Reckless Imprudence - calimutan vs. people (SC)

7/25/2019 Reckless Imprudence - calimutan vs. people (SC)

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FIRST DIVISION

ROLLIECALIMUTAN,

Petitioner,

- versus-

PEOPLE OF THEPHILIPPINES, ET AL.,

Respondents.

G.R. No. 152133

Present:

PANGANIBAN, C.J.

Chairperson,

YNARES-SANTIAGO,

AUSTRIA-MARTINE,

CA!!E"O, SR., and

C#ICO-NAARIO, JJ.

Pro$%&'ated:

(e)r%ar* +,

/- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --/

0 E C I S I O N

C#ICO-NAARIO, J.:

In this Petition 1or Re2ie3 on Certiorari%nder R%&e 45 o1 the

Re2ised R%&es o1 Co%rt, petitioner Ro&&ie Ca&i$%tan pra*s 1or the

re2ersa& o1 the 0e6ision o1 the Co%rt o1 Appea&s in CA-G.R. CR No.


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77, dated + A%'%st 8, 98a11ir$in' the 0e6ision o1 the Re'iona&

Tria& Co%rt ;RTC

That on or a)o%t (e)r%ar* 4, 8++, in the $ornin'thereo1, at sitio Capsa*, Baran'a* Pani?%e, M%ni6ipa&it*o1 Aroro*, Pro2in6e o1 Mas)ate, Phi&ippines 3ithin the

@%risdi6tion o1 this #onora)&e Co%rt, the a)o2e-na$eda66%sed 3ith intent to i&&, did then and there 3i&&1%&&*,%n&a31%&&* and 1e&onio%s&* atta6, assa%&t and thro3 astone at P#I!IP CANTRE, hittin' hi$ at the )a6 &e1t

portion o1 his )od*, res%&tin' in &a6eration o1 sp&een d%e toi$pa6t 3hi6h 6a%sed his death a da* a1ter.

CONTRARY TO !A.Mas)ate, Mas)ate, Septe$)er 88, 8++.

A66ordin'&*, the RTC iss%ed, on 0e6e$)er 8++, a 3arrant 94 1or

the arrest o1 petitioner Ca&i$%tan. On + "an%ar* 8++, ho3e2er, he

3as pro2isiona&&* re&eased95a1ter postin' s%11i6ient )ai&)ond. 9 0%rin'

the arrai'n$ent on 8 Ma* 8++, petitioner Ca&i$%tan p&eaded not

'%i&t* to the 6ri$e o1

ho$i6ide 6har'ed a'ainst hi$.9

In the 6o%rse o1 the tria&, the prose6%tion presented three

3itnesses, na$e&*: ;8< 0r. Rona&do B. MendeD, a Senior Medi6o-

!e'a& O11i6er o1 the Nationa& B%rea% o1 In2esti'ation ;NBI


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On 4 (e)r%ar* 8++, at aro%nd 8: a.$., the 2i6ti$ Cantre and

3itness SaFano, to'ether 3ith t3o other 6o$panions, had a drinin' spree at a

2ideoe )ar in Crossin' Capsa*, Pani?%e, Aroro*, Mas)ate. (ro$ the 2ideoe

)ar, the 2i6ti$ Cantre and 3itness SaFano pro6eeded to 'o ho$e to their

respe6ti2e ho%ses, )%t a&on' the 3a*, the* 6rossed paths 3ith petitioner

Ca&i$%tan and a 6ertain Mi6hae& B%&a&a6ao. i6ti$ Cantre 3as har)orin' a

'r%d'e a'ainst B%&a&a6ao, s%spe6tin' the &atter as the 6%&prit responsi)&e 1or

thro3in' stones at the CantreHs ho%se on a pre2io%s ni'ht. Th%s, %pon seein'

B%&a&a6ao, 2i6ti$ Cantre s%dden&* p%n6hed hi$. hi&e B%&a&a6ao ran a3a*,

petitioner Ca&i$%tan dashed to3ards the )a6s o1 2i6ti$ Cantre and 3itness

SaFano. Petitioner Ca&i$%tan then pi6ed %p a stone, as )i' as a $anHs 1ist,

3hi6h he thre3 at 2i6ti$ Cantre, hittin' hi$ at the &e1t side o1 his )a6. hen hit

)* the stone, 2i6ti$ Cantre stopped 1or a $o$ent and he&d his )a6. itness

SaFano p%t hi$se&1 )et3een the 2i6ti$ Cantre and petitioner Ca&i$%tan, and

atte$pted to pa6i1* the t3o, e2en 6on2in6in' petitioner Ca&i$%tan to p%t do3n

another stone he 3as a&read* ho&din'. #e a&so %r'ed 2i6ti$ Cantre and

petitioner Ca&i$%tan to @%st 'o ho$e. itness SaFano a66o$panied 2i6ti$

Cantre to the &atterHs ho%se, and on the 3a*, 2i6ti$ Cantre 6o$p&ained o1 the

pain in the &e1t side o1 his )a6 hit )* the stone. The* arri2ed at the CantreHs

ho%se at aro%nd 8:noon, and 3itness SaFano &e1t 2i6ti$ Cantre to the 6are o1

the &atterHs $other, Be&en.9=

i6ti$ Cantre i$$ediate&* to&d his $other, Be&en, o1 the stonin' in6ident

in2o&2in' petitioner Ca&i$%tan. #e a'ain 6o$p&ained o1 )a6a6he and a&so o1

sto$a6ha6he, and 3as %na)&e to eat. B* ni'htti$e, 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as a&ternate&*

1ee&in' 6o&d and then 3ar$. #e 3as s3eatin' pro1%se&* and his entire )od* 1e&t

n%$). #is 1a$i&* 3o%&d ha2e 3anted to )rin' hi$ to a do6tor )%t the* had no

2ehi6&e. At aro%nd 7: a.$.o1 the 1o&&o3in' da*, 5 (e)r%ar* 8++, Be&en 3as

3ipin' his son 3ith a pie6e o1 6&oth, 3hen 2i6ti$ Cantre ased 1or so$e 1ood. #e

3as a)&e to eat a &itt&e, )%t he a&so &ater 2o$ited 3hate2er he ate. (or the &ast

ti$e, he 6o$p&ained o1 )a6a6he and sto$a6ha6he, and short&* therea1ter, he

died.9+


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Ri'ht a1ter his death, 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as e/a$ined )* 0r. Con6hita S.

