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CHAPTER 1 - EFFECT AND APPLICATION OF

LAWS
(Arts 1-18)
Honasan vs The Panel Of Investigating Prosecutor Of The
Department Of Justice
Lessons Applic!le" R#le on Interpretti$e Re%#ltions (persons)
L& Applic!le" Section 1'( Article )I o* t+e Constit#tion( Art, - Ci$il Co.e
Fcts"
/ A#%#st 0( -11'" CID2-PNP3P Director E.%#r.o 4tillno 5le. n 6.$it-
co7plint &it+ t+e Deprt7ent o* 8#stice (DO8) &+ic+ contins t+e *ollo&in% in prt"
o 8#l9 -:( -11'" cri7e o* co#p .; ett &s co77itte. !9 7ilitr9 personnel &+o
occ#pie. O<&oo. n. Sentor 2re%orio =2rin%o> Honsn( II
o On or !o#t 11 p,7, 8#ne 0(-11'" A 7eetin% &s +el. n. presi.e. !9 Sentor
Honsn in +o#se locte. in Sn 8#n( 4etro 4nil
o Erl9 7ornin% o* 8#l9 -:( -11'" Cpt, 2err.o 27!l( in !e+l* o* t+e 7ilitr9
re!els occ#p9in% O<&oo.( 7.e p#!lic stte7ent ire. on ntionl tele$ision(
sttin% t+eir &it+.r&l o* s#pport to t+e c+in o* co77n. o* t+e AFP n. t+e
2o$ern7ent o* Presi.ent 2lori 4cp%l Arro9o, Willin% to ris< t+eir li$es to
c+ie$e t+e Ntionl Reco$er9 A%en. (NRA) o* Sentor Honsn &+ic+ t+e9
!elie$e is t+e onl9 pro%r7 t+t &o#l. sol$e t+e ills o* societ9,
/ S&orn stte7ent o* AFP 4?or Per*ecto R%il stte. t+t"
o 8#ne 0( -11' !o#t 11 p7" Sentor 2re%orio =2rin%o> Honsn rri$e. &it+ Cpt,
T#rin% to +ol. t+e NRP 7eetin% &+ere t+e9 concl#.e. t+e #se o* *orce( $iolence
n. r7e. str#%%le to c+ie$e t+e $ision o* NRP &+ere ?#nt &ill !e constit#te.
&+ic+ &ill r#n t+e ne& %o$ern7ent, T+e9 +. !loo. co7pct n. t+t +e onl9
prticipte. .#e to t+e t+ret 7.e !9 Sentor Honsn &+en +e si. =@#n% <9
ntin% p#7t9 s tin% 7% <l!n( <9 .in ntin% p#7t9 s 7%
<s7+n% 7%tt<sil,>
o 8#l9 -:( -11'" He s& on TA t+t Lie#tennt Antonio Trillnes( Cptin 2err.o
27!l( Cptin Ale?no n. so7e ot+ers &+o &ere present .#rin% t+e NRP
7eetin% +e tten.e.( +$in% press con*erence !o#t t+eir occ#ption o* t+e
O<&oo. Hotel, He s& t+t t+e letter BIB on t+e r7 !n.s n. t+e !nner is t+e
s7e letter BIB in t+e !nner is t+e s7e s t+eir !loo. co7pct &o#n.,
/ A#%#st -:( -11'" Sentor Honsn ppere. &it+ co#nsel t t+e DO8 to 5le
4otion *or Clri5ction C#estionin% DO8Ds ?#ris.iction o$er t+e cse since t+e
i7p#te. cts &ere co77itte. in reltion to +is p#!lic o6ce !9 %ro#p o* p#!lic
o6cils &it+ Slr9 2r.e '1 &+ic+ s+o#l. !e +n.le. !9 t+e O6ce o* t+e
O7!#.s7n n. t+e Sn.i%n!9n
/ Sentor Honsn t+en 5le. petition *or certiorri #n.er R#le EF o* t+e R#les
o* Co#rt %inst t+e DO8 Pnel n. its 7e7!ers( CID2-PNP-P3Director E.#r.o
4tillno n. O7!#.s7n Si7eon A, 4rcelo( ttri!#tin% %r$e !#se o* .iscretion
on t+e prt o* t+e DO8 Pnel in iss#in% t+e *oreC#ote. Or.er o* Septe7!er 11( -11'
.irectin% +i7 to 5le +is respecti$e co#nter-6.$its n. contro$ertin% e$i.ence on
t+e %ro#n. t+t t+e DO8 +s no ?#ris.iction to con.#ct t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion
Iss#es"
W+et+er in re%r.s to O7!#.s7n-DO8 Circ#lr no, GF-111( t+e o6ce o* t+e
O7!#.s7n s+o#l. .ep#tiHe t+e prosec#tors o* t+e DO8 to con.#ct t+e preli7inr9
in$esti%tion,
W+et+er t+e O7!#.s7n-DO8 8oint Circ#lr no, GF-111 is ineIecti$e on t+e %ro#n.
t+t it &s not p#!lis+e.
W+et+er t+e O7!#.s7n +s ?#ris.iction to con.#ct t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion
!ec#se t+e petitioner is p#!lic o6cer &it+ slr9 %r.e '1 (2r.e -: or Hi%+er)
t+ere!9 *llin% &it+in t+e ?#ris.iction o* t+e Sn.i%n J9n,
Hel." W+ere*ore( t+e petition *or certiorri is DIS4ISSED *or lc< o* 7erit
1, No,
O7!#.s7n cses in$ol$in% cri7inl oIenses 79 !e s#!.i$i.e. into t&o clsses(
to &it" (1) t+ose co%niH!le !9 t+e Sn.i%n!9n( n. (-) t+ose *llin% #n.er t+e
?#ris.iction o* t+e re%#lr co#rts, T+e .iIerence !et&een t+e t&o( si.e *ro7 t+e
cte%or9 o* t+e co#rts &+erein t+e9 re 5le.( is on t+e #t+orit9 to in$esti%te s
.istin%#is+e. *ro7 t+e #t+orit9 to prosec#te
T+e po&er to in$esti%te or con.#ct preli7inr9 in$esti%tion on n9 O7!#.s7n
cse 79 !e eKercise. !9 n in$esti%tor or prosec#tor o* t+e O6ce o* t+e
O7!#.s7n( or !9 n9 Pro$incil or Cit9 Prosec#tor or t+eir ssistnce( eit+er in
t+eir re%#lr cpcities or s .ep#tiHe. O7!#.s7n prosec#tors,
circ#lr s#pports t+e $ie& o* t+e respon.ent O7!#.s7n t+t it is ?#st n internl
%ree7ent !et&een t+e O7!#.s7n n. t+e DO8
T+e Constit#tion( T+e O7!#.s7n Act o* 1G8G( A.7inistrti$e or.er no, 8 o* t+e
o6ce o* t+e O7!#.s7n, T+e pre$ilin% ?#rispr#.ence n. #n.er t+e Re$ise. R#les
on Cri7inl Proce.#re( All reco%niHe n. #p+ol. t+e conc#rrent ?#ris.iction o* t+e
O7!#.s7n n. t+e DO8 to con.#ct preli7inr9 in$esti%tion on c+r%es 5le.
%inst p#!lic o6cers n. e7plo9ees,
T+e DO8 Pnel nee. not !e #t+oriHe. nor .ep#tiHe. !9 t+e O7!#.s7n to con.#ct
t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion *or co7plints 5le. &it+ it !ec#se t+e DO8Ds #t+orit9
to ct s t+e principl l& %enc9 o* t+e %o$ern7ent n. in$esti%te t+e
co77ission o* cri7es #n.er t+e Re$ise. Penl Co.e is .eri$e. *ro7 t+e Re$ise.
A.7inistrti$e Co.e &+ic+ +. !een +el. in t+e Nti$i.. cse1' s not !ein%
contrr9 to t+e Constit#tion, T+#s( t+ere is not e$en nee. to .ele%te t+e con.#ct
o* t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion to n %enc9 &+ic+ +s t+e ?#ris.iction to .o so in
t+e 5rst plce, Ho&e$er( t+e O7!#.s7n 79 ssert its pri7r9 ?#ris.iction t n9
st%e o* t+e in$esti%tion,
-, No,
/ In t+e cse o* People $s, L#e Po L9( G0 P+il, E01 (1GF0), T+e onl9 circ#lrs
n. re%#ltions &+ic+ prescri!e penlt9 *or its $ioltion s+o#l. !e p#!lis+e.
!e*ore !eco7in% eIecti$e,
/ In t+e cse o* TM. A, T#$er( 10E Scr 0F' (1G8E)( T+e Honor!le Co#rt
r#les t+t"
o Interpretti$e re%#ltions n. t+ose 7erel9 internl in nt#re( t+t is re%#ltin%
onl9 t+e personnel o* t+e .7inistrti$e %enc9 n. not t+e p#!lic( nee. not !e
p#!lis+e., Neit+er is p#!liction reC#ire. o* t+e so clle. letters o* instr#ctions
iss#e. !9 t+e .7inistrti$e s#periors concernin% t+e r#les on %#i.elines to !e
*ollo&e. !9 t+eir s#!or.intes in per*or7nce o* t+eir .#ties,
O4J-DO8 8oint Circ#lrs no, GF-111 is 7erel9 n internl circ#lr !et&een t+e DO8
n. t+e o6ce o* t+e O7!#.s7n( O#tlinin% #t+orit9 n. responsi!ilities 7on%
prosec#tors o* t+e DO8 n. o* t+e o6ce o* t+e O7!#.s7n in t+e con.#ct o*
preli7inr9 in$esti%tion, It .oes not re%#lte t+e con.#ct o* persons or t+e p#!lic(
in %enerl,
', No, W+et+er or not t+e oIense is &it+in eKcl#si$e ?#ris.iction or not &ill not
resol$e t+e present petition so s not to pre-e7pt t+e res#lt o* t+e in$esti%tion
con.#cte. !9 t+e DO8 Pnel,
Gatbonton V. NL! "n# $apua %&''()
Lessons Applic!le" P#!liction 7#st !e in *#ll( Pre$enti$e s#spension( .7%es
L&s Applic!le" Art, - Ci$il Co.e( Section 8( R#le ))III( Joo< A o* t+e O7ni!#s
R#les I7ple7entin% t+e L!or Co.e
FACTS"
/ No$e7!er 1GG8" A ci$il en%ineerin% st#.ent o* respon.ent 4p# Instit#te o*
Tec+nolo%9 (4IT) 5le. letter-co7plint %inst Rento S, 2t!onton( n ssocite
pro*essor o* t+e Fc#lt9 o* Ci$il En%ineerin% *or #n*ir3#n?#st %r.in% s9ste7( seK#l
+rss7ent n. con.#ct #n!eco7in% o* n c.e7icin,
/ Pen.in% in$esti%tin%( 4IT( t+ro#%+ its co77ittee on Decor#7 n.
In$esti%tion plce. +i7 #n.er '1-.9 pre$enti$e s#spension eIecti$e 8n#r9
11( 1GGG,
o T+e co77ittee !elie$e. t+t +is contin#e. st9 .#rin% t+e in$esti%tion &ill
Iect +is per*or7nce s *c#lt9 7e7!er( s &ell s t+e st#.ent;s lernin% n.
t+t t+e s#spension &ill llo& petitioner to =prepre +i7sel* *or t+e in$esti%tion
n. &ill pre$ent +is inN#ence to ot+er 7e7!ers o* t+e co77#nit9,
/ He 5le. co7plint &it+ t+e NLRC *or ille%l s#spension( .7%es n.
ttorne9;s *ees
/ He C#estione. t+e $li.it9 o* t+e .7inistrti$e procee.in%s &it+ t+e RTC in
petition *or certiorri !#t &s ter7inte. since 4IT %ree. to p#!lis+ in t+e sc+ool
or%n t+e r#les n. re%#ltions i7ple7entin% Rep#!lic Act No, :8:: (R,A, No, :8::)
n. .isre%r. t+e pre$io#s .7inistrti$e procee.in%s
/ L!or Ar!iter" '1-.9 pre$enti$e s#spension is ille%l n. .irecte. 4IT to p9
+is &%es .#rin% t+e si. perio.
/ NLRC" set si.e t+e L!or Ar!iter;s .ecision
/ CA on specil ci$il ction *or certiorri" 6r7in% t+e NLRC
Iss#es"
W+et+er 4p#;s R#les n. Re%#ltions is eIecti$e s o* 8n#r9 11( 1GGG &+en it
&s p#!lis+e. onl9 on Fe!r#r9 -'( 1GGG (persons)
W3N t+ere is $li. ?#sti5ction *or t+e '1-.9 pre$enti$e s#spension #n.er t+e
L!or Co.e (l!or)
W+et+er .7%es s+o#l. !e &r.e.
Hel." Petition is prtill9 %rnte., CA( NLRC set si.e n. L!ors Ar!iter reinstte.
1, NO
/ R,A, No, :8:: i7pose. t+e .#t9 on e.#ctionl or trinin% instit#tions to
Bpro7#l%te r#les n. re%#ltions in cons#lttion &it+ n. ?ointl9 ppro$e. !9 t+e
e7plo9ees or st#.ents or trinees( t+ro#%+ t+eir .#l9 .esi%nte. representti$es(
prescri!in% t+e proce.#res *or t+e in$esti%tion o* seK#l +rss7ent cses n. t+e
.7inistrti$e snctions t+ere*or
/ TM. $s, T#$er"
o ll stt#tes( incl#.in% t+ose o* locl ppliction n. pri$te l&s s+ll !e
p#!lis+e. s con.ition *or t+eir eIecti$it9 is 5Ke. !9 t+e le%islti$e,(especill9
penl l&s)
o Co$ere. !9 t+is r#le re presi.entil .ecrees n. eKec#ti$e or.ers pro7#l%te.
!9 t+e Presi.ent in t+e eKercise o* le%islti$e po&ers &+ene$er t+e s7e re $li.l9
.ele%te. !9 t+e le%islt#re or( t present( .irectl9 con*erre. !9 t+e Constit#tion,
A.7inistrti$e r#les n. re%#ltions 7#st lso !e p#!lis+e. i* t+eir p#rpose is to
en*orce or i7ple7ent eKistin% l& p#rs#nt lso to $li. .ele%tion,
/ p#!liction 7#st !e in *#ll or it is no p#!liction t ll since its p#rpose is to
in*or7 t+e p#!lic o* t+e contents o* t+e l&s
/ 4p# R#les is one o* t+ose iss#nces t+t s+o#l. !e p#!lis+e. *or its
eIecti$it9( since its p#rpose is to en*orce n. i7ple7ent R,A, No, :8::( &+ic+ is
l& o* %enerl ppliction
o 4p# R#les Section ' R#le IA (A.7inistrti$e Pro$isions) sttes t+t it s+ll t<e
eIect 1F .9s *ter p#!liction !9 t+e co77ittee,
-, NO,
/ Pre$enti$e s#spension is .isciplinr9 7es#re *or t+e protection o* t+e
co7pn9;s propert9 pen.in% in$esti%tion o* n9 lle%e. 7l*esnce or
7is*esnce co77itte. !9 t+e e7plo9ee, T+e e7plo9er 79 plce t+e &or<er
concerne. #n.er pre$enti$e s#spension i* +is contin#e. e7plo97ent poses
serio#s n. i77inent t+ret to t+e li*e or propert9 o* t+e e7plo9er or o* +is co-
&or<ers, Ho&e$er( &+en it is .eter7ine. t+t t+ere is no s#6cient !sis to ?#sti*9
n e7plo9ee;s pre$enti$e s#spension( t+e ltter is entitle. to t+e p97ent o*
slries .#rin% t+e ti7e o* pre$enti$e s#spension
/ Section 8( R#le ))III( Joo< A o* t+e O7ini!#s R#les( t+ere is no $li.
?#sti5ction
o .oes not s+o& t+t e$i.ence o* petitioner;s %#ilt is stron% n. t+t t+e sc+ool
+e. is 7orll9 con$ince. t+t petitioner;s contin#e. st9 .#rin% t+e perio. o*
in$esti%tion constit#tes .istrction to t+e nor7l opertions o* t+e instit#tionO or
t+t petitioner poses ris< or .n%er to t+e li*e or propert9 o* t+e ot+er 7e7!ers o*
t+e e.#ctionl co77#nit9
', No,
/ W+ile petitioner;s pre$enti$e s#spension 79 +$e !een #n?#sti5e.( t+is
.oes not #to7ticll9 7en t+t +e is entitle. to 7orl or ot+er .7%es
/ No s+o&in% o* !. *it+ or in &nton or *r#.#lent 7nner in pre$enti$el9
s#spen.in% petitioner
Persons Cse Di%est" 4rcos A, 8#.%e Fernn.o Ail, P7int#n (-111)
Lessons Applic!le" I%nornce o* t+e L&
FACTS"
/ 8#.%e Re9es in n or.er on 49 '1( 1GGE .is7isse. Ci$il Cse No, ''8'-R
.#e to *or#7 s+oppin% n. or.ere. t+t t+t t+e J#..+ stt#ette in t+e c#sto.9 o*
t+is Co#rt !e i77e.itel9 relese. to t+e c+il.ren o* t+e lte Ro%elio RoKs in tr#st
*or t+e estte o* t+e lte Ro%elio RoKs
/ RTC" Denie. t+e seprte 7otions *or reconsi.ertion !9 t+e prties
/ 8#.%e P7int#n in n or.er .te. 49 G( -11E set t+e cse *or +erin% on
8#ne -G( -11E p#rporte.l9 to *or7ll9 n. 5nll9 relese t+e 2ol.en J#..+ to its
ri%+t*#l o&ner,
o 4rcos &s one o* t+e s#!poene. prties( !ein% person &it+ interest in t+e
cse
o J#..+ Stt#ette or J#..+ replic is &r.e. to t+e estte o* Ro%elio RoKs,
Ho&e$er( t+e J#..+ Stt#ette or J#..+ replic s+ll !e #n.er c#sto.i le%is #ntil
t+e 5nl settle7ent o* t+e estte o* t+e lte Ro%elio RoKs( or #pon t+e ppoint7ent
o* +is estte;s .7inistrtor
o Also r#le. t+t t+e 2ol.en J#..+ in its c#sto.9 is *<e one
/ No$e7!er 1F( -11E" 4rcos 5le. co7plint-6.$it c+r%in% 8#.%e
P7int#n &it+ 2ross I%nornce o* t+e L& *or re$ersin% 7ot# proprio t+e 5nl n.
eKec#tor9 or.er o* t+en Actin% Presi.in% 8#.%e Antonio Re9es in Ci$il Cse No, ''8'-
R( entitle. =Al!ert D, P7li( in +is cpcit9 s t+e eKcl#si$e .7inistrtor n. s
Presi.ent o* t+e Tres#re H#nters Assocition o* t+e P+ilippines $, 8ose D, RoKs( et
l,
o P7int#n Co77ente. t+t 4rcos s+o#l. +$e 5le. 7otion *or
reconsi.ertion inste. o* 5lin% n .7inistrti$e co7plint,
o 4rcos( in +er Repl9-A6.$it( cite. Section 1 o* R#le ': &+ic+ pro$i.es t+t
onl9 t+e %%rie$e. prt9 79 5le 7otion *or reconsi.ertion &it+in t+e perio. *or
t<in% n ppel
/ O6ce o* t+e Co#rt A.7inistrtor (OCA) reco77en.e. t+t 8#.%e P7int#n
!e .is7isse. *ro7 t+e ser$ice &it+ t+e ..itionl penlt9 o* *or*eit#re o* ll +is
retire7ent !ene5ts n. .isC#li5ction *ro7 re-e7plo97ent in t+e %o$ern7ent
ser$ice( incl#.in% %o$ern7ent o&ne. or controlle. corportions( *or 2ross
I%nornce o* t+e L& n. *or $ioltion o* Cnon 0 o* t+e Co.e o* 8#.icil Con.#ct,
o A 5nl ?#.%7ent 79 no lon%er !e 7o.i5e. in n9 respect( e$en i* t+e
7o.i5ction is 7ent to correct erroneo#s concl#sions o* *ct or l&, S+o#l.
?#.%7ent o* lo&er co#rts Q &+ic+ 79 nor7ll9 !e s#!?ect to re$ie& !9 +i%+er
tri!#nls Q !eco7e 5nl n. eKec#tor9 !e*ore( or &it+o#t eK+#stion o* ll reco#rse
o* ppel( t+e9 too !eco7e in$iol!le( i7per$io#s to 7o.i5ction,
/ 8#.%e P7int#n &s plce. #n.er pre$enti$e s#spension pen.in% resol#tion
o* t+e .7inistrti$e cse to stop +i7 *ro7 co77ittin% *#rt+er .7%e to t+e
?#.icir9,
/ 8#.%e P7int#n 7o$e. *or reconsi.ertion n. e$ent#ll9 5le. 4otion *or
Erl9 Resol#tion o* 4otion *or Reconsi.ertion n. to S#!7it t+e Cse *or Decision,
/ 8#.%e P7int#n t+en sent letter reC#estin% *or +is !c<p9 n. !ene5ts
co$erin% t+e perio. o* +is pre$enti$e s#spension - .enie. *or !ein% pre7t#re n.
*or lc< o* 7erit
ISSPE" W3N 8#.%e P7int#n is %#ilt9 o* 2ross I%nornce o* t+e L&
HELD" 8#.%e Fernn.o Ail P7int#n o* t+e RTC o* J%#io Cit9( Jrnc+ '( is
DIS4ISSED *ro7 t+e ser$ice
/ 8#.%e P7int#n s+o#l. +$e reliHe. t+t t+e tril co#rt .i. not r#le on t+t
point t+t t+e 2ol.en J#..+ is *<e in its 49 '1( 1GGE Or.er (e$en in its
Septe7!er -( 1GGE Or.er)
/ Section E( Cnon 0 o* t+e Ne& Co.e o* 8#.icil Con.#ct"
o SECTION E, 8#.%es( li<e n9 ot+er citiHen( re entitle. to *ree.o7 o* eKpression(
!elie*( ssocition n. sse7!l9( !#t in eKercisin% s#c+ ri%+ts( t+e9 s+ll l&9s
con.#ct t+e7sel$es in s#c+ 7nner s to preser$e t+e .i%nit9 o* t+e ?#.icil o6ce
n. t+e i7prtilit9 n. in.epen.ence o* t+e ?#.icir9,
/ T+e .octrine o* i77#t!ilit9 n. inlter!ilit9 o* 5nl ?#.%7ent +s t&o-
*ol. p#rpose( to &it"
to $oi. .el9 in t+e .7inistrtion o* ?#stice n. t+#s( proce.#rll9( to 7<e
or.erl9 t+e .isc+r%e o* ?#.icil !#siness
to p#t n en. to ?#.icil contro$ersies( t t+e ris< o* occsionl errors( &+ic+ is
precisel9 &+9 co#rts eKist,
/ Not!l9( t+is is NOT 8#.%e P7int#n;s 5rst n. sole .7inistrti$e cse,
8#.%e P7int#n &s c+r%e. &it+ 2ross I%nornce o* t+e L&( 2ross Aioltion o*
t+e Constit#tionl Ri%+ts o* t+e Acc#se.( Arro%nce n. Aioltion o* t+e Cnons o*
8#.icil Et+ics n. &s s#spen.e. *or 1 9er, H$in% !een pre$io#sl9 &rne. n.
p#nis+e. *or $rio#s in*rctions( 8#.%e P7int#n no& .eser$es t+e #lti7te
.7inistrti$e penlt9 R .is7issl *ro7 ser$ice
People of the Philippines vs. *uiachon+ G.. No. ,-'&.( +
"ugust .,+ &''(
Fcts"
Appellnt Ro!erto L#ic+on &s c+r%e. &it+ t+e cri7e o* C#li5e. rpe, On or
!o#t 49 1-( -111( t+e cc#se.( !9 7ens o* *orce n. inti7i.tion +. seK#l
interco#rse &it+ one Ro&en L#ic+on( +is .#%+ter( 8 9ers ol.( .e*-7#te
7inor,
Ro&el reco#nte. t+t on t+e ni%+t o* 49 1-( -111( Ro&el s& +is *t+er on top o*
+is
sister Ro&en n. t+e9 &ere co$ere. !9 !ln<et or B<#7ot,B His *t+erDs !#ttoc<s
&ere 7o$in% #p n. .o&n( n. Ro&el co#l. +er Ro&en cr9in%, He co#l. not .o
n9t+in%
!ec#se +e &s *ri. o* t+eir *t+er, Ro&el re7ine. in t+e roo7 !#t t+e *ollo&in%
7ornin%( +e tol. +is #nt( Cr7elit 4teo !o#t &+t +e +. &itnesse., To%et+er(
Cr7elit n. Ro&el &ent to t+e police to report &+t +. trnspire.,
T+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt *o#n. t+e ppellnt %#ilt9 !e9on. reson!le .o#!t o* t+e
cri7e o* C#li5e. rpe .e5ne. n. penliHe. #n.er Articles -EE-A n. J o* t+e
Re$ise. Penl Co.e, T+e co#rt i7pose. .et+ penlt9 %inst t+e cc#se., T+e
.e*ense
r%#e. t+t t+e !ene5ts o* RA G'0E s+o#l. !e eKten.e. to t+e cc#se.,
Iss#e" W+et+er t+e ppellnt cn !ene5t *ro7 R,A, G'0E &+ic+ !olis+e. t+e .et+
penlt9 l&,
Hel." Ses, In $ie& o* t+e enct7ent o* Rep#!lic Act (R,A,) No, G'0E on 8#ne -0( -11E
pro+i!itin% t+e i7position o* t+e .et+ penlt9( t+e penlt9 to !e 7ete. on
ppellnt
is recl#sion perpet# in ccor.nce &it+ Section - t+ereo* &+ic+ re.s"
SECTION -, In lie# o* t+e .et+ penlt9( t+e *ollo&in% s+ll !e i7pose."
t+e penlt9 o* recl#sion perpet#( &+en t+e l& $iolte. 7<es #se o* t+e
no7enclt#re o* t+e penlties o* t+e Re$ise. Penl Co.eO or
(!) t+e penlt9 o* li*e i7prison7ent( &+en t+e l& $iolte. .oes not 7<e #se o*
t+e
no7enclt#re o* t+e penlties o* t+e Re$ise. Penl Co.e, T+e *oreC#ote. pro$ision
o*
R,A, No, G'0E is pplic!le in t+is cse p#rs#nt to t+e principle in cri7inl l&(
*$or!ili s#nt 7plin. .ios restri%en., Penl l&s &+ic+ re *$or!le to
cc#se. re %i$en retrocti$e eIect, T+is principle is e7!o.ie. #n.er Article -- o*
t+e Re$ise. Penl Co.e( &+ic+ pro$i.es s *ollo&s" Retrocti$e eIect o* penl l&s,
T Penl l&s s+ll +$e retrocti$e eIect inso*r s t+e9 *$or t+e persons
%#ilt9 o* *elon9( &+o is not +!it#l cri7inl( s t+is ter7 is .e5ne. in R#le F
o* Article E- o* t+is Co.e( lt+o#%+ t t+e ti7e o* t+e p#!liction o* s#c+ l&s(
5nl sentence +s !een prono#nce. n. t+e con$ict is ser$in% t+e s7e,
Ho&e$er( ppellnt is not eli%i!le *or prole !ec#se Section ' o* R,A, No, G'0E
pro$i.es t+t Bpersons con$icte. o* oIenses p#nis+e. &it+ recl#sion perpet#( or
&+ose sentences &ill !e re.#ce. to recl#sion perpet# !9 reson o* t+e l&( s+ll
not
!e eli%i!le *or prole,B
/P0!I"L THID DIVI/ION
1G.. No. ,(22.3 4 June &5+ &','6
VI!TOI" /. J"ILLO+ P0TITION0+ V/. P0OPL0 O7 TH0
PHILIPPIN0/+ 0/POND0NT.
R E S O L P T I O N
PERALTA( 8,"
T+is resol$es petitionerDs 4otion *or Reconsi.ertionU1V .te. No$e7!er 11( -11G
n. respon.entDs Co77entU-V t+ereto .te. 4rc+ F( -111,
In t+e Decision .te. Septe7!er -G( -11G( t+e Co#rt 6r7e. petitionerDs
con$iction *or !i%79, Petitioner is 7o$in% *or reconsi.ertion o* t+e Decision(
r%#in% t+t since petitionerDs 7rri%es &ere entere. into !e*ore t+e eIecti$it9 o*
t+e F7il9 Co.e( t+en t+e pplic!le l& is Section -G o* t+e 4rri%e L& (Act
'E1')( inste. o* Article 01 o* t+e F7il9 Co.e( &+ic+ reC#ires 5nl ?#.%7ent
.eclrin% t+e pre$io#s 7rri%e $oi. !e*ore person 79 contrct s#!seC#ent
7rri%e,
PetitionerDs r%#7ent lc<s 7erit,
As *r !c< s 1GGF( in AtienH $, Jrillntes( 8r,(U'V t+e Co#rt lre.9 7.e t+e
.eclrtion t+t Article 01( &+ic+ is r#le o* proce.#re( s+o#l. !e pplie.
retrocti$el9 !ec#se Article -FE o* t+e F7il9 Co.e itsel* pro$i.es t+t si. BCo.e
s+ll +$e retrocti$e eIect inso*r s it .oes not pre?#.ice or i7pir $este. or
cC#ire. ri%+ts,B T+e Co#rt &ent on to eKplin( t+#s"
T+e *ct t+t proce.#rl stt#tes 79 so7e+o& Iect t+e liti%ntsD ri%+ts 79 not
precl#.e t+eir retrocti$e ppliction to pen.in% ctions, T+e retrocti$e ppliction
o* proce.#rl l&s is not $iolti$e o* n9 ri%+t o* person &+o 79 *eel t+t +e is
.$ersel9 Iecte., T+e reson is t+t s %enerl r#le( no $este. ri%+t 79 ttc+
to( nor rise *ro7( proce.#rl l&s,U0V
In 4r!ell-Jo!is $, Jo!is(UFV t+e Co#rt pointe. o#t t+e .n%er o* not en*orcin% t+e
pro$isions o* Article 01 o* t+e F7il9 Co.e( to &it"
In t+e cse t !r( respon.entDs cler intent is to o!tin ?#.icil .eclrtion o*
n#llit9 o* +is 5rst 7rri%e n. t+ere*ter to in$o<e t+t $er9 s7e ?#.%7ent to
pre$ent +is prosec#tion *or !i%79, He cnnot +$e +is c<e n. et it too,
Ot+er&ise( ll t+t n .$ent#ro#s !i%7ist +s to .o is .isre%r. Article 01 o* t+e
F7il9 Co.e( contrct s#!seC#ent 7rri%e n. escpe !i%79 c+r%e !9
si7pl9 cli7in% t+t t+e 5rst 7rri%e is $oi. n. t+t t+e s#!seC#ent 7rri%e is
eC#ll9 $oi. *or lc< o* prior ?#.icil .eclrtion o* n#llit9 o* t+e 5rst, A prt9 79
e$en enter into 7rri%e &re o* t+e !sence o* reC#isite - #s#ll9 t+e
7rri%e license - n. t+ere*ter contrct s#!seC#ent 7rri%e &it+o#t o!tinin%
.eclrtion o* n#llit9 o* t+e 5rst on t+e ss#7ption t+t t+e 5rst 7rri%e is $oi.,
S#c+ scenrio &o#l. ren.er n#%tor9 t+e pro$ision on !i%79, K K K UEV
T+e *ore%oin% scenrio is &+t petitioner see<s to o!tin in +er cse( n. t+is( t+e
Co#rt s+ll ne$er snction, Clerl9( t+ere*ore( petitionerDs sse$ertion( t+t Article
01 o* t+e F7il9 Co.e s+o#l. not !e pplie. to +er cse( cnnot !e #p+el.,
IN AIEW OF THE FORE2OIN2( t+e 4otion *or Reconsi.ertion .te. No$e7!er 11(
-11G is DENIED &it+ FINALITS,
SO ORDERED,
Gu8 v. !"
3'& /!" ,3,
G.. No. ,(.-'- /eptember ,3+ &''(
Ponente4 9nares:/antiago+ J.4
Fcts"
1, T+e specil procee.in% cse concerns t+e settle7ent o* t+e estte o* Si7 Wei
(,<,, R#5n 2#9 S#si7), Pri$te-respon.ents @ren n. @7ille lle%e. t+t t+e9
re t+e c<no&le.%e. ille%iti7te c+il.ren o* Si7 Wei &+o .ie. intestte, T+e
7inors &ere represente. !9 t+eir 7ot+er Re7e.ios Ones &+o 5le. petition *or
t+e
iss#nce o* letters o* .7inistrtion !e*ore t+e RTC o* 4<ti Cit9,
-, Petitioner &+o is one o* t+e c+il.ren o* t+e .ecese. &it+ +is s#r$i$in% spo#se(
5le. *or t+e .is7issl o* t+e petition lle%in% t+t +is *t+er le*t no .e!ts +ence(
+is estte 79 !e settle. &it+o#t t+e iss#nce o* letters .7inistrtion, T+e ot+er
+eirs 5le. ?oint 7otion to .is7iss lle%in% t+t t+e certi5ction o* non-*or#7
s+oppin% s+o#l. +$e !een si%ne. !9 Re7e.ios n. not !9 co#nsel,
', Petitioners *#rt+er lle%e. t+t t+e cli7 +s !een pi. n. &i$e. !9 reson o*

