Rule 128 and 129 Full Text

7/18/2019 Rule 128 and 129 Full Text

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PhilippineLaw.info Jurisprudence 1989 FebruaryPhilippineLaw.info Jurisprudence SCRA ol. 1!"

G.R. No. 81031, Alejandro v. People and

Sandiganbayan, 170 SCRARepublic of #he PhilippinesSUPREE C!UR"

$anila

%& 'A&C

(%C)S)*&

February +", 1989

-.R. &o. 81"1#R. AR"UR! $. A$E%AN#R!, pe#i#ioner,/s.PE!P$E !& "'E P'($(PP(NES and "'E '!N!RA)$E SAN#(GAN)A*AN,responden#s.

Rodolfo B. Fernandez for petitioner. The Solicitor General for respondent.

Padilla,J.+

0his is a pe#i#ion for re/iew on certiorariof #he decision o -e Sandiganbayan, da-ed30 %/ly 187, inding pe-i-ioner #r. Ar-/ro $. Alejandro g/il-y o -e oene o

viola-ion o Se2-ion 3e4 o R.A. 301, 5no6n a -e An-iGra- and Corr/p-

Pra2-i2e A2-. "e a2-/al ba25gro/nd o -e 2ae i a ollo6+

#r. Ar-/ro $. Alejandro 6a -e d/ly appoin-ed oi2erin2arge !(C4 o -e

Preiden- &erdinand E. ar2o Eergen2y 'opi-al &EE'4 in #i/n, Provin2e

o 9/irino, ro :0 ar2 18: /n-il i re-ireen- ro -e ervi2e on 31 %/ly

18:, or or a period o a- lea- o/r ;4 on-. "e ervi2e re2ord o -e pe-i-ioner

o6 -a- e ad been in -e p/bli2 ervi2e in2e %/ly 1;: /n-il i re-ireen-,

erving -e governen- or or-y ;04 long year. 'e ir- 6or5ed a- -e )ayobong

'opi-al in N/eva ?171, ayayao Eergen2y 'opi-al in 171

17? and -e Aglipay Eergen2y 'opi-al in 17?18:. 1

!n :0 ar2 18:, 6ile -ill -e Cie o Aglipay Eergen2y 'opi-al, pe-i-ioner

6a appoin-ed a !(C o &EE'. Pe-i-ioner eld bo- poi-ion 2on2/rren-ly,

dra6ing i alary ro -e Aglipay Eergen2y 'opi-al. 'e /--led ro oneopi-al -o -e o-er -o a--end -o and /pervie bo- opi-al. :

!n :0 Sep-eber 18:, -ir-y 304 eployee o &EE' iled a 2oplain- again-

pe-i-ioner #r. Ar-/ro $. Alejandro,


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Pe-i-ionerB re-ireen- on 30 %/ly 18:, no-ing 6a le- o -e /nd o -e opi-al

6i- -e ban5 e2ep- or -e ao/n- o P 1>8.00, a a re/l- o 6i2, -e eployee

o -e opi-al 6ere no- paid -eir alarie and allo6an2e or -e e2ond al o %/ly

and or -e on- o A/g/- and Sep-eber 18:. 3

A2-ing on beal o -e Preiden-, -e ini-ry o Na-ional #eene reerred -e

2oplain- -o -e "anodbayan or appropria-e a2-ion. P/r/an- -o /2 reerral, aninve-iga-ion 6a 2ond/2-ed by -e N)(. A-er eval/a-ing -e eviden2e /bi--ed,

-e #ire2-or o -e N)( ade a re2oenda-ion or /r-er inve-iga-ion o -e 2ae

on -e gro/nd -a- -e pe2ii2 liabili-ie o -e a22/ed 2o/ld no- be a2er-ained d/e

-o -e aben2e o vi-al eviden2e. ;

"e #ire2-or o Regional 'eal- !i2e No. : o "/g/egarao, Cagayan alo ordered

-e Regional &inan2e !i2er and A22o/n-an- -o 2ond/2- an inve-iga-ion.

(n an inora-ion da-ed 18 Sep-eber 18?, pe-i-ioner #r. Ar-/ro $. Alejandro in

i -en 2apa2i-y a !(C o &EE', -oge-er 6i- ,:83.; or -e ain-enan2e and o-er opera-ing epene !!E4 6en -e

-ird @/ar-er 18: allo-en- or -e p/rpoe 6a only P 7;,?00.00, -ereby

in2/rring overependi-/re ao/n-ing -o P ;1,783.; 6i2 la--er ao/n- 6a -a5en

ro -e P 3,?0.00 in-ended or peronnel ervi2e re/l-ing in -e nonpayen- o

-e alarie, 6age and allo6an2e o eployee o aoreen-ioned opi-al or -e

on- o %/ly, A/g/- and Sep-eber 18:, -ereby 2a/ing /nd/e inj/ry and

daage -o -e eployee o aid opi-al.

C!N"RAR* "! $AF. >

(- 6a e-ablied -a- -6o :4 inding 2e25 6ere releaed in avor o -e opi-al

in %/ly 18: or -e -ird @/ar-er o -a- ae year in -e ao/n- o P 3,?0.00and P7;,?00.00, earar5ed or peronnel ervi2e and or ain-enan2e and o-er

opera-ing epene, repe2-ively.

!/- o -e P3,?0.00 allo-ed or peronnel ervi2e or -e -ird @/ar-er o 18:,

-e ao/n- o P;?,38.3 6a /ed or payen- o -e ba25 alarie o -e opi-al

eployee or -e e2ond @/ar-er o 18:, and -e ao/n- o P7,>10.00 6a /ed -o

pay or -e alarie o -e eployee or -e ir- al o %/ly 18:. "e reaining

balan2e o P;0,?0.07 6a pen- or ain-enan2e and o-er opera-ing epene, a a
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2one@/en2e o 6i2, -e opi-al eployee 6ere no- paid -eir alarie or -e

e2ond al o %/ly and or -e 6ole on- o A/g/- and Sep-eber 18:. "e

allo-en- or -e -ird @/ar-er o 18: or peronnel ervi2e a 6ell a -e /nd

reerved or ain-enan2e and opera-ing epene ad already been /ed /p beore

-e end o -e -ird @/ar-er or a early a :> %/ly 18:.

!n :7 !2-ober 18:, -e Regional 'eal- !i2e /nder-oo5 payen- o -e alarieo -e eployee o &EE' or -e reainder o -e -ird @/ar-er o 18:.

A-er join- earing o -e -6o :4 2riinal 2ae again- pe-i-ioner and i 2o

a22/ed, -e Sandiganbayan rendered a de2iion 7 da-ed 30 %/ly 187, a2@/i--ing -e

a22/ed o -e 2arge o "e2ni2al alvera-ion, olding -a- -ere 6a no proo o

diverion o /nd. A -o -e 2riinal 2arge or viola-ion o Se2-ion 3e4 o -e An-i

Gra- and Corr/p- Pra2-i2e A2-, -e a22/ed 6ere o/nd g/il-y -ereo.

"e dipoi-ive par- o -e de2iion read a ollo6+

F'ERE&!RE, in Criinal Cae No. 10;7, -e Co/r- ind -e a22/ed #r. Ar-/ro

$. Alejandro,


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i a valid deene -o -e 2arge o viola-ion o Se2. 3e4 o -e An-iGra- and

Corr/p- Pra2-i2e A2-.

!n -e o-er and, -e p/bli2 reponden- -ro/g -e !i2e o -e Soli2i-or

General, arg/e -a- 6en -e a22/ed overpen- or ain-enan2e and o-er

opera-ing epene, /-iliing in -e pro2e /nd allo2a-ed or peronnel ervi2e,

and -ereby ailed -o pay -e alarie o opi-al eployee or -e en-ire -ird@/ar-er o 18:, 2a/ing daage -o -e la--er, a viola-ion o Se2. 3e4 o -e An-i

Gra- and Corr/p- Pra2-i2e A2- 6a 2oi--ed= and -a- pe-i-ionerB a2- ao/n-ed

-o a -o-al abdi2a-ion o d/-y and reponibili-y ao/n-ing -o gro negligen2e 6i2

r/le o/- -e deene o good ai-. Se2. 3e4 o -e An-iGra- and Corr/p- Pra2-i2e

A2- p/nie any p/bli2 oi2er or

e4 Ca/ing any /nd/e inj/ry -o any par-y, in2l/ding -e Governen-, or giving any

priva-e par-y any /n6arran-ed benei-, advan-age or preeren2e in -e di2arge o

i oi2ial adini-ra-ive or j/di2ial /n2-ion -ro/g anie- par-iali-y, eviden-

bad ai- or gro ine2/able negligen2e. "i proviion all apply -o oi2er and

eployee o oi2e or governen- 2orpora-ion 2arged 6i- -e gran- o li2ene

or peri- or o-er 2on2eion.

(n order -a- one ay be eld 2riinally liable /nder aid e2-ion, -e a2- o -e

a22/ed 6i2 2a/ed /nd/e inj/ry /- ave been done 6i- eviden- bad ai- or

6i- gro ine2/able negligen2e. Gro negligen2e a been deined a negligen2e

2ara2-eried by -e 6an- o even lig- 2are, a2-ing or oi--ing -o a2- in a i-/a-ion

6ere -ere i a d/-y -o a2-, no- inadver-en-ly b/- 6il/lly and in-en-ionally 6i- a

2on2io/ indieren2e -o 2one@/en2e in o ar a o-er peron ay be ae2-ed. 10

(- i -e oiion o -a- 2are 6i2 even ina--en-ive and -o/g-le en never ail

-o -a5e on -eir o6n proper-y. 11

(- a been e-ablied beore -e 2o/r- a quo-a- in -e dib/reen- o /nd o

-e opi-al, a pro2ed/re ad -o be ai-/lly 2oplied 6i-. Upon iling o aRe@/ii-ion and (/e


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6e-er -ere 6a an available /nd every -ie a dib/reen- 6a needed or

releae. "e ae r/le 6a alo applied -o -e Adini-ra-ive !i2er 6o 6a

re@/ired -o i/e a 2er-ii2a-ion -o -e ee2- -a- -e ependi-/re 6a ne2eary and

la6/l.

"o ipoe 2riinal liabili-y /pon pe-i-ioner 6o 6a iled in-o giving i approval

-o a par-i2/lar dib/reen- on -e bai o -e )oo55eeperB 2er-ii2a-ion -a- -ere6a /nd available or aid ependi-/re 6o/ld be -oo ar and ine@/i-able even i

/2 /nd -/rned o/- -o be /navailable4.

Pe-i-ionerB relian2e on -e 2orre2-ne o -e 2er-ii2a-ion o -e )oo55eeper and

Adini-ra-ive !i2er 6i2 re/l-ed in -e appli2a-ion o a por-ion o -e /nd or

peronnel ervi2e -o ain-enan2e and o-er opera-ing epene or -e opi-al,

2anno- be 2laiied a Hgro ine2/able negligen2eH. "ere 6a no eviden- bad

ai- or ali2io/ in-en- in i par- -o 2a/e /nd/e inj/ry -o -e opi-al eployee.

(n giving i approval -o -e dib/reen- or -a- period, i- 6a eviden- -a- e

6a erely iled by -e 2er-ii2a-ion o -e )oo55eeper. &/r-erore, -e /nd or

peronnel ervi2e 6a no- olely /ed or ain-enan2e and o-er opera-ing epene

o -e opi-al b/- alo in payen- o -e ba25 alarie o -e opi-al eployee.

(- 6a alo o6n in -e 2o/r- a quo-a- -raner or Hj/gglingH i yo/ ay4 o

/nd ro one @/ar-er -o a pre2eeding @/ar-er ad been pra2-i2ed by -e orer

Cie o -e opi-al a early a 178, and i- 6a erely 2arried over d/ring -e

-er o erein pe-i-ioner.

Pe-i-ioner a2-ed a !(C o -e opi-al or only abo/- o/r ;4 on-, 2on2/rren-ly

6i- i poi-ion a Cie o -e Aglipay Eergen2y 'opi-al. Conidering -a- i

d/-ie a Cie o bo- opi-al en-ailed a lo- o reponibili-y no- only on -e

anageen- ide b/- alo in -e -rea-en- o -eir pa-ien-, i- i alo-

/nreaonable -o ave epe2-ed pe-i-ioner -o dire2-ly and peronally 2e25 -e boo5

o a22o/n- o &EE' -o ind o/- i indeed -ere 6a an available /nd ro -eallo--ed ao/n- 6enever a dib/reen- 6a /bi--ed -o i or approval. 'i

a2- o relying /pon -e )oo55eeperB 2er-ii2a-ion -o -e ee2- -a- -ere 6a an

available /nd or -e dib/reen- o/g- -o be approved 2anno- be 2onidered

gro ine2/able negligen2e.

oreover, one o -e eleen- o -e 2rie de2ribed in Se2. 3e4 o -e An-iGra-

and Corr/p- Pra2-i2e A2- i -a- -ere o/ld be /nd/e inj/ry 2a/ed -o any par-y.

