EN BANC

[G.R. No. 125053. March 25, 1999.] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. CHRISTOPHER CAA LEONOR, accused-appellant. The Solicitor General for plaintiff-app ll . Rodolfo P. Orticio for acc!" #-app llant. SYNOPSIS Chri"toph r $ onor %a" char& # %ith ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# . * %a" acc!" # of #i+ "tin& ca"h an# a ,it!" %atch fro) # nti"t -r. Maria , r "a ,arl n&co an# for "ta''in& h r, r "!ltin& to h r # ath. ,h R &ional ,rial Co!rt of .ara/a0! fo!n# acc!" #-app llant &!ilt( ' (on# r a"ona'l #o!'t of th cri) char& # an# %a" " nt nc # to "!ff r th p nalt( of # ath an# to pa( th h ir" of th +icti) th follo%in&1 # ath in# )nit(, act!al #a)a& ", an# attorn (2" f ". Acc!" #-app llant !r& # th 3!pr ) Co!rt to )o#if( th 4!#&) nt '( con+ictin& hi) of ho)ici# onl( an# to appr ciat in hi" fa+or th )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc " of lac5 of int nt to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& a" that co))itt #, "!ffici nt pro+ocation, pa""ion an# o'f!"cation, +ol!ntar( "!rr n# r, an# +ol!ntar( conf ""ion. ,h 3!pr ) Co!rt fo!n# no )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc in thi" ca" . $ac5 of int nt to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& #o " not )iti&at in ho)ici# ca" " %h r th acc!" # !" # a # a#l( % apon in inflictin& )ortal %o!n#". ,h pro+ocation "!ffici nt to )iti&at an off n" )!"t ' proportionat to th &ra+it( of th r taliator( act. ,h p!"h an# 6'a# %or#"6 # li+ r # '( th +icti) to th acc!" # #i# not 4!"tif( r taliation %ith a 5nif . ,h r %a" nothin& on r cor# %hich can l a# to concl!# that th r %a" +ol!ntar( "!rr n# r7 n ith r %a" th r a +ol!ntar( conf ""ion. ,h #(in& # claration of -r. ,arl n&co "ta'li"h # not onl( that a ro'' r( %a" co))itt #, th r ' in& +iol nc an# inti)i#ation a&ain"t h r, '!t that ho)ici# %a" p rp trat # on th occa"ion of that ro'' r(. ,h 3!pr ) Co!rt )o#ifi # th p nalt( of th acc!" #-app llant to r cl!"ion p rp t!a, th r ' in& no +i# nc of a&&ra+atin& or )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc , th lo% r of th t%o in#i+i"i'l p nalti " %a" i)po" #. SYLLABUS

1.REME-8A$ $A97 E:8-ENCE7 ,E3,8M;N8E3 ;< A 98,NE337 ,E3,8M;N8E3 8N ;.EN C;=R, ARE 3=.ER8;R ,; A<<8-A:8,3 ,A>EN EX PARTE7 CA3E A, BAR. ? Gal no2" fail!r to ) ntion in hi" "%orn "tat ) nt that )on ( an# a %ri"t%atch % r r tri + # fro) C*R83,;.*ER #o " not n &at hi" clai) to that ff ct, ' ca!" h lat r "tat # that fact in hi" t "ti)on(. ,h " ttl # r!l i" that t "ti)oni " in op n co!rt ar "!p rior to affi#a+it" ta5 n ex parte. ,hat 8nt ria in" rt # th "tol n it )" in th .olic R f rral #o " not #i)ini"h th tr!th of th all &ation of ro'' r(, "inc it app ar" that th int rcalation %a" int n# # to )a5 th R f rral acc!rat .
cdasia

2.8-.7 8-.7 8-.7 CRE-8B8$8,@7 ,*E ,R8A$ A=-GE 83 8N A BE,,ER .;38,8;N ,; -EC8-E B=E3,8;N3 ,*ERE;<7 RA,8;NA$E7 ECCE.,8;N 8N CA3E A, BAR. ? ,h cor i""! " rai" # in+ol+ th cr #i'ilit( of %itn "" ". ;n of th hi&hl( r + r # #icta in o!r 4!ri"#iction i" that thi" Co!rt %ill not int rf r %ith th 4!#&) nt of th trial co!rt in pa""in& on th cr #i'ilit( of oppo"in& %itn "" " !nl "" th r app ar" in th r cor# "o) fact" or circ!)"tanc " of % i&ht an# infl! nc that ha+ ' n o+ rloo5 # %hich, if con"i# r #, %ill aff ct th r "!lt of th ca" . ,h r a"on th r for i" fo!n# # on practical an# )pirical con"i# ration". ,h trial 4!#& i" in a ' tt r po"ition to # ci# 0! "tion" of cr #i'ilit(, "inc h ha" p r"onall( h ar# th %itn "" " an# o'" r+ # th ir # port) nt an# )ann r of t "tif(in&. N + rth l "", in +i % of th &ra+it( of th char& an# th p nalt( i)po" #, th Co!rt "par # no ffort to ) tic!lo!"l( r +i % th +i# nc to # t r)in %h th r C*R83,;.*ER ha# in# # co))itt # th off n" char& # an# th pro" c!tion2" +i# nc pro+ # it ' (on# r a"ona'l #o!'t. 3.8-.7 8-.7 -@8NG -EC$ARA,8;N7 E$EMEN,37 A..$8CA,8;N 8N CA3E A, BAR. ? Mo"t cr!cial for th pro" c!tion i" th t "ti)on( of Mr. < rnan#o ,arl n&co, th +icti)2" fath r, ' ca!" h "tat # th )o"t incri)inatin& pi c of +i# nc ? th #(in& # claration of -r. ,arl n&co. 9hil , & n rall(, a %itn "" can t "tif( onl( to tho" fact" %hich ar # ri+ # fro) hi" o%n p rc ption, a r co&niD # Ec ption th r to i" th r porta& in op n co!rt of th # claration of a #(in& p r"on )a# !n# r th con"cio!"n "" of an i)p n#in& # ath %h r that p r"on2" # ath i" th "!'4 ct of in0!ir( in th ca" . ,o ' a#)i""i'l , a #(in& # claration )!"t F1G r f r to th ca!" an# circ!)"tanc " "!rro!n#in& th # clarant2" # ath7 F2G ' )a# !n# r th con"cio!"n "" of an i)p n#in& # ath7 F3G ' )a# fr l( an# +ol!ntaril( %itho!t co rcion or "!&& "tion of i)prop r infl! nc 7 FHG ' off r # in a cri)inal ca" in %hich th # ath of th # clarant i" th "!'4 ct of in0!ir(7 an# F5G th # clarant )!"t ha+ ' n co)p t nt to t "tif( a" a %itn "" ha# h ' n call # !pon to t "tif(. -r. ,arl n&co2" #(in& # claration co)pli # %ith th a'o+ r 0!i"it ". 3h tal5 # a'o!t th inci# nt %hich l # to h r con#ition. ,h # claration %a" a fir"t-han# acco!nt of th inci# nt, ' r ft of opinion or con4 ct!r . ,h acco!nt %a" )a# in a cri)inal ca" %h r h r # ath %a" part of th "!'4 ct of in0!ir(. An#, )o"t i)portant, "h %a" con+inc # that "h %a" a'o!t to #i . H.CR8M8NA$ $A97 R;BBER@ 98,* *;M8C8-E7 C;N:8C,8;N ,*ERE;< CAN ;N$@ BE ,R=E 8< ,*E R;BBER@ 8,3E$< 9A3 .R;:E- A3 C;NC$=38:E$@

