Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Manila MELISSA MERCADO MARTEL Complainant-Appellant, - versus RO(ERT PU)AT MARTEL Respondent-Appellee.

x -------------------------------------------- x APPEAL*PETTITION FOR RE+IE, TO T-E -ONORA(LE SECRETAR) OF JUSTICE I!S! No! "#$ D$%&%'

COMPLAINANT-APPELLANT MELISSA MERCA O MARTEL !"Complainant#$, assisted %& 'ounsel, respe't(ull& (iles t)is APPEAL*PETITION +OR RE,IE- !"Appeal#$ to t)e .onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'e to RE,ERSE AN SET ASI E t)e )i0)l& ar%itrar&, 'ompletel&

%aseless, 0rossl& un1usti(ied and mani(estl& erroneous RESOL2TION o( Senior State Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao, a'tin0 as Assistant Cit& Prose'utor o( Ma3ati Cit& !"ACP LAO#$ 4, dated Au0ust 44, 5667 !"Resolution$, 'op& re'eived on t)e same date, dismissin0 (or "insu((i'ien'& o( eviden'e#5 t)e Complaint-A((idavit (iled %& Complainant a0ainst )er )us%and, Respondent Ro%ert Pu&at Martel !"Respondent#$ (or +rustrated Parri'ide !t)e "Complaint#$.

A 'erti(ied true 'op& o( t)e 8uestioned Resolution, 9)i') does not %ear t)e )eadin0 o( t)e epartment o( /usti'e, is atta')ed as Anne. /A0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. I!
4 5

TIMELINESS OF T-E APPEAL

As per .O. No. 5:;, dated /ul& 4, 5667. Resolution, pa0e <.

4.

Se'tion ; o(

epartment Cir'ular No. =6 provides t)at t)e appeal s)all %e ta3en

9it)in (i(teen !4>$ da&s (rom re'eipt o( t)e resolution. 5. T)e 'ounsel o( Complainant re'eived a 'op& o( t)e 8uestioned Resolution on

Au0ust 44, 5667 or on t)e same date it 9as issued. ;. T)e 4>-da& period 9it)in 9)i') to appeal t)e Resolution 9ill expire on Au0ust

5:, 5667 )en'e t)e (ilin0 o( t)is Appeal is 9it)in t)e 4>-da& re0lamentar& period. II! 7. T-E PARTIES

T)e Complainant is Melissa Mer'ado Martel, +ilipino, married to t)e Respondent

and 'urrentl& residin0 at 5;C Man)attan Condominium, 4:5 ,alero Street, Sal'edo ,illa0e, Ma3ati Cit&. T)e Respondent is Ro%ert Pu&at Martel, +ilipino, married to Complainant and 'urrentl& residin0 at 2nit >, Avi0non To9ers, Le0aspi ,illa0e, Ma3ati Cit&. >. On April >, 5667, t)e Complainant exe'uted and (iled t)e Complaint (or

+rustrated Parri'ide under Arti'le 57: in relation to Arti'le : o( t)e Revised Penal Code %e(ore t)e Cit& Prose'ution O((i'e o( Ma3ati. T)e Complaint 9as do'3eted as I.S. No. 67- -><>5 entitled Melissa Mercado Martel, Complainant, vs. Robert Puyat Martel, Respondent, (or +rustrated Parri'ide. T)e preliminar& investi0ation 9as initiall& assi0ned to Prose'utor Mel8uiades I. Mutian0pili o( t)e Cit& Prose'ution O((i'e o( Ma3ati. A 'op& o( t)e Complaint is atta')ed as ANNE1 /(0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. :. On Ma& ;, 5667, t)e Complainant, %& 'ounsel, re8uested t)e epartment o(

/usti'e to 'ondu't t)e preliminar& investi0ation on t)e 0round t)at s)e ma& not %e 0iven a (air and o%1e'tive opportunit& to present )er 'ase %e'ause t)e Investi0atin0 +is'al 'ould su''um% to severe pressure (rom t)e a''used and )is 9ealt)& (amil&. A 'op& o( t)e Letter, dated Ma& ;, 5667, is atta')ed as ANNE1 /C0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(.

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As per

.O. No. 5:;, dated /ul& 44, 5667, t)e Complaint 9as trans(erred to t)e

epartment o( /usti'e and Senior State Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao 9as desi0nated as Assistant Cit& Prose'utor o( Ma3ati Cit& to 'ondu't t)e preliminar& investi0ation.

III! STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ?. T)e Complaint (or +rustrated Parri'ide (iled %& t)e Complainant a0ainst t)e

Respondent states t)at@ "!a$ On Au0ust 5:, 566; at or around 5@66 PM, I 9as 9at')in0 television in m& sonAs room, Paolo M. Martel !)ereina(ter "PAOLO#$, lo'ated at t)e RitB To9ers, Apt. >67-A, A&ala Avenue, Ma3ati, Metro Manila. -it)out an& provo'ation, m& )us%and ROCERT P2DAT MARTEL, a*3*a "ROCD# !)ereina(ter "ROCD#$, suddenl& atta'3ed me and stran0led me. .e t)en dra00ed me to PaoloAs %ed and pinned me do9n 9it) )is (ull 9ei0)t and %e0an to %eat, slap, and )it me all over m& (a'e and %od&. !%$ ROCD 0ot up (rom t)e %ed and started to t)ro9 and toss (amil& pi'ture (rames and ot)er (amil& %elon0in0s. ROCD moved to t)e livin0 room and 'ontinued t)ro9in0 and tossin0 (amil& pi'tures. !'$ ROCD s)outed (or me to 0o to t)e livin0 room and ordered me to 'ut all t)e pi'tures o( Antonio Mi0uel M. Martel, a*3*a "ANTON# !)ereina(ter "ANTON#$, 9)i') I did in (ear. .e ordered me to t)ro9 t)e pi'tures in t)e 3it')en %ut 9)en I t)re9 t)e pi'tures in t)e 0ar%a0e 'an lo'ated in t)e 3it')en, )e 0ot ver& an0r& and %eat me a0ain all over m& (a'e and %od&.

!d$

I tried to de(end m&sel( %ut t)is made ROCD more an0r&. ROCD violentl& pulled m& )air and 3ept pullin0 m& )air 'ausin0 me to stum%le and (all on t)e (loor. As I )al( laid in t)e 3it')en (loor, m& dau0)ter, Ma. LuB omini8ue M. Martel, a*3*a "NIEEI# !)ereina(ter "NIEEI#$, arrived (rom s')ool 9it) one o( ROCDAS %od&0uards, /oel Castillo !)ereina(ter "Castillo#$. 2pon seein0 m& dau0)ter, ROCD le(t t)e 3it')en s)outin0 at Castillo to %rin0 me to our room.

!e$

I %e00ed Castillo not to %rin0 me to our room. I 'autiousl& stood up 9it) m& %a'3 a0ainst t)e re(ri0erator door. -)ereupon ROCD entered t)e 3it')en )oldin0 a .;? Cali%er Pistol in )is ri0)t )and 0iven %& t)e se'urit& 0uard Nimes !)ereina(ter "Nimes#$. ROCD 9al3ed slo9l& to9ards me 9it) t)e pistol on )is side and in a )us)ed an0r& tone said, "Putan0-ina moF -)o t)e )ell do &ou t)in3 &ou areG# .e t)en 9rapped )is le(t arm around me, )eld up t)e 0un, pointed t)e 0un 'lose to m& a%domen, pulled t)e tri00er and s)ot me.

!($

Stunned and %leedin0, I as3ed Castillo to )elp me es'ape t)e apartment. Castillo 'are(ull& led me do9n t)e emer0en'& stair9ell and as 9e 9al3ed do9n to9ards t)e lo%%& o( t)e RitB To9ers, I )eard ROCD s)outin0 at Castillo, " Putang-ina mo Castillo! Mamili ka, pera ko o buhay niya! Castillo replied sa&in0, "Buhay po Sir.

!0$

2pon rea')in0 t)e lo%%& o( t)e RitB To9ers, I 9as immediatel& rus)ed to t)e emer0en'& room o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center %& t)e driver, Ri'ardo Canaa0 !)ereina(ter "Canaa0#$, Castillo and m& &oun0er son, Anton.

!)$

2pon arrivin0 at t)e emer0en'& room o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, t)e do'tors and t)e nurses as3ed me 9)at )appened and I told t)em, "I 9as s)ot %& m& )us%and.#

!i$

M& mot)er ,i'toria C. Mer'ado, rus)ed to m& side and I told )er ROCD s)ot me.#

<.