U&anda*, the M%ni6ipa& #ea&th O11i6er o1 Aroro*, Mas)ate. The Post-Morte$

E/a$ination Report98and Certi1i6ation o1

0eath,988iss%ed and si'ned )* 0r.

U&anda*, stated that the

6a%se o1 death o1 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as 6ardio-respirator*

arrest d%e to s%spe6ted 1ood poisonin'. The )od* o1 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as

s%)se?%ent&* e$)a&$ed and )%ried on 87 (e)r%ar* 8++.

Unsatis1ied 3ith the 1indin's o1 0r. U&anda*, the Cantre 1a$i&*, 3ith the

he&p o1 the !in'od Ba*an-Cir6%&o de A)o'adas o1 the ABS-CBN (o%ndation,

re?%ested 1or an e/h%$ation and a%tops* o1 the )od* o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre )* the

NBI. The e/h%$ation and a%tops* o1 the )od* o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as

6ond%6ted )* 0r. Rona&do B. MendeD on 85 Apri& 8++, 98a1ter 3hi6h, he

reported the 1o&&o3in' 1indin's >

Bod* 1air&* 3e&&-preser2ed 3ith si'n o1 partia& a%tops* 6&adin 3hite Baron' Ta'a&o' and )&%e pants p&a6ed inside a 3ooden'o&den-)ro3n 6o11in and )%ried in a 6on6rete ni6he.

Cont%sed-a)rasion, .7 / 8. 6$s., posterior 6hest 3a&&, &e1t

side.

#e$ato$a, 8. / =. 6$s., a)do$en, a&on' $id-&ine.#e$operitone%$, $assi2e, 6&otte 9sic.!a6eration, sp&een.Other 2is6era& or'an, pa&e and e$)a&$ed.Sto$a6h 6ontains s$a&& a$o%nt o1 3hitish 1&%id and other

partia&&* di'ested 1ood parti6&es.

/ / / /

CAUSE O( 0EAT#: TRAUMATIC IN"URY O( T#E AB0OMEN.

In his testi$on* )e1ore the RTC, 0r. MendeD a11ir$ed the 6ontents o1 his

e/h%$ation and a%tops* report. #e e/p&ained that the 2i6ti$ Cantre s%11ered

1ro$ an interna& he$orrha'e and there 3as $assi2e a66%$%&ation o1 )&ood in his

a)do$ina& 6a2it* d%e to his &a6erated sp&een. The &a6eration o1 the sp&een 6an

)e 6a%sed )* an* )&%nt instr%$ent, s%6h as a stone. #en6e, 0r. MendeD

6on1ir$ed the possi)i&it* that the 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as stoned to death )* petitioner

Ca&i$%tan.987


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To 6o%nter the e2iden6e o1 the prose6%tion, the de1ense

presented the so&e testi$on* o1 the a66%sed, herein petitioner,

Ca&i$%tan.

A66ordin' to petitioner Ca&i$%tan, at a)o%t 8: p.$. on 4

(e)r%ar* 8++, he 3as 3a&in' 3ith his ho%se he&per, Mi6hae&

B%&a&a6ao, on their 3a* to Crossin' Capsa*, Pani?%e, Aroro*,

Mas)ate, 3hen the* $et 3ith the 2i6ti$ Cantre and 3itness SaFano.

The 2i6ti$ Cantre too ho&d o1 B%&a&a6ao and p%n6hed hi$ se2era&

ti$es. Petitioner Ca&i$%tan atte$pted to pa6i1* the 2i6ti$ Cantre )%t

the &atter re1%sed to 6a&$ do3n, p%&&in' o%t 1ro$ his 3aist an ei'ht-

in6h Batan'as ni1e and %tterin' that he 3as &ooin' 1or tro%)&e,

either to i&& or )e i&&ed.J At this point, petitioner Ca&i$%tan 3as

a)o%t ten $eters a3a* 1ro$ the 2i6ti$ Cantre and 3as too 1ri'htened

to $o2e an* 6&oser 1or 1ear that the enra'ed $an 3o%&d t%rn on hi$

he sti&& had a 1a$i&* to tae 6are o1. hen he sa3 that the 2i6ti$Cantre 3as a)o%t to sta) B%&a&a6ao, petitioner Ca&i$%tan pi6ed %p a

stone, 3hi6h he des6ri)ed as appro/i$ate&* one-in6h in dia$eter,

and thre3 it at the 2i6ti$ Cantre. #e 3as a)&e to hit the 2i6ti$ Cantre

on his ri'ht )%tto6. Petitioner Ca&i$%tan and B%&a&a6ao then started

to r%n a3a*, and 2i6ti$ Cantre 6hased a1ter the$, )%t 3itness

SaFano 3as a)&e to pa6i1* the 2i6ti$ Cantre. Petitioner Ca&i$%tan

a&&e'ed&* reported the in6ident to a kagawad o1 Baran'a* Pani?%e

and to the po&i6e a%thorities and so%'ht their he&p in sett&in' the

disp%te )et3een B%&a&a6ao and the 2i6ti$ Cantre. B%&a&a6ao,

$ean3hi&e, re1%sed to see $edi6a& he&p despite the ad2i6e o1

petitioner Ca&i$%tan and, instead, 6hose to 'o )a6 to his ho$eto3n.984

Petitioner Ca&i$%tan 3as tota&&* %na3are o1 3hat had happened

to the 2i6ti$ Cantre a1ter the stonin' in6ident on 4 (e)r%ar* 8++.