A3 AN@ ;,*ER E33EN,8A$ E$EMEN, ;< ,*E CR8ME7 .RE3EN, 8N CA3E A, BAR. ? C*R83,;.*ER a#)itt # that h "ta'' # -r. ,arl n&co. ,h '!r# n of +i# nc , th r for , "hift # to hi)7 h ha# to pro+ a 4!"tif(in& or E )ptin& circ!)"tanc to a+oi# cri)inal lia'ilit(. * )i" ra'l( fail # to #o "o. ,h r )ainin& fact!al i""! i" %h th r C*R83,;.*ER 5ill # -r. ,arl n&co '( r a"on or on th occa"ion of a ro'' r( %ith th !" of +iol nc a&ain"t or inti)i#ation of a p r"on. ;n co!l# ' con+ict # of ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# onl( if th ro'' r( it" lf %a" pro+ # a" concl!"i+ l( a" an( oth r "" ntial l ) nt of th cri) . ,h ta5in& %ith int nt to &ain of p r"onal prop rt( ' lon&in& to anoth r, '( ) an" of +iol nc a&ain"t or inti)i#ation of an( p r"on or '( !"in& forc !pon thin&", con"tit!t " ro'' r(. G ral#in ,arl n&co an# Ao" ph 3!)al'ar i# ntifi # th it )" r co+ r # fro) C*R83,;.*ER a" ' lon&in& to -r. ,arl n&co. ,h " t "ti)oni " in#icat that C*R83,;.*ER "tol p r"onal prop rt( ' lon&in& to -r. ,arl n&co, con"i"t nt %ith th #i"p!ta'l pr "!)ption that a p r"on fo!n# in po"" ""ion of a thin& ta5 n in th #oin& of a r c nt %ron&f!l act i" th ta5 r an# th #o r of th %hol act. 9hil C*R83,;.*ER # ni # that -r. ,arl n&co2" %atch an# )on ( % r r co+ r # fro) hi), th in# p n# nt an# corro'orati+ t "ti)oni " of polic offic r Gal no an# &!ar# Ba&!ilo# pro+ oth r%i" . ,h trial co!rt fo!n# th t "ti)oni " of th " t%o %itn "" " )or cr #i'l , an# thi" Co!rt " " no r a"on to # part fro) it" concl!"ion. C*R83,;.*ER al"o point # o!t that th int rcalation of "tol n it )" in 8nt ria2" r f rral r port to th .ro" c!tor in#icat # th fa'rication of ro'' r( char& " a&ain"t hi). B!t th int rcalation %a" "!ffici ntl( Eplain # a" an hon "t )i"ta5 , "p ciall( con"i# rin& that 8nt ria ha# "p cifi # in th r port, in an ntr( app arin& ' for th int rcalation, that th char& a&ain"t C*R83,;.*ER %a" ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# . 8t i" in#i"p!ta'l th n that C*R83,;.*ER too5 -r. ,arl n&co2" ' lon&in&". ,h !n Eplain # po"" ""ion of "tol n articl " &i+ " ri" to a pr "!)ption of th ft !nl "" it i" pro+ # that th o%n r of th articl " %a" # pri+ # of h r po"" ""ion" '( +iol nc or inti)i#ation, in %hich ca" , th pr "!)ption ' co) " on of ro'' r(. ,h pro" c!tion pro+ # in thi" ca" that th r %a" +iol nc an# inti)i#ation in th ta5in& of -r. ,arl n&co2" prop rt(. 5.8-.7 8-.7 M8,8GA,8NG C8RC=M3,ANCE37 9*EN N;, .RE3EN,7 CA3E A, BAR. ? ,h Co!rt fin# no )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc in thi" ca" C*R83,;.*ER clai)" that h #i# not int n# to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& a" th act co))itt #7 that th r %a" "!ffici nt pro+ocation '( th off n# # part( i)) #iat l( pr c #in& th off n" 7 that h act # !pon an i)p!l" "o po% rf!l a" to ha+ pro#!c # in hi) pa""ion an# o'f!"cation1 that h +ol!ntaril( "!rr n# r # to a p r"on in a!thorit(7 an# that h +ol!ntaril( conf "" # ha+in& co))itt # ho)ici# . $ac5 of int nt to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& #o " not )iti&at in ho)ici# ca" " %h r th acc!" # !" # a # a#l( % apon in inflictin& )ortal %o!n#" on +ital or&an" of th +icti), a" in thi" ca" . ,h pro+ocation "!ffici nt to )iti&at an off n" )!"t ' proportionat to th &ra+it( of th r taliator( act. I.8-.7 8-.7 8M.;3AB$E .ENA$,@. ? 9hat r )ain" to ' r "ol+ # i" th p nalt( to ' i)po" #. ,h p nalt( for ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# i" reclusion perpetua to # ath. ,h r

' in& no +i# nc of a&&ra+atin& or )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc " a&ain"t or in fa+or of C*R83,;.*ER, th lo% r of th t%o in#i+i"i'l p nalti " "hall ' i)po" #, %itho!t th ' n fit of th 8n# t r)inat 3 nt nc $a%. ,h Co!rt, li5 %i" ' li + " that th a%ar#" in fa+or of -r. ,arl n&co2" fa)il( of )oral #a)a& " of .2 )illion an# attorn (2" f " of .500,000 ar Ec ""i+ . ,h!", r #!c th ) to .50,000 an# .25,000, r "p cti+ l(.
-aE38C

DECISION

DAVIDE, JR., C .J 1
p

8n th # ci"ion 1 of 22 March 199I in Cri)inal Ca" No. 95-212, th R &ional ,rial Co!rt of .ara/a0! , Branch 2JH, fo!n# acc!" #-app llant Chri"toph r Ca/a $ onor &!ilt( ' (on# r a"ona'l #o!'t of th cri) of ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# an# " nt nc # hi) to "!ff r th p nalt( of # ath an# to pa( th h ir" of th +icti) .50,000 a" # ath in# )nit(7 .HH,31K a" act!al #a)a& "7 .2 )illion a" )oral #a)a& "7 an# .50,000 a" attorn (2" f ".
cdasia

