University Of The Philippines

COLLEGE OF LAWMalcolm Hall

Diliman, Quezon City

COURSE NUMBER

LAW 109 PROFESSOR

ILDEFONSO R. JIMENEZ

Course title CRIMINAL LAW I Consultation hours

Phone and e-mail consultation is permitted. Personal consultation must be arranged with the Professor

Course credit

3 units Mobile phone

09175609371

Class schedule

Block D – 9 – 12 am

Block B – 1 – 4 pm

E-mail irjimenez81@yahoo.com

Course description

General principles of Criminal Law, criminal liability, and penalties.

Course goals

To understand the general principles of Criminal Law, criminal liability, and penalties

To apply critical thought to these concepts

To improve the ability to discuss, orally and in writing, the nature and extent of criminal liability

To gain added insight into human nature, in general, and to develop the student’s self-awareness, in particular, through encounters with fundamental notions of right and wrong, fairness, responsibility, motivation, and respect for law

Teaching methods and resources

Classroom discussion shall be the basic tool for learning. Using the Course Outline as a guide, the student is expected to read all the assigned materials, and come to class prepared to participate in the discussion. The Professor will call students to recite, although voluntary recitation – comments and (intelligent) questions – is encouraged and will, if deserved, be credited.

The Professor shall facilitate the discussion by asking questions.

The core materials shall be the Revised Penal Code and the assigned cases and special laws, supplemented by annotations on the Revised Penal Code by either Justice Luis B. Reyes or Justice Ramon C. Aquino. Books intended for bar review are discouraged.

The student is advised to prepare his or her own digests of the assigned cases.

Evaluation and bases for grading

The student’s grade will be based on the evidence presented to prove his or her learning.

The final grade will be computed based on the following:Recitation & quizzes - 60%Final Exam - 40%

Guidelines for classroom decorum

The basic rule in the classroom is simple – observe courtesy at all times, both towards your teacher and your classmates. Among others, this means:

o Coming to class on time and prepared;

o Listening while others are speaking;

o Not eating, smoking, or sleeping, (especially snoring while sleeping) in class; and

o Turning off your cellular phone.

Attendance will be checked, but not graded. However, if a student is absent and called for recitation, a recitation grade of 5.0 will be given. The University rule of dropping a student who is absent more than 20% of the assigned time will be applied.

Each student will be allowed to pass recitation once during the semester. To pass recitation, the student must inform the professor BEFORE the start of class of his/her intention to pass recitation for that day.

If you cannot avoid being late, enter the classroom as inconspicuously as possible.

A 10-minute break will be called by the Professor around the mid-point of every session.

While the College does not impose a dress code, the student is expected to dress appropriately.

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COURSE OUTLINE AND CASE LIST

Introduction

I. General principles of Criminal Law

A. Nature

People vs. Genosa, 341 SCRA 493

B. Purposes

1. Identify wrongful behavior

2. Prescribe punishment

De Joya vs. Jail Warden of Batangas City, 417 SCRA 636Griffith vs. Court of Appeals, 379 SCRA 94

a. Retribution

b. Prevention

i. Deterrence

General Specific

ii. Incapacitation

iii. Rehabilitation

C. Characteristics

1. Statutory - Art. 3 and Art. 5, par. 1

David vs. Macapagal-Arroyo, 489 SCRA 160

2. General – Art. 2

3. Territorial – Art. 2

People vs. Tulin, 364 SCRA 10

4. Prospective – Art. 3, 21, & 22

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5. Morally condemnable

D. Sources

E. Constitutional limitations - Art. III, Bill of Rights

1. Due process and equal protection – Sec. 1

White Light Corp. vs. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846, January 20, 2009

2. Freedom of expression – Sec. 4

Barnes vs. Glen Theatre, Inc., 501 U.S. 560

3. Freedom of religion – Sec. 5

Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon vs. Smith, 494 U.S. 872Estrada vs. Escritor, 492 SCRA 1

