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Crimina Law an Practica ercise

Syllabus-based eReviewer for the 2022 Bar

Compiled by RGL
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Tabl of Content Criminal liabilities and felonies Habituality

Classi cation of felonies (grave, less grave and Quasi-recidivism


Principles of Criminal Law 2
light felonies) Habitual delinquency
General Principles 2 Aberratio ictus, error in personae, and praeter Penalties
intentionem Imposable penalties
Felonies 4
Impossible crime Classi cation
Crimes Under the Revised Penal Code 54 Stages of execution Duration and e ects
Continuing crimes Application and graduation of penalties
Special Penal Laws 100
Complex crimes and composite crimes Indeterminate Sentence Law
Practical Exercises 129 Circumstances a ecting criminal liability Accessory penalties
Justifying circumstances Subsidiary Imprisonment
I Principles of Criminal Law
Exempting circumstances Execution and service of sentence
General Principles Mitigating circumstances Three-fold rule
Mala in se and mala prohibita Aggravating circumstances Probation Law
Applicability and e ectivity of the RPC Alternative circumstances Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act
Generality Absolutory causes Republic Act No. 10592
Territoriality Persons liable and degree of participation Community Service Act
Prospectivity Principals, accomplices, and accessories Extinction of criminal liability
Interpretation of penal laws Conspiracy and proposal Civil liability in criminal cases
Retroactive e ect of penal laws Multiple o enders
A General Principles
Felonies Recidivism

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1 Mala in se and mala prohibita miscalculations are bound to happen. And it could not be the intent 3. Legal pluralism in certain areas/culture, i.e. the Muslim
of the law to punish unintentional election canvass errors. Code and IPRA.
Crimes mala in se are inherently immoral and involve intent to
commit a crime. Good faith is a defense in mala in se crimes, but is Criminal intent is presumed to exist on the part of the person who
executes an act which the law punishes, unless the contrary shall
b Territoriality
not a defense in mala prohibita crimes, where what is required is
merely the intent to perpetrate the act. Although most crimes appear. Thus, whoever invokes good faith as a defense has the Penal laws apply to all o enses committed within the PH territory.
punished under special penal laws are mala prohibita, there are also burden of proving its existence.
EXC
those that are mala in se.
1. Extraterritoriality under the RPC and SPLs
Matalam v. People 2016 People v. Comia 2. Transnational crimes under UNTOC and domestic law,
The general rule is that acts punished under a special law are malum The act of transporting a prohibited drug is a "malum 3. Universal jurisdiction in jus cogens crimes and under
prohibitum. "An act which is declared malum prohibitum, malice prohibitum" because it is punished as an o ense under a special law. UNCLOS, and
or criminal intent is completely immaterial." It is a wrong because it is prohibited by law. Without the law 4. Erga omnes crimes under international criminal tribunal
Hence, "intent to commit the crime and intent to perpetrate the punishing the act, it cannot be considered a wrong. As such, the jurisdiction.
act must be distinguished. A person may not have consciously mere commission of said act is what constitutes the o ense
intended to commit a crime; but he did intend to commit an act, punished and su ces to validly charge and convict an individual People v. Tulin re extraterritoriality and universal jurisdiction
and that act is, by the very nature of things, the crime itself." When an caught committing the act so punished, regardless of criminal
act is prohibited by a special law, it is considered injurious to public intent. The attack on and seizure of "M/T Tabangao'' and its cargo were
welfare, and the performance of the prohibited act is the crime itself. committed in Philippine waters, although the captive vessel was later
brought by the pirates to Singapore where its cargo was o -loaded,
Volition, or intent to commit the act, is di erent from criminal 2 Applicability and e ectivity of the RPC transferred, and sold. And such transfer was done under
intent. Volition or voluntariness refers to knowledge of the act being accused-appellant Hiong's direct supervision. Although PD No.
done. On the other hand, criminal intent refers to the state of 532 requires that the attack and seizure of the vessel and its cargo be
a Generality
mind beyond voluntariness. It is this intent that is being punished committed in Philippine waters, the disposition by the pirates of the
by crimes mala in se. Penal laws apply to ALL PERSONS who commit crimes within vessel and its cargo is still deemed part of the act of piracy, hence, the
the territory. same need not be committed in Philippine waters.
EXC Moreover, piracy falls under Title One of Book Two of the Revised
Garcia v. CA Penal Code. As such, it is an exception to the rule on
1. Under Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations;
The acts prohibited in Section 27(b) of the Omnibus Election Code territoriality in criminal law. It is likewise, well-settled that
2. In certain exempting circumstances under the RPC and
are mala in se. Given the volume of votes to be counted and regardless of the law penalizing the same, piracy is a reprehensible
special laws;
canvassed within a limited amount of time, errors and crime against the whole world (People v. Lol-lo).

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a. If the o ender is a habitual delinquent; 2. Intelligence;


c Prospectivity b. The new or amendatory law is not favorable to him; or 3. Intent.
Penal laws do NOT have retroactive e ect. c. Retrospective application is expressly proscribed. For culpa, instead of intent, accused is imprudent, negligent or
lacks foresight or skill while doing the act.
EXC if the provisions are favorable to the accused who is not a
People v. Sarcia
habitual o ender
Sec 68 of RA 9344 allows the retroactive application of the Act
⭐Sevilla v. People 2014
EXC to the EXC the law itself provides against such
to those who have been convicted and are serving sentence at the Quasi-o enses under Article 365 of the RPC are distinct and
retroactive e ect.
time of the e ectivity of this said Act, and who were below the age separate crimes and not a mere modality in the commission of a
of 18 years at the time of the commission of the o ense. crime. Thus, the proper designation of the felony should be reckless
Hernan v. Sandiganbayan 2017 En Banc
imprudence resulting to falsification of public documents and
For as long as the penal law is favorable to the accused, it shall nd not falsi cation of public documents through reckless imprudence.
application regardless of whether its e ectivity comes after the time B Felonies Reckless imprudence resulting to falsi cation of public documents
when the judgment of conviction is rendered and even if service of
is an o ense that is necessarily included in the willful act of
sentence has already begun. The accused shall be entitled to the
bene ts of the new law warranting him to serve a lesser sentence, or
1 Criminal liabilities and felonies falsi cation of public documents, the latter being the greater
o ense. As such, he can be convicted of reckless imprudence
to his release, if he has already begun serving his previous sentence,
Modes of committing crimes resulting to falsi cation of public documents notwithstanding that
and said service already accomplishes the term of the modi ed
1. Dolo. the Information only charged the willful act of falsi cation of
sentence.
public documents.
a. Deceit or criminal intent.
b. Act performed with deliberate intent.
3 Interpretation of penal laws
c. There must be a con uence of both an evil act and an People v. Pugay
a. Penal laws are strictly construed against the Government and evil intent. Actum non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea.
The next question to be determined is the criminal responsibility of
liberally in favor of the accused;
2. Culpa. the accused Pugay. Having taken the can from under the engine of
b. The Spanish text is controlling. the ferris wheel and holding it before pouring its contents on the
a. Fault.
body of the deceased, this accused knew that the can contained
4 Retroactive e ect of penal laws b. Wrongful acts result from imprudence, negligence, lack of gasoline. The stinging smell of this ammable liquid could not have
foresight, or lack of skill. escaped his notice even before pouring the same. Clearly, he failed to
The general rule is that penal laws shall have a retroactive e ect
Requisites of Dolo exercise all the diligence necessary to avoid every undesirable
insofar as they favor the person guilty of a felony except
consequence arising from any act that may be committed by his
1. Freedom;

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companions who at the time were making fun of the deceased. 1. The victim was in normal health; If the victim dies as a result of a deliberate act of the malefactors,
Thus, the accused is only guilty of homicide through reckless 2. Death may be expected from the injuries in icted;
intent to kill is presumed. It is petitioner's postulation that the lone
imprudence de ned in Article 365 of the RPC. (should have been gunshot wound of Mario does not establish intent to kill. However,
3. Death ensued within a reasonable time. the number of wounds inflicted is not the sole consideration
reckless imprudence resulting to homicide)
in proving intent to kill.
Dinamling v. People 2015
Proximate cause This Court has repeatedly held that if the victim's wound would
That cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, As to the alleged miscarriage or incomplete abortion, the allegedly normally cause death, then the last act necessary to produce
unbroken by any e cient intervening cause, produces the exculpatory testimony of Dr. Diaz, or even the complete disregard of homicide would have been performed and death would have
injury, and without which the result would not have any evidence surrounding such fact does not lead to petitioner resulted were it not for the timely medical attention given to
occurred. Dinamling's acquittal. The fact of AAA's miscarriage or incomplete the victim.
abortion is not essential to proving the elements of the crime, unless
The felony is NOT the proximate cause of the resulting injury
it is alleged to have caused mental or emotional su ering. It is not Kinds of criminal intent
when:
among the crime's elements. In fact, it is not abortion but the mere 1. General. Presumed from the commission of a felony by dolo.
a. There is an active force that intervened between the felony fact of pregnancy of the victim at the time of commission which is
and the injury, and the active force is a distinct act or fact an aggravating circumstance, not an element, of the o ense. 2. Speci c. Must be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence.
absolutely foreign from the act of the accused. Motive is the reason or compelling force why the accused committed
b. The injury is due to the intentional act of the victim. the acts complained of. Criminal intent is the purpose of the accused
Contributory negligence. Gelig v. People 2010 in adopting the particular means to achieve his objective.

NOT e cient intervening causes The prosecution's success in proving that Lydia committed the However, motive may be inquired into in some instances:

1. Weak or diseased physical condition of victim; crime of direct assault does not necessarily mean that the same a. Where the identity of o ender is in question;
physical force she employed on Gemma also resulted in the crime of
2. Nervousness or temperament of victim; b. To determine voluntariness of the act, or whether it was
unintentional abortion.
intentionally done;
3. Causes inherent in the victim, i.e. victim not knowing how to It is worth stressing that Gemma was admitted and con ned in a
swim; c. To determine the aggressor when self-defense is invoked;
hospital for incomplete abortion on August 28, 1981, which was 42
4. Neglect of victim or third person; days after the July 17, 1981 incident. This interval of time is too d. To determine speci c nature of the crime, i.e. murder in
lengthy to prove that the discharge of the fetus from the womb of furtherance of rebellion.
5. Erroneous or unskillful treatment;
Gemma was a direct outcome of the assault.
6. Delay in the medical treatment of victim. Serrano v. People 2010
Death of victim is presumed to be the natural consequence of Intent to kill is a state of mind that the courts can discern
physical injuries in icted Novicio v. People only through external manifestations, i.e., acts and conduct of

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the accused at the time of the assault and immediately thereafter. sudden and sustained assault of petitioners, Edgardo hit him three prescribes with respect to an element of the o ense.
times with a hollow block. Edgardo tried to hit Ruben on the head,
In Rivera v. People, the Court considered the following factors to
missed, but still managed to hit the victim only in the parietal area,
determine the presence of an intent to kill:
resulting in a lacerated wound and cerebral contusions. People v. Gervero 2018
1) the means used by the malefactors;
That the head wounds sustained by the victim were merely
As early as in the case of People v. Oanis and Galanta, the Court has
2) the nature, location, and number of wounds sustained super cial and could not have produced his death does not negate
ruled that mistake of fact applies only when the mistake is
by the victim; petitioners' criminal liability for attempted murder.
committed without fault or carelessness.
3) the conduct of the malefactors before, at the time, or
immediately after the killing of the victim; and Mistake of fact
4) the circumstances under which the crime was committed There is NO liability for mistake of fact. The requisites are: Classi cation of felonies (grave, less grave and
a
and the motives of the accused. 1. The act done would have been lawful had the act been as the light felonies)
Here, the petitioner used a knife in his assault. The petitioner accused believed them to be;
stabbed the victim in the abdomen while the latter was held by 2. The intention in performing the act should be lawful; and ART 3. Definitions. — Acts and omissions punishable by law are
Gener and Orieta. Immediately after the stabbing, the petitioner, felonies (delitos).
3. The mistake of fact was NOT due to negligence, bad faith
Gener and Orieta beat and stoned the victim until he fell into a Felonies are committed not only by means of deceit (dolo) but also
or unlawful intent of the accused. The accused must have no
creek. A reasonable inference can be made that the victim was left by means of fault (culpa).
opportunity to verify his mistake.
for dead when he fell into the creek.
There is deceit when the act is performed with deliberate intent and
Under these circumstances, we are convinced that the petitioner, in Yapyuco v. Sandiganbayan 2012 there is fault when the wrongful act results from imprudence,
stabbing, beating and stoning the victim, intended to kill him. negligence, lack of foresight, or lack of skill.
In the context of criminal law, a “mistake of fact” is a
misapprehension of a fact which, if true, would have justi ed the act Elements of felonies
or omission which is the subject of the prosecution. Generally, a
Rivera, et al v. People 1. There must be an act or omission;
reasonable mistake of fact is a defense to a charge of crime where it
Intent to kill is a speci c intent which the prosecution must prove negates the intent component of the crime. 2. Such must be punishable by the RPC; and
by direct or circumstantial evidence, while general criminal intent
A proper invocation of this defense requires 3. Such is performed or incurred by means of dolo or culpa.
is presumed from the commission of a felony by dolo.
a) that the mistake be honest and reasonable; According to
In the present case, the prosecution mustered the requisite quantum
of evidence to prove the intent of petitioners to kill Ruben. b) that it be a matter of fact; and 1. Gravity — grave, less grave, light;
Esmeraldo and Ismael pummeled the victim with st blows. Even as c) that it negates the culpability required to commit the crime 2. Mode of commission — Intentional and culpable;
Ruben fell to the ground, unable to defend himself against the or the existence of the mental state which the statute
3. Their nature — Mala in se and mala prohibita;

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4. The law punishing them — Felonies, o enses and intended be di erent from Article 48 of the RPC, particularly, a delito compuesto, or a
infractions. that committed, the lesser compound crime where a single act produces two (2) or more grave
penalty shall be imposed in its or less grave felonies.
Aberratio ictus, error in personae, and praeter
b MAX period
intentionem

Accused is still liable under the following circumstances: c Impossible crime


1. Praeter intentionem. — Injury caused is greater than what People v. Pugay re praeter intentionem
1. The act performed would be an o ense against persons or
was intended;
As for Samson, there is adequate evidence showing that his act was property;
Any person may be held liable for an intentional felony although merely a part of their fun-making that evening. His act, however,
2. Act done with evil intent;
the wrong done is not intended by him, if: does not relieve him of criminal responsibility. Burning the clothes
of the victim would cause at the very least some kind of physical 3. Its accomplishment is inherently impossible, or that the
a. he has committed an intentional felony;
injuries on his person, a felony de ned in the RPC. If his act means employed is either inadequate or ine ectual;
b. the wrong done or injury caused is the direct, natural or resulted into a graver o ense, as what took place in the 4. The act performed should not constitute a violation of
logical consequence of the felony committed; OR instant case, he must be held responsible therefor. another provision of the RPC.
if the intentional felony committed is the proximate Article 4 of the RPC provides that criminal liability shall be NB: There is NO attempted or frustrated impossible crime.
cause of the injury or damage incurred by the victim. incurred by any person committing a felony although the wrongful
2. Aberratio ictus. — Miscarriage of the blow; act done be di erent from that which he intended. Intod v. CA and People
3. Error in personae. — Mistake in identity. As no su cient evidence appears in the record establishing any
There must be either
qualifying circumstances, Samson is only guilty of the crime of
De nition E ect as to penalty homicide de ned and penalized in Article 249 of the RPC. 1) legal impossibility, or
2) physical impossibility of accomplishing the intended act in
Lack of intent to order to qualify the act as an impossible crime.
Praeter
commit so grave a Mitigating circumstance People v. Umawid 2014 re aberratio ictus
intentionem Legal impossibility would apply to those circumstances where
wrong
Maureen’s death is a case of aberratio ictus, given that the fatal 1) the motive, desire and expectation is to perform an act in
Aberratio Mistake in blow; at Art 48 on complex crime blow therefor was only delivered by mistake as it was actually violation of the law;
ictus least 2 victims may apply Vicente who was Umawid’s intended target. In this regard,
2) there is intention to perform the physical act;
Umawid’s single deed actually resulted in the: (a) Attempted
Murder of Vicente; and (b) Consummated Murder of Maureen. 3) there is a performance of the intended physical act; and
Error in Mistake in identity; Art 49 applies — if the
personae only one victim penalty for the crime This may be classi ed as a species of complex crime de ned under 4) the consequence resulting from the intended act does not

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amount to a crime. 4. by reason of causes independent of the will of the 1. a "subjective phase," or that portion of the acts
perpetrator. constituting the crime included between the act which
On the other hand, factual impossibility occurs when extraneous
begins the commission of the crime and the last act
circumstances unknown to the actor or beyond his control prevent There is an attempt when
performed by the o ender which, with prior acts, should
the consummation of the intended crime. One example is the man
1. The o ender commences the commission of the felony result in the consummated crime.
who puts his hand in the coat pocket of another with the intention
directly by overt acts;
to steal the latter's wallet and nds the pocket empty. The case at bar 2. After that point has been breached, the subjective phase
belongs to this category. a. That there be external acts; ends and the objective phase begins.
b. Such external acts have direct connection with the It has been held that if the offender never passes the subjective
crime intended to be committed. phase of the o ense, the crime is merely attempted.
d Stages of execution
2. He does NOT perform all the acts of execution which On the other hand, the subjective phase is completely passed in
should produce the felony; case of frustrated crimes, for in such instances, "subjectively the
3. The o ender's act be NOT stopped by his own crime is complete."
spontaneous desistance; The determination of whether a crime is frustrated or
4. The non-performance of all acts of execution was due to cause consummated necessitates an initial concession that all of the acts
or accident other than his spontaneous desistance. of execution have been performed by the o ender.
The critical distinction instead is whether the felony itself was
Frustrated Attempted
actually produced by the acts of execution. The determination of
has performed all the acts whether the felony was "produced" after all the acts of execution
of execution which
✔ ✘ had been performed hinges on the particular statutory
should produce the definition of the felony.
merely commences
felony as a consequence How to determine the stage of the crime

cause or accident 1. Nature of the o ense;


A felony is consummated when all the elements necessary for its some cause
other than the 2. Elements constituting the felony;
execution and accomplishment are present; reason for independent of the
o ender's own
non-accomplishment will of the 3. Manner of committing same —
It is frustrated when spontaneous
perpetrator
desistance a. Formal Crimes — Consummated in one instant, no
1. the o ender performs all the acts of execution attempt. e.g. slander, false testimony, sale of prohibited
2. which would produce the felony as a consequence Subjective and Objective Phases drugs.

3. but which, nevertheless, do not produce it Each felony under the RPC has

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b. Crimes consummated by mere attempt or proposal Valenzuela v. People⭐ and Canceran v. People 2015 Rivera v. People
or by overt act e.g. Flight to enemy’s country (121),
Is there a frustrated stage in theft? An essential element of murder and homicide, whether in their
corruption of minors (340), Treason.
consummated, frustrated or attempted stage, is intent of the
c. Felony by omission no attempted stage NO. Theft cannot have a frustrated stage. Theft can only
o enders to kill the victim immediately before or simultaneously
be attempted or consummated.
d. Crimes requiring the intervention of two person to with the in iction of injuries.
commit them are consummated by mere agreement
e.g. betting in sport contests (197), corruption of public
People v. Aca-ac ⭐
o cer (212) People v. Gonzalez
e. Material crimes. There are THREE stages of execution. Necessarily, rape is attempted if there is no penetration of the female
The (specific criminal intent) intent to kill determines whether the
organ because not all acts of execution were performed. Taking into
crime committed is physical injuries or homicide. Such intent is
When felonies do not have stages account the nature, elements and manner of execution of the crime
made manifest by the acts of the accused which are undoubtedly
1. If punished under SPL; of rape and jurisprudence on the matter, it is hardly conceivable
intended to kill the victim.
how the frustrated stage of rape can ever be committed.
2. By omission;
For evident lack of criminal intent to kill the complainant, the
As this Court explained in People v. Orita, rape is either attempted
3. Formal crimes, e.g. physical injuries. information for attempted homicide must fail. Considering the
or consummated. There can be no frustrated rape.
nature and location of their injuries and the number of days
Felonies without frustrated stage
required for their treatment, we nd that the crime committed for
1. Theft; the injuries sustained by the children are two counts of slight
Baleros v. People physical injuries under Art. 266.
2. Rape.
The attempt which the Penal Code punishes is that which has a
ART 7. When light felonies are punishable. — Light felonies are logical connection to a particular, concrete offense; that which
punishable only when they have been consummated, with the is the beginning of the execution of the o ense by overt acts of the People v. Labiaga 2013
exception of those committed against person or property. perpetrator, leading directly to its realization and consummation.
Appellant should be convicted of attempted murder, and not
It would be too strained to construe petitioner's act of pressing a
GR: Light felonies are punishable only when consummated. frustrated murder.
chemical-soaked cloth in the mouth of Malou which would induce
EXC: Those committed against persons or property, even if her to sleep as an overt act that will logically and necessarily ripen In frustrated murder, there must be evidence showing that the
attempted or frustrated. e.g. Slight physical injuries and into rape. As it were, petitioner did not commence at all the wound would have been fatal were it not for timely medical
maltreatment (266); Art 309, nos. 7 and 8; Alteration of performance of any act indicative of an intent or attempt to rape intervention. If the evidence fails to convince the court that the
boundary marks (313); Malicious mischief (328 and 329, Malou. wound sustained would have caused the victim’s death without
no. 3). timely medical attention, the accused should be convicted of
attempted murder and not frustrated murder.

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2. According to Guevarra, in appearance, a delito continuado ART 48. Penalty for complex crimes. —
In the instant case, it does not appear that the wound sustained by
consists of several crimes but in reality there is only one crime
Gregorio Conde was mortal. 1. (Compound crime or delito compuesto) When a single
in the mind of the perpetrator.
act constitutes two or more grave or less grave felonies, or
3. Padilla views such o ense as consisting of a series of acts
2. (Complex crime proper or delito complejo) when an
Velasco v. People arising from one criminal intent or resolution.
o ense is a necessary means for committing the other,
Having commenced the criminal act by overt acts but failing to Delito continuado Continuing crime the penalty for the most serious crime shall be imposed, the same
perform all acts of execution as to produce the felony by reason of to be applied in its maximum period.
some cause other than his own desistance, petitioner committed an A single crime produced by One which is consummated in
attempted felony. Petitioner already commenced his attack with a several acts performed separately one place but by reason of the Plurality of crimes
manifest intent to kill by shooting private complainant seven times, during a period of time under a nature of the o ense, the
1. Consists in the successive execution by the same individual of
but failed to perform all the acts of execution by reason of causes single criminal intent in violation violation of the law is deemed
di erent criminal acts upon any of which no conviction has yet
independent of his will, that is, poor aim and the swiftness of the of a single penal provision. continuing.
been declared.
latter. Private complainant sustained a wound on the left arm that
To determine the proper venue, 2. If there has been a conviction for one or some of them, the rules on
is not su cient to cause his death. The settled rule is that where the
Its purpose is to treat several acts validity of arrest and the recidivism, quasi-recidivism, reiteracion, or habitual
wound in icted on the victim is not su cient to cause his
as one crime commencement of the running delinquency may instead be applied.
death, the crime is only attempted murder, since the accused did
of prescription.
not perform all the acts of execution that would have brought about 3. There are two kinds
death.
Examples and Effects of Continuing crimes a. Formal or ideal — Multiple crimes committed from the same
1. Kidnapping with homicide; criminal intent are punished with ONE penalty:

e Continuing crimes 2. The term of prescription commences to run from the date the 1. Complex crime;
crime ended; i. Delito compuesto;
Continuous crimes or delito continuado
3. BP 22. — Thus, venue may be had either at the place where ii. Delito complejo.
1. For delito continuado to exist there should be a plurality of the check was issued, drawn, or dishonored.
acts performed during a period of time; unity of penal 2. Special complex crimes;
4. Rebellion. — a rebel may be arrested at any time without
provision violated; and unity of criminal intent or purpose, 3. Continued, continuous or continuing crimes.
need of a warrant as he is deemed to be in the act of
which means that two or more violations of the same penal
committing the o ense at any time. b. Real or material — There are di erent crimes in law as well
provisions are united in one and the same intent or
as in the conscience of the offender. They are thus
resolution leading to the perpetration of the same criminal
f Complex crimes and composite crimes SEPARATELY punished.
purpose or aim.

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Special from ordinary 7. Doctrine of Absorption. — If one of the o ense is an element of pulling the trigger of their respective rearms, aiming each
another, the former is deemed absorbed by the latter and there is particular moment at di erent persons constitute
4. Special complex crimes are those speci cally designated by law to
only one crime. distinct and individual acts which cannot give rise to a
be penalized as one felony, although composed of many crimes.
complex crime.
8. Single Impulse Doctrine. — If the act or acts complained of
5. May consist of crimes punished under SPLs, whereas the complex
resulted from a single criminal impulse, it constitutes a single In People v. Lawas, the Court was "forced" to nd all the accused
crime in Art 48 contemplates of felonies punished under the RPC.
o ense. guilty of only one o ense of multiple homicide. However, as this
Kinds of ordinary complex crimes Court held in People v. Remollino, the Lawas doctrine is more
1) Compound crime. Requisites: People v. Orias 2010 of an exception than the general rule.

a. Only a single act is performed; Orias should be convicted of three (3) counts of murder and Here, conspiracy is very much evident from the actuations of the
NOT of the complex crime of multiple murder appellants and their co-accused. Collective responsibility replaced
b. It produces
individual responsibility. The Lawas doctrine, premised on the
The three (3) crimes of murder did not result from a single act but
i. 2 or more grave felonies, or impossibility of determining who killed whom, cannot be
from several individual and distinct acts. Deeply rooted is the
applied.
ii. one or more grave and one or more less grave felonies, doctrine that when various victims expire from separate shots,
or such acts constitute separate and distinct crimes. The current rule is where several killings on the same occasion
were perpetrated, but not involving prisoners, a di erent rule
iii. 2 or more less grave felonies. In the instant, the acts of Orias and Elarcosa demonstrate the
may be applied, that is to say, the killings would be treated as
2) Complex crime proper. Requisites: existence of conspiracy, thereby imputing collective criminal
separate o enses.
responsibility upon them, as the act of one is the act of all.
a. At least 2 o enses are committed; Thus, appellants are liable for the separate crimes of two (2)
b. One or some of the o enses must be necessary to commit counts of murder and seven (7) counts of attempted murder.
the other; People v. Nelmida 2012 En Banc As to penalty
c. All of the o enses must be punished under the same Applying the Indeterminate Sentence Law in the case of
Appellants and their co-accused simultaneous act of riddling the
statute. attempted murder,
vehicle boarded by Mayor Tawan-tawan and his group with bullets
Rules to determine the crime/s to be charged if two or discharged from their rearms when the said vehicle passed by, 1. the maximum shall be taken from the medium period of
more are committed resulted in the death of two security escorts of Mayor Tawan-tawan. prision mayor, which is 8 years and 1 day to 10 years,
6. Foreknowledge Rule. — Where the accused repetitively Evidently, there is in this case no complex crime proper. And the 2. while the minimum shall be taken from the penalty next
performed one element of a crime (or component of a complex circumstances present in this case do not t exactly the description lower in degree, i.e., prision correccional, in any of its
crime) over a period of time on a more or less regular basis, having of a compound crime. periods, the range of which is 6 months and 1 day to 6
foreknowledge of its occurrence.
⭐As held in People v. Valdez, each act by each gunman years.

By RGL 11 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

b. When a killing is committed in furtherance of


However, as correctly held by the trial court, there can only be
rebellion, the killing is not homicide or murder. Rather,
Napolis v. CA cited in Fransdilla v. People 2015 ONE complex crime of forcible abduction with rape. The
the killing assumes the political complexion of rebellion.
crime of forcible abduction was only necessary for the rst rape.
The complex crime of robbery in an inhabited house by armed
Thus, the subsequent acts of rape can no longer be considered as c. When the political o ense doctrine is asserted as a defense
persons and robbery with violence against or intimidation of
separate complex crimes of forcible abduction with rape. They in the trial court, it becomes crucial for the court to
persons was committed when the accused, who held rearms,
should be detached from and considered independently of the determine whether the act of killing was done in
entered the residential house of the victims and in icted injury
forcible abduction. Therefore, Garcia should be convicted of one furtherance of a political end, and for the political
upon the victims in the process of committing the robbery. Hence,
complex crime of forcible abduction with rape and three motive of the act to be conclusively demonstrated.
the penalty is that imposed for the robbery in an inhabited house,
separate acts of rape.
the more serious crime. Citing Napolis v. CA, the CA correctly
Ocampo v. Abando 2014 En Banc
ruled that all the accused, including Fransdilla, were guilty of
committing the complex crime of robbery in an inhabited house Whether the murder charges against petitioners should be dismissed
under Article 299, and robbery with intimidation or violence under Santiago v. Garchitorena under the political offense doctrine.
Article 294. The 32 Amended Informations reproduced verbatim the allegation NO. The political o ense doctrine is not a ground to dismiss the
of the original information, except that instead of the word "aliens" charge against petitioners prior to a determination by the trial court
in the original information each amended information states the that the murders were committed in furtherance of rebellion.
People v. Garcia name of the individual whose stay was legalized. The 32 Amended
As held in the case of Prosecutor of Zamboanga v. CA, if during
Informations aver that the o enses were committed on the same
The crime of forcible abduction with rape is a complex crime that trial, petitioners are able to show that the alleged murders were
period of time. The strong probability even exists that the approval
occurs when there is carnal knowledge with the abducted woman indeed committed in furtherance of rebellion, the trial court shall
of the application for the legalization of the stay of the 32 aliens was
under the following circumstances: dismiss the murder charges upon the ling of the Information
done by a single stroke of the pen, as when the approval was
for simple rebellion, as long as petitioners would not be placed in
1) by using force or intimidation; embodied in the same document.
double jeopardy.
2) when the woman is deprived of reason or otherwise
9. Political Offense Doctrine
unconscious; and Special Complexing
a. Common crimes, perpetrated in furtherance of a political
3) when the woman is under twelve years of age or is 1. Component crimes in a special complex crime have no
o ense, are divested of their character as “common”
demented. attempted or frustrated stages because the intention of the
o enses and assume the political complexion of the main
Garcia is guilty of the complex crime of forcible abduction with o enders is to commit the principal crime which is to rob but
crime of which they are mere ingredients, and,
rape. He should also be held liable for the other three counts of rape in the process of committing the said crime, another crime is
consequently, cannot be punished separately from the
committed by his three co-accused, considering the clear conspiracy committed.
principal o ense, or complexed with the same, to justify
among them. the imposition of a graver penalty. 2. As held in People v. Jugueta, in special complex crimes like
robbery with homicide where the penalty imposed is reclusion

By RGL 12 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

perpetua, the awards for civil indemnity, moral damages, and


5. When the crimes involved cannot be legally complexed: The component crimes in a special complex crime have no
exemplary damages are now uniformly pegged at P75K. The
attempted or frustrated stages.
award of temperate damages is also increased to P50K. a. Art 129 Search warrants maliciously obtained and
abuse in the service of those legally obtained with Thus, as in the present case where, aside from the killing of Homer,
Inapplicability of Art 48 perjury; the Spouses Acob, on the occasion of the same robbery, also
1. When the crime subject of the case are covered by the sustained injuries, regardless of the severity, the crime committed is
b. Art 210 Bribery with in delity in the custody of
doctrine of common elements; still robbery with homicide as the injuries sustained by the Spouses
prisoners;
Acob are subsumed under the generic term "homicide" and,
a. There can be no complexing wherein two felonies c. Art 235 Maltreatment of prisoners with serious thus, become part and parcel of the special complex crime of
have a common element and such element is used to physical injuries; robbery with homicide.
complete the requirements for integrating one crime,
d. Art 312 Usurpation of real rights with serious
the other crime would be incomplete in that element
physical injuries;
and consequently, non-existent.
e. Art 275 Abandonment of persons in danger and People v. Aspili
b. Thus, there can be NO complex crime of estafa
Art 276-278 crimes against minors with any other Neither in law nor in jurisprudence is there an aggravating
through falsi cation of a private document as
felony. circumstance as robbery in band. More importantly, the evidence
both crimes require damage as an element which is
used for one renders the other incomplete. NB: Complexing is ‘legally impossible’ because the provisions shows that what was committed is the special complex crime of
expressly state that the penalty for such felonies is in addition robbery with homicide aggravated by rape.
2. When the crimes involved are subject to the rule of
to those imposed on the other felonies committed.
absorption of one crime by the other; The original design of the malefactors was to commit robbery in order
Rules on Robbery and Homicide to facilitate their escape from the penal colony. Their original intent
3. Where the two o enses resulting from a single act are
did not comprehend the commission of rape. Hence, the rape is
speci cally punished as a single crime (Art 265 par 2). 1. If homicide was consummated, the case will be a special
deemed to aggravate the crime but damages or indemni cation for
complex crime of either Art 294, wherein robbery was
4. Special complex crimes; the victim may be awarded. Instead of ignominy, it is the rape
consummated, or Art 297, wherein it was merely attempted or
a. Art 266-B Rape with homicide; itself that aggravates the crime.
frustrated.
b. Art 267 Kidnapping with homicide and/or rape; With respect to the deaths of Daisy Gonzales and Yolanda Argue,
2. If the homide was not consummated, but was a necessary
the appellants are clearly liable therefor since, as held by this Court
c. Art 294 Robbery with homicide or rape or means to commit any stage of the robbery, Art 48 applies.
in People v. Mangulabnan, it is immaterial that the death of a
intentional mutilation or arson; 3. If the homicide was neither consummated nor necessary to person supervened by mere accident, provided that the
d. Art 297 Attempted or frustrated robbery with robbery, these felonies are separate and distinct o enses. homicide is produced by reason or on occasion of the robbery.
homicide;
e. Art 320 Destructive arson. People v. Dillatan 2018
People v. Pulusan

By RGL 13 of 131
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positively strong, showing the wrongful intent of the aggressor


A conviction for highway robbery requires proof that the
Third. Lack of su cient provocation on the part of the to cause injury.
accused were organized for the purpose of committing robbery
person defending himself.
indiscriminately. There is no such proof in this case. The trial 9) The person defending himself cannot be expected to think
court thus correctly found Pulusan and Rodriguez guilty of the 1) There is unlawful aggression when the peril to one’s life, clearly so as to control his blow.
crime of robbery with homicide aggravated by rape under limb or right is either actual or imminent. 10) The measure of rational necessity is to be found in the
Article 294(1). situation as it appeared to the person defending at the time
2) A slap on the face is unlawful aggression.
We must state that regardless of the number of homicides when the blow was struck.
3) A strong retaliation for an injury or threat may amount to an
committed on the occasion of a robbery, the crime is still robbery 11) Whether the means employed is reasonable, will depend upon
unlawful aggression.
with homicide. In this special complex crime, the number of
4) The killing of the deceased by the defendant be simultaneous a) The nature and quality of the weapon used by the
persons killed is immaterial and does not increase the penalty
with the attack made by the former, or at least both acts aggressor; What the law requires is rational equivalence.
prescribed in Art. 294. There is NO crime of robbery with
multiple homicide. Moreover, whenever the special complex crime succeeded each other without appreciable interval of time. The b) His physical condition, character, size and other
of robbery with homicide is proven to have been committed, all accused must have no time nor occasion for deliberation circumstances, and those of the person defending himself;
those who took part in the robbery are liable as principals and cool thinking.
c) And also the place and occasion of the assault.
therein although they did not actually take part in the 5) A public o cer exceeding his authority may become an
homicide. 12) If the provocation by the person defending himself is not
unlawful aggressor.
proximate and immediate to the aggression, there is
6) When the aggressor ees, unlawful aggression no longer exists. self-defense.
However, if the purpose of the retreat was for the aggressor to
2 Circumstances a ecting criminal liability take a more advantageous position to insure the success of the People v. Antonio
attack already begun by him, the unlawful aggression is
a Justifying circumstances considered still continuing, and the one making a defense has As testi ed by accused-appellant himself, the deceased who was at
a right to pursue him in his retreat and to disable him. that time very drunk tried to hit him but missed and fell on
Self-defense the ground. At that point, unlawful aggression ceased and it
7) No unlawful aggression when there is agreement to ght. The
Anyone who acts in defense of his person or rights, provided that the was no longer necessary for him to stab the deceased. It was
challenge to ght must be accepted. However, if the
following circumstances concur; accused-appellant, therefore, who became the aggressor when he,
aggression occurred ahead of the agreed time and place of the
despite the condition of the deceased, proceeded to stab the latter at
First. Unlawful aggression. ⭐ ght, it is unlawful.
the back. His act can no longer be interpreted as an act of
Second. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to 8) A mere threatening or intimidating attitude, not preceded by self-preservation but a perverse desire to kill. Hence, he cannot
prevent or repel it. an outward and material aggression, is not unlawful successfully claim the bene t of self-defense.
aggression, because it is required that the act be offensive and

By RGL 14 of 131
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People v. Rubiso or sisters, or his relatives by a nity in the same degrees and those the o ender to civil liability and frees him from criminal liability by
consanguinity within the fourth civil degree, provided that the virtue of his relationship to the o ended party.
Unlawful aggression is a condition sine qua non for the
rst and second requisites prescribed in the next preceding The continuing affinity view maintains that the relationship by
justifying circumstance of self-defense. It contemplates an actual,
circumstance are present, and the further requisite, in case the a nity between the surviving spouse and the kindred of the
sudden and unexpected attack, or imminent danger thereof, and
revocation was given by the person attacked, that the one making deceased spouse continues even after the death of the deceased
not merely a threatening or intimidating attitude. The person
defense had no part therein.
defending himself must have been attacked with actual physical spouse, regardless of whether the marriage produced children or
force or with actual use of weapon. not. This is more consistent with the language and spirit of Article
Requisites:
332(1) of the RPC. The fundamental principle in applying and in
It is axiomatic that the mere thrusting of one’s hand into his 1. Unlawful aggression; interpreting criminal laws is to resolve all doubts in favor of the
pocket as if for the purpose of drawing a weapon is NOT
2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or accused. In dubio pro reo. When in doubt, rule for the accused.
unlawful aggression. Even the cocking of a ri e without aiming
repel it;
the rearm at any particular target is NOT su cient to conclude Defense of strangers
that one’s life was in imminent danger. 3. In case the provocation was given by the person attacked,
the one making the defense had no part therein. Anyone who acts in defense of the person or rights of a stranger,
The location and presence of gunshot wounds on the body of the
victim eloquently refute appellant’s allegation of self-defense. It is 13) Relatives that can be defended: (SADS4C) provided that the rst and second requisites mentioned in the rst
an oft repeated rule that the presence of a large number of circumstance of this Article are present and that the person
a) Spouse;
wounds, their location and their seriousness would negate defending be not induced by revenge, resentment, or other evil
self-defense. Instead, they indicate a determined e ort to kill. b) Ascendants; motive.
c) Descendants;
Requisites:
d) Legitimate, natural or adopted Siblings, or relatives by
People v. Lansang 1. Unlawful aggression;
a nity in the same degrees;
2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or
The justifying circumstance of defense of a relative can only be e) Relatives by Consanguinity within the 4th civil degree.
repel it;
raised where there is a concurrence of the requisites of unlawful (4C)
aggression, reasonable necessity of the means employed to repel the 3. Accused must not be induced by revenge, resentment
14) The fact that the relative defended gave provocation is
aggression and that the person making the defense had no part or other evil motive.
immaterial.
in the provocation. 15) Any person not included in the enumeration of relatives that
⭐Carungcong v. People 2010 can be defended is considered a stranger.
Defense of relatives

Any one who acts in defense of the person or rights of his spouse, Article 332 provides for an absolutory cause in the crimes of
ascendants, descendants, or legitimate, natural or adopted brothers theft, estafa and malicious mischief. It limits the responsibility of

By RGL 15 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

necessary to prevent his escape. The policemen had the duty not 1. That an order has been issued by a superior;
Fulfillment of duty
only to recapture Valino but also to recover the loose rearm.
2. Such order must be for some lawful purpose;
Any person who acts in the ful llment of a duty or in the lawful
The duty to issue a warning is not absolutely mandated at all
exercise of a right or o ce. 3. The means used by the subordinate to carry out said
times and at all cost, to the detriment of the life of law enforcers.
order is lawful.
The directive to issue a warning contemplates a situation
Requisites:
where several options are still available to the law enforcers. In 18) The subordinate is not liable for carrying out an illegal order
1. The accused acted in the performance of a duty OR in exceptional circumstances such as this case, where the threat to the of his superior, if he is not aware of the illegality of the order
the lawful exercise of a right or o ce; life of a law enforcer is already imminent, and there is no other and he is not negligent.
2. The injury caused or the o ense committed be the option but to use force to subdue the o ender, the law enforcer's
failure to issue a warning is excusable. Balunueco v. CA
necessary consequence of the due performance of
duty or the lawful exercise of such right or o ce. In the case at bar, Ricardo utterly failed to adduce su cient proof of
Avoidance of a greater evil
the existence of a positively strong act of real aggression on the part
Cabanlig v. Sandiganbayan Any person who, in order to avoid an evil or injury, does not act of the deceased Senando.
which causes damage to another, provided that the following
Self-defense and ful llment of duty operate on di erent principles. First, the fact that three (3) of the assailants su ered non-fatal
requisites are present;
Self-defense is based on the principle of self-preservation from injuries bolsters the fact that Senando tried vainly to ward o the
mortal harm, while ful llment of duty is premised on the due First. That the evil sought to be avoided actually exists; assaults of his assailants. Second, Ricardo failed to present himself
performance of duty. to the authorities. The natural impulse of any person who has killed
Second. That the injury feared be greater than that done to avoid it;
someone in defense of his person or relative is to bring himself to the
A policeman in the performance of duty is justi ed in using such Third. That there be no other practical and less harmful means authorities and try to dispel any suspicion of guilt that the
force as is reasonably necessary to secure and detain the of preventing it. authorities might have against him. Third, petitioner had a rather
o ender, overcome his resistance, prevent his escape, recapture
erratic recollection of people and events.
him if he escapes, and protect himself from bodily harm. 16) The greater evil should not be brought about by the
Unlike in self-defense where unlawful aggression is an element, in negligence or imprudence of the actor; nor must it result from
performance of duty, unlawful aggression from the victim is a violation of law.
NOT a requisite. Manaban v. CA
17) Only criminal liability is excused, not civil liability.
Fulfillment of Duty was Complete, Killing was Justified In this case, there was no unlawful aggression on the part of the
Obedience to a lawful order victim. First, Bautista was shot at the back as evidenced by the point
In this case, Valino was committing an o ense in the presence of the
of entry of the bullet. Second, when Bautista was shot, his gun was
policemen when Valino grabbed the M16 Armalite from Mercado Any person who acts in obedience to an order issued by a superior
still inside a locked holster and tucked in his right waist. Third,
and jumped from the jeep to escape. The policemen would have for some lawful purpose.
when Bautista turned his back at Manaban, Manaban was already
been justi ed in shooting Valino if the use of force was absolutely
Requisites: pointing his service rearm at Bautista.

By RGL 16 of 131
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Aggression presupposes that the person attacked must face a 4. Any person who, while performing a lawful act with due 3. that he acts without the least discernment;
real threat to his life and the peril sought to be avoided is care, causes an injury by mere accident without fault or 4. that there be a complete absence of the power to discern, or
imminent and actual, not imaginary. intention of causing it. that there be a total deprivation of freedom of the will.
5. Any person who act under the compulsion of irresistible Where the accused failed to show complete impairment or loss of
force. intelligence, the Court has recognized at most a mitigating, not an
Masipequiña v. CA
6. Any person who acts under the impulse of an exempting, circumstance in accord with Article 13(9) of the RPC.
The rule is that the reasonable necessity of the means employed uncontrollable fear of an equal or greater injury. In previous cases where schizophrenia was interposed as an
to repel or prevent the attack depends upon the imminent exempting circumstance, it has mostly been rejected by the Court.
7. Any person who fails to perform an act required by law,
danger of injury, NOT on the harm actually done to the In each of these cases, the evidence presented tended to show that if
when prevented by some lawful insuperable cause.
accused. there was impairment of the mental faculties, such impairment was
Thus, that Masipequiña escaped serious injuries does not necessarily not so complete as to deprive the accused of intelligence or the
Imbecility or Insanity
imply that the means he used to repel the attack were unreasonable consciousness of his acts. Accordingly, we must reject the insanity
1) An imbecile is one who, while advanced in age, has a mental defense of Rafanan.
and excessive.
development comparable to that of children 2-7 years of age.

2) To constitute insanity, there must be complete deprivation Minority


b Exempting circumstances of intelligence or that there be total deprivation of the RA 9344 as amended by RA 10360
freedom of the will. During the lucid interval, the insane 4) A child above 15, but below 18, must have acted without
acts with intelligence. discernment to be exempt.
the following are exempt from criminal liability:
3) Thus, epilepsy, somnambulism, and malignant malaria are 5) Periods of criminal responsibility
1. An imbecile or an insane person, unless the latter has valid defenses. Feeblemindedness and pedophilia, on the
acted during a lucid interval. other hand, are NOT. a) Absolute irresponsibility 15 years and below;

2. A person under 15 years of age. b) Conditional responsibility 15 years and 1 day - 18 years;
People v. Rafanan on insanity
3. A person over 15 years of age and under 18, unless he c) Full responsibility 18 years - 70 years;
has acted with discernment, in which case, such minor shall In order that the exempting circumstance of INSANITY may be d) Mitigated responsibility 15 years and 1 day to 18 years,
be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of taken into account, it is necessary that there be a complete with discernment; over 70 years or senility.
Art. 80 of this Code. deprivation of intelligence in committing the act, that is,
6) A child in conflict with the law (CCL) is one who at the
1. that the accused be deprived of reason; time of the commission of the o ense is below 18 years old but
2. that there be no responsibility for his own acts; not less than 15 years and 1 day old.