So$e o1 his 1riends to&d hi$ that the* sti&& sa3 the 2i6ti$ Cantre


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drinin' at a 2ideoe )ar on the ni'ht o1 4 (e)r%ar* 8++. As 1ar as

he ne3, the 2i6ti$ Cantre died the 1o&&o3in' da*, on 5 (e)r%ar*

8++, )e6a%se o1 1ood poisonin'. Petitioner Ca&i$%tan $aintained

that he had no persona& 'r%d'e a'ainst the 2i6ti$ Cantre pre2io%s to

the stonin' in6ident.985

On 8+ No2e$)er 8++=, the RTC rendered its 0e6ision,98

essentia&&* adoptin' the prose6%tionHs a66o%nt o1 the in6ident on 4

(e)r%ar* 8++, and prono%n6in' that >

It 6annot )e &e'a&&* 6ontended that the thro3in' o1the stone )* the a66%sed 3as in de1ense o1 his6o$panion, a stran'er, )e6a%se a1ter the )o/in' Mi6hae&3as a)&e to r%n. hi&e it appears that the 2i6ti$ 3as the%n&a31%& a''ressor at the )e'innin', )%t the a''ressiona&read* 6eased a1ter Mi6hae& 3as a)&e to r%n and there3as no $ore need 1or thro3in' a stone. The thro3in' o1

the stone to the 2i6ti$ 3hi6h 3as a reta&iator* a6t 6an )e6onsidered %n&a31%&, hen6e the a66%sed 6an )e he&d6ri$ina&&* &ia)&e %nder para'raph 8 o1 Art. 4 o1 the Re2isedPena& Code.

The a6t o1 thro3in' a stone 1ro$ )ehind 3hi6h hit

the 2i6ti$ at his )a6 on the &e1t side 3as a trea6hero%sone and the a66%sed 6o$$itted a 1e&on* 6a%sin' ph*si6a&in@%ries to the 2i6ti$. The ph*si6a& in@%r* o1 he$ato$a asa res%&t o1 the i$pa6t o1 the stone res%&ted in the&a6eration o1 the sp&een 6a%sin' the

death o1 the 2i6ti$.The a66%sed is 6ri$ina&&* &ia)&e 1or a&& the dire6t andnat%ra& 6onse?%en6es o1 this %n&a31%& a6t e2en i1 the%&ti$ate res%&t had not )een intended. ;Art. 4, Par. 8,Re2ised Pena& Code Peop&e 2s. Nar6iso, CA-G.R. No.757-CR, "an. 87, 8+4

The prose6%tion has s%11i6ient&* esta)&ished that the serio%sinterna& in@%r* s%stained )* the 2i6ti$ 3as 6a%sed )* the stonethro3n at the 2i6ti$ )* the a66%sed 3hi6h, the a66%sed-appe&&antdoes not den*. It 3as &ie3ise sho3n that the interna& in@%r*s%stained )* the 2i6ti$ 3as the res%&t o1 the i$pa6t o1 the stonethat hit the 2i6ti$. It res%&ted to a tra%$ati6 in@%r* o1 the a)do$en6a%sin' the &a6eration o1 the 2i6ti$Hs sp&een.

This is 6&ear&* sho3n )* the a%tops* report prepared )* 0r.Rona&do MendeD, a Senior Medi6o !e'a& O11i6er o1 the NBI a1ter thee/h%$ation o1 the 2i6ti$Hs 6ada2erK

The Co%rt 6annot 'i2e 6reden6e to the post $orte$ reportprepared )* M%ni6ipa& #ea&th O11i6er 0r. Con6hita U&anda* statin'that the 6a%se o1 the 2i6ti$Hs death 3as 1ood poisonin'. 0r.U&anda* 3as not e2en presented to testi1* in 6o%rt hen6e she 3asnot e2en a)&e to identi1* andLor a11ir$ the 6ontents o1 her report.She 3as not $ade a2ai&a)&e 1or 6ross-e/a$ination on the a66%ra6*and 6orre6tness o1 her 1indin's.

0r. Con6hita U&anda*Hs post $orte$ report 6annot pre2ai& o2er thea%tops* report ;E/h. CJ< o1 the Medi6o-!e'a& O11i6er o1 the NBI

3ho testi1ied and 3as 6ross-e/a$ined )* the de1ense.Besides, i1 a66%sed-appe&&ant 3as 6on2in6ed that the 2i6ti$ indeeddied o1 1ood poisonin', as reported )* 0r. Con6hita U&anda*, 3h*did the* not present her as their 3itness to )e&ie the report o1 theMedi6o-!e'a& O11i6er o1 the NBI.


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The tria& 6o%rtHs e2a&%ation o1 the testi$on* o1 0r. MendeD isa66orded the hi'hest respe6t )e6a%se it had the opport%nit* too)ser2e the 6ond%6t and de$eanor o1 said 3itness.