Relese o* Cli7 or &i$er sttin% t+t in eKc+n%e *or 5nncil n. e.#ctionl
ssistnce *ro7 t+e petitioner( Re7e.ios n. +er 7inor c+il.ren .isc+r%e. t+e
estte
o* t+e .ece.ent *ro7 n9 n. ll li!ilities,
0, T+e lo&er co#rt .enie. t+e ?oint 7otion to .is7iss s &ell s t+e s#pple7entl
7otion r#lin% t+t t+e 7ot+er is not t+e .#l9 constit#te. %#r.in o* t+e 7inors
+ence( s+e co#l. not +$e $li.l9 si%ne. t+e &i$er, It lso re?ecte. t+e
petitionerDs o!?ections to t+e certi5cte o* non-*or#7 s+oppin%, T+e Co#rt o*
Appels 6r7e. t+e or.ers o* t+e lo&er co#rt, Hence( t+is petition,
Iss#e" W+et+er or not %#r.in cn $li.l9 rep#.ite t+e in+eritnce t+e &r.s
RPLIN2"
No( rep#.ition 7o#nts to liention o* propert9 n. prents n. %#r.ins
7#st necessril9 o!tin ?#.icil ppro$l, rep#.ition o* in+eritnce 7#st pss t+e
co#rtDs scr#tin9 in or.er to protect t+e !est interest o* t+e &r., Not +$in% !een
#t+oriHe. !9 t+e co#rt( t+e relese or &i$er is t+ere*ore $oi., 4oreo$er( t+e
pri$te-respon.ents co#l. not +$e &i$e. t+eir s#ppose. ri%+t s t+e9 +$e 9et to
pro$e t+eir stt#s s ille%iti7te c+il.ren o* t+e .ece.ent, It &o#l. !e inconsistent
to r#le t+t t+e9 +$e &i$e. ri%+t &+ic+( ccor.in% to t+e petitioner( t+e ltter
.o not +$e,
As to t+e ?#ris.iction o* t+e co#rt to .eter7ine t+e +eirs
T+e co#rt is not precl#.e. to recei$e e$i.ence to .eter7ine t+e 5lition o* t+e
cli7nts e$en i* t+e ori%inl petition is *or t+e iss#nce o* letters
.7inistrtion, Its ?#ris.iction eKten.s to 7tters collterl n. inci.entl to t+e
settle7ent o* t+e estte( &it+ t+e .eter7intion o* +eirs+ip incl#.e., As +el. in
pre$io#s .ecision( t&o c#ses o* ction 79 !e !ro#%+t to%et+er in one co7plint(
one
cli7 *or reco%nition( n. t+e ot+er to cli7 in+eritnce, (JriH $, JriH)
Llorente vs. !ourt of "ppeals+ G. . No. ,&2.-,+ November
&.+ &'''
Fcts" On Fe!r#r9 --( 1G':( LorenHo n. petitioner P#l &ere 7rrie. !e*ore
pris+ priest in N!#( C7rines S#r,
On No$e7!er '1( 1G0'( LorenHo &s .7itte. to Pnite. Sttes citiHens+ip n.
Certi5cte o* Nt#rliHtion No, FF:G81E &s iss#e. in +is *$or !9 t+e Pnite.
Sttes District Co#rt( So#t+ern District o* Ne& Sor<,
Ppon t+e li!ertion o* t+e P+ilippines !9 t+e A7ericn Forces in 1G0F( LorenHo &s
%rnte. n ccr#e. le$e !9 t+e P, S, N$9( to $isit +is &i*e n. +e $isite. t+e
P+ilippines, He .isco$ere. t+t +is &i*e P#l &s pre%nnt n. &s =li$in% in> n.
+$in% n .#ltero#s reltions+ip &it+ +is !rot+er( Ce*erino Llorente,
LorenHo re*#se. to *or%i$e P#l n. li$e &it+ +er , He t+en ret#rne. to t+e Pnite.
Sttes n. on No$e7!er 1E( 1GF1 5le. *or .i$orce &it+ t+e S#perior Co#rt o* t+e
Stte o* Cli*orni in n. *or t+e Co#nt9 o* Sn Die%o, P#l &s represente. !9
co#nsel( 8o+n Rile9( n. cti$el9 prticipte. in t+e procee.in%s, On No$e7!er -:(
1GF1( t+e S#perior Co#rt o* t+e Stte o* Cli*orni( *or t+e Co#nt9 o* Sn Die%o
*o#n. ll *ct#l lle%tions to !e tr#e n. iss#e. n interloc#tor9 ?#.%7ent o*
.i$orce,
On Dece7!er 0( 1GF-( t+e .i$orce .ecree !ec7e 5nl,
LorenHo &ent !c< to t+e P+ilippines n. on 8n#r9 1E( 1GF8 7rrie. Alici F,
Llorente in 4nil,
Fro7 1GF8 to 1G8F( LorenHo n. Alici li$e. to%et+er s +#s!n. n. &i*e,T+eir
t&ent9-5$e (-F) 9er #nion pro.#ce. t+ree c+il.ren( R#l( L#H n. Je$erl9( ll
s#rn7e. Llorente,
On 4rc+ 1'( 1G81( LorenHo eKec#te. Lst Will n. Test7ent, T+e &ill &s
notriHe. !9 Notr9 P#!lic Sl$.or 4, Occino( .#l9 si%ne. !9 LorenHo &it+
ttestin% &itnesses Frncisco H#%o( Frncisco Nei!res n. Tito Tr?no, In t+e &ill(
LorenHo !eC#et+e. ll +is propert9 to Alici n. t+eir t+ree c+il.ren,
On Dece7!er 10( 1G8'( LorenHo 5le. &it+ t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt( Iri%( C7rines
S#r( petition *or t+e pro!te n. llo&nce o* +is lst &ill n. test7ent &+erein
LorenHo 7o$e. t+t Alici !e ppointe. Specil A.7inistrtriK o* +is estte,
On 8n#r9 -0( 1G80( 5n.in% t+t t+e &ill &s .#l9 eKec#te.( t+e tril co#rt
.7itte. t+e &ill to pro!te !#t !e*ore t+e procee.in%s co#l. !e ter7inte. (
LorenHo .ie.,
P#l 5le. &it+ t+e s7e co#rt petition *or letters o* .7inistrtion o$er LorenHo;s
estte in +er *$or conten.in% t+t s+e &s LorenHo;s s#r$i$in% spo#se( t+t s#c+
properties &ere cC#ire. .#rin% t+eir 7rri%e n. t+t LorenHo;s &ill &o#l.
encroc+ +er le%iti7e,
Alici 5le. in t+e testte procee.in% ( petition *or t+e iss#nce o* letters
test7entr9,
On Octo!er 10( 1G8F( &it+o#t ter7intin% t+e testte procee.in%s( t+e tril co#rt
%$e .#e co#rse to P#l;s petition,
T+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt *o#n. t+t t+e .i$orce .ecree %rnte. to t+e lte LorenHo
Llorente is $oi. n. inpplic!le in t+e P+ilippines( t+ere*ore t+e 7rri%e +e
contrcte. &it+ Alici Fort#nto on 8n#r9 1E( 1GF8 t 4nil is li<e&ise $oi., T+is
!ein% so t+e petition o* Alici F, Llorente *or t+e iss#nce o* letters test7entr9 is
.enie., Li<e&ise( s+e is not entitle. to recei$e n9 s+re *ro7 t+e estte e$en i* t+e
&ill especill9 si. so +er reltions+ip &it+ LorenHo +$in% %ine. t+e stt#s o*
pr7o#r &+ic+ is #n.er Art, :'G (1),
=Petitioner( P#l Llorente is ppointe. le%l .7inistrtor o* t+e estte o* t+e
.ecese.( LorenHo Llorente,
Iss#e" W+o re entitle. to in+erit *ro7 t+e lte LorenHo N, LlorenteW
Hel." T+e tril co#rt +el. t+t t+e &ill &s intrinsicll9 in$li. since it contine.
.ispositions in *$or o* Alice( &+o in t+e tril co#rt;s opinion &s 7ere pr7o#r,
T+e tril co#rt t+re& t+e &ill o#t( le$in% Alice( n. +er t&o c+il.ren( R#l n. L#H(
&it+ not+in%,
T+e Co#rt o* Appels lso .isre%r.e. t+e &ill, It .eclre. Alice entitle. to one +l*
(13-) o* &+te$er propert9 s+e n. LorenHo cC#ire. .#rin% t+eir co+!ittion(
ppl9in% Article 100 o* t+e Ci$il Co.e o* t+e P+ilippines,
T+e +st9 ppliction o* P+ilippine l& n. t+e co7plete .isre%r. o* t+e &ill(
lre.9 pro!te. s .#l9 eKec#te. in ccor.nce &it+ t+e *or7lities o* P+ilippine
l&( is *tl( especill9 in li%+t o* t+e *ct#l n. le%l circ#7stnces +ere o!tinin%,
LorenHo N, Llorente !ec7e n A7ericn citiHen lon% !e*ore n. t t+e ti7e o*" (1)
+is .i$orce *ro7 P#lO (-) 7rri%e to AliciO (') eKec#tion o* +is &illO n. (0) .et+(
is .#l9 est!lis+e.( .7itte. n. #n.isp#te.,
T+#s( s r#le( iss#es risin% *ro7 t+ese inci.ents re necessril9 %o$erne. !9
*orei%n l&, =
Art, 1E, Rel propert9 s &ell s personl propert9 is s#!?ect to t+e l& o* t+e
co#ntr9 &+ere it is sit#te.,
=Ho&e$er( intestte n. test7entr9 s#ccession( !ot+ &it+ respect to t+e or.er o*
s#ccession n. to t+e 7o#nt o* s#ccessionl ri%+ts n. to t+e intrinsic $li.it9 o*
test7entr9 pro$isions( s+ll !e re%#lte. !9 t+e ntionl l& o* t+e person &+ose
s#ccession is #n.er consi.ertion( &+te$er 79 !e t+e nt#re o* t+e propert9 n.
re%r.less o* t+e co#ntr9 &+erein si. propert9 79 !e *o#n.,>
J#t t+e +st9 .isre%r. o* !ot+ t+e RTC n. CA o* LorenHo;s Will !9 cllin% to t+e
*ore t+e RENAOI .octrine( cli7in% t+t A7ericn l& *ollo&s .o7icilir9 r#le is
#n?#sti5e., T+ere is no s#c+ t+in% s A7ericn l& *or t+e &+ole ntion o* t+e PS(
*or t+e co#ntr9 co7prises o* %ro#p o* Sttes( ec+ Stte +$in% its o&n pplic!le
l&( en*orce!le onl9 &it+in t+t stte,
As to t+e $li.it9 o* t+e *orei%n .i$orce ( ?#rispr#.ence reitertes t+t once it is
pro$en t+t n in.i$i.#l is no lon%er Filipino( t+#s n lien( &+en +e o!tins
.i$orce !ro.( its eIects s+ll !e reco%niHe. in t+e P+ilippines,
T+e S#pre7e Co#rt +el. t+t t+e .i$orce o!tine. !9 LorenHo H, Llorente *ro7 +is
5rst &i*e P#l &s $li. n. reco%niHe. in t+is ?#ris.iction s 7tter o* co7it9,
No&( t+e eIects o* t+is .i$orce (s to t+e s#ccession to t+e estte o* t+e .ece.ent)
re 7tters !est le*t to t+e .eter7intion o* t+e tril co#rt,
W+et+er t+e &ill is intrinsicll9 $li. n. &+o s+ll in+erit *ro7 LorenHo re iss#es
!est pro$e. !9 *orei%n l& &+ic+ 7#st !e ple.e. n. pro$e., W+et+er t+e &ill &s
eKec#te. in ccor.nce &it+ t+e *or7lities reC#ire. is ns&ere. !9 re*errin% to
P+ilippine l&, In *ct( t+e &ill &s .#l9 pro!te.,
T+e .ecision o* t+e CA is set si.e n. t+t o* t+e RTC is re$erse., Co#rt RE4ANDS
t+e cses to t+e co#rt o* ori%in *or .eter7intion o* t+e intrinsic $li.it9 o* LorenHo
N, Llorente;s &ill n. .eter7intion o* t+e prties; s#ccessionl ri%+ts llo&in% proo*
o* *orei%n l& &it+ instr#ctions t+t t+e tril co#rt s+ll procee. &it+ ll .eli!erte
.isptc+ to settle t+e estte o* t+e .ecese. &it+in t+e *r7e&or< o* t+e R#les o*
Co#rt,
CHAPTER - - HP4AN RELATIONS
(Arts 1G-'F)
epublic of the Philippines
/;P0$0 !O;T
$anila
THID DIVI/ION
G.. No. ,-3<&& October &.+ &',.
!"LI7ONI" !LOTHING IN!. an# $I!H0LL0 /. 9=">0?+
Petitioners+
vs.
/HIL09 G. *;I>ON0/+ espon#ent.
D E C I S I O N
PERALTA( 8,"
Assile. in t+is petition *or re$ie& on certiorri #n.er R#le 0F o* t+e O R#les o* Co#rt
re t+e Co#rt o* Appels Decision1 .te. A#%#st '( -11E n. Resol#tion- .te.
No$e7!er 10( -11E in CA-2,R, CA No, 81'1G, T+e ssile. .ecision re$erse. n.
set si.e t+e 8#ne -1( -11' Decision' o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt o* Ce!# Cit9 (RTC)(
Jrnc+ F8( in Ci$il Cse No, CEJ--EG80O &+ile t+e ssile. resol#tion .enie. t+e
7otion *or reconsi.ertion 5le. !9 petitioner 4ic+elle S!XeH (S!XeH),
T+e *cts o* t+e cse( s c#lle. *ro7 t+e recor.s( re s *ollo&s"
On 8#l9 -F( -111( respon.ent S+irle9 2, L#iXones( Reser$tion Tic<etin% A%ent o*
Ce!# Pci5c Air in Lp# Lp# Cit9( &ent insi.e t+e 2#ess PSA Jo#tiC#e t t+e
secon. Noor o* Ro!inson;s Deprt7ent Store (Ro!inson;s) in Ce!# Cit9, S+e 5tte.
*o#r ite7s" t&o ?ens( !lo#se n. s+orts( t+en .eci.e. to p#rc+se t+e !lc<
?ens &ort+ P-(1G8,11,0 Respon.ent lle%e.l9 pi. to t+e cs+ier e$i.ence. !9
receiptF iss#e. !9 t+e store,E
W+ile s+e &s &l<in% t+ro#%+ t+e s<9&l< connectin% Ro!inson;s n. 4erc#r9
Dr#% Store (4erc#r9) &+ere s+e &s +e.in% neKt( 2#ess e7plo9ee pproc+e.
n. in*or7e. +er t+t s+e *ile. to p9 t+e ite7 s+e %ot, S+e( +o&e$er( insiste.
t+t s+e pi. n. s+o&e. t+e e7plo9ee t+e receipt iss#e. in +er *$or,: S+e t+en
s#%%este. t+t t+e9 tl< !o#t it t t+e Ce!# Pci5c O6ce locte. t t+e !se7ent
o* t+e 7ll, S+e 5rst &ent to 4erc#r9 t+en 7et t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees s %ree.
#pon,8
W+en s+e rri$e. t t+e Ce!# Pci5c O6ce( t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees lle%e.l9
s#!?ecte. +er to +#7ilition in *ront o* t+e clients o* Ce!# Pci5c n. repete.l9
.e7n.e. p97ent *or t+e !lc< ?ens,G T+e9 s#ppose.l9 e$en serc+e. +er &llet
to c+ec< +o& 7#c+ 7one9 s+e +.( *ollo&e. !9 not+er r%#7ent, Respon.ent(
t+ere*ter( &ent +o7e,11
On t+e s7e .9( t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees lle%e.l9 %$e letter to t+e Director o*
Ce!# Pci5c Air nrrtin% t+e inci.ent( !#t t+e ltter re*#se. to recei$e it s it .i.
not concern t+e o6ce n. t+e s7e too< plce &+ile respon.ent &s oI .#t9,11
Anot+er letter &s lle%e.l9 prepre. n. &s s#ppose. to !e sent to t+e Ce!#
Pci5c O6ce in Ro!inson;s( !#t t+e ltter %in re*#se. to recei$e it,1- Respon.ent
lso cli7e. t+t t+e H#7n Reso#rce Deprt7ent (HRD) o* Ro!inson;s &s
*#rnis+e. si. letter n. t+e ltter in *ct con.#cte. n in$esti%tion *or p#rposes o*
cncelin% respon.ent;s Ro!inson;s cre.it cr., Respon.ent *#rt+er cli7e. t+t s+e
&s not %i$en cop9 o* si. .7%in% letter,1' Wit+ t+e !o$e eKperience(
respon.ent cli7e. to +$e s#Iere. p+9sicl nKiet9( sleepless ni%+ts( 7entl
n%#is+( *ri%+t( serio#s ppre+ension( !es7irc+e. rep#ttion( 7orl s+oc< n.
socil +#7ilition,10 S+e t+#s 5le. t+e Co7plint *or D7%es1F !e*ore t+e RTC
%inst petitioners Cli*orni Clot+in%( Inc, (Cli*orni Clot+in%)( EKcelsis
Aill%onHlo (Aill%onHlo)( I7el. H&9on (H&9on) n. S!XeH, S+e .e7n.e.
t+e p97ent o* 7orl( no7inl( n. eKe7plr9 .7%es( pl#s ttorne9;s *ees n.
liti%tion eKpenses,1E
In t+eir Ans&er(1: petitioners n. t+e ot+er .e*en.nts .7itte. t+e iss#nce o*
t+e receipt o* p97ent, T+e9 cli7e.( +o&e$er( t+t inste. o* t+e cs+ier
(H&9on) iss#in% t+e o6cil receipt( it &s t+e in$oicer (Aill%onHlo) &+o .i. it
7n#ll9, T+e9 eKpline. t+t t+ere &s 7isco77#niction !et&een t+e
e7plo9ees t t+t ti7e !ec#se prior to t+e iss#nce o* t+e receipt( Aill%onHlo
s<e. H&9on B O< n W(B n. t+e ltter replie. B O< n (B &+ic+ t+e *or7er
!elie$e. to 7en t+t t+e ite7 +s lre.9 !een pi.,18 ReliHin% t+e 7ist<e(
Aill%onHlo r#s+e. o#tsi.e to loo< *or respon.ent n. &+en +e s& t+e ltter( +e
in$ite. +er to %o !c< to t+e s+op to 7<e clri5ctions s to &+et+er or not
p97ent &s in.ee. 7.e, Inste.( +o&e$er( o* %oin% !c< to t+e s+op(
respon.ent s#%%este. t+t t+e9 7eet t t+e Ce!# Pci5c O6ce, Aill%onHlo(
H&9on n. S!XeH t+#s &ent to t+e %ree. $en#e &+ere t+e9 tl<e. to
respon.ent,1G T+e9 pointe. o#t t+t it ppere. in t+eir con$erstion t+t
respon.ent co#l. not recll &+o7 s+e %$e t+e p97ent,-1 T+e9 e7p+siHe. t+t
t+e9 &ere %entle n. polite in tl<in% to respon.ent n. it &s t+e ltter &+o &s
rro%nt in ns&erin% t+eir C#estions,-1 As co#ntercli7( petitioners n. t+e ot+er
.e*en.nts so#%+t t+e p97ent o* 7orl n. eKe7plr9 .7%es( pl#s ttorne9;s
*ees n. liti%tion eKpenses,--
On 8#ne -1( -11'( t+e RTC ren.ere. Decision .is7issin% !ot+ t+e co7plint n.
co#ntercli7 o* t+e prties, Fro7 t+e e$i.ence presente.( t+e tril co#rt concl#.e.
t+t t+e petitioners n. t+e ot+er .e*en.nts !elie$e. in %oo. *it+ t+t respon.ent
*ile. to 7<e p97ent, Consi.erin% t+t no 7oti$e to *!ricte lie co#l. !e
ttri!#te. to t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees( t+e co#rt +el. t+t &+en t+e9 .e7n.e.
p97ent *ro7 respon.ent( t+e9 7erel9 eKercise. ri%+t #n.er t+e +onest !elie*
t+t no p97ent &s 7.e, T+e RTC li<e&ise .i. not 5n. it .7%in% *or
respon.ent &+en t+e con*ronttion too< plce in *ront o* Ce!# Pci5c clients(
!ec#se it &s respon.ent +ersel* &+o p#t +ersel* in t+t sit#tion !9 c+oosin% t+e
$en#e *or .isc#ssion, As to t+e letter sent to Ce!# Pci5c Air( t+e tril co#rt lso .i.
not t<e it %inst t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees( !ec#se t+e9 7erel9 s<e. *or ssistnce
n. not to e7!rrss or +#7ilite respon.ent, In ot+er &or.s( t+e RTC *o#n. no
e$i.ence to pro$e !. *it+ on t+e prt o* t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees to &rrnt t+e
&r. o* .7%es,-'
On ppel( t+e CA re$erse. n. set si.e t+e RTC .ecision( t+e .ispositi$e portion
o* &+ic+ re.s"
WHEREFORE( t+e instnt ppel is 2RANTED, T+e .ecision o* t+e Re%ionl Tril
Co#rt o* Ce!# Cit9( Jrnc+ F8( in Ci$il Cse No, CEJ--EG80 (*or" D7%es) is +ere!9
REAERSED n. SET ASIDE, De*en.nts 4ic+elle S!XeH n. Cli*orni Clot+in%( Inc,
re +ere!9 or.ere. to p9 plintiI-ppellnt S+irle9 2, L#iXones ?ointl9 n.
soli.ril9 7orl .7%es in t+e 7o#nt o* Fi*t9 T+o#sn. Pesos (PF1(111,11) n.
ttorne9;s *ees in t+e 7o#nt o* T&ent9 T+o#sn. Pesos (P-1(111,11),
SO ORDERED,-0
W+ile %reein% &it+ t+e tril co#rt t+t t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees &ere in %oo. *it+
&+en t+e9 con*ronte. respon.ent insi.e t+e Ce!# Pci5c O6ce !o#t t+e lle%e.
non-p97ent( t+e CA( +o&e$er( *o#n. prepon.ernce o* e$i.ence s+o&in% t+t t+e9
cte. in !. *it+ in sen.in% t+e .e7n. letter to respon.ent;s e7plo9er, It *o#n.
respon.ent;s possession o* !ot+ t+e o6cil receipt n. t+e s#!?ect !lc< ?ens s
e$i.ence o* p97ent,-F Contrr9 to t+e 5n.in%s o* t+e RTC( t+e CA opine. t+t t+e
letter ..resse. to Ce!# Pci5c;s .irector &s sent to respon.ent;s e7plo9er not
7erel9 to s< *or ssistnce *or t+e collection o* t+e .isp#te. p97ent !#t to
s#!?ect +er to ri.ic#le( +#7ilition n. si7ilr in?#r9 s#c+ t+t s+e &o#l. !e
press#re. to p9,-E Consi.erin% t+t 2#ess lre.9 strte. its in$esti%tion on t+e
inci.ent( t+ere &s tint o* !. *it+ n. 7lice &+en it .r%%e. respon.ent;s
e7plo9er &+o &s not pri$9 to t+e trnsction, T+is is especill9 tr#e in t+is cse
since t+e p#rporte. letter contine. not onl9 nrrti$e o* t+e inci.ent !#t
cc#stions s to t+e lle%e. cts o* respon.ent in tr9in% to e$.e p97ent,-: T+e
ppellte co#rt t+#s +el. t+t petitioners re %#ilt9 o* !#se o* ri%+t entitlin%
respon.ent to collect 7orl .7%es n. ttorne9;s *ees, Petitioner Cli*orni
Clot+in% Inc, &s 7.e li!le *or its *il#re to eKercise eKtror.inr9 .ili%ence in t+e
+irin% n. selection o* its e7plo9eesO &+ile S!XeH;s li!ilit9 ste77e. *ro7 +er ct
o* si%nin% t+e .e7n. letter sent to respon.ent;s e7plo9er, In $ie& o* H&9on n.
Aill%onHlo;s %oo. *it+( +o&e$er( t+e9 &ere eKonerte. *ro7 li!ilit9,-8
S!XeH 7o$e. *or t+e reconsi.ertion-G o* t+e *oresi. .ecision( !#t t+e s7e
&s .enie. in t+e ssile. No$e7!er 10( -11E CA Resol#tion,
Petitioners no& co7e !e*ore t+e Co#rt in t+is petition *or re$ie& on certiorri #n.er
R#le 0F o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt !se. on t+e *ollo&in% %ro#n.s"
I,
THE HONORAJLE COPRT OF APPEALS ERRED IN FINDIN2 THAT THE LETTER SENT TO
THE CEJP PACIFIC OFFICE WAS 4ADE TO SPJ8ECT HEREIN RESPONDENT TO
RIDICPLE( HP4ILIATION AND SI4ILAR IN8PRS,
II,
THE HONORAJLE COPRT OF APPEALS ERRED IN AWARDIN2 4ORAL DA4A2ES AND
ATTORNES;S FEES,'1
T+e petition is &it+o#t 7erit,
Respon.ent;s co7plint %inst petitioners ste77e. *ro7 t+e principle o* !#se o*
ri%+ts pro$i.e. *or in t+e Ci$il Co.e on t+e c+pter o* +#7n reltions, Respon.ent
crie. *o#l &+en petitioners lle%e.l9 e7!rrsse. +er &+en t+e9 insiste. t+t s+e
.i. not p9 *or t+e !lc< ?ens s+e p#rc+se. *ro7 t+eir s+op .espite t+e e$i.ence
o* p97ent &+ic+ is t+e o6cil receipt iss#e. !9 t+e s+op, T+e iss#nce o* t+e
receipt not&it+stn.in%( petitioners +. t+e ri%+t to $eri*9 *ro7 respon.ent &+et+er
s+e in.ee. 7.e p97ent i* t+e9 +. reson to !elie$e t+t s+e .i. not, Ho&e$er(
t+e eKercise o* s#c+ ri%+t is not &it+o#t li7ittions, An9 !#se in t+e eKercise o*
s#c+ ri%+t n. in t+e per*or7nce o* .#t9 c#sin% .7%e or in?#r9 to not+er is
ction!le #n.er t+e Ci$il Co.e, T+e Co#rt;s prono#nce7ent in Crpio $,
Al7onte'1 is note&ort+9"
In t+e sp+ere o* o#r l& on +#7n reltions( t+e $icti7 o* &ron%*#l ct or
o7ission( &+et+er .one &ill*#ll9 or ne%li%entl9( is not le*t &it+o#t n9 re7e.9 or
reco#rse to o!tin relie* *or t+e .7%e or in?#r9 +e s#stine., Incorporte. into o#r
ci$il l& re not onl9 principles o* eC#it9 !#t lso #ni$ersl 7orl precepts &+ic+ re
.esi%ne. to in.icte certin nor7s t+t sprin% *ro7 t+e *o#ntin o* %oo. conscience
n. &+ic+ re 7ent to ser$e s %#i.es *or +#7n con.#ct, First o* t+ese
*#n.7entl precepts is t+e principle co77onl9 <no&n s B!#se o* ri%+tsB #n.er
Article 1G o* t+e Ci$il Co.e, It pro$i.es t+t B E$er9 person 7#st( in t+e eKercise o*
+is ri%+ts n. in t+e per*or7nce o* +is .#ties( ct &it+ ?#stice( %i$e e$er9one +is
.#e n. o!ser$e +onest9 n. %oo. *it+,BK K K'- T+e ele7ents o* !#se o* ri%+ts
