'ust be
broug4t directly to t4e Supre'e Court in cases 04ere t4e appellant raises only
6uestions o/ la0F (( , petitioner 32oul6 278e 7ppe7le6 t2e tri7l 9ourt=3 rulin; to t2i3
Court 5y @7y of 7 petition for re8ie@ on certiorari in 799or67n9e @it2 Rule 45 of t2e
1??7 Rule3 of Ci8il &ro9e6ure, 73 74en6e6, () pur3u7nt to Rule 41, 'e9tion 2 H9I of
t2e 374e Rule3, .i9A
'EC. 2.o6e3 of 7ppe7l. 1
H7I . . .
H5I . . .
H9IAppe7l 5y certiorari. 1 "n 7ll 973e3 @2ere only <ue3tion3 of
l7@ 7re r7i3e6 or in8ol8e6, t2e 7ppe7l 327ll 5e to t2e 'upre4e
Court 5y petition for re8ie@ oncertiorari in 799or67n9e @it2 Rule
45.
By re73on, t2en, of t2e 787il75ility to petitioner of t2e re4e6y of 7 petition for
re8ie@ un6er Rule 45, 2i3 ri;2t to re3ort to 7 petition for certiorari un6er Rule 65 @73
eEe9ti8ely fore9lo3e6, pre9i3ely 5e97u3e one of t2e re<uire4ent3 for t2e 787il4ent
of t2e l7tter re4e6y i3 t27t Ft4ere s4ould be no appeal) or any plain) speedy and
ade6uate re'edy in t4e ordinary course o/ la0F, ($ t2e re4e6ie3 of 7ppe7l
7n6 certiorari 5ein; 4utu7lly eB9lu3i8e 7n6 not 7ltern7ti8e or 3u99e33i8e. (#
A3 9orre9tly o53er8e6 5y t2e Court of Appe7l3, @27t petitioner 32oul6 278e 6one @73
to t7De 7n 7ppe7l fro4 t2e tri7l 9ourt=3 or6er of July 15, 1??? @2i92 6enie6 2i3
4otion for re9on3i6er7tion of t2e 7y 1>, 1??? Gu6;4ent of 9on8i9tion.
&etitioner=3 973e i3 @or3e 9o4poun6e6 5y t2e f79t t27t e8en 2i3 perio6 for 7ppe7l
276 7lre76y pre39ri5e6 @2en 2e :le6 @it2 t2e Court of Appe7l3 2i3 certiorari petition
in CACG.R. '& No. 2??1C/!K. (2e Rollo of 37i6 973e re8e7l3 t27t petitioner re9ei8e6
2i3 9opy of t2e tri7l 9ourt=3 or6er 6enyin; 2i3 4otion for re9on3i6er7tion on July !,)
#""". A3 t2e 374e Rollo 32o@3, it @73 only on August !:) #""", or 7fter 4ore t27n
:fteen H15I 67y3 @2en petitioner :le6 2i3 @ron; re4e6y of certiorari @it2 t2e
7ppell7te 9ourt.