#ERE(ORE, in 2ie3 o1 the 1ore'oin', the de6ision o1 the

Re'iona& Tria& Co%rt o1 Mas)ate, Bran6h 4, 1indin' a66%sed-appe&&ant '%i&t* )e*ond reasona)&e do%)t o1 the 6ri$e o1 ho$i6ideis here)* A((IRME0.

The Co%rt o1 Appea&s, in its Reso&%tion, dated 85 "an%ar* , 98=

denied the Motion 1or Re6onsideration 1i&ed )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan

1or &a6 o1 $erit sin6e the iss%es raised therein had a&read* )een

passed and r%&ed %pon in its 0e6ision, dated + A%'%st 8.

Co$es no3 petitioner Ca&i$%tan, )* 3a* o1 the present

Petition 1or Re2ie3 on Certiorari, seein' ;8< the re2ersa& o1 the

0e6isions o1 the RTC, dated 8+ No2e$)er 8++=, and o1 the Co%rt o1

Appea&s, dated + A%'%st 8, 6on2i6tin' hi$ o1 the 6ri$e o1

ho$i6ide and, ;< 6onse?%ent&*, his a6?%itta& o1 the said 6ri$e )asedon reasona)&e do%)t.

Petitioner Ca&i$%tan 6ontended that the e/isten6e o1 the t3o

a%tops* reports, 3ith dissi$i&ar 1indin's on the 6a%se o1 death o1 the

2i6ti$ Cantre, 6onstit%ted reasona)&e do%)t as to the &ia)i&it* o1

petitioner Ca&i$%tan 1or the said death, ar'%in' that >

/ / / 9It 3as 0ra. Con6hita U&anda*, M%ni6ipa& #ea&thO11i6er o1 Aroro*, Mas)ate 3as the 1irst ph*si6ian o1 the'o2ern$ent 3ho 6ond%6ted an e/a$ination on the6ada2er o1 the 2i6ti$ Phi&ip Cantre 3hose 1indin's 3asthat the 6a%se o1 his death 3as d%e to 1ood poisonin'3hi&e the se6ond 'o2ern$ent ph*si6ian NBI Medi6o !e'a&

O11i6er 0r. Rona&do MendeD 3hose 1indin's 3as that the6a%se o1 the death 3as d%e to a tra%$ati6 in@%r* o1 thea)do$en 6a%sed )* a &a6erated sp&een and 3ith these1indin's o1 t3o ;< 'o2ern$ent ph*si6ians 3hose 1indin'sare at 2arian6e 3ith ea6h other $ateria&&*, it is h%$)&*


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6ontended that the sa$e iss%e raised a reasona)&e do%)ton the 6%&pa)i&it* o1 the petitioner.

As there are i$pro)a)i&ities and %n6ertainties o1 the

e2iden6e 1or the prose6%tion in the 6ase at )ar, it s%11i6esto reaise 9sic reasona)&e do%)t as to the petitionerHs '%i&tand there1ore, he is entit&ed to a6?%itta& ;Peop&e 2s.0e&$endo, G.R. No. 784, No2e$)er 7, 8+=8


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As a Senior Medico-Le!" O##icer o1 the NBI, 0r. MendeD is

pres%$ed to possess s%11i6ient no3&ed'e o1 patho&o'*, s%r'er*,

'*ne6o&o'*, to/i6o&o'*, and s%6h other )ran6hes o1 $edi6ine

'er$ane to the iss%es in2o&2ed in a 6ase. 9

0r. MendeDHs testi$on* as an e/pert 3itness is e2iden6e, 97and

a&tho%'h it does not ne6essari&* )ind the 6o%rts, )oth the RTC and

the Co%rt o1 Appea&s had proper&* a66orded it 'reat 3ei'ht and

pro)ati2e 2a&%e. #a2in' testi1ied as to $atters %ndenia)&* 3ithin his

area o1 e/pertise, and ha2in' per1or$ed a thoro%'h a%tops* on the

)od* o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre, his 1indin's as to the

6a%se o1 death o1 the

2i6ti$ Cantre are $ore than @%st the $ere spe6%&ations o1 an ordinar*

person. The* $a* s%11i6ient&* esta)&ish the 6a%sa& re&ationship

)et3een the stone thro3n )* the petitioner Ca&i$%tan and the

&a6erated sp&een o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre 3hi6h, s%)se?%ent&*, res%&ted in

the &atterHs death. ith no apparent $istae or irre'%&arit*, 3hether inthe $anner )* 3hi6h 0r. MendeD per1or$ed the a%tops* on the )od*

o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre or in his 1indin's, then his report and testi$on*

$%st )e serio%s&* 6onsidered )* this Co%rt.

Moreo2er, re1eren6e to other reso%r6e $ateria&s on a)do$ina&

in@%ries 3o%&d a&so s%pport the 6on6&%sion o1 0r. MendeD that the

stone thro3n )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan 6a%sed the death o1 the 2i6ti$

Cantre.

One so%r6e e/p&ains the nat%re o1 a)do$ina& in@%ries94in the

1o&&o3in' $anner >

The sin $a* re$!in %n$!r&ed inspite o1e/tensi2e interna& in@%ries 3ith )&eedin' and disr%ption o1the interna& or'ans. The areas $ost 2%&nera)&e are thepoint o1 atta6h$ent o1 interna& or'ans, espe6ia&&* at the


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so%r6e o1 its )&ood s%pp&* and at the point 3here )&ood2esse&s 6han'e dire6tion.

