palaganas v. people

8/14/2019 Palaganas v. People

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FIRST DIVISION

RUJJERIC Z. PALAGANAS,[1]

Petition

er,

- versus -

PEOPLE OF

THE PHILIPPINES,

Respon

dent.

G.R. No. 165483

Present:

PANGANIBAN, C.J.

Chairperson,

YNARES-SANTIAGO,AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CALLEJO, SR., and

CHICO-NAZARIO,JJ.

Pro!"#ated:

Septe$er %&, &''(

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

D E C I S I O N

CHICO-NAZARIO,J.:
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)or *+at is a an, *+at +as +e #ot

I not +ise", t+en +e +as na!#+t.

To sa t+e t+in#s +e tr!" ee"s/

And not t+e *ords o one *+o 0nee"s.

T+e re1ord s+o*s I too0 t+e $"o*s -

And did it *a2

T+e son# e3o0es t+e $itterest passions. T+is is not t+e irst

tie t+e son# 4M 5a6

7&8

+as tri##ered 3io"ent $e+a3ior res!"tin#in peop"e 1oin# to $"o*s. In t+e 1ase at $ar, t+e e* "ines o t+eson# depi1ted *+at 1ae to pass *+en t+e 3i1tis and t+ea##ressors tried to o!tdo ea1+ ot+er in t+eir rendition o t+e son#.

In t+is Petition or Re3ie* on Certiorari798!nder R!"e ; ot+e Re3ised R!"es o Co!rt, petitioner R!


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&(%, o t+e Oni$!s E"e1tion Code,7?8a""e#ed" 1oitted aso""o*s:

CRIMINAL CASE NO. -!"#$

Tha% on or a&o'% (an'ar) *", *!!$, in %he e+enina% Po&aion, /anaoa, Panasinan an0 1i%hin %he 2'ris0i%ion o3 %his Honora&e

Co'r%, %he a&o+e-na4e0 a'se0 ar4e0 1i%h an 'niense0 3irear4, 1i%h in%en% %o

5i, %reaher) an0 e+i0en% pre4e0i%a%ion, onspirin %oe%her, 0i0 %hen an0 %here1i3'), 'na13') an0 3eonio's) shoo% SER6I77ANO 8ERRER, (R.

) ('ana%as, in3i%in 'pon hi4 9'nsho% 1o'n0 pene%ra%in per3ora%in a&0o4en,

'rinar) &a00er, re%'4 &'e% sara reion, %he a'se0 ha+in %h's per3or4e0

a %he a%s o3 exe'%ion 1hih 1o'0 ha+e pro0'e0 %he ri4e o3 /'r0er as a

onse;'ene, &'% 1hih ne+er%heess, 0i0 no% pro0'e i% &) reason o3 %he a'sesin0epen0en% o3 %he 1i o3 %he a'se0 an0 %ha% is 0'e %o %he %i4e) 4e0ia

assis%ane ren0ere0 %o sai0 Ser+iano (.8errer, (r. 1hih prevented his death, %ohis 0a4ae an0 pre2'0ie.

CONTRARF to Art. &? in re"ation *it+ Arts. ( and ;', a"" o t+e

Re3ised Pena" Code, as aended.

CRIMINAL CASE NO. U-@('@

Tha% on or a&o'% (an'ar) *", *!!$, in %he e+enin

a% Po&aion, /anaoa, Panasinan an0 1i%hin %he 2'ris0i%ion o3 %his Honora&e

Co'r%, %he a&o+e-na4e0 a'se0 ar4e0 1i%h an 'niense0 3irear4, 1i%h in%en% %o

5i, %reaher) an0 e+i0en% pre4e0i%a%ion, onspirin %oe%her, 0i0 %hen an0 %here1i3'), 'na13') an0 3eonio's) shoo% /ICHAE7 8ERRER aias

9Bo)in 8errer, in3i%in 'pon hi4 'nsho% 1o'n0 on %he rih% sho'0er, %he

a'se0 ha+in %h's per3or4e0 a %he a%s o3 exe'%ion 1hih 1o'0 ha+epro0'e0 %he ri4e o3 4'r0er as a onse;'ene, &'% 1hih ne+er%heess, 0i0 no%

pro0'e i% &) reason o3 %he a'ses in0epen0en% o3 %he 1i o3 %he a'se0 an0 %ha%

is 0'e %o %he 4e0ia assis%ane ren0ere0 %o sai0 /ihae9Bo)in 8errer 1hih prevented his death, %o his 0a4ae an0 pre2'0ie.

CONTRARF to Art. &? in re"ation *it+ Arts. ( and ;', a"" o t+e

Re3ised Pena" Code, as aended.


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CRIMINAL CASE NO. U-@(%'

Tha% on or a&o'% (an'ar) *", *!!$, in %he e+enin

a% Po&aion, /anaoa, Panasinan an0 1i%hin %he 2'ris0i%ion o3 %his Honora&e

Co'r%, %he a&o+e-na4e0 a'se0 ar4e0 1i%h an 'niense0 3irear4, 1i%h in%en% %o5i, %reaher) an0 e+i0en% pre4e0i%a%ion, onspirin %oe%her, 0i0 %hen an0 %here

1i3'), 'na13') an0 3eonio's) shoo% /E7TON 8ERRER aias 9TONY8ERRER, in3i%in 'pon hi4 4or%a 'nsho% 1o'n0s in %he hea0 an0 rih% %hih

1hih a'se0 %he instantaneous deatho3 sai0 /e%on 9Ton) 8errer, %o %he

0a4ae an0 pre2'0ie o3 his heirs.

