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Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2017 > July 2017 Decisions > G.R. No. 208441, July 17, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZENAIDA FABRO OR ZENAIDA MANALASTAS Y VIÑEGAS, Accused-Appellant.:




G.R. No. 208441, July 17, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZENAIDA FABRO OR ZENAIDA MANALASTAS Y VIÑEGAS, Accused-Appellant.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 208441, July 17, 2017

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZENAIDA FABRO OR ZENAIDA MANALASTAS Y VIÑEGAS, Accused-Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

TIJAM, J.:

This is an appeal from the Decision1 dated February 19, 2013 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 04598, affirming in toto the Decision dated July 16, 2010 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC),2 Branch 45 of San Fernando, Pampanga, in Criminal Case No. 1204, which found accused-appellant Zenaida Fabro or Zenaida Viñegas Manalastas guilty of Serious Illegal Detention.

The Antecedents

In an Information dated March 6, 2006, accused-appellant was charged with Serious Illegal Detention under Article 2673 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), in relation to Republic Act No. 7610,4 committed as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
That on or about the 2nd day of March 2006, in the municipality of YYY, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, ZENAIDA FABRO or ZENAIDA V. MANALASTAS, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously and by force take [AAA],5 9 years old, minor, while the latter is in front of the XXX Elementary SchooL YYY whom the said accused detained and kept in the house of Brgy. Capt. Fabro, brother of the accused in Brgy. Villa Viniegas, Llanera, Nueva Ecija from March 2 to March 5, 2006 or a period of four (4) days under restraint and against her will.

Contrary to law.
When arraigned, accused-appellant pleaded "not guilty."

During trial, the prosecution presented the testimonies of AAA and SPO1 Elmer Guevarra who received the report of AAA's abduction. Accused-appellant was the lone witness for the defense.

The prosecution sought to establish that on March 2, 2006, 9-year old AAA was attending her Grade IV class at the XXX School in YYY, when accused-appellant suddenly arrived supposedly to fetch her. Since accused-­appellant was AAA's aunt residing just next to AAA's house, the teacher allowed accused-appellant to take AAA. However, instead of bringing AAA kept AAA in Nueva Ecija despite the latter's plea to go home. She refused to let AAA go even after AAA's parents called her via cellular phone begging her to release their daughter.6

AAA's parents had reported the abduction to the police. After receiving information that accused-appellant might go to her brother's house in Barangay Villa Viniegas, Nueva Ecija, the police organized a team and monitored said house. On March 5, 2006, police operatives, accompanied by AAA's parents, rescued AAA and apprehended the accused-appellant at her brother's house.7
Denying the charge, accused-appellant declared that she could not have committed the crime because she loved AAA whom she had known since 1999 and who used to frequent her house to sleep, eat, and watch television with her siblings. She claimed that she brought AAA to Nueva Ecija on March 2, 2006 with the consent of AAA's mother and teacher. She explained that she had intended to bring AAA along to the Barangay Captain to prove that her husband had taken her luggage and some documents, given that AAA used to clean their room. The Barangay Captain was not around so they proceeded to Nueva Ecija after AAA requested to join her. After two days in Nueva Ecija, or on March 5, 2006, she brought AAA to her brother's house where she was arrested.8
The RTC convicted accused-appellant of Serious Illegal Detention, disposing as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Court finds the accused ZENAIDA FABRO or ZENAIDA VIÑEGAS MANALASTAS GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Serious Illegal Detention penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code and hereby sentences the said accused to suffer the penalty of RECLUSION PERPETUA, together with all the accessory penalties provided for by law and to pay the private complainant, AAA, thru her father BBB, the sum of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) as moral damages.

The Jailer is hereby ordered to make the proper reduction of the period during which the accused was under preventive custody by reason of this case in accordance with law.

SO ORDERED.
Accused-appellant elevated the case to the CA, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and faulting the trial court for relying on the prosecution's version of the events.9 The CA subsequently rendered the assailed Decision affirming the RTC's Decision in toto. In the present appeal, accused-appellant further asserts that the prosecution failed to prove her intent to detain the victim.10

Our Ruling

The appeal lacks merit.

The elements of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, are: (1) the offender is a private individual; (2) he kidnaps or detains another or in any other manner deprives the latter of his liberty; (3) the act of detention or kidnapping must be illegal; and (4) in the commission of the offense, any of the following circumstances is present: (a) the kidnapping or detention lasts for more than three days; or (b) it is committed by simulating public authority; or (c) serious physical injuries are inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained or threats to kill him are made; or (d) the person kidnapped or detained is a minor, female, or a public officer. If the victim of kidnapping and serious illegal detention is a minor, the duration of his detention is immaterial.11

There is no dispute that accused-appellant is a private individual and that she took AAA from her school on March 2, 2006, brought her to Nueva Ecija and kept her there until she was arrested on March 5, 2006.

That AAA was deprived of her liberty is clear from her testimony that despite her pleas for accused-appellant to let her go home, the latter refused, thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Q: How many days did you stay in that house in Nueva Ecija, AAA?
A: Four, Ma'am.

Q: And, in those four days did you ask Tita Zeny to let you go home?
A: Yes Ma'am.


Q: And what did Tita Zeny tell you?
A: "Huwag muna daw po."


Q: At that time AAA, did you want to go home already in those four days?
A: Yes Ma'am.


Q: And do you know if Tita Zeny called your father or your mother thru cellphone in those four days?
A: Yes Ma'am.

Q: Whom did Tita Zeny call, your father or your mother?
A: "Tatay ko."

Q: How did you know that Tita Zeny called your father?
A: "Sinabi pong kaklase ko na kinipnap (sic) po ako."

Q: AAA, you said that Tita Zeny called your father. Were you able to talk to your father on the cellphone?
A: No, Ma'am. "Nakausap ko po ang nanay ko."

Q: Were you able to talk to your mother and that was thru the cellphone that was being used by Tita Zeny?
A: Yes ma'am.

Q: And, what did you tell your mother?
A: "Sya po ang sumabi."

Q: What did your mother tell you?
A: "Sabi po iuwi na niya ako."

Q: Is that the only conversation that you had with your mother?
A: "Ayaw po ako iuwi ni Tita Zeny."12

x x x     x x x

Q: Did you again ask her to go home?
A: Yes Ma'am.


Q: What did she tell you?
A: "Huwag muna daw po."


Q: During those four days AAA, did you cry?
A: Yes, Ma'am.

Q: Why did you cry?
A: "Ayaw po ako iuwi."
13 (Emphasis supplied)
Accused-appellant, however, contends that AAA had not been deprived of liberty while in her custody. She argues that the records are bereft of any indication that AAA was physically restrained, or was under her constant control, or was ever prevented from going home. She claims that during the period she had custody of AAA, the latter was free to interact with third persons and communicate with her relatives, and was well taken care of.14

The argument fails. The prevailing jurisprudence on kidnapping and illegal detention is that the curtailment of the victim's liberty need not involve any physical restraint upon the victim's person.15 For kidnapping to exist, it is not necessary that the offender kept the victim in an enclosure or treated him harshly.16

In People v. Bisda,17 the Court upheld the conviction of kidnapping for ransom even though the abducted five-year old child was, during her detention, free to roam around the place of detention, to practice on her drawing and to watch television, and was regularly fed and bathed. Citing United States v. McCabe,18 the Court stated that "to accept a child's desire for food, comfort as the type of will or consent contemplated in the context of kidnapping would render the concept meaningless." Should the child even want to escape, said the Court, she could not do so all by herself given her age; she was under the control of her abductors and was merely waiting and hoping that she would be brought home or that her parents would fetch her.