The area in the $idd&e s%perior ha&1 o1 the

a)do$en, 1or$in' a trian'&e )o%nded )* the ri)s on thet3o sides and a &ine dra3n horiDonta&&* thro%'h the%$)i&i6%s 1or$in' its )ase is '%"ner!("e )o )r!%$!!**"ied #ro$ !n+ direc)ion. In this trian'&e are 1o%ndse2era& )&ood 2esse&s 6han'in' dire6tion, parti6%&ar&* the6e&ia6 tr%n, its )ran6hes ;)e e*!)ic, *"enic !nd!)ric !r)erie< as 3e&& as the a66o$pan*in' 2eins.The &oop o1 the d%oden%$, the &i'a$ent o1 TreitD and thepan6reas are in the retroperitonea& spa6e, and thesto$a6h and trans2erse 6o&on are in the trian'&e, &o6ated

in the peritonea& 6a2it*. Co$pression or )&o3 on the area$a* 6a%se deta6h$ent, &a6eration, stret6h-stress,6ont%sion o1 the or'ans ;Legal Medicine 1980, Cyril H.Wecht et., . !1

The sp&een %s%a&&* s%11ers tra%$ati6 r%pt%re

res%&tin' 1ro$ the i$pa6t o1 a 1a&& or )&o3 1ro$ the6r%shin' and 'rindin' e11e6ts o1 3hee&s o1 $otor 2ehi6&es.

A&tho%'h the or'an is prote6ted at its %pper portion )* theri)s and a&so )* the air-6ontainin' 2is6era& or'ans, *et ona66o%nt o1 its %*er#ici!"i)+ !nd #r!i"i)+, it is %s%a&&*a11e6ted )* tra%$a. / / /.

Certain&*, there are so$e ter$s in the a)o2e-?%oted

para'raphs di11i6%&t to 6o$prehend 1or peop&e 3itho%t $edi6a&

)a6'ro%nds. Ne2erthe&ess, there are so$e points that 6an )e

p&ain&* deri2ed there1ro$: ;8< Contrar* to 6o$$on per6eption, the

a)do$ina& area is $ore than @%st the 3aist area. The entire

a)do$ina& area is di2ided into di11erent trian'&es, and the sp&een is

&o6ated in the %pper trian'&e, )o%nded )* the ri) 6a'e ;< The sp&een

and a&& interna& or'ans in the sa$e trian'&e are 2%&nera)&e to tra%$a

1ro$ !"" direc)ion. There1ore, the stone need not hit the 2i6ti$

Cantre 1ro$ the 1ront. E2en i$pa6t 1ro$ a stone hittin' the )a6 o1


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the 2i6ti$ Cantre, in the area o1 the a1ore-$entioned trian'&e, 6o%&d

r%pt%re the sp&een and ;7< A&tho%'h the sp&een had a&read* )een

r%pt%red or &a6erated, there $a* not a&3a*s )e a per6epti)&e e/terna&

in@%r* to the 2i6ti$. In@%r* to the sp&een 6annot, at a&& ti$es, )e

attri)%ted to an o)2io%s, e/terna& in@%r* s%6h as a 6%t or )r%ise. The

&a6eration o1 the 2i6ti$ CantreHs sp&een 6an )e 6a%sed )* a stone

thro3n hard eno%'h, 3hi6h ?%a&i1ies as a nonpenetratin' tra%$a 9>

Non*ene)r!)in Tr!%$!. The sp&een, a&one or in

6o$)ination 3ith other 2is6era, is the $o) #re%en)"+in/%red or!n1o&&o3in' ("%n) )r!%$!to the a)do$en orthe &o3er thora6i6 6a'e. A%to$o)i&e a66idents pro2idethe predo$inatin'

6a%se, 3hi&e 1a&&s, s&eddin' and )i6*6&ein@%ries, and )&o3s in6%rred d%rin' 6onta6t sports are1re?%ent&* i$p&i6ated in 6hi&dren. / / /

The sheer i$pa6t o1 the stone thro3n )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan at

the )a6 o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre 6o%&d r%pt%re or &a6erate the sp&een >an or'an des6ri)ed as 2%&nera)&e, s%per1i6ia&, and 1ra'i&e > e2en

3itho%t 6a%sin' an* other e/terna& ph*si6a& in@%r*. A66ordin'&*, the

1indin's o1 0r. MendeD that the 2i6ti$ Cantre died o1 interna&

he$orrha'e 1ro$ his &a6erated sp&een, and the 6a%se o1 the

&a6eration o1 the sp&een 3as the stone thro3n )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan

at the )a6 o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre, does not ne6essari&* 6ontradi6t his

testi$on* )e1ore the RTC that none o1 the e/terna& in@%ries o1 the

2i6ti$ Cantre 3ere 1ata&.

Based on the 1ore'oin' dis6%ssion, the prose6%tion 3as a)&e to

esta)&ish that the pro/i$ate 6a%se o1 the death o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre

3as the stone thro3n at hi$ )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan. Pro/i$ate6a%se has )een de1ined as that 6a%se, 3hi6h, in nat%ra& and

6ontin%o%s se?%en6e, %n)roen )* an* e11i6ient inter2enin' 6a%se,

prod%6es the in@%r*, and 3itho%t 3hi6h the res%&t 3o%&d not ha2e

o66%rred.J9


13/42

The t3o other 3itnesses presented )* the prose6%tion, na$e&*

SaFano and Be&en Cantre, had ade?%ate&* re6o%nted the e2ents that

transpired on 4 (e)r%ar* 8++ to 5 (e)r%ar* 8++. Bet3een the

t3o o1 the$, the said 3itnesses a66o%nted 1or the 3herea)o%ts,

a6tions, and ph*si6a& 6ondition o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre d%rin' the said

period. Be1ore the en6o%nter 3ith petitioner Ca&i$%tan and

B%&a&a6ao, the 2i6ti$ Cantre see$ed to )e ph*si6a&&* 1ine. #o3e2er,

a1ter )ein' hit at the )a6 )* the stone thro3n at hi$ )* petitioner

Ca&i$%tan, the 2i6ti$ Cantre had 6ontin%o%s&* 6o$p&ained o1

)a6a6he. S%)se?%ent&*, his ph*si6a& 6ondition rapid&* deteriorated,

%nti& 1ina&&*, he died. Other than )ein' stoned )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan,

there 3as no other instan6e 3hen the 2i6ti$ Cantre $a* ha2e )een

hit )* another )&%nt instr%$ent 3hi6h 6o%&d ha2e 6a%sed the

&a6eration o1 his sp&een.