CONTRARF to Art. &? o t+e Re3ised Pena" Code, as aended

$ R.A. (;@.

CRIMINAL CASE NO. U-@(9

T+at on or a$o!t Jan!ar %(, %@@? *+i1+ is *it+in t+e e"e1tion

period at Po$"a1ion, Manaoa#, Pan#asinan, and *it+in t+e

o t+is Honora$"e Co!rt, t+e a$o3e-naed a11!sed did t+en and t+ere

*i""!"", !n"a*!"" and e"onio!s" $ear and 1arr one %B 1a"i$er .9?

*it+o!t irst se1!rin# t+e ne1essar peritG"i1ense to do t+e sae.

CONTRARF to COMELEC RES. &@;? in re"ation *it+ SEC. &(% o

t+e OMNIUS ELECTION CO=E, as aended.7@8 Unders1orin#

s!pp"ied.B

5+en arrai#ned on separate dates,7%'8petitioner and

)erdinand entered separate p"eas o 4Not >!i"t.6 Upon otion o)erdinand,7%%8t+e o!r 1ases *ere 1onso"idated and *ere assi#nedto ran1+ ( o t+e RTC in Urdaneta, Pan#asinan.7%&8
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn12


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T+e a1t!a" ante1edents as 3ie*ed $ t+e prose1!tion, ares!aried in t+e Coent dated %? Apri" &''; o t+e Oi1e ot+e So"i1itor >enera",7%98to *it:

On Jan!ar %(, %@@?, aro!nd ?:'' in t+e e3enin#,

$rot+ers Ser3i""ano, 7Me"ton8 and Mi1+ae", a"" s!rnaed )errer *ere

+a3in# a drin0in# spree in t+eir +o!se $e1a!se 7Me"ton8, *+o *as

a"read "i3in# in San )ernando, La Union, 3isited +is t+ree $rot+ers and

ot+er at t+eir +o!se

in Sitio a"o0in#, Po$"a1ion, Manaoa#, Pan#asinan. At @:; in t+e

e3enin#, t+e t+ree $rot+ers de1ided to pro1eed to Tid$its Dideo0e $ar

"o1ated at t+e 1orner o Ma"3ar and Ria" Streets, Po$"a1ion, Manaoa# to

1ontin!e t+eir drin0in# spree and to sin#. Inside t+e 0arao0e $ar, t+e

*ere +a3in# a #ood tie, sin#in# and drin0in# $eer.

T+ereater, at %':9' in t+e e3enin#, Jaie Pa"a#anas arri3ed

to#et+er *it+ )erdinand Pa"a#anas and Dir#i"io a!tista. At t+at tie,

on" t+e )errer $rot+ers *ere t+e 1!stoers in t+e $ar. T+e t*o #ro!ps

o11!pied separate ta$"es. Later, *+en Jaie Pa"a#anas *as sin#in#,

7Me"ton8 )errer san# a"on# *it+ +i as +e *as ai"iar *it+ t+e son#

7M 5a8. Jaie +o*e3er, resented t+is and *ent near t+e ta$"e o

t+e )errer $rot+ers and said in Pan#asinan dia"e1t 4Asif you are tough

guys.6 Jaie !rt+er said 4You are already insulting me inthat

way.6 T+en, Jaie str!10 Ser3i""ano )errer *it+ t+e i1rop+one, +ittin#t+e $a10 o +is +ead. A r!$"e ens!ed $et*een t+e )errer $rot+ers on

t+e one +and, and t+e Pa"a#anases, on t+e ot+er +and. Dir#i"io a!tista

did not


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ones, shoot them.6 Petitioner t+en s+ot t+e +ittin# Ser3i""ano irst at

t+e "et side o t+e a$doen, 1a!sin# +i to a"" on t+e #ro!nd, and

o""o*ed $ 7Me"ton8 *+o a"so e"" to t+e

#ro!nd. 5+en Ser3i""ano noti1ed t+at 7Me"ton8 *as no "on#er o3in#,

+e to"d Mi1+ae" 4Bato, bato.6 Mi1+ae" pi10ed !p soe stones and t+re*

t+e at petitioner and )erdinand. T+e "atter t+en "et t+ep"a1e. Ater*ards, t+e po"i1e oi1ers 1ae and t+e )errer $rot+ers

*ere $ro!#+t to t+e Manaoa# Hospita" and "ater

to Di""a"or Hospita" in =a#!pan. Ser3i""ano "ater dis1o3ered t+at

7Me"ton8 *as ata"" +it in t+e +ead *+i"e Mi1+ae" *as +it in t+e ri#+t

s+o!"der.