C*R83,;.*ER %a" char& # in an infor)ation 2 %ho" acc!"ator( portion r a#" a" follo%"1
,hat on or a'o!t th 15th #a( of Ma( 1995, in th M!nicipalit( of .ara/a0! , M tro Manila, .hilippin " an# %ithin th 4!ri"#iction of thi" *onora'l Co!rt, th a'o+ -na) # acc!" #, %ith int nt to &ain an# a&ain"t th %ill of co)plainant Ma. , r "a ,arl n&co an# '( ) an" of forc , +iol nc an# inti)i#ation )plo( # !pon th p r"on of "ai# co)plainant #i# th n an# th r %illf!ll(, !nla%f!ll( an# f lonio!"l( #i+ "t h r ca"h )on ( %orth .900.00 an# ,it!" %ri"t %atch +al! # at an !n# t r)in # a)o!nt, ' lon&in& to "ai# Ma. , r "a ,arl n&co, to th #a)a& an# pr 4!#ic of th latt r, in th afor ) ntion # a)o!nt7 that on th occa"ion of th "ai# Ro'' r(, th a'o+ na) # acc!" #, %ith int nt to 5ill, %itho!t 4!"tifia'l r a"on, #i# th n an# th r %illf!ll(, !nla%f!ll( an# f lonio!"l( attac5, a""a!lt an# "ta' "ai# Ma. , r "a ,arl n&co, th r '( inflictin& !pon th latt r " rio!" "ta' %o!n#" %hich ca!" # h r # ath.

At hi" arrai&n) nt on 1H A!n 1995, C*R83,;.*ER nt r # a pl a of not &!ilt(. 3 8t i" !n#i"p!t # that on 15 Ma( 1995 at th * r)ano" B!il#in& in G n ral 3anto" A+ n! , Bic!tan EEt n"ion, .ara/a0! Cit(, at aro!n# 11130 a.)., C*R83,;.*ER "ta'' # # nti"t -r. Maria , r "a ,arl n&co, %hich %o!n# !lti)at l( l # to h r # ath.

,hat )!ch i" a#)itt # '( C*R83,;.*ER. ,h pro" c!tion an# th # f n" #iff r, ho% + r, in th circ!)"tanc " "!rro!n#in& th inci# nt. ,h pro" c!tion ha# a" %itn "" " R (nal#o Ba0!ilo#, 3.;1 $!i" <. Gal no, .;3 Mat o 8nt ria, -r. Ra+ ll Ronal# Bal!(ot, -r. E#&ar#o # G!D)an, -r. .a!l . pa, B + rl( :i#an ", -r. Aohn Enri0! <ranco, < rnan#o ,arl n&co, G ral#in ,arl n&co, Ao" ph 3!)al'ar, an# A""t. .!'lic .ro" c!tor EliDa' th @! G!ra(. ,h # f n" pr " nt # C*R83,;.*ER, $ opol#o $ onor $ oni#a", -r. Alfr #o B "a, R nato $ onor, an# Al Ean# r .a&!'a"an. ,h ;ffic of th 3olicitor G n ral partl( "!))ariD # th follo%"1 +i# nc for th pro" c!tion a"

8n th )ornin& of Ma( 15, 1995, -r. Maria , r "a ,arl n&co, a # nti"t '( prof ""ion, %a" at h r clinic at th thir# floor of th * r)ano" B!il#in&, Bic!tan, .ara/a0! , M tro Manila, %h n a )an nt r # an# in0!ir # a'o!t th co"t of tooth Etraction. Aft r -r. ,arl n&co 0!ot # h r prof ""ional f , th )an, %ho %a" lat r on i# ntifi # a" Chri"toph r $ onor, "ai# that h %o!l# co) 'ac5 an# th n l ft in a h!rr(. Min!t " lat r, $ onor ca) 'ac5[,] an# -r. ,arl n&co tol# hi) to ta5 a " at an# %ait. -r. ,arl n&co %a" pr parin& h r # ntal in"tr!) nt" %h n $ onor 'ar& # in an# # )an# # )on (. -r. ,arl n&co tol# $ onor that h r )on ( [%a"] on th ta'l . ;n h arin& thi", $ onor "ta'' # -r. ,arl n&co, &ra'' # h r %atch an# ran a%a(. -r. ,arl n&co "tr!&&l # o!t of th clinic an# "a% th )an r!nnin& o!t of th '!il#in&. -r. ,arl n&co "ho!t # for h lp. R (nal#o Ba0!ilo#, '!il#in& " c!rit( &!ar#, h ar# -r. ,arl n&co "ho!tin&, 6t!l!n&an nin(o a5o, "ina5"a5 a5o n& taon& i(on.6 Ba0!ilo# notic # that -r. ,arl n&co %a" r f rrin& to th )an 6r!nnin& o!t of th '!il#in&, co)in& fro) !p"tair".6 Ba0!ilo# cha" # $ onor !p to -aan& *ari 3tr t %h r h %a" 4oin # '( traffic polic )an $!i" Gal no %ho %a" al rt # '( p opl r!nnin& aft r a p r"on %ith 'loo#i # "hirt. 9h n Gal no an# Ba0!ilo# ca!&ht !p %ith $ onor, Ba0!ilo# &ra'' # $ onor2" han# an# too5 th r fro) a ,it!" %ri"t%atch an# .900 ca"h. 9h n 0! ri #, $ onor r a#il( an"% r #, 63ir, hin#i 5o na)an &!"to po ito. Gina%a 5o lan& ito #ahil 5ailan&an n& pa)il(a 5o.6 $ onor %a" 'ro!&ht to th .ara/a0! .olic Bloc5 3tation. .;3 8nt ria %ho %a" in"tr!ct # to in+ "ti&at proc # # to -r. ,arl n&co2" clinic, %h r th ( "a%, a)on& oth r[ ] [thin&"], a 'loo#i # balison Ffan 5nif G at th &ro!n# floor of th * r)ano2" '!il#in&. Ba0!ilo# t!rn # o+ r th %atch an# )on ( h too5 fro) $ onor to 8nt ria. ,h r aft r, Gal no an# 8nt ria r t!rn # to th polic "tation %h r th ( % r int rro&at #. -r. ,arl n&co %a" 'ro!&ht to th 3o!th 3!p r *i&h%a( M #ical C nt r %h r "h !n# r% nt an ) r& nc( op ration for a "ta' %o!n# on h r ch "t. Aft r th op ration, -r. ,arl n&co2" fath r, %ith th #octor2" p r)i""ion, %a" allo% # to

