case digest - criminal law 2

8/18/2019 CASE DIGEST - Criminal Law 2

1/54

People vs Coricor

G.R. No. L-48768

December 4, 1971

Facts:

Appellant was sentenced to recluson perpetua, to ndemn!" t#e #ers o! t#e deceased $edro

Le%o n t#e sum o! $&, ''', and to pa" t#e costs, #a(n% been !ound b" t#e lower court %ult" o!

murder commtted on )eptember 1*, 1941. +#e e(dence !or t#e prosecuton was presented on

ctober &' and &1, 1941, and t#e e(dence !or t#e de!ense on ctober &1 and &&, 1941. )

wtnesses test!ed !or t#e prosecuton.

Issue:

/ accused-appellant commtted t#e crme o! murder under Art &48 or deat# or p#"scal

n0ures n!lcted under eceptonal crcumstances under Art. &47 o! t#e R$2

Held:

A care!ul we%#n% o! t#e e(dence bot# o! t#e prosecuton and t#e de!ense leads us to t#e

concluson t#at appellant3s (erson as to t#e crcumstance under w#c# $edro Le%o was lled s

t#e more credble. +#at appellant s#ould #a(e %one to t#e #ouse o! )e(erno Re%s to n(te

$edro Le%o and #s w!e to come to appellant3s #ouse so as to ad(se 5sabel, because s#e #ad a

paramour, one )aturnno aa"a, as test!ed to b" atalna Re%s, appears not to tall" wt# t#e

!act t#at, accordn% to t#e testmon" o! t#e accused, not contradcted b" t#e same atalna Re%s,

#e went twce to #er to complan about t#e llct relatons between $edro Le%o and 5sabel, to t#e

etent t#at appellant man!ested to atalna t#at ! #e s#ould surprse Le%o n !la%rant copulaton

wt# 5sabel, #e wll ll t#em and would !or%et t#at Le%o s #s uncle.

+#e court appled n t#e case at bar Art &47, t#e deat# or p#"scal n0ures n!lcted under

eceptonal crcumstances. on0u%al !delt" commtted b" a marred woman and #er paramour

s puns#ed, as adulter", b" artcle o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode wt# !rom 4 mont#s to 6 "ears

o! mprsonment, and t#e one commtted b" a #usband and #s mstress, as concubna%e, b"

artcle 4, wt# mprsonment !rom 6 mont#s and 4 "ears and & mont#s !or t#e errn% #usband

and bans#ment !or t#e mstress. nder artcle 4, not all cases o! con0u%al n!delt" commtted

b" a #usband s puns#able. +#e %reat ma0ort" o! t#em are le!t unpuns#able. No !scal wll t#n

o! prosecutn% t#e #usband w#o s#ould ndul%e n seual ntercourse wt# dscreet mstresses or

wt# prosttutes. or suc# acts o! con0u%al n!delt", some puns#able wt# s#ort terms o!

mprsonment, ot#ers wt# smple bans#ment, and stll ot#ers not puns#able at all, artcle &47,n e!!ect, con!ers to t#e o!!ended spouse t#e power to n!lct t#e supreme penalt" o! deat#. +#e

bans#ment pro(ded !or t#e ller s ntended more !or #s protecton t#an as a penalt". )uc# a

twsted lo%c seems possble onl" n a paranoac mnd. 5t s #%# tme to rele%ate artcle &47 to

w#ere t properl" belon%s, to t#e memor" o! t#e sns t#at #umant" promsed to #ersel! ne(er to

commt a%an. +#e ma0ort" o! t#e ourt, #owe(er, opnes ot#erwse.


2/54

or all t#e !ore%on%, settn% asde t#e appealed decson, appellant s !ound %ult" o! t#e o!!ense

o! #a(n% lled $edro Le%o as puns#ed b" artcle &47 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode and,

accordn%l", s sentenced to & "ears, 4 mont#s and 1 da" o! bans#ment, and to ndemn!" t#e

#ers o! $edro Le%o n t#e sum o! $&, '''.

People vs Mallari

Facts:

#le osep# and L:a ;w!e< were watc#n% a basetball %ame at t#e baran%a" basetball court,

Ru!no and #s brot#ers, w#o were t#en carr"n% bladed weapons, arr(ed and attempted to stab


3/54

osep#= but osep# was able to run awa". #en t#e" were not able to catc# up wt# #m, Ru!no

boarded and dro(e t#e truc pared near t#e basetball court and contnued c#asn% osep# untl

t#e truc ran o(er t#e latter, w#c# caused #s nstantaneous deat#.

Apprecatn% t#e >ual!"n% crcumstance o! use o! motor (e#cle, t con(cted Ru!no o! murder.

Issue:

#et#er or not t#e use o! a motor (e#cle s a >ual!"n% crcumstance !or t#e crme o! murder2

Held:

+#e e(dence s#ows t#at Ru!no delberatel" used #s truc n pursun% osep#. pon catc#n%

up wt# #m, Ru!no #t #m wt# t#e truc, as a result o! w#c# osep# ded nstantl". 5t s

t#ere!ore clear t#at t#e truc was t#e means used b" Ru!no to perpetrate t#e lln% o! osep#.+#e case o! $eople (. ?u@o: cted b" Ru!no !nds no applcaton to t#e present case. 5n t#e sad

case, t#e polce patrol 0eep was merel" used b" t#e accused t#eren n loon% !or t#e (ctm and

n carr"n% t#e bod" o! t#e (ctm to t#e place w#ere t was dumped. +#e accused t#eren s#ot

t#e (ctm, w#c# caused t#e latters deat#. 5n t#e present case, t#e truc tsel! was used to ll t#e

(ctm b" runnn% o(er #m.

nder Artcle &48 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode, a person w#o lls anot#er Bb" means o! a motor

(e#cleC s %ult" o! murder. +#us, t#e use o! motor (e#cle >ual!es t#e lln% to murder. +#e

penalt" !or murder s recluson perpetua to deat#.

5n (ew o! t#e absence o! an a%%ra(atn% crcumstance and t#e presence o! one mt%atn%crcumstance, recluson perpetua, not deat#, s#ould be t#e penalt" to be mposed on Ru!no.

$$L E) F5)NFN+

68 )RA *86

acts

n or about )eptember &4, 199, n t#e ?uncpalt" o! )an uan, ?etro ?anla, $#lppnes,

and wt#n t#e 0ursdcton o! t#s Fonorable ourt, t#e abo(e-named accused dd t#en and t#ere

wll!ull", unlaw!ull" and !elonousl", wt# ntent to ll and tan% ad(anta%e o! superor


4/54

stren%t#, attac, assault and use personal (olence upon t#e person o! one lsa lse )antos

astllo b" t#en and t#ere stabbn% #er wt# a bladed weapon n d!!erent parts o! #er bod",

t#ereb" n!lctn% upon #er mortal wounds w#c# were t#e drect and mmedate cause o! #er

deat# and t#erea!ter outra%ed or sco!!ed #er corpse b" t#en and t#ere c#oppn% o!! #er #ead and

d!!erent parts o! #er bod".

5ssue

1.< #et#er or not t#e >ual!"n% crcumstance o! abuse o! stren%t# s present.

&.< #et#er or not sco!!n% o! t#e (ctm3s bod" s to be apprecated n court to >ual!" t#e crme

to murder.

Feld

1.< +#e answer s n t#e ne%at(e. Abuse o! superort" s present w#ene(er t#ere s ne>ualt" o!

!orces between t#e (ctm and t#e a%%ressor, assumn% a stuaton o! superort" o! stren%t#

notorousl" ad(anta%eous !or t#e a%%ressor and selected or taen ad(anta%e o! b" #m n t#e

commsson o! t#e crme. +#e !act t#at t#e (ctm was a woman does not, b" tsel!, establs# t#at

accused-appellant commtted t#e crme wt# abuse o! superor stren%t#. +#ere ou%#t to be

enou%# proo! o! t#e relat(e stren%t# o! t#e a%%ressor and t#e (ctm.

Abuse o! superor stren%t# must be s#own and clearl" establs#ed as t#e crme tsel!. 5n t#s case,

nobod" wtnessed t#e actual lln%. Now#ere n Demetros testmon", and t s not ndcated n

an" o! t#e peces o! p#"scal e(dence, t#at accused-appellant delberatel" too ad(anta%e o! #s

superor stren%t# n o(erpowern% lsa. n t#e contrar", t#s ourt obser(ed !rom (ewn% t#e

p#oto%rap# o! accused-appellant t#at #e #as a rat#er small !rame. Fence, t#e attendance o! t#e

>ual!"n% crcumstance o! abuse o! superor stren%t# was not ade>uatel" pro(ed and cannot be

apprecated a%anst accused-appellant.

&.< Hes, t#e ot#er crcumstance o! outra%n% and sco!!n% at t#e corpse o! t#e (ctm was correctl"

apprecated b" t#e tral court. +#e mere decaptaton o! t#e (ctms #ead consttutes outra%n% or

sco!!n% at t#e corpse o! t#e (ctm, t#us >ual!"n% t#e lln% to murder. 5n t#s case, accused-

appellant not onl" be#eaded lsa. Fe !urt#er cut up #er bod" le peces o! meat. +#en, #e

strewed t#e dsmembered parts o! #er bod" n a deserted road n t#e countr"sde, lea(n% t#em to

rot on t#e %round. +#e s%#t o! lsas se(ered bod" parts on t#e %round, ((dl" depcted n t#e


5/54

p#oto%rap#s o!!ered n e(dence, s bot# re(oltn% and #orr!"n%. At t#e same tme, t#e (ewer

cannot #elp but !eel utter pt" !or t#e sub-#uman manner o! dsposn% o! #er remans.

$$L E) N+5NN+

9 )RA 1


6/54

acts

5t appears t#at appellant Donato ontnente and se(eral ot#er o#n Does were ntall" c#ar%ed

wt# t#e crmes o! murder and !rustrated murder n two ;&< separate 5n!ormaton dated une &',

1989 n connecton wt# t#e s#ootn% ncdent on Aprl &1, 1989 at t#e corner o! +omas ?orato)treet and +mo% A(enue n Iue:on t" w#c# caused t#e deat# o! .). ol. ames N. Rowe

w#le serousl" woundn% #s dr(er, oa>un Enu"a. A!ter t#e arrest o! anot#er suspect, uanto

5taas, on Au%ust &7, 1989 n Da(ao t", t#e prosecuton, wt# pror lea(e o! court, !led two ;&<

separate amended n!ormaton !or murder and !rustrated murder to nclude uanto +. 5taas,

amon% t#e ot#er accused.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e element o! treac#er" s present >ual!"n% t#e crme to murder.

Feld

Hes, t#e s#ootn% o! ol. ames Rowe and #s dr(er, oa>un Enu"a, was attended b" treac#er".

