Evid Digests

8/13/2019 Evid Digests

1/26

State Prosecutors vs Muro, 236 SCRA 505

Facts:

The state prosecutors who are members of the !" Pa#e$ of Prosecut%o# f%$e& a comp$a%#t a'a%#strespo#&e#t "u&'e Muro o# the 'rou#& of %'#ora#ce of the $aw, 'rave m%sco#&uct a#& v%o$at%o# of the

prov%s%o#s %# the Co&e of "u&%c%a$ Co#&uct( The case at bar %#vo$ves the prosecut%o# of the )) char'es

a'a%#st *me$&a Marcos %# v%o$at%o# of the Ce#tra$ +a# Fore%'# -.cha#'e Restr%ct%o# %# the Ce#tra$+a# C%rcu$ar /60( The respo#&e#t u&'e &%sm%sse& a$$ )) cases so$e$1 o# the bas%s of the report

pub$%she& from the 2 #ewspapers, wh%ch the u&'e be$%eves to be reputab$e a#& of #at%o#a$ c%rcu$at%o#,

that the Pres( of the Ph%$%pp%#es $%fte& a$$ fore%'# e.cha#'e restr%ct%o#s( The respo#&e#ts &ec%s%o# wasfou#&e& o# h%s be$%ef that the reporte& a##ou#ceme#t of the -.ecut%ve epartme#t %# the #ewspaper %#

effect repea$e& the C+ /60 a#& thereb1 &%veste& the court of %ts ur%s&%ct%o# to further hear the pe#&%#'

case thus motu prop%o &%sm%sse& the case( e further co#te#&s that the a##ou#ceme#t of the Pres%&e#tas pub$%she& %# the #ewspaper has ma&e such fact a pub$%c #ow$e&'e that %s suff%c%e#t for the u&'e to

tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce wh%ch %s &%scret%o#ar1 o# h%s part(

The comp$a%#a#ts co#te#& that the respo#&e#t u&'e erre& %# ta%#' u&%c%a$ #ot%ce o# matters hepurporte& to be a pub$%c #ow$e&'e base& mere$1 o# the accou#t of the #ewspaper pub$%cat%o# that the

Pres( has $%fte& the fore%'# e.cha#'e restr%ct%o#( *t was a$so a# act of %#e.cusab$e %'#ora#t of the $aw

#ot to accor& &ue process to the prosecutors who were a$rea&1 at the sta'e of prese#t%#' ev%&e#cethereb1 &epr%v%#' the 'over#me#t the r%'ht to be hear&( The u&'e a$so e.erc%se& 'rave abuse of

&%scret%o# b1 ta%#' u&%c%a$ #ot%ce o# the pub$%she& stateme#t of the Pres( *# the #ewspaper wh%ch %s a

matter that has #ot 1et bee# off%c%a$$1 %# force a#& effect of the $aw(

*ssue:

4hether or #ot the respo#&e#t u&'e comm%tte& 'rave abuse of &%scret%o# %# ta%#' u&%c%a$ #ot%ce o#

the stateme#t of the pres%&e#t $%ft%#' the fore%'# e.cha#'e restr%ct%o# pub$%she& %# the #ewspaper asbas%s for &%sm%ss%#' the case

Ru$%#':The Supreme Court he$& the respo#&e#t u&'e 'u%$t1 for 'ross %'#ora#ce of the $aw( *t ca##ot

comprehe#& h%s assert%o# that there %s #o #ee& to wa%t for the pub$%cat%o# of the c%rcu$ar #o( )353 wh%ch

%s the bas%s of the Pres%&e#ts a##ou#ceme#t %# the #ewspaper, be$%ev%#' that the pub$%c a##ou#ceme#t%s abso$ute a#& w%thout ua$%f%cat%o# a#& %s %mme&%ate$1 effect%ve a#& such matter becomes a pub$%c

#ow$e&'e wh%ch he ca# tae a u&%c%a$ #ot%ce upo# %# h%s &%scret%o#( *t %s a ma#&ator1 reu%reme#t that

a #ew $aw shou$& be pub$%she& for )5 &a1s %# a #ewspaper of 'e#era$ c%rcu$at%o# before %ts effect%v%t1(4he# the Pres%&e#ts stateme#t was pub$%she& %# the #ewspaper, the respo#&e#t a&m%tte& of #ot hav%#'

see# the off%c%a$ te.t of C+ c%rcu$ar )353 thus %t was premature for h%m to tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce o# th%s

matter wh%ch %s mere$1 base& o# h%s perso#a$ #ow$e&'e a#& %s #ot base& o# the pub$%c #ow$e&'e that

the $aw reu%res for the court to tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce of(

For the court to tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce, three mater%a$ reu%s%tes shou$& be prese#t:

7)8 the matter must be o#e of commo# a#& 'e#era$ #ow$e&'e9

728 %t must be we$$ a#& author%tat%ve$1 sett$e& a#& #ot &oubtfu$ or u#certa%#9

738 %t must be #ow# to be w%th%# the $%m%ts of the ur%s&%ct%o# of the court(


2/26

The fact that shou$& be assume& as u&%c%a$$1 #ow# must be o# such #otor%et1 that such fact ca##ot be

&%spute&( "u&%c%a$ #ot%ce %s #ot u&%c%a$ #ow$e&'e where the perso#a$ #ow$e&'e of the u&'e &oes #ot

amou#t to the u&%c%a$ #ot%ce of the court( The commo# #ow$e&'e co#temp$ate& b1 the $aw where the

court ca# tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce must come from the #ow$e&'e of me# 'e#era$$1 %# the course ofor&%#ar1 e.per%e#ces that are accepte& as true a#& o#e that %#vo$ves u#uest%o#e& &emo#strat%o#( The

court ru$e& that the %#format%o# he obta%#e& from the #ewspaper %s o#e of hearsa1 ev%&e#ce( The u&'e

erre& %# ta%#' co'#%a#t of a $aw that was #ot 1et %# force a#& or&ere& the &%sm%ssa$ of the casew%thout '%v%#' the prosecut%o# the r%'ht to be hear& a#& of &ue process( The court or&ere& for the

&%sm%ssa$ of the u&'e from serv%ce for 'ross %'#ora#ce of the $aw a#& 'rave abuse of &%scret%o# for

&%sm%ss%#' the case motu propr%o a#& for err%#' %# e.erc%s%#' h%s &%scret%o# to tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce o#matters that are hearsa1 a#& 'rou#&$ess w%th a rem%#&er the power to tae u&%c%a$ #ot%ce %s to be

e.erc%se& b1 the courts w%th caut%o# at a$$ t%mes(

P*;AM

Facts:A tota$ ?,000 ba's of $ow &e#s%t1 po$1eth1$e#e 7600 ba's of po$1eth1$e#e 6>) a#& 6,>00 ba's of

po$1eth1$e#e 6>?8 were sh%ppe& from +ato# Rou'e, ;A to Ma#%$a o# boar& SS @%shva ash, a vesse$

be$o#'%#' to the Sh%pp%#' Corporat%o# of *#&%a 7SC*8( From Ma#%$a, the car'oes were sh%ppe& to avaoo# boar& M@ Sweet ;ove, a vesse$ ow#e& b1 Sweet ;%#es( The co#s%'#ee was Far -ast +a# w%th

arr%va$ #ot%ce to Ta'um P$ast%cs, *#c(, Ta'um, avao C%t1( The car'oes were %#sure& b1 Far -ast +a#

w%th the Ph%$%pp%#e Amer%ca#


3/26

Ru$%#':

es( There was a prescr%pt%ve per%o&( 4he# the comp$a%#t was f%$e&, prescr%pt%o# as a# aff%rmat%ve

&efe#se was seaso#ab$1 ra%se& b1 Sweet ;%#es %# %ts a#swer( Thou'h the b%$$s of $a&%#' were #ot

prese#te& %# ev%&e#ce, the SC sa%& that: EAs pet%t%o#ers are su%#' upo# S;*s co#tractua$ ob$%'at%o#u#&er the co#tract of carr%a'e as co#ta%#e& %# the b%$$s of $a&%#', such b%$$s of $a&%#' ca# be cate'or%e&

as act%o#ab$e &ocume#ts wh%ch u#&er the Ru$es must be proper$1 p$ea&e& e%ther as causes of act%o# or

&efe#ses, a#& the 'e#u%#e#ess a#& &ue e.ecut%o# of wh%ch are &eeme& a&m%tte& u#$ess spec%f%ca$$1&e#%e& u#&er oath b1 the a&verse part1( The ru$es o# act%o#ab$e &ocume#ts cover a#& app$1 to both a

cause of act%o# or &efe#se base& o# sa%& &ocume#ts(G *# the%r a#swer, Sweet ;%#es %#c$u&e& the

prescr%pt%ve per%o& u#&er para'raph 5 of the b%$$s of $a&%#'( Ph%$am'e# &%& #ot &e#1 the e.%ste#ce of theb%$$ of $a&%#' u#&er oath( *#stea&, %# %ts rep$1 to the a#swer, Ph%$am'e# asserte& that the b%$$s of $a&%#'

were co#tracts of a&hes%o# a#& that such prov%s%o#s were Eco#trar1 to $aw a#& pub$%c po$%c1G a#& thus,

