Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial
LawINTERPRETATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE RULES OF COURTA fnal and
executory jud!ent" under t#e doctrine o$ i!!uta%ility and
inaltera%ility" !ayno loner %e !odifed in any res&ect eit#er %y
t#e court '#ic# rendered it or e(en %y t#e)u&re!e Court*
+o'e(er" as rules o$ &rocedure are !ere tools desined to
$acilitate t#eattain!ent o$ justice" t#eir strict and riid
a&&lication" '#ic# 'ould result in tec#nicalitiest#at tend
to $rustrate rat#er t#an &ro!ote su%stantialjustice" !ust
al'ays %e esc#e'ed*T#us" in t#e a%sence o$ a &attern or sc#e!e
to delay t#e dis&osition o$ t#e case or a 'anton$ailure to
o%ser(e t#e !andatory re,uire!ent o$ t#e rules on t#e &art o$
t#e &lainti-" courtss#ould decide to dis&ense 'it# rat#er
t#an 'ield t#eir aut#ority to dis!iss*- PCI Leasingand Finance,
Inc. vs. Antni C. !ilan, "ing #$siness Unde% t&e Name and
St'le( )A. !ilan T%ading,) and La$%a !. !ilan, *.R. N. +,+-+,,
A.%il ,, -/+/.rocedural rules 'ere concei(ed to aid t#e attain!ent
o$ justice* /$ a strinent a&&lication
o$t#erules'ould#inderrat#ert#anser(et#ede!andso$ su%stantial
justice" t#e$or!er!ust yieldtot#elatter*
-Cit'("$mag$ete,&e%ein%e.%esented0'Cit'!a'%,Ag$stin R.
Pe%dicesvs.P&ili..ine P%ts A$t&%it', *.R. N. +12345,A$g$st
-6,-/++/ncases'#ereaC012L2CDi(isionissuesaninterlocutoryorder"
t#esa!eC012L2CDi(ision s#ould resol(e t#e !otion $or
reconsideration o$ t#e order* - Eddie T. Panlili vs.Cmmissin n
Electins and Lilia *. Pineda, *.R. N. +2+642, 7$l' +,,
-//3Asaeneral rule" t#ede$enseo$
lac3o$jurisdiction!ay%eraisedatanystaeo$ t#e&roceedin* +o'e(er"
it ad!its
anexce&tion'#eret#e&arty$ully&artici&atedint#e&roceedins*
Ateac#er cannot raise'ant o$ jurisdiction'#ens#e#as a(ailedo$
t#ere!edies in t#e &roceedins* -Civil Se%vice Cmmissin vs.
Fatima A. !ac$d,*.R.N. +44,5+, Se.tem0e% +/, -//3 Court #as $ull
discretionary &o'er to ta3e coni4ance and assu!e jurisdiction
o$ s&ecial ci(ilactions $or certiorari and!anda!us
fleddirectly'it#it $or exce&tionallyco!&ellinreasons or i$
'arranted %y t#e nature o$ t#e issues clearlyands&ecifcally
raised in t#e&etition* T#e Court !ay sus&end or e(en
disreard rules '#en t#e de!ands o$ justice sore,uire*5o court"
aside $ro! t#e )u&re!e Court" !ay enjoin a 6national o(ern!ent
&roject7 unlesst#e !atter is one o$ extre!e urency in(ol(in a
constitutional issue suc# t#at unless t#eact co!&lained o$ is
enjoined" ra(e injustice or irre&ara%le injury 'ould arise*
-"e.a%tment ( F%eign A8ai%s and #ang9 Sent%al ng Pili.inas vs. Hn.
F%anc T.Falcn, In His Ca.acit' as t&e P%esiding 7$dge (
#%anc& 4+ ( t&e RTC in PasigCit' and #CA Inte%natinal
C%.%atin, *.R. N. +411,4, Se.tem0e% +, -/+/Ad!inistrati(eaencies"
li3et#e2nery8eulatoryCo!!ission" aretri%unalso$ li!itedjurisdiction
and" as suc#" could 'ield only suc# as are s&ecifcally ranted
to t#e! %y t#eena%lin statutes* /n relation t#ereto is t#e doctrine
o$ &ri!ary jurisdiction in(ol(in !atterst#at
de!andt#es&ecial co!&etenceo$ ad!inistrati(eaencies e(eni$
t#e,uestionin(ol(ed is also judicial in nature* - #F Hmes, Inc. and
T&e P&ili..ine :ate%w%9s andCnst%$ctin C%.. vs.
!anilaElect%ic Cm.an',*.R. N.+4+1-6, "ecem0e% 1,-/+/T#e rule is
settled t#at jurisdiction o(er t#e su%ject !atter o$ a case is
con$erred %y la' andis deter!ined %y t#e alleations in t#e
co!&laint and t#e c#aracter o$ t#e relie$
sou#t"irres&ecti(eo$ '#et#er t#e&lainti-sareentitledtoall
or so!eo$ t#eclai!sassertedt#erein* 0nce (ested %y la'" on a
&articular court or %ody" t#e jurisdiction o(er t#e su%ject.ae
+ o$ -2*ENERAL PRINCIPLES7URIS"ICTIONJustice Teresita Leonardo-De
Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial Law!atter or nature o$ t#e action
cannot %e disloded %y any%ody ot#er t#an %y t#e leislaturet#rou#
t#e enact!ent o$ a la'* - #e%na0e L. Navida et al. vs. Hn. Ted% A.
"i;n,7%., *.R. N. +-,/42, !a' 5/, -/++A&artycannot
in(o3et#ejurisdictiono$ acourt tosecurea9r!ati(erelie$ aainst
#iso&&onent and a$ter o%tainin or $ailin to o%tain suc#
relie$" re&udiate or ,uestion t#at sa!ejurisdiction*-N!
Rt&sc&ild < Sns =A$st%alia> Limited vs. Le.ant
Cnslidated!ining Cm.an', *.R. N. +4,433, Nvem0e% -2, -/++/t is a
rule o$ uni(ersal a&&lication" al!ost" t#at courts o$
justice constituted to &ass u&onsu%stantial ri#ts 'ill not
consider ,uestions in '#ic# no actual interests are in(ol(ed:
t#eydecline jurisdiction o$ !oot cases* And '#ere t#e issue #as
%eco!e !oot and acade!ic"t#ere is no justicia%le contro(ersy" so
t#at a declaration t#ereon 'ould %e o$ no &racticaluse or
(alue* T#ere is no actual su%stantial relie$ to '#ic#
&etitioners 'ould %e entitled and'#ic# 'ould %e neated %y t#e
dis!issalo$ t#e &etition* -PL"T Cm.an'
vs.Easte%nTelecmm$nicatins P&ili..ines, Inc., *.R. N. +15/54,
Fe0%$a%' 1, -/+5A*1* 5o* 0;-5-1einano!inal &arty to t#e case"
#e #as no &ersonal interest nor &ersonality t#erein* T#us"
#e #asno leal standin to institute a .etition $or Certiorari under
8ule @5 o$ t#e 8ules o$ Court* -Hn. Hect% #. #a%ill, Acting
P%esiding 7$dge, !TC *$i&$lngan, Neg%s O%ientalvs.Hn. Ral.&
Lantin, Hn. !e&l C. Sadain and Hn. Fl%entin A. T$asn,
7%.,T&e Cmmissine%s ( t&e Secnd "ivisin, Cmmissin n
Electins, !anilaD and:alte% 7. A%agnes" *.R. N. +,3++4, !a%c&
+/, -/+/.ae - o$ -2CIVIL PROCE"UREJustice Teresita Leonardo-De
Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial LawT#e nature o$ t#e cause o$
action is deter!ined %y t#e $acts alleed in t#e co!&laint*
T#reeessential ele!ents !ust%e s#o'n to
esta%lis#acauseo$action*/nt#is case"t#e lealri#ts o$ t#e
&etitioner >an3 and t#e correlati(e leal duty o$ LCDC#a(e
not %eensu9ciently esta%lis#ed in (ie' o$ t#e $ailure o$ t#e
>an3As e(idence to s#o' t#e &ro(isionsand conditions t#at
o(ern its leal relations#i&* - !#TC Cm.an' vs. Le'
Cnst%$ctinand "evel.ment C%., *.R. N.+2,,3/, "ecem0e% /5,
-/+6PLEA"IN*SInitiat%' Pleadings)ince t#e alleed !isconduct $alls
under indirect conte!&t" &roceedins s#ould %e
initiatedeit#er !otu &ro&rio %y order o$ or a $or!al c#are
%y t#e o-ended court" or %y a
(erifed&etition'it#su&&ortin &articulars and
certifedtrue co&ies o$ docu!ents or &a&ersin(ol(ed
t#erein" and u&on $ull co!&liance 'it# t#e re,uire!ents $or
flin initiatory&leadins $or ci(il actions in t#e court
concerned* /t is clear t#at &ri(ate res&ondent #as!issed
out on all o$ t#e a%o(e re,uire!ents as #e fled only a !otion
rat#er t#an a (erifed&etition* - #ases Cnve%sin "evel.ment
A$t&%it' vs. P%vincial Ag%a%ian Re(%mOEce% ( Pam.anga, Registe%
( "eeds ( Angeles Cit', #enFamin P' L%en;,Lave%nie P' L%en;, "isdad
"e *$;man, Rsema%' Eng Ta' Tan, Leand% "e*$;man, #enFamin*. L%en;,
Antni!anal, andSc%%"e*$;man,*.R.Ns. +,,5--G-3, 7$ne -4, -/+-FAILURE
TO FILE AN APPELLANTHS #RIEFLi%erality is i(en to litiants '#o are
'ort#y o$ t#e sa!e" and not to ones '#o Bout t#erules"
i(eex&lanationstot#ee-ectt#att#ecounselsare%usy'it#ot#ert#ins"
andex&ect t#e court to disreard t#e &rocedural la&ses
on t#e !ere sel$-ser(in clai! t#at t#eircase is !eritorious* -
!CAG!#F C$ntdwn Ca%ds P&ili..ines Inc., Ama0le R. Ag$il$;V,
Ama0leC. Ag$il$;I?, CielC. Ag$il$;, Al0e%tL. #$enviaFe,
VicenteAcsa'and !CAHldings and!anagement C%.%atinvs.!#(
CAR"Inte%natinalLimited and !#( "isc$nt Ca%d Limited. *.R. N.
