PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS vs.

VALERIANO DUCOSIN

EN BANC
[G.R. No. 38332. December 14, 1933.] THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. VALERIANO DUCOSIN, defendant-appellant. Alejandra F. Antonio for appellant. Attorney-General Jaranilla for appellee. SYLLABUS 1. NDE!ER" NA!E #EN!ENCE $A%, C&N#!R'ED( "A) "'" AND " N "'" *ENA$! E#. + 'n,er -ect.on 1 of Act No. 41/3 t0e co1rt m1-t, .n-tea, of a -.n2le f.3e, penalt4, ,eterm.ne t5o penalt.e-, referre, to .n t0e n,eterm.nate #entence Act a- t0e 6ma3.m1m6 an, 6m.n.m1m6. !0e pr.-oner m1-t -er7e t0e m.n.m1m penalt4 before 0e .- el.2.ble for parole 1n,er t0e pro7.-.on- of Act No. 41/3, 50.c0 lea7e- t0e per.o, bet5een t0e m.n.m1m an, ma3.m1m penalt4 .n,eterm.nate .n t0e -en-e t0at 0e ma4, 1n,er t0e con,.t.on- -et o1t .n -a., Act, be relea-e, from -er7.n2 -a., per.o, .n 50ole or .n part. 8e m1-t be -entence,, t0erefore, to .mpr.-onment for a per.o, 50.c0 .- not more t0an t0e 6ma3.m1m6 nor le-- t0an t0e 6m.n.m1m6, a- t0e-e term- are 1-e, .n t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5. 2. D.( D. + !0e ma3.m1m penalt4 m1-t be ,eterm.ne,, .n an4 ca-e p1n.-0able b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, .n accor,ance 5.t0 t0e r1le- an, pro7.-.on- of -a., Co,e e3actl4 a- .f Act No. 41/3, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, 0a, ne7er been pa--e,. t 5a- not t0e p1rpo-e of -a., Act to ma9e .noperat.7e an4 of t0e pro7.-.on- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e. Ne.t0er t0e t.tle nor t0e bo,4 of t0e Act .n,.cate- an4 .ntent.on on t0e part of t0e $e2.-lat1re to repeal or amen, an4 of t0e pro7.-.on- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e. 3. D.( " N "'" *ENA$!:. + n ,eterm.n.n2 t0e 6m.n.m1m6 penalt4 Act No. 41/3 confer- 1pon t0e co1rt- .n t0e f.3.n2 of penalt.e- t0e 5.,e-t ,.-cret.on t0at t0e co1rt- 0a7e e7er 0a,. !0e ,eterm.nat.on of t0e 6m.n.m1m6 penalt4 pre-ent- t5o a-pect-; f.r-t, t0e more or le-- mec0an.cal ,eterm.nat.on of t0e e3treme l.m.t- of t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o,( an, -econ,, t0e broa, <1e-t.on of t0e factor- an, c.rc1m-tance- t0at -0o1l, 21.,e t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt .n f.3.n2 t0e m.n.m1m penalt4 5.t0.n t0e a-certa.ne, l.m.t-. %e con-tr1e t0e e3pre--.on .n -ect.on 1 6t0e

penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at pre-cr.be, b4 -a., Co,e for t0e offen-e6 to mean t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at ,eterm.ne, b4 t0e co1rt .n t0e ca-e before .t a- t0e ma3.m1m =t0at .- to -a4 t0e correct penalt4 f.3e, b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e>. 4. D.( D. + !0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, Act No. 41/3, -.mpl4 pro7.,et0at t0e 6m.n.m1m6 -0all 6not be le-- t0an t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er.6 n ot0er 5or,-, .t .- left ent.rel4 5.t0.n t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt to f.3 t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment an450ere 5.t0.n t0e ran2e of t0e ne3t lo5er penalt4 5.t0o1t reference to t0e ,e2ree- .nto 50.c0 .t ma4 be -1b,.7.,e,. ?. D.( D. + @eep.n2 .n m.n, t0e ba-.c p1rpo-e of t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5 6to 1pl.ft an, re,eem 7al1able 01man mater.al, an, pre7ent 1nnece--ar4 an, e3ce--.7e ,epr.7at.on of per-onal l.bert4 an, econom.c 1-ef1lne--6 ="e--a2e of t0e Go7ernorAGeneral, &ff.c.al GaBette No. 92, 7ol. ))) , A121-t 3, 1933>, .t .nece--ar4 to con-.,er t0e cr.m.nal, f.r-t, a- an .n,.7.,1al an,, -econ,, a- a member of -oc.et4. n a 5or,, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5 a.m- to .n,.7.,1al.Be t0e a,m.n.-trat.on of o1r cr.m.nal la5 to a ,e2ree not 0eretofore 9no5n .n t0e-e -lan,-. #ome factor- to be ta9en .nto con-.,erat.on are .n,.cate,. C. D.( D. + Act No. 41/3 ,oe- not re<1.re t0e co1rt to f.3 t0e m.n.m1m term of .mpr.-onment .n t0e m.n.m1m per.o, of t0e ,e2ree ne3t lo5er to t0e ma3.m1m penalt4.

DECISION

BUTTE, J ;
p

!0.- appeal from a D1,2ment of t0e Co1rt of E.r-t n-tance of "an.la con7.ct.n2 t0e appellant of t0e cr.me of fr1-trate, m1r,er 5a- referre, b4 t0e f.r-t ,.7.-.on to t0e co1rt in banc for t0e proper .nterpretat.on an, appl.cat.on of Act No. 41/3 of t0e *0.l.pp.ne $e2.-lat1re appro7e, on December ?, 1933, commonl4 9no5n a- t0e 6 n,eterm.nate #entence $a56. A- t0.- .- t0e f.r-t ca-e 50.c0 0a- come before 1- .n7ol7.n2 t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, .t 5.ll be con7en.ent to -et o1t 0ere -ome of .t- pro7.-.on-. #ect.on 1 of Act no. 41/3 .- a- follo5-;
68ereafter, .n .mpo-.n2 a pr.-on -entence for an offen-e p1n.-0e, b4 act- of t0e *0.l.pp.ne $e2.-lat1re, ot0er5.-e t0an b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, t0e co1rt -0all or,er t0e acc1-e, to be .mpr.-one, for a m.n.m1m term, 50.c0 -0all not be le-- t0an t0e m.n.m1m term of .mpr.-onment pro7.,e, b4 la5 for

t0e offen-e, an, for a ma3.m1m term 50.c0 -0all not e3cee, t0e ma3.m1m f.3e, b4 la5( an, 50ere t0e offen-e .- p1n.-0e, b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, or amen,ment- t0ereto, t0e co1rt -0all -entence, t0e acc1-e, to -1c0 ma3.m1m ama4, .n 7.e5 of atten,.n2 c.rc1m-tance-, be properl4 .mpo-e, 1n,er t0e pre-ent r1le- of t0e -a., Co,e, an, to a m.n.m1m 50.c0 -0all not be le-- t0an t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at pre-cr.be, b4 -a., Co,e for t0e offen-e. E3cept a- pro7.,e, .n -ect.on t5o 0ereof, an4 per-on 50o -0all 0a7e been -o con7.cte, an, -entence, an, -0all 0a7e -er7e, t0e m.n.m1m -entence .mpo-e, 0ere1n,er, ma4 be relea-e, on parole .n accor,ance 5.t0 t0e pro7.-.on- of t0.- Act.6

#ect.on 2 .- a- follo5-;
6!0.- Act -0all not appl4 to per-on- con7.cte, of offen-e- p1n.-0e, 5.t0 ,eat0 penalt4 or l.fe .mpr.-onment( to t0o-e con7.cte, of trea-on, con-p.rac4 or propo-al to comm.t trea-on( to t0o-e con7.cte, to m.-pr.-.on of trea-on, -e,.t.on or e-p.ona2e( to t0o-e con7.cte, of p.rac4( to t0o-e 50o are 0ab.t1al ,el.n<1ent-( to t0o-e 50o -0all 0a7e e-cape, from conf.nement or e7a,e, -entence( to t0o-e 50o 0a7.n2 been 2rante, con,.t.onal par,on b4 t0e C0.ef E3ec1t.7e -0all 0a7e 7.olate, t0e term- t0ereof( to t0o-e 50o ma3.m1m term of .mpr.-onment ,oe- not e3cee, one 4ear( nor to t0o-e alrea,4 -entence, b4 f.nal D1,2ment at t0e t.me of appro7al of t0.- Act, e3cept a- pro7.,e, .n -ect.on f.7e 0ereof.6