By RGL 17 of 131
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or threat, not force or violence. If force or violence is to prevent or repel it;


7) Discernment means the capacity of the child at the time of
employed, the applicable defense is irresistible force. 3. Lack of su cient provocation on the part of
the commission of the o ense to understand the di erences
between right and wrong and the consequences of the 14) Duress as a valid defense should be based on real, imminent, the person defending himself;
wrongful act. or reasonable fear for one’s life or limb and should NOT be
Defense of relatives
speculative, fanciful, or remote fear.
8) Intent refers to the desired act of the person while
discernment relates to the moral signi cance that a person 15) The compulsion must be of such a character as to leave no 1. Unlawful aggression;
ascribes to the said act. opportunity to the accused for escape or self-defense in equal 2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed
combat. to prevent or repel it;
Accident ✘ M
3. In case the provocation was given by the
9) An accident is something that happens outside the sway of Insuperable cause person attacked, the one making a defense had
our will, and although it comes about through some act of our 16) Confessant reveals to a priest of his plan to rebel against the no part therein.
will, lies beyond the bounds of humanly foreseeable government. Under Art 116, it is required that anyone who
Defense of strangers
consequences. knows of such conspiracy must report the same. However,
due to penitent-priest privileged communication, the priest 1. Unlawful aggression;
10) It is intrinsically contradictory to negligence.
can not be compelled to report such information. 2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed
11) The following requisites must concur:
a) The act of reporting is required under law; ✘ M to prevent or repel it;
a) that the accused was performing a lawful act with due 3. The person defending be not induced by
b) The priest fails to do so;
care; revenge, resentment or other evil motive.
c) His failure was due to a lawful cause, privileged
b) that the injury is caused by mere accident; and Avoidance of greater evil or State of necessity
communication between him and a penitent.
c) that there was no fault or intent on his part to cause the
Resume of Justifying and Exempting Circumstances 1. The evil sought to be avoided actually exists;
injury.
2. The injury feared be greater than that done to
M = Mitigating
Irresistible force ✔ M avoid it;
12) The force must be irresistible to reduce the actor to a mere Civil If not 3. There be no other practical and less harmful
Requisites
Liability complete means of preventing it.
instrument who acts not only without will but against his
will. Justifying Fulfillment of duty
Uncontrollable fear 1. The accused acted in the performance of a
Self-defense
13) This presupposes that a person is compelled to commit a crime duty or in the lawful exercise of such right or
1. Unlawful aggression; ✘ M
by another, but the compulsion is by means of intimidation o ce;
✘ M
2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed 2. The injury caused or the o ense committed be

By RGL 18 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the necessary consequence of the due Compulsion of an irresistible force


2. Mitigating responsibility. That the o ender is under
performance of duty or lawful exercise of such
1. The compulsion is by means of physical force; eighteen year of age or over seventy years.
right or o ce.
✔ ✘ 2. Such force must be irresistible; 3. Praeter intentionem. That the o ender had no
Obedience to a lawful order 3. Such force must come from a third person.
intention to commit so grave a wrong as that committed.
1. An order has been issued by a superior; Impulse of an uncontrollable fear 4. Provocation. That su cient provocation or threat on the
2. Such order must be for a lawful purpose; part of the o ended party immediately preceded the act.
✘ M 1. The threat which causes the fear is of an evil
3. The means used by the subordinate to carry
out said order is lawful.
greater than or at least equal to, that which he 5. Immediate vindication of a grave offense. That the
is required to commit; act was committed in the immediate vindication of a grave
Exempting a) existence of an uncontrollable fear; o ense to the one committing the felony, his spouse,
b) the fear must be real and imminent; ascendants, or relatives by a nity within the same degrees.
✔ M
Imbecility or insanity c) the fear of an injury is greater than or at
6. Passion or obfuscation. That of having acted upon an
least equal to that done.
1. Imbecile is exempt in ALL cases; impulse so powerful as naturally to have produced passion
2. That it promises an evil of such gravity and
✔ M 2. Insane is only exempt if he acted not imminence that the ordinary man would have
or obfuscation.
during a lucid interval. succumbed to it. 7. Voluntary surrender. That the o ender had voluntarily
Minority surrendered himself to a person in authority or his agents,
Insuperable cause
or
1. If 15 and below, absolutely exempt; 1. An act is required by law to be done; Plea of guilty. That he had voluntarily confessed his
2. If above 15 but below 18, conditionally 2. A person fails to perform such act;
✘ ✘ guilt before the court prior to the presentation of the
✔ M exempt. 3. His failure to perform such act was due to evidence for the prosecution.
3. Exemption applies only if it can be shown that some lawful or insuperable cause.
the minor acted without discernment. 8. Deaf and Dumb, Blind. That the o ender is deaf and
dumb, blind or otherwise su ering some physical defect
Accident
c Mitigating circumstances which thus restricts his means of action, defense, or
1. A person is performing a lawful act; communications with his fellow beings.
2. With due care; 9. Illness. Such illness of the o ender as would diminish the
1. Incomplete Defense. Those mentioned in the preceding
✘ M 3. He causes an accident to another by mere
chapter, when all the requisites necessary to justify or to exercise of the will-power of the o ender without however
accident; depriving him of the consciousness of his acts.
exempt from criminal liability in the respective cases are not
4. Without fault or intention of causing it.
attendant.

By RGL 19 of 131
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Incomplete defense 9) It must be immediate to the commission of the crime such


10. Analogous. And, nally, any other circumstances of a
that the accused had no time to regain his reason and to
similar nature and analogous to those above mentioned. 3) When all the requisites necessary to justify the act or to exempt
exercise self-control.
from criminal liability are not attendant.
Privileged and ordinary 10) It should not be o ensive and positively strong as it may then
4) The only instance it becomes privileged mitigating is when a
1) Ordinary or Generic mitigating are those enumerated in be considered as an unlawful aggression that may give rise to
majority of the requisites in self-defense, defense of relatives or
Art 13. For incomplete defense however, in Subsection 1, it self-defense.
strangers is present.
becomes privileged when majority of the requisites are present. Immediate vindication of a grave offense
(Art 69) Praeter intentionem
11) A lapse of time is allowed between the grave o ense and the
5) It is the intention of the o ender at the moment when he is
a) It is susceptible to being o set by any aggravating vindication.
committing the crime which is considered.
circumstance.
12) Whether the personal o ense is grave must be decided
b) If not o set, produces only the e ect of applying the People v. Enriquez considering the social standing of the person, the place, the
penalty provided by law in its minimum period, in case time when the insult was made.
of divisible penalty. The trial court gave all of the accused the bene t of the mitigating
circumstance that the o enders had no intention to commit so 13) It is incompatible with passion or obfuscation. They cannot
2) Privileged mitigating are those that cannot be o set by any co-exist, except when there are other facts, although closely
grave a wrong. The estimation of this circumstance was
aggravating circumstance. It has the e ect of imposing upon connected. In other words, the cause for each arose from
proper, and its allowance was not inconsistent with the
the o ender the penalty lower by one or two degrees than di erent sets of facts.
nding that the crime was murder.
that provided by law.
a) Art 68. When the o ender is a minor and his case falls Provocation Vindication
Provocation
under the JJWA, particularly those above 15 but below 18, 6) Any unjust or improper conduct or act by the o ended party, Also against o ender’s
and acts WITH discernment. Made towards o ender
capable of exciting, inciting, or irritating anyone. relatives
b) Art 69. Not all, but a majority of the requisites of 7) As to whether a provocation is sufficient depends upon the
justifying or exempting circumstances are present. Offender must An o ense need not
act constituting the provocation, the social standing of the A grave o ense
have done be grave
c) Art 64(5). When there are 2 or more mitigating person provoked, the place and time when the provocation is
circumstances and no aggravating. made. Immediately
Time lapse Proximate
8) As an element of self-defense, it pertains to its absence on the preceded the act
d) Art 268(3). Voluntary release of person illegally detained
within 3 days; part of the person defending himself; whereas as a mitigating
Passion or obfuscation
circumstance, it pertains to its presence on the part of the
e) Art 333(3). Abandonment without justi cation of the
o ended party. 14) Mitigating only when the same arose from lawful sentiments,
spouse who committed adultery.
and NOT in a spirit of lawlessness or revenge.

By RGL 20 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

15) The crime committed by the accused must be provoked by Irresistible Force Passion or Obfuscation Voluntary Surrender
prior unjust or improper acts of the injured party.
Kind Exempting Mitigating 22) The following elements must be present for voluntary
16) Exercise of a right or ful llment of duty is NOT a proper surrender to be appreciated:
source of passion or obfuscation. Force Physical Not physical
a) the o ender has not been actually arrested;
17) It must be proven that the act which produced passion or Source 3rd person O ender himself b) the o ender surrendered himself to a person in
obfuscation took place at a time not far removed from the
authority, and,
commission of the crime. Arise from lawful
Lawful? NO
sentiments c) the surrender must be voluntary, spontaneous.
18) The crime committed must be the result of a sudden impulse
of natural and uncontrollable fury.
Lumauig v. People 2014
19) It may be built up and strengthen over time until it can no Romera v. People
longer be repressed and will ultimately motivate the In sentencing petitioner, the Sandiganbayan correctly considered
commission of the crime. (People v. Oloverio 2015) Thrusting his bolo at petitioner, threatening to kill him, and the mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender. However, it
hacking the bamboo walls of his house are, in our view, su cient failed to consider the mitigating circumstance of return or full
20) Considered as ONE mitigating circumstance with
provocation to enrage any man, or stir his rage and obfuscate his restitution of the funds that were previously unliquidated.
provocation if both arose from one and the same cause.
thinking, more so when the lives of his wife and children are in
21) INCOMPATIBLE with the following: danger. Petitioner stabbed the victim as a result of those
a. Praeter intentionem; provocations, and while petitioner was still in a t of rage. In our People v. Basite
view, there was su cient provocation and the circumstance of
b. Treachery; A surrender to be voluntary must be spontaneous, showing the
passion or obfuscation attended the commission of the
c. Evident premeditation; o ense. intent of the accused to submit himself unconditionally to the
authorities, either because
But, we must stress that provocation and passion or obfuscation
Provocation Passion or Obfuscation 1. he acknowledges his guilt, or
are not two separate mitigating circumstances. Well-settled is the
Source O ended party Caused by provocation rule that if these two circumstances are based on the same facts, they 2. he wishes to save them the trouble and expense necessarily
should be treated together as one mitigating circumstance. incurred in his search and capture.
Time Immediately preceded
Need not be immediate Nonetheless, since the mitigating circumstance of voluntary If none of these two (2) reasons impelled the accused to surrender,
lapse the act
surrender is also present, Article 64 (5) of the RPC should be because his surrender was obviously motivated more by an intention
Effect Loss of reason and self-control of o ender applied. The penalty for frustrated homicide, pursuant to Article 50 to insure his safety, his arrest being inevitable, the surrender is not
of the RPC, is the penalty next lower in degree than that spontaneous. Here, accused-appellant willingly went to the police
prescribed by law for consummated homicide. authorities with Gilbert Sacla only to escape the wrath of private

By RGL 21 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

complainant's relatives who were pursuing him and who appeared Analogous circumstances Shall only serve to mitigate the liability of the principals,
to be thirsting for his blood. accomplices, and accessories to whom such circumstances are
a. Over 60 years with failing sight, similar to senility;
attendant. (Art 62[3])
b. Outraged feeling of owner of animal taken for ransom similar
Circumstances which are neither exempting nor mitigating
Manaban v. CA to vindication;
1. Aberratio ictus;
c. Esprit de corps or mass psychology is similar to passion or
Voluntary Surrender and Obfuscation
obfuscation; 2. Mistake in the identity;
Manaban called the police to report the shooting incident. When
d. Voluntary restitution of property similar to voluntary 3. Entrapment;
the police arrived, Manaban surrendered his service rearm and
surrender; 4. Age of criminal responsibility;
voluntarily went with the police to the police station for
investigation. Thus, Manaban is entitled to the bene t of the e. Extreme poverty similar to incomplete justi cation based on 5. Performance of righteous action.
mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender. state of necessity;
f. Testifying for the prosecution similar to plea of guilty; Review of Mitigating Circumstances
On obfuscation, we nd that the facts of the case do not entitle
Manaban to such mitigating circumstance. Manaban admitted Circumstance Requisites
shooting Bautista because Bautista turned around and was allegedly People v. Tampus and Montesclaros
Not all requisites necessary to justify the act or to
about to draw his gun to shoot Manaban. The act of Bautista in
We agree with both the trial and appellate courts in their Incomplete exempt from criminal liability are attendant.
turning around is not unlawful and sufficient cause for Manaban to
appreciation of the mitigating circumstance of illness as would defense If majority of the requisites are present, privileged,
lose his reason and shoot Bautista. The defense failed to establish
diminish the exercise of willpower of Ida without depriving her of otherwise, ordinary.
by clear and convincing evidence the cause that allegedly
the consciousness of her acts, pursuant to Article 13(9).
produced obfuscation. Minor
Dr. Costas testi ed that Ida was provisionally treated for Above 15 but below 18 years old.
(Privileged)
Plea of guilty schizophrenia a few months before the incident. Ida was not
totally deprived of intelligence at the time of the incident; but, she Senility O ender is over 70 years old
23) Not mitigating if made on appeal.
may have poor judgment. There is a notable and evident disproportion
24) Plea of guilty to lesser o ense than that charged is not Praeter
mitigating. However, if the information is amended to between the means employed to execute the criminal
Mitigating circumstances which are personal to o enders intentionem
change the charge to a lesser o ense and the accused pleads act and its consequences.
Mitigating circumstances which arise
guilty thereto, it is mitigating. 1. Must be sufficient;
1) From the moral attributes of the o ender; or
25) The plea of guilty must be unconditional. 2. Must originate from offended party; and
Provocation
2) From his private relations with the o ended party; or 3. Must be immediate to the act, i.e., to the
26) NOT mitigating in culpable felonies and in crimes under
3) From any other personal cause, commission of the crime by the person who is
SPLs.

By RGL 22 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

provoked. beings.
6. That the crime be committed in the night time, or in an
1. There be a grave offense done to the one 1. The illness of o ender must diminish the uninhabited place, or by a band, whenever such
committing the felony, his spouse, ascendants, exercise of his will-power; circumstances may facilitate the commission of the o ense.
Illness (Nighttime, Uninhabited place,)
Immediate descendants, legitimate, natural or adopted 2. Such illness should not deprive the o ender of
vindication brothers or sisters, or relatives by a nity within consciousness of his acts. Whenever more than three armed malefactors shall have
of a grave the same degrees; acted together in the commission of an o ense, it shall be
Analogous Similar to any of the mitigating circumstances.
offense 2. The felony is committed in vindication of such deemed to have been committed by a band. (Band)
grave o ense. A lapse of time is allowed between
7. That the crime be committed on the occasion of a
the vindication and doing of the grave o ense.
d Aggravating circumstances con agration, shipwreck, earthquake, epidemic or other
1. There be an act, both unlawful and sufficient, to calamity or misfortune. (Calamity)
produce such a condition of mind; and 1. That advantage be taken by the o ender of his public 8. That the crime be committed with the aid of armed men or
2. Said act which produced the obfuscation was position. (Abuse of public position) persons who insure or a ord impunity. (Aid of armed
Passion or
not far removed from the commission of the men)
obfuscation 2. That the crime be committed in contempt or with insult to
crime by a considerable length of time, during
the public authorities. (Contempt of or insult to public 9. That the accused is a recidivist. (Recidivist)
which the perpetrator might recover his normal
authorities)
equanimity. A recidivist is one who, at the time of his trial for one crime,
3. That the act be committed with insult or in disregard of the shall have been previously convicted by nal judgment of
1. O ender had not been actually arrested.
respect due the o ended party on account of his rank, age, another crime embraced in the same title of this Code.
Voluntary 2. He surrendered himself to a person in authority
or sex, (Insult to offended party)
surrender or to the latter's agent; 10. That the o ender has been previously punished by an
3. The surrender was voluntary. or that is committed in the dwelling of the o ended party, if o ense to which the law attaches an equal or greater penalty
the latter has not given provocation. (Dwelling) or for two or more crimes to which it attaches a lighter
1. O ender spontaneously confessed his guilt; penalty. (Reiteracion)
4. That the act be committed with abuse of con dence or
2. Such was made in open court, before the
Plea of obvious ungratefulness. (Abuse of confidence or obvious 11. That the crime be committed in consideration of a price,
competent court that is to try the case; and
guilty ungratefulness) reward, or promise. (Price, reward, or promise)
3. Such was made prior to the presentation of
evidence for the prosecution. 5. That the crime be committed in the palace of the Chief 12. That the crime be committed by means of inundation, re,
Executive or in his presence, or where public authorities are poison, explosion, stranding of a vessel or international
1. The o ender is deaf and dumb, blind or engaged in the discharge of their duties, or in a place
Deaf and damage thereto, derailment of a locomotive, or by the use of
otherwise su ering some physical defect dedicated to religious worship. (Palace of Chief
Dumb, any other arti ce involving great waste and ruin. (Great
2. Which thus restricts his means of action, Executive)
Blind waste and ruin)
defense, or communications with his fellow

By RGL 23 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

13. That the act be committed with evident premeditation. 21. That the wrong done in the commission of the crime be As to 1st offense, Been adjudged with
Served out the sentence
(Evident premeditation) deliberately augmented by causing other wrongs not offender shall have nality
necessary for its commission. (Cruelty)
14. That the craft, fraud or disguise be employed. (Craft, Previous and Included in SAME Must NOT be
fraud, or disguise) subsequent offenses title embraced in same title
Kinds
15. That advantage be taken of superior strength, or means be
1. Generic — Those that can be applied to all crimes. Always aggravating ✔ ✘
employed to weaken the defense. (Abuse of superior
strength) 2. Specific — Applies only to particular crimes.
Treachery or alevosia
16. That the act be committed with treachery. (Alevosia) 3. Qualifying — Changes the nature of the crime. 1) The settled rule is that treachery can exist even if the attack is
There is treachery when the o ender commits any of the 4. Inherent — Must accompany the commission of the crime. frontal, as long as the attack is sudden and unexpected, giving
crimes against the person, employing means, methods, or the victim no opportunity to repel it or to defend himself.
forms in the execution thereof which tend directly and People v. Nabaluna 2) What is decisive is that the execution of the attack, without the
specially to insure its execution, without risk to himself slightest provocation from an unarmed victim, made it
arising from the defense which the o ended party might The element of treachery cannot simply be presumed. It must be
impossible for the victim to defend himself or to retaliate.
make. clearly proven as the crime itself.
3) There is treachery when the o ender commits any of the
17. That means be employed or circumstances brought about The mere fact that two of the accused, with one of them being
crimes against persons, employing means, methods or forms
which add ignominy to the natural e ects of the act. armed with a bolo, does not necessarily constitute abuse of
in the execution thereof, which tend directly and specially to
(Ignominy) superior strength on their part. To take advantage of superior ensure its execution without risk to himself arising from the
18. That the crime be committed after an unlawful entry. strength, it is imperative that there be a showing of purposely defense that the o ended party might make.
(Unlawful entry) using excessive force which is out of proportion to the means
of defense available to the person attacked. 4) There are two (2) conditions that must concur for treachery to
There is an unlawful entry when an entrance is e ected by a exist, to wit:
way not intended for the purpose. Lastly, disregard of old age should not be taken into account for,
a) the employment of means of execution gave the
as stated in the case of People v. Pagal, it is not proper to consider
19. That as a means to the commission of a crime a wall, roof, person attacked no opportunity to defend himself
this aggravating circumstance in crimes against property.
oor, door, or window be broken. (Breaking wall, roof, or to retaliate; and
Robbery with homicide is primarily a crime against property and
floor, door, or window) b) the means or method of execution was deliberately
not against persons.
20. That the crime be committed with the aid of persons under and consciously adopted.
fteen years of age or by means of motor vehicles, Recidivism vs Reiteracion
5) The essence of treachery is that the attack is deliberate and
motorized watercraft, airships, or other similar means. (aab Recidivism Reiteracion without warning, done in a swift and unexpected manner,
RA 5438). (Aid of person under 15, Motor vehicle)

By RGL 24 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a ording the hapless, unarmed and unsuspecting victim no


when the victim is aware of the hostility of the assailant towards the disregard of sex in order that it may be considered as aggravating
chance to resist or escape.
former." circumstance.

People v. Bermudo 2018


Nighttime or nocturnidad
Gilberto was completely defenseless at the time of the attack because People v. Angeles 2019 a) particularly sought or darkness is taken advantage to commit
he was surprised by Rommel with a blow to the head causing him to the o ense, or
Treachery may still be appreciated even when the victim was
fall to the ground. Rommel and co-accused continued to attack him
forewarned of the danger to his person. What is decisive is that the b) facilitated the commission of the crime.
causing him multiple injuries, including the fatal ones. Gilberto was
execution of the attack made it impossible for the victim to defend Nighttime cannot be considered if it is shown that the place was
never in a position to defend himself. Further, Rommel and his
himself or to retaliate. adequately lighted.
co-accused consciously adopted the means of attack because, as
noted by the CA, they were already armed when they proceeded to
Evident premeditation Abuse of superior strength
the crime scene. In addition, it is noteworthy that Rommel
suddenly, without warning or provocation, attacked Gilberto from To prove this aggravating circumstance, the prosecution must show the
People v. Maron 2019
behind. following:
1) the time when the o ender determined to commit the Employment of means to weaken the defense is, at the very least,
crime; subsumed under the qualifying circumstance of abuse of superior
People v. Bagabay 2018 Caguioa, J strength.
2) an act manifestly indicating that the o ender clung to his
determination; and In determining whether the qualifying circumstance of employing
It is not enough that the attack was "sudden," "unexpected," and
means to weaken the defense is present, the Court shall be guided by
"without any warning or provocation." There must also be a 3) a lapse of time, between the determination to commit the the same standard in determining the presence of abuse of superior
showing that the o ender consciously and deliberately crime and the execution thereof, su cient to allow the strength, i.e., "notorious inequality of forces between the victim
adopted the particular means, methods and forms in the o ender to re ect upon the consequences of his act. and the aggressor/s that is plainly and obviously advantageous to the
execution of the crime which tended directly to insure such
aggressor's and purposely selected or taken advantage of to facilitate
execution, without risk to himself. Mari v. CA the commission of the crime.”
The mere fact that the victim is a woman is not per se an
aggravating circumstance. There was no nding that the evidence
People v. Jaurigue 2019
proved that the accused in fact deliberately intended to o end or People v. Pagapulaan 2019
There can be no treachery when the victim was "forewarned of the insult the sex of the victim, or showed manifest disrespect to the
To take advantage of superior strength means to purposely use
danger he was in," "put on guard," or otherwise "could anticipate o ended woman or displayed some speci c insult or disrespect to
excessive force out of proportion to the means of defense available to
aggression from the assailant" as when "the assault is preceded by a her womanhood. There was no proof of speci c fact or
the person attacked.
heated exchange of words between the accused and the victim; or circumstance, other than the victim is a woman, showing insult or

By RGL 25 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Unlike in treachery, where the victim was not given the opportunity that "more than three" persons were armed, and robbery in "band" appellant from her dwelling house (kitchen) and then raped her.
means "more than three armed malefactors united in the Dwelling is aggravating if the victim was taken from his
to defend himself or repel the aggression, taking advantage of
commission of robbery." house although the o ense was not completed therein.
superior strength does not mean that the victim was
completely defenseless. Nighttime did not attend the commission of the crime. The fact
that the o ense was committed at 9:30 in the evening does not
People v. Matibag 2015
su ce to sustain nocturnidad. It must be shown that nocturnidad
People v. Enojo 2019 was deliberately and intentionally sought. The special aggravating circumstance of use of unlicensed
It has been consistently held that an attack made by a man with a rearm, which was duly alleged in the Information, should be
deadly weapon upon an unarmed and defenseless woman appreciated in the imposition of penalty. When Matibag killed
People v. Nasayao re Treachery Duhan with his rearm, the use thereof was unauthorized under the
constitutes the circumstance of abuse of that superiority which his
sex and the weapon used in the act a orded him, and from which purview of RA 8294 and is equally appreciated as a special
The victim, while squatting on top of a bench and eating his meal
the woman was unable to defend herself. aggravating circumstance. As a result, the imposition of the
with a plate in one hand, was certainly in no position to defend
maximum penalty of death, which is reduced to reclusion perpetua
himself or to retaliate. Accused may have forewarned Joves about
in light of RA 9346, stands proper. To this, the Court adds that
what he was about to do by telling him to nish his meal.
Matibag is not eligible for parole.
People v. Arizobal re Dwelling, Treachery, Band, Nighttime Nevertheless, accused did not wait for Joves to nish. He did not
give Joves the opportunity to stand up. Joves not only failed to reply
The trial court is correct in appreciating dwelling as an aggravating
to accused’s order for him to nish his meal, but also failed to make
circumstance. Generally, dwelling is considered inherent in the any instinctive reaction to the perceived threat posed by the accused People v. Perreras re Dwelling
crimes which can only be committed in the abode of the victim, who was holding two knives. From all indications, the attack on
such as trespass to dwelling and robbery in an inhabited place. Dwelling aggravates a felony where the crime was committed in
Joves was sudden and unexpected.
However, in robbery with homicide the authors thereof can commit the dwelling of the o ended party if the latter has not given
the heinous crime without transgressing the sanctity of the victim's provocation or if the victim was killed inside his house. Although
domicile. accused was outside of the house when he red, the victim was
People v. de la Torre re Dwelling inside his house. For the circumstance of dwelling to be considered,
But treachery was incorrectly considered by the trial court. The
In People v. Parazo, the “dwelling” contemplated in Article 14(3) it is not necessary that the accused should have actually entered the
accused stand charged with, tried and convicted of robbery with dwelling of the victim to commit the o ense; it is enough that the
of the RPC does not necessarily mean that the victim owns the
homicide which is primarily classi ed as a crime against property. victim was attacked inside his own house.
place where he lives or dwells. Be he a lessee, a boarder, or a
As such, treachery cannot be validly appreciated as an aggravating
circumstance. bedspacer, the place is his home, the sanctity of which the law
seeks to protect. The fact that the crime was consummated in the
While it appears that at least ve (5) malefactors took part in the People v. Taño
nearby house is also immaterial. Marita was forcibly taken by
commission of the crime, the evidence on record does not disclose

By RGL 26 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

The Court nds that dwelling cannot be appreciated as an Insult or disregard of offended party
However, the aggravating circumstances of nocturnity and craft
aggravating circumstance. The building where the two o enses were
should not have been considered by the lower court. There was a) Deliberate intent to o end or insult
committed was not entirely for dwelling purposes. The evidence
no showing that the appellants purposely sought the cover of night (sine qua non)
shows that it consisted of two oors: the ground oor, which was
when they committed the special complex crime of robbery with
being operated as a video rental shop, and the upper oor, which Rank: there should be a di erence in
homicide. Neither did the appellants employ craft, since they had Disregard of sex
was used as a residence. It was in the video rental shop where the the social condition of the o ender and
already boarded the vessel when they pretended to buy Tanduay absorbed in treachery;
rape was committed. True, the victim was dragged to the kitchen o ended;
Rum in exchange for the dried sh and chicken they were carrying.
and toilet but these two sections were adjacent to and formed parts Age: there is a considerable gap;
Even without such pretense, they could nonetheless have carried out
of the store. Being a commercial shop that caters to the public,
their unlawful scheme. Sex: Female.
the video rental outlet was open to the public. As such, it is not
attributed the sanctity of privacy that jurisprudence accords to Review of Aggravating Circumstances Dwelling
residential abodes.
Requisites Notes it is enough that the
a) o ended party must not give
Abuse of public position victim was attacked inside
provocation (sine qua non)
People v. Aspili his own house
Inherent in Malversation
We nd no merit in the appellants' contention that the lower court (217); Falsi cation of Abuse of confidence
erred in considering recidivism as an aggravating circumstance. All a) Done by a public o cer; document by public
➔ Betrayal of
the appellants are recidivists. They were serving sentence by virtue b) Took advantage of position o cers(171); Art 19 par
a) o ended party had trusted the con dence NOT
of a nal judgment of conviction when they committed the o enses. 3; Crimes by public
o ender; aggravating
Aspili, Magbanua, Mendoza and Rebutido have previously been o cers (204-245)
convicted of the crimes of frustrated homicide, serious physical b) o ender abused such trust by ➔ Con dence must be
Contempt or insult to the public authorities committing a crime against the immediate and
injuries, theft, and murder and trespass to dwelling, respectively.
Both Sales and Aguirre have previously been convicted of robbery in o ended party; personal
a) public authority is engaged in the
band. exercise of his functions; c) abuse of con dence facilitated the ➔ Stealing the property
We likewise uphold the trial court's nding that the crime was commission of the crime of host is with abuse
b) authority is not the person against
aggravated because it was committed by a band. All the six of con dence
whom the crime is committed; Becomes Direct Assault
appellants were armed when they boarded the vessel and perpetrated if done against authority
c) o ender knows him to be a public Obvious ungratefulness
their dastardly acts. There is also abuse of superior strength,
authority;
since most of the victims were women and children ranging from 2
to 9 years old. d) presence has not prevented the ungratefulness must be obvious, i.e. manifest and clear.
commission of the crime.

By RGL 27 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Palace of the Chief Executive act; Ordinance/SPL

Chief Executive: Need ➔ Controlling is time of TRIAL, not the commission of


COMMON ELEMENTS FOR PAR 6
a) Public authority must be in their not be in the palace; His crime;
o ce while performing his duty; mere presence aggravates; a) facilitated the commission of the crime; OR
➔ The commission of crime and rendering of judgment must
b) He may be the o ended party He need not perform his b) especially sought by the o ender to insure the commission be successive: e.g.
duties; of the crime or for the purpose of impunity; OR
Crime 1 → Judgment 1 → Crime 2 → Judgment 2
Nocturnidad or Nighttime c) o ender took advantage for the purpose of impunity;
Reiteracion or habituality
a) crime occurred in that period of Two alternative tests for
Calamity or misfortune a) Accused on trial for an o ense; ➔ If o ender has not
darkness beginning at end of dusk nocturnity:
and ending at dawn; b) previously served sentence for been previously
a) Objective: Calamity includes punished or served
a) O ender must take advantage of another o ense of an equal or
b) place must not be illuminated; facilitates crime; con agration, shipwreck, sentence, reiteracion
calamity; greater penalty, or for two or more
c) crime must begin and be b) Subjective: earthquake, epidemic is NOT attendant;
crimes of a lighter penalty than that
accomplished in the nighttime; purposely sought for the new o ense; ➔ Reiteracion NOT
Aid of armed men
In an uninhabited place c) be convicted of the new o ense. ALWAYS aggravating
a) armed persons took part in the
commission of the crime either Not considered when
a) The place provides no reasonable Consideration of price, reward or promise
"For the purpose of directly or indirectly; both parties are
possibility of the victim receiving
impunity" means to EQUALLY armed; a) there must be at least two (2) If not alleged to qualify
some help; b) accused availed himself of their aid,
prevent o ender's Not considered if principals, one by inducement and the crime to murder,
b) accused sought the solitude for an or relied upon them during the
recognition, or secure conspiracy is present the other/s by direct participation; GENERIC only
easy and uninterrupted commission of the crime
himself from detection
accomplishment of the crime, and Great waste and ruin
and punishment. Recidivist
to insure concealment of o ense;
When the crime committed is parricide,
a) O ender is on trial for an o ense;
By a band there is only GENERIC aggravating
b) previously convicted by nal judgment of another crime; Means are purposely used
a) at least four; Explosion
c) both o enses embraced in same title of Code; to accomplish a criminal
One of the four should
b) all four are armed; If there is intent to kill, using explosion, purpose.
not be a principal by d) o ender be convicted of new o ense
crime is MURDER
c) all shall have acted together, taking inducement.
➔ Also applies if both o enses violate the same
direct part in the execution of the

By RGL 28 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Derailment of Locomotive Abuse of superior strength O ender need not enter the building for FORCIBLE ENTRY to be
aggravating.
If person dies as a result without intent, a) There should be notorious
COMPLEX CRIME of damage to inequality of forces between the two Aid of person under 15 and Means of motor vehicle
means of communication with parties; Incompatible with
Passion or obfuscation 1. Two di erent aggravating: aid of minors under 15, means of
homicide (Arts 330 and 249 in rel to Art
b) O ender takes advantage of this motor vehicle;
4 and 48);
inequality.
2. Estafa cannot be committed by means of motor vehicle
Evident Premeditation
Alevosia or Treachery
Cruelty
a) time when o ender determined to
a) At the time of the attack, victim was
commit crime; a) Injury caused be deliberately
not in a position to defend himself a) Applies to crimes
increased by causing other wrong; The culprit enjoys and
b) act indicating culprit clung to this or retaliate; AND against persons; delights in making his
After o ender had
determination; b) Other wrong is unnecessary in victim su er.
determined to commit b) o ender consciously adopted the b) mode of attack
accomplishing the crime;
c) su cient lapse of time between the crime, 2nd req. exists. particular means, methods, or consciously adopted.
determination and execution, forms.
allowing REFLECTION and
Ignominy e Alternative circumstances
COOL THOUGHT
A circumstance
Craft Alternative circumstances are those which must be taken into
pertaining to the moral
must tend to make the e ects of the consideration as aggravating or mitigating according to the nature
Act done in order not to order, which adds
involves intellectual trickery and crime more humiliating, putting the and e ects of the crime and the other conditions attending its
arouse suspicion of the disgrace and obloquy to
cunning victim to shame; commission. They are the relationship, intoxication and the degree
victim; the material injury caused
by the crime. of instruction and education of the o ender.
Fraud
The alternative circumstance of relationship shall be taken into
Unlawful Entry
involves insidious words or Di ers from Craft in that consideration when the o ended party is the spouse, ascendant,
machinations used to induce the victim Fraud involves direct There is an unlawful entry when an descendant, legitimate, natural, or adopted brother or sister, or
in a manner which would enable the inducement by insidious entrance is e ected by a way not NOT for escape relative by a nity in the same degrees of the o ender.
o ender to carry out his criminal design. words intended for the purpose.
The intoxication of the o ender shall be taken into consideration
Disguise Breaking wall, roof, oor, door, or window as a mitigating circumstances when the o ender has committed a
felony in a state of intoxication, if the same is not habitual or
involves resorting to any device to conceal identity

By RGL 29 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

247. If death or serious injuries result, there is mitigated


subsequent to the plan to commit said felony but when the of the rape should be appreciated as a mitigating circumstance.
liability, as “extenuating circumstance”)
intoxication is habitual or intentional, it shall be considered as an Accused did not present any evidence that his intoxication was not
aggravating circumstance. habitual or subsequent to the plan to commit the rape. 5) Persons not criminally liable for theft, estafa or malicious
mischief by reason of relationship to the o ended
party. (Art. 332)
People v. Orilla re relationship People v. Dawaton
Entrapment Instigation
The Amended Information did not allege Remilyn’s minor age. The trial court erred in not appreciating the alternative
The prosecution’s failure to allege speci cally Remilyn’s circumstance of intoxication in favor of the accused. There law o cers employ ruses and
minor age prevents the transformation of the crime to its being no indication that the accused was a habitual drunkard or that schemes to ensure the
the accused is induced to commit
quali ed form. his alcoholic intake was intended to fortify his resolve to commit the apprehension of the criminal
the crime.
crime, the circumstance of intoxication should be credited in his while in the actual commission
Based on a strict interpretation, alternative circumstances are thus
favor. of the crime.
not aggravating circumstances per se. Jurisprudence considers
relationship as an aggravating circumstance in crimes against the law o cer conceives the
chastity. However, rape is no longer a crime against chastity for commission of the crime and
it is now classi ed as a crime against persons. f Absolutory causes the mens rea originates from the
suggests to the accused who
mind of the criminal
Are those where the act committed is a crime but for reasons of adopts the idea and carries it into
public policy and sentiment, there is no penalty imposed. execution
People v. lack of instruction generally mitigating
Bondoc except in Crimes against property and chastity A circumstance which is present prior to or simultaneously with does NOT exempt the criminal
considered an absolutory cause.
the o ense by reason of which the accused who acts with criminal from liability.
A close examination of the record is indicative of the lack of intent, freedom and intelligence does not incur a criminal liability
instruction of the o ender. There is more than su cient for an act which constitutes a crime.
justi cation for the nding of the mitigating circumstance of the People v. Casio 2014
1) Spontaneous desistance in attempted felonies (Art. 6);
above character that would lessen the rigor of the Anti-Subversion
law. 2) Accessories in light felonies (Art. 16); Accused was predisposed to commit the o ense because she
initiated the transaction. As testi ed by PO1 Veloso and PO1
3) Accessories exempt from criminal liability by reason of
relationship (Art. 20); Luardo, accused called out their attention by saying “Chicks mo
People v. Fontillas 2010 re intoxication dong?”
4) A legal spouse or parent who in icts slight or less serious
The Court of Appeals correctly rejected the accused-appellant's physical injuries under exceptional circumstances; (Art. With regard to the lack of prior surveillance, prior surveillance is
assertion that his extreme intoxication from alcohol on the night not a condition for an entrapment operation’s validity.

By RGL 30 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

As held in People v. Padua, a prior surveillance is not a woman syndrome is characterized by the so-called “cycle of a. Forcing
prerequisite for the validity of an entrapment or buy-bust violence,” which has three phases: i. By using irresistible force;
operation, the conduct of which has no rigid or textbook method.
1) the tension-building phase; ii. By causing uncontrollable fear; OR
2) the acute battering incident; and b. Inducing
People v. Doria 3) the tranquil, loving (or, at least, nonviolent) phase. i. By giving price, or o ering reward or promise;
Entrapment in the Philippines is not a defense available to the The Court failed to nd ample evidence that would con rm the ii. By using words of command.
accused. It is instigation that is a defense and is considered an presence of the essential characteristics of BWS. The defense fell
another to commit a crime.
absolutory cause. short of proving all three phases of the “cycle of violence”
supposedly characterizing the relationship of Ben and Marivic 3) Becomes liable only when the principal by direct participation
In the case at bar, the evidence shows that it was the con dential
Genosa. committed the act.
informant who initially contacted Doria. At the pre-arranged
meeting, the informant was accompanied by PO3 Manlangit who 4) The inducement
posed as the buyer of marijuana. PO3 Manlangit handed the marked a. must be made directly with the intention of procuring
money to Doria as advance payment for one (1) kilo of marijuana. 3 Persons liable and degree of participation
the commission of the crime; and
Doria was apprehended when he later returned and handed the
a Principals, accomplices, and accessories b. that such must be the determining cause of the crime.
brick of marijuana to PO3 Manlangit.
5) The inducement must precede the act induced and must be so
Battered Woman Syndrome Principals in uential in producing the criminal act that without it, the
By direct participation act would not have been performed.
People v. Genosa in rel. to Sec. 26, RA 9262
a) Participated in the criminal resolution; and 6) Requisites for a person using words of command to be
The severe beatings repeatedly in icted on appellant constituted a
b) Carried out their plan and personally took part in its liable as principal by induction:
form of cumulative provocation that broke down her psychological
resistance and self-control. This “psychological paralysis” she execution by acts which directly tended to the same end. a. The one commanding must have the intention of
su ered diminished her will power, thereby entitling her to the EXC where there was conspiracy to kidnap and kill and procuring the commission of the crime;
mitigating factor under paragraphs 9 and 10 of Article 13. In only one of the conspirators kidnapped the victim. b. He must have an ascendancy or influence over the person
addition, appellant should also be credited with the extenuating who acted;
1) If the 2nd requisite is absent, there is only conspiracy, which
circumstance of having acted upon an impulse so powerful as to
may not be punishable in and of itself. c. The words used must be so direct, efficacious, powerful as
have naturally produced passion and obfuscation.
By induction to amount to physical or moral coercion;
In order to be classi ed as a battered woman, the couple must go
2) Two ways of becoming principal by induction, by directly d. The words must be uttered prior to the commission of the
through the battering cycle at least TWICE. The battered
crime; and

By RGL 31 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

e. The material executor of the crime has no personal Accomplices At best, Excel's participation in the incident was limited to acts
reason to commit the crime.
Accomplices are persons who, not being included in Article 17 of committed after the abduction was already consummated.
7) One cannot be held guilty of having instigated the commission the RPC, cooperate in the execution of the o ense by previous or Particularly, Excel retrieved the ransom money from Metrobank.
of a crime without rst being shown that the crime has been simultaneous acts.
actually committed by another. 12) Where there is doubt whether accused acted as principal or
The following requisites must be proved in order that a person accomplice, he should be liable only as an accomplice.
8) But if the one charged as principal by direct participation is can be considered an accomplice:
acquitted because he acted without criminal intent, his 13) When the participation of an accused is not disclosed, only an
a) community of design, i.e., knowing that criminal design accomplice.
acquittal is NOT a ground for the acquittal of the principal by
of the principal by direct participation, he concurs with
inducement. 14) An accomplice does not have previous agreement or
the latter in his purpose;
By indispensable cooperation understanding or is not in conspiracy with the principal by
b) he cooperates in the execution of the o ense by direct participation.
a) There is either anterior conspiracy or unity of previous or simultaneous acts; and,
criminal purpose and intention immediately before the 15) What di erentiates an accomplice from a conspirator is that
c) there must be a relation between the acts done by the the former only concurs with the criminal design, and not
commission of the crime charged; and
principal and those attributed to the person charged as the criminal intention. The conspirators have already decided
b) Cooperation in the commission of the o ense by accomplice. upon such course of action. Accomplices come to know about
performing another act, without which it would not have
it after the principals have reached the decision.
been accomplished. Gurro v. People 2019
16) In other words
9) One who, by acts of negligence, cooperates in the commission The prosecution failed to prove, much less allege, any overt act on
of the crime may be liable as co-principal. But he is held guilty a. Conspirators are the AUTHORS of a crime;
Excel's part showing his direct participation in the kidnapping itself.
of the same crime through reckless imprudence. It must be remembered that for one to be regarded as an accomplice, b. Accomplices are mere INSTRUMENTS who perform
Collective Criminal Responsibility (CCR) it must be shown that acts not essential to the perpetration of the o ense.

10) When the o enders are criminally liable in the same manner 1. he knew the criminal design of the principal by direct 17) The acts of the accomplice are necessary, but not
and to the same extent. The penalty to be imposed must be participation, and concurred with the latter in his purpose; indispensable to the commission of the crime. He merely
the same for all. supplies the principal with material or moral aid without
2. he cooperated in the execution by previous or
conspiracy with the latter.
11) Principals by direct participation have CCR; Principal by simultaneous acts, with the intention of supplying material
induction, except that who directly forced another to commit a or moral aid in the execution of the crime in an e cacious 18) The moral aid may be through advice, encouragement or
crime, and principal by direct participation have CCR; way; and agreement.
Principal by indispensable cooperation has CCR with the 3. his acts bore a direct relation with the acts done by the 19) An accomplice may be liable for a crime di erent from that
principal by direct participation. principal. which the principal committed.