re s *ollo&s" (1) t+ere is le%l ri%+t or .#t9O (-) &+ic+ is eKercise. in !. *it+O
(') *or t+e sole intent o* pre?#.icin% or in?#rin% not+er,''
In t+is cse( petitioners cli7e. t+t t+ere &s 7isco77#niction !et&een t+e
cs+ier n. t+e in$oicer le.in% to t+e erroneo#s iss#nce o* t+e receipt to
respon.ent, W+en t+e9 reliHe. t+e 7ist<e( t+e9 7.e cs+ co#nt n.
.isco$ere. t+t t+e 7o#nt &+ic+ is eC#i$lent to t+e price o* t+e !lc< ?ens &s
7issin%, T+e9( t+#s( concl#.e. t+t it &s respon.ent &+o *ile. to 7<e s#c+
p97ent, It &s( t+ere*ore( &it+in t+eir ri%+t to $eri*9 *ro7 respon.ent &+et+er s+e
in.ee. pi. or not n. collect *ro7 +er i* s+e .i. not, Ho&e$er( t+e C#estion no& is
&+et+er s#c+ ri%+t &s eKercise. in %oo. *it+ or t+e9 &ent o$er!or. %i$in%
respon.ent c#se o* ction %inst t+e7,
Pn.er t+e !#se o* ri%+ts principle *o#n. in Article 1G o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( person
7#st( in t+e eKercise o* le%l ri%+t or .#t9( ct in %oo. *it+, He &o#l. !e li!le i* +e
inste. cte. in !. *it+( &it+ intent to pre?#.ice not+er,'0 2oo. *it+ re*ers to
t+e stte o* 7in. &+ic+ is 7ni*este. !9 t+e cts o* t+e in.i$i.#l concerne., It
consists o* t+e intention to !stin *ro7 t<in% n #nconscion!le n. #nscr#p#lo#s
.$nt%e o* not+er,'F 4lice or !. *it+( on t+e ot+er +n.( i7plies conscio#s
n. intentionl .esi%n to .o &ron%*#l ct *or .is+onest p#rpose or 7orl
o!liC#it9,'E
Initill9( t+ere &s not+in% &ron% &it+ petitioners s<in% respon.ent &+et+er s+e
pi. or not, T+e 2#ess e7plo9ees &ere !le to tl< to respon.ent t t+e Ce!#
Pci5c O6ce, T+e con*ronttion strte. &ell( !#t it e$ent#ll9 t#rne. so#r &+en
$oices &ere rise. !9 !ot+ prties, As ptl9 +el. !9 !ot+ t+e RTC n. t+e CA( s#c+
&s t+e nt#rl conseC#ence o* t&o prties &it+ conNictin% $ie&s insistin% on t+eir
respecti$e !elie*s, Consi.erin%( +o&e$er( t+t respon.ent &s in possession o* t+e
ite7 p#rc+se. *ro7 t+e s+op( to%et+er &it+ t+e o6cil receipt o* p97ent iss#e.
!9 petitioners( t+e ltter cnnot insist t+t no s#c+ p97ent &s 7.e on t+e !sis
o* 7ere spec#ltion, T+eir cli7 s+o#l. +$e !een pro$en !9 s#!stntil e$i.ence
in t+e proper *or#7,
It is e$i.ent *ro7 t+e circ#7stnces o* t+e cse t+t petitioners &ent o$er!or. n.
trie. to *orce respon.ent to p9 t+e 7o#nt t+e9 &ere .e7n.in%, In t+e %#ise o*
s<in% *or ssistnce( petitioners e$en sent .e7n. letter to respon.ent;s
e7plo9er not onl9 in*or7in% it o* t+e inci.ent !#t o!$io#sl9 i7p#tin% !. cts on
t+e prt o* respon.ent,1Y&p+i1 Petitioners cli7e. t+t *ter recei$in% t+e receipt
o* p97ent n. t+e ite7 p#rc+se.( respon.ent B&s note. to +#rrie.l9 le*t (sic)
t+e store,B T+e9 lso cc#se. respon.ent t+t s+e &s not co7pletel9 !ein% +onest
&+en s+e &s s<e. !o#t t+e circ#7stnces o* p97ent( t+#s"
K K K A*ter recei$in% t+e OR n. t+e ite7( 4s, 2#tierreH &s note. to +#rrie.l9 le*t
(sic) t+e store, K K K
W+en I s<e. +er !o#t to &+o7 s+e %$e t+e 7one9( s+e %$e o#t !ln<
eKpression n. tol. 7e( BI cn;t re7e7!er,B T+en I s<e. +er +o& 7#c+ 7one9 s+e
%$e( s+e ns&ere.( BP-(111O - pcs 1(111 n. 1 pc 111 !ill,B T+en I tol. +er t+t
t+t &o#l. (sic) i7possi!le since &e +$e no s#c+ .eno7intion in o#r cs+ *#n. t
t+t 7o7ent, Finll9( I s<e. +er i* +o& 7#c+ c+n%e n. i* s+e recei$e. c+n%e
*ro7 t+e cs+ier( s+e t+en ns&ere.( BI .on;t re7e7!er,B A*ter s<in% t+ese si7ple
C#estions( I 7 $er9 certin t+t s+e is not co7pletel9 !ein% +onest !o#t t+is, In
*ct( &e in$ite. +er to co7e to o#r !o#tiC#e to cler t+ese 7tters !#t s+e
$e+e7entl9 re*#se. s9in% t+t s+e;s in +#rr9 n. $er9 !#s9,':
Clerl9( t+ese stte7ents re o#tri%+tl9 cc#stor9, Petitioners cc#se. respon.ent
t+t not onl9 .i. s+e *il to p9 *or t+e ?ens s+e p#rc+se. !#t t+t s+e
.eli!ertel9 too< t+e s7e &it+o#t p9in% *or it n. lter +#rrie.l9 le*t t+e s+op to
e$.e p97ent, T+ese cc#stions &ere 7.e .espite t+e iss#nce o* t+e receipt
o* p97ent n. t+e relese o* t+e ite7 p#rc+se., T+ere &s( li<e&ise( no s+o&in%
t+t respon.ent +. t+e intention to e$.e p97ent, Contrr9 to petitioners; cli7(
respon.ent &s not in r#s+ in le$in% t+e s+op or t+e 7ll, T+is is e$i.ence. !9
t+e *ct t+t t+e 2#ess e7plo9ees .i. not +$e +r. ti7e loo<in% *or +er &+en
t+e9 reliHe. t+e s#ppose. non-p97ent,
It cn !e in*erre. *ro7 t+e *ore%oin% t+t in sen.in% t+e .e7n. letter to
respon.ent;s e7plo9er( petitioners inten.e. not onl9 to s< *or ssistnce in
collectin% t+e .isp#te. 7o#nt !#t to trnis+ respon.ent;s rep#ttion in t+e e9es o*
+er e7plo9er, To 7li%n respon.ent &it+o#t s#!stntil e$i.ence n. .espite t+e
ltter;s possession o* eno#%+ e$i.ence in +er *$or( is clerl9 i7per7issi!le, A
person s+o#l. not #se +is ri%+t #n?#stl9 or contrr9 to +onest9 n. %oo. *it+(
ot+er&ise( +e opens +i7sel* to li!ilit9,'8
T+e eKercise o* ri%+t 7#st !e in ccor.nce &it+ t+e p#rpose *or &+ic+ it &s
est!lis+e. n. 7#st not !e eKcessi$e or #n.#l9 +rs+,'G In t+is cse( petitioners
o!$io#sl9 !#se. t+eir ri%+ts,
Co7ple7entin% t+e principle o* !#se o* ri%+ts re t+e pro$isions o* Articles -1 n.
- o* t+e Ci$il Co.e &+ic+ re."01
Article -1, E$er9 person &+o( contrr9 to l&( &ill*#ll9 or ne%li%entl9 c#ses .7%e
to not+er( s+ll in.e7ni*9 t+e ltter *or t+e s7e,
Article -1, An9 person &+o &ill*#ll9 c#ses loss or in?#r9 to not+er in 7nner t+t
is contrr9 to 7orls or %oo. c#sto7s( or p#!lic polic9 s+ll co7penste t+e ltter
*or t+e .7%e,
In $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin%( respon.ent is entitle. to n &r. o* 7orl .7%es n.
ttorne9 s *ees, 4orl .7%es 79 !e &r.e. &+ene$er t+e .e*en.nt s
&ron%*#l ct or o7ission is t+e proKi7te c#se o* t+e plintiIs p+9sicl s#Ierin%(
7entl n%#is+( *ri%+t( serio#s nKiet9( !es7irc+e. rep#ttion( &o#n.e. *eelin%s(
7orl s+oc<( socil +#7ilition n. si7ilr in?#r9 in t+e cses speci5e. or nlo%o#s
to t+ose pro$i.e. in Article --1G o* t+e Ci$il Co.e,01 4orl .7%es re not
!onnH, T+e9 re %i$en to ese t+e .e*en.nt s %rie* n. s#Ierin%, T+e9 s+o#l.(
t+#s( reson!l9 pproKi7te t+e eKtent o* +#rt c#se. n. t+e %r$it9 o* t+e
&ron% .one,0- T+e9 re &r.e. not to enric+ t+e co7plinnt !#t to en!le t+e
ltter to o!tin 7ens( .i$ersions( or 7#se7ents t+t &ill ser$e to lle$ite t+e
7orl s#Ierin% +e +s #n.er%one,0' We 5n. t+t t+e 7o#nt o* PF1(111,11 s
7orl .7%es &r.e. !9 t+e CA is reson!le #n.er t+e circ#7stnces,
Consi.erin% t+t respon.ent &s co7pelle. to liti%te to protect +er interest(
ttorne9 s *ees in t+e 7o#nt o* o*P-1(111,11 is li<e&ise ?#st n. proper,
WHEREFORE( pre7ises consi.ere.( t+e petition is DENIED *or lc< o* 7erit, T+e
Co#rt o* Appels Decision .te. A#%#st '( -11E n. Resol#tion .te. No$e7!er 10(
-11E in CA-2,R, CA No, 81'1G( re AFFIR4ED,
SO ORDERED,
DIOSDADO 4, PERALTA
Associte 8#stice
"r#iente vs. Javier+ et al
UCi$il L&" +#7n reltionsO principle o* !#se o* ri%+tsO Article 1G o* t+e Ci$il Co.eV
E$er9 person 7#st( in t+e eKercise o* +is ri%+t( n. in t+e per*or7nce o* +is .#ties(
ct &it+ ?#stice( %i$e e$er9one +is .#e( n. o!ser$e +onest9 n. %oo. *it+, (Art,
1G, Ne& Cii$il Co.e o* t+e P+ilippines)
8o9ce A, Ar.iente( Petitioner( $s, Sps, 8$ier n. 4, T+eres Pstor5.e( C%9n .e
Oro Wter District n. 2spr 2onHles( 8r,( Respon.ents
2,R, No, 1E1G-1O 8#l9 1:( -11'
Fcts" A petition *or re$ie& on certiorri #n.er R#le 0F o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt see<in%
to set si.e t+e Decision n. Resol#tion o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels &+ic+ 6r7e. t+e
t+en .ecision o* t+e RTC re%r.in% its ?#.%7ent s#7s o* 7one9 *or 7orl .7%es(
eKe7plr9 .7%es n. ttorne9;s *ees, T+e .ecision !ein% conteste. spro#te.
*ro7 t+e c#ttin% oI o* &ter s#ppl9 o* Pstor5.e !9 t+e C%9n .e Oro Wter
District s reC#este. !9 Ar.iente, In t+is cse( Ar.iente o&ne. piece o* propert9(
&+ic+ &s s#!seC#entl9 sol. n. con$e9e. to Pstor5.e( +o&e$er( t+e connection
o* &ter s#ppl9 s &ell s ot+er #tilities re7ine. in t+e n7e o* Ar.iente &+ic+
&s ne$er C#estione.( #ntil s#c+ ti7e t+t Pstor5.e !ec7e .elinC#ent in p9in%
t+e &ter !ill,
Iss#e" W+et+er or not it &s proper *or Ar.iente to%et+er &it+ C%9n De Oro
Wter .istrict to c#t oI t+e &ter s#ppl9 o* Pstor5.e o&in% to t+e *ct t+t
Ar.iente +s lre.9 con$e9e. o&ners+ip o* propert9 to Pstor5.e,
R#lin%" No( it &s not proper, PetitionerDs cts &+ic+ $iolte. t+e
!o$e7entione. pro$isions o* l& is +er #n?#sti5!le ct o* +$in% t+e respon.ent
spo#sesD &ter s#ppl9 .isconnecte.( co#ple. &it+ +er *il#re to &rn or t lest
noti*9 respon.ent spo#ses o* s#c+ intention, T+e principle o* !#se o* Ri%+ts in t+e
ens+rine. Article 1G o* t+e ci$il Co.e pro$i.es t+t e$er9 person 7#st( in t+e
eKercise o* +is ri%+ts n. in t+e per*or7nce o* +is .#ties( ct &it+ ?#stice( %i$e
e$er9one +is .#e( n. o!ser$e +onest9 n. %oo. *it+, It reco%niHes pri7or.il
li7ittion on ll ri%+tsO t+t in t+eir eKercise( t+e nor7s o* +#7n con.#ct set *ort+
in Article 1G 7#st !e o!ser$e., A ri%+t( t+o#%+ !9 itsel* le%l !ec#se reco%niHe. or
%rnte. !9 l& s s#c+( 79 ne$ert+eless !eco7e t+e so#rce o* so7e ille%lit9,
W+en ri%+t is eKercise. in 7nner &+ic+ .oes not con*or7 &it+ t+e nor7s
ens+rine. in Article 1G n. res#lts in .7%e to not+er( le%l &ron% is t+ere!9
co77itte. *or &+ic+ t+e &ron%.oer 7#st !e +el. responsi!le,
epublic of the Philippines
/;P0$0 !O;T
$anila
/0!OND DIVI/ION
G.. No. ,32&35 7ebruar8 &<+ &''3
NI@@O HOT0L $"NIL" G"D0N an# ;=9 LI$+ petitioners+
vs.
O=0TO 090/+ a.A.a. B"$"9 =I/"9"+B respon#ent.
D E C I S I O N
CHICO-NAZARIO( 8,"
In t+is petition *or re$ie& on certiorri( petitioners Ni<<o Hotel 4nil 2r.en (Hotel
Ni<<o)1 n. R#!9 Li7 ssil t+e Decision- o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels .te. -E
No$e7!er -111 re$ersin% t+e Decision' o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt (RTC) o* L#eHon
Cit9( Jrnc+ 110( s &ell s t+e Resol#tion0 o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels .te. 1G 8#l9
-11- &+ic+ .enie. petitioners; 7otion *or reconsi.ertion,
T+e c#se o* ction !e*ore t+e tril co#rt &s one *or .7%es !ro#%+t #n.er t+e
+#7n reltions pro$isions o* t+e Ne& Ci$il Co.e, PlintiI t+eret (respon.ent
+erein) Ro!erto Re9es( 7ore pop#lrl9 <no&n !9 t+e screen n7e BA79 Jis9(B
lle%e. t+t t ro#n. E"11 o;cloc< in t+e e$enin% o* 1' Octo!er 1GG0( &+ile +e &s
+$in% coIee t t+e lo!!9 o* Hotel Ni<<o(F +e &s spotte. !9 +is *rien. o* se$erl
9ers( Dr, Aiolet Filrt( &+o t+en pproc+e. +i7,E 4rs, Filrt in$ite. +i7 to ?oin
+er in prt9 t t+e +otel;s pent+o#se in cele!rtion o* t+e ntl .9 o* t+e +otel;s
7n%er( 4r, 4s<H# Ts#r#o<,: 4r, Re9es s<e. i* s+e co#l. $o#c+ *or +i7 *or
&+ic+ s+e replie." Bo* co#rse,B8 4r, Re9es t+en &ent #p &it+ t+e prt9 o* Dr, Filrt
crr9in% t+e !s<et o* *r#its &+ic+ &s t+e ltter;s present *or t+e cele!rnt,G At t+e
pent+o#se( t+e9 5rst +. t+eir pict#re t<en &it+ t+e cele!rnt *ter &+ic+ 4r,
Re9es st &it+ t+e prt9 o* Dr, Filrt,11 A*ter co#ple o* +o#rs( &+en t+e !#Iet
.inner &s re.9( 4r, Re9es line.-#p t t+e !#Iet t!le !#t( to +is %ret s+oc<(
s+7e n. e7!rrss7ent( +e &s stoppe. !9 petitioner +erein( R#!9 Li7( &+o
cli7e. to spe< *or Hotel Ni<<o s EKec#ti$e Secretr9 t+ereo*,11 In lo#. $oice
n. &it+in t+e presence n. +erin% o* t+e ot+er %#ests &+o &ere 7<in% C#e#e
t t+e !#Iet t!le( R#!9 Li7 tol. +i7 to le$e t+e prt9 (B+#&% < nn% <#7in(
+in.i < i7!it.o( !#7! < n ln%B),1- 4r, Re9es trie. to eKplin t+t +e &s
in$ite. !9 Dr, Filrt,1' Dr, Filrt( &+o &s &it+in +erin% .istnce( +o&e$er(
co7pletel9 i%nore. +i7 t+#s ..in% to +is s+7e n. +#7ilition,10 Not lon% *ter(
&+ile +e &s still reco$erin% *ro7 t+e tr#7tic eKperience( 4<ti police7n
pproc+e. n. s<e. +i7 to step o#t o* t+e +otel,1F Li<e co77on cri7inl( +e
&s escorte. o#t o* t+e prt9 !9 t+e police7n,1E Cli7in% .7%es( 4r, Re9es
s<e. *or One 4illion Pesos ct#l .7%es( One 4illion Pesos 7orl n.3or
eKe7plr9 .7%es n. T&o H#n.re. T+o#sn. Pesos ttorne9;s *ees,1:
R#!9 Li7( *or +er prt( .7itte. +$in% s<e. 4r, Re9es to le$e t+e prt9 !#t not
#n.er t+e i%no7inio#s circ#7stnce pinte. !9 t+e ltter, 4s, Li7 nrrte. t+t s+e
&s t+e Hotel;s EKec#ti$e Secretr9 *or t+e pst t&ent9 (-1) 9ers,18 One o* +er
*#nctions incl#.e. or%niHin% t+e !irt+.9 prt9 o* t+e +otel;s *or7er 2enerl
4n%er( 4r, Ts#r#o<,1G T+e 9er 1GG0 &s no .iIerent, For 4r, Ts#r#o<;s prt9(
4s, Li7 %enerte. n eKcl#si$e %#est list n. eKten.e. in$ittions ccor.in%l9,-1
T+e %#est list &s li7ite. to pproKi7tel9 siKt9 (E1) o* 4r, Ts#r#o<;s closest
*rien.s n. so7e +otel e7plo9ees n. t+t 4r, Re9es &s not one o* t+ose
in$ite.,-1 At t+e prt9( 4s, Li7 5rst notice. 4r, Re9es t t+e !r co#nter or.erin%
.rin<,-- 4in.*#l o* 4r, Ts#r#o<;s &is+es to <eep t+e prt9 inti7te( 4s, Li7
pproc+e. 4r, Jo9 4iller( t+e Bcptin &iter(B to inC#ire s to t+e presence o* 4r,
Re9es &+o &s not in$ite.,-' 4r, 4iller replie. t+t +e s& 4r, Re9es &it+ t+e %ro#p
o* Dr, Filrt,-0 As Dr, Filrt &s en%%e. in con$erstion &it+ not+er %#est n. s
4s, Li7 .i. not &nt to interr#pt( s+e inC#ire. inste. *ro7 t+e sister o* Dr, Filrt(
4s, Zeni. Fr#to( &+o tol. +er t+t Dr, Filrt .i. not in$ite 4r, Re9es,-F 4s, Li7
t+en reC#este. 4s, Fr#to to tell 4r, Re9es to le$e t+e prt9 s +e &s not
in$ite.,-E 4r, Re9es( +o&e$er( lin%ere. pro7ptin% 4s, Li7 to inC#ire *ro7 4s, Fr#to
&+o si. t+t 4r, Re9es .i. not &nt to le$e,-: W+en 4s, Li7 t#rne. ro#n.( s+e
s& 4r, Re9es con$ersin% &it+ Cptin Jt#n% &+o7 s+e lter pproc+e.,-8
Jelie$in% t+t Cptin Jt#n% n. 4r, Re9es <ne& ec+ ot+er( 4s, Li7 reC#este.
*ro7 +i7 t+e s7e *$or *ro7 4s, Fr#to( i,e,( *or Cptin Jt#n% to tell 4r, Re9es to
le$e t+e prt9 s +e &s not in$ite.,-G Still( 4r, Re9es lin%ere., W+en 4s, Li7
spotte. 4r, Re9es !9 t+e !#Iet t!le( s+e .eci.e. to spe< to +i7 +ersel* s t+ere
&ere no ot+er %#ests in t+e i77e.ite $icinit9,'1 Ho&e$er( s 4r, Re9es &s
lre.9 +elpin% +i7sel* to t+e *oo.( s+e .eci.e. to &it,'1 W+en 4r, Re9es &ent to
corner n. strte. to et( 4s, Li7 pproc+e. +i7 n. si." Bl7 nin9o( +in.o
+o <9o .pt nn.ito, Pero totl n<<#+ n +o <9o n% p%<in( #!#sin n ln%
nin9o t p%<tpos <#n% p&e.e ln% po #7lis n <9o,B'- S+e t+en t#rne.
ro#n. tr#stin% t+t 4r, Re9es &o#l. s+o& eno#%+ .ecenc9 to le$e( !#t to +er
s#rprise( +e !e%n scre7in% n. 7<in% !i% scene( n. e$en t+retene. to
.#7p *oo. on +er,''1&p+i1,n[t
Dr, Aiolet Filrt( t+e t+ir. .e*en.nt in t+e co7plint !e*ore t+e lo&er co#rt( lso
%$e +er $ersion o* t+e stor9 to t+e eIect t+t s+e ne$er in$ite. 4r, Re9es to t+e
prt9,'0 Accor.in% to +er( it &s 4r, Re9es &+o $ol#nteere. to crr9 t+e !s<et o*
*r#its inten.e. *or t+e cele!rnt s +e &s li<e&ise %oin% to t<e t+e ele$tor( not to
t+e pent+o#se !#t to Altit#.e 0G,'F W+en t+e9 rec+e. t+e pent+o#se( s+e
re7in.e. 4r, Re9es to %o .o&n s +e &s not properl9 .resse. n. &s not
in$ite.,'E All t+e &+ile( s+e t+o#%+t t+t 4r, Re9es lre.9 le*t t+e plce( !#t s+e
lter s& +i7 t t+e !r tl<in% to Col, Jt#n%,': T+en t+ere &s co77otion n.
s+e s& 4r, Re9es s+o#tin%,'8 S+e i%nore. 4r, Re9es,'G S+e &s e7!rrsse. n.
.i. not &nt t+e cele!rnt to t+in< t+t s+e in$ite. +i7,01
A*ter tril on t+e 7erits( t+e co#rt C#o .is7isse. t+e co7plint(01 %i$in% 7ore
cre.ence to t+e testi7on9 o* 4s, Li7 t+t s+e &s .iscreet in s<in% 4r, Re9es to
le$e t+e prt9, T+e tril co#rt li<e&ise rtiocinte. t+t 4r, Re9es ss#7e. t+e ris<
o* !ein% t+ro&n o#t o* t+e prt9 s +e &s #nin$ite."
PlintiI +. no !#siness !ein% t t+e prt9 !ec#se +e &s not %#est o* 4r,
Ts#r#o<( t+e !irt+.9 cele!rnt, He ss#7e. t+e ris< o* !ein% s<e. to le$e *or
tten.in% prt9 to &+ic+ +e &s not in$ite. !9 t+e +ost, D7%es re pec#nir9
conseC#ences &+ic+ t+e l& i7poses *or t+e !rec+ o* so7e .#t9 or t+e $ioltion o*
so7e ri%+t, T+#s( no reco$er9 cn !e +. %inst .e*en.nts Ni<<o Hotel n. R#!9
Li7 !ec#se +e +i7sel* &s t *#lt (2rcino $, Co#rt o* Appels( -1- SCRA 0'E),
He <ne& t+t it &s not t+e prt9 o* .e*en.nt Aiolet Filrt e$en i* s+e llo&e. +i7
to ?oin +er n. too< responsi!ilit9 *or +is tten.nce t t+e prt9, His ction %inst
.e*en.nts Ni<<o Hotel n. R#!9 Li7 7#st t+ere*ore *il,0-
On ppel( t+e Co#rt o* Appels re$erse. t+e r#lin% o* t+e tril co#rt s it *o#n.
7ore co77n.in% o* !elie* t+e testi7on9 o* 4r, Re9es t+t 4s, Li7 or.ere. +i7 to
le$e in lo#. $oice &it+in +erin% .istnce o* se$erl %#ests"
In p#ttin% ppellnt in $er9 e7!rrssin% sit#tion( tellin% +i7 t+t +e s+o#l. not
5nis+ +is *oo. n. to le$e t+e plce &it+in t+e +erin% .istnce o* ot+er %#ests is
n ct &+ic+ is contrr9 to 7orls( %oo. c#sto7s , , ,( *or &+ic+ ppellees s+o#l.
co7penste t+e ppellnt *or t+e .7%e s#Iere. !9 t+e ltter s conseC#ence
t+ere*ore (Art, -1( Ne& Ci$il Co.e), T+e li!ilit9 rises *ro7 t+e cts &+ic+ re in
t+e7sel$es le%l or not pro+i!ite.( !#t contrr9 to 7orls or %oo. c#sto7s,
Con$ersel9( e$en in t+e eKercise o* *or7l ri%+t( UoneV cnnot &it+ i7p#nit9
intentionll9 c#se .7%e to not+er in 7nner contrr9 to 7orls or %oo.
c#sto7s,0'
T+e Co#rt o* Appels li<e&ise r#le. t+t t+e ct#tion o* 4s, Li7 in pproc+in%
se$erl people to inC#ire into t+e presence o* 4r, Re9es eKpose. t+e ltter to
ri.ic#le n. &s #nclle. *or s s+e s+o#l. +$e pproc+e. Dr, Filrt 5rst n. !ot+
o* t+e7 s+o#l. +$e tl<e. to 4r, Re9es in pri$te"
Si. cts o* ppellee Li7 re #nclle. *or, W+t s+o#l. +$e !een .one !9 ppellee
Li7 &s to pproc+ ppellee 4rs, Filrt n. to%et+er t+e9 s+o#l. +$e tol.
ppellnt Re9es in pri$te t+t t+e ltter s+o#l. le$e t+e prt9 s t+e cele!rnt
onl9 &nte. close *rien.s ro#n., It is necessr9 t+t 4rs, Filrt !e t+e one to
pproc+ ppellnt !ec#se it &s s+e &+o in$ite. ppellnt in t+t occsion, Were
it not *or 4rs, Filrt;s in$ittion( ppellnt co#l. not +$e s#Iere. s#c+ +#7ilition,
For t+t( ppellee Filrt is eC#ll9 li!le,
, , ,
T+e cts o* UppelleeV Li7 re c#ses o* ction &+ic+ re pre.icte. #pon 7ere
r#.eness or lc< o* consi.ertion o* one person( &+ic+ clls not onl9 protection o*
+#7n .i%nit9 !#t respect o* s#c+ .i%nit9, Pn.er Article -1 o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( e$er9
person &+o $ioltes t+is .#t9 !eco7es li!le *or .7%es( especill9 i* si. cts
&ere tten.e. !9 7lice or !. *it+, J. *it+ .oes not si7pl9 connote !.
?#.%7ent or si7ple ne%li%ence, It i7ports .is+onest p#rpose or so7e 7orl
o!liC#it9 n. conscio#s .oin% o* &ron%( !rec+ o* <no&n .#t9 to so7e 7oti$e
or interest or ill-&ill t+t prt<es o* t+e nt#re o* *r#. (Co?#n%co( 8r, $, CA( et l,(
'1G SCRA E1'),00
ConseC#entl9( t+e Co#rt o* Appels i7pose. #pon Hotel Ni<<o( R#!9 Li7 n. Dr,
Aiolet Filrt t+e soli.r9 o!li%tion to p9 4r, Re9es (1) eKe7plr9 .7%es in t+e