Sweet ;%#es ca##ot ava%$ of such prescr%pt%ve per%o& as a va$%& &efe#se( The SC sa%& that Ph%$am'e#sfa%$ure to &e#1 u#&er oath the e.%ste#ce of the b%$$s of $a&%#' was ta#tamou#t to a# a&m%ss%o# of %ts

e.%ste#ce, to'ether w%th para'raph 5 co#ta%#%#' the prescr%pt%ve per%o&( Thus, the e.%ste#ce of the

prescr%pt%ve per%o& was &u$1 prove& eve# %f the b%$$s of $a&%#' were #ot prese#te& %# court(

Peop$e of the Ph%$%pp%#es vs( Ma#ue$ +r%oso, 3? SCRA 336

Facts:+efore the court %s a# appea$ of Ma#ue$ +r%oso cha$$e#'%#' the =ovember )6, 200? ec%s%o# of the

Courtof Appea$s %# cr%m%#a$ cases f%#&%#' h%m 'u%$t1 of three cou#ts of ua$%f%e& rape(Accor&%#' to the

v%ct%m, at about 2:30 a(m(, somet%me %# Februar1 2003, the appe$$a#t arr%ve& homefrom f%sh%#'( The%rmother was the# wor%#' %# ;uce#a( The appe$$a#t su&&e#$1 &ra''e& the v%ct%m tothe $ower port%o# of

the%r house a#& there she was force& to $%e &ow#( e the# remove& her shorts a#&pa#t1 the# he a$so

u#&resse& h%mse$f a#& tr%e& to %#sert h%s ma$e or'a# %#to her va'%#a but &%& #otsuccee&( She fe$t the

pa%# whe# the pe#%s touche&, w%th force, her va'%#a( After arou#& f%ve m%#utes,the appe$$a#t cease&tr1%#' a#& threate#e& to %$$ her s%b$%#'s %f she to$& a#1o#e about the %#c%&e#t(After that, appe$$a#t a#&

the v%ct%m &resse& up a#& we#t upsta%rs(That %#c%&e#t was repeate& o#e wee $ater the f%rst %#c%&e#t a#&

o# ecember 5, 2003( These t%mes, theappe$$a#t succee&e& %# %#sert%#' h%s pe#%s %#to her va'%#a( ea'a%# threate#e& to %$$ her a#& hers%b$%#'s( The v%ct%m test%f%e& that she was rape& ma#1 t%mes but

these three were the o#$1 %#c%&e#ts shecou$& remember( The appe$$a#t a&m%tte& that he %s the commo#B

$aw husba#& of the v%ct%ms mother a#& hav%#' se.ua$ %#tercourse w%th the v%ct%m s%#ce Au'ust2003(!# Au'ust 2006, the court re#&ere& u&'me#t f%#&%#' the appe$$a#t 'u%$t1 be1o#& reaso#ab$e

&oubt of attempte& rape %# Cr%m%#a$ Case =o( ;B3>> a#& s%mp$e rape %# Cr%m%#a$ Cases ;B3>5 a#& ;B

3>6(!# appea$, the Court of Appea$s &%sa'ree& w%th the tr%a$ courts co#c$us%o#( !# the co#trar1, the1have fou#& the appe$$a#t 'u%$t1 be1o#& reaso#ab$e &oubt of three cou#ts of ua$%f%e& rape(

Re$1%#' o# the v%ct%ms test%mo#1 o# Cr%m%#a$ Case =o( ;B3>>, that the appe$$a#ts or'a# touche&

herva'%#a a#& that she fe$t pa%#, the CA he$& that thats the f%rst %#c%&e#t of se.ua$ abuse, wh%chwarra#te& a co#v%ct%o# for co#summate& rape(The appea$e& &ec%s%o# &ate& =ovember )6, 200? hereb1

f%#&s that the accuse&Bappe$$a#t %s 'u%$t1 of ua$%f%e& rape %# Cr%m%#a$ Case ;B3>>(

*ssue:

*s Cr%m%#a$ Case =o( ;B3>> co#summate& rape

Ru$%#':

The court a'rees that the v%ct%m has bee# se.ua$$1 abuse& o# three occas%o#s( The appe$$ate courterre&

%# f%#&%#' that the prosecut%o# was ab$e to prove be1o#& reaso#ab$e &oubt that appe$$a#t ha&car#a$


4/26

#ow$e&'e of the v%ct%m &ur%#' the f%rst %#c%&e#t so as to ust%f1 a co#v%ct%o# for co#summate&rape(For

the accuse& to be he$& 'u%$t1 of co#summate& rape, the prosecut%o# must prove be1o#&

reaso#ab$e&oubt that there has bee# car#a$ #ow$e&'e of the v%ct%m b1 the accuse&( *t reu%res the

pe#etrat%o# of the va'%#a of the v%ct%m(S%#ce there was #o show%#' that appe$$a#t succee&e& %# hav%#'car#a$ #ow$e&'e of the v%ct%m,appe$$a#t ca# o#$1 be co#v%cte& of attempte& rape( There %s o#$1 a#

attempte& rape whe# the offe#&ercomme#ces %ts comm%ss%o# &%rect$1 b1 overt acts but &oes #ot

perform a$$ acts of e.ecut%o# wh%chshou$& pro&uce the fe$o#1 b1 reaso# of some cause or acc%&e#tother tha# h%s ow# spo#ta#eous&es%sta#ce(4herefore, the Court of Appea$s ec%s%o# &ate& =ovember

)6, 200? %s aff%rme& w%th mo&%f%cat%o#s(Appe$$a#t Ma#ue$ +r%oso %s fou#& 'u%$t1 of Attempte&

Hua$%f%e& Rape %# Cr%m%#a$ Case =o( ;B3>> a#&two cou#ts of Hua$%f%e& Rape %# Cr%m%#a$ Cases =os(;B3>5 a#& ;B3>6(

Peop$e v( ;ase, 2)/ SCRA 5>

Facts:

Appe$$a#t was co#v%cte& of the mur&er of o#e a#te ue$va( ue$va was ur%#at%#' o# the roa&s%&e

whe# accuse& appe$$a#t stabbe& h%m %# the bac( Th%s was w%t#esse& b1 two peop$e Sa1so# a#&Pa#'at%ho#(

Accuse&Bappe$$a#t %#terpose& the &efe#se of a$%b% a#& re$%e& o# the test%mo#1 of h%s pr%#c%pa$ w%t#essesto support h%s vers%o# that he was somewhere e$se a#& #ot at the sce#e of the cr%me at the t%me of the

%$$%#'(

ur%#' the tr%a$,


5/26

The fa%$ure of prosecut%o# w%t#ess Pa#'a#t%ho# to %mme&%ate$1 report the %#c%&e#t &%& #ot affect h%s

cre&%b%$%t1( %s %#%t%a$ re$ucta#ce e%ther &ue to u#w%$$%#'#ess to be %#vo$ve& %# or &ra''e& %#to cr%m%#a$

%#vest%'at%o#s %s u#&ersta#&ab$e(

Peop$e v(


6/26

*ssue:

*s the photocop1 a&m%ss%b%$e

e$&:Pet%t%o#ers fau$t the CA, a#& #ecessar%$1 the tr%a$ court, o# the matter of the a&m%ss%o# %# ev%&e#ce of

the photocop%es of Pro'ress +%$$%#' =os( )> to )/ a#& the comp$eme#t%#' PM*s a#& the 4@!s(

Accor&%#' to pet%t%o#ers, +F, before be%#' a$$owe& to a&&uce %# ev%&e#ce the photocop%es a&verte& to,ou'ht to have $a%& the bas%s for the prese#tat%o# of the photocop%es as seco#&ar1 ev%&e#ce, co#formab$1

to the best ev%&e#ce ru$e(

Respo#&e#t +F, o# the other ha#&, avers hav%#' comp$%e& w%th the $a1%#'BtheBbas%s reu%reme#t(

efe#&%#' the act%o# of the courts be$ow %# a&m%tt%#' %#to ev%&e#ce the photocop%es of the &ocume#ts

aforeme#t%o#e&, +F e.p$a%#e& that %t cou$& #ot prese#t the or%'%#a$ of the &ocume#ts s%#ce the1 were %#the possess%o# of -SR* wh%ch refuse& to ha#& them over to +F &esp%te reuests( cS-aA

4e a'ree w%th +F( The o#$1 actua$ ru$e that the term Kbest ev%&e#ceK &e#otes %s the ru$e reu%r%#' that

the or%'%#a$ of a wr%t%#' must, as a 'e#era$ propos%t%o#, be pro&uce& )? a#& seco#&ar1 ev%&e#ce of %ts

co#te#ts %s #ot a&m%ss%b$e e.cept where the or%'%#a$ ca##ot be ha&( Ru$e )30, Sect%o# 3 of the Ru$es ofCourt e#u#c%ates the best ev%&e#ce ru$e:

S-C( 3( !r%'%#a$ &ocume#t must be pro&uce&9 e.cept%o#s( L 4he# the subect of %#u%r1 %s theco#te#ts of a &ocume#t, #o ev%&e#ce sha$$ be a&m%ss%b$e other tha# the or%'%#a$ &ocume#t %tse$f, e.cept

%# the fo$$ow%#' cases:

7a8 4he# the or%'%#a$ has bee# $ost or &estro1e&, or ca##ot be pro&uce& %# court, w%thout ba& fa%tho# the part of the offeror9

7b8 4he# the or%'%#a$ %s %# the custo&1 or u#&er the co#tro$ of the part1 a'a%#st whom the ev%&e#ce

%s offere&, a#& the $atter fa%$s to pro&uce %t after reaso#ab$e #ot%ce9 7-mphas%s a&&e&(8

Comp$eme#t%#' the above prov%s%o# %s Sec( 6 of Ru$e )30, wh%ch rea&s:

S-C( 6( 4he# or%'%#a$ &ocume#t %s %# a&verse part1s custo&1 or co#tro$( L *f the &ocume#t %s %#

the custo&1 or u#&er co#tro$ of the a&verse part1, he must have reaso#ab$e #ot%ce to pro&uce %t( *f aftersuch #ot%ce a#& after sat%sfactor1 proof of %ts e.%ste#ce, he fa%$s to pro&uce the &ocume#t, seco#&ar1

ev%&e#ce ma1 be prese#te& as %# the case of $oss(

Seco#&ar1 ev%&e#ce of the co#te#ts of a wr%tte# %#strume#t or &ocume#t refers to ev%&e#ce other tha#

the or%'%#a$ %#strume#t or &ocume#t %tse$f( ) A part1 ma1 prese#t seco#&ar1 ev%&e#ce of the co#te#ts

of a wr%t%#' #ot o#$1 whe# the or%'%#a$ %s $ost or &estro1e&, but a$so whe# %t %s %# the custo&1 or u#&erthe co#tro$ of the a&verse part1( *# e%ther %#sta#ce, however, certa%# e.p$a#at%o#s must be '%ve# before

a part1 ca# resort to seco#&ar1 ev%&e#ce(

Peop$e vs( +er#a$&e, 2/> SCRA 3)?

The court a uo erre& %# '%v%#' we%'ht to the me&%ca$ cert%f%cate %ssue& b1 the e.am%#%#' ph1s%c%a#

&esp%te the fa%$ure of the $atter to test%f1( 4h%$e the cert%f%cate cou$& be a&m%tte& as a# e.cept%o# to thehearsa1 ru$e s%#ce e#tr%es %# off%c%a$ recor&s 7u#&er Sect%o# >>, Ru$e )30, Ru$es of Court8 co#st%tute

e.cept%o#s to the hearsa1 ev%&e#ce ru$e, s%#ce %t %#vo$ve& a# op%#%o# of o#e who must f%rst be

estab$%she& as a# e.pert w%t#ess, %t cou$& #ot be '%ve# we%'ht or cre&%t u#$ess the &octor who %ssue&, %tcou$& #ot be '%ve# we%'ht or cre&%t u#$ess the &octor who %ssue& %t %s prese#te& %# court to show h%s

ua$%f%cat%o#s( 4e p$ace emphas%s o# the &%st%#ct%o# betwee# a&m%ss%b%$%t1 b1 ev%&e#ce a#& the

probat%ve va$ue thereof( -v%&e#ce %s a&m%ss%b$e whe# %t %s re$eva#t to the %ssue a#& %s #ot e.c$u&e& b1


7/26

the $aw or the $aw or the ru$es 7Sect%o# 3, Ru$e )2, Ru$es of Court8 or %s compete#t( S%#ce

a&m%ss%b%$%t1 of ev%&e#ce us &eterm%#e& b1 %ts b1 %ts re$eva#ce a#& compete#ce, a&m%ss%b%$%t1 %s, a#

affa%r of $o'%c a#& $aw( !# the other ha#&, the we%'ht to be '%ve# to such ev%&e#ce, o#ce a&m%tte&,

&epe#&s o# u&%c%a$ eva$uat%o# w%th%# the 'u%&e$%#es prov%&e& %# Ru$e )33 a#& the ur%spru&e#ce $a%&&ow# w%th the Court( thus, wh%$e ev%&e#ce ma1 be a&m%ss%b$e, %t ma1 be e#t%t$e& to or #o we%'ht at a$$(

Co#verse$1, ev%&e#ce wh%ch ma1 have ev%&e#t%ar1 we%'ht ma1 be %#a&m%ss%b$e because a spec%a$ ru$e

forb%&s %ts recept%o# 7Re'a$a&o, Reme&%a$ ;aw Compe#&%um, @o$( **, )// e&(, p( 5508(

;RTA vs( =A@*A, 3/? SCRA ?5Facts:

=%ca#or =av%&a&, the# &ru#, e#tere& the -SA ;RT stat%o# after purchas%#' a Etoe#G 7represe#t%#'

pa1me#t of the fare8( 4h%$e =av%&a& was sta#&%#' o# the p$atform #ear the ;RT tracs, "u#e$%to-scart%#, the secur%t1 'uar& ass%'#e& to the area approache& h%m( A m%su#&ersta#&%#' or a# a$tercat%o#

betwee# the two appare#t$1 e#sue& that $e& to a f%st f%'ht( =o ev%&e#ce, however, was a&&uce& to

%#&%cate how the f%'ht starte& or who, betwee# the two, &e$%vere& the f%rst b$ow or how =av%&a& $ater

fe$$ o# the ;RT tracs( At the e.act mome#t that =av%&a& fe$$, a# ;RT tra%#, operate& b1 pet%t%o#erRo&o$fo Roma#, was com%#' %#( =av%&a& was struc b1 the mov%#' tra%#, a#& he was %$$e&

%#sta#ta#eous$1( The w%&ow of =%ca#or, Maror%e =av%&a&, a$o#' w%th her ch%$&re#, f%$e& a comp$a%#t

for &ama'es a'a%#st "u#e$%to -scart%#, Ro&o$fo Roma#, the ;RTA, the Metro Tra#s%t !r'a#%at%o#, *#c(7Metro Tra#s%t8, a#& Pru&e#t for the &eath of her husba#&( Tr%a$ court ru$e& %# favor =av%&a&s w%fe a#&

a'a%#st the &efe#&a#ts Pru&e#t Secur%t1 a#& "u#e$%to -scart%# ( ;RTA a#& Ro&o$fo Roma# were

&%sm%sse& for $ac of mer%t( CA he$& ;RTA a#& Roma# $%ab$e, he#ce the pet%t%o#(

*ssue:

4hether or #ot there was a perfecte& co#tract of carr%a'e betwee# =av%&a& a#& ;RTA

e$&:

AFF*RM- w%th M!*F*CAT*!= but o#$1 %# that 7a8 the awar& of #om%#a$ &ama'es %s -;-T-

a#& 7b8 pet%t%o#er Ro&o$fo Roma# %s abso$ve& from $%ab%$%t1

Co#tract of carr%a'e was &eeme& create& from the mome#t =av%&a& pa%& the fare at the ;RT stat%o# a#&

e#tere& the prem%ses of the $atter, e#t%t$%#' =av%&a& to a$$ the r%'hts a#& protect%o# u#&er a co#tractua$re$at%o#( The appe$$ate court ha& correct$1 he$& ;RTA a#& Roma# $%ab$e for the &eath of =av%&a& %#

fa%$%#' to e.erc%se

Peop$e v( e


8/26

that SCRA )6?

The r%'ht a'a%#st se$fB%#cr%m%#at%o# %s s%mp$1 a proh%b%t%o# a'a%#st $e'a$ process to e.tract from the

accuse&s ow# $%ps, a'a%#st h%s %$$, a&m%ss%o# of h%s 'u%$t( *t &oes =!T app$1 whe# the ev%&e#ce sou'ht

%s =!T a# %#cr%m%#at%#' stateme#t but a# obect ev%&e#ce9 M%ra#&a r%'hts Ncovers o#$1 %#a&m%ss%b%$%t1 of e.trau&%c%a$ co#fess%o# or a&m%ss%o# ma&e &ur%#' custo&%a$

%#vest%'at%o#9 other ev%&e#ce 7$%e *s, wa$$et, e1s, etc8 %s #ot affecte& eve# %f obta%#e& or tae# %# the

course of custo&%a$ %#vest%'at%o#(


9/26

P-!P;- vs( SA;!M!=,

Facts:

The #ove$ &efe#se %# th%s prosecut%o# for rape %s that the ph1s%ca$ ev%&e#ce of the comp$a%#a#tsv%o$at%o# was cause& #ot b1 the ma$e or'a# but b1 the f%ve f%#'ers of o#e of the appe$$a#ts that were

thrust %#to her va'%#a %# a#'er a#& #ot $ust( The &efe#se fau$ts the tr%a$ u&'e for '%v%#' cre&e#ce to the

comp$a%#a#t( *t avers that her test%mo#1 shou$& #ot have bee# accepte& at a$$ because she %s a&m%tte&$1a me#ta$ retar&ate a#& therefore u#re$%ab$e per se(