By RGL 32 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Accessories 2. Ascendant,
Alex, Dante, and Cirilo, on the other hand, should be held as
Accessories are those who, having knowledge of the 3. Descendant, or simple accomplices for their acts of pelting the victim with rocks.
commission of the crime, and without having participated Since the deceased had already sustained two stab wounds, the act of
4. Legitimate, natural or adopted brother, sister or relative by
therein, either as principals or accomplices, take part subsequent hurling rocks at him was not indispensable to justify holding them
a nity within the same degree.
to its commission in any of the following manners: legally liable as principals.
EXC if such accessory
a) By pro ting themselves or assisting the o ender to
1. Profited by the e ects of the crime, or
pro t by the e ects of the crime.
2. Assisted the o ender to pro t by the e ects of the crime. People v. Madali
b) By concealing or destroying the body of the crime, or
Time of Participation Annie's participation in the shooting of the victims consisted of
the e ects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its
beaming her ashlight at them and warning her husband of the
discovery.
Previous Simultaneous After presence of other persons in the vicinity. However, such assistance
c) By harboring, concealing, or assisting in the escape merely facilitated the commission of the felonious acts of
of the principals of the crime, provided the accessory acts Principal ✔ ✔ ✔ shooting. Ricarte Madali could have nevertheless
with abuse of his public functions or whenever the author accomplished his criminal acts without Annie's cooperation
of the crime is guilty of treason, parricide, murder, or an Accomplice ✔ ✔ and assistance.
attempt to take the life of the Chief Executive, or is known
Neither may Annie's shouts of "here comes, here comes another,
to be habitually guilty of some other crime. Accessory ✔
shoot'' be considered as having incited Ricarte to re at the victims
20) The liability of an accessory is subordinate and subsequent to to make Annie a principal by inducement. There is no proof that
that of the principal. those inciting words had great dominance and in uence over
People v. Agapinay
21) Thus, when the principal is acquitted, no legal grounds exist Madali. The fact that Annie dealt a blow on Agustin while he was
for convicting accused as an accessory. Exception to this rule is As regards Julia Rapada, it is the opinion of this Court that she can being dragged by Madali to their yard does not make her a
when the principal is acquitted due to an exempting not be held liable (as a principal by inducement). Her words, principal by direct participation. Annie's act, being previous to
circumstance such as minority or insanity. "Kill him and we will bury him" amount to imprudent utterances, Madali's act of shooting Agustin, was actually not indispensable to
and not, rather, in the nature of a command that had to be obeyed. the crime committed against Agustin.
22) Apprehension and conviction of the principal is not
necessary for the accessory to be held criminally liable. Only Romeo, Del n, and Fortunato should be held as principals in
the crime of murder. Romeo is guilty, as he admitted in open court,
Exempted accessories People v. Balderama
by direct participation, while Del n and Fortunato are liable as
GR: When the principal is his principals by cooperation. In holding the victim by his arms, both Balderrama had great moral ascendancy and in uence over the
1. Spouse, allowed Romeo to in ict upon him a stab wound. accused Oscar. We are convinced that Oscar, who was not shown to

By RGL 33 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

conspiracy because there would then be an agreement and a


have any rancor against Nestor, would not have given the fatal thrust ART 8. Conspiracy and proposal to commit felony. —
decision to commit a felony.
had it not been for Ernesto's shout of "Birahin mo na" or "birahin Conspiracy and proposal to commit a felony are punishable only in
mo." the cases in which the law specially provides a penalty therefor. Conspiracy as a crime and as a mode of incurring
A conspiracy exists when two or more persons come to an criminal liability
agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decide to 1. Conspiracy exists when two or more persons come to an
People v. Tampus and Montesclaros supra commit it. agreement concerning the commission of a crime and
decide to commit it. Conspiracy, like the crime itself, must
The nding of guilt of Ida as an accomplice in the rape of ABC is There is proposal when the person who has decided to commit a
be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
dependent on proving the guilt of the principal accused. All the felony proposes its execution to some other person or persons.
requisites concur in order to nd Ida guilty as an accomplice to 2. Mere presence, knowledge, acquiescence to or agreement to
Tampus in the rape of ABC. There was community of design GR Conspiracy and proposal to commit a felony are cooperate, is not enough to constitute one as a party to a
between Ida and Tampus to commit the rape of ABC. Ida had NOT punishable. conspiracy, absent any active participation in the
knowledge of and assented to Tampus' intention to have sexual commission of the crime, with a view to the furtherance of
EXC When the law specially provides a penalty therefor.
intercourse with her daughter. She forced ABC to drink beer, and the common design and purpose.
a. Conspiracy to commit treason (115);
when ABC was already drunk, she left ABC alone with Tampus, 3. When conspiracy relates to a crime actually committed, it is
with the knowledge and even with her express consent to Tampus' b. Conspiracy to commit coup d’etat, rebellion or not a felony but only a manner of incurring criminal
plan to have sexual intercourse with her daughter. insurrection (136); liability. Thus, an act of one is the act of all. It is then not
It is settled jurisprudence that the previous acts of cooperation by c. Conspiracy to commit sedition (141). punishable as a separate o ense.
the accomplice should not be indispensable to the commission of 4. In a conspiracy, it is not necessary to show that all the
Requisites of proposal
the crime; otherwise, she would be liable as a principal by conspirators actually hit and killed the victim. What is
indispensable cooperation. The evidence shows that the acts of 1. A person has decided to commit a felony; and
important is that all participants performed speci c acts
cooperation by Ida are not indispensable to the commission of 2. That he proposes its execution to some other person or with such closeness and coordination as to unmistakably
rape by Tampus. First, because it was both Ida and Tampus who persons. indicate a common purpose or design to bring about the death
forced ABC to drink beer, and second because Tampus already had of the victim.
There is no criminal proposal when —
the intention to have sexual intercourse with ABC and he could
have consummated the act even without Ida's consent. a. The person who proposes is not determined to commit Requisites of conspiracy
the felony. 1. That two or more persons came to an agreement;
b. There is no decided, concrete and formal proposal. 2. The agreement concerned the commission of a felony; and
b Conspiracy and proposal
c. It is not the execution of the felony that is proposed. 3. That the execution of the felony be decided upon.
The proposal need not be accepted for the proponent to be
criminally liable. If the proposal is accepted, it may transform to a

By RGL 34 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Kinds of conspiracy, their differences and similarities


a. If a homicide is committed, the lookout is liable under the
In Fernan, Jr v. People, a prosecution of 36 accused for estafa on conspiracy theory;
People v. Bagano
119 counts through falsi cation of public documents in order to
b. If a rape was committed in his presence and he did not
commit a series of highway scams through multiple conspiracies For conspiracy to exist, it is su cient that at the time of the
attempt to prevent, he will be liable under the cuadrilla
among them, the SC categorized the structure of such multiple commission of the o ense the accused had the same purpose and
rule;
conspiracies thereof as a guide for prosecution. were united in its execution. Proof of an actual planning of the
c. If the lookout was not present when homicide and rape perpetuation of the crime is not a condition precedent.
It adverted to Estrada v. Sandiganbayan wherein such structures
were committed, he will only be liable for the homicide
were named as: From the mode and manner in which the o ense was perpetrated,
under the conspiracy theory.
a) Wheel or circle conspiracy, in which there is a single and as can be inferred from their acts, it is evident that Bagano and
person, or hub, dealing individually with 2 or more Liability for prior acts Cañete were one in their intention to kill Montecino. The fact that
persons or groups, the spokes; and The liability of a conspirator for acts performed by his it was Bagano who delivered the fatal blow on Montecino and
co-conspirators before he joined the conspiracy depends on the Cañete's participation was limited to a mere embrace is immaterial.
b) Chain conspiracy, usually involving the distribution of
nature of those acts: Conspiracy bestows upon them equal liability; hence, they shall
narcotics and contraband, in which there is successive
su er the same fate for their acts.
communication and cooperation. a. If the prior acts were the beginning of a felony which was
consummated after he joined, he is liable for prior acts;
Extent of liability of conspirators
b. If they were separate felonies unrelated to those People v. Verceles
1. All are liable for the felony agreed upon under the conspiracy
committed after he joined, NOT liable.
theory. Conspiracy has been su ciently proved by the prosecution.
2. Liable only for such other crimes which could be foreseen and People v. Bangcado re Doctrine of Limited Liability Accused-appellants were one in design with accused Mamerto
which are the natural and logical consequences of the Soriano in taking personal properties belonging to others without
conspiracy, or foreseeable offenses. In the absence of any previous plan or agreement to commit a the latter’s consent by breaking one of the windows to be used as
crime, the criminal responsibility arising from di erent acts their ingress. In the course of the robbery, one of them, particularly
Thus, when the agreement was to commit robbery, homicide
directed against one and the same person is individual and Mamerto Soriano, succumbed to lustful desires and raped Maribeth
is foreseeable, whereas rape is NOT.
not collective, and that each of the participants is liable only Bolito while accused-appellants just stood outside the door and did
3. A member of a band in a robbery en cuadrilla is liable for all for his own acts. Consequently, Banisa must be absolved from nothing to prevent Mamerto Soriano.
assaults, inclusive of homicide and rape, where he was present criminal responsibility for the assault on the victims. It is clear that
Once conspiracy is established between two accused in the
when these other crimes were being committed but he did not neither the victims nor Banisa could have anticipated Bangcado's act
commission of the crime of robbery, they would be both
attempt to prevent the same (Art 296 par 2), regardless if of shooting the victims since the attack was sudden and without any
equally culpable for the rape committed by one of them on
such additional o enses were foreseeable or not. reason or purpose. Thus, the criminal design of Bangcado had not
the occasion of the robbery, unless any of them proves that he
yet been revealed prior to the killings.
4. If both conspiracy to rob and cuadrilla are present: endeavored to prevent the other from committing the rape.

By RGL 35 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

co-conspirator. Both knowledge of and participation in the criminal sale was consummated, by his own testimony petitioner admitted all
act are also inherent elements of an accomplice. In cases of doubt the acts by which he actively cooperated and not merely acquiesced
People v. Compo
as to whether persons acted as principals or accomplices, the in perpetrating the fraud upon private complainant. That petitioner
The mere presence of Lemuel, who was not shown to be armed, at doubt must be resolved in their favor and they should be held is a conspirator having joint criminal design with Elison is evident
the scene of the crime does not connote conspiracy. Singularity of guilty as accomplices. from the fact that as between them, both knew that petitioner was
purpose and unity in the execution of the unlawful objective the person selling the vehicle under the false pretense that a certain
are essential to establish conspiracy. Henry Austria was the registered owner. Petitioner, together with
People v. Canturia⭐ Elison, clearly deceived private complainant in order to
Mere knowledge, acquiescence, or agreement to cooperate, is
defraud him.
not enough to constitute one as a party to a conspiracy,
Only Canturia should be held responsible for the crime
absent any active participation in the commission of the
because he alone perpetrated the detestable crime of rape. The
crime, with a view to the furtherance of the common design
others could not be held liable therefor. For while the evidence does
and purpose. Conspiracy transcends companionship. The presence People v. Rafael
show a conspiracy among the accused, it also suggests that the
and company of Lemuel were not necessary or essential to the
agreement was to commit robbery only; and there is no evidence Appellant's participation in the commission of the crimes consisted
perpetration of the murder.
that the other members of the band of robbers were aware of of his presence at the locus criminis, and his shouting "Patayin,
Canturia's lustful intent and his consummation thereof so that they patayin iran amen!" (Kill them all!) during the later stage of the
could have attempted to prevent the same. fatal incident. The prosecution witnesses did not see him bearing
Garcia v. CA any weapon or using one to in ict any injury on the victims. He did
Said other members of Canturia's band may and should be held
not run away with the two other accused still at large. Thus, we are
Conspiracy was alleged in the information. Thus, it is not guilty of the crime of robbery by a band under Article 294, No. 5, in
far from convinced that conspiracy existed between appellant
necessary to allege with exactitude the speci c act of the relation to Article 296.
accused, as it is a well-settled doctrine that in conspiracy the and any of his sons. Relationship or association alone is
act of one is the act of all. NOT a badge of conspiracy.

Neither is the fact that the two others allegedly in conspiracy with Sim v. CA re Implied Conspiracy His acts, however, demonstrated his concurrence in their aggressive
the petitioner were not named with particularity, nor tried and design and lent support to their nefarious intent and a orded moral
Conspiracy is deemed implied when the malefactors have a
convicted, of any moment. An information alleging conspiracy and material support to their attack against the victims. Hence, we
common purpose and were united in its execution.
can stand even if only one person is charged except that the are convinced he must be held liable as accomplice in the
Spontaneous agreement or active cooperation by all perpetrators at
court cannot pass verdict on the co-conspirators who were not commission of the crimes.
the moment of the commission of the crime is su cient to create
charged in the information.
joint criminal responsibility.
However, the mere fact that the petitioner had prior knowledge of
Notwithstanding the fact that it was only Elison who dealt with or c Multiple o enders
the criminal design of the principal perpetrator and aided the latter
personally transacted with private complainant until the time the
in consummating the crime does not automatically make him a The four forms of REPETITION

By RGL 36 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1. Recidivism Imposition of additional be punished


Results in Aggravates crime
penalty under the
2. Reiteracion or habituality
RPC.
3. Multi-recidivism or habitual delinquency Art 62[5] Requisites of habitual delinquency
(Extraordinary aggravating) — if within a period of ten years Previous Previous Previous
1. At least three of the speci ed crimes be present, on the Service of
from the date of his release or last conviction of the crimes of conviction by conviction by conviction by
preceding 2 of which the accused has been convicted by nal sentence is
serious or less serious physical injuries, robo, hurto, nal judgment nal judgment nal judgment
judgment; required.
estafa or falsification, he is found guilty of any of said crimes is enough. is enough. is enough.
a third time or oftener. 2. Interval between rst conviction or release and the 2nd
conviction must not exceed 10 years. Such interval must be Within 10
4. Quasi-recidivism Art 160 (Special aggravating) — commits a No period No period No period
maintained for the succeeding o enses; years from
felony after having been convicted by nal judgment, before between between between
release or last
beginning to serve such sentence, or while serving the same, 3. The 2nd felony must have been committed after conviction or convictions. convictions. convictions.
conviction
shall be punished by the maximum period of the penalty release in the rst felony, and the 3rd felony must have been
prescribed by law for the new felony. committed after conviction or release in the 2nd felony. Generic Generic Special Extraordinary
➔ O enses committed and convictions at or about the same time Aggravating Aggravating Aggravating Aggravating
Habitual delinquent Recidivist shall be considered as only ONE in reckoning the required 3
Can not be Can not be
convictions. Can be o set Can be o set
Conviction a 3rd time or o set o set
Requires 2nd conviction
oftener
Quasi Habitual serves to serves to serves to
Recidivism Reiteracion
Recidivism Delinquency
serious or less serious physical increase increase increase Additional
Crimes injuries, robo, hurto, estafa or Same title O ense which Serving penalty to penalty to penalty to penalty is
falsi cation Need not be maximum maximum maximum imposed.
the accused sentence for an
embraced period. period. period.
was previously o ense
Within 10 years from his last under the same
Intervening convicted of punished Robbery,
release or conviction for any of immaterial Title of the Additional
period and of which under the theft, serious Always Not always Always
speci ed crimes RPC; BOTH penalty always
he is convicted RPC or SPL, or less serious aggravating aggravating aggravating
o enses imposed
Succeeding After commission anew must be while the PI, estafa or
After conviction for preceding however must
offense of preceding embraced o ense that he falsi cation
o ense be punished
committed o ense under the commits while
under the 4 Penalties
same Title of serving
RPC.
the RPC. sentence must

By RGL 37 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a Imposable penalties e) assuming to regulate civil rights and remedies only, in Reclusion temporal
e ect imposes penalty or deprivation of a right for
1) The law must exist prior to the commission of the crime. Perpetual or temporary absolute disquali cation
something which when done was lawful, and
2) Regardless of the number of aggravating circumstances, the Perpetual or temporary special disquali cation
f) deprives a person accused of a crime of some lawful
penalty cannot go higher than that prescribed by law, unless
protection to which he has become entitled, such as the Prision mayor
the nature of the crime has changed.
protection of a former conviction or acquittal, or a
3) The penalty for habitual delinquents may be higher than proclamation of amnesty. Prisión correccional
that prescribed by the law de ning the crime, as there is Arresto mayor
6) The favorable e ect of a new law may nd the defendant in
another provision of law providing such. Correctional
one of these situations: Suspension
4) The general rule is that penal laws shall have a retroactive e ect
a) Prosecution begins;
insofar as they favor the person guilty of a felony except Destierro
b) Sentence has been passed but service has not begun;
a) If the o ender is a habitual delinquent; Arresto menor
c) Sentence is being carried out. Light
b) The new or amendatory law is not favorable to him; or Public censure
7) A person shall be deemed to be a habitual delinquent, if
c) Retrospective application is expressly proscribed. A ictive Fine > 1.2M
within a period of ten years from the date of his release or last
5) An ex post facto law is one which: conviction of the crimes of serious or less serious physical
Correctional Fine of 40K to 1.2M
injuries, robo, hurto, estafa or falsi cation, he is found guilty
a) makes criminal an act done before the passage of the
of any of said crimes a third time or oftener. (Art 62[5]) Light Fine < 40K
law and which was innocent when done, and punishes
such an act; 8) Criminal liability under a repealed law subsists: Bond to keep the peace
b) aggravates a crime, or makes it greater than it was, when a) When the provisions of the former law are reenacted; Perpetual or temporary absolute disquali cation
committed;
b) When repeal is by implication; OR Perpetual or temporary special disquali cation
c) changes the punishment and in icts a greater
c) When there is a saving clause.
punishment than the law annexed to the crime when Suspension from public o ce the right to vote
committed; N/A and be voted for the profession or calling
b Classi cation
d) alters the legal rules of evidence, and authorizes Civil interdiction
conviction upon less or di erent testimony than the law As to Gravity Penalty
Indemni cation
required at the time of the commission of the o ense;
Capital Death
Forfeiture or con scation of instruments and
A ictive Reclusion perpetua proceeds of the o ense

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Payment of costs d) Escapees;


Preventive imprisonment
NB: RA 9346 abolished death penalty; converts death penalty 1) When the o ense charged is nonbailable, or he cannot furnish e) Those charged with heinous crimes.
to RP or Life Imprisonment (Pp v. Bon) the required bail.
Effects of Penalties
c Duration and e ects 2) Shall be credited in the service of their sentence consisting of
PTAD = Perpetual or Temporary Absolute DQ;
deprivation of liberty, with the full time during which they
have undergone preventive imprisonment if the detention PTSD = Perpetual or Temporary Special DQ.
Time included in its
Penalties prisoner 1. PTAD for public o ce
entirety min med max a) agrees voluntarily in writing a. Deprivation of

14Y 8M 17Y 4M b) after being informed of the e ects thereof and i. Public o ce and employments, even if by election;
12Y 1D 12Y 1D
Reclusion 1D 1D c) with the assistance of counsel ii. Right to vote or to be voted upon.
to to
temporal to to
20Y 14Y 8M d) to abide by the same disciplinary rules imposed upon b. DQ for the o ces or public employments and for the
17Y 4M 20Y
convicted prisoners, exercise of any of the rights mentioned;
Prision mayor, EXC in the following cases: c. Loss of right to retirement pay or pension
6Y 1D 6Y 1D 8Y 1D 10Y 1D
absolute DQ a. When they are recidivists, or have been convicted
to to to to NB: Perpetual DQs last during lifetime of convict, while
and special previously twice or more times of any crime; and
12Y 8Y 10Y 12Y temporary DQs last during term of the sentence,
temporary DQ
b. When upon being summoned for the execution of their EXC
Prisión sentence they have failed to surrender voluntarily.
6M 1D 6M 1D 2Y 4M 4Y 2M a. Public o ce or employment;
correccional, 3) Otherwise, he shall only be credited to four- fths of his time
to to 1D to 1D to b. Loss of all rights to retirement pay or other pension.
suspension and under preventive imprisonment.
6Y 2Y 4M 4Y 2M 6Y
destierro 2. PTSD for public o ce, profession or calling
4) Credit for the penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be deducted
from 30 years. a. Deprivation of the o ce, employment, profession or
1M 1D 1M 2M 1D 4M 1D
calling;
Arresto mayor to to to to 5) These o enders are NOT entitled to such credit:
6M 2M 4M 6M b. DQ for holding similar o ces or employments.
a) Recidivists;
3. PTSD for the exercise of right of su rage
Arresto menor 1 - 30D 1 - 10D 11 - 20D 21 - 30D b) Those who failed to voluntarily surrender upon being
summoned for the execution of their sentence; a. Deprivation of the right to vote and be voted upon;

c) Habitual delinquents; b. Cannot hold any public o ce.

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4. Suspension from public o ce, profession or calling, or the Effects of pardon In adultery or
right of su rage Given to Any party concubinage, must be
1. shall not work the restoration of the right to hold public
given to both o enders.
a. DQ from holding such o ce or exercising such profession o ce, or the right of su rage, unless such rights be
or calling, or right of su rage; expressly restored by the terms of the pardon.
Pecuniary liabilities
b. If suspended from public o ce, cannot hold another 2. shall in no case exempt the culprit from the payment of 8) In case the property of the o ender should not be su cient
o ce having similar functions. the civil indemnity imposed upon him by the sentence. for the payment of all his pecuniary liabilities, the same shall be
5. Civil interdiction 6) Limitations upon its exercise met in the following order:
a. Deprivation of a. Only after conviction; a. The reparation of the damage caused.
i. Rights of parental authority or guardianship; b. Does not extend to cases of impeachment. b. Indemni cation of consequential damages.
ii. Marital authority; 7) When the principal penalty is remitted by pardon, only the c. The ne.
iii. Right to manage his property and of the right to e ect of that principal penalty is extinguished, but not the d. The cost of the proceedings.
dispose of such property inter vivos. accessory penalties attached to it, except when an absolute
pardon is granted after the term of imprisonment has What are not penalties
NB: But can dispose by will or donation mortis causa. expired, everything is removed. 1. The arrest and temporary detention of accused persons, as well
6. Bonds to keep the peace as their detention by reason of insanity or imbecility, or illness
Pardon by President Offended party requiring their con nement in a hospital.
a. present two su cient sureties who shall undertake that
such person will not commit the o ense sought to be Applicable to Any crimes Private crimes only 2. The commitment of a minor to any of the institutions
prevented; mentioned in Article 80 and for the purposes speci ed therein.
As to criminal
b. deposit such amount in the o ce of the clerk of the court Extinguishes Only bars prosecution 3. Suspension from the employment of public o ce during the
liability
to guarantee said undertaking; trial or in order to institute proceedings.
c. If o ender fails to give the bond as required he shall be As to civil liability Does not a ect Extinguishes 4. Fines and other corrective measures which, in the exercise of
detained for a period which shall in no case exceed six their administrative disciplinary powers, superior o cials
months, if he shall have been prosecuted for a grave or May be absolute Not subject to
As to conditions may impose upon their subordinates.
less grave felony, and shall not exceed thirty days, if for or conditional conditions
5. Deprivation of rights and the reparations which the civil laws
a light felony.
After may establish in penal form. (Art 24)
Must be given Before institution of case
conviction
d Application and graduation of penalties

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Effect of special aggravating circumstance


People v. Zacarias Reclusion perpetua Life Imprisonment Penalty to be imposed shall be in its MAXIMUM regardless of
mitigating circumstances.
In the scales of penalties under the RPC, reclusion perpetua is the for serious o enses penalized by
prescribed under the RPC 1. Advantage of public position;
penalty immediately higher than reclusion temporal which has a special laws
duration of twelve years and one day to twenty years. The minimum 2. By an organized/syndicated crime group;
range of reclusion perpetua should then, by necessary implication, does not carry with it any
has accessory penalties An organized/syndicated crime group means a group of
start at 20 years and 1 day while the maximum thereunder could be accessory penalty
two or more persons collaborating, confederating or
co-extensive with the rest of the natural life of the o ender. Article
entails imprisonment for at least mutually helping one another for purposes of gain in the
70, however, provides that the maximum period in regard to the
thirty (30) years after which the commission of any crime.
service of sentence shall not exceed 40 years. Reclusion perpetua
convict becomes eligible for does not appear to have any
remains to be an indivisible penalty and, when it is the 3. Quasi-recidivism;
pardon, although the maximum de nite extent or duration
prescribed penalty, should be imposed in its entirety, i.e., reclusion 4. Ordinary complex crimes.
period thereof shall in no case
perpetua sans a xed period for its duration, regardless of any
exceed forty (40) years ⭐Thus, the maximum period of the prescribed penalty
mitigating or aggravating circumstance that may have attended the
commission of the crime. In prescribing the penalty of reclusion becomes the DEGREE. To get the proper period, divide this
perpetua, its duration in years, in ne, need not be speci ed. maximum period into 3 equal periods.
By degree By period Always MAX
Inapplicability of graduation by period
Stage of commission Ordinary aggravating Special aggravating 1. Only indivisible penalties are involved (Art 63);
People v. Latupan
Participation Ordinary mitigating Delito complejo 2. Penalty consists only of a ne (Art 66);
The proper imposable penalty is reclusion perpetua, not life
3. O enses penalized by SPL, unless divisible penalties in the
imprisonment. Obviously, the trial court intended to impose Privileged mitigating
RPC were adopted by the SPL to punish violations thereof;
reclusion perpetua. However, the penalty of life imprisonment is
and
not the same as reclusion perpetua. They are distinct in nature, Factors to consider to graduate by degree
in duration and in accessory penalties. 1. Nature of participation of accused; 4. Felonies committed through negligence (Art 365).

Hence, the proper penalty for each murder, considering the absence 2. Stage of execution of the felony (Arts 50-57); Graduation of Fine
of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, is reclusion perpetua,
3. Privileged mitigating circumstances (Arts 68-69); By degree
with its accessory penalties. Further, accused-appellant is liable for
two counts of slight physical injuries and must be sentenced to 4. Presence of 2 or more mitigating with no aggravating (Art ART 75. Take ¼ of the maximum amount to get the next degree
twenty (20) days of arresto menor, each, likewise with its accessory 64[5]). lower, and so on
penalties.

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

By period Inapplicability d. Complex crimes — always maximum;


ART 66. The ne cannot go outside the limits provided by law. 1. persons convicted of o enses punished with death penalty or e. Crimes due to error in personae (Art 49), the penalty for
life-imprisonment; the lesser o ense, as between that committed and
a. maximum should not exceed the ne prescribed by law
intended, is imposed in the maximum period;
2. convicted of treason, conspiracy or proposal to commit
b. minimum should not be lower than that provided by law.
treason; f. Abuse of public position or membership in an organized
i Indeterminate Sentence Law syndicate (Art 62 par 1[a]) — maximum period.
3. convicted of misprision of treason, rebellion, sedition or
espionage; g. Quasi-recidivism (Art 160) — maximum period;
Procedure
4. convicted of piracy; h. Ordinary attendant circumstances may o set each other.
1. Getting the MAXIMUM range
5. habitual delinquents; 3. Apply the indeterminate sentence law, when applicable.
a. Start with the imposable penalty of the RPC;
6. have escaped from con nement or evaded sentence;
b. If there are privileged mitigating (Art 68-69), or special People v. Temporada
mitigating circumstances (Art 64[5]), lower the penalty 7. those who having been granted conditional pardon by the
rst by 1 degree or more, then start from there. Chief Executive shall have violated the terms thereof; Discussion on relevant terminologies

2. Getting the MINIMUM range; 8. whose maximum term of imprisonment does not exceed one 1. The RPC provides for an initial penalty as a general
year. prescription for the felonies de ned therein which consists
a. The degree next lower to the maximum range is the of a range of period of time. This is what is referred to as
minimum range of the indeterminate sentence. In summary
the "prescribed penalty."
3. Getting the MAXIMUM TERM 1. Determine rst the degree before xing the periods;
2. The Code provides for attending or modifying
a. Consider the presence of attendant circumstances in order a. Take the penalty for the principal in the consummated circumstances which when present in the commission of a
to determine the period of the penalty; stage as the starting point; felony a ects the computation of the penalty to be imposed
b. Disregard the attendant circumstances; on a convict. This penalty, as thus modi ed, is referred to as
b. Said period shall be the actual maximum term of the
indeterminate sentence; the "imposable penalty."
c. Consider the factors in graduating by degree.
4. Getting the MINIMUM TERM 3. From this imposable penalty, the court chooses a single
2. Determine the proper period in accordance with Arts 62 and
xed penalty (also called a straight penalty) which is the
a. Shall be taken from any period of the minimum range, 64 by considering the following:
"penalty actually imposed" on a convict, i.e., the prison
taking into consideration the factors stated in People v. a. Ordinary mitigating — minimum period; term he has to serve.
Ducosin
b. Generic aggravating — maximum period; 4. With the passage of the ISL, the law created a prison term
c. Alternative circumstances — depends on whether it which consists of a minimum and maximum term called
mitigates or aggravates;

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the indeterminate sentence. Thus, the penalty actually of direct assault upon a person in authority with homicide.
4. but within the minimum range thereof because of the
imposed under the pre-ISL regime became the maximum This being a complex crime, the penalty for the more serious ordinary mitigating circumstance of plea of guilty.
term under the ISL regime. crime should be imposed, the same to be applied in its
maximum period. The more serious crime is homicide punishable Prision mayor being the maximum of the indeterminate sentence,
by reclusion temporal (the prescribed penalty). the minimum of the indeterminate penalty is within the range of
the penalty next lower to it as prescribed by the RPC, i.e., prision
People v. Simon Accused has to his credit two mitigating circumstances: the correccional.
1. If the judgment which could be a ected and modi ed by the special or privileged mitigating circumstance of minority and
reduced penalties provided in Republic Act No. 7659 has the ordinary mitigating circumstance of plea of guilty.
already become nal and executory or the accused is 1. Therefore, under Art. 64, par. 5, the penalty imposable Lumauig v. People 2014 supra
serving sentence thereunder, then practice, procedure and is the penalty next lower to that prescribed by law.
pragmatic considerations would warrant and necessitate the The ISLaw, under Section 2, is not applicable to, among others,
matter being brought to the judicial authorities for relief under 2. Under Art. 71, the penalty next lower to reclusion cases where the maximum term of imprisonment does not
a writ of habeas corpus. temporal is prision mayor. exceed one year. In determining “whether an indeterminate
sentence and not a straight penalty is proper, what is considered is
2. Mitigating circumstances should be considered and applied 3. Because of the complex nature of the crime committed, the
penalty of prision mayor is to be applied in its the penalty actually imposed by the trial court, after
only if they affect the periods and the degrees of the penalties
maximum period. considering the attendant circumstances, and not the imposable
within rational limits.
penalty.”
3. The nal query is whether or not the Indeterminate 4. However, having in his favor the ordinary mitigating
In the case at bar, since the maximum of the imposable penalty is six
Sentence Law is applicable to the case now before us. circumstance of plea of guilty without any offsetting
months, the ISLaw is not applicable. Thus, it is proper to impose
Apparently it does, since drug o enses are not included in nor aggravating circumstance, applying Art. 64, par. 2, the
penalty of prision mayor maximum should be imposed a straight penalty of four months and one day of arresto mayor
has appellant committed any act which would put him within
in its minimum range. and delete the imposition of ne.
the exceptions to said law and the penalty to be imposed does
not involve reclusion perpetua or death. The proper method, thus, is
4. It is held that Sec 1 of ISLaw refers to an o ense under a special 1. to start from the penalty imposed by the RPC, i.e., Cajigas v. People
law wherein the penalty imposed was not taken from and is reclusion temporal;
without reference to the RPC. Applying the ISLaw,
2. then apply the privileged mitigating circumstance of
1. the minimum of the indeterminate sentence can be
minority and determine the penalty immediately inferior in
anywhere within the range of the penalty next lower in
degree, i.e., prision mayor; and
⭐People v. Cesar degree to the penalty prescribed by the RPC for the crime.
3. nally, apply the same in its maximum degree due to the
Accused-appellant pleaded guilty to and was convicted of the crime 2. The determination of the minimum term of the
complex nature of the crime

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

indeterminate sentence should be done without medium and maximum periods with a duration from two years,
With Ferdinand not becoming insane, imbecile, impotent, or blind,
considering any modifying circumstance attendant to four months, and one day to six years. Applying the ISLaw to which
his physical injuries did not fall under Article 263[1]. Consequently,
the commission of the crime and without reference to the appellant is entitled the imposable penalty covers
the CA incorrectly considered the petitioner’s act as a grave felony
periods into which it may be subdivided.
had it been intentional, and should not have imposed the penalty at a) a minimum to be taken from the penalty one degree lower
3. The penalty prescribed under Article 315, paragraph 2(d) arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its than that prescribed by law or arresto mayor in its
of the RPC, as amended by PD 818, is reclusion temporal. medium period. Instead, the petitioner’s act that caused the serious maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum
4. The penalty next lower in degree is prision mayor. physical injuries, had it been intentional, would be a less grave period, i.e. four months and one day to two years and four
felony under Article 25, because Ferdinand’s physical injuries were months, and
5. The minimum term of the indeterminate penalty should
those under Article 263[3], for having incapacitated him from the b) a maximum to be taken in turn from the penalty
be anywhere within six years and one day to 12 years of
performance of the work in which he was habitually engaged in for prescribed for the o ense the duration of which is from
prision mayor.
more than 90 days. two years, four months and one day to six years.
Conformably with Article 365, the proper penalty is arresto The determination of the minimum and maximum terms is left
2010 supra mayor in its minimum and medium periods, which ranges entirely to the discretion of the trial court, the exercise of which will
Gelig v. People
from one to four months. As earlier mentioned, the rules in not be disturbed on appeal unless there is a clear abuse.
The penalty for the crime of direct assault is prision correccional Article 64 are NOT applicable in reckless imprudence, and
in its medium and maximum periods. The penalty should be considering further that the maximum term of imprisonment
xed in its medium period in the absence of mitigating or would not exceed one year, rendering the Indeterminate e Accessory penalties
aggravating circumstances. Applying the ISLaw, the petitioner Sentence Law inapplicable, the Court holds that the straight
should be sentenced to an indeterminate term, the minimum of penalty of two months of arresto mayor was the correct penalty for Accessory penalties inherent in principal penalties
which is within the range of the penalty next lower in degree, i.e., the petitioner. 1. Death, when not executed
arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional
in its minimum period, and the maximum of which is that a. Perpetual absolute DQ; and
properly imposable under the RPC, i.e., prision correccional b. Civil interdiction for 30Y, if not expressly remitted in
People v. Medroso
in its medium and maximum periods. the pardon.
Paragraph 5 of Article 365 expressly states that in the imposition of
2. Reclusion perpetua and temporal
the penalties provided for in the Article, the courts shall exercise
Reynaldo Mariano v. People 2014 their sound discretion without regard to the rules prescribed in Article a. Civil interdiction for life or during sentence; and
64. b. Perpetual absolute DQ.
Death stands alone as the capital punishment. The RPC
classi es the felony of serious physical injuries in Art 263 based on The penalty for homicide thru reckless imprudence with 3. Prision mayor
the gravity of the physical injuries. violation of the Automobile Law is prision correccional in its
a. Temporary absolute DQ; and

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b. Perpetual special DQ from su rage. a) If the principal penalty imposed be prision correccional 3) NO subsidiary penalty in the following cases
or arresto and ne, he shall remain under con nement
4. Prisión correccional a) When penalty imposed is HIGHER than prision
until his ne referred in the preceding paragraph is
a. Suspension from public o ce, profession or calling; correccional;
satis ed, but his subsidiary imprisonment shall NOT
and exceed one-third of the term of the sentence, and in b) For failure to pay reparation of damage caused,
b. Perpetual special DQ from su rage, if the duration no case shall it continue for more than one year, and indemni cation of consequential damages, and cost of
of imprisonment exceeds 18 months. no fraction or part of a day shall be counted against the proceedings;
prisoner. c) When penalty imposed is ne and a penalty not to be
5. Arresto — suspension of the right to hold o ce and the right
of su rage during the term of sentence. b) When the principal penalty imposed be only a ne, the executed by con nement in a penal institution and which
subsidiary imprisonment shall NOT exceed six months has no xed duration.
Confiscation and forfeiture if the culprit shall have been prosecuted for a grave or less 4) Unless the SPL provides that subsidiary imprisonment shall
of the proceeds or instruments of the crime. grave felony, and shall NOT exceed fteen days, if for a not be imposed, then it may be imposed. IOW, if the SPL is
light felony. silent, subsidiary imprisonment is allowed.
1. Every penalty imposed for the commission of a felony shall
carry with it the forfeiture of the proceeds of the crime and the c) When the principal penalty imposed is HIGHER than
instruments or tools with which it was committed. prision correccional, NO subsidiary imprisonment 5 Execution and service of sentence
shall be imposed upon the culprit.
2. Such proceeds and instruments or tools shall be con scated
Material accumulation system
and forfeited in favor of the Government, unless they be d) If the principal penalty imposed is not to be executed by
property of a third person not liable for the o ense, but those con nement in a penal institution, but such penalty is of When the culprit has to serve two or more penalties, he shall serve
articles which are not subject of lawful commerce shall be xed duration, the convict, during the period of time them simultaneously if the nature of the penalties will so permit
destroyed. established in the preceding rules shall continue to su er otherwise, the following rules shall be observed:
the same deprivations as those of which the principal ➔ In the imposition of the penalties, the order of their respective
f Subsidiary Imprisonment penalty consists. severity shall be followed so that they may be executed successively
1) If the convict has no property with which to meet the FINE e) The subsidiary personal liability which the convict may or as nearly as may be possible, should a pardon have been granted
have su ered by reason of his insolvency shall not relieve as to the penalty or penalties rst imposed, or should they have
mentioned in paragraph 3 of the next preceding article, he
him from the ne in case his nancial circumstances been served out.
shall be subject to a subsidiary personal liability at the rate
should improve. The respective severity of the penalties shall be determined in
of one day for each amount equivalent to the highest
minimum wage rate prevailing in the Philippines at the 2) The subsidiary penalty of imprisonment in case of accordance with the following scale:
time of the rendition of judgment of conviction by the trial non-payment of the penalty of ne must be stated in the 1. Death,
court, subject to the following rules: Judgment, otherwise it cannot be imposed despite
2. Reclusion perpetua,
non-payment of the ne. (Pp v. Alapan 2018)

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

3. Reclusion temporal, People v. Tena b. upon application by said defendant within the period for
perfecting an appeal,
4. Prision mayor, This period of thirty (30) years vis-a-vis reclusion perpetua is
reiterated in Article 70 of the code. Said article pertinently provides suspend the execution of the sentence and place the defendant
5. Prisión correccional,
that in applying the so called “three-fold rule” — i.e., that “when on probation for such period and upon such terms and
6. Arresto mayor, conditions as it may deem best.
the culprit has to serve two or more penalties, the maximum
7. Arresto menor, duration of the convict's sentence shall not be more than three-fold the 2) No application for probation shall be entertained or granted
8. Destierro, length of time corresponding to the most severe of the penalties if the defendant has perfected the appeal from the judgment
imposed upon him” — “the duration of perpetual penalties (pena of conviction:
9. Perpetual absolute disquali cation,
perpetua) shall be computed at thirty years.”
Provided, That when a judgment of conviction imposing a
10. Temporal absolute disquali cation.
It was thus incorrect for the Trial Court to specify the duration of non-probationable penalty is appealed or reviewed, and such
11. Suspension from public o ce, the right to vote and be voted thirty (30) years in relation to the penalty of reclusion perpetua judgment is modi ed through the imposition of a
for, the right to follow a profession or calling, and imposed by it on the accused in this case. probationable penalty, the defendant shall be allowed to
12. Public censure. apply for probation based on the modified decision
Thus, the imputation of a thirty-year duration to reclusion before such decision becomes nal. (Colinares v. People
Juridical accumulation system perpetua in Articles 27 and 70 only serves: 2011 En Banc)
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the rule next preceding, the 1. as the basis for determining the convict's eligibility for 3) This notwithstanding, the accused shall lose the benefit of
maximum duration of the convict's sentence shall NOT be pardon; or probation should he seek a review of the modified
more than three-fold the length of time corresponding 2. for the application of the three-fold rule in the service of decision which already imposes a probationable penalty.
to the most severe of the penalties imposed upon him. No multiple penalties. 4) Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a
other penalty to which he may be liable shall be in icted after term of imprisonment or a ne only. The ling of the
AND NOT as basis for the duration of the penalty which is
the sum total of those imposed equals the same maximum application shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal.
period. intended to be perpetual.
5) An order granting or denying probation shall not be
2. Such maximum period shall in no case exceed forty (40) Probation Law appealable.
years. b
Probation Law, as amended by RA No 10707 Disqualified offenders
3. In applying the provisions of this rule the duration of
perpetual penalties (pena perpetua) shall be computed at a. sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of
Application
thirty (30) years. more than six (6) years;
1) The trial court may,
b. convicted of any crime against the national security;
a Three-fold rule a. after it shall have convicted and sentenced a defendant
for a probationable penalty and

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c. who have previously been convicted by nal judgment of In case of doubt as to the age of the child, it shall be resolved in b. Be made to serve his/her sentence, in lieu of
an o ense punished by imprisonment of more than six (6) his/her favor. con nement in a regular penal institution, in an
months and one (1) day and/or a ne of more than one agricultural camp and other training facilities.
6) "Status O enses" refers to o enses which discriminate
thousand pesos (P1,000.00);
only against a child, while an adult does not su er any
People v. Sarcia read together with Lababo
d. who have been once on probation; and penalty for committing similar acts. These shall include curfew
e. who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive violations; truancy, parental disobedience and the like. Sec 68 of RA 9344 allows the retroactive application of the Act
provisions of this Decree became applicable. Any conduct not considered an o ense or not penalized if to those who have been convicted and are serving sentence at the
committed by an adult shall not be considered an o ense and time of the e ectivity of this said Act, and who were below the age
c Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act shall not be punished if committed by a child. (Section 57) of 18 years at the time of the commission of the o ense.

Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 7) Automatic Suspension of Sentence. — Once the child is Since RA 9344 does not distinguish between a minor who has been
found guilty of the o ense charged, the court shall determine convicted of a capital o ense and another who has been convicted of
1) "Child" refers to a person under the age of eighteen (18) years. and ascertain any civil liability. However, instead of a lesser o ense, the Court should also not distinguish and should
pronouncing the judgment of conviction, the court shall place apply the automatic suspension of sentence to a child in
2) "Child at Risk" refers to a child who is vulnerable to and at
the CICL under suspended sentence, without need of con ict with the law who has been found guilty of a heinous
the risk of committing criminal o enses because of personal,
application. crime.
family and social circumstances.
Suspension of sentence shall still be applied even if the juvenile Nonetheless, Sec. 40 of the same law limits the said suspension
3) "Child in Con ict with the Law" or CICL refers to a
is already eighteen years (18) of age or more at the time of the of sentence until the said child reaches the maximum age of
child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having
pronouncement of his/her guilt. (Section 38) 21. To date, accused-appellant is about 31 years of age. Thus, the
committed an o ense under Philippine laws.
application of Secs. 38 and 40 to the suspension of sentence is
8) Probation for CICLs. — The court may, after it shall have
4) The exemption from criminal liability herein established does now moot and academic.
convicted and sentenced a CICL, and upon application at any
not include exemption from civil liability.
time, place the child on probation in lieu of service of his/her
5) The CICL shall enjoy the presumption of minority. The sentence taking into account the best interest of the child.
age of a child may be determined People v. Lababo 2018
9) Other benefits of convicted CICLs
a. from the child's birth certi cate, baptismal certi cate The CA correctly took into account FFF's minority, he being 17
a. Shall be credited in the services of his/her sentence
or any other pertinent documents. years old at the time of the commission of the crime, in reducing
with the full time spent in actual commitment and
the period of imprisonment to be served by him. Being of said age,
b. In the absence thereof, from the child himself/herself, detention;
FFF is entitled to the privileged mitigating circumstance of
testimonies of other persons, the physical appearance
minority under Article 68(2) of the RPC.
of the child and other relevant evidence.
FFF may thus be con ned in an agricultural camp or any other

By RGL 47 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

training facility in accordance with Section 51 of RA No. 9344. sentence will be in lieu of service in the regular penal 3rd - 5th year 23 days
The case shall thus be remanded to the court of origin to e ect institution.
appellant's con nement in an agricultural camp or other training
6th - 10th year 25 days
facility, following the Court's pronouncement in People v. Sarcia.
People v. Ancajas 2015 11th year onwards 30 days

Rosal Hubilla v. People 2014 People v. Wile 2016 Allain acted with discernment as shown by his act of covering
AAA's mouth with a handkerchief to prevent her from shouting +15 days for each month of study, teaching
Any time
If the CICL has reached eighteen (18) years of age while under and conspired with appellant Vergel in raping AAA. Allain was only or mentoring service time rendered
suspended sentence, the court shall determine whether 17 years old when he committed the crime; he is, therefore, entitled
➔ An appeal by the accused shall not deprive him of entitlement
1. to discharge the child in accordance with this Act, to the privileged mitigating circumstance of minority under
to the above allowances for good conduct.
Article 68(2) of the RPC.
2. to order execution of sentence, or Disqualified
Hence, the imposable penalty must be reduced by one degree,
3. to extend the suspended sentence for a certain speci ed The following shall not be entitled to any GCTA during
i.e., from reclusion perpetua, which is reclusion temporal. Being a
period or until the child reaches the maximum age of preventive imprisonment:
divisible penalty, the ISLaw is applicable.
twenty-one (21) years. a. Recidivists;
Section 38 of RA No. 9344 provides that when the child below 18
A review of the provisions of RA No. 9344 reveals that years of age who committed a crime and was found guilty, the court b. An accused who has been convicted previously twice or
imprisonment of CICL is by no means prohibited. While Section 5 shall place the child in con ict with the law under suspended more times of any crime;
(c) of RA No. 9344 bestows on CICL the right not to be unlawfully sentence even if such child has reached 18 years or more at the time c. An accused who, upon being summoned for the execution
or arbitrarily deprived of their liberty; imprisonment as a proper of judgment. of his sentence has failed to surrender voluntarily before
disposition of a case is duly recognized, subject to certain
a court of law;
restrictions on the imposition of imprisonment, namely:
d. Habitual Delinquents;
a) the detention or imprisonment is a disposition of last d Republic Act No. 10592
resort, and e. Escapees; and
Good Conduct Time Allowance f. PDL charged of Heinous Crimes.
b) the detention or imprisonment shall be for the shortest
shall entitle him to the following deductions from the period of his
appropriate period of time. The following shall not be entitled to any GCTA during service
sentence:
Lastly, following Section 51 of RA No. 9344, the petitioner, of sentence and Time Allowance for Study, Teaching and
although he has to serve his sentence, may serve it in an Mentoring (TASTM):
During the A deduction of
agricultural camp or other training facilities in a manner a. Recidivists;
consistent with the o ender child's best interest. Such service of First 2 years 20 days, for each month of good behavior b. Habitual Delinquents;

By RGL 48 of 131
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c. Escapees; and How sentence served is reduced a) rendering community service in the place where the
crime was committed,
d. PDL convicted of Heinous Crimes. 1. Conditional pardon;
b) under such terms as the court shall determine,
Special time allowance for loyalty 2. Commutation of sentence;
c) taking into consideration the gravity of the o ense
A deduction of one fth (⅕) of the period of his sentence 3. GCTA;
and the circumstances of the case,
shall be granted to any prisoner who, 4. Special conduct and workmanship allowance;
d) which shall be under the supervision of a probation
1. having evaded his preventive imprisonment or the service 5. Loyalty allowance; o cer.
of his sentence under the circumstances mentioned in
Article 158 of this Code, 6. Preventive imprisonment (Art 29); 2) The defendant shall likewise be required to undergo
7. Con nement in a rehabilitation center. rehabilitative counseling under the social welfare and
2. gives himself up to the authorities
development o cer of the city or municipality concerned with
3. within 48 hours following the issuance of a the assistance of the DSWD.
proclamation announcing the passing away of the Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison v. De Lima 2019 En Banc
3) In requiring community service, the court shall consider the
calamity or catastrophe referred to in said article.
The prospective application of the bene cial provisions of R.A. No. welfare of the society and the reasonable probability that the
A deduction of two- fths (⅖) of the period of his sentence shall 10592 actually works to the disadvantage of petitioners and those person sentenced shall not violate the law while rendering the
be granted in case said prisoner chose to stay in the place of his who are similarly situated. It precludes the decrease in the penalty service.
confinement notwithstanding the existence of a calamity or attached to their respective crimes and lengthens their prison stay; 4) Community service shall consist of
catastrophe enumerated in Article 158 of this Code. thus, making more onerous the punishment for the crimes they
a) any actual physical activity
This Article shall apply to any prisoner whether undergoing committed. Depriving them of time o to which they are justly
preventive imprisonment or serving sentence. entitled as a practical matter results in extending their sentence and b) which inculcates civic consciousness, and
increasing their punishment. Evidently, this transgresses the clear
c) is intended towards the improvement of a public
Who Grants Time Allowances mandate of Article 22 of the RPC.
work or promotion of a public service.
Whenever lawfully justi ed, the following o cials shall grant time
allowances: 5) If the defendant violates the terms of the community service,

a. Director General of the Bureau of Corrections; Community Service Act a) the court shall order his/her re-arrest and
e Guidelines in the Imposition of Community Service as b) the defendant shall serve the full term of the penalty,
b. Chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology;
and/or Penalty in Lieu of Imprisonment as the case may be,

c. Warden of a Provincial, District, City or Municipal Jail. 1) The court in its discretion may, in lieu of service in jail, i) in jail, or
require that the penalties of arresto menor and arresto ii) in the house of the defendant as provided
mayor be served by the defendant by under Article 88.