On Ma& >, 5667 Respondent exe'uted and (iled )is Counter-A((idavit and alle0ed

as )is onl& de(ense t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident. To 'orro%orate )is stor& t)at it 9as an a''ident, )e su%mitted t)e a((idavits o( )is 9itnesses, namel&, +idel Nimes, Ma. LuB Mer'ado Martel, /oel Castillo, Reuel C. Riodi8ue, Paolo Ro%erto Martel and Att&. .e also su%mitted t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e exe'uted %& t)e Complainant. Copies o( t)e Counter-A((idavit o( Respondent, +idel Nimes !"Nimes#$, Ma. LuB omini8ue Mer'ado Martel !"Ni33i#$, /oel Castillo !"Castillo#$, Reuel C. Riodi8ue !"Riodi8ue#$, Paolo Ro%erto Martel !"Paolo#$ and Att&. avid Pu&at !"Att&. Pu&at#$ are omini8ue avid Pu&at.

atta')ed as ANNE1ES /D 0 /E 0 /F 0 /2 0 /- 0 /I # and /J # respe'tivel&, and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. A 'op& o( t)e A((idavit o( part )ereo(. 46. Nimes and Castillo are %od&0uards o( Respondent 9)o admit t)at t)e& 'ontinue esistan'e is atta')ed as ANNE1 /3# and made an inte0ral

to %e emplo&ed %& Respondent. Ni33i, a minor, and Paolo are ')ildren o( t)e Complainant and Respondent livin0 9it) Respondent. Att&. avid Pu&at is RespondentAs 'ounsel and (irst 'ousin. 44. Riodi8ue is a poli'e investi0ator 9it) t)e Criminal Investi0ation ivision,

.omi'ide Se'tion, Ma3ati Cit& Poli'e Station 9)o investi0ated t)e s)ootin0 o( Complainant. .e stated in )is A((idavit !ANNE1 /-0$ t)at@

";. urin0 t)e entire investi0ation, Ms. Martel never mentioned t)at s)e 9as s)ot %& Mr. Ro%ert Martel, nor did s)e mention t)at t)e 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained resulted (rom t)e (ault o( Mr. Martel. 7. S)e also mentioned t)at s)e 9as not interested in (ilin0 an& ')ar0es a0ainst an&one %e'ause t)e in1uries s)e sustained 9ere t)e result o( an a''ident.# 45. .o9ever, in Riodi8ueAs +inal Investi0ation Report, 9)i') Respondent annexed to

t)e Petition (or Certiorari t)at )e (iled in t)e Court o( Appeals ; as Annex "C,# Riodi8ue 'ontradi'ted )is A((idavit !ANNE1 /-0$ 9)en )e stated t)at !a$ t)e Complainant re(used to 0ive an& statement, t)ere(ore, t)e& never spo3e to ea') ot)er and, !%$ )e 'on'luded it 9as an a''ident solely on t)e %asis o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e personall& su%mitted to )im %& Att&.

Ra(ael Har'ia, a la9&er o( Respondent and 9)o misrepresented )imsel( as t)e la9&er o( t)e Complainant. To 8uote pertinent portions o( t)e +inal Investi0ation Report@ "=. T)e vi'tim 9)o re(used to 0ive an& statement momentaril& 0ave instead a mani(estation t)at an& in8uiries 9it) re0ards to t)e said in'ident s)ould %e 'oursed to )er son !PAOLO$. ?. T)is o((i'e sent a letter to MR. ROCERTO MARTEL, )us%and o( MELISSA re8uestin0 )im to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e to s)ed li0)t on t)e in'ident 9)i') 9as re'eived %& t)eir se'urit& aide RICAR O T2MCAHO. .o9ever, Mr. MARTEL (ailed to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e to 0ive an& in(ormation a%out t)e in'ident. Li3e9ise, t)is pro%er sent a letter to PAOLO MARTEL, 9)om )er mot)er 0ave an aut)orit& to represent on )er %e)al( to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e %ut )e also (ailed to report to t)is o((i'e to 0ive an& 'omment. <. On O'to%er 4:, 566;, ATTD. RA+AEL HARCIA 9)o 9as t)e 'ounsel de parte o( t)e vi'tim appeared to t)is o((i'e and su%mitted personall& an A((idavit o( esistan'e exe'uted %& MELISSA MARTEL statin0 t)erein t)at t)e 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained 9as a result (rom an a''ident, 9it)out t)e (ault o( ne0li0en'e o( an&%od& and t)ere(ore, s)e voluntaril& desisted (rom (ilin0 an& 'omplaint, 'riminal or 'ivil, a0ainst an& person, in'ludin0 )er )us%and, ROCERT MARTEL.

CA H.R. Sp. No. ?;=><

A 'op& o( t)e +inal Investi0ation Report exe'uted %& Riodi8ue, dated O'to%er 5>, 566;, is annexed to t)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit o( Complainant, dated Au0ust 57, 5667 as Annex "4# o( t)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit. 4;. On Ma& 45, 5667, Complainant exe'uted and (iled a Repl&-A((idavit

'ate0ori'all& re(utin0 and den&in0 all t)e alle0ations o( Respondent and )is 9itnesses in'ludin0 t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e. S)e annexed to t)e Repl&-A((idavit t)e (ollo9in0 do'uments@ !a$ !%$ T)e A((ivadit o( )er mot)er, ,i'toria C. Mer'adoI T9o p)oto0rap)s ta3en on Au0ust 5?, 5667, or t9o da&s a(ter s)e 9as

s)ot %& Respondent, 9)ile s)e 9as at t)e Intensive Care 2nit o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, 0rap)i'all& s)o9in0 t)at s)e not onl& sustained a 0uns)ot 9ound %ut 9as %adl& %eaten and %ruised prior to %ein0 s)otI !'$ T)e is')ar0e Summar&, dated e'em%er ;, 566;, issued %& t)e Ma3ati

Medi'al Center, 'on(irmin0 t)at on Au0ust 5:, 5667 at 7@66 p.m. t)e Complainant sustained "multiple in1ur& se'ond de0ree to 0uns)ot 9ound !t)e " is')ar0e Summar&#$I and !d$ T)e Medi'o-Le0al Report exe'uted %& r. Teresita San')eB o( t)e Ma3ati

Medi'al Center 'on(irmin0 t)at on Au0ust 5:, 5667 at around 7@66 p.m. t)e Complainant sustained a "0uns)ot 9ound and s9ellin0 >x> 'm, (rontal area, su%'on1un'tival )emorr)a0e, !R$ e&e !t)e "Medi'o Le0al Report#$.# A 'op& o( t)e Repl&-A((idavit, to0et)er 9it) its annexes, is atta')ed as ANNE1 /L0! 47. 2nder t)e 8uestioned Resolution, ACP LAO erroneousl& dismissed t)e 'omplaint

(or "insu((i'ien'& o( eviden'e# a(ter (indin0 t)at t)e Respondent and )is 9itnesses 9ere more 'redi%le t)an t)e vi'tim, t)e Complainant.

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ASSI2NMENT OF ERRORS

ACP LAO 'ommitted t)e (ollo9in0 mani(estl& un1ust and patent errors@ ACP LAO ACTED ,IT- 2RA+E A(USE OF AUT-ORIT) AND DISCRETION IN CONDUCTIN2 T-E PRELIMINAR) IN+ESTI2ATION AS IF IT ,ERE A TRIAL ON T-E MERITS AND DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT FOR /INSUFFICIENC) OF E+IDENCE0 AFTER FINDIN2 T-AT T-E RESPONDENT AND -IS (OD)2UARDS ,ERE MORE CREDI(LE T-AN T-E +ICTIM T-E COMPLAINANT! ACP LAO ERRONEOUSL) DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT (ASED ON -IS MISAPPRECIATION OF T-E FACTS AND FAILED TO FIND T-AT6 7! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS A LIE AS T-E MEDICAL RECORDS PRO+E T-AT -E (EAT UP T-E COMPLAINANT (EFORE S-OOTIN2 -ER ,IT- DELI(ERATE INTENT TO 3ILL -ER! RESPONDENT8S ACTIONS IMMEDIATEL) AFTER T-E S-OOTIN2 ARE E+IDENCE OF 2UILT!

4(5

'!

9! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS (ELIED () -IS O,N STATEMENTS T-AT IT ,AS -E ,-O PULLED T-E TRI22ER OF T-E 2UN AND NOT COMPLAINANT! T-E P-OTO2RAP-S T-E MEDICO$ LE2AL REPORT AND T-E DISC-AR2E SUMMAR) PRO+E T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT ,AS DELI(ERATEL) S-OT () RESPONDENT AT POINT$(LAN3 RAN2E! #! RESPONDENT8S (OD)2UARDS ARE (IASED ,ITNESSES AND () T-EIR O,N ADMISSION DID NOT ,ITNESS T-E S-OOTIN2 AND COULD NOT CORRO(ORATE RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT!

%! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS E+IDENTIAR) IN NATURE AND S-OULD (E TESTED IN COURT! 4C5 ACP LAO ERRONOEUSL) DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT (ASED ON T-E AFFIDA+IT OF DESISTANCE OF T-E COMPLAINANT ,IT-OUT APPRECIATIN2 T-E TRUT- T-AT IT ,AS PROCURED () T-E RESPONDENT AND T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT ,AS FORCED INTIMIDATED AND -ARRASSED TO SI2N IT ,-ILE S-E ,AS STILL L)IN2 IN -ER -OSPITAL (ED FI2-TIN2 FOR -ER LIFE! 4D5 ACP LAO ERRONEOUSL) CONCLUDED T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT IS NOT CREDI(LE (ECAUSE S-E FILED -ER COMPLAINT /MORE T-AN EI2-T 4:5 MONT-S AFTER T-E INCIDENT!0# +! AR2UMENTS IN SUPPORT OF T-E APPEAL

4A5 ACP LAO ACTED ,IT- 2RA+E A(USE OF AUT-ORIT) AND DISCRETION IN CONDUCTIN2 T-E PRELIMINAR) IN+ESTI2ATION AS IF IT ,ERE A TRIAL ON T-E MERITS AND DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT FOR /INSUFFICIENC) OF E+IDENCE0 AFTER FINDIN2 T-AT T-E RESPONDENT AND -IS (OD)2UARDS ,ERE MORE CREDI(LE T-AN T-E +ICTIM T-E COMPLAINANT! 4:. ACP LAO 0ravel& a%used )is aut)orit& and dis'retion 9)en )e issued t)e

8uestioned Resolution as i( )e 'ondu'ted a trial on t)e merits and dismissed t)e Complaint a(ter (indin0 t)at RespondentAs de(ense o( a''ident, as 'orro%orated %& )is %od&0uards, 9as more 'redi%le@ "As )it)erto s)o9n, 'omplainantAs narration o( t)e events is (ar (rom t)e trut) as testi(ied to %& t)e (amil&As o9n se'urit& 0uards emplo&ed sin'e 5666, disinterested 9itnesses as t)e& are. In t)is re0ard, t)e %alan'e o( 'redi%ilit& tilts in (avor o( respondent. More so in vie9 o( t)e a((idavit o( desistan'e 'omplainant )ersel( exe'uted on O'to%er 4>, 5667.# !Resolution, pa0e :$.

Resolution, pa0e ?.

4=.

T)e 8uestioned Resolution, 9it)out an& dou%t, 9ent %e&ond t)e s'ope o( a

preliminar& investi0ation as de(ined in Se'tion 4, Rule 445 o( t)e Revised Rules o( Criminal Pro'edure !t)e "Rule#$@ " xxx an in8uir& or pro'eedin0 to determine 9)et)er t)ere is su((i'ient 0round to en0ender a 9ell-(ounded %elie( t)at a 'rime )as %een 'ommitted and t)e a''used is pro%a%l& 0uilt& t)ereo(, and s)ould %e )eld (or trial.# 4?. 2nder t)e (ore0oin0 Rule, t)e sole (un'tion o( ACP LAO is to investi0ate t)e

(a'ts surroundin0 t)e 'ase and determine 9)et)er t)ere is a reasona%le 0round to %elieve t)at t)e a''used is pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime and t)ere(ore, 9)et)er an in(ormation s)ould %e (iled a0ainst t)e a''used !People s. !nting, 4?= SCRA =??$. Simpl& stated, all t)at ACP LAO is re8uired to do is to determine t)e existen'e o( pro%a%le 'ause. 4<. To determine t)e existen'e o( pro%a%le 'ause, t)e prose'utor onl& )as to (ind t)at

t)ere is reasona%le 0round to %elieve t)at t)e a''used 'ommitted t)e 'rime. As stated %& t)e Supreme Court in Pilapil s. Sandiganbayan, H.R. No. 464<=?, April =, 4<<;@ "Pro%a%le 'ause is a reasona%le 0round or presumptions t)at a matter is, or ma& %e 9ell-(ounded, su') as a state o( (a'ts in t)e mind o( t)e prose'utor as 9ould lead a person o( ordinar& a'tuation and pruden'e to %elieve, or entertain an )onest or stron0 suspi'ion, t)at a t)in0s is so. T)e term does not mean Ja'tual and positive 'auseA nor does it import a%solute 'ertaint&. It is merel& %ased on opinion and reasona%le %elie(. T)us, a (indin0 o( pro%a%le 'ause does not re8uire an in8uir& into 9)et)er t)ere is su((i'ient eviden'e to pro'ure a 'onvi'tion. It is enou0) t)at it is %elieved t)at t)e a't or omission 'omplained 'onstitutes t)e o((ense ')ar0ed. Pre'isel&, t)ere is a trial (or t)e re'eption o( eviden'e o( t)e prose'ution in support o( t)e ')ar0e.# !See, also People . Castillo, ;;; SCRA >6:I "din Security #gency, !nc. . Sandiganbayan, ;:> SCRA ;>4$. 4?. T)us, ACP LAO a'ted %e&ond t)e s'ope o( t)is aut)orit& and dis'retion 9)en )e

'on'luded t)at t)e %od&0uards 9ere "disinterested# 9itnesses and t)ere(ore, 9ere more 'redi%le t)an ComplainantAs positive assertion t)at s)e 9as deli%eratel& s)ot %& Respondent. .e ex'eeded

)is aut)orit&, sin'e it is 9ell-settled t)at t)e issue o( 'redi%ilit& is ex'lusivel& (or t)e trial 'ourt to appre'iate a(ter a (ull-%lo9n )earin0 on t)e merits. As stated %& t)e Supreme Court in People . $uan de la Cru%, et. al., H.R. No. ?;5:6, April 4?, 4<<6@ "The office of the p;osecuto; is not a t;ial cou;t e<po=e;e> to <a?e fin>in@s of fact! It is not e<po=e;e> to a>Au>@e =hich testi<onB is <o;e c;e>ible than the othe;! The issue of c;e>ibilitB is onlB fo; the t;ial cou;t to app;eciate as theB a;e in a bette; position to obse;Ce the >epo;t<ent an> thei; <anne; of testifBin@!# !Emp)asis OursI See, also People . Preciados, ;7< SCRA 4, People . &alo, ;7< SCRA 4:4, People . Cabareno, ;7< SCRA 5<=, People . 'elamar, ;>6 SCRA =6=, People . (a arro, ;>4 SCRA 7:5$. !unders'orin0 ours$ 54. .is error is made more e0re0ious 9)en )e 'on'luded t)at t)e Respondent and )is

%od&0uards 9ere more 'redi%le solely on t)e %asis o( t)eir prepared a((idavits. T)e re'ords s)o9 t)at t)e ACP LAO never 'ondu'ted an& 'lari(i'ator& 8uestionin0 o( t)e parties and t)eir 9itnesses, t)ere(ore, never )ad t)e opportunit& to o%serve t)eir deportment, manner o( testi(&in0, or )e 9ould )ave veri(ied t)at t)e %od&0uards 9ere not e&e 9itnesses to t)e s)ootin0. T)e re'ords s)o9 t)at ACP LAO onl& re8uired t)e parties and t)eir 9itnesses to appear %e(ore )im (or t)e purpose o( rene9in0 t)e oat)s on t)eir respe'tive a((idavits. 55. It is (undamental la9 t)at t)e 1ud0ement o( 'redi%ilit& is derived (rom an open

'ourt examination o( testimonial eviden'e, dire't examination or 'ross-examination. /ud0ement o( 'redi%ilit& is )ardl& possi%le %& a mere readin0 o( t)e dr& 'ontents o( RespondentAs CounterA((idavit and )is 9itnessesA respe'tive A((idavits, 9)i') are, (or t)e most part, prepared %& t)e la9&er. T)e 'redi%ilit& o( t)e 9itnesses 'annot %e in(erred %& mere examination o( t)e do'uments !a((idavits$ t)at t)e parties presented spe'iall& in t)is 'ase 9)ere t)ere 9as no )earin0 set (or 'lari(i'ator& 8uestions. As t)e Supreme Court pointed out in Mondia, $r. . 'eputy "mbudsman)*isayas #rea, ;7: SCRA ;:>, it is patentl& 9ron0 (or ACP LAO to ma3e a 1ud0ement on 'redi%ilit& solely on a mere readin0 o( t)e do'uments@

"T)e propoundin0 o( 'lari(i'ator& 8uestions is an important 'omponent o( a preliminar& investi0ation.# 4(5 ACP LAO ERRONEOUSL) DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT (ASED ON -IS MISAPPRECIATION OF T-E FACTS AND FAILED TO FIND T-AT6 7! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS A LIE AS T-E MEDICAL RECORDS PRO+E T-AT -E (EAT UP COMPLAINANT (EFORE S-OOTIN2 -ER ,IT- DELI(ERATE INTENT TO 3ILL -ER! ACP LAO misappre'iated t)e (a'ts 9)en )e (ound t)at t)e Complainant

5;.

