Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. 17 !

"# $eb%ua%& 1#' ("")

PEOP*E O$ T+E P+,*,PP,NES' Appellee' -s. RENATO ESPA.O*' Appellant. / E C, S , O N CORONA' 0.1 This is an appeal of the No-e2be% #"' ("" 3ecision1 an3 0une ()' (""! %esolution( of the Cou%t of Appeals 4CA5 in CA6G.R. CR6+.C. No. 1#7 7hich affi%2e3 the 3ecision of the Re8ional T%ial Cou%t 4RTC5 of /a8upan Cit&' B%anch 9( con-ictin8 appellant of the c%i2e of pa%%ici3e an3 sentencin8 hi2 to %eclusion pe%petua. Appellant Renato Espa:ol 7as cha%8e3 7ith ;illin8 his 7ife' Glo%ia Pascua Espa:ol' in an ,nfo%2ation that %ea31 That on o% about the (n3 3a& of $eb%ua%&' ("""' in the Cit& of /a8upan' Philippines' an3 7ithin the <u%is3iction of this +ono%able Cou%t' the abo-e6na2e3 accuse3' RENATO ESPA.O* = Aton8' bein8 then le8all& 2a%%ie3 to one G*OR,A ESPA.O*' 7ith intent to ;ill the latte%' 3i3 then an3 the%e' >7illfull&?' unla7full& an3 c%i2inall&' attac;' assault an3 use pe%sonal -iolence upon the latte% b& shootin8 he%' hittin8 he% on -ital pa%t of he% bo3&' the%eb& causin8 he% 3eath sho%tl& the%eafte% 3ue to @+&po-ole2ic shoc;' he2o%%ha8e' 2assi-e' 3ue to 2ultiple 8unshot 7oun3@ as pe% Autops& Repo%t issue3 b& /%. Ben<a2in Ma%cial Bautista' Ru%al +ealth Ph&sician' to the 3a2a8e an3 p%e<u3ice of the le8al hei%s of sai3 3ecease3' G*OR,A ESPA.O*' in the a2ount of not less than $,$TA T+OUSAN/ PESOS 4P "'""".""5' Philippine Cu%%enc&' an3 othe% conseBuential 3a2a8es. Cont%a%& to A%ticle (9! of the Re-ise3 Penal Co3e.# Chen a%%ai8ne3' appellant plea3e3 @not 8uilt&@ to the cha%8e. /u%in8 the p%e6t%ial' the p%osecution an3 3efense a8%ee3 on the follo7in8 stipulations an3 a32issions1 1. That the appellant un3e% 3etention an3 na2e3 in the info%2ation 7as the accuse3 7ho ha3 been a%%ai8ne3D (. That the -icti2' Glo%ia Pascua Espa:ol' 7as the le8al 7ife of appellantD #. That Glo%ia an3 appellant 7e%e li-in8 to8ethe% as husban3 an3 7ife p%io% to $eb%ua%& (' ("""

an3 that she 7as shot to 3eath at the ea%l& 3a7n of $eb%ua%& (' (""" at Pantal' /a8upan Cit&D 9. That befo%e the -icti2 7as shot' appellant bo%%o7e3 the t%ic&cle of $e3e%ico $e%%e% an3 3%o-e sai3 t%ic&cle 7ith his 7ife insi3e the cab the%eof f%o2 thei% house to7a%3s the house of $elici3a3 $e%%e%' siste% of the -icti2D . That appellant an3 the -icti2 li-e3 in thei% o7n house 7ith thei% fou% chil3%en.9 The%eafte%' t%ial ensue3. The factual antece3ents follo7. At about (1"" a.2. of $eb%ua%& (' ("""' /o2in8o Petilla 7as 7aitin8 fo% his co2panions at Pantal Roa3' /a8upan Cit&. The& 7e%e on thei% 7a& to Manila. All of a su33en' he hea%3 t7o successi-e 8unshots. A fe7 2o2ents late%' a &ello7 t%ic&cle spe3 past hi2 alon8 Pantal Roa3 hea3e3 to7a%3s Sitio Guiban8' /a8upan Cit&. The t%ic&cle 7as 3%i-en b& a 2an 7ea%in8 a 3a%;6 colo%e3 lon86slee-e3 shi%t. PetillaEs co2panions a%%i-e3 sho%tl& the%eafte% on boa%3 a -an. As the& sta%te3 loa3in8 thei% thin8s' the& sa7' th%ou8h the li8hts of thei% -ehicle' a