Nine-year old AAA was brought by accused-appellant to a place unfamiliar to her.19 In fact, she learned that the name of the place was Nueva Ecija only after she was rescued.20

Leaving a child in a place from which he did not know the way home, even if he had the freedom to roam around the place of detention, would still amount to deprivation of liberty. Under such a situation, the child's freedom remains at the mercy and control of the abductor.21

The RTC, thus, correctly held that even in the absence of evidence that AAA was locked up, she was still deprived of her liberty because considering her minority and the distance between her home and Nueva Ecija, she could not possibly go back home to YYY without accused­ appellant's assistance.22

The RTC rightly invoked the Court's pronouncement in People v. Acosta:23
The next question to be determined is whether or not element of restraint is present as to constitute the crime of kidnapping with which the appellants are charged. On this point the trial court made this observation: "While it is true that the boy was playing while he was in the house at Murphy on April 6, 1956, the fact remains that he was under the control of the accused Consolacion Bravo who left him there, as he could not leave that house until she shall have returned for him. Because of his tender age and the fact that he did not know the way back home, he was then and there in a way deprived of his liberty. It is like putting him in a prison or in an asylum where he may have freedom of locomotion but not the freedom to leave it at will. The same thing can be said of his stay in the house at Tondo, where he was left by her on April 7, 1956." In addition, we may say that because the boy was of tender age and he was warned not to leave until her return by his godmother, he was practically a captive in the sense that he could not leave because of his fear to violate such instruction. (Emphasis supplied.)
Accused-appellant also questions AAA's credibility, pointing out that while AAA claimed to have been taken by force in her Sinumpaang Salaysay,24 she subsequently testified25 in court that she voluntarily went with accused-appellant.26

The Court is not persuaded.

It is oft-repeated that affidavits are usually abbreviated and inaccurate. Oftentimes, an affidavit is incomplete, resulting in its seeming contradiction with the declarant's testimony in court. Generally, the affiant is asked standard questions, coupled with ready suggestions intended to elicit answers, that later turn out not to be wholly descriptive of the series of events as the affiant knows them. Worse, the process of affidavit-taking may sometimes amount to putting words into the affiant's mouth, thus, allowing the whole statement to be taken out of context.27

Discrepancies between the statements of the affiant in his affidavit and those made by him on the witness stand do not necessarily discredit him since ex parte affidavits are generally incomplete.28 Reiterating this principle, the Court, in the recently decided case of People v. Dayaday,29 declared:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
x x x [T]his Court had consistently ruled that the alleged inconsistencies between the testimony of a witness in open court and his sworn statement before the investigators are not fatal defects to justify a reversal of judgment. Such discrepancies do not necessarily discredit the witness since ex parte affidavits are almost always incomplete. A sworn statement or an affidavit does not purport to contain a complete compendium of the details of the event narrated by the affiant. Sworn statements taken ex parte are generally considered to be inferior to the testimony given in open court.

x x x x

The discrepancies in [the witness]'s testimony do not damage the essential integrity of the prosecution's evidence in its material whole. Instead, the discrepancies only erase suspicion that the testimony was rehearsed or concocted. These honest inconsistencies serve to strengthen rather than destroy [the witness]'s credibility.
We also note that the force allegedly employed by the accused­-appellant, as stated in AAA's Sinumpaang Salaysay, referred to the moment accused-appellant made AAA board a tricycle after the latter refused to sign a document from the accused-appel1ant. This obviously took place when they were already outside the school premises. On the other hand, when AAA testified to voluntarily going with accused-appellant, it was in reference to the time accused-appellant came to her classroom to take her. We are, thus, disinclined to conclude that there exists a glaring and irreconcilable inconsistency in AAA's declarations that would completely discredit her testimony.

In any event, the essence of the crime of kidnapping is the actual deprivation of the victim's liberty, coupled with indubitable proof of the intent of the accused to effect the same.30 In this case, AAA has clearly and consistently declared that accused-appellant kept her in Nueva Ecija despite her repeated plea for accused-appellant to bring her home.

In People v. Bisda,31 this Court held:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Appellants must come to grips with case law that testimonies of child victims are given full weight and credit. The testimony of children of sound mind is likewise to be more correct and truthful than that of older persons. In People vs. Alba, this Court ruled that children of sound mind are likely to be more observant of incidents which take place within their view than older persons, and their testimonies are likely more correct in detail than that of older persons. Angela was barely six years old when she testified. Considering her tender years, innocent and guileless, it is incredible that Angela would testify falsely that the appellants took her from the school through threats and detained her in the "dirty house" for five days. In People v. Dela Cruz, this Court also ruled that ample margin of error and understanding should be accorded to young witnesses who, much more than adults, would be gripped with tension due to the novelty and the experience in testifying before the trial court.
Furthermore, the basic rule is that the Supreme Court accords great respect and even finality to the findings of credibility of the trial court, more so if the same were affirmed by the CA, as in this case.32 We find no reason to depart from this rule.

As consistently adhered to by this Court, the matter of assigning values to declarations on the witness stand is best and most competently performed by the trial judge, who had the unmatched opportunity to observe the witnesses and to assess their credibility by the various indicia available but not reflected on the record.33 The trial court has the singular opportunity to observe the witnesses through the different indicators of truthfulness or falsehood, such as the angry flush of an insisted assertion, or the sudden pallor of a discovered lie, or the tremulous mutter of a reluctant answer, or the forthright tone of a ready reply; or the furtive glance, the blush of conscious shame, the hesitation, the sincere, or the flippant or sneering tone, the heat, the calmness, the yawn, the sigh, the candor or lack of it, the scant or full realization of the solemnity of an oath, the carriage and mien.34

Thus, when the credibility of a witness is in issue, the findings of fact of the trial court, its calibration of the testimonies of the witnesses and its assessment of the probative weight thereof, as well as its conclusions anchored on said findings are accorded high respect if not conclusive effect. This is more true if such findings were affirmed by the appellate court, since it is settled that when the trial court's findings have been affirmed by the appellate court, said findings are generally binding upon this Court. Without any clear showing that the trial court and the appellate court overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight and substance, the rule should not be disturbed.35

It bears stressing, too, that no improper motive has been imputed against AAA or her parents in filing the case against accused-appellant. In fact, accused-appellant testified that she was in good terms with AAA's family before the incident and that AAA:s family was, in fact, "on (her) side because of the maltreatment of(her) other in-laws."36

It is settled that where there is no evidence to show any dubious or improper motive why a prosecution witness should bear false witness against the accused or falsely implicate him in a heinous crime, the testimony is worthy of full faith and credit.37

The Court cannot accept accused-appellant's contention that AAA was not deprived of liberty based on the RTC's supposed observation that she gave in to AAA's request to go home after AAA cried. First of all, the RTC's observation38 was prefaced by a statement that accused-appellant "did not want (AAA) to go home," which explains why AAA had been crying. Thus, the RTC's observation reinforces rather than diminishes accused-appellant's culpability for detaining the child against her will. Secondly, a perusal of AAA's testimony, upon which the RTC ostensibly based its observation, showed that accused-appellant did not accede to AAA's request to be returned home; she merely brought the child to her brother's house in Villa Viniegas where she was subsequently arrested by police operatives.39Finally, there is nothing in accused-appellant's testimony that showed her intent to return AAA to her home.