S1$v%a Sor%a, a 20B1ear o$& me#ta$ retar&ate, was wa$%#' a$o#' the Mahar$%a %'hwa1 at Casabaha#,


10/26

*# the case before us, the tr%a$ court #ote& that a$thou'h S1$v%as speech was s$urre& a#& %t was

#ecessar1 at t%mes to as her $ea&%#' uest%o#s, Kher test%mo#1 was pos%t%ve, c$ear, p$a%#, cohere#t a#&

cre&%b$e(K er me#ta$ co#&%t%o# &%& #ot v%t%ate her cre&%b%$%t1( 4e a$so be$%eve, as we have observe&

ofte# e#ou'h %# ma#1 cases that a woma# w%$$ #ot e.pose herse$f to the hum%$%at%o# of a rape tra%$, w%th%ts atte#&a#t pub$%c%t1 a#& the morb%& cur%os%t1 %t w%$$ arouse, u#$ess she has bee# tru$1 wro#'e& a#&

sees ato#eme#t for her abuse(

4-R-F!R-, the appea$ %s *SM*SS-( The &ec%s%o# of the tr%a$ court %s AFF*RM-, e.cept for

the awar& of mora$, e.emp$ar1, a#& actua$ &ama'es a#& attor#e1s fees, wh%ch were &%sa$$owe&( The

c%v%$ %#&em#%t1 %s reta%#e& at P30,000(00( Costs a'a%#st the appe$$a#ts(

S! !R-R-(

STA=;- "( F!RT*C vs( C!RT !F APP-A;S

Facts:

For over f%ve 1ears s%#ce Au'ust )/?3, pet%t%o#er Sta#$e1 "( Fort%ch was emp$o1e& as a# area sa$esma#

of the soft &r%#s &%v%s%o# of the Sa# M%'ue$ Corporat%o# %# %po$o' C%t1, a ob wh%ch reu%re& h%m toco$$ect var%ous sums of mo#e1 from the reta%$ers a#& bu1ers of the compa#1 a$o#' h%s &es%'#ate& route(

Pet%t%o#er rece%ve& a Memora#&um or&er%#' h%m to stop p$1%#' h%s route a#& co$$ect%#' the sums owe&b1 customers to the compa#1 for the state& reaso# of h%s a$$e'e& K=!=*SSA=C- 7S*C8 !F -*T-R

CA=


11/26

a#& eve# 'o%#' to the e.te#t of e.pos%#' %# pub$%c the a$$e'e& v%ces of the p$a%#t%ff such as maho#'

a#& cocf%'ht%#'(

OThe &efe#&a#t %s 'u%$t1 of 'ross ba& fa%th a#& ma$%ce %# the h%'hest &e'ree for ma%#' a#& pub$%sh%#'a fa$se, a#& $%be$ous report for the purpose of putt%#' &ow# the 'oo& #ame a#& reputat%o# of the

p$a%#t%ff a#& h%s fam%$1(

*ssue:

Ca# these memora#&a be co#s%&ere& as ev%&e#ce

Ru$%':

Ma$%ce e.%sts whe# there %s a# %#te#t%o#a$ &o%#' of a wro#'fu$ act w%thout ust cause( A# %mputat%o# %s

$e'a$$1 ma$%c%ous %f &o#e w%thout a#1 reaso# that wou$& ust%f1 a #orma$$1 co#sc%e#t%ous ma# %# soma%#' the %mputat%o#(O)) 4h%$e the $aw presumes ever1 &efamator1 %mputat%o# to be ma$%c%ous, there

are e.cept%o#s to th%s ru$e( The recor& %#&%cates that th%s case fa$$s u#&er the sett$e& e.cept%o#s to the

ru$e: the pr%vate respo#&e#ts %#terBoff%ce memora#&um fa$$s w%th%# the amb%t of pr%v%$e'e&

commu#%cat%o# ru$e(

A pr%v%$e'e& commu#%cat%o# %s o#e ma&e bo#a f%&e upo# a#1 subect matter %# wh%ch the part1

commu#%cat%#' has a# %#terest, or %# refere#ce to wh%ch he has a &ut1(O)2 %scuss%#' the scope of th%sru$e, former Ch%ef "ust%ce Fer#a#&o, %# Merca&o v( CF* of R%a$,O)3 e.p$a%#e& that:

. . .( -ve# whe# the stateme#ts are fou#& to be fa$se, %f there %s probab$e cause for be$%ef %# the%rtruthfu$#ess a#& the char'e %s ma&e %# 'oo& fa%th, the ma#t$e of pr%v%$e'e ma1 st%$$ cover the m%stae of

the %#&%v%&ua$( +ut the stateme#ts must be ma&e u#&er a# ho#est se#se of &ut19 . . .(

*# the %#sta#t case, %t %s we$$Bworth stress%#' that the pr%vate respo#&e#t was, as the %str%ct Sa$esSuperv%sor of the corporat%o#s %po$o' off%ce, the %mme&%ate superv%sor of pet%t%o#er( *# th%s capac%t1,

respo#&e#t was char'e& w%th the &ut1 to carr1 out a#& e#force compa#1 ru$es a#& po$%c%es, %#c$u&%#'

the &ut1 to u#&ertae %#%t%a$ %#vest%'at%o# of poss%b$e %rre'u$ar%t%es %# customer accou#ts %# or&er tosu''est further act%o# wh%ch cou$& be tae# b1 the compa#1( *# fact, the commu#%cat%o#s %#%t%a$$1

subm%tte& b1 the pr%vate respo#&e#t to h%s super%ors prompte& the %#vest%'at%o# wh%ch eve#tua$$1 $e& to

pet%t%o#ers preve#t%ve suspe#s%o# a#& to the &ec%s%o# b1 the compa#1s proper off%cers to term%#ate the$atters emp$o1me#t( *# ma%#' h%s ear$%er recomme#&at%o#, the pr%vate respo#&e#t re$%e& o# the

aff%&av%ts subm%tte& b1 at $east three of the compa#1s c$%e#ts 7a$$ attest%#' to %rre'u$ar%t%es8O)> a#& h%s

%#%t%a$ thou'h 1etBu#substa#t%ate& f%#&%#'s that respo#&e#t was a# Kav%& maho#' p$a1er a#& acocf%'ht e#thus%ast(K That the aff%&av%ts were subseue#t$1 fou#& to have bee# 'athere& b1 the pr%vate

respo#&e#t h%mse$f &%& #ot &%m%#%sh the%r ua$%t1( *#vest%'at%o# #ecessar%$1 %#c$u&es the 'ather%#' a#&

so$%c%tat%o# of %#format%o#(

-ve# 'ra#t%#' that the uest%o#e& memora#&um B part%cu$ar$1 the above uote& para'raph B co#ta%#s

stateme#ts wh%ch cou$& be s$a#&erous a#& therefore act%o#ab$e were the1 #ot protecte& b1 the ru$e o#

pr%v%$e'e& commu#%cat%o#s, st%$$ as #o ma$%ce was show#, we a'ree w%th the respo#&e#t courtsco#c$us%o# that the assa%$e& memora#&um report was a# off%c%a$ act &o#e %# 'oo& fa%th, a# ho#est

%##oce#t stateme#t ar%s%#' from a mora$ a#& $e'a$ ob$%'at%o# wh%ch the pr%vate respo#&e#t certa%#$1

owe& to the compa#1 %# the performa#ce of h%s &ut%es( The op%#%o# wh%ch the pr%vate respo#&e#te.presse& %# the &%schar'e of h%s &ut1 m%'ht have s%rte& the bou#&ar1 wh%ch usua$$1 separates

%##oce#t op%#%o# from act%o#ab$e &efamat%o#( Para&o.%ca$$1, however, %f he &%& #ot haar& the

war#%#', thou'h %t m%'ht have subseue#t$1 tur#e& out to be a rec$ess o#e, he wou$& have bee# rem%ss


12/26

%# h%s respo#s%b%$%t%es to the compa#1( The ru$e o# pr%v%$e'e& commu#%cat%o#s a$$ows the $at%tu&e of

e.press%o# embo&%e& %# the pr%vate respo#&e#ts seco#& memora#&um(

4-R-F!R-, there be%#' #o revers%b$e error %# the &ec%s%o# sou'ht to be rev%ewe&, the pet%t%o# %shereb1 -=*-(

S! !R-R-(


13/26

F-;*C*A=! +(


14/26

There %s #o ru$e reu%r%#' the prosecut%o# to estab$%sh a co#sp%rac1 %# or&er to perm%t a w%t#ess to

test%f1 what o#e or a$$ of severa$ accuse& perso#s &%&9 a#& ev%&e#ce a&&uce& b1 coco#sp%rators as

w%t#esses, wh%ch %s &%rect ev%&e#ce of the facts to wh%ch the1 test%f1, %s #ot w%th%# the ru$e reu%r%#' a

co#sp%rac1 to be show# as a prereu%s%te to %ts a&m%ss%b%$%t1( ((( 722 C( "( S( )2/39 see a$so 2 4hartoo#sCr%m%#a$ -v%&e#ce, ))/9 co. a#& others v( State, Te. Cr( App( 25>, 303, 3> Am( Rep( ?>69 4h%te v(