9as on t)e "o((ensive,># 9)o in t)e "stru00le (or possession o( t)e 0un :# appeared to )ave s)ot )ersel( in t)e a%domen. T)e p)oto0rap)s o( t)e Complainant, t)e Medi'o Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar&, 9)i') prove t)at t)e Complainant 9as too %adl& %eaten and %ruised %& t)e Respondent, totall& 'ontradi't ACP LAOAS (indin0s t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as a''idental and sel(in(li'ted. 57. T)e t9o p)oto0rap)s o( t)e Complainant ta3en t9o da&s a(ter t)e s)ootin0 9)ile

s)e 9as t)e Intensive Care 2nit vividl& s)o9 t)e %eatin0 s)e re'eived on )er e&es, (a'e and ot)er parts o( )er %od&=. 5>. T)e is')ar0e Summar&? also supports t)e ComplainantAs alle0ations t)at s)e 9as

severel& %eaten and %ruised %& Respondent %e(ore %ein0 s)ot %& )im@ "ADMITTIN2 DIA2NOSIS@ Multiple p)&si'al in1ur& se'ondar& to a 0uns)ot 9ound. PRINCIPAL DIA2NOSIS@ Huns)ot 9ound a%domen@ 'ontusion antium o( stoma'), la'eration o( liver, pun'tured %od& o( t)e pan'reasK (RIEF -ISTOR) AND ESSENTIAL P-)SICAL FINDIN2S@
> :

Resolution, pa0e >. !bid., pa0e:. = Annex "C# o( t)e Repl&-A((idavit, ANNE1 /M!# ? Annex " # o( t)e Repl&-A((idavit, ANNE1 /M!0

NO4@ TO4@ O4@ PO4@

Huns)ot 9ound 7@66 p.m. Au0ust 5:, 566; Residen'e#

5:. T)e Medi'o Le0al Report< undou%tedl& supports ComplainantAs alle0ations t)at s)e 9as severel& %eaten and %ruised %e(ore %ein0 s)ot %& Respondent@ /(RIEF -ISTOR)6 Nature o( In'ident@ Huns)ot 9ound PERTINENT P-)SICAL E1AMINATION6 4. Point o( entr&, HS-, 4 'm, !L$ tattooin0, epi0astri' area. 5. Point o( exit, !L$ HS-, 4 'm, t)ora'olum%ar area, le(t. ;. !L$ S9ellin0 >x> 'm, (rontal area. 7. !L$ Su%'on1u'tival )emorr)a0e, !R$ e&e. +INAL IAHNOSIS@ Status post 0uns)ot 9ound 9it) in1ur& to !L$ lo%e o( liver and %od& o( pan'reasI Pan'reatitisI C)olestatisI A'ute renal (ailureI Nep)rolit)iasisI Pan'reati' pseudo'&stI S*P pan'reati' (istulaI S*P sepsisI .&pertension.# 5=. ACP LAO s)ould )ave appre'iated t)e (a't t)at it 9as Respondent 9)o 9as t)e

a00ressor and not t)e Complainant. It is 'ompletel& ridi'ulous to 'on'lude t)at Complainant intended or 'ould in1ure or 3ill Respondent 9it) onl& a CREA t)e Complainant 0ra%%ed a CREA 3ni(e or a %ottle o( " patis.#46 I(

3ni(e or a %ottle o( " patis,# it 9as to de(end )ersel( a0ainst

an& (urt)er atta'3 %& t)e Respondent. -)at t)e RespondentAs %od&0uards a'tuall& sa9 9as not a mere "8uarrel# %et9een )us%and and 9i(e %ut 9as an a't o( ,IOLENCE a0ainst t)e

Complainant, 9)i') is no9 a 'rime under Repu%li' A't No. <5:5, ot)er9ise 3no9n as t)e Anti,iolen'e A0ainst -omen and t)eir C)ildren A't o( 5667.

<

46

Annex "E# o( t)e Repl&-A((idavit, ANNE1 /M!0 Resolution 'itin0 A((idavits o( Nimes and Castillo, pa0es 7, > and :.

5?. RespondentAs alle0ation t)at "9e t)en ended up 9restlin0 all over our 3it')en# 44 is 'ompletel& un%elieva%le. .e ma3es it appear t)at Complainant is stron0er and (ier'er t)at )e is 9)en t)e Medi'o-Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar& prove t)at it 9as t)e Complainant

9)o sustained severe %eatin0 prior to %ein0 s)ot %& Respondent. T)e trut) is 9)en Complainant tried to (ee%l& de(end )ersel( 9it) a CREA 3ni(e and a %ottle o( "patis,# Respondent 0ot

an0rier and, in a s)o9 o( po9er, s)ot )er in )er a%domen 9it) deli%erate intent to 3ill. '! RESPONDENT8S ACTIONS IMMEDIATEL) AFTER T-E S-OOTIN2 ARE E+IDENCE OF 2UILT! RespondentAs a'tions immediatel& a(ter

5<. ACP LAO misappre'iated t)e (a't t)at s)ootin0 t)e Complainant, are eviden'e o( 0uilt. !a$

Respondent admits t)at )e did not ma3e an& e((ort to )elp )is 9i(e 0et up

(rom t)e 3it')en (loor nor did )e )elp )er out o( t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 to 0o to t)e )ospital. .e did not 'all (or immediate medi'al attention nor did )e 'all t)e )ospital to as3 (or )elp. .e did not report it to t)e Ma3ati poli'e. .e did a%solutel& not)in0 to tr& to save t)e li(e o( )is 9i(e. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is, i( as Respondent 'laims t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not )elp )er out o( t)e 'on1u0al d9ellin0 or 'all (or immediate medi'al attentionG I( as )e 'laims t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not do an&t)in0 to tr& to save )is seriousl& in1ured 9i(eG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt& and 9anted )er to die t)at da& rat)er t)an su((er t)e 'onse8uen'es o( )is )einous a't. !%$ It 9as Castillo 9)o, a(ter seein0 t)e Complainant l&in0 in t)e 3it')en (loor

%leedin0 9it) a 9ound in )er stoma'), assisted t)e 'omplainant in 0oin0 do9n t)e
44

A((idavit o( Respondent, pa0e 5, par. 4;, ANNE1 /D!0

stair9a& o( t)e RitB To9ersA 'ondominium 45. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is, i( as Respondent 'laims t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not rus) )is 9i(e to t)e )ospitalG -)& )e did )e not even %rin0 )er to t)e )ospitalG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt&. !'$ Respondent admits t)at )e never visited )is 9i(e in t)e )ospital not on'e

durin0 t)e entire time s)e 9as re'overin0 at t)e )ospital 4;. In t)e almost (our !7$ mont)s t)at Complainant spent in t)e )ospital, one mont) at t)e Intensive Care 2nit, Respondent never on'e visited )er. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is, i( as Respondent states t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not visit )is 9i(e in t)e )ospitalG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt&. !d$ Instead, %& t)eir o9n admission, Respondent sent )is la9&er, Att&. avid

Pu&at and son, Paolo47. A''ordin0 to t)e Complaint, a%out one 9ee3 a(ter s)e 9as s)ot, Paolo 9ent to see )er at t)e Intensive Care 2nit %rin0in0 t)e prepared A((idavit o( esistan'e %& Att&. avid Pu&at (or )er to si0n. 4> T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould

)ave as3ed is 9)& did Respondent send )is la9&er instead o( 0oin0 to t)e )ospital to %e at t)e side o( )is seriousl& in1ured 9i(eG O%viousl&, )e sent )is la9&er and son to pressure t)e Complainant into exe'utin0 t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e %e'ause )e is 0uilt&. !e$ Respondent admits t)at )e (led t)e 'ountr& "as earl& as 5 Septem%er 566;

and onl& returned on > e'em%er 566;# and atta')ed )is passport to prove t)e same4:. In ot)er 9ords, exa'tl& seven !=$ da&s a(ter s)ootin0 )is 9i(e, Respondent (led t)e 'ountr&. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is 9)& did Respondent (lee t)e 'ountr&
45 4;

A((idavit o( Castillo, pars. :, = and ?, ANNE1 /2.# A((idavit o( Respondent, par. 55, ANNE1 /D.# 47 A((idavit o( Paolo, ANNE1 /I#I A((idavit o( Att&. Pu&at, ANNE1 /J!# 4> Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit o( t)e Complainant, ANNE1 /M!0 4: A((idavit o( Respondent, pa0e 5, par. 55, ANNE1 /D!0

immediatel& a(ter )is 9i(e 9as s)ot and 9)ile s)e 9as (i0)tin0 (or )er li(e in)e Intensive Care 2nitG Are t)ese t)e a'tuations o( a man 9)o )ad no intent to 3ill or in1ure )is 9i(eG As )eld in a lon0 line o( 'ases, "(li0)t %etra&s a 0uilt& 'ons'ien'e, (or as t)e 0ood %oo3 sa&s, t)e 9i'3ed (leet) even 9)en no man pursuet), 9)ereas t)e ri0)teous are as %rave as a lion !Se alle . Court o+ #ppeals, ;>; SCRA ;;I See, also People . Mendo%a, ;;5 SCRA 7?>I People . (aag, ;;5 SCRA =4:I People . Paglina,an, ;57 SCRA <=I People . Penaso, ;5: SCRA ;44$.# ;6. T)e (ore0oin0 are so o%vious to an independent mind su') t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave (ound reasona%le 0round to %elieve t)at Respondent is pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide. Common sense di'tates t)at an inno'ent )us%andAs (irst instin't 9ould %e to rus) to )is seriousl& in1ured 9i(e and 'all (or )elp and 'are (or )er as s)e )overed %et9een li(e or deat). It is totall& unnatural (or a )us%and to a%andon )is 9i(e in su') desperate time o( need and 9orse, )ave )is la9&ers se'ure )er A((idavit o( esistan'e unless )e is 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime.