That accused-appellant had no justification whatsoever to detain AAA is undeniable.

AAA's parents had not given their consent for accused-appellant to take and keep their child. This is evident from the fact that they reported accused-appellant's taking of AAA to the police on the same day she was removed from her school.40 It is likewise clear from the plea of AAA's mother, via cellular phone, for accused-appellant to bring AAA home.41 We are, thus, hard-pressed to believe accused-appellant's claim, uncorroborated as it is, that AAA's mother had given her consent for accused-appellant to take her child to Nueva Ecija.

Furthermore, as the CA correctly held, neither the permission given by AAA's teacher nor AAA's supposed agreement to go with accused-appellant, justified AAA's detention.

Besides, AAA was just nine (9) years old at the time of her detention, as evidenced by her Certificate of Live Birth.42 Thus, accused-appellant's claim that AAA voluntarily went with her to Nueva Ecija cannot hold water, as AAA was not in a position to give consent.

Where the victim is a minor, lack of consent is presumed. She is incompetent to assent to seizure and illegal detention. The consent of such child could place accused-appellant in no better position than if the act had been done against her will.43

The Court also notes AAA's testimony that she had been deceived by accused-appellant to go with her. Both on direct and cross-examination, AAA testified that accused-appellant told her that they would be going to the barangay captain as her husband had taken her suitcase, but they did not proceed to the barangay captain and accused-appellant took her instead to Nueva Ecija.44

It has been held that the fact that the victim voluntarily went with the accused did not remove the element of deprivation of liberty, because the victim went with the accused on a false inducement. What is controlling is the act of the accused in detaining the victim against his or her will after the offender is able to take the victim in his custody.45

In this case, the inscrutable fact is that accused-appellant detained AAA despite the latter's repeated plea to be returned home.

Accused-appellant's defense of denial, uncorroborated by testimony or other evidence, cannot be sustained in the face of AAA's categorical and consistent testimony that accused-appellant rejected her pleas to be brought home. Denial is a self-serving negative evidence, which cannot be given greater weight than that of the declaration of a credible witness who testifies on affirmative matters. Like alibi, denial is inherently a weak defense, which cannot prevail over the positive and credible testimonies of prosecution witnesses who, as in this case, were not shown to have any ill-motive to testify against accused-appellant.46

Accused-appellant asserts that while the prosecution attempted to show that she had planned to poison AAA, and that she had made demands for a PhP2 Million ransom and for AAA's father to kill her estranged husband (his sibling) as conditions for AAA's release, the RTC found that such purpose, allegedly heard by AAA from a telephone conversation, had not been sufficiently substantiated, let alone alleged in the Information. She argues that this negates her intent to kidnap or illegally detain the victim.

The argument deserves scant consideration.

Suffice it to state that the charge against accused-appellant was for kidnapping of a minor, committed by taking the victim from her school and detaining her against her will. In kidnapping, the specific intent is to deprive the victim of his/her liberty.47 If the victim is a child, it also includes the intention of the accused to deprive the parents with the custody of the child.48 In this case, the prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that accused-appellant intended to deprive AAA of her liberty, and her parents, with the custody of their daughter.

The Court notes the RTC's finding that while accused-appellant sought to excuse her actions by "her desire to be loved" and "to accomplish some family concerns," her detention of AAA was not justifiable as it already prejudiced a minor.49 Indeed, as the RTC pointed out, despite the alleged closeness of AAA's family to accused-appellant and their relationship by affinity, AAA's family still filed and pursued a serious charge against accused-appellant.50

In fine, considering that the elements of Serious Illegal Detention have been sufficiently established in this case, there is no cogent reason for the Court to reverse accused-appellant's conviction for said offense.

Article 267 of the RPC prescribes the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death for Serious Illegal Detention. Absent any aggravating or modifying circumstance, the RTC, as affirmed by the CA, correctly imposed the penalty of reclusion perpetua, pursuant to Article 6351 of the RPC.52

In line with prevailing jurisprudence,53 the Court reduces the award of moral damages from PhP100,000 to PhP75,000, and directs accused­-appellant to additionally pay AAA a civil indemnity of PhP75,000 and exemplary damages of PhP75,000. The civil indemnity and damages are subject to interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the finality of this Decision until fully paid.

The moral damages awarded by the RTC, as affirmed by the CA, were made payable to AAA through her father because of her minority. Considering that AAA is no longer a minor, the civil indemnity and damages shall be paid directly to AAA.

WHEREFORE, the Court of Appeals' Decision dated February 19, 2013 in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 04598 is AFFIRMED with the following MODIFICATIONS: (a) the award for moral damages is reduced to PhP75,000; (b) accused-appellant is further ordered to pay a civil indemnity of PhP75,000 and exemplary damages of PhP75,000; (c) the civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages so awarded shall be paid by accused-appellant directly to AAA, all with interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the time of finality of this Decision until fully paid.

SO ORDERED.

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Carpio,*Bersamin, and Reyes, Jr., JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


* Designated additional Member per Raffle dated February 6, 2017, vice Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza.

1 Penned by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, and concurred in by Associate Justices Rebecca L. De Guia-Salvador and Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr.; Rollo, pp. 2-8.

2 Penned by Presiding Judge Adelaida Ala-Medina; CA rollo, pp. 7-12.

3 Article 267 of the RPC as amended by Republic Act No. 7659 reads:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Art. 267. Kidnapping and serious illegal detention. - Any private individual who shall kidnap or detain another, or in any other manner deprive him of his liberty, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death.

1. If the kidnapping or detention shall have lasted more than three days.

2. If it shall have been committed simulating public authority.

3. If any serious physical injuries shall have been inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained, or if threats to kill him shall have been made.

4. If the person kidnapped or detained shall be a minor, except when the accused is any of the parents, female or a public officer.

The penalty shall be death where the kidnapping or detention was committed for the purpose of extorting ransom from the victim or any other person, even if none of the circumstances above-mentioned were present in the commission of the offense.

When the victim is killed or dies as a consequence of the detention or is raped, or is subjected to torture or dehumanizing acts, the maximum penalty shall be imposed.
The word "female" in paragraph 1(4) of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code refers to the gender of the victim and not of the offender. (People v. Bisda, G.R. 140895, July 17, 2003.)

4 Known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act."

5 The identity of the victim and any information which could establish or compromise her identity are withheld in keeping with the policy set forth in Republic Act No. 7610 (An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, and for Other Purposes), Republic Act No. 9262 (An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children, Providing for Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor, and for Other Purposes), and Section 40 of A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC, known as the Rule on Violence Against Women and Their Children, effective November 5, 2004, and in view of this Court's pronouncement in People v. Cabalquinto, G.R. No. 167693, September 19, 2006. See People v. De Guzman, G.R. No. 214502, November 25, 2015.

6Rollo, pp. 3-4.

7 Id. at 4.

8Rollo, pp. 4-5.

9 CA rollo, p. 27.

10Rollo, p. 23.

11People v. Pepino, G.R. No. 174471, January 12, 2016.

12Rollo, pp. 6-7; Citing TSN, January 12, 2007, pp. 16-17.

13 Id. at 7; Citing TSN, January 12, 2007, pp. 18-19.

14 Id. at 26-27; Accused-appellant's Supplemental Brief, pp. 4-5.

15Astorga v. People, G.R. No. 154130, October 1, 2003.

16People v. Baluya, G.R. No. 181822, April 13, 2011.