pe%son l&in8 on the pa-e2ent alon8 Pantal Roa3. Upon close% sc%utin&' the& 3isco-e%e3 the lifeless bo3& of Glo%ia Espa:ol. The& i22e3iatel& %epo%te3 the 2atte% to the police.! The 8unshots 7e%e also hea%3 b& +a%ol3 Fillanue-a'7 a boat2an 7o%;in8 at the Pantal Ri-e%' 7hile he 7as 7aitin8 fo% passen8e%s at the 3oc; about 1"" 2ete%s a7a& f%o2 the c%i2e scene. The shots 7e%e follo7e3 b& the soun3 of a 2oto%c&cleEs %e--in8 en8ine. +e then sa7 a spee3in8 &ello7 t%ic&cle. The t%ic&cle bo%e the na2e @Rina@ in f%ont of its cab. ,ts 3%i-e% 7as 7ea%in8 a 3a%; <ac;et an3 blue pants. The boat2an 7as late% tol3 b& a t%ic&cle 3%i-e% that the%e 7as a 3ea3 bo3& nea%b&. Out of cu%iosit&' he 4the boat2an5 7ent the%e an3 %eco8niGe3 the -icti2 as one of his %e8ula% passen8e%s.H $elici3a3 Pascua $e%%e%' siste% of the -icti2' 7as tol3 b& the police an3 nei8hbo%s that he% siste% 7as 3ea3. She i22e3iatel& p%ocee3e3 to the place. Upon confi%2in8 that it 7as in3ee3 he% siste%' she as;e3 b&stan3e%s to info%2 appellant about the 3eath of his 7ife.) A fe7 2inutes late%' appellant a%%i-e3. E-en befo%e he sa7 his 3ea3 7ife' he shoute3 @She is 2& 7ife' she is 2& 7ife. Cho ;ille3 he%I Ful-a of &ou% 2othe%J She 7as hel3 up.@ Appellant steppe3 ac%oss the bo3& an3 salute3 the police in-esti8ato%. +e tol3 the police that he b%ou8ht the -icti2 to the place 7he%e she 7as foun3 an3 that she coul3 ha-e been %obbe3 of the P('""" he ha3 ea%lie% 8i-en he%.1" Mean7hile' Fillanue-a notice3 that the appellant see2e3 to be 7ea%in8 the sa2e clothes as those 7o%n b& the 3%i-e% of the spee3in8 t%ic&cle he sa7 alon8 Pantal Roa3 %i8ht afte% he hea%3 the 8unshots.11 At a%oun3 #1"" a.2.' appellant 7ent to the house of Mateo Pascua' b%othe% of Glo%ia' to info%2

hi2 that Glo%ia 7as hel3 up an3 ;ille3. The& then p%ocee3e3 to the scene of the c%i2e usin8 the &ello7 t%ic&cle of thei% b%othe%6in6la7' $e3e%ico $e%%e%. The t%ic&cle ha3 the na2e @Rina@ e2blaGone3 in f%ont. On the 7a&' Mateo notice3 that the seats an3 floo% of the t%ic&cle 7e%e 7et. Chen as;e3 about it' appellant 3i3 not ans7e%.1( The%eafte%' at the 2o%8ue' appellant %efuse3 to loo; at the bo3& an3 p%efe%%e3 to sta& outsi3e.1# The autops& &iel3e3 the follo7in8 %esults1 EKTERNA* $,N/,NGS CA/AFER CAS ,N R,GOR MORT,S AN/ REGU*AR BU,*T. GUNS+OT COUN/' POE' ".7 CM' M,/ $RONTA* AREA' *EFE* CM ABOFE T+E EAEBROC' CO**AR ABRAS,ON' NO GUNPOC/ER BURN' PENETRAT,NG' SLU** $RACTURE' BRA,N T,SSUE. POEM1 NONE GUNS+OT COUN/' POE' 1. CM' R,G+T M,/ AK,**,ARA *,NE' *EFE* ( CM BE*OC T+E R,G+T N,PP*E' *ESS /ENSE' GUNPOC/ER BURN PER,P+ERA' CO**AR ABRAS,ON' SL,N ABRAS,ON POSTER,OR' PENETRAT,NG. POEM1 NONE CONTUS,ON +EMATOMA AT T+E R,G+T EAE AREA. ,NTERNA* $,N/,NGS ,NTRACRAN,A* +EMORR+AGE' MO/ERATE PENETRAT,NG PER$ORAT,NG BRA,N T,SSUE ,NTRAT+ORAC,C R,G+T' +EMORR+AGE MASS,FE PENETRAT,NG AN/ PER$ORAT,NG T+RU AN/ T+RU R,G+T >*UNG? AN/ +EART. !th >R,B? $RACTURE' (. CM' *E$T M,/ C*AF,CU*AR *,NE' ME/,A* S*UG $OUN/ ABOFE T+E !th >R,B?' C,T+,N T+E MUSC*ES' *E$T T+ORAC,C AREA.19 /istu%be3 b& appellantEs actuations' $elici3a3 as;e3 the police to inte%%o8ate he% b%othe%6in6la7. At the police station' 7hile appellant 7as bein8 in-esti8ate3' he %eBueste3 Senio% Police Office% 4SPO51 ,sa8ani ,co if he coul3 tal; p%i-atel& 7ith $elici3a3. /u%in8 thei% tal;' appellant be88e3 $elici3a3Es fo%8i-eness an3 as;e3 that he be spa%e3 f%o2 i2p%ison2ent.1

