PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Petitioner,

G.R. No. 19 1!" see1in$ to partia##% re2onsider and "odi+% t*e De2ision-(. dated Au$ust (3, (''4 and t*e Present: Reso#ution-&. dated Au$ust /, (')' o+ t*e Court o+ CARPIO, J., Appea#s 5CA6 in CA-7.R. C8 No. 9://0. Chairperson, Respondent spouses A#+redo . Casti##o and NACHURA, PERALTA, E#i;a<et* Capati-Casti##o ,ere t*e re$istered o,ners ABAD, and o+ a #ot #o2ated in Tondo, ani#a, 2overed <% Trans+er ENDO!A, Certi+i2ate o+ Tit#e 5TCT6 No. (&&(/(. Respondent spouses Ro"eo B. Capati and A=ui#ina . Lo<o ,ere Pro"u#$ated: t*e re$istered o,ners o+ anot*er #ot, 2overed <% TCT No. ((3909, a#so #o2ated in Tondo, ani#a. a% &', (')) On a% 3, )443, respondents o<tained a #oan, ,it* rea# estate "ort$a$e over t*e said properties, +ro" petitioner P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1, as eviden2ed <% a Pro"issor% Note ,it* a +a2e va#ue o+ P(,0'','''.''. T*e Pro"issor% Note, in part, reads:
?OR 8ALUE RECEI8ED, I@Ae, so#idari#%, Boint#% and severa##%, pro"ise to pa% to t*e order o+ PHILIPPINE >A8IN7> BANC, at its *ead o++i2e or at t*e a<ove stated Bran2* t*e su" o+ TAO ILLION ?I8E HUNDRED

- versus -

SPOUSES ALFREDO M. CASTILLO AND ELIZABETH C. CASTILLO, and SPOUSES ROMEO B. CAPATI and AQUILINA M. LOBO, Respondents.

x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x DECISION NACHURA, J.#

T*is is a petition +or revie, -). on certiorari under Ru#e /0 o+ t*e Ru#es o+ Court,

THOU>AND PE>O> ONLD 5P(,0'','''.''6, P*i#ippine 2urren2%, ,it* interest at t*e rate o+ seventeen per 2entu" 5)3E6 per annu", +ro" date unti# paid, as +o##o,s: P/&,//4./) 5prin2ipa# and interest6 "ont*#% +or +i+t% nine 5046 "ont*s startin$ Fune '3, )443 and ever% 3t* da% o+ t*e "ont* t*erea+ter ,it* <a##oon pa%"ent on a% '3, (''(. A#so, t*e rate o+ interest *erein provided s*a## <e su<Be2t to revie, and@or adBust"ent ever% ninet% 54'6 da%s. A## a"orti;ations ,*i2* are not paid on due date s*a## <ear a pena#t% e=uiva#ent to t*ree per2ent 5&E6 o+ t*e a"ount due +or ever% "ont* or +ra2tion o+ a "ont*Gs de#a%. T*e rate o+ interest and@or <an1 2*ar$es *erein stipu#ated, durin$ t*e ter"s o+ t*is pro"issor% note, its eHtensions, rene,a#s or ot*er "odi+i2ations, "a% <e in2reased, de2reased or ot*er,ise 2*an$ed +ro" ti"e to ti"e ,it*in t*e rate o+ interest and 2*ar$es a##o,ed under present or +uture #a,5s6 and@or $overn"ent

re$u#ation5s6 as t*e PHILIPPINE >A8IN7> BANC "a% pres2ri<e +or its de<tors. Upon de+au#t o+ pa%"ent o+ an% insta##"ent and@or interest ,*en due, a## ot*er insta##"ents and interest re"ainin$ unpaid s*a## i""ediate#% <e2o"e due and pa%a<#e. A#so, said interest not paid ,*en due s*a## <e added to, and <e2o"e part o+ t*e prin2ipa# and s*a## #i1e,ise <ear interest at t*e sa"e rate *erein provided. -/.

?ro" t*e re#ease o+ t*e #oan in a% )443 unti# De2e"<er )444, petitioner *ad in2reased and de2reased t*e rate o+ interest, t*e *i$*est o+ ,*i2* ,as (4E and t*e #o,est ,as )0.0E per annu", per t*e Pro"issor% Note. Respondents ,ere noti+ied in ,ritin$ o+ t*ese 2*an$es in t*e interest rate. T*e% neit*er $ave t*eir 2on+ir"ation t*ereto nor did t*e% +or"a##% =uestion t*e 2*an$es. Ho,ever, respondent A#+redo Casti##o sent severa# #etters to petitioner re=uestin$ +or t*e redu2tion o+ t*e interest rates.-0. Petitioner denied t*ese re=uests.

Respondents re$u#ar#% paid t*eir a"orti;ations unti# De2e"<er )444, ,*en t*e% de+au#ted due to +inan2ia# 2onstraints. Per petitionerGs ta<#e o+ app#i2ation o+ pa%"ent, respondentsG outstandin$ <a#an2e ,as P(,(&),349.)).-:. Petitioner 2#ai"ed t*at as o+ ?e<ruar% )), (''', respondents *ad a tota# outstandin$ o<#i$ation o+P(,0(0,4)'.(4.-3. Petitioner sent t*e" de"and #etters. Respondents +ai#ed to pa%. T*us, petitioner initiated an eHtraBudi2ia# +ore2#osure sa#e o+ t*e "ort$a$ed properties. T*e au2tion sa#e ,as 2ondu2ted on Fune ):, (''', ,it* t*e properties so#d +or P(,339,:)).(3 and a,arded to petitioner as t*e on#% <idder. Bein$ t*e "ort$a$ee, petitioner no #on$er paid t*e said a"ount <ut rat*er 2redited it to t*e #oan a"orti;ations and arrears, past due interest, pena#t% 2*ar$es, attorne%Gs +ees, a## #e$a# +ees and eHpenses in2identa# to t*e +ore2#osure and sa#e, and partia# pa%"ent o+ t*e "ort$a$ed de<t. On even date, a 2erti+i2ate o+ sa#e ,as issued and su<"itted to t*e C#er1 o+ Court and to t*e EH-O++i2io >*eri++ o+ ani#a. On Fu#% &, (''', t*e 2erti+i2ate o+ sa#e, sans t*e approva# o+ t*e EHe2utive Fud$e o+ t*e Re$iona# Tria#

Court 5RTC6, ,as re$istered ,it* t*e Re$istr% o+ Deeds o+ ani#a. Respondents +ai#ed to redee" t*e propert% ,it*in t*e one-%ear rede"ption period. Ho,ever, on Fu#% )9, (''), A#+redo Casti##o sent a #etter to petitioner re=uestin$ +or an eHtension o+ :' da%s <e+ore 2onso#idation o+ its tit#e so t*at t*e% 2ou#d redee" t*e properties, o++erin$ P&,''','''.'' as rede"ption pri2e. Petitioner 2on2eded to A#+redo Casti##oGs re=uest, <ut respondents sti## +ai#ed to redee" t*e properties. On O2to<er ), (''), respondents +i#ed a 2ase +or Re+or"ation o+ Instru"ents, De2#aration o+ Nu##it% o+ Notaria# ?ore2#osure Pro2eedin$s and Certi+i2ate o+ >a#e, Can2e##ation o+ Annotations on TCT Nos. (&&(/( and ((3909, and Da"a$es, ,it* a p#ea +or t*e issuan2e o+ a te"porar% restrainin$ order 5TRO6 and@or ,rit o+ pre#i"inar% pro*i<itor% inBun2tion, ,it* t*e RTC, Bran2* )/, ani#a. On O2to<er 0, (''), t*e RTC issued a TRO. Eventua##%, on O2to<er (0, (''), it issued a ,rit o+ pre#i"inar% inBun2tion.

A+ter tria#, t*e RTC rendered its de2ision dated Fu#% &', (''0, t*e dispositive portion o+ ,*i2* reads:
AHERE?ORE, Bud$"ent is *ere<% rendered in +avor o+ t*e p#ainti++s, and a$ainst t*e de+endants in t*e +o##o,in$ "anner: ). De2#arin$ t*e =uestioned in2reases o+ interest as unreasona<#e, eH2essive and ar<itrar% and orderin$ t*e de+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 to re+und to t*e p#ainti++s, t*e a"ount o+ interest 2o##e2ted in eH2ess o+ seventeen per2ent 5)3E6 per annu"I

&.

De+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 is adBud$ed to pa% p#ainti++s t*e a"ount o+ P*p0','''.'' as "ora# da"a$esI P*p0','''.'' as eHe"p#ar% da"a$esI and attorne%Gs +ees in t*e a"ount o+ P*p&','''.'' and P*p&,'''.'' per appearan2e. De+endantsG 2ounter2#ai"s *ere<% DISMISSED +or #a21 "erit. are o+

/.

Ait* 2osts a$ainst t*e de+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1, In2. >O ORDERED.-9.

(. De2#arin$ t*e EHtraBudi2ia# ?ore2#osure 2ondu2ted <% t*e de+endants on Fune ):, (''' and t*e su<se=uent pro2eedin$s ta1en t*erea+ter to <e void ab initio. In t*is 2onne2tion, de+endant Re$ister o+ Deeds is *ere<% ordered to 2ause t*e 2an2e##ation o+ t*e 2orrespondin$ annotations at t*e <a21 o+ Trans+er Certi+i2ates o+ Tit#e No. ((3909 and (&&(/( in t*e na"e o+ >pouses A#+redo and E#i;a<et* Casti##o and >pouses Ro"eo Capati and A=ui#ina . Lo<oI

Petitioner +i#ed a "otion +or re2onsideration. T*e RTC partia##% $ranted t*e "otion in its Nove"<er &', (''0 Order, "odi+%in$ t*e interest rate +ro" )3E to (/E per annu".-4. Petitioner appea#ed to t*e CA. T*e CA "odi+ied t*e de2ision o+ t*e RTC, t*usJ
$HEREFORE, in vie, o+ t*e +ore$oin$, t*e De2ision o+ t*e Re$iona#

Tria# Court is *ere<% AFFIRMED $ITH MODIFICATIONS. T*e fallo s*a## no, read: $HEREFORE, Bud$"ent is *ere<% rendered in +avor o+ t*e p#ainti++s and a$ainst t*e de+endants in t*e +o##o,in$ "anner: ). De2#arin$ t*e =uestioned in2reases o+ interest as unreasona<#e, eH2essive and ar<itrar% and orderin$ t*e de+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 to re+und to t*e p#ainti++s, t*e a"ount o+ interest 2o##e2ted in eH2ess o+ seventeen per2ent 5)3E6 per annu"I (. De2#arin$ t*e EHtraBudi2ia# ?ore2#osure 2ondu2ted

<% t*e de+endants on Fune ):, (''' and t*e su<se=uent pro2eedin$s ta1en t*erea+ter to <e va#id-I. &. De+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 is adBud$ed to pa% p#ainti++s t*e a"ount o+ P*p (0,'''.'' as "ora# da"a$esI P*p 0','''.'' as eHe"p#ar% da"a$esI and attorne%Gs +ees in t*e a"ount o+ P*p &','''.'' and P*p &,'''.'' per appearan2eI /. De+endantsG 2ounter2#ai"s are *ere<% DISMISSE D +or #a21 o+ "erit. Ait* 2osts a$ainst t*e de+endant P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1, In2.

SO ORDERED.

-)'.

stipu#ation re$ardin$ t*e va#idit% or 2o"p#ian2e o+ t*e 2ontra2t #e+t so#e#% to t*e ,i## o+ one o+ t*e parties is #i1e,ise inva#id. Petitioner 2ontends t*at respondents a2=uies2ed to t*e i"position o+ t*e "odi+ied interest ratesI t*us, t*ere ,as no vio#ation o+ t*e prin2ip#e o+ "utua#it% o+ 2ontra2ts. To <uttress its position, petitioner points out t*at t*e eH*i<its presented <% respondents durin$ tria# 2ontained a uni+or" provision, ,*i2* states:
T*e interest rate adBust"ent is in a22ordan2e ,it* t*e Con+or"it% Letter %ou *ave si$ned a"endin$ %our a22ountGs interest rate revie, period +ro" ninet% 54'6 to t*irt% da%s.-)(.