+45,21, !a%c& +6, -/+-"EFAULTC#ileitisdesira%le
t#att#e8uleso$Court%e$ait#$ully o%ser(ed"
courtss#ouldnot%eo%sessi(ely strict o(er t#e occasional la&ses
o$ litiants* =i(en a ood reason" t#e trial courts#ould set aside
its order o$ de$ault" constantly %earin in !ind t#at it is t#e
exce&tion andnot t#e rule o$ t#e day* - RN "evel.ment C%.%atin
vs. A.I.I. S'stem, Inc., *.R. N.+11+/6. 7$ne -1, -//2SU!!ONSA case
s#ould not %e dis!issed si!&ly %ecause an oriinal su!!ons 'as
'ron$ully ser(edasit 'ould%edi9cult toconcei(et#at '#ent#ede$endant
a&&ears%e$oret#eCourtco!&lainin t#at #e #as not %een
(alidly su!!oned" t#e case aainst #i! 'ill i!!ediately%edis!issed*
-S.$ses *e%manAn$nciacinandAnaFe%maAn$nciacinand*avin *. CneFs vs.
Pe%.et$a !. #caneg%a and *e%ge !. #caneg%a, *.R. N.+,-631, 7$l' 5/,
-//3T#e8eional Trial Court $ailedtoac,uirejurisdictiono(er
t#e8e&u%lic %yser(iceo$su!!ons u&on t#e D.C+ 8eion ///
alone* T#e a&&lica%le rule o$ &rocedure in t#is case
is)ection 1D" 8ule 1; o$ t#e 8ules o$ Court" '#ic# !andates t#at
'#en t#e de$endant is t#e8e&u%lic o$ t#e .#ili&&ines"
t#e ser(ice o$ su!!ons !ay %e e-ected on t#e 09ce o$ t#e)olicitor
=eneral* T#e D.C+ and its reional o9ce are si!&ly aents o$ t#e
8e&u%lic" '#ic#is t#e real &arty in interest* -Re.$0lic (
t&e P&ili..ines %e.%esented0' t&e"e.a%tment ( P$0lic
:%9s and Hig&wa's, t&%$g& t&e Hn. Sec%eta%',.ae 5
o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial
LawHe%mgenesE0danevs. Al0e%tA. "ming,*.R.
N.+4,-33,Se.tem0e%+6,-/++"IS!ISSAL OF ACTIONS./LT2L fled di-erent
actions to di-erent courts t#ere%y declarin it %y t#e court as
uilty o$$oru! s#o&&in* Eoru! s#o&&in is t#e act o$
a litiant '#o re&etiti(ely a(ails o$ se(eraljudicial re!edies
in di-erent courts" si!ultaneously or successi(ely" all
su%stantially$oundedont#esa!etransactionsandt#esa!eessential $acts
and circu!stances" andraisin su%stantially t#e sa!e issues eit#er
&endin in" or already resol(ed ad(ersely %yso!e ot#er court" or
to increase #is c#ances o$ o%tainin a $a(ora%le decision i$ not in
onecourt" t#eninanot#er*
-Pili.inTele.&neC%.%atinvs.Radima%ineNetw%9,Inc., *.R. N.
+,-/3-, A$g$st 6, -/+/De$enses not &leaded eit#er in a !otion
to dis!iss or in t#e ans'er are dee!ed 'ai(ed* /talso allo's courts
to dis!iss cases !otu &ro&rio on any o$ t#e enu!erated
rounds (1) lac3o$ jurisdiction o(er t#e su%ject !atter: (2) litis
&endentia: (D) res judicata: and (;)&rescri&tion
&ro(ided t#at t#e round $or dis!issalis a&&arent $ro!
t#e &leadins or t#ee(idenceonrecord* -Hei%s( "ming Valientes
vs.Hn. Reine%i=A0%a&am> #.Ramas, Acting P%esiding 7$dge,
RTC, #%anc& -3, 3t& 7$dicial Regin, San !ig$el,Iam0anga del
S$% and Vilma V. !in%, *.R. N. +,42,-, "ecem0e% +,, -/+/8ule ;5"
)ection ; o$ t#e 8ules o$ Court indeed re,uires t#e attac#!ent to
t#e &etition $orre(ie' on certiorari suc# !aterial &ortions
o$ t#e record as 'ould su&&ort t#e&etition* +o'e(er"
suc# a re,uire!ent 'as not !eant to %e an ironclad rule suc# t#at
t#e$ailure to $ollo' t#e sa!e 'ould !erit t#e outri#t dis!issal o$
t#e &etition* /n accordance'it#)ectionFo$ 8ule;5"
t#e)u&re!eCourt !ayre,uireor allo't#eflino$ suc#&leadins"
%rie$s" !e!oranda or docu!ents as it !ay dee! necessary 'it#in suc#
&eriodsand under suc# conditions as it !ay consider
a&&ro&riate*GF.A.T. CeeCm.$te%S'stems, Inc. vs.Online
Netw%9s Inte%natinal, Inc.,*.R. N. +4+-52,Fe0%$a%'-, -/++/t %ears
stressin t#at t#e sanction o$ dis!issal !ay %e i!&osed e(en
a%sent any alleationand &roo$ o$ t#e &lainti-As lac3 o$
interest to &rosecute t#e action" or o$ any &rejudice to
t#ede$endant resultin $ro! t#e $ailure o$ t#e &lainti- to
co!&ly 'it# t#e rules* T#e $ailure o$t#e &lainti- to
&rosecute t#e action 'it#out any justifa%le cause 'it#in a
reasona%le &eriodo$ ti!e 'ill i(e rise to t#e
&resu!&tion t#at #e is no loner interested in o%tainin t#e
relie$&rayed$or*-P&ili..ine C&a%te% Ins$%ance C%. vs.
EJ.l%e% !a%itime C., Ltd.,Owne% ( t&e Vessel !KV )EJ.l%e%),
:allem P&ils. S&i..ing, Inc., Asian Te%minals,Inc. and
F%emst IntHl P%t Se%vices, Inc., *.R. N. +4,6/3, Se.tem0e% 4,
-/++RES 7U"ICATAConclusi(eness o$ jud!ent" one o$ t#e as&ects
o$ t#e conce&t o$ res judicata" re,uires onlyt#eidentityo$
issuesand&arties" %ut noto$ causeso$ action* +ence"
$actsandissuesactually and directly resol(ed in a $or!er suit
cannot aain %e raised in any $uture case%et'een t#e sa!e
&arties" e(en i$ t#e latter suit !ay in(ol(e a di-erent clai!
or cause o$action* A case in(ol(in an issue o$ '#et#er or not an
instituted ci(il case 'as dis!issi%ledue to $oru! s#o&&in
co!!itted %y &etitioners" '#ic# e(entually 'as dis!issed %ased
ont#at sa!e round" constitutes as res judicata to a &etition
'it# t#e sa!e issue %et'een t#esa!e &arties al%eitona di-erent
round o$$ailure to &rosecute*-Le' Cnst%$ctin asilia" et al* to
)ela s&ouses 'it#out )ony >rarHs 3no'lede and consent"
#ence"de&ri(int#elattero$ #erri#tsandinterestso(er#er
&ro-indi(iso s#areint#esu%ject&ro&erty as a co-#eir and
co-o'ner* T#ere$ore" Ci(il case %e$ore 8TC->ranc# 5@ s#ould
%edis!issed" %ein%arred%yresjudicata* Anyerror
co!!itted%y8TC->ranc#55int#eDecisioninCi(il Case5o*
2F@couldonly%ere(ie'edorcorrectedona&&eal* -T0iasSelga and
Ce(e%ina*a%anc&Selgavs. Sn'Entie%%#%a%,
%e.%esented0'&e%Att%ne'GinGFact !a%ina T. Entie%%, *.R. N.