+#ere s treac#er" w#en t#e o!!ender commts an" o! t#e crmes a%anst person, emplo"n%

means, met#ods or !orms n t#e eecuton t#ereo! w#c# tend drectl" and especall" to ensure ts

eecuton, wt#out rs to #msel! arsn% !rom an" de!ense w#c# t#e o!!ended part" m%#t

mae.J74K +#e e(dence clearl" s#ows t#at t#e mode o! eecuton was delberatel" adopted b"

t#e perpetrators to ensure t#e commsson o! t#e crme wt#out t#e least dan%er unto t#emsel(es

arsn% !rom t#e possble resstance o! t#er (ctms. Appellant 5taas and #s companons, w#owere all armed wt# power!ul !rearms, wated !or t#e car o! ol. Rowe w#c# was ben% dr(en

b" oa>un Enu"a at t#e corner o! +mo% A(enue and +omas ?orato )treet n Iue:on t".

t#out an" warnn%, appellant 5taas and #s companons suddenl" !red at t#e sad car upon

reac#n% t#e sad place. Fence, t#e crme commtted !or t#e lln% o! ol. ames Rowe durn%

t#e sad ambus# s murder.

$$L E) AN+N5

* )RA 646


7/54

acts

n t#at !ate!ul mornn% o! No(ember &, 1996, w#at s#ould #a(e been an amable %ame o! cards

between two erstw#le !rends turned nto a deadl" con!rontaton resultn% n t#e !atal s#ootn% o!

one b" t#e #and o! t#e ot#er. +#e (ctm, Arnul!o Arne +uadles, a !ormer pro!essonal basetball pla"er, succumbed nstantaneousl" to a sn%le %uns#ot wound r%#t between t#e e"es, n!lcted

wt# deadl" precson b" t#e bullet o! a .9mm calber eretta pstol.

on(cted o! murder b" t#e tral court as t#e ller s Alberto Ambet ). Antono, a one-tme

c#arman o! t#e Games and Amusement oard ;GAuanted

w#en t#e" bot# started !re>uentn% t#e 5nternatonal usness lub ;5


8/54

+#us, treac#er" could not be apprecated w#ere t#e (ctm was !orewarned and could #a(e

antcpated t#e a%%resson o! t#e accused. )nce t#e sudden s#ootn% o! +uadles was preceded b"

a #eated (erbal altercaton between +uadles and appellant Antono, as admtted b" bot#

prosecuton and de!ense, t#en t cannot be concluded t#at t#e s#ootn% was commtted wt#

treac#er".

$$L E) +FANM

&49 )RA *4


9/54

acts

5n 1991, uss la( Leno was tan% ?aureen Fultman to #er #ome at ampanlla )treet,

Dasmarnas Ella%e, ?aat. Roland o#n #apman went wt# t#em. #en t#e" entered t#e

(lla%e, ?aureen ased Leno to stop about a bloc awa" !rom #er #ouse, as s#e wanted to walt#e rest o! t#e wa" !or s#e dd not want #er parents to now t#at s#e was %on% #ome t#at late.

Leno o!!ered to wal wt# #er w#le #apman sta"ed n t#e car and lstened to t#e rado.

#le Leno and ?aureen were waln%, a l%#t-colored ?tsubs# bo-t"pe Lancer car, dr(en

b" accused laudo +ee#anee, r., came up !rom be#nd t#em and stopped on t#e mddle o! t#e

road. Accused al%#ted !rom #s car, approac#ed t#em, and ased B#o are "ou2 ;)#ow me

"our< 5.D.C #en Leno #anded #s 5.D., t#e accused %rabbed and poceted t#e 5.D., wt#out

bot#ern% to loo at t.

#apman saw t#e ncdent. Fe stepped down on t#e sdewal and ased accused B#" are "ou

bot#ern% us2C Accused pus#ed #apman, du% nto #s s#rt, pulled out a %un and !red at #m.#apman !elt #s upper bod", sta%%ered !or a moment, and ased B#" dd "ou s#oot me2C

#apman crumpled on t#e sdewal. Leno nelt besde #apman to assst #m but accused

ordered #m to %et up and lea(e #apman alone. Accused t#en turned #s re on Leno. Fe

ponted %un at #m and ased BDo "ou want a trouble2C Leno sad BnoC and too a step

bacward.

+#e s#ootn% ntall" s#oced ?aureen. #en s#e came to #er senses, s#e became #"stercal

and started screamn% !or #elp. )#e repeatedl" s#outed B#, m" God, #es %ot a %un. Fes %onna

ll us. ll somebod" #elp us2C All t#e w#le, accused was pontn% #s %un to and !rom Lenoto ?aureen, warnn% t#e latter to s#ut up. Accused ordered Leno to st down on t#e sdewal.

Leno obe"ed and made no attempt to mo(e awa". Accused stood &- meters awa" !rom #m.

?aureen contnued to be #"stercal. )#e could not sta" stll. )#e stra"ed to t#e sde o! accuseds

car. Accused tred but !aled to %rab #er. ?aureen crcled around accuseds car, tr"n% to put

some dstance between t#em. +#e s#ort c#ase lasted !or a mnute or two. (entuall", accused

cau%#t ?aureen and repeatedl" en0oned #er to s#ut up and st down besde Leno. ?aureen

!nall" sat besde Leno on t#e sdewal.

or a moment, t#e accused turned #s bac !rom t#e two. Fe !aced t#em a%an and s#ot Leno.

Leno was #t on t#e upper 0aw, !ell bacwards on t#e sdewal, but dd not lose conscousness.

Leno #eard anot#er s#ot and saw ?aureen !all besde #m. Fe l!ted #s #ead to see w#at was#appenn% and saw accused return to #s car and dr(e awa". Leno stru%%led to #s nees and

s#outed !or #elp. Fe notced at least people w#o saw t#e ncdent.

As a result o! t#e ncdent, separate crmnal cases were !led a%anst accused laudo

+ee#anee, r. 5ntall", #e was c#ar%ed wt# ?RDR !or t#e lln% o! RLAND


10/54

FA$?AN, and two ;&< R)+RA+D ?RDR !or t#e s#ootn% and woundn% o! ))5

L5N and ?ARN FL+?AN. #en Fultman subse>uentl" ded a!ter 97 da"s o!

con!nement at t#e #osptal and durn% t#e course o! t#e tral, t#e 5n!ormaton !or rustrated

?urder was amended to ?RDR.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#ere s e(dent premedtaton and treac#er" n t#e commsson o! t#e crme.

Feld

No, t #as been consstentl" ruled t#at mere suddenness o! t#e attac on t#e (ctm would not, b"

tsel!, consttute treac#er". oncededl", t#e s#ootn% o! #apman was carred out sw!tl" and le!t

#m wt# no c#ance to de!end #msel!. (en t#en, t#ere s no e(dence on record to pro(e t#at

appellant conscousl" and delberatel" adopted #s mode o! attac to nsure t#e accompls#mento! #s crmnal des%n wt#out rs to #msel!. 5t appears to us t#at appellant acted on t#e spur o!

t#e moment. +#er meetn% was b" c#ance. +#e" were stran%ers to eac# ot#er. +#e tme between

t#e ntal encounter and t#e s#ootn% was s#ort and unbroen. +#e s#ootn% o! #apman was

t#us t#e result o! a ras# and mpetuous mpulse on t#e part o! appellant rat#er t#an a delberate

act o! wll.

As to t#e woundn% o! uss Leno and t#e lln% o! ?aureen Fultman, we #old t#at treac#er"

clearl" attended t#e commsson o! t#e crmes. +#e e(dence s#ows t#at a!ter s#ootn% #apman

n cold blood, appellant ordered Leno to st on t#e pa(ement. ?aureen became #"stercal and

wandered to t#e sde o! appellant3s car. #en appellant went a!ter #er, ?aureen mo(ed around

#s car and tred to put some dstance between t#em. A!ter a mnute or two, appellant %ot to

?aureen and ordered #er to st besde Leno on t#e pa(ement. #le seated, unarmed and

be%%n% !or merc", t#e two were %unned down b" appellant. learl", appellant purposel" placed

#s two (ctms n a completel" de!enseless poston be!ore s#ootn% t#em. +#ere was an

apprecable lapse o! tme between t#e lln% o! #apman and t#e s#ootn% o! Leno and

Fultman a perod w#c# appellant used to prepare !or a mode o! attac w#c# ensured t#e

eecuton o! t#e crme wt#out rs to #msel!. +reac#er" was t#us correctl" apprecated b" t#e

tral court a%anst appellant nso!ar as t#e lln% o! Fultman and t#e woundn% o! Leno are

concerned.

$$L E). ?ANR


11/54

&18 )RA 8*

acts

n 11 Aprl 198*, t#e ?anero brot#ers Norberto r., dlberto and lpdo, alon% wt# Rodr%ospa, )e(erno Lnes, Rud" Lnes, !ren $le@a%o and Ro%er eda@o, were nsde t#e eater" o!

one Re"naldo Docades. +#e" were con!errn% wt# t#ree ot#ers o! a plan to l>udate a number

o! suspected communst s"mpat#:ers. Amon% t#er tar%ets are r. $eter, Domn%o Gome:,

antl, red Gapate, Rene alas +aba%ac and Ellann%.O Or. $eterO s r. $eter Geremas, an

5talan prest suspected o! #a(n% lns wt# t#e communst mo(ement= OantlO s Ru!no

Robles, a at#olc la" leader w#o s t#e complann% wtness n t#e Attempted ?urder= Domn%o

Gome: s anot#er la" leader, w#le t#e ot#ers are smpl" Omessen%ersO. n t#e same occason,

t#e consprators a%reed to dlberto ?anero3s proposal t#at s#ould t#e" !al to ll r. $eter

Geremas, anot#er 5talan prest would be lled n #s stead. +#e" later on naled a placard near

t#e carndera bearn% t#e names o! t#er ntended (ctms. Later, at 4'' pm, t#e ?anero

brot#ers, to%et#er wt# spa and t#e !our ;4< appellants, all wt# assorted !rearms, proceeded to

t#e #ouse o! OantlO, t#er !rst ntended (ctm, w#c# was also n t#e (cnt" o! Deocades3

carndera. A!ter a #eated con!rontaton, dlberto drew #s re(ol(er and !red at t#e !ore#ead o!

antl w#o was able to parr" and was #t at t#e lower porton o! #s ear. antl tred to run but #e

was a%an !red upon b" dlberto. +#ou%# antl was able to see re!u%e n t#e #ouse o! a

certan Domn%o Gome:, Norberto r. ordered #s men to surround t#e #ouse so t#at antl

would de o! #emorr#a%e. ?oments later, w#le Deocades was !eedn% #s swne, dlberto

strewed #m wt# a burst o! %un!re !rom #s ?-14 Armalte. Deocades cowered n !ear as #e

nelt wt# bot# #ands clenc#ed at t#e bac o! #s #ead. +#s a%an drew bosterous lau%#ter and

rdcule !rom t#e dreaded desperados. At *'' o3cloc, r. +ulo a(al arr(ed at Mm.1&* on

board #s motorc"cle. Fe entered t#e #ouse o! Gome:. #le nsde, Norberto, r., and #s co-accused $le@a%o towed t#e motorc"cle outsde to t#e center o! t#e #%#wa". Norberto, r., opened

t#e %asolne tan, splled some !uel, lt a !re and burned t#e motorc"cle. As t#e (e#cle was

abla:e, t#e !elons ra(ed and re0oced. pon seen% #s motorc"cle on !re, r. a(al accosted

Norberto, r. ut t#e latter smpl" stepped bacwards and eecuted a t#umbs-down s%nal. At

t#s pont, dlberto ased t#e prest OAno an% %usto mo, padre ;#at s t "ou want, at#er


12/54

brot#ers as well as Rodr%o spa dd not appeal= net#er dd Norberto ?anero, r., n t#e Arson

case. onse>uentl", t#e decson as a%anst t#em alread" became !nal.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e appellants can be eculpated !rom crmnal lablt" on t#e bass o! de!ense o!

alb w#c# would establs# t#at t#ere s no consprac" to ll.

Feld

+#e court dd not apprecate t#e de!ense o! alb o! t#e Lnes brot#er, w#o accordn% to t#em,

were n a !arm some one lometer awa" !rom t#e crme scene. +#e court #eld t#at P5t s

aomatc t#at t#e accused nterposn% t#e de!ense o! alb must not onl" be at some ot#er place

but t#at t must also be p#"scall" mpossble !or #m to be at t#e scene o! t#e crme at t#e tme

o! ts commsson. +#ere s no p#"scal mpossblt" w#ere t#e accused can be at t#e crme‖scene n a matter o! 1*-&' mnutes b" 0eep or trc"cle. ?ore mportant, t s well-settled t#at t#e

de!ense o! alb cannot pre(al o(er t#e post(e dent!caton o! t#e aut#ors o! t#e crme b" t#e

prosecuton wtnesses. 5n t#s case, t#ere were two e"ewtnesses w#o post(el" dent!ed t#e

accused. ontrar" to t#e clam o! t#e Lnes brot#ers, t#ere s a communt" o! des%n to commt

t#e crme. ased on t#e !ndn%s o! t#e lower court, t#e" are not merel" nnocent b"standers but

n !act were (tal co%s n t#e murder o! r. u(al. +#e" per!ormed o(ert acts to ensure t#e

success o! t#e commsson o! t#e crmes and t#e !urt#erance o! t#e ams o! t#e consprac". #le

accused-appellants ma" not #a(e del(ered t#e !atal s#ots t#emsel(es, t#er collect(e acton

s#owed a common ntent to commt t#e crmnal acts. +#ere s consprac" w#en two or more

persons come to an a%reement to commt a crme and decde to commt t.