#ect.on 3 of Act No. 41/3 create- a 6Boar, of n,eterm.nate #entence6 to be compo-e, of t0e #ecretar4 of F1-t.ce a- c0a.rman an, fo1r member- to be appo.nte, b4 t0e Go7ernorAGeneral, 5.t0 t0e a,7.ce an, con-ent of t0e *0.l.pp.ne #enate. !0.-ect.on ,e-cr.be- t0e <1al.f.cat.on- of t0e member-. #ect.on 4 2.7e- t0e boar, a1t0or.t4 to a,opt r1le- of proce,1re an, pro7.,e- for t0e compen-at.on of t0e member-. #ect.on ? ma9e- .t t0e ,1t4 of t0e boar, to -t1,4 t0e p04-.cal, mental an, moral recor, of t0e pr.-oner- 50o -0all be el.2.ble to parole an, a1t0or.Be- t0e boar, to ,eterm.ne t0e proper t.me for t0e relea-e of -1c0 pr.-oner-. After a pr.-oner 0a-er7e, t0e 6m.n.m1m penalt46 .mpo-e, 1pon on 0.m an, t0e boar, .- -at.-f.e, t0at -1c0 pr.-oner .- f.tte, b4 0.- tra.n.n2 for relea-e an, t0at t0ere .- a rea-onable probab.l.t4 t0at 0e 5.ll not 7.olate t0e la5 a2a.n an, t0at 0.- relea-e 65.ll not be .ncompat.ble 5.t0 t0e 5elfare of -oc.et46, t0e boar, ma4 .n .t- ,.-cret.on a1t0or.Be t0e relea-e of -1c0 pr.-oner on parole. !0e boar, ma4 al-o recommen, t0e relea-e on parole of ot0er pr.-oner- ma4 al-o recommen, t0e relea-e on parole of ot0er pr.-onerpre7.o1-l4 con7.cte, of an4 offen-e ot0er t0an t0o-e name, .n -ect.on 2. #ect.on C pro7.,e- for t0e -1r7e.llance of pr.-oner- relea-e, on parole for a per.o, 6e<1.7alent to t0e rema.n.n2 port.on of t0e ma3.m1m -entence .mpo-e, 1pon 0.m or 1nt.l f.nal relea-e an, ,.-c0ar2e b4 t0e Boar, of n,eterm.nate #entence.6