tal5 to hi" #a!&ht r in"i# th op ratin& roo). Altho!&h -r. ,arl n&co %a" &a"pin& for 'r ath, "h "po5 to h r fath r, +iD1 B3o % r (o! a'l to tal5 %ith (o!r #a!&ht r %hil in th ;p ratin& Roo)L 9hat #i# "h "a(, if an(, Mr. ,arl n&coL A3h "ai# that thi" )an pr t n# # to ' a pati nt. BAn# %hat l" #i# "h "a(L A* a"5 # h r ho% )!ch %o!l# it co"t to p!ll a tooth an# th n "h "ai#, 6-a#, %h n 8 0!ot # )( pric , h "ai# that h %o!l# co) 'ac5 an# l ft in a h!rr(.6 B9hat l" #i# "h "a(, if an(, Mr. ,arl n&coL A6Aft r a )in!t , h ca) 'ac5, 8 tol# hi) to %ait, to "it #o%n fir"t at )( 9aitin& Ar a ' ca!" 8 [ha#] to "till pr par th in"tr!) nt" n # #.6 B,h n, %hat happ n # aft r thatL A3h "ai#, 6%hil 8 %a" '!"( pr parin& )( in"tr!) nt, -a#, thi" )an 'ar& # in. * # )an# # for )( )on (. 8 tol# hi) it [%a"] on )( ta'l . An# aft r t llin& that, -a#, h "ta'' # ) an# th n h &ra'' # )( %atch an# h [ran] a%a(6 an# "h "ai#, 68 "tr!&&l # -a#, to co) o!t of th clinic an# %h n 8 %a" on th porch, 8 "a% thi" )an co)in& [sic] o!t of th '!il#in&. 8 "ho!t # for h lp, 8 "ai# 63a5lolo, "a5lolo, "ina5"a5 a5o n& taon& i(an. *!lihin nin(o.6 B,h n %hat l" #i# "h "a( aft r "h narrat # to (o! that inci# nt, Mr. ,arl n&coL AAft r that, in t ar", "h "ai# that 6-a#, 8 #on2t 5no%, %h( in"pit of & ttin& )( )on ( thi" )an "ta'' # ) 6 an# 8 %a" n!)' # at that point of ti) , 8 [co!l# not] tal5 an()or , 8 [co!l# not] t ll an(thin& to h r an()or , 8 4!"t co)' # h r hair %ith )( fin& r". ,h r aft r, -r. ,arl n&co %a" 'ro!&ht to a pri+at roo) %h r "h "!'" 0! ntl( #i #. -r. Ronal#o Bal!(ot, th NB8 M #ico-l &al ;ffic r %ho con#!ct # th po"t)ort ) Ea)ination of th # c a" #, t "tifi # that ,arl n&co2" "ta' %o!n# on th ch "t co!l# ha+ ' n ca!" # '( "in&l 'la# # 6fan6 5nif . G ral#in ,arl n&co, %ho "ta( # %ith h r "i"t r -r. ,arl n&co %hil r +i %in& for th BAR EEa)ination, o%n # a ,it!" %atch "i)ilar to that of h r "i"t r.

Both %atch " % r &i+ n to th ) '( anoth r "i"t r C cill . ;n th )ornin& of Ma( 15, 1995, G ral#in "a% -r. ,arl n&co "trap th %atch on h r %ri"t. G ral#in , li5 %i" , "a% h r "i"t r, -r. ,arl n&co, plac in h r %all t on 500p "o 'ill an# fo!r 100-p "o 'ill", aft r "ho%in& th "a) to G ral#in , %ho arli r %a" t a"in& h r "i"t r, -r. ,arl n&co, that th r a"on %h( "h #i# not '!( th #r "" "h %ant # to '!( at Cin# r lla2" %a" ' ca!" "h ha# no )on (. 8f onl( to pro+ h r "i"t r G ral#in %ron&, -r. ,arl n&co "ho% # h r )on ( %hich "h too5 fro) h r %all t. 4

A##itionall(, -r. Aohn Enri0! <ranco, a fri n# of th +icti), t "tifi # that h &ot to tal5 %ith -r. ,arl n&co at th ho"pital. * a"5 # -r. ,arl n&co %hat happ n #, an# "h an"% r # that a )an po"in& a" a pati nt h l# h r !p an# "ta'' # h r. 5 Ao" ph B. 3!)al'ar, -r. ,arl n&co2" fianc , t "tifi # that %h n h l arn # a'o!t hi" fianc 2" 5illin&, h i)) #iat l( % nt to th cri) "c n an#, th r aft r, to th Bloc5 J polic "tation %h r h confront # th "!"p ct # 5ill r, Chri"toph r. 3!)al'ar r call # hi" con+ r"ation %ith th latt r, th!"1
BAn# %hat happ n # aft r that, %h n (o! proc # # to th c ll of thi" "!"p ctL A8 fo!n# thi" )an %ho %a" half na5 # fro) th %ai"t !p. 8 fo!n# thi" )an %itho!t an( "hirt on an# h %a" "ittin& at th corn r an# h %a" tr(in& to a+oi# ) an# 8 a"5 # hi). 6Ba5it )o &ina%a i(onL6 3a'i ni(a, 6hin#i 5o po na)an &!"to. >ailan&an 5o la)an& an& p ra.6 EEE EEE EEE B9h n (o! confront # th acc!" # at Bloc5 J, %hat l" #i# h "a(, if an(L A9hil 8 %a" "ho!tin& at hi), 6*inol#-!p )o na, "ina5"a5 )o pa. Ba5it )o &ina%a i(onL6 6*in#i 5o po na)an &!"to i(on, )ah!h!li na po a5o,6 "a'i ni(a. 22Mah!h!li na po a5o 5a(a &ina%a 5o i(on.6 B,h n %hat l" #i# h "a( %h n (o! confront # hi), if an(L AAn# h tol# ) that h n # # th )on (. 6

3.;3 Mat o 8nt ria t "tifi # that on 1I Ma( 1995, h too5 th "tat ) nt of -r. ,arl n&co2" fath r an# E c!t # a R f rral 7 to th .ro+incial .ro" c!tor of RiDal for C*R83,;.*ER2" in0! "t. 8nt ria r port # in th r f rral that C*R83,;.*ER %a" ' in& h l# for ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# '!t for&ot to "tat th prop rt( "tol n fro) -r. ,arl n&co. Aft r Mr. ,arl n&co r )in# # 8nt ria of th "tol n it )", th latt r int rcalat # into th r f rral a r f r nc to .900 an# a ,it!" %ri"t%atch for)in& part of th +i# nc a&ain"t C*R83,;.*ER. 8

< rnan#o ,arl n&co, fath r of th +icti), # "cri' # th i)pact of h r #a!&ht r2" # ath, !i".1
B8n conn ction %ith th # ath of (o!r #a!&ht r, Mr. ,arl n&co, #i# (o!r fa)il( inc!r an( Ep n" "L ANot 4!"t Ep n" " '!t )or on th a&on(, th tri'!lation" % ar ha+in& !p to thi" ti) . @o! 5no%, !p to thi" ti) , % 5 pt on % pin&. M( fath r, th &ran#fath r of )( #a!&ht r, %a" "hoc5 # an# in an&!i"h, h al"o "!cc!)' # to # ath in l "" than t%o )onth", ' ca!" of %hat thi" +il p r"on [ha#] #on to !". M( %or5 %a" aff ct #. M( %if 2" %or5 i" aff ct #. ,h r ar ti) " %h n % ar at ho) , % #on2t 5no% %hat to #o an()or . 9 ar in total )i" r(. 8 #on2t 5no% %h( thi" %a" #on to !" '( th # +il # #" of thi" p r"on ha" #on to !" [sic].6 9