Hen2e, t*is petition an2*ored on t*e 2ontention t*at t*e CA erred in: 5)6 de2#arin$ t*at t*e "odi+i2ations in t*e interest rates are unreasona<#eI and 5(6 sustainin$ t*e a,ard o+ da"a$es and attorne%Gs +ees. T*e petition s*ou#d <e partia##% $ranted. T*e uni#atera# deter"ination and i"position o+ t*e in2reased rates is vio#ative o+ t*e prin2ip#e o+ "utua#it% o+ 2ontra2ts under Arti2#e )&'9 o+ t*e Civi# Code, ,*i2* provides t*at K-t.*e 2ontra2t "ust <ind <ot* 2ontra2tin$ partiesI its va#idit% or 2o"p#ian2e 2annot <e #e+t to t*e ,i## o+ one o+ t*e".L-)). A perusa# o+ t*e Pro"issor% Note ,i## readi#% s*o, t*at t*e in2rease or de2rease o+ interest rates *in$es so#e#% on t*e dis2retion o+ petitioner. It does not re=uire t*e 2on+or"it% o+ t*e "a1er <e+ore a ne, interest rate 2ou#d <e en+or2ed. An% 2ontra2t ,*i2* appears to <e *eavi#% ,ei$*ed in +avor o+ one o+ t*e parties so as to #ead to an un2ons2iona<#e resu#t, t*us parta1in$ o+ t*e nature o+ a 2ontra2t o+ ad*esion, is void. An%

It +urt*er 2#ai"s t*at respondents re=uested severa# ti"es +or t*e redu2tion o+ t*e interest rates, t*us, "ani+estin$ t*eir re2o$nition o+ t*e #e$a#it% o+ t*e said rates. It a#so asserts t*at t*e 2ontra2tua# provision on t*e interest rates 2annot <e said to <e #opsided in its +avor, 2onsiderin$ t*at it *ad, on severa# o22asions, #o,ered t*e interest rates.

Ae disa$ree. T*e a<ove-=uoted provision o+ respondentsG eH*i<its readi#% s*o,s t*at t*e 2on+or"it% #etter si$ned <% t*e" does not pertain to t*e "odi+i2ation o+ t*e interest rates, <ut rat*er on#% to t*e a"end"ent o+ t*e interest rate revie, period +ro" 4' da%s to &' da%s. 8eri#%, t*e 2on+or"it% o+ respondents ,it* respe2t to t*e s*ortenin$ o+ t*e interest rate revie, period +ro" 4' da%s to &' da%s is separate and distin2t +ro" and 2annot su<stitute +or t*e re=uired 2on+or"it% o+ respondents ,it* respe2t to t*e "odi+i2ation o+ t*e interest rate itse#+. oreover, respondentsG assent to t*e "odi+i2ations in t*e interest rates 2annot <e i"p#ied +ro" t*eir #a21 o+ response to t*e "e"os sent <% petitioner, in+or"in$ t*e" o+ t*e a"end"ents. T*e said "e"os ,ere in t*e nature o+ a proposa# to 2*an$e t*e 2ontra2t ,it* respe2t to one o+ its si$ni+i2ant 2o"ponents, i.e., t*e interest rates. As ,e *ave *e#d, no one re2eivin$ a proposa# to 2*an$e a 2ontra2t is o<#i$ed to ans,er t*e proposa#.-)&. T*ere+ore, respondents 2ou#d neit*er <e +au#ted, nor 2ou#d t*e% <e dee"ed to *ave assented to t*e "odi+ied interest rates, +or not rep#%in$ to t*e said "e"os +ro" petitioner.

Ae #i1e,ise disa$ree ,it* petitionerGs assertion t*at respondents re2o$ni;ed t*e #e$a#it% o+ t*e i"posed interest rates t*rou$* t*e #etters re=uestin$ +or t*e redu2tion o+ t*e rates. T*e re=uest +or redu2tion o+ t*e interest does not trans#ate to 2onsent t*ereto. To <e sure, a 2ursor% readin$ o+ t*e said #etters ,ou#d 2#ear#% s*o, t*at A#+redo Casti##o ,as, in +a2t, =uestionin$ t*e propriet% o+ t*e interest rates i"posed on t*eir #oan, viz.:
T*e undersi$ned is a "ort$a$or o+ P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 ,it* an outstandin$ <a#an2e o+ TAO ILLION ?OUR HUNDRED THIRTD EI7HT THOU>AND >IM HUNDRED >IM and :&@)'' 5P(,/&9,:':.:&6 at an interest rate o+ (:E per annu" 5as per Apri# :, )443 in=uir% to Leo o+ t*e A22ountin$ DepGt.6 and ,it* a "ont*#% a"orti;ation o+ ?I?TD EI7HT THOU>AND THREE HUNDRED ?I?TD EI7HT AND &9@)'' 5P09,&09.&96. I understand t*at t*e present interest rate is #o,er t*an t*e #ast "ont*Gs (3E. Ho,ever, it does not $ive our 2o"pan% an% <rea1 +ro" 2opin$ ,it* our re2eiva<#es. Our 2#ients, er2ure

P*i#ippine 8i##a$e Hote#, Puerto A;u# Bea2* Hote#, 7rand Air Caterer, to na"e a +e,, did not sett#e t*eir o<#i$ation to us inspite o+ ,*at ,as a$reed upon durin$ our "eetin$ *e#d #ast ?e<ruar% )449. T*eir p#ed$e o+ pa%in$ us at #east ONE ILLION PE>O> PER A??ILIATION, ,*i2* ,e a##o2ate to pa% our <a#an2e to %our <an1, ,as not a re#ia<#e dea# to +oresee <e2ause, as o+ t*is ver% da%, not even *a#+ o+ t*e a"ount assured to us ,as sett#ed. T*is situation puts t*e 2o"pan% in 2riti2a# 2ondition sin2e ,e ,i## a$ain s*ou#der a## t*e interests i"posed on our #oans, ,*i#e, ,e ourse#ves, did not i"pose an% sur2*ar$e ,it* our re2eiva<#es. In 2onne2tion ,it* t*is, "a% I re=uest +or a redu2tion o+ interest rate, in "% +avor, i.e., +ro" (:E to ()E per annu". I+ su2* appea# is $ranted to us, ,e are assurin$ %ou o+ our pro"pt pa%"ent and 1een o<servan2e to %our ru#es and re$u#ations.-)/.

outstandin$ <a#an2e o+ TAO ILLION ?OUR HUNDRED THIRTD THREE THOU>AND EI7HTD ?OUR and 3&@)'' 5P(,/&&,'9/.3&6 at an interest rate o+ ((.0E per annu" 5as per Apri# (/, )449 "e"o +aHed to us6 and ,it* a "ont*#% a"orti;ation o+ ?I?TD TAO THOU>AND ?I8E HUNDRED ?I?TD EI7HT AND ')@)'' 5P0(,00-9..')6. >u2* redu2tion o+ interest rate is an e++e2t o+ our 2urren2%Gs deve#op"ent. But <ased on our in=uiries and resear2* to di++erent +inan2ia# institutions, t*e rate %our <an1 is i"posin$ to us is sti## *i$*er 2o"pared to t*e ei$*teen and a *a#+ per2ent 5)9.0E6 ot*ers are as1in$. Ait* t*is situation, ,e are a$ain re=uestin$ +or a de2rease on t*e interest rate, t*at is, +ro" ((.0E to )9.0E. T*is +i$ure stated is not +i2titious sin2e ot*er <an1Gs advertisin$ are pu<#is*ed to #eadin$ ne,spapers. T*e di++eren2e <et,een %our rate is visi<#% $reater and *as an i""ense e++e2t on our +inan2ia# o<#i$ations.-)0.

T*e undersi$ned is a "ort$a$or o+ P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 ,it* an

T*e undersi$ned is a "ort$a$or at P*i#ippine >avin$s Ban1 ,it* an

outstandin$ <a#an2e o+ TAO ILLION ?OUR HUNDRED THOU>AND EI7HT HUNDRED ELE8EN and '&@)'' 5P*p (,/'-'.,9)).'&6 at an interest rate o+ ()E per annu". Letters o+ re2onsideration ,ere 2onstant#% sent to %ou to $rant us #o,er interest rate. Ho,ever, no assistan2e ,it* re$ard to t*at re=uest *as <een eHtended to us. In vie, o+ t*is, I a" re=uestin$ +or a trans+er o+ our #oan +ro" PSBan% H&ad O''()& *o PSBan% Ma+(n( B,an)-. T*is trans+er is purpose#% intended +or an appea# -+or. a #o,er interest rate.-):.

rate app#ied to "% #oan to "aintain our <usiness re#ations*ip.-)3.

Bein$ a "ort$a$or o+ P>Ban1, I *ave -<een. repeated#% as1in$ +or a redu2tion o+ %our interest rate. Ho,ever, "% re=uest *as <een denied sin2e t*e ter" I started. an% <an1s o++er a "u2* #o,er interest rate and +air <usiness transa2tions 5e.$. Deve#op"ent Ban1 o+ >in$apore -,*i2*. o++ers )&E p.a. interest rate6. In t*is 2onne2tion, on2e "ore, I a" re=uestin$ +or a redu2tion o+ t*e interest

Basi2 is t*e ru#e t*at t*ere 2an <e no 2ontra2t in its true sense ,it*out t*e "utua# assent o+ t*e parties. I+ t*is 2onsent is a<sent on t*e part o+ one ,*o 2ontra2ts, t*e a2t *as no "ore e++i2a2% t*an i+ it *ad <een done under duress or <% a person o+ unsound "ind. >i"i#ar#%, 2ontra2t 2*an$es "ust <e "ade ,it* t*e 2onsent o+ t*e 2ontra2tin$ parties. T*e "inds o+ a## t*e parties "ust "eet as to t*e proposed "odi+i2ation, espe2ia##% ,*en it a++e2ts an i"portant aspe2t o+ t*e a$ree"ent. In t*e 2ase o+ #oan 2ontra2ts, t*e interest rate is undenia<#% a#,a%s a vita# 2o"ponent, +or it 2an "a1e or <rea1 a 2apita# venture. T*us, an% 2*an$e "ust <e "utua##% a$reed upon, ot*er,ise, it produ2es no <indin$ e++e2t.-)9. Es2a#ation 2#auses are $enera##% va#id and do not 2ontravene pu<#i2 po#i2%. T*e% are 2o""on in 2redit a$ree"ents as "eans o+ "aintainin$ +is2a# sta<i#it% and retainin$ t*e va#ue o+ "one% on #on$ter" 2ontra2ts. To prevent an% one-sidedness t*at t*ese 2#auses "a% 2ause, ,e *ave *e#d in Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank v. Judge

