‘Artemio V. Panganiban, The Four“Cs" of Effective Decision-Wrting: An Introduction f or Newly-Appointed Judges, 4 PHILIA JUD. J. 28, 42-45 (2002) 2 THE PHILJA JUDICIAL JOURNAL VoL sls render decisions that are totally bereft of factual and M, No. RTJ-99-14: legal bases.” (De Vera ve Dames, July 13, 1999) F. Patts of a Trial Court Decision I. Caption and Title a Caption i Name of the court i, Title of the action jit, Docket number b Tide i Names ofall parties and theic respective participation, 2, Introduction (Optional) 3. Statement of the Case a Civil Cases iii, Quicting of title is. Foreclosure of mortgage, ec bk Criminal Cases i. Specific charge fi, Accusatory portion of the information2002. THE FOUR Cs OF EFFECTIVE, 8 DECISIONWRITING fii Plea of the accused ix. Sometimes the conduct of preliminary investigation ‘This Coure is disturbed by che fact that the decision of the trial court now subject of automatic review failed co include a statement of facts oF at least a summary of the cesidence presented by the prosecution ¢o prove the guile Of the accused beyond reasonable doube. ‘The information ‘upon which the accused was arraigned is “neither) cited nor quoted in the trial court's decision, which failed to state distinctly the acts [constituting the crime’ allegedly committed by the accused. The trial court simply stated that the accused is guilty of rape of his own daughter and that the evidence for the prosecution is not controwerted by the accused without mentioning the evidence the prosecution presented in court. x x x. The trial judge is hereby admonished for her fue to comply with the Rules regarding the form and contents of judgments. (People ¥ Pumaguing, GR. No. 135516, September 20, 2000) 4. Findings of Facts Each case has its own flesh and blood and cannot be decided simply on the basis of isolated clinical classroom principles. (Philippines Today . NERC, GR.No, 112962, Janney 30, 1997; 267 SCRA 202, 228) The methods of reporting facts are: a. Objective or Reportorial Method Usually done by summarizing, without comment, the testimony of each witness, and the contents of cach exhibic." 55 6. THE PHILA JUDICIAL JOURNAL VOL b. Synthesis Method According to his best light, the judge summarizes the factual theory of the plaintiff or prosecution, and then that of the defendant or defense. . Subjective Method “The judge simply narrates what he accepts as his own version, without explaining what che parties versions are. d. Combination of the Objective and Subjective Methods The judge reports the testimony of each witness as in the first type and then males his own version as he sees fi. Statement of the Issues Court's Ruling Application of law and jusisprudence to the facts, and explanation for the conclusions reached. iach issue, as a rule, must be taken up and disposed of. Te Dispositive Portion or Disposition a Inctiminal cases, the disposition should inclade: i. Finding of innocence or guilt ii, Specific crime iii, Penalty (with special attention to the indeterminate sentence law) iv. Participation of the accused