People vs Mamaruncas

7/24/2019 People vs Mamaruncas

1/16

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 179497

Appellee,

- versus - Present:

RENANDANG MAMARUNCAS, CORONA, C.J., Chairperson,

Piagapo, Lanao d ! S"#$ LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,

PENDATUM AMPUAN, BERSAMIN,

Piagapo, Lanao d ! S"#$ DEL CASTILLO, and

Appellants, VILLARAMA, JR., JJ.

%AGINDA PALAO &a' !a#g (

A!ia) *A+d"! a-id S"!'an , Promul !te":

Accused. #$%&'%$&

( - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - (

D E C I S I O N

DEL CASTILLO, J ./

T)e !ssessment o* t)e +re" l t o* / tnesses t)e tr !l +ourt s t)e +enter o* t) s+ontrovers . T)e /ell-0no/n rule, t)ou ) su 1e+t to +ert! n re+o n 2e" e(+e3t ons, st)!t * n" n s o* *!+ts !n" !ssessment o* +re" l t o* / tnesses !re m!tters est le*t tot)e tr !l +ourt. 4en+e, 56u7nless +ert! n *!+ts o* su st!n+e !n" v!lue /ere overloo0e"/) +), * +ons "ere", m )t !**e+t t)e result o* t)e +!se, t)e tr !l +ourt8s !ssessmentmust e res3e+te".9 $
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2/16

Ass! le" n t)e 3resent !33e!l s t)e June #, #; De+ s on & o* t)e Court o* A33e!ls.R. CR-4.C. No. ##$?; /) +) !** rme" / t) mo" * +!t on t)e Jul $?,$??? De+ s on o* t)e Re on!l Tr !l Court

T)!t on or ! out @e ru!r $, $??;, n t)e C t o* Il !n,P) l 33 nes, !n" / t) n t)e 1ur s" +t on o* t) s 4onor! le Court, t)e s! "!++use", e(+e3t *or ot)ers /)ose +!ses !re st ll un"er 3rel m n!rnvest !t on, +ons3 r n / t) !n" +on*e"er!t n to et)er !n" mutu!ll)el3 n e!+) ot)er, !rme" / t) "e!"l /e!3on, to / t: ! +!l er . '

3 stol, me!ns o* tre!+)er !n" ev "ent 3reme" t!t on, !n" / t) ntentto 0 ll, " " t)en !n" t)ere / ll*ull , unl!/*ull !n" *elon ousl !tt!+0,s)oot !n" /oun" one B!u"el o R. B!toon, t)ere n*l +t n u3on ) mt)e *ollo/ n 3) s +!l n1ur es, to / t:

C!r" o res3 r!tor !rrest 4 3ovolem + s)o+0

Mult 3le uns)ot /oun"

/) +) +!use" ) s "e!t).

Contr!r to !n" n v ol!t on o* Art +le & o* t)e Rev se" Pen!l Co"e/ t) t)e ! r!v!t n + r+umst!n+es o* tre!+)er !n" ev "ent

3reme" t!t on.

Onl M!m!run+!s !n" Am3u!n !33e!re" !t t)e s+)e"ule" !rr! nment on M! ,$??;. T)e r +o-!++use", P!l!o !l !s A "ul !) " Sult!n


3/16

T)e *!+ts o* t)e +!se, !s summ!r 2e" t)e O** +e o* t)e Sol + tor >ener!l = nts r e* !n" su st!nt !te" t)e tr!ns+r 3ts o* steno r!3) + notes o* t)e 3ro+ee" n s,!re !s *ollo/s:

Aroun" noont me on @e ru!r $, $??;, B!u"el o B!toon, R +)!r"B!toon, Ju!n to >e3! o !n" ! +ert! n 5N to9 /ere /or0 n on ve) +lesns "e B!u"el o B!toon8s !uto re3! r s)o3 s tu!te" !lon t)e ) )/! nTu o", B!r!!s, Il !n C t .