5t s not essental t#at all t#e accused commt to%et#er eac# and e(er" act consttut(e o! t#e

o!!ense. 5t s enou%# t#at an accused partcpates n an act or deed w#ere t#ere s sn%ulart" o!

purpose, and unt" n ts eecuton s present. #le t ma" be true t#at r. a(al was not

or%nall" t#e ntended (ctm, as t was r. $eter Geremas w#om t#e %roup tar%eted !or t#e ll,

ne(ert#eless, r. a(al was deemed a %ood substtute n t#e murder as #e was an 5talan prest.

+#e accused a%reed t#at n case t#e" !al to ll t#e ntended (ctms, t wll be su!!ce to ll

anot#er prest as lon% as t#e person s also 5talan prest


13/54

$$L E. NLAGADA

89 )RA &&4

actsn anuar" &7, 1989 at around 9'' n t#e e(enn% Danlo Laurel le!t #s #ouse to%et#er wt#

dwn )elda, a (stor !rom acolod t", to attend a publc dance at Ne%ros ccdental. A!ter

two #ours, Danlo ased dwn to tae a s#ort brea !rom dancn% to attend to t#er personal

necesstes outsde t#e dance #all. nce outsde, t#e" decded to #a(e a drn and bou%#t beer.

Not lon% a!ter, Danlo, #al!wa" on #s !rst bottle, le!t to loo !or a place to rele(e #msel!.

Accordn% to dwn, #e was onl" about t#ree meters !rom Danlo w#o was rele(n% #msel!

w#en a s#ort, dar bearded man waled past #m, approac#ed Danlo and stabbed #m at t#e

sde. Danlo retalated b" strn% #s assalant wt# #al!- !lled bottle o! beer. Almostsmultaneousl", a %roup o! men numbern% o! se(en ;7


14/54

aut#or t#ereo! cannot be ascertaned. +#e >uarrel n t#e nstant case s between a dstnct %roup

o! nd(duals, one o! w#om was su!!centl" dent!ed as t#e prncpal aut#or o! t#e lln%, as

a%anst a common, partcular (ctm. 5t s not, as t#e de!ense su%%ests, a Btumultuous a!!ra"C

wt#n t#e meann% o! Art. &*1 o! +#e Re(sed $enal ode, t#at s, a melee or !ree- !or- all,

w#ere se(eral persons not comprsn% de!nte or dent!able %roups attac one anot#er n a

con!used and dsor%an:ed manner, resultn% n t#e deat# or n0ur" o! one or some o! t#em.

Eerl", t#e attac was >ual!ed b" treac#er". +#e deceased was rele(n% #msel!, !ull" unaware

o! an" dan%er to #s person w#en suddenl" t#e accused waled past wtness dwn )elda,

approac#ed t#e (ctm and stabbed #m at t#e sde. +#ere was #ardl" an" rs at all to accused-

appellant= t#e attac was completel" wt#out warnn%, t#e (ctm was cau%#t b" surprse, and

%(en no c#ance to put up an" de!ense.

#ere!ore, t#e decson o! con(cton appealed !rom s a!!rmed.


15/54

$$L E) ?ARA?ARA

17 )RA &&&

acts+#e e(dence s#ows t#at a bene!t dance sponsored b" t#e alp lementar" )c#ool $+A o!

w#c# accused- appellant s t#e presdent, was #eld n t#e "ard o! accused- appellants #ouse n

r%". alp, la(era ?asbate n t#e e(enn% o! No(ember 18, 1991. At about 1& mdn%#t,

w#le Rcardo Donato was dancn% wt# certan Rowena Del Rosaro, one Dante Arce, a !rend

o! t#e accused- appellant, approac#ed Rcardo Donato and boed #m on t#e c#est. r%#tened,

Rowena ran awa" w#le Rcardo Donato scampered toward t#e !ence !or sa!et". ?%uelto

Donato was about two meters awa" !rom w#ere Rcardo sta"ed at t#e !ence. Not !or lon%,

accused- appellant too #s #and- %un tuced n #s wast and !red at t#e (ctm ?%uelto

Donato, #ttn% t#e latter at t#e le!t breast. Rcardo Donato tred to #elp #s !allen brot#er

?%uelto but somebod" struc Rcardos #ead wt# an ron bar w#c# noced #m out !or about mnutes. #en Rcardo re%aned conscousness, #e #urred #ome and n!ormed #s parents o!

w#at #appened.

+#er !at#er mmedatel" went to t#e crme scene and rus#ed ?%uelto to t#e $o Duran Fosptal

w#ere t#e latter ded earl" n t#e mornn% o! t#e net da". e!ore ?%uelto epred, Re%arder

Donato, t#e !at#er, ased w#o s#ot #m and ?%uelto repled t#at t was accused- appellant.

+#e autops" report re(ealed t#at asde !rom %uns#ot, t#e bod" o! ?%uelto bore laceratedwounds. +#at t#e wounds could #a(e n!lcted b" more t#an two persons.

+#e tral court ruled a%anst t#e accused- appellant and was #eld %ult" be"ond reasonable doubt

o! murder.

5ssue

#et#er or not ?aramara s#ould be #eld lable !or tumultuous a!!ra" nstead o! murder2

Feld

+#ere s no mert n t#e accused- appellants poston t#at #e s#ould be #eld lable onl" !or deat#

caused n a tumultuous a!!ra" under Artcle &*1 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode. 5t was n suc#

stuaton t#at accused came at t#e scene and 0oned t#e !ra" purportedl" to pac!" t#e prota%onsts


16/54

w#en ?%uelto attaced #m causn% !our ;4< stab wounds n d!!erent parts o! #s bod"- two on

t#e stomac#, one on t#e le!t npple, and one on t#e le!t arm. +#en accused- appellant wt# #s

#and- %un s#ot ?%uelto.

Assumn% t#at a rumble or a !ree- !or- all !%#t occurred at t#e bene!t dance, Artcle &*1 o! t#eRe(sed $enal ode cannot appl" because prosecuton wtness Rcardo and Re%arder Donato

post(el" dent!ed accused- appellant as ?%ueltos ller.

#le accused- appellant #msel! su!!ered multple stab wounds w#c#, at !rst blus#, ma" lend

(ert" to #s clam t#at a rumble ensued and t#at (ctm ?%uelto n!lcted upon #m t#ese

wounds, t#e e(dence s ade>uate to consder t#em as a mt%atn% crcumstance because t#e

de!enses (erson stands dscredted n l%#t o! t#e more credble (erson o! t#e prosecuton as to

t#e crcumstances surroundn% ?%ueltos deat#.

#ere!ore, t#e ourt mod!es t#e 0ud%ment appealed !rom. +#e ourt !nds resencano

?aramara %ult" be"ond reasonable doubt o! #omcde.


17/54

)5)N E). $$L

&*' )RA *8

acts

+enson and anmost" between or" lo"alsts and ?arcos lo"alsts broe nto (olence. n ul"

&7, 198, t resulted n t#e murder o! )tep#en )alcedo, a nown Bor"sta.C

+#e prosecuton establs#ed t#at on ul" &7, 1986, a rall" was sc#eduled to be #eld at t#e Luneta b" t#e ?arcos lo"alst. +#e" appled a permt to #old a rall" but t was dened. Despte t#s

setbac, t#ree t#ousand %at#ered at t#e R:al ?onument led b" l(er Lo:ano and en0amn

Nue%a. No tcet could be produced. olonel Dula +orres %a(e t#em ten mnutes to dsperse.

Att". Lo:ano turned towards #s %roup and sad B%ulp#n nn"o an% la#at n% m%a or"

n!ltrators.C +#e polce pus#ed t#e crowds and used tear %as to dsperse t#em.

At about 4'' pm, a small %roup o! lo"alsts con(er%ed at t#e #nese Garden. Anne errer was

t#ere and t#e" n!ormed #er o! t#e dspersal and errer an%rl" ordered t#em B%ulp#n nn"o an%

m%a or" #eclersQC A !ew mnutes later, s#e was arrested b" t#e polce. )omebod" t#en s#outed

Balan%an %umant ta"o n%a"onQC a commoton ensued and Renato anculo, c%arette (endor,

saw t#e lo"alsts attacn% t#e persons n "ellow. +#e man n "ellow t- s#rt was )alcedo and #s

pursuers appeared to be ?arcos lo"alsts. +#a" cau%#t )alcedo and boed and ced and

mauled #m. Fe was #t on (arous parts o! #s bod". )umlan% tred to pac!" t#e maulers so #e

could etrcate )alcedo !rom t#em but t#e maulers pursued )alcedo. )umlan% was able to tow

)alcedo but llosos emer%ed !rom be#nd )umlan% as anot#er man boed )alcedo on t#e #ead.

De Los )antas, +an boed )alcedo w#le $acadar. +ama"o boed )alcedo on t#e le!t 0aw, )son

repeatedl" boed #m.

)alcedo mana%ed to %et awa" but accused +an, $acadar pursued #m, mauln% )umlan% n t#e

process. )alcedo plead!ed !or #s l!e. +#e mauln% resumed at t#e R:al monument and

contnued alon% Roas oule(ard untl )alcedo collapJsed and lost conscousness. )umlan%

wt# a #elp o! tra!!c en!orcer brou%#t )alcedo to ?edcal enter ?anla but was re!used

admsson. )o t#e" too #m to $GF w#ere #e ded upon arr(al.


18/54

+#e tral court rendered decson !ndn% Romeo )son, Nlo $acadar, oel +an, Rc#ard De Los

)antos and oselto +ama"o %ult" as prncpals n t#e crme o! murder >ual!ed b" treac#er".

errer was con(cted as an accomplce.

+#e ourt o! Appeals mod!ed t#e decson o! t#e tral court b" ac>uttn% errer but ncreasn%t#e penalt" o! t#e rest o! t#e accused ecept !or +ama"o. +#e court con(cts +ama"o o!

#omcde.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e ourt o! Appeals erred n !ndn% t#at t#e crme commtted s murder and not

deat# caused n a tumultuous a!!ra"2

Feld

or Artcle &*1 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode to appl"= t must be establs#ed t#at ;1< t#ere be

se(eral persons= ;&< t#at t#e" dd not compose %roups or%an:ed !or t#e common purpose o!

assaultn% and attacn% eac# ot#er recprocall"= ;< t#ese se(eral persons >uarreled and

assaulted one anot#er n a con!used and tumultuous manner=;4< someone was lled n t#e course

o! t#e a!!ra"= ;*< t cannot be ascertaned w#o actuall" lled t#e deceased= and ;6< t#at t#e

person or persons w#o n!lcted serous p#"scal n0ures or w#o used (olence be can be

dent!ed.

A tumultuous a!!ra" taes place w#en a >uarrel occurs between se(eral persons and t#e" en%a%e

n a con!used and tumultuous a!!ra", n t#e course o! w#c# some person s lled or wounded

and t#e aut#or t#ereo! cannot be ascertaned.