'o6ever, in -e 30 %/ly 187 de2iion o -e reponden- Sandiganbayan, i- i

re2ognied -a- -ere 6a no proo o daage 2a/ed -o -e eployee o -e

opi-al in2e -ey 6ere in a2- paid on :7 !2-ober 18: -eir alarie or -e en-ire

-ird @/ar-er o 18:. 13

F'ERE&!RE, -e pe-i-ion i GRAN"E#, and -e de2iion o -e Sandiganbayan

da-ed 30 %/ly 187 in Criinal Cae No. 10;7 i SE" AS(#E. Pe-i-ioner i

AC9U(""E# o -e 2arge o viola-ion o Se2. 3e4 o -e An-iGra- and Corr/p-

Pra2-i2e A2- R.A. 3014.

S! !R#ERE#

G.R. No. 17;;7: %/ne 1, :007
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PE!P$E !& "'E P'($(PP(NES,Plain#iff Appellee,/s.)EN(GN! &E"A$(N! y GA)A$#!N,AccusedAppellan#.

( % C ) S ) * &

C'(C!NAIAR(!,J.:

For Re/iew is #he (ecision1of #he Cour# of Appeals pro2ul3a#ed on 1 $ay +""4 in CA-.R. CR5.C. &o. "+14+ en#i#led, 6People of #he Philippines /. 'eni3no Fe#alino y-abaldon,6 affir2in3, wi#h 2odifica#ion, #he Jud32en#+ da#ed +9 July +""7 of #heRe3ional 0rial Cour# of $andaluyon3 Ci#y, 'ranch +1, in Cri2inal Cases &o. $C99177, $C 991774, $C99177!5, $C 9917785, and $C9917795.

Appellan# s#ood char3ed wi#h #wo coun#s of ac#s of lasci/iousness and #hree coun#s ofrape alle3edly co22i##ed a3ains# #he person of his own dau3h#er, AAA. 0he)nfor2a#ions, all si3ned by Assis#an# Ci#y Prosecu#or Carlos A. alenuela, s#a#e:

)n Cri2inal Case &o. $C99177

0ha# on or abou# #he +1s# day of $arch 1999, in #he Ci#y of ;;;, Philippines, a placewi#hin #he dau3h#er AAA, a 3irlsi?#een @14 years of a3e, and sub


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=wi#hin> #he dau3h#er AAA, a 3irl si?#een years of a3e andsub


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conduc# of a 62edicole3alHphysical e?a2ina#ion6 on AAA who was a /ic#i2 of an6alle3ed se?ual abuseH2oles#a#ion perpe#ra#ed by her biolo3ical fa#her.617AAA and '''were #hen sub


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case, howe/er, he was a# #he house he used #o share wi#h ''' and #heir children loca#eda# &o. ;;; S#., ;;; (ri/e, ;;; Ci#y. Said house was under3oin3 reno/a#ion a# #ha##i2e.

Appellan# clai2ed #ha# #he presen# cri2inal char3es were brou3h# a3ains# hi2 inre#alia#ion for #he physical in


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)n /iew of #he dea#h penal#y i2posed by #he #rial cour#, #he cases were au#o2a#icallyele/a#ed #o #his Cour# for re/iew. 5owe/er, in our Resolu#ion da#ed 1 (ece2ber +"", +1

we ordered #he re2and of #hese cases #o #he Cour# of Appeals pursuan# #o our holdin3 inPeople v. Mateo.++

)n i#s assailed (ecision, #he appella#e cour# 2odified #he decision of #he #rial cour# by

acGui##in3 appellan# of #he #wo char3es of rape and by down3radin3 #he penal#y i2posedin Cri2inal Case &o. $C99177!5 fro2 dea#h #o reclusion perpetuaK

E5%R%F*R%, #he


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Law of 199!,6 which #ooB effec# on ++ *c#ober 199!. Ei#h #hese a2end2en#s, rape wasreclassified as a cri2e a3ains# person and no# 2erely a cri2e a3ains# chas#i#y. Ar#icle+44A of #he Re/ised Penal Code s#a#es:

Ar-. :>>A. Rape= Fen and 'o6 Coi--ed. J Rape i 2oi--ed+

1 'y a 2an who =shall> ha/e carnal Bnowled3e of a wo2an under any of #he followin3circu2s#ances:

a 0hrou3h force, #hrea#, or in#i2ida#ion

b Ehen #he offended par#y is depri/ed of reason or o#herwise unconscious

c 'y 2eans of fraudulen# 2achina#ion or 3ra/e abuse of au#hori#y and

d Ehen #he offended par#y is under #wel/e @1+ years of a3e or is de2en#ed, e/en #hou3hnone of #he circu2s#ances 2en#ioned abo/e be presen#.

+ 'y any person who, under any of #he circu2s#ances 2en#ioned in para3raph 1 hereof,shall co22i# an ac# of se?ual assaul# by inser#in3 his penis in#o ano#her personDs 2ou#h oranal orifice, or any ins#ru2en# or ob


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cons#i#u#ionally 3uaran#eed ri3h# #o be infor2ed of #he char3es a3ains# hi2. Cer#ainly, wecanno# allow oursel/es #o be #he ones #o perpe#ra#e #he denial of appellan#Ds ri3h# #o dueprocess. 5e canno# be punished for an offense 3ra/er #han #ha# wi#h which he waschar3ed.+9

)n his 'rief, appellan# in/oBes #he se##led rule #ha# under our


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. Eha# abou# #he #hird rape

A. ) canno# recall any2ore, 2aDa2.

. 'u# all in #he year 1999 of $arch

A. es, 2aDa2."

0he see2in3 reluc#ance of AAA, as punc#ua#ed by appellan#, is precisely one of #heprincipal 2o#i/a#ions which propelled our le3isla#ure #o reclassify #he cri2e of rape as acri2e a3ains# person. As e?plained by Con3resswo2an Lu Reyes 'aBunawa durin3 hersponsorship speech of #he 5ouse 'ill &o. 4+4 which e/en#ually beca2e Republic Ac#&o. 8 K

0his reclassifica#ion is necessary because under #he e?is#in3 law, only #he /ic#i2 can filea co2plain#, if she wishes, or her paren#s, or 3randparen#s in #ha# order, which is /eryres#ric#i/e. 0he bill now prescribes #ha# any ci#ien can file a co2plain#, e/en if #heco2plainan# 2ay no# be #he /ic#i2, or close rela#i/e of #he /ic#i2. 0his is #he si3nificanceof #he chan3e #ha# in#ends #o brin3 #he cri2inal #o #he bar of


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. So, a# #he #i2e you were rape you were inside your fa#herDs bedroo2

A. es, sir.

. ou will a3ree wi#h 2e #ha# #he door of #he roo2 has a locB, $ada2 Ei#ness

A. &one sir, i# was open because our house was under reno/a#ion #hen.

. Ehen #he accused inser#ed his penis in#o your /a3ina, you did no# resis#ed @sicA. ) resis#ed.

. 5ow did you resis#ed @sic, $ada2 Ei#ness

A. ) s#ru33led.

. )n wha# way

A. ) re2o/e @sic his hands.

. (id #he accused liBewise, undress hi2self

A. es, sir.

. 5e was #o#ally naBed #henA. es, sir.

. (o you ha/e a nei3hbor, $ada2 Ei#ness

A. es, sir.

. )# happened a# abou# 1:"" #o +:"" in #he af#ernoon, $ada2 Ei#ness

A. es, sir.

. ou did no# shou# for help, $ada2 Ei#ness

A. &o, sir.

. EhyA. ) was afraid because he #hrea#ened 2e.

. 5ow did he #hrea#en you

A. 5e #old 2e no# #o repor# #he 2a##er #o anybody.

. Ehen did you finally decide #o disclose wha# happened #o you #o anyone, $ada2Ei#ness

A. )# was on @sic 1999, #o 2y 2o#her, bu# ) canno# recall #he da#e.

. Ehy did you disclose #he sa2e #o your 2o#her

A. ) was afraid of 2y fa#her.

. Ehen you s#a#ed in your s#a#e2en# #ha# a cer#ain Paul wi#nessed #he inciden#, whenwas #ha#

A. $arch 1999.

. Ehile your fa#her was rapin3 you

A. 5e saw #he inciden# because he was #hen worBin3 a# our house.

. ou s#a#ed in your affida/i# #ha# your fa#her was on #op of you when Paul see @sic


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you

A. es, sir.

. 'u# a# #he #i2e when Paul saw your fa#her on #op of you, his penis was no# ye# inser#edin #o your /a3ina

A. &o# ye#, sir.+

Co2ple2en#ary #o AAADs oral #es#i2ony, she confir2ed #he sworn s#a#e2en# which shee?ecu#ed before SP*7 %spiri#u on +4 $arch 1999 upon redirec# e?a2ina#ion by #heprosecu#or. As we had elucida#ed in #he case of People /. Ser/ano,#he e/idence whichshould be considered by #he cour# in cri2inal cases need no# be li2i#ed #o #he s#a#e2en#s2ade in open cour# ra#her, i# should include all docu2en#s, affida/i#s or sworns#a#e2en#s of #he wi#nesses, and o#her suppor#in3 e/idence. Ee e?plained K

? ? ? =E>hen a sworn s#a#e2en# has been for2ally offered as e/idence, i# for2s anin#e3ral par# of #he prosecu#ion e/idence which should no# be i3nored for i# co2ple2en#sand co2ple#es #he #es#i2ony on #he wi#ness s#and. A sworn s#a#e2en# is a wri##endeclara#ion of fac#s #o which #he declaran# has sworn before an officer au#horied #oad2inis#er oa#hs. 0his oa#h /es#s credibili#y and #rus#wor#hiness on #he docu2en#. 0hefac# #ha# a wi#ness fails #o rei#era#e, durin3 #rial, #he con#en#s of his sworn s#a#e2en#should no# affec# his credibili#y and render #he sworn s#a#e2en# useless and insi3nifican#,as lon3 as i# is presen#ed as e/idence in open cour#. 0his is no# #o say, howe/er, #ha# #hesworn s#a#e2en# should be 3i/en 2ore proba#i/e /alue #han #he ac#ual #es#i2ony. Ra#her,#he sworn s#a#e2en# and #he open cour# declara#ions 2us# be e/alua#ed and e?a2ined#o3e#her in #o#o so #ha# a full and #horou3h de#er2ina#ion of #he 2eri#s of #he case 2ay beachie/ed. -i/in3 wei3h# #o a wi#nessD oral #es#i2ony durin3 #he #rial should no# 2eanbein3 obli/ious #o #he o#her pieces of a/ailable e/idence such as #he sworn s#a#e2en#. )nliBe 2anner, #he cour# canno# 3i/e proba#i/e /alue #o #he sworn s#a#e2en# #o #he e?clusionof #he oral #es#i2ony. )n e/ery case, #he cour# should re/iew, assess and wei3h #he #o#ali#yof #he e/idence presen#ed by #he par#ies. ? ? ?.7

)n #his case, AAADs sworn s#a#e2en# which for2s par# of #he records of #his case supplied#he de#ails of #he inciden#s she e?perienced durin3 #hose fa#eful days in $arch 1999, #hus:

0 : Ano an3 dahilan a# nari#o Ba n3ayon sa a2in3 #an33apan a# na3bibi3ay n3 isan32alayan3 salaysay

S : Para po isu2bon3 a# ipaBulon3 an3 #a#ay Bo na #a#lon3 beses aBon3 nirape a#dalawan3 beses na ipinasoB and daliri niya sa ari Bo.

0 : Sino ba an3 #a#ay 2o na sinasabi 2o na na3rape sa iyo n3 #a#lon3 beses

S : Siya po si 'eni3no Fe#alino y -abaldon, 4+ #aon3 3ulan3, walan3 #rabaho a# naBa#ira

din po sa ;;; S#., ;;; Ci#y.0 : Mailan, saan a# anon3 oras nan3yari an3 sinasabi 2on3 pan3rerape na 3inawa sa iyon3 #a#ay 2o

S : &oon pon3 $arch +1, ++, +, +7, +, 1999, laha# po ay 23a alauna han33an3 alasdos n3 hapon, sa 2is2o pon3 bahay na2in sa ;;; S#., ;;; Ci#y.

0 : 0unay 2o ban3 a2a an3 sinasasabi 2on3 #a#ay 2o na na3rape sa iyo n3 2ara2in3beses
http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt32%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt33%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt34%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt32%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt33%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20fnt34%22


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S : *po.

0 : $aari 2o ban3 i#uro sa aBin an3 sinasabi 2on3 #a#ay 2o na na3rape sa iyo

S : Siya po. @Affian# poin#in3 #o ne 'eni3no Fe#alino y -abaldon, 4+ years old,


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appellan# for #he physical in


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liBe her #es#i2ony, con#ained a 2ere conclusion #ha# she was raped by appellan# on #ha#day which we find insufficien# #o suppor# a findin3 of appellan#Ds 3uil#.