9!

RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS (ELIED () -IS O,N STATEMENTS T-AT IT ,AS -E ,-O PULLED T-E TRI22ER OF T-E 2UN AND NOT COMPLAINANT! T-E P-OTO2RAP-S T-E MEDICO LE2AL REPORT AND T-E DISC-AR2E SUMMAR) PRO+E T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT ,AS DELI(ERATEL) S-OT () RESPONDENT AT POINT$(LAN3 RAN2E!

;4. ACP LAO 0rossl& misappre'iated t)e (a't t)at Complainant s)ot )ersel( as s)e and Respondent stru00led (or possession o( t)e 0un. T)is (indin0 is outra0eous sin'e t)e p)oto0rap)s, t)e Medi'o Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar& su%mitted %& t)e

Complainant prove ot)er9ise. More importantl&, RespondentAs o9n statements in )is CounterA((idavit %elie )is de(ense o( a''ident. ;4. I( ACP LAO a'tuall& read RespondentAs Counter-A((idavit, )e 9ould dis'over

t)at Respondent admitted t)at !a$ )e )ad 'ontrol and possession o( t)e 0un and, !%$ )e s)ot )er on'e@ "KI I NOT S.OOT m& 9i(e 9it) t)e intention o( 3illin0 )er nor did I intend to in1ure )er in an& 9a&. T)ere 9as a%solutel& no intention o( m& part to 3ill Melissa! If it =e;e t;ue that I ha> such intention =hB then =oul> I not fi;e a secon> o; thi;> shot =hen I =oul> haCe un>e; such situation eCe;B oppo;tunitB to >o so!# !Emp)asis OursI A((idavit o( Respondent, par. 4?, ANNE1 /D0$. .is alle0ation t)at )e )as to (ire t9o or t)ree times to s)o9 intent to 3ill is totall& ridi'ulous %e'ause t)e realit& is it ta3es onl& one %ullet, one s)ot, to 3ill anot)er. Sin'e t)e Respondent admitted t)at )e s)ot )is 9i(e, t)ere is no ot)er reasona%le 'on'lusion t)an a (indin0 o( pro%a%le 'ause, and let t)e Respondent prove )is de(ense o( "a''idental s)ootin0# in 'ourt. ;5. ACP LAO also erroneousl& 'on'luded solely on RespondentAs alle0ations t)at t)e "t)e 0un a''identall& 9ent o(( "4= 9)en "our momentum 'aused us to slam into t)e re(ri0erator door#4?. T)e ridi'ulous 'on'lusion is t)at t)e Complainant s)ot )ersel(. ;;. T)e "slam!min0$ into t)e re(ri0erator door# 'ould not )ave 'aused t)e .;? 'ali%er

pistol to 0o o(( on its o9n and penetrate t)e a%domen o( Complainant at t)e pre'ise entr& and exit point stated in t)e Medi'o Le0al Report !"4. Point o( entr&, HS-, 4 'm, !L$ tattooin0, epi0astri' area. 5. Point o( exit, !L$ HS-, 4 'm, t)ora'olum%ar area, le(t#$. Someone )ad to 'o'3 t)e 0un, pull t)e tri00er and (ire it at point-%lan3 ran0e in t)e a%domen o( t)e Complainant and produ'e t)e entr& and exit point o( t)e %ullet stated in t)e Medi'o-Le0al Report. T)at person is t)e Respondent, 9)o is %i00er and stron0er t)an t)e Complainant. T)e Respondent is a%out >

4= 4?

Resolution, pa0e :. A((idavit o( Respondent, pa0e 5, par. 4>, ANNE1 /D!0

(eet < in')es tall and 9ei0)s 4<6 pounds, 9)ile t)e Complainant is > (eet and 7 in')es tall and 9ei0)s 4>6 pounds.

#!

RESPONDENT8S (OD)2UARDS ARE (IASED ,ITNESSES AND () T-EIR O,N ADMISSION DID NOT ,ITNESS T-E S-OOTIN2 AND COULD NOT CORRO(ORATE RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF /ACCIDENT!0

;7. It is patentl& erroneous (or ACP LAO to 'on'lude t)at t)e %od&0uards are "disinterested#4< 9itnesses 9)ose testimonies are more 'redi%le t)an t)at o( t)e vi'tim, t)e Complainant, 9)en t)e %od&0uards admit t)at !a$ t)e& )ave %een emplo&ed %& Respondent sin'e 5666 and 'ontinue to %e emplo&ed %& Respondent and, !%$ t)e& did not 9itness t)e a'tual s)ootin056. ;>. A disinterested 9itness is de(ined "as a person 9)o )as no ill-motive to testi(& a0ainst t)e a''used or t)e 'omplainant.# Cut 9)et)er a parti'ular 9itness is disinterested is a matter t)at is ex'lusivel& (or a trial 'ourt to evaluate and appre'iate !People . -agtu, H.R. No. 4->55;=, Septem%er ;6, 4<?4$. ;:. Even assumin0 t)at ACP LAO )ad t)e aut)orit& and dis'retion to de'lare t)at a 9itness is "disinterested# !9)i') )e does not$, RespondentAs %od&0uards are not "disinterested# 9itnesses %e'ause, as t)e& admit in t)eir A((idavits and usin0 t)e exa't same 9ords, Respondent is t)eir %oss and 'ontinue to %e t)eir %oss.54 It is in t)eir interest to lie (or t)eir %oss.

4< 56

!bid., pa0e :. Resolution, pa0e :I A((idavit o( Nimes, pars. 5, 44 and 45, ANNE1 /E#I A((idavit o( Castillo, pars. 5, > and :, ANNE1 /2!# 54 A((idavit o( Nimes, par. 5I A((idavit o( Castillo, par. 5, ANNE1ES /E0 an> /2 # respe'tivel&@

" 5. Mula noon0 taon0 5666 )an00an0 sa 3asalu3u&an, na0tratra%a)o a3o %ilan0 isa sa m0a
09ard&a n0 Pamil&a Martel.#

;=. Cased on t)eir per1urious alle0ations, not onl& 9ere t)e %od&0uards %iased in (avor o( t)eir %oss, t)e& did not 9itness t)e a'tual s)ootin0 55. T)en, )o9 'an t)e& 'orro%orate t)eir %ossA de(ense o( a''ident 9)en t)e& 9ere not in t)e 3it')en 9)en t)e s)ootin0 o''urredG .o9 'an t)e %od&0uards tilt t)e %alan'e o( 'redi%ilit& in (avor o( t)eir %ossA de(ense o( a''ident 9)en t)e& did not see or 9itness t)e a'tual s)ootin0G Cet9een t)ose 9)o 9ere not t)ere and t)e one 9)o 9as s)ot, 8uiet 'learl&, t)e ACP s)ould )ave 0iven more 9ei0)t to t)e ComplainantAs statements.

%! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF /ACCIDENT0 IS E+IDENTIAR) IN NATURE AND S-OULD (E TESTED IN COURT! ;?. ACP LAO 0ravel& a%used )is aut)orit& and dis'retion 9)en )e 'on'luded t)at RespondentAs de(ense o( a''ident 9as 'redi%le %e'ause 'redi%ilit& is (or t)e trial 'ourt to appre'iate. T)e de(ense o( a''idental s)ootin0 is a 8uestion o( (a't and evidentiar& in nature and s)ould %e presented at t)e trial and su%1e'ted to 'ross-examination. As stated in People . Cari.ue%, H.R. No. 45<;67, Septem%er 5=, 4<<<@ It is 9ell settled t)at a 8uestion o( (a't is to %e determined %& t)e eviden'e o((ered to support t)e parti'ular 'ontention !$ose s. Court o+ #ppeals ;55 SCRA 5>$ "A''ident is an exemptin0 'ir'umstan'e under Arti'le 45 o( t)e Revised Penal Code. In order t)at a''ident ma& exempt an a''used (rom 'riminal lia%ilit&, it must %e s)o9n t)at t)e a''used 9as per(ormin0 a la9(ul a't 9it) due 'areI t)e resultin0 in1ur& 9as 'aused %& mere a''identI and t)ere must %e no (ault or intent to 'ause t)e in1ur& on t)e part o( t)e a''used. T)e de(ense o( a''ident is s)i(ted to t)e a''used, t)e %urden o( eviden'e and it 9as in'um%ent upon t)em to prove t)at t)e& 9ere exempt (rom 'riminal lia%ilit&.#

55

A((idavits o( Ro%ert Pu&at Martel, Nimes and Castillo ANNE1ES /D 0 /E0 an> /2 # respe'tivel&.