Navarro-)4. t*at t*ere s*ou#d <e a 2orrespondin$ dees2a#ation 2#ause t*at ,ou#d aut*ori;e a redu2tion in t*e interest rates 2orrespondin$ to do,n,ard 2*an$es "ade <% #a, or <% t*e onetar% Board. As 2an <e $#eaned +ro" t*e partiesG #oan a$ree"ent, a dees2a#ation 2#ause is provided, <% virtue o+ ,*i2*, petitioner *ad #o,ered its interest rates. Nevert*e#ess, t*e va#idit% o+ t*e es2a#ation 2#ause did not $ive petitioner t*e un<rid#ed ri$*t to uni#atera##% adBust interest rates. T*e adBust"ent s*ou#d *ave sti## <een su<Be2ted to t*e "utua# a$ree"ent o+ t*e 2ontra2tin$ parties. In #i$*t o+ t*e a<sen2e o+ 2onsent on t*e part o+ respondents to t*e "odi+i2ations in t*e interest rates, t*e adBusted rates 2annot <ind t*e" not,it*standin$ t*e in2#usion o+ a de-es2a#ation 2#ause in t*e #oan a$ree"ent. T*e order o+ re+und ,as <ased on t*e +a2t t*at t*e in2reases in t*e interest rate ,ere nu## and void +or <ein$ vio#ative o+ t*e prin2ip#e o+ "utua#it% o+ 2ontra2ts. T*e a"ount to <e re+unded re+ers to t*at paid <% respondents ,*en t*e% *ad no o<#i$ation to do so. >i"p#% put, petitioner s*ou#d re+und t*e a"ount o+ interest t*at it *as i##e$a##% i"posed upon respondents. An% de+i2ien2% in t*e pa%"ent o+ t*e

o<#i$ation 2an <e 2o##e2ted <% petitioner in a +ore2#osure pro2eedin$, ,*i2* it a#read% did. On t*e "atter o+ da"a$es, ,e a$ree ,it* petitioner. ora# da"a$es are not re2overa<#e si"p#% <e2ause a 2ontra2t *as <een <rea2*ed. T*e% are re2overa<#e on#% i+ t*e part% +ro" ,*o" it is 2#ai"ed a2ted +raudu#ent#% or in <ad +ait* or in ,anton disre$ard o+ *is 2ontra2tua# o<#i$ations. T*e <rea2* "ust <e ,anton, re21#ess, "a#i2ious or in <ad +ait*, and oppressive or a<usive. Li1e,ise, a <rea2* o+ 2ontra2t "a% $ive rise to eHe"p#ar% da"a$es on#% i+ t*e $ui#t% part% a2ted in a +raudu#ent or "a#evo#ent "anner.-('. In t*is 2ase, ,e are not su++i2ient#% 2onvin2ed t*at +raud, <ad +ait*, or ,anton disre$ard o+ 2ontra2tua# o<#i$ations 2an <e i"puted to petitioner si"p#% <e2ause it uni#atera##% i"posed t*e 2*an$es in interest rates, ,*i2* 2an <e attri<uted "ere#% to <ad <usiness Bud$"ent or attendant ne$#i$en2e. Bad +ait* pertains to a dis*onest purpose, to so"e "ora# o<#i=uit%, or to t*e 2ons2ious doin$ o+ a ,ron$, a <rea2* o+ a 1no,n dut% attri<uta<#e to a "otive, interest or i## ,i## t*at parta1es o+ t*e nature o+ +raud. Respondents +ai#ed to su++i2ient#% esta<#is* t*is

re=uire"ent. T*us, t*e a,ard o+ "ora# and eHe"p#ar% da"a$es is un,arranted. In t*e sa"e vein, respondents 2annot re2over attorne%Gs +ees and #iti$ation eHpenses. A22ordin$#%, t*ese a,ards s*ou#d <e de#eted.-(). Ho,ever, as re$ards t*e a<ove "entioned a,ard +or re+und to respondents o+ t*eir interest pa%"ents in eH2ess o+ )3E per annu", t*e sa"e s*ou#d in2#ude #e$a# interest. In Eastern Shipping ines, !nc. v. Court of "ppeals,-((. ,e *ave *e#d t*at ,*en an o<#i$ation is <rea2*ed, and it 2onsists in t*e pa%"ent o+ a su" o+ "one%, t*e interest on t*e a"ount o+ da"a$es s*a## <e at t*e rate o+ )(E per annu#, re21oned +ro" t*e ti"e o+ t*e +i#in$ o+ t*e 2o"p#aint.-(&. $HEREFORE, t*e petition is PARTIALL. GRANTED. T*e assai#ed De2ision dated Au$ust (3, (''4 and t*e Reso#ution dated Au$ust /, (')' o+ t*e Court o+ Appea#s in CA-7.R. C8 No. 9://0 are AFFIRMED $ITH MODIFICATIONS, su2* t*at t*e a,ard +or "ora# da"a$es, eHe"p#ar% da"a$es, attorne%Gs +ees, and #iti$ation eHpenses is DELETED, and t*e order o+ re+und in +avor o+ respondents o+ interest pa%"ents "ade in eH2ess o+

)3E per annu# s*a## <ear interest o+ )(E per annu# +ro" t*e ti"e o+ t*e +i#in$ o+ t*e 2o"p#aint unti# its +u## satis+a2tion. SO ORDERED. PEOPLE OF THEPHILIPPINES, P#ainti++Appe##ee, G.R. No. 1"/001 Present: CORONA, C.J., C*airperson, LEONARDO-DE CA>TRO, BER>A IN, DEL CA>TILLO, and 8ILLARA A, FR., JJ.

- versus -

ROSENDO Pro"u#$ated: REBUCAN yLAMSIN, A22usedAppe##ant. Fu#% (3, (')) H- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -H

DECISION

LEONARDO 1 DE CASTRO, J.# Assai#ed <e+ore t*is Court is -). t*e De2ision dated Au$ust (), (''3 o+ t*e Court o+ Appea#s in CA-7.R. CR.-H.C. No. ''(9(, ,*i2* "odi+ied t*e De2ision-(.dated Nove"<er &, (''& o+ t*e Re$iona# Tria# Court 5RTC6 o+ Cari$ara, Le%te, Bran2* )&, in Cri"ina# Case No. /(&(. In t*e De2ision o+ t*e Court o+ Appea#s, t*e a22usedappe##ant Rosendo Re<u2an % La"sin ,as adBud$ed $ui#t% <e%ond reasona<#e dou<t o+ t,o 5(6 separate 2ounts o+ "urder and ,as senten2ed to su++er t*e pena#t% o+ reclusion perpetua +or ea2* 2ount. On Fanuar% (&, (''&, t*e a22used-appe##ant ,as 2*ar$ed ,it* t*e 2ri"e o+ dou<#e "urder in an In+or"ation, t*e a22usator% portion o+ ,*i2* reads:
T*at on or a<out t*e :t* da% o+ Nove"<er, (''(, in t*e uni2ipa#it% o+ Cari$ara, Provin2e o+ Le%te, P*i#ippines and

,it*in t*e Burisdi2tion o+ t*is Honora<#e Court, t*e a<ove-na"ed a22used, ,it* de#i<erate intent to 1i##, ,it* trea2*er% and evident pre"editation and a<use o+ superior stren$t*, did t*en and t*ere ,i##+u##%, un#a,+u##% and +e#onious#% atta21, assau#t and ,ound ?ELIPE LA7ERA D OBERO, :0 %ears o#d and RANIL TA7PI> D LA7ERA, ) %ear o#d, ,it* t*e use o+ a #on$ <o#o 5sundan$6 ,*i2* t*e a22used *ad provided *i"se#+ +or t*e purpose, t*ere<% in+#i2tin$ upon ?e#ipe La$era: H%povo#e"i2 s*o21, "assive <#ood #oss and "u#tip#e *a21in$ ,ounds upon Rani# Ta$pis: H%povo#e"i2 s*o21, "assive <#ood #oss and *a21in$ ,ound, *ead-,. ,*i2* ,ounds 2aused t*e deat* o+ ?e#ipe La$era % O<era and Rani# Ta$pis % La$era, i""ediate#% t*erea+ter.
-&.

A*en arrai$ned on ?e<ruar% )', (''&, t*e a22used-appe##ant p#eaded not $ui#t% to t*e 2*ar$e. -/. Tria#, t*erea+ter, ensued. T*e prose2ution presented as ,itnesses: 5)6 Dr. a. Be##a 8. Pro+etana, uni2ipa# Hea#t* O++i2er o+ Cari$ara, Le%teI 5(6 Car"e#a Ta$pis, t*e 0-%ear-o#d $randdau$*ter o+ t*e vi2ti" ?e#ipe La$era and sister o+ t*e vi2ti" Rani# Ta$pis, Fr.I-0. 5&6 Adora2ion

La$era, t*e ,i+e o+ ?e#ipe La$eraI and 5/6 A#"a Ta$pis, t*e dau$*ter o+ ?e#ipe La$era and "ot*er o+ Rani# Ta$pis, Fr. Dr. Pro+etana testi+ied t*at s*e 2ondu2ted a post-"orte" eHa"ination on t*e <od% o+ t*e vi2ti" ?e#ipe La$era on Nove"<er :, (''(. >*e stated t*at ?e#ipe sustained t*ree *a21in$ ,ounds, t*e +irst o+ ,*i2* ,as #o2ated at *is ri$*t ar" and ,as a<out (&H(H/ 2enti"eters. T*e said ,ound ,as +ata# and 2ou#d *ave <een 2aused <% a s*arp instru"ent su2* as a <o#o. T*e se2ond ,ound ,as #o2ated at ?e#ipeGs Knose "aHi##ar% area,L-:. "easurin$ )& 2enti"eters, ,it* an inverted C s*ape. T*e se2ond ,ound ,as not +ata# and 2ou#d *ave <een 2aused <% a s*arp-ed$ed instru"ent #i1e a <o#o. T*e t*ird ,ound ,as #o2ated at ?e#ipeGs #e+t ar" and ,as "easured as 4H)H).0 2enti"eters. T*e said ,ound ,as +ata# and 2ou#d *ave #i1e,ise <een 2aused <% a s*arp-ed$ed instru"ent. Dr. Pro+etana 2on2#uded t*at t*e 2auses o+ deat* o+ ?e#ipe ,ere *%povo#e"i2 s*o21, "assive <#ood #oss and "u#tip#e *a21in$ ,ounds. >*e a#so 2ondu2ted a post-"orte" eHa"ination on t*e <od% o+ Rani# Ta$pis, Fr. on t*e a+ore"entioned date. T*e resu#ts revea#ed t*at Rani# sustained a *a21in$ ,ound at t*e K+ronto-te"pora# areaL-3. ,it* a s1u## +ra2ture. In t*e 2ase o+ Rani#, t*e 2ause o+ deat* ,as K*%povo#e"i2 s*o21 se2ondar% to "assive <#ood #oss se2ondar% to -t*e. *a21in$ ,ound to t*e *ead.L -9. T*e

instru"ent t*at ,as "ost #i1e#% used ,as s*arp-ed$ed #i1e a <o#o.-4. Car"e#a Ta$pis testi+ied as an e%e,itness to t*e in2ident in =uestion. >*e pointed to t*e a22usedappe##ant as t*e KBata Endon$L-)'. 5Un2#e Endon$6 ,*o *a21ed *er $rand+at*er and <rot*er. >*e stated t*at Rani# ,as *it in t*e +ore*ead, ,*i#e ?e#ipe ,as *it on t*e +a2e, t*e #e+t s*ou#der and t*e ri$*t s*ou#der. A+ter ?e#ipe ,as *a21ed <% t*e a22usedappe##ant, t*e +or"er ,as sti## a<#e to ,a#1 outside o+ *is *ouse, to t*e dire2tion o+ t*e 2o2onut tree and t*erea+ter +e## to t*e $round. Car"e#a said t*at s*e sa, t*at a #on$ <o#o ,as used in t*e 1i##in$ o+ ?e#ipe and Rani#. >*e re#ated t*at ?e#ipe a#so o,ned a <o#o <ut *e ,as not a<#e to use t*e sa"e ,*en *e ,as atta21ed. >*e ,as t*en inside t*e *ouse ,it* ?e#ipe and *er t,o %oun$er <rot*ers, Feri2*o and Bito% 5Rani#6. >*e ,as sittin$ a<out +our "eters a,a% ,*en t*e *a21in$ in2ident o22urred indoors.-)). On 2ross-eHa"ination, Car"e#a stated t*at at t*e ti"e o+ t*e in2ident, s*e ,as p#a%in$ ,it* a to% 2a"era inside t*e *ouse and s*e ,as situated <eside a 2*i21en 2a$e, near a <en2*. ?e#ipe ,as a#so t*ere near t*e <en2* and *e ,as 2arr%in$ Rani# in *is ri$*t ar". A*en as1ed ,*et*er t*e a22used-appe##ant 2a"e inside t*e *ouse in a sudden "anner, Car"e#a ans,ered in t*e a++ir"ative. >*e insisted t*at Rani#