State, 60 Te.( Cr( R( 55/, )32, S( 4( O2& 5)9 +a##%ster v( State, ))2 Te.( Cr( R( )5, )5 S( 4( O2&

62/9 +$a#& v( State, / S( 4( O2& //6, //(8

;et the wr%t of ma#&ate be %ssue& as pra1e& for b1 the pet%t%o#er, w%th costs( So or&ere&(


15/26

"*M-=-D vs( =AT*!=A; ;A+!R R-;AT*!=S C!MM*SS*!=(

Facts:

!# "u#e 2/, )//0, here%# pr%vate respo#&e#ts Pe&ro a#& Fre&e$%to "ua#atas, father a#& so#, f%$e& a c$a%mfor u#pa%& wa'esQcomm%ss%o#s, separat%o# pa1 a#& &ama'es a'a%#st "" s Truc%#' a#&Qor r( +er#ar&o

"%me#e( Sa%& respo#&e#ts, as comp$a%#a#ts there%#, a$$e'e& that %# ecember, )/?, the1 were h%re& b1

here%# pet%t%o#er +er#ar&o "%me#e as &r%ver mecha#%c a#& he$per, respect%ve$1, %# h%s truc%#' f%rm, ""Truc%#'( The1 were ass%'#e& to a te#Bwhee$er truc to hau$ soft &r%#s of CocaBCo$a +ott$%#'

Compa#1 a#& pa%& o# comm%ss%o# bas%s, %#%t%a$$1 f%.e& at )? but $ater %#crease& to 20 %# )/(

Pr%vate respo#&e#ts further a$$e'e& that for the 1ears )/ a#& )// the1 rece%ve& o#$1 a part%a$

comm%ss%o# of P>,000(00 from pet%t%o#ers tota$ 'ross %#come of a$most P),000,000(00 for the sa%&

two 1ears( Co#seue#t$1, w%th the%r comm%ss%o# for that per%o& be%#' compute& at 20 of sa%& %#come,there was a# u#pa%& ba$a#ce to them of P)06,2))(69 that u#t%$ March, )//0 whe# the%r serv%ces were

%$$e'a$$1 term%#ate&, the1 were further e#t%t$e& to P)5,050(30/ wh%ch, e.c$u&%#' the part%a$ pa1me#t of

P?,000(00, a&&e& up to a 'ra#& tota$ of P))>,26)(6 &ue a#& pa1ab$e to them9 a#& that pet%t%o#ers

refusa$ to pa1 the%r aforestate& comm%ss%o# was a p$o1 to u#ust$1 term%#ate them(

%sput%#' the comp$a%#t, pet%t%o#ers co#te#& that respo#&e#t Fre&e$%to "ua#atas was #ot a# emp$o1ee of

the f%rm but was mere$1 a he$per of h%s father Pe&ro9 that a$$ comm%ss%o#s for )/ a#& )//, as we$$ asthose up to March, )//0, were &u$1 pa%&9 a#& that the truc &r%ve# b1 respo#&e#t Pe&ro "ua#atas was

so$& to o#e 4%#sto# F$ores %# )//) a#&, therefore, pr%vate respo#&e#ts were #ot %$$e'a$$1 &%sm%sse&(

Ru$%#':

!# the f%rst %ssue, we f%#& #o reaso# to &%sturb the f%#&%#'s of respo#&e#t =;RC that the e#t%re amou#t

of comm%ss%o#s was #ot pa%&, th%s b1 reaso# of the ev%&e#t fa%$ure of here%# pet%t%o#ers to prese#t

ev%&e#ce thatfu$$ pa1me#t thereof has bee# ma&e( *t %s a bas%c ru$e %# ev%&e#ce that each part1 mustprove h%s aff%rmat%ve a$$e'at%o#s( S%#ce the bur&e# of ev%&e#ce $%es w%th the part1 who asserts a#

aff%rmat%ve a$$e'at%o#, the p$a%#t%ff or comp$a%#a#t has to prove h%s aff%rmat%ve a$$e'at%o#, %# the

comp$a%#t a#& the &efe#&a#t or respo#&e#t has to prove the aff%rmat%ve a$$e'at%o#s %# h%s aff%rmat%ve&efe#ses a#& cou#terc$a%m( Co#s%&er%#' that pet%t%o#ers here%# assert that the &%spute& comm%ss%o#s

have bee# pa%&, the1 have the bou#&e# &ut1 to prove that fact(

As a 'e#era$ ru$e, o#e who p$ea&s pa1me#t has the bur&e# of prov%#' %t(/ -ve# where the p$a%#t%ff must

a$$e'e #o#Bpa1me#t, the 'e#era$ ru$e %s that the bur&e# rests o# the &efe#&a#t to prove pa1me#t, rather

tha# o# the p$a%#t%ff to prove #o#Bpa1me#t()0 The &ebtor has the bur&e# of show%#' w%th $e'a$certa%#t1 that the ob$%'at%o# has bee# &%schar'e& b1 pa1me#t())

4he# the e.%ste#ce of a &ebt %s fu$$1 estab$%she& b1 the ev%&e#ce co#ta%#e& %# the recor&, the bur&e# of

prov%#' that %t has bee# e.t%#'u%she& b1 pa1me#t &evo$ves upo# the &ebtor who offers such a &efe#seto the c$a%m of the cre&%tor()2 4here the &ebtor %#tro&uces some ev%&e#ce of pa1me#t, the bur&e# of

'o%#' forwar& w%th the ev%&e#ce B as &%st%#ct from the 'e#era$ bur&e# of proof B sh%fts to the cre&%tor,

who %s the# u#&er a &ut1 of pro&uc%#' some ev%&e#ce to show #o#Bpa1me#t()3

*# the %#sta#t case, the r%'ht of respo#&e#t Pe&ro "ua#atas to be pa%& a comm%ss%o# eu%va$e#t to )?,

$ater %#crease& to 20, of the 'ross %#come %s #ot &%spute& b1 pet%t%o#ers( A$thou'h pr%vate respo#&e#tsa&m%t rece%pt of part%a$ pa1me#t, pet%t%o#ers st%$$ have to prese#t proof of fu$$ pa1me#t( 4here the

&efe#&a#t sue& for a &ebt a&m%ts that the &ebt was or%'%#a$$1 owe&, a#& p$ea&s pa1me#t %# who$e or %#

part, %t %s %#cumbe#t upo# h%m to prove such pa1me#t( That a p$a%#t%ff a&m%ts that some pa1me#ts have


16/26

bee# ma&e &oes #ot cha#'e the bur&e# of proof( The &efe#&a#t st%$$ has the bur&e# of estab$%sh%#'

pa1me#ts be1o#& those a&m%tte& b1 p$a%#t%ff()>

The test%mo#1 of pet%t%o#ers wh%ch mere$1 &e#%e& the c$a%m of pr%vate respo#&e#ts, u#supporte& b1&ocume#tar1 ev%&e#ce, %s #ot suff%c%e#t to estab$%sh pa1me#t( A$thou'h pet%t%o#ers subm%tte& a

#oteboo show%#' the a$$e'e& va$es of pr%vate respo#&e#ts for the 1ear )//0,)5 the same %s

%#a&m%ss%b$e a#& ca##ot be '%ve# probat%ve va$ue co#s%&er%#' that %t %s #ot proper$1 accomp$%she&, %su#&ate& a#& u#s%'#e&, a#& %s thus u#certa%# as to %ts or%'%# a#& authe#t%c%t1()6

The pos%t%ve test%mo#1 of a cre&%tor ma1 be suff%c%e#t of %tse$f to show #o#Bpa1me#t, eve# whe# met b1%#&ef%#%te test%mo#1 of the &ebtor( S%m%$ar$1, the test%mo#1 of the &ebtor ma1 a$so be suff%c%e#t to show

pa1me#t, but, where h%s test%mo#1 %s co#tra&%cte& b1 the other part1 or b1 a &%s%#tereste& w%t#ess, the

%ssue ma1 be &eterm%#e& a'a%#st the &ebtor s%#ce he has the bur&e# of proof( The test%mo#1 of the&ebtor creat%#' mere$1 a# %#fere#ce of pa1me#t w%$$ #ot be re'ar&e& as co#c$us%ve o# that %ssue()?

e#ce, for fa%$ure to prese#t ev%&e#ce to prove pa1me#t, pet%t%o#ers &efau$te& %# the%r &efe#se a#& %#

effect a&m%tte& the a$$e'at%o#s of pr%vate respo#&e#ts(

4-R-F!R-, the u&'me#t of respo#&e#t =at%o#a$ ;abor Re$at%o#s Comm%ss%o# %s hereb1AFF*RM-, w%th the M!*F*CAT*!= that para'raph ) thereof, &ec$ar%#' Fre&e$%to "ua#atas a#

emp$o1ee of pet%t%o#ers a#& e#t%t$e& to share %# the awar& for comm%ss%o# a#& separat%o# pa1, %s hereb1