+#e >uarrel n t#e nstant case, ! t can be called a >uarrel, was between one dstnct %roup and

one nd(dual. on!uson ma" #a(e occurred because o! t#e polce dspersal o! t#e rall"sts, but

t#s con!uson subsded e(entuall" a!ter t#e lo"alsts !led to ?ara rosa )treet. 5t was onl" a

w#le later a!ter sad dspersal t#at one dstnct %roup dent!ed as lo"alsts pced on one

de!enseless nd(dual and attaced #m repeatedl", tan% turns n n!lctn% punc#es, cs and blows on #m. +#ere was no con!uson and tumultuous >uarrel or a!!ra", nor was t#ere a

recprocal a%%resson at t#s sta%e o! t#e ncdent.

As t#e lower courts !ound, t#e (ctms assalants were numerous b" as muc# as !!t" n number

and were armed wt# stones wt# w#c# t#e" #t t#e (ctm. +#e" too ad(anta%e o! t#er superor

stren%t# and ecess(e !orce and !rustrated an" attempt b" )alcedo to escape and !ree #msel!.


19/54

)alcedo pleaded !or merc" but t#e" %nored #s pleas untl #e !nall" lost unconscousness. +#e

delberate and prolon%ed use o! superor stren%t# on a de!enseless (ctm >ual!es t#e lln% o!

murder.

#ere!ore, t#e decson appealed !rom s a!!rmed and mod!ed.


20/54

DAD E. $$L

9& )RA 46

acts

n ?a" &*, 199&, n order to ntercept cattle rustlers !rom aran%a" La%undn%, )ultan Mudarat,

t#e speran:a, )ultan Mudarat $olce )taton !ormed t#ree teams, w#c# composed o! pettoner

)$4 Geromno Dado and AG members rancsco raso, Al!redo alnas, and Ru!o Al%a.

Al!redo alnas and Ru!o Al%a were bot# armed wt# ?14 armalte r!les, w#le pettoner was

armed wt# a calber .4* pstol and accused rancsco raso was carr"n% an ?16 armalte r!le.

+#e team saw somebod" approac#n% w#o was #al!-naed. #en #e was about * meters awa"

!rom t#e team, alnas told raso to wat, but be!ore alnas could beam #s !las# l%#t, raso

!red #s ?16 armalte r!le at t#e approac#n% man. +#erea!ter, pettoner !red a sn%le s#ot

!rom #s .4* calber pstol. $ettoner admtted t#at w#en #e #eard t#e rapd %un burst, #e dd not

turn to !ace t#e source t#ereo! and nstead !red #s .4* calber pstol n !ront o! #m purposel" to

demoral:e t#er enem".

+#e (ctm turned out to be )l(estre Outso"O alnas, t#e nep#ew o! Al!redo alnas and not

t#e cattle rustler t#e team were ordered to ntercept. Accused raso embraced Al!redo alnas

and told #m t#at t was not ntentonall" done and t was merel" an accdent. )l(estre alnas

ded as a result o! t#e %uns#ot wounds #e sustaned.

Dr. R#odora +. Antenor, w#o conducted t#e post-mortem eamnaton on t#e cada(er o! )l(estre

alnas test!ed t#at t#e !atal wound t#at caused t#e deat# o! t#e (ctm was t#e one n!lcted on

t#e md-nner t#%#. +#e bullet perced t#rou%# and n0ured t#e or%ans n t#e pel(c re%on w#ere

s#e !ound t#ree rre%ularl" s#aped metallc !ra%ments. )#e added t#at t#e poston o! t#e (ctm

at t#at tme o! t#e s#ootn% was #%#er t#an t#e assalant consdern% t#at t#e tra0ector" o! t#e

bullets was upwards.

pon eamnaton b" N5 allstcan lmer Nelson D. $edad, t#e t#ree metallc !ra%ments

reco(ered !rom t#e !atal wound o! t#e (ctm turned out to be !ra%ments o! a *.*6 mm 0aceted bullet. Fowe(er, on cross-eamnaton, #e declared t#at #e s not sure w#et#er t#e & ot#er

metallc !ra%ments reco(ered !rom t#e !atal wound o! t#e (ctm are ndeed parts o! a copper

0acet o! a calber *.*6 mm. 0aceted bullet.


21/54

+#e tral court con(cted pettoner and accused raso o! t#e crme o! #omcde w#c# was

a!!rmed b" t#e ourt o! Appeals.

Accused raso !led a $etton !or Re(ew but was dened b" A= on t#e ot#er #and pettoner,

!led t#s petton.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e tral court and t#e ourt o! Appeals erred n !ndn% t#e pettoner %ult" o!

#omcde.

Feld

+#e ourt sustans t#e !ndn% o! t#e tral court t#at pettoner !red #s .4* calber pstol towards

t#e (ctm. Fowe(er, t appears t#at t#ere s no e(dence to pro(e t#at pettoner #ad ntent to llt#e (ctm. +#e prosecuton wtnesses dd not see w#et#er pettoner amed to ll t#e (ctm.

5ntent to ll cannot be automatcall" drawn !rom t#e mere !act t#at t#e use o! !rearms s

dan%erous to l!e. 5ntent to ll must be establs#ed wt# t#e same de%ree o! certant" as s

re>ured o! t#e ot#er elements o! t#e crme. +#e n!erence o! ntent to ll s#ould not be drawn n

t#e absence o! crcumstances su!!cent to pro(e suc# ntent be"ond reasonable doubt.

Absent an ntent to ll n !rn% t#e %un towards t#e (ctm, pettoner s#ould be #eld lable !or

t#e crme o! lle%al dsc#ar%e o! !rearm under Artcle &*4 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode. +#e

elements o! t#s crme are ;1< t#at t#e o!!ender dsc#ar%es a !rearm a%anst or at anot#er person=

and ;&< t#at t#e o!!ender #as no ntenton to ll t#at person.

+#e Decson o! t#e ourt o! Appeals n a!!rmn% t#e con(cton o! pettoner !or t#e crme o!

#omcde s set asde and pettoner s ac>utted o! t#e crme c#ar%ed on t#e %round o! reasonable

doubt.

Fowe(er, pettoner Geronmo Dado s %ult" o! t#e crme o! lle%al dsc#ar%e o! !rearm.


22/54

$$L E. )ALRAN5A

89 )RA &&4

actslomeno )alu!rana b" bon% and stran%ln% ?AR5ANA AH-)ALRAN5A, #s

law!ull" wedded w!e and w#o was at t#e tme 8 mont#s on t#e !aml" wa", caused upon #er

n0ures resultn% n #er nstantaneous deat# and t#e deat# o! t#e c#ld w#o was stll n ts

maternal womb. +#us lomeno was c#ar%ed wt# t#e comple crme o! parrcde wt#

ntentonal aborton commtted. +#e lower court !ound lomeno %ult" as c#ar%ed and was

sentenced to su!!er t#e penalt" o! deat#. Fence, t#e automatc re(ew o! t#e case b" t#e )upreme

ourt. lomeno alle%es t#at t#e tral court erred n !ndn% #m %ult" o! t#e comple crme o!

parrcde wt# ntentonal aborton, as t#ere s no e(dence to s#ow t#at #e #ad t#e ntenton to

cause an aborton.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e con(cton o! t#e accused !or t#e comple crme o! parrcde wt# ntentonal

aborton s proper2

Feld

No. lomeno )alu!rana s#ould not be #eld %ult" o! t#e comple crme o! parrcde wt#

ntentonal aborton but o! t#e comple crme o! parrcde wt# unntentonal aborton.

+#e elements o! nntentonal Aborton are as !ollows

1. +#at t#ere s a pre%nant woman.

&. +#at (olence s used upon suc# pre%nant woman wt#out ntendn% an aborton.

. +#at t#e (olence s ntentonall" eerted.

4. +#at as a result o! t#e (olence t#e !etus des, et#er n t#e womb or a!ter #a(n% been epelled

t#ere!rom.

5t #as been clearl" establs#ed ;a< t#at ?arcana Abu"o was se(en ;7< to e%#t ;8< mont#s pre%nant w#en s#e was lled= ;b< t#at (olence was (oluntarl" eerted upon #er b" #er #usband

lomeno= and ;c< t#at, as a result o! sad (olence, ?arcana Abu"o ded to%et#er wt# t#e !etus

n #er womb. +#e aborton was caused b" t#e same (olence t#at caused t#e deat# o! t#e w!e,

?arcana Abu"o, suc# (olence ben% (oluntarl" eerted b" lomeno upon #er. Fowe(er, t#e

ntent to cause t#e aborton #as not been su!!centl" establs#ed. ?ere bon% on t#e stomac#,

taen to%et#er wt# t#e mmedate stran%ln% o! t#e (ctm n a !%#t, s not su!!cent proo! to


23/54

s#ow ntent to cause an aborton. 5n !act, lomeno must #a(e merel" ntended to ll #s w!e but

not necessarl" to cause an aborton.


24/54

$$L E. GNE)

61 $F5L. 8&

acts)oledad R(era tred to tae bac b" !orce !rom Geno(es a "oe o! a plow s#e clams s#e owned.

Geno(es #owe(er, repeatedl" struc )oledad wt# #s !st causn% #er to !all to t#e %round

se(eral tmes. Durn% w#c# tme, )oledad was #ea(" wt# c#ld. )oledad b" suc# !all su!!ered

pans n t#e abdomen. Accordn% to testmon" deceased was n %ood #ealt# t#e da" be!ore.

rom t#e tme o! t#e ncdent t#ere was #emorr#a%e and pan, w#c# were s"mptoms o!

premature del(er". )oledad remaned n sad condton !or da"s untl t culmnated n t#e pan!ul

and d!!cult premature del(er" o! one o! t#e twn babes t#at s#e wa" carr"n%, but t#e ot#er

bab" could not be del(ered. )oledad and bot# babes ded. Geno(es was t#en c#ar%ed and

con(cted b" 5 ccdental Ne%ros o! t#e comple crme o! #omcde wt# aborton.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e con(cton o! t#e comple crme o! #omcde wt# aborton s proper2

Feld

No, t#e aborton n t#s case s unntentonal aborton denounced b" artcle &*7 o! t#e Re(sed

$enal ode. 5t s %enerall" nown t#at a !all s lable to cause premature del(er", and t#e

e(dence s#ows a complete se>uel o! e(ents !rom t#e assault to )oledads deat#. Geno(es must be #eld responsble !or t#e natural conse>uences o! #s act.


25/54

AG5RR E) )R+ARH )+5

G.R. N. 17'7&

A+)n une 11,&''& pettoner Glora A%urre nsttuted a crmnal complant !or t#e (olaton o!

Re(sed $enal ode partcularl" Artcles 17& and &6&, bot# n relaton to Republc Act No.761'

a%anst respondents $edro A%urre, londr:, Dr. A%atep, Dr. $ascual and se(eral o#n/ane Doe

alle%n% t#at o#n/ane Doe upon t#e apparent nstructons o! respondents ?c#elna A%urre-

londr: and $edro A%urre actuall" scouted, prospected, !acltated solcted and/or procured t#e

medcal ser(ces o! respondents Dr. $ascual and Dr. A%atep on t#e ntended mutlaton (a

blateral (asectom" o! Laureano A%urre. londr: dened t#at t#e prospected, scouted,

!acltated, solcted and/or procured an" !alse statement mutlated or abused #s common law

brot#er, Laureano A%urre. )#e !urt#er contends t#at #s common law brot#er went t#rou%# a

(asectom" procedure but t#at does not amount to mutlaton. Dr. A%atep contends t#at t#ecomplanant #as no le%al personalt" to !le a case snce s#e s onl" a common law sster o! Larr"

w#o #as a le%al %uardan n t#e person o! $edro A%urre. Fe !urt#er contends t#at Easectom"

does not n an" wa" e>uate to castraton and w#at s touc#ed n (asectom" s not consdered an

or%an n t#e contet o! law and medcne.+#e Assstant t" $rosecutor #eld t#at t#e !acts alle%ed

dd not amount to mutlaton, t#e (asectom" operaton dd not depr(ed Larr" o! #s reproduct(e

or%an. Glora A%urre t#en appealed to t#e )ecretar" o! t#e D but #e! )tate $rosecutor

dsmssed t#e petton statn% t#at t#e )ecretar" o! ustce ma" motu propo dsmss outr%#t t#e

petton ! t#ere s no s#own% o! an" re(ersble error n t#e >uestoned resoluton.