/u%in8 the -icti2Es 7a;e in thei% house' appellant ha%3l& loo;e3 at his 7ifeEs %e2ains. +e chose to %e2ain seclu3e3 at the secon3 floo%. +e %epeate3l& as;e3 fo% $elici3a3Es fo%8i-eness 3u%in8 the fi%st ni8ht of the 7a;e. At one point' /elfin +e%nan3eG' a nephe7 of the -icti2' app%oache3 appellant an3 as;e3 7h& the latte% ;ille3 his aunt. Appellant <ust ;ept silent.1! ,t 7as also 3isclose3 b& No%2a Pascua +e%nan3eG' Glo%iaEs othe% siste%' that Glo%ia confi3e3 to he% appellantEs illicit %elationship 7ith a 7o2an na2e3 E-a Se%a8as. Glo%ia 7ent to E-aEs house an3 conf%onte3 he% about the a3ulte%ous %elationship but appellant ca2e to E-aEs 3efense an3 fo%cibl& 3%a88e3 Glo%ia a7a&. *ate%' Glo%ia ha3 anothe% heate3 a%8u2ent 7ith E-a. No%2a pacifie3 he% siste% an3 b%ou8ht he% ho2e.17 Afte% the p%esentation of the p%osecutionEs e-i3ence in6chief' the 3efense file3 a 3e2u%%e% to e-i3ence. The RTC 3enie3 the 3e2u%%e% in an o%3e% 3ate3 Au8ust (1' (""".1H $o% his 3efense' appellant testifie3 that he ha3 been an e2plo&ee of the /a8upan Cit& Cate% /ist%ict since 1))". ,n the ea%l& 2o%nin8 of $eb%ua%& (' ("""' he an3 his 7ife 7e%e on thei% 7a& to 3o7nto7n /a8upan Cit& on boa%3 a t%ic&cle 3%i-en b& hi2 to bu& binubu%an 4fe%2ente3 coo;e3 %ice5' a local 2e3ication fo% his ulce%. +o7e-e%' upon %eachin8 Nui2osin8 Alle& alon8 Pantal Roa3' Glo%ia 3eci3e3 to ali8ht an3 7a;e up he% siste% $elici3a3 7ho li-e3 nea%b&. Glo%ia an3 $elici3a3 7e%e en8a8e3 in the t%a3in8 of fish in /a8upan Cit&.1) Afte% sa&in8 thei% 8oo3b&es' appellant p%ocee3e3 to the cit& p%ope% alone. +e bou8ht binubu%an an3 othe% ulce% 2e3ications an3 7ent ho2e. A%oun3 (1#" a.2.' a passin8 t%ic&cle 3%i-e% info%2e3 hi2 that the 7ate% en8ine of the /a8upan Cate% /ist%ict 7as c%eatin8 too 2uch noise. +e 3eci3e3 to -e%if& the info%2ation.(" On his 7a& the%e' appellant notice3 a co22otion alon8 Pantal Roa3. An uni3entifie3 2an late% tol3 hi2' @Espa:ol' co2e he%e. Aou% 7ife is 3ea3.@ +e i22e3iatel& p%ocee3e3 to the scene of the c%i2e. As he 7as about to e2b%ace the 3ea3 bo3& of his 7ife' so2eone tappe3 hi2 on the shoul3e% an3 sai3 @No' 3onEt touch he%' she is still to be in-esti8ate3.@ At the 2o%8ue' he notice3 that his 7ife ha3 a b%uise abo-e he% %i8ht elbo7 an3 that he% Gippe% 7as pa%tiall& opene3. Afte% a fe7 2inutes' he as;e3 to be eMcuse3 fo% he coul3 not bea% the pain an3 so%%o7.(1 +e 3enie3 that he as;e3 fo%8i-eness f%o2 his siste%6in6la7 $elici3a3 fo% ;illin8 his 7ifeD that he 7as ba%el& a%oun3 3u%in8 his 7ifeEs 7a;e an3 that he 3i3 not %espon3 to his nephe7Es accusation. +e li;e7ise 3enie3 ha-in8 an a3ulte%ous %elationship 7ith E-a Se%a8as.