17People v. Bisda, G.R. No. 140895, July 17, 2003.

18 812 F. 2d. 1660 (1987).

19 CA rollo, p. 11.

20 Ibid.

21People v. Baluya, supra, note 16.

22 Id. at 10-11.

23People v. Acosta, G.R. No. L-11954, March 24, 1960.

24 AAA's Sinumpaang Salaysay, in part, states:

2. T - AAA, ana ang nanyari sa iyo noong Marso 2, 2006?

S - Habang nasa school po aka dumating si Tita Zeny (Zenaida V. Manalastas) hinawakan niya aka sa kamay at may pinapipirma sa akin. Hindi ko po pinirmahan at sapilitan niya akong sinakay sa tricycle. Sinabi niya sa akin sandali lang at samahan ko daw siya. At sumakay na kami sa tricycle papuntang ZZZ, YYY. Hindi ko na po naisuot and aking tsinelas dahil sa paghatak niya sa akin.


25 TSN, January 12, 2007, p. 11.

x x x x

Q: Now, AAA, when you were in school and your Tita Zeny came, how did you leave the school AAA?

A: "Kusa po akong sinama niya. Niloko po niya ako."

x x x x

26 Brief for the Accused-Appellant, pp. 5-6; CA rollo, pp. 31-32.

27Kummer v. People, G.R. No. 174461, September 11, 2013.

28 Ibid.

29People v. Dayaday, G.R. No. 213224, January 16, 2017, citing People v. Yanson, G.R. No. 179195, October 3, 2011.

30People v. De Guzman, G.R. No. 214502, November 25, 2015.

31 Supra, note 17, citing People v. Molas, G.R. Nos. 88006-08, March 2, 1998, People v. Alba, G.R. No. 131858, Apri1 14, 1999, and People v. Dela Cruz, G.R. No. 116726, July 28, 1997.

32Kummer v. People, supra, note 27.

33People v. Basao, G.R. No. 189820, October 10, 2012.

34People v. Jacalne, G.R. No. 168552, October 3, 2011.

35People v. Basao, supra, note 33.

36 TSN, August 8, 2008, pp. 6 & 9.

37People v. Gregorio, G.R. No. 194235, June 8, 2016.

38 CA rollo, p. 8.

39 TSN, January 12, 2007, p. 19.

40 Id. at 4; CA rollo, p. 8.

41 Id. at 10.

42Rollo, p. 7.

43People v. Bisda, G.R. No. 140895, July 17, 2003, 406 SCRA 454.

44 TSN, January 12, 2007, pp. 11 & 12; TSN, March 9, 2007, p. 6.

45People v. Siongco, G.R. No. 186472, July 5, 2010; People v. Deduyo, G.R. No. 138456, October 23, 2003.

46People v. Jacalne, supra note 34; People v. Marquez, G.R. No. 181440, April 13, 2011; People v. De Guzman, supra note 30.

47People v. Delim, G.R. No. 142773, January 28, 2003.

48People v. Baluya, supra note 16; People v. Acbangin, G.R. No. 117216, August 9, 2000.

49 CA rollo, p. 11; Citing TSN, August 8, 2008, p. 10.

50Ibid.

51 Article 63. Rules for the application of indivisible penalties.

x x x x

In all cases in which the law prescribes a penalty composed of two indivisible penalties, the following rules shall be observed in the application thereof:

x x x x

2. When there are neither mitigating nor aggravating circumstances and there is no aggravating circumstance, the lesser penalty shall be applied.

x x x x

52People v. Jacalne, supra note 34.

53People v. Jugueta, G.R. No. 202124, April 5, 2016.