On t+e ot+er +and, t+e deense, in its Appe""ants riedated 9 =e1e$er %@@@,7%8asserted t+e o""o*in# set o a1ts:

On (an'ar) *", *!!$, a% aro'n0 **:## in %he e+enin, a3%er a 0rin5in

session a% %heir ho'se, %he &ro%hers /e%on


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Tid$its Dideo0e ar, pro1eeded to t+at p"a1e. eore rea1+in# t+e $ar,

+o*e3er, +e *as s!dden" stoned $ t+e )errer $rot+ers and *as +it

on dierent parts o +is $od, so +e t!rned aro!nd and str!##"ed to r!n

to*ards +is +o!se. He t+en et +is $rot+er, )erdinand, #oin# to*ards

t+e $ar, so +e t!##ed +i and !r#ed +i to r!n to*ards t+e opposite

dire1tion as t+e )errer $rot+ers 1ontin!ed pe"tin# t+e *it+ "ar#estones. R!


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a#reeent *it+ )erdinand to eKe1!te t+e sae. It o!nd t+atpetitioner is so"e" "ia$"e or 0i""in# Me"ton and or*o!ndin# Ser3i""ano and Mi1+ae", and t+at )erdinand is not1riina"" responsi$"e or t+e a1t o petitioner.

)!rt+er, it de1"ared t+at t+ere *as no trea1+er t+at *i""!a"i t+e 1ries as !rder and r!strated !rder sin1et+e )errer $rot+ers *ere #i3en t+e 1+an1e to deend t+ese"3esd!rin# t+e s+ootin# in1ident $ stonin# t+e petitioner and)erdinand.7%@8 It reasoned t+at t+e s!dden and !neKpe1ted atta10,*it+o!t t+e s"i#+test pro3o1ation on t+e part o t+e 3i1tis, *asa$sent. In addition, it ratio1inated t+at t+ere *as no e3identpreeditation as t+ere *as no s!i1ient period o tie t+at"apsed ro t+e point *+ere )erdinand 1a""ed t+e petitioner or+e"p !p to t+e point o t+e s+ootin# o t+e )errer $rot+ers.7&'8 Petitioner *as s"eepin# at +is +o!se at t+e tie +e +eard)erdinand 1a""in# +i or +e"p. Iediate", petitioner, sti"" 1"adin pa


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stones. Moreo3er, it a"so o!nd t+at petitioner !sed an !n"i1ensedirear in s+ootin# t+e )errer $rot+ers.7&&8

As re#ards t+e Dio"ation o COMELEC Reso"!tion No. &@;?, inre"ation to Se1tion &(% o t+e Oni$!s E"e1tion Code, t+e tria"1o!rt a1!itted t+e petitioner o t+e oense as +is !se andpossession o a #!n *as not or t+e p!rpose o disr!ptin# e"e1tiona1ti3ities.7&98 In 1on1"!sion, t+e tria" 1o!rt +e"d:

5HERE)ORE, JU=>MENT is +ere$ rendered as o""o*s:

%. Under CRIM. CASE NO. U-@(%', 7R!


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)erdinand Pa"a#anas is +ere$ ACUITTE=

or ai"!re o t+e prose1!tion to pro3e 1onspira1 and

"i0e*ise, or ai"!re to pro3e t+e #!i"t o

)erdinand Pa"a#anas $eond reasona$"e do!$t.

&. Under CRIM. CASE NO. U-@('?, 7R!


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to s!er t+e pena"t o Prision Maor in its aKi!

period or %& ears o iprisonent/ and to pa

Mi1+ae" )errer t+e s! oP&,&;@.9; or +is edi1a"

eKpenses and P;','''.'' or eKep"ar daa#es/

)erdinand Pa"a#anas is ACUITTE= or

ai"!re o t+e prose1!tion to pro3e 1onspira1 and

"i0e*ise, or ai"!re to pro3e t+e #!i"t o

)erdinand Pa"a#anas $eond reasona$"e do!$t.

Orderin# a11!sed 7R!ANAS.7&8

A##rie3ed, t+e petitioner appea"ed t+e ore#oin# =e1ision

o t+e RTC dated &? O1to$er %@@?, $eore t+e Co!rt o

Appea"s. In its =e1ision dated 9' Septe$er &'', t+e Co!rt o


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Appea"s aired *it+ odii1ations t+e assai"ed RTC

=e1ision. In odiin# t+e =e1ision o t+e tria" 1o!rt, t+e

appe""ate 1o!rt +e"d t+at t+e iti#atin# 1ir1!stan1e o

3o"!ntar s!rrender !nder Arti1"e %9, No. , o t+e Re3ised

Pena" Code s+o!"d $e appre1iated in a3or o petitioner sin1et+e "atter, a11opanied $ +is 1o!nse", 3o"!ntari" appeared

$eore t+e tria" 1o!rt, e3en prior to its iss!an1e o a *arrant o

arrest a#ainst +i.7&;8 It a"so stated t+at t+e Indeterinate

Senten1e La* s+o!"d $e app"ied in iposin# t+e pena"t !pon

t+e petitioner.7&(8 T+e dispositi3e portion o t+e Co!rt o

Appea"s =e1ision reads:

5HERE)ORE, t+e

s!$


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Mi1+ae" )errer a1t!a" daa#es in t+e ao!nt o P&,&;@.9; and ora"

daa#es in t+e ao!nt o P9','''.''.

