SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LAW
Mendiola, Manila

CRIMINAL LAW I

Prescribed textbook/s:
1. Revised Penal Code Book I by Luis B. Reyes and/or
2. Commentaries on Criminal Law Book I by Atty. Maximo P. Amurao Jr.

NB: Closed book policy shall be observed during class. Only handwritten notes will
be allowed.

I. General Principles of Criminal Law

A. Nature and definition
People v. Genosa, G.R. No. 135981, 29 September 2000, 341 SCRA
493
Ient v. Tullett Prebon, G.R. No. 189158, 11 January 2017
B. Characteristics of Criminal Law
1. General (Art. 2, RPC)
2. Territorial (Art.2, RPC)
People v. Tulin, G.R. No. 111709, 30 August 2001, 364 SCRA
10
3. Prospective (Article 21 and 22, RPC)
a. Effects of repeal
C. Sources of Criminal Law
1. Revised Penal Code
2. Special Penal Laws
D. Constitutional Limitations on Criminal Law
1. Due process and Equal protection (Art. 3, Sec. 1, 1987
Constitution)
White Light Corp. v. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846, 20
January 2009
2. Freedom of expression (Art. 3, Sec. 4, 1987 Constitution)
3. Freedom of religion (Art. 3, Sec. 5, 1987 Constitution)
Estrada v. Escritor, AM No. P-02-1651, 22 June 2006, 492
SCRA 1
4. No excessive fines, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment.
(Art. 3, Sec. 19, 1987 Constitution)
People v. Echagaray, G.R. No. 117472, 7 February 1997, 267
SCRA 682
Corpuz v. People, G.R. No. 180016, 29 April 2014
5. Non-imprisonment for debt or non-payment of poll tax ( Art. 3,
Sec. 19, 1987 Constitution)
6. Bill of attainder (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)
People v. Ferrer, L-32613-14, 27 December 1972, 48 SCRA
382
7. Ex-post facto laws (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)
US v. Diaz Conde, L-18208, 14 February 1922
E. Construction and interpretation
1. Liberally in favour of the accused
2. Spanish text of the RPC prevails over the English text

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 People v. Abilong, L-1960, 26 November 1948.
3. Retroactive application when favourable to the accused
4. Prescribed but undeserved penalties (Art. 5, RPC)
People v. Formigones, L-3246, 29 November 1950

II. General Principles of Criminal Liability

A. Felony, defined (Art. 3, RPC)
B. Elements of criminal liability
1. Physical element (Actus reus)
a. Act
b. Omission
People v. Sylvestre and Atienza, G.R. No.
35748, 14 December 1931, 56 Phil. 353
People v. Talingdan, L-32126, 6 July 1978, 84
SCRA 19
2. Mental element (Mens rea)
a. Deliberate intent (Dolo)
i. Elements of dolo
ii. General and specific intent
People v. Puno, G.R. No. 97471, 17
February 1993, 219 SCRA 85
iii. Mistake of fact
US v. Ah Chong, G.R. No. 5272, 19
March 1910, 15 Phil. 488
People v. Oanis, G.R. No. 47722, 27 July
1943, 74 Phil. 257
iv. Malum prohibitum as exception to the
requirement of mens rea
Padilla v. Dizon, AC No. 3086, 23
February 1988, 158 SCRA 127
Magno v. CA, G.R. No. 96132, 26 June
1992, 210 SCRA 475
Garcia v. CA, G.R. No. 157171, 14
March 2006, 484 SCRA 617
v. Intent distinguished from motive
b. Constructive intent (Culpa) Art. 3 and 365
i. Elements
ii. Imprudence or lack of skill
iii. Negligence or lack of foresight
People v. Pugay, L-74324, 17 November
1988, 167 SCRA 439
Ivler v. San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, 17
November 2010.
c. Transferred intent (Art. 4, par. 1)
i. Aberratio ictus
People v. Guillen, L-1477, 18 January
1950, 85 Phil. 307.
ii. Error in personae
People v. Sabalones, G.R. No. 123485,
31 August 1998, 294 SCRA 751
iii. Praeter intentionem