#ect.on G pro7.,e- t0at a cert.f.e, cop4 of t0e boar,H- or,er of con,.t.onal or f.nal relea-e -0all be f.le, 5.t0 t0e co1rt an, 5.t0 t0e C0.ef of Con-tab1lar4. #ect.on 8 pro7.,e- t0at an4 pr.-oner 50o 7.olate- an4 of t0e con,.t.on- of 0.parole, 50o 7.olate- an4 of t0e con,.t.on- of 0.- parole, 50o 7.olate- an4 la5 ,1r.n2 t0e per.o, of -1r7e.llance for 50.c0 0e 0a- been con7.cte,, -0all be -1bDect to reA arre-t an, conf.nement an, 6-0all -er7e t0e rema.n.n2 1ne3p.re, port.on of t0e ma3.m1m -entence for 50.c0 0e 5a- or.2.nall4 comm.tte, to pr.-on6 1nle-- t0e boar, 2rant- a ne5 parole. #ect.on 9 pro7.,e- t0at Act No. 41/3, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, -0all not be con-tr1e, to .mpa.r t0e po5er- 2.7en to t0e Go7ernorAGeneral 1n,er -ect.on C4 of t0e A,m.n.-trat.7e Co,e or t0e &r2an.c Act of t0e *0.l.pp.ne -lan,-. B4 .t- term-, Act No. 41/3 became la5 1pon .t- appro7al, t0at .- to -a4, on December ?, 1933. n t0e ca-e before 1-, Ialer.ano D1co-.n 5a- tr.e, on #eptember 3/, 1932, for t0e cr.me of fr1-trate, m1r,er 1pon t0e follo5.n2 .nformat.on;
6!0at on or abo1t t0e 23, ,a4 of #eptember, 1932, .n t0e C.t4 of "an.la, *0.l.pp.ne -lan,-, t0e -a., acc1-e, ,., t0en an, t0ere 5.llf1ll4, 1nla5f1ll4 an, felon.o1-l4, an, 5.t0 .ntent to 9.ll, treac0ero1-l4 attac9, a--a1lt an, 5o1n, one Rafael :an21a- b4 t0en an, t0ere -1,,enl4 an, 5.t0o1t an4 5arn.n2, -tabb.n2 t0e latter 5.t0 a 9n.fe, t0ereb4 .nfl.ct.n2 1pon 0.m -e7eral 5o1n,- .n ,.fferent part- of t0e bo,4, -ome of 50.c0 are nece--ar.l4 mortal, t01- perform.n2 all t0e act- of e3ec1t.on 50.c0 5o1l, pro,1ce t0e ,eat0 of t0e -a., Rafael :an21a- aa con-e<1ence, b1t 50.c0, ne7ert0ele--, ,., not pro,1ce .t b4 rea-on of ca1-e.n,epen,ent of t0e 5.ll of -a., acc1-e,, t0at .-, b4 t0e t.mel4 .nter7ent.on of me,.cal a--.-tance. 6Contrar4 to la5.6

'pon arra.2nment t0e acc1-e, plea,e, 21.lt4 an, 5a- -entence, to ten 4earan, one ,a4 of prision mayor 5.t0 t0e acce--or4 penalt.e- pre-cr.be, b4 la5 an, to pa4 t0e co-t-. !0e penalt4 for t0e cr.me of m1r,er, 1n,er art.cle 248 of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, .- reclusion temporal .n .t- ma3.m1m per.o, to ,eat0. 'n,er art.cle ?/, t0e penalt4 for a fr1-trate, felon4 .- t0e one ne3t lo5er .n ,e2ree to t0at pre-cr.be, for t0e con-1mmate, felon4, 50.c0 .n t0e pre-ent ca-e .- prision mayor .n .t- ma3.m1m per.o, to reclusion temporal .n .t- me,.1m per.o,, or from ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 to -e7enteen 4ear- an, fo1r mont0-. !0e acc1-e, 0a7.n2 plea,e, 21.lt4, t0.- e3ten1at.n2 c.rc1m-tance, .n t0e ab-ence of an4 a22ra7at.n2 c.rc1m-tance, f.3e- t0e penalt4 5.t0.n t0e m.n.m1m per.o,, t0at .- to -a4, from ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 to t5el7e 4ear-, lea7.n2 to t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt t0e prec.-e t.me to be -er7e, 5.t0.n -a., ran2e, ..

e., not le-- t0an ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 nor more t0an t5el7e 4ear-. !0e penalt4 .mpo-e, b4 t0e tr.al D1,2e be.n2 5.t0.n t0.- ran2e .- correct an, t0erefore .- t0e penalt4 pre-cr.be, b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e for t0e offen-e 50.c0 t0.- acc1-e, 0acomm.tte,.