(( Rachel an3 Rich7ell Espa:ol' appellantEs chil3%en' co%%obo%ate3 thei% fathe%Es sto%& an3 2aintaine3 that he 7as at thei% house %estin8 at the ti2e of the co22ission of the c%i2e. The& insiste3 that he 7as al7a&s besi3e the coffin of thei% 2othe% 3u%in8 the 7a;e an3 that he ha3 no othe% 7o2an. Rachel testifie3 that she an3 he% 2othe% 7e%e close. ,f it 7e%e t%ue that he% fathe% ha3 illicit %elations 7ith anothe% 7o2an' he% 2othe% 7oul3 ha-e confi3e3 in he%.1a--phi1 On $eb%ua%& 1)' (""1' the RTC con-icte3 appellant1 C+ERE$ORE' p%e2ises consi3e%e3' the accuse3 RENATO ESPA.O* alias @Aton8@ is he%eb&

foun3 8uilt& be&on3 %easonable 3oubt of the c%i2e of PARR,C,/E as 3efine3 b& A%ticle (9! of the Re-ise3 Penal Co3e an3 penaliGe3 b& R.A. 7! ) othe%7ise ;no7n as the +einous C%i2e *a7. Un3e% the latte% la7' the offense is punishable b& %eclusion pe%petua to 3eath an3 the%e bein8 no a88%a-atin8 ci%cu2stance alle8e3 in the info%2ation' accuse3 is he%eb& sentence3 to suffe% the lesse% penalt& of %eclusion pe%petua. ,n a33ition' the 3eath his 7ife has to be in3e2nifie3 b& hi2 in the a2ount of P "'"""."" an3 is fu%the% o%3e%e3 to pa& to $elici3a3 $e%%e% the a2ount of P("'"""."" as actual an3 co2pensato%& 3a2a8es. No 2o%al 3a2a8es is a7a%3e3 fo% the %eason state3 abo-e. SO OR/ERE/. A88%ie-e3' appellant file3 an appeal in this Cou%t 7hich 7e %efe%%e3 to the CA in acco%3ance 7ith People -. Mateo.(# The CA affi%2e3 the RTC in a 3ecision p%o2ul8ate3 on No-e2be% #"' ("" . ,t 3enie3 %econsi3e%ation in a %esolution 3ate3 0une ()' (""!. +ence this appeal. The issue fo% ou% %esolution is 7hethe% appellant is 8uilt& of the c%i2e of pa%%ici3e. Un3e% A%ticle (9! of the Re-ise3 Penal Co3e' pa%%ici3e is the ;illin8 of oneEs le8iti2ate o% ille8iti2ate fathe%' 2othe%' chil3' an& ascen3ant' 3escen3ant o% spouse an3 is punishable b& the sin8le in3i-isible penalt& of %eclusion pe%petua to 3eath1 A%ticle (9!. Pa%%ici3e. O An& pe%son 7ho shall ;ill his fathe%' 2othe% o% chil3' 7hethe% le8iti2ate o% ille8iti2ate' o% an& of his ascen3ants' o% 3escen3ants' o% his spouse' shall be 8uilt& of pa%%ici3e an3 shall be punishe3 b& the penalt& of %eclusion pe%petua to 3eath. ,n con-ictin8 the appellant' the RTC an3 CA foun3 that the follo7in8 ci%cu2stances p%o-e3 be&on3 %easonable 3oubt that he 7as 8uilt& of pa%%ici3e1 1. appellant a32itte3 that he 7as the one 7ho b%ou8ht his 7ife to the scene of the c%i2e 2inutes befo%e the latte%Es bo3& 7as 3isco-e%e3. ,n othe% 7o%3s' appellant 7as 7ith the -icti2 a%oun3 the ti2e she 7as shot an3 ;ille3. (. the t%ic&cle 7hich he use3 in t%anspo%tin8 his 7ife 7as seen b& +a%ol3 Fillanue-a an3 /o2in8o Petilla t%a-elin8 at a hi8h spee3 co2in8 f%o2 the 3i%ection 7he%e the 8unshots 7e%e hea%3. #. appellant' i22e3iatel& afte% the inci3ent' 7as 7ea%in8 the sa2e 3a%; <ac;et an3 blue <eans 7o%n b& the 3%i-e% of the spee3in8 t%ic&cle. 9. appellant asse%te3 that his 7ife 7as %obbe3' e-en befo%e the in-esti8ation ha3 sta%te3. +o7e-e%' the -icti2Es pu%se an3 othe% belon8in8s 7e%e all foun3 intact. . appellant 3i3 not %espon3 to his b%othe%6in6la7Es Bue%& as to 7h& the t%ic&cleEs si3eca% 7hich appellant ha3 use3 in t%anspo%tin8 his 7ife 7as 7et.