,as indeed 2arried <% ?e#ipe ,*en t*e a22usedappe##ant entered t*e *ouse. >*e said t*at no +i$*t or a#ter2ation o22urred <et,een ?e#ipe and t*e a22usedappe##ant. A+ter ?e#ipe ,as *a21ed, *e i""ediate#% ran outside o+ t*e *ouse. Car"e#a and Feri2*ot*en ran to t*e <a21 o+ t*e *ouse.-)(. Adora2ion La$era testi+ied t*at at /:'' p.". on Nove"<er :, (''(, s*e ,as at t*e *ouse o+ a 2ertain Fustiniano Ran2e. A+ter arrivin$ t*ere, s*e ,as +et2*ed <% a #itt#e <o% ,*o to#d *er to $o *o"e <e2ause ?e#ipe *ad <een *a21ed. >*e ran to,ards t*e dire2tion o+ *er *ouse. A*en s*e $ot t*ere, s*e sa, t*e #i+e#ess <od% o+ ?e#ipe spra,#ed on t*e $round. >*e t*en ,ent inside t*e *ouse and +ound *er dau$*ter, A#"a Ta$pis, 2udd#in$ t*e <od% o+ Rani# ,*ose *ead ,as ,ounded. >*e to#dA#"a to #oo1 +or a "otor ve*i2#e to <rin$ t*e 2*i#d to t*e *ospita#. >*e a#so +ound out t*at t*e ot*er t,o 2*i#dren, Car"e#a and Feri2*o, *id ,*en t*e% sa, ?e#ipe <ein$ *a21ed. A*en s*e as1ed t*e" ,*o ,ent to t*eir *ouse, Car"e#a to#d *er t*at it ,as t*e a22usedappe##ant ,*o entered t*eir *ouse and *a21ed t*e vi2ti"s.-)&. A#"a Ta$pis testi+ied t*at at a<out /:'' p.". on Nove"<er :, (''(, s*e ,as in Br$%. >o$od, *avin$ t*eir pala$ 5un*us1ed ri2e $rain6 "i##ed. >*ort#% t*erea+ter, s*e ,ent *o"e and pro2eeded to t*e *ouse

o+ *er +at*er, ?e#ipe, ,*ere s*e #e+t *er 2*i#dren. >*e t*en "et a person #oo1in$ +or *er "ot*er ,*o ,as a<out to te## t*e #atter t*at ?e#ipe ,as *a21ed. A*en s*e rus*ed to ?e#ipeGs *ouse, s*e sa, *i" #%in$ in t*e $rass% p#a2e, ,ounded and "otion#ess. >*e as1ed ?e#ipe ,*o *a21ed *i", <ut *e ,as not a<#e to ans,er an%"ore. >*e ,ent inside t*e *ouse and sa, <#ood on t*e +#oor and t*e +eet o+ *er son Rani#. T*in1in$ t*at t*e 1i##er ,as sti## inside, s*e ,ent to t*e <a21 o+ t*e *ouse and pu##ed a s#ot o+ <oard on t*e ,a## so s*e 2ou#d $et inside. Upon seein$ t*e <od% o+ Rani#, s*e too1 *i" and ran to,ards t*e road. >*e ,as a<#e to <rin$ Rani# to t*e *ospita#, <ut t*e do2tor a#read% pronoun2ed *i" dead. Her ot*er t,o 2*i#dren, Car"e#a and Feri2*o, soon arrived at t*e *ospita# ,it* t*e po#i2e. A*en s*e as1ed t*e" ,*o 1i##ed ?e#ipe, Car"e#a ans,ered t*at it ,as t*e a22used-appe##ant.
-)/.

T*erea+ter, t*e prose2ution +or"a##% o++ered t*e +o##o,in$ do2u"entar% eviden2e, to ,it: 5)6 EH*i<it A N t*e Post-"orte" EHa"ination Report on ?e#ipeI -)0. 5(6 EH*i<it B N t*e s1et2* o+ t*e *u"an anato"% indi2atin$ t*e ,ounds sustained <% ?e#ipeI-):. 5&6 EH*i<it C N t*e Certi+i2ate o+ Deat* o+ ?e#ipeI -)3. 5/6 EH*i<it D N t*e Post-"orte" EHa"ination Report on Rani#I-)9. 506 EH*i<it E N t*e s1et2* o+ t*e *u"an anato"% indi2atin$ t*e ,ounds sustained <% Rani#I

-)4.

and 5:6 EH*i<it ? N t*e Certi+i2ate o+ Deat* o+ Rani#.-('. T*e de+ense, on t*e ot*er *and, presented t*e +o##o,in$ ,itnesses, na"e#%: 5)6 Ra%"ond Ran2e, t*e stepson o+ t*e a22used-appe##antI 5(6 Renerio Ar"ina#,-().t*e baranga$ 2*airperson o+ Br$%. Can#a"pa%, Cari$ara, Le%teI 5&6 Arnu#+o A#<er2a, a "e"<er o+ t*e P*i#ippine Nationa# Po#i2e 5PNP6 stationed at Cari$ara, Le%teI and 5/6 t*e a22usedappe##ant Rosendo Re<u2an % La"sin. Ra%"ond Ran2e testi+ied t*at *is "ot*erGs na"e is arites Ran2e. T*e a22used-appe##ant is not *is <io#o$i2a# +at*er <ut t*e +or"er *e#ped in providin$ +or *is <asi2 needs. He narrated t*at on t*e ni$*t o+ Fu#% )9, (''(, *e sa, ?e#ipe La$era inside t*eir *ouse. ?e#ipe p#a2ed *i"se#+ on top o+ Ra%"ondGs "ot*er, ,*o ,as #%in$ do,n. Ra%"ond and *is %oun$er sister, Enda, ,ere t*en s#eepin$ <eside t*eir "ot*er and t*e% ,ere a,a1ened. His "ot*er 1ept pus*in$ ?e#ipe a,a% and s*e eventua##% su22eeded in drivin$ *i" out. In t*e evenin$ o+ Fu#% (', (''(, at a<out )):'' p."., Ra%"ond re2ounted t*at *e sa, ?e#ipeGs son, Arte"io a#ias Ti"<o%, inside t*eir *ouse. Ti"<o% ,as a<#e to $o upstairs and 1ept tr%in$ to p#a2e *i"se#+ on top o+ Ra%"ondGs "ot*er. T*e #atter $ot "ad and pus*ed Ti"<o% a,a%. >*e even pus*ed *i" do,n t*e stairs. T*e

a22used-appe##ant ,as ,or1in$ in ani#a ,*en t*e a+oresaid in2idents *appened. Ra%"ond said t*at *is "ot*er t*erea+ter #e+t +or ani#a. >u<se=uent#%, *e sa, t*e a22used-appe##ant at t*e *ouse o+ a 2ertain Bernie, severa# da%s a+ter t*e a22used-appe##ant arrived in Le%te. He to#d t*e a22used-appe##ant a<out t*e in2idents invo#vin$ ?e#ipe and Ti"<o%. On Nove"<er :, (''(, Ra%"ond and t*e a22used ,ere a#read% #ivin$ in t*e sa"e *ouse. On t*e said date, t*e a22used-appe##ant #e+t t*eir *ouse a+ter t*e% *ad #un2* and *e to#d Ra%"ond t*at *e ,as $oin$ to 2a## t*e #atterGs "ot*er. Ra%"ond testi+ied t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant is a $ood "an and ,as supportive o+ *is +a"i#%. He a#so stated t*at t*e a22usedappe##ant se#do" dran1 #i=uor and even i+ *e did $et drun1, *e did not 2ause an% trou<#e.-((. Renerio Ar"ina# testi+ied t*at on Nove"<er :, (''(, t*e a22used-appe##ant surrendered to *i". T*e #atter 2a"e to *i" a#one and to#d *i" t*at *e 5t*e a22used-appe##ant6 +ou$*t ,it* ?e#ipe La$era. Ar"ina# t*en ordered t*e *u"an ri$*ts a2tion o++i2er, Ri21% Ir#ande;, and t*e 2*ie+ tanod, Pedro O#edan, to <rin$ t*e a22used-appe##ant to t*e po#i2e station. A+ter,ards, t*e po#i2e o++i2ers 2a"e to *is p#a2e and *e a22o"panied t*e" to t*e *ouse o+ ?e#ipe.-(&.

Arnu#+o A#<er2a ,as #i1e,ise 2a##ed upon to t*e ,itness stand to prove t*at t*e vo#untar% surrender o+ t*e a22used-appe##ant ,as entered into t*e re2ords o+ t*e po#i2e <#otter. He ,as as1ed to read in open 2ourt t*e Po#i2e B#otter Entr% No. 0990 dated Nove"<er :, (''(, ,*i2* re2orded t*e +a2t o+ vo#untar% surrender o+ t*e a22used-appe##ant. His testi"on% ,as no #on$er presented, *o,ever, sin2e t*e prose2ution a#read% ad"itted t*e 2ontents o+ t*e <#otter.-(/. T*e a22used-appe##ant testi+ied t*at *e arrived in Cari$ara, Le%te +ro" ani#a on Au$ust )0, (''(. He ,ent to t*e *ouse o+ *is e#der <rot*er, Hi#ario, to #oo1 +or *is 2*i#dren. T*ere, *e #earned t*at *is ,i+e ,ent to ani#a and *is <rot*er ,as ta1in$ 2are o+ *is t,o 2*i#dren and *is stepson, Ra%"ond. On Nove"<er (, (''(, *e sa, Ra%"ond at t*e p#a2e o+ *is +riend, Bernie Dona#do. He as1ed Ra%"ond ,*% t*e #atterGs "ot*er ,ent to ani#a and *e ,as to#d t*at, ,*i#e *e ,as sti## in ani#a, ?e#ipe and Ti"<o% La$era ,ent to t*eir *ouse and tried to p#a2e t*e"se#ves on top o+ *is ,i+e. He t*en said t*at *e *ar<ored i## +ee#in$s to,ards t*e said "en <ut *e ,as a<#e to 2ontro# t*e sa"e +or t*e sa1e o+ *is 2*i#dren. On Nove"<er :, (''(, at a<out (:'' p."., *e ,ent to t*e *ouse o+ baranga$ 2*airperson Ar"ina# to p#a2e a 2a## to *is ,i+e ,*o ,as in ani#a. He ,as 2arr%in$ a <o#o at t*at ti"e sin2e

*e ,as usin$ t*e sa"e to 2ut 2assava ste"s in *is +ar". A*en *e ta#1ed to *is ,i+e, s*e 2on+ir"ed t*at s*e ,as seHua##% "o#ested <% ?e#ipe and Ti"<o%. T*erea+ter, as t*e a22used-appe##ant pro2eeded to $o *o"e, it rained *eavi#% so *e +irst sou$*t s*e#ter at t*e p#a2e o+ *is +riend, Eno1. T*e #atter ,as drin1in$ $in and *e ,as o++ered a drin1. A+ter sta%in$ t*ere and drin1in$ +or *a#+ an *our, t*e a22used-appe##ant de2ided to $o *o"e. A+ter,ards, *e re"e"<ered t*at *e *ad to <u% 1erosene so *e ,ent to t*e store o+ ?e#ipe La$era.-(0. T*e a22used-appe##ant +urt*er testi+ied t*at ,*en *e rea2*ed t*e *ouse o+ ?e#ipe, t*e #atter ,as +eedin$ 2*i21ens. A*en ?e#ipe as1ed *i" ,*at ,as *is <usiness in $oin$ t*ere, *e 2on+ronted ?e#ipe a<out t*e a##e$ed seHua# a<use o+ *is ,i+e. ?e#ipe a##e$ed#% 2#ai"ed t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant *ad a <ad purpose +or <ein$ t*ere and t*at t*e #atter ,anted to start a +i$*t. A22used-appe##ant denied t*e a22usation and responded t*at ?e#ipe s*ou#d not $et an$r%, as it ,as *e 5?e#ipe6 ,*o 2o""itted a ,ron$ a$ainst *i" and *is ,i+e. ?e#ipe a##e$ed#% $ot "ad and *ur#ed t*e 2over o+ a 2*i21en 2a$e at *i", <ut *e ,as a<#e to parr% it ,it* *is *and. T*e a22used-appe##ant t*en dre, *is #on$ <o#o and *a21ed ?e#ipe on t*e #e+t side o+ t*e a<do"en, as t*e #atter ,as a#read% turnin$ and a<out to run to t*e *ouse. He a#so ,ent inside t*e *ouse sin2e ?e#ipe "i$*t $et *o#d o+ a ,eapon. A*en