.o9 'ould an un%iased prose'utor not miss t)e (a't t)at prior to t)e s)ootin0, t)e Respondent 9as alread& 'ommittin0 a 'rime %& %eatin0 up )is 9i(eG T)e %urden o( proo( o( a''ident is on t)e Respondent, 9)o s)ould s)o9 proo( in 'ourt. A''ident as an exemptin0 'ir'umstan'e does not appl& in t)is 'ase %e'ause prior to t)e s)ootin0, t)e Respondent 9as not per(ormin0 a la9(ul a't 9it) due 'are.

4C5 ACP LAO ERRONOEUSL) DISMISSED T-E COMPLAINT (ASED ON T-E AFFIDA+IT OF DESISTANCE OF T-E COMPLAINANT ,IT-OUT APPRECIATIN2 T-E TRUT- T-AT IT ,AS PROCURED () T-E RESPONDENT AND T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT ,AS FORCED INTIMIDATED AND -ARRASSED TO SI2N IT ,-ILE S-E ,AS STILL L)IN2 IN -ER -OSPITAL (ED FI2-TIN2 FOR -ER LIFE! ;<. ACP LAO 0ravel& a%used )is aut)orit& and dis'retion 9)en )e 'on'luded t)at t)e A((idavit o( Complainant. 76. ACP LAO (ailed to appre'iate t)e (a'ts t)at !a$ t)e A((idavit o( prepared %& RespondentAs la9&er, Att&. t)rou0) Att&. esistan'e 9as esistan'e, 9)i') 9as pro'ured %& Respondent 9as a (ree and voluntar& a't o( t)e

avid Pu&at, !%$ it 9as pro'ured %& Respondent,

avid Pu&at and ComplaintAs son Paolo, 9)ile t)e Complainant 9as still l&in0 in

)er )ospital %ed at t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, and !'$ t)at s)e 9as in an extremel& vulnera%le state 9it) no mone& to pa& (or )er medi'al %ills in t)e )ospital a(ter )er dis')ar0e, (or t)e 'ontinuin0 medi'al 'osts as a result o( )er in1ur& amountin0 to a%out P76,666 a mont). Hiven t)ese 'ir'umstan'es, t)e Complainant 9as )elpless and 'on'luded t)at s)e )ad no ')oi'e %ut to si0n t)e desistan'e.

74. A 9i(e su((erin0 (rom a serious 0uns)ot 9ound in )er a%domen in(li'ted %& )er )us%and, 9)ile at t)e %rin3 o( li(e or deat) and 9it) 9ea3ened mental (a'ult&, 'ould not %e expe'ted to utter in 'lear terms t)at )er "0uns)ot 9ound resulted (rom an a''ident, 9it)out t)e (ault or ne0li0en'e o( an&%od&.#5; Certainl&, t)e pressure o( li(e or deat) and t)e pressure o( survival on t)e part o( t)e Complainant, l&in0 in )er )ospital %ed 9ere too real, erasin0 an& (airminded in(eren'e t)at t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e 9as )er (ree and voluntar& a't. 75. ACP LAO also (ailed to see t)is 'ase (rom a 0ender perspe'tive. -omen su') Complainant are po9erless a0ainst t)eir )us%ands 9)o in most 'ases ! espe'iall& in t)is 'ase$ )ave t)e mone&, politi'al in(luen'e and po9er. ,iolen'e is 'ommitted %& men a0ainst 9omen %e'ause o( t)eir une8ual relations)ips 9it)in marria0e and 9it)in intimate relations)ips. Prior to t)e s)ootin0 and t)rou0)out t)eir t9ent&-t)ree !5;$ &ears o( marria0e, Respondent )ad repeatedl& %eaten t)e Complainant, )umiliated )er and t)reatened )er li(e 9it) a 0un. T)e Complainant testi(ied to t)e )orrendous a%uses s)e su((ered in t)e )ands o( t)e Respondent at t)e )earin0 o( )er appli'ation (or Temporar& Prote'tion Order in t)e Re0ional Trial Court o( Ma3ati Cit&, Cran') 4;:, 9)i') t)e Court 0ranted. 7;. T)e ComplainantAs 'ounsel, Att&. .o9ard Calle1a, stron0l& advised )er not to si0n t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e, %ut s)e 9as 'ompelled to si0n t)e same %e'ause t)e Respondent,

t)rou0) )is la9&er and son, t)reatened )er t)at t)e Respondent 9ould not pa& (or )er medi'al %ills !amountin0 to a%out t)ree !;$ million pesos$ or support )er a(ter s)e leaves t)e )ospital, and s)e 9ill not see )er ')ildren a0ain unless s)e exe'uted t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e. A 'op& o(

t)e A((idavit o( Att&. .o9ard Calle1a is atta')ed as ANNE1 /N0 o( t)is Appeal. 76. ACP LAO (ailed to appre'iate t)e (a't t)at an inno'ent )us%and 9ould not )ave esistan'e (or it 9ould )ave served no purpose i( )e )ad

made )is 9i(e exe'ute an A((idavit o(

5;

A((idavit o( esistan'e, par. ;, Annex "

not done an&t)in0 9ron0.

C& so doin0, t)e Respondent )ad in e((e't admitted t)at )e

intentionall& s)ot t)e Complainant, and to ensure t)at t)e Complainant 9ould not (ile a 'ase a0ainst )im, sent )is la9&er and son to (or'e, intimidate and )arass t)e Complainant into si0nin0 an A((idavit o( esistan'e.

74.

It 9as patentl& erroneous (or ACP LAO to 'on'lude t)at t)e A((idavit o(

esistan'e exonerated t)e Respondent (rom 'riminal responsi%ilit& espe'iall& sin'e t)e Complainant )ad expressl& retra'ted and repudiated it in )er Complaint !ANNE1 /(#$ and Repl&-A((idavit !ANNE1 /M#$. 77. T)e Supreme Court )as )eld t)at a 'omplainant 9)o exe'uted an a((idavit o( desistan'e 'an repudiate or renoun'e or retra't it %& pursuin0 t)e 'riminal 'ase and prose'utin0 it. Hiven t)e )i0)l& suspi'ious 'ir'umstan'es t)at 0enerall& surround t)e exe'ution o( an a((idavit o( desistan'e, t)e Supreme Court )as also )eld t)at its due exe'ution s)ould %e su%1e'ted to ri0orous examination %& t)e trial 'ourt and not %& t)e prose'utor@ "An a((idavit o( desistan'e is easil& o%tained (or monetar& 'onsideration or t)rou0) intimidation. T)us, t)e& are treated 9it) suspi'ion and reservation. In t)is 'ase, t)e a((idavit o( desistan'e must not %e di0ni(ied. R)iBa, in )er tender a0e, 'oura0eousl& de'lared in open 'ourt t)at s)e pursued t)e rape 'ase and disre0arded t)e a((idavit o( desistan'e %e'ause s)e 9anted to o%tain 1usti'e. Cesides, s)e si0ned it under duress and )ad not)in0 to do 9it) its preparation !People . Marciano Bertul+o, H.R. No. 47;=<6, Ma& =, 5665$.# "T)e Complainant, %& testi(&in0 on t)e 9itness stand and narratin0 )er ordeal at t)e )ands o( t)e a''used-appellant )as e((e'tivel& repudiated t)e 'ontents o( )er a((idavit and )as s)o9n )er intention to 'ontinue t)e prose'ution o( t)e 'aseKT)e 8uestion o( voluntariness o( t)e exe'ution o( t)e a((idavit is o( no moment as it is still t)e trial 'ourt 9)i') )as t)e option o( dismissin0 t)e 'ase or pro'eedin0 9it) t)e trial on'e t)e in(ormation )as %een (iled in 'ourt. As su'), even i( t)e a((idavit 9as exe'uted voluntaril&, t)e 'ourt still )as t)e dis'retion to disre0ard t)e same and pro'eedin0 9it) t)e trial o( t)e a''used. Moreover, %& testi(&in0 on t)e 9itness stand and re'ountin0 t)e details o( )er ordeal at t)e )ands o( t)e a''used-appellant, t)e Complainant )as e((e'tivel& renoun'ed or diso9ned )er previous statements in t)e said a((idavitK-)ile

t)ere ma& %e J(lip-(loppin0 'ondu'tA on t)e part o( t)e Complainant in de'idin0 9)et)er to pursue t)e prose'ution o( t)e 'ase, t)ere is no su') e8uivo'ation in )er testimon& 9it) respe't to 9)at )appened to )er !People . Ben -ibo-on, H.R. No. 4;:=;=, Ma& 5;, 5664$.# 7>. +urt)ermore, it 9as patentl& erroneous i( not a s)o9in0 o( )is la'3 o( o%1e'tivit& and 3no9led0e o( 1urispruden'e (or ACP LAO to dismiss t)e 'omplaint on t)e %asis o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e %e'ause an a((idavit o( desistan'e does not extin0uis) 'riminal responsi%ilit&. T)e