Be t27t 73 it 47y, t2e Court feel3 t27t it 4u3t 3<u7rely 766re33 t2e i33ue r7i3e6 in
t2i3 973e re;7r6in; t2e retro79ti8ity of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, @27t @it2 t2e re7lity t27t
t2e pro8i3ion3 t2ereof 7re un6ou5te6ly f78or75le to petitioner. *or t2i3 purpo3e,
t2en, @e 327ll eBer9i3e our prero;7ti8e to 3et 73i6e te92ni97litie3 in t2e Rule3 7n6
F2ol6 t2e 5ull 5y it3 2orn3F, 3o to 3pe7D. After 7ll, t2e po@er of t2i3 Court to 3u3pen6
it3 o@n rule3 @2ene8er t2e intere3t of Gu3ti9e re<uire3 i3 not @it2out le;7l 7ut2ority
or pre9e6ent. "nSolicitor General) et. al. .s. ;4e Metropolitan Manila Aut4ority, (* @e
2el6A
/n<ue3tion75ly, t2e Court 273 t2e po@er to 3u3pen6 pro9e6ur7l
rule3 in t2e eBer9i3e of it3 in2erent po@er, 73 eBpre33ly
re9o;niJe6 in t2e Con3titution, to pro4ul;7te rule3 9on9ernin;
=ple76in;, pr79ti9e 7n6 pro9e6ure in 7ll 9ourt3.= "n proper 973e3,
pro9e6ur7l rule3 47y 5e rel7Be6 or 3u3pen6e6 in t2e intere3t of
3u53t7nti7l Gu3ti9e, @2i92 ot2er@i3e 47y 5e 4i397rrie6 5e97u3e
of 7 ri;i6 7n6 for47li3ti9 762eren9e to 3u92 rule3. . . .
BBB BBB BBB
$e 278e 476e 3i4il7r rulin;3 in ot2er 973e3, t2u3A
Be it re4e45ere6 t27t rule3 of pro9e6ure 7re 5ut 4ere
tool3 6e3i;ne6 to f79ilit7te t2e 7tt7in4ent of Gu3ti9e.
(2eir 3tri9t 7n6 ri;i6 7ppli97tion, @2i92 @oul6 re3ult in
te92ni97litie3 t27t ten6 to fru3tr7te r7t2er t27n pro4ote
3u53t7nti7l Gu3ti9e, 4u3t 7l@7y3 5e 78oi6e6. . . . (i4e
7n6 7;7in, t2i3 Court 273 3u3pen6e6 it3 o@n rule3 7n6
eB9epte6 7 p7rti9ul7r 973e fro4 t2eir oper7tion
@2ene8er t2e 2i;2er intere3t3 of Gu3ti9e 3o
re<uire. A!E-('
$e 327ll no@ pro9ee6 to 6eter4ine @2et2er t2e pro8i3ion3 of Rep. A9t No. >2?4
74en6in; &.!. No. 1>66 97n 5e retro79ti8ely 7pplie6 to t2i3 973e.

-ere, t2e t@o H2I 9ri4e3 for @2i92 petitioner @73 9on8i9te6 5y t2e tri7l 9ourt, i.e., H1I
ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 un6er &.!. No. 1>66 7n6 H2I 8iol7tion of C)E#EC
Re3olution No. 2>26 on ;un 57n, @ere 5ot2 9o44itte6 5y t2e petitioner on April 27,
1??6. *or t2e 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 in Cri4. C73e No. ?6C14?>20, 2e
@73 3enten9e6 to 3uEer 7 pri3on ter4 r7n;in; fro4 ten H10I ye7r3 7n6 one H1I 67y
of prision 'ayor, 73 4ini4u4, to H1>I ei;2teen ye7r3, ei;2t H>I 4ont23 7n6 one H1I
67y ofreclusion te'poral, 73 47Bi4u4, in 799or67n9e @it2 &.!. No. 1>66, 'e9tion 1
of @2i92 re763A
'EC(")N 1./nl7@ful 7nuf79ture, '7le, A9<ui3ition, !i3po3ition
or &o33e33ion of *ire7r43 or A44unition or "n3tru4ent3 /3e6 or
"nten6e6 to 5e /3e6 in t2e 7nuf79ture of *ire7r43 of
A44unition. 1 ;4e penalty o/ reclusion te'poral in its
'a5i'u' period to reclusion perpetua s4all be i'posed upon