!. appellant isolate3 hi2self 3u%in8 the nine63a& 7a;e of his 7ife. 7. appellant %epeate3l& as;e3 to be fo%8i-en b& $elici3a3 an3 spa%e3 f%o2 i2p%ison2ent 3u%in8 the in-esti8ation of the case' 7hich 7as co%%obo%ate3 b& SPO1 ,co' an3 3u%in8 the fi%st ni8ht of the 7a;e. H. appellant ha3 a pa%a2ou%' a ce%tain E-a Se%a8as. A 2onth p%io% to the ;illin8' the -icti2 confi3e3 to he% siste%' No%2a $e%nan3eG' that she ha3 a conf%ontation 7ith he% husban3Es pa%a2ou% at the latte%Es ho2e' but appellant 3%a88e3 an3 pulle3 he% a7a&. A fe7 3a&s afte%' the t7o c%osse3 paths a8ain an3 Bua%%ele3.(9 Ce a8%ee 7ith the CA. These ci%cu2stances a%e p%o-en facts. Ce a%e con-ince3 that at a%oun3 (1"" a.2. of $eb%ua%& (' ("""' appellant shot his 7ife t7ice on the hea3 an3 b%east' causin8 he% 3eath. Thou8h the%e is no 3i%ect e-i3ence' 7e ha-e p%e-iousl& %ule3 that 3i%ect e-i3ence of the actual ;illin8 is not in3ispensable fo% con-ictin8 an accuse3 7hen ci%cu2stantial e-i3ence can a3eBuatel& establish his o% he% 8uilt.( Ci%cu2stantial e-i3ence is sufficient fo% con-iction if 4a5 the%e is 2o%e than one ci%cu2stanceD 4b5 the facts f%o2 7hich the infe%ences a%e 3e%i-e3 ha-e been p%o-en an3 4c5 the co2bination of all the ci%cu2stances is such as to p%o3uce a con-iction be&on3 %easonable 3oubt.(! Ci%cu2stantial as it is' con-iction base3 the%eon can be uphel3' p%o-i3e3 the ci%cu2stances p%o-en constitute an unb%o;en chain 7hich lea3s to one fai% an3 %easonable conclusion that points to accuse36appellant' to the eMclusion of all othe%s' as the 8uilt& pe%son. /i%ect e-i3ence of the co22ission of the c%i2e is not the onl& 2at%iM f%o2 7hich the t%ial cou%t 2a& 3%a7 its conclusions an3 fin3in8s of 8uilt. Ci%cu2stantial e-i3ence is of a natu%e i3entical to 3i%ect e-i3ence. ,t is eBuall& 3i%ect e-i3ence of 2ino% facts of such a natu%e that the 2in3 is le3' intuiti-el& o% b& a conscious p%ocess of %easonin8' to a conclusion f%o2 7hich so2e othe% fact 2a& be infe%%e3. No 8%eate% 3e8%ee of ce%taint& is %eBui%e3 7hen the e-i3ence is ci%cu2stantial than 7hen it is 3i%ect. ,n eithe% case' 7hat is %eBui%e3 is that the%e be p%oof be&on3 %easonable 3oubt that a c%i2e 7as co22itte3 an3 that accuse36appellant co22itte3 it.(7 None of the p%osecution 7itnesses sa7 the actual ;illin8 of the -icti2 b& appellant. +o7e-e%' thei% sepa%ate an3 3etaile3 accounts of the su%%oun3in8 ci%cu2stances %e-eal onl& one conclusion1 that it 7as appellant 7ho ;ille3 his 7ife.(H Appellant a%8ues that the lo7e% cou%ts shoul3 not ha-e 8i-en 7ei8ht to the testi2onies of the p%osecution 7itnesses because the& 7e%e inc%e3ible an3 illo8ical.() Ce 3isa8%ee. Cell6ent%enche3 is the %ule that the t%ial cou%tEs e-aluation of the testi2onies of 7itnesses is acco%3e3 8%eat %espect in the absence of p%oof that it 7as a%%i-e3 at a%bit%a%il& o% that the t%ial cou%t o-e%loo;e3 2ate%ial facts. The %ationale behin3 this %ule is that the c%e3ibilit& of a 7itness can best be 3ete%2ine3 b& the t%ial cou%t since it has the 3i%ect oppo%tunit& to obse%-e the can3o%