+4,+,+, Se.tem0e% -+, -/++A judicial co!&ro!ise #as t#e e-ect
o$ res judicata* A jud!ent %ased on a co!&ro!isearee!ent is a
jud!ent on t#e !erits*0nly su%stantial identity is necessary to
'arrant t#e a&&lication o$ res judicata* T#e additionor
eli!ination o$ so!e &arties does not alter t#e situation* T#ere
is su%stantial identity o$&arties '#en t#ere is a co!!unity o$
interest %et'een a &arty in t#e frst case and a &artyin t#e
second case al%eit t#e latter 'as not i!&leaded in t#e frst
case* - Ri;al Cmme%cial#an9ing C%.%atin vs. "l%es Hila%i, Te%esita
Hila%i, T&elma Hila%i Oc&aEd$a%d Hila%i, *.R. N. +1/661,
Se.tem0e% +3, -/+-LITIS PEN"ENCIAAs reards identity o$ causes o$
action" t#e test o$ten used in deter!inin '#et#er causes o$action
are identical is to ascertain '#et#er t#e sa!e e(idence '#ic# is
necessary to sustaint#e second action 'ould #a(e %een su9cient to
aut#ori4e a reco(ery in t#e frst" e(en i$ t#e$or!s or nature o$ t#e
t'o actions %e di-erent* /$ t#e sa!e $acts or e(idence 'ould
sustain%ot# actions" t#e t'o actions are considered t#e sa!e 'it#in
t#e rule t#at t#e jud!ent int#e$or!erisa%ar tot#esu%se,uent action:
ot#er'ise" itisnot* - .5>vs.*atewa'P%.e%t' Hldings, Inc., *.R.
N. +2+62,, Fe0%$a%' +,,
-/+-INTERVENTIONJuris&rudencedescri%esinter(entionasGare!edy%y'#ic#at#ird&arty"
notoriinallyi!&leaded in t#e &roceedins" %eco!es a litiant
t#erein to ena%le #i!" #er or it to &rotect.ae , o$ -2Justice
Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial Lawor
&reser(e a ri#t or interest '#ic# !ay %e a-ected %y suc#
&roceedins*G GT#e ri#t tointer(ene is not an a%solute ri#t: it
!ay only %e &er!itted %y t#e court '#en t#e !o(antesta%lis#es
$acts '#ic# satis$y t#e re,uire!ents o$ t#e la' aut#ori4in it*G -
T&e #a%d (Regents ( t&e !indana State Unive%sit'
%e.%esented 0' its C&ai%man vs. A0edinLim.a Os., *.R. N.
+4-662, Fe0%$a%' --, -/+-Alt#ou# 8ule 1< o$ t#e 8ules o$ Court
is ex&licit on t#e &eriod '#en a !otion to inter(ene!ay
%efled* T#is rule"#o'e(er" is not inBexi%le* /nter(entions#a(e %een
allo'ed e(en%eyond t#e &eriod &rescri%ed in t#e 8ule" '#en
de!anded %y t#e #i#er interest o$ justice*/nter(entions #a(e also
%een ranted to a-ord indis&ensa%le &arties" '#o #a(e not
%eeni!&leaded" t#e ri#t to %e #eard e(en a$ter a decision #as
%een rendered %y t#e trial court"'#en t#e &etition $or re(ie'
o$ t#e jud!ent #as already %een su%!itted $or decision
%e$oret#e)u&re!eCourt" ande(en'#eret#eassailedorder #as
already%eco!efnal andexecutory* -"egenes O. Rd%ig$e; vs. Hn. C$%t
O( A..eals andP&ili..ineC&inese C&a%ita0le Assciatin,
Inc., *.R. N. +26,23, 7$ne +5, -/+57U"*E!ENTS AN" FINAL
OR"ERS)u&er(enine(entsre$er to$acts'#ic#trans&irea$ter
jud!ent #as%eco!efnal andexecutory or tone'circu!stances
'#ic#de(elo&eda$ter t#ejud!ent #as ac,uiredfnality" includin
!atters '#ic# t#e &arties 'ere not a'are o$ &rior to or
durin t#e trial ast#ey 'ere not yet in existence at t#at ti!e*
-*ve%nment Se%vice Ins$%ance S'stem=*SIS> vs. *%$. !anagement
C%.%atin =*!C> and La.$GLa.$ "evel.ment vs. Cla%9
T%adingC%.%atin, *.R. N. +4,-26, Se.tem0e% +3, -/+-Eor t#e 'rit to
issue" t'o re,uisites !ust %e &resent" na!ely" t#e existence o$
t#e ri#t to%e &rotected" and t#at t#e $acts aainst '#ic# t#e
injunction is to %e directed are (iolati(eo$ saidri#t* A'rito$
&reli!inaryinjunctionisanextraordinarye(ent '#ic#!ust
%erantedonlyint#e$aceo$ actual andexistinsu%stantial ri#ts*
T#edutyo$ t#ecourtta3in coni4ance o$ a &rayer $or a 'rit o$
&reli!inary injunction is to deter!ine '#et#er t#ere,uisites
necessary $or t#e rant o$ an injunction are &resent in t#e case
%e$ore it* /n t#ea%sence o$ t#e sa!e" and '#ere $acts are s#o'n to
%e 'antin in %rinin t#e !atter 'it#int#econditions$or itsissuance"
t#eancillary'rit!ust %estruc3do'n$or#a(in%eenrendered in ra(e a%use
o$ discretion*T#e deter!ination o$ t#e co!&leteness or
su9ciency o$ t#e $or! o$ t#e &etition" includint#e rele(ant and
&ertinent docu!ents '#ic# #a(e to %e attac#ed to it" is larely
le$t to t#ediscretion o$ t#e court ta3in coni4ance o$ t#e
&etition" in t#is case t#e Court o$ A&&eals* /$.ae +-
o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial
Lawt#e&etitionisinsu9cientin$or!andsu%stance"
t#esa!e!ay%e$ort#'it#dis!issed'it#out $urt#er &roceedins* T#at
is t#e i!&ort o$ )ection @" 8ule @5 o$ t#e 8ules o$ Court*/n
&etitions $or certiorari %e$ore t#e )u&re!e Court and t#e
Court o$ A&&eals" t#e &ro(isionso$ section 2" 8ule 5@"
s#all %e o%ser(ed* >e$ore i(in due course t#ereto" t#e court
!ayre,uire t#e res&ondents to fle t#eir co!!ent to" and not a
!otion to dis!iss" t#e &etition*T#erea$ter" t#e court !ay
re,uire t#e flin o$ a re&ly and suc# ot#er res&onsi(e or
ot#er&leadins as it !ay dee! necessary and &ro&er* -
Palm T%ee Estates, Inc. and #elle Ai%*l(andC$nt%'Cl$0, Inc.,
vs.P&ili..ine#an9, *.R. N. +,354/, Oct0e%5,-/+-A 'rit o$
&reli!inary injunction is an extraordinary e(ent '#ic# !ust %e
ranted only in t#e$ace o$ actual and existin su%stantial ri#ts* T#e
duty o$ t#e court ta3in coni4ance o$ a&rayer $or a 'rit o$
&reli!inary injunction is to deter!ine '#et#er t#e re,uisites
necessary$or t#e rant o$ an injunction are &resent in t#e case
%e$ore it* /n t#is connection" a 'rit o$&reli!inaryinjunctionis
issuedto&reser(et#estatus ,uoante"
u&ont#ea&&licantHss#o'in o$ t'o i!&ortant re,uisite
conditions" na!elyJ (1) t#e ri#t to %e &rotected
exists&ri!a $acie" and (2) t#e acts sou#t to %e enjoined are
(iolati(e o$ t#at ri#t* /t !ust %e&ro(en t#at t#e (iolation
sou#t to %e &re(ented 'ould cause an irre&ara%le injury* -
Slid#$ilde%s, Inc. and !edina Fds Ind$st%ies, Inc. vs. C&ina
#an9ing C%., *.R. N.+4311,, A.%il 5, -/+5STATUS PUO ANTE OR"ERA
status ,uo order is !erely intended to !aintain t#e last" actual"
&eacea%le anduncontested state o$ t#ins '#ic# &receded t#e
contro(ersy" not to &ro(ide !andatory orinjuncti(erelie$*
/nt#is case" it cannot %ea&&lied'#ent#eres&ondent 'as
alreadyre!o(ed &rior to t#e flin o$ t#e case* - #%. #e%na%d
Oca, et al., vs. La$%ita C$stdi,*.R. N. +46331, "ecem0e% /5,
-/+6"ECLARATORL RELIEFS.etitioners 2rlinda 8eyes and 8ose!arie
1atien4o assailed (ia Declaratory 8elie$ under 8ule@D o$ t#e 8ules
o$ Court" t#e orders o$ t#e trialcourts denyin t#eir !otions to
sus&end&roceedins* T#is recourse %y &etitioners"
un$ortunately" cannot %e countenanced since acourt order isnot
oneo$ t#osesu%jectsto%eexa!inedunder
8ule@D*A&etition$ordeclaratoryrelie$ cannot
&ro&erly#a(eacourt decisionasitssu%ject !atter*
-E%lindaRe'es and Rsema%ie !atien; vs. Hn. 7$dge #elen #. O%ti;,
*.R. N. +54436,A$g$st ++, -/+/PROHI#ITIONC#ileitisdesira%le
t#att#e8uleso$Court%e$ait#$ully o%ser(ed"
courtss#ouldnot%eo%sessi(ely strict o(er t#e occasional la&ses
o$ litiants* =i(en a ood reason" t#e trial courts#ould set aside
its order o$ de$ault" constantly %earin in !ind t#at it is t#e
exce&tion andnot t#e rule o$ t#e day* - RN "evel.ment C%.%atin
vs. A.I.I. S'stem, Inc., *.R. N.+11+/6. 7$ne -1, -//2>e$ore
resortin to t#e re!edy o$ &ro#i%ition" t#ere s#ould %e Gno
a&&eal or any ot#er &lain"s&eedy" and ade,uate
re!edy in t#e ordinary course o$ la'*G -S.$ses Alvin
*$e%%e%and!e%c$%'!. *$e%%e%vs.Hn. L%naNava%%"ming, *.R. N.