B! n"! P!l!o t)en entere" t)e s)o3 !++om3!n e" !33ell!ntsRen!n"!n M!m!run+!s !n" Pen"!tum Am3u!n. B! n"! P!l!o /ore"esert +!mou*l! e *!t ues /) le ) s t/o


4/16

/!s !++om3!n e" ) s "r ver, SPO ll !m ee, !n" SPO >eor eAle1o. T)e )e!r" t)e uns)ots em!n!t n *rom t)e !uto re3! r s)o3 !tB!r!!s, 3rom3t n Ins3e+tor M 1!res to or"er ) s "r ver to sto3 t)e +!r.T)e !l )te" !n" 3ro+ee"e" to t)e sour+e o* t)e uns)ots. At t)e re3! rs)o3, t)e s!/ t)ree < = men n +!mou*l! e e!r / t) uns "r!/n !n"

3o nte" !t ! 3erson !lre!" l n on t)e roun". Ins3e+tor M 1!res8 rou3s)oute" !t t)e +!mou*l! e" unmen to sto3 /)!t t)e /ere "o n !n" to"ro3 t)e r * re!rms, !t t)e s!me t me !nnoun+ n t)!t t)e


5/16

o / t) t)em e+!use )e / ll +olle+t some mone !n" !*ter/!r"s t)e/ ll )!ve some en1o ment. 4e ! ree" !n" s!t !t t)e re!r se!t e) n" t)e"r ver. A "ul !) " /!s !t t)e *ront se!t / t) Pen"!tum e) n" !t t)e

!+0 se!t. T)e "rove to B!r!!s. T)e sto33e" !t ! +ross n !n" A "ul!) " !n" Pen"!tum Am3u!n !l )te". Be*ore /!l0 n !/! , A "ul!) " )!n"e" to Ren!n"!n ! . +!l6.7 revolver / t) nstru+t ons torem! n n t)e +!r !n" 60ee37 /!t+). At * rst )e re*use" ut A "ul !) "ns ste" so )e !++e3te" t)e un. A "ul !) " !n" Pen"!tum /!l0e" tot)e s)o3 le!v n t)e re!r r )t "oor o3en. A out ten m nutes l!ter, )e)e!r" t)ree uns)ots. 4e move" to t)e re!r se!t /)ere t)e "oor /!s o3en!n" s!/ 3ol +emen, /)o !rr ve" !n" surroun"e" t)e +!r. 4e 3l!+e" t)eun on t)e se!t !n" r! se" ) s )!n"s !s ! s n o* surren"er. T)en / t) ) sr )t )!n", )e +lose" t)e +!r "oor. Just !s t)e "oor +lose", t)e 3ol +emens)ot ) m on t)e *ore!rm !n" +)est elo/ t)e r )t n 33le. 4e lost+ons+ ousness !n" re ! ne" t onl !t t)e )os3 t!l.

4e *urt)er test * e" t)!t A "ul !) " Sult!n s !n ol" *r en". 4e s!lso 0no/n !s B! n"! P!l!o. Pen"!tum Am3u!n s not 0no/n !s A "ul!) " Sult!n.

4e !lso "e+l!re" t)!t t)e st!tement o* Ju!n to >e3! o t)!t onlA "ul !) " Sult!n !n" Pen"!tum Am3u!n entere" t)e s)o3 !n" s)otB!u"el o B!toon s true !n" t)!t t)e test mon o* P%Ins3. M 1!res t)!t )e!lso s)ot t)e v +t m s not true. 4e "en e" !n 3!rt n t)e s)oot n to"e!t) o* B!u"el o B!toon.

A++use" Pen"!tum Am3u!n test * e" t)!t )e s e!rs ol",s n le, stu"ent !n" ! res "ent o* P ! !3o, L!n!o "el Sur. On J!nu!r $,$??; !t ! out ;:## !.m., )e le*t M!r!/ C t *or Il !n C t on o!r" !

3!ssen er Arm!0 1ee3ne . 4e !l )te" !t t)e term n!l e) n" t)e>! s!no Su3erstore !n" !t e(!+tl F:## !.m., )e entere" t)e store !n"/ent to t)e u33er store to s)o3. )en )e +!me out, )e met ! *r en"n!me6"7 Bess!). To et)er t)e /!l0e" to t)e M!)!rl 0! T)e!ter ut t)enBess!) e(3resse" t)e ntent on to o )ome to M!r!/ C t . 4e!++om3!n e" Bess!) to t)e T!m !+!n term n!l. T)en )e 3ro+ee"e" tot)e )ouse o* ) s Gn+le Al n C! !ro.