Supreme Court )as )eld t)at@ "An a((idavit o( desistan'e 9ill not extin0uis) 'riminal lia%ilit& o( t)e a''used. esistan'e is not one o( t)e modes o( extin0uis)in0 'riminal lia%ilit& !Padua s. $udge Molina, AM MT/-66-457?, 4 e'em%er 5666$.# "An a((idavit o( desistan'e is merel& an additional 0round to %uttress t)e a''usedAs de(enses, not t)e sole 'onsideration t)at 'an result in an a'8uittal ! People . Monte/o, ;>> SCRA 546$.# 7:. In support o( )is patentl& erroneous 'on'lusion, ACP LAO 'ited t)e 'ase o( 0.S.

. Pala, 4< P)il 4<657 .o9ever, t)is 'ase does not appl& in t)is instant 'ase %e'ause in 0.S. Pala t)e a''used did not exe'ute an a((idavit o( desistan'e. T)e a''used )ad 0iven t9o

'ontradi'tin0 testimonies M one, %e(ore a 1usti'e o( a pea'e and t)e ot)er, %e(ore t)e Court o( +irst Instan'e and it 9as t)e latter 'ourt and not t)e prose'utor t)at )eld t)e a''used 9as not 'redi%le %ased on a previous 'ontradi'tin0 testimon&. To 8uote pertinent portions o( t)e de'ision@ "Cut t)e most (atal de(e't 9)i') appears in uma'o0As testimon& is t)at )e )as made several 'ontradi'tor& statements under oat) in re0ard to t)is 'rime. -)en )e (irst testi(ied %e(ore t)e lieutenant 0overnor o( Conto' a'tin0 as ex-o((i'io 1usti'e o( t)e pea'e, )e did not assume t)e responsi%ilit& (or t)e 'rime %ut also impli'ated Pala, )is 'oa''used in t)is 'aseK.it 9as not until a(ter )e )ad %een pla'ed in prison 9it) Pala t)at )e ')an0ed )is attitude to9ard Pala and %e0an to ma3e 'ontradi'tor& statements in re0ard to t)is 'rimeK.e )imsel( %& )is o9n a't o( 0ivin0 (alse testimon& impea')es )is o9n testimon& and t)e 'ourt is 'ompelled to ex'lude it (rom all 'onsideration.# 4D5 ACP LAO ERRONEOUSL) CONCLUDED T-E COMPLAINANT IS NOT CREDI(LE (ECAUSE S-E FILED -ER
57

Resolution, pa0es ?-<.

COMPLAINT /MORE T-AN EI2-T 4:5 MONT-S AFTER T-E INCIDENT!0 7?. T)e Complainant (iled t)e 'ase seven !=$ mont)s a(ter t)e s)ootin0 and not "more

t)an ei0)t !?$ mont)s a(ter t)e in'ident# as ACP LAO erroneousl& pointed out. 7<. In an& 'ase, it is 9it)in t)e ComplainantAs ri0)t to (ile t)e Complaint as t)e a'tion

to (ile t)e same )as not pres'ri%ed. Arti'le 57: o( t)e Revised Penal Code states t)at parri'ide is punis)a%le %& reclusion perpetua to deat). Arti'le <6 o( t)e same la9 provides t)at 'rimes 9)i') are punis)a%le %& deat), reclusion perpetua or reclusion temporal pres'ri%e in t9ent& !56$ &ears. It is immaterial i( s)e (iled it one !4$ da& or seven !=$ mont)s or ei0)t !?$ mont)s a(ter t)e tra0i' in'ident. OneAs ri0)t to (ile a 'riminal a'tion 'annot %e extin0uis)ed %& t)e (a't t)at s)e %elatedl& (iled it, most espe'iall& i( t)e a'tion )as not pres'ri%ed. >6. T)e Supreme Court )as ruled t)at in 'ases o( violen'e, t)ere is no standard rule or

period o( time 9it)in 9)i') a 9oman s)ould (ile a 'omplaint or tell )er stor&. !See, Philippine #eolus #utomoti e 0nited Corporation s. (ational -abor Relations Commissio n, et al. HR No. 457:4=, April 5?, 5666$. Ever& vi'tim o( violen'e rea'ts in t)e 9a& t)at s)e 'an, 0iven )er

parti'ular 'ir'umstan'es, and t)at is also true (or t)e Complainant. It 9as, t)ere(ore, erroneous (or ACP LAO to 'on'lude t)at t)e ComplainantAs 'redi%ilit& is 8uestiona%le %e'ause s)e (iled t)e 'ase "more t)an ei0)t !?$ mont)s a(ter t)e in'ident.# .o9 'ould ACP LAO (ailed to 'onsider t)at t)e Complainant 9as in t)e )ospital (or almost (our mont)s, one mont) o( 9)i') 9as spent at t)e Intensive Care 2nitG S)e )as no mone& and is totall& dependent on )er )us%and (or support. S)e )as no (ree a''ess to )er minor ')ildren. S)e 'ontinues to under0o 'ontinuin0 medi'al 'are and ps&')iatri' t)erap& to deal 9it) t)e s)ootin0 and t)e &ears o( a%use s)e su((ered in t)e )ands o( )er )us%and. T)e arro0an'e o( t)e Respondent is 0larin0 in t)e (a't t)at

9)en t)e Complainant 9ent to t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 at t)e RitB To9ers to 0et )er personal %elon0in0s, t)e Respondent (iled a 'omplaint (or Ro%%er& a0ainst )er. >4. ACP LAO s)ould )ave appre'iated t)e (a't t)at 0iven t)e ComplainantAs

'ir'umstan'es and 9it) little (inan'ial resour'es and t)e odds s)e is a0ainst, s)e )ad t)e 'oura0e to (ile a 'riminal 'ase (or +rustrated Parri'ide and a 'ivil a'tion (or a Prote'tion Order under t)e Anti-,iolen'e A0ainst -omen and T)eir C)ildren A't o( 5667. >5. In sum, %ased on t)e undisputed (a'ts o( t)is 'ase, t)e la9 and 'ase la9, ACP

LAO s)ould )ave (ound t)at t)e 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide 9as 'ommitted, t)at t)e Respondent is pro%a%l& 0uilt& t)ereo(, and t)at an in(ormation (or +rustrated Parri'ide s)ould %e (iled a0ainst )im, as (ollo9s@ FIRST, t)e undisputed (a't is t)at a 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide 9as 'ommitted a0ainst t)e Complainant@ !a$ On Au0ust 5:, 5667 Complainant sustained a 0uns)ot 9ound

in(li'ted at point-%lan3 ran0e at t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 at t)e RitB To9ers Condominium. !%$ Respondents admitted t)at )e 9as present at exa'tl& t)e time and

pla'e o( t)e 'ommission o( t)e 'rime, t)ere(ore, )ad t)e opportunit& to 'ommit t)e 'rime. !'$ T)e 9eapon t)at 9as used to 'ommit t)e 'rime 9as a .;? 'ali%er

pistol admitted to %elon0 to RespondentAs %od&0uard Nimes. !d$ Castillo sa9 t)e Complainant l&in0 on t)e 3it')en (loor 9ounded

and %leedin0 in t)e stoma').

!e$

It 9as Castillo and not t)e Respondent 9)o )elped t)e

Complainant 0o do9n t)e stair9a& o( t)e RitB To9ersA 'ondominium. !($ It 9as Castillo and not t)e Respondent 9)o )elped t)e

Complainant %oard t)e 'ar 'ontainin0 )er &oun0est son, Anton, and rus)ed )er to t)e emer0en'& room o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center. !0$ T)e Complainant 9as admitted at t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center at

7@66 p.m. (or a 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained on Au0ust 5:, 5667 at t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 at t)e RitB To9ers Condominium. SECOND, %ased on t)e undisputed (a'ts and eviden'e o( t)e 'ase, t)ere is a 9ell0rounded %elie( t)at Respondent is pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide@ !a$ Respondent admitted )e 9as present at exa'tl& t)e time and pla'e

o( t)e 'ommission o( t)e 'rime, t)ere(ore, )ad t)e opportunit& to 'ommit t)e 'rime. !%$ A(ter t)e Complainant 9as s)ot, Respondent did not 'ome to )er

aid. .e did not 'all (or immediate medi'al attention. .e did not )elp )er 0et up (rom t)e 3it')en (loor. .e did not )elp )er out o( t)e 'on1u0al d9ellin0 or do9n t)e stair9a& o( t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 at RitB To9ers Condominium.