7o#nt o* T&o H#n.re. T+o#sn. Pesos (P-11(111)O (-) 7orl .7%es in t+e
7o#nt o* T&o H#n.re. T+o#sn. Pesos (P-11(111)O n. (') ttorne9;s *ees in t+e
7o#nt o* Ten T+o#sn. Pesos (P11(111),0F On 7otion *or reconsi.ertion( t+e
Co#rt o* Appels 6r7e. its erlier .ecision s t+e r%#7ent rise. in t+e 7otion
+. B!een 7pl9 .isc#sse. n. psse. #pon in t+e .ecision so#%+t to !e
reconsi.ere.,B0E
T+#s( t+e instnt petition *or re$ie&, Hotel Ni<<o n. R#!9 Li7 conten. t+t t+e
Co#rt o* Appels serio#sl9 erre. in Q
I,
\ NOT APPLSIN2 THE DOCTRINE OF AOLENTI NON FIT IN8PRIA CONSIDERIN2 THAT
JS ITS OWN FINDIN2S( A4AS JISASA WAS A 2ATE-CRASHER
II,
\ HOLDIN2 HOTEL NI@@O AND RPJS LI4 8OINTLS AND SEAERALLS LIAJLE WITH DR,
FILART FOR DA4A2ES SINCE JS ITS OWN RPLIN2( A4AS JISASA BCOPLD NOT HAAE
SPFFERED SPCH HP4ILIATION(B BWERE IT NOT FOR DR, FILART;S INAITATIONB
III,
\ DEPARTIN2 FRO4 THE FINDIN2S OF FACT OF THE TRIAL COPRT AS RE2ARDS THE
CIRCP4STANCES THAT ALLE2EDLS CAPSED THE HP4ILIATION OF A4AS JISASA
IA,
\ IN CONCLPDIN2 THAT A4AS JISASA WAS TREATED PN8PSTLS JECAPSE OF HIS
POAERTS( CONSIDERIN2 THAT THIS WAS NEAER AN ISSPE AND NO EAIDENCE WAS
PRESENTED IN THIS RE2ARD
A,
\ IN FAILIN2 TO PASS PPON THE ISSPE ON THE DEFECTS OF THE APPELLANT;S
JRIEF( THEREJS DEPARTIN2 FRO4 THE ACCEPTED AND PSPAL COPRSE OF 8PDICIAL
PROCEEDIN2S
Petitioners Li7 n. Hotel Ni<<o conten. t+t p#rs#nt to t+e .octrine o* $olenti non
5t in?#ri( t+e9 cnnot !e 7.e li!le *or .7%es s respon.ent Re9es ss#7e.
t+e ris< o* !ein% s<e. to le$e (n. !ein% e7!rrsse. n. +#7ilite. in t+e
process) s +e &s B%te-crs+er,B
T+e .octrine o* $olenti non 5t in?#ri (Bto &+ic+ person ssents is not estee7e. in
l& s in?#r9B0: ) re*ers to sel*-inNicte. in?#r908 or to t+e consent to in?#r90G &+ic+
precl#.es t+e reco$er9 o* .7%es !9 one &+o +s <no&in%l9 n. $ol#ntril9
eKpose. +i7sel* to .n%er( e$en i* +e is not ne%li%ent in .oin% so,F1 As *or7#lte.
!9 petitioners( +o&e$er( t+is .octrine .oes not 5n. ppliction to t+e cse t !r
!ec#se e$en i* respon.ent Re9es ss#7e. t+e ris< o* !ein% s<e. to le$e t+e
prt9( petitioners( #n.er Articles 1G n. -1 o* t+e Ne& Ci$il Co.e( &ere still #n.er
o!li%tion to tret +i7 *irl9 in or.er not to eKpose +i7 to #nnecessr9 ri.ic#le n.
s+7e,
T+#s( t+e t+res+ol. iss#e is &+et+er or not R#!9 Li7 cte. !#si$el9 in s<in%
Ro!erto Re9es( ,<,, BA79 Jis9(B to le$e t+e prt9 &+ere +e &s not in$ite. !9
t+e cele!rnt t+ereo* t+ere!9 !eco7in% li!le #n.er Articles 1G n. -1 o* t+e Ci$il
Co.e, Prent+eticll9( n. i* R#!9 Li7 &ere so li!le( &+et+er or not Hotel Ni<<o( s
+er e7plo9er( is soli.ril9 li!le &it+ +er,
As t+e tril co#rt n. t+e ppellte co#rt rec+e. .i$er%ent n. irreconcil!le
concl#sions concernin% t+e s7e *cts n. e$i.ence o* t+e cse( t+is Co#rt is le*t
&it+o#t c+oice !#t to #se its ltent po&er to re$ie& s#c+ 5n.in%s o* *cts, In.ee.(
t+e %enerl r#le is t+t &e re not trier o* *cts s o#r ?#ris.iction is li7ite. to
re$ie&in% n. re$isin% errors o* l&,F1 One o* t+e eKceptions to t+is %enerl r#le(
+o&e$er( o!tins +erein s t+e 5n.in%s o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels re contrr9 to
t+ose o* t+e tril co#rt,F- T+e lo&er co#rt r#le. t+t 4s, Li7 .i. not !#se +er ri%+t
to s< 4r, Re9es to le$e t+e prt9 s s+e tl<e. to +i7 politel9 n. .iscreetl9, T+e
ppellte co#rt( on t+e ot+er +n.( +el. t+t 4s, Li7 is li!le *or .7%es s s+e
nee.lessl9 e7!rrsse. 4r, Re9es !9 tellin% +i7 not to 5nis+ +is *oo. n. to le$e
t+e plce &it+in +erin% .istnce o* t+e ot+er %#ests, Jot+ co#rts( +o&e$er( &ere in
%ree7ent t+t it &s Dr, Filrt;s in$ittion t+t !ro#%+t 4r, Re9es to t+e prt9,
T+e conseC#entil C#estion t+en is" W+ic+ $ersion is cre.i!leW
Fro7 n in .ept+ re$ie& o* t+e e$i.ence( &e 5n. 7ore cre.i!le t+e lo&er co#rt;s
5n.in%s o* *ct,
First( let #s p#t t+in%s in t+e proper perspecti$e,
We re .elin% &it+ *or7l prt9 in pos+( 5$e-str +otel(F' *or-in$ittion-onl9(
t+ro&n *or t+e +otel;s *or7er 4n%er( 8pnese ntionl, T+en c7e person
&+o &s clerl9 #nin$ite. (!9 t+e cele!rnt)F0 n. &+o co#l. not ?#st .ispper
into t+e cro&. s +is *ce is <no&n !9 7n9( !ein% n ctor, W+ile +e &s lre.9
spotte. !9 t+e or%niHer o* t+e prt9( 4s, Li7( t+e $er9 person &+o %enerte. t+e
%#est list( it .i. not 9et pper t+t t+e cele!rnt &s &re o* +is presence, 4s,
Li7( 7in.*#l o* t+e cele!rnt;s instr#ction to <eep t+e prt9 inti7te( &o#l.
nt#rll9 &nt to %et ri. o* t+e B%te-crs+erB in t+e 7ost +#s+-+#s+ 7nner in
or.er not to cll ttention to %litc+ in n ot+er&ise se7less Iir n.( in t+e
process( ris< t+e .isples#re o* t+e cele!rnt( +er *or7er !oss, To #nnecessril9 cll
ttention to t+e presence o* 4r, Re9es &o#l. certinl9 reNect !.l9 on 4s, Li7;s
!ilit9 to *ollo& t+e instr#ctions o* t+e cele!rnt to in$ite onl9 +is close *rien.s n.
so7e o* t+e +otel;s personnel, 4r, Re9es( #pon &+o7 t+e !#r.en rests to pro$e t+t
in.ee. 4s, Li7 lo#.l9 n. r#.el9 or.ere. +i7 to le$e( co#l. not oIer n9
stis*ctor9 eKplntion &+9 4s, Li7 &o#l. .o t+t n. ris< r#inin% *or7l n.
inti7te Iir, On t+e contrr9( 4r, Re9es( on cross-eK7intion( +. #n&ittin%l9
sele. +is *te !9 .7ittin% t+t &+en 4s, Li7 tl<e. to +i7( s+e &s $er9 close,
Close eno#%+ *or +i7 to <iss"
L" An.( 4r, Re9es( 9o# testi5e. t+t 4iss Li7 pproc+e. 9o# &+ile 9o# &ere t t+e
!#Iet t!leW Ho& close &s s+e &+en s+e pproc+e. 9o#W
A" Aer9 close !ec#se &e nerl9 <isse. ec+ ot+er,
L" An. 9et( s+e s+o#te. *or 9o# to %o .o&nW S+e &s t+t close n. s+e s+o#te.W
A" Ses, S+e si.( B&% <n% <#7in( +in.i < i7!it.o .ito( !#7! < n ln%,B
L" So( 9o# re testi*9in% t+t s+e .i. t+is in lo#. $oiceW
, , ,
A" Ses, I* it is not lo#.( it &ill not !e +er. !9 7n9,FF
In t+e !sence o* n9 proo* o* 7oti$e on t+e prt o* 4s, Li7 to +#7ilite 4r, Re9es
n. eKpose +i7 to ri.ic#le n. s+7e( it is +i%+l9 #nli<el9 t+t s+e &o#l. s+o#t t
+i7 *ro7 $er9 close .istnce, 4s, Li7 +$in% !een in t+e +otel !#siness *or
t&ent9 9ers &+erein !ein% polite n. .iscreet re $irt#es to !e e7#lte.( t+e
testi7on9 o* 4r, Re9es t+t s+e cte. to t+e contrr9 .oes not inspire !elie* n. is
in.ee. incre.i!le, T+#s( t+e lo&er co#rt &s correct in o!ser$in% t+t Q
Consi.erin% t+e closeness o* .e*en.nt Li7 to plintiI &+en t+e reC#est *or t+e
ltter to le$e t+e prt9 &s 7.e s#c+ t+t t+e9 nerl9 <isse. ec+ ot+er( t+e
reC#est &s 7ent to !e +er. !9 +i7 onl9 n. t+ere co#l. +$e !een no intention
on +er prt to c#se e7!rrss7ent to +i7, It &s plintiI;s rection to t+e reC#est
t+t 7#st +$e 7.e t+e ot+er %#ests &re o* &+t trnspire. !et&een t+e7, , ,
H. plintiI si7pl9 le*t t+e prt9 s reC#este.( t+ere &s no nee. *or t+e police to
t<e +i7 o#t,FE
4oreo$er( not+er pro!le7 &it+ 4r, Re9es;s $ersion o* t+e stor9 is t+t it is
#ns#pporte., It is !sic r#le in ci$il cses t+t +e &+o lle%es pro$es, 4r, Re9es(
+o&e$er( +. not presente. n9 &itness to !c< +is stor9 #p, All +is &itnesses Q
Dnn9 Ro.ins( Pepito 2#errero n. AleKn.er Sil$ - pro$e. onl9 t+t it &s Dr,
Filrt &+o in$ite. +i7 to t+e prt9,F:
4s, Li7( not +$in% !#se. +er ri%+t to s< 4r, Re9es to le$e t+e prt9 to &+ic+ +e
&s not in$ite.( cnnot !e 7.e li!le to p9 *or .7%es #n.er Articles 1G n. -1
o* t+e Ci$il Co.e, Necessril9( neit+er cn +er e7plo9er( Hotel Ni<<o( !e +el. li!le
s its li!ilit9 sprin%s *ro7 t+t o* its e7plo9ee,F8
Article 1G( <no&n to contin &+t is co77onl9 re*erre. to s t+e principle o* !#se
o* ri%+ts(FG is not pnce *or ll +#7n +#rts n. socil %rie$nces, Article 1G
sttes"
Art, 1G, E$er9 person 7#st( in t+e eKercise o* +is ri%+ts n. in t+e per*or7nce o*
+is .#ties( ct &it+ ?#stice( %i$e e$er9one +is .#e( n. o!ser$e +onest9 n. %oo.
*it+,1&p+i1,n[t
Else&+ere( &e eKpline. t+t &+en B ri%+t is eKercise. in 7nner &+ic+ .oes not
con*or7 &it+ t+e nor7s ens+rine. in Article 1G n. res#lts in .7%e to not+er(
le%l &ron% is t+ere!9 co77itte. *or &+ic+ t+e &ron%.oer 7#st !e responsi!le,BE1
T+e o!?ect o* t+is rticle( t+ere*ore( is to set certin stn.r.s &+ic+ 7#st !e
o!ser$e. not onl9 in t+e eKercise o* one;s ri%+ts !#t lso in t+e per*or7nce o*
one;s .#ties,E1 T+ese stn.r.s re t+e *ollo&in%" ct &it+ ?#stice( %i$e e$er9one
+is .#e n. o!ser$e +onest9 n. %oo. *it+,E- Its ntit+esis( necessril9( is n9 ct
e$incin% !. *it+ or intent to in?#re, Its ele7ents re t+e *ollo&in%" (1) T+ere is
le%l ri%+t or .#t9O (-) &+ic+ is eKercise. in !. *it+O (') *or t+e sole intent o*
pre?#.icin% or in?#rin% not+er,E' W+en Article 1G is $iolte.( n ction *or .7%es
is proper #n.er Articles -1 or -1 o* t+e Ci$il Co.e, Article -1 pertins to .7%es
risin% *ro7 $ioltion o* l&E0 &+ic+ .oes not o!tin +erein s 4s, Li7 &s
per*ectl9 &it+in +er ri%+t to s< 4r, Re9es to le$e, Article -1( on t+e ot+er +n.(
sttes"
Art, -1, An9 person &+o &ill*#ll9 c#ses loss or in?#r9 to not+er in 7nner t+t is
contrr9 to 7orls( %oo. c#sto7s or p#!lic polic9 s+ll co7penste t+e ltter *or
t+e .7%e,
Article -1EF re*ers to cts contr !on#s 7ores n. +s t+e *ollo&in% ele7ents" (1)
T+ere is n ct &+ic+ is le%lO (-) !#t &+ic+ is contrr9 to 7orls( %oo. c#sto7(
p#!lic or.er( or p#!lic polic9O n. (') it is .one &it+ intent to in?#re,EE
A co77on t+e7e r#ns t+ro#%+ Articles 1G n. -1(E: n. t+t is( t+e ct
co7pline. o* 7#st !e intentionl,E8
As pplie. to +erein cse n. s erlier .isc#sse.( 4r, Re9es +s not s+o&n t+t 4s,
Li7 &s .ri$en !9 ni7osit9 %inst +i7, T+ese t&o people .i. not <no& ec+ ot+er
personll9 !e*ore t+e e$enin% o* 1' Octo!er 1GG0( t+#s( 4r, Re9es +. not+in% to
oIer *or n eKplntion *or 4s, Li7;s lle%e. !#si$e con.#ct eKcept t+e stte7ent
t+t 4s, Li7( !ein% Bsin%le t 00 9ers ol.(B +. B$er9 stron% !is n. pre?#.ice
%inst (4r, Re9es) possi!l9 inN#ence. !9 +er ssocites in +er &or< t t+e +otel
&it+ *orei%n !#siness7en,BEG T+e l7eness o* t+is r%#7ent nee. not !e
!el!ore., S#6ce it to s9 t+t co7plint !se. on Articles 1G n. -1 o* t+e Ci$il
Co.e 7#st necessril9 *il i* it +s not+in% to reco77en. it !#t inn#en.os n.
con?ect#res,
Prent+eticll9( t+e 7nner !9 &+ic+ 4s, Li7 s<e. 4r, Re9es to le$e &s li<e&ise
ccept!le n. +#7ne #n.er t+e circ#7stnces, In t+is re%r.( &e cnnot p#t o#r
i7pri7t#r on t+e ppellte co#rt;s .eclrtion t+t 4s, Li7;s ct o* personll9
pproc+in% 4r, Re9es (&it+o#t 5rst $eri*9in% *ro7 4rs, Filrt i* in.ee. s+e in$ite.
4r, Re9es) %$e rise to c#se o* ction Bpre.icte. #pon 7ere r#.eness or lc< o*
consi.ertion o* one person( &+ic+ clls not onl9 protection o* +#7n .i%nit9 !#t
respect o* s#c+ .i%nit9,B:1 Wit+o#t proo* o* n9 ill-7oti$e on +er prt( 4s, Li7;s ct
o* !9-pssin% 4rs, Filrt cnnot 7o#nt to !#si$e con.#ct especill9 !ec#se s+e
.i. inC#ire *ro7 4rs, Filrt;s co7pnion &+o tol. +er t+t 4rs, Filrt .i. not in$ite
4r, Re9es,:1 I* t ll( 4s, Li7 is %#ilt9 onl9 o* !. ?#.%7ent &+ic+( i* .one &it+ %oo.
intentions( cnnot 7o#nt to !. *it+,
Not !ein% li!le *or !ot+ ct#l n. 7orl .7%es( neit+er cn petitioners Li7 n.
Hotel Ni<<o !e 7.e ns&er!le *or eKe7plr9 .7%es:- especill9 *or t+e
reson stte. !9 t+e Co#rt o* Appels, T+e Co#rt o* Appels +el. Q
Not *e& o* t+e ric+ people tret t+e poor &it+ conte7pt !ec#se o* t+e ltter;s
lo&l9 sttion in li*e,l]$$p+i1,net T+is +s to !e li7ite. so7e&+ere, In .e7ocrc9(
s#c+ li7it 7#st !e est!lis+e., Socil eC#lit9 is not so#%+t !9 t+e le%l
pro$isions #n.er consi.ertion( !#t .#e re%r. *or .ecenc9 n. propriet9 (Co.e
Co77ission( pp, ''-'0), An. !9 &9 o* eK7ple or correction *or p#!lic %oo. n. to
$ert *#rt+er co77ission o* s#c+ cts( eKe7plr9 .7%es s+o#l. !e i7pose. #pon
ppellees,:'
T+e *#n.7entl *llc9 in t+e !o$e-C#ote. 5n.in%s is t+t it r#ns co#nter &it+ t+e
$er9 *cts o* t+e cse n. t+e e$i.ence on +n.,l]$$p+i1,net It is not .isp#te. t+t
t t+e ti7e o* t+e inci.ent in C#estion( 4r, Re9es &s Bn ctor o* lon% stn.in%O
co-+ost o* r.io pro%r7 o$er DZRHO Jor. 4e7!er o* t+e 4#sic Sin%er
Co7poser (4PSICO) c+ire. !9 pop#lr sin%er I7el. PpinO s+o&!iH Coor.intor
o* CitiHen Cri7e Wtc+O n. 1GG- o6cil cn.i.te o* t+e @JL Prt9 *or 2o$ernor o*
Jo+olO n. n &r.ee o* n#7!er o* +#7nitrin or%niHtions o* t+e
P+ilippines,B:0 D#rin% +is .irect eK7intion on re!#ttl( 4r, Re9es stresse. t+t +e
+. inco7e:F n. no&+ere .i. +e s9 ot+er&ise, On t+e ot+er +n.( t+e recor.s
re !ere*t o* n9 in*or7tion s to t+e socil n. econo7ic stn.in% o* petitioner
R#!9 Li7, ConseC#entl9( t+e concl#sion rec+e. !9 t+e ppellte co#rt cnnot
&it+stn. scr#tin9 s it is &it+o#t !sis,
All tol.( n. s *r s 4s, Li7 n. Hotel Ni<<o re concerne.( n9 .7%e &+ic+ 4r,
Re9es 7i%+t +$e s#Iere. t+ro#%+ 4s, Li7;s eKercise o* le%iti7te ri%+t .one
&it+in t+e !o#n.s o* propriet9 n. %oo. *it+( 7#st !e +is to !er lone,
WHEREFORE( pre7ises consi.ere.( t+e petition 5le. !9 R#!9 Li7 n. Ni<<o Hotel
4nil 2r.en is 2RANTED, T+e Decision o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels .te. -E
No$e7!er -111 n. its Resol#tion .te. 1G 8#l9 -11- re +ere!9 REAERSED n.
SET ASIDE, T+e Decision o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt o* L#eHon Cit9( Jrnc+ 110(
.te. -E April 1GGG is +ere!9 AFFIR4ED, No costs,
SO ORDERED,
P#no( (C+ir7n)( A#stri-4rtineH( Clle?o( Sr,( n. Tin%( 88,( conc#r,
PHILIPPIN0 /;P0$0 !O;T D0!I/ION/
/0!OND DIVI/ION
G.. No. ,-5-.(+ June &(+ &',.
/PO;/0/ =ILL "ND VI!TOI" HING+ Petitioners+ v.
"L0C"ND0 !HO"!H;9+ /. "ND "LL"N !HO"!H;9+
espon#ents.
D E C I S I O N
DEL CASTILLO( 8,"
=T+e concept o* li!ert9 &o#l. !e e7sc#lte. i* it .oes not li<e&ise co7pel respect
*or Uone;sV personlit9 s #niC#e in.i$i.#l &+ose cli7 to pri$c9 n. UnonV-
inter*erence .e7n.s respect,>1
T+is Petition *or Re$ie& on Certiorri- #n.er R#le 0F o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt ssils t+e
8#l9 11( -11: Decision' n. t+e Septe7!er 11( -11: Resol#tion0 o* t+e Co#rt o*
Appels (CA) in CA-2,R, CEJ-SP No, 110:',
Fct#l Antece.ents
On A#%#st -'( -11F( petitioner-spo#ses Jill n. Aictori Hin% 5le. &it+ t+e Re%ionl
Tril Co#rt (RTC) o* 4n.#e Cit9 Co7plintF *or In?#nction n. D7%es &it+
pr9er *or iss#nce o* Writ o* Preli7inr9 4n.tor9 In?#nction3Te7porr9
Restrinin% Or.er (TRO)( .oc<ete. s Ci$il Cse 4AN-F--' n. r^e. to Jrnc+ -8(
%inst respon.ents AleKn.er C+oc+#9( Sr, n. Alln C+oc+#9,
Petitioners lle%e. t+t t+e9 re t+e re%istere. o&ners o* prcel o* ln. (Lot 1G11-
J) co$ere. !9 Trns*er Certi5cte o* Title (TCT) No, 0-81: sit#te. in Jrn%9
Js<( Cit9 o* 4n.#e( Ce!#OE t+t respon.ents re t+e o&ners o* Al.o
De$elop7ent _ Reso#rces( Inc, (Al.o) locte. t Lots 1G11 n. 1G11-C( .?cent to
t+e propert9 o* petitionersO: t+t respon.ents constr#cte. n #to-repir s+op
!#il.in% (Al.o 2oo.9er Ser$itec) on Lot 1G11-CO t+t in April -11F( Al.o 5le. cse
%inst petitioners *or In?#nction n. D7%es &it+ Writ o* Preli7inr9
In?#nction3TRO( .oc<ete. s Ci$il Cse No, 4AN-F1-FO8 t+t in t+t cse( Al.o
cli7e. t+t petitioners &ere constr#ctin% *ence &it+o#t $li. per7it n. t+t
t+e si. constr#ction &o#l. .estro9 t+e &ll o* its !#il.in%( &+ic+ is .?cent to
petitioners; propert9OG t+t t+e co#rt( in t+t cse( .enie. Al.o;s ppliction *or
preli7inr9 in?#nction *or *il#re to s#!stntite its lle%tionsO11 t+t( in or.er to
%et e$i.ence to s#pport t+e si. cse( respon.ents on 8#ne 1'( -11F ille%ll9 set-#p
n. instlle. on t+e !#il.in% o* Al.o 2oo.9er Ser$itec t&o $i.eo s#r$eillnce
c7ers *cin% petitioners; propert9O11 t+t respon.ents( t+ro#%+ t+eir e7plo9ees
n. &it+o#t t+e consent o* petitioners( lso too< pict#res o* petitioners; on-%oin%
constr#ctionO1- n. t+t t+e cts o* respon.ents $iolte petitioners; ri%+t to
pri$c9,1' T+#s( petitioners pr9e. t+t respon.ents !e or.ere. to re7o$e t+e
$i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers n. en?oine. *ro7 con.#ctin% ille%l s#r$eillnce,10
In t+eir Ans&er &it+ Co#ntercli7(1F respon.ents cli7e. t+t t+e9 .i. not instll
t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers(1E nor .i. t+e9 or.er t+eir e7plo9ees to t<e
pict#res o* petitioners; constr#ction,1: T+e9 lso clri5e. t+t t+e9 re not t+e
o&ners o* Al.o !#t re 7ere stoc<+ol.ers,18
R#lin% o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt
On Octo!er 18( -11F( t+e RTC iss#e. n Or.er1G %rntin% t+e ppliction *or
TRO, T+e .ispositi$e portion o* t+e si. Or.er re.s"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
WHEREFORE( t+e ppliction *or UTVe7porr9 URVestrinin% UOVr.er or UWVrit o*
UPVreli7inr9 UIVn?#nction is %rnte., Ppon t+e 5lin% n. ppro$l o* !on. !9
UpetitionersV( &+ic+ t+e Co#rt sets t PF1(111,11( let UWVrit o* UPVreli7inr9
UIVn?#nction iss#e %inst t+e Urespon.entsV AleKn.er C+oc+#9( Sr, n. Alln
C+oc+#9, T+e9 re +ere!9 .irecte. to i77e.itel9 re7o$e t+e re$ol$in% c7er
t+t t+e9 instlle. t t+e le*t si.e o* t+eir !#il.in% o$erloo<in% t+e si.e o*
Upetitioners;V lot n. to trns*er n. operte it else&+ere t t+e !c< &+ere
Upetitioners;V propert9 cn no lon%er !e $ie&e. &it+in .istnce o* !o#t --'
7eters *ro7 t+e le*t corner o* Al.o Ser$itec( *cin% t+e ro.,
IT IS SO ORDERED,-1
Respon.ents 7o$e. *or reconsi.ertion-1 !#t t+e RTC .enie. t+e s7e in its
Or.er-- .te. Fe!r#r9 E( -11E,-' T+#s"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
WHEREFORE( t+e 4otion *or Reconsi.ertion is +ere!9 DENIED *or lc< o* 7erit,
Iss#e UWVrit o* UPVreli7inr9 UIVn?#nction in consonnce &it+ t+e Or.er .te. 18
Octo!er -11F,
IT IS SO ORDERED,-0n.crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
A%%rie$e.( respon.ents 5le. &it+ t+e CA Petition *or Certiorri-F #n.er R#le EF o*
t+e R#les o* Co#rt &it+ ppliction *or TRO n.3or Writ o* Preli7inr9 In?#nction,
R#lin% o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels
On 8#l9 11( -11:( t+e CA iss#e. its Decision-E %rntin% t+e Petition *or Certiorri,
T+e CA r#le. t+t t+e Writ o* Preli7inr9 In?#nction &s iss#e. &it+ %r$e !#se o*
.iscretion !ec#se petitioners *ile. to s+o& cler n. #n7ist<!le ri%+t to n
in?#ncti$e &rit,-: T+e CA eKpline. t+t t+e ri%+t to pri$c9 o* resi.ence #n.er
Article -E(1) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e &s not $iolte. since t+e propert9 s#!?ect o* t+e
contro$ers9 is not #se. s resi.ence,-8 T+e CA lso si. t+t since respon.ents
re not t+e o&ners o* t+e !#il.in%( t+e9 co#l. not +$e instlle. $i.eo s#r$eillnce
c7ers,-G T+e9 re 7ere stoc<+ol.ers o* Al.o( &+ic+ +s seprte ?#ri.icl
personlit9,'1 T+#s( t+e9 re not t+e proper prties,'1 T+e *llo
re.s"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
WHEREFORE( in $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin% pre7ises( ?#.%7ent is +ere!9 ren.ere. !9 #s
2RANTIN2 t+e petition 5le. in t+is cse, T+e ssile. or.ers .te. Octo!er 18(