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 People vs. Albuquerque, G.R. No. 38773, 19
December1933, 59Phil.150
3. Concurrence
4. Resulting harm
5. Causation
Bataclan v. Medina, L-10126, 22 October 1957, 102 Phil.
181
C. Impossible Crimes (Art. 4, Par. 2)
Intod v. CA, G.R. No. 103119, 21 October 1992, 215 SCRA 52
People v. Saladino, L-3634, 30 May 1951, 89 Phil. 807
III. Stages of execution
A. Attempted Stage
B. Frustrated Stage
C. Consummated crimes
US v. Eduave, G.R. No. 12155, 2 February 1917, 36 Phil. 209
Rivera v. People, G.R. No. 166326, 25 January 2006, 480 SCRA 188
Baleros v. People, G.R. No. 138033, 22 February 2006, 483 SCRA
10
D. Stages of execution in relation to specific felonies
1. Theft
Valenzuela v. People, G.R. No. 160188, 21 June 2007
Epifanio v. People, G.R. No. 157057, 26 June 2007
2. Illegal Trespass
People v. Lamahang, L-43530, 3 August 1935, 61 Phil. 703
3. Physical Injuries, Homicide, and Murder
People v. Borinaga, G.R. No. 33463, 18 December 1930, 55
Phil. 433
People v. Kalalo, G.R. No. 39303-05, 17 March 1934, 59
Phil. 715
People v. Trinidad, G.R. No. 79123-25, 9 January 1989, 169
SCRA 51
Martinez v. CA, G.R. No. 168827, 13 April 2007.
Mondragon v. People, L-17666, 30 June 1966, 17 SCRA 476
People v. Sy Pio, L-5848, 30 April 1954, 94 Phil. 885
4. Robbery
People v. Dio, L-36461, 29 June 1984, 130 SCRA 151
5. Rape
People v. Orita, G.R. No. 88724, 3 April 1990, 184 SCRA 105
People v. Campuhan, G.R. No. 129433, 30 March 2000
E. Conspiracy and proposals to commit a felony (Art. 8)
1. Conspiracy and proposal, when punished?
2. As a manner of incurring criminal liability.

IV. Circumstances that affect criminal liability

A. Justifying circumstances
1. Defense of self, relatives, and strangers
People v. Decena, G.R. No. 107874, 4 August 1994, 235
SCRA 67
People v. Dela Cruz, G.R. No. 128359, 6 December 2000,
347 SCRA 100
People v. Jaurigue, G.R. No. 384, 21 February 1946, 76 Phil.
174

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 People v. Narvaez, L-33466-67, 20 April 1983, 121 SCRA
389 (see also dissents of J. Abad Santos and J. Gutierrez, Jr.)
Sabang v. People, G.R. No. 168818, 9 March 2007, 518
SCRA 35
People v. Dagani, G.R. No. 153875, 16 August 2006, 499
SCRA 64
Palaganas v. People, G.R. No. 165483, 12 September 2006,
501 SCRA 533
2. Avoidance of greater evil
People v. Ricohermoso, L-30527-28, 29 March 1974, 56
SCRA 431
People v. Norma Hernandez, CA-G.R. No. 22553-R, 14 April
1959, 55 OG 8465
3. Fulfillment of duty
People v. Delima, L-18660, 22 December 1922, 46 Phil. 738
People v. Lagata,L-1940-42, 24 March 1949, 83 Phil. 150
Mamangun v. People, G.R. No. 149152, 2 February 2007
People v. Dagani, G.R. No. 153875, 16 August 2006, 499
SCRA 64
4. Obedience to a lawful order of a superior
People v. Beronilla, L-4445, 28 February 1955, 96 Phil. 566
Tabuena v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 103501-03, 17
February 1997, 268 SCRA 332
B. Exempting Circumstances
1. Insanity
People v. Taneo, L-37673, 31 March 1933, 58 Phil. 255
People v. Bonoan, L-45130, 17 February 1937, 64 Phil. 87
People v. Dungo, G.R. No. 89420, 31 July 1991, 199 SCRA
860
People v. Rafanan, L-54135, 21 November 1991, 204 SCRA
65
People v. Madarang, G.R. No. 132319, 12 May 2000, 332
SCRA 99
People v. Robios, G.R. No. 138453, 29 May 2002, 382 SCRA
581
People v. Opuran, G.R. Nos. 147674-75, 17 March 2004, 425
SCRA 654
People v. Genosa, 341 SCRA 493, 419 SCRA 537
RA 9262 (Re: Battered Woman Syndrome)
See also: Maria Diory F. Rabajante, The Privilege of Being
Insane: An Examination of, and a Saner Alternative to the
Insane Rule on Insanity Defense, 49 San Beda L.J. 1 (March
2012)
2. Minority
RA 9344, Sec. 6
People v. Doqueña, G.R. No. 46539, 27 September 1939, 68
Phil. 580
Ortega v. People, G.R. No. 151085, 20 August 2008
3. Accident
US v. Tañedo, L-5418, 12 February 1910, 15 Phil. 196
People v. Castillo, G.R. No. 172695, 29 June 2007, 526 SCRA
215