t*e% ,ere <ot* inside and *e ,as a<out to de#iver a se2ond *a21in$ <#o,, ?e#ipe *e#d up and used t*e 2*i#d Rani# as a s*ie#d. As t*e se2ond *a21in$ <#o, ,as de#ivered sudden#%, *e ,as not a<#e to ,it*dra, t*e sa"e an%"ore su2* t*at t*e <#o, #anded on Rani#. A*en *e sa, t*at *e *it t*e 2*i#d, *e $ot an$r% and de#ivered a t*ird *a21in$ <#o, on ?e#ipe, ,*i2* #anded on t*e ri$*t side o+ t*e #atterGs ne21. T*erea+ter, ?e#ipe ran outside. He +o##o,ed ?e#ipe and *a21ed *i" a$ain, ,*i2* <#o, *it t*e vi2ti"Gs upper #e+t ar". At t*at ti"e, ?e#ipe ,as a#read% on t*e %ard o+ *is *ouse and ,as a<out to run to,ards t*e road. He t*en #e+t and surrendered to t*e baranga$ 2*airperson.-(:. Durin$ *is 2ross-eHa"ination, t*e a22usedappe##ant said t*at *e ,as a <it tips% ,*en *e pro2eeded to ?e#ipeGs *ouse, <ut *e ,as not drun1. A*en ?e#ipe ran inside t*e *ouse a+ter t*e +irst *a21in$ <#o,, t*e a22used-appe##ant stated t*at *e *ad no intention to <a21 out <e2ause *e ,as t*in1in$ t*at t*e vi2ti" "i$*t $et a $un and use t*e sa"e a$ainst *i". T*e a22used-appe##ant a#so asserted t*at ,*en *e ,as a<out to de#iver t*e se2ond *a21in$ <#o,, ?e#ipe si"u#taneous#% too1 Rani# ,*o ,as sittin$ on a sa21 and used *i" to s*ie#d t*e <#o,. T*ere ,as a #on$ <o#o near<% <ut ?e#ipe ,as not a<#e to ta1e *o#d o+ t*e sa"e <e2ause t*e a22used-appe##ant ,as 2*asin$ *i". He ad"itted t*at *e *ad a p#an to 1i##

?e#ipe <ut 2#ai"ed t*at ,*en *e arrived at t*e #atterGs *ouse on t*e da% o+ t*e atta21, *e *ad no intention to 1i## *i".-(3. T*e de+ense a#so presented t*e +o##o,in$ do2u"entar% eviden2e: 5)6 EH*i<it ) N t*e Po#i2e B#otter Entr% No. 0990 dated Nove"<er :, (''(I -(9. and 5(6 EH*i<it ( N t*e Civi# arria$e Contra2t o+ Rosendo Re<u2an and arites Ran2e.-(4. On Nove"<er &, (''&, t*e RTC rendered a de2ision, 2onvi2tin$ t*e a22used-appe##ant o+ t*e 2ri"e o+ dou<#e "urder. T*e tria# 2ourt e#u2idated t*us:
-In vie, o+. t*e vivid portra%a# o+ Ra%"ond on *o, -t*e ,i+e o+ t*e a22used. ,as seHua##% a<used <% t*e +at*er and son La$era, t*e a22used *at2*ed a de2ision to aven$e *is ,i+eGs seHua# "o#estation. Da%s *ad passed, <ut t*is de2ision to 1i## ?e#ipe did not ,it*er, instead it <e2a"e stron$er, t*at on t*e :t* o+ Nove"<er (''(, *e ar"ed *i"se#+ ,it* a s*arp #on$ <o#o 1no,n as Ksundan$L and ,ent to Br$%. Can#a"pa%, Cari$ara, Le%te ,*ere t*e vi2ti" #ive-d.. ?ue#ed <% *atred and t*e spirit o+ London $in a+ter 2onsu"in$ one <ott#e ,it* *is 2o"padre KEno1L, *e de2ided to eHe2ute *is evi# deeds <% $oin$ to t*e *ouse o+ ?e#ipe La$era, in t*e $uise o+ <u%in$ 1erosene and on2e inside t*e *ouse *a21ed and ,ounded t*e vi2ti", ?e#ipe

La$era ,*o ,as t*en *o#din$ in *is ar" *is $randson, one and *a#+ %ears ) O o#d, Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. T*e "anner <% ,*i2* t*e a22used adopted in 1i##in$ t*e vi2ti", ?e#ipe La$era, and Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. ,as a pre"editated de2ision and eHe2uted ,it* trea2*er%. HHHH T-&,& (2 ),&d&n)& *o *-& *&2*(3on4 o' *-& 3(no, &4&5(*n&22 Ca,3&6a Ta78(2 *-a* *-& 9()*(3, F&6(8& 5a2 -o6d(n7 (n -(2 a,32 -&, 4o:n7&, +,o*-&,, Ra3(6 Ta78(2, ;,. (n2(d& -(2 -o:2&, 5-&n *-& a)):2&d &n*&,&d, and 5(*-o:* an4 5a,n(n7 o, 8,o9o)a*(on )o3(n7 ',o3 *-& 9()*(3, *-& a)):2&d (33&d(a*&64 d&6(9&,&d 2&9&,a6 -a)%(n7 +6o52 on *-& 9()*(3 7(9(n7 no ,&7a,d *o *-& (nno)&n* )-(6d (n *-& a,32 o' La7&,a. $(*- *-(2 8,&)a,(o:2 2(*:a*(on, *-& 9()*(3 5-o 5a2 :na,3&d -a2 no o88o,*:n(*4 *o 8:* :8 -(2 d&'&n2& a7a(n2* *-& :n6a5':6 a77,&22(on o' *-& a)):2&d, 3o,&2o, *o ,&*a6(a*&. oreover, ,*at de+ense 2ou#d an inno2ent ) )@( %ears o#d Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. put up a$ainst t*e ar"ed and superior stren$t* o+ t*e a22used, <ut to #eave *is +ate to 7od. T*e 2ir2u"stan2e t*at t*e atta21 ,as sudden and uneHpe2ted and t*e vi2ti"s, unar"ed, ,ere 2au$*t tota##% unprepared to

de+end t*e"se#ves =ua#i+ies 2o""itted as "urder. H H H.

t*e

2ri"e

A+ter t*e in2ident, t*e a22used Rosendo Re<u2an i""ediate#% ,ent to t*e *ouse o+ Br$%. C*air"an, Renerio Ar2ena# at sitio Pa#a#i, Br$%. Can#a"pa%, Cari$ara, Le%te, to surrender, <e2ause *e 1i##ed ?e#ipe La$era and Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. T*e Br$%. C*air"an instru2ted *is Br$%. Hu"an Ri$*ts A2tion O++i2er, Ri21% Ir#ande; and *is C*ie+ Tanod, Pedro O#edan to <rin$ Rosendo to t*e Po#i2e Aut*orities o+ Cari$ara, Le%te. T*is +a2t o+ vo#untar% surrender ,as 2orro<orated <% Po#i2e O++i2er Arnu#+o A#<er2a, ,*o presented to Court t*e po#i2e <#otter, under entr% No. 0990, dated Nove"<er :, (''(, o+ t*e PNP, Cari$ara, Le%te. C#ear#%, t*e a2t o+ t*e a22used in surrenderin$ to t*e aut*orities s*o,ed *is intent to su<"it *i"se#+ un2onditiona##% to t*e", to save t*e aut*orities +ro" trou<#e and eHpenses t*at t*e% ,ou#d in2ur +or *is 2apture. ?or t*is reason, *e *as 2o"p#ied ,it* t*e re=uisites o+ vo#untar% surrender as a "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e-.. H H H. ?ro" t*e 2ir2u"stan2es o<tainin$, t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+ ad"ission and vo#untar% surrender 2redited to t*e a22used are not su++i2ient to o++set t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+: a6 &9(d&n* 8,&3&d(*a*(onI <6 *,&a)-&,4 <a6&9o2(a=I 26 d5&66(n7 N t*e 2ri"e

,as 2o""itted at t*e *ouse o+ t*e vi2ti"I d6 (n*o>()a*(on N t*e a22used +ue#ed *i"se#+ ,it* t*e spirit o+ London $in prior to t*e 2o""ission o+ t*e 2ri"eI e6 a+:2& o' 2:8&,(o, 2*,&n7*-I and +6 3(no,(*4, in so +ar as t*e 2*i#d vi2ti", Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. is 2on2erned, pursuant to Arti2#e :& o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code as a"ended. H H H. HHHH In t*e "ind o+ t*e Court, t*e prose2ution *as su<stantia##% esta<#is*ed t*e =uantu" o+ eviden2e to prove t*e $ui#t o+ t*e a22used <e%ond reasona<#e dou<t.-&'.

Pa% t*e Cost.-&). 5E"p*ases ours.6

T*e 2ase ,as ori$ina##% e#evated to t*is Court on auto"ati2 revie, and t*e sa"e ,as do21eted as 7.R. No. ):)3':.-&(. T*e parties, t*erea+ter, su<"itted t*eir respe2tive appea# <rie+s.-&&. In our -&/. Reso#ution dated Fu#% )4, (''0, ,e ordered t*e trans+er o+ t*e 2ase to t*e Court o+ Appea#s +or appropriate disposition, pursuant to our ru#in$ in %eople v. Mateo.-&0. Be+ore t*e appe##ate 2ourt, t*e 2ase ,as do21eted as CA-7.R. CR.-H.C. No. ''(9(. T*e Court o+ Appea#s pro"u#$ated t*e assai#ed de2ision on Au$ust (), (''3, "odi+%in$ t*e Bud$"ent o+ t*e RTC. T*e appe##ate 2ourt adopted t*e position o+ t*e O++i2e o+ t*e >o#i2itor 7enera# 5O>76 t*at t*e +e#onious a2ts o+ t*e a22used-appe##ant resu#ted in t,o separate 2ri"es o+ "urder as t*e eviden2e o+ t*e prose2ution +ai#ed to prove t*e eHisten2e o+ a 2o"p#eH 2ri"e o+ dou<#e "urder. T*e Court o+ Appea#s su<s2ri<ed to t*e +indin$s o+ t*e RTC t*at t*e 1i##in$ o+ ?e#ipe La$era ,as attended <% t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+ trea2*er% and evident pre"editation. Ait* respe2t to t*e ensuant "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2es, t*e Court o+ Appea#s 2redited t*e 2ir2u"stan2e o+ vo#untar% surrender in +avor o+ t*e a22used-appe##ant, <ut reBe2ted t*e appre2iation o+

T*e RTC, t*us, de2reed:

AHERE?ORE, pre"ises 2onsidered, pursuant to >e2. :, Art. (/9 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code, as a"ended and +urt*er a"ended <% R.A. 3:04 5T*e Deat* Pena#t% La,6, t*e Court +ound a22used RO>ENDO REBUCAN % LA >IN, 7UILTD <e%ond reasona<#e dou<t o+ t*e 2ri"e o+ DOUBLE MURDER 2*ar$ed under t*e in+or"ation and senten2ed to su++er t*e "aHi"u" pena#t% o+ DEATH, and to pa% 2ivi# inde"nit% to t*e *eirs o+ ?e#ipe La$era and Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr. in t*e a"ount o+ >event%-?ive T*ousand 5P!0,???.??6 Pesos +or ea2* vi2ti" and "ora# da"a$es in t*e a"ount o+ >event%?ive T*ousand 5P!0,???.??6 Pesos to ea2*I and

intoHi2ation, i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense and vo#untar% 2on+ession. As +or t*e deat* o+ Rani#, t*e appe##ate 2ourt a#so ru#ed t*at t*e sa"e ,as attended <% t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ trea2*er% and t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ vo#untar% surrender. T*us, t*e Court o+ Appea#s disposed o+ t*e 2ase as +o##o,s:
$HEREFORE, IN VIE$ OF THE FOREGOING, t*e De2ision appea#ed +ro" is *ere<% MODIFIED. As "odi+ied, a22usedappe##ant is *ere<% adBud$ed $ui#t% <e%ond reasona<#e dou<t +or t,o 5(6 2ounts o+ "urder +or t*e deat*s o+ ?e#ipe La$era and Ra"i# Ta$pis, Fr., and is *ere<% senten2ed to su++er t*e pena#t% o+ reclusion perpetua +or &a)- 2ount o+ "urder *e *as 2o""itted. T*e a,ard o+ 2ivi# inde"nit% is redu2ed to P0','''.'' +or ea2* vi2ti"I t*e a,ard o+ "ora# da"a$es is #i1e,ise redu2ed to P0','''.'' +or ea2* vi2ti". ?urt*er, eHe"p#ar% da"a$es in t*e a"ount o+ P(0,'''.'' is a,arded to t*e *eirs o+ ea2* vi2ti".-&:.