8n r lation to -r. ,arl n&co2" # ath, h r fa)il( "p nt .K,J1K for ho"pital Ep n" "7 a'o!t .2,500 to .3,500 char& # '( <!n raria Mala(a %h r "h %a" 'ro!&ht7 .22,500 for h r ca"5 t7 .K,250 pai# to Manila M )orial, 8nc.7 .5,000 for th )a"" " h l# for -r. ,arl n&co7 an# a'o!t .10,000 for th foo# " r+ # to th &! "t" at -r. ,arl n&co2" %a5 . 10 C*R83,;.*ER, on th oth r han#, t "tifi # that on 15 Ma( 1995, at a'o!t I100 a.)., h l ft hi" to%n Cala!a&, B! Don, an# 'oar# # a Aa) ,ran"it '!" 'o!n# for Manila, %ith .K00 an# a fan 5nif in hi" poc5 t. * %a" to f tch hi" fa)il( for th to%n fi "ta to ' h l# on 25 Ma( 1995. *i" h a# an# t%o of hi" )olar t th % r th n achin&. * ali&ht # at Ala'an& an# too5 a '!" 'o!n# for Bic!tan EEt n"ion. 11 =pon r achin& Bic!tan EEt n"ion, h loo5 # for a # nti"t to ha+ hi" achin& t th p!ll #. * fo!n# -r. ,arl n&co2" # ntal clinic at th thir# floor of a c rtain '!il#in& in G n ral 3anto" A+ n! . * a"5 # -r. ,arl n&co ho% )!ch an Etraction co"t, an# %a" tol# that th f %a" .150 p r tooth. C*R83,;.*ER n &otiat # a char& of .100 p r tooth, '!t -r. ,arl n&co r 4 ct # th off r. C*R83,;.*ER th n proc # # to loo5 for anoth r # nti"t, '!t ' for h co!l# )a5 hi" %a( o!t of th clinic, -r. ,arl n&co "topp # hi) an# a&r # to char& .100 p r Etraction. C*R83,;.*ER %a" )a# to "it on th # ntal chair a" -r. ,arl n&co pr par # th in"tr!) nt" for th Etraction. A!"t a" "h %a" a'o!t to in4 ct an "th "ia, "h r )ar5 # that "h chan& # h r )in# an# %o!l# char& .150 p r tooth p!ll #. C*R83,;.*ER p!"h # a%a( -r. ,arl n&co2" han#, %hich an& r # h r. 3h ca"ti&at # an# c!r" # C*R83,;.*ER for a"5in& for an Etraction %itho!t ' in& a'l to pa( for it. 12

A" C*R83,;.*ER %a" )a5in& hi" %a( o!t of th clinic, -r. ,arl n&co c!r" # an# p!"h # hi), at %hich )o) nt h 'lac5 # o!t. 13 * th n " n" # that th # nti"t %a" in

pain, an# h "a% 'loo# "p!rtin&. * r aliD # that h ha# "ta'' # th # nti"t. 8n "hoc5, C*R83,;.*ER "t pp # 'ac5, lo"t th &rip on hi" fan 5nif , an# ran o!t of th clinic an# o!t of th '!il#in&. 9h n h loo5 # 'ac5 at th clinic, h "a% -r. ,arl n&co "ho!tin& for h lp. A " c!rit( &!ar#, %ith hi" "hot&!n ai) # at C*R83,;.*ER, ran aft r th latt r. 1H C*R83,;.*ER ran to %h r th r % r )an( p opl . ,h n h ca) acro"" .olic ;ffic r Gal no, %ho &ra'' # hi) '( th han# an# a"5 # %hat happ n #. * r pli #, 6Sir# na$adis ras%a a$o.6 15 Gal no %ar# # off th p!r"!in& " c!rit( &!ar# %ho in"i"t # on appr h n#in& C*R83,;.*ER. Gal no 'ro!&ht C*R83,;.*ER to Bloc5 J, .ara/a0! .olic 3tation, an# lat r, to th .olic * a#0!art r" alon& th Coa"tal Roa# in .ara/a0! . <o!r polic ) n, incl!#in& .;3 8nt ria, too5 t!rn" in )a!lin& an# 5ic5in& hi), an# on polic )an + n too5 )on ( fro) hi" %all t. Al"o, hi" cloth " % r confi"cat #. 1I -!rin& th in+ "ti&ation, C*R83,;.*ER a#)itt # that h ha# "ta'' # -r. ,arl n&co, '!t # ni # that h ha# ta5 n .900 an# a ,it!" %ri"t%atch fro) th +icti). * %a" "!rpri" # %h n lat r, h %a" infor) # '( A""i"tant .!'lic .ro" c!tor EliDa' th @! G!ra( that h %o!l# ' char& # %ith ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# , not ho)ici# onl(. 17 $ opol#o $ onor $ oni#a", C*R83,;.*ER2" !ncl , r + al # that at a'o!t noon of 15 Ma( 1995, %hil h %a" at ho) , h r c i+ # a t l phon call fro) C*R83,;.*ER "a(in& that h ha# "ta'' # "o) on . 9h n h a"5 # C*R83,;.*ER %h( h "ta'' # "o) on th latt r an"% r #, 6Aburido a$o# >!(a -in&, aburido a$o6 F68 a) tro!'l #, >!(a -in&, 8 a) tro!'l #6G. 18 R nato $ onor, C*R83,;.*ER 2" fath r, t "tifi # that h % nt to " hi" "on at hi" # t ntion c ll '!t co!l# har#l( r co&niD hi) ' ca!" h %a" 'loo#i #. * r ) )' r # that C*R83,;.*ER co)plain # of toothach ' for h l ft for Manila. 19 -r. Alfr #o B "a, a # nti"t, Ea)in # C*R83,;.*ER thr ho!r" ' for th for) r too5 th "tan#. =na""i"t # '( an( 6# ntal ai#6 or n!r" , h # t r)in # that t%o of C*R83,;.*ER2" t th % r #! for Etraction 20 an#, at th con#ition th ( % r in, % r pro'a'l( achin& a" arl( a" a ( ar ' for . Citin& hi" Ep ri nc , -r. B "a clai) # that p opl co)plainin& of toothach ar !"!all( irrita'l , altho!&h h a#)itt # that non of hi" pati nt" co)plainin& fro) a toothach ha" + r 5ill # a p r"on or + n 'ro!&ht a fan 5nif to hi" clinic. 8n fact, h n + r h ar# of an( pati nt %ith a toothach %ho 5ill # a # nti"t. * r call # on in"tanc %h n a pati nt 'oE # hi) aft r h !nint ntionall( h!rt th pati nt %hil p!llin& a tooth.
$$4!r