9B )or )r!strated Hoi1ide !nder Criina" Case No. U-@('?B,

t+e appe""ant is +ere$ pena"ied *it+ iprisonent o o!r B ears

and t*o &B ont+s oprision correcionalas ini! to ten %'B ears

oprision mayoras aKi!. Appe""ant is a"so ordered to

pa Ser3i""ano )errer a1t!a" daa#es in t+e ao!nt o P%(9,;(@.@' and

ora" daa#es in t+e ao!nt o P9','''.''.7&8

On %( No3e$er &'', petitioner "od#ed t+e instant

Petition or Re3ie* $eore t+is Co!rt on t+e $asis o t+e

o""o*in# ar#!ents:

I.THE HONORALE COURT O) APPEALS ERRE= IN A))IRMIN> THE

JU=>MENT O) CONDICTION O) THE TRIAL COURT.

II.THE HONORALE COURT O) APPEALS ERRE= IN NOT ACUITTIN>

ACCUSE=-APPELLANT ON THE >ROUN= O) LA5)UL SEL)-=E)ENSE.7&?8

Anent t+e irst iss!e, petitioner ar#!ed t+at a"" t+e

e"eents o a 3a"id se"-deense are present in t+e instant 1ase

and, t+!s, +is a1!itta" on a"" t+e 1+ar#es is proper/ t+at *+en

+e ired +is #!n on t+at ate!" ni#+t, +e *as t+en a 3i1ti o
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn27http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn28http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn27http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/september2006/G.R.%20No.%20165483.htm#_ftn28


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an !n"a*!" a##ression perpetrated $ t+e )errer $rot+ers/ t+at

+e, in a1t, s!stained an in

1a!sed $ t+e stones t+ro*n $ t+e )errer $rot+ers/ t+at t+e

appe""ate 1o!rt ai"ed to 1onsider a ateria" e3iden1e des1ri$ed

as 4EK+i$it O6/ t+at 4EK+i$it O6 s+o!"d +a3e $een #i3en d!e*ei#+t sin1e it s+o*s t+at t+ere *as s"!# e$edded on

t+e sawali*a"" near t+e si#n 4Tid$its Ca and Dideo0e ar6/

t+at t+e +ei#+t ro *+i1+ t+e s"!# *as ta0en *as a$o!t se3en

eet ro t+e #ro!nd/ t+at i it *as tr!e t+at petitioner and

)erdinand *ere *aitin# or t+e )errer $rot+ers o!tside

t+e 3ideo0e $ar in order to s+oot t+e, t+en t+e tra


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ART. %%.Justifying circumstances. T+e o""o*in# do not in1!r

an 1riina" "ia$i"it:

%. Anone *+o a1ts in deense o +is person

or ri#+ts, pro3ided t+at t+e o""o*in# 1ir1!stan1es 1on1!r/

irst. Un"a*!" a##ression/

!econd. Reasona$"e ne1essit o t+e eans ep"oed to pre3ent or

repe" it/

Third. La10 o s!i1ient pro3o1ation on t+e part o t+e person

deendin# +ise". K K K.

As an e"eent o se"-deense, !n"a*!" a##ression reers

to an assa!"t or atta10, or a t+reat t+ereo in an iinent and

iediate anner, *+i1+ p"a1es t+e deendants "ie in a1t!a"

peri".79%8 It is an a1t positi3e" stron# s+o*in# t+e *ron#!"

intent o t+e a##ressor and not ere" a t+reatenin# or

intiidatin# attit!de.79&8 It is a"so des1ri$ed as a s!dden and

!npro3o0ed atta10 o iediate and iinent 0ind to t+e "ie,

saet or ri#+ts o t+e person atta10ed. 7998

T+ere is an !n"a*!" a##ression on t+e part o t+e 3i1ti

*+en +e p!ts in a1t!a" or iinent peri" t+e "ie, "i$, or ri#+t

o t+e person in3o0in# se"-deense. T+ere !st $e a1t!a"

p+si1a" or1e or a1t!a" !se o *eapon. 798 In order to 1onstit!te

!n"a*!" a##ression, t+e person atta10ed !st $e 1onronted


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$ a rea" t+reat on +is "ie and "i$/ and t+e peri" so!#+t to $e

a3oided is iinent and a1t!a", not ere" ia#inar. 79;8

In t+e 1ase at $ar, it is 1"ear t+at t+ere *as no !n"a*!"

a##ression on t+e part o t+e )errer $rot+ers t+at

t+e pro1eeded and arri3ed at t+e 3ideo0e $ar and sa* t+ereat

t+e )errer $rot+ers. It appears t+at t+e )errer$rot+ers t+en

*ere ere" standin# o!tside t+e 3ideo0e $ar and *ere not

1arrin# an *eapon *+en t+e petitioner arri3ed *it+ +is

$rot+er )erdinand and started irin# +is #!n.79(8

Ass!in#, arguendo, t+at t+e )errer $rot+ers +ad

pro3o0ed t+e petitioner to s+oot t+e $ pe"tin# t+e "atter *it+

stones, t+e s+ootin# o t+e )errer $rot+ers is sti""

!n

petitioner *as not in a state o a1t!a" or iinent dan#er

1onsiderin# t+e *ide distan1e -; etersB o t+e "atter ro

t+e "o1ation o t+e orer.798 Petitioner *as not 1ornered nor

trapped in a spe1ii1 area s!1+ t+at +e +ad no *a o!t, nor *as

+is $a10 a#ainst t+e *a"". He *as sti"" 1apa$"e o a3oidin# t+estones $ r!nnin# a*a or $ ta0in# 1o3er. He 1o!"d +a3e a"so

1a""ed or pro1eeded to t+e proper a!t+orities or +e"p. Indeed,

petitioner +ad se3era" options in a3oidin# dan#ers to +is "ie

ot+er t+an 1onrontin# t+e )errer $rot+ers *it+ a #!n.