Appea#s ordered t*at t*e re2ords o+ t*e 2ase <e +or,arded to t*is Court. On Fune )9, (''9, ,e reso#ved to a22ept t*e appea# and re=uired t*e parties to +i#e t*eir respe2tive supp#e"enta# <rie+s, i+ t*e% so desire, ,it*in t*irt% da%s +ro" noti2e.-&4. T*erea+ter, <ot* parties "ani+ested t*at t*e% ,ere adoptin$ t*e <rie+s t*e% +i#ed <e+ore t*e Court o+ Appea#s and ,i## no #on$er +i#e t*eir respe2tive supp#e"enta# <rie+s.-/'. T*e a22used-appe##ant sets +ort* t*e +o##o,in$ assi$n"ent o+ errors:
I THE COURT A PUO 7RA8ELD ERRED IN ?INDIN7 THE ACCU>ED-APPELLANT 7UILTD BEDOND REA>ONABLE DOUBT ?OR THE CRI E O? URDER. II THE COURT A PUO 7RA8ELD ERRED IN ?AILIN7 TO APPRECIATE THE ITI7ATIN7 CIRCU >TANCE O? I EDIATE 8INDICATION O? A 7RA8E O??EN>E IN ?A8OR O? THE ACCU>EDAPPELLANT. III

T*e a22used-appe##ant +i#ed a Noti2e o+ Appea#-&3. o+ t*e a<ove de2ision. In -&9. a Reso#ution dated ?e<ruar% :, (''9, t*e Court o+

THE COURT A PUO 7RA8ELD ERRED IN ?AILIN7 TO APPRECIATE INTOMICATION A> A ITI7ATIN7 CIRCU >TANCE IN ?A8OR O? THE ACCU>ED-APPELLANT. I8 THE COURT A PUO 7RA8ELD ERRED IN APPRECIATIN7 THE A77RA8ATIN7 CIRCU >TANCE> O? DAELLIN7, ABU>E O? >UPERIOR >TREN7TH AND -/). INORITD.

t*e 1i##in$s supposed#% s*o,ed t*at it ,as not intentiona# and *e did not 2ons2ious#% adopt t*e "et*od o+ atta21 upon t*e t,o vi2ti"s. T*e a22usedappe##ant si"i#ar#% reBe2ts t*e +indin$ o+ t*e RTC t*at t*ere ,as evident pre"editation on *is part sin2e t*e prose2ution +ai#ed to prove t*at *e de#i<erate#% p#anned t*e 1i##in$ o+ ?e#ipe. T*e a22used-appe##ant "aintains t*at at t*e ti"e o+ t*e in2ident, *e ,as sti## una<#e to 2ontro# *is an$er as *e Bust re2ent#% dis2overed t*at *is ,i+e ,as seHua##% a<used <% ?e#ipe and t*e #atterGs son, Ti"<o%. He a#so avers t*at *e ,as a <it intoHi2ated ,*en t*e 2ri"e too1 p#a2e so t*at *e ,as not in tota# 2ontro# o+ *i"se#+. He 2#ai"s t*at *e is not a *a<itua# drin1er and t*at *e "ere#% 2onsu"ed t*e a#2o*o# prior to t*e in2ident in order to appease *is +riend. He #i1e,ise ar$ues t*at t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ d,e##in$ s*ou#d not *ave <een appre2iated inas"u2* as t*e sa"e ,as not a##e$ed in t*e in+or"ation. oreover, t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ a<use o+ superior stren$t* 2annot <e appre2iated sin2e *e did not de#i<erate#% *ar" or atta21 Rani# Ta$pis, Fr. and t*e deat* o+ t*e #atter ,as a22identa#. T*e a22used-appe##ant pra%s t*at *e s*ou#d on#% <e +ound $ui#t% o+ t*e 2ri"e o+ *o"i2ide ,it* t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+ vo#untar% surrender, i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense and intoHi2ation.

T*e a22used-appe##ant ad"its to t*e 1i##in$ o+ ?e#ipe <ut denies t*at t*e 2ri"e ,as 2o""itted ,it* trea2*er% and evident pre"editation. He ar$ues t*at t*ere is dou<t as to t*e presen2e o+ trea2*er% $iven t*at t*ere ,as no e%e,itness ,*o 2ate$ori2a##% stated t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant atta21ed t*e vi2ti"s sudden#%, t*ere<% deprivin$ t*e" o+ t*e "eans to de+end t*e"se#ves. He <rus*ed aside t*e testi"on% o+ Car"e#a Ta$pis, insistin$ t*at s*e ,as not in a position to sa% t*at t*ere ,as no a#ter2ation <et,een *i" and ?e#ipe, ,*i2* 2ou#d *ave put t*e #atter on $uard. T*e prose2ution a##e$ed#% +ai#ed to prove t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant intentiona##% ,aited +or t*e ti"e ,*en ?e#ipe ,ou#d <e de+ense#ess <e+ore initiatin$ t*e atta21. T*e +a2t t*at *e vo#untari#% surrendered to t*e baranga$ 2*airperson and t*e po#i2e and ad"itted

T*e appea# #a21s "erit. Basi2 is t*e ru#e t*at in order to a++ir" t*e 2onvi2tion o+ an a22used person, t*e prose2ution "ust esta<#is* *is $ui#t <e%ond reasona<#e dou<t. Proo+ <e%ondreasona<#e dou<t does not "ean su2* a de$ree o+ proo+ as, eH2#udin$ possi<i#it% o+ error, produ2es a<so#ute 2ertaint%. On#% "ora# 2ertaint% is re=uired, or t*at de$ree o+ proo+ ,*i2* produ2es 2onvi2tion in an unpreBudi2ed "ind. -/(. U#ti"ate#%, ,*at t*e #a, si"p#% re=uires is t*at an% proo+ a$ainst t*e a22used "ust survive t*e test o+ reason +or it is on#% ,*en t*e 2ons2ien2e is satis+ied t*at t*e perpetrator o+ t*e 2ri"e is t*e person on tria# s*ou#d t*ere <e a Bud$"ent o+ 2onvi2tion.-/&. A +indin$ o+ $ui#t "ust rest on t*e stren$t* o+ t*e prose2utionGs o,n eviden2e, not on t*e ,ea1ness or even a<sen2e o+ eviden2e +or t*e de+ense.-//. In t*e instant 2ase, t*e eviden2e o+ t*e prose2ution esta<#is*ed t*e +a2t t*at t*e 1i##in$s o+ ?e#ipe and Rani# ,ere attended <% trea2*er%, t*us =ua#i+%in$ t*e sa"e to "urder. A22ordin$ to Arti2#e (/9-/0. o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code, as a"ended, an% person ,*o s*a## 1i## anot*er s*a## <e $ui#t% o+ "urder i+ t*e sa"e ,as 2o""itted ,it* t*e attendant 2ir2u"stan2e o+

trea2*er%, a"on$ ot*er t*in$s, and t*at t*e situation does not +a## ,it*in t*e provisions o+ Arti2#e (/:. -/:. T*ere is trea2*er% ,*en t*e o++ender 2o""its an% o+ t*e 2ri"es a$ainst t*e person, e"p#o%in$ "eans, "et*ods, or +or"s in t*e eHe2ution t*ereo+ ,*i2* tend dire2t#% and spe2ia##% to insure its eHe2ution, ,it*out ris1 to *i"se#+ arisin$ +ro" t*e de+ense ,*i2* t*e o++ended part% "i$*t "a1e.-/3. T*e essen2e o+ trea2*er% is a de#i<erate and sudden atta21, o++erin$ an unar"ed and unsuspe2tin$ vi2ti" no 2*an2e to resist or to es2ape. T*ere is trea2*er% even i+ t*e atta21 is +ronta# i+ it is sudden and uneHpe2ted, ,it* t*e vi2ti"s *avin$ no opportunit% to repe# it or de+end t*e"se#ves, +or ,*at is de2isive in trea2*er% is t*at t*e eHe2ution o+ t*e atta21 "ade it i"possi<#e +or t*e vi2ti"s to de+end t*e"se#ves or to reta#iate.-/9. In t*e 2ase at <ar, t*e RTC $ave "ore ,ei$*t to t*e testi"on% o+ Car"e#a Ta$pis in esta<#is*in$ t*e presen2e o+ trea2*er% in t*e "anner ,it* ,*i2* t*e a22used-appe##ant 2arried out t*e vio#ent 1i##in$s o+ ?e#ipe and Rani#. In t*is re$ard, ,e reiterate t*e esta<#is*ed do2trine arti2u#ated in %eople v. &e 'uz#an-/4. t*at:
In t*e reso#ution o+ t*e +a2tua# issues, t*e 2ourt re#ies *eavi#% on t*e tria# 2ourt +or its eva#uation o+ t*e ,itnesses and t*eir 2redi<i#it%. Havin$ t*e opportunit% to o<serve

t*e" on t*e stand, t*e tria# Bud$e is a<#e to dete2t t*at so"eti"es t*in #ine <et,een +a2t and prevari2ation t*at ,i## deter"ine t*e $ui#t or inno2en2e o+ t*e a22used. T*at #ine "a% not <e dis2erni<#e +ro" a "ere readin$ o+ t*e i"persona# re2ord <% t*e revie,in$ 2ourt. H H H.
-0'.

P: A:

A*% did *e dieQ Be2ause *e ,as *a21ed <% Bata Endon$.

P: Do %ou 1no, a#so %our $rand+at*er ?e#ipe La$era, FrQ A: Des sir. P: A: A*ere is *e no,Q He is dead a#so. A*% did *e dieQ Be2ause *e ,as *a21ed <% Bata Endon$. Is t*e person %our Bata Endon$ *ere in t*e 2ourt roo" ,*o *a21ed %our <rot*er and %our $rand+at*erQ Des sir.

oreover, ,e *ave o+tenti"es ru#ed t*at t*e Court ,i## not inter+ere ,it* t*e Bud$"ent o+ t*e tria# 2ourt in deter"inin$ t*e 2redi<i#it% o+ ,itnesses un#ess t*ere appears in t*e re2ord so"e +a2t or 2ir2u"stan2e o+ ,ei$*t and in+#uen2e ,*i2* *as <een over#oo1ed or t*e si$ni+i2an2e o+ ,*i2* *as <een "isinterpreted.-0). Car"e#a testi+ied as +o##o,s:
PRO>. TORRE8ILLA>: P: Do %ou *ave a <rot*er na"ed Rani# Ta$pis, FrQ A: Des sir. P: A: A*ere is *e no,Q He is dead.

P: A: P: A:

COURT INTERPRETER: Aitness pointin$ to a person ,*en as1ed o+ *is na"e identi+ied *i"se#+ as Rosendo Re<u2an. HHHH P: A: P: A: A*at instru"ent did t*e a22used use in 1i##in$ %our -<rot*er and. %our $rand+at*erQ Lon$ <o#o, sundan$. Aere %ou a<#e to see t*at #on$ <o#oQ Des sir.

P: Do %ou 1no, t*e 2ir2u"stan2e o+ *is deat*Q A: Des sir.