6/16

returne" on o!r" ! +!r "r ven one Am nol! B!s!r. T)e /ent to t)eT!m !+!n term n!l ut ! ! n " " not * n" B!ser. Inste!", t)e s!/Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s. B! n"! nv te" t)e l!tter to o / t) t)em toB!r!!s to +olle+t ! "e t. Ren!n"!n entere" t)e +!r !n" t)e 3ro+ee"e"to B!r!!s. T)e +!r sto33e" !t ! 3l!+e ne!r ! s)o3. B! n"! nstru+te" ) m!n" Ren!n"!n to rem! n n t)e +!r e+!use )e /!s o n out to +olle+tt)e "e t. B! n"! le*t t)e +!r !n" entere" t)e s)o3. A out ten m nutesl!ter, )e )e!r" s)out n *ollo/e" un* re. 4e ste33e" out o* t)e +!r tover * !n" s!/ B! n"! P!l!o 6s)oot7 t)e v +t m. 4e retre!te" to t)e +!r!s t)e 3ol +e le" C!3t. M 1!res !rr ve". T)e +on* s+!te" t)e +!r 0e!n" !rreste" t)em e(+e3t B! n"! P!l!o /)o es+!3e". T)e /ere t!0ento t)e )os3 t!l "ue to n1ur es. In ) s +!se, t)e sust! ne" /oun"s /)enm!ule" t)e +) l"ren o* t)e v +t m ut n !not)er re!t) )e !"m tte"t)!t ) s n1ur /!s ! uns)ot /oun" /)en )e /!s +!u )t n t)e +ross * re!s t)e 3ol +e s)ot Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s. 4e /!s ns "e t)e +!r /)en)e /!s ) t. 4e *urt)er !"m tte" t)!t B! n"! P!l!o s 0no/n !s A "ul!) " Sult!n. 4e "en e" s)oot n B!u"el o B!toon.

Ruling of the Regional Trial Court

T)e RTC "e un0e" !33ell!nts8 "e*ense o* "en !l !n" )el" t)em u lt !s 3r n+ 3!ls " re+t 3!rt + 3!t on n t)e 0 ll n o* B!u"el o B!toon


7/16

/ t)out su s " !r m3r sonment n +!se o* nsolven+ .

Cost ! ! nst t)e !++use".

4!v n een un"er 3revent ve "etent on s n+e @e ru!r $, $??;,t)e 3er o" o* su+) "etent on s)!ll e +re" te" n *ull n *!vor o* s! "!++use" n t)e serv +e o* t)e r res3e+t ve senten+es.

SO ORDERED. ?

In v e/ o* t)e Not +e o* A33e!l $# * le" t)e !33ell!nts, t)e RTC *or/!r"e" t)ere+or"s o* t)e +!se to t) s Court. B Resolut on $$ "!te" J!nu!r $, ##, t)e Courtresolve" to !++e3t t)e !33e!l. In v e/ t)ereo*, !33ell!nts /ere reHu re" to * le t)e r

r e*.$&

A33ell!nts t)us * le" t)e r r e* on Novem er , ##$

/) le t)e OS>su m tte" t)e Br e* *or t)e Pl! nt **-A33ellee $ on M! &, #$. L!ter, )o/ever,+onson!nt / t) t) s Court8s 3ronoun+ement n People v. Mateo $' t)e +!se /!str!ns*erre" to t)e CA *or !33ro3r !te !+t on !n" " s3os t on. $;

Ruling of the Court of Appeals

B De+ s on $F 3romul !te" on June #, #;, t)e !33e!ls +ourt !** rme" / t)mo" * +!t on t)e RTC De+ s on. S! " +ourt rule" t)!t t)e n+ons sten+ es n t)e

3rose+ut on / tnesses8 test mon es 3o nte" out t)e !33ell!nts 3ert! n onl to m nor!n" +oll!ter!l m!tters /) +) "o not " lute t)e 3ro !t ve /e )t o* s! " test mon es.Re !r" n t)e erroneous "es n!t on o* !33ell!nt Am3u!n8s n!me n t)e In*orm!t on,t)e +ourt /ent on to )ol" t)!t su+) error /!s onl ! *orm!l "e*e+t !n" t)e 3ro3er+orre+t on o* /) +) /!s "ul m!"e / t)out !n o 1e+t on on t)e 3!rt o* t)e "e*ense.T)e CA l 0e/ se )el" t)!t tre!+)er !tten"e" t)e +omm ss on o* t)e +r me.