an3 3e2eano% of the 7itnesses at the 7itness stan3 an3 3etect if the& a%e tellin8 the t%uth o% not.#" Ce 7ill not inte%fe%e 7ith the t%ial cou%tPs assess2ent of the c%e3ibilit& of 7itnesses. AppellantEs ba%e 3enial that he 3i3 not ;ill his 7ife is a ne8ati-e an3 self6se%-in8 asse%tion 7hich 2e%its no 7ei8ht in la7 an3 cannot be 8i-en 8%eate% e-i3entia%& -alue than the testi2on& of c%e3ible 7itnesses 7ho testifie3 on affi%2ati-e 2atte%s.#1 The p%osecution 7itnesses 7e%e not sho7n to ha-e an& ill62oti-e to fab%icate the cha%8e of pa%%ici3e a8ainst appellant no% to falsel& testif& a8ainst hi2.1a--phi1 AppellantEs 3efense of alibi is li;e7ise 7ea;. +e alle8e3 that he 7ent ho2e afte% he 7ent 3o7nto7n to bu& his 2e3ications. +is chil3%en atteste3 that he 7as 7ith the2 in thei% house at the ti2e of the co22ission of the c%i2e. +o7e-e%' >alibi? is eas& to fab%icate but 3ifficult to p%o-e. MMM Ce ha-e hel3 that fo% the 3efense of alibi to p%ospe%' the %eBui%e2ents of ti2e an3 place 4o% 3istance5 2ust be st%ictl& 2et. ,t is not enou8h to p%o-e that the accuse3 7as so2e7he%e else 7hen the c%i2e 7as co22itte3. +e 2ust also 3e2onst%ate b& clea% an3 con-incin8 e-i3ence that it 7as ph&sicall& i2possible fo% hi2 to ha-e been at the scene of the c%i2e 3u%in8 its co22ission.#( AppellantEs house 7as 2e%el& 2inutes a7a& f%o2 the place 7he%e the c%i2e too; place. Assu2in8 that the chil3%en actuall& ;ne7 that appellant 7as ho2e 7hen thei% 2othe% 7as ;ille3' this 3i3 not p%o-e that he 7as not 8uilt&. ,t 7as eas& fo% hi2 to hu%%& ho2e %i8ht afte% the c%i2e. ,n fact' this is a %easonable conclusion f%o2 the ci%cu2stantial e-i3ence 8athe%e3. Anothe% piece of e-i3ence a8ainst appellant 7as his silence 7hen his 7ifeEs nephe7 as;e3 hi2 7h& he ;ille3 his 7ife. +is silence on this accusation is 3ee2e3 an a32ission un3e% Section #(' Rule 1#" of the Rules of Cou%t1 Section #(. A32ission b& silence. Q An act o% 3ecla%ation 2a3e in the p%esence an3 7ithin the hea%in8 obse%-ation of a pa%t& 7ho 3oes o% sa&s nothin8 7hen the act o% 3ecla%ation is such as natu%all& to call fo% action o% co22ent if not t%ue' an3 7hen p%ope% an3 possible fo% hi2 to 3o so' 2a& be 8i-en in e-i3ence a8ainst hi2. ,n a33ition' appellantEs act of plea3in8 fo% his siste%6in6la7Es fo%8i-eness 2a& be consi3e%e3 as analo8ous to an atte2pt to co2p%o2ise' 7hich in tu%n can be %ecei-e3 as an i2plie3 a32ission of 8uilt un3e% Section (7' Rule 1#"1## Section (7. Offe% of co2p%o2ise not a32issible. Q MMM MMM MMM ,n c%i2inal cases' eMcept those in-ol-in8 Buasi6offenses 4c%i2inal ne8li8ence5 o% those allo7e3 b& la7 to be co2p%o2ise3' an offe% of co2p%o2ise b& the accuse3 2a& be %ecei-e3 in e-i3ence as an i2plie3 a32ission of 8uilt. MMM MMM MMM