P: HHHH P: A: P: A: Aas %our $rand+at*er ar"ed t*at ti"eQ He *as *is o,n <o#o <ut *e p#a2ed it on t*e *o#der o+ t*e #on$ <o#o. Aas t*at #on$ <o#o used <% %our $rand+at*erQ No sir. HHHH P: P: A: Ho, +ar ,ere %ou to t*e in2ident, ,*en t*is *a21in$ in2ident *appenedQ 5,itness indi2atin$ a distan2e o+ a<out / "eters6. HHHH P: COURT: Cross. ATTD. DICO: P: P: Dou stated a,*i#e a$o t*at %our <rot*er Feri2*o, Bito% -Rani#. and %ou and %our papo ?e#ipe ,ere at t*e *ouse o+ %our papo ?e#ipeQ Des sir. A: P: A: A: A: A:

Dou "ean to sa% t*at t*ere ,ere no ot*er persons present in t*at *ouse ot*er t*an %ou +our 5/6Q Des sir. HHHH

P: A:

>o, %ou ,ere p#a%in$ t*at to% 2a"era inside t*e roo" o+ %our papo ?e#ipeQ No sir, I ,as p#a%in$ t*en at t*e side o+ t*e 2*i21en 2a$e. Is t*at 2*i21en 2a$e ,as inside or outside t*e *ouse o+ %our papo ?e#ipeGs *ouseQ Inside t*e *ouse o+ "% $rand+at*er. HHHH Aas %our <rot*er Rani# 2arried <% %our $rand+at*er ?e#ipeQ Des sir. He ,as 2arried <% *is ri$*t ar". >o, %ou "ean to sa% t*at %our un2#e Endo ,ent inside, it ,as so suddenQ Des sir. Be2ause it ,as sudden, %ou ,ere not a<#e to do an%t*in$, ,*at did %ou doQ I t*en 2ried at t*at ti"e. HHHH

A:

P:

A: P: A:

But %ou are sure t*at ,*en %our un2#e Endo entered as %ou said t*at %our <rot*er Ra"i# ,as 2arried <% %our papo ?e#ipeQ Des sir. Did %our un2#e Endo and %our papo ?e#ipe +i$*t or ,as t*ere an a#ter2ationQ No sir.-0(.

t*e t,o persons 2ou#d in an% "anner put up de+ense a$ainst t*e atta21 or <e2o"e a,are o+ it. -0&. ?urt*er"ore, t*e 1i##in$ o+ a 2*i#d is 2*ara2teri;ed <% trea2*er% even i+ t*e "anner o+ assau#t is not s*o,n. ?or t*e ,ea1ness o+ t*e vi2ti" due to *is tender %ears resu#ts in t*e a<sen2e o+ an% dan$er to t*e a22used.-0/. A#t*ou$* t*e a22used-appe##ant painted a 2ontrastin$ pi2ture on t*e "atter, i.e., t*at t*e atta21 ,as pre2eded <% a +i$*t <et,een *i" and ?e#ipe, t*e Court is #ess in2#ined to <e persuaded <% t*e a22usedappe##antGs version o+ t*e events in =uestion. Indeed, t*e Court *as ru#ed t*at t*e testi"on% o+ 2*i#dren o+ sound "ind is K"ore 2orre2t and trut*+u# t*an t*at o+ o#der personsL and t*at K2*i#dren o+ sound "ind are #i1e#% to <e "ore o<servant o+ in2idents ,*i2* ta1e p#a2e ,it*in t*eir vie, t*an o#der persons, and t*eir testi"onies are #i1e#% "ore 2orre2t in detai# t*an t*at o+ o#der persons.L-00. In t*e instant 2ase, Car"e#a ,as 2ross-eHa"ined <% t*e de+ense 2ounse# <ut s*e re"ained stead+ast and 2onsistent in *er state"ents. T*us, t*e Court +ai#s to see an% reason to distrust t*e testi"on% o+ Car"e#a. In2identa##%, t*e testi"on% o+ t*e a22usedappe##ant not on#% 2ontradi2ts t*at o+ Car"e#a, <ut so"e portions t*ereo+ do not a#so 2on+or" to t*e do2u"entar% eviden2e ad"itted <% t*e tria#

As 2an <e $#eaned +ro" t*e a<ove testi"on%, Car"e#a +ir"#% and 2ate$ori2a##% pointed to t*e a22used-appe##ant as t*e person ,*o entered t*e *ouse o+ ?e#ipe. >*e 2#ear#% stated t*at t*e atta21 ,as not pre2eded <% an% +i$*t or a#ter2ation <et,een t*e a22used-appe##ant and ?e#ipe. Ait*out an% provo2ation, t*e a22used-appe##ant sudden#% de#ivered +ata# *a21in$ <#o,s to ?e#ipe. T*e a<ruptness o+ t*e uneHpe2ted assau#t rendered ?e#ipe de+ense#ess and deprived *i" o+ an% opportunit% to repe# t*e atta21 and reta#iate. As ?e#ipe ,as 2arr%in$ *is $randson Rani#, t*e 2*i#d un+ortunate#% su++ered t*e sa"e +ata# end as t*at o+ *is $rand+at*er. In t*e 1i##in$ o+ Rani#, t*e tria# 2ourt #i1e,ise 2orre2t#% appre2iated t*e eHisten2e o+ trea2*er%. T*e said 2ir2u"stan2e "a% <e proper#% 2onsidered, even ,*en t*e vi2ti" o+ t*e atta21 ,as not t*e one ,*o" t*e de+endant intended to 1i##, i+ it appears +ro" t*e eviden2e t*at neit*er o+

2ourt. T*e testi"on% o+ Dr. Pro+etana and t*e s1et2* o+ t*e *u"an anato"% o+ ?e#ipe, ,*i2* ,as "ar1ed as EH*i<it B +or t*e prose2ution, stated t*at ?e#ipe sustained t*ree *a21in$ ,ounds t*at ,ere +ound on *is ri$*t ar", at *is Knose "aHi##ar% areaL-0:. and on *is #e+t ar". On t*e ot*er *and, t*e a22used-appe##ant testi+ied t*at *e de#ivered +our *a21in$ <#o,s on ?e#ipe, t*e t*ree o+ ,*i2* #anded on t*e #e+t side o+ t*e vi2ti"Gs a<do"en, t*e ri$*t side o+ *is ne21 and on *is upper #e+t ar". A*en 2on+ronted on t*e said apparent#% 2on+#i2tin$ state"ents, t*e a22usedappe##ant did not o++er an% eHp#anation.-03. T*ere+ore, on t*e stren$t* o+ t*e eviden2e o+ t*e prose2ution, ,e sustain t*e ru#in$ o+ t*e RTC and t*e Court o+ Appea#s t*at t*e 2ir2u"stan2e o+ trea2*er% =ua#i+ied t*e 1i##in$s o+ ?e#ipe and Rani# to "urder. T*e Court +inds erroneous, *o,ever, t*e tria# 2ourtGs and t*e Court o+ Appea#sG appre2iation o+ t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ evident pre"editation. ?or evident pre"editation to a$$ravate a 2ri"e, t*ere "ust <e proo+, as 2#ear as t*e eviden2e o+ t*e 2ri"e itse#+, o+ t*e +o##o,in$ e#e"ents: 5)6 t*e ti"e ,*en t*e o++ender deter"ined to 2o""it t*e 2ri"eI 5(6 an a2t "ani+est#% indi2atin$ t*at *e 2#un$ to *is deter"inationI and 5&6 su++i2ient #apse o+ ti"e, <et,een deter"ination and eHe2ution, to a##o,

*i"se#+ to re+#e2t upon t*e 2onse=uen2es o+ *is a2t. -09. It is not enou$* t*at evident pre"editation is suspe2ted or sur"ised, <ut 2ri"ina# intent "ust <e eviden2ed <% notorious out,ard a2ts eviden2in$ deter"ination to 2o""it t*e 2ri"e. In order to <e 2onsidered an a$$ravation o+ t*e o++ense, t*e 2ir2u"stan2e "ust not "ere#% <e Kpre"editationLI it "ust <e Kevident pre"editation.L-04. In t*e 2ase at <ar, t*e eviden2e o+ t*e prose2ution +ai#ed to esta<#is* an% o+ t*e e#e"ents o+ evident pre"editation sin2e t*e testi"onies t*e% presented pertained to t*e period o+ t*e a2tua# 2o""ission o+ t*e 2ri"e and t*e events t*at o22urred t*erea+ter. T*e prose2ution +ai#ed to addu2e an% eviden2e t*at tended to esta<#is* t*e eHa2t "o"ent ,*en t*e a22used-appe##ant devised a p#an to 1i## ?e#ipe, t*at t*e #atter 2#un$ to *is deter"ination to 2arr% out t*e p#an and t*at a su++i2ient ti"e *ad #apsed <e+ore *e 2arried out *is p#an. Li1e,ise, t*e tria# 2ourt erred in appre2iatin$ t*e a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+ a<use o+ superior stren$t*, d,e##in$, "inorit% and intoHi2ation. A*en t*e 2ir2u"stan2e o+ a<use o+ superior stren$t* 2on2urs ,it* trea2*er%, t*e +or"er is a<sor<ed in t*e #atter. -:'. On t*e ot*er *and, d,e##in$, "inorit% and intoHi2ation 2annot <e appre2iated as a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es in t*e instant 2ase 2onsiderin$ t*at t*e sa"e ,ere not a##e$ed and@or spe2i+ied in t*e in+or"ation t*at ,as +i#ed on Fanuar% (&,

(''&. Under t*e Revised Ru#es o+ Cri"ina# Pro2edure, ,*i2* too1 e++e2t on De2e"<er ), (''', a $eneri2 a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e ,i## not <e appre2iated <% t*e Court un#ess a##e$ed in t*e in+or"ation. T*is re=uire"ent is #aid do,n in >e2tions 9 and 4 o+ Ru#e ))', to ,it:
>EC. 9. &esignation of the offense. - T*e 2o"p#aint or in+or"ation s*a## state t*e desi$nation o+ t*e o++ense $iven <% t*e statute, aver t*e a2ts or o"issions 2onstitutin$ t*e o++ense, and spe2i+% its =ua#i+%in$ and a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es. I+ t*ere is no desi$nation o+ t*e o++ense, re+eren2e s*a## <e "ade to t*e se2tion or su<se2tion o+ t*e statute punis*in$ it. >EC. 4. Cause of the accusation. - T*e a2ts or o"issions 2o"p#ained o+ as 2onstitutin$ t*e o++ense and t*e =ua#i+%in$ and a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es "ust <e stated in ordinar% and 2on2ise #an$ua$e and not ne2essari#% in t*e #an$ua$e used in t*e statute <ut in ter"s su++i2ient to ena<#e a person o+ 2o""on understandin$ to 1no, ,*at o++ense is <ein$ 2*ar$ed as ,e## as its =ua#i+%in$ and a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es and +or t*e 2ourt to pronoun2e Bud$"ent.

2ri"es 2o""itted, ,e a$ree ,it* t*e appe##ate 2ourt t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant s*ou#d <e *e#d #ia<#e +or t,o 5(6 separate 2ounts o+ "urder, not t*e 2o"p#eH 2ri"e o+ dou<#e "urder. Arti2#e /9 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code provides t*at K-,.*en a sin$#e a2t 2onstitutes t,o or "ore $rave or #ess $rave +e#onies, or ,*en an o++ense is a ne2essar% "eans +or 2o""ittin$ t*e ot*er, t*e pena#t% +or t*e "ost serious 2ri"e s*a## <e i"posed, t*e sa"e to <e app#ied in its "aHi"u" period.L T*ere are, t*us, t,o 1inds o+ 2o"p#eH 2ri"es. T*e +irst is 1no,n as 2o"pound 2ri"e, or ,*en a sin$#e a2t 2onstitutes t,o or "ore $rave or #ess $rave +e#onies. T*e se2ond is 1no,n as 2o"p#eH 2ri"e proper, or ,*en an o++ense is a ne2essar% "eans +or 2o""ittin$ t*e ot*er.-:). T*e Court +inds t*at t*ere is a pau2it% o+ eviden2e to prove t*at t*e instant 2ase +a##s under an% o+ t*e t,o 2#asses o+ 2o"p#eH 2ri"es. T*e eviden2e o+ t*e prose2ution +ai#ed to 2#ear#% and indu<ita<#% esta<#is* t*e +a2t t*at ?e#ipe and Rani# ,ere 1i##ed <% a sin$#e +ata# *a21in$ <#o, +ro" t*e a22usedappe##ant. T*e e%e,itness testi"on% o+ Car"e#a did not 2ontain an% detai# as to t*is "ateria# +a2t. To a $reater de$ree, it ,as neit*er proven t*at t*e "urder o+ ?e#ipe ,as 2o""itted as a ne2essar% "eans +or 2o""ittin$ and@or +a2i#itatin$ t*e "urder o+ Rani#