4. No excessive fines nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment – Sec. 19, Par. (1), RA 7659

People vs. De la Cruz, 92 Phil. 906People vs. Echagaray, 267 SCRA 682Harden vs. Director of Prisons, 81 Phil.741

5. Non-imprisonment for debt or non-payment of a poll tax – Sec. 19, Par. (1)

6. Bill of attainder – Sec. 22

People vs. Ferrer, 48 SCRA 382

7. Ex post facto law – Sec. 22

U.S. vs. Diaz-Conde, 42 Phil. 766

F. Construction/Interpretation

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1. Liberality in favor of the accused

People vs. Sultan, 331 SCRA 216

2. Spanish text of the RPC prevails over its English translation

3. Retroactive application if favorable to the accused – Art. 22

People vs. Valdez, 304 SCRA 611, 616-620; 630-631Go vs. Dimagiba, 460 SCRA 451

4. Prescribed, but undeserved, penalties – Art. 5, 2nd paragraph

People vs. Formigones, 87 Phil. 658People vs.Veneracion, 249 SCRA 244

II. General principles of criminal liability

“Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea”

A. Definition of felony – Art. 3

B. Elements of criminal liability – Art. 3

1. Physical element (Actus reus)

a. Act

Powell vs. Texas, 392 U.S. 514, 88 S.Ct. 2145, 20 L.Ed. 2d. 1254, (also read the concurring opinion of Justice Black)

b. Omission

People vs. Sylvestre and Atienza, 56 Phil. 353People vs. Talingdan, 84 SCRA 19

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2. Mental element (Mens rea)

a. Deliberate intent (Dolo)

i. Elements of dolo

ii. General and specific intent

People vs. Puno, 219 SCRA 85

iii. Mistake of fact

U.S. vs. Ah Chong, 15 Phil. 488People vs. Oanis, 74 Phil. 257

iv. Malum prohibitum – exception to the requirement of mens rea

Padilla vs. Dizon, 158 SCRA 127Magno vs. CA, 210 SCRA 475Garcia vs. Court of Appeals, 484 SCRA 617

v. Distinguished from motive

b. Constructive intent (Culpa) – Art. 3 and Art. 365

i. Elements

ii. Imprudence or lack of skill

iii. Negligence or lack of foresight

People vs. Pugay, 167 SCRA 439

c. Transferred intent – Art. 4, Par. 1

i. Aberratio ictus

People vs. Guillen, 85 Phil. 307

ii. Error in personae

People vs. Sabalones, 294 SCRA 751, 796-797

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iii. Praeter intentionem – Art. 13, Par. 3

People vs. Albuquerque, 59 Phil. 150

3. Concurrence

4. Resulting harm

5. Causation

Bataclan vs. Medina, 102 Phil. 181

C. Liability for incomplete elements

1. Impossible crime – Art. 4, Par. 2

Intod vs. Court of Appeals, 215 SCRA 52People vs. Saladino, 89 Phil. 807 (Unrep.)

2. Uncompleted crimes

a. Attempted and frustrated felonies, in general – Art. 6 & 7

U.S. vs. Eduave, 36 Phil. 209Rivera vs. People, 480 SCRA 188Baleros vs. People, 483 SCRA 10

b. Examples of specific felonies

i. Illegal Trespass – Art. 280 - 281

People vs. Lamahang, 61 Phil. 703

ii. Physical injuries (Art. 263-266), Homicide (Art. 249), Murder (Art. 248)

People vs. Borinaga, 55 Phil. 433People vs. Kalalo, 59 Phil. 715People vs. Trinidad, 169 SCRA 51

Martinez vs. CA, G.R. No. 168827, April 13, 2007

Mondragon vs. People, 17 SCRA 476

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People vs. Sy Pio, 94 Phil. 885

iii. Theft – Art. 308

U.S. vs. Adiao, 38 Phil. 754People vs. Diño, 45 O.G. 3446People vs. Espiritu, CA-G.R. No. 2107-R,