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  • G.R. No. 211170, July 03, 2017 - SPOUSES MAXIMO ESPINOZA AND WINIFREDA DE VERA, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES ANTONIO MAYANDOC AND ERLINDA CAYABYAB MAYANDOC, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224395, July 03, 2017 - DISCIPLINARY BOARD, LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE; ATTY. TEOFILO E. GUADIZ, CHAIRMAN; ATTY. NOREEN BERNADETTE SAN LUIS-LUTEY; AND PUTIWAS MALAMBUT, MEMBERS; ATTY. MERCY JANE B. PARAS­-LEYNES, SPECIAL PROSECUTOR; AND ATTY. ROBERTO P. CABRERA III, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, Petitioners, v. MERCEDITA E. GUTIERREZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 213424, July 11, 2017 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA), JANET D. NACION, ANTONIO L. CASTILLO, LEAH S. DAGUIO, VIRGINIA G. DATUKON, ELSA H. RAMOS-MAPILI, CECILIA C. RACIMO, FLORENTINA N. SAGABAEN, IRENE P. SALVANERA, NIMFA VILLAROMAN-SANTOS, TERESITA D. TEVES, AND LILIAN F. VARELA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218384, July 03, 2017 - JOHN L. BORJA AND AUBREY L. BORJA/DONG JUAN, Petitioners, v. RANDY B. MIÑOZA AND ALAINE S. BANDALAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224515, July 03, 2017 - REMEDIOS V. GEÑORGA, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF JULIAN MELITON, REPRESENTED BY ROBERTO MELITON AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, IRENE MELITON, HENRY MELITON, ROBERTO MELITON, HAIDE* MELITON, AND MARIA FE MELITON ESPINOSA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202308, July 05, 2017 - PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Petitioner, v. JUMELITO T. DALMACIO, Respondent.; G.R. No. 202357 - JUMELITO T. DALMACIO, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK AND/OR MS. CYNTHIA JAVIER, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. SB-17-24-P [Formerly A.M. No. 14-12-07-SB], July 11, 2017 - SECURITY AND SHERIFF DIVISION, SANDIGANBAYAN, Complainant, v. RONALD ALLAN GOLE R. CRUZ, SECURITY GUARD I, SECURITY AND SHERIFF DIVISION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 220057, July 12, 2017 - RENE MICHAEL FRENCH, Petitioner, v. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTEENTH DIVISION, CEBU CITY AND MAGDALENA O'DELL, REPRESENTED BY HECTOR P. TEODOSIO AS HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227894, July 05, 2017 - JOSE S. OCAMPO, Petitioner, v. RICARDO S. OCAMPO, SR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212641, July 05, 2017 - ANGELICA A. FAJARDO, Petitioner, v. MARIO J. CORRAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 223513, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALEX AMAR Y MONTANO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 223862, July 10, 2017 - HON. MYLYN P. CAYABYAB, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE MUNICIPAL MAYOR OF LUBAO, PAMPANGA, AND ANGELITO L. DAVID, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE BARANGAY CHAIRMAN OF PRADO SIONGCO, LUBAO, PAMPANGA, REPRESENTED BY THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, EMMANUEL SANTOS, Petitioners, v. JAIME C. DIMSON, REPRESENTED BY HIS ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, CARMELA R. DIMSON AND IRENE R. DIMSON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 216124, July 19, 2017 - RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. FEDERICO A. SERRA, SPOUSES EDUARDO AND HENEDINA ANDUEZA, ATTY. LEOMAR R. LANUZA, MR. JOVITO C. SORIANO, ATTY. EDWIN L. RANA, ATTY. PARIS G. REAL, ATTY. PRUDENCIO B. DENSING, JR., HON. JUDGE MAXIMINO R. ABLES, AND ATTY. ERWIN S. OLIVA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 188057, July 12, 2017 - HILLTOP MARKET FISH VENDORS' ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner, v. HON. BRAULIO YARANON, CITY MAYOR, BAGUIO CITY, HON. GALO WEYGAN, CITY COUNCILOR AND CHAIRMAN ANTI-VICE COORDINATING TASK FORCE, AND THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF BAGUIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 190590, July 12, 2017 - ROBERTO V. SAN JOSE AND DELFIN P. ANGCAO, Petitioners, v. JOSE MA. OZAMIZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 167952, July 05, 2017 - GONZALO PUYAT & SONS, INC., Petitioner, v. RUBEN ALCAIDE (DECEASED), SUBSTITUTED BY GLORIA ALCAIDE, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FARMER­ BENEFICIARIES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225051, July 19, 2017 - DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA), Petitioner, v. BCA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION & AD HOC ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL, COMPOSED OF CHAIRMAN DANILO L. CONCEPCION AND MEMBERS, CUSTODIO O. PARLADE AND ANTONIO P. JAMON, JR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220926, July 05, 2017 - LUIS JUAN L. VIRATA AND UEM-­MARA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (NOW KNOWN AS CAVITEX INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION), Petitioners, v. ALEJANDRO NG WEE, WESTMONT INVESTMENT CORP., ANTHONY T. REYES, SIMEON CUA, VICENTE CUALOPING, HENRY CUALOPING, MARIZA SANTOS­TAN, AND MANUEL ESTRELLA, Respondents.; G.R. No. 221058 - WESTMONT INVESTMENT, CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ALEJANDRO NG WEE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 221109 - MANUEL ESTRELLA, Petitioner, v. ALEJANDRO NG WEE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 221135 - SIMEON CUA, VICENTE CUALOPING, AND HENRY CUALOPING, Petitioners, v. ALEJANDRO NG WEE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 221218 - ANTHONY T. REYES, Petitioner, v. ALEJANDRO NG WEE, LUIS JUAN VIRATA, UEM-MARA PHILIPPINES CORP., WESTMONT INVESTMENT CORP., MARIZA SANTOS-TAN, SIMEON CUA, VICENTE CUALOPING, HENRY CUALOPING, AND MANUEL ESTRELLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 204544, July 03, 2017 - MARLON BACERRA Y TABONES, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209555, July 31, 2017 - UNITED POLYRESINS, INC., ERNESTO UY SOON, JR., AND/OR JULITO UY SOON, Petitioners, v. MARCELINO PINUELA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217982, July 10, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROLLY DIZON Y TAGULAYLAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 208000, July 26, 2017 - VIRGEL DAVE JAPOS, Petitioner, v. FIRST AGRARIAN REFORM MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (FARMCOOP) AND-OR CRISLINO BAGARES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 214340, July 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GILDA ABELLANOSA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 215332, July 24, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARK GAMBA Y NISSORADA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 215029, July 05, 2017 - SUMMIT ONE CONDOMINIUM CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. POLLUTION ADJUDICATION BOARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU - NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204617, July 10, 2017 - ESPERANZA BERBOSO, Petitioner, v. VICTORIA CABRAL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10553, July 05, 2017 - FILIPINAS O. CELEDONIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JAIME F. ESTRABILLO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 223678, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALFREDO GUNSAY Y TOLENTINO, Defendant-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 223138, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RICKY PRIMAVERA Y REMODO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185647, July 26, 2017 - DY TEBAN TRADING, INC., Petitioner, v. PETER C. DY, JOHNNY C. DY AND RAMON C. DY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203902, July 19, 2017 - SPOUSES DIONISIO ESTRADA AND JOVITA R. ESTRADA, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE RABBIT BUS LINES, INC. AND EDUARDO R. SAYLAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 230481, July 26, 2017 - HOEGH FLEET SERVICES PHILS., INC., AND/OR HOEGH FLEET SERVICES AS, Petitioners, v. BERNARDO M. TURALLO, Respondent.; G.R. No. 230500 - BERNARDO M. TURALLO, Petitioner, v. HOEGH FLEET SERVICES PHILS., INC., AND/OR HOEGH FLEET SERVICES AS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218910, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LUTHER SABADO, SATURNINO SABADO Y LOMBOY AND HOSPICIO HARUTA Y MARTINEZ, ACCUSED, LUTHER SABADO Y PANGANGAAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 220889, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARLON BELMONTE Y SUMAGIT, MARVIN BELMONTE Y SUMAGIT, ENRILE GABAY Y DELA TORRE A.K.A "PUNO", AND NOEL BAAC Y BERGULA, Accused, -- MARLON BELMONTE Y SUMAGIT, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 220700, July 10, 2017 - OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN FOR LUZON, Petitioner, v. EUFROCINA CARLOS DIONISIO AND WINIFREDO SALCEDO MOLINA, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 17-03-03-CA, July 11, 2017 - RE: LETTER OF RAFAEL DIMAANO REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF THE ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES PURPORTEDLY PERPETRATED BY ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JANE AURORA C. LANTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, AND A CERTAIN ATTY. DOROTHY S. CAJAYON OF ZAMBOANGA CITY; OCA IPI No. 17-258-CA-J, July 11, 2017 - RE: UNSWORN COMPLAINT OF ROSA ABDULHARAN AGAINST ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JANE AURORA C. LANTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, AND A CERTAIN ATTY. DOROTHY S. CAJAYON OF ZAMBOANGA CITY

  • A.C. No. 8450, July 26, 2017 - SPOUSES FELIX AND FE NAVARRO, Complainants, v. ATTY. MARGARITO G. YGOÑA, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11663, July 31, 2017 - NANETTE B. SISON, REPRESENTED BY DELIA B. SARABIA, Complainant, v. ATTY. SHERDALE M. VALDEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225054, July 17, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. AGAPITO DIMAALA Y ARELA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 6933, July 05, 2017 - GREGORIO V. CAPINPIN, JR., Complainant, v. ATTY. ESTANISLAO L. CESA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 213922, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROMMEL DIPUTADO, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-06-2253 (Formerly A.M. No. 06-9-297-MTC), July 12, 2017 - THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. ELIZABETH R. TENGCO, CLERK OF COURT II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA, Respondent.; A.M. No. P-07-2360 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 06-2427-P), July 12, 2017 - JUDGE ELPIDIO R. CALIS, Complainant, v. ELIZABETH R. TENGCO, CLERK OF COURT II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA, Respondent.; A.M. No. P-13-3157 (Formerly A.M. No. 12-4-30-MTC), July 12, 2017 - THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. ELIZABETH R. TENGCO, FORMER CLERK OF COURT II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, STA. CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 231671, July 25, 2017 - ALEXANDER A. PADILLA, RENE A.V. SAGUISAG, CHRISTIAN S. MONSOD, LORETTA ANN P. ROSALES, RENE B. GOROSPE, AND SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA, Petitioners, v. CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES, CONSISTING OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS REPRESENTED BY SENATE PRESIDENT AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL III, AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS REPRESENTED BY HOUSE SPEAKER PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ, Respondents.; G.R. No. 231694 - FORMER SEN. WIGBERTO E. TAÑADA, BISHOP EMERITUS DEOGRACIAS S. IÑIGUEZ, BISHOP BRODERICK PABILLO, BISHOP ANTONIO R. TOBIAS, MO. ADELAIDA YGRUBAY, SHAMAH BULANGIS AND CASSANDRA D. DELURIA, Petitioners, v. CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES, CONSISTING OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL III, PRESIDENT, SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 201018, July 12, 2017 - UNITED COCONUT CHEMICALS, INC., Petitioner, v. VICTORIANO B. VALMORES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11668, July 17, 2017 - JOY T. SAMONTE, Complainant, v. ATTY. VIVENCIO V. JUMAMIL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227757, July 25, 2017 - REPRESENTATIVE TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT, JR., REPRESENTATIVE EDCEL C. LAGMAN, REPRESENTATIVE RAUL A. DAZA, REPRESENTATIVE EDGAR R. ERICE, REPRESENTATIVE EMMANUEL A. BILLONES, REPRESENTATIVE TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, AND REPRESENTATIVE GARY C. ALEJANO, Petitioners, v. SPEAKER PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ, MAJORITY LEADER RODOLFO C. FARIÑAS, AND REPRESENTATIVE DANILO E. SUAREZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220458, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROSARIO BALADJAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 5161, July 11, 2017 - RE: IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR REINSTATEMENT OF ROLANDO S. TORRES AS A MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE BAR. -- ROLANDO S. TORRES, Petitioner.