#en6e, this Co%rt is $ora&&* pers%aded that the 2i6ti$ Cantre

died 1ro$ a &a6erated sp&een, an in@%r* s%stained a1ter )ein' hit )* a

stone thro3n at hi$ )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan. Not e2en the post-

$orte$ report o1 0r. U&anda*, the M%ni6ipa& #ea&th O11i6er 3ho 1irst

e/a$ined the )od* o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre, 6an raise reasona)&e do%)t

as to the 6a%se o1 death o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre. In2oin' 0r. U&anda*Hspost-$orte$ report, the de1ense insisted on the possi)i&it* that the

2i6ti$ Cantre died o1 1ood poisonin'. The post-$orte$ report,

tho%'h, 6annot )e 'i2en $%6h 3ei'ht and pro)ati2e 2a&%e 1or the

1o&&o3in' reasons >

(irst, a 6&oser s6r%tin* o1 the 3ords %sed )* 0r. U&anda* in her

post-$orte$ report, as 3e&& as in the death 6erti1i6ate o1 the 2i6ti$

Cantre, re2ea&s that a&tho%'h she s%spe6ted 1ood poisonin' as the

6a%se o1 death, she he&d )a6 1ro$ $ain' a 6ate'ori6a& state$ent


14/42

that it 3as so. In the post-$orte$ report,9=she 1o%nd that / / / the

pro2a)&e ;sic

hat spe6i1i6 pro6ed%re did *o% do in 6onne6tion 3iththe e/h%$ation o1 the )od* o1 the 2i6ti$ in this6ase

A e opened the head, 6hest and the a)do$en. That 3as part o1 the a%tops* *o% ha2e 6ond%6ted

A Yes, sir. Aside 1ro$ openin' the head as 3e&& as the )od* o1

the 2i6ti$ Phi&ip Cantre, 3hat other $atters did *o%do in 6onne6tion there3ith

A e e/a$ined the interna& or'ans. hat in parti6%&ar interna& or'ans *o% ha2e

e/a$ined

A The )rain, the heart, the &%n's, the &i2er, the idne*s,

the pan6reas p&%s the intestines.

/ / / /


16/42

The 6a%se o1 death as *o% ha2e &isted here in *o%r1indin's is &isted as tra%$ati6 in@%r* o1 the a)do$en,3i&& *o% ind&* te&& %s 0o6tor 3hat is the si'ni1i6an6eo1 this $edi6a& ter$ tra%$ati6 in@%r* o1 thea)do$en

A e, $edi6o-&e'a& o11i6ers o1 the NBI donHt do 3hat

other do6tors do as the* $ae 6a%ses o1 death asinterna& he$orrha'e 3e parti6%&ar&* point to thein@%r* o1 the )od* &ie this parti6%&ar 6ase the in@%r*3as at the a)do$en o1 the 2i6ti$.

i&& *o% te&& as 0o6tor 3hat parti6%&ar portion o1 the

a)do$en o1 the 2i6ti$ this tra%$ati6 in@%r* is

&o6ated

A A&on' the $id&ine )%t the da$a'ed or'an 3as at the&e1t.

hat parti6%&ar or'an are *o% re1errin' to

A The sp&een, sir.

The di11eren6e in the e/tent o1 the e/a$inations 6ond%6ted )* the t3o

do6tors o1 the )od* o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre pro2ides an ade?%ate

e/p&anation 1or their apparent in6onsistent 1indin's as to the 6a%se o1

death. Co$parin' the &i$ited a%tops* 6ond%6ted )* 0r. U&anda* and

her %n6on1ir$ed s%spi6ion o1 1ood poisonin' o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre, as

opposed to the e/ha%sti2e a%tops* per1or$ed )* 0r. MendeD and his

de1initi2e 1indin' o1 a r%pt%red sp&een as the 6a%se o1 death o1 the

2i6ti$ Cantre, then the &atter, 3itho%t do%)t, deser2es to )e 'i2en

6reden6e )* the 6o%rts.

Third, that the prose6%tion no &on'er presented 0r. U&anda*

)e1ore the RTC despite )ein' in6&%ded in its &ist o1 3itnesses did not

a$o%nt to a 3i&&1%& s%ppression o1 e2iden6e that 3o%&d 'i2e rise to the

pres%$ption that her testi$on* 3o%&d )e ad2erse to the prose6%tion i1

prod%6ed.97 As this Co%rt a&read* e/po%nded in the 6ase o1 "eole

v. Ju#a#oy977 >


17/42

The prose6%tions 1ai&%re to present the other3itnesses &isted in the in1or$ation did not 6onstit%te,6ontrar* to the 6ontention o1 the a66%sed, s%ppression o1e2iden6e. The prose6%tor has the e/6&%si2e prero'ati2e todeter$ine the 3itnesses to )e presented 1or theprose6%tion. I1 the prose6%tion has se2era& e*e3itnesses,as in the instant 6ase, the prose6%tor need not present a&&o1 the$ )%t on&* as $an* as $a* )e needed to $eet the?%ant%$ o1 proo1 ne6essar* to esta)&ish the '%i&t o1 thea66%sed )e*ond reasona)&e do%)t. The testi$onies o1 theother 3itnesses $a*, there1ore, )e dispensed 3ith 1or)ein' $ere&* 6orro)orati2e in nat%re. This Co%rt has r%&ed