5/31/49Valenzuela vs. People, G.R. No. 160188,

6/21/07Epifanio vs. People, G.R. No. 157057, 6/26/07

iv. Robbery – Art. 293 & 294

People vs. Dio, 130 SCRA 151

v. Rape – Art. 266-A

People vs. Orita, 184 SCRA 105

c. Light felonies punishable only when consummated

Art. 7 Art. 9, par. 3

d. Proposals and conspiracies – Art. 8

D. Liability for multiple, complex, and continuing crimes – Art. 9, pars. 1 & 2, and Art. 48

People vs. Sanchez, 313 SCRA 254People vs. Hernandez, 99 Phil. 515Enrile vs. Salazar, 184 SCRAI 217People vs. Valdez, supra

E. Liability under special laws – Art 10

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III. Circumstances affecting criminal liability

A. Justifying circumstances – Art. 11

1. Defense of self, relatives, and strangers

People vs. Decena, 235 SCRA 67People vs. De la Cruz, 347 SCRA 100People vs. Jaurigue76 Phil. 174People vs. Narvaez, 121 SCRA 389Sabang vs. People, 518 SCRA 35People vs. Dagani, 499 SCRA 64Palaganas vs. people, 501 SCRA 533

2. Avoidance of greater evil

People vs. Ricohermoso, 56 SCRA 431People vs. Norma Hernandez, 55 O.G. 8465

3. Fulfillment of duty

People vs. Delima, 46 Phil. 738People vs. Lagata, 83 Phil. 150Mamangun vs. People, G.R. No. 149152, February 2, 2007People vs. Dagani, supra

4. Obedience to a lawful order of a superior

People vs. Beronilla, 96 Phil. 566Tabuena vs. Sandiganbayan, 268 SCRA 332

B. Exempting circumstances – Art. 12

1. Insanity

People vs. Bonoan, 64 Phil. 87People vs. Dungo, 199 SCRA 860People vs. Taneo, 58 Phil. 255People vs. Madarang, 332 SCRA 99People vs. Opuran, 425 SCRA 654People vs. Genosa, 341 SCRA 493 and 419 SCRA 537 (BUT

see Sec. 26 in relation to Sec. 3, par.D (4c), R.A. 9262)

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2. Minority

R.A. 9344, Sec. 6People vs. Doqueña, 68 Phil. 580Ortega vs. People, G.R. No. 151085, Aug. 20, 2008

3. Accident

U.S. vs. Tañedo, 15 Phil. 196People vs.Castillo, 526 SCRA 215People vs. Retubado, G.R. No. 124058, Dec. 10, 2003

4. Irresistible force or uncontrollable fear of a greater injury

U.S. vs. Caballeros, 4 Phil. 350People vs. Loreno, 130 SCRA 311People vs. Del Rosario, 305 SCRA 740

5. Insuperable cause

People vs. Bandian, 63 Phil. 530 (See also dissenting opinion of J. Villareal)

C. Other exculpatory causes

1. Instigation

People vs. Lua Chu, 56 Phil. 44People vs. Doria, 301 SCRA 668

2. Consent

3. Other special circumstances – Arts. 6, 20, 247, 332

D. Mitigating circumstances – Art. 13

1. Incomplete justification or exemption

People vs. Jaurigue, supraPeople vs. Narvaez, supraGuillermo vs. people, G.R. No. 153287, Jan. 20, 2009

2. Age (under 18 or over 70)

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3. Lack of intent to commit so grave a wrong

People vs. Ural, 56 SCRA 138People vs. Gonzales, 359 SCRA 352

4. Sufficient provocation

People vs. Pagal, 79 SCRA 570Urbano vs. People, G.R. No. 182750, Jan. 20, 2009

5. Vindication of a wrong

People vs. Benito, 74 SCRA 271Bacabac vs. People, G.R. No. 149372, September 11, 2007

6. Passion or obfuscation

U.S. vs. Hicks, 14 Phil. 217U.S. vs. Dela Cruz, 22 Phil. 429People vs. Gelaver, 223 SCRA 310

7. Voluntary surrender or plea of guilt

People vs. Amaguin, 229 SCRA 166People vs. Dela Cruz, 63 Phil. 874

8. Deafness, muteness, blindness, or other physical defect which restricts the offender’s means of action, defense, or communication