A- Act No. 41/3, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, 5a- enacte, after t0.appeal 5a- lo,2e, .n t0.- co1rt, 5e are no5 re<1.re, to re7.-e t0e -entence .mpo-e, 1pon t0e appellant an, to br.n2 t0e -ame .nto conform.t4 5.t0 Act No. 41/3. t 5.ll be ob-er7e, from -ect.on 1 of -a., Act t0at t0e co1rt m1-t no5, .n-tea, of a -.n2le f.3e, penalt4, ,eterm.ne t5o penalt.e-, referre, to .n t0e n,eterm.nate #entence Act a- t0e 6ma3.m1m6 an, 6m.n.m1m6. !0e pr.-oner m1-t -er7e t0e m.n.m1m penalt4 before 0e .- el.2.ble for parole 1n,er t0e pro7.-.on- of Act No. 41/3, 50.c0 lea7e- t0e per.o, bet5een t0e m.n.m1m an, ma3.m1m penalt4 .n,eterm.nate .n t0e -en-e t0at 0e ma4, 1n,er t0e con,.t.on- -et o1t .n -a., Act, be relea-e, from -er7.n2 -a., per.o, .n 50ole or .n part. 8e m1-t be -entence,, t0erefore, to .mpr.-onment for a per.o, 50.c0 .- not more t0an t0e 6ma3.m1m6 nor le-- t0an t0e 6m.n.m1m6, a- t0e-e term- are 1-e, .n t0e n,eterm.nate #entence la5. !0.- lea,- 1p to t0e .mportant <1e-t.on; 8o5 -0all t0e 6ma3.m1m6 an, t0e 6m.n.m1m6 penalt4 be ,eterm.ne,J !0e ma3.m1m penalt4 m1-t be ,eterm.ne,, .n an4 ca-e p1n.-0able b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, .n accor,ance 5.t0 t0e r1le- an, pro7.-.on- of -a., Co,e e3actl4 a- .f Act No. 41/3, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, 0a, ne7er been pa--e,. %e t0.n9 .t .- clear from a rea,.n2 of Act No. 41/3 t0at .t 5a- not .t- p1rpo-e to ma9e .noperat.7e an4 of t0e pro7.-.on- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e. Ne.t0er t0e t.tle nor t0e bo,4 of t0e Act .n,.cate- an4 .ntent.on on t0e part of t0e $e2.-lat1re to repeal or amen, an4 of t0e pro7.-.on- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e. !0e le2.-lat.7e 0.-tor4 of t0e Act f1rt0er -0o5- t0at attent.on 5a- calle, to t0e nece--.t4 for ta9.n2 care 6-o a- not to br.n2 t0e pro7.-.on- of t0.- b.ll .n confl.ct 5.t0 t0e pro7.-.on- of o1r penal la5-, e-pec.all4 5.t0 t0o-e treat.n2 5.t0 penalt.e-.6 =Comm.ttee Report, 8o1-e of Repre-entat.7e- 8A3321, N.nt0 *0.l.pp.ne $e2.-lat1re, !0.r, #e--.on.> !0e la-t ment.one, report 2.7e- an .ll1-trat.on of t0e appl.cat.on of t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5 to offen-e- penal.Be, b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e;
6#1ppo-e t0at a man .- fo1n, 21.lt4 of mal7er-at.on of p1bl.c f1n,- .n t0e amo1nt of *1/,///. No m.t.2at.n2 nor a22ra7at.n2 c.rc1m-tance- are pre-ent. 'n,er t0.- la5 t0e co1rt ma4 .mpo-e on 0.m a ma3.m1m -entence not e3cee,.n2 ten 4ear- an, e.20t mont0- b1t not le-- t0an n.ne 4ear-, fo1r mont0an, one ,a4 =see art. 21G, No. 3, Re7.-e, *enal Co,e>, an, a m.n.m1m 50.c0

-0all not be le-- t0an fo1r 4ear-, t5o mont0- an, one ,a4 =t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of prision correccional .n .t- ma3.m1m to prision mayor .n .t- m.n.m1m. #ee art.cle C1, Re7.-e, *enal Co,e>. !0e co1rt, t0erefore, ma4 -entence t0e acc1-e, to be .mpr.-one, for not le-- t0an f.7e 4ear- nor more t0an ten 4ear- or for not le-- t0an -e7en 4ear- nor more t0an ten 4ear- an, e.20t mont0-, etc.6