that the non-presentation o1 6orro)orati2e 3itnesses3o%&d not 6onstit%te s%ppression o1 e2iden6e and 3o%&dnot )e 1ata& to the prose6%tions 6ase. Besides, there isno sho3in' that the e*e3itnesses 3ho 3ere notpresented in 6o%rt as 3itnesses 3ere not a2ai&a)&e to thea66%sed. e reiterate the r%&e that the ad2ersepres%$ption 1ro$ a s%ppression o1 e2iden6e is notapp&i6a)&e 3hen ;8< the s%ppression is not 3i&&1%& ;< thee2iden6e s%ppressed or 3ithhe&d is $ere&* 6orro)orati2eor 6%$%&ati2e ;7< the e2iden6e is at the disposa& o1 )othparties and ;4< the s%ppression is an e/er6ise o1 apri2i&e'e. Moreo2er, i1 the a66%sed )e&ie2ed that the1ai&%re to present the other 3itnesses 3as )e6a%se theirtesti$onies 3o%&d )e %n1a2ora)&e to the prose6%tion, hesho%&d ha2e 6o$pe&&ed their appearan6e, )* 6o$p%&sor*pro6ess, to testi1* as his o3n 3itnesses or e2en as hosti&e3itnesses.

It 3as a @%d'$ent 6a&& 1or the prose6%tion to no &on'er present 0r.

U&anda* )e1ore the RTC, perhaps )e&ie2in' that it had a&read*

presented s%11i6ient e2iden6e to $erit the 6on2i6tion o1 petitioner

Ca&i$%tan e2en 3itho%t her testi$on*. There 3as nothin', ho3e2er,

pre2entin' the de1ense 1ro$ 6a&&in' on, or e2en 6o$pe&&in', 3ith the

appropriate 6o%rt pro6esses, 0r. U&anda* to testi1* in 6o%rt as its

3itness i1 it tr%&* )e&ie2ed that her testi$on* 3o%&d )e ad2erse to the

6ase presented )* the prose6%tion.


18/42

hi&e this Co%rt is in a66ord 3ith the 1a6t%a& 1indin's o1 the

RTC and the Co%rt o1 Appea&s and a11ir$s that there is a$p&e

e2iden6e pro2in' that the death o1 the 2i6ti$ Cantre 3as 6a%sed )*

his &a6erated sp&een, an in@%r* 3hi6h res%&ted 1ro$ )ein' hit )* the

stone thro3n at hi$ )* petitioner Ca&i$%tan, this Co%rt, nonethe&ess,

is at 2arian6e 3ith the RTC and the Co%rt o1 Appea&s as to the

deter$ination o1 the appropriate 6ri$e or o11ense 1or 3hi6h the

petitioner sho%&d ha2e )een 6on2i6ted 1or.

Arti6&e 7 o1 the Re2ised Pena& Code 6&assi1ies 1e&onies

a66ordin' to the $eans )* 3hi6h the* are 6o$$itted, in parti6%&ar: ;8i.on /2 7stice of the *eace of "acolor! H2R2 No2 =! 7l% 4G! 1800! $t a distinct crime in

itself! designated as a 'asi offense in or *enal Code! it ma% ho3e/er $e said that a con/ictionfor the former can $e had nder an information e,clsi/el% charging the commission of a 3illfl

offense! pon the theor% that the greater incldes the lesser offense2 This is the sitation that

o$tains in the present case2 +ppellant 3as charged 3ith 3illfl falsification $t from the

e/idence s$mitted $% the parties! the Cort of +ppeals fond that in effecting the falsification

3hich made possi$le the cashing of the chec:s in 'estion! appellant did not act 3ith criminal

intent $t merel% failed to ta:e proper and ade'ate means to assre himself of the identit% of thereal claimants as an ordinar% prdent man 3old do2 In other 3ords! the information alleges acts

3hich charge 3illfl falsification $t 3hich trned ot to $e not 3illfl $t negligent2 This is a

case co/ered $% the rle 3hen there is a /ariance $et3een the allegation and proof2 2 2 2

The fact that the information does not allege that the falsification 3as committed 3ithimprdence is of no moment for here this deficienc% appears spplied $% the e/idence s$mitted

$% appellant himself and the reslt has pro/en $eneficial to him2 Certainl%! ha/ing alleged that

the falsification has $een 3illfl! it 3old $e incongros to allege at the same time that it 3as

committed 3ith imprdence for a charge of criminal intent is incompati$le 3ith the concept of

negligence2

InPeople v. Fernando!,,,/iii[G]the accsed 3as charged 3ith! and con/icted of! mrder

$% the trial cort2 On appeal! this Cort modified the ;dgment and held the accsed

lia$le for rec:less imprdence reslting in homicide after finding that he did not act 3ith

criminal intent2

T&ird2 Coming no3 to the imposa$le penalt%! nder +rt2 0! rec:less imprdence

reslting in homicide is pnisha$le $% arresto mayorin its ma,imm period toprision

correccional in its medim period2 In this case! ta:ing into accont the pertinentpro/isions of Indeterminate Sentence =a3! the accsed&appellants shold sffer the

penalt% of for A# months of arresto mayor! as minimm! to for A# %ears and t3o A4

months ofprision correccional! as ma,imm2

+s to their ci/il lia$ilit%! accsed&appellants shold pa% the heirs of Rand% =nta%aoan indemnit% in the amont of *0!2 and moral damages also in the amont of