-;-T-(

S! !R-R-(


17/26

P-!P;- !F T- P*;*PP*=-S vs( -=R SA;@-R!=

Facts:

To better u#&ersta#& the a#tece&e#ts of th%s case, we 'o bac to Ma1 22, )/), whe#


18/26

'u%$t1 as char'e&( *# a we$$Bwr%tte# &ec%s%o#, he se#te#ce& Sa$vero# to suffer the pe#a$t1 of rec$us%o#

perpetua a#& a$$ accessor1 pe#a$t%es, to %#&em#%f1 the v%ct%ms he%r %# the sum of P50,000(00 a#& to pa1

the costs(

Ru$%#':

The fact that


19/26

P-!P;- !F T- P*;*PP*=-S vs( -TR!P*! T*!D!=

Facts:

That o# or about the 2>th &a1 of Februar1 )// %# Ja$ooa# C%t1, Metro Ma#%$a a#& w%th%# theur%s&%ct%o# of th%s o#orab$e Court, the aboveB#ame& accuse&, w%thout a#1 $awfu$ mot%ve or purpose,

&%& the# a#& there w%$fu$$1, u#$awfu$$1 a#& fe$o#%ous$1 have %# h%s possess%o#, custo&1 a#& co#tro$ o#e (

3 ca$( revo$ver, mare& Su%res +%#'ham w%th S= )0)6/ w%th three $%ve ammu#%t%o#s w%thoutauthor%t1 of $aw, wh%ch f%rearm was use& w%th treacher1 a#& ev%&e#t preme&%tat%o# %# shoot%#' o#e

;eo#ar&o +o$%ma 1 Mes%a, wh%ch cause& &eath(

Accuse&Bappe$$a#t p$ea&e& #ot 'u%$t1 whe# arra%'#e& o# )5 March )//( PreBtr%a$ was co#&ucte& a#&

thereafter the tr%a$ court rece%ve& the ev%&e#ce for the part%es(

*# ho$&%#' the accuse&Bappe$$a#t 'u%$t1 as aboveBstate&, the court a uo re$%e& o# c%rcumsta#t%a$

ev%&e#ce because the prosecut%o# fa%$e& to prese#t a# e1ew%t#ess who cou$& '%ve a# accou#t as to the

actua$ shoot%#' %#c%&e#t( *t co#s%&ere& the fo$$ow%#' c%rcumsta#ces wh%ch %t &eeme& suff%c%e#t to

co#v%ct the accuse&Bappe$$a#t pursua#t to Ru$e )33, Sect%o# 5, of the Rev%se& Ru$es of Court:

4h%$e there %s #o e1ew%t#ess who test%f%e& to hav%#' see# accuse& shoot 7s%c8 the v%ct%m, 1et a$$ the

fore'o%#' c%rcumsta#ces meet the cr%ter%a set b1 Sec( 5, Ru$e )33 of the Rev%se& Ru$es of Court, asame#&e&, a#& therefore po%#ts 7s%c8 to the accuse& as the perso# who u#$awfu$$1 ow#s the fata$ 'u# as

we$$ as the same perso# who shoot 7s%c8 to &eath the v%ct%m( KC%rcumsta#t%a$ 7s%c8 ev%&e#ce %s

a&m%ss%b$e %# the abse#ce of a# e1ew%t#ess to the comm%ss%o# of the cr%meK 7Peop$e vs( A$bofera, )52SCRA )25 O)/38(

Ru$%#':

The Court &oes #ot '%ve cre&e#ce to the &e#%a$ of the accuse& that he was #ot the o#e who shoot 7s%c8the v%ct%m as he was some &%sta#ce awa1 from the v%ct%m a#swer%#' the ca$$ of #ature whe# the v%ct%m

was %$$e&( *#stea&, the Court '%ves cre&e#ce to the test%mo#1 of the w%&ow that %t was the accuse&

whom he saw %# possess%o# of the 'u#, that %t was the accuse& who was the $ast perso# see# %# thecompa#1 of the v%ct%m short$1 before the $atter &%e& a#& %t was the same accuse& who $ea& 7s%c8 the

po$%ceme# %# retr%ev%#' the fata$ 'u#(

4e are #ow ca$$e& upo# to &eterm%#e whether, o# the bas%s of the ev%&e#ce a&&uce&, the u&'me#t

appea$e& from shou$& be aff%rme& or the accuse&Bappe$$a#t be acu%tte&(

4e sha$$ f%rst focus our atte#t%o# o# the $aw u#&er wh%ch accuse&Bappe$$a#t %s %#&%cte&(

Sect%o# ) of P(( =o( )66 %mposes the pe#a$t1 of rec$us%o# tempora$ %# %ts ma.%mum per%o& to

rec$us%o# perpetua Kupo# a#1 perso# who sha$$ u#$awfu$$1 ma#ufacture, &ea$ %#, acu%re, &%spose orpossess a#1 f%rearm, part of f%rearm, ammu#%t%o# or mach%#er1, too$ or %#strume#t use& or %#te#&e& to

be use& %# the ma#ufacture of a#1 f%rearm or ammu#%t%o#(K *t 'oes further b1 prov%&%#' that K%f

hom%c%&e or mur&er %s comm%tte& w%th the use of a# u#$%ce#se& f%rearm, the pe#a$t1 of &eath sha$$ be%mpose&(K

*t ma1 be $oose$1 sa%& that hom%c%&e or mur&er ua$%f%es the offe#se pe#a$%e& %# sa%& Sect%o# ) because%t %s a c%rcumsta#ce wh%ch %#creases the pe#a$t1( *t &oes #ot, however, fo$$ow that the hom%c%&e or

mur&er %s absorbe& %# the offe#se9 otherw%se, a# a#oma$ous absur&%t1 resu$ts whereb1 a more ser%ous

cr%me &ef%#e& a#& pe#a$%e& %# the Rev%se& Pe#a$ Co&e %s absorbe& b1 a statutor1 offe#se, wh%ch %s ust


20/26

a ma$um proh%b%tum( The rat%o#a$e for the ua$%f%cat%o#, as %mp$%e& from the e.or&%um of the &ecree, %s

to effect%ve$1 &eter v%o$at%o#s of the $aws o# f%rearms a#& to stop the Kupsur'e of cr%mes v%ta$$1

affect%#' pub$%c or&er a#& safet1 &ue to the pro$%ferat%o# of %$$e'a$$1 possesse& a#& ma#ufacture&

f%rearms, ( ( ( K *# f%#e the#, the %$$%#' of a perso# w%th the use of a# u#$%ce#se& f%rearm ma1 '%ve r%seto separate prosecut%o#s for 7a8 v%o$at%o# of Sect%o# ) of P(( =o( )66 a#& 7b8 v%o$at%o# of e%ther

Art%c$e 2> 7Mur&er8 or Art%c$e 2>/ 7om%c%&e8 of the Rev%se& Pe#a$ Co&e( The accuse& ca##ot p$ea&

o#e as a bar to the other9 or, state& otherw%se, the ru$e a'a%#st &oub$e eopar&1 ca##ot be %#voe&because the f%rst %s pu#%she& b1 a spec%a$ $aw wh%$e the seco#&, hom%c%&e or mur&er, %s pu#%she& b1 the

Rev%se& Pe#a$ Co&e(

4e a'ree w%th the f%#&%#'s a#& co#c$us%o# of the court a uo that more tha# o#e c%rcumsta#t%a$

ev%&e#ce were &u$1 prove& a#& that these c%rcumsta#ces po%#t, be1o#& reaso#ab$e &oubt, to the

accuse&Bappe$$a#t as the o#e who shot a#& %$$e& the &ecease& ;eo#ar&o +o$%ma 1 Mes%a( Forc%rcumsta#t%a$ ev%&e#ce to be suff%c%e#t to co#v%ct a# accuse&, %t %s #ecessar1 that the fo$$ow%#'

reu%s%tes must be sat%sf%e&: 7a8 there must be more tha# o#e c%rcumsta#ce, 7b8 the facts from wh%ch the

%#fere#ces are &er%ve& are prove#, a#& 7c8 the comb%#at%o# of a$$ the c%rcumsta#ces %s such as to

pro&uce a co#v%ct%o# be1o#& a reaso#ab$e &oubt( )> !r, as ur%spru&e#t%a$$1 formu$ate&, a u&'me#t ofco#v%ct%o# base& o# c%rcumsta#t%a$ ev%&e#ce ca# be uphe$& o#$1 %f the c%rcumsta#ces prove# co#st%tute

Ka# u#broe# cha%# wh%ch $ea&s to o#e fa%r a#& reaso#ab$e co#c$us%o# wh%ch po%#ts to the &efe#&a#t, to

the e.c$us%o# of a$$ others, as the 'u%$t1 perso#, )5 %(e(, the c%rcumsta#ces prove& must be co#s%ste#tw%th each other, co#s%ste#t w%th the h1pothes%s that the accuse& %s 'u%$t1, a#& at the same t%me