Ait* re$ard to t*e 2on+#i2tin$ ru#in$s o+ t*e RTC and t*e Court o+ Appea#s vis()(vis t*e nature o+

and vice versa. As t*e +a2tua# "i#ieu o+ t*e 2ase at <ar eH2#udes t*e app#i2ation o+ Arti2#e /9 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code, t*e a22used-appe##ant s*ou#d <e "ade #ia<#e +or t,o separate and distin2t a2ts o+ "urder. In t*e past, ,*en t,o 2ri"es *ave <een i"proper#% desi$nated as a 2o"p#eH 2ri"e, t*is Court *as a++ir"ed t*e 2onvi2tion o+ t*e a22used +or t*e 2o"ponent 2ri"es separate#% instead o+ t*e 2o"p#eH 2ri"e.-:(. In t*e deter"ination o+ t*e pena#t% to <e i"posed on t*e a22used-appe##ant, ,e up*o#d t*e tria# 2ourtGs ru#in$ t*at t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ vo#untar% surrender s*ou#d <e appre2iated. ?or vo#untar% surrender to "iti$ate 2ri"ina# #ia<i#it%, t*e +o##o,in$ e#e"ents "ust 2on2ur: 5)6 t*e o++ender *as not <een a2tua##% arrestedI 5(6 t*e o++ender surrenders *i"se#+ to a person in aut*orit% or to t*e #atterGs a$entI and 5&6 t*e surrender is vo#untar%.-:&. To <e su++i2ient, t*e surrender "ust <e spontaneous and "ade in a "anner 2#ear#% indi2atin$ t*e intent o+ t*e a22used to surrender un2onditiona##%, eit*er <e2ause t*e% a21no,#ed$e t*eir $ui#t or ,is* to save t*e aut*orities t*e trou<#e and t*e eHpense t*at ,i## ne2essari#% <e in2urred in sear2*in$ +or and 2apturin$ t*e". -:/. T*e a22used-appe##ant *as du#% esta<#is*ed in t*is 2ase t*at, a+ter t*e atta21 on ?e#ipe and Rani#, *e surrendered un2onditiona##% to t*e baranga$ 2*airperson and to t*e po#i2e on *is o,n

vo#ition and <e+ore *e ,as a2tua##% arrested. T*e prose2ution a#so ad"itted t*is 2ir2u"stan2e o+ vo#untar% surrender durin$ tria#. Ae reBe2t, *o,ever, t*e a22used-appe##antGs 2ontention t*at t*e tria# 2ourt erred in +ai#in$ to appre2iate t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2es o+ intoHi2ation and i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense. T*e t*ird para$rap* o+ Arti2#e )0 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code provides t*at t*e intoHi2ation o+ t*e o++ender s*a## <e ta1en into 2onsideration as a "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e ,*en t*e o++ender *as 2o""itted a +e#on% in a state o+ intoHi2ation, i+ t*e sa"e is not *a<itua# or su<se=uent to t*e p#an to 2o""it said +e#on%I <ut ,*en t*e intoHi2ation is *a<itua# or intentiona#, it s*a## <e 2onsidered as an a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e. T*e Court +inds t*at t*e a22used-appe##ant is not entit#ed to t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ intoHi2ation sin2e *is o,n testi"on% +ai#ed to su<stantiate *is 2#ai" o+ drun1enness durin$ t*e in2ident in =uestion. Durin$ *is 2rosseHa"ination, t*e a22used-appe##ant *i"se#+ positive#% stated t*at *e ,as on#% a <it tips% <ut not drun1 ,*en *e pro2eeded to t*e *ouse o+ ?e#ipe. -:0. He 2annot, t*ere+ore, <e a##o,ed to "a1e a 2ontrar% assertion on appea# and pra% +or t*e "iti$ation o+ t*e 2ri"es *e 2o""itted on t*e <asis t*ereo+.

As re$ards t*e "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense, t*e sa"e 2annot #i1e,ise <e appre2iated in t*e instant 2ase. Arti2#e )&, para$rap* 0 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code re=uires t*at t*e a2t <e K2o""itted in t*e i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense to t*e one 2o""ittin$ t*e +e#on% 5delito6, *is spouse, as2endants, des2endants, #e$iti"ate, natura# or adopted <rot*ers or sisters, or re#atives <% a++init% ,it*in t*e sa"e de$rees.L T*e esta<#is*ed ru#e is t*at t*ere 2an <e no i""ediate vindi2ation o+ a $rave o++ense ,*en t*e a22used *ad su++i2ient ti"e to re2over *is e=uani"it%. -::. In t*e 2ase at <ar, t*e a22used-appe##ant points to t*e a##e$ed atte"pt o+ ?e#ipe and Ti"<o% La$era on t*e virtue o+ *is ,i+e as t*e $rave o++ense +or ,*i2* *e sou$*t i""ediate vindi2ation. He testi+ied t*at *e #earned o+ t*e sa"e +ro" *is stepson, Ra%"ond, on Nove"<er (, (''(. ?our da%s t*erea+ter, on Nove"<er :, (''(, t*e a22used-appe##ant 2arried out t*e atta21 t*at #ed to t*e deat*s o+ ?e#ipe and Rani#. To our "ind, a period o+ +our da%s ,as su++i2ient enou$* a ti"e ,it*in ,*i2* t*e a22usedappe##ant 2ou#d *ave re$ained *is 2o"posure and se#+2ontro#. T*us, t*e said "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e 2annot <e 2redited in +avor o+ t*e a22used-appe##ant. Arti2#e (/9 o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code, as a"ended, pres2ri<es t*e pena#t% o+ reclusion

perpetua to deat* +or t*e 2ri"e o+ "urder. In t*is 2ase, apart +ro" t*e =ua#i+%in$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ trea2*er%, t*e prose2ution +ai#ed to prove t*e eHisten2e o+ an% ot*er a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e in <ot* t*e "urders o+ ?e#ipe and Rani#. On t*e ot*er *and, as t*e presen2e o+ t*e #one "iti$atin$ 2ir2u"stan2e o+ vo#untar% surrender ,as proper#% esta<#is*ed in <ot* instan2es, Arti2#e :&, para$rap* & o+ t*e Revised Pena# Code-:3. "andates t*at t*e proper pena#t% to <e i"posed on t*e a22used-appe##ant is reclusion perpetua +or ea2* o+ t*e t,o 2ounts o+ "urder. Anent t*e a,ard o+ da"a$es, ,*en deat* o22urs due to a 2ri"e, t*e +o##o,in$ "a% <e re2overed: 5)6 2ivi# inde"nit% e* delicto +or t*e deat* o+ t*e vi2ti"I 5(6 a2tua# or 2o"pensator% da"a$esI 5&6 "ora# da"a$esI 5/6 eHe"p#ar% da"a$esI 506 attorne%Rs +ees and eHpenses o+ #iti$ationI and 5:6 interest, in proper 2ases.-:9. T*e RTC a,arded in +avor o+ t*e *eirs o+ ?e#ipe and Rani# t*e a"ounts o+ P30,'''.'' as 2ivi# inde"nit% and P30,'''.'' as "ora# da"a$es +or ea2* set o+ *eirs. T*e Court o+ Appea#s, on t*e ot*er *and, redu2ed t*e a+oresaid a"ounts to P0','''.'' and +urt*er a,arded t*e a"ount o+ P(0,'''.'' as eHe"p#ar% da"a$es to t*e *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti".

Civi# inde"nit% is "andator% and $ranted to t*e *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti" ,it*out need o+ proo+ ot*er t*an t*e 2o""ission o+ t*e 2ri"e.-:4. >i"i#ar#%, "ora# da"a$es "a% <e a,arded <% t*e 2ourt +or t*e "enta# an$uis* su++ered <% t*e *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti" <% reason o+ t*e #atterGs deat*. T*e purpose +or "a1in$ su2* an a,ard is not to enri2* t*e *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti" <ut to 2o"pensate t*e" +or inBuries to t*eir +ee#in$s.-3'. T*e a,ard o+ eHe"p#ar% da"a$es, on t*e ot*er *and, is provided under Arti2#es (((4-((&' o+ t*e Civi# Code, viz:
Art. (((4. EHe"p#ar% or 2orre2tive da"a$es are i"posed, <% ,a% o+ eHa"p#e or 2orre2tion +or t*e pu<#i2 $ood, in addition to t*e "ora#, te"perate, #i=uidated or 2o"pensator% da"a$es. Art. ((&'. In 2ri"ina# o++enses, eHe"p#ar% da"a$es as a part o+ t*e 2ivi# #ia<i#it% "a% <e i"posed ,*en t*e 2ri"e ,as 2o""itted ,it* one or "ore a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2es. >u2* da"a$es are separate and distin2t +ro" +ines and s*a## <e paid to t*e o++ended part%.

repre*ensi<#e or outra$eous 2ondu2t o+ t*e o++ender. In "u2* t*e sa"e ,a% as Arti2#e ((&' pres2ri<es an instan2e ,*en eHe"p#ar% da"a$es "a% <e a,arded, Arti2#e (((4, t*e "ain provision, #a%s do,n t*e ver% <asis o+ t*e a,ard.L-3(. T*us, ,e a++ir" t*e Court o+ Appea#sG a,ard o+ P0','''.'' as 2ivi# inde"nit% and P0','''.'' as "ora# da"a$es. T*e a,ard o+ eHe"p#ar% da"a$es is, *o,ever, in2reased to P&','''.'' in a22ordan2e ,it* t*e prevai#in$ Burispruden2e. As *e#d in %eople v. Co#bate,-3&. ,*en t*e 2ir2u"stan2es surroundin$ t*e 2ri"e 2a## +or t*e i"position o+ reclusion perpetua on#%, t*e proper a"ounts t*at s*ou#d <e a,arded are P0','''.'' as 2ivi# inde"nit%, P0','''.'' as "ora# da"a$es andP&','''.'' as eHe"p#ar% da"a$es. In #ieu o+ a2tua# or 2o"pensator% da"a$es, t*e Court +urt*er orders t*e a,ard o+ P(0,'''.'' te"perate da"a$es to t*e *eirs o+ t*e t,o vi2ti"s in t*is 2ase. T*e a,ard o+ P(0,'''.'' +or te"perate da"a$es in *o"i2ide or "urder 2ases is proper ,*en no eviden2e o+ <uria# and +unera# eHpenses is presented in t*e tria# 2ourt. Under Arti2#e (((/ o+ t*e Civi# Code, te"perate da"a$es "a% <e re2overed, as it 2annot <e denied t*at t*e *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti" su++ered pe2uniar% #oss, a#t*ou$* t*e eHa2t a"ount ,as not proven.-3/.

In %eople v. &alisa$,-3). t*e Court 2#ari+ied t*at K-<.ein$ 2orre2tive in nature, eHe"p#ar% da"a$es, t*ere+ore, 2an <e a,arded, not on#% in t*e presen2e o+ an a$$ravatin$ 2ir2u"stan2e, <ut a#so ,*ere t*e 2ir2u"stan2es o+ t*e 2ase s*o, t*e *i$*#%

$HEREFORE, t*e Court *ere<% AFFIRMS ,it* MODIFICATION t*e De2ision dated Au$ust (), (''3 o+ t*e Court o+ Appea#s in CA-7.R. CR.-H.C. No. ''(9(. T*e a22used-appe##ant Rosendo Re<u2an % La"sin is +ound GUILT. o+ t,o 5(6 2ounts o+ "urder +or t*e deat*s o+ ?e#ipe La$era and Rani# Ta$pis, Fr. and is *ere<% senten2ed to su++er t*e pena#t% o+ reclusion perpetua +or ea2* 2ount. T*e a22used-appe##ant is +urt*er ordered to inde"ni+% t*e respe2tive *eirs o+ t*e vi2ti"s ?e#ipe La$era and Rani# Ta$pis, Fr. t*e a"ounts o+ P0','''.'' as 2ivi# inde"nit%, P0','''.'' as "ora# da"a$es, P&','''.'' as eHe"p#ar% da"a$es andP(0,'''.'' as te"perate da"a$es +or ea2* vi2ti", p#us #e$a# interest on a## da"a$es a,arded at t*e rate o+ :E +ro" t*e date o+ t*e +ina#it% o+ t*is de2ision. No 2osts. SO ORDERED.