Ee now #urn #o #he appropria#e penal#ies #ha# should be i2posed upon appellan# for #he#wo coun#s of ac#s of lasci/iousness and one coun# of rape. Appellan# con#ends, and #heCour# of Appeals and #he *ffice of #he Solici#or -eneral a3ree wi#h hi2, #ha# #he #rial

cour# erred in apprecia#in3 AAADs 2inori#y in de#er2inin3 #he i2posable penal#ies onhi2. Ee find 2eri# in #his con#en#ion.

Ehile i# is alle3ed in #he )nfor2a#ions #ha# AAA was only 14 years old a# #he #i2e #hecri2es char3ed were co22i##ed, ne/er#heless, #he prosecu#ion failed #o subs#an#ia#e saidalle3a#ion. )n es#ablishin3 #he 2inori#y of #he alle3ed /ic#i2, #he cour#s are #o be 3uidedby our pronounce2en# in #he case of People /. Pruna,7+#o wi#:

1. 0he bes# e/idence #o pro/e #he a3e of #he offended par#y is an ori3inal or cer#ified #ruecopy of #he cer#ifica#e of li/e bir#h of such par#y.

+. )n #he absence of a cer#ifica#e of li/e bir#h, si2ilar au#hen#ic docu2en#s such asbap#is2al cer#ifica#e and school records which show #he da#e of bir#h of #he /ic#i2 would

suffice #o pro/e a3e.. )f #he cer#ifica#e of li/e bir#h or au#hen#ic docu2en# is shown #o ha/e been los# ordes#royed or o#herwise una/ailable, #he #es#i2ony, if clear and credible, of #he /ic#i2Ds2o#her or a 2e2ber of #he fa2ily ei#her by affini#y or consan3uini#y who is Gualified #o#es#ify on 2a##ers respec#in3 pedi3ree such as #he e?ac# a3e or da#e of bir#h of #heoffended par#y pursuan# #o Sec#ion 7", Rule 1" of #he Rules on %/idence shall besufficien# under #he followin3 circu2s#ances:

a. )f #he /ic#i2 is alle3ed #o be below years of a3e and wha# is sou3h# #o be pro/ed is#ha# she is less #han ! years old

b. )f #he /ic#i2 is alle3ed #o be below ! years of a3e and wha# is sou3h# #o be pro/ed is

#ha# she is less #han 1+ years oldc. )f #he /ic#i2 is alle3ed #o be below 1+ years of a3e and wha# is sou3h# #o be pro/ed is#ha# she is less #han 18 years old.

7. )n #he absence of a cer#ifica#e of li/e bir#h, au#hen#ic docu2en#, or #he #es#i2ony of #he/ic#i2Ds 2o#her or rela#i/es concernin3 #he /ic#i2Ds a3e, #he co2plainan#Ds #es#i2ony willsuffice pro/ided #ha# i# is e?pressly and clearly ad2i##ed by #he accused.

. )# is #he prosecu#ion #ha# has #he burden of pro/in3 #he a3e of #he offended par#y. 0hefailure of #he accused #o ob


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law 2aBes #he decision2aBin3 process in capi#al offenses, such as Gualified rape, sub


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REPU)$(C !& "'E P'($(PP(NES and "'E C!UR" !& APPEA$S,responden#s.

EN#!IA,J.:

0his is a pe#i#ion for re/iew of #he decision1of #he Cour# of Appeals re/ersin3 #hedecision of #he Re3ional 0rial Cour#, 'ranch +7, Moronadal, Sou#h Co#aba#o+ ad2i##in3pe#i#ioner *n3 Chia #o Philippine ci#ienship.

0he fac#s are as follows:

Pe#i#ioner was born on January 1, 19+ in A2oy, China. )n 19+, as a nineyear old boy,he arri/ed a# #he por# of $anila on board #he /essel 6An3Bin3.6 Since #hen, he has s#ayedin #he Philippines where he found e2ploy2en# and e/en#ually s#ar#ed his own business,2arried a Filipina, wi#h who2 he had four children. *n July 7, 1989, a# #he a3e of 44, hefiled a /erified pe#i#ion #o be ad2i##ed as a Filipino ci#ien under C.A. &o. 7!, o#herwiseBnown as #he Re/ised &a#uralia#ion Law, as a2ended. Pe#i#ioner, af#er s#a#in3 hisGualifica#ions as reGuired in N+, and lacB of #he disGualifica#ions enu2era#ed in N of #helaw, s#a#ed O

1!. 0ha# he has here#ofore 2ade @a pe#i#ion for ci#ienship under #he pro/isions ofLe##er of )ns#ruc#ion &o. +!" wi#h #he Special Co22i##ee on &a#uralia#ion, *ffice of#he Solici#or -eneral, $anila, docBe#ed as SC& Case &o. "1!!4, bu# #he sa2e wasno# ac#ed upon owin3 #o #he fac# #ha# #he said Special Co22i##ee on &a#uralia#ionwas no# recons#i#u#ed af#er #he February, 1984 re/olu#ion such #ha# processin3 ofpe#i#ions for na#uralia#ion by ad2inis#ra#i/e process was suspended

(urin3 #he hearin3s, pe#i#ioner #es#ified as #o his Gualifica#ions and presen#ed #hreewi#nesses #o corrobora#e his #es#i2ony. So i2pressed was Prosecu#or )saac Al/ero .$oran wi#h #he #es#i2ony of pe#i#ioner #ha#, upon bein3 asBed by #he cour# whe#her #heS#a#e in#ended #o presen# any wi#ness presen# any wi#ness a3ains# hi2, he re2arBed:

Ac#ually, our 5onor, wi#h #he #es#i2ony of #he pe#i#ioner hi2self which is ra#her

surprisin3, in #he sense #ha# he see2s #o be well/ersed wi#h #he 2a


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his pe#i#ion 2us# fail.4 0he s#a#e also anne?ed inco2e #a? re#urns! alle3edly filed bype#i#ioner fro2 19! #o 19!! #o show #ha# his ne# inco2e could hardly suppor# hi2selfand his fa2ily. 0o pro/e #ha# pe#i#ioner failed #o conduc# hi2self in a proper andirreproachable 2anner durin3 his s#ay in #he Philippines, #he S#a#e con#ended #ha#,al#hou3h pe#i#ioner clai2ed #ha# he and Ra2ona illaruel had been 2arried #wice, once

before a


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wedlocB is a conduc# far fro2 bein3 proper and irreproachable as reGuired by #heRe/ised &a#uralia#ion Law6, and #herefore disGualifies hi2 fro2 beco2in3 a ci#ienof #he Philippines by na#uralia#ion . . .

Las#ly, pe#i#ioner *n3 Chias alle3ed annual inco2e in 1941 of P,"""."", e?clusi/eof bonuses, co22issions and allowances, is no# lucra#i/e inco2e. 5is failure #o file

an inco2e #a? re#urn 6because he is no# liable for inco2e #a? ye#6 confir2s #ha# hisinco2e is low. . . 6)# is no# only #ha# #he person ha/in3 #he e2ploy2en# 3e#s enou3hfor his ordinary necessi#ies in life. )# 2us# be shown #ha# #he e2ploy2en# 3i/es one aninco2e such #ha# #here is an appreciable 2ar3in of his inco2e o/er e?penses as #o beable #o pro/ide for an adeGua#e suppor# in #he e/en# of une2ploy2en#, sicBness, ordisabili#y #o worB and #hus a/oid ones beco2in3 #he ob


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convenient. @%2phasis added.

Prescindin3 fro2 #he abo/e, #he rule on for2al offer of e/idence @Rule 1+, N7 nowbein3 in/oBed by pe#i#ioner is clearly no# applicable #o #he presen# case in/ol/in3 ape#i#ion for na#uralia#ion. 0he only ins#ance when said rules 2ay be applied by analo3yor supple#orily in such cases is when i# is 6prac#icable and con/enien#.6 0ha# is no# #he

case here, since reliance upon #he docu2en#s presen#ed by #he S#a#e for #he firs# #i2e onappeal, in fac#, appears #o be #he 2ore prac#ical and con/enien# course of ac#ionconsiderin3 #ha# decisions in na#uralia#ion proceedin3s are no# co/ered by #he rule on res-udicata. 17ConseGuen#ly, a final fa/orable


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Pe#i#ioner ad2i#s #ha# he failed #o 2en#ion said address in his pe#i#ion, bu# ar3ues #ha#since #he )22i3ran# Cer#ifica#e of Residence con#ainin3 i# had been fully published, 19

wi#h #he pe#i#ion and #he o#her anne?es, such publica#ion cons#i#u#es subs#an#ialco2pliance wi#h N!. +"0his is alle3edly because #he publica#ion effec#i/ely sa#isfied #heob. Sep-eber :?, :000D

PE!P$E !& "'E P'($(PP(NES,plaintiff-appellee, vs. A)E


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force of illa/erde, &ue/a icaya. 5e #es#ified #ha# a# around 1":1 a.2. of Sep#e2ber+7, 1994, he recei/ed a #ip fro2 an unna2ed infor2er abou# #he presence of a 2ari0he policeuproo#ed #he se/en 2ari0he police #ooBpho#os of appellan# s#andin3 beside #he cannabis plan#s.=8>Appellan# was #hen arres#ed.*ne of #he plan#s, wei3hin3 1."9" Bilo3ra2s, was sen# #o #he Philippine &a#ional PoliceCri2e Labora#ory in 'ayo2bon3, &ue/a icaya for analysis.=9>)nspec#or Pre/y FabrosLuwis, #he Cri2e Labora#ory forensic analys#, #es#ified #ha# upon 2icroscopice?a2ina#ion of said plan#, she found cys#oli#ic hairs con#ainin3 calciu2 carbona#e, aposi#i/e indica#ion for 2ari


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#o ad2i# ownership of #he plan#s.=14>Appellan# was so ner/ous and afraid #ha# head2i##ed ownin3 #he 2ari

0he police #hen #ooB a pho#o of hi2 s#andin3 in fron# of one of #he 2ari


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)&A($)SS)')L)0 *F 05% #"RP7S!8I#TI A&( 05% FA)LIR% *F 05%PR*S%CI0)*& 0* PR*% 5)S -I)L0 '%*&( R%AS*&A'L% (*I'0.

)))

05% 0R)AL C*IR0 -RA%L %RR%( )& )$P*S)&- 05% SIPR%$% P%&AL0*F (%A05 IP*& APP%LLA&0 (%SP)0% FA)LIR% *F 05% PR*S%CI0)*& 0*PR*% 05A0 05% LA&( E5%R% 05% $AR)JIA&A PLA&0S E%R% PLA&0%()S A PI'L)C LA&( *& 05% ASSI$P0)*& 05A0 )&(%%( APP%LLA&0PLA&0%( 05% SI'J%C0 $AR)JIA&A.=+9>

Si2ply s#a#ed, #he issues are:

@1 Eas #he search and seiure of #he 2ari

0he Cons#i#u#ion=1>lays down #he 3eneral rule #ha# a search and seiure 2us# be carriedon #he s#ren3#h of a


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is dee2ed #ain#ed for bein3 #he pro/erbial frui# of a poisonous #ree and should bee?cluded.=+>Such e/idence shall be inad2issible in e/idence for any purpose in anyproceedin3.=>

)n #he ins#an# case, #here was no search warran# issued by a


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#o #he absurd lo3ic #ha# for a person #o be i22une a3ains# unreasonable searches andseiures, he 2us# be in his ho2e or office, wi#hin a fenced yard or a pri/a#e place. 0he'ill of Ri3h#s belon3s as 2uch #o #he person in #he s#ree# as #o #he indi/idual in #hesanc#uary of his bedroo2.