-11F n. Fe!r#r9 E( -11E iss#e. !9 t+e respon.ent ?#.%e re +ere!9 ANNPLLED
n. SET ASIDE,
SO ORDERED,'-n.crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
Iss#es
Hence( t+is reco#rse !9 petitioners r%#in% t+t"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
I,
THE ) ) ) UCAV CO44ITTED A REAERSIJLE ERROR WHEN IT ANNPLLED AND SET
ASIDE THE ORDERS OF THE URTCV DATED 18 OCTOJER -11F AND E FEJRPARS -11E
HOLDIN2 THAT THES WERE ISSPED WITH 2RAAE AJPSE OF DISCRETION,
II,
THE ) ) ) UCAV CO44ITTED A REAERSIJLE ERROR WHEN IT RPLED THAT
PETITIONER SPOPSES HIN2 ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THE WRIT OF PRELI4INARS
IN8PNCTION ON THE 2ROPND THAT THERE IS NO AIOLATION OF THEIR
CONSTITPTIONAL AND CIAIL RI2HT TO PRIAACS DESPITE THE FACTPAL FINDIN2S
UOFV THE RTC( WHICH RESPONDENTS CHOACHPS FAILED TO REFPTE( THAT THE
ILLE2ALLS INSTALLED SPRAEILLANCE CA4ERAS OF RESPONDENTS CHOACHUPVS
WOPLD CAPTPRE THE PRIAATE ACTIAITIES OF PETITIONER SPOPSES HIN2( THEIR
CHILDREN AND E4PLOSEES,
III,
THE ) ) ) UCAV CO44ITTED A REAERSIJLE ERROR WHEN IT RPLED THAT SINCE THE
OWNER OF THE JPILDIN2 IS ALDO DEAELOP4ENT AND RESOPRCES( INC, THEN TO
SPE RESPONDENTS CHOACHPS CONSTITPTEUSV A PPRPORTEDLS PNWARRANTED
PIERCIN2 OF THE CORPORATE AEIL,
IA,
THE ) ) ) UCAV CO44ITTED A REAERSIJLE ERROR WHEN IT I2NORED THE SERIOPS
FOR4AL DEFICIENCIES OF JOTH THE PETITION AND THE 4OTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION DATED 1F 4ARCH -11E OF RESPONDENTUSV CHOACHUPVS AND
2AAE ) ) ) THE4 DPE COPRSE AND CONSIDERATION,''
Essentill9( t+e iss#es !oil .o&n to (1) &+et+er t+ere is $ioltion o* petitioners;
ri%+t to pri$c9( n. (-) &+et+er respon.ents re t+e proper prties to t+is s#it,
Petitioners; Ar%#7ents
Petitioners insist t+t t+e9 re entitle. to t+e iss#nce o* Writ o* Preli7inr9
In?#nction !ec#se respon.ents; instlltion o* sttionr9 c7er .irectl9 *cin%
petitioners; propert9 n. re$ol$in% c7er co$erin% si%ni5cnt portion o* t+e
s7e propert9 constit#tes $ioltion o* petitioners; ri%+t to pri$c9,'0 Petitioners
cite Article -E(1) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( &+ic+ en?oins persons *ro7 pr9in% into t+e
pri$te li$es o* ot+ers,'F Alt+o#%+ t+e si. pro$ision pertins to t+e pri$c9 o*
not+er;s resi.ence( petitioners opine t+t it incl#.es !#siness o6ces( citin%
Pro*essor Art#ro 4, Tolentino,'E T+#s( e$en ss#7in% r%#en.o t+t petitioners;
propert9 is #se. *or !#siness( it is still co$ere. !9 t+e si. pro$ision,':
As to &+et+er respon.ents re t+e proper prties to i7ple. in t+is cse( petitioners
cli7 t+t respon.ents n. Al.o re one n. t+e s7e( n. t+t respon.ents onl9
&nt to +i.e !e+in. Al.o;s corporte 5ction,'8 T+e9 point o#t t+t i* respon.ents
re not t+e rel o&ners o* t+e !#il.in%( &+ere t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers &ere
instlle.( t+en t+e9 +. no !#siness consentin% to t+e oc#lr inspection con.#cte.
!9 t+e co#rt,'G
Respon.ents; Ar%#7ents
Respon.ents( on t+e ot+er +n.( ec+o t+e r#lin% o* t+e CA t+t petitioners cnnot
in$o<e t+eir ri%+t to pri$c9 since t+e propert9 in$ol$e. is not #se. s
resi.ence,01 Respon.ents 7intin t+t t+e9 +. not+in% to .o &it+ t+e instlltion
o* t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers s t+ese &ere instlle. !9 Al.o( t+e re%istere.
o&ner o* t+e !#il.in%(01 s ..itionl sec#rit9 *or its !#il.in%, 0- Hence( t+e9 &ere
&ron%*#ll9 i7ple.e. in t+is cse,0'
O#r R#lin%
T+e Petition is 7eritorio#s,
T+e ri%+t to pri$c9 is t+e ri%+t to !e let lone,
T+e ri%+t to pri$c9 is ens+rine. in o#r Constit#tion00 n. in o#r l&s, It is .e5ne.
s =t+e ri%+t to !e *ree *ro7 #n&rrnte. eKploittion o* one;s person or *ro7
intr#sion into one;s pri$te cti$ities in s#c+ &9 s to c#se +#7ilition to
person;s or.inr9 sensi!ilities,>0F It is t+e ri%+t o* n in.i$i.#l =to !e *ree *ro7
#n&rrnte. p#!licit9( or to li$e &it+o#t #n&rrnte. inter*erence !9 t+e p#!lic in
7tters in &+ic+ t+e p#!lic is not necessril9 concerne.,>0E Si7pl9 p#t( t+e ri%+t
to pri$c9 is =t+e ri%+t to !e let lone,>0:
T+e Jill o* Ri%+ts %#rntees t+e people;s ri%+t to pri$c9 n. protects t+e7 %inst
t+e Stte;s !#se o* po&er, In t+is re%r.( t+e Stte reco%niHes t+e ri%+t o* t+e
people to !e sec#re in t+eir +o#ses, No one( not e$en t+e Stte( eKcept =in cse o*
o$erri.in% socil nee. n. t+en onl9 #n.er t+e strin%ent proce.#rl s*e%#r.s(>
cn .ist#r! t+e7 in t+e pri$c9 o* t+eir +o7es,08
T+e ri%+t to pri$c9 #n.er Article -E(1)
o* t+e Ci$il Co.e co$ers !#siness o6ces
&+ere t+e p#!lic re eKcl#.e. t+ere*ro7
n. onl9 certin in.i$i.#ls re llo&e.
to enter,
Article -E(1) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( on t+e ot+er +n.( protects n in.i$i.#l;s ri%+t to
pri$c9 n. pro$i.es le%l re7e.9 %inst !#ses t+t 79 !e co77itte. %inst
+i7 !9 ot+er in.i$i.#ls, It sttes"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
Art, -E, E$er9 person s+ll respect t+e .i%nit9( personlit9( pri$c9 n. pece o*
7in. o* +is nei%+!ors n. ot+er persons, T+e *ollo&in% n. si7ilr cts( t+o#%+
t+e9 79 not constit#te cri7inl oIense( s+ll pro.#ce c#se o* ction *or
.7%es( pre$ention n. ot+er relie*"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
(1) Pr9in% into t+e pri$c9 o* not+er;s resi.enceOc+nro!les$irt#l&li!rr9
K K K K
T+is pro$ision reco%niHes t+t 7n;s +o#se is +is cstle( &+ere +is ri%+t to pri$c9
cnnot !e .enie. or e$en restricte. !9 ot+ers, It incl#.es =n9 ct o* intr#sion into(
peepin% or peerin% inC#isiti$el9 into t+e resi.ence o* not+er &it+o#t t+e consent o*
t+e ltter,>0G T+e p+rse =pr9in% into t+e pri$c9 o* not+er;s resi.ence(> +o&e$er(
.oes not 7en t+t onl9 t+e resi.ence is entitle. to pri$c9, As el#ci.te. !9 Ci$il
l& eKpert Art#ro 4, Tolentino"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
O#r Co.e speci5cll9 7entions =pr9in% into t+e pri$c9 o* not+er;s resi.ence,>
T+is .oes not 7en( +o&e$er( t+t onl9 t+e resi.ence is entitle. to pri$c9( !ec#se
t+e l& co$ers lso =si7ilr cts,> A !#siness o6ce is entitle. to t+e s7e pri$c9
&+en t+e p#!lic is eKcl#.e. t+ere*ro7 n. onl9 s#c+ in.i$i.#ls s re llo&e. to
enter 79 co7e in, K K KF1 (E7p+sis s#pplie.)
T+#s( n in.i$i.#l;s ri%+t to pri$c9 #n.er Article -E(1) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e s+o#l. not
!e con5ne. to +is +o#se or resi.ence s it 79 eKten. to plces &+ere +e +s t+e
ri%+t to eKcl#.e t+e p#!lic or .en9 t+e7 ccess, T+e p+rse =pr9in% into t+e
pri$c9 o* not+er;s resi.ence(> t+ere*ore( co$ers plces( loctions( or e$en
sit#tions &+ic+ n in.i$i.#l consi.ers s pri$te, An. s lon% s +is ri%+t is
reco%niHe. !9 societ9( ot+er in.i$i.#ls 79 not in*rin%e on +is ri%+t to pri$c9, T+e
CA( t+ere*ore( erre. in li7itin% t+e ppliction o* Article -E(1) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e onl9
to resi.ences,
T+e =reson!le eKpecttion o* pri$c9>
test is #se. to .eter7ine &+et+er t+ere
is $ioltion o* t+e ri%+t to pri$c9,
In scertinin% &+et+er t+ere is $ioltion o* t+e ri%+t to pri$c9( co#rts #se t+e
=reson!le eKpecttion o* pri$c9> test, T+is test .eter7ines &+et+er person
+s reson!le eKpecttion o* pri$c9 n. &+et+er t+e eKpecttion +s !een
$iolte.,F1 In Ople $, Torres(F- &e en#ncite. t+t =t+e reson!leness o*
person;s eKpecttion o* pri$c9 .epen.s on t&o-prt test" (1) &+et+er( !9 +is
con.#ct( t+e in.i$i.#l +s eK+i!ite. n eKpecttion o* pri$c9O n. (-) t+is
eKpecttion is one t+t societ9 reco%niHes s reson!le,> C#sto7s( co77#nit9
nor7s( n. prctices 79( t+ere*ore( li7it or eKten. n in.i$i.#l;s =reson!le
eKpecttion o* pri$c9,>F' Hence( t+e reson!leness o* person;s eKpecttion o*
pri$c9 7#st !e .eter7ine. on cse-to-cse !sis since it .epen.s on t+e *ct#l
circ#7stnces s#rro#n.in% t+e cse,F0
In t+is .9 n. %e( $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers re instlle. prcticll9 e$er9&+ere
*or t+e protection n. s*et9 o* e$er9one, T+e instlltion o* t+ese c7ers(
+o&e$er( s+o#l. not co$er plces &+ere t+ere is reson!le eKpecttion o* pri$c9(
#nless t+e consent o* t+e in.i$i.#l( &+ose ri%+t to pri$c9 &o#l. !e Iecte.( &s
o!tine., Nor s+o#l. t+ese c7ers !e #se. to pr9 into t+e pri$c9 o* not+er;s
resi.ence or !#siness o6ce s it &o#l. !e no .iIerent *ro7 e$es.roppin%( &+ic+ is
cri7e #n.er Rep#!lic Act No, 0-11 or t+e Anti-Wiretppin% L&,
In t+is cse( t+e RTC( in %rntin% t+e ppliction *or Preli7inr9 In?#nction( r#le.
t+t"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
A*ter cre*#l consi.ertion( t+ere is !sis to %rnt t+e ppliction *or te7porr9
restrinin% or.er, T+e opertion !9 Urespon.entsV o* re$ol$in% c7er( e$en i* it
&ere 7o#nte. on t+eir !#il.in%( $iolte. t+e ri%+t o* pri$c9 o* UpetitionersV( &+o
re t+e o&ners o* t+e .?cent lot, T+e c7er .oes not onl9 *oc#s on
Urespon.ents;V propert9 or t+e roo* o* t+e *ctor9 t t+e !c< (Al.o De$elop7ent
n. Reso#rces( Inc,) !#t it ct#ll9 spns t+ro#%+ %oo. portion o* Ut+eV ln. o*
UpetitionersV,
Jse. on t+e oc#lr inspection( t+e Co#rt #n.erstn.s &+9 UpetitionerV Hin% &s so
#n9iel.in% in ssertin% t+t t+e re$ol$in% c7er &s set #p .eli!ertel9 to 7onitor
t+e onU-V%oin% constr#ction in +is propert9, T+e 7onitor s+o&e. onl9 portion o*
t+e roo* o* t+e *ctor9 o* UAl.oV, I* t+e p#rpose o* Urespon.entsV in settin% #p
c7er t t+e !c< is to sec#re t+e !#il.in% n. *ctor9 pre7ises( t+en t+e c7er
s+o#l. re$ol$e onl9 to&r.s t+eir properties t t+e !c<, URespon.ents;V c7er
cnnot !e 7.e to eKten. t+e $ie& to Upetitioners;V lot, To llo& t+e Urespon.entsV
to .o t+t o$er t+e o!?ection o* t+e UpetitionersV &o#l. $iolte t+e ri%+t o*
UpetitionersV s propert9 o&ners, =T+e o&ner o* t+in% cnnot 7<e #se t+ereo* in
s#c+ 7nner s to in?#re t+e ri%+ts o* t+ir. person,>FF
T+e RTC( t+#s( consi.ere. t+t petitioners +$e =reson!le eKpecttion o*
pri$c9> in t+eir propert9( &+et+er t+e9 #se it s !#siness o6ce or s resi.ence
n. t+t t+e instlltion o* $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers .irectl9 *cin% petitioners;
propert9 or co$erin% si%ni5cnt portion t+ereo*( &it+o#t t+eir consent( is cler
$ioltion o* t+eir ri%+t to pri$c9, As &e see t+en( t+e iss#nce o* preli7inr9
in?#nction &s ?#sti5e., We nee. not !el!or t+t t+e iss#nce o* preli7inr9
in?#nction is .iscretionr9 on t+e prt o* t+e co#rt t<in% co%niHnce o* t+e cse n.
s+o#l. not !e inter*ere. &it+( #nless t+ere is %r$e !#se o* .iscretion co77itte.
!9 t+e co#rt,FE Here( t+ere is no in.iction o* n9 %r$e !#se o* .iscretion,
Hence( t+e CA erre. in 5n.in% t+t petitioners re not entitle. to n in?#ncti$e &rit,
T+is !rin%s #s to t+e neKt C#estion" &+et+er respon.ents re t+e proper prties to
t+is s#it,
A rel prt9 .e*en.nt is one &+o +s
correlti$e le%l o!li%tion to re.ress
&ron% .one to t+e plintiI !9 reson
o* t+e .e*en.ntDs ct or o7ission &+ic+
+. $iolte. t+e le%l ri%+t o* t+e *or7er,
Section -( R#le ' o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt pro$i.es"crl$$onlinel&li!rr9
SEC, -, Prties-in-interest, T A rel prt9-in-interest is t+e prt9 &+o stn.s to !e
!ene5te. or in?#re. !9 t+e ?#.%7ent in t+e s#it( or t+e prt9 entitle. to t+e $ils o*
t+e s#it, Pnless ot+er&ise #t+oriHe. !9 l& or t+ese R#les( e$er9 ction 7#st !e
prosec#te. or .e*en.e. in t+e n7e o* t+e rel prt9-in-interest,
A rel prt9 .e*en.nt is =one &+o +s correlti$e le%l o!li%tion to re.ress
&ron% .one to t+e plintiI !9 reson o* t+e .e*en.nt;s ct or o7ission &+ic+ +.
$iolte. t+e le%l ri%+t o* t+e *or7er,>F:
In r#lin% t+t respon.ents re not t+e proper prties( t+e CA resone. t+t since
t+e9 .o not o&n t+e !#il.in%( t+e9 co#l. not +$e instlle. t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce
c7ers,F8 S#c+ resonin%( +o&e$er( is erroneo#s, T+e *ct t+t respon.ents re
not t+e re%istere. o&ners o* t+e !#il.in% .oes not #to7ticll9 7en t+t t+e9 .i.
not c#se t+e instlltion o* t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers,
In t+eir Co7plint( petitioners cli7e. t+t respon.ents instlle. t+e $i.eo
s#r$eillnce c7ers in or.er to 5s+ *or e$i.ence( &+ic+ co#l. !e #se. %inst
petitioners in not+er cse,FG D#rin% t+e +erin% o* t+e ppliction *or Preli7inr9
In?#nction( petitioner Jill testi5e. t+t &+en respon.ents instlle. t+e $i.eo
s#r$eillnce c7ers( +e i77e.itel9 !roc+e. +is concerns !#t t+e9 .i. not see7
to cre(E1 n. t+#s( +e reporte. t+e 7tter to t+e !rn%9 *or 7e.ition( n.
e$ent#ll9( 5le. Co7plint %inst respon.ents !e*ore t+e RTC,E1 He lso
.7itte. t+t s erl9 s 1GG8 t+ere +s lre.9 !een .isp#te !et&een +is *7il9
n. t+e C+oc+#9 *7il9 concernin% t+e !o#n.ries o* t+eir respecti$e
properties,E- Wit+ t+ese *ct#l circ#7stnces in 7in.( &e !elie$e t+t
respon.ents re t+e proper prties to !e i7ple.e.,
4oreo$er( lt+o#%+ Al.o +s ?#ri.icl personlit9 seprte n. .istinct *ro7 its
stoc<+ol.ers( recor.s s+o& t+t it is *7il9-o&ne. corportion 7n%e. !9 t+e
C+oc+#9 *7il9,E'
Also C#ite tellin% is t+e *ct t+t respon.ents( not&it+stn.in% t+eir cli7 t+t t+e9
re not o&ners o* t+e !#il.in%( llo&e. t+e co#rt to enter t+e co7po#n. o* Al.o n.
con.#ct n oc#lr inspection, T+e co#nsel *or respon.ents e$en to#re. 8#.%e
4ril9n L%#r-Sp insi.e t+e !#il.in% n. ns&ere. ll +er C#estions re%r.in% t+e
set-#p n. instlltion o* t+e $i.eo s#r$eillnce c7ers,E0 An. &+en respon.ents
7o$e. *or reconsi.ertion o* t+e Or.er .te. Octo!er 18( -11F o* t+e RTC( one o*
t+e r%#7ents t+e9 rise. is t+t Al.o &o#l. s#Ier .7%es i* t+e $i.eo
s#r$eillnce c7ers re re7o$e. n. trns*erre.,EF Notice!l9( in t+ese
instnces( t+e personlities o* respon.ents n. Al.o see7 to 7er%e,
All t+ese t<en to%et+er le. #s to t+e ine$it!le concl#sion t+t respon.ents re
7erel9 #sin% t+e corporte 5ction o* Al.o s s+iel. to protect t+e7sel$es *ro7
t+is s#it, In $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin%( &e 5n. t+t respon.ents re t+e proper prties
to t+is s#it,
WHEREFORE( t+e Petition is +ere!9 2RANTED, T+e Decision .te. 8#l9 11( -11:
n. t+e Resol#tion .te. Septe7!er 11( -11: o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R,
CEJ-SP No, 110:' re +ere!9 REAERSED n. SET ASIDE, T+e Or.ers .te. Octo!er
18( -11F n. Fe!r#r9 E( -11UEV o* Jrnc+ -8 o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt o*
4n.#e Cit9 in Ci$il Cse No, 4AN-F--' re +ere!9 REINSTATED n. AFFIR4ED,
SO ORDERED,
Crpio( (C+irperson)( Jrion( PereH( n. Perls-Jern!e( 88,( conc#r,
P0OPL0 V. ="9OT"/ %G.. No. ,'&''-)
Ro%elio J9ots 9 Cor.o$ &s c+r%e. &it+ Rpe n. e$ent#ll9 con$icte. t+ereo*,
Pen.in% ppel o* +is con$iction( J9ots .ie., ConseC#entl9( t+e S#pre7e Co#rt
.is7isse. t+e cri7inl spect o* t+e ppel, Ho&e$er( it reC#ire. t+e Solicitor
2enerl to 5le its co77ent &it+ re%r. to t+e ci$il li!ilit9 o* J9ots risin% *ro7
+is co77ission o* t+e oIense c+r%e.,
ISSPE"
W+et+er or not t+e .et+ o* t+e cc#se. pen.in% ppel o* +is con$iction eKtin%#is+
+is ci$il li!ilit9,
HELD"
Article 8G o* t+e Re$ise. Penl Co.e pro$i.es t+t !9 .et+ o* t+e con$ict personl
li!ilities re eKtin%#is+e.( s to pec#nir9 penlties li!ilit9 t+ere*ore is
eKtin%#is+e. onl9 &+en t+e .et+ o* t+e oIen.er occ#rs !e*ore 5nl ?#.%7ent,
T+#s t+e co#rt 7.e r#lin% s *ollo&s"
1, Det+ o* t+e cc#se. pen.in% ppel o* +is con$iction eKtin%#is+es +is
cri7inl li!ilit9 s &ell s t+e ci$il li!ilit9 !se. solel9 t+ereonO
-, Corollril9( t+e cli7 *or ci$il li!ilit9 s#r$i$es not&it+stn.in% t+e .et+ o*
t+e cc#se.( i* t+e s7e 79 lso !e pre.icte. on so#rce o* o!li%tion ot+er
t+n .elict, Aricle 11F: o* t+e Ci$il Co.e en#7ertes t+ese ot+er so#rces o*
o!li%tion *ro7 &+ic+ t+e ci$il li!ilit9 79 rise s res#lt o* t+e s7e ct or
o7ission" L&( Contrcts( L#si-contrcts( Delicts\(L#si-.elictsO
', W+ere t+e ci$il li!ilit9 s#r$i$es( n ction *or reco$er9 t+ere*ore 79 !e
p#rs#e. !#t onl9 !9 &9 o* seprte ci$il ction n. 79 !e en*orce. eit+er %inst
t+e eKec#tor3.7inistrtor o* t+e estte o* t+e cc#se.( .epen.in% on t+e so#rce o*
o!li%tion si.e *ro7 .elictsO
0, Finll9( t+e pri$te oIen.e. prt9 nee. not *er *or*eit#re o* +is ri%+t to 5le
t+is seprte ci$il ction !9 prescription( in cses &+ere .#rin% t+e prosec#tion o*
t+e cri7inl ction n. prior to its eKtinction( t+e pri$te oIen.e. prt9 instit#te.
to%et+er t+ere&it+ t+e ci$il ction, In s#c+ cse( t+e stt#te o* li7ittions on t+e
ci$il li!ilit9 is .ee7e. interr#pte. .#rin% t+e pen.enc9 o* t+e cri7inl cse(
con*or7!l9 &it+ pro$isions o* Article 11FF o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( t+t s+o#l. t+ere!9
$oi. n9 ppre+ension on possi!le pri$tion o* ri%+t !9 prescription,
In t+e cse t !r( t+e .et+ o* J9ots eKtin%#is+e. +is cri7inl n. ci$il li!ilit9
!se. solel9 on t+e ct o* rpe, Hence( +is ci$il li!ilit9 lso eKtin%#is+e. to%et+er
&it+ +is cri7inl li!ilit9 #pon +is .et+,
/ilahis International Hotel+ Inc vs /oluta
G.. No. ,(.'<- 7ebruar8 &'+ &''(
/IL"HI/ INT0N"TION"L HOT0L+ IN!. an# JO/0 $"!0L
P"NLILIO+ Petitioners+
vs.
OG0LIO /. /OL;T"+ JO/0LITO /"NTO/+ 0DN" =0N"T0+
VI!0NT" D0LOL"+ 7LO0NTINO $"TILL"+ an# GLODH"IN:
/IL"HI/ ;NION !H"PT0+ espon#ents.
FACTS" Loi. So7cer (Loi.)( l#n.r9&o7n o* t+e +otel( st9e. o$erni%+t t
t+e *e7le loc<er roo7 t t+e !se7ent o* t+e +otel, At .&n( s+e +er. po#n.in%
so#n.s o#tsi.e( s+e s& 5$e 7en in !ron% t%lo% &+o7 s+e *ile. to reco%niHe
!#t s+e &s s#re &ere not e7plo9ees o* t+e +otel( *orci!l9 openin% t+e .oor o* t+e
#nion o6ce, In t+e 7ornin%( s #nion o6cer Sol#t &s tr9in% in $in to open t+e
.oor o* t+e #nion o6ce( Loi. nrrte. to +i7 &+t s+e +. &itnesse. t .&n,
Sol#t i77e.itel9 lo.%e. co7plint !e*ore t+e Sec#rit9 O6cer, An. +e *etc+e.
loc<s7it+, At t+t instnt( 7en in !ron% t%lo% r7e. &it+ cl#!s rri$e. n.
strte. +ittin% Sol#t n. +is co7pnions, Pnlilio t+ere#pon instr#cte. Ailln#e$
to *orce open t+e .oor( n. t+e ltter .i., Once insi.e( Pnlilio n. +is co7pnions
!e%n serc+in% t+e o6ce( o$er t+e o!?ection o* J!9 &+o e$en s<e. t+e7 i*
t+e9 +. serc+ &rrnt, A plstic !% &s *o#n. continin% 7ri?#n No&erin%
tops,
As res#lt o* t+e .isco$er9 o* t+e presence o* 7ri?#n in t+e #nion o6ce n.
*ter t+e police con.#cte. n in$esti%tion o* t+e inci.ent( co7plint %inst t+e
1' #nion o6cers &s 5le. !e*ore t+e Fiscl;s O6ce o* 4nil, RTC cC#itte. t+e
cc#se., On ppel( t+e CA 6r7e. &it+ 7o.i5ction t+e .ecision o* t+e tril co#rt,
ISSPE" W+et+er respon.ent in.i$i.#l cn reco$er .7%es *or $ioltion o*
constit#tionl ri%+ts,
RPLIN2" Article '-( in reltion to Article --1G(E) n. (11) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( llo&s