7ny per3on @2o 327ll unl7@fully 47nuf79ture, 6e7l in, 79<uire,
6i3po3e, or po33e33 7ny :re7r4, p7rt of :re7r4, 744unition or
4792inery, tool or in3tru4ent u3e6 or inten6e6 to 5e u3e6 in t2e
47nuf79ture of 7ny :re7r4 or 744unition. HE4p273i3 3upplie6I
$2en Rep. A9t No. >2?4 tooD eEe9t on July 6, 1??7, (+ t2e pen7lty for ille;7l
po33e33ion of :re7r43 @73 lo@ere6, 6epen6in; on t2e 9l733 of :re7r4
po33e33e6, .i9A
'EC(")N 1.'e9tion 1 of &re3i6enti7l !e9ree No. 1>66, 73
74en6e6, i3 2ere5y furt2er 74en6e6 to re76 73 follo@3A
='EC(")N 1./nl7@ful 7nuf79ture, '7le, A9<ui3ition,
!i3po3ition or &o33e33ion of *ire7r43 or A44unition or
"n3tru4ent3 /3e6 or "nten6e6 to 5e /3e6 in t2e
7nuf79ture of *ire7r43 or A44unition. 1 ;4e penalty
o/ prision correccional in its 'a5i'u' period 7n6 7 :ne
of not le33 t27n *ifteen t2ou37n6 pe3o3 H&15,000I 327ll
5e i4po3e6 upon 7ny per3on @2o 327ll unl7@fully
47nuf79ture, 6e7l in, 79<uire, 6i3po3e, or po33e33 7ny
lo@ po@ere6 :re7r4, 3u92 73 ri4:re 27n6;un, .L>0 or .
L2 7n6 ot2er :re7r4 of 3i4il7r :repo@er, p7rt of
:re7r4, 744unition, or 4792inery, tool or in3tru4ent
u3e6 or inten6e6 to 5e u3e6 in t2e 47nuf79ture of 7ny
:re7r4 or 744unitionA Pro.ided) ;4at no ot4er cri'e
0as co''itted.
(2e pen7lty of pri3ion 47yor in it3 4ini4u4 perio6 7n6
7 :ne of (2irty t2ou37n6 pe3o3 H&L0,000I 327ll 5e
i4po3e6 if t2e :re7r4 i3 9l733i:e6 73 2i;2 po@ere6
:re7r4 @2i92 in9lu6e3 t2o3e @it2 5ore3 5i;;er in
6i74eter t27n .L> 97li5er 7n6 ? 4illi4eter 3u92 73
97li5er .40, .41, .44, .45 7n6 7l3o le33er 97li5ere6
:re7r43 5ut 9on3i6ere6 po@erful 3u92 73 97li5er .L57
7n6 97li5er .22 9enterC:re 47;nu4 7n6 ot2er :re7r43
@it2 :rin; 97p75ility of full 7uto47ti9 7n6 5y 5ur3t of
t@o or t2reeA Pro.ided) 4o0e.er) ;4at no ot4er cri'e
0as co''itted by t4e person arrested. HE4p273i3
3upplie6I
B73e6 on t2e fore;oin;, petitioner 9onten63 t27t t2e re6u9e6 pen7lty un6er Rep. A9t
No. >2?4 32oul6 5e t2e one i4po3e6 on 2i4. 'i;ni:97ntly, in it3 Mani/estation 1n
<ieu o/ Co''ent, (, t2e )N9e of t2e 'oli9itor Gener7l 7;ree3 @it2 t2e petitioner,
po3itin; furt2er t27t t2e 3t7te4ent 476e 5y t2i3 Court in People .s. Jayson (- to t2e
eEe9t t27t t2e pro8i3ion3 for 7 li;2ter pen7lty un6er Rep. A9t No. >2?4 6oe3 not
7pply if 7not2er 9ri4e 273 5een 9o44itte6, 32oul6 not 5e 7pplie6 to t2i3 973e
5e97u3e t2e pro8i3o in 'e9tion 1 of 37i6 l7@ t27t Fno ot4er cri'e 0as co''ittedF
4u3t refer only to t2o3e 9ri4e3 9o44itte6 @it2 t2e use of 7n unli9en3e6 :re7r4 7n6
not @2en t2e ot2er 9ri4e i3 not rel7te6 to t2e u3e t2ereof or @2ere t2e l7@ 8iol7te6
4erely 9ri4in7liJe3 t2e po33e33ion of t2e 374e, liDe in t2e 973e of ele9tion ;un 57n,
73 2ere.