Ee #herefore hold, wi#h respec# #o #he firs# issue, #ha# #he confisca#ed plan#s were

e/iden#ly ob#ained durin3 an ille3al search and seiure. As #o #he second issue, whichin/ol/es #he ad2issibili#y of #he 2ari


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0hese ri3h#s canno# be wai/ed e?cep# in wri#in3 and in #he presence of counsel.=7>Anin/es#i3a#ion be3ins when i# is no lon3er a 3eneral inGuiry bu# s#ar#s#o focus on apar#icular person as a suspec#, i.e., when #he police in/es#i3a#or s#ar#s in#erro3a#in3 ore?ac#in3 a confession fro2 #he suspec# in connec#ion wi#h an alle3ed offense.=77>0he2o2en# #he police #ry #o elici# ad2issions or confessions or e/en plain infor2a#ion fro2

a person suspec#ed of ha/in3 co22i##ed an offense, he should a# #ha#

)n #he ins#an# case we find#ha#, fro2 #he s#ar#, a #ips#er had furnished #he policeappellan#s na2e as well as #he loca#ion of appellan#s far2, where #he 2ariAll had been dispa#ched #o arres# hi2.=">Fro2 #hese circu2s#ances, we2ay infer #ha# appellan# had already been depri/ed of his freedo2 of ac#ion in asi3nifican# way, e/en before #he ac#ual arres#. &o#e #ha# e/en before he was arres#ed, #hepolice 2ade hi2 incri2ina#in3ly pose for pho#os in fron# of #he 2ari%/en if #he confession or ad2ission were63ospel #ru#h6, if i# was 2ade wi#hou# assis#ance of counsel and wi#hou# a /alid wai/er of

such assis#ance, #he confession is inad2issible in e/idence, re3ardless of #he absence ofcoercion or e/en if i# had been /olun#arily 3i/en.=>

)# is funda2en#al in cri2inal prosecu#ions #ha# before an accused 2ay be con/ic#ed of acri2e, #he prosecu#ion 2us# es#ablish by proof beyond reasonable doub# #ha# a cri2e wasco22i##ed and #ha# #he accused is #he au#hor #hereof.=7>0he e/idence arrayed a3ains##he accused, howe/er, 2us# no# only s#and #he #es# of reason,=>i# 2us# liBewise becredible and co2pe#en#.=4>Co2pe#en# e/idence is 63enerally ad2issible6 e/idence.=!>Ad2issible e/idence, in #urn, is e/idence 6of such a charac#er #ha# #he cour# or


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bound #o recei/e i#, #ha# is, allow i# #o be in#roduced a# #rial.6=8>

)n #he ins#an# case, #he #rial cour# relied on #wo pieces of proba#i/e 2a##er #o con/ic#appellan# of #he offense char3ed. 0hese were #he seied 2ari


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e/idence is insufficien# #o o/erco2e #he presu2p#ion of innocence in fa/or of #heaccused, #hen his 6acGui##al 2us# follow in fai#hful obeisance #o #he funda2en#allaw.6=47>

F'ERE&!RE, #he decision pro2ul3a#ed on February 18, 199!, by #he Re3ional 0rialCour# of 'ayo2bon3, &ue/a icaya, 'ranch +!, in Cri2inal Case &o. 1", findin3

Abe alde y (ela Cru, 3uil#y beyond reasonable doub# of /iola#in3 Sec#ion 9 of #he(an3erous (ru3s Ac# of 19!+, and i2posin3 upon hi2 #he dea#h penal#y, is herebyR%%RS%( and S%0 AS)(% for insufficiency of e/idence. Appellan# is ACI)00%(and ordered R%L%AS%( i22edia#ely fro2 confine2en# unless held for ano#her lawfulcause.

S* *R(%R%(.

G.R. No. 1?0::; ay 1, :00;

PE!P$E !& "'E P'($(PP(NES, appellee,/s.%!E$ *A"AR alia HKAF("H,appellan#.

( % C ) S ) * &

PER CUR(A+

*n au#o2a#ic re/iew is a (ecision of #he Re3ional 0rial Cour# of 'ulanao, 0abuB,Malin3a, 'ranch +, sen#encin3 appellan# Joel a#ar alias 6Mawi#6 #o !eathfor #he specialco2ple? cri2e of Rape wi#h 5o2icide, and orderin3 hi2 #o pay #he heirs of #he /ic#i2,Ma#hylyn (. Iba, ci/il inde2ni#y in #he a2oun# of P!,"""."", 2oral da2a3es in #hea2oun# of P+"","""."", e?e2plary da2a3es in #he a2oun# of P","""."", ac#ualda2a3es in #he a2oun# of P184,71"."", or #o#al da2a3es a2oun#in3 #o P11,71"."", andcos#s of li#i3a#ion.1

Appellan# was char3ed wi#h Rape wi#h 5o2icide under #he followin3 )nfor2a#ion:

0ha# on or abou# #he af#ernoon of June ", 1998 a# Liwan Ees#, Rial, Malin3a, andwi#hin #he


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she would no# be able #o lea/e, she would


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fro2 #he police s#a#ion. 0hey suddenly heard so2eone shou# in #he )locano dialec#,6&a3#aray6 @5eDs runnin3 away. Police *fficer *rlando $anuel e?i#ed #hrou3h #he3a#e of #he Police S#a#ion and saw appellan# runnin3 away. Appellan# was appro?i2a#ely!" 2e#ers away fro2 #he s#a#ion when Police *fficer Aba3an recap#ured hi2.1+5e waschar3ed wi#h Rape wi#h 5o2icide. Ehen he was arrai3ned on July +1, 1998, appellan#

pleaded 6no# 3uil#y.6Af#er #rial, appellan# was con/ic#ed of #he cri2e of Rape &ith (omicide, defined andpenalied under Ar#icle +44A of #he Re/ised Penal Code, as a2ended by R.A. 8,o#herwise Bnown as #he An#iRape Law of 199!, and was accordin3ly, sen#enced #o!eath.

5ence, #his au#o2a#ic re/iew pursuan# #o Ar#icle 7! of #he Re/ised Penal Code, asa2ended. )n his 'rief, appellan# assi3ns #he followin3 errors:

)

05% 0R)AL C*IR0 -RA%L %RR%( )& -))&- $IC5 E%)-50 0* 05%%)(%&C% PR%S%&0%( ' 05% PR*S%CI0)*& &*0E)05S0A&()&-

05%)R (*I'0FIL&%SS.))

05% 0R)AL C*IR0 S%R)*ISL %RR%( )& &*0 ACI)00)&- 05%ACCIS%(APP%LLA&0 *F 05% S%R)*IS CR)$% C5AR-%( (I% 0*R%AS*&A'L% (*I'0.

Appellan#Ds con#en#ions are un2eri#orious.

0he issue re3ardin3 #he credibili#y of #he prosecu#ion wi#nesses should be resol/eda3ains# appellan#. 0his Cour# will no# in#erfere wi#h #he


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#i2e of dea#h 2ay be appro?i2a#ed fro2 be#ween nine @9 #o #wel/e @1+ hours prior #o#he co2ple#ion of ri,or mortis.19 )n o#her words, #he es#i2a#ed #i2e of dea#h wasso2e#i2e be#ween 9:"" a.2. #o 1+:"" p.2. on June ", 1998. 0his was wi#hin #he#i2efra2e wi#hin which #he lone presence of appellan# lurBin3 in #he house of )sabel(awan3 was #es#ified #o by wi#nesses.

)# should also be no#ed #ha#, al#hou3h #he Pos#2or#e2 Repor# by #he a##endin3 physician,(r. Pe< %/an C. 'ar#olo, indica#es #ha# no hy2enal lacera#ions, con#usions or he2a#o2awere no#ed on #he /ic#i2,+"(r. 'ar#olo disco/ered #he presence of se2en in #he /a3inalcanal of #he /ic#i2. (urin3 his #es#i2ony, (r. 'ar#olo s#a#ed #ha# #he in#roduc#ion ofse2en in#o #he /a3inal canal could only be done #hrou3h se?ual in#ercourse wi#h #he/ic#i2.+1)n addi#ion, i# is apparen# fro2 #he pic#ures sub2i##ed by #he prosecu#ion #ha# #hese?ual /iola#ion of #he /ic#i2 was 2anifes#ed by a bruise and so2e swellin3 in her ri3h#forear2 indica#in3 resis#ance #o #he appellan#Ds assaul# on her /ir#ue.++

Si3nifican#ly, subseGuen# #es#in3 showed #ha# #he (eo?yribonucleic acid @(&A of #hesper2 speci2en fro2 #he /a3ina of #he /ic#i2 was iden#ical #he se2en #o be #ha# ofappellan#Ds 3ene #ype.

(&A is a 2olecule #ha# encodes #he 3ene#ic infor2a#ion in all li/in3 or3anis2s.+ ApersonDs (&A is #he sa2e in each cell and i# does no# chan3e #hrou3hou# a personDslife#i2e #he (&A in a personDs blood is #he sa2e as #he (&A found in his sali/a, swea#,bone, #he roo# and shaf# of hair, earwa?, 2ucus, urine, sBin #issue, and /a3inal and rec#alcells.+7$os# i2por#an#ly, because of poly2orphis2s in hu2an 3ene#ic s#ruc#ure, no #woindi/iduals ha/e #he sa2e (&A, wi#h #he no#able e?cep#ion of iden#ical #wins.+

(&A prin# or iden#ifica#ion #echnolo3y has been ad/anced as a uniGuely effec#i/e 2eans#o linB a suspec# #o a cri2e, or #o e?onera#e a wron3ly accused suspec#, where biolo3icale/idence has been lef#. For purposes of cri2inal in/es#i3a#ion, (&A iden#ifica#ion is afer#ile source of bo#h inculpa#ory and e?culpa#ory e/idence. )# can assis# i22ensely in

effec#in3 a 2ore accura#e accoun# of #he cri2e co22i##ed, efficien#ly facili#a#in3 #hecon/ic#ion of #he 3uil#y, securin3 #he acGui##al of #he innocen#, and ensurin3 #he properad2inis#ra#ion of


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)n assessin3 #he proba#i/e /alue of (&A e/idence, cour#s should consider, inter alia, #hefollowin3 fac#ors: how #he sa2ples were collec#ed, how #hey were handled, #hepossibili#y of con#a2ina#ion of #he sa2ples, #he procedure followed in analyin3 #hesa2ples, whe#her #he proper s#andards and procedures were followed in conduc#in3 #he#es#s, and #he Gualifica#ion of #he analys# who conduc#ed #he #es#s.+9

)n #he case a# bar, (r. $aria Coraon Abo3ado de In3ria was duly Gualified by #heprosecu#ion as an e?per# wi#ness on (&A prin# or iden#ifica#ion #echniGues."'ased on(r. de In3riaDs #es#i2ony, i# was de#er2ined #ha# #he 3ene #ype and (&A profile ofappellan# are iden#ical #o #ha# of #he e?#rac#s sub


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s#ained pan#s, bra, underwear and shoes sca##ered alon3 #he periphery @1" Labora#orye?a2ina#ion re/ealed sper2 in #he /ic#i2Ds /a3ina @%?hibi# 656 and 6J6 @11 0he s#ainedor dir#y whi#e shir# found in #he cri2e scene was found #o be posi#i/e wi#h blood @1+(&A of slide, %?hibi# 6J6 and 656, co2pared wi#h #he (&A profile of #he appellan# areiden#ical and @1 Appellan# escaped #wo days af#er he was de#ained bu# was

subseGuen#ly apprehended, such fli3h# bein3 indica#i/e of 3uil#.

Circu2s#an#ial e/idence, #o be sufficien# #o warran# a con/ic#ion, 2us# for2 an unbroBenchain which leads #o a fair and reasonable conclusion #ha# #he accused, #o #he e?clusion ofo#hers, is #he perpe#ra#or of #he cri2e. 0o de#er2ine whe#her #here is sufficien#circu2s#an#ial e/idence, #hree reGuisi#es 2us# concur: @1 #here is 2ore #han onecircu2s#ance @+ fac#s on which #he inferences are deri/ed are pro/en and @ #heco2bina#ion of all #he circu2s#ances is such as #o produce a con/ic#ion beyondreasonable doub#.4

)n an a##e2p# #o e?clude #he (&A e/idence, #he appellan# con#ends #ha# #he blood sa2ple#aBen fro2 hi2 as well as #he (&A #es#s were conduc#ed in /iola#ion of his ri3h# #ore2ain silen# as well as his ri3h# a3ains# selfincri2ina#ion under Secs. 1+ and 1! of Ar#.))) of #he Cons#i#u#ion.

0his con#en#ion is un#enable. 0he Bernel of #he ri3h# is no# a3ains# all co2pulsion, bu#a3ains# #es#i2onial co2pulsion.!0he ri3h# a3ains# self incri2ina#ion is si2ply a3ains##he le3al process of e?#rac#in3 fro2 #he lips of #he accused an ad2ission of 3uil#. )# doesno# apply where #he e/idence sou3h# #o be e?cluded is no# an incri2ina#ion bu# as par# ofob


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Appellan#Ds #win defense of denial and alibi canno# be sus#ained. 0he forensic (&Ae/idence and bloodied shir#, no#wi#hs#andin3 #he eyewi#ness accoun#s of his presence a#)sabel (awan3Ds house durin3 #he #i2e when #he cri2e was co22i##ed, undeniably linBhi2 #o #he June ", 1998 inciden#. Appellan# did no# de2ons#ra#e wi#h clear andcon/incin3 e/idence an i2possibili#y #o be in #wo places a# #he sa2e #i2e, especially in

#his case where #he #wo places are loca#ed in #he sa2e baran3ay.7"

5e li/es wi#hin a onehundred @1"" 2e#er radius fro2 #he scene of #he cri2e, and reGuires a 2ere fi/e 2inu#ewalB #o reach one house fro2 #he o#her. 0his fac# se/erely weaBens his ali*i.

As #o #he second assi3n2en# of error, appellan# asser#s #ha# #he cour# a quoco22i##edre/ersible error in con/ic#in3 hi2 of #he cri2e char3ed. 5e alle3es #ha# he should beacGui##ed on reasonable doub#.

Appellan#Ds asser#ion canno# be sus#ained.

-enerally, cour#s should only consider and rely upon duly es#ablished e/idence and ne/eron 2ere con


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his wife in #he )locano dialec# was, 6)f you lea/e 2e, ) will Bill all your fa2ily and yourrela#i/es ? ? ?.6"0hese s#a#e2en#s were no# con#radic#ed by appellan#.