t 5.ll be -een from t0e fore2o.n2 e3ample t0at t0e 6ma3.m1m6 .- ,eterm.ne, .n accor,ance 5.t0 t0e pro7.-.on- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e. n t0e e3ample 2.7en reference .- ma,e to art.cle 21G, para2rap0 3, of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e 50.c0 pro7.,e- t0at t0e ,efen,ant -0all -1ffer t0e penalt4 of prision mayor .n .t- me,.1m an, ma3.m1m per.o,. !0e penalt4 .- place, .n t0e me,.1m ,e2ree beca1-e of t0e ab-ence of m.t.2at.n2 or a22ra7at.n2 c.rc1m-tance, t0at .- to -a4, an450ere bet5een n.ne 4ear-, fo1r mont0- an, one ,a4 an, ten 4ear- an, e.20t mont0- .n t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt. n t0e ca-e on appeal 0ere t0e penalt4 5a- .mpo-e, .n t0e m.n.m1m of t0e proper penalt4 1n,er t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e beca1-e of t0e plea of 21.lt4, t0at .to -a4, bet5een ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 an, t5el7e 4ear- .n t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt. !0.- ,.-cret.on .- .n no5.-e .mpa.re, or l.m.te, b4 Act No. 41/3. !0e tr.al co1rt, .n conform.t4 5.t0 t0e ,.-cret.on conferre, 1pon .t b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, m.20t 0a7e a--e--e, t0e penalt4 at, let 1- -a4, ele7en 4ear-. %e 5.-0 to ma9e .t clear t0at Act No. 41/3 ,oe- not re<1.re t0.- co1rt to a--e-- t0e -a., penalt4 at 12 4ear-, 50.c0 .- t0e lon2e-t t.me of .mpr.-onment 5.t0.n t0e m.n.m1m ,e2ree. %e f.n,, t0erefore, t0at ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 of .mpr.-onment conform- to t0e pro7.-.on- an, r1le- of t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e an, .- t0erefore f.3e, an, e-tabl.-0e, a- t0e ma3.m1m of t0e -entence 50.c0 -0all be .mpo-e, 1pon t0e appellant. %e come no5 to ,eterm.ne t0e 6m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o,6 referre, to .n Act No. 41/3. #ect.on 1 of -a., Act pro7.,e- t0at t0.- 6m.n.m1m 50.c0 -0all not be le-- t0an t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at pre-cr.be, b4 -a., Co,e for t0e offen-e.6 %e are 0ere 1pon ne5 2ro1n,. t .- .n ,eterm.n.n2 t0e 6m.n.m1m6 penalt4 t0at Act No. 41/3 confer- 1pon t0e co1rt- .n t0e f.3.n2 of penalt.e- t0e 5.,e-t ,.-cret.on t0at t0e co1rt- 0a7e e7er 0a,. !0e ,eterm.nat.on of t0e 6m.n.m1m6 penalt4 pre-ent- t5o a-pect-; f.r-t, t0e more or le-mec0an.cal ,eterm.nat.on of t0e e3treme l.m.t- of t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o,( an, -econ,, t0e broa, <1e-t.on of t0e factor- an, c.rc1m-tance- t0at -0o1l, 21.,e t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt .n f.3.n2 t0e m.n.m1m penalt4 5.t0.n t0e a-certa.ne, l.m.t-. %e con-tr1e t0e e3pre--.on .n -ect.on 1 6t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at pre-cr.be, b4 -a., Co,e for t0e offen-e6 to mean t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er to t0at ,eterm.ne, b4 t0e co1rt .n t0e ca-e before .t a- t0e ma3.m1m =t0at .- to -a4 t0e correct penalt4 f.3e, b4 t0e Re7.-e, *enal Co,e, see o1r ,.-c1--.on abo7e>. n t0e e3ample 50.c0 t0e le2.-lat1re 0a, before .t .n t0e Comm.ttee Report abo7e ment.one,, t0e ma3.m1m of t0e -entence 5a- correctl4 -tate, to be t0e me,.1m ,e2ree of prision