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 People v. Retubado, G.R. No. 124058, 10 December 2003
4. Irresistible force or uncontrollable fear of a greater injury
US v. Caballeros, G.R. No. 1352, 29 March 1905, 4 Phil. 350
People v. Loreno, L-54414, 9 July 1984, 130 SCRA 311
People v. Del Rosario, G.R. No. 127755, 14 April 1999, 305
SCRA 740
5. Insuperable cause
People v. Bandian, G.R. No. 45186, 30 September 1936, 63
Phil. 530 (see also: dissent of J. Villareal)
C. Other exculpatory causes
1. Instigation
People v. Lua Chu, G.R. No. 34917, 7 September 1931, 56
Phil. 44
People v. Doria, G.R. No. 125299, 22 January 1999, 301
SCRA 668
2. Pardon (Art. 266-C and Art. 344)
3. Absolutory circumstances
a. Art. 6 (3)
b. Art. 20
c. Art. 247
d. Art. 280*
e. Art. 332
Intestate Estate of Manolita Gonzales v. People,
G.R. No. 181409, 11 February 2010.
D. Mitigating Circumstances
1. Classes of Mitigating Circumstances
a. Privileged
i. Art. 13 (2) and Art. 68
ii. Art. 13 (1) and Art. 69
People v. Jaurigue, G.R. No. 384, 21
February 1946, 76 Phil. 174
People v. Narvaez, L-33466-67, 20 April
1983, 121 SCRA 389
People v. Ulep, G.R. No. 132547, 20
September 2000
Guillermo v. People, G.R. No. 153287,
20 January 2009.
b. Ordinary
i. Lack of intent to commit so grave a wrong
People v. Ural, L-30801, 27 March
1974, 56 SCRA 138
People v. Gonzales, G.R. No. 139542, 21
June 2001, 359 SCRA 352
ii. Sufficient provocation
People v. Pagal, L-32040, 25 October
1977, 79 SCRA 570
Urbano v. People, G.R. No. 182750, 20
January 2009
iii. Vindication of a wrong
People v. Benito, L-32042, 13 February
1975, 74 SCRA 271

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 Bacabac v. People, G.R. No. 149372, 11
September 2007
iv. Passion or obfuscation
US v. Hicks, G.R. No. 4971, 23
September 1909, 14 Phil. 217
US v. Dela Cruz, G.R. No. 7094, 29
March 1912, 22 Phil. 429
People v. Gelaver, G.R. No. 95357, 9
June 1993, 223 SCRA 310
People v. Bello, L-18792, 28 February
1964
v. Voluntary surrender or plea of guilt
People v. Amaguin, G.R. Nos. 54344-45,
10 January 1994, 229 SCRA 166
People v. Dela Cruz, L-45284, 29
December 1936, 63 Phil. 874
vi. Deafness, muteness, blindness, or other physical
defect which restricts the offender’s means of
action, defense, or communication
vii. Illness as would diminish the exercise of will-
power without depriving the offender of
consciousness of his acts.
viii. Analogous circumstances

E. Aggravating Circumstances
Art. 14 and 62 of the RPC.
People v. Legaspi, G.R. Nos. 136164-65, 20 April 2001
1. Classes of Aggravating Circumstance
a. Generic
b. Qualifying
c. Specific
d. Inherent
e. Special
2. Taking advantage of public office
People v. Capalac, L-38297, 23 October 1982, 117 SCRA 874
People v. Gapasin, G.R. No. 73489, 25 April 1994, 231 SCRA
728
3. Insult to public authority
People v. Tiongson, L-35123-24, 25 July 1984, 130 SCRA 614
People v. Magdueño, L-68699, 22 September 1986, 144
SCRA 210
People v. Tac-an, G.R. Nos. 76338-89, 26 February 1990.
4. Disregard of rank, age, or sex, and dwelling;
People v. Diaz, G.R. No. L-24002, 21 January 1974.
People v. Arizobal, G.R. No. 135051-52, 14 December 2000,
348 SCRA 143
People v. Daniel, G.R. No. L-40330, 20 November 1978
5. Abuse of confidence or obvious ungratefulness
People v. Mandolado, L-51304-05, 28 June 1983, 123 SCRA
133