5))

#et#er or not t#e respondents are lable !or t#e crme o! mutlaton

Feld

No, t#e court #eld t#at Artcle &6& o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode pro(des t#at

Art. &6&. ?utlaton. B+#e penalt" o! recluson temporal to recluson perpetua s#all be mposed

upon an" person w#o s#all ntentonall" mutlate anot#er b" depr(n% #m, et#er totall" or

partall", o! some essental or%an !or reproducton.C

An" ot#er ntentonal mutlaton s#all be puns#ed b" prson ma"or n ts medum and mamum

perods.

A stra%#t!orward scrutn" o! t#e abo(e pro(son s#ows t#at t#e elements o! mutlaton under t#e

!rst para%rap# o! Art. &6& o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode to be 1< t#at t#ere be a castraton, t#at s,

mutlaton o! or%ans necessar" !or %eneraton= and &< t#at t#e mutlaton s caused purposel" and


26/54

delberatel", t#at s, to depr(e t#e o!!ended part" o! some essental or%an !or reproducton.

Accordn% to t#e publc prosecutor, t#e !acts alle%ed dd not amount to t#e crme o! mutlaton as

de!ned and penal:ed abo(e, .e., t#e (asectom" operaton dd not n an" wa" depr(ed ;sc<

Larr" o! #s reproduct(e or%an, w#c# s stll (er" muc# part o! #s p#"scal sel!.


27/54

L5 E. $$L AND A

4&7 )RA &17

acts$ettoner L was c#ar%ed be!ore t#e R+ o! ?aat wt# t#e crme o! #omcde !or t#e deat# o!

#rstop#er Aru%a". +#e prosecuton alle%ed t#at Aru%a" was watc#n% tele(son at #ome wt#

#s ssters rst" and ab" ane, #s %rl!rend dela amara and ab" anes bo"!rend, +an.

+#e" suddenl" #eard a nose outsde. $eern% t#rou%# t#e wndow, t#e" saw L and a certan

duardo )an%alan% tan% a bat# completel" naed. +#e two were !acn% t#e #ouse o! t#e

Aru%a"s. nra%ed, t#e deceased s#outed somet#n% to L and )an%alan%. +#en pettoner L

s#outed bac. An ncensed Aru%a" went out t#e #ouse w#ere #e was met b" pettoner carr"n% a

baseball bat. L struc Aru%a" on t#e #ead wt# t#e bat, causn% Aru%a" to !all. L ran bac to #s

#ouse. +#e wtnesses +an and dela amara asssted Aru%a" and were tr"n% to dra% #m bac to

#s #ouse w#en L re-emer%ed, t#s tme wt# a n!e. L t#en stabbed Aru%a" once. 5mmedatel"t#erea!ter, t#e" were able to see )an%alan% stab Aru%a" at least once.

$ettoner L denes lln% Aru%a". Fe contends t#at #e #t !rst wt# a baseball bat #rstop#er

Aru%a" #ttn% t#e latter not on t#e #ead but at t#e r%#t arm w#c# s near t#e s#oulder. +#e

deceased w#o s armed wt# a bolo, retalated b" #acn% L on t#e #ead, causn% #m to lose #s

#old on t#e baseball bat and !ell sem-unconscous or unconscous. 5n suc# a condton, t s

#%#l" mprobable t#at #e was capable o! n!lctn% t#e !atal stab wounds on Aru%a".

A!ter tral, #e was !ound %ult" and sentenced to t#e penalt" o! e%#t ;8< "ears and one ;1< da" o!

$rson ?a"or to !ourteen ;14< "ears, e%#t ;8< mont#s and one ;1< da" o! Recluson +emporal.

Fs con(cton was a!!rmed b" t#e ourt o! Appeals. A%%re(ed, L !led a petton !or re(ew,

seen% t#e re(ersal o! #s con(cton !or t#e crme o! #omcde.

5ssue

#et#er or not pettoner s#ould be con(cted !or t#e crme o! sl%#t p#"scal n0ur" nstead o!

#omcde2

Feld

+#e )upreme ourt ruled n t#e a!!rmat(e. 5t ruled t#at t#e onl" n0ur" attrbutable to L s t#e

contuson on t#e (ctms r%#t arm t#at resulted !rom L strn% Aru%a" wt# a baseball bat. 5n

(ew o! t#e (ctms super(enn% deat# !rom n0ures w#c# cannot be attrbuted to L be"ond

reasonable doubt, t#e e!!ects o! t#e contuson caused b" L are not mortal or at least le entrel"


28/54

n t#e realm o! speculaton. #en t#ere s no e(dence o! actual ncapact" o! t#e o!!ended part"

!or labor or o! t#e re>ured medcal attendance, t#e o!!ense s onl" sl%#t p#"scal n0ures.

#at transpred durn% t#e dawn #ours o! was an artless, spontaneous street !%#t de(od o! an"

met#odcal plan !or consummaton. 5t arose not because o! an" lon%-standn% %rud%e or an

apprecable (ndcaton o! #onor, but because t#e actors were too >uc to o!!ense andmper(ous to reason. Het, #owe(er senseless t#s let#al mbro%lo s, a 0udcous eamnaton o!

t#e crcumstances must be made to a(od leaps nto #"perbole. are!ul scrutn" o! t#e e(dence

re(eals t#at t#e crmnal culpablt" o! L n t#e deat# o! Aru%a" was not establs#ed be"ond

reasonable doubt. n!ortunatel", t#e person w#o s responsble !or t#e deat# apparentl" remans

at lar%e.


29/54

$$L E. GA

41 )RA *4

actsAt around &'' a.m. o! Au%ust 1', 1998, 5%naco and #s w!e were awaened b" t#e loud

ban%n% o! corru%ated G5 s#eet comn% !rom t#e barracs o! #s co-constructon worer w#c#

was about meters awa". 5%naco and #s w!e proceeded n #aste to n(est%ate but t#e" were

surprsed and dsarra"ed to see #s co-worer, #eren appellant, naed on top o! t#er dau%#ter,

5rene, w#o was also naed.

5rene test!ed t#at at around 1''' p.m. o! Au%ust 9, 1999, t#e appellant summoned #er to #s

barracs. +#nn% #e #ad t#e usual errand !or #er s#e approac#ed #m. Fowe(er, appellant

suddenl" pulled #er and lad #er on a wooden bed ;papa%


30/54

$$L E) AG)AAH

4' )RA 4*'

actson or about ul" 1*, 1997, at aran%a" ?aloat, muncpalt" o! $o:orrubo, pro(nce o!

$an%asnan, and wt#n t#e 0ursdcton o! t#s Fonorable ourt, t#e abo(e-named accused,

armed wt# a bolo wt# ntent to #a(e seual ntercourse wt# #s own dau%#ter, osep#ne errer

A%saoa", b" means o! !orce and ntmdaton, dd t#en and t#ere wll!ull", unlaw!ull" and

!elonousl" #a(e seual ntercourse wt# )$F5N AG)AAH, a 17 "ears old mnor and

accuseds own dau%#ter, a%anst #er wll and wt#out #er consent, to t#e dama%e and pre0udce o!

sad osep#ne . A%saoa". urt#ermore, t#e (ctm was a%an raped b" t#e accused & da"s a!ter

usn% a bolo to scare and t#reaten t#e sad (ctm.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e accused s %ult" o! rape >ual!ed b" relatons#p and mnort".

Feld

Hes.+#e %ra(amen o! t#e o!!ense o! rape s seual ntercourse wt# a woman a%anst #er wll or

wt#out #er consent.* onse>uentl", !or t#e c#ar%e o! rape to prosper, t#e prosecuton must

pro(e t#at ;1< t#e o!!ender #ad carnal nowled%e o! a woman and ;&< #e accompls#ed suc# act

t#rou%# !orce or ntmdaton, or w#en s#e s depr(ed o! reason or ot#erwse unconscous, orw#en s#e s under 1& "ears o! a%e or s demented.

+#e sole mportant ssue n a rape case s t#e credblt" o! t#e (ctms testmon", n (ew o! ts

nature n w#c# onl" two persons are normall" n(ol(ed. Fence, n ad0udcatn% suc# ssue,

0ursprudence #as establs#ed t#e !ollown% %udelnes ;1< t#e (ctms testmon" must be

scrutn:ed wt# etreme cauton snce an accusaton o! rape can be made wt# !aclt", but

d!!cult !or t#e accused to dspro(e t= and ;&< w#en #er testmon" meets t#e test o! credblt",

t#e accused ma" be con(cted solel" on t#e bass t#ereo!.

5n t#e case at bar, we !nd osep#nes account o! #er ordeal n t#e #ands o! appellant !ort#r%#t

and credble.


31/54

FRR, t#e appealed Decson dated No(ember &8, 1997 o! t#e Re%onal +ral ourt,

ranc# 46, rdaneta $an%asnan, n rmnal ases Nos. -9& and -9, !ndn% appellant

)anta%o A%saoa", r. %ult" o! t#e crmes o! >ual!ed rape and sentencn% #m to su!!er t#e

penalt" o! DA+F n eac# case, s #ereb" A5R?D wt# ?D55A+5N n t#e sense t#at

#e s ordered to pa" t#e amount o! $7*,'''.'' as c(l ndemnt" and $7*,'''.'' as moral

dama%es n eac# case. Addtonall", appellant s ordered to pa" $&*,'''.'' as eemplar"dama%es n rmnal ase No. -9&.


32/54

$$L E) AL))

69 )RA 179

acts+#e accused-appellant, Romeo G. alos0os s a !ull-!led%ed member o! on%ress w#o s now

con!ned at t#e natonal pententar" w#le #s con(cton !or statutor" rape on two counts and

acts o! lasc(ousness on s counts s pendn% appeal. +#e accused-appellant !led t#s moton

asn% t#at #e be allowed to !ull" dsc#ar%e t#e dutes o! a on%ressman, ncludn% attendance at

le%slat(e sessons and commttee meetn%s despte #s #a(n% been con(cted n t#e !rst

nstance o! a non-balable o!!ense.

5ssue

#et#er or not ben% a on%ressman s a substantal d!!erentaton w#c# remo(es t#e accused-

appellant as a prsoner !rom t#e same class as all persons (aldl" con!ned under law b" reason o! t#e Bmandate o! t#e so(ere%n wllC.

Feld

N. #le t#e onsttuton %uarantees B nor s#all an" person be dened t#e e>ual

protecton o! laws.C t#s smpl" means t#at all persons smlarl" stuated s#all be treated ale

bot# n r%#ts en0o"ed and responsbltes mposed. +#e dutes mposed b" t#e Bmandate o! t#e

peopleC are mult!arous. +#e ourt cannot (aldate bad%es o! ne>ualt". +#e necesstes

mposed b" publc wel!are ma" 0ust!" eercse o! %o(ernment aut#ort" to re%ulate e(en !

t#ereb" certan %roups ma" plausbl" assert t#at t#er nterests are dsre%arded. Fere, electon to

t#e poston o! on%ressman s not a reasonable class!caton n crmnal law en!orcement. +#e

!unctons and dutes o! t#e o!!ce are not substantal dstnctons w#c# l!t #m !rom t#e class o!

prsoners nterrupted n t#er !reedom and restrcted n lbert" o! mo(ement. Law!ul arrest and

con!nement are %ermane to t#e purposes o! t#e law and appl" to all t#ose belon%n% to t#e same

class. Fence, t#e per!ormance o! le%tmate and e(en essental dutes b" publc o!!cers #as ne(er

been an ecuse to !ree a person (aldl" n prson.

lecton s t#e epresson o! t#e so(ere%n power o! t#e people. Fowe(er, nspte o! ts

mportance, t#e pr(le%es and r%#ts arsn% !rom #a(n% been elected ma" be enlar%ed or

restrcted b" law.+#e mmunt" !rom arrest or detenton o! )enators and members o! t#e Fouse o! Representat(es

arses !rom a pro(son o! t#e onsttuton. +#e pr(le%e #as alwa"s been %ranted n a restrct(e

sense. +#e pro(son %rantn% an eempton as a specal pr(le%e cannot be etended be"ond t#e

ordnar" meann% o! ts terms. 5t ma" not be etended b" ntendment, mplcaton or e>utable

consderatons.