By RGL 49 of 131
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6) However, if the defendant has fully complied with the terms ➔ The period for prescription of penalties begins only when The term of prescription shall not run when the o ender is
of the community service, the court shall order the release of the convict evades service of sentence by escaping during absent from the Philippines.
the defendant unless detained for some other offense. the term of his sentence. ➔ What is taken into account is the penalty imposable under
7) The privilege of rendering community service in lieu of service the law.
Prescription of Crime Penalty Fine
in jail shall be availed of only once. ➔ The highest penalty which may be imposed for the crime
Death, RP, RT 20Y 20Y should be the basis, even if accused was subsequently
6 Extinction of criminal liability sentenced to a lower penalty.

1. By the death of the convict, as to the personal penalties and as Reclusion temporal 20Y 15Y ➔ Any possible subsidiary imprisonment, however, should NOT
to pecuniary penalties, liability therefor is extinguished only be considered.
Other afflictive 15Y 15Y >1.2m
when the death of the o ender occurs before nal judgment.
Computation of the prescription of penalties
2. By service of the sentence; Correctional 10Y 10Y >40k – 1.2m
The period of prescription of penalties
3. By amnesty, which completely extinguishes the penalty and exc Arresto mayor 5Y 5Y 1. shall commence to run from the date when the culprit
all its e ects; should evade the service of his sentence, and
Libel 1Y
4. By absolute pardon; 2. it shall be interrupted if
5. By prescription of the crime; Light 2M 1Y ≤40k a. the defendant should give himself up,
6. By prescription of the penalty; b. be captured,
Computation of prescription of o enses
7. By the marriage of the o ended woman. c. should go to some foreign country with which this
The period of prescription
Government has no extradition treaty, or
Prescription 1. shall commence to run from the day on which the crime
d. should commit another crime before the expiration
is discovered by the o ended party, the authorities, or
of crime of the period of prescription.
their agents, and
➔ the crime itself is extinguished because of failure to le a
case. 2. shall be interrupted by the ling of the complaint or Pardon vs Amnesty
information, and
Pardon Amnesty
of penalty
3. shall commence to run again when such proceedings
➔ The prescription of penalties found in Article 93 of the terminate without the accused being convicted or ONLY AFTER Usually BEFORE
Granted
RPC, applies only to those who are convicted by final acquitted, or are unjusti ably stopped for any reason not conviction conviction
judgment and are serving sentence which consist of imputable to him.
deprivation of liberty.

By RGL 50 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Applies to ALL kinds of o enses Political o enses Article 26, should be made only when a ne is imposed either as a period of the crime had not yet elapsed at the time the information
single or as alternative penalty; and that no such was led in 1991. Thus, the crime had not prescribed at the time
Granted The President at his sole The President concurred of the ling of the information.
classi cation should be made where the ne is imposed in
by discretion by Congress
conjunction with another penalty.
Does not erase e ect of
Effect penalty for purposes of Erases such e ect Pangan v. Gatbalite re Prescription of Penalty
recidivism People v. Reyes
Article 93 provides when the prescription of penalties shall
The crime of falsi cation of a public document carries with it an commence to run. Under said provision, it shall commence to run
Partial extinction from the date the felon evades the service of his sentence.
imposable penalty of prision correccional in its medium and
1. By conditional pardon; maximum periods and a ne of not more than P5K. Being Pursuant to Article 157, evasion of service of sentence can be
punishable by a correctional penalty, this crime prescribes in ten committed only by those who have been convicted by nal
2. By commutation of the sentence; and
(10) years. judgment by escaping during the term of his sentence.
3. For good conduct allowances which the culprit may earn
Here, the public document allegedly falsi ed was a notarized deed of "Escape" in legal parlance and for purposes of Articles 93 and 157
while he is undergoing preventive imprisonment or serving his
sale registered on May 26, 1961 with the Register of Deeds in the of the RPC means unlawful departure of prisoner from the limits of
sentence
name of the accused. The two informations were, however, led his custody. Clearly, one who has not been committed to prison
only on October 18, 1984. The complainants claim that they cannot be said to have escaped therefrom.
People v. Basalo
discovered the falsi ed notarized deed of sale in June 1983.
To determine the prescriptibility of an o ense penalized with a
The rule is well-established that registration in a public registry is a
ne, whether imposed as a single or as an alternative penalty, such
notice to the whole world. The record is constructive notice of its
7 Civil liability in criminal cases
ne should not be reduced or converted into a prison term, but
contents as well as all interests, legal and equitable, included therein.
rather it should be considered as such ne under Article 26 of the Rules regarding civil liability
All persons are charged with knowledge of what it contains. Thus,
RPC; and that for purposes of prescription of the o ense, denned 1. In case of insane, imbecile or minors, primary liability
the criminal informations having been led for more than ten (10)
and penalized in Article 319, the ne imposable therein if devolves upon those with legal authority or control
years, the crime for which the accused was charged has prescribed.
correctional or a ictive under the terms of Article 26, should be
made the basis rather than that of arresto mayor, also imposabie in unless it appears that there was no fault or negligence on their
said Article 319. part.
Recebido v. People
Absent any person with legal authority or control, or if they be
Even granting arguendo that the deed of sale was executed by the insolvent, the own property of the accused shall be
People v. Crisostomo private complainant, delivered to the petitioner-accused in August secondarily liable.
13, 1983 and registered on the same day, the ten-year prescriptive 2. In case of avoidance of greater evil or state of necessity,
The classi cation of ne into a ictive, correctional or light, under

By RGL 51 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the persons for whose bene t the harm has been Inapplicable shall include not only those caused the injured party, but also those
prevented shall be civilly liable in proportion to the bene t su ered by his family or by a third person by reason of the crime.
1. If the thing was purchased in good faith at a public sale (Art
which they may have received.
559 NCC); ➔ Reparation and indemni cation can be required ONLY from the
3. In cases of compulsion of an irresistible force or impulse accused or his heirs.
2. The movable property was acquired by prescription by the
of an uncontrollable fear,
third person (Art 1133, ibid.); Civil liability if several accused
the persons using violence or causing the fears shall be
3. The thing was purchased under factors or recording laws, or If there are two or more persons civilly liable for a felony, the courts
primarily liable and secondarily, or, if there be no such
under a sale authorized by law or by the court, or in a shall determine the amount for which each must respond.
persons, those doing the act shall be liable, saving always to the
merchant’s store, fairs or markets (Art 1502, ibid.);
latter that part of their property exempt from execution. 1. However, the principals, accomplices, and accessories,
4. It is in the possession of a holder in due course of a negotiable each within their respective class, shall be liable
Who are subsidiarily liable document of title (Art 1518, ibid.); solidarily among themselves for their quotas, and
a) Persons causing damages under the compulsion of an 5. It is in the hands of a holder in due course of a negotiable subsidiarily for those of the other persons liable.
irresistible force or the impulse of an uncontrollable fear used instrument (Sec 57 NIL); and 2. The subsidiary liability shall be enforced, rst against
or created by the person primarily liable;
6. The property is covered by a Torrens title and was purchased the property of the principals; next, against that of the
b) innkeepers, tavern keepers and proprietors of establishments. for value in good faith (PD 1529). accomplices, and, lastly, against that of the accessories.
c) employers, teachers, persons, and corporations engaged in any ➔ May be demanded even from third persons. 3. Whenever the liability in solidum or the subsidiary liability
kind of industry for felonies committed by their servants, has been enforced, the person by whom payment has been
Any person who has participated gratuitously in the proceeds of a
pupils, workmen, apprentices, or employees in the discharge of made shall have a right of action against the others for
felony shall be bound to make restitution in an amount equivalent
their duties; and the amount of their respective shares.
to the extent of such participation. (Art 111)
d) Principals, accomplices and accessories, for the unpaid civil
Civil liability in spite of acquittal of the crime
liability of their co-accused in the other classes (Art 110). Reparation
1. Acquittal is based on reasonable doubt;
of the damage caused
Inclusions 2. Court declares that accused’s liability is only civil in nature;
The court shall determine the amount of damage, taking into
Restitution consideration the price of the thing, whenever possible, and its 3. Civil liability did not arise from the criminal act.
of the thing itself must be made whenever possible, with allowance special sentimental value to the injured party, and reparation shall
Acquittal bars civil liability
for any deterioration, or diminution of value as determined by the be made accordingly.
court. 1. Accused did not commit the act;
Indemnification
2. He was not guilty of criminal or civil negligence.
for consequential damages

By RGL 52 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Ozoa v. Madula While the RPC imposes subsidiary civil liability to corporations for one of the checks she issued to Sps. Aldaba on behalf of Multitel.
criminal acts engaged in by their employees in the discharge of their
Before the employer's subsidiary liability is exacted, there must be The CA is also correct in holding that Rimando’s acquittal and
duties, said subsidiary liability applies only to felonies, and subsequent exoneration in the BP 22 cases had no e ect in the estafa
adequate evidence establishing that
not to crimes penalized by special laws such as B.P. Blg. 22. And case, even if both cases were founded on the same factual
1) he is indeed the employer of the convict; nothing in B.P. Blg. 22 imposes such subsidiary liability to the circumstances.
2) that he is engaged in some kind of industry; corporation in whose name the check is actually issued. Clearly then,
should the check signatory be unable to pay the obligation incurred
3) the crime was committed by the employee in the discharge by the corporation, the complainant would be bereft of remedy People v. Tampus and Montesclaros supra
of his duties; and unless the right of action to collect on the liability of the corporation
4) execution against the employee is unsatis ed. is recognized and given esh. We deem it necessary and proper to award ABC civil indemnity of
P50K. Civil indemnity ex delicto is mandatory upon nding
of the fact of rape. This is distinct from moral damages awarded
People v. Velasco 2014 Rimando v. Aldaba 2014 upon such nding without need of further proof, because it is
assumed that a rape victim has actually su ered moral injuries.
What was the extent of Inovero’s civil liability? Rimando’s acquittal in the estafa case does not necessarily absolve
her from any civil liability to private complainants, Sps. Aldaba. It is The victim in simple rape cases is entitled to an award of P50K as
The nature of the obligation of the co-conspirators in the civil indemnity ex delicto and another P50K as moral damages.
well-settled that “the acquittal of the accused does not automatically
commission of the crime requires solidarity, and each debtor may However, Tampus' civil indemnity ex delicto has been
preclude a judgment against him on the civil aspect of the case. The
be compelled to pay the entire obligation. As a co-conspirator, then, extinction of the penal action does not carry with it the extinguished by reason of his death before the nal judgment, in
Inovero’s civil liability was similar to that of a joint tortfeasor extinction of the civil liability where: accordance with Article 89. Thus, the amount of civil indemnity
under the rules of the civil law. which remains for accomplice Ida to pay is put at issue.
a) the acquittal is based on reasonable doubt as only
Joint tortfeasors are not liable pro rata. The damages cannot be preponderance of evidence is required; The courts have the discretion to determine the
apportioned among them, except by themselves. They cannot apportionment of the civil indemnity which the principal,
insist upon an apportionment, for the purpose of each paying an b) the court declares that the liability of the accused is only accomplice and accessory are respectively liable for, without
aliquot part. They are jointly and severally liable for the whole civil; and guidelines with respect to the basis of the allotment.
amount. Hence, Inovero’s liability towards the victims of their c) the civil liability of the accused does not arise from or is not Article 109 provides that "if there are two or more persons civilly
illegal recruitment was solidary, regardless of whether she actually based upon the crime of which the accused is acquitted. liable for a felony, the courts shall determine the amount for which
received the amounts paid or not, and notwithstanding that her
In this case, Rimando’s civil liability did not arise from any each must respond." Article 110 provides that "the principals,
co-accused, having escaped arrest until now, have remained untried.
purported act constituting the crime of estafa as the RTC clearly accomplices, and accessories, each within their respective class, shall
found that Rimando never employed any deceit on Sps. Aldaba to be liable severally (in solidum) among themselves for their quotas,
induce them to invest money in Multitel. Rather, her civil liability and subsidiarily for those of the other persons liable."
Gosiaco v. Ching and Casta Navarra v. People 2016 was correctly traced from being an accommodation party to

By RGL 53 of 131
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Each principal should shoulder a greater share in the total amount of


114 Treason Conspiracy: In time of war, two or more persons agree and decide to
commit treason.
indemnity and damages than every accomplice, and each accomplice Acts punished
should also be liable for a greater amount as against every accessory. Proposal: A person has decided to commit treason and proposes its
1) By levying war against the Government; execution to others.
2) By adhering to the enemies, giving them aid or comfort.
116 Misprision of Treason
II Crimes Under the Revised Penal Code Elements
1) Filipino o ender owes allegiance to the Government;
1) O ender is either a Filipino or a resident alien;
Crimes against national security and laws of nations 2) Has knowledge of any conspiracy to commit treason;
2) There is a war where the Philippines is involved;
Crimes against the fundamental law of the State 3) Conceals or does not disclose the same ASAP to the
3) The o ender either:
governor, mayor, or scal.
Crimes against public order a) levies war against the Government; or
117 Espionage
Crimes against public interest b) adheres to the enemy, giving them aid or comfort

Crimes against public morals Acts punished with corresponding elements


NOTES
1) (Any person) Enters w/o authority a warship, fort, or naval
Crimes committed by public o cers 1. Treachery is a breach of allegiance to a government, committed or military establishment or reservation to obtain any info,
Crimes against persons by a person who owes allegiance to it. plans, photographs of a con dential nature relative to the
2. Levying war requires: defense of the PH
Crimes against personal liberty and security
a) actual assembling of men; and a) Enters any of the places aforementioned;
Crimes against property
b) for the purpose of executing a treasonable design by force. b) Unauthorized;
Crimes against chastity Mere enlistment of men is not sufficient. c) Purpose is to obtain con dential information
Crimes against the civil status of persons 3. Can't be complexed and is a continuous crime. Since treason relative to Philippine defense.
is a political crime, the Political O ense Doctrine nds 2) (Public o cer) Disclosing to the representative of a foreign
Crimes against honor application. nation information obtained in the rst act, which he
Quasi-o enses 4. If the alien is a co-conspirator, he need not be a resident of possessed by reason of his public o ce.
the Philippines. General rule: Alien o ender must be a) Public o cer;
Crimes against national security and resident, except if co-conspirator. (Regalado)
A b) possesses any of the articles by reason of his public
laws of nations 115 Conspiracy and Proposal to Commit Treason o ce;

By RGL 54 of 131
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Qualifying circumstances
c) Discloses contents to a representative of a foreign 1) There is a war involving PH;
nation. 1) Seizing the vessel by boarding or ring upon the same;
2) O ender owes allegiance to the Government;
118 Inciting to war or giving motives for reprisals 2) Pirates have abandoned their victims helpless;
3) O ender attempts to ee or go to the enemy country;
3) Accompanied by murder, homicide, physical injuries, or
Provocation or giving occasion for a war involving or liable to involve 4) Going to enemy country prohibited by competent authority.
rape.
the RP or expose Filipinos to reprisals.
122 Piracy Elements
1) Performs unlawful or unauthorized acts;
Acts punished 1) O ender committed Piracy;
2) Such acts provoke or give occasion for a war involving or
liable to involve the RP or expose Filipinos to reprisals. 1) Attacking or seizing a vessel on the high seas or in PH 2) Any of the qualifying circumstances is present
waters; Considered as Terrorism under RA 9372
119 Violation of neutrality
2) Seizing in the vessel while on the high seas or in PH waters ➔ when it results to a condition of widespread and
Violation of a regulation for neutrality the whole or part of its cargo, its equipment or personal extraordinary fear and panic, in order to coerce the
belongings of its complement or passengers. government to give in to an unlawful demand.
1) There is a war wherein PH is not involved;
Elements
2) Competent authority has issued regulation of neutrality;
NOTES RE PIRACY AND MUTINY
1) A vessel is on the high seas or PH waters;
3) O ender violates such regulation.
1. PD 532 or the Anti-Piracy and Highway Robbery Law
2) O enders are strangers to the vessel;
120 Correspondence with hostile country punishes an attack upon or seizure of any vessel, or the taking
3) O enders commit any of the acts punishable. away of the whole or part thereof or its cargo, equipment, or the
1) There is a war involving PH; personal belongings of the complement or passengers,
Mutiny
2) O ender makes correspondence with the enemy; irrespective of the value thereof, by means of violence against or
Acts punished intimidation of persons or force upon things.
3) Correspondence is either:
1) Unlawful resistance to a superior o cer; 2. Piracy is robbery or forcible depredation on the high seas,
a) prohibited by Government; or without lawful authority and done with animo furandi and in
2) Raising of commotions on board against the authority of its
b) carried on in signs or ciphers; or the spirit and intention of universal hostility. Intent to gain is
commander.
essential in piracy.
c) might be useful to the enemy.
Element
3. Mutiny is the unlawful resistance to a superior o cer, or the
121 Flight to enemy's country 1) O enders are members of the crew or are passengers. raising of commotions and disturbances on board a ship against
the authority of its commander. Intent to gain is not essential
Filipino or a resident alien 123 Quali ed Piracy in mutiny. Ignoring authority is su cient, and may be

By RGL 55 of 131
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prompted by a desire to commit plunder.


e. Abduction (Art 342) - victim is a woman detained with 1) O ender is a public o cer or employee;
lewd designs
2) There is a judicial or executive order of release, or a
Crimes against the fundamental law of
B 2. Juridical existence of a crime committed by the victim is not proceeding upon a petition of release;
the State essential. What is determinative is the good faith and the purpose
3) O ender baselessly delays.
1. These are crimes that violate the Bill of Rights under the of the public o cer under the circumstances of the case as they
Constitution. appeared to him. If it turns out the person detained was 127 Expulsion
innocent, the o cer acted under a mistake of fact. (Regalado)
2. O enders are generally public o cers (exc Art 133 on Acts punished
O ending Religious Feelings) who must act in the exercise of 125 Delay in delivery to judicial authorities
1) Expels a person from PH;
public functions.
Failure to deliver a detained person to the proper judicial authorities 2) Compels him to change residence
3. Private persons may be held liable as co-conspirator, or be an
for a speci c period of time.
accomplice or accessory thereto. Elements
1) O ender is a public o cer or employee;
1) Public o cer or employee;
124 Arbitrary Detention 2) Person detained for some legal ground;
2) Does either acts punished;
1) O ender is a public o cer or employee; 3) There is no warrant of arrest.
3) Not authorized by law.
2) Detains a person; 4) Fails to deliver such person to proper judicial authorities
within: 128 Violation of domicile
3) Detention is without legal grounds.
a) 12 hours for light; Acts punished
NOTES b) 18 hours for correctional; 1) Entering a dwelling against owner's will;
1. Variations: c) 36 hours for a ictive or capital o enses. 2) Searching without owner's previous consent;
a. Arbitrary detention - No ground, intent is just to detain
126 Delaying release 3) Refusing to leave when so required.
without intent to deliver to judicial authorities.
Elements
b. Unlawful arrest (Art 269) - Detention of no legal ground, Delaying:
purpose to deliver to judicial authorities 1) O ender is a public o cer or employee;
1) Performance of a judicial or executive order of release;
c. Delay of delivery (Art 125) - there is legal ground, but 2) No judicial order.
2) Service of notice; or
unduly delays delivery.
3) Proceedings upon any petition for release. Search warrants maliciously obtained
129
d. Coercion (Art 286) - no intention to detain but victim was and abuse in the service of those legally obtained
restricted of freedom of movement Elements

By RGL 56 of 131
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Acts punished with corresponding elements 132 Interruption of religious worship declaring that Arthur Medina was arbitrarily detained. For, he was
1) Procuring search warrant without just cause; brought to court on the very rst o ce day following arrest.
1) Public o cer or employee;
a) O ender is a public o cer or employee;
2) Religious ceremonies or manifestation of religion are about
b) Procures a search warrant; to take place or are ongoing; Sayo v. Chief of Police of Manila

c) No just cause. 3) Prevents or disturbs the same. For the purpose of determining the criminal liability of an o cer
2) Excess in executing search warrant; detaining a person for more than six hours prescribed by the
133 O ending the religious feelings
Revised Penal Code, the means of communication as well as the
a) O ender is a public o cer or employee;
Performs acts notoriously o ensive to the feelings of the faithful. hour of arrest and other circumstances, such as the time of
b) Search warrant legally procured; surrender and the material possibility for the scal to make the
1) Acts performed in investigation and le in time the necessary information, must be
c) Exceeds authority, or unnecessary severity.
a) a place devoted to religious worship; OR taken into consideration.
130 Searching domicile without witnesses b) during religious ceremony;
Conduct of judicially authorized search without witnesses present 2) Acts are notoriously o ensive to the feelings of the faithful. ⭐IBP v. DOJ 2017 En Banc
1) O ender is a public o cer or employee
The waiver of Article 125 of the RPC does not vest upon the DOJ,
Soria v. Desierto
2) Valid search warrant; PPO, BJMP, and PNP the unbridled right to inde nitely incarcerate
Was there a delay in the delivery of detained person to the proper an arrested person and subject him to the whims and caprices of the
3) Searches the domicile;
judicial authorities under the circumstances? The answer is in the reviewing prosecutor of the DOJ. The waiver of Article 125
4) No witness present. negative. The complaints against him were seasonably led in the must coincide with the prescribed period for preliminary
court of justice within the thirty-six (36)-hour period prescribed by investigation as mandated by Section 7, Rule 112 of the Rules of
Prohibition, interruption, and dissolution of
131 law. The duty of the detaining o cers is deemed complied Court. Detention beyond this period violates the accused's
peaceful meetings
with upon the ling of the complaints. Further action, like constitutional right to liberty.
1) Prohibiting or interrupting the holding of a peaceful issuance of a Release Order, then rests upon the judicial authority.
Accordingly, the Court rules that a detainee under such
meeting without legal ground, or dissolving same; circumstances must be promptly released to avoid violation of
2) Hindering any person from joining lawful associations or the constitutional right to liberty, despite a waiver of Article
⭐Medina v. Orozco 125, if the 15-day period (or the thirty 30-day period in cases of
from attending their meetings;
November 7 was a Sunday; November 8 was declared an o cial violation of R.A. No. 9165) for the conduct of the preliminary
3) Prohibiting or hindering any person or group from
holiday; and November 9 (election day) was also an o cial holiday. investigation lapses. This rule also applies in cases where the
petitioning for redress of grievances.
These are considerations su cient enough to deter us from investigating prosecutor resolves to dismiss the case, even if such

By RGL 57 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

dismissal was appealed to the DOJ or made the subject of a motion condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic, in
The allegations in the a davits are far from the proof needed to
for reconsideration, reinvestigation or automatic review. order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful
indict Beltran for taking part in an armed public uprising against
demand.
the government. What these documents prove, at best, is that
Beltran was in Bucal, Padre Garcia, Batangas on 20 February 2006
C Crimes against public order People v. Lovedioro and that 14 years earlier, he was present during the 1992 CPP
Plenum. None of the a davits stated that Beltran committed
The gravamen of the crime of rebellion is an armed public
134 Rebellion or insurrection speci c acts of promoting, maintaining, or heading a rebellion as
uprising against the government. Political motive should be
found in the DOJ Resolution of 27 February 2006. None of the
Public uprising and taking arms against the government established before a person charged with a common crime —
a davits alleged that Beltran is a leader of a rebellion. Beltran's
alleging rebellion in order to lessen the possible imposable penalty
1) There be a alleged presence during the 1992 CPP Plenum does not
— could bene t from the law's relatively benign attitude towards
automatically make him a leader of a rebellion.
a) public uprising, and political crimes. In cases of rebellion, motive relates to the act, and
b) taking arms against the Government. mere membership in an organization dedicated to the
furtherance of rebellion would not, by and of itself, su ce. Enrile v. Amin
2) Purpose is either:
In the absence of clear and satisfactory evidence pointing to a
a) to remove from the allegiance thereto or its laws: The attendant circumstances in the instant case, however constrain
political motive for the killing of SPO3 Jesus Lucilo, we are satis ed
us to rule that the theory of absorption in rebellion cases must
i) PH territory or any part thereof; or that the trial court correctly convicted appellant of the crime of
not con ne itself to common crimes but also to o enses under
murder.
ii) any body of land, naval or other armed special laws which are perpetrated in furtherance of the
forces; or political o ense.

b) to deprive the Chief Executive or Congress, wholly Prosecutor of Zamboanga v. CA Intent or motive is a decisive factor. If Senator Ponce Enrile is not
or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives. charged with rebellion and he harbored or concealed Colonel
The political motivation for the crime must be shown in order to
Honasan simply because the latter is a friend and former associate,
justify nding the crime committed to be rebellion. Otherwise, as in
NOTES the motive for the act is completely di erent. But if the act is
People v. Ompad, although it was shown that the accused was an
committed with political or social motives, that is in furtherance of
1. Rebellion is to overthrow and supersede the existing NPA commander, he was nonetheless convicted of murder for the
rebellion, then it should be deemed to form part of the crime of
Government. killing of a person suspected of being a government informer.
rebellion instead of being punished separately.
2. Insurrection merely seeks to e ect some change of minor
importance, or to prevent the exercise of governmental
Beltran, et al v. Gonzalez
authority with respect to particular matters or subjects. Ocampo v. Abando, et al 2014 En Banc

3. Considered as Terrorism under RA 9372 when it results to a Petitioners are party-list representatives charged with Rebellion.
The political o ense doctrine is not a ground to dismiss the charge

By RGL 58 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

against petitioners prior to a determination by the trial court that insurrection


2) Employ force, intimidation, and illegal means;
the murders were committed in furtherance of rebellion.
1) Conspiracy to commit rebellion; 3) Purpose is either to:
Under the political o ense doctrine, “common crimes,
2) Proposal to commit rebellion. a) Prevent the promulgation or execution of any law
perpetrated in furtherance of a political o ense, are divested of their
character as “common” o enses and assume the political or the conduct of elections;
137 Disloyalty of public o cers or employees
complexion of the main crime of which they are mere ingredients, b) Prevent the Government, national or local, or any
and, consequently, cannot be punished separately from the principal 1) O ender is a public o cer; public o cer from freely exercising its or his
o ense, or complexed with the same, to justify the imposition of a 2) Fails to resist a rebellion; functions, or prevent the execution of an
graver penalty.” administrative order;
3) Continues to discharge o cial duties under the control of
The burden of demonstrating political motivation must be the rebels; c) In ict hate or revenge upon the person or property
discharged by the defense, since motive is a state of mind which of any public o cer or employee;
only the accused knows. If it is shown that the proper charge against 4) Accepts appointment under them.
d) Commit any act of hate or revenge against private
petitioners should have been simple rebellion, the trial court shall
138 Inciting to rebellion persons or social classes, for any political or social
dismiss the murder charges upon the ling of the Information for
end;
simple rebellion, as long as petitioners would not be placed in Inciting to rebel through speeches, proclamations, writings,
double jeopardy. emblems, banners, etc. e) Despoil, for any political or social end, the
Government, national or local of all or any part of
1) Does not take arms or is not in open hostility against the
its property.
134-A Coup d'etat Government;

1) O ender belongs to the military or police or holding public 2) Incites others to rebel; NOTES
o ce or employment; 3) Inciting done by means of speeches, and others tending to 1. Sedition is the raising of commotions or disturbances in the
2) Swift attack with violence, intimidation, threat, strategy the same end. State.
or stealth; 2. Art 153 de nes tumultuous as an act if committed by more
139 Sedition
3) Attack is directed against duly constituted authorities of than three (3) persons who are armed or provided with means of
RP, or any military camp or installation, communication Public and tumultuous uprising employing force, intimidation, or violence.
networks, public facilities or others needed for the exercise other means outside of legal methods.
3. Act 3 must have been motivated only by the fact that the victim
and continued possession of power. 1) O enders rise is a public o cer, otherwise it would be a case of malicious
4) Purpose is to seize or diminish state power. mischief or any other ordinary crime. (Regalado)
a) publicly, and

136 Conspiracy and proposal to commit coup, rebellion or b) tumultuously; 141 Conspiracy to commit sedition

By RGL 59 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

142 Inciting to sedition comm., subcomm., constitutional comm. or divisions


a) There is a meeting, either in a xed place or
thereof, or any LG council;
moving;
Acts punished
2) O ender either:
b) Attended by armed persons;
1) Inciting others to sedition through speeches, proclamations,
a) disturbs such meeting; or
writing, emblems, etc. c) Purpose is to commit a crime under the RPC;
b) behaves in such an interruptive manner, or to
2) Uttering seditious words or speeches that tend to disturb 2) Any meeting in which the audience is incited to commit
impair the respect due it.
the public peace; TRISA.
3) Writing, publishing, or circulating scurrilous libels against 145 Violation of parliamentary immunity a) There is a meeting;
the Government or any of its duly constituted authorities,
Committed by any person b) The audience, whether armed or not, is incited to
which tend to disturb the public peace.
commit TRISA.
1) O ender uses force, intimidation, threats, or fraud;
4) Knowingly concealing such evil practices.
NB: Treason, Rebellion or Insurrection, Sedition, or Assault upon a
2) Purpose is to prevent a member of Congress from
Elements person in authority or his agents (TRISA).
a) attending any of its meetings;
1) O ender does not take direct part in the crime of sedition; 147 Illegal associations
b) expressing his opinions; or
2) Incites other to accomplish any of the acts constituting
sedition; c) casting his vote. Founders, directors, presidents, forming or organizing, and members
in an association totally or partially organized for:
3) Inciting is done through speeches, proclamations, writings, Committed by a public officer
emblems, cartoons, banners, etc. 1) the purpose of committing a crime; or
1) Public o cer or employee;
2) some purpose contrary to public morals
Acts tending to prevent the meeting of Congress and 2) Arrests or searches a member of Congress;
143 Elements
similar bodies
3) Congress is in session;
1) An association is formed or organized;
1) There be a projected or actual meeting of Congress, its 4) Member arrested has not committed a crime punishable by
comm., subcomm., constitutional comm. or divisions a penalty higher than PM under the Code. 2) The purpose of which is to commit a crime or contrary to
thereof, or any LG council; public morals.
146 Illegal assemblies
2) Such is prevented by force or fraud.
NOTES
Acts punished with corresponding elements
Disturbance of proceedings of congress or similar 1. If the assembly was called for the purpose of committing a crime
144
bodies 1) Any meeting attended by armed persons for the purpose of other than TRISA, there must be armed persons in
committing a crime under the RPC attendance therein; otherwise, the o ense will be public
1) There be a projected or actual meeting of Congress, its

By RGL 60 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

disorder (Art 153) or unlawful utterances (Art 154[2]). authority or his agent.
(Regalado) NOTES
e) No public uprising.
148 Direct assaults 1. Important points from Regalado:
NOTES
a) Victim of DA is PIA, attack against person coming to his
Without public uprising: 1. If the o ended party is a mere agent, force employed must be aid will be Direct Assault, Resistance or disobedience
1) by employing force or intimidation, for the attainment of of a serious character as to indicate determination to defy the depending on the degree of force or violence against him.
any of the purpose of rebellion or sedition; law and its representative at all hazards. Otherwise, o ense is
b) Victim of DA is Agent, attack against person coming to his
simple resistance or disobedience under Art 151.
a) O ender employs force or intimidation; aid will be Indirect Assault; resistance or disobedience will
2. Force employed need not be serious when o ended party is a only be physical injuries or coercion depending on the act
b) Aim is the same as rebellion or sedition;
person in authority. against him.
c) No public uprising.
3. Agent of a person in authority is one who, 150 Disobedience to summons issued by Congress
2) by attacking, employing force, or by seriously intimidating
a. by direct provision of law or
or seriously resisting any person in authority or any of his Refusing:
agents, while engaged in the performance of o cial duties, b. by election or
1) Without legal excuse, to obey summons of Congress or any
or on the occasion of such performance. c. by appointment of competent authority, part thereof, or the Constitutional Commissions, or any
a) O ender is charged with the maintenance of public order and the part thereof;
i) attacks, protection and security of life and property. 2) To be sworn or placed under a rmation;
ii) employs force, 4. Knowledge of the accused that o ended party is a person in 3) To answer any legal inquiry or to produce any documents in
authority or his agent, essential and must be alleged in the his possession, when so required; or
iii) makes a serious intimidation, OR
information.
iv) serious resistance; 4) Restraining another from attending as a witness;
149 Indirect assaults 5) Inducing disobedience to a summons or refusal to be
b) Person assaulted is a person in authority or his
agent; sworn.
Using force or intimidation upon any person aiding a person in
c) O ended party authority or his agent under direct assault. Elements

i) is performing o cial duties, OR 1) A person in authority or his agent is a victim of Direct 1) A person has been duly summoned by Congress or the
Assault; Constitutional Commissions;
ii) that he is assaulted, by reason of the past
performance of o cial duties; 2) A person comes to the aid of the o ended party; 2) Commits any of the acts punishable.

d) O ender knows the o ended party as a person in 3) O ender makes use of force or intimidation upon him. 151 Resistance and serious disobedience

By RGL 61 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) A person in authority or his agent is engaged in the Unlawful use of means of publication 156 Delivering prisoners from jails
154
performance of o cial duty or gives a lawful order to the and unlawful utterances
o ender; Acts punished
1) Publishing or causing to be published as news any false 1) Removal of a person from jail;
2) Resists or seriously disobeys;
news which may endanger the public order, or cause
3) Act of the o ender not included in Arts 148, 149, 150. damage to the interest or credit of the State. 2) Assists in the escape of a prisoner.

2) Encouraging disobedience to the law or to the constituted Elements


151 Simple disobedience
authorities or by praising, justifying or extolling any act 1) There is a person con ned in a jail;
1) An agent of a person in authority is engaged in the punished by law;
2) O ender removes therefrom such person, or helps him
performance of o cial duty or gives a lawful order to the
3) Maliciously publishing or causing to be published any escape.
o ender;
o cial resolution or document without proper authority,
2) O ender disobeys; or before they have been o cially published. NOTES
3) Disobedience not serious. 4) Printing, publishing or distributing (or causing the same) 1. Separate and distinct from Bribery:
books, pamphlets, periodicals, or lea ets which do not bear
153 Tumults and other disturbances of public order a) Briber - Art 156 + Art 212, corruption of a public o cer;
the real printer's name, or which are classi ed as
anonymous. b) Jailer, if public o cer - Art 223, in delity in the custody of
1) Causing any serious disturbance in a public place, o ce,
prisoners + Art 210, bribery;
establishment;
155 Alarms and scandals
if private person - Art 225, next lower that Art 223 + Art
2) Interrupting or disturbing performances, functions,
1) Discharging any rearm, rocket, recracker, or other 210;
gatherings, peaceful meetings, if the act is not included in
Arts 131 and 132; explosive, within any town or public place, calculated to c) Prisoner, if convict - Not liable in Art 156, but in Art 157;
cause (which produces) alarm or danger;
3) Making an outcry tending to incite rebellion or sedition in if detention - no liability, but if convicted, shall not avail of
any gathering; 2) Instigating or taking an active par in any charivari or other ISLAW.
disorderly meeting o ensive to another or prejudicial to
4) Displaying placards or emblems which provoke disturbance; 157 Evasion of service of sentence
public tranquility;
5) Burying with pomp the body of a legally executed person.
3) Disturbing the public peace while wandering about at night Escape of a prisoner by nal judgment from jail.
Qualified: If the disturbance or interruption is tumultuous. or while engaged in any other nocturnal amusements;
1) O ender is a convict by nal judgment;
➔ May commit a separate crime, i.e. serious physical injuries. 4) Causing any disturbance or scandal in public places while
2) He is serving sentence consisting of deprivation of liberty;
intoxicated or otherwise, provided Art 153 is not applicable.
➔ May also be complexed, i.e. assault and tumultuous
3) He escapes.
disturbance.

By RGL 62 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

159 Violation of conditional pardon direct assault with unintentional abortion. On the day of the 1) Great Seal of the Republic was counterfeited or the
commission of the assault, Gemma was engaged in the performance signature or stamp of the Chief Executive was forged by
Conditionally pardoned convict violates any of the conditions set another person;
of her o cial duties, that is, she was busy with paperwork while
forth in the pardon.
supervising and looking after the needs of pupils. Lydia was already 2) O ender knew of the counterfeiting or forgery;
1) O ender was a convict; angry when she entered the classroom and accused Gemma of
calling her son a "sissy". Gemma then proceeded towards the 3) He used the counterfeit seal or forged signature or stamp.
2) Granted conditional pardon by Chief Executive;
principal's o ce but Lydia followed and resorted to the use of force
3) Violated any of the conditions of the pardon. Counterfeiting or Mutilating coins
by slapping and pushing her against a wall divider. The violent act
resulted in Gemma's fall to the oor. 163 Making, importing and uttering false coins.
NOTES RE EVASION
Gemma, being a public school teacher, belongs to the class of 1) There be false or counterfeited coins;
1. Art 157, Quali ed: persons in authority expressly mentioned in Article 152 of the RPC.
2) O ender either made, imported, or uttered such coins;
1) means of unlawful entry;
3) In case of uttering, he connived with the counterfeiters or
2) breaking doors, windows, gates, walls, roofs, or oors;
Pangan v. Gatbalite importers.
3) using picklocks, false keys, disguise, deceit, violence or
intimidation; or "Escape" in legal parlance and for purposes of Articles 93 and 157 of Mutilation of coins, importation and uttering of
164
the RPC means unlawful departure of prisoner from the limits of mutilated coins
4) connivance with other convicts or employees of the penal his custody. Clearly, one who has not been committed to prison
institution. cannot be said to have escaped therefrom. 1) Mutilating coins with intent to damage or defraud.

160 Quasi-recidivism 2) Importing or uttering such mutilated coins with


D Crimes against public interest connivance with the mutilator or importer.
Convict by nal judgment commits a new felony punishable by the
RPC before beginning to serve or while serving a sentence. 165 Selling of false or mutilated coins, without connivance
161 Counterfeiting or forging
1) O ender is a convict by nal judgment; Acts punished with corresponding elements
Forging the:
2) Committed a new felony before beginning to serve such 1) Possession of coin, counterfeited or mutilated by another
sentence, or while serving the same. 1) Great Seal of the Government of the PH;
a) Possession
2) signature of the President;
b) With intent to utter
3) stamp of the President.
Gelig v. People 2010 c) Knowledge.
162 Using forged signature or counterfeit seal or stamp
RTC convicted Lydia Gelig for committing the complex crime of 2) Actually uttering

By RGL 63 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

who takes advantage of his o cial position.


a) Actually uttering a) Using any such forged or falsified instruments; or
Acts punished with corresponding elements
b) Knowledge. b) Possessing with intent to use.
1) Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or
False Treasury or Bank notes 169 How forgery is committed rubric.
Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents 1) Giving to a treasury or bank note or any instrument payable Two ways:
166 payable to bearer, importing, and uttering of such false to bearer or to order mentioned therein the appearance of a
1) Counterfeiting, requisites are:
or forged notes and documents true and genuine document.
a) intent or attempt to imitate,
1) Forging or falsi cation of treasury or bank notes or other e.g. Writing the word "Victory" in ink at the back of the
one-peso bill which accused gave as payment. (PP v b) genuine and forged bear some resemblance;
documents payable to bearer;
Galano). and
2) Importation;
2) Erasing, Substituting, Counterfeiting, or Altering by any 2) Feigning which is simulating something that does
3) Uttering in connivance with the forgers or importers. not exist.
means the gures, letters, words, or sign contained therein.
Counterfeiting, importing and uttering instruments e.g. A wrote B's name on the back of said treasury Making it appear that a person who does not know
167
not payable to bearer warrant as if B had indorsed it, and then presented it for how to write has signed the document is feigning.
payment. (US v. Solito) 2) Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any
1) There be an instrument payable to order or other document
act or proceeding.
not payable to bearer; Falsi cation
a) Causing it to appear that a person participated in an
2) O ender either forged, imported or uttered such instrument;
170 Falsi cation of legislative documents act; and
3) In case of uttering, he connived with the forger or importer.
1) There be a bill, resolution, or ordinance of any stage and b) Such person did not in fact participate.
Illegal possession and use of forged treasury or bank of any legislative body; 3) Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or
168
notes and other instruments of credit proceeding statements other than those in fact made by
2) O ender alters;
1) Any treasury or bank note or certi cate or other obligation them.
3) He has no proper authority;
and security payable to bearer, or any instrument payable a) A person participated in an act;
4) Alteration has changed the meaning.
to order or other document of credit not payable to
b) He made statements in that act; and
bearer is forged or falsi ed by another person. Falsi cation by public o cer, employee or notary or
171 c) Statements other than those made by such person
2) Knowledge; ecclesiastical minister
were attributed to him.
3) Performs any of these acts: Any public o cer, employee, or notary, or ecclesiastical minister, 4) Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts.

By RGL 64 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a) In a document, there be a narration of facts; ➔ Including in a copy a statement contrary to, or d) Used such document;
different from that of the genuine original - Civil
b) O ender has legal obligation to disclose the truth; e) Caused or with intent to cause damage.
registrar stating that a person is legitimate contrary
c) Facts are absolutely false; to that stated in the original. False medical certi cates, false certi cates of merit or
174
d) Wrongful intent of injuring a third person. service
Falsi cation by private individuals and use of falsi ed
172
➔ Person making the narration of facts must have documents Punishable act committed by offender
knowledge of its falsity.
Acts punished with corresponding elements 1) Physician falsi es medical certi cate,
5) Altering true dates
1) Falsi cation of public, official or commercial documents. 2) Public O cer falsi es certi cate of merit or service,
➔ Date must be essential. good conduct, etc,
a) O ender is private individual or public o cer who
➔ Must a ect either the veracity or the e ects of the 3) Private person falsi es either.
did not take advantage of his o cial position;
document.
b) Committed any acts in Art 171; 175 Using false certi cates
➔ Altering dates in o cial receipts to prevent
discovery of malversation is falsi cation. c) Falsi cation committed in public, o cial, or 1) Art 174 has been committed;
commercial documents.
6) Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine 2) O ender knew of the falsity;
document which changes its meaning. 2) Falsi cation of private documents.
3) He used the same.
a) There be an alteration or intercalation; a) O ender committed act in Art 171 except par 7;
b) Committed in any private document;
177 Usurpation
b) Made on a genuine document;
c) Meaning of document has changed; and c) Caused or with intent to cause damage to a third 1) Usurpation of authority
party.
d) Change made the document speak something false. knowingly and falsely representing oneself to be an o cer,
3) Use of falsi ed documents. agent, rep of the PH or any foreign gov't
7) Issuing in authenticated form a document purporting to be
a copy of an inexistent document. in a judicial proceeding 2) Usurpation of official functions

➔ Purporting to be a copy of an inexistent document - a) Knowledge; performing any act pertaining to any person in authority,
Making a copy of a deed of sale which was never under pretense of o cial position, and without being
b) False document embraced in Art 171 or 172 pars
executed; lawfully entitled to.
1-2;
8) Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance c) Introduced in evidence in any judicial proceeding. False testimony
thereof in a protocol, registry or o cial book.
in any other transaction 180 False testimony against a defendant

By RGL 65 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) There be a criminal proceeding;


2) Such was made before a competent officer, authorized to 2) Intent to cause reduction of price
2) O ender testi es falsely under oath against defendant; receive and administer oath;
Acts punished with additional elements
3) Knows of falsity; 3) Willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood;
1) Soliciting any gift or promise
4) Defendant is either acquitted or convicted by nal 4) Statement or a davit required by law.
a) Solicited gift or promise;
judgment.
184 O ering false testimony in evidence b) To refrain bidders from taking part.
181 False testimony favorable to the defendant
2) Attempting bidders to stay away
1) O ered in evidence a false witness or testimony;
1) There be a criminal proceeding; a) Attempted to cause bidders to stay away;
2) Knows of falsity;
2) O ender testi es falsely under oath with intent to favor b) By threats, gifts, promises or other arti ce.
defendant; 3) Made in a judicial or o cial proceeding.

3) Knows of falsity; Common bid manipulation practices:


NOTES RE FALSE TESTIMONY
1. Bid cover happens when a competitor submits a bid that is
182 False testimony in civil cases 1. Material matter is the main fact which is the subject of the
either
inquiry or any circumstance which tends to prove that fact, or
1) Civil case; a) higher than that of the designated winner,
any fact or circumstance which tends to corroborate or
2) Testimony is relevant, and strengthen the testimony, or which legitimately a ects the credit b) too high to be accepted, or
3) False; of any witness who testi es.
c) contains special terms that are known to be
4) Knows of falsity; 2. Subornation of perjury is committed by procuring another to unacceptable by the purchaser.
swear falsely.
5) Malicious with intent to a ect the issues presented. 2. Bid suppression happens when a company does not submit
3. O er of testimonial evidence, begins the moment a witness is a bid for nal consideration.
183 False testimony in other cases and perjury called to the witness stand and interrogated by counsel.
3. Bid rotation, takes turns winning bids.
Acts punished 4. If the false witness desists, he is not liable. The o eror however is
4. Market allocation, agree not to compete for certain
liable for attempted o ering false testimony in evidence.
1) Falsely testifying under oath; and customers or in certain areas.

2) Making a false a davit.


185 Machinations in public auctions
Has been repealed by RA 10667 or the Philippine
186
Elements Common elements Competition Act

1) Made statement under oath, or executed an a davit upon a 1) There be public auction;
material matter;

By RGL 66 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Layug v. Sandiganbayan 3) Sell, give away, or exhibit o ensive displays.