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6. The crime is committed in the palace of Chief Executive, in his
presence, where public authorities are engaged in the discharge of
their duties, or place dedicated to religious worship;
7. Nighttime, uninhabited place, or by a band;
People v. Garcia, L-30449, 31 October 1979, 94 SCRA 14
People v. Rodas, G.R. No. 175881, 28 August 2007
People v. Damaso, L-30116, 20 November 1978, 86 SCRA
370 (uninhabited)
8. Crime committed on the occasion of conflagration, shipwreck,
earthquake, epidemic, or other calamity or misfortune;
9. Aid of armed men or persons who afford impunity;
10. Recidivism
People v. Baldera, L-2390, 24 April 1950, 86 Phil. 189
11. Reiteracion
12. Habitual delinquency (Art. 62, par. 5);
People v. Melendrez, G.R. No. 39913, 19 December 1933, 59
Phil. 154
13. Quasi- recidivism (Art. 160)
14. Price, reward, or promise;
15. Inundation, fire, poison, etc.
16. Evident premeditation;
US v. Manalinde, G.R. No. 5292, 28 August 1909, 14 Phil. 77
People v. Ilaoa, G.R. No. 94308, 16 June 1994, 233 SCRA
231
People v. Bibat, G.R. No. 124319, 13 May 1998, 290 SCRA
27
17. Craft, fraud, or disguise;
People v. Empacis, G.R. No. 95756, 14 May 1993, 222 SCRA
59
18. Taking advantage of superior strength, or means employed to
weaken the defense;
People v. Bigcas, G.R. No. 94534, 2 July 1992, 211 SCRA 631
19. Treachery;
People v. Sangalang, L-32914, 30 August 1974, 58 SCRA 737
People v. San Pedro, L-44274, 22 January 1980, 95 SCRA
306
People v. Castillo, G.R. No. 120282, 20 April 1998, 289
SCRA 213
People v. Arizobal, G.R. No. 135051-52, 14 December 2000,
348 SCRA 143
People v. Escote, G.R. No. 140756, 4 April 2003, 400 SCRA
603
People v. Villonez, G.R. Nos. 122976-77, 16 November 1998,
359 Phil. 95, 1998
People v. Guzman, G.R. No. 169246, 26 January 2007
20. Ignominy;
People v. Torriefel CA-GR. No. 659-R, 29 November 1947, 45
OG 803
People v. Jose, L-28232, 6 February 1971, 37 SCRA 450
People v. Butler, L-50276, 27 January 1983, 120 SCRA 281
People v. Saylan, L-36941, 29 June 1984, 130 SCRA 159