so,
ART, '-, An9 p#!lic o6cer or e7plo9ee( or n9 pri$te in.i$i.#l( &+o .irectl9 or
in.irectl9 o!str#cts( .e*ets( $ioltes or in n9 7nner i7pe.es or i7pirs n9 o*
t+e *ollo&in% ri%+ts n. li!erties o* not+er person s+ll !e li!le to t+e ltter *or
.7%es" K K K K
In t+e present cse( petitioners +.( !9 t+eir o&n cli7( lre.9 recei$e. reports in
lte 1G8: o* ille%l cti$ities n. 4nie%o con.#cte. s#r$eillnce, Set( in t+e
7ornin% o* 8n#r9 11( 1G88( petitioners n. t+eir co7pnions !r%e. into n.
serc+e. t+e #nion o6ce &it+o#t serc+ &rrnt( .espite 7ple ti7e *or t+e7 to
o!tin one,
T+e co#rse t<en !9 petitioners n. co7pn9 stin<s in ille%lit9, Petitioners;
$ioltion o* in.i$i.#l respon.ents; constit#tionl ri%+t %inst #nreson!le serc+
t+#s *#rnis+es t+e !sis *or t+e &r. o* .7%es #n.er Article '- o* t+e Ci$il Co.e,
For respon.ents( !ein% t+e l&*#l occ#pnts o* t+e o6ce +. t+e ri%+t to rise t+e
C#estion o* $li.it9 o* t+e serc+ n. seiH#re,
Article '- spe<s o* n o6cer or e7plo9ee or person B.irectl9 or in.irectl9B
responsi!le *or t+e $ioltion o* t+e constit#tionl ri%+ts n. li!erties o* not+er,
Hence( it is not t+e ctor lone &+o 7#st ns&er *or .7%es #n.er Article '-O t+e
person in.irectl9 responsi!le +s lso to ns&er *or t+e .7%es or in?#r9 c#se. to
t+e %%rie$e. prt9, S#c+ !ein% t+e cse( petitioners( to%et+er &it+ 4nie%o n.
Ailln#e$( t+e ones &+o orc+estrte. t+e ille%l serc+( re ?ointl9 n. se$erll9
li!le *or ct#l( 7orl n. eKe7plr9 .7%es to +erein in.i$i.#l respon.ents in
ccor.nce &it+ t+e erlier-C#ote. pertinent pro$ision o* Article '-( in reltion to
Article --1G(E) n. (11) o* t+e Ci$il Co.e &+ic+ pro$i.es"
Art, --1G, 4orl .7%es 79 !e reco$ere. in t+e *ollo&in% n. nlo%o#s cses(
7on% ot+ers( (E) Ille%l serc+ n. (11) Acts n. ction re*erre. to in Articles -1(
-E( -:( -8( -G( '1( '-( '0 n. 'F,
DECISION" Denie.,
7I/T DIVI/ION
1G.. No. ,23<&.. $arch .,+ &''36
O/!" $"!!"9 an# "D0L"ID" POT0N!I"NO+ petitioners+
vs. /PO;/0/ P;D0N!IO NO=0L" an# /0LIN" NO=0L"+
respon#ents.
D E C I S I O N
CARPIO( 8,"
T+e Cse
T+is petition *or re$ie&U1V see<s to re$erse t+e Co#rt o* Appels; Decision .te. -F
Septe7!er -111 n. its Resol#tion .te. : No$e7!er -111 in CA-2,R, CA No,
0G8--, T+e Co#rt o* Appels 6r7e. t+e Decision o* t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt(
Psi%( Jrnc+ :1 (=tril co#rt>)( .te. -E 8n#r9 1GGF( .is7issin% t+e cse *or
Est* t+ro#%+ Flsi5ction o* P#!lic Doc#7ents 5le. !9 petitioner Oscr 4cc9
(=4cc9>) %inst respon.ent spo#ses Pr#.encio No!el (=Pr#.encio>) n. Serlin
No!el (=Serlin>) in Cri7inl Cse No, 8FGE1,
Antece.ent Fcts
T+e *cts( s *o#n. !9 t+e tril co#rt n. 6r7e. !9 t+e ppellte co#rt( re s
*ollo&s"
In t+e 5rst &ee< o* 49( 1GG1( A.eli. E, Potencino &ent to t+e p#!lic 7r<et o*
Psi%( 4etro 4nil( to loo< *or prospecti$e !#9er or 7ort%%ee o* prcel o* ln.
!elon%in% to Oscr 4cc9, S+e &s intro.#ce. !9 $en.or( L9.i Re9es( to t+e
spo#ses Pr#.encio n. Serlin No!el &+o &ere en%%e. in len.in% 7one9 to
7r<et $en.ors on .il9 !sis,
Potencino intro.#ce. +ersel* s An%elit N, Jr!( &i*e o* Oscr 4cc9( &+o
.esire. to sell or 7ort%%e n9 o* +is t&o prcels o* ln.( one in 2#.l#pe n. one
in Antipolo, S+e &ent to t+e No!els; t 10F J#9n% Jto t 4n.l#9on%( 4etro
4nil, S+e !ro#%+t &it+ +er 7n9 titles, S+e !ec7e *rien.l9 &it+ t+e spo#ses,
Potencino &ent on to !r% !o#t +er connections( t+t s+e is relte. to t+e lte
Presi.ent Fer.inn. E, 4rcosO n. t+t t+e PC22 is *ter +er so s+e +s to .ispose
o* +er properties,
A*ter t&o (-) .9s( s+e clle. Oscr 4cc9( &+o c7e, T+e9 co7porte.
t+e7sel$es s +#s!n. n. &i*e, 4cc9 &s in #ni*or7, He is police colonel
&+o +. ?#ris.iction o$er 4n.l#9on%( ccor.in% to Potencino, T+e No!els &ere
i7presse., T+e9 &ere plese. &+en t+e co#ple !ec7e $er9 close to t+e7, T+e9
con5.e. t+eir *7il9 pro!le7s, T+e9 e$en &ent to t+e o6ce o* 4cc9 in Fort
Joni*cio,
In t+is settin%( t+e reltions+ip No#ris+e., Potencino pers#.e. t+e spo#ses t+t
t+e9 s+o#l. !e t+e ones to !#9 t+e propert9 !ec#se it &ill onl9 cost P'11(111,11,
T+e9 &o#l. !e !le to 7<e pro5t !ec#se t+e c#rrent price &s P1(F11,11 per
sC#re 7eter,
Potencino #se. to cll 4cc9 to ?oin +er in t+e No!el resi.ence, T+e9 prtoo< o*
t+e +ospitlit9 o* t+e cc#se. spo#ses l7ost t&o to t+ree ti7es &ee<,
Potencino &s trete. li<e C#een, S+e &s *nne. n. 7ss%e., S+e &s
ser$e. +er 7els in t+e sl,
A*ter poolin% to%et+er t+eir s$in%s( t+e No!els .eci.e. to p#rc+se t+e propert9,
T+e9 .$ise. 4cc9 n. Potencino t+t t+e9 &ere re.9 to !#9 t+e propert9,
On 49 1:( 1GG1( Potencino &it+ Serlin &ent to Jr!;s l&9er( Att9, Al*onso
8i7eneH( t Ls PiXs &+ere s+e +. t+e Dee. o* Sle (EK+, =1>) prepre. n.
notriHe., S+e si%ne. it t+ere, T+e9 &ere ri.in% in t+e ?eep o* t+e No!els n.
psse. !9 t+e o6ce o* 4cc9 r (sic) Fort Joni*cio, Potencino &ent lone to +is
o6ce n. ret#rne. &it+ +i7, T+e9 t+en procee.e. to t+e +o#se o* !ot+ cc#se. t
J#9n% Jto( 4n.l#9on%, Serlin pi. t+e P'11(111,11 to t+e co#ple n. in
t#rn s+e &s %i$en t+e Dee. o* Sle( TCT No, 0:'F80( t+e tK .eclrtion( t+e tK
receipt n. ot+er .oc#7ents, W+en s+e oIere. to t<e t+e7( t+e9 .ecline. s9in%
t+e9 &ere %oin% +o7e to t+eir 4%llnes +o#se,
4cc9 n. Potencino contin#e. to *reC#ent t+e +o#se o* t+e cc#se. spo#ses
&+ere t+e9 &ere %i$en AIP tret7ent, Potencino slept( !t+e. n. &s llo&e. to
#se t+e p+one *or +er trnsctions n. to .ri$e t+e co#ple;s ?eep,
K K K
On 8#ne 1G( 1GG1( t+e tKes to t+e p#rc+se. propert9 +. to !e pi., T+e title +.
not !een trns*erre. to t+e n7es o* t+e No!els, Serlin n. Potencino &it+ t+e
ltter .ri$in%( ro.e t+e No!el ?eep to Antipolo, On t+e &9 to to&n( t+e ?eep !ro<e
.o&n, T+e en%ine *ell oI, Potencino $ol#nteere. to %o to Antipolo +ersel*( p9 t+e
tKes n. !rin% 7ec+nic to repir t+e ?eep, T+e tKes +. !een pi.,
T+e %oo. reltions+ip contin#e. #ntil 8#ne '1( 1GG1( Pr#.encio No!el s#Iere.
stro<e, He &s !ro#%+t to t+e Pol97e.ic Hospitl, T+t s7e *ternoon(
Potencino clle. n. tl<e. to Pr#.encio;s .octor, S+e +. Pr#.encio trns*erre.
to s#ite n. con5.e. to Serlin t+t s+e is lso <no&n s A.eli. PotencinoO
t+t t+e o&ners o* t+e +ospitl re +er 7ot+er n. *t+er, Serlin nee. not &orr9
!o#t t+e !ill, Potencino strte. sleepin% in t+e +ospitl,
A*ter one &ee<( Pr#.encio &s to !e .isc+r%e.( Potencino &ent to t+e cco#ntin%
.eprt7ent, S+e trie. to p9 &it+ +er .ollrs n. 9ens !#t t+e +ospitl &o#l. not
ccept, S+e s<e. Serlin to %o &it+ +er to 7one9 c+n%er t @lenton% to
c+n%e t+e 7one9 to pesos !#t t+e *orei%n eKc+n%e .eler re*#se. s9in% t+e
*orei%n c#rrenc9 &s *<e,
Serlin +. to %o !c< to t+e +o#se to !orro& *ro7 t+e son o* +er +#s!n. !9 +is
5rst 7rri%e, 4cc9 .ro$e t+e sic< 7n n. t&o &o7en +o7e in t+e No!el
?eep,
At t+is ti7e( t+e tr#st n. con5.ence on t+e 4cc9 co#ple !9 t+e No!els &s
!e%innin% to slip oI, T+e Pol97e.ic Hospitl inci.ent &s let.o&n, It &s t+en
t+t Potencino( &+o +s !oste. o* !ein% not onl9 &elt+9 !#t lso inN#entil(
in$ite. Serlin to en%%e in t+e !#9 n. sell o* pplinces &+ic+ s+e cli7e. &ere
!ro#%+t !9 +er nep+e& *ro7 8pn, To Serlin;s .is79( s+e &s onl9 !ro#%+t to
store in t+e pier &+ere s+e +. to p9 *or t+e pplinces +ersel*, S+e +. receipts
*ro7 De Lr 4erc+n.isin% (EK+s, =1F> to =1F-C>) s+o&in% +er p97ents, T+e lst
receipt is .te. 8#l9 -G( 1GG1, Serlin !ro#%+t t+e pplinces +o7e, Nt#rll9(
&+en Potencino s& Serlin sellin% t+e pplinces +ersel*( +er pretensions +$in%
!een eKpose.( t+e reltions+ip !e%n to so#r,
Je*ore t+e lst p#rc+se o* pplinces( &it+o#t t+e <no&le.%e o* t+e cc#se.
co#ple( Potencino eKec#te. n A6.$it o* Loss (EK+, ='-J>), S+e relte. t+t
&+en s+e &ent to Antipolo on 8#ne 1G( 1GG1 in +er stinless steel ?eep( t+e ?eep
!ro<e .o&n, S+e %ot 7ec+nic n. &+en s+e ret#rne. t+e ?eep &s %one or
crnppe.,
In t+e 7enti7e( Serlin &s !e%innin% to .o#!t Potencino, S+e +er. t+t
Potencino &s tr9in% to sell t+eir ?eep, S+e inC#ire. t t+e NJI n. &s tol. t+t
Potencino +. strin% o* cses %inst +er,
On 8#l9 '1( 1GG'( Potencino &ent to t+e Estern Police District He.C#rters n.
eKec#te. n 6.$it-co7plint (EK+, 0) %inst t+e cc#se. spo#ses !e*ore P3Lt,
Col, Nestor E, Cr#H reltin% t+t s+e &s *oole. !9 Pr#.encio n. Serlin No!el on
8#l9 10( 1GG1, S+e relte. +o& t+e cc#se. spo#ses c+ete. +er !9 stelin% TCT
No, 0:'F80 n. +er pplinces, Her 6.$it relte. +o& s+e &s pr9e. o$er n.
7es7eriHe. !9 Serlin, S+e stte. t+t `%in& pnlolo<o s <in t p%nn<&
n% Trns*er Certi5cte o* UTVitle; (pr, 1-( p, 1( EK+, 0) n. t+e TCT +o 9 7rin%
n&l noon% pec+ -F n% H#n9o( 1GG1 nt#<lsn <o n&l ito noon% -: n%
H#n9o( nn% iton% ns!in% TCT( 9 <in% ip-seseroK; (pr, 1E( p, 1, EK+, 0),
K K K
In t+e 7enti7e( Pr#.encio n. Serlin( &+o +. not !een !le to re%ister t+e sle
to t+e7 !ec#se o* t+e il7ent o* Pr#.encio s<e. rel estte %ent( Anit .e l
Ae%( to +elp t+e7 in t+e re%istrtion o* Dee. o* Sle (EK+, 1( EK+, J,), T+e9 <ne&
.e l Ae% s s+e #se. to *reC#ent rel estte %ent li$in% in t+eir plce, W+en
t+e9 &ere tol. t+t *or t+e P'11(111,11 consi.ertion( t+e9 &o#l. nee. ro#n.
P-1(111,11 to incl#.e cpitl %ins tKes( s+e %$e P-1(111,11, T+e 7ot+er o* .e
l Ae% &s s#ppose. to <no& 7n9 people in t+e Re%ister o* Dee.s, T+e ne& title
(EK+, =C>) &s .eli$ere. on A#%#st 11( 1GG1 to Serlin, S+e +. to %i$e n
..itionl =-(111,11 to .e l Ae% *or ot+er eKpenses,
Pr#.encio n. Serlin No!el &ere s#rprise. to recei$e n in$ittion *ro7 Col,
Nestor E, Cr#H (EK+, =F>) on A#%#st 1:( 1GG1( to %o to +is o6ce re%r.in% t+e
co7plint o* Potencino *or Est* n. T+e*t,
W+en t+e9 &ent to Col, Cr#H not+in% +ppene. !#t t+e9 &ere s+oc<e. to recei$e
s#!poen *ro7 t+e Fiscl;s O6ce, 4cc9 &s not t+ere n. Pr#.encio &s C#ite
sic<,
Serlin &ent to t+e Re%ister o* Dee.s o* 4ri<in to 5n. o#t &+9 t+e9 &ere cc#se.
n. s+e &s stonis+e. to .isco$er (EK+, =E>) s t+e Dee. o* Sle re%istere. !9 .e
l Ae% #n.er t+e n7e o* Lin. Cr#H, S+e lso *o#n. t+e p97ents o* t+e cpitl
%ins tK s onl9 P1(111,11 pl#s, T+en s+e reliHe. t+e reson *or t+e lle%e.
*lsi5ction c+r%e o* Potencino lis An%elit Jr! n. Oscr 4cc9, T+e .ee.
o* sle %i$en to t+e7 (EK+, =1>) *or P'11(111,11 &+ic+ t+e9 pi. t+e 4cc9s &s
not t+e one re%istere. !#t one &+ic+ o!$io#sl9 &s *or%e. !9 .e l Ae% n. +er
7ot+er 8#nit 4%clin% in or.er to 7<e 7ore 7one9 *ro7 t+e re%istrtion
trnsction, T+e9 5le. co7plint %inst .e l Ae% n. 8#nit 4%clin% &+ic+
is still pen.in% in co#rt t 8#.%e Al*re.o Flores; sl,U-V
Petitioner 4cc9 5le. t+e cri7inl co7plint %inst respon.ent spo#ses *or Est*
t+ro#%+ Flsi5ction o* P#!lic Doc#7ent !e*ore t+e O6ce o* t+e Pro$incil
Prosec#tor o* RiHl, T+e Pro$incil Prosec#tor o* RiHl 5le. t+e In*or7tion *or Est*
&it+ t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt( Psi%( Jrnc+ :1( .oc<ete. s Cri7inl Cse No,
8FGE1,
A*ter tril( t+e tril co#rt *o#n. respon.ent spo#ses innocent n. or.ere. petitioners
to rei7!#rse respon.ent spo#ses P'11(111 n. to p9 .7%es n. ttorne9;s
*ees, Petitioners ppele. t+e ci$il spect o* t+e cse to t+e Co#rt o* Appels, T+e
ppellte co#rt .enie. petitioners; ppel n. 6r7e. t+e tril co#rt;s Decision,
T+e ppellte co#rt lso .enie. petitioners; 4otion *or Reconsi.ertion,
Hence( t+is petition,
T+e R#lin%s o* t+e Tril n. Appellte Co#rts
T+e tril co#rt cC#itte. respon.ent spo#ses n. *o#n. t+t petitioners s&in.le.
respon.ent spo#ses, T+e tril co#rt .eclre. t+t petitioner 4cc9 5le. t+e Est*
c+r%e %inst respon.ent spo#ses to t#rn t+e t!les on respon.ent spo#ses( t+e
$icti7s o* t+e s&in.lin%, T+e tril co#rt or.ere. petitioners to p9 respon.ent
spo#ses P'G1(111 s .7%es( to &it"
In $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin%( t+is co#rt 5n.s t+t t+e prosec#tion +s not pro$en t+e
Acc#se. Pr#.encio No!el n. Serlin No!el %#ilt9 !e9on. reson!le .o#!t o* t+e
cri7e c+r%e. n. +ere!9 cC#its t+e7, T+e co7plinnts Oscr 4cc9 n.
A.eli. E, Potencino re +ere!9 or.ere. to rei7!#rse Pr#.encio No!el n.
Serlin No!el t+e 7o#nt o* T+ree H#n.re. T+o#sn. Pesos (P'11(111,11) pi. to
t+e7 !9 t+e cc#se. spo#ses in t+e sle o* t+e liti%te. propert9, F#rt+er t+e
co7plinnts Oscr 4cc9 n. A.eli. Potencino re +ere!9 or.ere. to p9
PF1(111,11 to Pr#.encio No!el n. Serlin No!el s 7orl .7%es n.
P01(111,11 s ttorne9;s *ees,
SO ORDERED,U'V
T+e Co#rt o* Appels #p+el. t+e r#lin% o* t+e tril co#rt, T+e ppellte co#rt
resone. t+t t+e &r. o* .7%es &s ?#sti5e. !ec#se it &s =in t+e nt#re o*
co#ntercli7 n. s t+e $er9 .e*ense p#t #p !9 t+e cc#se. Urespon.entsV in t+e
cri7inl procee.in%s K K K,>U0V
T+e Iss#es
Petitioners see< re$ersl n. rise t+e *ollo&in% iss#es *or resol#tion"
1, WHETHER THE TRIAL COPRT 4AS RPLE ON THE CIAIL LIAJILITS OF CO4PLAINANT
IN A CRI4INAL CASE WHERE THE CIAIL ACTION WAS NOT RESERAED OR FILED
SEPARATELSO
-, WHETHER A WITNESS( WHO IS NOT A PARTS TO THE CASE( 4AS JE HELD LIAJLE
FOR DA4A2ES,
T+e t+ir. iss#e rise. !9 t+e petitioners( ssilin% t+e ppellte co#rt;s 6r7tion
o* t+e tril co#rt;s *ct#l 5n.in%s( .eser$es no consi.ertion, A R#le 0F petition is
li7ite. to C#estions o* l&,UFV Fin.in%s o* *ct re not re$ie&!le( eKcept in clerl9
7eritorio#s instnces,UEV T+is Co#rt is not trier o* *cts,
T+e R#lin% o* t+e Co#rt
We %rnt t+e petition,
A co#rt tr9in% cri7inl cse cnnot &r. .7%es in *$or o* t+e cc#se., T+e
ts< o* t+e tril co#rt is li7ite. to .eter7inin% t+e %#ilt o* t+e cc#se. n. i* proper(
to .eter7ine +is ci$il li!ilit9, A cri7inl cse is not t+e proper procee.in%s to
.eter7ine t+e pri$te co7plinnt;s ci$il li!ilit9( i* n9,
T+e tril co#rt erre. in or.erin% co7plinnt petitioner 4cc9 n. prosec#tion
&itness Potencino( s prt o* t+e ?#.%7ent in t+e cri7inl cse( to rei7!#rse t+e
P'11(111 n. p9 .7%es to t+e cc#se. respon.ent spo#ses, T+is Co#rt r#le. in
C!ero $, Hon, CntosU:V t+t co#rt tr9in% cri7inl cse s+o#l. li7it itsel* to
t+e cri7inl n. ci$il li!ilit9 o* t+e cc#se.( t+#s"
UT+#s(V t+e tril co#rt s+o#l. con5ne itsel* to t+e cri7inl spect n. t+e possi!le
ci$il li!ilit9 o* t+e cc#se. risin% o#t o* t+e cri7e, T+e co#ntercli7 (n. cross-
cli7 or t+ir.-prt9 co7plint( i* n9) s+o#l. !e set si.e or re*#se. co%niHnce
&it+o#t pre?#.ice to t+eir 5lin% in seprte procee.in%s t t+e proper ti7e,
T+e Co#rt recentl9 reiterte. t+is r#lin% in Cs#pnn $, Lro9U8V n. Rep#!lic $,
Co#rt o* Appels,UGV
T+e ppellte co#rt erre. in 6r7in% t+e tril co#rt;s &r. o* .7%es !9
?#sti*9in% it s co#ntercli7, Not+in% in t+e recor.s s+o&s t+t respon.ent
spo#ses 5le. or tte7pte. to 5le co#ntercli7, T+e -111 R#les on Cri7inl
Proce.#re pro+i!it co#ntercli7s in cri7inl cses, Section 1 o* R#le 111 pro$i.es"
SECTION 1, Instit#tion o* cri7inl n. ci$il ctions, T
() K K K
No co#ntercli7( cross-cli7 or t+ir.-prt9 co7plint 79 !e 5le. !9 t+e cc#se. in
t+e cri7inl cse( !#t n9 c#se o* ction &+ic+ co#l. +$e !een t+e s#!?ect
t+ereo* 79 !e liti%te. in seprte ci$il ction,
T+is pr%rp+ ..resses t+e lc#n 7entione. in C!ero on t+e =!sence o*
cler-c#t r#les %o$ernin% t+e prosec#tion o* i7plie.l9 instit#te. ci$il ction n. t+e
necessr9 conseC#ences n. i7plictions t+ereo*,> In t+e present cse( t+e ci$il
li!ilit9 o* petitioners *or s&in.lin% respon.ent spo#ses n. *or 7licio#sl9 5lin%
!seless s#it 7#st !e liti%te. in seprte procee.in%,
T+e tril co#rt lso erre. in +ol.in% prosec#tion &itness petitioner Potencino(
to%et+er &it+ co7plinnt petitioner 4cc9( li!le *or .7%es to respon.ent
spo#ses, A ?#.%7ent cnnot !in. persons &+o re not prties to t+e ction,U11V A
.ecision o* co#rt cnnot operte to .i$est t+e ri%+ts o* person &+o is not prt9
to t+e cse,U11V T+e recor.s clerl9 s+o& t+t petitioner Potencino is not prt9 to
t+is cse, T+e In*or7tion 5le. !9 t+e prosec#tor +. onl9 petitioner 4cc9 s its
co7plinnt,U1-V T+e Aeri5ction ttc+e. to t+e In*or7tion +. onl9 petitioner
4cc9 si%nin% s co7plinnt, Not+in% in t+e recor.s s+o&s t+t petitioner
Potencino pl9e. role ot+er t+n !ein% &itness *or t+e prosec#tion, To r#le
ot+er&ise &o#l. $iolte petitioner Potencino;s constit#tionl ri%+t to .#e process,
Petitioners .7it t+t title to t+e lot is no& in t+e n7e o* respon.ent spo#ses,
Petitioners .7it t+e $li.it9 o* t+e cncelltion o* TCT No, 0:'F80 n. t+e iss#nce
o* TCT No, 188-8G in *$or o* respon.ent spo#ses, Petitioners r%#e t+t since
respon.ent spo#ses lre.9 cC#ire. t+e lot in eKc+n%e *or P'11(111( t+ere is no
!sis *or t+e or.er reC#irin% petitioners to rei7!#rse respon.ent spo#ses t+e
P'11(111,U1'V
Ho&e$er( petitioners lso r%#e t+t respon.ent spo#ses cC#ire. t+eir title
t+ro#%+ *r#., Petitioners 7#st .eci.e &+ic+ $ersion t+e9 &nt to .$nce,
Petitioners cnnot r%#e t+t t+e title o* respon.ent spo#ses is $li. to $oi.
rei7!#rsin% respon.ent spo#ses( t t+e s7e ti7e cli7 t+t respon.ent spo#ses
cC#ire. t+eir title t+ro#%+ *r#. to t#rn t+e t!les on respon.ent spo#ses &+o
7i%+t s#e petitioners *or s&in.lin%, Petitioners; inconsistent r%#7ents re$el t+eir
.is+onest9 e$en to t+e co#rts, Petitioners s+o#l. not *or%et t+t t+e tril n.
ppellte co#rts *o#n. t+t petitioners perpetrte. $icio#s sc7 on respon.ent
spo#ses &+o re clerl9 t+e +pless $icti7s +ere,
Respon.ent spo#ses +$e s#Iere. eno#%+, Respon.ent Pr#.encio .ie. &+ile tr9in%
to .e*en. t+eir propert9, Respon.ent Serlin is ilin% n. s#Ierin% *ro7 se$ere
co7plictions .#e to t+e strin o* liti%tion, W+ile t+is Co#rt is constrine. to %rnt
t+e instnt petition .#e to t+e tril co#rt;s proce.#rl error( &e stress t+t t+e tril
co#rt .?#.icte. correctl9 t+e s#!stnti$e 7tter o* t+e cse, Petitioners
#nconscion!l9 #se. t+eir intelli%ence n. position to s&in.le t+e respon.ent
spo#ses o* t+eir li*e s$in%s( !#sin% t+eir +ospitlit9 n. <in.ness in t+e process,
Petitioners +$e t+e te7erit9 to t#rn t+e t!les on t+e poor co#ple !9 !#sin% t+e
le%l processes, T+is Co#rt &ill not llo& t+e le%l processes to ser$e s tool *or
s&in.lers, We pro7#l%te t+is Decision &it+o#t pre?#.ice to t+e 5lin% !9
respon.ent Serlin o* cli7 *or .7%es %inst petitioners,
WHEREFORE( &e 2RANT t+e instnt petition, T+e Decision o* t+e Re%ionl Tril
Co#rt( Psi%( Jrnc+ :1 .te. -E 8n#r9 1GGF in Cri7inl Cse No, 8FGE1 is
AFFIR4ED &it+ t+e *ollo&in% 4ODIFICATIONS"
1, T+e or.er to rei7!#rse t+e P'11(111 to respon.ent spo#ses Pr#.encio n.
Serlin No!el is .elete.O
-, T+e &r. o* PF1(111 s 7orl .7%es n. t+e &r. o* P01(111 s
ttorne9;s *ees re li<e&ise .elete.,
SO ORDERED,
D$i.e( 8r,( C,8,( (C+ir7n)( L#is#7!in%( Snres-Snti%o( n. AHc#n( 88,( conc#r,
PRE8PDICIAL LPESTION (ART 'E)
7I/T DIVI/ION