A3 e7rly 73 Au;u3t 1??7, t2e 4ont2 7fter Rep. A9t No. >2?4 tooD eEe9t, (. t2i3
Court 273 pronoun9e6 in Gon9ales .s. Court o/ Appeals )/ t27t 37i6 l7@ 4u3t 5e
;i8en retro79ti8e eEe9t in f78or of t2o3e 799u3e6 un6er &.!. No. .1>66. 'in9e t2en,
t2i3 Court 276 9on3i3tently 762ere6 to t2e Gon9ales rulin;. )(
*or 3ure, in People .s. Valde9, )) @2ere t2e 799u3e6 @73 927r;e6 @it2 t2e 9o4pleB
9ri4e of 4ultiple 4ur6er @it2 6ou5le fru3tr7te6 4ur6er 7n6 ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43 7n6 744unition3 un6er t@o 3ep7r7te infor47tion3, t2i3 Court e8en tooD 7
5ol6er 3t7n9e 5y 7pplyin; Rep. A9t No. >2?4 retro79ti8ely 3o t27t t2e 799u3e6
t2erein 47y not 5e 9on8i9te6 of t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43,
5ut refu3e6 to 7pply t2e 374e retro79ti8ely 3o 73 to 7;;r787te t2e 9ri4e of 4ur6er.
(2e Valde9 rulin; 276 5een 7pplie6 in 7 2o3t of 3u53e<uent 973e3. )$
,et, in ot2er 973e3, )# 7lt2ou;2 t2e Court 276 ;i8en Rep. A9t No. >2?4 retro79ti8e
eEe9t 3o 73 to pre8ent t2e 9on8i9tion of 7n 799u3e6 of t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l
po33e33ion of :re7r4 @2en t2e 37i6 unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 FusedF to 9o44it t2e
9ri4e of 4ur6er or 2o4i9i6e, t2e Court 6i6 not 7ppre9i7te t2i3 Fu3eF of 3u92
unli9en3e6 :re7r4 73 7n 7;;r787tin; 9ir9u43t7n9e 73 pro8i6e6 t2erein, @2en t2e
Fu3eF of 7n unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 not 3pe9i:97lly 7lle;e6 in t2e infor47tion, 73
re<uire6 5y t2e Rule3 on Cri4in7l &ro9e6ure. E7-!9'
"n t2e li;2t of t2e eBi3tin; rulin;3 7n6 Guri3pru6en9e on t2e 47tter, t2e pre3ent 973e
t7De3 9enter 3t7;e pre3entin;, t2i3 ti4e, 7not2er t@i3t, 3o to 3pe7D. &etitioner, @2o
@73 927r;e6 of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 @73 7l3o 927r;e6 of 7not2er oEen3eA
+iol7tion of C)E#EC Re3olution No. 2>26 HGun B7nI, 5ut t2e unli9en3e6 :re7r4
@73 not Fu3e6F or 6i3927r;e6 in t2i3 973e. (2e <ue3tion t2en @2i92 7ppe7r3 to 5e of
:r3t i4pre33ion, i3 @2et2er or not t2e unli9en3e6 :re7r4 32oul6 5e 79tu7lly Fu3e6F
7n6 6i3927r;e6 in t2e 9our3e of 9o44ittin; t2e ot2er 9ri4e in or6er t27t 'e9. 1,
Rep. A9t No. >2?4 @ill 7pply 3o t27t no 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43 47y 5e 927r;e6.