E Crimes against public morals
There is authority to the e ect that a fourth requisite, i.e., that the
act of falsi cation was committed to the damage of a third party or 200 Grave scandal Leus v. St. Scholastica’s College Westgrove 2015
with intent to cause such damage, may be dispensed with as
1) Act is performed; The determination of whether a conduct is disgraceful or immoral
regards falsi cation of public or o cial documents. In the
involves a two-step process: first, a consideration of the totality of
prosecution of cases involving falsi cation of daily time records, it 2) Such be highly scandalous as o ending against decency or the circumstances surrounding the conduct; and second, an
is imperative that there be proof of damage to the government. good customs; assessment of the said circumstances vis-à-vis the prevailing norms
Such damage may take the form of salary paid to the accused for
3) Not under any other article; of conduct, i.e., what the society generally considers moral and
services not rendered.
respectable.
4) Done in a public place or within public knowledge or view.
The morality referred to in the law is public and necessarily
2017 re Falsi cation of public documents
Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and secular, not religious.
Tepoco v. People
201 exhibitions
Wrongful intent on the part of the accused to injure a third (as amended by PD 969)
person is NOT an essential element of the crime of Madrilejos v. Gatdula 2019 En Banc
falsi cation of public document. 1) Publicly proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public
morals; Ordinance No. 7780 is a local legislation which criminalizes
2) a. Authors or publishers of, or owners of establishment obscenity. Obscenity is unprotected speech.
Malabanan v. Sandiganbayan 2017 selling obscene literature; Under the circumstances, the proper recourse for petitioners
b. Exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts, or would have been to go to trial to allow the RTC, as the trier of fact,
O enders are considered to have taken advantage of their o cial
shows which: to judicially determine whether the materials complained of as
position in falsifying a document if
obscene were indeed proscribed under the language of Ordinance
1) they had the duty to make or prepare or otherwise i) glorify criminals or condone crimes; No. 7780. As part of their defense, petitioners can probably argue
intervene in the preparation of the document; or ii) serves no other purpose but to satisfy market for for the adoption of the Miller standards, which requires the trier of
violence, lust or pornography; fact to ascertain:
2) they had o cial custody of the falsi ed document
iii) o end any race or religion; a) whether "the average person, applying contemporary
In cases of falsi cation, we have interpreted that the criminal intent
community standards" would nd that the work, taken as a
to pervert the truth is lacking in cases showing that iv) tend to abet us of prohibited drugs; and
whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
1) the accused did not bene t from the falsi cation; and v) are contrary to law, public order, morals, good
b) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently
2) no damage was caused either to the government or to a customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees
o ensive way, sexual conduct speci cally de ned by the
third person. and edicts;
applicable state law; and

By RGL 67 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) O ender is a judge; law.


c) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary,
artistic, political, or scienti c value. 2) Renders judgment; Betrayal of trust by an attorney or solicitor —
209
3) Such is manifestly unjust; revelation of secrets
F Crimes committed by public o cers 4) Due to inexcusable negligence or ignorance. 1) Causing damage to his client, by

Who are public o cers 206 Rendering unjust interlocutory order a) any malicious breach of professional duty, or
1) Taking part in the performance of public functions in the b) inexcusable negligence or ignorance;
1) O ender is a judge;
Government, or
2) Revealing secrets he has learned from his client in his
2) (a) knowingly renders unjust interlocutory order; or
Performing in said Government public duties as an employee, professional capacity, to which damage is not necessary;
agent or subordinate o cial, of any rank or class; (b) Renders manifestly unjust one through inexcusable
3) Undertaking the defense of the opposing party in the
negligence or ignorance.
2) His authority must be by same case without consent from the rst one, after having
a) direct provision of law; 207 Malicious delay in the administration of justice undertaken the defense or received con dential information
from said client.
b) popular election; or 1) O ender is a judge;
c) appointment by competent authority. 2) There is a proceeding in his court;
210 Direct bribery

For purposes of RPC, there is no distinction between a public o cer 3) Delays administration of justice; Acts punished
and a public employee. What is determinative is not the nature of 1) Agree to perform, or perform a criminal act;
4) It is malicious, with intent to cause damage to either.
appointment but of the duties he performs.
208 Dereliction of duty in prosecution of o enses 2) Accepting a gift in consideration of executing an unjust
Crimes Committed by Judges act that is not criminal;
O cer of the law who maliciously
204 Knowingly rendering unjust judgment 3) Agree to refrain, or refrain from doing an o cial duty.
1) Refrains prosecution; or
Common Elements
1) O ender is a judge;
2) Tolerates o enses.
1) O ender is a public o cer;
2) Renders judgment;
Elements
2) Accepts an o er or a promise, or receives gift personally or
3) Such is unjust;
1) O ender is a public o cer or o cer of the law; through third person;
4) Knows it is unjust.
2) There is dereliction of duty; 3) Does the act;
205 Rendering judgment through negligence 3) With malice and deliberate intent to favor violator of 4) Agreed act in connection with the performance of o cial

By RGL 68 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

duties. 1) O ender is a public o cer; 214 Other frauds

211 Indirect bribery 2) Intervened in his o cial capacity; 1) O ender is a public o cer;
3) Entered into an agreement with an interested party or 2) Takes advantage of o cial position;
1) O ender a public o cer; speculator with regards to
3) Commits any of the frauds or deceits in Arts 315-318.
2) Accepts gift; a) furnishing supplies,
a) estafa,
3) By reason of his o ce. b) making of contracts, OR
b) other forms of swindling,
★ There must be clear intention on the part of the public o cer to c) the adjustment or settlement of accounts relating to
take the gift and consider it as his from then on. public property or funds; c) windling a minor, OR

211 4) Intent to defraud the Government. d) other deceits.


Quali ed bribery
A RTC has jurisdiction when this article is involved because MTCs
Illegal Exactions
have no jurisdiction to impose the penalty of DQ.
1) Public o cer entrusted with law enforcement;
a) Public o cer entrusted with the collection of taxes, licenses,
2) Refrains from arresting or prosecuting o ender punishable 215 Prohibited transactions
fees and other imposts;
by RP and/or Death;
b) Acts or omissions: 1) O ender is an appointive PO.
3) In consideration of any promise, gift.
1) Demanding the payment of sums different from or 2) Becomes interested, directly or indirectly, in any transaction
212 Corruption of public o cials larger than those authorized by law; or of exchange or speculation;

2) Failing voluntarily to issue a receipt, as provided 3) Transaction takes place within the territory subject to his
1) O ers or promises or gives gifts to public o cer; jurisdiction;
by law, for any sum of money collected by him
2) Will make the public o cer liable for Direct or Indirect o cially; or 4) Becomes interested during incumbency.
bribery.
3) Collecting or receiving by way of payment or
Malversation
NOTES otherwise, things or objects of a nature di erent
from that provided by law. 217 Malversation of public funds or property
1. If o er is not accepted by public o cer, only o eror criminally
liable for attempted corruption of public o cer in relation to NOTES Acts punished
Art 6. 1) Appropriating public funds or property.
1. A tax collector who collects a sum larger than that authorized
Frauds and spends it is guilty of two crimes: Malversation, and Illegal 2) Taking or misappropriating the same.
Exaction.
213 Frauds against the public treasury 3) Consenting, or by abandonment or negligence,

By RGL 69 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

permitting any other person to take same. circumstance similar and analogous to voluntary surrender has been appropriated.
(Art 13 par 7 in rel to par 10).
4) Being otherwise guilty of the misappropriation or
NOTES
malversation of same. 218 Failure of accountable o cer to render accounts
1. No technical malversation if there is no law or ordinance
Elements
1) Public o cer, in the service or separated; appropriating public funds or property for a particular purpose.
1) O ender is a public o cer;
2) Accountable for public funds or property; 2. Criminal intent is not an element. The o ense is a mala
2) Had the custody or control of funds or property by reason prohibita.
3) Required by law or regulations to render accounts to COA,
of his o ce;
or to a provincial auditor; Technical Malversation and Malversation distinguished:
3) Those were public funds or property for which he was
4) Fails to do so two months after such accounts should be 1) In both, o enders are public o cers;
accountable;
rendered.
2) In first, no personal gain or pro t; in second, there is pro t in
4) He appropriated, took, misappropriated or consented or,
Demand for accounting not necessary, as long as there is a law certain cases;
through abandonment or negligence, permitted another to
requiring same. Misappropriation also not necessary.
take them. 3) In first, the fund is applied to another public use; in second, it
Failure of a responsible public o cer to render is for the personal use and bene t of o ender or another.
NOTES 219
accounts before leaving the country
221 Failure to make delivery of public funds or property
1. If a subordinate PO, whose only responsibility is towards his
1) Public o cer;
superior, who is in turn accountable to the government, takes or Acts punished
misappropriates public funds or property, the crime is theft, not 2) Accountable for public funds or property;
1) Failing to make payment;
malversation (Webster and Wickersham cases). 3) Unlawfully left (or be on the point of leaving) PH without
2) Refusing to make delivery after being ordered by competent
2. But where the PO had the authority to receive money due to the securing from COA a certi cate showing that his accounts
authority;
Government, notwithstanding he had no authority to disburse have been fully settled.
the same, is liable for malversation when he misappropriated it. Elements
Illegal use of public funds or property or Technical
3. In malversation not committed through negligence, lack of 220 1) Public o cer has Government funds in his possession;
Malversation
criminal intent, good faith is a defense. 2) Obliged to make payment from such;
1) Public o cer;
4. Conviction may be had even if there is no direct evidence of 3) Fails to pay maliciously.
misappropriation because the shortage in account that has 2) There is public fund or property under his administration.
not been able to be satisfactorily explained is prima facie 3) Such has been appropriated by law or ordinance;
In delities
evidence.
4) Applies the same to a public use other than that for which it 223 Conniving with or consenting to evasion
5. The return of the funds malversed is only a mitigating

By RGL 70 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) O ender is a public o cer; 1) O ender is a public o cer;


d) Damage be caused to public interest.
2) Had custody of prisoner; 2) In charge of a prisoner;
2) Wrongfully delivers papers or copies, of which he may have
3) Such prisoner escaped; charge and which should not be published. 3) Maltreats such either:
4) There was connivance. ⭐ a) O ender is a public o cer; a) by Overdoing correction or handling either by

224 Evasion through negligence b) Has charge of papers; i) imposing punishments not authorized by
regulations, OR
c) Should not be published;
1) O ender is public o cer;
ii) in icting punishments in a cruel and humiliating
d) Delivers to third persons;
2) Charged with the conveyance or custody of a prisoner; manner; OR
e) Wrongful delivery;
3) Such prisoner escapes through negligence. b) to extort a confession or to obtain some information.
f) Damage be caused to public interest.
Escape of prisoner under the custody of a person not a 239 Usurpation of legislative powers
225 230 Public o cer revealing secrets of private individual
public o cer
1) O ender is a judicial or executive o cer;
1) O ender is a private person; 1) O ender is a public o cer;
2) O ender
2) Conveyance or custody of a prisoner or a person under arrest 2) Knows of secrets of a private person by reason of his o ce;
a) makes general rules or regulations beyond the scope
is con ded to him; 3) Reveals same without authority or unjusti able reasons. of his authority, or
3) Prisoner or person under arrest escapes;
Other O enses or Irregularities b) attempts to repeal a law, or
4) There was either consent or negligence.
231 Open disobedience c) suspends the execution thereof.

229 Revelation of secrets by an o cer 1) O ender is a judicial or executive o cer; 240 Usurpation of executive functions

Acts punished with corresponding elements 2) There is a judgment, decision or order of a superior; 1) O ender is a judge;

1) Reveals any secrets known to o ender by reason of his 3) Such was made within scope of jurisdiction and legally 2) O ender
o cial capacity. issued;
a) assumes a power pertaining to executive authorities,
a) O ender is a public o cer; 4) O ender openly refuses to execute without any legal or
justi cation.
b) Knows a secret through o cial capacity; b) obstructs the executive in the lawful exercise of their
235 Maltreatment of prisoners powers.
c) Reveals without authority or justi able reasons;
241 Usurpation of judicial functions

By RGL 71 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) O ender is an executive o cer; conversion must be proved. However, an accountable o cer may with him, in the act of committing sexual intercourse
be convicted of malversation even in the absence of direct proof with another.
2) O ender
of misappropriation so long as there is evidence of shortage in 2) He or she kills, or in icts any serious physical injuries upon
a) assumes judicial powers, or his account which he is unable to explain. any or both, in the act or immediately thereafter.
b) obstructs the execution of any order or decision Under Article 217, a presumption was installed that upon 3) He has not promoted or facilitated the prostitution of his
rendered by any judge within his jurisdiction. demand by any duly authorized o cer, the failure of a public o cer wife or daughter, nor has consented to the in delity of the
to have duly forthcoming any public funds or property – with spouse.
245 Abuses against chastity
which said o cer is accountable – should be prima facie evidence
1) O ender is a public o cer; that he had put such missing funds or properties to personal use. 248 Murder
When these circumstances are present, a “presumption of law”
2) Solicits or makes immoral or indecent advances to a woman; Any of the following aggravating circumstances are present
arises that there was malversation of public funds or properties.
3) Such woman must be: 1) Treachery (16), taking advantage of superior strength (15),
a) interested in matters pending before the o ender; G Crimes against persons with the aid of armed men (8), or employing means to
weaken the defense (15), or of means or persons to insure or
b) under the custody of the o ender who is a warden
Destruction of Life a ord immunity (8);
or of similar position and duty;
246 Parricide 2) In consideration of a price, reward, or promise (11);
c) the wife, daughter, sister, or relative within the same
degree of a nity of the person in the custody of 3) By means of inundation, re, poison, explosion, shipwreck,
1) A person is killed;
o ender. stranding of a vessel, derailment or assault upon a railroad,
2) Deceased is killed by the accused; fall of an airship (12), by means of motor vehicles, or with
Lumauig v. People 2014 3) Deceased is: the use of great waste and ruin (20);

a) the father mother, or child, regardless of legitimacy; or 4) On occasion of any of the preceding, or of an earthquake,
A prior notice or demand for liquidation of cash advances is
eruption of a volcano, destructive cyclone, epidemic or other
not a condition sine qua non before an accountable public b) a legitimate other ascendant, descendant or spouse of public calamity (7);
o cer may be held liable under Article 218. accused.
5) Evident premeditation (13);
The law does not require knowledge of relationship.
6) With cruelty (21), by deliberately and inhumanly
Legrama v. Sandiganbayan 2012 Death or physical injuries under exceptional augmenting the su ering of the victim, or outraging or
247
Mere absence of funds is not su cient proof of conversion; neither circumstances sco ng at his person or corpse (not in Art 14).
is the mere failure of the public o cer to turn over the funds at any
1) A legally married person or a parent surprises his spouse
given time su cient to make even the prima facie case. In ne, Rules for the application of circumstances to qualify murder
or his daughter, the latter under 18 years of age and living

By RGL 72 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a) Only one of the circumstances required; others considered as 5) It cannot be ascertained who actually killed the deceased; 2) No intention to kill.
generic aggravating;
6) Those who in icted serious physical injuries or who used 255 Infanticide
b) When the other circumstances are absorbed or included in violence:
the one that quali es, they cannot be considered as generic 1) Child was killed;
a) can be identi ed. - PM;
aggravating; 2) Less than 72 hours of age;
b) cannot be determined - PC med-max.
c) Any of the qualifying circumstances must be alleged. 3) Accused killed the child.
Otherwise, the crime is only homicide with the qualifying
NOTES
only considered as generic aggravating. NOTES
1. Tumultuous a ray exists when at least four persons took part;
249 Homicide 1. Penalty is same as that for parricide or murder.
2. The person killed in the course of the a ray need not be one of
1) A person was killed; the participants in said a ray. 2. Concealing dishonor mitigates liability for the mother (PM
med-max) and maternal grandparents (RT).
2) Without any justifying circumstance; 252 Physical injuries in icted in a tumultuous a ray
3) With intention to kill, which is presumed; Abortion
1) There is a tumultuous a ray;
4) Not murder, parricide, nor infanticide. 256 Intentional abortion
2) There are those who su ered serious or less serious
physical injuries only; Acts punished
NOTES
3) Those responsible can not be identi ed; 1) Using violence against a pregnant woman (RT).
1. When victim is under 12 years of age: RP (Sec 10 RA 7610);
4) Those that have used violence upon the o ended party are 2) Without violence and without consent of the woman (PM).
2. Intent to kill is conclusively presumed when death resulted. (US known.
v Gloria) 3) With consent (PC med-max).
253 Giving assistance to suicide Elements
251 Death caused in a tumultuous a ray
1) By assisting another to commit suicide, whether it is 1) There is a pregnant woman;
1) There be several persons; consummated (PM) or not (AMay med-max);
2) Violence exerted, or drugs or beverages administered, or
2) Did not compose groups organized for the common 2) By lending his assistance to another to commit suicide to the acts upon the woman;
purpose of assaulting and attacking each other reciprocally; extent of doing the killing himself (RT).
3) As a result, fetus dies;
3) Quarreled and assaulted one another in a confused and
254 Discharge of rearms 4) Abortion is intended.
tumultuous manner;
4) Someone was killed; 1) Discharges a rearm against or at another; 257 Unintentional abortion

By RGL 73 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) There is a pregnant woman;


1) become insane, imbecile, impotent or blind 2) Did not prevent o ended party from his habitual work or
2) Violence is used without intending an abortion; did not require medical attendance. (AMen or Fine <=200
2) have lost the use of speech or the power to hear or to
and Censure);
3) Violence intentionally exerted; smell, an eye, a hand, a foot, an arm, or a leg, or lost the
use of any such principal member, or have become 3) Ill-treatment of another by deed without causing any injury.
4) Fetus dies.
incapacitated for the work he was habitually engaged. (AMen min or Fine <=50)
260 Duel 3) have become deformed, or have lost any other body part, Rape
or the use thereof, or have been ill or incapacitated to 266-A Rape by sexual intercourse (Ordinary)
1) Killing one's adversary in a duel; (RT)
perform the work he was habitually engaged in for
2) In icting physical injuries upon such adversary; (Penalty more than 90 days. Penalty is RP when:
according to the nature)
4) have become ill or incapacitated for labor for more than 1) O ender is a man;
3) Making combat although no physical injuries have been 30 days. 2) Had carnal knowledge with a woman;
in icted. (AMay)
264 Administering injurious substances or beverages 3) Accomplished
Physical Injuries
1) O ender in icted upon another any serious physical a) using force or intimidation;
262 Mutilation injury; b) when the woman is deprived of reason, or
2) By knowingly administering any injurious substances or unconscious;
Acts punished
beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or c) through fraudulent machination or grave abuse of
1) Castration - depriving another, either totally or partially,
credulity. authority; OR
of some essential organ for reproduction.
3) No intent to kill. d) when woman is under 12 years of age (statutory rape)
a) There is mutilation of penis or ovarium.
or demented.
265 Less serious physical injuries
b) It was purposeful and deliberate, to deprive the
Penalty is RP to Death when:
o ended party of reproducing. 1) Incapacitated for labor for 10-30 days; or needs medical
1) with the use of a deadly weapon or by at least 2 persons;
2) Mayhem - lopping or clipping o any other part of the attendance for same period.
body. 2) the victim has become insane;
2) Injuries not those described in Art 263-264.
3) special complex crime of attempted rape with homicide;
263 Serious physical injuries 266 Slight physical injuries and maltreatment
Penalty is Death when:
If in consequence of the physical injuries inflicted, injured 1) Incapacitated o ended party for labor from 1-9 days, or
1) special complex crime of rape with homicide.
person shall: required medical attendance during same period; (AMen)

By RGL 74 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

ori ce. aggravating circumstance. (Pp v. Lucena)


2) with any of the following:
3) Accomplished 2. Is resistance by the victim required to prove lack of consent
a) victim is minor and the o ender is a parent, ascendant, to the rape? Any physical overt act manifesting resistance against
step-parent, guardian, relative within the 3rd civil a) using force or intimidation; the rape in any degree from the victim is admissible as evidence of
degree, or the common law spouse of the parent. lack of consent. Tenacious resistance, however, is not required.
b) when the woman is deprived of reason, or
b) under the custody of the police, military or any law unconscious; Neither is a determined and persistent physical struggle on the part
enforcement agency or penal institution. of the victim necessary. (Pp v. Gondaway)
c) through fraudulent machination or grave abuse
c) in full view of the spouse, parent, child, or other of authority; or when woman is under 12 years of 3. Force as an element of rape need not be irresistible; it need but
relatives within the 3rd degree of consanguinity. age or demented. be present. Intimidation must be viewed in light of the victim’s
perception and judgment at the time of the commission of the
d) o ender knows victim as religious; Qualified
crime and not by any hard and fast rule.
e) victim is below 7 years old; a) with the use of a deadly weapon or by at least 2 persons; PM
4. Intimidation includes the moral kind as the fear caused by
to RT
f) o ender knows he has HIV/AIDS or other STD and threatening the girl with a knife or pistol. (Pp v. Frias)
transmits to victim; b) the victim has become insane; RT
5. The victim’s moral character is immaterial, there being absolutely
g) o ender belongs to AFP, PNP, para-military, other law c) special complex crime of attempted rape with homicide; RT no nexus between it and the odious deed committed. Even a
enforcement agency or penal institution and takes to RP prostitute or a woman of loose morals can be the victim of rape,
advantage of position. for she can still refuse a man’s lustful advances. (Pp v. Agsaoay)
d) special complex crime of rape with homicide. RP
h) permanent mutilation/disability; 6. Evidence which may be accepted in the prosecution of rape
e) any of the 10 qualifying of par 1. RT
i) o ender knows victim is pregnant; a) any physical overt act manifesting resistance against the act of
j) o ender knows victim has mental disability, NOTES RE RAPE rape in any degree from the o ended party; or
emotional disorder and/or physical handicap. 1. Indemnity and Damages b) where the o ended party is so situated as to render him/her
incapable of giving consent.
266-A Rape through sexual assault (Object) a. Civil indemnity is mandatory. (Pp v. Lascano)

Penalty is PM b. If quali ed, increased to not less than P75K, (Pp v. Victor) Ricalde v. People 2015

1) O ender commits sexual assault; c. In rape with homicide: P100K as civil indemnity + P75K as Rape under the second paragraph of Article 266-A is also known as
moral + P25K as temperate + P100K as exemplary damages. “instrument or object rape,” “gender-free rape,” or “homosexual
2) Committed by inserting
(Pp v. Cumimba) rape.” The gravamen of rape through sexual assault is “the
a) his penis into another's mouth or anus; or insertion of the penis into another person’s mouth or anal ori ce, or
d. Award of moral damages, automatic. Exemplary damages
b) any instrument or object into the genital or anal justi ed under Art 2230 of Civil Code if there is an any instrument or object, into another person’s genital or anal

By RGL 75 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

ori ce.” attempted rape, he can be convicted of acts of lasciviousness essence of rape is the carnal knowledge of a woman against her will
because the crime of acts of lasciviousness is included in rape. and without her consent.
In People v. Soria, the court discussed that a victim need not
identify what was inserted into his or her genital or anal ori ce for Nevertheless, accused-appellant could only be convicted for the
the court to nd that rape through sexual assault was committed. crime of rape, instead of the complex crime of forcible abduction
People v. Aca-ac with rape. Indeed, it would appear from the records that the main
Necessarily, rape is attempted if there is no penetration of the objective of the accused when the victim was taken to the house of
Baleros v. People female organ because not all acts of execution were performed. The Mila Salvacion was to rape her. Hence, forcible abduction is
o ender merely commenced the commission of a felony directly by absorbed in the crime of rape.
Whether or not the act of the petitioner, i.e., the pressing of a
overt acts. Taking into account the nature, elements, and manner of
chemical-soaked cloth while on top of Malou, constitutes an overt act of
execution of the crime of rape and jurisprudence on the matter, it is
rape.
hardly conceivable how the frustrated stage in rape can ever be People v. Monticalvo 2013
NO. It would be too strained to construe petitioner's act of pressing committed.
A mental retardate can be classi ed as a person “deprived of
a chemical-soaked cloth in the mouth of Malou which would induce
reason,” not one who is “demented” and carnal knowledge of a
her to sleep as an overt act that will logically and necessarily ripen
mental retardate is considered rape under subparagraph (b), not
into rape. As it were, petitioner did not commence at all the People v. Dalisay subparagraph (d) of Article 266-A(1) of the RPC.
performance of any act indicative of an intent or attempt to rape
Malou. It cannot be overemphasized that petitioner was fully The presence of either hymenal laceration or spermatozoa on Nonetheless, the mistake would not exonerate appellant.
clothed and that there was no attempt on his part to undress Malou, Lanie's private part is not an essential element of rape. In People v.
In People v. Dalandas, citing People v. Dumanon, this Court
let alone touch her private part. For what reason petitioner wanted Parcia, we held that the absence of sperm does not disprove the
held that mental retardation can be proven by evidence other than
the complainant unconscious, if that was really his immediate charge of rape. Likewise, in People v. Regala, we ruled that an
medical/clinical evidence, such as the testimony of witnesses and
intention, is anybody's guess. intact hymen does not necessarily prove absence of sexual
even the observation by the trial court.
intercourse.

Perez v. CA 2018 re Rape


People v. YYY
People v. Lining
Perez was found guilty of attempted rape. However, a careful
A medico-legal report is NOT indispensable in rape cases as it
review of the records of the case shows that the crime committed by RTC found Gerry Lining guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the
is merely corroborative in nature. Thus, even without it, an
petitioner was acts of lasciviousness not attempted rape. crime of forcible abduction with rape, and for another count
accused may still be convicted on the sole basis of the testimony of
of rape.
There is no showing in this case that petitioner’s sexual organ had the victim. As such, the credibility of the witness should be assessed
even touched complainant’s vagina nor any part of her body. The medical nding that the victim was already a non-virgin, nor independently regardless of the presence or absence of a
Although the information led against petitioner was for the fact that she had sexual relations before, would not matter. Even medico-legal report. Trial courts are expected to scrutinize the
a woman of loose morals could still be a victim of rape, for the

By RGL 76 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

victim's testimony with great caution, with or without a 4) victim is subjected to torture or dehumanizing acts. 2. A public o cer must have duty under the law to detain persons,
medico-legal report to corroborate the same. otherwise he may be liable for kidnapping and not arbitrary
268 Slight illegal detention detention.
Crimes against personal liberty and
H 1) O ender is a private individual; 3. When the victim is female, detention is under Art 267. Voluntary
security release is not mitigating in that article.
2) Kidnaps or detains another, depriving the latter of his
Illegal Detention liberty;
Kidnapping of minors
267 Kidnapping and serious illegal detention 3) Act is illegal;
270 Kidnapping and failure to return a minor
4) Without any of the circumstances in Art 267.
Penalty is RP to Death 1) O ender is entrusted with the custody of a minor;
Penalty lowered to PM min-med when o ender
1) O ender is a private individual; 2) Deliberately fails to restore said minor to his parents or
a) voluntarily releases captive within 3 days, when he was in the
2) Kidnaps or detains another, depriving the latter of his guardians.
position to prolong detention;
liberty;
b) without having attained the purpose intended; and 271 Inducing a minor to abandon his home
3) Act is illegal;
c) before the institution of criminal proceedings. 1) The minor is living in the home of his parents or guardian or
4) Any of the following circumstance is present:
the person entrusted with is custody;
a) lasts for more than 3 days; 269 Unlawful arrest
2) Induces said minor to abandon such home.
b) simulating public authority; 1) O ender arrests or detains another;
Abandonment and Exploitation
c) any serious physical injuries are in icted or threats 2) Purpose is to deliver him to the proper authorities;
to kill detainee are made; 3) Not authorized by law or there is no reasonable ground Abandonment of persons in danger and of one's own
275
therefor. victim
d) detainee is a minor, female, or a public o cer; OR
e) Person is kidnapped for ransom. 1) Failing to render assistance to any person o ender nds:
NOTES RE ILLEGAL DETENTION
Maximum penalty of Death a) In an uninhabited place,
1. The essence of the crime of kidnapping is
1) if the purpose is to extort money; b) wounded or in danger of dying,
a. the actual deprivation of the victim's liberty
2) victim is killed or dies as a consequence; special complex c) whilst he can render assistance without detriment to
b. coupled with an indubitable proof of intent on the himself,
crime
part of the malefactor to e ect such restraint on
3) victim is raped; special complex crime the o ended party's liberty. d) he fails to render such, and

By RGL 77 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

285 Other light threats


e) such omission shall not constitute a more serious 4) Has not secured the permission of the owner or caretaker.
o ense. Acts Punished
Threats and Coercion
2) Failing to help or assist another whom o ender accidentally 1) (a) Threatening another with a weapon, or
wounded or injured. 282 Grave threats
(b) by drawing such weapon in a quarrel, unless it be in
3) Failing to deliver a child under 7 years whom o ender found 1) Where offender attained his purpose lawful self-defense;
abandoned, to the authorities or to his family, or by failing to
a) Threatening another with the in iction upon his 2) Orally threatening another, in the heat of anger, with
take him to a safe place.
person, honor or property or that of his family of some harm constituting a crime, without persisting in the
276 Abandoning a minor any wrong idea involved in his threat;
b) amounting to a crime and 3) Orally threatening another to do any harm not constituting
1) O ender has custody of a child;
c) demanding money or imposing any other a felony.
2) Who is under 7 years of age;
condition, even though not unlawful, and
286 Grave coercions
3) Abandons such child;
d) the o ender attained his purpose.
4) Has no intent to kill when child is abandoned. Acts punished
2) Where offender did not attain his purpose;
1) Preventing another, by means of violence, threats or
Trespass 3) Not subject to a condition intimidation from doing something legal.
280 Trespass to dwelling a) Threatening another of in iction upon his person, 2) Compelling another, by means of violence, threats or
honor or property or that of his family of any intimidation, to do something against his will, may it be
1) O ender is a private person;
wrong right or wrong.
2) Enters the dwelling of another;
b) amounting to a crime and Qualified if the coercion is committed
3) Against the latter's will.
c) not subject to a condition. 1) in violation of the right of su rage;
Qualified: By means of violence or intimidation
283 Light threats 2) compel another to perform or
281 Other forms of trespass
1) Makes a threat to commit a wrong; 3) prevent another from performing any religious act.
1) O ender enters the closed premises or the fenced estate of Elements
2) Does not amount to a crime;
another;
3) There is demand for money or imposing any other 1) A person is prevented from doing something legal, or
2) It is uninhabited; compelled to do something against his will;
condition, even though not unlawful; and
3) Prohibition to enter be manifest; 2) E ected through violence, threats or intimidation; and
4) O ender has or has not attained his purpose.

By RGL 78 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

3) The restraint shall not be authorized or not in the exercise b) Not legal tender; victim is killed or dies as a consequence of the detention, or is raped
of a lawful right. or subjected to torture or dehumanizing acts, the maximum penalty
c) Not expressly requested by the employee. shall be imposed. In People v. Larrañaga, this provision gives rise
287 Light coercions to a special complex crime. Thus, We hold that appellant Lando is
Formation, maintenance and prohibition of
guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the special complex crime of
1) O ender is a creditor; 289 combination of capital or labor through violence or
kidnapping and serious illegal detention with rape.
threats
2) Seizes anything belonging to his debtor; However, the Court does not agree with the CA and trial court's
1) O ender employs violence or threats, in such a degree as to judgment nding appellant Al liable for Rape. In People v. Suyu,
3) By means of violence, or display of material force producing
compel or force the laborers or employers in the free and We ruled that once conspiracy is established between several accused
intimidation;
legal exercise of their industry or work. in the commission of the crime of robbery, they would all be equally
➔ If no violence or intimidation, unjust vexation
2) Purpose is to organize, maintain or prevent coalitions of culpable for the rape committed by anyone of them on the occasion
4) Purpose is to apply same to the payment of debt. capital or labor, strike of laborers or lockout of employers. of the robbery, unless anyone of them proves that he endeavored to
prevent the others from committing rape.
288 Other similar coercions
There is no evidence to prove that appellant Al was aware of the
1) Forcing or compelling, directly or indirectly, or knowingly People v. Benedicto Ramos subsequent events that transpired after the killing of Sulpacio and
permitting such be done to the laborer or employee of the the kidnapping of AAA. Appellant Al could not have prevented
For kidnapping to exist, it is not necessary that the offended
o ender to purchase merchandise of any kind from him. appellant Lando from raping AAA, because at the time of rape, he
party be kept within an enclosure to restrict her freedom of
a) O ender is any person, agent or o cer of any locomotion. It is enough that, as in the instant case, she was in any was no longer associated with appellant Lando.
association or corporation; manner deprived of her liberty, unable to move - and get out - as she
b) Employed laborers or employees; and pleased.
People v. Dionaldo 2014
c) Forces or compels, directly or indirectly, or The rule now is: Where the person kidnapped is killed in the
knowingly permits such be done to the employee of course of the detention, regardless of whether the killing was The Court is, however, constrained to modify the ruling of the
the o ender to purchase merchandise of any kind purposely sought or was merely an afterthought, the kidnapping and RTC and the CA, as the crime the accused-appellants have
from him. murder or homicide can no longer be complexed under Art. 48, nor committed does not merely constitute Kidnapping and Serious
be treated as separate crimes, but shall be punished as a special Illegal Detention, but that of the special complex crime of
2) Paying the wages due his laborer or employee by means of Kidnapping for Ransom with Homicide. This is in view of the
complex crime under the last paragraph of Art. 267, as amended.
tokens or objects other than the legal tender, unless expressly victim’s (i.e., Edwin's) death, which was (a) speci cally charged in
requested by the employee. the Information, and (b) clearly established during the trial of this
a) O ender pays the wages due a laborer by means of People v. Anticamara 2011 case.
tokens or objects; Further taking into account the fact that the kidnapping was
The last paragraph of Article 267 of the RPC provides that if the

By RGL 79 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

committed for the purpose of extorting ransom, accused-appellants’ any person, or force upon anything.
In this case, Ronalyn was clearly deprived of her liberty. She was
conviction must be modi ed from Kidnapping and Serious Illegal 2) Classi cation of robbery
forcibly taken inside a vehicle by accused-appellant and his cohorts
Detention to the special complex crime of Kidnapping for
and was driven around Quezon City for at least ve (5) hours. a) With violence against, or intimidation of persons
Ransom with Homicide, which carries the penalty of death.
(Arts 294, 297, 298);

People v. Concepcion 2018 re kidnapping absorbed in rape b) By the use of force upon things (Arts 299, 302)
People v. Bandoquillo 2016
Accused abducted the victim and then raped her. Thereafter, he NOTES
Bandoquillo is a private individual who, along with his cohorts,
prevented her from leaving by placing electric wire around the room
kidnapped Hung Yee Chua (Yee) and 5 minors. The abductors 1. Where the taking was lawful and the unlawful
where she was in to prevent anyone who might come to release her.
simulated public authority by misrepresenting themselves as misappropriation was subsequent thereto, the crime is estafa or
The abduction of the victim by the accused is absorbed in the crime
PDEA agents when they forcibly took the victims. In kidnapping malversation. But if intent from the very beginning was to gain
of rape since it was resorted to in order to commit the latter crime.
and serious illegal detention for ransom, the purpose of extorting from the prohibited material, even with lawful taking, then it is
ransom is a qualifying circumstance which must be alleged in the The continued detention of AAA after the rape cannot be deemed robbery.
Information and proved by the prosecution as the crime itself by absorbed in it. The detention was illegal and not attended by the
2. Unlawful taking complete from the moment the offender gains
words and overt acts of the accused before, during and after the circumstances that would render it serious illegal detention. Thus,
possession of the thing as to robbery with violence against or
kidnapping and detention of the victim. In the case at bench, the this Court nds accused-appellant guilty of the crime of slight
intimidation of persons. The thing must be taken out of the
Information did not contain an allegation that Bandoquillo illegal detention.
building as to robbery with force upon things.
and his cohorts intended to extort ransom to obtain the
3. In order for the element of violence or intimidation to be
release of the victims. Accordingly, Bandoquillo should be I Crimes against property appreciated, it must be present before the taking of personal
convicted only of simple kidnapping and serious illegal
property is complete. Except, when the violence results in (a)
detention. Robbery
homicide, (b) rape, (c) intentional mutilation, (d) or serious
293 Robbery, in general physical injuries under pars 1 and 2.

People v. Borja 2017 4. Robbery at a glance


1) Elements of robbery in general
A public o cer who detains a person for the purpose of a) If there is violence against or intimidation of any person,
a) there be (1) personal property, (2) belonging to always robbery.
extorting ransom cannot be said to be acting in an o cial
another;
capacity. In People v. Santiano, this Court explained that public b) In the rst type of robbery, the value of robbed property is
o cials may be prosecuted under Article 267 of the RPC if they act b) there is (3) unlawful taking of that property; immaterial. Penalty depends on (1) the result of the violence
in their private capacity. The burden is on the accused to prove c) such must be (4) with intent to gain; and used, and (2) on the existence of intimidation.
that he or she acted in furtherance of his or her o cial
d) there is (5) violence against or intimidation of c) On the second type, penalty is based on (1) value, (2)
functions.

By RGL 80 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

carrying of arms, if carried out in inhabited buildings. 1) At least four armed malefactors take part in committing
3) The rape must be consummated.
robbery.
d) Penalty based solely on value if carried out in uninhabited
Pars 2-3. Robbery with serious physical injuries
buildings. 2) When any of the arms used is unlicensed, the penalty upon
1) The injuries were in icted in the course of the robbery; and all robbers shall be the maximum corresponding penalty,
5. If robbery was e ected by employing both violence against or
2) In icted upon those not responsible for the crime. without prejudice to the criminal liability of illegal possession
intimidation of persons and force upon the things, the latter will
of such firearms.
be absorbed by the former. Thus, the proper crime to be charged Par 4. Robbery with unnecessary violence and intimidation
is under Art 294, not Art 299. 3) Any member present shall be punished as principal of any of
1) If the violence or intimidation employed in the commission
the assaults, unless it be shown that he attempted to prevent
6. RA 10883, the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, which of the robbery
the same.
lapsed into law on July 17, 2016, is the law applicable when
2) shall have been carried to a degree clearly unnecessary for the
property taken in robbery is a motor vehicle. 4) A band member is liable for any assaults committed when
commission of the crime, or
the following concur:
Robbery with violence against or intimidation of 3) when in the course of its execution, the o ender shall have
294 a) He was a member;
persons in icted upon any person not responsible for its commission
any of the physical injuries covered by subdivisions 3 and 4 b) Present at the commission of robbery;
Par 1. Robbery with homicide
of Article 263. c) Others committed the assault;
1) Robbery with homicide is taken in its generic sense and
Par 5. Robbery with the use of violence and intimidation d) Did not attempt to prevent assault.
absorbs all other crimes, i.e. serious physical injuries,
contemporaneous thereto. If committed by a band, such ➔ Simple robbery.
298 Robbery by execution of deeds ⭐
becomes only a generic aggravating circumstance.
Robbery under subdivisions 3, 4, 5 of Art 294 qualified if
2) One of the following must be proven that the homicide committed in: 1) O ender intends to defraud another;
was committed: 2) Compels him to sign, execute, or deliver any public
a) an uninhabited place, or
a) to facilitate the robbery or escape of culprits; instrument or document;
b) by a band, or
b) to preserve the possession of the loot; 3) By means of violence or intimidation.
c) by attacking a moving train, street car, motor vehicle, or
c) to prevent discovery; or airship, or Robbery in an inhabited house, public building, or
299
d) to eliminate witnesses or suppress evidence. edi ce devoted to public worship
d) by entering the passengers' compartments in a train, or
Par 1. Robbery with rape e) on a street, road, highway, or alley, and with the use of Elements of subdivision A

1) The intent to gain must precede the rape. rearms. 1) O ender entered

2) Committed when the robbery is accompanied by rape. 296 Robbery by a band a) an inhabited place, or

By RGL 81 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

b) public building, or 4. Art 299 is quali ed when both circumstances concur. In 1) O ender has possession;
Robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons,
c) edi ce devoted to religious worship. 2) Such are specially adapted to commit robbery; and
either may qualify (Art 295).
2) The entrance e ected by: 3) Possession was unlawful.
What is an inhabited house and their dependencies
a) an opening not intended for entrance or egress;
1) Dependencies must be False keys
b) breaking any wall, roof, or oor or breaking any
a) Contiguous, 1) (a) Art 304; (b) Genuine keys stolen from owner; (c) Any
door or window;
keys.
b) have an interior entrance connected therewith, and
c) using false keys, picklocks or similar tools;
d) using any ctitious name or pretending the
c) form part of the whole. Brigandage
exercise of public authority. 2) Orchards and lands used for cultivation, not dependencies. 306 Brigandage
3) Once inside, takes personal property of another with intent Robbery in an uninhabited place or in a private Exists when
to gain. 302
building
1) There are at least four armed men.
Elements of subdivision B
1) O ender enters an uninhabited or a private building. 2) Forming a band of robbers;
1) O ender is inside regardless of how he entered;
2) Any was present: 3) Purpose is to
2) The unlawful taking done by
a) entrance was e ected through an opening not a) commit robbery in the highway,
a) breaking of doors, wardrobes, chests, or any other
intended for egress; b) kidnap for ransom, or
kind of locked or sealed furniture or receptacle; OR
b) a wall, roof, oor, or outside door or window was c) attain by means of force and violence any other
b) by taking such away to be broken or forced open
broken; purpose.
outside.
c) false keys, picklocks, were used to e ect entrance;
300 Robbery in an uninhabited place and by a band 307 Aiding and abetting brigands
d) a door, wardrobe, chest, was broken;
1. Quali es Art 299. Punished by the maximum period of the 1) There is a band of brigands;
e) a closed or sealed receptacle was removed, and be
penalty therefor. 2) O ender knows;
broken open elsewhere.
2. That the place be uninhabited, and committed by a band 3) Does any:
3) Personal property of another was taken with intent to gain.
must concur.
a) aids, abets, protects
3. The inhabited house, public building, edi ce for religions 304 Possession of picklocks or similar tools
b) gives info on police movement;
worship must be located in an uninhabited place.