,n su2' the 8uilt of appellant 7as sufficientl& establishe3 b& ci%cu2stantial e-i3ence. Reclusion pe%petua 7as co%%ectl& i2pose3 consi3e%in8 that the%e 7as neithe% an& 2iti8atin8 no% a88%a-atin8 ci%cu2stance p%esent.#9 The hei%s of the -icti2 a%e entitle3 to a ci-il in3e2nit& eM 3elicto of P "'"""' 7hich is 2an3ato%& upon p%oof of the fact of 3eath of the -icti2 an3 the culpabilit& of the accuse3 fo% the 3eath.# *i;e7ise' 2o%al 3a2a8es in the a2ount of P "'""" shoul3 be a7a%3e3 e-en in the absence of alle8ation an3 p%oof of the e2otional suffe%in8 b& the -icti2Es hei%s. Althou8h appellantEs t7o chil3%en si3e3 7ith hi2 in his 3efense' this 3i3 not ne8ate the fact that the fa2il& suffe%e3 e2otional pain b%ou8ht about b& the 3eath of thei% 2othe%.#! Ce also a7a%3 the2 eMe2pla%& 3a2a8es in the su2 of P( '""" consi3e%in8 that the Bualif&in8 ci%cu2stance of %elationship is p%esent' this bein8 a case of pa%%ici3e.#7 C+ERE$ORE' the 3ecision an3 %esolution of the Cou%t of Appeals in CA6G.R. CR6+.C. No. 1#7 fin3in8 the appellant' Renato Espa:ol' 8uilt& be&on3 %easonable 3oubt of the c%i2e of pa%%ici3e is he%eb& A$$,RME/ C,T+ MO/,$,CAT,ON. Appellant is sentence3 to suffe% the penalt& of %eclusion pe%petua an3 to pa& the hei%s of the -icti2' Glo%ia Espa:ol' in the a2ounts of P "'""" as ci-il in3e2nit&' P("'""" as actual 3a2a8es' P "'""" as 2o%al 3a2a8es an3 P( '""" as eMe2pla%& 3a2a8es. Costs a8ainst appellant. SO OR/ERE/. RENATO C. CORONA Associate 0ustice CE CONCUR1 REANATO S. PUNO Chief 0ustice *EONAR/O A. NU,SUMB,NG Associate 0ustice CONSUE*O ANARES6SANT,AGO Associate 0ustice ANTON,O T. CARP,O Associate 0ustice MA. A*,C,A M. AUSTR,A6MART,NER Associate 0ustice CONC+,TA CARP,O MORA*ES Associate 0ustice A/O*$O S. ARCUNA Associate 0ustice /ANTE O. T,NGA Associate 0ustice M,N,TA F. C+,CO6NARAR,O Associate 0ustice PRESB,TERO 0. FE*ASCO' 0R. Associate 0ustice ANTON,O E/UAR/O B. NAC+URA

Associate 0ustice TERES,TA 0. *EONAR/O6/E CASTRO Associate 0ustice ARTURO /. BR,ON Associate 0ustice /,OS/A/O M. PERA*TA Associate 0ustice CERT,$,CAT,ON Pu%suant to Section 1#' A%ticle F,,, of the Constitution' , ce%tif& that the conclusions in the abo-e 3ecision ha3 been %eache3 in consultation befo%e the case 7as assi8ne3 to the 7%ite% of the opinion of the Cou%tEs /i-ision. REANATO S. PUNO Chief 0ustice $ootnotes 1 Penne3 b& then Cou%t of Appeals Associate 0ustice Ruben T. Re&es 4no7 %eti%e3 Sup%e2e Cou%t Associate 0ustice5 an3 concu%%e3 in b& Associate 0ustices Rebecca 3e Guia6Sal-a3o% an3 Au%o%a Santia8o6*a82an of the $ou%th /i-ision of the Cou%t of Appeals. Rollo' pp. #6(9. ( CA %ollo' pp. #!96#! . # Rollo' p. . 9 ,3. ,3.' p. !. ! ,3. 7 Also %efe%%e3 to as Ronal3 Fillanue-aD CA %ollo' p. 9 H Rollo' pp. !67. ) ,3.' p. 7. 1" ,3.' CA %ollo' p. (7 . 11 CA %ollo' p. (7 . 1( Rollo' p. )' CA %ollo' p. (79. 1# ,3.' p. H.