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 People v. Sultan, G.R. No. 132470, 27 April 2000, 331 SCRA
216
21. Unlawful entry;
22. Breaking of wall, roof, floor, door, or window;
23. Aid of persons under fifteen years old, use of motor vehicles,
airships, or other similar means;
24. Cruelty;
25. Organized or syndicated crime group;
26. Use of illegal firearms or explosives – see RA 10591
People v. Ladjaalam, G.R. Nos. 136149-51, 19 September
2000
Celino v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 170562, 29 June 2007
27. Use of dangerous drugs while committing a felony – Sec. 25 of
RA 9165
F. Alternative Circumstances
1. Relationship
People v. Atop, G.R. No. 124303-05, 10 February 1998, 286
SCRA 157
2. Intoxication
3. Degree of Instruction
People v. San Pedro, L-44274, 22 January 1980, 95 SCRA
306
V. Persons Criminally Liable
A. Principals – Art. 17
People v. Yanson-Dumancas, G.R. No. 133527-28, 13 December
1999, 320 SCRA 584
People v. Maluenda, G.R. No. 115351, 27 March 1998, 288 SCRA
225
B. Accomplices – Art. 18
Abejuela v. People, G.R. No. 80130, 19 August 1991, 200 SCRA 806
People v. Doble, L-30028, 31 May 1982, 114 SCRA 131
People v. Doctolero, G.R. No. 34386, 7 February 1991, 193 SCRA
632
People v. De Vera, G.R. No. 128966, 18 August 1999, 312 SCRA 640
Garces v. People, G.R. No. 173858, 17 July 2007
C. Accessories – Art. 19 and 20 (RPC); PD 1612
People v. Talingdan, L-32126, 6 July 1978, 84 SCRA 19
VI. Complex Crimes (Art. 48)
People v. Sanchez, G.R No. 131116, 27 August 1999, 313 SCRA 254
People v. Mallari, G.R. No. L-58886, 13 December 1988
People vs. Hernandez, L-6025-26, 18 July 1956, 99 Phil. 515
Enrile vs. Salazar, G.R. No. 92163, 5 June 1990, 184 SCRA 217
Ivler v. San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, 17 November 2010.
People v. Valdez, G.R. No. 127663, 11 March 1999
VII. Penalties
A. Imposable penalties
1. Principal penalties
a. Capital punishment – Sec. 19, Art III of the 1987
Constitution; RA 7659, RA 8177; RA 9346; Art. 40
and 47 Revised Penal Code
Harden v. Director of Prisons, L-2349. 22
October 1948, 81 Phil. 741

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 b. Afflictive penalties
i. Reclusion perpetua – RA 7659, Art. 27 of
Revised Penal Code
People v. Lucas, G.R. No. 108172, 25 May
1994;
People v. Lucas, G.R. No. 108172, 9 January
1995;
People v. Latupan, G.R. No. 112453, 28 June
2001
ii. Reclusion temporal
iii. Perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification – Article 30
iv. Perpetual or temporary special disqualification
– Art. 31
v. Prision mayor – Art. 27
c. Correctional penalties – Art. 27, 39, and 44
i. Prision correccional
ii. Arresto mayor
iii. Suspension
iv. Destierro
d. Light penalties – Art. 27, 39, and 44
i. Arresto menor
ii. Public censure
e. Common penalties – Art.25
i. Fines – Art. 26, 39, and 66
ii. Bond to keep the peace – Art. 27 and 35
2. Accessory penalties – Art. 40 -45
a. Perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification
b. Perpetual or temporary special disqualification
c. Suspension from public office, the right to vote and be
voted for, the profession or calling
d. Civil interdiction
e. Indemnification
f. Forfeiture or confiscation of the instruments and
proceeds of the offense
g. Payment of costs
3. Subsidiary penalty – Art. 39
B. Application and computation of penalties
1. General rules – Art. 5, 21, 28, 29 (see also RA 10592), 46, 73-77
2. Specific Rules
a. Complex Crimes (Art. 48)
b. Crime different from that which was intended – Art. 49
c. Effect of degree of participation and stage of
commission – Art. 50 -57, 60-61
d. Additional penalty for certain accessories – Art. 58
e. Impossible crimes – Art. 59
f. Effect of mitigating, aggravating, and qualifying
circumstances – Art. 62-66
g. Incomplete justifying or exempting circumstances –
Art. 67 and 69
h. Minors – RA 9344
3. Indeterminate Sentence Law

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 People v. Lanuza, G.R. No. 188562, 17 August 2011
Talampas v. People, G.R. No. 180219, 23 November 2011
People v. Temporada, G.R. No. 173473, 17 December 2008.
See CJ Puno Dissent and J. Corona Separate Opinion
C. Execution and service of penalties
1. General rules – Art. 47, 70, 78, and 86-88,
In re Petition for Habeas Corpus, Pete Lagran, G.R. No.
147270, 15 August 2001, 363 SCRA 275
2. Probation Law (PD 968 as amended)
See also: RA 10707
3. Suspension of sentence
a. In cases of insanity – Art. 79
b. Minors
i. Section 31-35 of AM No. 02-1-18-SC
ii. RA 9344
VIII. Extinction of criminal liability
A. Total – Art.89-93
Republic v. Desierto, G.R. No. 136506, 23 August 2001, 363 SCRA
585
B. Partial – Art. 94-99; See also: amendments under RA 10592
IX. Civil Liability arising from criminal liability – Art. 100-113

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