33/54

+#e accused-appellant #as not %(en an" reason w#" #e s#ould be eempted !rom t#e operaton

o! )ec. 11, Art. E5 o! t#e onsttuton. +#e members o! on%ress cannot compel absent members

to attend sessons ! t#e reason !or t#e absence s a le%tmate one. +#e con!nement o! a

on%ressman c#ar%ed wt# a crme puns#able b" mprsonment o! more t#an s "ears s not

merel" aut#or:ed b" law, t #as consttutonal !oundatons. +o allow accused-appellant to attend

con%ressonal sessons and commttee meetn%s !or * da"s or more n a wee wll (rtuall" mae#m a !ree man wt# all t#e pr(le%es appurtenant to #s poston. )uc# an aberrant stuaton not

onl" ele(ates accused-appellants status to t#at o! a specal class, t also would be a mocer" o!

t#e purposes o! t#e correcton s"stem.


34/54

$$L E) A?$FAN

&9 )RA &7'

actsn Aprl &*, 1996 4 pm ?a. ora:on $. $amntuan, mot#er o! 4-"ear old r"st#el $amntuan,

went to t#e %round !loor o! t#er #ouse to prepare ?lo c#ocolate drns !or #er & c#ldren.

+#ere s#e met $rmo ampu#an, #elper o! onrado $lata r., brot#er o! ora:on, w#o was t#en

bus" !lln% small plastc ba%s wt# water to be !ro:en nto ce n t#e !ree:er located at t#e second

!loor. +#en s#e #eard r"st#el cr", OA"o3o, a"o3oQO so s#e went upstars and saw $rmo

ampu#an nsde #er c#ldren3s room neeln% be!ore r"st#el w#ose pa0amas or O0o%%n% pantsO

and pant" were alread" remo(ed, w#le #s s#ort pants were down to #s nees and #s #ands

#oldn% #s pens wt# #s r%#t #and. Forr!ed, s#e cursed O$ - t - n% na mo, ana o "anQO and

boed #m se(eral tmes. Fe e(aded #er blows and pulled up #s pants. Fe pus#ed ora:on asde

w#o s#e tred to bloc #s pat#. ora:on t#en ran out and s#outed !or #elp t#us promptn%Ecente, #er brot#er, a cousn and an uncle w#o were l(n% wt#n t#er compound, to c#ase t#e

ampu#an w#o was appre#ended. +#e" called t#e baran%a" o!!cals w#o detaned.

$#"scal eamnaton "elded ne%at(e results as r"st#el s #"men was ntact.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e accused commtted a consummated statutor" rape

Feld

+#e records re(ewed !aled to s#ow t#e proo! w#et#er $rmos pens was able to penetrate

#r"stels (a%na. alure to pro(e suc# penetraton, e(en t#e sl%#test one, cannot be consdered

consummated rape, #owe(er, onl" attempted rape, ! not acts o! lasc(ousness. Also, t#ere were

no p#"scal s%ns o! n0ures on t#e wtness bod" to conclude a medcal perspect(e t#at a

penetraton #as taen place. 5n rape cases, t s mportant t#at a (ald testmon" and medcal

cert!cate complements eac# ot#er, !or rel"n% alone on testmonal e(dence ma" create

unwarranted or msc#e(ous results. 5t s necessar" to care!ull" establs# a proo! t#at t#e pens, n

realt", entered t#e labal t#res#old o! t#e !emale or%an to accuratel" conclude t#at t#e rape was

consummated.

FRR, t#e decson o! t#e court on con(ctn% ampu#an %ult" o! statutor" rape s

mod!ed. Fence, con(cted o! attempted nstead.


35/54

$$L E) FAGARAH

&*7 )RA *81

acts+#e )upreme ourt rendered a decson n t#e nstant case a!!rmn% t#e con(cton o! t#e

accused-appellant !or t#e crme o! rapn% #s ten-"ear old dau%#ter. +#e crme #a(n% been

commtted sometme n Aprl, 1994, durn% w#c# tme Republc Act ;R.A.< No. 76*9,

commonl" nown as t#e Deat# $enalt" Law, was alread" n e!!ect, accused-appellant was

ne(tabl" meted out t#e supreme penalt" o! deat#.

+#e accused-appellant tmel" !led a ?oton !or Reconsderaton w#c# !ocused on t#e snster

mot(e o! t#e (ctm3s %randmot#er t#at precptated t#e !ln% o! t#e alle%ed !alse accusaton o!

rape a%anst t#e accused. +#s was dsmssed.

n Au%ust 6, 1996, accused-appellant dsc#ar%ed t#e de!ense counsel, Att". ulan R. Etu%, and

retaned t#e ser(ces o! t#e Ant-Deat# $enalt" +as orce o! t#e ree Le%al Assstance Group o!

t#e $#lppnes.

A supplemental ?oton !or Reconsderaton prepared b" t#e LAG on be#al! o! accused-

appellant.

5n sum, t#e )upplemental ?oton !or Reconsderaton rases t#ree ;< man ssues ;1< med

!actual and le%al matters relatn% to t#e tral proceedn%s and !ndn%s= ;&< alle%ed ncompetenceo! accused-appellant3s !ormer counsel= and ;< purel" le%al >ueston o! t#e consttutonalt" o!

R.A. No. 76*9.

5ssues

1.< #et#er or not t#e accused s %ult" o! rape >ual!ed b" relatons#p and mnort".

&.< #et#er or not t#e crme s puns#able b" deat# penalt".

Feld

1.< Hes. 5n t#e case at bar, all t#at t#e accused-appellant o!!ered as de!enses manl" conssted o!

denal and alb w#c# cannot outwe%# t#e post(e dent!caton and con(ncn% testmones

%(en b" t#e prosecuton. Fence, t#e a!!da(t o! desstance, w#c# t#e (ctm #ersel! ntended to


36/54

dsre%ard as earler dscussed, must #a(e no bearn% on t#e crmnal prosecuton a%anst t#e

accused-appellant, partcularl" on t#e tral court3s 0ursdcton o(er t#e case.

&.< Hes, under R.A. No. 76*9, t#e mandator" penalt" o! deat# s mposed, amon% ot#ers, ! t#e

crme o! rape s commtted wt# an" o! t#e !ollown% attendant crcumstances

1. w#en t#e (ctm s under e%#teen ;18< "ears o! a%e and t#e o!!ender s a parent,

ascendant, step-parent, %uardan, relat(e b" consan%unt" or a!!nt" wt#n t#e t#rd

c(l de%ree, or t#e common-law spouse o! t#e parent or t#e (ctm.

&. w#en t#e (ctm s under t#e custod" o! t#e polce or mltar" aut#ortes.

. w#en t#e rape s commtted n !ull (ew o! t#e #usband, parent, an" o! t#e c#ldren or

ot#er relat(es wt#n t#e t#rd de%ree o! consan%unt".

4. w#en t#e (ctm s a rel%ous or a c#ld below se(en ;7< "ears old

*. w#en t#e o!!ender nows t#at #e s a!!lcted wt# Ac>ured 5mmune De!cenc"

)"ndrome ;A5D)< dsease.

6. w#en commtted b" an" member o! t#e Armed orces o! t#e $#lppnes or t#e $#lppne

Natonal $olce or an" law en!orcement a%enc".

7. w#en b" reason or on t#e occason o! t#e rape, t#e (ctm #as su!!ered permanent

p#"scal mutlaton.O ;)ec. 11


37/54

$$L E) +AN

G.R.N. 177*66

actsn 17 )eptember 1997, appellants were c#ar%ed wt# t#e crme o! dnappn% !or ransom n an

5n!ormaton t#e accusator" porton o! w#c# reads +#at on or about )eptember 8, 1997 n t#e

e(enn% o! aran%a" ?amatd, abu"ao, La%una and wt#n t#e 0ursdcton o! t#s Fonorable

ourt, t#e abo(e named accused consprn%, con!ederatn%, mutuall" #elpn% one anot#er and

%roupn% t#emsel(es to%et#er, dd t#en and t#ere, b" !orce and ntmdaton, and use o! #%#

powered !rearms, wll!ull", unlaw!ull", !elonousl" tae, carr" awa", and depr(e Ru: )ae:-o

" Lm o! #s lbert" a%anst #s wll !or purposes o! etortn% mone" as n !act a demand !or

mone" was made as a condton !or #s release but be!ore an" ransom can be pad, t#e (ctm was

rescued a!ter e%#t ;8< da"s n capt(t".

ased on t#e (ctms account, t#e ordeal #e #ad %one t#rou%# can be d(ded nto t#ree dstnct

se%ments, namel" ;1< t#e !orcble tan%, ;&< t#e asportaton, and ;< t#e protracted detenton.

+#e !rst se%ment was t#e ?amatd ;n abu"ao, La%una< epsode w#ere #e was #eld b" armed

men at %unpont and !orcbl" boarded n a car. +#e second se%ment co(ered t#e entre !orced

0ourne" o! t#e (ctm !rom ?amatd to t#e detenton #ouse n +a"ta", R:al. And t#e t#rd

se%ment was t#e +a"ta" epsode. 5t co(ered t#e !ull len%t# o! t#e (ctms n(oluntar"

con!nement spannn% e%#t ;8< da"s untl #s strrn% rescue. +#ere s no doubt t#at t#e (ctm

was depr(ed o! #s lbert" t#rou%#out all t#e epsodes.

n arra%nment, appellants entered t#er plea o! not %ult". +ral ensued.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e crmnal lablt" o! t#e appellants n eac# and e(er" epsode establs#ed

be"ond reasonable doubt to be %ult" !or dnappn% or lle%al detenton.

Feld

e a%ree wt# t#e )G t#at t#e partcpaton o! t#e appellants n t#e !orcble tan% and 0ourne"

o! t#e (ctm was not clearl" establs#ed. +#ere were no e"ewtnesses w#o test!ed on t#e

abducton. #le t#e (ctm test!ed on t#e t#ree epsodes, #e !aled to see and dent!" an" o!

#s captors untl #e was rescued as #e was blnd!olded most o! t#e tme durn% #s capt(t". Fe

dd not see t#e !ace o! t#e persons w#o abducted #m n ?amatd and t#ose w#o !ormed t#e

entoura%e w#c# brou%#t #m to +a"ta". +o conclude t#at t#ose w#o were captured durn% t#e


38/54

rescue operaton were also partcpants n t#e !orcble tan% and asportaton s to lower t#e le(el

o! e(dence re>ured !or con(cton.

+#e t#rd epsode, #owe(er, s d!!erent. +#e crmnal partcpaton o! t#e appellants t#eren was

pro(en be"ond reasonable doubt. +#e )G correctl" recommended t#at t#e" s#ould be #eld

lable t#ere!or.+#e uneplaned presence o! appellants n t#e #ouse w#ere t#e (ctm was #eld capt(e leads to

no ot#er concluson t#an t#at t#e" partcpated n #s lle%al detenton. Not a sn%le appellant

could con(ncn%l" eplan #s presence at t#e crme scene.