+,1+6-,!a%c& -5, -/++!AN"A!US1anda!us is e!&loyed to
co!&el t#e &er$or!ance" '#en re$used" o$ a !inisterial
duty" %utnot to co!&el t#e &er$or!ance o$ a discretionary
duty* T#e leal ri#t to t#e &er$or!ance o$.ae +5 o$ -2SPECIAL
CIVIL ACTIONSJustice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases
(2008-2015)Remedial Lawt#e &articular act sou#t to %e
co!&elled !ust %e clear and co!&lete* 0t#er'ise" '#ere
t#eri#tsou#t to%een$orcedisinsu%stantial
dou%tordis&ute"!anda!uscannotissue*T#us" t#e issuance %y t#e
L8A o9cials o$ a decree o$ reistration is not a &urely
!inisterialduty in cases '#ere t#ey fnd t#at suc# 'ould result to
t#e dou%le titlin o$ t#e sa!e &arcelo$ land* -Fidela R. Angeles
vs.T&e Sec%eta%' ( 7$stice, T&e Administ%at%,
LandRegist%atin A$t&%it', T&e Registe% ( "eeds ( P$e;n
Cit', and Senat%TeOst T. *$ingna, 7%., *.R. N. +6-,63, !a%c& 3,
-/+/FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE !ORT*A*ESe%vice ( Ntice ( SaleT#e
'ritten notice o$ sale to t#e jud!ent o%lior need not %e
&ersonally ser(ed on t#ejud!ent o%lior #i!sel$ as it !ay %e
ser(ed on #is counsel" or %y lea(in t#e notice in
#iso9ce'it##iscler3or a&erson#a(inc#aret#ereo$* -S.s.
Eli;a0et&S. TagleA i!&orts a!%iuity" t#en t#e &arties
intention as s#o'n %yt#eir conduct" 'ords" actions and deeds O
&rior to" durin" and a$ter executin t#earee!ent" !ust %e
ascertained* T#at t#ere is an a&&arent a!%iuity or a
$ailure to ex&resst#e true intention o$ t#e &arties"
es&ecially 'it# reard to t#e retire!ent &ro(isions o$
t#eC>A" is e(ident in t#e o&&osin inter&retations o$
t#e sa!e %y t#e La%or Ar%iter and t#e CAon one #and and t#e 5L8C on
t#e ot#er* /t is settled t#at t#e &arole e(idence rule ad!its
o$exce&tions*A&arty !ay &resente(idence to
!odi$y"ex&lain or add tot#e ter!so$ t#e'rittenaree!ent i$
#eraisesasanissue" a!onot#ers"
anintrinsica!%iuityint#e'rittenaree!entor its$ailureto ex&ress
t#etrue intentandaree!ento$t#e&artiest#ereto* - Flavi S.
S$a%e;, 7%., Renat A. "e Asis, F%ancisc *. Ad%a0le, et al.,
vs.Natinal Steel C%.%atin, *.R. N. +,/+2/, Oct0e% +4, -//2T#e .arol
2(idence 8ule &ro(ides t#at '#en t#e ter!s o$ t#e aree!ent #a(e
%een reducedinto'ritin" itisconsideredascontaininall
t#eter!sareedu&onandt#erecan%e"%et'een t#e &arties and
t#eir successors in interest" no e(idence o$ suc# ter!s ot#er
t#ant#e contents o$ t#e 'ritten aree!ent* A &arty !ay not
!odi$y" ex&lain" or add to t#e ter!sin t#e t'o 'ritten Deeds o$
A%solute Quitclai! since #e did not &ut in issue in #is
&leadinsany o$ t#ose allo'ed %y t#e 8ules* - !a%ia T%0ela,
%e.%esented 0' &e% &ei%s, E$lgiTsin et al., vs.S.$ses
And%es T. Rsa%i et al., *.R. N. +6/,-2, "ecem0e%
4,-/++AUTHENTICATION AN" PROOF OF "OCU!ENTS.ae -/ o$ -2Justice
Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial LawP$0lic
"c$mentsAs &ointed out %y t#e trial court" t#e 8estructurin
Aree!ent" %ein notari4ed" is a &u%licdocu!ent enjoyin a
&ri!a $acie &resu!&tion o$ aut#enticity and due
execution* Clear andcon(incin e(idence !ust %e &resented to
o(erco!e suc# leal &resu!&tion* T#e s&ousesTiu" '#o
attested %e$ore t#e notary &u%lic t#at t#e 8estructurin
Aree!ent Gis t#eir o'n$ree and (oluntary act and deed"G $ailed to
&resent su9cient e(idence to &ro(e ot#er'ise* -Unin #an9 (
t&e P&ili..inesvs.S.$ses Rdl( T. Ti$ and Vict%ia N. Ti$,
*.R.Ns. +45/3/G3+, Se.tem0e% 4, -/++5otari4ed docu!ents (e* *t#e
notari4ed Ans'er to/nterroatories in t#ecase at%ar is&roo$ t#at
.#iltrust #ad %een ser(ed 'it# Critten /nterroatories) are !erely
&roo$ o$ t#e$act '#ic#a(erisetot#eir executionando$ t#edateo$
t#elatter %ut isnot &ri!a$acie e(idenceo$
t#e$actst#ereinstated* T#e&resu!&tiont#at o9cial
duty#as%eenreularly &er$or!ed t#ere$ore a&&lies only to
t#e &ortion '#erein t#e notary &u%lic !erelyattestst#at
t#ea9da(it 'assu%scri%edands'ornto%e$ore#i!or #er"
ont#edate!entioned t#ereon* T#us" e(en t#ou# a9da(its are notari4ed
docu!ents" 'e #a(e ruledt#at a9da(its" %ein sel$-ser(in" !ust %e
recei(ed 'it# caution* -P&ili..ine T%$stCm.an' =als 9nwn as
P&ilt%$st #an9> vs. Hn. C$%t O( A..eals and F%(m"evel.ment
C%.%atin, *.R. N. +,/5+2, Nvem0e% --, -/+/TESTI!ONIAL EVI"ENCET#e
inconsistencies in t#e testi!onies o$ t#e &olice o9cers i$ does
not d'ell on !aterial&oints s#all not neate t#e fndin o$ uilt*
Also" t#e $ailure on t#e &art o$ t#e &olice o9certo issue
an o9cial recei&t $or t#e confscated ite!s is not $atal de$ect
%ecause t#e issuanceo$ t#e sa!e is not an ele!ent o$ t#e cri!e o$
&ossession o$ illeal drus* -Pe.le ( t&eP&ili..inesvs.
Rand'!ag0an$a alias#'$ngand:ilsn!ag0an$a"*.R. N.+4/+54" A$g$st -4,
-//31ere inconsistencies as to !inor details in t#e testi!ony o$
t#e 'itness does not a-ect #iscredi%ility* /t !ay also strent#en
#is &osition as t#e court a%#ors !e!ori4ed state!ents*T#e
accused !ust &ro(e ill !oti(e on t#e &art o$ t#e 'itness"
ot#er'ise" #is state!ents#all %ei(en$ull credence%yt#ecourt*
-Pe.le( t&eP&ili..inesvs.A%nld*a%c&it%ena'Cam0aA.C.A.