@I?I" @"TIN" T9:D0 ?;?;"0G;I+
Petitioner+


: versus :


TH0 HON. JO/0LITO !. VILL"O/"+ in his capacit8 as
Presi#ing Ju#ge of =ranch (( of the T! of $aAati !it8+
an# 7"NNI0 TO0/:T9+
Respon.ents,
G.. No. ,<.-<<

Present"

PPNO( C,8,( C+irperson(
CARPIO 4ORALES(
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO(
JERSA4IN( n.
AILLARA4A( 8R,( 88,

Pro7#l%te."

April F( -111
K- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -K

DECISION

AILLARA4A( 8R,( 8,"
T+is is petition *or re$ie& on certiorriU1V #n.er R#le 0F o* t+e 1GG: R#les o*
Ci$il Proce.#re( s 7en.e.( ssilin% t+e Resol#tions .te. A#%#st -'( -11:U-V
n. 8#l9 10( -118U'V o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R, SP No, G8G:8, T+e Co#rt o*
Appels .is7isse. t+e petition *or certiorri n. pro+i!ition 5le. !9 petitioner
see<in% t+e re$ersl o* t+e No$e7!er 1E( -11E n. 4rc+ G( -11: Or.ersU0V o* t+e
Re%ionl Tril Co#rt (RTC) o* 4<ti Cit9( Jrnc+ EE( &+ic+ *o#n. t+t t+ere &s no
pre?#.icil C#estion to &rrnt t+e s#spension o* t+e cri7inl ctions %inst
petitioner,
T+e *ollo&in% *cts re est!lis+e."
So7eti7e in A#%#st -111( Rose7r9 Torres T9-Rse<+i (Rose7r9)( t+e sister
o* petitioner;s lte *t+er AleKn.er Torres T9( 5le. petition *or t+e iss#nce o*
letters o* .7inistrtion o* t+e estte o* +er 7ot+er( Jell Torres (Jell)( !e*ore t+e
RTC o* Psi% Cit9,UFV Petitioner initill9 oppose.UEV Rose7r9;s petition( !#t t+e9
e$ent#ll9 rec+e. n 7ic!le settle7ent n. entere. into co7pro7ise
%ree7ent &+ic+ t+e9 s#!7itte. to t+e RTC *or ppro$l,U:V In DecisionU8V .te.
No$e7!er 1G( -11-( t+e RTC ppro$e. t+e co7pro7ise %ree7ent,
S#!seC#entl9( t&o (-) o* Rose7r9;s lle%e. si!lin%s( Peter Torres T9 (Peter)
n. Ct+erine Torres T9-C+$eH (Ct+erine)( 5le. &it+ t+e Co#rt o* Appels
Petition to Ann#l 8#.%7ent Appro$in% Co7pro7ise A%ree7ent( .oc<ete. s CA-2,R,
SP No, 8:---,UGV Peter n. Ct+erine cli7e. t+t t+e9 re lso !iolo%icl c+il.ren
o* t+e lte Jell( n. re entitle. to prticipte in t+e settle7ent o* t+e ltter;s
estte, Lter( pri$te respon.ent Fnnie Torres-T9 (Fnnie)( &+o li<e&ise cli7e. to
!e !iolo%icl c+il. o* t+e lte Jell n. t+ere*ore lso entitle. to in+erit *ro7 +er(
5le. petition-in-inter$ention in t+e ction *or nn#l7ent o* ?#.%7ent,U11V
Peter( Ct+erine( n. Fnnie lle%e. t+t #pon t+e .et+ o* Jell( t+e9 +el.
n#7!er o* .isc#ssions pertinin% to t+e settle7ent o* t+e ltter;s estte, Rose7r9(
t+eir el.er sister( pro7ise. to t<e cre o* t+e processin% o* ppers so t+t t+e
estte 79 !e .i$i.e. 7on% t+e7 in t+e 7nner pro$i.e. !9 l&, Ho&e$er( in
s#!seC#ent .isc#ssions( Rose7r9 7.e <no&n to t+e7 +er intention to %et
.isproportiontel9 lr%er s+re o* t+e estte( !#t t+e9 .i. not %ree, No %ree7ent
&s rec+e. n. s *r s t+e9 <no&( no pro%ress &s 7.e to&r.s t+e
settle7ent o* Jell;s estte, T+e9 &ere not &re t+t Rose7r9 +. 5le.
petition *or t+e iss#nce o* letters o* .7inistrtion n. t+t ?#.%7ent !9
co7pro7ise %ree7ent &s ren.ere. !9 t+e RTC o* Psi% Cit9, Rose7r9 +.
*lsel9 $erre. t+t si.e *ro7 +ersel*( petitioner( &+o &s +er niece( &s t+e onl9
ot+er +eir o* Jell, In petitioner;s opposition( it &s li<e&ise $erre. t+t petitioner
n. Rose7r9 &ere t+e onl9 +eirs o* Jell, T+e s#!seC#ent co7pro7ise %ree7ent
contine. si7ilr $er7ents( n. it &s not .isclose. t+t Peter( Ct+erine( n.
Fnnie &ere lso Jell;s +eirs, It &s onl9 so7eti7e in 8#ne -110 t+t t+e9 c7e to
<no& o* t+e .ecision !9 co7pro7ise %ree7ent o* t+e Psi% Cit9 RTC,
Petitioner n. Rose7r9 5le. t+eir ns&ersU11V to t+e petition *or nn#l7ent
o* ?#.%7ent n. t+e petition-in-inter$ention, T+e9 rise. si7ilr .e*enses, T+e9
.enie. t+t Peter( Ct+erine( n. Fnnie &ere +eirs o* Jell *or( s *r s t+e9 <ne&(
t+e t+ree (') &ere literll9 p#rc+se. *ro7 t+ir. persons &+o represente. to Jell
n. t+e ltter;s co77on-l& +#s!n.( Ale?n.ro T9( t+t t+e9 &ere !n.one.
c+il.ren, Jell n. Ale?n.ro too< pit9 on t+e t+ree (') n. !ro#%+t t+e7 #p s
t+eir o&n, T+is &s <no&n &it+in t+e *7il9 circle( !#t &s not .isclose. to Peter(
Ct+erine( n. Fnnie in or.er to protect t+e7 *ro7 t+e sti%7 o* <no&in% t+e9
&ere #n&nte. c+il.ren, Ho&e$er( Ale?n.ro n. Jell .i. not le%ll9 .opt t+e7O
+ence( t+e9 &ere ne$er con*erre. t+e ri%+ts o* le%iti7te c+il.ren,
W+ile t+e ction *or nn#l7ent o* ?#.%7ent &s pen.in% !e*ore t+e Co#rt o*
Appels( Fnnie 5le. co7plintU1-V *or *lsi5ction n. per?#r9 %inst petitioner
n. Rose7r9, Fnnie lle%e. t+t petitioner n. Rose7r9 *lsel9 n. 7licio#sl9
stte. in t+e pertinent ple.in%s 5le. !e*ore t+e RTC o* Psi% Cit9 t+t t+e lte Jell
+. onl9 t&o (-) +eirs( n7el9 t+e t&o (-) o* t+e7, Petitioner n. Rose7r9
*ort+&it+ 5le. ?oint 7otion to s#spen. t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion on t+e %ro#n.
o* pen.in% pre?#.icil C#estion !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels,U1'V T+e9 r%#e. t+t
t+e iss#e o* &+et+er Peter( Ct+erine( n. Fnnie re relte. to Jell n. t+ere*ore
le%l +eirs o* t+e ltter &s pen.in% !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels, T+e in$esti%tin%
prosec#tor .enie. t+e ?oint 7otion n. *o#n. pro!!le c#se %inst petitioner n.
Rose7r9 *or t&o (-) co#nts ec+ o* *lsi5ction o* p#!lic .oc#7ents,U10V T+e
prosec#tor +el. t+t t+e iss#e !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels is t+e $li.it9 o* t+e
co7pro7ise %ree7ent &+ic+ is not .eter7inti$e o* t+e cri7inl cse &+ic+
in$ol$es t+e li!ilit9 o* petitioner n. Rose7r9 *or *lsi5ction( lle%e.l9 *or
&ill*#ll9 7<in% t+e *lse stte7ents in t+e opposition to t+e petition *or letters o*
.7inistrtion n. in t+e s#!seC#ent co7pro7ise %ree7ent 5le. !e*ore t+e RTC o*
Psi% Cit9,
On Dece7!er -1( -11F( t+ree (') in*or7tionsU1FV %inst petitioner n.
Rose7r9 &ere t+#s 5le. &it+ t+e 4etropolitn Tril Co#rt (4eTC) o* 4<ti Cit9(
Jrnc+ E1,
Petitioner 5le. petition *or re$ie&U1EV &it+ t+e Deprt7ent o* 8#stice (DO8)
n. 7otion to .e*er procee.in%sU1:V !e*ore t+e 4eTC on t+e %ro#n. o* t+e
pen.in% ppel !e*ore t+e DO8, Also( petitioner n. Rose7r9 5le. &it+ t+e 4eTC
seprte 7otions to s#spen. procee.in%s on t+e %ro#n. o* pre?#.icil C#estion,U18V
Ho&e$er( petitioner;s ppel &s .is7isse. !9 t+e DO8(U1GV &+ile +er 7otions
!e*ore t+e 4eTC &ere .enie. !9 t+e si. co#rt,U-1V T+e 4eTC %ree. &it+ t+e
prosec#tor t+t t+e iss#e !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels in t+e ction *or nn#l7ent o*
?#.%7ent is t+e $li.it9 o* t+e co7pro7ise %ree7ent &+ile t+e cri7inl cse
in$ol$es t+eir li!ilit9 *or *lsi5ction o* p#!lic .oc#7ents, T+e 4eTC lso .enie.
petitioner;s 7otion *or reconsi.ertion,U-1V
A%%rie$e.( petitioner 5le. petition *or certiorri n. pro+i!itionU--V &it+ t+e
RTC o* 4<ti Cit9( Jrnc+ EE, In n Or.erU-'V .te. No$e7!er 1E( -11E( t+e RTC
.enie. t+e petition on t+e %ro#n. t+t t+ere &s no pre?#.icil C#estionO +ence( t+e
4eTC .i. not ct &it+ %r$e !#se o* .iscretion in .en9in% petitioner;s 7otion to
s#spen. procee.in%s, T+e RTC +el. t+t t+ere &s no pre?#.icil C#estion s t+e
C#nt#7 o* e$i.ence in t+e ci$il ction *or nn#l7ent o* ?#.%7ent .iIers *ro7 t+e
C#nt#7 o* e$i.ence reC#ire. in t+e cri7inl ction *or *lsi5ction o* p#!lic
.oc#7ents, Petitioner;s 7otion *or reconsi.ertionU-0V &s lso .enie. !9 t+e RTC
in its Or.erU-FV .te. 4rc+ G( -11:,
Pn.#nte.( petitioner 5le. petition *or certiorri n. pro+i!ition !e*ore t+e
Co#rt o* Appels ssilin% t+e RTC;s or.ers, In its A#%#st -'( -11: Resol#tion(U-EV
t+e ppellte co#rt .is7isse. t+e petition on t+e %ro#n. t+t t+e certi5ction o*
non-*or#7 s+oppin% &s si%ne. onl9 !9 petitioner;s co#nsel n. not !9 petitioner
+ersel*, Petitioner;s 7otion *or reconsi.ertion &s lso .enie. in t+e 8#l9 10( -118
Resol#tionU-:V o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels,
Hence( t+e present reco#rse,
Petitioner lle%es t+t"
I

THE HONORAJLE COPRT OF APPEALS 2RAAELS ERRED IN DIS4ISSIN2 THE PETITION
FOR CERTIORARI ON THE 2ROPND THAT THE CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORP4
SHOPPIN2 WAS SI2NED JS COPNSEL ALLE2EDLS IN AIOLATION OF SEC, '( RPLE 0E(
IN RELATION TO SEC, 1 RPLE EF( 1GG: RPLES OF CIAIL PROCEDPRE,

II

THE HONORAJLE COPRT OF APPEALS 2RAAELS ERRED IN NOT NPLLIFSIN2 THE
ASSAILED ORDERS OF PPJLIC RESPONDENT 8OSELITO AILLAROSA ON THE 2ROPND
THAT THE SA4E WAS ISSPED WITH 2RAAE AJPSE OF DISCRETION A4OPNTIN2 TO
LAC@ OF OR E)CESS OF 8PRISDICTION,U-8V
T+e petition is 7eritorio#s,
Pn.er R#le 0E( Section '( pr%rp+ ' o* t+e 1GG: R#les o* Ci$il Proce.#re( s
7en.e.( petitions *or certiorri 7#st !e $eri5e. n. cco7pnie. !9 s&orn
certi5ction o* non-*or#7 s+oppin%,U-GV T+e pri7r9 C#estion t+t +s to !e
resol$e. in t+is cse is &+et+er t+e $eri5ction n. certi5ction o* non-*or#7
s+oppin%( erroneo#sl9 si%ne. !9 co#nsel( 79 !e c#re. !9 s#!seC#ent co7plince,
U'1V
2enerll9( s#!seC#ent co7plince &it+ t+e reC#ire7ent o* certi5ction o* non-
*or#7 s+oppin% .oes not eKc#se prt9 *ro7 *il#re to co7pl9 in t+e 5rst instnce,
U'1V A certi5ction o* t+e plintiI;s co#nsel &ill not s#6ce *or t+e reson t+t it is
t+e petitioner( n. not t+e co#nsel( &+o is in t+e !est position to <no& &+et+er +e
ct#ll9 5le. or c#se. t+e 5lin% o* petition,U'-V A certi5ction %inst *or#7
s+oppin% si%ne. !9 co#nsel is .e*ecti$e certi5ction t+t is eC#i$lent to non-
co7plince &it+ t+e reC#ire7ent n. constit#tes $li. c#se *or t+e .is7issl o*
t+e petition,U''V
Ho&e$er( t+ere re instnces &+en &e trete. co7plince &it+ t+e r#le &it+
relti$e li!erlit9( especill9 &+en t+ere re circ#7stnces or co7pellin% resons
7<in% t+e strict ppliction o* t+e r#le clerl9 #n?#sti5e.,U'0V
In t+e cse o* Fr Estern S+ippin% Co7pn9 $, Co#rt o* Appels(U'FV &+ile &e si.
t+t( strictl9( certi5ction %inst *or#7 s+oppin% !9 co#nsel is .e*ecti$e
certi5ction( t+e $eri5ction( si%ne. !9 petitioner;s co#nsel in si. cse( is
s#!stntil co7plince ins7#c+ s it ser$e. t+e p#rpose o* t+e R#les o* in*or7in%
t+e Co#rt o* t+e pen.enc9 o* not+er ction or procee.in% in$ol$in% t+e s7e
iss#es, We t+en eKpline. t+t proce.#rl r#les re instr#7ents in t+e spee.9 n.
e6cient .7inistrtion o* ?#stice &+ic+ s+o#l. !e #se. to c+ie$e s#c+ en. n. not
to .eril it,U'EV
In S9 C+in $, Co#rt o* Appels(U':V &e cte%oricll9 stte. t+t &+ile t+e petition
&s N&e. s t+e certi5ction o* non-*or#7 s+oppin% &s si%ne. onl9 !9 co#nsel
n. not !9 t+e prt9( s#c+ proce.#rl lpse 79 !e o$erloo<e. in t+e interest o*
s#!stntil ?#stice,U'8V Finll9( t+e Co#rt +s lso on occsion +el. t+t t+e prt9
nee. not si%n t+e $eri5ctionO prt9;s representti$e( l&9er or n9 person &+o
personll9 <no&s t+e tr#t+ o* t+e *cts lle%e. in t+e ple.in% 79 si%n t+e
$eri5ction,U'GV
Here( t+e $eri5ction n. certi5ction o* non-*or#7 s+oppin% &s si%ne. !9
petitioner;s co#nsel, Ppon receipt o* t+e resol#tion o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels
.is7issin% +er petition *or non-co7plince &it+ t+e r#les( petitioner s#!7itte.(
to%et+er &it+ +er 7otion *or reconsi.ertion( $eri5ction n. certi5ction si%ne.
!9 +er in co7plince &it+ t+e si. r#le,U01V We .ee7 t+is to !e s#6cient
co7plince especill9 in $ie& o* t+e 7erits o* t+e cse( &+ic+ 79 !e consi.ere. s
specil circ#7stnce or co7pellin% reson t+t &o#l. ?#sti*9 te7perin% t+e +r.
conseC#ence o* t+e proce.#rl reC#ire7ent on non-*or#7 s+oppin%,U01V
On t+e secon. ssi%n7ent o* error t+t t+e Co#rt o* Appels erre. in .en9in%
petitioner;s pr9er *or &rit o* certiorri n. pro+i!ition( &e li<e&ise 5n. *or
petitioner,
Pn.er R#le 111 o* t+e Re$ise. R#les o* Cri7inl Proce.#re( s 7en.e.( cri7inl
ction 79 !e s#spen.e. #pon t+e pen.enc9 o* pre?#.icil C#estion in ci$il
ction( to &it"
SEC, E, S#spension !9 reson o* pre?#.icil C#estion, - A petition *or
s#spension o* t+e cri7inl ction !se. #pon t+e pen.enc9 o* pre?#.icil C#estion
in ci$il ction 79 !e 5le. in t+e o6ce o* t+e prosec#tor or t+e co#rt con.#ctin%
t+e preli7inr9 in$esti%tion, W+en t+e cri7inl ction +s !een 5le. in co#rt *or
tril( t+e petition to s#spen. s+ll !e 5le. in t+e s7e cri7inl ction t n9 ti7e
!e*ore t+e prosec#tion rests,
For pre?#.icil C#estion in ci$il cse to s#spen. cri7inl ction( it 7#st pper
not onl9 t+t si. ci$il cse in$ol$es *cts inti7tel9 relte. to t+ose #pon &+ic+
t+e cri7inl prosec#tion &o#l. !e !se.( !#t lso t+t in t+e resol#tion o* t+e iss#e
or iss#es rise. in t+e ci$il cse( t+e %#ilt or innocence o* t+e cc#se. &o#l.
necessril9 !e .eter7ine.,U0-V T+e rtionle !e+in. t+e principle o* pre?#.icil
C#estion is to $oi. t&o (-) conNictin% .ecisions,
T+#s( *or ci$il ction to !e consi.ere. pre?#.icil to cri7inl cse s to c#se t+e
s#spension o* t+e cri7inl procee.in%s #ntil t+e 5nl resol#tion o* t+e ci$il cse( t+e
*ollo&in% reC#isites 7#st !e present" (1) t+e ci$il cse in$ol$es *cts inti7tel9
relte. to t+ose #pon &+ic+ t+e cri7inl prosec#tion &o#l. !e !se.O (-) in t+e
resol#tion o* t+e iss#e or iss#es rise. in t+e ci$il ction( t+e %#ilt or innocence o*
t+e cc#se. &o#l. necessril9 !e .eter7ine.O n. (') ?#ris.iction to tr9 si.
C#estion 7#st !e lo.%e. in not+er tri!#nl,U0'V
I* t+e resol#tion o* t+e iss#e in t+e ci$il ction &ill not .eter7ine t+e cri7inl
responsi!ilit9 o* t+e cc#se. in t+e cri7inl ction !se. on t+e s7e *cts( or t+ere
is no necessit9 =t+t t+e ci$il cse !e .eter7ine. 5rst !e*ore t<in% #p t+e cri7inl
cse(> t+e ci$il cse .oes not in$ol$e pre?#.icil C#estion,U00V Neit+er is t+ere
pre?#.icil C#estion i* t+e ci$il n. t+e cri7inl ction cn( ccor.in% to l&(
procee. in.epen.entl9 o* ec+ ot+er,U0FV
As stte.( t+e .eter7intion o* &+et+er t+e procee.in%s 79 !e s#spen.e. on t+e
!sis o* pre?#.icil C#estion rests on &+et+er t+e *cts n. iss#es rise. in t+e
ple.in%s in t+e ci$il cse re so relte. &it+ t+e iss#es rise. in t+e cri7inl cse
s#c+ t+t t+e resol#tion o* t+e iss#es in t+e ci$il cse &o#l. lso .eter7ine t+e
?#.%7ent in t+e cri7inl cse,
A per#sl o* t+e lle%tions in t+e petition to nn#l ?#.%7ent s+o&s t+t CA-2,R, SP
No, 8:--- pen.in% !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels is principll9 *or t+e .eter7intion
o* t+e $li.it9 o* t+e co7pro7ise %ree7ent &+ic+ .i. not incl#.e Peter( Ct+erine(
n. Fnnie s +eirs o* Jell, Peter( Ct+erine( n. Fnnie presente. e$i.ence to
pro$e t+t t+e9 re lso !iolo%icl c+il.ren o* Jell n. Ale?n.ro, On t+e ot+er
+n.( Cri7inl Cse Nos, '0'81- to '0'810 !e*ore t+e 4eTC in$ol$e t+e
.eter7intion o* &+et+er petitioner co77itte. *lsi5ction o* p#!lic .oc#7ents in
eKec#tin% ple.in%s continin% #ntr#t+*#l stte7ents t+t s+e n. Rose7r9 &ere
t+e onl9 le%l +eirs o* Jell,
It is e$i.ent t+t t+e res#lt o* t+e ci$il cse &ill .eter7ine t+e innocence or %#ilt o*
t+e petitioner in t+e cri7inl cses *or *lsi5ction o* p#!lic .oc#7ents, T+e
cri7inl cses rose o#t o* t+e cli7 o* Peter( Ct+erine( n. Fnnie t+t t+e9 re
lso t+e le%l +eirs o* Jell, I* it is 5nll9 .?#.%e. in t+e ci$il cse t+t t+e9 re not
!iolo%icl c+il.ren o* t+e lte Jell n. conseC#entl9 not entitle. to s+re in +er
estte s +eirs( t+ere is no 7ore !sis to procee. &it+ t+e cri7inl cses %inst
petitioner &+o co#l. not +$e co77itte. *lsi5ction in +er ple.in%s 5le. !e*ore
t+e RTC o* Psi% Cit9( t+e tr#t+ o* +er stte7ents re%r.in% t+e 5lition o* Peter(
Ct+erine n. Fnnie +$in% !een ?#.icill9 settle.,
WHEREFORE( t+e petition is 2RANTED, T+e Resol#tions .te. A#%#st -'( -11: n.
8#l9 10( -118 o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R, SP No, G8G:8 re +ere!9 REAERSED
n. SET ASIDE, T+e cri7inl procee.in%s %inst petitioner @riHi @trin T9-De
Z#H#rre%#i in Cri7inl Cse Nos, '0'81- to '0'810 !e*ore t+e 4etropolitn Tril
Co#rt o* 4<ti Cit9( Jrnc+ E1 re +ere!9 or.ere. SPSPENDED #ntil t+e 5nl
resol#tion o* CA-2,R, SP No, 8:---,
No costs,
SO ORDERED,
/0!OND DIVI/ION


JO/0LITO . PI$0NT0L+ G.. No. ,-&'('
Petitioner+
Present4

!"PIO+ J.+
!hairperson+
: versus : P0"LT"+
=0/"$IN+E
"="D+ an#
VILL""$"+ J.+EE JJ.

$"I" !H9/"NTIN0
L. PI$0NT0L an# P0OPL0 Promulgate#4
O7 TH0 PHILIPPIN0/+
espon#ents. /eptember ,.+ &','
K- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - K


D E C I S I O N

CARPIO( 8,"

T+e Cse

Je*ore t+e Co#rt is petition *or re$ie&U1V ssilin% t+e DecisionU-V o* t+e
Co#rt o* Appels( pro7#l%te. on -1 4rc+ -11E( in CA-2,R, SP No, G18E:,

T+e Antece.ent Fcts

T+e *cts re stte. in t+e Co#rt o* Appels; .ecision"
On -F Octo!er -110( 4ri C+r9sntine Pi7entel 9 Lcp (pri$te respon.ent)
5le. n ction *or *r#strte. prrici.e %inst 8oselito R, Pi7entel (petitioner)(
.oc<ete. s Cri7inl Cse No, L-10-1'101F( !e*ore t+e Re%ionl Tril Co#rt o*
L#eHon Cit9( &+ic+ &s r^e. to Jrnc+ --' (RTC L#eHon Cit9),

On : Fe!r#r9 -11F( petitioner recei$e. s#77ons to pper !e*ore t+e
Re%ionl Tril Co#rt o* Antipolo Cit9( Jrnc+ :- (RTC Antipolo) *or t+e pre-tril n.
tril o* Ci$il Cse No, 10-:'G- (4ri C+r9sntine LorenH L, Pi7entel $, 8oselito
Pi7entel) *or Declrtion o* N#llit9 o* 4rri%e #n.er Section 'E o* t+e F7il9 Co.e
on t+e %ro#n. o* ps9c+olo%icl incpcit9,

On 11 Fe!r#r9 -11F( petitioner 5le. n #r%ent 7otion to s#spen. t+e
procee.in%s !e*ore t+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 on t+e %ro#n. o* t+e eKistence o*
pre?#.icil C#estion, Petitioner sserte. t+t since t+e reltions+ip !et&een t+e
oIen.er n. t+e $icti7 is <e9 ele7ent in prrici.e( t+e o#tco7e o* Ci$il Cse No,
10-:'G- &o#l. +$e !erin% in t+e cri7inl cse 5le. %inst +i7 !e*ore t+e RTC
L#eHon Cit9,

T+e Decision o* t+e Tril Co#rt

T+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 iss#e. n Or.er .te. 1' 49 -11FU'V +ol.in% t+t t+e
pen.enc9 o* t+e cse !e*ore t+e RTC Antipolo is not pre?#.icil C#estion t+t
&rrnts t+e s#spension o* t+e cri7inl cse !e*ore it, T+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 +el.
t+t t+e iss#es in Cri7inl Cse No, L-10-1'101F re t+e in?#ries s#stine. !9
respon.ent n. &+et+er t+e cse co#l. !e trie. e$en i* t+e $li.it9 o* petitioner;s
7rri%e &it+ respon.ent is in C#estion, T+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 r#le."