mayor .n .t- me,.1m an, ma3.m1m per.o,. !0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er .- prision correccional .n .t- ma3.m1m ,e2ree to prision mayor .n .t- m.n.m1m ,e2ree =art.cle C1, para2rap0 4, Re7.-e, *enal Co,e>, t0at .- to -a4, an450ere from fo1r 4ear-, t5o mont0- an, one ,a4 to e.20t 4ear-. !0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5, Act No. 41/3, -.mpl4 pro7.,e- t0at t0e 6m.n.m1m6 -0all 6not be le-- t0an t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er.6 n ot0er 5or,-, .t .- left ent.rel4 5.t0.n t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt to f.3 t0e m.n.m1m of t0e penalt4 an450ere bet5een fo1r 4ear-, t5o mont0- an, one ,a4 an, e.20t 4ear-. n t0e e3ample 2.7en b4 t0e comm.ttee t0e4 -tate, t0at t0e co1rt m.20t f.3 t0e m.n.m1m penalt4 at f.7e 4ear- or -e7en 4ear-. n t0e ca-e before 1- on t0.- appeal t0e ne3t lo5er penalt4 to t0e ma3.m1m alrea,4 ,eterm.ne, a- afore-a.,, .- prision correccional .n .t- ma3.m1m per.o, to pr.-.on ma4or .n .t- me,.1m per.o,, t0at .- to -a4, from fo1r 4ear-, t5o mont0- an, one ,a4 to ten 4ear-. A- -tate,, .t .- .n t0e ,.-cret.on of t0e co1rt to f.3 t0e t.me of .mpr.-onment 5.t0.n t0e -a., ran2e 5.t0o1t reference to t0e tec0n.cal -1b,.7.-.on- of ma3.m1m ,e2ree, me,.1m ,e2ree an, m.n.m1m ,e2ree, an, .n t0.- part.c1lar t0e co1rt- are 7e-te, a- -tate, 5.t0 a 5.,er ,.-cret.on t0an t0e4 e7er 0a, before. %e come no5 to t0e -econ, a-pect of t0e ,eterm.nat.on of t0e m.n.m1m penalt4, namel4, t0e con-.,erat.on- 50.c0 -0o1l, 21.,e t0e co1rt .n f.3.n2 t0e term or ,1rat.on of t0e m.n.m1m per.o, of .mpr.-onment. @eep.n2 .n m.n, t0e ba-.c p1rpo-e of t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5 6to 1pl.ft an, re,eem 7al1able 01man mater.al, an, pre7ent 1nnece--ar4 an, e3ce--.7e ,epr.7at.on of per-onal l.bert4 an, econom.c 1-ef1lne--6 ="e--a2e of t0e Go7ernorAGeneral, &ff.c.al GaBette No. 92, 7ol. ))) , A121-t 3, 1933>, .t .- nece--ar4 to con-.,er t0e cr.m.nal, f.r-t, a- an .n,.7.,1al an,, -econ,, a- a member of -oc.et4. !0.- open- 1p an almo-t l.m.tle-- f.le, of .n7e-t.2at.on an, -t1,4 50.c0 .t .- t0e ,1t4 of t0e co1rt to e3plore .n eac0 ca-e a- far a- .- 01manl4 po--.ble, 5.t0 t0e en, .n 7.e5 t0at penalt.e- -0all not be -tan,ar,.Be, b1t f.tte, a- far a- .- po--.ble to t0e .n,.7.,1al, 5.t0 ,1e re2ar, to t0e .mperat.7e nece--.t4 of protect.n2 t0e -oc.al or,er. Con-.,er.n2 t0e cr.m.nal a- an .n,.7.,1al, -ome of t0e factor- t0at -0o1l, be con-.,ere, are; =1> 8.- a2e, e-pec.all4 5.t0 reference to e3treme 4o1t0 or ol, a2e( =2> 0.- 2eneral 0ealt0 an, p04-.cal con,.t.on( =3> 0.- mental.t4, 0ere,.t4 an, per-onal 0ab.t-( =4> 0.- pre7.o1- con,1ct, en7.ronment an, mo,e of l.fe =an, cr.m.nal recor, .f an4>( =?> 0.- pre7.o1- e,1cat.on, bot0 .ntellect1al an, moral( =C> 0.- procl.7.t.e- an, apt.t1,e- for 1-ef1lne-- or .nD1r4 to -oc.et4( =G> 0.- ,emeanor ,1r.n2 tr.al an, 0.att.t1,e 5.t0 re2ar, to t0e cr.me comm.tte,( =8> t0e manner an, c.rc1m-tance- .n 50.c0 t0e cr.me 5a- comm.tte,( =9> t0e 2ra7.t4 of t0e offen-e =note t0at -ect.on 2 of Act No. 41/3 e3cept- certa.n 2ra7e cr.me- + t0.- -0o1l, be 9ept .n m.n, .n a--e--.n2 t0e m.n.m1m penalt.e- for analo2o1- cr.me->.