9. Illness as would diminish the exercise of will-power withoutdepriving the offender of consciousness of his acts

People vs. Formigones, supra

10. Analogous circumstances

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E. Aggravating circumstances - Art. 14

Palaganas vs. People, 501 SCRA 533

1. Place of commission

a. Palace of the Chief Executive, etc., or in a place of religious worship

People vs. Jaurigue, supra

b. Uninhabited place

People vs. Damaso, 86 SCRA 370

c. Dwelling

People vs. Arizobal, 348 SCRA 143

2. Time of commission

a. Nighttime

People vs. Garcia, 94 SCRA 14People vs. Arizobal, supraPeople vs. Rodas, G.R. No. 175881, August 28, 2007

b. On the occasion of a calamity

3. Personal circumstances of offender

a. Recidivism

People vs. Baldera, 86 Phil. 189

b. Reiteration or habituality

4. Motivation

a. Price, promise, or reward

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5. Means of commission

a. Taking advantage of public office

People vs. Capalac, 117 SCRA 874People vs. Gapasin, 231 SCRA 728

b. Insult to public authority

People vs. Tiongson, 130 SCRA 614People vs. Magdueño, 144 SCRA 210

c. Disregard of rank, age, or sex

People vs. Collado, 196 SCRA 519People vs. Rodil, supraPeople vs. Pagal, supra

d. Abuse of confidence

People vs. Mandolado, 123 SCRA 133

e. Band; Aid of armed men

f. Inundation, fire, etc.

g. Evident premeditation

US. vs. Manalinde, 14 Phil. 77People vs. Ilaoa, 233 SCRA 231People vs. Bibat, 290 SCRA 27

h. Craft, fraud, disguise

People vs. Empasis, 222 SCRA 59

i. Abuse of superior strength

People vs. Bigcas, 211 SCRA 631

j. Treachery

People vs. Sangalang, 58 SCRA 737People vs. San Pedro, 95 SCRA 306People vs. Castillo, 289 SCRA 213People vs. Arizobal, 348 SCRA 143

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People vs. Escote, 400 SCRA 603People vs. Villonez, 359 Phil 95 (1998)Bacabac vs. People, supraPeople vs. Guzman, G.R. No. 169246, January 26, 2007

k. Ignominy

People vs. Torrefiel, 45 0.G. 803People vs. Jose, 37 SCRA 450People vs. Butler, 120 SCRA 281People vs. Saylan, 130 SCRA 159People vs. Sultan, 331 SCRA 216

l. Unlawful entry

m. Breaking a wall, door, etc.

n. With aid of persons under 15, or with motor vehicles, etc.

o. Cruelty

People vs. Ilaoa, supra

F. Special aggravating, qualifying, and “aggravating qualifying” circumstances

1. Specific felonies under Book II, RPC2. Special laws

- Use of illegal firearm or explosives – Sec. 1, par. 3 and Sec. 3, par. 2, P.D. 1866, as amended by R.A. 8294; People vs. Lara, 505 SCRA 137

- Use of dangerous drugs while committing a felony – Sec. 25, R.A. 8165, The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

G. Alternative circumstances - Art. 15

1. Relationship

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People vs. Atop, 286 SCRA 157

2. Intoxication

3. Degree of instruction

People vs. San Pedro, 95 SCRA 306

IV. Persons who incur criminal liability – Arts. 8 and 16

A. Conspirators - Art. 8

People vs. Jorge, 231 SCRA 693People vs. Elijorde, 306 SCRA 188People vs. Sanchez, 308 SCRA 264People vs. De Vera, 312 SCRA 640People vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 158754, August 10, 2007Bahilidad vs. People, G.R. No. 185195, March 17, 2010

B. Principals - Art. 17

People vs. Yanson-Dumancas, 320 SCRA 584, 588-602People vs. Maluenda, 288 SCRA 225