7$ni%D 7e'Pam.lnaA.C.A. NatAnd7essie*a%cia ' Ad%in, *. R. N.
+4,1/,, A$g$st -2, -//3Ealsus in uno $alsus in o!ni%us is not an
a%solute rule o$ la' and is in $act rarely a&&lied in!odern
juris&rudence* /t deals only 'it# t#e 'ei#t o$ e(idence and is
not a &ositi(e rule o$la'" and t#e sa!e is not an inBexi%le one
o$ uni(ersal a&&lication* T#us" t#e !odern trend
o$juris&rudence is t#at t#e testi!ony o$ a 'itness !ay %e
%elie(ed in &art and dis%elie(ed in&art" de&endin
u&on t#e corro%orati(e e(idence and t#e &ro%a%ilities and
i!&ro%a%ilities o$t#ecase* -Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs.
7se *alve; ' #lanca,*.R. N. +2+2-4,Fe0%$a%' -,
-/++T#e8TCo%ser(edt#atAAA'as in t#e custodyo$t#eD)CD'#ens#e
testifed$ort#e&rosecution" and 'as returned to t#e $a!ily o$
t#e Aniceto >ulaao durin t#e ti!e '#en)+2 recanted #er
testi!ony* Courts loo3 'it# dis$a(or u&on retractions" %ecause
t#ey caneasily %e o%tained $ro! 'itnesses t#rou# inti!idation or
$or !onetaryconsiderations* +ence"
aretractiondoesnotnecessarilyneateanearlierdeclaration* /t'ould %e
a danerous rule to reject t#e testi!ony ta3en %e$ore a court o$
justice" si!&ly%ecause t#e 'itness '#o #as i(en it later on
c#anes #is !ind $or one reason or anot#er*-Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..ines vs. Anicet #$laga, *.R. N. +264,4, Oct0e% ,, -/++
Des&ite all t#ese fndins" =e!!a #as &osited $ro! t#e 8TC
all t#e 'ay u& to t#e )u&re!eCourt t#at s#e is not t#e
=e!!a 0n na!ed and accused in t#e case* .ositi(e identifcationo$ a
cul&rit is o$ reat 'ei#t in deter!inin '#et#er an accused is
uilty or not* T#us" itcannot ta3e &recedence o(er t#e
&ositi(e testi!ony o$ t#e o-ended &arty*T#e de$ense o$.ae
-+ o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases
(2008-2015)Remedial Lawdenial is una(ailin '#en&lacedastride
t#e undis&uted $act t#at t#ere 'as &ositi(eidentifcation o$
t#e accused* - *emma Ong a.9.a. !a%ia Te%esa *emma Catac$tan
vs.Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines, *.R. N. +1366/, Nvem0e% -5,
-/++Delay in !a3in cri!inal accusations 'ill not necessarily
i!&air t#e credi%ility o$ a 'itness i$suc# delay is
satis$actorily ex&lained* Eurt#er!ore" t#e &ositi(e
identifcation o$
t#e'itnessesis!oret#anenou#to&ro(et#eaccuseduilt
%eyondreasona%ledou%t* -Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs. Nel T.
Adallm, *.R. N. +2-,--, !a%c& 4, -/+-Dulay &oints out t#at
t#e &rosecution $ailed to &resent t#e in$or!ant in court"
allein t#att#e sa!e 'as necessary to corro%orate t#e testi!ony o$
.01 =uada!or" since it 'as onlyt#e in$or!ant and .01 =uada!or '#o
'itnessed t#e actual transaction* T#e Courtdisarees* /t is settled
t#at t#e identity or testi!ony o$ t#e in$or!ant is not
indis&ensa%le indrus cases" since #is testi!ony 'ould only
corro%orate t#at o$ t#e &oseur-%uyer* T#e Court#as
re&eatedly #eld t#at it is u& to t#e &rosecution to
deter!ine '#o s#ould %e &resentedas 'itnesses on t#e %asis o$
its o'n assess!ent o$ t#eir necessity* A$ter all" t#e testi!ony o$a
sinle 'itness" i$ trust'ort#y and relia%le" or i$ credi%le and
&ositi(e" 'ould %e su9cient tosu&&ort a con(iction*
1oreo(er" in deter!inin (alues and credi%ility o$ e(idence"
'itnessesare to %e 'ei#ed" not nu!%ered* - Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..ines vs. Catalin "$la', *.R.N. +2256,, Nvem0e% +/,
-/+-PUALIFICATIONS OF A :ITNESSA dea$-!ute !ay not %e a%le to #ear
and s&ea3 %ut #isK#er ot#er senses" suc# as #isK#ersenseo$
si#t" re!ain$unctional andallo'#i!K#erto!a3eo%ser(ationsa%out
#isK#eren(iron!ent and ex&eriencesT#us" a dea$-!ute is
co!&etent to %e a 'itness so lon
as#eKs#e#ast#e$acultyto!a3eo%ser(ations
and#eKs#ecan!a3et#oseo%ser(ations3no'n to ot#ers* - Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..ines vs. Edwin Aleman ' Lng&as, *.R. N.+2+,53, 7$l'
-6, -/+5CRE"I#ILITL OF :ITNESSAsa rule" a&&ellate courts
'ill not inter$ere 'it# t#e jud!ent o$ t#e trial court in
&assinu&on t#e credi%ility o$ a 'itness" unless t#ere
a&&ears on t#e record so!e $act orcircu!stance o$ 'ei#t and
inBuence '#ic# #as %een o(erloo3ed" or t#e sinifcance o$'#ic# #as
%een !isinter&reted or !isa&&re#ended* T#e reason $or
t#is is t#at t#eassess!ent o$ t#e credi%ility o$ 'itnesses and
t#eir testi!onies is a !atter %est underta3en%y t#e trial court
%ecause o$ its uni,ue o&&ortunity to o%ser(e t#e 'itnesses
frst#and andto note t#eir de!eanor" conduct" and attitude under
rillin exa!ination* - Pe.le ( t&eP&ili..ines vs. Salvad% C.
"ac, *.R. N. +12+11, Oct0e% +/, -//2T#e issue o$ credi%ility o$
'itnesses is a ,uestion %est addressed to t#e &ro(ince o$ t#e
trialcourt %ecause o$ its uni,ue &osition o$ #a(in o%ser(ed
t#at elusi(e and inco!!unica%lee(idence o$ t#e
'itnessesAde&ort!ent on t#e stand '#ile testi$yin '#ic#
o&&ortunity isdenied to t#e a&&ellate courts*and
a%sent any su%stantial reason '#ic# 'ould justi$y t#ere(ersal o$
t#e trial courtAs assess!ents and conclusions" t#e re(ie'in court
is enerally%ound %y t#e $or!erAs fndins* -Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..ines vs. "ming "ming$e;,7%., alias Sand', *.R. N.
+2/3+6, Nvem0e% -6, -/+/T#e (icti!H s delay in re&ortin t#e
ra&es does not under!ine #er credi%ility* /n a lon line
o$cases" t#e Court &ronounced t#at t#e $ailure o$ t#e (icti! to
i!!ediately re&ort t#e ra&e isnot necessarily an indication
o$ a $a%ricated c#are* 1oreo(er" Juris&rudence teac#es
t#at%et'een cateorical testi!onies t#at rin o$ trut#" on one #and"
and a %are denial" on t#eot#er" t#e Court #as stronly ruled t#at
t#e $or!er !ust &re(ail* /ndeed" &ositi(eidentifcation o$
t#e accused" '#en cateorical and consistent" and 'it#out any ill
!oti(e ont#e&art o$ t#eeye'itnessestesti$yinont#e!atter"
&re(ailso(er ali%i anddenial* -Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..inesvs. Rge% TeFe%, *.R. N. +24466, 7$ne -/, -/+-.ae --
o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial
LawT#e &ur&orted inconsistency %et'een t#e testi!onies o$
AAA and #er !ot#er >>> !erelyre$ersto
a!inordetail*T#ecentral $actist#at>atula" %y!eans o$$orce"
t#reats"andinti!idation" and use o$ a %olo" succeeded in #a(in
carnal 3no'lede o$ AAA* C#et#er AAA'as a%le to na!e >atula as
t#e &er&etrator i!!ediately a$ter t#e ra&e or AAA 'as
a%le toidenti$y >atula as #er ra&ist at a later ti!e" does
not de&art $ro! t#e $act t#at >atula ra&edAAA*
Ce#a(esaidti!eandaaint#at
a$e'discre&anciesandinconsistenciesint#etesti!onies o$
'itnesses re$errin to !inor details and not in actuality touc#in
u&on t#ecentral $act o$ t#e cri!e do not i!&air t#e
credi%ility o$ t#e 'itnesses* /nstead o$ 'ea3enint#eir testi!onies"
suc#inconsistenciestendtostrent#ent#eircredi%ility%ecauset#eydiscount
t#e &ossi%ility o$ t#eir %ein re#earsed testi!ony* - Pe.le (
t&e P&ili..ines vs.7e%%' #at$la, *.R. N. +2+133, Nvem0e%
-2, -/+-/n .eo&le (* .arinit" t#is Court #as declared t#at not
all %lo's lea(e !ar3s* T#us" t#e $actt#at t#e !edico-leal o9cer
$ound no sins o$ external injuries on AAA" es&ecially on
#er$ace" '#ic# su&&osedly #ad %een sla&&ed se(eral
ti!es" does not in(alidate #er state!entt#at 1anune sla&&ed
#er to silence #er* >ut" e(en rantin t#at t#ere 'ere no
extra-enitalinjuries on t#e (icti!" it #ad %een #eld t#at t#e
a%sence o$ external sins or ysical injuriesdoes not neate t#e
co!!ission o$ t#e cri!e o$ ra&e* T#e sa!e rule a&&lies
e(en t#ou# no!edical certifcate is &resented in e(idence* .roo$
o$ injuries is not necessary %ecause t#is isnot an essential
ele!ent o$ t#e cri!e T#is Court" in a lon line o$ cases" #as ruled
t#at 6t#ea%sence o$ externalsins o$ ysicalinjuries does not neate
ra&e* T#e doctrine is t#us'ell- entrenc#edinour
juris&rudence" andt#eCourt o$ A&&eals
correctlya&&liedit* -Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs.