T)e "e+ret!l 3ort on o* t)e De+ s on re!"s:

4ERE@ORE, 3rem ses +ons "ere", t)e A33e!l s )ereDISMISSED !n" t)e Huest one" Ju" ment "!te" Jul $?, $??? o* t)eRe on!l Tr !l Court s A@@IRMED / t) MODI@ICATION. A33ell!nts
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8/16

Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s !n" Pen"!tum Am3u!n !re *oun" >GILT e on" re!son! le "ou t o* mur"er !s "e* ne" n Art +le & o* t)eRev se" Pen!l Co"e, !s !men"e" Re3u l + A+t No. F;'? !n" !re)ere senten+e" to su**er t)e 3en!lt o* re+lus on 3er3etu!. T)e!33ell!nts !re to 3! , 1o ntl !n" sever!ll , t)e )e rs o* B!u"el o B!toont)e !mount o* P'#,###.## /! o* + v l n"emn t , P'#,###.## !smor!l "!m! es, !n" P&',###.## !s e(em3l!r "!m! es !n" P;;,?# .##!s !+tu!l "!m! es.

SO ORDERED. $

D s runtle", !33ell!nts !re no/ ! ! n e*ore t) s Court n v e/ o* t)e r Not +e o*A33e!l $? *rom t)e De+ s on o* t)e CA.

B Resolut on "!te" Novem er $?, #F, t) s Court not * e" t)e 3!rt es t)!t t)e m!* le t)e r res3e+t ve su33lement!l r e*s / t) n # "! s *rom not +e. In t)e r res3e+t vem!n *est!t ons, t)e 3!rt es o3te" to !"o3t t)e r e*s t)e e!rl er * le" !s t)e r

su33lement!l r e*s. &$

In t)e r r e*, !33ell!nts !ss n t)e *ollo/ n errors:

I. T)!t t)e tr !l +ourt erre" n +onv +t n 6t)em7 /)en t)e s)oul" )!ve een!+Hu tte" *or *! lure o* t)e 3rose+ut on to 3rove ts +!se e on" re!son! le "ou t!n"

II. T)e n*orm!t on * le" e*ore t)e tr !l +ourt /!s su st!nt !ll "e*e+t ve. &&

T)e !s + t)rust o* !33ell!nts8 * rst !ss nment o* error s t)e +re" l t o* t)e 3rose+ut on / tnesses. A33ell!nts +onten" t)!t t)e tr !l +ourt !n+)ore" ts * n" n !n"+on+lus on on t)e test mon es o* / tnesses Ju!n to >e3! o e3! o=, R +)!r" B!toon


9/16

On t)e ot)er )!n", t)e OS> n 3r! n *or t)e !** rm!n+e o* t)e !33e!le" De+ s on,o3 nes t)!t n+ons sten+ es on m nor !n" +oll!ter!l m!tters n t)e test mon o* !

3rose+ut on e e/ tness "o not !**e+t ) s +re" l t . It !lso +onten"s t)!t /)!tever"e*e+t t)e n*orm!t on su 1e+t o* !33ell!nt Am3u!n8s !rr! nment )!s )!" een +ure"/ t) t)e l!tter8s +onsent "ur n t)e tr !l.

O"# R"!ing

T)e !33e!l l!+0s mer t.

In su33ort o* t)e r Huest *or !+Hu tt!l, !33ell!nts tr e" to +!st "ou t on t)e +re" l to* / tness >e3! o !n+)ore" on t)e *ollo/ n roun"s:


10/16

It +oul" e true t)!t >e3! o " " not retre!t to ! s!*er 3l!+e "ur n t)e s)oot nn+ "ent !n" " " not ren"er !ss st!n+e to ) s /oun"e" em3lo er. To !33ell!nts, t) sre!+t on s +ontr!r to )um!n n!ture. e el eve ot)er/ se. T) s m3ute" om ss on, toour m n", "oes not ne+ess!r l " m n s) t)e 3l!us l t o* >e3! o8s stor let !lone"estro ) s +re" l t . To us, ) s re!+t on s / t) n t)e oun"s o* e(3e+te" )um!n

e)!v or. Surel , )e /!s !*r! " t)!t t)e m )t 0 ll ) m e+!use t)e m!le*!+tors /eret)en !rme" / t) uns. &' T)us, )e /oul" not "!re !ttem3t to sto3 t)em !n" st!0e ) s l *en t)e 3ro+ess. At !n r!te, t s settle" 5t)!t " **erent 3eo3le re!+t " **erentl to !ven s tu!t on or t 3e o* s tu!t on, !n" t)ere s no st!n"!r" *orm o* )um!n e)!v or!l

res3onse /)en one s +on*ronte" / t) ! str!n e or st!rtl n or *r )t*ul e(3er en+e.tness n ! +r me s !n unusu!l e(3er en+e /) +) el + ts " **erent re!+t ons *rom t)e

/ tnesses !n" *or /) +) no +le!r-+ut st!n"!r" *orm o* e)!v or +!n e "r!/n.9 &;