0hus, appellan#Ds 2o#i/e #o se?ually assaul# and Bill #he /ic#i2 was e/iden# in #he ins#an#case. )# is a rule in cri2inal law #ha# 2o#i/e, bein3 a s#a#e of 2ind, is es#ablished by #he#es#i2ony of wi#nesses on #he ac#s or s#a#e2en#s of #he accused before or i22edia#ely

af#er #he co22ission of #he offense, deeds or words #ha# 2ay e?press i# or fro2 which his2o#i/e or reason for co22i##in3 i# 2ay be inferred.1

Accordin3ly, we are con/inced #ha# #he appellan# is 3uil#y beyond reasonable doub# of #hespecial co2ple? cri2e of rape wi#h ho2icide. Appellan# se?ually assaul#ed Ma#hylynIba, and by reason or on #he occasion #hereof, in order #o conceal his lus#ful deed,per2anen#ly sealed #he /ic#i2Ds lips by s#abbin3 her repea#edly, #hereby causin3 herun#i2ely de2ise.

0he followin3 are #he ele2en#s cons#i#u#i/e of rape wi#h ho2icide: @1 #he appellan# hadcarnal Bnowled3e of a wo2an @+ carnal Bnowled3e of a wo2an was achie/ed by 2eansof force, #hrea# or in#i2ida#ion and @ by reason or on #he occasion of such carnal

Bnowled3e by 2eans of force, #hrea# or in#i2ida#ion, appellan# Billed #he wo2an.+

5owe/er, in rape co22i##ed by close Bin, such as #he /ic#i2Ds fa#her, s#epfa#her, uncle,or #he co22onlaw spouse of her 2o#her, i# is no# necessary #ha# ac#ual force orin#i2ida#ion be e2ployed.$oral influence or ascendancy #aBes #he place of /iolenceand in#i2ida#ion.70he fac# #ha# #he /ic#i2Ds hy2en is in#ac# does no# ne3a#e a findin3#ha# rape was co22i##ed as 2ere en#ry by #he penis in#o #he lips of #he fe2ale 3eni#alor3an, e/en wi#hou# rup#ure or lacera#ion of #he hy2en, suffices for con/ic#ion of rape.

0he s#ren3#h and dila#abili#y of #he hy2en are in/ariable i# 2ay be so elas#ic as #o s#re#chwi#hou# lacera#ion durin3 in#ercourse. Absence of hy2enal lacera#ions does no# dispro/ese?ual abuse especially when #he /ic#i2 is of #ender a3e.4

)n #he case a# bar, appellan# is #he husband of #he /ic#i2Ds aun#. 5e is se/en years older

#han #he /ic#i2 Ma#hylyn Iba. 'efore he and his wife separa#ed, appellan# li/ed in #hehouse of his 2o#herinlaw, #o3e#her wi#h #he /ic#i2 and his wife. Af#er #he separa#ion,appellan# 2o/ed #o #he house of his paren#s, appro?i2a#ely one hundred @1"" 2e#ersfro2 his 2o#herinlawDs house. 'ein3 a rela#i/e by affini#y wi#hin #he #hird ci/il de3ree,he is dee2ed in le3al con#e2pla#ion #o ha/e 2oral ascendancy o/er #he /ic#i2.

Inder Ar#icle +44' of #he Re/ised Penal Code, #he penal#y of dea#h is i2posed when byreason or on #he occasion of #he rape, ho2icide is co22i##ed. Al#hou3h #hree @ Jus#icesof #his Cour# 2ain#ain #heir posi#ion #ha# R.A. !49 is uncons#i#u#ional insofar as i#prescribes #he dea#h penal#y, #hey ne/er#heless sub2i# #o #he rulin3 of #he 2a


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6Mawi#6 #o (ea#h for #he special co2ple? cri2e of Rape wi#h 5o2icide is A&&(RE#wi#h #he !#(&(CA"(!N #ha# he be !R#ERE# #o pay #he fa2ily of #he /ic#i2Ma#hylyn Iba ci/il inde2ni#y e+ delictoin #he a2oun# of P1"","""."", P9,19"."" inac#ual da2a3es and P!,"""."" in 2oral da2a3es. 0he award of e?e2plary da2a3es is#E$E"E#.

Ipon #he finali#y of #his (ecision and in accordance wi#h Ar#. 8 of #he Re/ised PenalCode, as a2ended by Sec. + of Rep. Ac# &o. !49, le# #he records of #his case befor#hwi#h forwarded #o #he Presiden# of #he Philippines for #he possible e?ercise of #hepardonin3 power.

Cos#s de oficio.

S! !R#ERE#.

-.R. &o. 1"!8. February +", 1994.>

C%C)L)A QILI%0A, pe#i#ioner, /s. C*IR0 *F APP%ALS and ALFR%(* $AR0)&,responden#s.

( % C ) S ) * &$%&(*QA, J.:

0his is a pe#i#ion #o re/iew #he decision of #he Cour# of Appeals, affir2in3 #he decision of#he Re3ional 0rial Cour# of $anila @'ranch ; which ordered pe#i#ioner #o re#urndocu2en#s and papers #aBen by her fro2 pri/a#e responden#Ds clinic wi#hou# #he la##erDsBnowled3e and consen#.

0he fac#s are as follows:

Pe#i#ioner Cecilia Qulue#a is #he wife of pri/a#e responden# Alfredo $ar#in. *n $arch +4,198+, pe#i#ioner en#ered #he clinic of her husband, a doc#or of 2edicine, and in #hepresence of her 2o#her, a dri/er and pri/a#e responden#Ds secre#ary, forcibly opened #he

drawers and cabine# in her husbandDs clinic and #ooB 1! docu2en#s consis#in3 of pri/a#ecorrespondence be#ween (r. $ar#in and his alle3ed para2ours, 3ree#in3s cards, cancelledchecBs, diaries, (r. $ar#inDs passpor#, and pho#o3raphs. 0he docu2en#s and papers wereseied for use in e/idence in a case for le3al separa#ion and for disGualifica#ion fro2 #heprac#ice of 2edicine which pe#i#ioner had filed a3ains# her husband.

(r. $ar#in brou3h# #his ac#ion below for reco/ery of #he docu2en#s and papers and forda2a3es a3ains# pe#i#ioner. 0he case was filed wi#h #he Re3ional 0rial Cour# of $anila,'ranch ;, which, af#er #rial, rendered


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responden#, (r. Alfredo $ar#in, and #ha# #hey were #aBen by his wife, #he hereinpe#i#ioner, wi#hou# his Bnowled3e and consen#. For #ha# reason, #he #rial cour# declared #hedocu2en#s and papers #o be proper#ies of pri/a#e responden#, ordered pe#i#ioner #o re#urn#he2 #o pri/a#e responden# and en


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a# #he #i2e he used #he docu2en#s and papers, enforce2en# of #he order of #he #rial cour#was #e2porarily res#rained by #his Cour#. 0he 0R* issued by #his Cour# was e/en#uallylif#ed as #he pe#i#ion for cer#iorari filed by pe#i#ioner a3ains# #he #rial cour#Ds order wasdis2issed and, #herefore, #he prohibi#ion a3ains# #he fur#her use of #he docu2en#s andpapers beca2e effec#i/e a3ain.

)ndeed #he docu2en#s and papers in Gues#ion are inad2issible in e/idence. 0hecons#i#u#ional in in/iolableis no less applicable si2ply because i# is #he wife @who #hinBs herselfa33rie/ed by her husbandDs infideli#y who is #he par#y a3ains# who2 #he cons#i#u#ionalpro/ision is #o be enforced. 0he only e?cep#ion #o #he prohibi#ion in #he Cons#i#u#ion is if#here is a Tlawful order =fro2 a> cour# or when public safe#y or order reGuires o#herwise,as prescribed by law.7Any /iola#ion of #his pro/ision renders #he e/idence ob#ainedinad2issible Tfor any purpose in any proceedin3.

0he in#i2acies be#ween husband and wife do no#


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in/es#i3a#ion in #he ins#an# case, i# 2us# be concluded #ha# #hey could no# ha/e been a# #hescene of #he cri2e. &e3a#i/e findin3s do no# a# all #i2es lead #o a /alid conclusion for#here 2ay be lo3ical e?plana#ions for #he absence of iden#ifiable la#en# prin#s o#her #han#heir no# bein3 presen# a# #he scene of #he cri2e. *nly la#en# fin3erprin#s found on s2oo#hsurface are useful for purposes of co2parison in a cri2e labora#ory because prin#s lef# on

rou3h surfaces resul# in do##ed lines or broBen lines ins#ead of co2ple#e and con#inuouslines. Such Bind of speci2en canno# be relied upon in a fin3erprin# e?a2ina#ion. 0hela#en# fin3erprin#s are ac#ually oily subs#ance adherin3 #o #he surfaces of ob


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of fac# which are fir2ly 3rounded on #he e/idence presen#ed a# #he #rial. Ee rei#era#e ourrulin3 #hus: 60here is need #o s#ress anew #ha# #his Cour# has lon3 been co22i##ed #o #heprinciple #ha# #he de#er2ina#ion by a #rial


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Jus# on #he o#her roo2 was il2a, who heard whispers @BalusBos bu# si2ply playedpossu2. Ehen #he #hree saw her on #he bed, #hey approached her. *ne co/ered her 2ou#has ano#her poBed a Bnife a# her necB. 0hey #hrea#ened #o Bill her if she should 2aBe anou#cry.

0hey raised her blouse and re2o/ed her underwear. 0hey #ied bo#h her hands so #ha# she

could offer no resis#ance. She was a# such a pi#iful s#a#e when #he accused Ji22y'ascuVa wen# on #op of her, Bissin3 her on differen# par#s of her body, while icen#e S#a.Ana held her le3s apar#. Ji22y finally inser#ed his se? or3an inside her and sa#isfied hisbes#ial desire. Af#er Ji22y was o/er, icen#e #ooB his #urn and #hen Joel. Af#er #he #hreeof #he2 had successfully deflowered il2a, #hey lef#, carryin3 wi#h #he2 #he 2oney ando#her personal belon3in3s of #he de 'elen fa2ily.

Af#er #he #hree 2en lef#, Ro3elio, wi#h his hands and fee# s#ill #ied up, #ried #o 3e# up fro2#he bed and swi#ched #he li3h#s on and called #o his nei3hbors for help. il2a,2eanwhile, had los# consciousness due #o shocB.

$eanwhile, Pe#ra La2ire, his sis#erinlaw who li/es ri3h# ne?# #o his house responded #o

his cry for help. She wen# #o #heir house and un#ied Ro3elio. She saw il2a wi#h herupper body naBed and sobbin3 so she co/ered il2a wi#h a blanBe#. Soon af#er, his o#hersis#erinlaw also arri/ed. 0hey repor#ed #he inciden# #o #he 'aran3ay Cap#ain.

0hey had il2a e?a2ined by (r. (anilo A. Ra2ire a# (r. Jose Rial $e2orial 5ospi#ala# abou# 1":"" #ha# sa2e 2ornin3. 5e conduc#ed e?#ernal and in#ernal e?a2ina#ions. 5ise?#ernal e?a2ina#ion showed no physical in


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lines ins#ead of co2ple#e and con#inuous lines. Such Bind of speci2en canno# be reliedupon in a fin3erprin# e?a2ina#ion. 0he la#en# fin3erprin#s are ac#ually oily subs#ancesadherin3 #o #he surfaces of ob


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#here was no ca#e3orical or posi#i/e asser#ion on #he par# of (r. Ra2ire #ha# #he se?ualin#ercourse wi#h il2a was co22i##ed on #he /ery da#e when #he alle3ed 6robbery wi#hrape6 #ooB place on July +, 1988.

0his is a clear dis#or#ion of #he #es#i2ony of (r. Ra2ire who on crosse?a2ina#ion#es#ified as follows:

6A00. $A)I%Q:

ou canno# also de#er2ine when was #he firs# and when was #he las# in#ercourse as peryour e?a2ina#ion

F)SCAL

*b


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found

A &one, your 5onor.

'ecause lacera#ion s#a#ed in your 2edicole3al cer#ifica#e #ha# #here was fresh hy2enallacera#ion no#ed a# 9 and 7 oclocB on #he face of #he clocB

A es, your 5onor. (o we 3a#her i# ri3h# when you s#a#ed in your 2edicole3al cer#ifica#e fresh i# is no# ye#healed

A es, your 5onor.

Fro2 #ha# findin3 of yours re3ardin3 #he e?is#ence of fresh hy2enal lacera#ion you said#ha# i# leas# one or + days had elapsed before you ha/e conduc#ed #he physicale?a2ina#ion

A es, your 5onor.

)n o#her words fro2 one #o days

A es, your 5onor.C*IR0:

'u# i# is possible #ha# i# could be 2ore #han one or #wo days.

E)0&%SS:

A es, your 5onor.6 !