:illiam !ang$ne, *.R. N. +21615, Nvem0e% +6,-/+-Alleed
inconsistencies do not detract $ro! AAAHs credi%ility as a 'itness*
A ra&e (icti! isnot ex&ected to !a3e an errorless
recollection o$ t#e incident" so #u!iliatin and &ain$ult#at s#e
!i#t in $act %e tryin to o%literate it $ro! #er !e!ory* T#us" a $e'
inconsistentre!ar3s in ra&e cases 'ill not necessarily
i!&air t#e testi!ony o$ t#e o-ended &arty* Cereiterate t#e
juris&rudential &rinci&le o$ a-ordin reat res&ect
and e(en fnality to t#e trialcourtHs assess!ent o$ t#e credi%ility
o$ 'itnesses* /n .eo&le (* Ar&on" 'e stated t#at '#ent#e
decision #ines on t#e credi%ility o$ 'itnesses and t#eir
res&ecti(e testi!onies" t#e trialcourtHs o%ser(ations and
conclusions deser(e reat res&ect and are o$ten accorded
fnality*T#etrial jude#ast#ead(antaeo$o%ser(int#e'itnessH
de&ort!entand!annero$testi$yin* +er 6$urti(elance" %lus# o$
conscious s#a!e" #esitation" Bi&&ant or sneerintone"
cal!ness" si#" or t#e scant or $ull reali4ation o$ an oat#7 are all
use$ul aids $or anaccurate deter!ination o$ a 'itnessH #onesty and
sincerity* T#e trial jude" t#ere$ore" can%etter deter!inei$
'itnessesaretellint#etrut#" %einint#eideal
&ositionto'ei#conBictin testi!onies* Inless certain $acts o$
su%stance and (alue 'ere o(erloo3ed '#ic#"i$ considered" !i#t a-ect
t#e result o$ t#e case" its assess!ent !ust %e res&ected $or
it#ad t#e o&&ortunity to o%ser(e t#e conduct and de!eanor
o$ t#e 'itnesses '#ile testi$yinand detect i$ t#ey 'ere lyin* T#e
rule fnds an e(en !ore strinent a&&lication '#ere
saidfndins are sustained %y t#e Court o$ A&&eals* -Pe.le(
P&ili..ines vs. FeliJ!%ante, *.R. N. +2445-, Nv -2, -/+-2stoya
li3e'ise !a3es !uc# o$ t#e inconsistencies %et'een
CCCHs)inu!&aan )alaysayand #is testi!ony in o&en court*
)aid inconsistencies do not at all da!ae CCCHs credi%ilityas a
'itness*/t is doctrinally settled t#at discre&ancies andKor
inconsistencies%et'een a'itnessH a9da(itandtesti!onyino&encourt
donoti!&air credi%ilityasa9da(itsareta3en ex &arte and are
o$teninco!&lete or inaccurate $or lac3 o$ or a%sence o$
searc#inin,uiries %y t#e in(estiatin o9cer* Ce also add t#at CCC
'as only 10 years o$ ae '#en#e executed #is )inu!&aan )alaysay
and testifed in court* /t is not di9cult to i!aine t#atCCC'as
alsoo(er'#el!ed %y t#e circu!stances" youn as #e 'as '#en t#ese
all#a&&ened* T#e i!&ortant t#in is t#at CCC 'as
consistent in sayin t#at #e sa' 2stoya 'it#AAA
in>>>Hs#ouse#esa' AAA cryinand #e i!!ediatelyranto as3
#el& $ro! t#eirnei#%or" DDD* 1oreo(er" as
'e&ronounced&re(iously#erein" AAAHs testi!onyalonealready
esta%lis#ed t#e ele!ents o$ ra&e co!!itted aainst #er %y
2stoya* At !ost" CCCHs.ae -5 o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De
Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial Lawtesti!ony ont#e e(ents t#at
occurred in200@is !erelycorro%orati(e* -Pe.le(P&ili..ines vs.
Rad0' Est'a, *.R. N. -//,5+, "ecem0e% ,,
-/+-T#eissueraised%yaccused-a&&ellant
in(ol(est#ecredi%ilityo$ 'itness" '#ic#is%estaddressed %y t#e trial
court" it %ein in a %etter &osition to decide suc# ,uestion"
#a(in#eard t#e 'itness and o%ser(ed #is de!eanor" conduct" and
attitude under ruelinexa!ination* T#ese are t#e !ost sinifcant
$actors in e(aluatin t#e sincerity o$ 'itnessesandin uneart#in t#e
trut#"es&eciallyin t#e$aceo$ conBictin testi!onies* T#rou#
itso%ser(ations durin t#e entire &roceedins" t#e trial court
can %e ex&ected to deter!ine"'it# reasona%le discretion" '#ose
testi!ony to acce&t and '#ic# 'itness to %elie(e* ?erily"fndins
o$ t#e trial court on suc# !atters 'ill not %e distur%ed on
a&&eal unless so!e $actsor circu!stances o$ 'ei#t #a(e %een
o(erloo3ed" !isa&&re#ended or !isinter&reted so asto
!aterially a-ect t#e dis&osition o$ t#e case* -Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..inesvs.:elvin"i$ ' Ctsesa, and "ennis "a'an ' T$.it,
*.R. N. -/+663, A.%il 5, -/+5/n a &rosecution $or ra&e" t#e
accused !ay %e con(icted solely on t#e %asis o$ t#e testi!onyo$ t#e
(icti! t#at is credi%le" con(incin" and consistent 'it# #u!an
nature and t#e nor!alcourse o$ t#ins"as in t#is case* T#ere is a
&let#ora o$ cases '#ic# tend to dis$a(or t#eaccused in a
ra&e case %y #oldin t#at '#en a 'o!an declares t#at s#e #as
%een ra&ed"s#e says in e-ect all t#at is necessary to s#o' t#at
ra&e #as %een co!!itted and"
'#ere#ertesti!ony&assest#etesto$ credi%ility"
t#eaccusedcan%econ(ictedont#e%asist#ereo$* Eurt#er!ore" t#e Court
#as re&eatedly declared t#at it ta3es a certain a!ount
o$&syc#oloicalde&ra(ity $or a youn 'o!an to concoct a story
'#ic# 'ould &ut #er o'n$at#er to jail $or t#e rest o$ #is
re!ainin li$e and dra t#e rest o$ t#e $a!ily includin
#ersel$toali$eti!eo$ s#a!e*
-Pe.le(t&eP&ili..inesvs.Edm$ndVite%, *.R. N.+4,5-4, A.%il
5, -/+5C#en t#e issues re(ol(e on !atters o$ credi%ility o$
'itnesses" t#e fndins o$ $act o$ t#etrial court" itscali%rationo$
t#etesti!onieso$t#e'itnesses" anditsassess!ento$t#e&ro%ati(e
'ei#t t#ereo$" as 'ell as its conclusions anc#ored on said fndins"
are accorded#i# res&ect" i$ not conclusi(e e-ect* - Pe.le (
t&e P&ili..ines vs. A0el "ia;, *.R. N.-//22-, 7$ne +5,
-/+5/nconsistencies and discre&ancies in t#e testi!ony re$errin
to !inor details and not u&ont#e %asic as&ect o$ t#e cri!e
do not di!inis# t#e 'itnessesH credi%ility*T#e testi!onies o$
&olice o9cers '#o conducted t#e %uy%ust are enerally accorded
$ull$ait# and credit" in (ie' o$ t#e &resu!&tion o$
reularity in t#e &er$or!ance o$ &u%lic duties*- Pe.le (
t&e P&ili..ines vs. !e%cidita T. Res$%%eccin, *.R. N.