T)e *! lure o* >e3! o to "ent * M!m!run+!s n +ourt "oes not olster !33ell!nts8+!use. As t)e CA +orre+tl 3o nte" out:

( ( ( e ! ree / t) t)e 3rose+ut on8s o serv!t on t)!t !lt)ou ) )e " "not 3os t vel "ent * !33ell!nt M!m!run+!s !s one o* t)e s)ooters, )e/!s )o/ever, ! le to 3o nt out t)!t t)ere /!s ! t) r" 3erson /)o!++om3!n e" !ss! l!nts P!l!o !n" Am3u!n n !33ro!+) n t)e v +t m"ur n t)e n+ "ent. T) s s !lso olstere" Ins3. M 1!res687 test mont)!t )e s!/ t)ree !ss! l!nts 3o nt n t)e r uns !t t)e v +t m /)o /!s!lre!" l n 3rostr!te on t)e roun". &F

In !n event, even / t)out >e3! o8s "ent * +!t on o* M!m!run+!s, t)e unre utte"test mon o* !not)er 3rose+ut on e e/ tness, B!toon, +le!rl 3o nts to M!m!run+!s !sone o* t)e !ss! l!nts. T)us:

: A*ter t)ese t)ree 3ersons r!t)er A "ul !) " to et)er / t) t/o+om3!n ons, 3resente" t)e /!rr!nt o* !rrest to our *!t)er, /)!t)!33ene" t)ere!*ter

A: T)e 3ulle" t)e r uns !n" 3o nte" 6t)em !t7 m *!t)er.

: )o 3ulle" out . ' +!l er un 6!n" 3o nte" t !t7 our *!t)er

A: A "ul !) ", S r
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11/16

: An" /)!t )!33ene" !*ter t)e . ' 3 stol 6/!s7 3o nte" 6!t7 our *!t)er

A: M *!t)er tr e" to 6 r! 7 t)e . ' +!l er *rom A "ul !) ", S r.

: )!t )!33ene" !*ter

A: M *!t)er /!s s)ot one o* ) s +om3!n on6s7, S r.

: )o 6* rst s)ot7 our *!t)er

A: < tness 3o nt n to ! 3erson. 6 7)en )e /!s !s0e" ( ( ( ) s n!me6,7

)e !ns/ere" t)!t )e s Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s=

( ( ( (

: A*ter t) s Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s s)ot our *!t)er, /)!t )!33ene"t)ere!*ter

A: T)e ot)er +om3!n on * re" t)e ne(t s)ot e3! o re*erre" to A "ul !) " Sult!n !n" Pen"!tumAm3u!n !s one !n" t)e s!me 3erson n ) s !** "!v t &? !n" et l!ter on test * e" to t)e+ontr!r , t) s Court * n"s t)e s!me n+onseHuent !l !n" / ll not outr )tl 1ust * t)e!+Hu tt!l o* !n !++use". In ! ver re+ent +!se, # t) s Court re ter!te" t)!t !s et/een !n!** "!v t e(e+ute" outs "e t)e +ourt !n" ! test mon ven n o3en +ourt, t)e l!tter!lmost !l/! s 3rev! ls. It em3)!s 2e" t)ere n t)!t:
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D s+re3!n+ es et/een ! s/orn st!tement !n" test mon n +ourt "o notoutr )tl 1ust * t)e !+Hu tt!l o* !n !++use". Su+) " s+re3!n+ es "o notne+ess!r l " s+re" t t)e / tness s n+e e( 3!rte !** "!v ts !re o*tenn+om3lete. T)e "o not 3ur3ort to +ont! n ! +om3lete +om3en" um o*t)e "et! ls o* t)e event n!rr!te" t)e !** !nt. T)us, our rul n sener!ll +ons "er s/orn st!tements t!0en out o* +ourt to e n*er or ton +ourt test mon e3! o8s !** "!v t. $

Any alleged defect in the Information deemedwaived.

Anent t)e se+on" !ss ne" error, !33ell!nts !ver t)!t t)e In*orm!t on * le" e*ore t)e

tr !l +ourt /!s su st!nt !ll "e*e+t ve +ons "er n t)!t t !++uses A "ul !n" Am3u!n!s one !n" t)e s!me 3erson /)en n *!+t t)e /ere "ent * e" !s " **erent 3ersons. Assu+), Am3u!n /!s not ! le to +om3re)en" t)e In*orm!t on re!" to ) m.