39/54

$$L E. RDR5G

G.R. N. 17'&&

acts

n 1' )eptember 1996, l(er aparas, t#en 1 "ears o! a%e, was watn% !or a rde to sc#ool

w#en !our men !orcbl" se:ed and boarded #m nto a car w#eren #e was blnd!olded and taen

to a%uo. +#e net da", lea:ar aparas rece(ed a call !rom t#e dnappers asn% !or $#p 1'

?llon ransom n ec#an%e !or t#e release o! #s son, l(er. 5n t#e meantme, t#e dnappers

went to ontas Resort n $an%asnan. A!ter t#ree da"s o! ne%otaton, t#e dnappers a%reed to

lower t#e ransom mone" to $#p 1.7 ?llon. +#rou%# l(ers uncle, t#e dnapper were able to

rece(e t#e mone". +#en, t#e" brou%#t l(er to a $etron Gas )taton n ?e"caua"an F%#wa",

%a(e #m mone" and told #m #s uncle nsde a canteen n t#e %as staton would !etc# #m. A!ter

t#e dnappn% ncdent, an n(est%aton was conducted b" t#e 5ntell%ence )ecton o! t#e

$#lppne Natonal $olce ;$N$< n ?alolos, ulacan, t#rou%# )$& pa!rodto Alln% and

)$& Antono #un%tu"co. 5t appears t#at one o! t#e suspects was a member o! an N$A rebel

returnee %roup #eaded b" Armando Rodr%o, r. pon t#e lln% o! ert Lwana%, #s %rl!rend,

dela ru:, w#o was a suspected member o! t#e %roup, was n(ted !or >uestonn%. n t#at

occason, s#e admtted #er partcpaton n t#e dnappn% o! l(er aparas and mplcated

appellants.

5ssue

#et#er or not elements consttutn% t#e crme o! dnappn% are present to con(ct appellants o!

t#e sad crme.

Feld

Hes. nder Art. &67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode, t#e crme o! Mdnappn% s commtted wt# t#e

concurrence o! t#e !ollown% elements, namel" ;1< t#at t#e o!!ender s a pr(ate nd(dual= ;&


40/54

t#at #e dnaps or detans anot#er, or n an" manner depr(es t#e latter o! #s lbert"= and ;< t#at

t#e act o! detenton or dnappn% must be lle%al= and ;4< t#at n t#e commsson o! t#e o!!ense,

an" o! t#e !ollown% crcumstances are present ;a< t#at t#e dnappn% or detenton lasts !or

more t#an !(e da"s= or ;b< t#at t s commtted smulatn% publc aut#ort"= or ;c< t#at an"

serous p#"scal n0ures are n!lcted upon t#e person dnapped or detaned or t#reats to ll #m

are made= or ;d< t#at t#e person dnapped or detaned s a mnor, !emale or publc o!!cer. 5t s

e(dent !rom t#e testmones o! t#e wtnesses t#at t#e essental elements o! dnappn% were

present. rst, appellants are pr(ate nd(duals. )econd, l(er was abducted b" !our armed

men. +#rd, #e was detaned n a #ouse n $an%asnan a%anst #s wll. ourt#, t#e detenton

lasted !or se(en da"s. !t#, l(er aparas was a mnor at t#e tme o! t#e dnappn% ncdent.


41/54

?AD)AL5, + AL. E. $$L

G.R. N. 179*7'

A+)

A!ter a con!rontaton between t#e (ctm and #er aunt 5non Dama w#le !etc#n% water, t#e

appellant ;?aron< and #s !at#er ;)a0ron< appeared suddenl" n t#e (ctms #ouse wt# a %un

and told t#e (ctm to come wt# t#em. #en s#e re!used, )a0ron and ?aron ted #er #ands

be#nd #er bac, co(ered #er mout# wt# a pece o! clot#, and brou%#t #er to t#e !orest. +#ere,

)a0ron #ad carnal nowled%e wt# t#e (ctm a%anst #er wll w#le ?aron stood %uard and

watc#ed t#em. +#e" le!t t#e !orest and brou%#t t#e (ctm to t#e #ouse o! %ap, w#ere s#e was

detaned n a room. )a0ron nstructed %ap to %uard t#e (ctm and to s#oot #er ! s#e would

attempt to escape. A da" a!ter, t#e (ctms mot#er came to %et #er= un!ortunatel" %ap re!used

and t#reatened to ll #er dau%#ter ! s#e would report t#e matter to t#e aut#ortes. ut o! !ear o!

losn% #er dau%#ter, s#e went #ome and dd not report t#e ncdent to t#e polce aut#ortes. %ap

ased t#e (ctm ! s#e wanted to marr" )a0ron, but s#e re!used. )#e was t#en !orced to s%n an

unnown document, w#c# s#e was not able to read. Nne da"s a!ter s#e and )a0oron were

marred b" 5mam ?usl ?u#ammad. A!ter t#e marra%e, s#e and )a0ron l(ed n t#e #ouse o!

%ap. #le detaned, s#e dd not tr" to escape because #er #ouse was (er" !ar !rom t#e placew#ere s#e was #eld capt(e, and #er captors t#reatened to ll #er and #er !aml" ! s#e would

attempt to escape. ?ont#s a!ter t#e marra%e, )a0ron and %ap were arrested b" t#e polce.

5))


42/54

#et#er or not t#e crme commtted was dnappn% and serous lle%al detenton.

FLD

Hes. urt#er perusal o! t#e alle%atons n t#e n!ormaton appears t#at t#e crme c#ar%ed was

actuall" t#e specal comple crme o! dnappn% and serous lle%al detenton and rape, de!ned

and penal:ed under Artcle &67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode. +#e crme o! serous lle%al

detenton conssts not onl" o! placn% a person n an enclosure, but also o! detann% #m or

depr(n% #m n an" manner o! #s lbert". or t#ere to be dnappn%, t s enou%# t#at t#e

(ctm s restraned !rom %on% #ome. 5ts essence s t#e actual depr(aton o! t#e (ctms lbert",

coupled wt# ndubtable proo! o! t#e ntent o! t#e accused to e!!ect suc# depr(aton. 5n t#s

case, alt#ou%# t#e (ctm was not actuall" con!ned n an enclosed place, s#e was clearl"

restraned and depr(ed o! #er lbert", because s#e was ted up and #er mout# stu!!ed wt# a pece

o! clot#, t#us, man% t (er" eas" to p#"scall" dra% #er to t#e !orest awa" !rom #er #ome.


43/54

$eople (. )lon%an

G.R. No. 1718&

A+)

or automatc re(ew s t#e decson o! t#e R+ o! Iue:on t", ranc# 1', con(ctn%

appellants Abdla )lon%an, ?acapa%al )lon%an, Amad Awal, Roll" Lamalan, )acara Alon,

umbra# ?anap and Ramon $asawlan o! t#e crme o! Mdnappn% !or Ransom wt# )erous

5lle%al Detenton and sentencn% t#em to su!!er deat# penalt". Appellants, consprn%,

con!ederatn% and mutuall" adn% one anot#er, dd t#en and t#ere, wll!ull", unlaw!ull" and

!elonousl" dnap Aleander )aldana, Amerca Re0uso, r., r(n +orms and Ector nco !or

t#e purpose o! demandn% ransom n t#e amount o! $#p 1& ?llon, detann% and depr(n%

Aleander )aldana o! #s personal lbert".

5))

#et#er or not t#e %ult o! t#e appellants #as been pro(en be"ond reasonable doubt t#at

dnappn% was commtted !or t#e purpose o! etortn% ransom.

FLD


44/54

Hes. +#e essence o! t#e crme o! dnappn% and serous lle%al detenton as de!ned and

penal:ed n Artcle &67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode s t#e actual depr(aton o! t#e (ctms

lbert" coupled wt# proo! be"ond reasonable doubt o! an ntent o! t#e accused to e!!ect t#e

same. 5t s t#us essental t#at t#e !ollown% be establs#ed b" t#e prosecuton ;1< t#at t#e

o!!ender s a pr(ate nd(dual= ;&< #e dnaps or detans anot#er, or n an" ot#er manner

depr(es t#e latter o! #s lbert"= ;< t#e act o! detenton or dnappn% must be lle%al= and ;4< n

t#e commsson o! t#e o!!ense, an" o! t#e !our crcumstances enumerated n Artcle &67 be

present. ut ! t#e dnappn% was done !or t#e purpose o! etortn% ransom, t#e !ourt# element

s no lon%er necessar". +#e prosecuton #as establs#ed be"ond reasonable doubt t#at t#e

dnappn% was commtted B!or t#e purpose o! etortn% ransomC !rom Aleander, as to warrant

t#e mandator" mposton o! t#e deat# penalt". 5t s not necessar" t#at t#ere be actual pa"ment o!

ransom because w#at t#e law re>ures s merel" t#e estence o! t#e purpose o! demandn%

ransom.

$$L E. )R5AGA

81 )RA 1*9

A+)

n ebruar" &&, 199*, an n!ormaton was !led wt# t#e R+ c#ar%n% Ruben )ura%a, Rosta

Dela ru: and oel 5sdera wt# dnappn% !or ransom and serous lle%al detenton commtted

as !ollows +#at on anuar" &&, 199*, accused Ruben )ura%a, Rosta Dela ru:, consprn%

to%et#er, dnapped and too awa" Ncole Ramos, a two-"ear old !emale c#ld, wt#out t#e

consent o! #er parents, !or t#e purpose o! etortn% ransom !rom t#e latter, and t#erea!ter,

detaned #er and depr(ed #er o! #er !reedom and lbert" up to and untl 4' n t#e a!ternoon o!

t#e !ollown% da". oel 5sdera, #a(n% learned o! t#e dnappn% and wt#out #a(n% partcpated

t#eren as prncpal or accomplce, too part b" assstn% t#e prncpal accused to pro!t b" t#e

e!!ects o! t#e crme b" accompan"n% and dr(n% !or accused Ruben )ura%a to t#e place w#ere

t#e pa"-o!!s was made and rece(n% t#e ransom mone" n t#e amount o! $#p 1'',''.


45/54

5))

#et#er or not Ruben )ura%a s %ult" o! dnappn% !or ransom.

FLD

Hes. +#e essence o! dnappn% s t#e actual depr(aton o! t#e (ctms lbert", coupled wt#

ndubtable proo! o! t#e accuseds ntent to e!!ect t#e same. And ! t#e person detaned s a c#ld,

t#e >ueston t#at needs to be addressed s w#et#er t#ere s e(dence to s#ow t#at n tan% t#e

c#ld, t#ere was depr(aton o! t#e c#lds lbert" and t#at t was t#e ntenton o! t#e accused to

depr(e t#e mot#er o! t#e c#lds custod". ndoubtedl", t#e elements o! dnappn% !or ransom

#a(e been su!!centl" establs#ed b" t#e prosecuton consdern% t#e !ollown% crcumstances 1<

appellant, a pr(ate nd(dual, too t#e "oun% Ncole wt#out personall" seen% permsson

!rom #er !at#er= &< appellant too t#e %rl and brou%#t #er to a s#ant" w#ere Rostas sster l(ed,

wt#out n!ormn% #er parents o! t#er w#ereabouts= &< #e detaned t#e c#ld and depr(ed #er o!

#er lbert" b" !aln% to return #er to #er parents o(ern%#t and t#e !ollown% da"= and 4< #e

demanded a ransom o! $#p 1'',''' t#rou%# telep#one calls and %a(e nstructons w#ere and

#ow t s#ould be del(ered.


46/54


47/54

$$L E. LLAGN

&8* )RA 1&4

A+)

Appellant ud" Re"es, to%et#er wt# two ot#ers, was c#ar%ed n an 5n!ormaton wt# t#e

!ollown% t#at sad accused, armed wt# !rearm, conn(n% and con!ederatn% to%et#er and

mutuall" #elpn% wt# one anot#er, wt# delberate ntend, dd t#en and t#ere dnap and detan

one en(endo ?ercado, and w#le under detenton, wt# ntent to ll, wt# treac#er" and

e(dent premedtaton, dd t#en and t#ere suddenl" and unepectedl" s#ot sad en(endo

?ercado wt# sad !rearm, #ttn% #m on t#e (tal part o! #s bod", t#ereb" n!lctn% upon #m

p#"scal n0ures as a conse>uence o! w#c# #e ded a !ew da"s later. Alt#ou%# appellant, was

c#ar%ed wt# dnappn% wt# murder, t#e tral court con(cted #m onl" o! murder de!ned and

penal:ed under Artcle &48 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode. +#e tral court dd not, #owe(er, !nd

#m lable !or serous lle%al detenton under Art. &67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode because t#e

(ctm was detaned onl" !or one da".