,h " % r th +i# nc ' for th trial co!rt %hich ) rit # C*R83,;.*ER2" con+iction. C*R83,;.*ER !r& " !" to )o#if( th 4!#&) nt '( F1G con+ictin& hi) of th cri) of ho)ici# , an# not of ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# , an# F2G appr ciatin& in hi" fa+or th )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc " of lac5 of int nt to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& a" that

co))itt #, "!ffici nt pro+ocation, pa""ion an# o'f!"cation, +ol!ntar( "!rr n# r, an# +ol!ntar( conf ""ion. C*R83,;.*ER clai)" that th t "ti)oni " of th pro" c!tion %itn "" " ar fra!&ht %ith incon"i"t nci " an# contra#iction", an# ar th r for o'+io!" concoction" an# )an!fact!r # +i# nc . * point" o!t that Ba0!ilo# fail # to ) ntion in hi" "%orn "tat ) nt, &i+ n to th polic i)) #iat l( aft r th inci# nt, that h r tri + # a ,it!" %ri"t%atch an# .900 %orth of p "o 'ill" fro) C*R83,;.*ER. Ba0!ilo# li5 %i" t "tifi # that -r. ,arl n&co "ho!t # for h lp ' ca!" "h %a" "ta'' #7 "h )a# no ) ntion of ha+in& ' n ro'' #. ,h n, too, 3.;1 Gal no "tat # in hi" "%orn "tat ) nt that -r. ,arl n&co %a" onl( "ta'' #. C*R83,;.*ER cont n#" f!rth r that th t "ti)oni " of Ba0!ilo#, Gal no, 8nt ria, 3!)al'ar, an# @! G!ra( that h a#)itt # to th ) on " parat occa"ion" hi" co))i""ion of th off n" char& # ar ina#)i""i'l ' ca!" th a#)i""ion %a" not in %ritin&, %a" not )a# %ith th a""i"tanc of a co!n" l, an# %a" not pr c # # '( a %arnin& a" to th con" 0! nc " of th a#)i""ion. 8n an( + nt, th ir t "ti)oni " ar h ar"a( +i# nc . A##itionall(, h "tr "" " th po""i'l 'ia" of @! G!ra( con"i# rin& that "h ca!" # th filin& a&ain"t hi) of th infor)ation for ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# . 8n th App ll 2" Bri f, th 3olicitor G n ral r f!t " C*R83,;.*ER2" clai)", a"" rtin& that th ro'' r( %a" #!l( an# "ati"factoril( "ta'li"h # '( th #(in& # claration of -r. ,arl n&co to h r fath r, corro'orat # '( th t "ti)oni " of Ba0!ilo# an# Gal no. ,hat -r. ,arl n&co fail # to Eclai) that "h %a" ro'' # %h n "h "ho!t # for h lp fro) h r clinic2" 'alcon( i" of no )o) nt, "inc "h lat r tol# -r. <ranco an# h r fath r of th co)pl t + nt" that tran"pir #. Gal no2" fail!r to ) ntion in hi" "%orn "tat ) nt that )on ( an# a %ri"t%atch % r r tri + # fro) C*R83,;.*ER #o " not n &at hi" clai) to that ff ct, ' ca!" h lat r "tat # that fact in hi" t "ti)on(. ,h " ttl # r!l i" that t "ti)oni " in op n co!rt ar "!p rior to affi#a+it" ta5 n ex parte. ,hat 8nt ria in" rt # th "tol n it )" in th .olic R f rral #o " not #i)ini"h th tr!th of th all &ation of ro'' r(, "inc it app ar" that th int rcalation %a" int n# # to )a5 th R f rral acc!rat . ,h cor i""! " rai" # in+ol+ th cr #i'ilit( of %itn "" ". ;n of th hi&hl( r + r # #icta in o!r 4!ri"#iction i" that thi" Co!rt %ill not int rf r %ith th 4!#&) nt of th trial co!rt in pa""in& on th cr #i'ilit( of oppo"in& %itn "" " !nl "" th r app ar" in th r cor# "o) fact" or circ!)"tanc " of % i&ht an# infl! nc that ha+ ' n o+ rloo5 # %hich, if con"i# r #, %ill aff ct th r "!lt of th ca" . ,h r a"on th r for i" fo!n# # on practical an# )pirical con"i# ration". ,h trial 4!#& i" in a ' tt r po"ition to # ci# 0! "tion" of cr #i'ilit(, "inc h ha" p r"onall( h ar# th %itn "" " an# o'" r+ # th ir # port) nt an# )ann r of t "tif(in&. 21 N + rth l "", in +i % of th &ra+it( of th char& an# th p nalt( i)po" #, % "par # no ffort to ) tic!lo!"l( r +i % th +i# nc to

# t r)in %h th r C*R83,;.*ER ha# in# # co))itt # th off n" char& # an# th pro" c!tion2" +i# nc pro+ # it ' (on# r a"ona'l #o!'t. C*R83,;.*ER a#)itt # that h "ta'' # -r. ,arl n&co. ,h '!r# n of +i# nc , th r for , "hift # to hi)7 h ha# to pro+ a 4!"tif(in& 22 or E )ptin& 23 circ!)"tanc to a+oi# cri)inal lia'ilit(. * )i" ra'l( fail # to #o "o. ,h r )ainin& fact!al i""! i" %h th r C*R83,;.*ER 5ill # -r. ,arl n&co '( r a"on or on th occa"ion of a ro'' r( 2H %ith th !" of +iol nc a&ain"t or inti)i#ation of a p r"on. ;n co!l# ' con+ict # of ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# onl( if th ro'' r( it" lf %a" pro+ # a" concl!"i+ l( a" an( oth r "" ntial l ) nt of th cri) . ,h ta5in& %ith int nt to &ain of p r"onal prop rt( ' lon&in& to anoth r, '( ) an" of +iol nc a&ain"t or inti)i#ation of an( p r"on or '( !"in& forc !pon thin&", con"tit!t " ro'' r(. 25 G ral#in ,arl n&co an# Ao" ph 3!)al'ar i# ntifi # th it )" r co+ r # fro) C*R83,;.*ER a" ' lon&in& to -r. ,arl n&co. ,h " t "ti)oni " in#icat that C*R83,;.*ER "tol p r"onal prop rt( ' lon&in& to -r. ,arl n&co, con"i"t nt %ith th #i"p!ta'l pr "!)ption that a p r"on fo!n# in po"" ""ion of a thin& ta5 n in th #oin& of a r c nt %ron&f!l act i" th ta5 r an# th #o r of th %hol act. 2I 9hil C*R83,;.*ER # ni # that -r. ,arl n&co2" %atch an# )on ( % r r co+ r # fro) hi), th in# p n# nt an# corro'orati+ t "ti)oni " of polic offic r Gal no an# &!ar# Ba0!ilo# pro+ oth r%i" . ,h trial co!rt fo!n# th t "ti)oni " of th " t%o %itn "" " )or cr #i'l , an# % " no r a"on to # part fro) it" concl!"ion. C*R83,;.*ER al"o point # o!t that th int rcalation of "tol n it )" in 8nt ria2" r f rral r port to th .ro" c!tor in#icat # th fa'rication of ro'' r( char& " a&ain"t hi). B!t th int rcalation %a" "!ffici ntl( Eplain # a" an hon "t )i"ta5 , "p ciall( con"i# rin& that 8nt ria ha# "p cifi # in th r port, in an ntr( app arin& ' for th int rcalation, that th char& a&ain"t C*R83,;.*ER %a" ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# . 8t i" in#i"p!ta'l th n that C*R83,;.*ER too5 -r. ,arl n&co2" ' lon&in&". ,h !n Eplain # po"" ""ion of "tol n articl " &i+ " ri" to a pr "!)ption of th ft !nl "" it i" pro+ # that th o%n r of th articl " %a" # pri+ # of h r po"" ""ion" '( +iol nc or inti)i#ation, in %hich ca" , th pr "!)ption ' co) " on of ro'' r(. 27 ,h pro" c!tion pro+ # in thi" ca" that th r %a" +iol nc an# inti)i#ation in th ta5in& of -r. ,arl n&co2" prop rt(. Mo"t cr!cial for th pro" c!tion i" th t "ti)on( of Mr. < rnan#o ,arl n&co, th +icti)2" fath r, ' ca!" h "tat # th )o"t incri)inatin& pi c of +i# nc ? th #(in& # claration of -r. ,arl n&co. 9hil , & n rall(, a %itn "" can t "tif( onl( to tho" fact" %hich ar # ri+ # fro) hi" o%n p rc ption, 2K a r co&niD # Ec ption th r to i" th r porta& in op n co!rt of th # claration of a #(in& p r"on )a# !n# r th con"cio!"n "" of an i)p n#in& # ath %h r that p r"on2" # ath i" th "!'4 ct of in0!ir( in th ca" . 29 ,o ' a#)i""i'l , a #(in& # claration )!"t F1G r f r to th ca!" an#