T)e Court +!nnot !++or" mer t to t) s !r ument. It s /ell to note t)!t !33ell!nts *! le"to r! se t)e ssue o* t)e "e*e+t ve In*orm!t on e*ore t)e tr !l +ourt t)rou ) ! mot on*or ll o* 3!rt +ul!rs or ! mot on to Hu!s) t)e n*orm!t on. T)e r *! lure to o 1e+t tot)e !lle e" "e*e+t e*ore enter n t)e r 3le!s o* not u lt !mounte" to ! /! ver o* t)e

"e*e+t n t)e In*orm!t on. 5O 1e+t ons !s to m!tters o* *orm or su st!n+e n t)e6I7n*orm!t on +!nnot e m!"e *or t)e * rst t me on !33e!l.9 & Re+or"s even s)o/ t)!tt)e In*orm!t on /!s !++or" n l !men"e" "ur n tr !l to re+t * t) s !lle e" "e*e+t ut!33ell!nts " " not +omment t)ereon, viz :

@ISCAL ROBERTO ALBGLARIO:

Per m!n *est!t on !n" !"m ss on o* t) s / tness, t)e In*orm!t on e

!men"e" *rom 6Ren!n"!n 7 M!m!run+!s !n" t)e /or" !n", ts)oul" e B! n"o 6s +7 P!l!o !l !s A "ul !) " Sult!n !n" t)e!l !s Pen"!tum Am3u!n e er!se" !s +orre+te".

COGRT:
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An +omment *rom t)e !++use".

ATT . @IDEL MACAG A>:

No +omment, our 4onor.

reachery correctly appreciated.

@rom t)e ev "en+e !n" !s *oun" t)e tr !l +ourt !n" !** rme" t)e !33ell!te +ourt,t)e *!+ts su** + entl 3rove t)!t tre!+)er /!s em3lo e" !33ell!nts. T)e !tt!+0 onB!u"el o /!s so s/ *t !n" une(3e+te", !**or" n t)e )!3less, un!rme" !n"unsus3e+t n v +t m no o33ortun t to res st or "e*en" ) msel*. As rule" t)e tr !l+ourt:

In t)e ! ove s tu!t on, tre!+)er /!s +ons "ere" to e( st. More so n t) s+!se /)en t)e v +t m /!s +om3letel / t)out !n /e!3on *rom t)en+e3t on o* t)e !ss!ult. At t)e moment /)en Pen"!tum Am3u!n !n"Ren!n"!n M!m!run+!s s)ot ) m, B!u"el o B!toon /!s not n !n

3os t on to "e*en" ) msel*. An" /)en A "ul !) " s)ot ) m /) le l n/oun"e" on t)e roun", )e /!s utterl "e*enseless.

4en+e, ot) lo/er +ourts +orre+tl *oun" !33ell!nts u lt o* mur"er n v e/ o* t)e 3resen+e o* tre!+)er .

Conspiracy was duly proven.

e !lso sust! n t)e * n" n o* +ons3 r!+ . Cons3 r!+ e( sts 5/)en t/o or more 3ersons +ome to !n ! reement +on+ern n t)e +omm ss on o* ! *elon !n" "e+ "e to+omm t t. D re+t 3roo* o* 3rev ous ! reement to +omm t ! +r me s not ne+ess!r ( (( 6!s t7 m! e s)o/n t)rou ) + r+umst!nt !l ev "en+e, "e"u+e" *rom t)e mo"e !n"m!nner n /) +) t)e o**ense /!s 3er3etr!te", or n*erre" *rom t)e !+ts o* t)e !++use"
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t)emselves /)en su+) le!" to ! 1o nt 3ur3ose !n" "es n, +on+erte" !+t on !n"+ommun t o* nterest.9 '

In t) s +!se, +ons3 r!+ /!s +le!rl est! l s)e". All t)ree !++use" entere" t)e s)o3 o*B!u"el o !t t)e s!me t me. Am3u!n s)ot B!u"el o *rom e) n", ) tt n t)e l!tter !t ) sle*t !rm3 t /) le M!m!run+!s s)ot B!u"el o on t)e t) ). )en B!u"el o *ell to t)eroun" *!+e "o/n, A "ul s)ot ) m !t t)e !+0. T)ese +onse+ut ve !+ts un"ou te"ls)o/e" !33ell!nts8 un!n m t n "es n, ntent !n" e(e+ut on. T)e 3er*orme"s3e+ * + !+ts / t) su+) +loseness !n" +oor" n!t on !s to unm st!0! l n" +!te !+ommon 3ur3ose !n" "es n n t)e +omm ss on o* t)e +r me.