T+e a1t t+at petitioner s!stained in

and "et s+o!"der, a""e#ed" 1a!sed $ t+e stones t+ro*n $

t+e )errer $rot+ers, does not si#ni t+at +e *as a 3i1ti o!n"a*!" a##ression or t+at +e a1ted in se"-deense. 79?8 T+ere

is no e3iden1e to s+o* t+at +is *o!nds *ere so serio!s and

se3ere. T+e s!peri1ia"it o t+e in

petitioner is no indi1ation t+at +is "ie and "i$ *ere in a1t!a"

peri".79@8
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Petitioners assertion t+at, despite t+e a1t t+at +e ired a

*arnin# s+ot, t+e )errer $rot+ers 1ontin!ed to pe"t +i *it+

stones,7'8*i"" not atter eKonerate +i ro 1riina"

"ia$i"it. )irin# a *arnin# s+ot *as not t+e "ast and on" option

+e +ad in order to a3oid t+e stones t+ro*n $t+e )errer $rot+ers. As stated ear"ier, +e 1o!"d +a3e r!n a*a,

or ta0en 1o3er, or pro1eeded to t+e proper a!t+orities or

+e"p. Petitioner, +o*e3er, opted to s+oot t+e )errer $rot+ers.

It is si#nii1ant to note t+at t+e s+ootin# res!"ted in t+e

deat+ o Me"ton, and *o!ndin# o Ser3i""ano and Mi1+ae". 5it+

re#ard to Me"ton, a $!""et +it +is ri#+t t+i#+, and anot+er $!""et

+it +is +ead *+i1+ 1a!sed +is instant deat+.7%8 As

re#ards Ser3i""ano, a $!""et penetrated t*o o +is 3ita" or#ans,

nae", t+e "ar#e intestine and !rinar $"adder.7&8He

!nder*ent t*o &B s!r#eries in order to s!r3i3e and !""

re1o3er.798 Mi1+ae", on t+e ot+er +and, s!stained a #!ns+ot

*o!nd on t+e ri#+t s+o!"der.78 It !st a"so $e noted t+at

t+e )errer $rot+ers *ere s+ot near t+e 3ideo0e $ar, *+i1+

1ontradi1t petitioners 1"ai +e *as 1+ased $

t+e )errer $rot+ers. >i3en t+e ore#oin# 1ir1!stan1es, it is

dii1!"t to $e"ie3e t+at t+e )errer $rot+ers *ere t+e !n"a*!"a##ressors. As 1orre1t" o$ser3ed $ t+e prose1!tion, i t+e

petitioner s+ot t+e )errer $rot+ers

portions o t+eir $od, *+i1+ e3en "ed to t+e deat+ o Me"ton

*+o *as s+ot at +is +ead.7;8 It is an ot-repeated r!"e t+at t+e

nat!re and n!$er o *o!nds in"i1ted $ t+e a11!sed are

1onstant" and !nreittin#" 1onsidered iportant indiciato

dispro3e a p"ea o se"-deense.

7(8

Let it not $e or#otten t+at !n"a*!" a##ression is a

priordia" e"eent in se"-deense.78 It is an essentia" and

indispensa$"e re!isite, or *it+o!t !n"a*!" a##ression on t+e

part o t+e 3i1ti, t+ere 1an $e, in a

or in1op"ete se"-deense.7?8 5it+o!t !n"a*!" a##ression,
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se"-deense *i"" not +a3e a "e# to stand on and t+is

1ir1!stan1e 1annot and *i"" not $e appre1iated, e3en i t+e

ot+er e"eents are present.7@8To o!r ind, !n"a*!"

a##ression, as an e"eent o se"-deense, is *antin# in t+e

instant 1ase.

T+e se1ond e"eent o se"-deense re!ires t+at t+e

eans ep"oed $ t+e person deendin# +ise" !st $e

reasona$" ne1essar to pre3ent or repe" t+e !n"a*!"

a##ression o t+e 3i1ti. T+e reasona$"eness o t+e eans

ep"oed a ta0e into a11o!nt t+e *eapons, t+e p+si1a"

1ondition o t+e parties and ot+er 1ir1!stan1es s+o*in# t+at

t+ere is a rationa" e!i3a"en1e $et*een t+e eans o atta10

and t+e deense.7;'8 In t+e 1ase at $ar, t+e petitioners a1t o

s+ootin# t+e )errer $rot+ers *as not a reasona$"e and

ne1essar eans o repe""in# t+e a##ression a""e#ed" initiated

$ t+e )errer $rot+ers. As apt" stated $ t+e tria" 1o!rt,

petitioners #!n *as ar dead"ier 1opared to t+e stones

t+ro*n $ t+e )errer $rot+ers.7;%8

Moreo3er, *e stated ear"ier t+at *+en t+e )errer $rot+ers

a""e#ed" t+re* stones at t+e petitioner, t+e "atter +ad ot+er"ess +ar!" options t+an to s+oot t+e )errer $rot+ers. S!1+ a1t

ai"ed to pass t+e test o reasona$"eness o t+e eans

ep"oed in pre3entin# or repe""in# an !n"a*!" a##ression.