)# is e/iden# #ha# (r. Ra2ire ne/er ca#e3orically concluded #ha# #he se?ual in#ercoursecausin3 #he fresh hy2enal lacera#ions #ooB place fi/e #o si? days before #he da#e of here?a2ina#ion. 0he accusedappellan#s clai2 #ha# #he se?ual in#ercourse #ooB place on June+4 or +!, 1988 is con


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fir2ly 3rounded on #he e/idence presen#ed a# #he #rial. Ee rei#era#e our rulin3 #hus:

60here is need #o s#ress anew #ha# #his Cour# has lon3 been co22i##ed #o #he principle #ha##he de#er2ina#ion by a #rial

05% P%*PL% *F 05% P5)L)PP)&%S,plaintiff>appellee% vs.JA)L*& MILA)S,CARL*S FALCASA&0*S X TCo22ander Falcasan#os, AEAL*& MA$L*&5ASSA& X TCo22ander Ma2lon, $AJ)( SA$S*& X TCo22ander 'un3i,

JI$A0)A A$LA&) (% FALCASA&0*S, &*R$A SA5)((A& (% MILA)S,SALA(*R $A$AR)L) $%&(*QA, 5A(J)RIL PLAS)&)AL)5, JA)&I(()&5ASSA&)A5$A(, )$A$ 0ARIM ALA5)SAL)5, JAL)&A 5ASSA& (%MA$$)&-, FR%(()% $A&I%L X TA


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Ju2a#iya A2lani, &or2a Sahiddan de Mulais, Jalina 5assan de Ma22in3,=+>Sal/ador$a2aril, 5ad0aruB Alah, Freddie $anuel aliasTAuil#y of #he ei3h# char3es of =B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2 and for =B>idnappin3, #heir 3uil#no# ha/in3 been pro/ed beyond reasonable doub#.

0heir i22edia#e release fro2 #he Ci#y Jail, Qa2boan3a Ci#y is ordered, unless de#ainedfor so2e o#her offense besides #hese 8 cases @Cri2. Cases &os. 1""4"1""4!.
http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn2%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn2%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn3%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn3%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn4%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn5%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn6%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn6%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn7%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn7%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn8%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn2%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn3%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn4%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn5%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn6%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn7%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_edn8%22


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+. JA)&I(()& 5ASSA& y A5$A(, JA)L*& MILA)S, SALA(*R $A$AR)L y$%&(*QA and 5A(J)RIL PLAS)& y AL)5 =3>uil#y as principals by conspiracy in all#hese 8 cases for =B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2 and for =B>idnappin3 @Cri2. Cases &os.1""4"1""4!.

0heir 3uil# is a33ra/a#ed in #ha# #hey co22i##ed #he 8 offenses wi#h #he aid of ar2ed 2en

who insured i2puni#y. 0herefore, #he penal#ies i2posed on #he2 shall be a# #heir2a?i2u2 period.

E5%R%F*R%, for #he fi/e char3es of =B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2, and pursuan# #o Ar#.+4! of #he Re/ised Penal Code, fi/e life i2prison2en#s are i2posed on Jainuddin 5assany Ah2ad, Jailon Mulais, Sal/ador $a2aril y $endoa and Mado# =3>uil#y in #he #hree char3es of=B>idnappin3 and she is acGui##ed of #hese char3es. @Cri2. Cases &os. 1""4, 1""44 and1""4!.

'u# Ju2a#iya A2lani de Falcasan#os is =3>uil#y as acco2plice in #he fi/e char3es of=B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2.

E5%R%F*R%, Ju2a#iya A2lani de Falcasan#os is sen#enced #o ser/e fi/e @i2prison2en#s, ran3in3 fro2 0%& @1" %ARS ofprision ma)oras 2ini2u2 #o%)-50%%& @18 %ARS of reclusion temporalas 2a?i2u2 @Cri2. Cases &os. 1""4"1""47.

7. &*R$A SA5)((A& (% MILA)S, 18 years old, and JAL)5A 5ISS)& @char3ed asJalina 5assan de Ma22in3, 1 years old, =n>o# =3>uil#y in #he #hree char3es for=B>idnappin3 and are, #herefore, ACI)00%( of #hese #hree char3es. @Cri2. Cases &os.1""4, 1""44 Y 1""4!.

'u# &or2a Sahiddan de Mulais and Jalina 5ussin are found =3>uil#y as acco2plices in #hefi/e char3es for =B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2. 'ein3 2inors, #hey are en#i#led #o #hepri/ile3ed 2i#i3a#in3 circu2s#ance of 2inori#y which lowers #he penal#y i2posable on#he2 by one de3ree.

E5%R%F*R%, &or2a Sahiddan de Mulais and Jalina 5ussin are sen#enced #o ser/e fi/ei2prison2en#s ran3in3 fro2 S); @4 %ARS ofprision correccionalas 2ini2u2 #o0%& %ARS A&( *&% @1 (A *Fprision ma)oras 2a?i2u2 @Cri2. Cases &os.1""4"1""47.


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(ue #o #he re2o/al of #he suspension of sen#ences of you#hful offenders Tcon/ic#ed of anoffense punishable by dea#h or life by Presiden#ial (ecree &o. 11!9 and Presiden#ial(ecree &o. 1+1" @of which =B>idnappin3 for =r>anso2 is such an offense #he sen#enceson &or2a Sahiddan de Mulais and Jaliha 5ussin de Ma22in3 are &*0 suspended bu#2us# be ser/ed by #he2.

Januddin 5assan, Jailon Mulais, Sal/ador $a2aril and 5ad


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The ?ersion of the Prosecution

0he solici#or 3eneral su22aried, in #his wise, #he fac#s as /iewed by #he People:

T*n (ece2ber 1+, 1988, a 3roup of public officials fro2 /arious 3o/ern2en# a3encies,or3anied #he2sel/es as a 2oni#orin3 #ea2 #o inspec# 3o/ern2en# pro

T*n $ay +8, 199", a# abou# 1":"" oD clocB in #he 2ornin3, while weedin3 #heir far2 inSinaburan, Qa2boan3a del Sur, accusedappellan# Ju2a#iya A2lani was picBed up bysoldiers and brou3h# #o a place where one ar2y ba##alion was s#a#ioned. 0herea#, her fi/e
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@ coaccused, na2ely Sal/ador $a2aril, 5ad


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0he 0rial Cour#Ds Rulin3

0he #rial cour# found Appellan# Mulais 3uil#y of fi/e coun#s of Bidnappin3 for ranso2 andone coun# of Bidnappin3 a wo2an and public officer, for which offenses i# i2posed uponhi2 si? #er2s of Tlife i2prison2en#. )# also found hi2 3uil#y of #wo coun#s of sli3h#ille3al de#en#ion for #he Bidnappin3 of $onico Saa/edra and Cali?#o Francisco. 0he #rial

cour# ra#iocina#ed as follows:TPrincipally, #he issue here is one of credibili#y bo#h of #he wi#nesses and #heir /ersionof wha# had happened on (ece2ber 1+, 1988, #o February , 1989. *n #his pi/o#al issue,#he Cour# 3i/es credence #o =p>rosecu#ion wi#nesses and #heir #es#i2onies. Prosecu#ione/idence is posi#i/e, clear and con/incin3. &o #ain# of e/il or dishones# 2o#i/e wasi2pu#ed or i2pu#able #o =p>rosecu#ion wi#nesses. 0o #his Cour#, who saw all #he wi#nesses#es#ify, =p>rosecu#ion wi#nesses #es#ified only because #hey were i2pelled by =a> sense ofefense e/idence is weaB, uncorrobora#ed and consis#ed only of alibis. 0heindi/idual #es#i2onies of #he nine accused dwel=#> principally on wha# happened #o each

of #he2 on $ay +!, +8 and +9, 199". &one of #he accused e?plained where he or she wason and fro2 (ece2ber 1+, 1988, #o February , 1989, when =p>rosecu#ion e/idenceshow=ed> posi#i/ely se/en of #he nine accused were Beepin3 #he fi/e or si? hos#a3esna2ed by =p>rosecu#ion e/idence.

0he se/en accused posi#i/ely iden#ified #o ha/e been presen# durin3 #he course of #hecap#i/i#y of #he fi/e Bidnap/ic#i2sco2plainan#s are: @1 Ju2a#iya A2lani @+ Jaliha5ussin @ &or2a Sahiddan @7 Jailon Mulais @ 5ad


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#he rulin3s of our Supre2e Cour# Guo#ed below.

@1 0he #i2ehonored


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0he Cour#Ds Rulin3

0he appeal is beref# of 2eri#.

Firs# )ssue:

5udicial $otice and !enial of !ue Process

Appellan# Mulais ar3ues #ha# he was denied due process when #he #rial cour# #ooB 'ecause he was alle3edly depri/ed of his ri3h# #o crosse?a2ine a 2a#erial wi#nessin #he person of Lieu#enan# Feliciano, he con#ends #ha# #he la##erDs #es#i2ony should no#be used a3ains# hi2.=1!>

0rue, as a 3eneral rule, cour#s should no# #aBe


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A 0o lla Abdurasa.

And o#her #han your fos#er =paren#s> or #he paren#s who2 you are assi3ned #o, who elsedid you co2e #o Bnow

A Pa3al and his wife Tan,6on,and his wife &ana #he #wo @+ wi/es of Co22anderFalcasan#os $a#in3 and Janira ano#her bro#her inlaw of Co22ander Ma2lon, Is2an,#he wife of Ma2lon, 0ira.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

&ow, you said #ha# you were wi#h #hese 2en for fif#yfour days and you really ca2e #oBnow #he2. Eill you s#ill be able #o reco3nie #hese persons if you will see #he=2> a3ain

A es, 2aDa2.

&ow will you looB around #his 5onorable Cour# and see if any of #hose you 2en#ionedare here

A es, #hey are here.

So2e of #he2 are here

A So2e of #he2 are here.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Ehere is 0an3Bon3 Eha# is he wearin3

A Ehi#e #shir# wi#h oran3e collar. @wi#ness poin#in3.(e &as one of those nine armedmen &ho too6 us from the hi,h&a).

R0C )&0%RPR%0%R:

Ei#ness poin#ed #o a 2an si##in3 in cour# and when asBed of his na2e, he 3a/e his na2eas JA)L*& MILA)S.

CP CAJA*& ( $S: Aside fro2 bein3 wi#h #he ar2ed 2en who s#opped #he /ehicle and 2ade you ali3h#,wha# else was he doin3 while you were in #heir cap#i/i#y

A 5e was #he fos#er paren# of Ar2ando 'acarro and #he husband of &ana.

C*IR0:

Eho

A Tan,6on,.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?=19>

LiBewise clear and s#rai3h#forward was 'acarroDs #es#i2ony poin#in3 #o appellan# as oneof #he culpri#s:

TF)SCAL CAJA*&:

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

And wha# happened #hen

A So2e of #he ar2ed 2en assi3ned who will be #he hos# or who will be #he one =#o>3=i>/e food #o us.
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=0o> who2 were you assi3ned

AI &as assi,ned to a certain Tan,6on, and @his &ife $ana.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

&ow, you said you were assi3ned #o 0an3Bon3 and his wife. =(>o you re2e2ber how

he looBs liBeA es.

&ow, will you please looB around #his Cour# and #ell us if #ha# said 0an3Bon3 and hiswife are here

A es, 2aDa2.

Could you please poin# #his 0an3Bon3 #o us

A itness pointed to a person in #ourt. @hen as6ed his name he identified @himself as5ailon Culais.

Ehy did you say his na2e is 0an3Bon3 Ehere did you 3e# #ha# na2e

A Eell, #ha# is #he na2e =by which he is> usually called in #he ca2p.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

A00. FA')A& @counsel for accused Mulais

Ehen did you firs# 2ee# 0an3Bon3

A 0ha# was on (ece2ber 11, becauseI remem*er he &as the one &ho too6 us.

Ehen you were Gues#ioned by #he fiscal a while a3o, you s#a#ed #ha# $r. $a2aril wasone of #hose who s#opped #he bus and #ooB you #o #he hill and you did no# 2en#ion0an3Bon3

A ) did no# 2en#ion *ut I can remem*er his face.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

And because 0an3Bon3 was always wi#h you as your hos# e/en if he did no# #ell you#ha# he =was> one of #hose who s#opped you, you would no# reco3nie hi2

A &o, ) can reco3nie hi2 because he was #he one who #ooB 2y shoes.

C*IR0:

Eho

A Tan,6on,% )our (onor.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?=+">

Also s#rai3h#forward was %rnes#o PereD candid narra#ion:TF)SCAL CAJA*&:

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Eho else

A 0he las# 2an.

(id you co2e #o Bnow his na2e


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A "nl) his nic6name% Tan,6on,. ha# do you 2ean by a2bushed

A ) 2ean #ha# #hey blocBed our way and s#opped.

0hey did no# fire any sho#s

A 'u# #hey were poin#in3 #heir 3uns a# us.

And a2on3 #he 9 ar2ed 2en who held you on your way #o =#he> 0ala3a Foo#brid3e,you s#a#ed =#ha#> one of #he2 =was> Co22ander Falcasan#os

A es.