+225+/, 7$ne +5,-/+5Juris&rudence is consistent in reiteratin
t#at t#e trial court is in a %etter &osition to adjudet#e
credi%ility o$ 'itnesses es&ecially i$ it is a9r!ed %y t#e
Court o$ A&&eals* - Pe.le (t&e P&ili..inesvs. *a%'
Ve%ga%a ' O%iel and 7se.& Incenci ' Pa$lin, *.R. N.+44415, 7$l'
5, -/+5C#ere t#e ten-year old son o$ t#e (icti! 'as a%le to 'itness
t#e deat# o$ #is $at#er and 'ast#e lone 'itness to testi$y in t#e
case" t#e Court ruled t#at '#enit co!es to t#e !atter o$credi%ility
o$ a 'itness" settled are t#e uidin rules so!e o$ '#ic# are t#at
(1) t#e a&&ellatecourt 'ill not distur% t#e $actual fndins
o$ t#e lo'er court" unless t#ere is a s#o'in t#at it#ado(erloo3ed"
!isunderstoodor!isa&&liedso!e$act orcircu!stanceo$ 'ei#t
andsu%stance t#at 'ould #a(e a-ected t#e result o$ t#e case" '#ic#
s#o'in is a%sent #erein:(2) t#e fndins o$ t#e trial court
&ertainin to t#e credi%ility o$ a 'itness is entitled to
reatres&ect since it #ad t#e o&&ortunity to exa!ine #is
de!eanor as #e testifed on t#e 'itnessstand" and" t#ere$ore" can
discern i$ suc# 'itness is tellin t#e trut# or not: and (D) a
'itness'#o testifes in a cateorical" strai#t$or'ard"
s&ontaneous and $ran3 !anner and re!ainsconsistent on
cross-exa!ination is a credi%le 'itness* .ae -6 o$ -2Justice
Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial
LawEurt#er!ore" Juris&rudencealsotellsus t#at
'#enatesti!onyisi(eninacandidandstrai#t$or'ard !anner" t#ere is no
roo! $or dou%t t#at t#e 'itness is tellin t#e trut#* -Pe.le (
t&e P&ili..ines vs. 7el AB$in ' Cendana, *.R. N. -/+/3-,
7an$a%' +,,-/+6C#ent#eaccused,uestionst#ecredi%ilityandde!eanoro$
t#e(icti!as'itness" t#ereconi4ed rule is t#at t#e Gassess!ent o$
t#e credi%ility o$ 'itnesses is a do!ain %est le$tto t#e trial
court jude %ecause o$ #is uni,ue o&&ortunity to o%ser(e
t#eir de&ort!ent andde!eanor ont#e'itnessstand:
a(antae&oint denieda&&ellatecourts-and'#en#isfndins
#a(e%eena9r!ed%yt#eCourt o$ A&&eals"
t#eseareenerally%indinandconclusi(e u&on t#is Court*G
Eurt#er!ore" inaccuracies and inconsistencies in a ra&e(icti!Hs
testi!ony are enerally ex&ected* )ince #u!an !e!ory is fc3le
and &rone to t#estresses o$ e!otions" accuracy in a testi!onial
account #as ne(er %een used as a standardin testin t#e credi%ility
o$ a 'itness* - Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs. #e%na0e Pa%eFa
'C%$;" *.R. N. -/-+--A"!ISSIONS AN"
CONFESSIONSEst..elT#e!ortaorisalreadyesto&&ed$ro!c#allenint#e(alidityo$t#e$oreclosuresale"a$ter
enterin into a Contract o$ Lease 'it# t#e %uyer o(er one o$ t#e
$oreclosed &ro&erties Ot#etitleo$
t#elandlordisaconclusi(e&resu!&tionasaainst t#etenant or
lessee* -Cent$%' Savings #an9 vs. S.$ses "anil T. Samnte and
Rsalinda !. Samnte,*.R. N. +41-+-, Oct0e% -/, -/+/0ne '#o clai!s
t#e %eneft o$ an esto&&el on t#e round t#at #e #as %een
!isled %y t#ere&resentations o$ anot#er !ust not #a(e %een
!isled t#rou# #is o'n 'ant o$ reasona%lecare andcircu!s&ection*
A lac3 o$dilience%ya &artyclai!inan esto&&elis
enerally$atal* /$ t#e&artyconducts #i!sel$ 'it#careless
indi-erenceto!eans o$ in$or!ationreasona%lyat #and"
orinores#i#lysus&iciouscircu!stances" #e!aynot
in(o3et#edoctrine o$ esto&&el* GF.A.T. Cee Cm.$te% S'stems,
Inc. vs.Online Netw%9sInte%natinal, Inc.,*.R. N. +4+-52, Fe0%$a%'
-, -/++/n t#e interest o$ justice and 'it#in t#e sound discretion
o$ t#e a&&ellate court" a &arty !ayc#ane #is leal
t#eory on a&&ealonly '#en t#e $actual %ases t#ereo$ 'ould
not re,uire&resentation o$ any $urt#er e(idence %y t#e ad(erse
&arty in order to ena%le it to &ro&erly!eet t#e issue
raised in t#e ne' t#eory* 5one o$ t#e a%o(e exce&tions"
#o'e(er" a&&lies tot#e instant case* As reards t#e frst
exce&tion" t#e issue o$ jurisdiction 'as ne(er raised atany
&oint in t#is case* Anent t#e second exce&tion" t#e Court
fnds t#at t#e a&&lication o$t#e sa!e in t#e case 'ould %e
i!&ro&er" as $urt#er e(idence is needed in order to
ans'erandKor re$ute t#e issue raised in 8a!osHs ne' t#eory* - Ramna
Rams and T&e EstateO( L$is T. Rams vs. P&ili..ine Natinal
#an9, O.al P%t(li Investments =SPVGA!C>, Inc. and *lden "%agn
Sta% EB$ities, Inc., *.R. N. +42-+2, "ecem0e% +6,-/++HEARSAL
RULEInder t#e doctrine o$ inde&endently rele(ant state!ents"
t#e #earsay rule does nota&&ly'#ereonlyt#e$acto$
suc#state!ents'ere!adeisrele(ant" andt#etrut#or$alsityt#ereo$is
i!!aterial*-Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs. 7es$sa Fig$e%a '
C%nad,*.R. N. +21+6+, A.%il ++, -/+-A 'itness can testi$y only on
t#e $acts t#at s#e 3no's o$ #is o'n &ersonal 3no'lede" or!ore
&recisely" t#ose '#ic# are deri(ed $ro! #er o'n
&erce&tion* A 'itness !ay not testi$yon '#at s#e !erely
learned" read or #eard $ro!ot#ers %ecause suc# testi!ony
isconsidered #earsay and !ay not %e recei(ed as &roo$ o$ t#e
trut# o$ '#at s#e #as
learned"reador#eard*5ot'it#standint#einad!issi%ility o$ t#e details
o$t#e ra&e '#ic# >>>.ae -, o$ -2Justice Teresita
Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial Law!erely #eard $ro!
AAAHs narration" 'e ne(ert#eless fnd no reason to distur% t#e
fndins o$$act o$ t#e trial court* -Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..inesvs.Lena%d Cata'ta' ' Silvan,*.R. N. +315+,, Oct0e%
--, -/+6"LIN* "ECLARATIONT#e 8TC ad!itted AurelioHs dyin
declaration to &ro(e t#e identity o$ #is assailants and
t#ecircu!stances t#at led to #is deat# %ecause it ,ualifes as an
exce&tion to t#e #earsay rule'it# t#e concurrence o$ all $our
essential re,uisites" to 'itJ 0ne o$ t#e !ost relia%le &ieceso$
e(idence $or con(ictin a &erson is t#e dyin declarationo$
t#e(icti!*Courts accordcredi%ility o$ t#e #i#est order to suc#
declarations on t#e truis! t#at no !an conscious o$#is i!&endin
deat# 'ill still resort to $alse#ood* T#e re,uisites $or ad!ittin
suc#declaration as e(idencean exce&tion to t#e #earsay ruleare
$our" '#ic# !ust concur" to'itJ a*) t#e dyin declaration !ust
concern t#e cri!e and t#e surroundin circu!stances o$t#e
declarantHs deat# %*) at t#e ti!e it 'as !ade t#e declarant 'as
under a consciousnesso$ an i!&endin deat#c*) t#e declarant 'as
co!&etent as a 'itnessand d*) t#edeclaration 'as o-ered in a
cri!inal case $or #o!icide" !urder" or &arricide in '#ic#
t#edecedent'ast#e(icti!* (.eo&le(* )acario"
1;)C8A;@8.eo&le(* Al!eda" 12;)C8A;8F)*T#e $our re,uisites are
undou%tedly &resent in t#is case* - Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..inesvs. "ante EdFill and *e%vaci H'le, 7%., *.R. N.