5it+ re#ard to t+e se1ond iss!e, petitioner asserts t+at

t+e Co!rt o Appea"s erred in not a1!ittin# +i on t+e #ro!nd

o "a*!" se"-deense.

Petitioners ar#!ent is $eret o erit.

In reso"3in# 1riina" 1ases *+ere t+e a11!sed in3o0es

se"-deense to es1ape 1riina" "ia$i"it, t+is Co!rt 1onsistent"

+e"d t+at *+ere an a11!sed adits 0i""in# t+e 3i1ti $!t

in3o0es se"-deense, it is in1!$ent !pon t+e a11!sed to pro3e
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$ 1"ear and 1on3in1in# e3iden1e t+at +e a1ted in se"-deense.7;&8As t+e $!rden o e3iden1e is s+ited on t+e a11!sed to

pro3e a"" t+e e"eents o se"-deense, +e !st re" on t+e

stren#t+ o +is o*n e3iden1e and not on t+e *ea0ness o t+e

prose1!tion.7;98

As *e +a3e a"read o!nd, t+ere *as no !n"a*!"

a##ression on t+e part o t+e )errer $rot+ers *+i1+

a1t o petitioner in s+ootin# t+e. 5e a"so r!"ed t+at e3en i

t+e )errer $rot+ers pro3o0ed t+e petitioner to s+oot t+e, t+e

"atters !se o a #!n *as not a reasona$"e eans o repe""in#

t+e a1t o t+e )errer $rot+ers in t+ro*in# stones. It !st a"so

$e ep+asied at t+is point t+at $ot+ t+e tria" 1o!rt and t+e

appe""ate 1o!rt o!nd t+at petitioner ai"ed to esta$"is+ed $

1"ear and 1on3in1in# e3iden1e +is p"ea o se"-deense. In t+is

re#ard, it is sett"ed t+at *+en t+e tria" 1o!rts indin#s +a3e

$een aired $ t+e appe""ate 1o!rt, said indin#s are

#enera"" 1on1"!si3e and $indin# !pon t+is Co!rt.7;8 In t+e

present 1ase, *e ind no 1ope""in# reason to de3iate ro

t+eir indin#s. Deri", petitioner ai"ed to pro3e $ 1"ear and

1on3in1in# e3iden1e t+at +e is entit"ed to an a1!itta" on t+e

#ro!nd o "a*!" se"-deense.

On anot+er point, *+i"e *e a#ree *it+ t+e tria" 1o!rt and

t+e Co!rt o Appea"s t+at petitioner is #!i"t o t+e 1rie o

Hoi1ide or t+e deat+ o Me"ton in Criina" Case No.U-

@(%', and )r!strated Hoi1ide or t+e serio!s in

s!stained $ Ser3i""ano in Criina" Case No. U-@('?, *e do not,

+o*e3er, 1on1!r in t+eir r!"in# t+at petitioner is #!i"t o t+e

1rie o )r!strated Hoi1ide as re#ards to Mi1+ae" in Criina"Case No. U-@('@. 5e +o"d t+at petitioner t+erein is #!i"t on"

o t+e 1rie o Attepted Hoi1ide.

Arti1"e ( o t+e Re3ised Pena" Code states and deines t+e

sta#es o a e"on in t+e o""o*in# anner:


20/30

ART. (. Consummated, frustrated, and attemptedfelonies.

Cons!ated e"onies, as *e"" as t+ose *+i1+ are r!strated and

attepted, are p!nis+a$"e.

A e"on is 1ons!ated *+en a"" t+e e"eents ne1essar or

t+e or its eKe1!tion and a11op"is+ent are present/ and it

is frustrated*+en t+e oender perors a"" t+e a1ts o eKe1!tion

*+i1+ *o!"d prod!1e t+e e"on as a 1onse!en1e $!t *+i1+,

ne3ert+e"ess, do not prod!1e it $ reason or 1a!ses independent o t+e

*i"" o t+e perpetrator.

T+ere is an attempt*+en t+e oender 1oen1es t+e

1oission o a e"on dire1t" $ o3ert a1ts, and does not peror a""

t+e a1ts o eKe1!tion *+i1+ s+o!"d prod!1e t+e e"on $ reason o

soe 1a!se or a11ident ot+er t+an +is o*n spontaneo!s desistan1e

ita"i1s s!pp"iedB.

ased on t+e ore#oin# pro3ision, t+e distin1tions

$et*een r!strated and attepted e"on are s!aried as

o""o*s:

%.B In r!strated e"on, t+e oender +as perored a""

t+e a1ts o eKe1!tion *+i1+ s+o!"d prod!1e t+e e"on

as a 1onse!en1e/ *+ereas in attepted e"on, t+e

oender ere" 1oen1es t+e 1oission o a e"on

dire1t" $ o3ert a1ts and does not peror a"" t+e a1ts

o eKe1!tion.