n con-.,er.n2 t0e cr.m.nal a- a member of -oc.et4, 0.- relat.on-0.p, f.r-t, to5ar, 0.- ,epen,ent-, fam.l4 an, a--oc.ate- an, t0e.r relat.on-0.p 5.t0 0.m, an, -econ,, 0.- relat.on-0.p to5ar,- -oc.et4 at lar2e an, t0e #tate are .mportant factor-. !0e #tate .- concerne, not onl4 .n t0e .mperat.7e nece--.t4 of protect.n2 t0e -oc.al or2an.Bat.on a2a.n-t t0e cr.m.nal act- of ,e-tr1ct.7e .n,.7.,1al- b1t al-o .n re,eem.n2 t0e .n,.7.,1al for econom.c 1-ef1lne-- an, ot0er -oc.al en,-. n a 5or,, t0e n,eterm.nate #entence $a5 a.m- to .n,.7.,1al.Be t0e a,m.n.-trat.on of o1r cr.m.nal la5 to a ,e2ree not 0eretofore 9no5n .n t0e-e -lan,-. %.t0 t0e fore2o.n2 pr.nc.ple.n m.n, a- 21.,e-, t0e co1rt- can 2.7e f1ll effect to t0e benef.cent .ntent.on of t0e $e2.-lat1re. t .- o1r ,1t4 no5 to a--e-- t0e m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, 1n,er Act No. 41/3 .n t0e ca-e before 1- on t0.- appeal. 'nfort1natel4, a- t0.- ,efen,ant 5acon7.cte, before Act No. 41/3 became effect.7e, an, a- 5e 9no5 not0.n2 of 0.antece,ent- beca1-e 0.- plea of 21.lt4 ren,ere, .t 1nnece--ar4 to ta9e an4 te-t.mon4, 5e are conf.ne, to t0e recor, before 1-. 8e plea, 21.lt4 to all of t0e act- 50.c0 con-t.t1te t0e cr.me of m1r,er an, onl4 t0e t.mel4 .nter7ent.on of me,.cal a--.-tance pre7ente, t0e ,eat0 of 0.- 7.ct.m an, t0e pro-ec1t.on of t0e appellant for m1r,er. 8e 5a- 2.7en t0e f1ll benef.t of t0e plea of 21.lt4 .n t0e f.3.n2 of t0e ma3.m1m of t0e -entence. %.t0 -1c0 l.20t a- 5e 0a7e rece.7e, from t0e recor, .n t0.- ca-e, 5e 0a7e concl1,e, t0at a rea-onable an, proper m.n.m1m per.o, of .mpr.-onment -0o1l, be -e7en 4ear-, 50.c0 .- 5.t0.n t0e ran2e of t0e penalt4 ne3t lo5er .n ,e2ree to t0e ma3.m1m, t0at .- to -a4, 5.t0.n t0e ran2e from fo1r 4ear-, t5o mont0- an, one ,a4 to ten 4ear- of prision correccional .n .t- ma3.m1m per.o, to prision mayor .n .tme,.1m per.o,. %e repeat t0at Act No. 41/3 ,oe- not re<1.re t0e co1rt to f.3 t0e m.n.m1m term of .mpr.-onment .n t0e m.n.m1m per.o, of t0e ,e2ree ne3t lo5er to t0e ma3.m1m penalt4.

!0e D1,2ment of t0e co1rt belo5 .- mo,.f.e, to t0.- e3tent; t0at t0e ,efen,antA appellant .- 0ereb4 -entence, to a ma3.m1m penalt4 of ten 4ear- an, one ,a4 of prision mayor .n .t- ma3.m1m ,e2ree, an, to a m.n.m1m .mpr.-onment per.o, of -e7en 4ear-, an, a- t01- mo,.f.e,, t0e D1,2ment appeare, from .- aff.rme,. %.t0 co-tde oficio. Avancea, C.J., Street, Malcolm, illa-!eal, Abad Santos, "ull, ic#ers, an, $mperial, JJ., conc1r.