  • G.R. No. 207193, July 24, 2017 - ROBLE BARBOSA AND RAMDY BARBOSA, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 215200, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NOMERTO NAPOLES Y BAJAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 1346, July 25, 2017 - PACES INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ATTY. EDGARDO M. SALANDANAN, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-15-1854 [Formerly A.M. No. 14-4-50-MCTC], July 11, 2017 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE BILL D. BUYUCAN AND CLERK OF COURT GERARD N. LINDAWAN, BOTH AT MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, BAGABAG-DIADI, NUEVA VIZCAYA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212616, July 10, 2017 - DISTRIBUTION & CONTROL PRODUCTS, INC./VINCENT M. TIAMSIC, Petitioners, v. JEFFREY E. SANTOS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 220759, July 24, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARMANDO MENDOZA Y POTOLIN A.K.A. "JOJO," Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219649, July 26, 2017 - AL DELA CRUZ, Petitioner, v. CAPT. RENATO OCTAVIANO AND WILMA OCTAVIANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212098, July 26, 2017 - JULIO C. ESPERE, Petitioner, v. NFD INTERNATIONAL MANNING AGENTS, INC./TARGET SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD./CYNTHIA SANCHEZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 181474, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROMALDO LUMAYAG Y DELA CRUZ, DIONY OPINIANO Y VERANO, AND JERRY1 DELA CRUZ Y DIAZ, ACCUSED, DIONY OPINIANO Y VERANO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 228412, July 26, 2017 - ALASKA MILK CORPORATION AND THE ESTATE OF WILFRED UYTENGSU, Petitioners, v. ERNESTO L. PONCE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 228439, 26 July 2017 - ERNESTO L. PONCE, Petitioner, v. ALASKA MILK CORPORATION, ROYAL FRIESLAND CAMPINA (RFC), AS SUCCESSORS-IN-INTEREST AND SOLIDARY DEBTORS WITH THE ESTATE OF WILFRED UYTENGSU, ALASKA MILK WORKERS UNION AND FREDDIE BAUTISTA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206916, July 03, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSEPH SAN JOSE Y GREGORIO AND JONATHAN SAN JOSE Y GREGORIO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 191458, July 03, 2017 - CHINATRUST (PHILS.) COMMERCIAL BANK, Petitioner, v. PHILIP TURNER, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228296, July 26, 2017 - GRIEG PHILIPPINES, INC., GRIEG SHIPPING GROUP AS, AND/OR MANUEL F. ORTIZ, Petitioners, v. MICHAEL JOHN M. GONZALES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198196, July 17, 2017 - SPOUSES LORETO AND MILAGROS SIBAY AND SPOUSES RUEL AND OLGA ELAS, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES BIENVENIDO AND JUANITA BERMUDEZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197526, July 26, 2017 - CE LUZON GEOTHERMAL POWER COMPANY, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 199676-77, July 26, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. CE LUZON GEOTHERMAL POWER COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221424, July 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROBELYN CABANADA Y ROSAURO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219885, July 17, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. AUGUSTO F. GALLANOSA, JR., Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 173120 & 173141, July 26, 2017 - SPOUSES YU HWA PING AND MARY GAW, Petitioners, v. AYALA LAND, INC., Respondent.; G.R. No. 173141, July 26, 2017 - HEIRS OF SPOUSES ANDRES DIAZ AND JOSEFA MIA, Petitioners, v. AYALA LAND, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183408, July 12, 2017 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. LANCASTER PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217345, July 12, 2017 - WILMER O. DE ANDRES, Petitioner, v. DIAMOND H MARINE SERVICES & SHIPPING AGENCY, INC., WU CHUN HUA AND RUBEN J. TURINGAN, Respondents.