21/30

&.B In r!strated e"on, t+e reason or t+e non-

a11op"is+ent o t+e 1rie is soe 1a!se

independent o t+e *i"" o t+e perpetrator/ on t+e ot+er

+and, in attepted e"on, t+e reason or t+e non-

!"i""ent o t+e 1rie is a 1a!se or a11ident ot+er t+ant+e oenders o*n spontaneo!s desistan1e.

In addition to t+ese distin1tions, *e +a3e r!"ed in se3era"

1ases t+at *+en t+e a11!sed intended to 0i"" +is 3i1ti, as

aniested $ +is !se o a dead" *eapon in +is assa!"t, and

+is 3i1ti s!stained ata" or orta" *o!ndGs $!t did not die

$e1a!se o tie" edi1a" assistan1e, t+e 1rie 1oitted is

r!strated !rder or r!strated +oi1ide dependin# on

*+et+er or not an o t+e !a"iin# 1ir1!stan1es !nder

Arti1"e &@ o t+e Re3ised Pena" Code are present. 7;;8 Ho*e3er,

i t+e *o!ndGs s!stained $ t+e 3i1ti in s!1+ a 1ase *ere not

ata" or orta", t+en t+e 1rie 1oitted is on" attepted

!rder or attepted +oi1ide.7;(8 I t+ere *as no intent to 0i""

on t+e part o t+e a11!sed and t+e *o!ndGs s!stained $ t+e

3i1ti *ere not ata", t+e 1rie 1oitted a $e serio!s, "ess

serio!s or s"i#+t p+si1a" in

ased on t+e edi1a" 1ertii1ate o Mi1+ae", as *e"" as t+e

testion o t+e p+si1ian *+o dia#nosed and treated Mi1+ae",

t+e "atter *as aditted and treated at t+e =a#!pan=o1tors-

Di""a"or Meoria" Hospita" or a sin#"e #!ns+ot *o!nd in +is

ri#+t s+o!"der 1a!sed $ t+e s+ootin# o petitioner. 7;?8 It *as

a"so stated in +is edi1a" 1ertii1ate t+at +e *as dis1+ar#ed on

t+e sae da +e *as aditted and t+at t+e treatent d!ration

or s!1+ *o!nd *o!"d $e or siK to ei#+t das on".

7;@8

>i3ent+ese set o !ndisp!ted a1ts, it is 1"ear t+at t+e #!ns+ot

*o!nd s!stained $ Mi1+ae" in +is ri#+t s+o!"der *as not ata"

or orta" sin1e t+e treatent period or +is *o!nd *as s+ort

and +e *as dis1+ar#ed ro t+e +ospita" on t+e sae da +e

*as aditted t+erein. T+ereore, petitioner is "ia$"e on" or
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t+e 1rie o attepted +oi1ide as re#ards Mi1+ae" in Criina"

Case No. U-@('@.

5it+ re#ard to t+e appre1iation o t+e a##ra3atin#

1ir1!stan1e o !se o an !n"i1ensed irear, *e a#ree *it+t+e tria" 1o!rt and t+e appe""ate 1o!rt t+at t+e sae !st $e

app"ied a#ainst petitioner in t+e instant 1ase sin1e t+e sae

*as a""e#ed in t+e inorations i"ed a#ainst +i $eore t+e

RTC and pro3en d!rin# t+e tria". Ho*e3er, s!1+ !st $e

1onsidered as a spe1ia" a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e, and not a

#eneri1 a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e.

>eneri1 a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1es are t+ose t+at

#enera"" app" to a"" 1ries s!1+ as t+ose entioned in Arti1"e

%, para#rap+s No. %, &, 9, , ;, (, @, %', %, %?, %@ and &', o

t+e Re3ised Pena" Code. It +as t+e ee1t o in1reasin# t+e

pena"t or t+e 1rie to its aKi! period, $!t it 1annot

in1rease t+e sae to t+e neKt +i#+er de#ree. It !st a"*as

$e a""e#ed and 1+ar#ed in t+e inoration, and !st $e pro3en

d!rin# t+e tria" in order to $e appre1iated. 7('8 Moreo3er, it 1an

$e oset $ an ordinar iti#atin# 1ir1!stan1e.

On t+e ot+er +and, spe1ia" a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1es are

t+ose *+i1+ arise !nder spe1ia" 1onditions to in1rease t+e

pena"t or t+e oense to its aKi! period, $!t t+e sae

1annot in1rease t+e pena"t to t+e neKt +i#+er

de#ree. EKap"es are !asi-re1idi3is !nder Arti1"e %(' and

1op"eK 1ries !nder Arti1"e ? o t+e Re3ised Pena" Code. It

does not 1+an#e t+e 1+ara1ter o t+e oense 1+ar#ed. 7(%8 It

!st a"*as $e a""e#ed and 1+ar#ed in t+e inoration, and!st $e pro3en d!rin# t+e tria" in order to $e appre1iated.7(&8 Moreo3er, it 1annot $e oset $ an ordinar iti#atin#

1ir1!stan1e.