%#co#s%ste#t w%th a#1 other h1pothes%s e.cept that of 'u%$t1( )6

The f%rst to the s%.th c%rcumsta#ces me#t%o#e& b1 the tr%a$ court were &u$1 estab$%she& a#& co#st%tute a#

u#broe# cha%# wh%ch $ea&s to o#e fa%r a#& reaso#ab$e co#c$us%o# that the accuse&Bappe$$a#t, a#& #o

other e$se, shot a#& %$$e& the v%ct%m( 4e &o #ot, however, a'ree w%th the a&&%t%o#a$ observat%o# of the

tr%a$ court, %# respect to the s%.th c%rcumsta#ce, that the stateme#t ma&e b1 the accuse&Bappe$$a#t to thew%fe of the v%ct%m %mme&%ate$1 after the shoot%#' %#c%&e#t that he acc%&e#ta$$1 shot the v%ct%m %s

covere& b1 the ru$e o# res 'estae( Th%s %s a m%sapp$%cat%o# of the ru$e %# the %#sta#t case( Stateme#ts as

part of the res 'estae are amo#' the e.cept%o#s to the hearsa1 ru$e( The ru$e %s that a w%t#ess Kca#test%f1 o#$1 to those facts wh%ch he #ows of or h%s ow# #ow$e&'e9 that %s, wh%ch are &er%ve& from h%s

ow# percept%o#s( )? Accor&%#'$1, a test%mo#1 of a w%t#ess as to what he hear& other perso#s sa1 about

the facts %# &%spute ca##ot be a&m%tte& because %t %s hearsa1 ev%&e#ce( There are, however, e.cept%o#sto th%s ru$e( !#e of them %s stateme#ts as part of the res 'estae u#&er Sect%o# 36 of Ru$e )30 of the

Rev%se& Ru$es of Court( The e.cept%o#s assume that the test%mo#1 offere& %s %# fact hearsa19 but %t %s to

be a&m%tte& %# ev%&e#ce( #&er the aforesa%& Sect%o# 36, stateme#ts ma1 be &eeme& as part of the res'estae %f the1 are ma&e b1 a perso# wh%$e a start$%#' occurre#ce %s ta%#' p$ace or %mme&%ate$1 pr%or or

subseue#t thereto w%th respect to the c%rcumsta#ces thereof( Stateme#ts accompa#1%#' a# eu%voca$

act mater%a$ to the %ssue a#& '%v%#' %t a $e'a$ s%'#%f%ca#ce ma1 a$so be rece%ve& as part of the res 'estae(

*# the %#sta#t case, however, the uest%o#e& test%mo#1 of the w%fe of the v%ct%m %s #ot hearsa1( She

test%f%e& o# what the accuse&Bappe$$a#t to$& her, #ot what a#1 other part1, who ca##ot be crossB

e.am%#e&, to$& her( The accuse&Bappe$$a#ts stateme#t was a# Kora$ co#fess%o#K, #ot a part of res 'estae,wh%ch he ca# eas%$1 &e#1 %f %t were #ot true, wh%ch he &%& %# th%s case(

The %ssue co#cer#%#' the fa%$ure of the prosecut%o# to prove that he ha& #o author%t1 to possess thef%rearm has #ot bee# ra%se& %# th%s appea$( *#terest%#'$1, accuse&Bappe$$a#t ra%se& %t %# h%s mot%o# to

reco#s%&er the &ec%s%o# of the tr%a$ court( )/ *# %ts reso$ut%o# &e#1%#' the mot%o#, the tr%a$ court

a&m%tte&, %# effect, that the prosecut%o# &%& #ot offer a#1 ev%&e#ce to prove that the accuse&Bappe$$a#t


21/26

ha& #o $%ce#se to possess or carr1 the f%rearm %# uest%o#9 %t however, threw the bur&e# o# the accuse&B

appe$$a#t to prove that he has that author%t1( Thus, %t ru$e&:

4here accuse& re$%es as a matter of &efe#se o# a# e.cept%o# %# a statute wh%ch %s #ot %# the e#act%#'c$ause b1 wh%ch the offe#se %s &escr%be& a#& forb%&&e#, he has the bur&e# of prov%#' that he %s w%th%#

the e.cept%o#(

4here the subect matter of a #e'at%ve averme#t %# the %#format%o#, or a fact re$%e& upo# b1 &efe#&a#t

as a ust%f%cat%o# or e.cuse, re$ates to h%m perso#a$$1 or otherw%se $%e pecu$%ar$1 w%th%# h%s #ow$e&'e,

the 'e#era$ ru$e %s that the bur&e# of proof of such averme#t or fact %s o# h%m 7)6 C("( sec( //, p( 5308(A# %$$ustrat%ve case of th%s ru$e ma1 be fou#& %# prosecut%o# for e.erc%s%#' a tra&e or profess%o#, or

&o%#' other acts, w%thout a $%ce#se( *# such cases, %t wou$& 'reat$1 %#co#ve#%e#ce the prosecut%o# to

prove that the &efe#&a#t ha& #o $%ce#se, whereas the &efe#&a#t cou$& eas%$1 prove that he &%& have o#e(

*# cases of %$$e'a$ possess%o# of f%rearms, the bur&e# of proof as to the #e'at%ve averme#ts %# the

%#format%o# to the effect that the accuse& possesses the f%rearms w%thout the correspo#&%#' $%ce#se %s o#

the &efe#se( *t %s the accuse& who %s ca$$e& upo# to prove that he possesses the $%ce#se( *# other wor&s,the fact re$%e& upo# b1 the accuse& as a ust%f%cat%o# or e.cuse be%#' o#e that %s re$ate& to h%m

perso#a$$1 or otherw%se w%th%# h%s pecu$%ar #ow$e&'e, Kthe 'e#era$ ru$e %s that the bur&e# of proof as

to such averme#t or fact %s o# the accuse&K 7Fra#c%sco, a#&boo o# -v%&e#ce, pp( 3?/B30, )/> -&(,c%t%#' cases8( 20

*# the %#sta#t case, #o w%t#ess who cou$& have see# how the &ecease& was shot was prese#te&( Abse#tthe ua#tum of ev%&e#ce reu%re& to prove %t, treacher1 ca##ot be co#s%&ere& a'a%#st the accuse&B

appe$$a#t(

Accor&%#'$1, accuse&Bappe$$a#t cou$& o#$1 be $%ab$e for !M*C*-, wh%ch %s pu#%she& b1R-C;S*!= T-MP!RA;(


22/26

P-!P;- !F T- P*;*PP*=-S vs( "!S- -=CAR=AC*!= MA;*M*T

Facts:

Appe$$a#t "ose -#car#ac%o# Ma$%m%t, char'e& w%th a#& co#v%cte& of the spec%a$ comp$e. cr%me ofrobber1 w%th hom%c%&e, was mete& b1 the tr%a$ court the pe#a$t1 of rec$us%o# perpetua( e was a$so

or&ere& to %#&em#%f1 the he%rs of !#ofre Ma$a% the sum of F%ft1 Thousa#& Pesos 7P50,000(008 w%thout

subs%&%ar1 %mpr%so#me#t %# case of %#so$ve#c1, a#& to pa1 the cost(

!# Apr%$ )5, )//), arou#& :00 oc$oc %# the eve#%#', O!#ofre Ma$a% was atte#&%#' to h%s store(

Ma$a%s housebo1 -&%$berto +at%#, o# the other ha#&, was bus1 coo%#' ch%ce# for supper at the%tche# $ocate& at the bac of the store 7TS=, "u#e )/, )// 7s%c8, p( )>8(

Soo# thereafter, F$ore#c%o Ro#&o#, a farmer, arr%ve& at the store of Ma$a%( Ro#&o# was to purchasechem%ca$ for h%s r%ce farm 7TS=, Ma1 22, )//2, p( )/8( Ro#&o# came from h%s house, appro.%mate$1

o#e hu#&re& a#& f%ft1 7)508 meters &%sta#t from Ma$a%s store 7*b%&(, p( 2>8(

Mea#wh%$e, +at%# ha& ust f%#%she& coo%#' a#& from the %tche#, he procee&e& &%rect$1 to the store toas h%s emp$o1er 7Ma$a%8 %f supper %s to be prepare&( As +at%# steppe& %#s%&e the store, he was tae#

abac whe# he saw appe$$a#t com%#' out of the store w%th a bo$o 7TS=, "u#e /, )//2, p( )>8, wh%$e h%s

boss, bathe& %# h%s ow# b$oo&, was spraw$e& o# the f$oor Kstru''$%#' for h%s $%feK 7hover%#' betwee#$%fe a#& &eath8 7*b%&(8(

Ro#&o#, who was outs%&e a#& bare$1 f%ve 758 meters awa1 from the store, a$so saw appe$$a#t "oseMa$%m%t 7or KMa#o$oK8 rush%#' out throu'h the fro#t &oor of Ma$a%s store w%th a b$oo&Bsta%#e& bo$o