Could you also reco3nie anyone of #he accused in #ha# 3roupA es.

Eill you please iden#ify

A That one% Tan,6on,.


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Cidnappin,

for Ransom

0ha# #he Bidnappin3 of #he fi/e was co22i##ed for #he purpose of e?#or#in3 ranso2 is alsoapparen# fro2 #he #es#i2ony of Calunod, who was Gui#e e2pha#ic in iden#ifyin3 #heaccused and narra#in3 #he circu2s#ances surroundin3 #he wri#in3 of #he ranso2 le##ers.

TCP CAJA*& ( $S:

&ow, you were in #heir cap#i/i#y for 7 days and you said #here were #hese 2ee#in3s forpossible ne3o#ia#ion wi#h #he Ci#y -o/ern2en#. Eha# do you 2ean by #his Eha# wereyou supposed #o ne3o#ia#e

ABecause the) told us that the) &ill *e releasin, us onl) after the terms.=++>

And wha# were #he #er2s (id you co2e #o Bnow #he #er2s

AI came to 6no& the terms *ecause I &as the one ordered *) #ommander Falcasantos to&rite the letter% the ransom letter.

A# #his poin# of #i2e, you re2e2ber how 2any le##ers were you asBed #o wri#e for yourranso2

A ) could no# re2e2ber as #o how 2any, bu# ) can iden#ify #he2.

Ehy will you able #o iden#ify #he sa2e

ABecause I &as the one &ho &rote it.

And you are fa2iliar, of course, wi#h your pen2anship

A es.

&ow we ha/e here so2e le##ers which were #urned o/er #o us by #he 5onorable Ci#y$ayor i#aliano A3an. 1,+,,7, #here are fi/e le##ers all handwri##en.

C*IR0:*ri3inal

CP CAJA*& ( $S:

*ri3inal, your 5onor.

And we would liBe you #o 3o o/er #hese and say, #ell us if any of #hese were #he onesyou were asBed #o wri#e.

A @Ei#ness 3oin3 o/er =le##ers>

0his one + pa3es. 0his one + pa3es. &o 2ore.

Aside fro2 #he fac# #ha# you iden#ified your pen2anship in #hese le##ers, wha# else will2aBe you re2e2ber #ha# #hese are really #he ones you wro#e while #here

A 0he si3na#ure is #here.

0here is a prin#ed na2e here=,> Jessica Calunod.

A And o/er i# is a si3na#ure.

0ha# is your si3na#ure

A es, 2aDa2.


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5ow abou# in #he o#her le##er, did you si3n i# also

A es, #here is #he o#her si3na#ure.

0here are na2es o#her na2es here %ddie Pere, Allan 'asa, Ar2ando 'acarro, Feli?Rosario, Jo

And we ha/e here a# #he bo##o2, Co22ander Ma2lon 5assan, and #here is #hesi3na#ure abo/e #he sa2e. (id you co2e #o Bnow who si3ned i#

A =)# was> Co22ander Ma2lon 5assan who si3ned #ha#.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Jessica, ) a2 3oin3 o/er #his le##er ... Could you please read #o us #he por#ion herewhich says #he #er2s ...

A @Ei#ness readin3 T$ao ilan3 3us#o n3a anda2un na ninyo and Ban#idad n3a P1"","""u3 P17,""" baylo sa +" se#s n3a unifor2s sa 'iyernes @Pebrero , 1989.=+>

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

)&0%RPR%0%R @0ransla#ion:

T0his is wha# #hey liBe you #o prepare=:> #he a2oun# of P1"","""."" and P17,"""."" ine?chan3e =for> +" se#s of unifor2 on Friday, February , 1989.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

&ow you also earlier iden#ified #his o#her le##er and #his is da#ed January +1, 1988.=+7>&ow, could you please e?plain #o us why i# is da#ed January +1 1988 and #he o#her one%nero 1, 1989 or January 1, 1989

A ) did no# realie #ha# ) placed 1989, 1988, bu# i# was 1989. January +1, 1989

A es

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

&ow, in #his le##er, were #he #er2s also 2en#ioned Please 3o o/er #his.

A @-oin3 o/er #he le##er

es, 2aDa2.

Could you please read i# aloud #o us

A @Ei#ness readin3

T-us#o nila and P1"","""."" n3 Bapinan nu u3 +" se#s n3a co2ple#on3 unifor2er @!colors 2arine #ype wala nay labo# an3 sapa#os, #un3a 2ediu2 u3 #un3a lar3e sie.=+>

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

)&0%RPR%0%R:

T0hey liBe #he P1"","""."" and an addi#ion of +" se#s of co2ple#e unifor2 @! colors,2arine#ype no# includin3 #he shoes, one half 2ediu2, one half lar3e.
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? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Af#er ha/in3 wri##en #hese le##ers, did you co2e #o Bnow af#er =#hey were> si3ned byyour co2panions and all of you, do you Bnow if #hese le##ers were sen# )f you Bnowonly.

A ) would liBe #o 2aBe i# clear. 0he firs# le##er was ordered #o 2e by Falcasan#os #oinfor2 #he Ci#y $ayor #ha# ini#ial as P"","""."", and when we were already ) wasasBed a3ain #o wri#e, we were ordered #o affi? our si3na#ure #o ser/e as proof #ha# all of usare ali/e.=+4>=sic>

CalunodDs #es#i2ony was subs#an#ially corrobora#ed by bo#h Ar2ando 'acarro=+!>and%dilber#o Pere.=+8>0he receip# of #he ranso2 le##ers, #he effor#s 2ade #o raise anddeli/er #he ranso2, and #he release of #he hos#a3es upon pay2en# of #he 2oney were#es#ified #o by Qa2boan3a Ci#y $ayor i#aliano A3an=+9>and 0eddy $e


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0he presen# case is differen# fro2People vs. Astor,a,=8>which held #ha# #he cri2eco22i##ed was no# Bidnappin3 under Ar#icle +4!, para3raph 7, bu# only 3ra/e coercion.0he appellan# in #ha# case had #ricBed his se/enyearold /ic#i2 in#o 3oin3 wi#h hi2 #o aplace he alone Bnew. 5is plans, howe/er, were foiled, when a 3roup of people beca2esuspicious and rescued #he 3irl fro2 hi2. 0he Cour# no#ed #ha# #he /ic#i2Ds #es#i2ony and

#he o#her pieces of e/idence did no# indica#e #ha# #he appellan# wan#ed #o de#ain her, or#ha# he ac#ually de#ained her.

)n #he presen# case, #he e/idence presen#ed by #he prosecu#ion indubi#ably es#ablished #ha##he /ic#i2s were de#ained, albei# for a few hours. 0here is proof beyond reasonable doub##ha# Bidnappin3 #ooB place, and #ha# appellan# was a mem*er of #he ar2ed 3roup whichabduc#ed #he /ic#i2s.

0hird )ssue:

!enial and Ali*i

0he appellan#Ds bare denial is a weaB defense #ha# beco2es e/en weaBer in #he face of #heprosecu#ion wi#nessesD posi#i/e iden#ifica#ion of hi2. Jurisprudence 3i/es 3rea#er wei3h#

#o #he posi#i/e narra#ion of prosecu#ion wi#nesses #han #o #he ne3a#i/e #es#i2onies of #hedefense.=9>'e#ween posi#i/e and ca#e3orical #es#i2ony which has a rin3 of #ru#h #o i# on#he one hand, and a bare denial on #he o#her, #he for2er 3enerally pre/ails. =7">JessicaCalunod, Ar2ando 'acarro and %dilber#o Pere #es#ified in a clear, s#rai3h#forward andfranB 2anner and #heir #es#i2onies were co2pa#ible on 2a#erial poin#s. $oreo/er, no ill2o#i/e was a##ribu#ed #o #he Bidnap /ic#i2s and none was found by #his Cour#.

Ee a3ree wi#h #he #rial cour#Ds obser/a#ion #ha# #he appellan# did no# 2ee# #he char3esa3ains# hi2 head on. 5is #es#i2ony dwel# on wha# happened #o hi2 on #he day he wasarres#ed and on subseGuen# days #hereaf#er. Appellan# did no# e?plain where he wasdurin3 #he Gues#ioned da#es @(ece2ber 1+, 1988 #o February , 1989 nei#her did herebu# Calunod, 'acarro and Pere, when #hey iden#ified hi2 as one of #heir Bidnappers.

Reclusion Perpe#ua% $ot 8ife Imprisonment

0he #rial cour# erred when i# sen#enced #he appellan# #o si? #er2s of life i2prison2en#.0he penal#y for Bidnappin3 wi#h ranso2, under #he Re/ised Penal Code, is reclusionperpetua #o dea#h. Since #he cri2es happened in 1988, when #he capi#al penal#y wasproscribed by #he Cons#i#u#ion, #he 2a?i2u2 penal#y #ha# could ha/e been i2posed wasreclusion perpetua. Life i2prison2en# is no# synony2ous wi#h reclusion perpetua.InliBe life i2prison2en#, reclusion perpetuacarries wi#h i# accessory penal#ies pro/idedin #he Re/ised Penal Code and has a defini#e e?#en# or dura#ion. Life i2prison2en# isin/ariably i2posed for serious offenses penalied by special laws, while reclusionperpetuais prescribed in accordance wi#h #he Re/ised Penal Code.=71>

F'ERE&!RE,#he con/ic#ion of Appellan# Jailon Mulais as principal in fi/e coun#s ofBidnappin3 for ranso2 and in #hree coun#s of Bidnappin3 isAFFIRM!%bu# #he penal#yi2posed is hereby $*()F)%( as follows: Appellan# is sen#enced #o fi/e #er2s ofreclusion perpetua% one for each of his fi/e con/ic#ions for Bidnappin3 for ranso2 and #o#hree #er2s of reclusion perpetua% one each for #he Bidnappin3 of Public *fficers ir3inia-ara, $onico Saa/edra and Cali?#o Francisco. LiBe #he o#her accused who wi#hdrew#heir appeals, he is R%I)R%( #o re#urn #he personal effec#s, or #heir 2one#ary /alue,#aBen fro2 #he Bidnap /ic#i2s. Addi#ionally, he is *R(%R%(#o pay #he a2oun# of
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P1++,""" represen#in3 #he ranso2 2oney paid #o #he Bidnappers. Cos#s a3ains# appellan#.

S* *R(%R%(.

(a/ide,Jr., @Chair2an, 'ellosillo, i#u3, and uisu2bin3, JJ., concur.

S%C*&( ())S)*&

G.R. No. 11;77>. &ebr/ary :, :000D

ENAN#R! ). $AUREAN!,petitioner, vs. C!UR" !& APPEA$S AN#

S(NGAP!RE A(R$(NES $(("E#, respondents.

# E C ( S ( ! N

9U(SU)(NG,J.:

0his pe#i#ion for re/iew on certiorariunder Rule 7 of #he Rules of Cour# seeBs #ore/erse #he (ecision of #he Cour# of Appeals, da#ed *c#ober +9, 199, in C.A. -.R. &o.C 77!4, as well as i#s Resolu#ion da#ed February +8, 1997, which denied #he 2o#ionfor reconsidera#ion.

0he fac#s of #he case as su22aried by #he responden# appella#e cour# are as follows:6So2e#i2e in 19!8, plain#iff =$enandro '. Laureano, herein pe#i#ioner>, #hen (irec#or ofFli3h# *pera#ions and Chief Pilo# of Air $anila, applied for e2ploy2en# wi#h defendan#co2pany =herein pri/a#e responden#> #hrou3h i#s Area $ana3er in $anila.

*n Sep#e2ber ", 19!8, af#er #he usual personal in#er/iew, defendan# wro#e #o plain#iff,offerin3 a con#rac# of e2ploy2en# as an e?pa#ria#e '!"! cap#ain for an ori3inal period of#wo @+ years co22encin3 on January +1, 19!8, Plain#iff accep#ed #he offer andco22enced worBin3 on January +", 19!9. Af#er passin3 #he si?2on#h proba#ion period,plain#iffs appoin#2en# was confir2ed effec#i/e July +1, 19!9. @Anne? 6'6, p. ", Rollo.

*n July +1, 19!9, defendan# offered plain#iff an e?#ension of his #woyear con#rac# #o fi/e

@ years effec#i/e January +1, 19!9 #o January +", 1987 sub


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e?pa#ria#e pilo#s includin3 plain#iff of #he si#ua#ion and ad/ised #he2 #o #aBe ad/ancelea/es. @%?h. 616, p. 744, Rec..