By RGL 82 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

c) acquires or receives property taken by such 2) with grave abuse of confidence; 1) taking possession of any real property of another by means
brigands. of violence against or intimidation of persons.
3) property stolen is a
Theft 2) usurping any real rights in property belonging to another by
a) motor vehicle,
308 Theft means of VAIP.
b) mail matter,
Elements
Who are liable for theft c) large cattle;
1) takes possession of any real property or usurps any real rights
1) With intent to gain, but without violence against or 4) consists of coconuts taken from plantation; thereof;
intimidation of persons nor force upon things, take,
5) sh taken from shpond or shery; 2) belongs to another;
personal property, of another, without the latter's consent.
6) on the occasion of re, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic 3) violence against or intimidation of persons is used;
2) Having found lost property, fail to deliver same to the local
eruption, or any other calamity, vehicular accident, civil
authorities or its owner. 4) with intent to gain.
disturbance.
3) After having maliciously damaged the property of another,
313 Altering boundaries or landmarks
remove or make use of the fruits or object of the damage Quali ed Theft
caused by them. 1. Penalty is two degrees higher. 1) There be boundary marks or monuments, or estates;
4) Enter an enclosed estate or a eld where trespass is forbidden 2. Grave abuse of confidence is a mere circumstance which 2) O ender alters same.
and without consent, hunt or sh upon the same or gather aggravates and quali es the crime. It is not necessary for said
fruits, cereals or other forest or farm products. circumstance to be premeditated in order to be taken into 314 Fraudulent insolvency

Elements consideration. Its presence in the commission of the crime is 1) O ender is a debtor with due and demandable obligation;
su cient.
1) Taking of personal property; 2) He absconds with his property;
3. Theft by domestic servant always quali ed. Not so for
2) belonging to another; 3) To the prejudice of his creditors.
housemate. Not for laborer.
3) done with intent to gain;
4. Theft by truck driver or by shepherd or by one who had Swindling and Other Deceits
4) without consent of owner; access to the place where the stolen property is kept is
315 Swindling or Estafa
quali ed theft.
5) be accomplished without violence against or, intimidation
of persons, or force upon things. Fraud committed by these means:
Usurpation
310. Qualified Theft if (par 1) WITH UNFAITHFULNESS OR ABUSE OF
312 Occupation of real property
CONFIDENCE
1) theft committed by a domestic servant;
Acts punished a) altering the substance, quantity, or quality of anything of

By RGL 83 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

value; replacing it with his personal check. He directed the cashier to


b) means of deceit; and
hold the check until end of month. He used the amount for his
b) misappropriating or converting any personal property
2) Damage or prejudice capable of pecuniary estimation caused personal use. It was found out he had insu cient funds to cover
received in trust, or denying to having received same.;
upon injured party. the check, though later, he was able to replenish said account. He
c) taking undue advantage of the signature in blank, and by is still guilty because the law does not distinguish between
Elements of estafa with unfaithfulness (sub 1[a])
writing any document above such. permanent and temporary misappropriations.
1) O ender has an onerous obligation to deliver something of
(par 2) BY FALSE PRETENSES 3. In estafa, damage to the o ended party, not the gain of the
value;
a) using ctitious names, or falsely pretending to possess o ender, is the important consideration.
2) He alters its substance, quality or quantity;
power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, 4. Demand is not legally required, but is necessary to show
business or imaginary transactions, or by means of other 3) Damage or prejudice is caused.
circumstantial evidence of misappropriation after failing to
similar deceits. account upon demand.
Elements of estafa with abuse of confidence (sub 1[b])
b) altering the quality, fineness or weight of anything 5. There is no estafa through negligence.
pertaining to his art or business. 1) Money, goods, or other personal property be received in trust, or
on commission, or for administration, or under any other 6. Estafa through falsi cation of public documents (FPD) is
c) pretending to have bribed any Government employee. necessarily included in a charge of malversation through FPD.
obligation involving the duty to make delivery of, or to return.
(maximum penalty)
2) Such has been misappropriated or converted; 7. Misappropriation of policeman of rearms received is: estafa,
d) postdating or issuing a bouncing check. when it is not involved in the commission of a crime, and
3) To the prejudice of another;
e) obtaining any food or accommodation, or credit of such. malversation, if it is involved.
4) There is demand from o ended party (not required when
(par 3) BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FRAUDULENT
there is evidence of misappropriation) Elements of estafa by taking undue advantage of the signature
MEANS
➔ Three (3) ways of committing in blank (sub 1[c])
a) inducing another, by means of deceit, to sign a document;
1) misappropriating or 1) The paper with the signature of the o ended party be in
b) resorting to some fraudulent practice to insure success in a blank;
gambling game; 2) converting the thing received; or
2) O ended party should have delivered it to the o ender;
c) removing, concealing, or destroying, in whole or in part, any 3) denying that the thing was received.
3) A document is written above the signature without
court record, o ce les, document, or any other papers. 1. Estafa by conversion. Pledging a thing which was received only authority;
Elements in general to be sold on commission. It presupposes that the thing has been
devoted to a purpose or use di erent from that agreed upon. 4) Liability or damage is caused to another.
1) Accused defrauded another by
2. Estafa by misappropriation. Appellant took the sum of Elements of estafa by means of DECEIT (subs 2, 3)
a) abuse of confidence, or
P8.3K out of the funds of the Manila Railroad Company,

By RGL 84 of 131
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agent to be bogus. He called bank to suspend payment. Thus, he


1) There must be a false pretense, fraudulent act, or fraudulent 4) Prejudice be caused.
could not dispose of the amount in the check possessed by the
means;
There should be proof that defendant made statements tending to accused bogus agent.
2) Must be made prior to or simultaneously with the commission mislead the complainant as to the character of the document
4. If a person procures a loan through a falsi ed public document,
of the fraud; executed by him.
but settles said loan in due time, there is no estafa, only
3) O ended party relied on it, or was induced by it to part with Elements of estafa by removing, concealing, or destroying falsi cation.
his property. documents (No 3[c])
5. There is a complex crime of theft and estafa.
4) There is damage. 1) There be court record, o ce les, documents or any other
papers; 316 Other forms of swindling
Three (3) ways of committing Art 315 No. 2[a]
2) O ender removed, concealed or destroyed any of them; Par 1. By conveying, selling, encumbering, or mortgaging any
1) using fictitious name;
3) With intent to defraud another. real property, pretending to be the owner of the same.
2) falsely pretending to possess: power, in uence, quali cations,
property, credit, agency, business or imaginary transactions; Element of damage or prejudice may consist in: 1) Thing be immovable;
or 2) O ender falsely represents to be the owner;
1) O ended party being deprived of his money or property, as
3) through similar deceits. result of the defraudation; 3) Executed an act of ownership;
Elements of estafa by postdating a check or issuing a check in 2) Disturbance in property right; or 4) To the prejudice of owner or a third person.
payment of an obligation. (No 2[d])
3) Temporary prejudice. Par 2. By disposing of real property as free from encumbrance,
1) O ender postdated a check, or issued a check in payment of although such be not recorded.
an obligation; NOTES RE ESTAFA
1) Thing disposed is real property;
2) Done when the o ender had no funds in the bank, or his 1. Disturbance in property rights. Though the typewriter was
2) O ender knew of the encumbrance, recorded or not.
funds deposited therein were not su cient to cover the later recovered after it was sold to another by accused,
amount. complainant su ered disturbance of his property right over said 3) There is express representation that the property is free from
typewriter. any encumbrance;
Elements of estafa by inducing another to sign any document. 4) There is damage to another.
2. The basis of penalty is the amount or value misappropriated and
(No 3[a])
not delivered or returned before the institution of criminal Par 3. By wrongfully taking by the owner his personal
1) O ender induced o ended party to sign a document; action. Payment subsequent to the commission of estafa does property from its lawful possessor
not distinguish the criminal liability.
2) Deceit be employed; 1) O ender is the owner of personal property;
3. Temporary prejudice. Complainant bought a lter from an
3) O ended party personally signed; 2) It is in the lawful possession of another;
agent through a check. The lter was not delivered, and found

By RGL 85 of 131
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3) O ender wrongfully takes it from its lawful possessor; 3) Consideration be 5) Any building burnt to conceal evidence of another
violation of law, to conceal bankruptcy or defrauding
4) Prejudice is caused upon the possessor or a third person. a) some loan of money,
creditors or to collect from insurance.
Par 4. By executing any fictitious contract to the prejudice of b) credit, OR
6) Arsenal, shipyard, storehouse, military power or reworks
another
c) other personal property; factory, ordinance, storehouse, archives, general museum of
Par 5. By accepting any compensation for services not the Government;
4) To the detriment of the minor.
rendered or for labor not performed.
7) In an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of
Par 6. By selling, mortgaging or encumbering real property or 318 Other deceits
in ammable or explosive materials.
properties with which the offender guaranteed the 1) Defrauding or damaging another by any other deceit not
fulfillment of his obligation as surety. PD 1613. Simple Arson
mentioned in the preceding articles.
1) O ender is a surety in a bond; 2) Interpreting dreams, by making forecasts, telling fortunes, or ➔ Arson is the malicious destruction of property by re.
2) He guaranteed with his real property/ies; by taking advantage of the credulity of the public in any ➔ Kinds of arson:
other similar manner, for profit or gain.
3) He encumbers said guaranty; 1) Simple arson;
4) Such encumbrance is Arson 2) Destructive arson;
a) without express authority from court, 3) Other cases of arson.
320 Destructive Arson
b) made before the cancellation of his bond, OR ➔ Simple arson. Burning or setting re to the property of
Penalty of RP to Death to any person who burns the following
c) before being relieved from the bond. another, or his own under circumstances which expose to
1) One or more buildings, consequent to 1 single act of danger the life or property of another. PM.
There must be damage caused under Art 316. burning, or as a result of simultaneous burnings or
➔ Other cases of arson. Punished by RT-RP
317 Swindling a minor committed on several or di erent occasions.
1) Any government building;
2) Any building of public or private ownership where people
1) O ender takes advantage of the inexperience, emotions, or 2) Inhabited house or dwelling;
usually congregate, regardless of whether o ender knows
feelings of a minor;
that there are persons in said building at the time it is set on 3) Industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well, mine
2) Induces such minor re, and whether it is inhabited or not. shaft, platform or tunnel;
a) to assume an obligation, 3) Train, ship, vessel, airship, plane; 4) Plantation, farm, pasture land, growing crop, grain
b) to give release, OR 4) Building, factory, warehouses, devoted to the service of eld, orchard, bamboo grove or forest;
public utilities; 5) Rice, sugar, cane mills, or mill central;
c) to execute a transfer of any property right;

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

6) Railway or bus station, airport, wharf or warehouse. 1) To obstruct performance of public function. This classi cation is based on the kind, character and location of
➔ Special aggravating circumstances. MAX 2) Using any poisonous or corrosive substance; the property burned, regardless of the value of the damage
caused.
1) Intent to gain; 3) Spreading any infection or contagion among cattle.
Article 320 of the RPC, aab RA 7659, contemplates the malicious
2) For the bene t of another; 4) Causing damage to property of the National Museum, burning of structures, both public and private, hotels, buildings,
Library, or to any archive or registry, waterworks, road, edi ces, trains, vessels, aircraft, factories and other military,
3) Motivated by spite or hate towards owner or
promenade, or any other thing used in common by the government or commercial establishments. If as a consequence
occupant;
public. of the commission of any of the acts penalized under Art. 320,
4) By a syndicate (at least 3 persons).
death should result, the mandatory penalty of death shall be
332 Persons exempt from criminal liability
imposed.
NOTES RE ARSON
Crimes involved On the other hand, PD 1613 remains the governing law for Simple
1. Attempted arson. Placing the rags soaked in gasoline beside the
a) Theft; Arson. If special aggravating circumstances are present, the penalty
wooden wall of the building and lighting a match.
under Sec. 3 shall be imposed in its maximum period:
b) Estafa;
2. Frustrated arson. The rags were set on re, but were put out
a) If committed with intent to gain;
before any part of the building was burned. c) Malicious mischief.
b) If committed for the bene t of another;
3. If main objective is burning, but death results, arson. Persons exempted
c) If the o ender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the
4. If purpose is to kill a person in the building, and setting it on re a) Spouses, ascendants, descendants, or relatives by a nity in
owner or occupant of the property burned; and,
was the means resorted, murder. the same line;
d) If committed by a syndicate, or group of three (3) or more
5. If killing has been committed, then the building is burnt to cover b) Widowed spouse with respect to the property which
persons.
it up, murder/homicide AND arson. belonged to the deceased spouse before the same passed into
the possession of another. If by reason, or on the occasion of Simple Arson death results, the
Malicious Mischief penalty of reclusion perpetua to death shall be imposed.
c) Brothers and sisters and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, if
327 Malicious mischief living together. Here, the applicable provision of law should be Sec. 3, par. 2, of
PD 1613, which imposes a penalty of reclusion temporal to
1) O ender deliberately caused damage to the property of
People v. Soriano re Arson reclusion perpetua for other cases of arson as the properties
another;
burned by accused are speci cally described as houses,
2) Such act does not constitute arson; Arson is the malicious burning of property. contemplating inhabited houses or dwellings under the aforesaid
3) Be done merely for the sake of damaging it. 1) Destructive Arson (Art. 320) and law. The 3rd special aggravating circumstance cannot be appreciated
in the present case where it appears that he was acting more on
328. Special cases or Qualified malicious mischief 2) other cases of arson (PD 1613).

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impulse, heat of anger or risen temper. Thus, accused-appellant People v. Abayon 2016 consistently held that such estafa consists of the following elements:
must be held guilty of Simple Arson.
There is no complex crime of arson with (multiple) homicide. 1) the o ender has postdated or issued a check in payment of
an obligation contracted at the time of the postdating or
In cases where both burning and death occur, it is de rigueur to
issuance;
People v. Buebos ascertain the main objective of the malefactor:
2) at the time of postdating or issuance of said check, the
The legal basis of the trial court in convicting petitioners of arson is a) if the main objective is the burning of the building or
o ender has no funds in the bank or insu cient; and
Section 3[2] of P.D. No. 1613. The elements of this form of arson edi ce, but death results by reason or on the occasion of
arson, the crime is simply arson, and the resulting 3) the payee has been defrauded.
are:
homicide is absorbed; In People v. Reyes, the Court ruled that for estafa under the above
a) there is intentional burning
b) if, on the other hand, the main objective is to kill a
provision to prosper, the issuance of the check must have been
b) of an inhabited house or dwelling. the inducement for the other party to part with his money or
particular person who may be in a building or edi ce, when
Admittedly, there is a con uence of the foregoing elements here. re is resorted to as the means to accomplish such goal the property.
However, the information failed to allege that what was crime committed is murder only; lastly, The prosecution su ciently demonstrated Batac's deceit when it
intentionally burned was an inhabited house or dwelling. established that the latter induced Frias into buying the checks at a
c) if the objective is, likewise, to kill a particular person, and in
That is fatal. In ne, petitioners can be convicted only of simple rediscounted rate by representing to him that she had enough funds
fact the o ender has already done so, but re is resorted to
arson, under Section 1[1] of P.D. No. 1613, punishable by prision in her account to cover them.
as a means to cover up the killing, then there are two
mayor.
separate and distinct crimes committed — Deceit and damage are essential elements in Article 315 (2-d), but
homicide/murder and arson. are not required in BP 22. Other di erences between the two also
include the following:
People v. Macabando 2013 Abayon is charged with the crime of arson because his intent was
merely to destroy his family's apartment through the use of re. The 1) a drawer of a dishonored check may be convicted under BP
The Information alleged that the appellant set re to his own house, resulting deaths that occurred, therefore, should be absorbed by 22 even if he had issued the same for a preexisting
and that the re spread to other inhabited houses. That the the crime of arson and only increases the imposable penalty to obligation, while under Article 315 (2-d), such
appellant’s act a ected many families will not convert the crime reclusion perpetua to death. circumstance negates criminal liability;
to destructive arson, since the appellant’s act does not appear to
be heinous or represents a greater degree of perversity and 2) speci c and di erent penalties are imposed in each of the
viciousness when compared to those acts punished under Article two o enses;
2018 re Estafa through false checks vis-a-vis
320 of the RPC. The established evidence only showed that the Batac v. People 3) estafa is essentially a crime against property, while
BP 22
appellant intended to burn his own house, but the conflagration violation of BP 22 is principally a crime against public
spread to the neighboring houses. The CA a rmed the decision of the RTC nding Batac guilty interest as it does injury to the entire banking system;
beyond reasonable doubt of Estafa de ned under Article 315,
paragraph 2(d) committed against Frias. Jurisprudence has 4) violations of Article 315 are mala in se, while those of BP

By RGL 88 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

22 are mala prohibita. lost the proceeds of the check.


a) abuse of con dence (Par 1) or
Thus, the Information in this case may be interpreted as charging
b) means of deceit (Par 2).
the accused with both estafa under paragraph 1(b) and estafa under
People v. Cahilig 2014 re Qualified Theft Deceit is not an essential requisite of estafa by abuse of paragraph 2(a).
confidence; the breach of con dence takes the place of fraud or
The elements of Quali ed Theft, committed with grave abuse of
deceit, which is a usual element in the other estafas. In this case, the
con dence, are as follows:
charge against the petitioner and her subsequent conviction was for Guzman v. CA
1. Taking of personal property; estafa committed by abuse of con dence. Thus, it was not necessary
for the prosecution to prove deceit as this was not an element of the As appellant converted to his own use proceeds of sales of
2. That the said property belongs to another;
estafa that the petitioner was charged with. merchandise delivered to him as agent, which he received in trust for
3. That the said taking be done with intent to gain; and under obligation to deliver and turn over to his principal, he is
4. That it be done without the owner’s consent; guilty of the crime of estafa as de ned by Article 315, paragraph
Espino v. People 2013 1, subparagraph (e). The next question is whether the present
5. That it be accomplished without the use of violence or
information for qualified theft alleges sufficient facts to sustain a
intimidation against persons, nor of force upon things; The crime charged was estafa under Art 315, par 1(b). However, conviction for estafa.
6. That it be done with grave abuse of con dence. the crime the accused was convicted of was estafa under par 2(a).
An essential element of the crime of estafa is that the money or
Cahilig took money from WPESLAI and its depositors by taking Estafa under paragraph 2(a) is swindling by means of false goods misappropriated or converted by the accused to the prejudice
advantage of her position as cashier. Her intent to gain is clear in the pretense. In this case, there was no use of a ctitious name, or a of another was received by him "in trust or on commission, or for
use of a carefully planned and deliberately executed scheme to false pretense of power, in uence, quali cations, property, credit, administration, or under any other obligation involving the duty to
commit the theft. agency, or business. The Court deems it wiser to give the o ense its make delivery of, or to retain the same". No such allegation
Grave abuse of confidence, as an element of Quali ed Theft, true, formal name – that of estafa through abuse of appears in the above information. Consequently, we agree with
“must be the result of the relation by reason of dependence, con dence under paragraph 1(b). appellant that he can not be convicted thereunder of the crime
guardianship, or vigilance, between the appellant and the o ended of estafa.
First, personal property in the form of the checks was received
party that might create a high degree of con dence between them by the o ender in trust or on commission, with the duty to
which the appellant abused.” deliver it to Mr. Banaag.
People v. Maglaya
Second, the accused rediscounted the checks to his aunt-in-law.
Under the facts proven, appellant is guilty of the crime of theft.
Brokmann v. People 2012 Third, this rediscounting resulted in the wrongful encashment It is true that the machines speci ed in the information were
of the checks by someone who was not the payee and therefore delivered to him by his prospective customers, but the physical
Brokmann was convicted of the crime of estafa, under Art 315, par not lawfully authorized to do so. possession thus secured by him did not vest in him the juridical
1(b). The o ense of estafa, in general, is committed either by
Finally, this wrongful encashment prejudiced KN Inc., which possession necessary for the crime of estafa.

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

of the Estafa under Article 315 par(1)(b). Private complainant gave occasion of a robbery, the accused may be prosecuted for and convicted
Although appellant had taken advantage of his position in
petitioner the pieces of jewelry in trust, or on commission basis with of robbery under paragraph five. It seems obvious that intimidation
committing the crime aforementioned, We do not believe he had
an obligation to sell or return the same within sixty (60) days, if is not encompassed under paragraphs one to four since no actual
acted with grave abuse of con dence and can be convicted of
unsold. There was misappropriation when petitioner failed to remit physical violence is in icted; evidently then, it can only fall under
quali ed theft, because his employer had never given him the
the proceeds of those pieces of jewelry sold, or if no sale took place, paragraph ve.
possession of the machines involved in the present case or allowed
failed to return the same pieces of jewelry within or after the agreed
him to take hold of them, and it does not appear that the former had
period despite demand from the private complainant, to the
any special con dence in him.
prejudice of the latter. People v. Domasig 2018 re Robbery with homicide

A conviction of robbery with homicide requires certitude that the


People v. Nery robbery is the main purpose, and the objective of the malefactor and
People v. Fernandez 2014
the killing is merely incidental to the robbery. The intent to rob
The accused in the present case insists that there is no prohibition in
We point out that conviction under the Labor Code for illegal must precede the taking of human life but the killing may occur
our law to prevent the parties to a contract to novate it so that any
recruitment does not preclude punishment under the RPC for before, during or after the robbery. What is crucial for a
incipient criminal liability under the rst is thereby avoided.
the crime of estafa. conviction for the crime of robbery with homicide is for the
The novation theory may perhaps apply prior to the ling of
prosecution to firmly establish the offender's intent to take
the criminal information in court by the state prosecutors. But The appellant’s act of falsely pretending to possess power and
personal property before the killing, regardless of the time when
after the justice authorities have taken cognizance of the crime and quali cations to deploy the complainants to Hongkong, even if he
the homicide is actually carried out.
instituted action in court, the o ended party may no longer divest did not have the authority or license for the purpose, undoubtedly
the prosecution of its power to exact the criminal liability, as constitutes estafa under Article 315(2)(a). The elements of deceit
distinguished from the civil. The crime being an o ense against the and damage are clearly present; the appellant’s false pretenses were
People v. Layug 2017 re Robbery with homicide
state, only the latter can renounce it. the very cause that induced the complainants to part with their
money. It is immaterial that the death would supervene by mere accident; or
that the victim of homicide is other than the victim of robbery, or
Lito Corpuz v. People 2014 En Banc that two or more persons are killed or that aside from the homicide,
Ablaza v. People 2018 re Robbery rape, intentional mutilation, or usurpation of authority, is
No speci c type of proof is required to show that there was
committed by reason or on the occasion of the crime. Likewise
demand. Demand need not even be formal; it may be verbal. The Paragraphs one to four of Article 294 indisputably involve the use of
immaterial is the fact that the victim of homicide is one of the
speci c word “demand” need not even be used to show that it has violence against persons. The actual physical force in icted results in
robbers; the felony would still be robbery with homicide. Once a
indeed been made upon the person charged, since even a mere death, rape, mutilation or the physical injuries therein enumerated.
homicide is committed by or on the occasion of the robbery, the
query as to the whereabouts of the money [in this case, The simple robbery under paragraph ve may cover physical injuries
felony committed is robbery with homicide. All the felonies
property], would be tantamount to a demand. not included in paragraphs two to four. Thus, when less serious or
committed by reason of or on the occasion of the robbery are
slight physical injuries are inflicted upon the offended party on the
The prosecution was able to prove the existence of all the elements integrated into one and indivisible felony of robbery with

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homicide. The word "homicide" is used in its generic sense. another without right. In proving the element of conversion or yield the promised results, and yet, despite such knowledge,
Homicide, thus, includes murder, parricide, and infanticide. misappropriation, a legal presumption of misappropriation deliberately continues with the misrepresentation.
arises when the accused fails to deliver the proceeds of the sale or to
As case law instructs, "the gravamen of the crime of Estafa is the
return the items to be sold and fails to give an account of their
employment of fraud or deceit to the damage or prejudice of
People v. Mejares 2018 re Theft whereabouts.
another. When fraud pertains to the means of committing a crime
The SC has been consistent in holding that intent to gain or animus or the classes of crimes under Estafa; otherwise, if fraud merely
lucrandi is an internal act that is presumed from the unlawful taking causes loss or injury to another, without being an element of a
People v. Baladjay 2017 re Syndicated Estafa
by the o ender of the thing subject of asportation. Thus, actual crime, then it may only be classi ed as civil fraud from which an
Clearly, all the elements of Syndicated Estafa obtain in this case, action for damages may arise.
gain is irrelevant as the important consideration is the intent to
gain. considering that:

The value of personal property in quali ed theft must be proven a) more than ve (5) persons are involved in Multitel's grand J Crimes against chastity
during trial. Since the penalty in cases of theft is dependent on the fraudulent scheme, including Baladjay and her co-accused -
value of stolen personal properties, it is critical to ensure that the who employed deceit, false pretenses and representations to 333 Adultery
penalty is based on the value proven during trial, and not merely on the private complainants regarding a supposed lucrative
investment opportunity with Multitel in order to solicit 1) There is a married woman;
the Information or uncorroborated testimonies presented by the
prosecution. money from them; 2) She has sexual intercourse with a man not her husband;
b) the said false pretenses and representations were made prior 3) As to the paramour, that he knows the woman is married.
to or simultaneous with the commission of fraud;
2016 re Estafa by misappropriation or NOTES
Cheng v. People c) relying on the false promises and misrepresentations thus
conversion
employed, private complainants invested their hard-earned 1. Where the o ended party in an adultery case obtains a divorce in
Jewelries were delivered to the accused by the owner for her to sell money in Multitel; and his country before the adultery proceedings are commenced, he
them and remit the proceeds to the latter. The accused failed to no longer has the right to institute proceedings against the
d) Baladjay and her co-accused defrauded the private
remit the proceeds to the owner. Instead she issued her checks to pay o ender. (Pilapil v. Ibay-Somera)
complainants, obviously to the latter's prejudice.
for the jewelries but the checks bounced upon being presented for
2. It is not necessary that there be a valid marriage.
payment in the bank. Is the accused liable for estafa?
3. Direct proof of carnal knowledge is not necessary.
YES. The essence of this kind of Estafa is the appropriation or People v. Aquino 2018 re Civil Fraud
conversion of money or property received to the prejudice of the 4. Each sexual intercourse constitutes a crime of adultery. It is not
entity to whom a return should be made. To misappropriate for Not all proposals to invest in certain business ventures are tainted a continuing o ense.
one's own use includes not only conversion to one's personal with fraud. To be sure, an actionable fraud arises when the accused
advantage, but also every attempt to dispose of the property of has knowledge that the venture proposed would not reasonably 334 Concubinage

By RGL 91 of 131
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Acts Punished
b) when the o ended party is deprived of reason or 1) O ender commits acts of lasciviousness;
1) Keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; otherwise unconscious;
2) Upon a woman who is a virgin or single or widow of good
2) Having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, c) by means of fraudulent machination or grave reputation, over 12 but under 18, or a sister or descendant
with a woman who is not his wife; abuse of authority; regardless of reputation or age.
3) Cohabiting with her in any other place. d) when the o ended party is below 12 (penalty is 3) Through abuse of authority, con dence, relationship, or
RT med as per RA 7610) or is demented. deceit.
Elements
1) There is a married man; Seduction and Abduction 340 Corruption of minors

2) He committed any of the acts punished; 337 Quali ed seduction 1) O ender promotes or facilitate the prostitution or
3) As to the concubine, that she knows the man to be married. corruption of persons under age;
1) Of a virgin, over 12, under 18, by a person in authority,
priest, teacher, etc; 2) Such is to satisfy the lust of another.
NOTES
2) Of a sister by her brother, or descendant by ascendant. 341 White slave trade
1. Scandal is produced when:
Elements Acts penalized
a) the man and his mistress live in the same room of a house,
1) O ended party is a virgin; 1) Engaging in the business of prostitution;
b) they appear together in public, and
2) Over 12, under 18; 2) Pro ting from it;
c) perform acts in sight of the community which gives rise to
criticism and general protest among the neighbors. This is 3) He has sexual intercourse with her; 3) Enlisting the services of women for such purpose.
best proven by people in the vicinity. 4) There is abuse of authority, con dence or relationship on
342 Forcible abduction
2. When spies are employed, there is no evidence of scandalous the part of the o ender.
circumstances. 1) Person abducted is any woman, regardless of age, civil status
338 Simple seduction
or reputation;
336 Acts of lasciviousness
1) O ended party is over 12, under 18; 2) It is against her will;
1) O ender commits any act of lasciviousness or lewdness; 2) Of good reputation, single or widow; 3) With lewd designs.
2) Such act is committed against any person of either sex; 3) O ender has sex with her;
3) It is done: NOTES
4) By means of deceit.
a) by using force or intimidation; 1. There can only be one complex crime of forcible abduction
339 Acts of lasciviousness with consent with rape. Thus, the succeeding rapes should each be counted

By RGL 92 of 131
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separately against the accused. acts, as well as adultery and concubinage. The parents of the
5. When complexed with another crime, can be prosecuted de
female seduced, abducted, raped or abused may also recover
2. There is no complex crime of forcible abduction with oficio.
moral damages.
attempted rape, as the latter is deemed absorbed by the former.
Rules on Pardon
There is only forcible abduction. 3. If there are multiple o enders in rape, all must support the
1. It is a bar to prosecution for adultery and concubinage. It may be o spring.
343 Consented abduction expressed or implied. Must come before the institution of the
4. Only indemnity is allowed in rape of a married woman.
criminal action and both o enders must be pardoned.
1) O ended party must be a virgin;
Persons who cooperate as accomplices but are punished as
2. Express pardon is a bar to prosecution for seduction, abduction,
2) Over 12, under 18; principals
rape or acts of lasciviousness. (par 3)
3) Taking away must be with consent after solicitation or 1) Ascendants;
3. Pardon must rst be granted by the o ended party. Only when
cajolery from o ender;
she is incapacitated, or dead, can the parents, grandparents, 2) Guardians;
4) With lewd designs. guardians take her place in pardoning the o ender. Pardon by
3) Curators;
Prosecution of the crimes of adultery, concubinage, seduction, the parent, must be accompanied with that of the girl and
vice-versa. 4) Teachers; and
abduction, and acts of lasciviousness
4. Marriage between the parties bene ts all accused. This does not 5) Any other person who cooperates as an accomplice with
1. Adultery and concubinage must be prosecuted upon
apply when there are multiple principals by direct participation. abuse of authority or con dential relationship.
complaint signed by the o ended spouse.
2. Seduction, abduction, rape or acts of lasciviousness must be 5. For rape, marriage only bene ts the principal.
Crimes against the civil status of
prosecuted upon complaint signed by - Civil liability of persons guilty of crimes against chastity K
persons
a) o ended party, a) To indemnify the o ended woman.
b) her parents, b) To acknowledge the o spring, unless the law should prevent Simulation of births, substitution of one child for
him from doing so. 347 another, and concealment or abandonment of a
c) grandparents, or
legitimate child
d) legal guardians in the order in which they are named above. c) In every case to support the o spring.
Acts punished
3. Pursuant to RA 8353, Rape may be prosecuted de oficio. 1. Only indemnity is possible in adultery or concubinage. Children
born from such o enses may not be recognized and are born 1) Simulation of births.
4. In adultery and concubinage, criminal proceeding can not be from the o enders themselves. Thus, they may not be granted
instituted without including both the guilty parties, if they are 2) Substitution of one child for another.
support.
both alive, nor, in any case, if he shall have consented or 3) Concealing or abandoning any legitimate child with intent
pardoned the o enders. (Sec 5 Rule 110, Art 344) 2. Art 2219 of the Civil Code provides that moral damages may be
to cause such child to lose its civil status.
recovered in seduction, abduction, rape, or other lascivious

By RGL 93 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

1) O ender has been legally married. bigamy.


a) There is a legitimate child;
2) Marriage has not been legally dissolved or, in case his or her 4. If accused contracted a second marriage that is void for lack of
b) O ender conceals or abandons him;
spouse is absent, the absent spouse could not yet be marriage license, but he knows of this missing requisite, then he
c) Has the intent to cause the loss of civil status of presumed dead. is liable under Art 350, and not Art 349.
such child.
3) Contracts a second or subsequent marriage.
Mercado v. Tan
NOTES 4) Such second marriage is deemed valid.
1. Concealing or abandoning any legitimate child, requisites: A judicial declaration of nullity of a previous marriage is necessary
350 Marriage contracted against provisions of laws
before a subsequent one can be legally contracted. One who enters
a) There is a legitimate child;
1) O ender contracted marriage. into a subsequent marriage without rst obtaining such judicial
b) O ender conceals or abandons him; declaration is guilty of bigamy. This principle applies even if the
2) He knew at the time that —
c) Has the intent to cause the loss of civil status of such child. earlier union is characterized by statute as “void.”
a) the requirements of the law were not complied
2. The unlawful sale of a child by its father is not a crime under Art That he subsequently obtained a judicial declaration of the
with; or
347. nullity of the rst marriage was immaterial. To repeat, the
b) the marriage was in disregard of a legal impediment. crime had already been consummated by then.
348 Usurpation of civil status
352 Performance of illegal marriage ceremony
1. The crime is committed when a person represents himself to
1) O ender is a priest or minister, or civil authority. Montañez v. Cipriano 2012
be another and assumes the liation or the parental or
conjugal rights of such another person. 2) He is authorized to solemnize marriages. In Tenebro v. CA, we declared that although the judicial
3) He performs an illegal marriage ceremony. declaration of the nullity of a marriage on the ground of
2. Civil status includes one's public station, or the rights,
psychological incapacity retroacts to the date of the celebration of
duties, capacities and incapacities which determine a person
NOTES the marriage insofar as the vinculum between the spouses is
to a given class.
concerned, it is signi cant to note that said marriage is not
3. Thus, usurpation of profession may be punished under 1. Validity of second marriage is a prejudicial question. Judgment without legal e ects. Among these legal consequences is
Art 348. of annulment of second marriage precludes the verdict of guilt. incurring criminal liability for bigamy.
4. There must be intent to enjoy the rights arising from the 2. The second spouse is not necessarily liable for bigamy. But, if
civil status of another. such spouse knew of the rst marriage, he/she is an accomplice.
One who vouched for the capacity of either is also an Bangayan v. Bangayan 2013
5. The purpose of defrauding qualifies the crime.
accomplice.
For bigamy to exist, the second or subsequent marriage must
349 Bigamy 3. There is no double jepoardy if concubinage is led after have all the essential requisites for validity except for the

By RGL 94 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

existence of a prior marriage. In this case, there was really no Parties are not required to obtain a judicial declaration of Elements of defamation
subsequent marriage. Benjamin and Sally just signed a purported absolute nullity of a void ab initio rst and subsequent 1) There must be an imputation of a crime, or of a vice or
marriage contract without a marriage license. The supposed marriages in order to raise it as a defense in a bigamy case. The defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, status or
marriage was not recorded with the local civil registrar and the same rule now applies to all marriages celebrated under the Civil circumstance.
National Statistics O ce. In short, the marriage between Benjamin Code and the Family Code. Article 40 of the Family Code did not
and Sally did not exist. They lived together and represented amend Article 349 of the RPC, and thus, did not deny the accused 2) The imputation is made publicly.
themselves as husband and wife without the bene t of marriage. the right to collaterally attack the validity of a void ab initio marriage 3) Malicious.
in the criminal prosecution for bigamy.
4) Directed to a natural or juridical person, or one who is dead.
However, if the rst marriage is merely voidable, the accused
Santiago v. People 2015 5) Must tend to cause the dishonor, discredit or contempt of
cannot interpose an annulment decree as a defense in the criminal
the person defamed.
The crime of bigamy does not necessary entail the joint liability of prosecution for bigamy since the voidable rst marriage is
two persons who marry each other while the previous marriage of considered valid and subsisting when the second marriage was
NOTES
one of them is valid and subsisting. As explained in Nepomuceno: contracted. The crime of bigamy, therefore, is consummated when
the second marriage was celebrated during the subsistence of the Defamation, defined
In the crime of bigamy, both the rst and second spouses may
voidable rst marriage. The same rule applies if the second a) Which includes libel and slander, means the o ense of
be the o ended parties depending on the circumstances, as
marriage is merely considered as voidable. injuring a person's character, fame or reputation through
when the second spouse married the accused without being
It is time to abandon the earlier precedents and adopt a more false and malicious statements.
aware of his previous marriage. Only if the second spouse had
knowledge of the previous undissolved marriage of the accused liberal view that a void ab initio marriage can be used as a defense in b) It tends to diminish the esteem, respect, good will or
could she be included in the information as a co-accused. bigamy even without a separate judicial declaration of absolute con dence in the plainti or to excite derogatory feelings or
nullity. The accused may present testimonial or documentary opinions about him.
Given that petitioner knew of the rst marriage, this Court concurs
evidence such as the judicial declaration of absolute nullity of the
with the ruling that she was validly charged with bigamy. However, c) It is the generic term to libel and slander, the former being
rst and/or subsequent void ab initio marriages in the criminal
we disagree with the lower courts’ imposition of the principal in written, while the latter in the oral form.
prosecution for bigamy. Therefore, the absence of a "prior valid
penalty on her.
marriage" and the subsequent judicial declaration of absolute nullity 1ST ELEMENT: Imputation
Her punishment as a principal to the crime is wrong. Archilla of his rst marriage, Pulido is hereby acquitted from the crime of a) Criminal Act - May be implied from the acts and
holds that the second spouse, if indicted in the crime of bigamy, is Bigamy charged against him. statements of the accused. Imputation of criminal
liable only as an accomplice. intention, not libelous. An expression of opinion by one
L Crimes against honor a ected by the act of another and based on actual fact is not
libelous. Such must be made however, in the performance of
⭐Pulido v. People 27 July 2021 En banc
353 Libel a legal, moral or social duty.

By RGL 95 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

made in bad faith.


b) Vice or defect - such as lascivious or immoral habits. 1. Malice in law presumed from every defamatory imputation
even if it is true. Can be rebutted if accused can show Paragraph 1: Performance of duty
c) Act or omission - e.g. o ended party used to borrow money
without intention to pay. a) good intention, 4. Requisites:
d) Condition, status or circumstance - calling a person a b) justi able motive, and a) Person who made the communication has a legal, moral
bastard or leper; mangkukulam. and social duty to make such, or, at least, had an interest to
c) it is true in case the law allows proof of the truth.
be upheld.
2ND ELEMENT: Publicity — is the communication of the
2. Not presumed in privileged communications:
defamatory matter to some third person or persons. Delivering b) Such is addressed to an o cer or a board, or superior having
the article to the typesetter is sufficient publication. Sending a a) private communication made by any person to another in some interest or duty in the matter.
sealed letter is not publication. If it is unsealed or not shown to the performance of any legal, moral, or social duty.
c) Done in good faith without malice in fact.
be sealed, there is publication. There is no crime if the b) fair and true report, made in good faith, without any
defamatory imputation is not published. 5. When a copy of a privileged communication is sent to a
comments or remarks
newspaper publication, the privilege is destroyed. It is a matter of
3RD ELEMENT: Malice i) of any judicial, legislative, or other o cial proceedings defense and must be established by the accused. Except, if
a) Malice in fact - express malice, actuated by a desire to which are not of con dential nature or contained in an appropriate pleading in a court proceeding, the
impeach the reputation, integrity and honesty of the ii) of any statement, report or speech delivered in said privilege becomes at once apparent.
o ended. proceedings, or 6. Defense overcome if it is shown that
b) Malice in law - presumed from a defamatory imputation iii) of any other act performed by public o cers in the a) defendant acted with malice in fact, or
(Art 354 par 1). Proof of malice not required. Presumption exercise of their functions.
does not arise in privileged communication. b) there is no reasonable ground for believing the charge to be
3. Prosecution must prove malice in fact in privileged true.
4TH ELEMENT: Directed at a person, dead or alive. communication. May be absolute, and conditional or quali ed.
7. If there is probable cause for belief in their truthfulness and the
a) Identi cation of the o ended party is required, and a third a) said to be absolute if it is not actionable even if the author charge is made in good faith, privilege applies. Must be made
person could identify him as subject of the libelous acted in bad faith. under an honest sense of duty; a self-seeking motive is
publication. It is essential that the victim be identi able,
i. members of Congress in the discharge of their destructive.
although not necessarily named. If the article is impersonal,
functions. Paragraph 2: Fair and true report
does not single out individuals, this element is wanting.
ii. o cial communication made by public o cer in the 8. Doctrine of Fair Comment, when the discreditable imputation
5TH ELEMENT: Cause dishonor, discredit, contempt
performance of his duties. is directed against a public person in his public capacity, it is not
a) There are as many o enses as there are persons defamed.
iii. allegations and statements in judicial proceedings. necessarily actionable.
PRESUMPTION OF MALICE
b) it is conditionally privileged if it is not actionable unless PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR LIBEL

By RGL 96 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

a) Who publishes, exhibits or causes the publication or 2. If defendant proves the truth of his imputation, he shall be c) Circumstances, such as social standing and position of
exhibition of any defamation in writing or similar means. acquitted. Proof of his good motive and justi able ends are no o ended party.
longer necessary. Probable cause for belief in the truth of the
b) Author or editor of a book or pamphlet.
statement is su cient. NOTES
c) Editor or business manager of a daily newspaper magazine or
3. Three requisites of defense: 1. The word "puta", being a common expression in the dialect, may
serial publication.
not be slander.
a) if it appears that the matter charged as libelous is true;
d) Owner of the printing plant which publishes a libelous
2. The slander need not be heard by o ended party, but by other
article, with his consent and all other persons who in any b) it was published with good motives;
people, as the reputation of the former has been besmirched.
way participate in or have connection with its publication.
c) and for justi able ends.
1. The prime requisite of libel is not the composing of the article 359 Slander by deed
4. Retraction may mitigate damages. The retraction should
but its publication.
contain an admission of the falsity of the libelous publication 1) Performs any act not included in any other crime against
2. Venue is determined where and evince a desire to repair a wrong occasioned thereby. honor;
a) the libelous article is printed and rst published; or 5. Honest mistake is not a complete defense but serves only to 2) In the presence of other person/s;
mitigate.
b) any of the o ended parties actually resides at the time of the 3) Casts dishonor, discredit or contempt upon the o ended
commission of the o ense. LIBELOUS REMARKS party.
3. Where one of the o ended parties is a public o cer, venue may 1. On privileged matters, if made with malice in fact, do not exempt
be had at his place of designation. the author and editor. NOTES

4. O ended party must le complaint for defamation imputing a 2. There is liability when facts are distorted, or remarks are added 1. Gravity may depend on the social standing of o ended party,
crime which cannot be prosecuted de oficio. (Art 344) thereon. circumstances, the occasion, etc.

5. Libel imputing vice or defect can be prosecuted de oficio 2. Slapping is slander by deed if the intention is to cause shame and
358 Slander or oral defamation
humiliation.
PROOF OF TRUTH
Two kinds: 3. Kissing a girl in public and touching her breasts without lewd
1. Admissible in any of the following:
a) Simple slander; and design but only to cast dishonor upon the girl, is slander by deed
a) When imputation constitutes a crime whether o ended and not acts of lasciviousness.
b) Grave slander.
party is a private person or a public o cer.
4. The nature and e ects of the maltreatment determine the crime
Gravity is determined through:
b) Even if imputation is not constitutive of a crime, but against committed. If o ended party su ered from shame and
a Government employee related to the discharge of his a) Expressions used; humiliation caused by the maltreatment, it is slander by deed.
o cial duties. b) Personal relations between parties; 5. Common denominator in unjust vexation, slander by deed, and

By RGL 97 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

acts of lasciviousness is irritation or annoyance. Chavez v. CA when the defamatory imputation quali es as privileged
communication.
Incriminatory Machinations Agbayani supplies a comprehensive restatement of the rules of
venue in actions for criminal libel, following the amendment. The In the cases at bar, although the open letter was primarily addressed
363 Incriminating innocent persons to then President Aquino, the communication thereof was not
rules on venue in Article 360 may be restated thus:
limited to her alone. It was also published in several newspapers of
1) O ender performs an act; 1. Whether the o ended party is a public o cial or a private
general circulation and was thus made known to the general
2) By such he directly incriminates or imputes to an innocent person, the criminal action may be led in the Court of
public. Thus, the statements made by Brillante during the press
person the commission of a crime; First Instance of the province or city where the libelous
conference and in the open letter do not qualify as privileged
article is printed and rst published.
3) Such act is not perjurious. communication.
2. If the o ended party is a private individual, the criminal
It is likewise settled that a single defamatory statement, if published
364 Intriguing against honor action may also be led in the Court of First Instance of the
several times, gives rise to as many o enses as there are publications.
province where he actually resided at the time of the
1) Committed by any person who shall make an intrigue which This is the “multiple publication rule” which is followed in our
commission of the o ense.
has for its principal purpose to blemish the honor or jurisdiction, as explained in Soriano v. IAC.
reputation of another. 3. If the o ended party is a public o cer whose o ce is in
Manila at the time of the commission of the o ense, the
2) It may consist of some trickery, ingenious, crafty and secret
action may be led in the Court of First Instance of Fortich v. CA
plot.
Manila.
Nothing in the evidence on record would suggest that the key
4. If the o ended party is a public o cer holding o ce elements of publicity are present in the case before us.
Pader v. People
outside of Manila, the action may be led in the Court of
Firstly, the assailed letter was obviously part and parcel of the initial
Pader was convicted of grave oral defamation. In Reyes v. First Instance of the province or city where he held o ce
investigation surrounding the non-remittance of collections by
People, we ruled that the expression “putang ina mo” is a at the time of the commission of the o ense.
petitioner. Secondly, petitioner was unable to prove that the letter
common enough utterance in the dialect that is often employed, not was circulated or publicized, much less read by o cers of the
really to slander but rather to express anger or displeasure. Here, the corporation other than those involved in the investigation or those
intention was to show his feelings of resentment and not necessarily Brilliante v. CA
directly supervising the petitioner's work.
to insult the latter. Being a candidate running for vice mayor, The determination of Brillante’s culpability for libel hinges on the
occasional gestures and words of disapproval or dislike of his person question of whether his statements were made with malice.
are not uncommon. Rogelio Pader is guilty only of slight oral Magno v. People
defamation. Article 354 states, as a general rule, that every defamatory
imputation is presumed to be malicious, even if true, if no Dolores Magno was found guilty of two (2) counts of libel.
good intention and justi able motive is shown. As an Publication, in the law of libel, means the making of the
exception to the rule, the presumption of malice is done away with

By RGL 98 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

defamatory matter, after it has been written, known to someone their commission results in damage, either to person or property.
a) employment or occupation,
other than the person to whom it has been written. If the statement 2. Imprudence indicates de ciency of action, failure in precaution,
is sent straight to a person for whom it is written there is no b) degree of intelligence, physical condition, and
and can be avoided by taking the necessary precaution once they
publication of it. c) other circumstances regarding persons, time and are foreseen.
In People v. Silvela, the Court ruled that sending an unsealed place.
3. Negligence indicates de ciency of perception, failure in
libelous letter to the o ended party constitutes publication. In the advertence, and can be avoided by paying proper attention and
Simple imprudence
present case, there is no dispute that the unsealed envelope due diligence in foreseeing them.
containing the libelous letter was handed by Dolores to Evelyn 1) There is lack of precaution on the part of o ender;
Arcartado. Inasmuch as Cerelito voluntarily disclosed the contents 4. Illustrations of inexcusable lack of precaution
2) The damage impending to be caused is not immediate or the
of Dolores' libelous letter to Evelyn, the act of publication cannot be a) Overtaking notwithstanding there was no room to pass,
danger is not clearly manifest.
ascribed to Dolores insofar as Evelyn is concerned. However, it resulting to collision with a car approaching from the
could not be said that there was no publication with respect to Medical negligence opposite direction.
Cerelito's wife, Fe. While the letter in question was addressed to
1) There must be proof of breach of duty on the part of the b) Overspeeding, overloading. Two of the passengers standing
"Mr. Cerelito & Fe Alejandro," the invectives contained therein were
surgeon; on the right running board of the car died when his car
directed against Cerelito only. Fe, the wife, is, in context, a third
collided with another.
person to whom the publication was made. 2) Causal connection of such breach and the resulting death or
injury of patient. c) Disregarding tra c sign to slow down as he was about to
In all, we nd all the elements of libel to have been su ciently
traverse a school zone.
established.
Imprudence and Negligence
d) It was incumbent upon accused to reduce his speed to allow
Par 1. Reckless imprudence resulting in grave, less grave or light the car ahead of him to safely negotiate a left turn at the
M Quasi-o enses intersection.
felony;

365 Reckless imprudence Par 2. Simple imprudence or negligence resulting in grave or less 5. Rules on overtaking:
serious felony ; a) Always drive on the right side of the road;
1) O ender does or fails to do an act;
Par 3. Reckless imprudence or simple imprudence or negligence b) Overtake only if the highway is clearly visible and free from
2) Voluntary; causing damage to property (Fine); oncoming vehicle.
3) Without malice; Par 4. Simple imprudence or negligence resulting in light felony. c) Overtaking while approaching a curve in the highway, where
4) Material damage results; the driver's view is obstructed is not allowed.
NOTES
5) There is inexcusable lack of precaution taking into d) One who overtakes is charged with a high degree of care
consideration the 1. The technically correct way to allege quasi-crimes is to state that and diligence to avoid collision.