#et u3 t7De 7 looD 7t t2e Guri3pru6en9e on9e 7;7in. "n Cupcupin .s. People, )* t2e
799u3e6 @73 927r;e6 7n6 9on8i9te6 for t@o H2I 3ep7r7te 9ri4e3 of ille;7l po33e33ion
of :re7r43, 7n6 ille;7l po33e33ion of pro2i5ite6 6ru;3. "n t2e 4ore re9ent 973e
of People .s. Al'eida, )+ 2o@e8er, 7lt2ou;2 t2e 799u3e6 @73 79<uitte6 of t2e
3ep7r7te 927r;e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r4 for l79D of e8i6en9e, t2e Court
ne8ert2ele33 476e t2e follo@in; 9le7r pronoun9e4entA
*urt2er4ore, in 7ny e8ent, t2e Court 273 rule6 in pre8iou3 973e3
t27t in 8ie@ of t2e en79t4ent of Repu5li9 A9t No. >2?4, t4ere
can be no separate o=ense o/ illegal possession o/ >rear's and
a''unition i/ t4ere is anot4er cri'e co''itted suc4 as) in t4is
case) t4at o/ illegal possession o/ dangerous drugs. HE4p273i3
3upplie6I
"n Al'eida, it 32oul6 5e note6 t27t t2e unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 4erely foun6 lyin;
7roun6, to;et2er @it2 t2e pro2i5ite6 6ru;3, 7n6 t2erefore, @73 not 5ein; Fu3e6F in
t2e 9o44i33ion of 7n oEen3e.
Gi8en t2i3 Court=3 7fore<uote6 pronoun9e4ent in Al'eida, 97n t2e 799u3e6 in t2e
pre3ent 973e 3till 5e 3ep7r7tely 9on8i9te6 of t@o H2I oEen3e3 of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43 7n6 8iol7tion of ;un 57n, 4ore 3o 5e97u3e 73 in Al'eida, t2e unli9en3e6
:re7r4 @73 not 79tu7lly Fu3e6F or 6i3927r;e6 in 9o44ittin; t2e ot2er oEen3eO
"n People .s. ?alpan M. <ad3aala', ), t2i3 Court, interpretin; t2e 3u5Ge9t pro8i3o in
'e9tion 1 of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, 7pplie6 t2e 573i9 prin9iple3 in 9ri4in7l l7@, 7n6
97te;ori97lly 2el6A
. . . A si01%e reding 2"ere34 s"35s 2"2 i4 n un%i!ensed
6rer0 is used in 2"e !300issi3n 34 n7 !ri0e, 2"ere !n
8e n3 se1r2e 39ense 34 si01%e i%%eg% 13ssessi3n 34
6rer0s. -en9e, if t2e =ot2er 9ri4e= i3 4ur6er or 2o4i9i6e,
ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 5e9o4e3 4erely 7n 7;;r787tin;
9ir9u43t7n9e, not 7 3ep7r7te oEen3e. 'in9e 6ire9t 7337ult @it2
4ultiple 7tte4pte6 2o4i9i6e @73 9o44itte6 in t2i3 973e,
7ppell7nt 97n no lon;er 5e 2el6 li75le for ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43.
oreo8er, pen7l l7@3 7re 9on3true6 li5er7lly in f78or of t2e
799u3e6. "n t2i3 973e, t2e pl7in 4e7nin; of RA >2?4=3 3i4ple
l7n;u7;e i3 4o3t f78or75le to 2erein 7ppell7nt. +erily, no ot2er
interpret7tion i3 Gu3ti:e6, for t2e l7n;u7;e of t2e ne@ l7@
6e4on3tr7te3 t2e le;i3l7ti8e intent to f78or t2e 799u3e6.
A99or6in;ly, 7ppell7nt 97nnot 5e 9on8i9te6 of t@o 3ep7r7te
oEen3e3 of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 7n6 6ire9t 7337ult @it2
7tte4pte6 2o4i9i6e. . . .