  • G.R.. No. 214529, July 12, 2017 - JERRYSUS L. TILAR, Petitioner, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 214300, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. MANUEL ESCOBAR, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11482, July 17, 2017 - JOCELYN IGNACIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. DANIEL T. ALVIAR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 213192, July 12, 2017 - TERESA R. IGNACIO, Petitioner, v. RAMON REYES, FLORENCIO REYES, JR., ROSARIO R. DU AND CARMELITA R. PASTOR, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-16-1883 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 12-2497-MTJ), July 11, 2017 - EMMA G. ALFELOR, Complainant, v. HON. AUGUSTUS C. DIAZ, PRESIDING JUDGE, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 37, QUEZON CITY, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10580, July 12, 2017 - SPOUSES GERALDY AND LILIBETH VICTORY, Complainants, v. ATTY. MARIAN JO S. MERCADO, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 9919, July 19, 2017 - DR. EDUARDO R. ALICIAS, JR. COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. VIVENCIO S. BACLIG, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 7824, July 19, 2017 - ELIEZER F. CASTRO AND BETHULIA C. CASAFRANCISCO, Complainants, v. ATTY. JOHN BIGAY, JR. AND ATTY. JUAN SIAPNO, JR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 196412, July 19, 2017 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. MIGUEL OMENGAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 174670, July 26, 2017 - PHILCONTRUST RESOURCES INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTER-ASIA LAND CORPORATION), Petitioner, v. CARLOS SANTIAGO, LITO PALANGANAN, OLIMPIA ERCE, TAGUMPAY REYES, DOMINGO LUNA, RICARDO DIGO, FRANCIS DIGO, VIRGILIO DIGO, CORAZON DIGO, WILBERT SORTEJAS, ADRIEL SANTIAGO, CARLOS SANTIAGO JR., SEGUNDO BALDONANSA, RODRIGO DIGO, PAULINO MENDOZA, SOFRONIO OLEGARIO, BERNARD MENDOZA, JUN DELPINADO, EDILBERTO CABEL, ERINITO MAGSAEL, HONORIO BOURBON, MAURICIO SENARES, RICARTE DE GUZMAN, MANUEL DE CASTRO, CENON MOSO, JESUS EBDANI, DOMINGO HOLGADO, LETICIA PELLE, REY SELLATORES, EFREN CABRERA, RONNIE DIGO, RENATO OLIMPIAD, RICARDO LAGARDE, ERIC DIGO, ISAGANI SENARES, CANCIANO PAYAD, MELITONA PALANGANAN, VIRGILIO PERENA, EDGARDO PAYAD, WINNIE CABANSAG, WINNIE AVINANTE, AND VALENTINA SANTIAGO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227695, July 31, 2017 - GENPACT SERVICES, INC., AND DANILO SEBASTIAN REYES, Petitioners, v. MARIA KATRINA SANTOS­FALCESO, JANICE ANN* M. MENDOZA, AND JEFFREY S. MARIANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227038, July 31, 2017 - JEFFREY MIGUEL Y REMEGIO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202342, July 19, 2017 - AMA LAND, INC., Petitioner, v. WACK WACK RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208735, July 19, 2017 - BDO UNIBANK, INC. (FORMERLY EQUITABLE PCI BANK), Petitioner, v. NESTOR N. NERBES AND ARMENIA F. SURAVILLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215874, July 05, 2017 - ARLO ALUMINUM, INC., Petitioner, v. VICENTE M. PIÑON, JR., IN BEHALF OF VIC EDWARD PIÑON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218250, July 10, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GIO COSGAFA Y CLAMOCHA, JIMMY SARCEDA Y AGANG, AND ALLAN VIVO Y APLACADOR, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 210129, July 05, 2017 - S/SGT. CORNELIO PAMAN, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224974, July 03, 2017 - MARVIN CRUZ AND FRANCISCO CRUZ, IN HIS CAPACITY AS BONDSMAN, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212814, July 12, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ERNIE CARILLO Y PABELLO ALIAS "NANNY," RONALD ESPIQUE Y LEGASPI ALIAS "BORLOK," RAFAEL SUSADA Y GALURA ALIAS "RAFFY," Accused; ERNIE P. CARILLO AND RONALD L. ESPIQUE, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 207684, July 17, 2017 - PHILTRANCO SERVICE ENTERPRISES, INC., AND/OR JOSE PEPITO ALVAREZ, ARSENIO YAP AND CENTURION SOLANO, Petitioners, v. FRANKLIN CUAL, NOEL PORMENTO, RAMIL TIMOG, WILFREDO PALADO, ROBERTO VILLARAZA, JOSE NERIO ARTISTA, CESAR SANCHEZ, RENERIO MATOCIÑOS, VALENTINO SISCAR, LARRY ACASIO, GERARDO NONATO, JOSE SAFRED, JUAN LUNA, GREGORIO MEDINA, NESTOR ZAGADA, FRANCISCO MIRANDA, LEON MANUEL VILLAFLOR, RODOLFO NOLASCO, REYNALDO PORTES, GERARDO CALINYAO, LUTARDO DAYOLA, VICENTE BALDOS, ROGELIO MEJARES, RENIE SILOS AND SERVANDO PETATE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208013, July 03, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDGAR ALLAN CORPUZ Y FLORES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 208441, July 17, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZENAIDA FABRO OR ZENAIDA MANALASTAS Y VIÑEGAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 221443, July 17, 2017 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DOMINADOR LADRA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219501, July 26, 2017 - POLICE DIRECTOR GENERAL ALAN LA MADRID PURISIMA, Petitioner, v. HON. CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS THE OMBUDSMAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 232413 [Formerly UDK 15419], July 25, 2017 - IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS WITH PETITION FOR RELIEF - INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES PANGASINAN LEGAL AID AND JAY-AR R. SENIN, Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PROVINCIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, AND PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 223610, July 24, 2017 - CONCHITA S. UY, CHRISTINE UY DY, SYLVIA UY SY, JANE UY TAN, JAMES LYNDON S. UY, IRENE S. UY,* ERICSON S. UY, JOHANNA S. UY, AND JEDNATHAN S. UY, Petitioners, v. CRISPULO DEL CASTILLO, SUBSTITUTED BY HIS HEIRS PAULITA MANATAD-DEL CASTILLO, CESAR DEL CASTILLO, AVITO DEL CASTILLO, NILA C. DUEÑAS, NIDA C. LATOSA, LORNA C. BERNARDO, GIL DEL CASTILLO, LIZA C. GUNGOB, ALMA DEL CASTILLO, AND GEMMA DEL CASTILLO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 210615, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ABENIR BRUSOLA Y BARAGWA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 218205, July 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARCIAL D. PULGO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 196888, July 19, 2017 - AURELIA NARCISE, GLORIA A. DELA CRUZ, MARITESS O. GARCIA, PHILIP FALCON, ENRICO M. VITUG, LYNETTE C. PONTRERAS, BONIFACIO BARRAMEDA, RAMON S. MORADA, MANUEL G. VIOLA, ZENAIDA LANUZA, CIRILO G. SALTO, TEODORO DEL ROSARIO, NANCY G. INSIGNE, MELANIE G. VIANA, ROMEO TICSAY, AMY J. FRANCISCO, MARIE J. FRANCISCO, ZENAIDA LANUZA, MIGUELITO B. MARTINEZ, APOLONIO SANTOS, MARIVIC TAN, JANE CLOR DILEMA, VALENTINO DILEMA, JOSE L. PANGAN, ANTONIA M. MANGELEN, IMELDA MANALASTAS, TEODORICO N. ANDRADE, AIDA L. CRUZ, MANUEL YAMBOT, JAIME SERDENA, ARIEL PALACIOS, EVE BOLNEO, LIBETINE MODESTO, MA. AILEEN VERDE, BENNY ILAGAN, MICHELLE ROMANA, DANILO VILLANUEVA, LEO NALUGON, ROSSANA MARASIGAN, NELIE BINAY AND ISABELITA MENDOZA, Petitioners, v. VALBUECO, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217973, July 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FEDERICO GEROLA Y AMAR ALIAS "FIDEL", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 211947, July 03, 2017 - HEIRS OF CAYETANO CASCAYAN, REPRESENTED BY LA PAZ MARTINEZ, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES OLIVER AND EVELYN GUMALLAOI, AND THE MUNICIPAL ENGINEER OF BANGUI, ILOCOS NORTE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220383, July 05, 2017 - SONEDCO WORKERS FREE LABOR UNION (SWOFLU) / RENATO YUDE, MARIANITO REGINO, MANUEL YUMAGUE, FRANCISCO DACUDAG, RUDY ABABAO, DOMINIC SORNITO, SERGIO CAJUYONG, ROMULO LABONETE, GENEROSO GRANADA, EMILIO AGUS, ARNOLD CAYAO, BEN GENEVE, VICTOR MAQUE, RICARDO GOMEZ, RODOLFO GAWAN, JIMMY SULLIVAN, FEDERICO SUMUGAT, JR., ROMULO AVENTURA, JR., JURRY MAGALLANES, HERNAN EPISTOLA, JR., ROBERTO BELARTE, EDMON MONTALVO, TEODORO MAGUAD, DOMINGO TABABA, MAXIMO SALE, CYRUS DIONILLO, LEONARDO JUNSAY, JR., DANILO SAMILLION, MARIANITO BOCATEJA, JUANITO GEBUSION, RICARDO MAYO, RAUL ALIMON, ARNEL ARNAIZ, REBENCY BASOY, JIMMY VICTORIO BERNALDE, RICARDO BOCOL, JR., JOB CALAMBA, WOLFRANDO CALAMBA, RODOLFO CASISID, JR., EDGARDO DELA PENA, ALLAN DIONILLO, EDMUNDO EBIDO, JOSE ELEPTICO, JR., MARCELINO FLORES, HERNANDO FUENTEBILLA, SAUL HITALIA, JOSELITO JAGODILLA, NONITO JAYME, ADJIE JUANILLO, JEROLD JUDILLA, EDILBERTO NACIONAL, SANDY NAVALES, FELIPE NICOLASORA, JOSE PAMALO-AN, ISMAEL PEREZ, JR., ERNESTO RANDO, JR., PHILIP REPULLO, VICENTE RUIZ, JR., JOHN SUMUGAT, CARLO SUSANA, ROMEO TALAPIERO, JR., FERNANDO TRIENTA, FINDY VILLACRUZ, JOEL VILLANUEVA, AND JERRY MONTELIBANO, Petitioners, v. UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATION, SUGAR DIVISION-SOUTHERN NEGROS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (SONEDCO), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224102, July 26, 2017 - RYAN MARIANO Y GARCIA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 193969-193970, July 05, 2017 - KA KUEN CHUA, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE KA KUEN CHUA ARCHITECTURAL, Petitioner, v. COLORITE MARKETING CORPORATION, Respondent.; G.R. Nos. 194027-194028 - COLORITE MARKETING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. KA KUEN CHUA, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE KA KUEN CHUA ARCHITECTURAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197032, July 26, 2017 - SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. PRICE RICHARDSON CORPORATION, CONSUELO VELARDE-ALBERT, AND GORDON RESNICK, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205614, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAIME SEGUNDO Y IGLESIAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 181953, July 25, 2017 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. RURAL BANK OF HERMOSA (BATAAN), INC., Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-16-1886 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 16-2869-MTJ), July 25, 2017 - ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE EXEQUIL L. DAGALA, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, DAPA-SOCORRO, DAPA, SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217453, July 19, 2017 - DENMARK S. VALMORES, Petitioner, v. DR. CRISTINA ACHACOSO, IN HER CAPACITY AS DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND DR. GIOVANNI CABILDO, FACULTY OF THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220835, July 26, 2017 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207765, July 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JULITO DIVINAGRACIA, SR., Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199825, July 26, 2017 - BRO. BERNARD OCA, BRO. DENNIS MAGBANUA, CIRILA N. MOJICA, ALEJANDRO N. MOJICA, JOSEFINA PASCUAL, SILVESTRE PASCUAL AND ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL OF GENERAL TRIAS, CAVITE, INC., Petitioners, v. LAURITA CUSTODIO, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11494, July 24, 2017 - HEIRS OF JUAN DE DIOS E. CARLOS, NAMELY, JENNIFER N. CARLOS, JOCELYN N. CARLOS, JACQUELINE CARLOS­-DOMINGUEZ, JO-ANN CARLOS-­TABUTON, JIMMY N. CARLOS, LORNA A. CARLOS, JERUSHA ANN A. CARLOS AND JAN JOSHUA A. CARLOS, Complainants, v. ATTY. JAIME S. LINSANGAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191657, July 31, 2017 - NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, Petitioner, v. DOMINADOR LAURITO, HERMINIA Z. LAURITO, NIEVES A. LAURITO, NECITAS LAURITO VDA. DE DE LEON, ZENAIDA D. LAURITO, CORNELIA LAURITO VDA. DE MANGA, AGRIPINA T. LAURITO, VITALIANA P. LAURITO, REPRESENTED BY: DOMINADOR LAURITO, Respondents.; HEIRS OF RUFINA MANARIN, NAMELY: CONSUELO M. LOYOLA-­BARUGA, ROSY M. LOYOLA-­GONZALES, BIENVENIDO L. RIVERA, REYNALDO L. RIVERA, ISABELITA A. LOYOLA, LIWAYWAY A. LOYOLA, LOLITA A. LOYOLA, LEANDRO A. LOYOLA, PERLITO L. LOYOLA, GAVINA L. LOYOLA, ZORAIDA L. PURIFICACION, PERLITA L. DIZON, LUCENA R. LOYOLA, ANITA L. REYES, VISITACION L. ZAMORA, CRISTINA L. CARDONA, NOEL P. LOYOLA, ROMEO P. LOYOLA, JR., FERDINAND P. LOYOLA, EDGARDO A. LOYOLA, DIONISA L. BUENA, SALUD L. MAPALAD, CORAZON L. SAMBILLO, VIDAL A. LOYOLA, AND MILAGROS A. LOYOLA, REPRESENTED BY THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT ZOSIMO A. LOYOLA, Petitioner-Intervenors.