By RGL 99 of 131
Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

6. Doctrine of last chance is to the e ect that: a) there must be proof of breach of duty on the part of the in the same rst level court.
surgeon;
a) both parties are negligent;
b) causal connection of such breach and the resulting death or Esteban v. People 2017
b) the negligent act of one is appreciably later in time than that
injury of patient. (proximate cause)
of the other; or
Esteban was convicted of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in
c) when it is impossible to determine who's at fault; Homicide.
Ivler v. Modesto 2010
d) the one who had the last clear opportunity to avoid the The records of the case point to the fact that the petitioner who was
Reckless Imprudence is a Single
impending harm and failed to do so is chargeable. then driving an Isuzu pick-up in a zigzag manner and was trying to
Crime, its Consequences on Persons
7. Emergency doctrine applies only and Property are Material Only to overtake a jeep which he was tailing up, suddenly encroached the
Determine the Penalty opposite lane, thereby colliding against the tricycle which caused the
a) where the situation which arises to confront the actor is
Quizon rejected Faller's conceptualization of quasi-crimes by death of Manuel and serious physical injuries to Felix.
sudden and unexpected, and
holding that quasi-crimes under Article 365 are distinct species The MCTC did not err in convicting petitioner of three separate
b) such as to deprive him of all opportunity for deliberation. of crimes and not merely methods of committing crimes. Indeed, quasi-o enses of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide,
8. The emergency doctrine may not be applied simultaneously with the Quizonian conception of quasi-crimes undergirded a related reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries, and
the doctrine of last chance. Thus, if the case be that of the branch of jurisprudence applying the Double Jeopardy Clause to reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property, and in
former, then the latter is inapplicable. quasi-o enses, barring second prosecutions for a quasi-o ense imposing three separate penalties therefor.
alleging one resulting act after a prior conviction or acquittal of a
9. The failure to render assistance on the spot constitutes a
quasi-o ense alleging another resulting act but arising from the
qualifying circumstance. Penalty will be one degree higher.
same reckless act or omission upon which the second prosecution Sevilla v. People 2014
10. The operator does not owe to the trespasser the duty of ordinary was based.
or reasonable care but merely the duty to refrain from wantonly The proper designation of the felony should be reckless
Article 48 Does not Apply to Acts imprudence resulting to falsi cation of public documents and
or willfully causing injury to him.
Penalized Under Article 365 of the
not falsi cation of public documents through reckless imprudence.
11. Inexcusable lack of precaution in medical practice is Revised Penal Code
determined according to the standard of care observed by other Article 48 is incongruent to the notion of quasi-crimes under There is no dispute that a variance exists between the o ense alleged
members of the profession in good standing under similar Article 365. Hence, prosecutions under Article 365 should against Sevilla and that proved by the prosecution. Reckless
circumstances bearing in mind the advanced state of the proceed from a SINGLE charge regardless of the number or imprudence resulting to falsi cation of public documents is an
profession at the time of treatment or the present state of severity of the consequences. In imposing penalties, the judge will o ense that is necessarily included in the willful act of falsi cation
medical science. do no more than apply the penalties under Article 365 for each of public documents, the latter being the greater o ense. As such, he
consequence alleged and proven. In short, there shall be no splitting can be convicted of reckless imprudence resulting to falsi cation of
12. For a reasonable conclusion of medical negligence:
of charges under Article 365, and only one information shall be led public documents notwithstanding that the Information only

By RGL 100 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, oral to anal, whether between persons of the
charged the willful act of falsi cation of public documents.
same or opposite sex;
Exploitation, and Discrimination Act
b) bestiality;
Swindling by Syndicate
III Special Penal Laws c) masturbation;
d) sadistic or masochistic abuse;
Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009
A e) lascivious exhibition of the genitals, buttocks, breasts,
Secs. 3[a-c], 4 and 5, R.A. No. 9775
Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 pubic area and/or anus; or

Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act 1) Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age OR f) use of any object or instrument for lascivious acts
over, but is unable to fully take care of himself/herself from
Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 5) Syndicated Child Pornography. — The crime of child
abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because
pornography is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out
of a physical or mental disability or condition.
Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring or
2) A child shall also refer to: confederating with one another. (Sec 5)
Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009
a) a person regardless of age who is presented, depicted
Anti-Plunder Act or portrayed as a child as de ned herein; and
Prohibited acts
a) To hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to
Anti-Torture Act of 2009 b) computer-generated, digitally or manually crafted
perform in the creation or production of any form of child
images or graphics of a person who is represented or
Anti-Tra cking in Persons Act of 2003 pornography;
who is made to appear to be a child as de ned herein.
Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act b) To produce, direct, manufacture or create any form of child
3) Child pornography refers to any representation, whether
pornography;
of 2004 visual, audio, or written combination thereof, by electronic,
mechanical, digital, optical, magnetic or any other means, of c) To publish o er, transmit, sell, distribute, broadcast, advertise,
Anti-Wire Tapping Act child engaged or involved in real or simulated explicit sexual promote, export or import any form of child pornography;

Bouncing Checks Law activities. d) To possess any form of child pornography with the intent to
4) Explicit Sexual Activity includes actual or simulated - sell, distribute, publish, or broadcast: Provided, that possession
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 of three (3) or more articles of child pornography of the
a) As to form: same form shall be prima facie evidence of the intent to sell,
Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
i) sexual intercourse or lascivious act including, distribute, publish or broadcast;
New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 but not limited to, contact involving genital e) To knowingly, willfully and intentionally provide a venue for
to genital, oral to genital, anal to genital, or the commission of prohibited acts;

By RGL 101 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

f) For lm distributors, theaters and telecommunication d) to have been derived from the proceeds of the crime
Clearance or Permit to Sell Used Second Hand
companies, by themselves or in cooperation with other of robbery or theft.
Articles
entities, to distribute any form of child pornography;
2) Fence includes any person, rm, association corporation or The clearance stated in Sec. 6 of PD 1612 is only required if several
g) For a parent, legal guardian or person having custody or partnership or other organization who/which commits the act conditions are met:
control of a child to knowingly permit the child to engage, of fencing.
1. first, that the person, store, establishment or entity is in the
participate or assist in any form of child pornography;
3) Liability of Officials of Juridical Persons. — If the fence is business of buying and selling of any good, article, item,
h) To engage in the luring or grooming of a child; a partnership, rm, corporation or association, the president object, or anything of value;
i) To engage in pandering of any form of child pornography; or the manager or any o cer thereof who knows or should
2. second, that such thing of value was obtained from an
have known the commission of the o ense shall be liable.
j) To willfully access any form of child pornography; unlicensed dealer or supplier thereof; and

k) To conspire to commit any of the prohibited acts stated in


Elements 3. third, that such thing of value is to be o ered for sale to the
this section; and (based from the 2016 case of Lim v. People) public.

l) To possess any form of child pornography. 1. A crime of robbery or theft has been committed;
Dimat v. People 2012
2. The accused, who is NOT a principal or accomplice in the
Jurisdiction Dimat was found guilty of violating the Anti-Fencing Law for
commission of the crime of robbery or theft, buys, receives,
Shall be vested in the Family Court which has territorial possesses, keeps, acquires, conceals, sells or disposes, or buys selling to Sonia Delgado for gain the Nissan Safari that was earlier
jurisdiction over the place where the o ense or any of its essential and sells, or in any manner deals in any article, item, object or carnapped from Mantequilla.
elements was committed. anything of value, which has been derived from the proceeds Dimat claims lack of criminal intent as his main defense. But PD
of the said crime; 1612 is a special law and, therefore, its violation is regarded as
Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 3. The accused knows or should have known that the said article, malum prohibitum, requiring no proof of criminal intent. Dimat
B
Secs. 2 to 6, P.D. No. 1612 item, object has been derived from the proceeds of the crime of knew that the Nissan Safari he bought was not properly
robbery or theft; and documented. He said that Tolentino showed him its old certi cate
1) Fencing is the act of any person who, of registration and o cial receipt. But this certainly could not be
4. There is on the part of the accused, intent to gain for himself
a) with intent to gain for himself or for another, true because, the vehicle having been carnapped, Tolentino had no
or for another.
documents to show.
b) shall buy, receive, possess, keep, acquire, conceal, sell
or dispose of, or shall buy and sell, or in any other Presumption of Fencing
manner deal in any article, item, object or anything of Mere possession of any good, article, item, object, or anything of
Lim v. People 2016
value value which has been the subject of robbery or thievery shall be
prima facie evidence of fencing. The prosecution failed to establish that theft had been committed.
c) which he knows, or should be known to him,

By RGL 102 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

While the CA correctly ruled that conviction of the principal in Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act conspiracy with such public o cers;
the crime of theft is not necessary for an accused to be found C R.A. No. 3019, as amended by R.A. No. 3047, P.D. No. 677, 2. that he acted with manifest partiality, evident bad
guilty of the crime of fencing, we disagree with its ruling that the P.D. No. 1288, B.P. Blg. 195 and R.A. No. 10910 faith, or inexcusable negligence; and
prosecution su ciently proved the DPWH's ownership of the
Komatsu Grader. Thus, it cannot be said that the rst element of 3. that his action caused any undue injury to any
§3 Corrupt practices of public o cers
fencing had been established. party, including the government, or giving any
private party unwarranted bene ts, advantage, or
Even assuming arguendo that theft had been committed, the third a) Persuading, inducing or in uencing another public
preference in the discharge of his functions.
element of fencing is wanting in this case. On the presumption that o cer to violate rules and regulations;
fencing had been committed as provided by Sec. 5 of PD 1612, we f) Neglecting or refusing, after due demand or request,
b) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift for
rule that petitioner was able to overcome the same upon his without su cient justi cation, to act within a reasonable
himself or another in connection with a contract or
presentation of the A davit of Ownership which he secured time on any matter pending before him.
transaction between Gov't and any other party.
from Petronilo Banosing. g) Entering, on behalf of the Government, into any
c) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift for
It appears that both the RTC and the CA ruled that petitioner contract or transaction manifestly and disadvantageous to
himself or another in consideration for securing or
should have rst secured a Clearance or a permit from the police. the same.
having secured any Government permit or license.
However, said provision is inapplicable to the present case. Nowhere Elements
was it established that petitioner was engaged in the business of buy d) Accepting or having any member of his family accept
employment in a private enterprise 1. that the accused is a public o cer;
and sell.
1) within one year after termination of o cial 2. that he entered into a contract or transaction on
⭐NB: This case modi es the Dimat ruling in that an accessory
business therewith, OR behalf of the government; and
of the theft or robbery may be held liable under the Anti-Fencing
Law. 2) which he has pending o cial business. 3. that such contract or transaction is grossly and
manifestly disadvantageous to the government.
e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including
Government, or giving any private party unwarranted h) Directly or indirectly having pecuniary interest in any
Uypitching v. Quiamco advantage in the discharge of the o cial functions, with business in connection with which he intervenes, or he is
manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross prohibited.
Quiamco was approached by Gabalan to settle the civil aspect of a
case by leaving with Quiamco a motorcycle and its photocopied CR. inexcusable negligence. Elements
It turned out that the motorcycle was bought on installment from Elements 1. that the accused is a public o cer;
RUSI by Gabalan who defaulted in his payments, and the object of
1. that the accused must be a public o cer 2. he has a direct or indirect nancial or pecuniary
a chattel mortgage foreclosure. Is there fencing? NO, the
discharging administrative, judicial, or o cial interest in any business, contract, or transaction;
motorcycle was not the object of theft.
functions, or a private individual acting in
3. he either:

By RGL 103 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or


a) intervenes or takes part in his o cial 3) O cial act or profession.
usage.
capacity in connection with such interest,
4. Congressmen. Receiving any pecuniary interest from
OR
business that bene ted from an act he had previously
Canlas v. People 2020 reiterating Go v. Sandiganbayan
b) is prohibited from having such interest by authored or adopted by Congress in that term.
the Constitution or by law. The well-settled rule is that "private persons, when acting in
5. SAL.The accuracy of the entries in SAL becomes material
i) Directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal in criminal and administrative proceedings for violating Sec conspiracy with public o cers, may be indicted and, if found guilty,
gain, or having material interest in any act requiring the 7. held liable for the pertinent o enses under Section 3 of RA 3019, in
approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a consonance with the avowed policy of the anti-graft law to repress
6. Prima facie evidence of and dismissal due to unexplained
member. certain acts of public o cers and private persons alike constituting
wealth
graft or corrupt practices act or which may lead thereto."
j) Knowingly approving permits to unquali ed or not
Ground for admin suspension pending investigation.
legally entitled persons.
7. Competent court. within original jurisdiction of
k) Divulging valuable, con dential info to unauthorized Estarija v. People
Sandiganbayan (SB)
persons, or releasing same in advance.
8. RA 10910 which lapsed into law on July 21, 2016, now Decisions of the RTC — convicting an accused who occupies a
NOTES provides that the prescription period for crimes punished position lower than that with salary grade 27 or those not
under RA 3019 is 20 years. otherwise covered by the enumeration of certain public o cers in
1. Private individuals. Capitalizing or exploiting such
Section 4 of PD 1606 as amended by RA 8249 — are to be
relation by directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any 9. Termination of Office. Not allowed to resign, retire
appealed exclusively to the Sandiganbayan.
gift from the person having transaction with Government. pending investigation or prosecution for any o ense under
this Act or for bribery. Because of Estarija's failure to perfect his appeal to the
2. Relation with public o cer includes familial within 3rd
Sandiganbayan within the period granted therefor, the Decision of
degree, or a close personal one, i.e. social, fraternal, 10. Suspension and loss of benefits. O cer with pending
the RTC convicting him of violating Section 3(a) of Republic Act
employment. prosecution shall be suspended by RTC (now SB). If
No. 3019 has thus become nal and executory.
convicted, shall lose all retirement or gratuity bene ts. If
3. Relatives. Prohibit relatives within 3rd degree of the four
acquitted, shall be reinstated with salaries and bene ts
highest o cials from intervening in any business with the
which he failed to receive while being suspended. If Anti-Hazing Act of 2018
Government.
convicted o cer already received such bene ts he shall D
R.A. No. 8049, as amended by R.A. No. 11053
EXC: restitute same.
1) Already transacting prior to assumption of o ce; 11. Maximum of 90 days. — Dismissal of case != to Hazing refers to any act that

2) Not within discretion of o cial; acquittal.


12. Exception. Gifts of insigni cant value or as ordinary token

By RGL 104 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the law enforcement authorities if such adviser or adviser representatives from the school were present during the
1. Results in physical or psychological su ering or tends to
or advisers can do so without peril to their person or their initiation.
embarrass, degrade, abuse or endanger the neophyte, member
family;
or applicant; g. The owner or lessee of the place where hazing is
4) All former o cers, nonresident members, or alumni conducted shall be liable as principal when such owner or
2. In icted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member;
of the fraternity, sorority, or organization who are also lessee has
3. In icted as part of an initiation rite or practice; present during the hazing.
i. actual knowledge of the hazing conducted therein
4. Made as a prerequisite for admission or a requirement 5) O cers or members of a fraternity, sorority, or
for continuing membership; ii. but failed to take any action to prevent the same from
organization who knowingly cooperated in carrying out
occurring or
5. Involves a fraternity, sorority, or organization; the hazing by inducing the victim to be present
thereat; and iii. failed to promptly report the same to the law
6. Likely to adversely a ect the physical and psychological health
enforcement authorities if they can do so without
of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member. 6) members of the fraternity, sorority, or organization who
peril to their person or their family.
are present during the hazing when they are intoxicated
This shall also include any activity, intentionally made or otherwise, by
or under the in uence of alcohol or illegal drugs; h. If the hazing is held in the home of one of the o cers or
one person alone or acting with others, that tends to humiliate or
members of the fraternity, sorority, or organization, the
embarrass, degrade, abuse, or endanger, by requiring a recruit, c. RT Max + 1M Fine. All persons who are present in the
conduct of the hazing; parents shall be held liable as principals (same requisites as
neophyte, applicant, or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.
above)
d. RT + 1M Fine. Former o cers, nonresident member,
Who are liable for hazing i. The school authorities including faculty members as well
alumni of the fraternity, sorority, or organization who, after
a. RP + 3M Fine. Those who actually planned or participated the commission of any of the prohibited acts proscribed as barangay, municipal, or city o cials shall be liable as an
in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, herein, will perform any act to hide, conceal, or otherwise accomplice and likewise be held administratively
sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom; hamper or obstruct any investigation that will be accountable (same requisites as in [g])
b. RP + 2M Fine. conducted thereafter. j. The incumbent o cers of the fraternity, sorority, or
1) All persons who actually planned or participated in the e. PC Min. Any person who shall intimidate, threaten, force, or organization concerned shall be jointly liable with those
conduct of the hazing; employ, or administer any form of vexation against another members who actually participated in the hazing.
person for the purpose of recruitment in joining or
2) All o cers of the fraternity, sorority, or organization Prima facie evidence
promoting a particular fraternity, sorority, or organization;
who are actually present during the hazing;
and The presence of any person, even if such person is not a member
3) The adviser of a fraternity, sorority, or organization who of the fraternity, sorority, or organization, during the hazing is
f. 1M Fine. The school, if the fraternity, sorority, or
is present when the acts constituting the hazing were prima facie evidence of participation therein as a principal unless
organization led a written application to conduct an
committed and failed to take action to prevent the same such person or persons
initiation which was subsequently approved by the school and
from occurring or failed to promptly report the same to
hazing occurred during the initiation rites or when no 1. prevented the commission of the acts punishable herein or

By RGL 105 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

2. promptly reported the same to the law enforcement Failure by school authorities to take any action to prevent the
The absence of malicious intent does not automatically mean,
authorities if they can do so without peril, to their person o enses as provided by the law exposes them to criminal liability
however, that the accused fraternity members are ultimately devoid
or their family. as accomplices in the criminal acts. Thus, the institution and its
of criminal liability. Reckless imprudence or negligence consists
o cers cannot stand idly by in the face of patently criminal acts
of a voluntary act done without malice, from which an immediate
Praeter intentionem inapplicable committed within their sphere of responsibility.
personal harm, injury or material damage results by reason of an
Any person charged under this Act shall not be entitled to the
First, we reject the contention of respondents that PMMA should inexcusable lack of precaution or advertence on the part of the
mitigating circumstances that there was no intention to commit so
not be considered an organization. It is included in the term person committing it. In this case, the danger is visible and
grave a wrong.
organization within the meaning of the law. consciously appreciated by the actor. In contrast, simple
imprudence or negligence comprises an act done without grave
Dungo v. People 2015 We also disagree with the Sandiganbayan ruling that the quashal of
fault, from which an injury or material damage ensues by reason of a
the Information was warranted for failure to allege that the
The act of hazing itself is not inherently immoral, but the law deems mere lack of foresight or skill. Here, the threatened harm is not
purported acts were not covered by the exemption relating to the
the same to be against public policy and must be prohibited. immediate, and the danger is not openly visible.
duly recommended and approved “testing and training procedure
Accordingly, the existence of criminal intent is immaterial in the and practices” for prospective regular members of the AFP and the
crime of hazing. Also, the defense of good faith cannot be raised PNP. This exemption is an a rmative defense in, not an
in its prosecution. essential element of, the crime of accomplice to hazing. It is an People v. Feliciano 2016

Recognizing the malum prohibitum characteristic of hazing, the law assertion that must be properly claimed by the accused, not by
1. Death or injuries caused by fraternity rumbles are not treated as
provides that any person charged with the said crime shall not be the prosecution.
separate or distinct crimes, unlike deaths or injuries as a result of
entitled to the mitigating circumstance that there was no However, the indictment merely states that psychological pain and hazing. They are punishable as ordinary crimes of murder,
intention to commit so grave a wrong. Also, the framers of the physical injuries were in icted on the victim. There is no allegation homicide, or physical injuries under the RPC.
law intended that the consent of the victim shall not be a that the purported acts were employed as a prerequisite for
2. The prosecution of fraternity-related violence, however, is
defense in hazing. admission or entry into the organization. Thus, the
harder than the prosecution of ordinary crimes. Most of the
R.A. No. 8049 presents a novel provision that introduces a Information must be quashed.
time, the evidence is merely circumstantial. The reason is
disputable presumption of actual participation; and which obvious: loyalty to the fraternity dictates that brods do not turn
modi es the concept of conspiracy. The presence of any person on their brods. A crime can go unprosecuted for as long as the
during the hazing is prima facie evidence of participation as Villareal v. People 2012 brotherhood remains silent.
principal, unless he prevented the commission of the punishable
Prior to the 1995 Anti-Hazing Law, there was to some extent a
acts.
lacuna in the law; hazing was not clearly considered an intentional Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001
felony. And when there is doubt on the interpretation of criminal E
R.A. No. 9160
laws, all must be resolved in favor of the accused. In dubio pro reo.
Bayabos v. People 2015

By RGL 106 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Money laundering is committed by any person who, knowing 2) insurance companies, pre-need companies and all other c) providing a registered o ce, business address or
that any monetary instrument or property represents, involves, or persons supervised or regulated by the Insurance Commission accommodation, correspondence or administrative
relates to the proceeds of any unlawful activity: (IC); address for a company, a partnership or any other legal
person or arrangement; and
a) transacts said monetary instrument or property; 3)
d) acting as (or arranging for another person to act as) a
b) converts, transfers, disposes of, moves, acquires, possesses a) securities dealers, brokers, salesmen, investment
nominee shareholder for another person;
or uses said monetary instrument or property; houses and other similar persons managing securities
or rendering services as investment agent, advisor, or 7) persons who provide any of the following services:
c) conceals or disguises the true nature, source, location,
consultant,
disposition, movement or ownership of or rights with a) managing of client money, securities or other assets;
respect to said monetary instrument or property; b) mutual funds, closed-end investment companies,
b) management of bank, savings or securities accounts;
common trust funds, and other similar persons, and
d) attempts or conspires to commit money laundering c) organization of contributions for the creation,
o enses referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c); c) other entities administering or otherwise dealing in
operation or management of companies; and
currency, commodities or nancial derivatives based
e) aids, abets, assists in or counsels the commission of the d) creation, operation or management of juridical
thereon, valuable objects, cash substitutes and other
money laundering o enses referred to in paragraphs (a), persons or arrangements, and buying and selling
similar monetary instruments or property supervised
(b) or (c) above; and business entities.
or regulated by the Securities and Exchange
f) performs or fails to perform any act as a result of which he Commission (SEC); 8) casinos, including internet and ship based casinos, with respect
facilitates the o ense of money laundering referred to in to their casino cash transactions related to their gaming
4) jewelry dealers in precious metals, who, as a business, trade in
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above. operations. (as added by RA No 10927)
precious metals, for transactions in excess of Php1M;
Money laundering is also committed by any covered person who, 9) Real estate developers and brokers; (as added by RA No
5) jewelry dealers in precious stones, who, as a business, trade in
knowing that a covered or suspicious transaction is required under 11521)
precious stones, for transactions in excess of Php1M;
this Act to be reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council
(AMLC), fails to do so. 6) company service providers which, as a business, provide any of 10) O shore gaming operation, as well as their service providers,
the following services to third parties: supervised, accredited or regulated by the Philippine
Covered persons Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or any
a) acting as a formation agent of juridical persons;
natural or juridical, refers to: government agency; (as added by RA No 11521)
b) acting as (or arranging for another person to act as) a
1) banks, non-banks, quasi-banks, trust entities, foreign exchange The term 'covered persons' shall exclude lawyers and accountants
director or corporate secretary of a company, a partner
dealers, pawnshops, money changers, remittance and transfer of a partnership, or a similar position in relation to 1) acting as independent legal professionals in relation to
companies and other similar entities and all other persons and other juridical persons; information concerning their clients or
their subsidiaries and a liates supervised or regulated by the
2) where disclosure of information would compromise client
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP);
con dences or the attorney-client relationship:

By RGL 107 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

avoid being the subject of reporting requirements under the


3) Provided, That these lawyers and accountants are authorized b) No asset shall be frozen to the prejudice of a candidate
Act;
to practice in the Philippines and for an electoral o ce during an election period.
5) any circumstance relating to the transaction which is observed
4) shall continue to be subject to the provisions of their c) No court shall issue a temporary restraining order or a
to deviate from the pro le of the client and/or the client's past
respective codes of conduct and/or professional responsibility writ of injunction against any freeze order, except the
transactions with the covered institution;
or any of its amendments. Supreme Court.
6) the transaction is in any way related to an unlawful activity or
4) The CA shall resolve the petition to freeze within
Covered transaction o ense under this Act that is about to be, is being or has been
twenty-four (24) hours from ling thereof.
1) is a transaction in cash or other equivalent monetary committed; or
instrument involving a total amount in excess of Php500K 5) After determination that probable cause exists that any
7) any transaction that is similar or analogous to any of the
within one (1) banking day; monetary instrument or property is in any way related to an
foregoing.
unlawful activity, the CA may issue a freeze order, which shall
2) for casinos, a single casino cash transaction involving an
be e ective immediately, for a period of twenty (20) days.
amount in excess of Php5M or its equivalent in any other Bank Inquiry Order vs Freeze Order
currency; 6) Meaning of “probable cause” as a requirement for the
1) By authority of the Council, the AMLC Secretariat shall le
issuance of a freeze order. — such facts and circumstances
3) for real estate developers and brokers, a single cash before the Court of Appeals, through the O ce of the
which would lead a reasonably discreet, prudent or cautious
transaction involving an amount in excess of Php7.5M or its Solicitor General, an Ex Parte Application for the Issuance of
man to believe that an unlawful activity and/or money
equivalent in any other currency. Bank Inquiry Order to examine or inquire into any
laundering o ense is about to be, is being or has been
particular deposit or investment account that is related an
committed and that the account or any monetary instrument
Suspicious transaction unlawful activity or ML o ense.
or property subject thereof sought to be frozen is in any way
are transactions with covered institutions, regardless of the
2) Freeze Order refers to a provisional remedy aimed at related to said unlawful activity and/or money laundering
amounts involved, where any of the following circumstances
blocking or restraining monetary instruments or properties in o ense.
exist:
any way related to an unlawful activity, as herein de ned, from 7) Before the expiration of the twenty (20)-day freeze order, the
1) there is no underlying legal or trade obligation, purpose or being transacted, withdrawn, deposited, transferred, removed, CA shall conduct a summary hearing, with notice to the
economic justi cation; converted, concealed, or otherwise moved or disposed without parties, to determine whether or not to modify or lift the
2) the client is NOT properly identi ed; a ecting the ownership thereof. freeze order, or to extend its e ectivity. Pending resolution by
3) The following requirements shall be observed in the issuance the CA, the freeze order shall remain e ective.
3) the amount involved is not commensurate with the business or
nancial capacity of the client; of freeze orders: 8) The freeze order shall take e ect immediately and shall remain
4) taking into account all known circumstances, it may be a) No prior criminal charge, pendency of a case, or e ective for a total period not exceeding six (6) months.
perceived that the client's transaction is structured in order to conviction for an unlawful activity or ML o ense is This is without prejudice to an asset preservation order that
necessary for the commencement or the resolution of the RTC having jurisdiction over the appropriate AMLC case
a petition for freeze order. or civil forfeiture case may issue on the same account

By RGL 108 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

depending upon the circumstances of the case, where the CA


4) Photo or video voyeurism means the act of taking photo or d) Publish or broadcast, or cause same such photo or
will remand the case and its records.
video coverage of a person or group of persons performing video, in means of print, broadcast media, or through
9) No prior criminal charge, pendency of a case, or conviction for sexual act or any similar activity or of capturing an image of VCD/DVD, internet, cellphone, or other devices.
an unlawful activity or ML o ense is necessary for the ling or the private area of a person or persons without the latter's
8) The prohibition under paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) shall apply
the resolution of an application for issuance of bank inquiry consent, under circumstances in which such person/s has/have
notwithstanding that consent to record or take photo or video
order. a reasonable expectation of privacy, or the act of selling,
coverage of the same was given by such person/s.
copying, reproducing, broadcasting, sharing, showing or
Ligot v. AMLC 2013 exhibiting the photo or video coverage or recordings of such 9) Exemption. — Any peace o cer who is authorized by a
sexual act or similar activity through VCD/DVD, internet, written order of the court to use the record or any copy as
Based on Section 10, there are only two requisites for the cellular phones and similar means or device without the evidence in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of the crime
issuance of a freeze order: written consent of the person/s involved, notwithstanding that of photo or video voyeurism is not liable. Such written order
consent to record or take photo or video coverage of same was shall only be issued
1) the application ex parte by the AMLC and
given by such person's. a) upon written application and
2) the determination of probable cause by the CA.
5) Private area of a person means the naked or undergarment b) the examination under oath of the applicant and his
The six-month extension period is ordinarily su cient for the
clad genitals, public area, buttocks or female breast of an witnesses, and
government to act against the suspected money launderer and to le
individual.
the appropriate forfeiture case against him, and is a reasonable c) upon showing that there are reasonable grounds to
period as well that recognizes the property owner’s right to due 6) Under circumstances in which a person has a reasonable believe that photo or video voyeurism has been
process. In this case, the period of inaction of six years, under expectation of privacy means believe that he/she could committed or is about to be committed, and
the circumstances, already far exceeded what is reasonable. disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image or a
d) that the evidence to be obtained is essential to the
private area of the person was being captured; or
conviction of any person for, or to the solution or
circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that
Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of a private area of the person would not be visible to the public,
prevention of such.
F 2009 regardless of whether that person is in a public or private place.
Secs. 3 and 4, R.A. No. 9995 Anti-Plunder Act
7) Prohibited Acts G
Secs. 1, 2 and 6, R.A. No. 7080, as amended by R.A. No. 7659
1) Broadcast means to make public, by any means, a visual image a) Take photo or video of a sexual act or capture image
with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons. of private area of a person without consent; Elements
2) Capture with respect to an image, means to videotape, b) Copy or reproduce, or 1) O ender is a public o cer;
photograph, lm, record by any means, or broadcast.
c) Sell or distribute, or 2) Committed a series of overt acts;
3) Female breast means any portion of the female breast.
3) By himself or in connivance with relatives and/or cronies;

By RGL 109 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

implementation of decrees and orders intended to bene t


4) Of which he has amassed a wealth of at least Php50M; several individuals that there must be a main plunderer and her
particular persons or special interests; or
5) Which are deemed ill-gotten. co-conspirators. In other words, the allegation of the wheel
6) By taking undue advantage of o cial position, authority, conspiracy or express conspiracy in the information was
Rule of Evidence relationship, connection or in uence to unjustly enrich appropriate because the main plunderer would then be identi ed in
himself or themselves at the expense and to the damage either manner. Of course, implied conspiracy could also identify the
There is no need to prove beyond reasonable doubt each of the
and prejudice of the Filipino people and the Republic of main plunderer, but that fact must be properly alleged and duly
alleged act. What is important is to prove a series of pattern that
the Philippines. proven by the Prosecution.
led to the accumulation of at least Php50M in ill-gotten wealth.
Forfeiture
Ill-gotten wealth
The court shall declare any and all ill-gotten wealth and their Dichaves v. Ombudsman 2016
Any asset, property, business enterprise or material possession
interests and other incomes and assets including the properties and
acquired directly or indirectly through dummies, nominees,
shares of stock derived from the deposit or investment thereof The O ce of the Ombudsman correctly found probable cause to
agents, subordinates and/or business associates by any
forfeited in favor of the State. charge petitioner with plunder in conspiracy with the former
combination or series of the following: President. Thus:
1) Through misappropriation, conversion, misuse, or Prescription
The evidence indicates that the former President exerted
malversation of public funds or raids on the public Plunder prescribes in 20 years. However, the right of the State in uence over Arellano and Pascual to push through with the
treasury; to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public o cers from transactions, and that the transactions pushed through under
2) By receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, them or from their nominees or transferees shall not be barred by that condition that the commission or pro t would be given to
share, percentage, kickbacks or any other form of prescription, laches, or estoppel. the former President; that it was Dichaves who orchestrated the
pecuniary bene t from any person and/or entity in consummation of the transactions and received from Ocier the
connection with any government contract or project or by Macapagal-Arroyo v. People 2017 En Banc check representing the commission; and that Dichaves
reason of the o ce or position of the public o cer deposited the check to the "JOSE VELARDE" account which
The law on plunder requires that a particular public o cer must
concerned; was shown to be that of the former President.
be identi ed as the one who amassed, acquired or accumulated
3) By the illegal or fraudulent conveyance or disposition of ill-gotten wealth becau
assets belonging to the Government; se it plainly states that plunder is committed by any public o cer Anti-Torture Act of 2009
who, by himself or in connivance with members of his family, H
4) By obtaining, receiving or accepting directly or indirectly Secs. 3 [a, b], 4 and 5, R.A. No. 9745
relatives by a nity or consanguinity, business associates,
any shares of stock, equity or any other form of interest or
subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires Elements of torture
participation including promise of future employment in
ill-gotten wealth in the aggregate amount or total value of at least
any business enterprise or undertaking; "Torture" refers to an act by which
P50M through a combination or series of overt criminal acts.
5) By establishing agricultural, industrial or commercial 1. severe pain or su ering, whether physical or mental,
monopolies or other combinations and/or Surely, the law requires in the criminal charge for plunder against

By RGL 110 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

2. is intentionally in icted on a person Other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or 3. The immediate commanding o cer of the unit
concerned of the AFP or the immediate senior public
3. for such purposes as punishment
o cial of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies
a. obtaining from him/her or a third person refers to a deliberate and aggravated treatment or punishment not
shall be held liable as a principal for any act or omission, or
information or a confession; enumerated as acts of torture, in icted by a person in authority or
negligence committed by him/her that shall have led, assisted,
agent of a person in authority against a person under his/her
b. punishing him/her for an act he/she or a third person abetted or allowed, whether directly or indirectly, the
custody, which attains a level of severity causing su ering, gross
has committed or is suspected of having committed; commission thereof by his/her subordinates.
humiliation or debasement to the latter.
or 4. If he/she has knowledge of or should have known that acts
Prohibited Detention
c. intimidating or coercing him/her or a third person; or of torture is being or has been committed by his/her
1. Secret detention places, subordinates and, despite such knowledge, did not take
d. for any reason based on discrimination of any kind,
preventive or corrective action shall also be liable as
2. solitary con nement,
4. when such pain or su ering is in icted by or at the instigation principals.
of or with the consent or acquiescence of a person in 3. incommunicado or
5. Any public o cer or employee shall be liable as an
authority or agent of a person in authority. 4. other similar forms of detention, where torture may be carried accessory if he/she has knowledge that torture is being
out with impunity are hereby prohibited. committed and without having participated therein, either as
It does not include pain or su ering arising only from, inherent in or
incidental to lawful sanctions. Applicability of the Exclusionary Rule; Exception principal or accomplice, takes part subsequent to its
commission in any of the following manner:
Acts of Torture Any confession, admission or statement obtained as a result of
torture shall be inadmissible in evidence in any proceedings, except a. By themselves pro ting from or assisting the
Torture shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
if the same is used as evidence against a person or persons accused o ender to pro t from the e ects of the act of
a) Physical torture is a form of treatment or punishment of committing torture. torture;
in icted by a person in authority or agent of a person in b. By concealing the act of torture and/or destroying
Who are criminally liable
authority upon another in his/her custody that causes severe the e ects or instruments thereof in order to prevent
pain, exhaustion, disability or dysfunction of one or more 1. Any person who actually participated or induced another in
its discovery; or
parts of the body; and the commission of torture or who cooperated in the execution
of the act of torture by previous or simultaneous acts shall be c. By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of
b) "Mental/Psychological Torture" refers to acts committed the principal/s in the act of torture: Provided, That
liable as principal.
by a person in authority or agent of a person in authority the accessory acts are done with the abuse of the
which are calculated to a ect or confuse the mind and/or 2. Any superior military, police or law enforcement o cer o cial's public functions.
undermine a person's dignity and morale. or senior government o cial who issued an order to any
lower ranking personnel to commit torture for whatever
purpose shall be held equally liable as principals.

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

As a Separate and Independent Crime Anti-Tra cking in Persons Act of 2003 k) Baring and/or selling a child.
I
Torture as a crime shall not absorb or shall not be absorbed Secs. 3 to 12, R.A. No. 9208
§4-A Attempted Tra cking
by any other crime or felony committed as a consequence, or as a
Trafficking in Persons refers to the recruitment, obtaining,
means in the conduct or commission thereof. In case victim is a child:
hiring, providing, o ering, transportation, transfer, maintaining,
Exclusion from the Coverage of Special Amnesty Law or harboring, or receipt of persons with or without victim's a) Facilitating solo travel of child;
In order not to depreciate the crime of torture, persons who have consent or knowledge, within or across national borders by b) Executing an a davit of consent;
committed any act of torture shall not bene t from any special means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion,
abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power of position, taking c) Recruiting a woman to bear child;
amnesty law or similar measures that will have the e ect of
exempting them from any criminal proceedings and sanctions. advantage of vulnerability, or the giving or receiving of payments d) Simulating birth;
or bene ts for the purpose of exploitation.
Applicability of Refouler e) Soliciting a child and acquiring custody thereof.
§4 Acts of Tra cking in Persons
No person shall be expelled, returned or extradited to another State §5 Acts that Promote Tra cking
where there are substantial grounds to believe that such person a) Under pretext of employment or training or apprenticeship;
shall be in danger of being subjected to torture. a) Lease or sublease house, or building;
b) Matching Filipino women to foreign nationals for marriage
Applicability of the RPC b) Issuing fake certi cates as pre-departure requirements;
(RA 6955);
c) Propaganda promoting tra cking;
The provisions of the RPC insofar as they are applicable shall be c) O er or contract marriage, real or simulated;
suppletory to this Act. Moreover, if the commission of any crime d) Assist in conduct of fraud;
d) Undertake, organize tours and travel plans that utilizes
punishable under Title Eight and Title Nine of the RPC is
prostitution; e) Facilitate exit and entry of tra cked;
attended by any of the acts constituting torture and other cruel,
inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment as de ned e) Maintain or hire a person to engage in prostitution or f) Con scate, conceal destroy passport;
herein, the penalty to be imposed shall be in its maximum pornography; g) Bene t from, or make use of the labor or services of
period. f) Adopt persons; tra cked;
Non-prescription of torture g) Adopt or facilitate the adoption of persons; h) Tamper, destroy evidence, in uence witnesses in an
investigation of a case under this Act;
The statute of limitation or prescription period shall NOT apply h) For the purpose of removal or sale of organs;
to torture cases. (Sec 45 of IRR) i) Destroy, conceal remove, con scate or possess any traveling
i) Adopt a child to engage in armed activities in PH;
documents;
Non-derogability of torture
j) For the purpose of slavery, forced labor with threat of
j) Use the o ce to impede investigation.
Torture is non-derogable and can never be justi ed by any state of physical harm to victim;
emergency. §6 Quali ed Tra cking in Persons

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a) Tra cked is a child; from its de nition under Section 3(a) of RA 9208, as amended,
b) in the case of a child victim, from the day the child
b) Adoption e ected through RA 8043; reaches the age of majority, and thus:

c) Committed by a Syndicate - 3 or more persons; or in large shall be interrupted by the ling of the complaint or 1) The act of “recruitment, obtaining, hiring, providing,
scale - against 3 or more; information and shall commence to run again when the o ering, transportation, transfer, maintaining, harboring,
proceedings terminate without the accused being convicted or receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or
d) O ender is spouse, ascendant, parent, sibling, guardian, knowledge, within or across national borders;”
or acquitted or are unjusti ably stopped for any reason not
with authority over tra cked; or a public o cer or
imputable to the accused. 2) The means used which include “threat or use of force, or
employee.
other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse
e) To engage in prostitution with member of miltary or law of power or of position, taking advantage of the
People v. Lalli 2011
enforcer; vulnerability of the person, or, the giving or receiving of
f) O ender is a member of military or law enforcer; Even if it is true that Lolita had been traveling to Malaysia to work in payments or bene ts to achieve the consent of a person
bars, the crime of Tra cking in Persons can exist even with the having control over another; and
g) Victim dies, becomes insane, su ers mutilation, a icted
victim's consent or knowledge under Section 3(a) of RA 3) The purpose of tra cking is exploitation which
with HIV or AIDS;
9208. includes “exploitation or the prostitution of others or other
h) O ender commits one or more violations of Sec 4 over a
Tra cking in Persons under Sections 3(a) and 4 of RA 9208 is not forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery,
period of 60 days or more, whether continuous or not; and
only limited to transportation of victims, but also includes the act of servitude or the removal or sale of organs.”
i) O ender directs or through another manages the tra cking recruitment of victims for tra cking. In this case, all three accused Knowledge or consent of the minor is NOT a defense under
victim. conspired and confederated with one another to illegally recruit Republic Act No. 9208.
Lolita to become a prostitute in Malaysia. Thus, they are also guilty
§12 Prescriptive Period The victim’s consent is rendered meaningless due to the coercive,
beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Qualified Trafficking in
Persons committed by a syndicate under RA 9208 because the abusive, or deceptive means employed by perpetrators of human
1) Tra cking cases under this Act shall prescribe in ten (10) tra cking. Even without the use of coercive, abusive, or deceptive
crime of recruitment for prostitution also constitutes tra cking.
years: means, a minor’s consent is not given out of his or her own free will.
When an act or acts violate two or more di erent laws and
2) If committed by a syndicate or in a large scale, or against a The act of “sexual intercourse” need not have been
constitute two di erent o enses, a prosecution under one will not
child, shall prescribe in twenty (20) years. consummated for the mere “transaction” i.e. that ‘solicitation’ for
bar a prosecution under the other.
3) The prescriptive period shall commence to run sex and the handing over of the “bust money” of Php.1,000.00
already consummated the said act of tra cking in persons,
a) from the day on which the tra cked person is
quali ed by the fact that one of the victims was a child.
delivered or released from the conditions of People v. Casio 2014 People v. Bandojo, Jr 2018
bondage, or
The ⭐elements of tra cking in persons can be derived

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People v. Ramirez 2019 People v. Maycabalong 2019 accused was the one who brought AAA to Coa Hotel where they b. has a common child with, or against
met Kim Caben. It was the accused who instructed AAA on what
This Court in People v. Rodriguez acknowledged that, as with 3. The woman’s child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within
to do while in the hotel. The accused was even present when Kim
Casio, the corroborating testimonies of the arresting o cer and the or without the family abode.
Caben and AAA had sex. Without the accused bringing AAA to
minor victims were su cient to sustain a conviction under the law.
Coa Hotel, the February 2013 incident would not have happened. Who can commit VAWC
In People v. Spouses Ybanez, et al., this Court likewise a rmed
In other words, it was the accused who provided AAA to Kim
the conviction of tra ckers arrested based on a surveillance report 1. VAWC may likewise be committed “against a woman with
Caben.
on the prostitution of minors within the area. In People v. XXX whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship.”
and YYY, this Court held that the exploitation of minors, through 2. The use of the gender-neutral word “person” who has or had a
either prostitution or pornography, is explicitly prohibited under the sexual or dating relationship with the woman encompasses
Planteras, Jr v. People 2018
law. even lesbian relationships.
Here, Ramirez cannot use as a valid defense either BBB's and AAA's To knowingly lease or sublease, use or allow to be used any house,
3. It does not preclude the application of the principle of
consent to the transaction, or that BBB received the payment on her building or establishment for the purpose of promoting tra cking
conspiracy under the RPC. Thus, in the case of Go-Tan v.
behalf, following Casio. People v. De Dios, bolstered Casio in in persons constitutes the o ense of promoting or facilitating
Spouses Tan, the parents-in-law of the victim, were held to be
ruling that tra cking in persons may be committed also by means of tra cking in persons. In order for one to be convicted thereof the
proper respondents in the case.
taking advantage of the persons' vulnerability as minors. accused must, among others, knowingly lease or sublease, or allow
to be used any house, building or establishment for the purpose of Kinds of abuses against women
promoting tra cking in persons.
1. "Physical Violence" refers to acts that include bodily or
⭐People v. Dela Rosa 2019 physical harm;
Anti-Violence Against Women and their 2. "Sexual violence" refers to an act which is sexual in nature,
Ruth Dela Rosa was convicted of quali ed tra cking in
persons. J Children Act of 2004 committed against a woman or her child. It includes, but is
Secs. 3, 5 and 26, R.A. No. 9262 not limited to:
This Court maintains that "recruitment" also contemplates an
accused's act of providing the conditions for prostituting AAA. a. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness xxx;
Who can be victims of VAWC
Prostitution is de ned under Section 3(c) of RA 9208 as b. acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage in
1. woman who is
1. any act, transaction, scheme or design any sexual activity by force, threat of force, physical or
a. o ender’s wife, other harm or threat of physical or other harm or
2. involving the use of a person by another,
b. former wife, or a coercion;
3. for sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct
2. woman with whom the o ender c. Prostituting the woman or child.
4. in exchange for money, pro t or any other consideration.
a. has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or 3. "Psychological violence" refers to acts or omissions causing
Here, it was through the accused that Kim Caben knew AAA. The or likely to cause mental or emotional su ering of the victim

By RGL 114 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment,


3. Tranquil period — batterer may show a tender and a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom
stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or
nurturing behavior. such o ender has a common child;
humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital
infidelity. xxxx Requisites for BWS as a Defense 3) The o ender causes on the woman and/or child mental or
emotional anguish; and
4. "Economic abuse" refers to acts that make or attempt to 1. Cycle of violence — “each of the phases of the cycle of
make a woman nancially dependent which includes, but is violence must be proven to have characterized at least two 4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or
not limited to the following: battering episodes” humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of
nancial support or custody of minor children or access to
a. withdrawal of nancial support or preventing the 2. The nal acute episode preceding the killing of the batterer
the children or similar such acts or omissions.
victim from engaging in any legitimate profession, must have produced in the battered person’s mind an actual
occupation, business or activity, except in cases wherein the fear of an imminent harm from her batterer and an honest What R.A. No. 9262 criminalizes is not the marital infidelity per
other spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral belief that she needed to use force to save her life. se but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional
grounds as de ned in Article 73 of the Family Code; su ering on the wife. Marital in delity as cited in the law is
3. At the time of the killing, the batterer must have posed
only one of the various acts by which psychological violence
b. deprivation or threat of deprivation of nancial resources probable — not necessarily immediate and actual — grave
may be committed. Thus, the mental or emotional suffering of the
and the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, harm to the woman, based on the history of violence. (People
victim is an essential and distinct element in the commission of the
community or property owned in common; v. Genosa)
o ense.
c. destroying household property; Extraterritoriality What may be gleaned from Section 7 of R.A. No. 9262 is that the
d. controlling the victims' own money or properties or solely law contemplates that acts of violence against women and their
AAA v. BBB 2018 children may manifest as transitory or continuing crimes. Even if
controlling the conjugal money or properties.
May Philippine courts exercise jurisdiction over an offense constituting the alleged extra marital a air causing the o ended wife mental and
Battered Woman Syndrome emotional anguish is committed abroad, the same does not place a
psychological violence under RA 9262 committed through marital
has three phases infidelity, when the alleged illicit relationship occurred or is occurring prosecution under R.A. No. 9262 absolutely beyond the reach
outside the country? of Philippine courts.
1. The tension-building phase — minor batterings, verbal or
slight physical abuse occurs. The victim either paci es the YES. In Dinamling v. People, this Court already had occasion to
batterer or stays out of his way; enumerate the elements of psychological violence under Section
Dabalos v. RTC 2013
2. Acute battering phase — characterized by brutality, 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262:
destructiveness or death. The victim realizes that she cannot In Ang v. Court of Appeals, the Court enumerated the elements
1) The o ended party is a woman and/or her child or
reason with him and resistance would only exacerbate her of the crime of violence against women through harassment, to
children;
condition; wit:
2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the
1. The o ender has or had a sexual or dating relationship with
o ender, or is a woman with whom the o ender has or had

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

the o ended woman; commission of any of the acts enumerated in Section 5 (i) or similar
b) or to replay the same for any other person or persons;
acts. And to establish mental or emotional anguish, it is necessary to
2. The o ender, by himself or through another, commits an
present the testimony of the victim as such experiences are personal c) or to communicate the contents thereof, either verbally or
act or series of acts of harassment against the woman; and
to this party." Thus, in cases of support, it must be first shown in writing, or to furnish transcriptions thereof, whether
3. The harassment alarms or causes substantial emotional or that the accused's denial thereof — which is, by itself, already a complete or partial, to any other person:
psychological distress to her. form of economic abuse — further caused mental or emotional
Provided, That the use of such record or any copies thereof as
Notably, while it is required that the o ender has or had a sexual or anguish to the woman-victim and/or to their common child.
evidence in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of o enses shall
dating relationship with the o ended woman, for RA 9262 to be not be covered by this prohibition.
applicable, it is not indispensable that the act of violence be a
consequence of such relationship. It is immaterial whether the Anti-Wire Tapping Act
K Gaanan v. CA
relationship had ceased for as long as there is su cient evidence Secs. 1 to 4, R.A. No. 4200
SC ruled that the use of an extension telephone line is not
showing the past or present existence of such relationship between
It shall be unlawful for any person, prohibited under RA 4200. Applying ejusdem generis, the
the o ender and the victim when the physical harm was committed.
prohibited devices are used for illegal purposes, but an extension
a) not being authorized by all the parties to any private telephone line is not intended for an illegitimate purpose. It was a
communication or spoken word, common practice to allow extension wires.
Araza v. People 2020
b) to tap any wire or cable, or by using any other device or
Ramirez v. CA
The law does not require proof that the victim became arrangement,
psychologically ill due to the psychological violence done by her Involves 2 friends, or maybe not so. One day, they had a meeting,
c) to secretly overhear, intercept, or record such
abuser. Rather, the law only requires emotional anguish and Garcia lambasted Ramirez, calling her names, and unleashed her
communication or spoken word
mental suffering to be proven. To establish emotional anguish or vilifying words against Ramirez. Ramirez got o ended and sued
mental su ering, jurisprudence only requires that the testimony of d) by using a device commonly known as a dictaphone or Garcia for damages arising from defamation.
the victim be presented in court, as such experiences are personal to dictagraph or dictaphone or walkie-talkie or tape recorder,
Ramirez presented a recording of the altercation hoping to nail
this party. or however otherwise described:
Garcia, but ended up being nailed by it. Ramirez contended that she
It shall also be unlawful for any person, be he a participant or not could not be liable since she was a party to the conversation. SC
in the act or acts penalized in the next preceding sentence, to disagreed saying that the literal language of the law says that ANY
Melgar v. People 2018 re Denial of financial support person not being authorized is liable.
a) knowingly possess any tape record, wire record, disc record,
Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator,
or any other such record, or copies thereof, of any
while mental or emotional anguish is the e ect caused to or the Bouncing Checks Law
damage sustained by the o ended party. To establish psychological
communication or spoken word secured either before or L
after the e ective date of this Act in the manner prohibited B.P. Blg. 22
violence as an element of the crime, it is necessary to show proof of
by this law;

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discretion over the judge to determine whether a FINE


May be violated in 2 ways: b) When drawer pays the amount or makes arrangement within
su ces the penalty, or whether IMPRISONMENT is also
5 banking days after receiving notice of dishonor.
1) Making or drawing and issuing any check to apply on in order.
account or for value, knowing at the time of issue that he c) No proof that notice was received by drawer.
11. A drawer who was acquitted or convicted under the RPC
does not have su cient funds in or credit with the drawee
for estafa may also be prosecuted under BP 22.
bank for the payment of such check in full upon its NOTES RE BP 22
presentment, and was subsequently dishonored;
1. Gravamen is the issuance of a check.
Rosa Lim v. People
2) Failing to keep su cient funds or to maintain a credit to
2. The elements of estafa and BP 22 are distinct. One could be
cover the full amount of the check if presented within a B.P. No. 22, Section 2 creates a presumption juris tantum that
held liable for estafa and violation of BP 22 without double
period of 90 days from the date appearing thereon. the second element prima facie exists when the rst and third
jeopardy.
Elements of Sec 1 par 1 elements of the o ense are present. If not rebutted, it su ces to
3. If the drawer stopped payment due to a valid reason, i.e.
sustain a conviction.
1) A person makes or draws and issues any check; wrong name of payee, then he is not liable.
The gravamen of B.P. No. 22 is the act of making and issuing a
2) To apply on account or for value; 4. But if he had no valid reason to do so, violation of BP 22 has
worthless check or one that is dishonored upon its presentment
been consummated.
3) Knows at the time of issue that he does not have su cient for payment. And the accused failed to satisfy the amount of the
funds; 5. Written notice of dishonor is essential. check or make arrangement for its payment within ve (5) banking
4) Subsequently dishonored, or would have been dishonored 6. Absence of proof of notice and giving her 5 days to make days from notice of dishonor. The act is malum prohibitum,
had not the drawer, without any valid reason, ordered the necessary arrangements to replenish funds destroys the pernicious and inimical to public welfare. Why and to whom the
bank to stop payment. presumption that she had knowledge of the su ciency of check was issued is irrelevant in determining culpability.
funds.
Elements of Sec 1 par 2
7. The burden then shifts to prosecution to prove such
1) A person has su cient funds when he makes or draws and Gosiaco v. Ching and Casta
knowledge; otherwise, drawer cannot be liable.
issues a check;
8. Notice of dishonor to corporation is not notice of dishonor 1. When a corporate o cer issues a worthless check in the
2) Fails to keep such funds or maintain a credit to cover the full corporate name he may be held personally liable for violating a
to o cer who issued the check. Thus, constructive notice to
amount if presented within 90 days; penal statute.
the corporation is not enough to satisfy due process.
3) Subsequently dishonored. In the recent case of Bautista v. Auto Plus Traders Inc., the
9. Penalty is IMP of 30d-1y OR ne of not less than but
Exceptions to the presumption of knowledge of insufficient not more than double the amount of the check, which Court ruled decisively that the civil liability of a corporate
funds in no case shall exceed P200K, OR BOTH. o cer in a B.P. Blg. 22 case is extinguished with the criminal
liability. The rule of stare decisis precludes the Court to
a) Check is presented after 90 days from the date of the check; 10. Rule of preference in imposing penalties emphasizes discharge Ching of any civil liability arising from the B.P. Blg.