+2445-, "ecem0e% +/, -/+-Inder t#erules" state!ent!ade%y a
&erson under t#econsciousness o$an i!&endindeat# is
ad!issi%le as e(idence o$ t#e circu!stances o$ #is deat#* T#e
&ositi(eidentifcation !ade %y t#e (icti! %e$ore #e died" under
t#e consciousness o$ an i!&endindeat# is a stron e(idence
indicatin t#e lia%ility o$ #erein 8arual*/t is o$ no !o!ent t#att#e
(icti! died se(en days $ro! t#e sta%%in incident and a$ter recei(in
ade,uate careand treat!ent"%ecause t#e a&&arent
&roxi!ate cause o$ #is deat#" t#e &unctures in #isluns" 'as
a conse,uence o$ 8arualHs sta%%in #i!int#e c#est* -Pe.le(
t&eP&ili..inesvs.Ramil Ra%$gal alias )Ama' #isa'a,) *.R. N.
+221/5, 7an$a%' +1,-/+5ENTRIES IN OFFICIAL RECOR"SCas# exa!ination
re&ort contains entries !ade in t#e &er$or!ance o$ o9cial
$unctions andis" t#us" su9cient%yitsel$ toesta%lis# &ri!a$acie
t#etrut#o$ t#e$actsstatedt#erein'it#out t#e need o$ &resentin
ot#er e(idence $ollo'in t#e rule laid do'n %y )ection ;;"8ule 1D0
o$ t#e 8e(ised 8ules o$ 2(idence* -Na%cis C. Lg$insa, 7%.
vs.Sandigan0a'an, *.R. N. +61363, Fe0%$a%' +5, -//3E?PERT
:ITNESST#e trial court !ay (alidly deter!ine $orery $ro! its o'n
inde&endent exa!ination o$ t#edocu!entary e(idenceat #and* T#is
t#etrial court judecando'it#out necessarilyresortin to ex&erts"
es&ecially '#en t#e ,uestion in(ol(ed is !ere #and'ritin
si!ilarity ordissi!ilarity" '#ic# can %e deter!ined %y a (isual
co!&arison o$ s&eci!en o$ t#e,uestioned sinatures 'it#
t#ose o$ t#e currently existin ones* - Vicente !an;an, 7%.
vs.!a%celin *a%cia , *.R. N. +435-5, Nvem0e% -2, -/++RULE ON
E?A!INATION OF CHIL" :ITNESS/t s#ould %e re!e!%ered t#at t#e
declarations on t#e 'itness stand o$ ra&e (icti!s '#o areyoun
and i!!ature deser(e $ull credence* )uccinctly" '#en t#e o-ended
&arties are younand i!!ature irls $ro! t#e aes o$ t'el(e to
sixteen" courts are inclined to lend credenceto t#eir (ersion o$
'#at trans&ired" considerin not only t#eir relati(e
(ulnera%ility %ut alsot#e s#a!e and e!%arrass!ent to '#ic# t#ey
'ould %e ex&osed %y court trial i$ t#e !attera%out
'#ic#t#eytestifed'erenot true* -Pe.le( t&eP&ili..inesvs.
RnaldSal$d, *.R. N. +426/1, A.%il 1, -/++.ae -1 o$ -2Justice
Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial LawLi%erality
is i(en to litiants '#o are 'ort#y o$ t#e sa!e" and not to ones '#o
Bout t#erules"
i(eex&lanationstot#ee-ectt#att#ecounselsare%usy'it#ot#ert#ins"
andex&ect t#e court to disreard t#e &rocedural la&ses
on t#e !ere sel$-ser(in clai! t#at t#eircase is !eritorious* -
!CAG!#F C$ntdwn Ca%ds P&ili..ines Inc., Ama0le R. Ag$il$;V,
Ama0leC. Ag$il$;I?, CielC. Ag$il$;, Al0e%tL. #$enviaFe,
VicenteAcsa'and !CA Hldings And !anagement C%.%atinvs.!#( Ca%d
Inte%natinalLimited and !#( "isc$nt Ca%d Limited, *.R. N. +45,21,
!a%c& +6, -/+-Testi!onies o$ c#ild (icti!s are i(en $ull 'ei#t
and credit" $or '#en a 'o!an or a irlc#ildsays t#at s#e #as %een
ra&ed" s#e says in e-ect all t#at is necessary to s#o' t#at
ra&e 'asindeedco!!itted* -Pe.le ( t&eP&ili..inesvs.
Rica%dPamint$an ' Sa&ag$n,*.R. N. +3--53, 7$ne ,,
-/+5Testi!onieso$ c#ild(icti!sarenor!allyi(en$ull 'ei#t andcredit"
since'#enairl"&articularly i$ s#e is a !inor" says t#at s#e #as
%een ra&ed" s#e says in e-ect all t#at isnecessary to s#o' t#at
ra&e #as in $act %een co!!itted* - Pe.le ( t&e
P&ili..ines vs.Rica%d Pisang, *.R. N. -//5-3, 7$ne ,, -/+5/n
ra&e cases" '#ere t#e (icti! 'as only a c#ild and 'as a%le to
narrate #o' t#e accused#ad %een ra&in #er since 200D and
descri%e in reat detail t#e last ra&e t#at occurred
on)e&te!%er 12" 200;" it is settled juris&rudence t#at
testi!onies o$ c#ild (icti!s are i(en$ull 'ei#t and credit" %ecause
'#en a 'o!an" !ore so i$ s#e is a !inor" says t#at s#e #as%een
ra&ed" s#e says in e-ect all t#at is necessary to s#o' t#at
ra&e 'as co!!itted* Pout#and i!!aturity are enerally %ades o$
trut# and sincerity* -Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..inesvs. Rel
Ve%ga%a ' Clave%, *.R. N. +33--1, 7an$a%' +,, -/+6OFFER OF
EVI"ENCEC#ile it is a %asic &rocedural rule t#at t#e court
s#all consider no e(idence '#ic# #as not%een $or!ally o-ered"
e(idence not $or!ally o-ered !ay %e ad!itted and considered %yt#e
trialcourt &ro(ided t#e $ollo'in re,uire!ents are
&resent"(i4J frst" t#e sa!e !ust#a(e %een duly identifed%y
testi!onyduly recorded and"second"t#esa!e !ust #a(e%een
incor&orated in t#e records o$ t#e case* - T&e Hei%s (
Rmana Saves, et. al. vs.T&e Hei%s ( Esclastic Saves, et. al.,
*.R. N. +,-211, Oct0e% 1, -/+/O#7ECTIONS0%jection to e(idence
cannot %e raised $or t#e frst ti!e on a&&eal: '#en a
&arty desires t#ecourt to reject t#e e(idence o-ered" #e !ust
so state in t#e $or! o$ o%jection* Cit#out suc#o%jection#ecannot
raiset#e,uestion$or t#efrst ti!eona&&eal* -Pe.le(
t&eP&ili..ines vs. Emil' !end;a ' Sa%tin, *.R. N. +235-4,
Fe0%$a%' -3, -/+-0%jection to e(idence cannot %e raised $or t#e
frst ti!e on a&&eal: '#en a &arty to desirest#e court
to reject t#e e(idence o-ered" #e !ust so state in t#e $or! o$
o%jection* Cit#outsuc# o%jection #e cannot raise t#e ,uestion $or
t#e frst ti!e on a&&eal* -Pe.le ( t&eP&ili..ines
vs. Rselit Tac$ld ' Elle, *.R. N. +32+/2, "ecem0e% ++, -/+5 CHAIN
OF CUSTO"L IN "RU*S CASES)onny .adua 'as c#ared 'it# /lleal )ale o$
Danerous drus and t#ere%y contended
t#att#e09cer#as$ailedtoco!&ly'it#t#e&rocesso$ c#aino$
custodyo$ t#edrusandt#ere%y a%sol(in #i!to suc# cri!e* T#e court
ruled t#at 5on-co!&liance 'it# t#esti&ulated &rocedure
o$ C#ain o$ Custody" under justifa%le rounds" s#all not render
(oidand in(alid suc# sei4ures o$ and custody o(er said ite!s" $or
as lon as t#e interity and.ae -4 o$ -2Justice Teresita Leonardo-De
Castro Cases (2008-2015)Remedial Lawe(identiary (alue o$ t#e sei4ed
ite!s are &ro&erly &reser(ed %y t#e a&&re#endin
o9cers* -Pe.le ( t&e P&ili..ines vs. Snn' Pad$a ' Re'es,
*.R. N. +46/34, 7$l' -+, -/+/5on-co!&liance'it#)ection21o$
8e&u%licAct5o*