Realiin3 #ha# #he recession would no# be for a shor# #i2e, defendan# decided #o #er2ina#ei#s e?cess personnel @#.s.n., July 4, 1988, p. 1!. )# did no#, howe/er, i22edia#ely#er2ina#e i#s A"" pilo#s. )# re/iewed #heir Gualifica#ions for possible pro2o#ion #o #he

'!7! flee#. A2on3 #he 1! e?cess Airbus pilo#s re/iewed, #wel/e were found Gualified.Infor#una#ely, plain#iff was no# one of #he #wel/e. Jurissc

*n *c#ober , 198+, defendan# infor2ed plain#iff of his #er2ina#ion effec#i/e &o/e2ber1, 198+ and #ha# he will be paid #hree @ 2on#hs salary in lieu of #hree 2on#hs no#ice@Anne? 6)6, pp. 717+, Rec.. 'ecause he could no# uproo# his fa2ily on such shor#no#ice, plain#iff reGues#ed a #hree2on#h no#ice #o afford hi2 #i2e #o e?haus# all possiblea/enues for reconsidera#ion and re#en#ion. (efendan# 3a/e only #wo @+ 2on#hs no#iceand one @1 2on#h salary. @#.s.n., &o/. 1+, 198!. p. +.

A33rie/ed, plain#iff on June +9, 198, ins#i#u#ed a case for ille3al dis2issal before #heLabor Arbi#er. (efendan# 2o/ed #o dis2iss on


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and a3ains# defendan# Sin3apore Airlines Li2i#ed, orderin3 defendan# #o pay plain#iff #hea2oun#s of

S)&Z94,1"7."", or i#s eGui/alen# in Philippine currency a# #he curren# ra#e of e?chan3ea# #he #i2e of pay2en#, as and for unearned co2pensa#ion wi#h le3al in#eres# fro2 #hefilin3 of #he co2plain# un#il fully paid J


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para3raphs, #he Philippine Cour#s do no# #aBe

Responden# Cour# of Appeals acGuired *n #his 2a##er, responden# cour# was correc# when i# barred defendan#appellan# below fro2 raisin3 fur#her #he issue of

Pe#i#ioner now raises #he issue of whe#her his ac#ion is one based on Ar#icle 1177 or onAr#icle 1174 of #he Ci/il Code. Accordin3 #o hi2, his #er2ina#ion of e2ploy2en#effec#i/e &o/e2ber 1, 198+, was based on an e2ploy2en# con#rac# which is underAr#icle 1177, so his ac#ion should prescribe in 1" years as pro/ided for in said ar#icle.0hus he clai2s #he rulin3 of #he appella#e cour# based on Ar#icle 1174 where prescrip#ionis only four @7 years, is an error. 0he appella#e cour# concluded #ha# #he ac#ion for ille3aldis2issal ori3inally filed before #he Labor Arbi#er on June +9, 198, bu# which waswi#hdrawn, #hen filed a3ain in 198! before #he Re3ional 0rial Cour#, had alreadyprescribed.

)n our /iew, nei#her Ar#icle 1177=!>nor Ar#icle 1174=8>of #he Ci/il Code is hereper#inen#. Eha# is applicable is Ar#icle +91 of #he Labor Code, viz:

6Article :90. $oney clai2s. All 2oney clai2s arisin3 fro2 e2ployeee2ployerrela#ions accruin3 durin3 #he effec#i/i#y of #his Code shall be filed wi#hin #hree @ yearsfro2 #he #i2e #he cause of ac#ion accrued o#herwise #hey shall be fore/er barred.

? ? ?6 $isac#

Eha# rules on prescrip#ion should apply in cases liBe #his one has lon3 been decided by#his Cour#. )n ille3al dis2issal, i# is se##led, #ha# #he #enyear prescrip#i/e period fi?ed inAr#icle 1177 of #he Ci/il Code ay no-be in/oBed by pe#i#ioners, for #he Ci/il Code is a

law of 3eneral applica#ion, while #he prescrip#i/e period fi?ed in Ar#icle +9+ of #he LaborCode =now Ar#icle +91> is a SP%C)AL LAE applicable #o clai2s arisin3 fro2 e2ployeee2ployer rela#ions.=9>

$ore recen#ly in!e Guzman. vs. #ourt of Appeals%=1">where #he 2oney clai2 wasbased on a wri##en con#rac#, #he Collec#i/e 'ar3ainin3 A3ree2en#, #he Cour# held:

6...0he lan3ua3e of Ar#. +91 of #he Labor Code does no# li2i# i#s applica#ion only #o2oney clai2s specifically reco/erable under said Code bu# co/ers all 2oney clai2sarisin3 fro2 an e2ployeee2ployer rela#ions6 @Ci#in3 #adalin v. P"A Administrator%+8 SCRA !+1, !47 =1997> and 7) v. $ational 8a*or Relations #ommission% +41 SCRA", 1 =1994>. ...

)# should be no#ed fur#her #ha# Ar#icle +91 of #he Labor Code is a special law applicable #o2oney clai2s arisin3 fro2 e2ployere2ployee rela#ions #hus, i# necessarily pre/ailso/er Ar#icle 1177 of #he Ci/il Code, a 3eneral law. 'asic is #he rule in s#a#u#orycons#ruc#ion #ha# where #wo s#a#u#es are of eGual #heore#ical applica#ion #o a par#icularcase, #he one desi3ned #herefore should pre/ail. @Ci#in38everiza v. IntermediateAppellate #ourt% 1! SCRA +8+, +97. Generalia speciali*us non dero,ant.D=11>

)n #he li3h# of Ar#icle +91, aforeci#ed, we a3ree wi#h #he appella#e cour#s conclusion #ha#pe#i#ioners ac#ion for dama,es due to ille,al termination filed a3ain on January 8, 198!
http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn4%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn5%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn6%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn7%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn8%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn8%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn9%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn10%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn11%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn4%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn5%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn6%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn7%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn8%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn9%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn10%22http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/%5Cl%20_ftn11%22


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or 2ore #han four @7 years af#er #he effec#i/e da#e of his dis2issal on &o/e2ber 1, 198+has already prescribed.

6)n #he ins#an# case, #he ac#ion for da2a3es due #o ille3al #er2ina#ion was filed byplain#iffappellee only on January 8, 198! or 2ore #han four @7 years af#er #he effec#i/i#yda#e of his dis2issal on &o/e2ber 1, 198+. Clearly, plain#iffappellees ac#ion has already

prescribed.6Ee base our conclusion no# on Ar#icle 1177 of #he Ci/il Code bu# on Ar#icle +91 of #heLabor Code, which se#s #he prescrip#ion period a# #hree @ years and which 3o/ernsunder #his


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appellee, which i# found #o be in e?cess of wha# is reasonably needed.6=17>

All #hese considered, we find sufficien# fac#ual and le3al basis #o conclude #ha#pe#i#ioners #er2ina#ion fro2 e2ploy2en# was for an au#horied cause, for which he was3i/en a2ple no#ice and oppor#uni#y #o be heard, by responden# co2pany. &o error nor3ra/e abuse of discre#ion, #herefore, could be a##ribu#ed #o responden# appella#e cour#.

SppedscACC!R#(NG$*, #he ins#an# pe#i#ion is ()S$)SS%(. 0he decision of #he Cour# ofAppeals in C.A. C &o. 77!4 is AFF)R$%(.

S! !R#ERE#.

=-.R. &o. 17+!4. July +", +""7>

LA&('A&M *F 05% P5)L)PP)&%S, pe#i#ioner, /s. SP*IS%S )C%&0% 'A&AL andL%*&)(AS AR%&AS'A&AL, responden#s.

( % C ) S ) * &

SA&(*AL-I0)%RR%Q, J.:

Spouses icen#e and Leonidas 'anal, responden#s, are #he re3is#ered owners of 19.7++hec#ares of a3ricul#ural land si#ua#ed in San Felipe, 'asud, Ca2arines &or#e co/ered by0ransfer Cer#ifica#e of 0i#le &o. 04+94. A por#ion of #he land consis#in3 of 4.+"hec#ares @.7!" of which is plan#ed #o coconu# and ".!4"" plan#ed #o palay wasco2pulsorily acGuired by #he (epar#2en# of A3rarian Refor2 @(AR pursuan# #oRepublic Ac# @R.A. &o. 44!,=1>as a2ended, o#herwise Bnown as #he Co2prehensi/eA3rarian Refor2 Law of 1988.

)n accordance wi#h #he for2ula prescribed in (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder &o. 4, Series of199+,=+>as a2ended by (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder &o. 11, Series of 1997,=>#he Land'anB of #he Philippines=7>@LandbanB, pe#i#ioner, 2ade #he followin3 /alua#ion of #he

proper#y:AcGuired proper#y Area in hec#ares alue

Coconu# land .7!" P178,4!.19

Riceland ".!4"" +,+7.4

[[[[[[[[[[

P1!,918.

Responden#s re


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(urin3 #he pre#rial on Sep#e2ber +, 1998, #he par#ies sub2i##ed #o #he R0C #hefollowin3 ad2issions of fac#s: @1 #he sub

*n #he sa2e day af#er #he pre#rial, #he cour# issued an *rder dispensin3 wi#h #he hearin3and direc#in3 #he par#ies #o sub2i# #heir respec#i/e 2e2oranda.=4>

)n i#s (ecision da#ed February , 1999, #he #rial cour# co2pu#ed #he affir2in3 in #o#o #he


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denied.=11>

5ence, #his pe#i#ion for re/iew on cer#iorari.

0he funda2en#al issue for our resolu#ion is whe#her #he Cour# of Appeals erred insus#ainin3 #he #rial cour#Ds /alua#ion of #he land. As earlier 2en#ioned, #here was no #rialon #he 2eri#s.

0o be3in wi#h, under Sec#ion 1 of %?ecu#i/e *rder &o. 7" @199", #he LandbanB ischar3ed Tpri2arily wi#h T#he de#er2ina#ion of #he land /alua#ion and co2pensa#ion forall pri/a#e lands sui#able for a3ricul#ure under #he olun#ary *ffer #o Sell or Co2pulsoryAcGuisi#ion arran3e2en#] For i#s par#, #he (AR relies on #he de#er2ina#ion of #he land/alua#ion and co2pensa#ion by #he LandbanB.=1+>

'ased on #he LandbanBDs /alua#ion of #he land, #he (AR 2aBes an offer #o #he landowner.=1>)f #he landowner accep#s #he offer, #he LandbanB shall pay hi2 #he purchase price of#he land af#er he e?ecu#es and deli/ers a deed of #ransfer and surrenders #he cer#ifica#e of#i#le in fa/or of #he 3o/ern2en#.=17>)n case #he landowner re


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4, Series of 199+, as a2ended by (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder &o. 11, Series of 1997,issued pursuan# #o #he (ARDs rule2aBin3 power #o carry ou# #he ob

0he for2ula s#a#ed in (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder &o. 4, as a2ended, is as follows:

TL [ @C&) ? ".4 ^ @CS ? ". ^ @$ ? ".1

L [ Land alue

C&) [ Capi#alied &e# )nco2e

CS [ Co2parable Sales

$ [ $arBe# alue per 0a? (eclara#ion

0he abo/e for2ula shall be used if all #he #hree fac#ors are presen#, rele/an# andapplicable.

A.1 Ehen #he CS fac#or is no# presen# and C&) and $ are applicable, #he for2ula shallbe:

L [ @C&) ? ".9 ^ @$ ? ".1A.+ Ehen #he C&) fac#or is no# presen#, and CS and $ are applicable, #he for2ula shallbe:

L [ @CS ? ".9 ^ @$ ? ".1

A. Ehen bo#h #he CS and C&) are no# presen# and only $ is applicable, #he for2ulashall be:

L [ $ ? +

5ere, #he R0C failed #o obser/e #he basic rules of procedure and #he funda2en#alreGuire2en#s in de#er2inin3


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purpose.

Secondly, #he R0C, in concludin3 #ha# #he /alua#ion of responden#sD proper#y isP!",1!."", 2erely #ooB

TPARC Resolu#ion 97+71 of + *c#ober 1997, i2ple2en#ed by (AR A* 1, 3ran#edin#eres# on #he co2pensa#ion a# 4\ co2pounded annually. 0he co2pounded in#eres# on#he 74 ca/ans for +4 years is 199. ca/ans. A# P7""."" per ca/an, #he /alue of #heco2pounded in#eres# is P!9,!+."".=+>@e2phasis added

Eellse##led is #he rule #ha# cour#s are no# au#horied #o #aBe


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of #he records of o#her cases e/en when said cases ha/e been #ried or are pendin3 in #hesa2e cour# or before #he sa2e 0hey 2ay only do so Tin #he absence ofobwhich are no# ob#ainin3here.

Fur#her2ore, as earlier s#a#ed, #he Rules of Cour# shall apply #o all proceedin3s before #he

Special A3rarian Cour#s. )n #his re3ard, Sec#ion , Rule 1+9 of #he Re/ised Rules on%/idence is e?plici# on #he necessi#y of a hearin3 before a cour# #aBes 5ere, #he land is plan#ed #o coconu# and rice and does no#in/ol/e a3ricul#ural leasehold rela#ion. Eha# #he #rial cour# should ha/e applied is #hefor2ula in (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder &o. 4, as a2ended by (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e *rder&o. 11 discussed earlier.

As re3ards #he award of co2pounded in#eres#, suffice i# #o s#a#e #ha# (AR Ad2inis#ra#i/e*rder &o. 1, Series of 1997 does no# apply #o #he sub


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Rule 128 and 129 Full Text