5))

#et#er or t#e tral court s erred n not !ndn% accused lable !or lle%al detenton.

FLD

Hes. +#e totalt" o! t#e e(dence presented b" t#e prosecuton su!!centl" pro(es be"ond

reasonable doubt t#at appellant s %ult" o! t#e crme o! sl%#t lle%al detenton under Artcle &68

o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode. +#e e(dence presented b" t#e prosecuton, w#c# was sustaned b"

t#e tral court, clearl" establs#ed t#at appellant #ad n !act detaned t#e (ctm wt#out aut#ort"

to do so. an:on test!ed t#at #e wtnessed t#e (ctm #an%n% b" t#e arms n appellants

room. an:ons testmon" s%n!cantl" 0bes wt# t#e p#"scal e(dence s#own% t#at t#e (ctm


48/54

sustaned multple abrasons n bot# arms. urt#ermore, Dr. en:a narrated t#at se(eral

emplo"ees called #er up n t#e mornn% o! ebruar" *, 1987 asn% !or permsson to %o #ome

because t#ere was a man #an%n% at t#e bac n one o! t#e buldn%s o! G 5nternatonal. Dr.

en:as testmon" was unrebutted. All t#ese neludbl" pro(e be"ond reasonable doubt t#at t#e

(ctm was depr(ed o! #s lbert" b" appellant.

5t must be emp#as:ed t#at appellant was c#ar%ed wt# t#e specal comple crme o! dnappn%

wt# murder, not o! two ndependent c#ar%es o! dnappn% and murder. 5n a comple crme,

alt#ou%# two or more crmes are actuall" commtted, t#e" consttute onl" one crme n t#e e"es

o! t#e law as well as n t#e conscence o! t#e o!!ender. Fence, n decdn% t#s appeal, t#e ourt

s not con!ned to t#e con(cton !or murder= rat#er, t#e scope o! ts re(ew encompasses t#eo!!ense c#ar%ed n t#e n!ormaton, w#c# t#e prosecuton sou%#t to pro(e. 5t s a well-settled

doctrne t#at an appeal t#rows t#e w#ole case wde open !or re(ew and empowers ;e(en

obl%ates< t#e appellate court to correct suc# errors as ma" be !ound n t#e appealed 0ud%ment

e(en ! t#e" #a(e not been ass%ned. #en an accused appeals, #e stands !or a new tral o! t#e

w#ole case. )nce t#e n!ormaton c#ar%ed t#e comple crme o! dnappn% wt# murder, t#e

acts consttutn% sl%#t lle%al detenton were necessarl" ncluded n t#e n!ormaton, and ma"

t#us be (aldl" taen nto account n t#e resoluton o! t#e present appeal. ?an!estl", appellant

was !arl" apprsed o! t#e nature o! t#e crme o! sl%#t lle%al detenton and %ranted a !ar

opportunt" to de!end #msel!. At t#s 0uncture, we deem t s%n!cant to reterate t#at t#e tral

court merel" made a !ndn% t#at appellant could not be con(cted o! serous lle%al detenton !or

t#e sole reason t#at t#e (ctms detenton dd not eceed !(e da"s. +#e court a

quo, #owe(er, !ound t#at appellant lle%all" detaned t#e (ctm !or at least one da", w#c# act b"

tsel! consttutes sl%#t lle%al detenton. esdes, t#e tral court apprecated t#e act consttutn%

sl%#t lle%al detenton as a >ual!"n% crcumstance, i.e., emplo"n% means to weaen t#e

de!ense. #le we !nd no proo! be"ond reasonable doubt to sustan a con(cton !or murder, t#e

records ndsputabl" pro(e culpablt" !or sl%#t lle%al detenton


49/54

$$L E. DADL)

&78 )RA 7'8

A+)

Appellant Narto alas Narn% Dadles was c#ar%ed n two separate n!ormatons, to wt +#at on

or about &4t# o! ?a" 1989, n t#e ?uncpalt" o! nalba%an, $ro(nce o! Ne%ros ccdental,

$#lppnes, and wt#n t#e 0ursdcton o! t#s Fonorable ourt, t#e !rst abo(e-named accused,

n compan" o! #s !(e ot#er co-accused, w#ose true names are stll unnown and #eren

des%nated onl" as Ma ?orto, Ma ll", Ma Dndo, Ma ?e and Ma uanto, w#o are stll at

lar%e, aremed wt# assorted !rearms o! unnown calbers, consprn%, con!ederatn% and

mutuall" #elpn% one anot#er, b" means o! !orce, (olence and ntmdaton, dd t#en and t#ere,

wll!ull", unlaw!ull" and !elonousl" tae, dnap, detan, and eep Alpo +e#dor and Donso

+e#dor and brn% t#em somew#ere n t#e #nterlands o! sad muncpalt", under restrant and


50/54

a%anst t#er wll, wt#out proper aut#ort" t#ereo!, t#ereb" depr(n% sad (ctms o! t#er c(l

lbertes snce t#en up to t#e present. +#e tral court rendered a decson con(ctn% t#e appellant

o! two counts o! dnappn% and serous lle%al detenton.

5))

#et#er or not tral court erred n con(ctn% appellant wt# dnappn% and serous lle%al

detenton.

FLD

Hes. ased !rom t#e e(dence presented durn% t#e tral, t#e appellant s %ult" be"ond reasonable

doubt o! dnappn% t#e (ctms. Fowe(er, snce none o! t#e crcumstances mentoned n Artcle

&67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode ;dnappn% wt# serous lle%al detenton< was pro(ed and onl"

t#e !act o! dnappn% was establs#ed, we !nd t#at t#e crme commtted s slight illegal

detention under Article 268 of the Revised Penal Code.


51/54

$$L E. RLNA

&1 )RA 448

acts

%#t person, ncludn% accused Roluna were c#ar%ed wt# dnappn% wt# murder. tnesses

clamed t#at t#e" saw (ctm Anatalo ?orona stopped b" accused and se(eral ot#ers. +#e

(ctm was alle%ed to #a(e been t#reatened wt# !rearms and #and bound be#nd #s bac. +#e

accused clamed t#at #e was tan% care o! an ll relat(e at t#e tme o! t#e dnappn%. +#e R+

!ound Roluna %ult" be"ond reasonable doubt o! t#e comple crme o! Mdnappn% wt# murder.

+#e accused rased t#at t#e bod" o! t#e (ctm #as not sur!aced and t#at t#e uneplaned

dsappearance cannot be blamed on #m as t#ere s all possblt" t#at t#e (ctm ma" stll be

al(e.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e deat# o! t#e (ctm s su!!centl" pro(ed and t#e accused be #eld lable !or t.

Feld

+#e Rules o! ourt pro(des t#at t#e deat# s#all be presumed ! a person w#o #as been n dan%er

o! deat# under ot#er crcumstances and #s estence #as not been nown !or !our "ears.

Fowe(er, t#e )upreme ourt decded t#at t#ere were nsu!!cent crcumstances to #old t#e

accused responsble !or t#e deat# o! t#e (ctm. +#e testmon" o! t#e wtnesses statn% t#at t#e

(ctms #ands were bound b" a companon o! t#e accused s not enou%# to pro(e t#at t#e

accused lled #m. B+#e con(cton o! accused-appellant !or t#e serous crme o! dnappn%

wt# murder cannot be allowed to rest on t#e (a%ue and nebulous !acts establs#ed b" t#e

prosecuton. As dscussed earler, t#e e(dence presented b" t#e prosecuton surroundn% t#e

e(ents o! t#at !ate!ul da" are %rossl" nsu!!cent to establs# t#e alle%ed lablt" o! accused-


52/54

appellant !or t#e deat# o! ?oronaC. +#e ) t#us decded t#at B)nce none o! t#e crcumstances

mentoned n Artcle &67 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode ;dnappn% wt# serous lle%al detenton<

was pro(ed and onl" t#e !act o! dnappn% o! Anatalo ?orona was establs#ed, we !nd t#at

t#e crme commtted s sl%#t lle%al detenton under Artcle &68 o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode.C


53/54

$$L E) $A)+RANA

87 )RA 4&

acts

rma $oste0o, a domestc #elper n anada, s t#e mot#er o! enn", Doroteo, Aresola and 9-"ear

old ll" Garpen, r. #er son b" a common-law relatons#p. )#e was ntroduced to accused-

appellant Rub-Rose w#o o!!ered to wor on t#e processn% o! ll"s tra(el documents to

anada. Rub-Rose ased !or $ 18,''.'' as processn% !ee. Later on, accused-appellant

n!ormed rma t#at ll" was su!!ern% !rom bronc#ts. rma sent $ *,61'.'', $ ,'''.'' to be

%(en to Doroteo and t#e remann% balance s#ould pa" !or ll"s medcal treatment. +#en on

?arc# 16, 1997, accused-appellant !etc#ed ll" and Aresola !rom t#er #ome n aloocan and

brou%#t t#em n +ondo. Aresola went #ome and ll" was le!t n +ondo. Accused-appellant was

asn% rma !or sums o! mone" w#c# rma re!used to transmt.

?arc# &7, 1997, accused-appellant n!ormed Doroteo t#at ll" was mssn% and t#at #e was last

seen pla"n% nsde #er apartment. rma returned to t#e $#lppnes to loo !or #er son. rma

!ound out t#at ll" was ne(er treated !or an" llness. Accused-appellant (e#ementl" dened t#e

c#ar%es a%anst #er but t#e tral court !ound #er %ult" be"ond reasonable doubt o! t#e crme o!

dnappn% and !alure to return a mnor under Artcle &7' o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode.

5ssue

#et#er or not t#e tral court erred n con(ctn% t#e accused t#e crme o! dnappn% and !alure

to return a mnor under Artcle &7' o! t#e Re(sed $enal ode.

Decson


54/54

No, t#e ourt ruled t#at Mdnappn% and !alure to return a mnor under Artcle &7' o! t#e

Re(sed $enal ode #as two essental elements, namel" ;1< t#e o!!ender s entrusted wt# t#e

custod" o! a mnor person= and ;&< t#e o!!ender delberatel" !als to restore t#e sad mnor to #s parents or %uardans. #at s actuall" ben% puns#ed s not t#e dnappn% o! t#e mnor but

rat#er t#e delberate !alure o! t#e custodan o! t#e mnor to restore t#e latter to #s parents or

%uardans. +#e word delberate as used n Artcle &7' must mpl" somet#n% more t#an mere

ne%l%ence - t must be premedtated, #eadstron%, !ools#l" darn% or ntentonall" and

malcousl" wron%.

5n t#e !nal anal"ss, t#e ssue posed #ere s t#e credblt" o! wtnesses. As consstentl" ruled b"

t#e ourt, we wll not nter!ere wt# t#e 0ud%ment o! t#e tral court n determnn% t#e credblt"

o! wtnesses unless t#ere appears on record some !act or crcumstance o! we%#t and n!luence

w#c# #as been o(erlooed or t#e s%n!cance o! w#c# #as been msnterpreted. actual

!ndn%s o! t#e tral court, especall" on t#e credblt" o! wtnesses, are accorded %reat we%#t

and respect. +#s s so because t#e tral court #as t#e ad(anta%e o! obser(n% t#e wtnesses

t#rou%# t#e d!!erent ndcators o! trut#!ulness or !alse#ood. 5n t#e nstant case, t#ere s no

reason !or us to dsre%ard t#e tral courts !ndn% t#at t#e testmones o! t#e prosecutonwtnesses are enttled to !ull !at# and credt.

case digest - criminal law 2

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