It is 1"ear ro t+e ore#oin# t+at t+e eanin# and ee1t

o #eneri1 and spe1ia" a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1es are eKa1t"


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24/30

in &% Apri" %@@?. T+ereore, t+e !se o an !n"i1ensed irear

$ t+e petitioner in t+e instant 1ase s+o!"d $e desi#nated and

appre1iated as a SPECIAL a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e and not

ere" a #eneri1 a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e.

As *as pre3io!s" esta$"is+ed, a spe1ia" a##ra3atin#

1ir1!stan1e 1annot $e oset $ an ordinar iti#atin#

1ir1!stan1e. Do"!ntar s!rrender o petitioner in t+is 1ase is

ere" an ordinar iti#atin# 1ir1!stan1e. T+!s, it 1annot

oset t+e spe1ia" a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e o !se o !n"i1ensed

irear. In a11ordan1e *it+ Arti1"e (, para#rap+ 9 o t+e

Re3ised Pena" Code, t+e pena"t iposa$"e on petitioner s+o!"d

$e in its aKi! period.7(@8

As re#ards t+e 1i3i" "ia$i"it o petitioner, *e dee it

ne1essar to odi t+e a*ard o daa#es #i3en $ $ot+ 1o!rts.

In Criina" Case No. U-@(%' or Hoi1ide, *e a#ree *it+

$ot+ 1o!rts t+at t+e proper ao!nt o 1i3i" indenit

is P;','''.'', and t+at t+e proper ao!nt or ora" daa#es

is P;','''.'' p!rs!ant to pre3ai"in#

Ne* Ci3i" Code, teperate or oderate daa#es a $e

re1o3ered *+en t+e 1o!rt inds t+at soe pe1!niar "oss *as

s!ered $!t its ao!nt 1annot $e pro3ed *it+

1ertaint. Moreo3er, eKep"ar daa#es s+o!"d $e a*arded in

t+is 1ase sin1e t+e presen1e o spe1ia" a##ra3atin# 1ir1!stan1e


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26/30

app"in# t+e Indeterinate Senten1e La*, t+e pena"t no*

$e1oes siK (B ears oprisioncorreccionalas ini! period

to t*e"3e %&B ears oprision mayoras aKi! period. As

re#ards t+e 1i3i" "ia$i"it o petitioner, t+e "atter is +ere$ ordered

to pa Ser3i""ano)errer eKep"ar daa#es in t+e ao!nto P&;,'''.'' in addition to t+e a1t!a" daa#es and ora"

daa#es a*arded $ t+e Co!rt o Appea"s.

9B In Criina" Case No. U-@(%', t+e pena"t iposa$"e on

petitioner or t+e +oi1ide is reclusion temporal!nder Arti1"e &@

o t+e Re3ised Pena" Code.78 T+ere $ein# a spe1ia" a##ra3atin#

1ir1!stan1e o t+e !se o an !n"i1ensed irear and app"in# t+e

Indeterinate Senten1e La*, t+e pena"t no* is t*e"3e %&B ears

oprision mayoras ini! period to t*ent &'B ears

o reclusion temporalas aKi! period. As re#ards t+e 1i3i"

"ia$i"it o petitioner, t+e "atter is +ere$ ordered to pa

Me"ton )errereKep"ar daa#es in t+e ao!nt o P&;,'''.'' in

addition to t+e a1t!a" daa#es and ora" daa#es a*arded $

t+e Co!rt o Appea"s. T+e a1t!a" daa#es "i0e*ise a*arded $

t+e Co!rt o Appea"s is +ere$ red!1ed to P&,9.%?.

SO ORDERED.

MINITA V. CHICO-NAARIO

Asso1iate J!sti1e

@E CONCR:

ARTEMIO V. !AN"ANI#AN

C+ie J!sti1e


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* Aso re3erre0 %o as Ro2eri Paaanas ) Zara%e in %he In3or4a%ions, an0 Deisions o3 %he %ria o'r% an0 %heCo'r% o3 Appeas.

/'si &) Pa' An5a S'n an0 pop'arie0 &) 8ran5 Sina%ra.F Rollo, pp. !-F. Penne0 &) Assoia%e ('s%ie 6ien%e S.E. 6eoso 1i%h Assoia%e ('s%ies Ro&er%o A. Barrios

an0 A4ei%a G. Toen%ino, on'rrin rollo, pp. -F. Penne0 &) ('0e /o0es%o C. ('anson i0. a% -." Reor0s, 6o'4e I, pp. *- an0 *#, 6o'4e II, pp. *- an0 6o'4e III, p.*. R7ES AND REG7ATIONS ON:


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F People v. Crisostomo, *! Phi. *", *


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The r'e is %ha% 0o'4en%ar) e+i0ene sho'0 &e presen%e0 %o s'&s%an%ia%e a ai4 3or oss o3 earnin

apai%). B) 1a) o3 exep%ion, 0a4aes %here3ore 4a) &e a1ar0e0 0espi%e %he a&sene o3 0o'4en%ar)

e+i0ene i3 %here is %es%i4on) %ha% %he +i%i4 1as ei%her

palaganas v. people

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