T)e Court t)us sees no +o ent re!son to " stur t)e * n" n s o* t)e RTC !n" t)e CA+ons "er n t)!t t)e !re !se" on e( st n ev "en+e !n" re!son! le

+on+lus ons "r!/n t)ere*rom. It )!s een )el" t me !n" ! ! n t)!t *!+tu!l * n" n s o*t)e tr !l +ourt, ts !ssessment o* t)e +re" l t o* / tnesses !n" t)e 3ro !t ve /e )to* t)e r test mon es !n" t)e +on+lus ons !se" on t)ese *!+tu!l * n" n s !re to e vent)e ) )est res3e+t. As ! rule, t)e Court / ll not /e ) !ne/ t)e ev "en+e !lre!"

3!sse" on t)e tr !l +ourt !n" !** rme" t)e CA. ; T)ou ) t)e rule s su 1e+t toe(+e3t ons, no su+) e(+e3t on!l roun"s o t! n n t) s +!se.

A ! nst t)e "!mn n ev "en+e !""u+e" t)e 3rose+ut on, !33ell!nts +oul" onlmuster mere "en !l. As rule" n v!r ous +!ses t)e Court, "en !l, * unsu st!nt !te"

+le!r !n" +onv n+ n ev "en+e s n)erentl ! /e!0 "e*ense !s t s ne !t ve !n"sel*-serv n . 5As et/een t)e +!te or +!l test mon t)!t r n s o* trut) on one )!n",!n" ! !re "en !l on t)e ot)er, t)e *ormer s ener!ll )el" to 3rev! l.9 F

The Penalty

Gn"ou te"l , t)e +r me +omm tte" s mur"er n v e/ o* t)e !tten" n! r!v!t n + r+umst!n+e o* tre!+)er . Mur"er, !s "e* ne" un"er Art +le & o* t)eRev se" Pen!l Co"e !s !men"e", s t)e unl!/*ul 0 ll n o* ! 3erson /) +) s not

3!rr + "e or n*!nt + "e, 3rov "e" t)!t tre!+)er , inter alia , !tten"e" t)e 0 ll n . T)e 3resen+e o* !n one o* t)e enumer!te" + r+umst!n+es un"er t)e !*ores! " Art +le senou ) to Hu!l * ! 0 ll n !s mur"er 3un s)! le reclusion perpetua

to "e!t). S n+e onl t)e Hu!l * n + r+umst!n+e o* tre!+)er s *oun" to e 3resent, ot) t)e RTC !n" t)e CA 3ro3erl m3ose" t)e 3en!lt o* reclusion perpetua 3ursu!ntto Art +le ; o* t)e Rev se" Pen!l Co"e. Moreover, Se+t on o* Re3u l + A+t No.? ; ? 3rov "es:
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Se+t on . Persons +onv +te" o* o**enses 3un s)! le/ t) reclusion perpetua or /)ose senten+es / ll e re"u+e" to reclusion

perpetua re!son o* t) s A+t, s)!ll not e el le *or 3!role un"er A+t No. $# ot)er/ se 0no/n !s t)e In"eterm n!te Senten+e L!/, !s!men"e".

Pursu!nt to t)e ! ove 3rov s on, !33ell!nts !re t)ere*ore not el le *or 3!role.

Awards of Damages

T)e Court mo" * es t)e !/!r" o* + v l n"emn t n t)e !mount o* P'#,###.##. In l ne/ t) 3rev! l n 1ur s3ru"en+e, # s! " !/!r" s n+re!se" to PF',###.##. Anent t)e !/!r"o* mor!l "!m! es, t)e CA +orre+tl m3ose" t)e !mount o* P'#,###.##. $ T)ese5!/!r"s !re m!n"!tor / t)out nee" o* !lle !t on !n" 3roo* ot)er t)!n t)e "e!t) o*t)e v +t m, o/ n to t)e *!+t o* t)e +omm ss on o* mur"er or )om + "e.9 &

Anent t)e !/!r" o* !+tu!l "!m! es, t)e v +t m8s / "o/ test * e" t)!t t)e *!m l s3ent! tot!l o* P;;,?# .## rel!t ve to t)e /!0e !n" ur !l o* t)e v +t m. 4o/ever, t)e +l! m*or s! " !mount s su33orte" merel ! l st o* e(3enses 3erson!ll 3re3!re" t)e/ "o/ nste!" o* o** + !l re+e 3ts. To e ent tle" to !n !/!r" o* !+tu!l "!m! es, 5 t sne+ess!r to 3rove t)e !+tu!l !mount o* loss / t) ! re!son! le "e ree o* +ert! nt ,