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22 case against her, on account of her acquittal in the The drawer is given 3 days from The drawer is given 5 days
criminal charge. receipt of demand letter or
Brodeth v. People 2017 re BP 22 as a continuing crime
notice of dishonor to pay the
2. Nowhere in B.P. Blg. 22 is it provided that a juridical person
Violation of B.P. Blg. 22 cases is categorized as transitory or amount due
may be impleaded as an accused or defendant in the prosecution
continuing crimes. A criminal case for violation of B.P. Blg. 22
for violations of that law, even in the litigation of the civil aspect Failure to pay within said period Failure to pay within said period
therefore may be led in any of the places where any of its elements
thereof. is prima facie evidence of deceit is prima facie evidence of
occurred — in particular, the place where the check is drawn,
B.P. Blg. 22 imposes a distinct civil liability on the signatory of issued, delivered, or dishonored (Yalong v. People) or where the knowledge of drawer of
the check which is distinct from the civil liability of the check was deposited or presented for encashment. insu ciency of funds
corporation for the amount represented from the check.
Payment is NOT a defense Payment is a defense if made
before the filing of information
Pilipinas Shell v. 2017 re Liability of corporate o cers in
Cu v. Small Business Guaranty 2017 Caguioa, J Duque BP 22 cases

In Gidwani, there was an SEC order of suspension of payments Whether or not respondents, as corporate officers, may still be held
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
after a petition to that e ect was led, which had the e ect of civilly liable despite their acquittal from the criminal charge of M of 2002
suspending the collection of the loan obligation of the debtor violation of BP 22. R.A. No. 9165 as amended by R.A. No. 10640
therein. In the present cases, the closure of G7 Bank by the
NO. In the case of Gosiaco v. Ching, this Court enunciated the rule
Monetary Board, the appointment of PDIC as receiver and its Acts punished
that a corporate o cer who issues a bouncing corporate check can
takeover of G7 Bank, and the ling by PDIC of a petition for 1) Importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors
only be held civilly liable when he is convicted.
assistance in the liquidation of G7 Bank, had the similar e ect of and essential chemicals;
suspending or staying the demandability of the loan obligation of BP 22 vs Estafa through issuance of false checks 2) Sale, trade, administration, dispensation, delivery,
G7 Bank to SB Corp. with the concomitant cessation of the
distribution and transportation (STA3DT) of dangerous
former's obligation to pay interest to the latter upon G7 Bank's Art 315(2)(d) BP 22
drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals;
closure.
Malum in se Malum prohibitum 3) Maintenance of a dangerous drug den, dive or resort;
Therefore, applying Gidwani by analogy, at the time SB Corp.
presented the subject checks for deposit/encashment in October Deceit is an element Deceit is NOT an element 4) Being employees or visitors of a dangerous drug den, dive or
2008, it had no right to demand payment because the underlying resort;
obligation was not yet due and demandable from Cu and he could If check issued in payment of a There is a violation regardless of
5) Manufacture of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors
not be held liable for the civil obligations of G7 Bank covered by the pre-existing obligation, NO the purpose of issuance
and essential chemicals;
subject dishonored checks on account of the Monetary Board's violation
closure of G7 Bank and the takeover thereof by PDIC.

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public o cial who shall be required to sign the copies of the


6) Illegal chemical diversion of controlled precursors and People v. Fernandez 2014
inventory and be given a copy thereof;
essential chemicals;
The accused were charged not only with the sale of cocaine but also
2) Within twenty-four (24) hours upon con scation/seizure of
7) Manufacture or delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus with the delivery and distribution thereof, which is committed by
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled
and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs and/or controlled the mere delivery of the prohibited drug. The consideration
precursors and essential chemicals, as well as
precursors and essential chemicals; therefor is of no moment. The law has de ned “deliver” as “any instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, the
8) Possession of dangerous drugs; act of knowingly passing a dangerous drug to another, personally or same shall be submitted to the PDEA Forensic Laboratory for
otherwise, and by any means, with or without consideration.” a qualitative and quantitative examination;
9) Possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus & other
paraphernalia for dangerous drugs; 3) A certi cation of the forensic laboratory examination results,
10) Possession of dangerous drugs during parties, social gatherings which shall be done under oath by the forensic laboratory
People v. Jaime de Motor 2019
or meetings; examiner, shall be issued within twenty-four (24) hours after
The delivery of the illicit drug to the poseur-buyer and the receipt by the receipt of the subject item/s.
11) Possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other
the seller of the marked money successfully consummate the Chain of Custody Procedure
paraphernalia for dangerous drugs during parties, social
buy-bust transaction. What is material is the proof that the
gatherings or meetings; 1) Police o cer to place his marking on the plastic container
transaction or sale actually took place, coupled with the
12) Use of dangerous drugs; presentation in court of the prohibited drug, the corpus delicti, as containing the suspected substance.

13) Cultivation or culture of plants classi ed as dangerous drugs evidence. 2) Turns over to supervising o cer.
or are sources thereof; 3) Sends by courier to the police crime lab for testing.
Elements of possession of dangerous drug
14) Failure to maintain and keep original records of transactions 4) After testing and verifying nature of substance, technician
on dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential 1) Actual or constructive possession;
puts his own mark on new container and seal.
chemicals; 2) Unauthorized by law;
EXC
15) Unnecessary prescription of dangerous drugs; 3) Free and conscious possession.
1. What is imperative is the preservation of the integrity and
16) Unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs. the evidential value of the seized items as the same would be
Chain of custody
utilized in the determination of the guilt or innocence of
Elements of sale of dangerous drugs 1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of
the accused.
1) Identities of the buyer and seller, the object, and the the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and con scation,
physically inventory and photograph the same in the presence 2. Prosecution must recognize and explain the lapse or lapses
consideration; and
of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were in the prescribed procedure. (saving mechanism under
2) The delivery of the thing sold and the payment for it. Sec 21[a])
con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel,
a representative from the media and the DO), and any elected Physical Inventory, Photograph, Marking of Seized Evidence

By RGL 119 of 131


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1. In seizures covered by search warrants, physical inventory drugs from the accused in the area of operation. And, lastly, the so long as the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items are
and photograph must be done where the warrant was served. arresting o cers did not prepare any inventory of the con scated properly preserved by the apprehending team. Accordingly, the
items, and did not take photographs of the items. prosecution must satisfactorily prove that:
2. In warrantless seizures, such as buy-busts, may be done at
the nearest police station or o ce of the apprehending a) there is justi able ground for noncompliance; and
team/o cer.
b) the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items are
People v. Alon-Alon 2019
3. A buy-bust operation is not invalidated by mere non- properly preserved.
coordination with the PDEA. The chain of custody rule requires testimony as to every link in the
chain, describing how and from whom the seized evidence was Place of marking versus place of inventory
People v. Reyes 2016 received, its condition in which it was delivered to the next link in
Lescano v. People 2016
the chain, and the precautions taken to ensure its integrity.
The apprehending o cer/team having initial custody and control
As regards the items seized and subjected to marking, Section 21(1)
of the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and con scation,
of RA 9165, as amended, requires the performance of two (2)
physically inventory and photograph the same in the presence
People v. Ruiz 2019 actions: physical inventory and photographing. Section 21(1) is
of
speci c as to when and where these actions must be done. As to
1. the accused or the person/s from whom such items were Under R.A. 10640, the marking, physical inventory and
when, it must be "immediately after seizure and con scation." As to
con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or photographing of the seized items by the apprehending team shall
where, it depends on whether the seizure was supported by a search
counsel, be conducted immediately after seizure and con scation, and in the
warrant. If a search warrant was served, the physical inventory and
presence of the accused or the persons from whom such items were
2. a representative from the media and the Department of photographing must be done at the exact same place that the search
con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel. The
Justice (DOJ), and warrant is served. In case of warrantless seizures, these actions must
law also mandates that the foregoing be witnessed by speci c
be done "at the nearest police station or at the nearest o ce of the
3. any elected public o cial who shall be required to sign persons, namely:
apprehending o cer/team, whichever is practicable."
the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof.
a) an elected public o cial; AND
Moreover, Section 21(1) requires at least three (3) persons to be
Was the chain of custody preserved in this case?
b) a representative of the National Prosecution Service or the present during the physical inventory and photographing.
NO. First of all, the con scated items were not marked media. These persons are:
immediately after the seizure. Secondly, the law speci cally
1. the accused or the person/s from whom the items were
required that the marking must be witnessed by the accused.
seized;
Thirdly, another substantial gap in the chain of custody concerned People v. De Lumen 2019 re Saving Mechanism Clause
the absence of any representative of the media or of the DOJ, 2. an elected public o cial; and
and of the elected public o cial during the buy-bust The IRR of the law provides that noncompliance with the
3. a representative of the National Prosecution Service.
operation and at the time of the con scation of the dangerous requirements of Section 21, under justi able grounds, will not
render void and invalid the seizure and custody over the seized items There are, however, alternatives to the rst and the third. As to the

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

rst, there are two (2) alternatives: 9) In case of juridical persons, the partner, president, director,
Here, the absence of witnesses during seizure and marking
manager, trustee, estate administrator, or o cer who consents
1. his or her representative; and casts reasonable doubt on the actual origin and identity of the drugs
and knowingly tolerates shall be co-principal.
introduced in evidence.
2. his or her counsel.
10) Unless penalty is death, alien o ender is immediately
As to the representative of the National Prosecution Service, a NOTES deported after service of sentence.
representative of the media may be present in his or her place.
1) Constructive possession – when the drug is under the 11) Accessory penalty of DQ from exercising civil and political
People v. Garcia underscored that the mere marking of seized dominion and control of the accused or he has the right to rights, or suspension of such rights pending appeal.
paraphernalia, unsupported by a physical inventory and taking of exercise such dominion or control over the place where it is
12) Voluntary submission of a drug dependent to
photographs, and in the absence of the persons required by Section found. Exclusive possession or control of the place is not
con nement, treatment and rehabilitation:
21 to be present, does not su ce. necessary. PP vs. Tira, May 28, 2004
a) By himself or through parent, spouse, guardian,
2) Any person convicted for drug tra cking or pushing
Who may be witnesses during search and inventory relative within 4th degree, apply to Board;
cannot avail of Probation Law.
People v. Castillo 2019 b) Board submits to Court which orders examination for
3) Positive nding for the use of dangerous drugs shall be a
dependency;
qualifying aggravating circumstance in the commission of
The requirement of conducting inventory and taking of
any crime. c) DOH-accredited physician issues certi cation of
photographs immediately after seizure and con scation necessarily
dependency;
means that the required witnesses must also be present during the 4) Attempt or conspiracy penalized by same penalty in Nos 1,
seizure and con scation. The presence of third-party witnesses 2, 3, 5 and 13. d) Court orders treatment and rehab in a
is not an empty formality in the conduct of buy-bust Board-designated Center for at least 6 months;
5) Criminal liability of public o cer or employee for
operations. Provided, may be placed under care of
misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account
DOH-accredited physician, if (1) no available Center,
The seizure and marking of the dangerous drugs from the accused con scated, seized and/or surrendered articles is Life-Death
or (2) o ender is below 18 and a 1st-time o ender.
to the apprehending o cer form the rst crucial link in the chain of and 500K-10M + Absolute Perpetual DQ.
custody. The marking of the evidence serves to separate the marked e) Con nement not to exceed 1 year. The Board and
6) Any elective o cial who bene ted from proceeds shall be
evidence from the corpus of all other similar or related evidence Court shall be apprised by the head of the Center of
removed from o ce and perpetually DQ from holding
from the time they are seized from the accused until they are the status.
position in government.
disposed of at the end of the criminal proceedings, thus, preventing
f) Determine whether further con nement required.
switching, planting or contamination of evidence. 7) Government o cials and employees meted with MAX
penalty + Absolute Perpetual DQ. 13) Exemption from Criminal Liability under Voluntary
In People v. Tomawis, this Court declared that the third-party
Submission Program
witnesses required by Section 21 must be present as early as 8) Planting Evidence = Death.
the time of apprehension. a) Complied with rules and regulations;

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

b) Has never been charged or convicted of any o ense 16) Parent, spouse, guardian who refuses to cooperate may be prohibited drugs, it is immaterial whether or not the place of
under this Act, RPC, or any special penal laws; cited for contempt. destination is reached.
c) No record of escape, Provided in case of escape, shall 17) Required procedure on the seizure and custody of drugs
surrender 1 week from said escape. under Sec 21(1) Art II RA 9165: Shall, immediately after Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
seizure and con scation, physically inventory and
N
d) Poses no serious danger to himself, family, and R.A. No. 10175
photograph, the same in the presence of the accused, or his
community.
counsel, a representative from media and the DOJ, and any Computer crimes, or Cybercrimes are crimes that involve a
14) The period of prescription under the compulsory elected o cial, who shall sign said inventory, and be given a computer and/or a network.
submission program shall not run during the time the drug copy of. 1. The computer device or network as target;
dependent is under con nement, or under treatment and
18) Chain of custody establishes the identity of the substance 2. The computer device or network as a tool.
rehabilitation approved by the Board.
from the moment item is seized up to the time it is o ered in
15) Provisions Applicable to First-Time O enders evidence. Acts punished
1) Suspension of sentence - over 15 yrs old at the time of 19) There can be no crime of illegal possession of prohibited drug The following acts constitute the o ense of cybercrime
commission but not more than 18 at the if nagging doubts persist on whether the item con scated is punishable under this Act:
promulgation of judgment, Provided: the same specimen examined. 1. O enses against the con dentiality, integrity and
a) not been previously convicted, availability of computer data and systems;
2019 re Illegal Transport of Dangerous
b) not been previously committed to a Center or People v. Macaspac 2. Computer-related O enses;
Drugs
care of a DOH-accredited physician; and
3. Content-related O enses.
The core element of illegal transporting of dangerous drugs is the
c) Board favorably recommends so.
movement of the dangerous drug from one place to another. O enses against computer data and systems
2) Discharge After Compliance with Conditions of "To transport" means "to carry or convey from one place to
Suspended Sentence - expunge all records, restore the 1) Illegal Access. – The access to the whole or any part of a
another." There was no de nitive moment when an accused
accused to his status prior to the case. computer system without right.
"transports" a prohibited drug. When the circumstances establish
3) Privilege of Suspended Sentence to be Availed Only the purpose of an accused to transport and the fact of transporting 2) Illegal Interception. – The interception made by technical
Once itself, there should be no question as to the perpetration of the means without right of any non-public transmission of
criminal act. The fact that there is actual conveyance su ces to computer data to, from, or within a computer system
4) Promulgation of Sentence - should the o ender violate including electromagnetic emissions from a computer system
support a nding that the act of transporting was committed. The
any condition. carrying such computer data.
law does not dictate the threshold how far the drugs should have
5) Probation or Community Service in Lieu of been transported to fall within the limits of illegal transporting of 3) Data Interference. — The intentional or reckless alteration,
Imprisonment. dangerous drugs. Further, in cases of illegal transporting of damaging, deletion or deterioration of computer data,

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

electronic document, or electronic data message, without


Provided, That if no damage has yet been caused, the penalty Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree
right, including the introduction or transmission of viruses.
imposable shall be one (1) degree lower. higher than that provided for by the RPC and special laws.
4) System Interference. — The intentional alteration or
3) Computer-related Identity Theft. – The intentional
reckless hindering or interference with the functioning of a Liability under Other Laws
acquisition, use, misuse, transfer, possession, alteration or
computer or computer network by inputting, transmitting, A prosecution under this Act shall be without prejudice to any
deletion of identifying information belonging to another,
damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing liability for violation of any provision of the RPC, as amended, or
whether natural or juridical, without right:
computer data or program, electronic document, or electronic special laws.
data message, without right or authority, including the Provided, That if no damage has yet been caused, the penalty
introduction or transmission of viruses. imposable shall be one (1) degree lower. Tolentino v. People 2018 re prescriptive period of cyberlibel
5) Misuse of Devices. Content-related O enses Section 6 of RA No. 10175 provides that the "penalty to be
6) Cybersquatting. – The acquisition of a domain name over 1) Cybersex. — The willful engagement, maintenance, control, imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for by the
the internet in bad faith to pro t, mislead, destroy reputation, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended, and special laws, as the case
and deprive others from registering the same. of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer may be." As such, the former penalty of prision correccional in it its
system, for favor or consideration. minimum and medium periods is increased to prision corrreccional
Computer-related O enses in its maximum period to prision mayor in its minimum period.
2) Child Pornography. — The unlawful or prohibited acts
1) Computer-related Forgery. — The new penalty, therefore, becomes a ictive, following Section 25
de ned and punishable by RA 9775 or the Anti-Child
of the RPC. Corrolarily, following Article 90 of the RPC, the crime
a. The input, alteration, or deletion of any computer data Pornography Act of 2009, committed through a computer
of libel in relation to RA 10175 now prescribes in fteen (15)
without right resulting in inauthentic data with the intent system:
that it be considered or acted upon for legal purposes as if years. Thus, respondent Eva Rose Pua's ling of the complaint on
Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be (1) one August 8, 2017 against petitioner's Facebook post dated April 29,
it were authentic, regardless whether or not the data is
degree higher than that provided for in RA 9775. 2015 was well within the prescriptive period for libel in relation to
directly readable and intelligible; or
3) Libel. — The unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as de ned in RA 10175.
b. The act of knowingly using computer data which is the
Article 355 of the RPC, as amended, committed through a
product of computer-related forgery as de ned herein, for
computer system or any other similar means which may be
the purpose of perpetuating a fraudulent or dishonest
devised in the future. 2019 re higher standard of malice for cyberlibel
design. In re Kapunan
directed at public figure
All crimes de ned and penalized by the RPC, and special laws, if
2) Computer-related Fraud. — The unauthorized input,
committed by, through and with the use of information and Atty. Patajo-Kapunan's statement "it (RA No. 9995) covers everyone
alteration, or deletion of computer data or program or
communications technologies shall be covered by the relevant yung violation of the rights of the privacy eh, the lawyer of Katrina
interference in the functioning of a computer system, causing
provisions of this Act: has been suspended by the Supreme Court" by itself cannot be
damage thereby with fraudulent intent:
considered a malicious statement against petitioner. For remarks

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

violence or intimidation of any person or persons or


directed against a public gure are privileged. In order to justify a robbery.
forced upon things; or
conviction for libel involving privileged communication, the
The designation in the information of the o ense committed by
prosecution must establish that the libelous statements were b) when the owner, driver, passenger or occupant of the
appellant as one for quali ed theft notwithstanding, appellant may
made or published with actual malice or malice in fact – the carnapped vehicle is killed or raped in the course of
still be convicted of the crime of carnapping.
knowledge that the statement is false or with reckless disregard as to the carnapping
whether or not it was true. While the nature of appellant’s possession of the taxi was initially
shall be denied bail when the evidence of guilt is strong.
lawful as he was hired as a taxi driver and was entrusted possession
To prove actual malice, it must be shown that the statement was
3) Concealment of Carnapping. — Any person who conceals thereof, his act of not returning it to its owner, which is contrary to
made with the knowledge that it is false or with reckless
carnapping shall be punished with imprisonment of six (6) company practice and against the owner’s consent transformed the
disregard for the truth. To be considered to have reckless
years up to twelve (12) years and a ne equal to the amount of character of the possession into an unlawful one. Appellant himself
disregard for the truth, the false statements must have been made
the acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle admits that he was aware that his possession of the taxi was no
with a de nite awareness that they are untrue. That the accused was
engine, or any other part involved in the violation. longer with Cipriano’s consent as the latter was already demanding
negligent of the facts is not enough. The accused must have doubted
its return.
the veracity of the statements that he or she was making. Thus,
errors and inaccuracies may be excused so long as they were made
People v. Bustinera
with the belief that what was being stated is true.
People v. Patistes 2018 also see People v. Cariño 2018
Bustinera was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of quali ed
theft for the unlawful taking of a Daewoo Racer GTE Taxi.
New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 Patistes was convicted for the crime of carnapping.
O The unlawful taking of motor vehicles is now covered by the
Secs. 3 to 4, R.A. No. 10883 Intent to gain or animus lucrandi is an internal act, presumed from
anti-carnapping law and not by the provisions on quali ed theft the unlawful taking of the motor vehicle. Actual gain is irrelevant as
1) Carnapping is the taking, with intent to gain, of a motor or robbery. While the anti-carnapping law penalizes the unlawful the important consideration is the intent to gain. The term "gain" is
vehicle belonging to another taking of motor vehicles, it excepts from its coverage certain vehicles not merely limited to pecuniary bene t but also includes the bene t
a) without the latter's consent, OR 1. roadrollers, trolleys, street-sweepers, sprinklers, lawn which in any other sense may be derived or expected from the act
mowers, amphibian trucks and cranes if not used on public which is performed. Thus, the mere use of the thing which was
b) by means of violence against or intimidation of
highways, taken without the owner's consent constitutes gain.
persons, OR
c) by using force upon things. 2. vehicles which run only on rails and tracks, and

2) Any person charged with carnapping or 3. tractors, trailers and tractor engines of all kinds and used Special Protection of Children Against
exclusively for agricultural purposes.
a) when the crime of carnapping is committed by Abuse, Exploitation, and
By implication, the theft or robbery of the foregoing vehicles would
P Discrimination Act
criminal groups, gangs or syndicates or by means of
be covered by Article 310 of the RPC and the provisions on Secs. 3(a), 5 and 10, R.A. No. 7610

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

5) Giving monetary consideration goods or other pecuniary


De nition of Child Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or
bene t to a child with intent to engage such child in
"Children" refers to Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the
prostitution.
Child's Development
a) person below eighteen (18) years of age or b) Those who commit the act of sexual intercourse of a) Any person who shall commit any other acts of child abuse,
b) those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other
or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, or subject to other sexual abuse; and conditions prejudicial to the child's development including
exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or c) Those who derive pro t or advantage therefrom, whether as those covered by Article 59 of PD 603, as amended, but not
mental disability or condition. manager or owner of the establishment where the prostitution covered by the RPC, as amended, shall su er the penalty of
takes place, or of the sauna, disco, bar, resort, place of prision mayor in its minimum period.
Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse
entertainment or establishment serving as a cover or which b) Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor
Children, whether male or female, who for money, pro t, or any engages in prostitution in addition to the activity for which sixteen (16) years of age or under or who is ten (10) years or
other consideration or due to the coercion or in uence of any the license has been issued to said establishment. more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel,
adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or
Attempt To Commit Child Prostitution beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or
lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in
massage parlor, beach, and/or other tourist or similar places
prostitution and other sexual abuse. 1. Under Section 5(a) when any person who, not being a relative
shall su er the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period
The penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to of a child, is found alone with the said child inside the room or
and a ne;
reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the following: cubicle of a house, an inn, hotel, motel, pension house,
apartelle or other similar establishments, vessel, vehicle or any Provided, That this provision shall NOT apply to
a) Those who engage in or promote, facilitate or induce other hidden or secluded area under circumstances which 1. any person who is related within the fourth degree
child prostitution which include, but are not limited to, would lead a reasonable person to believe that the child is of consanguinity or a nity or
the following: about to be exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.
2. any bond recognized by law, local custom and
1) Acting as a procurer of a child prostitute; 2. Under Section 5(b) when any person is receiving services tradition or
2) Inducing a person to be a client of a child prostitute by from a child in a sauna parlor or bath, massage clinic, health
3. acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal
means of written or oral advertisements or other similar club and other similar establishments.
duty. (As amended by RA No 11648)
means; 3. A penalty lower by two (2) degrees than that prescribed for
c) Any person who shall induce, deliver or o er a minor to any
3) Taking advantage of in uence or relationship to procure a the consummated felony under Section 5 hereof shall be
one prohibited by this Act to keep or have in his company a
child as prostitute; imposed upon the principals of the attempt to commit the
minor as provided in the preceding paragraph shall su er the
crime of child prostitution.
4) Threatening or using violence towards a child to engage penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a ne;
him as a prostitute; or
Provided, however, That should the perpetrator be an
ascendant, stepparent or guardian of the minor, the penalty to

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

be imposed shall be prision mayor in its maximum period, a


3. Over 18 Rape under RPC; Intercourse Article 266-A(1) under Section
ne, and the loss of parental authority over the minor.
committed of the RPC: 5(b) of R.A. No.
Acts of Lasciviousness under RPC (prision correccional).
d) Any person, owner, manager or one entrusted with the against reclusion perpetua, 7610: reclusion
operation of any public or private place of accommodation, Designation of the Crime & Imposable children except when the temporal in its
whether for occupancy, food, drink or otherwise, including Penalty from Tulagan v. People 2019 En Banc exploited in victim is below 7 medium period to
residential places, who allows any person to take along with prostitution or years old in which reclusion perpetua
him to such place or places any minor herein described shall be Age of Victim 12 years old or other sexual case death
18 years
imposed a penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a Under 12 years below 18, or 18 abuse penalty shall be
Crime old and
ne, and the loss of the license to operate such a place or old or demented under special imposed
Committed above
establishment. circumstances
Rape under
e) Any person who shall use, coerce, force or intimidate a street Acts of Article 266-A(1)
Acts of Rape
child or any other child to: Lasciviousness in relation to Art.
Lasciviousness Rape under under
i) Beg or use begging as a means of living; under Article 336 266-B of the
committed Article 266-A(1) Article
of the RPC in Rape by RPC: reclusion
ii) Act as conduit or middlemen in drug tra cking or against in relation to Art. 266-A(1)
relation to carnal perpetua, except
pushing; or children NA 266-B of the of the
Section 5(b) of knowledge when the victim is
exploited in RPC: reclusion RPC:
iii) Conduct any illegal activities, shall su er the penalty R.A. No. 7610: Lascivious
prostitution or below 7 years old
of prision correccional in its medium period to reclusion temporal conduct under perpetua reclusion
other sexual in which case
reclusion perpetua. in its medium Section 5(b) of perpetua
abuse death penalty
period R.A. No. 7610:
Rape under RPC from sexual child abuse shall be imposed
reclusion temporal
1. Under 12 prosecute as Statutory Rape under RPC; penalty Sexual Assault in its medium Sexual Assault Sexual
Sexual Assault Lascivious
is RP under Article period to under Article Assault
committed Conduct under
266-A(2) of the reclusion perpetua 266-A(2) of the under
prosecute as Acts of Lasciviousness under RPC, but against Section 5(b) of
RPC in relation RPC in relation Article
penalty provided under Sec. 5 (b), RA 7610 which is RT med. children Rape by R.A. No. 7610:
to Section 5(b) of NA to Section 5(b) of 266-A(2)
exploited in Sexual Assault reclusion temporal
2. Over 12 but Under 18 either Rape under RPC (if any of 4 R.A. No. 7610:
prostitution or R.A. No. 7610: of the
circumstances occur) reclusion temporal in its medium
other sexual reclusion temporal RPC:
in its medium period to
or RA 7610 if victim is “subjected to other sexual abuse” or abuse in its medium prision
period reclusion perpetua
under persuasion, inducement, enticement, coercion or period mayor
in uence (PIECI) where penalty is RT medium to RP.
Sexual Rape under Sexual Abuse NA

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

Tulagan v. People 2019 En Banc same act because his right against double jeopardy will be Sec. 10(a) of R.A. No. 7610 penalizes an act when it constitutes as
prejudiced. A person cannot be subjected twice to criminal liability child abuse. In relation thereto, Sec. 3(b) highlights that in child
If the acts constituting sexual assault are committed against a victim
for a single criminal act. Likewise, rape cannot be complexed with abuse, the act by deeds or words must debase, degrade, or
under 12 years of age or is demented, the nomenclature of the
a violation of Section 5 (b) of RA 7610. Under Section 48 of the demean the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a
o ense should now be "Sexual Assault” under paragraph 2, Article
RPC, a felony under the RPC such as rape cannot be complexed human being.
266-A of the RPC in relation to Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610. The
with an o ense penalized by a special law.
imposable penalty is still reclusion temporal in its medium period, When the in iction of physical injuries against a minor is done at
and not prision mayor. the spur of the moment, it is imperative for the prosecution to
prove a speci c intent to debase, degrade, or demean the
Whereas if the victim is 12 years old and under 18 years old, or People v. Basa, Jr 2019 intrinsic worth of the child; otherwise, the accused cannot be
18 years old and above under special circumstances, the
convicted under Sec. 10(a) of R.A. No. 7610.
nomenclature of the crime should be "Lascivious Conduct under Before an accused can be held criminally liable for lascivious
Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610" with the imposable penalty of conduct under Section 5(b) R.A. No. 7610, the Court held in
reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua, but it Quimvel v. People that the requisites for Acts of Lasciviousness, as
penalized under Article 336 of the RPC, must be met in addition Sanchez v. People
should not make any reference to the provisions of the RPC.
to the requisites for sexual abuse under R.A. No. 7610.
It is only when the victim of the sexual assault is 18 years old and Here, the applicable laws are Article 59 of P.D. No. 603 and Section
above, and not demented, that the crime should be called as "Sexual A child is deemed exploited in prostitution or subjected to 10(a) of R.A. No. 7610. The use of "or" in Section 10(a) of RA
Assault under paragraph 2, Article 266-A of the RPC" with other sexual abuse when the child indulges in sexual intercourse or 7610 before the phrase "be responsible for other conditions
the imposable penalty of prision mayor. lascivious conduct prejudicial to the child's development" supposes that there are four
punishable acts therein. First, the act of child abuse; second, child
a) for money, pro t or any other consideration; or
cruelty; third, child exploitation; and fourth, being responsible for
b) under the coercion or any in uence of any adult, syndicate conditions prejudicial to the child's development. The fourth
People v. Tubillo 2017
or group. penalized act cannot be interpreted as a qualifying condition for the
Under Section 5 (b), Article III of RA 7610 in relation to RA 8353, In the case of Olivarez v. CA, the Court explained that the phrase three other acts.
if the victim of sexual abuse is below 12 years of age, the o ender "other sexual abuse," covers not only a child who is abused for pro t,
should not be prosecuted for sexual abuse but for statutory rape but also one who engages in lascivious conduct through the
under Article 266-A(1)(d) of the RPC and penalized with reclusion coercion or intimidation by an adult. In the latter case, there Araneta v. People
perpetua. must be some form of compulsion equivalent to intimidation which
The Rules and Regulations of the questioned statute distinctly and
On the other hand, if the victim is 12 years or older, the o ender subdues the free exercise of the o ended party's will.
separately de ned child abuse, cruelty and exploitation just to show
should be charged with either sexual abuse under Section 5 (b) of that these three acts are di erent from one another and from the act
RA 7610 or rape under Article 266-A (except par 1 [d]) of the RPC. prejudicial to the child's development.
However, the o ender cannot be accused of both crimes for the Calaoagan v. People 2019

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Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua. The consummate his lascivious design towards AAA through coercion
An accused can be prosecuted and be convicted under Section 10(a)
Court likewise considers the alternative circumstance of and with the use of his in uence over the latter as her father.
if he commits any of the four acts therein. The prosecution need not
relationship against Baraga as an aggravating circumstance.
prove that the acts of child abuse, child cruelty and child
Since there is an aggravating circumstance and no mitigating
exploitation have resulted in the prejudice of the child because an
act prejudicial to the development of the child is di erent from the
circumstance, the penalty shall be applied in its maximum period, Swindling by Syndicate
i.e., reclusion perpetua. Besides, Section 31 of R.A. No. 7610 Q
former acts. P.D. No. 1689
expressly provides that the penalty shall be imposed in its
maximum period when the perpetrator is, inter alia, the parent
1) Estafa or its other forms is committed;
of the victim.
Bongalon v. People 2013 2) By a syndicate of at least ve persons;
Not every instance of the laying of hands on a child constitutes the 3) Defraudation results in the misappropriation of moneys
crime of child abuse under Section 10 (a) of Republic Act No. People v. Carlos Alhambra 2014 contributed by
7610. Only when the laying of hands is shown beyond reasonable
The prosecution was able to establish Alhambra’s criminal liability a) stockholders, or
doubt to be intended by the accused to debase, degrade or demean
under Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610. First, AAA testi ed that, b) members of rural banks, cooperatives, samahang
the intrinsic worth and dignity of the child as a human being should
whilst clad only in towel after having taken a bath, her father nayons, or
it be punished as child abuse. Otherwise, it is punished under the
forcibly removed her towel covering her body, kissed her on the
RPC. c) farmers' associations or
neck, removed her undergarments, and kissed her on the other parts
of her body. Second, Alhambra used his moral ascendancy and d) of funds solicited by corporations/associations from
in uence over his daughter AAA to consummate his lascivious the general public.
People v. Baraga 2014
design. Third, AAA was only 17 years old when the said incident
Sexual abuse under Section 5(b), Article III of R.A. No. 7610 has happened. Debuque v. Nilson 2021
three elements: Alhambra’s assertion that he is not liable for sexual abuse under
The case of Remo v. Devanadera 2016 clari es the standards on
1) the accused commits an act of sexual intercourse or Section 5(b) since AAA is not a child engaged in prostitution or
what constitutes a syndicate under PD 1689, to wit:
lascivious conduct; subjected to other sexual abuse is plainly without merit. The law
covers not only a situation in which a child is abused for 1) The group must be at least ve (5) in number.
2) the said act is performed with a child exploited in
pro t but also one in which a child, through coercion or 2) The group must have formed or managed a rural bank,
prostitution or subjected to other sexual abuse; and
intimidation, engages in any lascivious conduct. A child is cooperative, "samahang nayon," farmer's association or any
3) the child is below 18 years old. deemed subjected to “other sexual abuse” when he or she indulges in other corporation or association that solicits funds from
The penalty for sexual abuse performed on a child under 18 years lascivious conduct under the coercion or in uence of any adult. As the general public.
old but over 12 years old under Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610 is established by the prosecution, Alhambra was only able to 3) The group formed or managed such association with the

By RGL 128 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

intention of carrying out an unlawful or illegal act,


a) the o cers/directors of Ever ow, comprising of Felix and Drafting of Complaint, Information,
A
transaction, enterprise or scheme i.e., they used the very
his co-accused who are more than ve (5) people, made false A davits of Desistance, etc.
association that they formed or managed as the means to
pretenses and representations to the investing public, i.e.,
defraud its own stockholders, members and depositors.
private complainants, regarding a lucrative investment
Complaint
opportunity with Ever ow in order to solicit money from REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
them; Department of Justice
People v. Mateo 2017 National Prosecution Service
b) the said false pretenses and representations were made prior
OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR
In the present case, it is clear that all the elements of syndicated to and simultaneous with the commission of fraud, which [City]
estafa, are present, considering that: is made more apparent by the fact that Ever ow was not
authorized by the Securities and Exchange Commission to PEOPLE OF THE
a) the incorporators/directors of MMG comprising more
solicit investments from the public in the rst place; PHILIPPINES
than ve (5) people, including herein accused-appellant, Criminal Case No.: 123984
made false. pretenses and representations to the investing c) relying on the same, private complainants invested various Plainti ,
public - in this case, the private complainants - regarding a amounts of money into Ever ow; and
-versus-
supposed lucrative investment opportunity with MMG in For: [CRIME]
d) Felix and his co-accused failed to deliver their promised
order to solicit money from them; [ACCUSED],
returns and ended up running away with private
b) the said false pretenses and representations were made prior complainants' investments, obviously to the latter's Accused.
to or simultaneous with the commission of fraud; prejudice. x------------------------------------------x
c) relying on the same, private complainants invested their .
hard-earned money into MMG; and
People v. Baladjay 2017 COMPLAINT
d) the incorporators/directors of MMG ended up running
away with the private complainants' investments, obviously The special law is typically invoked by those who fall prey to the The Undersigned accuses _____________________ of the crime
to the latter's prejudice. too-good-to-be-true promises of a Ponzi scheme, wherein the of [CRIME], committed as follows:
purported investment program o ers impossibly high returns and
That on or about ________ 200_, in the City of ________ and
pays these returns to early investors out of the capital contributed by
within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused,
People v. Aquino 2018 later investors.
then ___ years old and without any known address, willfully,
unlawfully and feloniously, with intent to gain, without force upon
The courts a quo correctly found that all the elements of Syndicated
things or violence upon persons and without the knowledge and
Estafa are present in the instant case, as shown in the following
circumstances: IV Practical Exercises consent of _____________________, the owner, took a
_____________ valued at __________________ Pesos

By RGL 129 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

(P________.00) to the prejudice of said owner. organ and would have succeeded in doing so had not her loud
The Undersigned accuses _____________________ of the crime
protests and vigorous resistance brought her neighbors to her
of [CRIME], committed as follows:
assistance, causing the accused to ee from the premises without
CONTRARY TO LAW. FOR BIGAMY: completing all the acts of execution.
____________________________ That on or about ________ 200_, in the City of ________ and FOR FRUSTRATED MURDER:
within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused,
Complainant That on or about ________ 200_, in ________ City, the accused
being then legally married to _____________________, and
did then and there take a loaded ________ pistol, directly aim the
without such marriage having been legally dissolved and thus valid
same rearm at the person of _____________________, an invalid
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME this __th day of and existing, did wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously contract a
septuagenarian, and, at point-blank range, with intent to kill,
_________ 200_ in ________ City. second marriage with _____________________ in the City of
discharge the rearm twice against the person of said
________.
____________________________ _____________________, in icting on said
FOR THEFT: _____________________ two (2) wounds on his chest and
Assistant City Prosecutor
That on or about ________ 200_, in the City of ________ and stomach, which wounds would have been fatal had not timely
Information within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, medical assistance been rendered to the said
then ___ years old and without any known address, willfully, _____________________.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES unlawfully and feloniously, with intent to gain, without force upon
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT CONTRARY TO LAW [with the aggravating circumstance of
things or violence upon persons and without the knowledge and (AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE)].
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
BRANCH [#], [VENUE] consent of _____________________, the owner, took a
____________________________
_____________ valued at __________________ Pesos
PEOPLE OF THE (P________.00) to the prejudice of said owner. Assistant City Prosecutor
PHILIPPINES FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE: CERTIFICATE OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Criminal Case No.: 123984
Plainti , That on or about ________ 200_, in ________ City, the accused I hereby certify that a preliminary investigation in this case was
-versus- did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously enter the conducted by me in accordance with law; that I examined the
For: [CRIME]
house of _____________________, a married woman, and nding Complainant and her witnesses; that there is reasonable ground to
[ACCUSED],
that her husband was away, with lewd designs and by means of force believe that the o ense charged had been committed and that the
Accused. and intimidation, commenced directly by overt acts to commit the accused is probably guilty thereof; that the accused was informed of
x------------------------------------------x crime of attempted rape upon her person, to wit: while the Complaint and of the evidence submitted against him and was
. _____________________ was cooking lunch, the accused seized given the opportunity to submit controverting evidence; and that
her from behind, threw her to the oor, raised her skirt, pulled the ling of this Information is with the prior authority and
INFORMATION down her underwear and attempted to penetrate her with his sexual approval of the City Prosecutor.

By RGL 130 of 131


Criminal Law and Practical Exercises Reviewer for the 2022 Bar

____________________________ [City] [ID No.] [ID No.]


Assistant City Prosecutor
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME this __th day of
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME this __th day of AFFIDAVIT OF DESISTANCE
_________ 200_ in ________ City.
_________ 200_ in ________ City.
WE, [Name of A ant 1] and [Name of A ant 2], both of legal age, Notary Public
____________________________
Filipino, married, and residents of [Address], after having been duly
Atty.
City Prosecutor sworn to in accordance with law, depose and state THAT:
Notary Public for
Bail Recommended: P10,000.00 1. We are the private complainant in a criminal case for
Appointment No. Until ,20
[Nature of Crime] against [Name of Accused] docketed as
Replace Certificate of PI to this if necessary IS No. [No.] before the O ce of the City Prosecutor, Roll of Attorney No.
IBP
[City].
CERTIFICATION AS TO CONDUCT OF INQUEST PTR No. No.
2. In this regard, the accused has already paid the damage to MCLE Compliance No.
I hereby certify that the accused was lawfully arrested without a
our vehicle;
warrant and that, upon being informed of his rights, refused to
waive the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code and, 3. In view of the payment by the accused and considering that
for this reason, an Inquest was conducted; that based on the Rowena A. Castro was not injured, we would like to
complaint and the evidence presented before me without any manifest that we now completely and absolutely exonerate
countervailing evidence submitted by the accused, despite the accused from any liability in connection with the
opportunity to do so, there is reasonable ground to believe that the above-mentioned criminal case and that we are no longer
accused has committed the crime of theft and should, thus, be held interested, and we hereby desist, in prosecuting the said
for said crime; that this Information was with the prior authority of criminal case;
the City Prosecutor.
4. As such, we respectfully pray that the aforementioned case
____________________________ against [Name of Accused] be withdrawn and/or dismissed.
Assistant City Prosecutor

A davit of Desistance IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this
___________________ in _______________, Philippines.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Department of Justice ___________________ ___________________
National Prosecution Service
OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR A ant A ant

By RGL 131 of 131

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