19 CA %ollo' pp. 9 69!. 1 Rollo' p. H' CA %ollo' p. (7!. 1! ,3.' pp. H6)' CA %ollo' p. (7!. 17 ,3.' p. )' CA %ollo' p. (7(. 1H ,3.' p. 1". 1) ,3. (" ,3.' pp. 1"611. (1 ,3.' p. 11. (( ,3.' p. 1(. (# G.R. Nos. 197!7H6H7' 7 0ul& (""9' 9## SCRA !9". (9 Rollo' pp. ("6(1. ( People -. Mactal' 99) Phil. ! #' !!" 4(""#5' citin8 People -. Abella' et al.' G.R. No. 1(7H"#' (H Au8ust ("""' ##) SCRA 1() an3 People -. Ba8o' G.R. No. 1((()"' ! Ap%il ("""' ##" SCRA 11 . (! Rules of Cou%t' Rule 1##' Section 9. (7 People -. Be%nal' G.R. Nos. 1#(7)1 S 19"9! 6!!' ( Septe2be% (""(' #HH SCRA (11' (1H' citin8 People -. Espina' G.R. No. 1(#1"(' () $eb%ua%& ("""' #(! SCRA 7 # an3 People -. Oli-a' et al.' G.R. No. 1"!H(!' 1H 0anua%& (""1' #9) SCRA 9# . (H ,3. () Rollo' p. 1!. #" Na-a%%ete -. People' G.R. No. 197)1#' #1 0anua%& (""7' 1# SCRA ")' (#' citin8 People -. Bal8os' #H" Phil. #9#' # 1 4("""5. #1 People -. Capa%as' G.R. No. 1#9!##' 19 Ap%il (""9' 9(7 SCRA (H!' ()7' citin8 People -. Se%%ano' G.R. No. 1#79H"' (H $eb%ua%& (""1' # # SCRA 1!1. #( People -. 3e GuG2an' G.R. Nos. 1# 77)6H1' (1 No-e2be% (""#' 91! SCRA #91' # (' citin8 People -. Pa%e<a' G.R. No. HH"9#' ) /ece2be% 1))!' (! SCRA 9() an3 People -. Palla%co' G.R. No. 11))71' (! Ma%ch 1))H' (HH SCRA 1 1.

## People -. Castillo' G.R. No. 17(!) ' () 0une (""7' (! SCRA (1 ' ((H' citin8 People -. Aba3ies' G.R. Nos. 1#)#9!6 "' 11 0ul& (""(' #H9 SCRA 99(' 99). #9 Re-ise3 Penal Co3e' A%ticle !# 4(5. # People -. Ba:o' G.R. No. 19H71"' 1 0anua%& (""9' 91) SCRA !)7' 7"7. #! People -. Pana3o' G.R. No. 1##9#)' (! /ece2be% ("""' #9H SCRA !7)' !)1. #7 People -. A&u2an' G.R. No. 1##9#!' 19 Ap%il (""9' 9(7 SCRA (9H' (!"' citin8 People -. A%nante' G.R. No. 19H7(9' 1 Octobe% (""(' #)1 SCRA 1 ' 1!1.