circ!)"tanc " "!rro!n#in& th # clarant2" # ath7 F2G ' )a# !n# r th con"cio!"n "" of an i)p n#in& # ath7 F3G ' )a# fr l( an# +ol!ntaril( %itho!t co rcion or "!&& "tion of i)prop r infl! nc 7 FHG ' off r # in a cri)inal ca" in %hich th # ath of th # clarant i" th "!'4 ct of in0!ir(7 an# F5G th # clarant )!"t ha+ ' n co)p t nt to t "tif( a" a %itn "" ha# h ' n call # !pon to t "tif(. -r. ,arl n&co2" #(in& # claration co)pli # %ith th a'o+ r 0!i"it ". 3h tal5 # a'o!t th inci# nt %hich l # to h r con#ition. ,h # claration %a" a fir"t-han# acco!nt of th inci# nt, ' r ft of opinion or con4 ct!r . ,h acco!nt %a" )a# in a cri)inal ca" %h r h r # ath %a" part of th "!'4 ct of in0!ir(. An#, )o"t i)portant, "h %a" con+inc # that "h %a" a'o!t to #i 7 th!"1

Att(. R +illa1 BCo!l# (o! t ll thi" Co!rt %hat %a" h r con#ition %h n (o! "a% h r in"i# th op ratin& roo)L 9itn "" ,arl n&co1 A8 a"5 # h r ho% "h %a" an# "h "ai#, 6-a#, 8 ha+ a f lin& 8 can no lon& r n#!r thi".6 Att(. R +illa1 B3o, %hat l" happ n # in th op ratin& roo) %hil (o! % r tal5in& to h r, Mr. ,arl n&coL A8 tol# h r to fi&ht for h r lif . 8 a"5 # h r to op n h r ( ", 5 p h r" lf a%a5 , an# in )( # "ir to h lp h r a%a5 , 8 a"5 # h r %hat happ n #. EEE EEE EEE Att(. R +illa1 B,h n %hat l" happ n # %hil (o! % r in th op ratin& roo), aft r that, Mr. ,arl n&coL 9itn "" ,arl n&co1 A;n that con#ition, "h %a" r all( + r( + r( col# an# &a"pin& an# co)plainin& of pain an# &a"pin& for 'r ath. . . . 30

-r. ,arl n&co narrat # to h r fath r that a )an %ho pr t n# # to ' h r pati nt # )an# # )on ( fro) h r. Aft r "h "!rr n# r # h r )on ( to hi), th latt r "ta'' # h r an# too5 h r %atch a" "h la( in4!r #. ,h #(in& # claration th!" "ta'li"h # not onl( that a ro'' r( %a" co))itt #, th r ' in& +iol nc an# inti)i#ation a&ain"t -r. ,arl n&co, '!t that ho)ici# %a" p rp trat # on th occa"ion of "ai# ro'' r(. $a"tl(, % fin# no )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc in thi" ca" , C*R83,;.*ER clai)" that h #i# not int n# to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& a" th act co))itt #7 that th r %a" "!ffici nt pro+ocation '( th off n# # part( i)) #iat l( pr c #in& th off n" 7 that h act # !pon an i)p!l" "o po% rf!l a" to ha+ pro#!c # in hi) pa""ion an# o'f!"cation7 that h +ol!ntaril( "!rr n# r # to a p r"on in a!thorit(7 an# that h +ol!ntaril( conf "" # ha+in& co))itt # ho)ici# . $ac5 of int nt to co))it "o &ra+ a %ron& #o " not )iti&at in ho)ici# ca" " %h r th acc!" # !" # a # a#l( % apon in inflictin& )ortal %o!n#" on +ital or&an" of th +icti), 31 a" in thi" ca" . ,h pro+ocation "!ffici nt to )iti&at an off n" )!"t ' proportionat to th &ra+it( of th r taliator( act. 32 ,h + nt" %hich l # to th "ta''in& % r # "cri' # '( C*R83,;.*ER a" follo%"1
BMr. $ onor, (o! "ai#, %hil "h %a" a'o!t to in4 ct ana "th "ia, (o! "ai# -ra. ,arl n&co chan& # th pric fro) .100.00 to .150.00. ,h n, (o! parri # h r han#. 8" that corr ctL AOpo. Tinabi $o po. [@ ", "ir. 8 p!"h # it a"i# .] B9hat han# of -ra. ,arl n&co #i# (o! parr(L A,h on han#lin& th ro!n# # in"tr!) nt. Ri&ht han#, 3ir. B9h n (o! parri # h r ri&ht han#, (o! % r alr a#( "ittin& at th # ntal chairL Ri&htL A;po. BAft r (o! parri # th han# of -ra. ,arl n&co, "h c!r" # (o!, ri&htL ANo, "ir. 8 4!"t "ai# 6%h( #i# (o! chan& th pric L6 an# 8 "too# !p. ,hat %a" th ti) "h c!r" # ) . B9h n "h c!r" # (o!, #i# -ra. ,arl n&co hit (o! %ith an in"tr!) ntL

ANo, 3ir. 3h 4!"t &ot )a#. B-i# "h "lap (o! on (o!r fac L ANo, 3ir. 3h 4!"t p!"h # ) . BAn# "h #i# not 'oE (o! an(%h r in an( portion of (o!r 'o#(L ANo, 3ir. BAn# "h li5 %i" #i# not 5ic5 (o! in an( part of (o!r 'o#(L A3h 4!"t tol# ) 'a# %or#". 33