  • G.R. No. 222699, July 24, 2017 - MAUNLAD TRANS INC., CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES AND/OR AMADO CASTRO, Petitioners, v. GABRIEL ISIDRO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 230664, July 24, 2017 - EDWARD M. COSUE, Petitioner, v. FERRITZ INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MELISSA TANYA F. GERMINO AND ANTONIO A. FERNANDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209452, July 26, 2017 - GOTESCO PROPERTIES, INC., Petitioner, v. SOLIDBANK CORPORATION (NOW METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228628, July 25, 2017 - REP. REYNALDO V. UMALI, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE JBC, Petitioner, v. THE JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL, CHAIRED BY THE HON. MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO, CHIEF JUSTICE AND EX OFFICIO CHAIRPERSON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206890, July 31, 2017 - EVIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INC., FREE BULKERS S.A. AND/OR MA. VICTORIA C. NICOLAS, Petitioners, v. ROGELIO O. PANAHON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204530, July 26, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Petitioner, v. POTENCIANO A. LARRAZABAL, SR., VICTORIA LARRAZABAL LOCSIN AND BETTY LARRAZABAL MACATUAL, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 231658, July 04, 2017 - REPRESENTATIVES EDCEL C. LAGMAN, TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, GARY C. ALEJAÑO, EMMANUEL A. BILLONES, AND TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT, JR., Petitioners, v. HON. SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; HON. DELFIN N. LORENZANA, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND MARTIAL LAW ADMINISTRATOR; AND GEN. EDUARDO AÑO, CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND MARTIAL LAW IMPLEMENTOR, Respondents.; G.R. No. 231771 - EUFEMIA CAMPOS CULLAMAT, VIRGILIO T. LINCUNA, ATELIANA U. HIJOS, ROLAND A. COBRADO, CARL ANTHONY D. OLALO, ROY JIM BALANGHIG, RENATO REYES, JR., CRISTINA E. PALABAY, AMARYLLIS H. ENRIQUEZ, ACT TEACHERS' REPRESENTATIVE ANTONIO L. TINIO, GABRIELA WOMEN'S PARTY REPRESENTATIVE ARLENE D. BROSAS, KABATAAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE SARAH JANE I. ELAGO, MAE PANER, GABRIELA KRISTA DALENA, ANNA ISABELLE ESTEIN, MARK VINCENT D. LIM, VENCER MARI CRISOSTOMO, JOVITA MONTES, Petitioners, v. PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SALVADOR MEDIALDEA, DEFENSE SECRETARY DELFIN LORENZANA, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES CHIEF OF STAFF LT. GENERAL EDUARDO AÑO, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE DIRECTOR-GENERAL RONALD DELA ROSA, Respondents.; G.R. No. 231774 - NORKAYA S. MOHAMAD, SITTIE NUR DYHANNA S. MOHAMAD, NORAISAH S. SANI, ZAHRIA P. MUTI-MAPANDI, Petitioners, v. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA, DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (DND) SECRETARY DELFIN N. LORENZANA, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) SECRETARY (OFFICER-IN­-CHARGE) CATALINO S. CUY, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) CHIEF OF STAFF GEN. EDUARDO M. AÑO, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) CHIEF DIRECTOR GENERAL RONALD M. DELA ROSA, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER HERMOGENES C. ESPERON, JR., Respondents.