C. Accomplices - Art. 18

Abejuela vs. People, 200 SCRA 806People vs. Doble, 114 SCRA 131People vs. Doctolero, 193 SCRAI 632People vs. De Vera, supraGarces vs. People, G.R. No. 173858, July 17, 2007

D. Accessories - Art. 19 & 20; P.D. 1612

People vs. Talingdan, 84 SCRA 19

E. Proponents - Art. 8

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V. Penalties

A. General principles of penalties

- Constitution- Art. 21 – Nulla poena sine lege- Art. 22 – Retroactivity- Art. 23 – Pardon- Measures not considered penalties

B. Imposable penalties and their gradation (Art. 25), duration and effects

1. Principal penalties

a. Capital punishment - Sec. 19, Art. III of the Constitution; RA 7659 and RA 8177; Arts. 40 and 47; RA 9346 (2006)

Harden vs. Director of Prisons, 81 Phil. 741People vs. Echegaray, 267 SCRA 682

b. Afflictive penalties

i. Reclusion perpetua - RA 7659; Art. 27

People vs. Lucas, 232 5CR/I 537People vs. Lucas, 240 5CR/I 66People vs. Latupan, 360 SCRA 60

ii. Reclusion temporal – Art. 27

iii. Perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification – Art. 30

iv. Perpetual or temporary special disqualification – Art. 31

v. Prision mayor – Art. 27

c. Correctional penalties - Art. 27, 39, 43, & 44

i. Prision correccional

ii. Arresto mayor

iii. Suspension

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iv. Destierro

d. Light penalties - Art. 27, 39, & 44

i. Arresto menor

ii. Public censure

e. Common penalties - Art. 25

i. Fines - Art. 26, 39, 66

ii. Bond to keep the peace - Art. 27, 35

2. Accessory penalties – Art. 40-45

a. Perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification

b. Perpetual or temporary special disqualification

c. Suspension from public office, the right to vote and be voted for, the profession or calling

d. Civil interdiction

e. Indemnification

f. Forfeiture or confiscation of the instruments andproceeds of the offense

g. Payment of costs

3. Subsidiary penalty – Art. 39

C. Gradation of felonies - Art. 9

1. Grave felonies

2. Less grave felonies

3. Light felonies - Art. 7

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D. Application and computation of penalties

1. General rules - Art. 5, 21, 28, 29, 46, 73 – 77

2. Specific rules

a. Complex crimes – Art. 48

b. Crime different from that intended - Art. 49

c. Degree of participation and stage ofcommission - Art. 50-57, 60-61

d. Additional penalty for certain accessories - Art. 58

e. Impossible crime - Art. 59

f. Effect of mitigating, aggravating and qualifyingcircumstances - Art. 62-66

g. Incomplete justifying or exemptingcircumstances - Art. 67, 69

h. Minor - PD. 603; Art. 68

3. Indeterminate Sentence Law - Act. No. 4103

People vs. Campuhan, 329 SCRA 270, 287People vs. Temporada, G.R. No. 173473, Dec. 17, 2008

E. Execution and Service of penalties

1. General rules - Art. 70, 78, 86–88 – Art. 47

In re Petition for Habeas Corpus, Pete Lagran, 363 SCRA 275

2. Probation - PD 968, as amended

3. Suspension of sentence

- Insane persons - Art. 79

- Minors

- Supreme Court A.M. No. 02-1-18-SC, Sections 31-35

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- RA 9344, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006

VI. Extinction of criminal liability

A. Total - Art. 89-93; 36

People vs. Desierto, 363 SCRA 585

B. Partial - Art. 94-99

VII. Civil liability arising from criminal liability - Art. 100 - 113; 72

Padilla vs. Court of Appeals, 129 SCRA 558Jamelo vs. Serafino, 44 SCRA 464People vs. Torres, 366 SCRA 408People vs. Paraiso, 349 SCRA 335People vs. Panado, 348 SCRA 679People vs. Pajotal, 368 SCRA 374Nuguid vs. Nicdao, 502 SCRA 93Sps. De los Santos vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 169498, Dec. 11,

2008

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