C*R83,;.*ER i" th!" clai)in& that a p!"h an# 6'a# %or#"6 4!"tif( r taliation %ith a 5nif . 3!ch clai) i" !n# " r+in& of ' li f an# #o " not ntitl C*R83,;.*ER to th ' n fit of th )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc of prior pro+ocation '( th off n# # part(. C*R83,;.*ER co!l# not ha+ ' n pro+o5 # '( pa""ion or o'f!"cation a", accor#in& to hi), h )o) ntaril( 'lac5 # o!t an# in"tantl( fo!n# hi" fan 5nif )' ## # in -r. ,arl n&co2" ch "t. ,o ' 'lin# # '( pa""ion an# o'f!"cation i" to lo" " lf-control, 3H not con"cio!"n "". Mor o+ r, co!rt" cannot appr ciat pa""ion an# o'f!"cation !nl "" th r i" a cl ar "ho%in& that th r %a" ca!" " nat!rall( t n#in& to pro#!c "!ch po% rf!l Ecit ) nt a" to # pri+ th acc!" # of r a"on an# " lf-control. 35 A" % #i"c!"" # arli r, th + nt" l a#in& to th "ta''in& pr cl!# # an( nat!ral t n# nc( to pro#!c a po% rf!l Ecit ) nt in C*R83,;.*ER. C*R83,;.*ER #i# not +ol!ntaril( "!rr n# r ith r to a p r"on in a!thorit( or to an( oth r p r"on. 9hil h %a" ' in& p!r"! # '( 3 c!rit( G!ar# Ba0!ilo#, h int ntionall( % nt to %h r th r % r )an( p opl , pr "!)a'l( to conf!" Ba0!ilo#. <ort!nat l(, .olic ;ffic r Gal no %a" a'l to &ra' hi) '( th han# an# pr + nt # hi) fro) f!rth r l!#in& 4!"tic . ,h r i" nothin& in th r cor# %hich can l a# !" to concl!# that h "!rr n# r # to an(on . N ith r %a" th r +ol!ntar( conf ""ion in th in"tant ca" . ,h )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc cont )plat # '( la% i" a pl a of &!ilt( )a# "pontan o!"l( an# !ncon#itionall( in op n co!rt ' for th pr " ntation of +i# nc for th pro" c!tion. 3I C*R83,;.*ER )a# no "!ch pl a. 9hat r )ain" to ' r "ol+ # i" th p nalt( to ' i)po" #. ,h p nalt( for ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# i" reclusion perpetua to # ath. 3J ,h r ' in& no +i# nc of a&&ra+atin& or )iti&atin& circ!)"tanc a&ain"t or in fa+or of C*R83,;.*ER, th lo% r of th t%o in#i+i"i'l p nalti " "hall ' i)po" #, 3K %itho!t th ' n fit of th 8n# t r)inat 3 nt nc $a%. 39 9 li5 %i" ' li + that th a%ar#" in fa+or of -r. ,arl n&co2" fa)il(

of )oral #a)a& " of .2 )illion an# attorn (2" f " of .500,000 ar th ) to .50,000 an# .25,000, r "p cti+ l(.
c#l E

Ec ""i+ . 9 r #!c

9*ERE<;RE, th # ci"ion of Branch 2JH of th R &ional ,rial Co!rt of .ara/a0! in Cri)inal Ca" No. 95-212 i" h r '( M;-8<8E-. A" )o#ifi #, acc!" #-app llant C*R83,;.*ER CAMA $E;N;R i" fo!n# &!ilt( ' (on# r a"ona'l #o!'t a" principal of th cri) of ro'' r( %ith ho)ici# , an# i" h r '( " nt nc # to "!ff r th p nalt( of reclusion perpetua an# to pa( th h ir" of th +icti), -r. , r "a ,arl n&co, .50,000 a" in# )nit( for # ath7 .HH,31K a" act!al #a)a& "7 .50,000 a" )oral #a)a& "7 an# .25,000 a" attorn (2" f ", %itho!t "!'"i#iar( i)pri"on) nt in ca" of in"ol+ nc(. Co"t" a&ain"t acc!" #-app llant. 3; ;R-ERE-. Ro&ero# 'ellosillo# (elo# Puno# )itu # *apunan# (endo"a# Pan aniban# +uisu&bin # Purisi&a# Pardo# 'uena an# Gon"a a-Re%es# JJ.# conc!r.
Footnotes 1.. r A!#& A) lita G. ,ol ntino, ;ri&inal R cor# F;RG, 1H09-1H307 Rollo, 21-H2. 2.Rollo, I. 3.;R, 1J. H.Bri f for th .laintiff-App ll , 2-K7 Rollo, 1I2-1IK. 5.,3N, 23 A!&!"t 1995, 95. I.,3N, 30 A!&!"t 1995, I9-J0. J.EEh. 6R,6 ;R, H93. K.,3N, 23 A!&!"t 1995, H2, 50-5I. 9.,3N, 30 A!&!"t 1995, 2K. 10.,d., 30-35. 11.,3N, I 3 pt )' r 1995, 15-23. 12.,d., 23-3H. 13.* # "cri' # hi" "it!ation th!"1 6na dili& an panin in $o.6

1H.,3N, I 3 pt )' r 1995, 3H-3I. 15.Ro!&hl( thi" tran"lat " to, 6 8 ca!" # har).6 1I.,3N, I 3 pt )' r 1995, 3I-39, ,3N, 13 3 pt )' r 1995, I-13, 1J-1K. 1J.,3N, 13 3 pt )' r 1995, 13, 23. 1K.,3N, 2J 3 pt )' r 1995, K-9. 19.,3N, 1I ;cto' r 1995, HI-53. 20.See EEh. 65I67 ;R, 9KJ. 21.People !s. Conde# 252 3CRA IK1, IKK [199I]. 22.RE:83E- .ENA$ C;-E, Art. 11. 23.,d., Art. 12. 2H.RE:83E- .ENA$ C;-E, Art. 29HF1G. 25.People !. 'arlis, 231 3CRA H2I, HH2 [199H]. 2I.R=$E3 ;< C;=R,, R!l 131, 3 ction 3F4G. 2J.J :8CEN,E A. <RANC83C;, ,*E RE:83E- R=$E3 ;< C;=R, ;< ,*E .*8$8..8NE3, .AR, 88, 103 F199JG. 2K.R=$E3 ;< C;=R,, R!l 130, 3 c. 3I. 29.,d., 3 c. 3J. 30.,3N, 30 A!&!"t 1995, 13, 15. 31.People !. -a%rit, 10K .hil. 100 [19I0]7 8 RAM;N C. AB=8N;, ,*E RE:83E- .ENA$ C;-E 2I0 F199JG Fh r aft r AB=8N;G. 32.AB=8N;, 2I2. 33.,3N, 25 3 pt )' r 1995, 13-1H. 3H.AB=8N;, 2J0. 35.,d.

3I.RE:83E- .ENA$ C;-E, Art. 13FJG, AB=8N;, 292. 3J.,d., Art. 29HF1G. 3K.,d., Art. I3F2G. 39.8N-E,ERM8NA,E 3EN,ENCE $A9, 3 c. 27 People !. ,sleta, 2IH 3CRA 3JH, 390 [199I]7 People !. .erbieto, 2I9 3CRA HJ2, HK5 [199J].