7TS=, Ma1 22, )//2, p( 2/8( A%&e& b1 the %$$um%#at%o# com%#' from a pressure $amp 7Kpetroma.K8

%#s%&e the store, Ro#&o# c$ear$1 reco'#%e& Ma$%m%t 7*b%&(, p( 228(

+at%# %mme&%ate$1 we#t out of the store to see he$p( !uts%&e the store, he met Ro#&o# 7TS=, "u#e /,

)//2, p( )58( After a br%ef co#versat%o#, both +at%# a#& Ro#&o# rushe& to the #earb1 house of Ma$a%s

brotherB%#B$aw -ut%u%o +e$o1 a#& %#forme& +e$o1 of the tra'%c %#c%&e#t wh%ch befe$$ Ma$a%( +at%#,a$o#' w%th +e$o1, we#t bac to the store( *#s%&e, the1 saw the $%fe$ess bo&1 of Ma$a% %# a poo$ of b$oo&

$1%#' prostrate at the f$oor( +e$o1 rea&%$1 #ot%ce& that the stores &rawer was ope#e& a#& ra#sace& a#&

the wa$$et of Ma$a% was m%ss%#' from h%s pocet 7*b%&(, pp( )6B)?8( 6

*# h%s f%rst ass%'#me#t of error, appe$$a#t uest%o#s the cre&%b%$%t1 of prosecut%o# w%t#esses F$ore#c%o

Ro#&o# a#& -&%$berto +at%# b1 po%#t%#' out the%r a$$e'e& &e$a1 %# revea$%#' what the1 #ew about the%#c%&e#t( e pos%ts that wh%$e the cr%me too p$ace o# Apr%$ )5, )//), %t was o#$1 o# September )?,

)//) whe# these w%t#esses ta''e& h%m as the cu$pr%t(

Ru$%#':4e f%#& these co#te#t%o#s bereft of mer%t( Appe$$a#t haphaar&$1 co#c$u&e& that Ro#&o# a#& +at%#

%mp$%cate& the appe$$a#t to th%s 'ruesome cr%me o#$1 o# September )?, )//)( The aforeme#t%o#e& &ate

however, was mere$1 the &ate ? whe# Ro#&o# a#& +at%# e.ecute& the%r respect%ve aff%&av%ts, #arrat%#' that the1 saw the appe$$a#t o# the #%'ht of Apr%$ )5, )//) carr1%#' a bo$o sta%#e& w%th b$oo&

a#& rush%#' out of Ma$a%s store( As to appe$$a#ts c$a%m of &e$a1, suff%ce %t to state that e.ta#t from the

recor&s are amp$e test%mo#%a$ ev%&e#ce #e'at%#' appe$$a#ts protestat%o#, to w%t: 7)8 after hav%#'&%scovere& the comm%ss%o# of the cr%me, Ro#&o# a#& +at%# %mme&%ate$1 $ooe& for -ut%u%o +e$o1,

Ma$a%s brotherB%#B$aw, a#& %#forme& h%m that appe$$a#t was the o#$1 perso# the1 saw ru##%#' awa1

from the cr%me sce#e9 / 728 +e$o1 a#& +at%# reporte& the cr%me w%th the CAF


23/26

bara#'a1 where +at%# &ec$are& that %t was appe$$a#t who robbe& Ma$a% o# that fatefu$ #%'ht9 )0 a#&

738 +at%# a'a%# ma&e a s%m%$ar stateme#t $ater at the S%$a'o Po$%ce Stat%o#( ))

=e.t, appe$$a#t &er%&e& the #o#Bprese#tat%o# b1 the prosecut%o# of the po$%ce b$otter wh%ch cou$& prove%f appe$$a#t was %#&ee& %mp$%cate& r%'ht awa1 b1 +at%# to the cr%me( )2 4e &o #ot be$%eve, however,

that %t was #ecessar1 for the prosecut%o# to prese#t as ev%&e#ce a cop1 of the aforeme#t%o#e& po$%ce

b$otter( =e%ther was %ts #o#Bprese#tat%o# %# court fata$ to the prosecut%o#s case( -#tr%es %# the po$%ceb$otter are mere$1 corroborat%ve ev%&e#ce of the u#co#troverte& test%mo#1 of +at%# that he %&e#t%f%e&

the appe$$a#t as the perpetrator of the cr%me before the S%$a'o po$%ce( As such, %ts prese#tat%o# as

ev%&e#ce %s #ot %#&%spe#sab$e( )3 +es%&es, %f appe$$a#t be$%eve& that he was #ot %&e#t%f%e& there%#, the#he shou$& have secure& a cop1 thereof from the S%$a'o Po$%ce Stat%o# a#& ut%$%e& the same as

co#trovert%#' ev%&e#ce to %mpeach +at%#s cre&%b%$%t1 as w%t#ess( )> av%#' fa%$e& to &o so, appe$$a#t

ca##ot #ow pass the b$ame o# the prosecut%o# for someth%#' wh%ch appe$$a#t h%mse$f shou$& have&o#e(

*# f%#e, as the %$$%#' of Ma$a% too p$ace o# the occas%o# of robber1, appe$$a#t was correct$1

co#v%cte& b1 the tr%a$ court of the spec%a$ comp$e. cr%me of robber1 w%th hom%c%&e, &ef%#e& a#&

pe#a$%e& u#&er Art%c$e 2/>, para'raph ) of the Rev%se& Pe#a$ Co&e(

4-R-F!R-, the appea$e& u&'me#t of co#v%ct%o# %s hereb1 AFF*RM- %# toto(


24/26

AMA! T( Facts:

At arou#& )0:00 p(m( of Apr%$ )>, )/??, t%cet #umber )625?> %# the #ame of Arma#&o K+o1etK


25/26

the $ast &a1 to f%$e the %#come ta. retur# but must have erro#eous$1 wrote &ow# the wro#' &ate &ue to

h%s t%'ht sche&u$e o# that &a1(

!# the other ha#&, pr%vate respo#&e#t c$a%me& that o# Apr%$ )2, )/??, pet%t%o#er %#forme& the formerthat he %s o#$1 bu1%#' s%.t1 7608 t%cets a#& offere& to retur# the rema%#%#' fort1 7>08 t%cets s%#ce he

#ee&e& the mo#e1 for the pa1me#t of h%s %#come ta. o# Apr%$ )5, )/??, wh%ch was accepte& b1 the

pr%vate respo#&e#t a#& the $atter a'ree& to appropr%ate for h%mse$f the rema%#%#' t%cets(

Co#seue#t$1, %# the mor#%#' of Apr%$ )>, )/??, pet%t%o#er tur#e& over the o#e hu#&re& 7)008 t%cets to

be &roppe& %# the Ktamb%o$oK a#& h%s chec for Three u#&re& 7P300(008 Pesos for the s%.t1 7608t%cets he bou'ht from the pr%vate respo#&e#t(

po# #ot%c%#' that a$$ the retur#e& t%cets were %# the #ame of the pet%t%o#er Ama&o


26/26

%#terpretat%o# s%#ce the %#te#t%o# of the part%es, as e.press$1 spec%f%e& %# sa%& a'reeme#t, &o #ot

co#tra&%ct each other(

The fact that the a'reeme#t was prepare& a#& wr%tte# b1 pet%t%o#er h%mse$f further %#&%cate& that sa%&a'reeme#t was e#tere& %#to b1 the part%es free$1 a#& vo$u#tar%$1 wh%ch re#&ers pet%t%o#ers c$a%m of

frau& %# the e.ecut%o# of the a'reeme#t u#be$%evab$e( +e%#' the author of the a'reeme#t, pet%t%o#er %s

presume& to have actua$ #ow$e&'e of the true %#te#t of the part%es a#& the surrou#&%#' c%rcumsta#cethat atte#&e& the preparat%o# of the &ocume#t %# uest%o# %#c$u&%#' the &ate whe# sa%& a'reeme#t was

e.ecute&( *f %t %s true that the &ate %f e.ecut%o# was o# Apr%$ )5, )/??, pet%t%o#er shou$& have wr%tte#

sa%& &ate %# the a'reeme#t a#& #ot Apr%$ )>, )/?? co#s%&er%#' that o#e &oes #ot usua$$1 for'et a &atethat has a spec%a$ s%'#%f%ca#ce to h%m as a$$e'e& b1 the pet%t%o#er( *# the %#sta#t case, %t %s h%'h$1

%mprobab$e that pet%t%o#ers co#se#t was '%ve# throu'h frau& s%#ce the &ocume#t was prepare& a#&

e.ecute& b1 pet%t%o#er h%mse$f( Therefore, the a'reeme#t %s va$%& a#& b%#&%#' upo# pet%t%o#er a#&respo#&e#t(

4-R-F!R-, f%#&%#' #o revers%b$e error %# the uest%o#e& &ec%s%o# of the appe$$ate court, the

pet%t%o#er for cert%orar% %s hereb1 -=*- for $ac of mer%t(

S! !R-R-(

Fe$%c%a#o, Re'a$a&o a#& Campos, "r(, ""(, co#cur(

=arvasa, C("(, %s o# $eave(

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