!'$

Respondent did not report t)e s)ootin0 to t)e Ma3ati Poli'e and

t)e investi0ation report states t)at t)e poli'e sent a letter to t)e Respondent %ut )e did not appear %e(ore t)e poli'e investi0ator. !d$ Respondent did not visit Complainant, not even on'e, durin0 t)e entire time s)e 9as at t)e )ospital (i0)tin0 (or )er li(e and until )er dis')ar0e.

!e$

Respondent immediatel& sent )is la9&er, Att&.

avid Pu&at, and

son, Paolo, to (or'e, intimidate and )arass Complainant into exe'utin0 t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e. !($ Respondent immediatel& (led t)e 'ountr& on Septem%er 5, 566;, or exa'tl& one !4$ 9ee3 a(ter t)e s)ootin0. !0$ Respondent returned to t)e 'ountr& on e'em%er >, 566; or a%out a

mont) and a )al( a(ter t)e exe'ution o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e.

+I! SU(MISSION OF AFFIDA+ITS AND*OR DOCUMENTS FILED DURIN2 T-E PRELIMINAR) IN+ESTI2ATION >;. In 'omplian'e 9it) t)e re8uirement o( Se'tion ; o( epartment Order No. 55;,

t)e Complainant is appendin0 t)e (ollo9in0 annexes to )er Appeal@ !A$ !C$ !C$ Resolution o( Senior State Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao dated Au0ust 44, 5667, atta')ed as ANNEN A )ereo(. Complaint-A((idavit o( Melissa Mer'ado Martel dated April >, 5667, atta')ed as ANNEN C )ereo(. Letter o( Melissa Mer'ado Martel addressed to C)ie( Prose'utor /oven'ito OuPo dated Ma& ;, 5667, re8uestin0 t)at t)e preliminar& investi0ation %& Prose'utor Mel8uiades Mutian0pili %e trans(erred (rom t)e O((i'e o( t)e Cit& Prose'utor, Ma3ati Cit& to t)e epartment o( /usti'e, atta')ed as ANNEN C )ereo(. Counter-A((idavit o( Ro%ert Pu&at Martel dated Ma& >, 5667, atta')ed as ANNEN )ereo(. A((idavit o( +idel Nimes atta')ed as ANNEN E )ereo(. A((idavit o( Ma. LuB )ereo(. omini8ue Mer'ado Martel atta')ed as ANNEN +

! $ !E$ !+$ !H$

A((idavit o( /oel Castillo atta')ed as ANNEN H )ereo(.

!.$ !I$ !/$ !E$ !L$

A((idavit o( PO4 Reuel C. Riodi8ue atta')ed as ANNEN . )ereo(. A((idavit o( Paolo Mer'ado Martel atta')ed as ANNEN I )ereo(. A((idavit o( Att&. avid C. Pu&at atta')ed as ANNEN / )ereo(. A((idavit o( )ereo(. esistan'e o( Melissa Mer'ado Martel atta')ed as ANNEN E

Repl&-A((idavit o( Melissa Mer'ado Martel dated Ma& 45, 5667, atta')ed as ANNEN "L# )ereo( to0et)er 9it) t)e (ollo9in0 annexes@ Annex "A,# Repl&-A((idavit o( ,i'toria C. Mer'ado, dated Ma& 45, 5667. Annex "C,# t9o p)oto0rap)s o( Complainant ta3en on Au0ust 5?, 5667 at t)e Intenstive Care 2nit o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center Annex "C,# t)e is')ar0e Summar& issued %& Ma3ati Medi'al Center, dated e'em%er ;, 566;. Annex " ,# Medi'o-Le0al Report issued %& t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center. +II! SU(MISSION OF ADDITIONAL PLEADIN2S

>7.

ACP LAO erroneousl& 'on'luded t)at t)e Complainant )ad (ailed to re(ute or

re%ut t)e statements o( Respondent and )is 9itnesses. ACP LAO totall& i0nored t)e (a't t)at t)e Complainant )ad (iled t)e Repl&-A((idavit !"ANNE1 /L#$ 'ate0ori'all& and positivel& re(utin0 all t)eir alle0ations as (a%ri'ated lies. S)e annexed to )er Repl&-A((idavit, t)e A((idavit o( )er 9itness, ,i'toria C. Mer'ado, t)e p)oto0rap)s ta3en at t)e Intensive Care 2nit o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, t)e is')ar0e Summar& and t)e Medi'o-Le0al Report. >>. In t)e interest o( 1usti'e and (or t)e sa3e o( t)e trut), t)e Complainant is

su%mittin0 t)e (ollo9in0 additional A((idavits in support o( t)e Complaint and Repl&-A((idavit@ !a$ T)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit, dated Au0ust 57, 5667, atta')ed as

ANNE1 /M# )ereo(, rea((irmin0 all t)e alle0ations 'ontained in t)e Complaint and t)e

Repl&-A((idavit and ve)ementl& den&in0 and re(utin0 t)e alle0ations o( Respondent and )is 9itness, and annexin0 t)ereto t)e +inal Investi0ation Report +inal Investi0ation Report prepared %& PO4 Reuel C.Riodi8ue, dated O'to%er 5>, 566;, as Annex "4# o( t)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit and Annex "5# 9)i') is a Petition (or t)e la9&er 9)o notariBed t)e A((idavit o( avid Pu&at. !%$ A((idavit o( Att&. .o9ard M. Calle1a, dated Au0ust 57, 5667, atta')ed as is%arment a0ainst

esistan'e, Att&, Marian Co8uia and Att&.

ANNE1 /N0 )ereo(, ve)ementl& den&in0 and re(utin0 t)e statements o( Respondent and 'ertain 9itnesses. !'$ A((idavit o( ,i'toria C. Mer'ado, dated Au0ust 57, 5667, atta')ed as

ANNEN "O# )ereo(. +III! PRA)ER ,-EREFORE, it is respe't(ull& pra&ed t)at t)e Resolution o( A'tin0 Cit& Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao %e RE,ERSE and SET ASI E and t)at t)e .onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'e PARRICI E

dire't t)at t)e 'orrespondin0 In(ormation a0ainst Respondent (or +R2STRATE %e immediatel& (iled in 'ourt.

In t)e interest o( 1usti'e and (air pla&, t)e Complainant most respe't(ull& pra&s (or ot)er 1ust and e8uita%le relie( as t)e .onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'e ma& (ind 9arranted in t)e premises. Pasi0 Cit&, Au0ust 57, 5667

LO2R ES CR2O MATTERS

Counsel (or Private Respondent PTR No. ;66>=>>-;*;6*67-Cula'an ICP No. :6<4<7-;*;6*67-Manila Roll o( Attorne& No. ;;4>?

RO-ENA ,. H2ANOON Counsel (or Private Respondent PTR No. 64;547;- 4*46*67-CadiB ICP No. ><?464-45*4=6;-Ca'olod Roll o( Attorne& No. ;;>;7

.O-AR M. CALLE/A Counsel (or Private Respondent PTR No. 4=4>>556-5*5:*67-Pasi0 ICP No. :44=54-5*5;*67-Al%a& Roll o( Attorne& No. ;<7??

+ERIFICATION I, MELISSA MERCA O MARTEL, o( le0al a0e, married and residin0 at 5;C

Man)attan Condominium, 4:5 ,alero Street, Sal'edo ,illa0e, Ma3ati Cit&, a(ter %ein0 dul& s9orn, depose and state@ t)at I am t)e Complainant-Appellant in t)e a%ove-entitled 'aseI t)at I )ave 'aused t)e preparation and (ilin0 o( t)e Appeal*Petition (or Revie9 to t)e .onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'eI t)at I )ave read t)e same and all t)e alle0ations t)erein, in'ludin0 t)e do'uments appended t)eretoI t)at t)e same are true and 'orre't %ased on m& personal 3no9led0e and 'opies o( aut)enti' re'ords o( t)e 'ase in m& possession.

MELISSA M. MARTEL

S2CSCRICE

AN

S-ORN to %e(ore me t)is QQQQQ da& o( Au0ust at Ma3ati Cit&,

a((iant ex)i%itin0 to me )er Comm. Tax Cert. No. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ issued on QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ at QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ.

NOTARD P2CLIC

o'. No. QQQQI Pa0e No. QQQQI Coo3 No. QQQI Series o( 5667. Cop& +urnis)ed@

ATTD. EOHRACIAS P. C2STO IO Counsel (or Respondent Pu&at /a'into and Santos La9 O((i'es 45t) +loor, Manila Can3 Cuildin0 R:==5 A&ala Avenue, Ma3ati Cit& 455: Metro Manila