*0!22,,,i,[8] In addition! the% shold pa% e,emplar% damages in the amont of

*!2 in /ie3 of accsed&appellants9 gross negligence in attempting to Bcre@ the

/ictim 3ithot a license to practice medicine and to gi/e an e,ample or correction for the

p$lic good2,l[#]

9HEREFORE! the decision of the Regional Trial Cort! "ranch 1#! Ce$ Cit%! is+FFIR)ED 3ith the )ODIFIC+TION that accsed&appellants are here$% declared

gilt% of rec:less imprdence reslting in homicide and are each sentenced to sffer an

indeterminate prison term of for A# months of arresto mayor! as minimm! to for A#

%ears and t3o A4 months of prision correccional! as ma,imm2 In addition! accsed&appellants are ORDERED ;ointl% and se/erall% to pa% the heirs of Rand% =nta%ao

indemnit% in the amont of *0!2! moral damages in the amont of *0!2! and

e,emplar% damages in the amont of *!22

SO OR)ERE).

)ellosillo, *'&airman

9G.R. No. 84+5. O6to)er 7, 7

OSCAR MAGNO,etitioner, vs. T#E PEOP!E O( T#EP#I!IPPINES, resondent.


30/42

0 E C I S I O N

CA!!E"O, SR., J.:

This is a petition 1or re2ie3 on certiorari%nder R%&e 45 o1 the 8++R%&es o1 Ci2i& Pro6ed%re 1or the re2ersa& o1 the de6ision 98o1 the Co%rt

o1 Appea&s in CA-G.R. CR No. 7++ re2ersin' the de6ision 9o1 theRe'iona& Tria& Co%rt o1 I1%'ao, Bran6h 84, in Cri$ina& Case No. ==.

The Indi6t$ent

The petitioner 3as 6har'ed 3ith

ho$i6ide in an In1or$ation, thea66%sator* portion o1 3hi6h reads:

That on or a)o%t the 4thda* o1 "%ne, 8++, in the M%ni6ipa&it* o1!a'a3e, I1%'ao, and 3ithin the @%risdi6tion o1 the #onora)&e Co%rt,the a)o2e-na$ed a66%sed 3ith intent to i&&, and 3itho%t an*

@%sti1ia)&e reason 3hatsoe2er 0I0 then and there 3i&&1%&&*, %n&a31%&&*and 1e&onio%s&* in1&i6t ph*si6a& in@%ries on the di11erent parts o1 the)od* o1 0o2 !o%renD 0%n%an 3hi6h dire6t&* 6a%sed the &atterHs death.

CONTRARY TO !A.97

On arrai'n$ent, the petitioner, assisted )* 6o%nse&, p&eaded not'%i&t*.

The Case 1or the Prose6%tion

As 6%&&ed )* the tria& 6o%rt, the 6ase ste$$ed 1ro$ the 1o&&o3in'

1a6ts:In the ear&* e2enin' o1 "%ne 4, 8++, B%ss, Gi&)ert Ba66a* and#er$an 0ina$&in' 3ere drinin' &i?%or ;)eer< inside the )a6roo$ o1the resta%rant o3ned and $ana'ed )* E$erita 0anao, no3n thenas the Top Side Resta%rant. This resta%rant 1a6es the 6on6rete ho%seo1 the a66%sed and their distan6e is $ore or &ess 8 $eters 3ith thenationa& hi'h3a* separatin' )oth )%i&din's.

There 3ere other 6%sto$ers a&so drinin'. hi&e the &i?%or )in'e o1the three 3as on-'oin', 0o2 arri2ed and @oined the$ as he 3as

in2ited. Mo$ents &ater, 0o2 3ent to the @%e )o/ and p&a*ed a t%neand 6ontin%ed tain' in )eer @%st as the rest 3ere doin'. A1ter6ons%$in' the )ott&e, he in1or$ed the 'ro%p that he 3i&& 'o to theother side ;re1errin' to the ho%se o1 the a66%sed 3hi6h has a store init


31/42

sa3 the a66%sed at the 6o%nter, the $aid 3as sit%ated at the it6hen.Mean3hi&e, 0o2 sat near a ta)&e 3hi&e B%ss 3ent to the 6o%nter toorder 1or so$e so1t drins ;6o&a-6o&a


32/42

1ro$ his nose. Then #er$an 0ina$&in' arri2ed )%t Gi&)ert sti&& ased0o2 3hat happened,J )%t the &itt&e son o1 E$erita 0anao 3ho 3aspresent pointed to the a66%sed, 3ho )* then @%st arri2ed sti&& dri2in'the )i' 2ehi6&e, as K. That one 3ho did it to hi$.J The a66%sed ne/tto&d the$ to &oo 1or a tri6*6&eJ to )rin' 0o2 to the hospita&. ;E/hi)itJ and s%)-$arin's


33/42

INTERNA! ORGAN INO!EMENT:8. !%n's, &e1t 6ont%sed at its anterior aspe6t, %pper and &o3er&o)es.. Sp&een, s%per1i6ia& r%pt%res 3ith ra$i1i6ations at its do$e.

7. Brain and other 2is6era& or'ans, pa&e, )%t other3ise %nre$ara)&e.

#EMORR#AGE:Intra-thora6i6, se2ere Intra-peritonea&, $ini$a&.Sto$a6h, 6ontained s$a&& a$o%nt o1 partia&&* di'ested

ri6e andother 1ood parti6&es.

CAUSE O( 0EAT#:#e$orrha'i6 sho6 Tra%$ati6. ;E/hi)it GJ

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