BBB BBB BBB
. . . The law is clear: the accused can be convicted of
simple illegal possession of frearms, provided that 'no
other crime was committed by the person arrested'. 1/ t4e
intention o/ t4e la0 in t4e second paragrap4 0ere to re/er only
to 4o'icide and 'urder) it s4ould 4a.e e5pressly said so) as it
did in t4e t4ird paragrap4. Verily) 04ere t4e la0 does not
distinguis4) neit4er s4ould 0e. @A'p4asis suppliedB.
(2e 7fore4entione6 rulin; @73 reiter7te6 7n6 7pplie6 in t2e 3u53e<uent 973e3
of People .s. Garcia, )- @2ere t2e Gu6;4ent of 9on8i9tion of t2e 799u3e6C7ppell7nt3
for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 @73 3et 73i6e t2ere 5ein; 7not2er 9ri4e 1
Di6n7ppin; for r7n3o4 1 @2i92 t2ey @ere perpetr7tin; 7t t2e 374e ti4e% People .s.
Cernal, ). @2ere t2e Court retro79ti8ely 7pplie6 Rep. A9t No. >2?4 in 799u3e6C
7ppell7nt=3 f78or 5e97u3e it @oul6 4e7n 2i3 79<uitt7l fro4 t2e 3ep7r7te oEen3e of
ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43% 7n6People .s. Custa'ante, $/ @2ere, in refu3in; to
9on8i9t t2e 799u3e6C7ppell7nt of t2e 3ep7r7te oEen3e of ille;7l po33e33ion of
:re7r43, t2e Court 6e9l7re6 t27t in3of7r 73 it i3 f78or75le to t2e 7ppell7nt, t2e
pro8i3ion3 of Rep. A9t No. >2?4 32oul6 5e 7pplie6 li5er7lly 7n6 retro79ti8ely in t27t
7ppell7nt 4u3t 5e 79<uitte6 of t2e 927r;e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43. !"-E('
Gui6e6 5y t2e fore;oin;, t2e Court 97nnot 5ut 3et 73i6e petitioner=3 9on8i9tion in
Cri4in7l C73e No. ?6C14?>20 for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r4 3in9e 7not2er 9ri4e
@73 9o44itte6 7t t2e 374e ti4e, i.e., 8iol7tion of C)E#EC Re3olution No. 2>26 or
t2e Gun B7n.
A64itte6ly, t2i3 rulin; i3 not @it2out 4i3;i8in;3 9on3i6erin; t27t it @oul6 4e7n
petitioner=3 79<uitt7l of t2e 4ore 3eriou3 oEen3e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43
@2i92 97rrie3 7 4u92 2e78ier pen7lty t27n 8iol7tion of t2e C)E#EC ;unC57n
re3olution. -o@e8er, 73 @e 278e r7tion7liJe6 in <ad3aala'A $(

. . . "n6ee6, t2e 799u3e6 47y e876e 9on8i9tion for ille;7l
po33e33ion of :re7r43 5y u3in; 3u92 @e7pon3 in 9o44ittin; 7n
e8en li;2ter oEen3e, liDe 7l7r4 7n6 397n67l or 3li;2t p2y3i97l
inGurie3, 5ot2 of @2i92 7re puni3275le 5y 7rre3to 4enor. (2i3
9on3e<uen9e, 2o@e8er, ne9e337rily 7ri3e3 fro4 t2e l7n;u7;e of
RA >2?4, @2o3e @i36o4 i3 not 3u5Ge9t to t2e Court=3 re8ie@. Any
per9eption t27t t2e re3ult re792e6 2ere 7ppe7r3 un@i3e 32oul6
5e 766re33e6 to Con;re33. "n6ee6, t2e Court 273 no 6i39retion to
;i8e 3t7tute3 7 ne@ 4e7nin; 6et792e6 fro4 t2e 47nife3t
inten64ent 7n6 l7n;u7;e of t2e le;i3l7ture. )ur t73D i3
9on3titution7lly 9on:ne6 only to 7pplyin; t2e l7@ 7n6
Guri3pru6en9e to t2e pro8en f79t3, 7n6 @e 278e 6one 3o in t2i3
973e.