3rem se" u3on +om3etent 3roo* !n" on t)e est ev "en+e o t! n! le ( ( (.9 5A l st o*e(3enses +!nnot re3l!+e re+e 3ts /)en t)e l!tter s)oul" )!ve een ssue" !s ! m!ttero* +ourse n us ness tr!ns!+t ons.9 ' T)us t)e Court "eletes t)e lo/er +ourts8 !/!r" o*!+tu!l "!m! es. Nonet)eless, s n+e ent tlement o* t)e s!me s s)o/n un"er t)e *!+ts

o* t)e +!se, tem3er!te "!m! es n t)e !mount o* P&',###.## ; s)oul" e !/!r"e" nl eu o* !+tu!l "!m! es to t)e )e rs o* t)e v +t m 3ursu!nt to Art +le &&& o* t)e C v lCo"e /) +) 3rov "es t)!t tem3er!te "!m! es 5m! e re+overe" /)en t)e +ourt * n"st)!t 3e+un !r loss )!s een su**ere" ut ts !mount +!nnot, *rom t)e n!ture o* t)e+!se, e 3rove" / t) +ert! nt .9

T)e CA +orre+tl "elete" t)e n"emn t *or loss o* e!rn n +!3!+ t !/!r"e" t)etr !l +ourt. Su+) n"emn t +!nnot e !/!r"e" n t)e ! sen+e o* "o+ument!r

ev "en+e e(+e3t /)ere t)e v +t m /!s e t)er sel*-em3lo e" or ! "! l /! e /or0ere!rn n less t)!n t)e m n mum /! e un"er +urrent l! or l!/s.

As test * e" to t)e / "o/, @loren"! B!toon, t)e v +t m /!s e!rn n ! mont)ln+ome o* P,###.## !n" P?#,###.## !s !n !uto re3! r s)o3 !n" ! s (-/)eeler tru+0
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o3er!tor, res3e+t vel . T)e tr !l +ourt m!"e ! +onserv!t ve est m!te o* P'##.## ! "!!s t)e net n+ome *rom t)e tru+0 !lone !*ter m!0 n re!son! le "e"u+t ons *rom tso3er!t on. T)us, r!n e" ! ! nst t)e "! l m n mum /! e t)en 3rev! l n n Re on K/) +) s P$ F.## 3er "! 3ursu!nt to ! e Or"er No. RK-# , t) s +!se un"ou te"l"oes not *!ll un"er t)e e(+e3t ons /)ere n"emn t *or loss o* e!rn n +!3!+ t +!n even "es3 te t)e l!+0 o* "o+ument!r ev "en+e.

T)e Court sust! ns t)e !/!r" o* e(em3l!r "!m! es n v e/ o* t)e 3roven Hu!l * n+ r+umst!n+e o* tre!+)er . T)e CA )o/ever !/!r"e" e(em3l!r "!m! es to t)e )e rso* t)e v +t m n t)e !mount o* P&',###.##. To +on*orm / t) 3rev! l n 1ur s3ru"en+e,t)e Court n+re!ses t) s !mount to P #,###.##. F

HEREFORE , 3rem ses +ons "ere", t)e June #, #; De+ s on o* t)e Court o*A33e!ls n CA->.R. CR-4.C. No. ##$?; /) +) *oun" !33ell!nts Ren!n"!nM!m!run+!s !n" Pen"!tum Am3u!n g"i!'0 e on" re!son! le "ou t o* mur"ers AFFIRMED i'- 2"#'- # MODIFICATIONS !s *ollo/s:

$. A33ell!nts !re senten+e" to su**er t)e 3en!lt o* reclusion perpetua / t)outel l t *or 3!role

&. T)e !/!r" o* + v l n"emn t s n+re!se" to PF',###.##

. T)e !/!r" o* P;;,?# .## !s !+tu!l "!m! es s "elete"

. P&',###.## !s tem3er!te "!m! es s !/!r"e" n l eu o* !+tu!l "!m! es

'. T)e !/!r" o* e(em3l!r "!m! es s n+re!se" to P #,###.## !n"

;. A33ell!nts !re *urt)er or"ere" to 3! t)e )e rs o* t)e v +t m nterest on !ll "!m! es!/!r"e" !t t)e le !l r!te o* ; 3er !nnum *rom t)e "!te o* * n!l t o* t) s 1u" ment.

SO ORDERED.
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People vs Mamaruncas

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Transcript of People vs Mamaruncas