(2e 3ole4n po@er 7n6 6uty of t2e Court to interpret 7n6 7pply t2e l7@ 6oe3 not
in9lu6e t2e po@er to 9orre9t 5y re76in; into t2e l7@ @27t i3 not @ritten t2erein.
$2ile @e un6er3t7n6 re3pon6ent People's 9ontention t27t t2e Fu3eF of t2e :re7r4
3ee4e6 to 278e 5een t2e 47in 9on3i6er7tion 6urin; t2e 6eli5er7tion3 of t2e 3u5Ge9t
pro8i3ion of Rep. A9t No. >2?4, t2e f79t re47in3 t27t t2e @or6 Fu3eF ne8er foun6 it3
@7y into t2e :n7l 8er3ion of t2e 5ill @2i92 e8entu7lly 5e974e Rep. A9t No. >2?4. (2e
Court=3 27n63 7re no@ tie6 7n6 it 97nnot 3upply t2e per9ei8e6 6e:9ien9y in t2e :n7l
8er3ion @it2out 9ontr78enin; t2e 4o3t 573i9 prin9iple3 in t2e interpret7tion of pen7l
l7@3 @2i92 276 7l@7y3 le7ne6 in f78or of t2e 799u3e6. /n6er our 3y3te4 of
;o8ern4ent @2ere po@er3 7re 7llo97te6 to t2e t2ree HLI ;re7t 5r7n92e3, only t2e
#e;i3l7ture 97n re4e6y 3u92 6e:9ien9y, if 7ny, 5y proper 74en64ent of 'e9. 1 of
Rep. A9t No. >2?4.
A3 @ritten, 'e9. 1, Rep. A9t No. >2?4 re3tr7in3 t2e Court fro4 9on8i9tin; petitioner of
t2e 3ep7r7te 9ri4e of ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r4 6e3pite t2e f79t t27t, 73
in Al'eida, t2e unli9en3e6 :re7r4 @73 not 79tu7lly Fu3e6F. *or 3ure, t2ere i3, in t2i3
973e, 9lo3er rel7tion 5et@een po33e33ion of unli9en3e6 :re7r4 7n6 8iol7tion of t2e
C)E#EC ;unC57n t27n t2e ille;7l po33e33ion of unli9en3e6 :re7r4 to t2e 9ri4e of
ille;7l po33e33ion of pro2i5ite6 6ru;3 in Al'eida.
$-ERE*)RE, Cri4in7l C73e No. ?6C14?>20 for ille;7l po33e33ion of :re7r43 i3
2ere5y !"'"''E! @2ile t2e Gu6;4ent of 9on8i9tion in Cri4in7l C73e No. ?6C14?>21
for 8iol7tion of C)E#EC Re3olution No. 2>26 in rel7tion to Rep. A9t No. 7166 HGun
B7nI, i3 A**"RE!.
'in9e petitioner 273 7lre76y 3er8e6 4ore t27n t2e pen7lty i4po3e6 upon 2i4 5y t2e
tri7l 9ourt in Cri4in7l C73e No. ?6C14?>21, 2i3 i44e6i7te rele73e fro4 9u3to6y i3
2ere5y )R!ERE! unle33 6et7ine6 for 3o4e ot2er l7@ful 97u3e. -"E'(A
') )R!ERE!.
%a.ide) Jr.) C.J.) Puno) Panganiban) Duisu'bing) Enares-Santiago) Sando.al-
Gutierre9) Carpio) Austria-Martine9) Corona) Carpio Morales) Calle3o) Sr.) A9cuna)
;inga 7n6 C4ico-a9ario) JJ.) 9on9ur.