WHEREFORE( on t+e !sis o* t+e *ore%oin%( t+e 4otion to S#spen.
Procee.in%s On t+e U2ro#n.V o* t+e EKistence o* Pre?#.icil L#estion is( *or lc< o*
7erit( DENIED,

SO ORDERED,U0V


Petitioner 5le. 7otion *or reconsi.ertion, In its -- A#%#st -11F Or.er(UFV
t+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 .enie. t+e 7otion,

Petitioner 5le. petition *or certiorri &it+ ppliction *or &rit o* preli7inr9
in?#nction n.3or te7porr9 restrinin% or.er !e*ore t+e Co#rt o* Appels( ssilin%
t+e 1' 49 -11F n. -- A#%#st -11F Or.ers o* t+e RTC L#eHon Cit9,

T+e Decision o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels

In its -1 4rc+ -11E Decision( t+e Co#rt o* Appels .is7isse. t+e petition,
T+e Co#rt o* Appels r#le. t+t in t+e cri7inl cse *or *r#strte. prrici.e( t+e
iss#e is &+et+er t+e oIen.er co77ence. t+e co77ission o* t+e cri7e o* prrici.e
.irectl9 !9 o$ert cts n. .i. not per*or7 ll t+e cts o* eKec#tion !9 reson o*
so7e c#se or cci.ent ot+er t+n +is o&n spontneo#s .esistnce, On t+e ot+er
+n.( t+e iss#e in t+e ci$il ction *or nn#l7ent o* 7rri%e is &+et+er petitioner is
ps9c+olo%icll9 incpcitte. to co7pl9 &it+ t+e essentil 7ritl o!li%tions, T+e
Co#rt o* Appels r#le. t+t e$en i* t+e 7rri%e !et&een petitioner n. respon.ent
&o#l. !e .eclre. $oi.( it &o#l. !e i77teril to t+e cri7inl cse !ec#se prior
to t+e .eclrtion o* n#llit9( t+e lle%e. cts constit#tin% t+e cri7e o* *r#strte.
prrici.e +. lre.9 !een co77itte., T+e Co#rt o* Appels r#le. t+t ll t+t is
reC#ire. *or t+e c+r%e o* *r#strte. prrici.e is t+t t t+e ti7e o* t+e co77ission
o* t+e cri7e( t+e 7rri%e is still s#!sistin%,

Petitioner 5le. petition *or re$ie& !e*ore t+is Co#rt ssilin% t+e Co#rt o*
Appels; .ecision,

T+e Iss#e

T+e onl9 iss#e in t+is cse is &+et+er t+e resol#tion o* t+e ction *or
nn#l7ent o* 7rri%e is pre?#.icil C#estion t+t &rrnts t+e s#spension o* t+e
cri7inl cse *or *r#strte. prrici.e %inst petitioner,

T+e R#lin% o* t+is Co#rt

T+e petition +s no 7erit,

Ci$il Cse 4#st !e Instit#te.
Je*ore t+e Cri7inl Cse

Section :( R#le 111 o* t+e -111 R#les on Cri7inl Proce.#reUEV pro$i.es"

Section :, Ele7ents o* Pre?#.icil L#estion, - T+e ele7ents o* pre?#.icil
C#estion re" () t+e pre$io#sl9 instit#te. ci$il ction in$ol$es n iss#e si7ilr or
inti7tel9 relte. to t+e iss#e rise. in t+e s#!seC#ent cri7inl ction n. (!) t+e
resol#tion o* s#c+ iss#e .eter7ines &+et+er or not t+e cri7inl ction 79 procee.,

T+e r#le is cler t+t t+e ci$il ction 7#st !e instit#te. 5rst !e*ore t+e 5lin% o*
t+e cri7inl ction, In t+is cse( t+e In*or7tionU:V *or Fr#strte. Prrici.e &s
.te. '1 A#%#st -110, It &s r^e. to RTC L#eHon Cit9 on -F Octo!er -110 s per
t+e st7pe. .te o* receipt on t+e In*or7tion, T+e RTC L#eHon Cit9 set Cri7inl
Cse No, L-10-1'101F *or pre-tril n. tril on 10 Fe!r#r9 -11F, Petitioner &s
ser$e. s#77ons in Ci$il Cse No, 10-:'G- on : Fe!r#r9 -11F,U8V Respon.ent;s
petitionUGV in Ci$il Cse No, 10-:'G- &s .te. 0 No$e7!er -110 n. &s 5le. on F
No$e7!er -110, Clerl9( t+e ci$il cse *or nn#l7ent &s 5le. *ter t+e 5lin% o* t+e
cri7inl cse *or *r#strte. prrici.e, As s#c+( t+e reC#ire7ent o* Section :( R#le
111 o* t+e -111 R#les on Cri7inl Proce.#re &s not 7et since t+e ci$il ction &s
5le. s#!seC#ent to t+e 5lin% o* t+e cri7inl ction,

Ann#l7ent o* 4rri%e is not Pre?#.icil L#estion
in Cri7inl Cse *or Prrici.e

F#rt+er( t+e resol#tion o* t+e ci$il ction is not pre?#.icil C#estion t+t
&o#l. &rrnt t+e s#spension o* t+e cri7inl ction,

T+ere is pre?#.icil C#estion &+en ci$il ction n. cri7inl ction re
!ot+ pen.in%( n. t+ere eKists in t+e ci$il ction n iss#e &+ic+ 7#st !e
pree7pti$el9 resol$e. !e*ore t+e cri7inl ction 79 procee. !ec#se +o&soe$er
t+e iss#e rise. in t+e ci$il ction is resol$e. &o#l. !e .eter7inti$e o* t+e %#ilt or
innocence o* t+e cc#se. in t+e cri7inl cse,U11V A pre?#.icil C#estion is .e5ne.
s"

K K K one t+t rises in cse t+e resol#tion o* &+ic+ is lo%icl ntece.ent o* t+e
iss#e in$ol$e. t+erein( n. t+e co%niHnce o* &+ic+ pertins to not+er tri!#nl, It
is C#estion !se. on *ct .istinct n. seprte *ro7 t+e cri7e !#t so inti7tel9
connecte. &it+ it t+t it .eter7ines t+e %#ilt or innocence o* t+e cc#se.( n. *or it
to s#spen. t+e cri7inl ction( it 7#st pper not onl9 t+t si. cse in$ol$es *cts
inti7tel9 relte. to t+ose #pon &+ic+ t+e cri7inl prosec#tion &o#l. !e !se. !#t
lso t+t in t+e resol#tion o* t+e iss#e or iss#es rise. in t+e ci$il cse( t+e %#ilt or
innocence o* t+e cc#se. &o#l. necessril9 !e .eter7ine.,U11V


T+e reltions+ip !et&een t+e oIen.er n. t+e $icti7 is <e9 ele7ent in t+e
cri7e o* prrici.e(U1-V &+ic+ p#nis+es n9 person =&+o s+ll <ill +is *t+er( 7ot+er(
or c+il.( &+et+er le%iti7te or ille%iti7te( or n9 o* +is scen.nts or .escen.nts(
or +is spo#se,>U1'V T+e reltions+ip !et&een t+e oIen.er n. t+e $icti7
.istin%#is+es t+e cri7e o* prrici.e *ro7 7#r.erU10V or +o7ici.e,U1FV Ho&e$er( t+e
iss#e in t+e nn#l7ent o* 7rri%e is not si7ilr or inti7tel9 relte. to t+e iss#e in
t+e cri7inl cse *or prrici.e, F#rt+er( t+e reltions+ip !et&een t+e oIen.er n.
t+e $icti7 is not .eter7inti$e o* t+e %#ilt or innocence o* t+e cc#se.,

T+e iss#e in t+e ci$il cse *or nn#l7ent o* 7rri%e #n.er Article 'E o* t+e
F7il9 Co.e is &+et+er petitioner is ps9c+olo%icll9 incpcitte. to co7pl9 &it+
t+e essentil 7ritl o!li%tions, T+e iss#e in prrici.e is &+et+er t+e cc#se.
<ille. t+e $icti7, In t+is cse( since petitioner &s c+r%e. &it+ *r#strte. prrici.e(
t+e iss#e is &+et+er +e per*or7e. ll t+e cts o* eKec#tion &+ic+ &o#l. +$e <ille.
respon.ent s conseC#ence !#t &+ic+( ne$ert+eless( .i. not pro.#ce it !9 reson
o* c#ses in.epen.ent o* petitioner;s &ill,U1EV At t+e ti7e o* t+e co77ission o* t+e
lle%e. cri7e( petitioner n. respon.ent &ere 7rrie., T+e s#!seC#ent .issol#tion
o* t+eir 7rri%e( in cse t+e petition in Ci$il Cse No, 10-:'G- is %rnte.( &ill +$e
no eIect on t+e lle%e. cri7e t+t &s co77itte. t t+e ti7e o* t+e s#!sistence o*
t+e 7rri%e, In s+ort( e$en i* t+e 7rri%e !et&een petitioner n. respon.ent is
nn#lle.( petitioner co#l. still !e +el. cri7inll9 li!le since t t+e ti7e o* t+e
co77ission o* t+e lle%e. cri7e( +e &s still 7rrie. to respon.ent,


We cnnot ccept petitioner;s relince on Tene!ro $, Co#rt o* AppelsU1:V t+t
=t+e ?#.icil .eclrtion o* t+e n#llit9 o* 7rri%e on t+e %ro#n. o* ps9c+olo%icl
incpcit9 retrocts to t+e .te o* t+e cele!rtion o* t+e 7rri%e inso*r s t+e
$inc#l#7 !et&een t+e spo#ses is concerne. K K K,> First( t+e iss#e in Tene!ro is
t+e eIect o* t+e ?#.icil .eclrtion o* n#llit9 o* secon. or s#!seC#ent 7rri%e
on t+e %ro#n. o* ps9c+olo%icl incpcit9 on cri7inl li!ilit9 *or !i%79, T+ere
&s no iss#e o* pre?#.icil C#estion in t+t cse, Secon.( t+e Co#rt r#le. in Tene!ro
t+t =UtV+ere is K K K reco%nition &ritten into t+e l& itsel* t+t s#c+ 7rri%e(
lt+o#%+ $oi. ! initio( 79 still pro.#ce le%l conseC#ences,>U18V In *ct( t+e
Co#rt .eclre. in t+t cse t+t = .eclrtion o* t+e n#llit9 o* t+e secon. 7rri%e
on t+e %ro#n. o* ps9c+olo%icl incpcit9 is o* !sol#tel9 no 7o7ent inso*r s t+e
Stte;s penl l&s re concerne.,>U1GV

In $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin%( t+e Co#rt #p+ol.s t+e .ecision o* t+e Co#rt o*
Appels, T+e tril in Cri7inl Cse No, L-10-1'101F 79 procee. s t+e resol#tion
o* t+e iss#e in Ci$il Cse No, 10-:'G- is not .eter7inti$e o* t+e %#ilt or innocence
o* petitioner in t+e cri7inl cse,

WHEREFORE( &e DENS t+e petition, We AFFIR4 t+e -1 4rc+ -11E Decision
o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R, SP No, G18E:,

SO ORDERED,
ep#!lic o* t+e P+ilippines
SPPRE4E COPRT
4nil
EN JANC
A,C, No, EG:1 Fe!r#r9 -'( -11E
LPIRINO TO4LIN II( Co7plinnt(
$s,
ATTS, SALAADOR N, 4OSA II( Respon.ent,
D E C I S I O N
SNARES-SANTIA2O( 8,"
On Dece7!er 1( -11'( L#irino To7lin II 5le. co7plint1 !e*ore t+e Co77ission
on Jr Discipline o* t+e Inte%rte. Jr o* t+e P+ilippines (IJP) %inst Att9, Sl$.or
N, 4o9 II *or lle%e.l9 rene%in% on +is 7onetr9 o!li%tions n. *or +$in% iss#e.
!o#ncin% c+ec<sO t+ere!9 $ioltin% t+e Co.e o* Pro*essionl Responsi!ilit9- n.
Jts P7!ns (J,P,) Jl%, --,'
Co7plinnt $erre. t+t respon.ent !orro&e. *ro7 +i7 PE11(111,11 prtill9
co$ere. !9 se$en post.te. c+ec<s, Ho&e$er( &+en co7plinnt trie. to encs+
t+e7 on t+eir respecti$e .#e .tes( t+e c+ec<s &ere ll .is+onore. !9 t+e .r&ee
!n<( to &it"
C+ec< No, D#e Dte A7o#nt Reson *or Dis+onor
4OJ 1111'-E 49 1E( -111 P1'(F11,11 RTCOCI
4OJ 1111'11 8#ne 11( -111 P'1(111,11 RTCOCI
4OJ 1111'-8 8#ne 1:( -111 PF(111,11 Acco#nt Close.
4OJ 1111'1' A#%#st 1-( -111 PF1(111,11 Acco#nt Close.
4OJ 1111'-G A#%#st 1E( -111 PF(111,11 Acco#nt Close.
4OJ 1111'10 A#%#st 1G( -111 PF1(111,11 Acco#nt Close.
4OJ 1111''1 Septe7!er 18( -111 PF(111,11 Acco#nt Close.
Co7plinnt 7.e se$erl .e7n.s( t+e lst !ein% *or7l letter0 sent on
Septe7!er -F( -11-OF +o&e$er( respon.ent still *ile. n. re*#se. to p9 +is .e!t
&it+o#t ?#sti5!le reson, ConseC#entl9( co7plinnt instit#te. cse *or se$en
co#nts o* $ioltion o* J,P, Jl%, -- %inst t+e respon.ent !e*ore t+e 4#nicipl Tril
Co#rt o* St, 4ri( J#lcn,E In ..ition( +e 5le. t+e instnt cse *or respon.ent;s
.is!r7ent,
On Dece7!er 1( -11'( respon.ent &s .irecte. to 5le +is ns&er !#t inste. +e
5le. se$erl 7otions *or eKtension o* ti7e to 5le responsi$e ple.in%: n.
7otion to .is7iss co7plint,8
Respon.ent lle%e. t+t t+e cse s+o#l. !e .is7isse. o#tri%+t *or $ioltion o* t+e
r#le on non-*or#7 s+oppin%, He r%#e. t+t co7plinnt .i. not in*or7 t+e IJP
!o#t t+e cses +e 5le. *or $ioltions o* J,P, Jl%, -- %inst respon.ent pen.in%
!e*ore t+e 4#nicipl Tril Co#rt o* St, 4ri( J#lcn,G Respon.ent r%#e. t+t t+e
5lin% o* t+e .7inistrti$e cse .espite t+e pen.enc9 o* t+e cri7inl cses is *or7
o* +rss7ent &+ic+ s+o#l. not !e llo&e.,
On April -8( -110( t+e Co77ission on Jr Discipline .enie.11 t+e 7otion to .is7iss
*or !ein% pro+i!ite. ple.in% #n.er Section -( R#le ' o* its R#les o* Proce.#re,
Respon.ent;s 7otion *or reconsi.ertion11 &s li<e&ise .enie. on 8#ne 1E( -110,1-
T+ere*ter( respon.ent 5le. se$erl 7otions *or eKtension o* ti7e to 5le n
ns&er,1' His lst 7otion *or eKtension &s +o&e$er .enie. *or lc< o* 7erit,
ConseC#entl9( t+e Co77ission on Jr Discipline .eclre. +i7 in .e*#lt,10
Respon.ent t+ere*ter 5le. 7ni*esttion &it+ 7otion to ter7inte procee.in%s
on t+e %ro#n. o* prescription1Fn. o7ni!#s 7otion to recll t+e .e*#lt or.er,1E
On 8n#r9 '( -11F( t+e Co77ission on Jr Discipline reC#ire. t+e prties to s#!7it
t+eir respecti$e $eri5e. position ppers *ter &+ic+ t+e cse s+ll !e consi.ere.
s#!7itte. *or resol#tion,1:
Onl9 t+e co7plinnt s#!7itte. +is position pper,18
In t+e Report n. Reco77en.tion .te. 4rc+ '1( -11F( t+e In$esti%tin%
Co77issioner note. t+t respon.ent *ile. to 5le n ns&er n.3or position pper
.espite se$erl reC#ests *or eKtension( in .isre%r. o* t+e or.ers o* t+e IJP,
4oreo$er( it &s o!ser$e. t+t t+e pen.in% cri7inl ction %inst respon.ent .oes
not pose pre?#.icil C#estion to t+e resol#tion o* t+e iss#es in t+e present
.7inistrti$e cse, Hence( it &s reco77en.e. t+t respon.ent !e s#spen.e.
*ro7 t+e prctice o* l& *or one 9er,
On Octo!er --( -11F( t+e IJP Jor. o* 2o$ernors .opte. n. ppro$e. t+e report
o* t+e In$esti%tin% Co77issioner( !#t 7o.i5e. t+e penlt9 o* s#spension *ro7 t+e
prctice o* l& *ro7 one 9er to t&o 9ers,
We %ree &it+ t+e 5n.in%s n. reco77en.tion o* t+e IJP,
L&9ers re instr#7ents *or t+e .7inistrtion o* ?#stice, As $n%#r.s o* o#r le%l
s9ste7( t+e9 re eKpecte. to 7intin not onl9 le%l pro5cienc9 !#t lso +i%+
stn.r. o* 7orlit9( +onest9( inte%rit9 n. *ir .elin%, In so .oin%( t+e people;s
*it+ n. con5.ence in t+e ?#.icil s9ste7 is ens#re.,1G L&9ers 79 !e .iscipline.
Q &+et+er in t+eir pro*essionl or in t+eir pri$te cpcit9 Q *or n9 con.#ct t+t is
&ntin% in 7orlit9( +onest9( pro!it9 n. %oo. .e7enor,-1 An9 %ross 7iscon.#ct
o* l&9er in +is pro*ession or pri$te cpcit9 is %ro#n. *or t+e i7position o* t+e
penlt9 o* s#spension or .is!r7ent !ec#se %oo. c+rcter is n essentil
C#li5ction *or t+e .7ission to t+e prctice o* l& n. *or t+e contin#nce o* s#c+
pri$ile%e,-1
In t+e present cse( respon.ent .7itte. +is 7onetr9 o!li%tions to t+e
co7plinnt !#t oIere. no ?#sti5!le reson *or +is contin#e. re*#sl to p9,
Co7plinnt 7.e se$erl .e7n.s( !ot+ $er!l n. &ritten( !#t respon.ent ?#st
i%nore. t+e7 n. e$en 7.e +i7sel* scrce, Alt+o#%+ +e c<no&le.%e. +is
5nncil o!li%tions to t+e co7plinnt( respon.ent ne$er oIere. nor 7.e
rrn%e7ents to p9 +is .e!t, On t+e contrr9( +e re*#se. to reco%niHe n9
&ron%.oin% nor s+o&n re7orse *or iss#in% &ort+less c+ec<s( n ct constit#tin%
%ross 7iscon.#ct,-- Respon.ent 7#st !e re7in.e. t+t it is +is .#t9 s l&9er to
*it+*#ll9 per*or7 t ll ti7es +is .#ties to societ9( to t+e !r( to t+e co#rts n. to
+is clients, As prt o* +is .#ties( +e 7#st pro7ptl9 p9 +is 5nncil o!li%tions,-'
T+e contention t+t co7plinnt $iolte. t+e r#le %inst *or#7 s+oppin% &it+ t+e
5lin% o* t+is .7inistrti$e co7plint is !ere*t o* 7erit, T+ere is *or#7-s+oppin%
&+ene$er( s res#lt o* n .$erse opinion in one *or#7( prt9 see<s *$or!le
opinion (ot+er t+n !9 ppel or certiorri) in not+er-0 or &+en +e instit#tes t&o
or 7ore ctions or procee.in%s %ro#n.e. on t+e s7e c#se on t+e s#pposition t+t
one or t+e ot+er co#rt &o#l. 7<e *$or!le .isposition,-F For#7 s+oppin%
pplies onl9 to ?#.icil cses or procee.in%s( not to .is!r7ent procee.in%s,-E
4oreo$er( Cri7inl Cse Nos, E-'E:-1' to E-':'-1' *or $ioltion o* J,P, Jl%, -- re*er
to t+e respon.ent;s ct o* 7<in% or .r&in% n. iss#nce o* &ort+less c+ec<sO
&+ile t+e present .7inistrti$e cse see<s to .iscipline respon.ent s l&9er *or
+is .is+onest ct o* *ilin% to p9 +is .e!t in $ioltion o* t+e Co.e o* Pro*essionl
Responsi!ilit9,l$$p+a1,net
Respon.ent( !ein% 7e7!er o* t+e !r( s+o#l. note t+t .7inistrti$e cses
%inst l&9ers !elon% to clss o* t+eir o&n, T+e9 re .istinct *ro7 n. t+e9 79
procee. in.epen.entl9 o* cri7inl cses, T+e !#r.en o* proo* in cri7inl cse is
%#ilt !e9on. reson!le .o#!t &+ile in n .7inistrti$e cse( onl9 prepon.ernce
o* e$i.ence is reC#ire., T+#s( cri7inl prosec#tion &ill not constit#te pre?#.icil
C#estion e$en i* t+e s7e *cts n. circ#7stnces re tten.nt in t+e
.7inistrti$e procee.in%s,-:
Jesi.es( it is not so#n. ?#.icil polic9 to &it t+e 5nl resol#tion o* cri7inl cse
!e*ore co7plint %inst l&9er 79 !e cte. #ponO ot+er&ise( t+is Co#rt &ill
!e ren.ere. +elpless *ro7 ppl9in% t+e r#les on .7ission to n. contin#in%
7e7!ers+ip in t+e le%l pro*ession .#rin% t+e &+ole perio. t+t t+e cri7inl cse is
pen.in% 5nl .isposition &+en t+e o!?ecti$es o* t+e t&o procee.in%s re $stl9
.isprte,-8
Finll9( &e note t+t respon.ent *ile. to 5le +is ns&er n. $eri5e. position pper
.espite se$erl opport#nities %i$en +i7 !9 t+e IJP( t+t is( *ro7 t+e ti7e +e
recei$e. on Dece7!er -1( -11'-G t+e Or.er'1 o* t+e IJP reC#irin% +i7 to 5le n
ns&er #ntil 4rc+ '1( -11F &+en t+e In$esti%tin% Co77issioner s#!7itte. t+e
Report n. Reco77en.tion, Inste.( +e 5le. se$erl 7otions *or eKtension o*
ti7e( 7otion to .is7iss t+e co7plint( 7otion *or reconsi.ertion( 7ni*esttion
&it+ 7otion to ter7inte procee.in%s( n. o7ni!#s 7otion to recll t+e .e*#lt
or.er, Pntil t+e en.( respon.ent oIere. no pl#si!le eKplntion *or +is *il#re to
p9 +is .e!ts, Inste.( +e <ept on insistin%( on plinl9 #n7eritorio#s %ro#n.s( t+e
.is7issl o* t+e co7plint, Aeril9( respon.ent;s *il#re to co7pl9 &it+ t+e or.ers o*
t+e IJP &it+o#t ?#sti5!le reson 7ni*ests +is .isrespect o* ?#.icil #t+orities,'1
Respon.ent s+o#l. !e re7in.e. t+t t+e IJP +s .isciplinr9 #t+orit9 o$er +i7 !9
$irt#e o* +is 7e7!ers+ip t+erein,'-
In $ie& o* t+e *ore%oin%( &e 5n. t+e penlt9 o* s#spension *ro7 t+e prctice o* l&
*or t&o 9ers s reco77en.e. !9 t+e IJP co77ens#rte #n.er t+e circ#7stnces,
WHEREFORE( Att9, Sl$.or N, 4o9 II is *o#n. 2PILTS o* %ross 7iscon.#ct n.
$ioltion o* t+e Co.e o* Pro*essionl Responsi!ilit9 n. is +ere!9 SPSPENDED *ro7
t+e prctice o* l& *or t&o 9ers( eIecti$e i77e.itel9( &it+ &rnin% t+t n9
*#rt+er in*rction !9 +i7 s+ll !e .elt &it+ 7ost se$erel9,
Let copies o* t+is Decision !e *#rnis+e. to ll co#rts s &ell s t+e Inte%rte. Jr o*
t+e P+ilippines n. t+e O6ce o* t+e Jr Con5.nt,
SO ORDERED,
CONSPELO SNARES-SANTIA2O
Associte 8#stice
=OO@ , F P0/ON/
TITL0 ,. !IVIL P0/ON"LIT9
!H"PT0 ,. "T/ .-:.5
!H"PT0 &. "T/ 2':2.
geluG vs court of appeals & scra <',
Jul8 &' ,5(,
Fct o* t+e Cse"
Respon.ent Oscr LHo( t+e +#s!n. o* Nit Ailln#e$ &+o $ol#ntril9 proc#re.+er
!ortion( 5le. n ction to reco$er .7%es %inst petitioner Antonio LHo
&+oc#se. t+e s7e, T+e tril co#rt ren.ere. ?#.%7ent in *$or o* plintiI LHo,
W+en t+ecse rec+e. t+e Co#rt o* Appels !#t it s#stine. t+e &r. to t+e
plintiI, T+e Co#rt o* Appels n. t+e Tril Co#rt pre.icte. t+e &r. o* .7%es
in t+e 7o#nt o* P'(111#pon t+e pro$ision o* Article --1E o* t+e Ci$il Co.e *or t+e
.et+ o* person,
Iss#e"
(1)W+et+er or not n ction *or .7%es co#l. !e instit#te. on !e+l* o* t+e #n!orn
c+il.,(-)W+et+er or not t+e #n!orn c+il. cC#ires ci$il personlit9,
Hel."
No ction *or .7%es co#l. !e instit#te. on #n!orn c+il. on cco#nt o* in?#riesit
recei$e.( no s#c+ ri%+t o* ction co#l. .eri$ti$el9 ccr#e to its prent or +eirs,
T+el&s sttes t+t ci$il personlit9 o* t+e c+il. co77ences t t+e ti7e o* its
conception( pro$i.e. t+t it !e !orn li$e or i* it +. n intr#terine li*e o* less t+e
se$en 7ont+s( t+e*oet#s is not .ee7e. !orn i* it .ies &it+in t&ent9 *o#r +o#rs *ter
its co7plete .eli$er9*ro7 t+e 7ternl &o7!,
THID DIVI/ION


!ONTIN0NT"L /T00L $"N;7"!T;ING !OPO"TION+
Petitioner+

: versus :

HON. "!!0DIT0D VOL;NT"9 "=IT"TO "LL"N /.
$ONT">O an# N"G@"@"I/"NG $"NGG"G"D" NG !0NTO
/T00L !OPO"TION:/OLID"IT9 O7 ;NION/ IN TH0
PHILIPPIN0/ 7O 0$POD0$0NT "ND 07O$/ %N$!/!:
/;P0)+
espon#ents.

G.. No. ,<&<.(


Present"

CARPIO( 8,(
C+irperson(
CHICO-NAZARIO(
AELASCO( 8R,(
NACHPRA( n.
PERALTA( 88,


Pro7#l%te."



Octo!er 1'( -11G
K- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -K



D E C I S I O N



CHICO-NAZARIO( 8,"


Je*ore Ps is Petition *or Re$ie& on Certiorri( #n.er R#le 0F o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt(
ssilin% t+e DecisionU1V .te. -: Fe!r#r9 -118 n. t+e Resol#tionU-V .te. G 49
-118 o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R, SP No, 111EG:( 6r7in% t+e Resol#tionU'V
.te. -1 No$e7!er -11: o* respon.ent Accre.ite. Aol#ntr9 Ar!itrtor Att9, Alln
S, 4ontXo (4ontXo) %rntin% !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts to
Roln.o P, Hortillno (Hortillno)( %ro#n.e. on t+e .et+ o* +is #n!orn c+il.,

T+e ntece.ent *cts o* t+e cse re s *ollo&s"

Hortillno( n e7plo9ee o* petitioner Continentl Steel 4n#*ct#rin% Corportion
(Continentl Steel) n. 7e7!er o* respon.ent N%<<isn% 4n%%%& n%
Centro Steel Corportion-Soli.rit9 o* Tr.e Pnions in t+e P+ilippines *or
E7po&er7ent n. Re*or7s (Pnion) 5le. on G 8n#r9 -11E( cli7 *or Pternit9
Le$e( Jere$e7ent Le$e n. Det+ n. Acci.ent Ins#rnce *or .epen.ent(
p#rs#nt to t+e Collecti$e Jr%inin% A%ree7ent (CJA) concl#.e. !et&een
Continentl n. t+e Pnion( &+ic+ re.s"

ARTICLE )" LEAAE OF AJSENCE

K K K K

Section -, JEREAAE4ENT LEAAETT+e Co7pn9 %rees to %rnt !ere$e7ent
le$e &it+ p9 to n9 e7plo9ee in cse o* .et+ o* t+e e7plo9ee;s le%iti7te
.epen.ent (prents( spo#se( c+il.ren( !rot+ers n. sisters) !se. on t+e *ollo&in%"

-,1 Wit+in 4etro 4nil #p to 4rilo( J#lcn - : .9s

-,- Pro$incil3O#tsi.e 4etro 4nil - 11 .9s

K K K K

ARTICLE )AIII" OTHER JENEFITS

K K K K

Section 0, DEATH AND ACCIDENT INSPRANCETT+e Co7pn9 s+ll %rnt .et+ n.
cci.entl ins#rnce to t+e e7plo9ee or +is *7il9 in t+e *ollo&in% 7nner"

K K K K

0,' DEPENDENTSTEle$en T+o#sn. Fi$e H#n.re. Fi*t9 Pesos (P+p11(FF1,11) in
cse o* .et+ o* t+e e7plo9ees le%iti7te .epen.ents (prents( spo#se( n.
c+il.ren), In cse t+e e7plo9ee is sin%le( t+is !ene5t co$ers t+e le%iti7te prents(
!rot+ers n. sisters onl9 &it+ proper le%l .oc#7ent to !e presente. (e,%, .et+
certi5cte),U0V


T+e cli7 &s !se. on t+e .et+ o* Hortillno;s #n!orn c+il., Hortillno;s &i*e(
4ri*e A, Hortillno( +. pre7t#re .eli$er9 on F 8n#r9 -11E &+ile s+e &s in
t+e '8t+ &ee< o* pre%nnc9,UFV Accor.in% to t+e Certi5cte o* Fetl Det+ .te. :
8n#r9 -11E( t+e *e7le *et#s .ie. .#rin% l!or .#e to *etl AnoKi secon.r9 to
#teroplcentl ins#6cienc9,UEV

Continentl Steel i77e.itel9 %rnte. Hortillno;s cli7 *or pternit9 le$e !#t
.enie. +is cli7s *or !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts( consistin% o* t+e
.et+ n. cci.ent ins#rnce,U:V

See<in% t+e re$ersl o* t+e .enil !9 Continentl Steel o* Hortillno;s cli7s *or
!ere$e7ent n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts( t+e Pnion resorte. to t+e %rie$nce
7c+iner9 pro$i.e. in t+e CJA, Despite t+e series o* con*erences +el.( t+e prties
still *ile. to settle t+eir .isp#te(U8V pro7ptin% t+e Pnion to 5le Notice to Ar!itrte
!e*ore t+e Ntionl Concilition n. 4e.ition Jor. (NC4J) o* t+e Deprt7ent o*
L!or n. E7plo97ent (DOLE)( Ntionl Cpitl Re%ion (NCR),UGV In S#!7ission
A%ree7ent .te. G Octo!er -11E( t+e Pnion n. Continentl Steel s#!7itte. *or
$ol#ntr9 r!itrtion t+e sole iss#e o* &+et+er Hortillno &s entitle. to
!ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts p#rs#nt to Article )( Section -


n. Article )AIII( Section 0,' o* t+e CJA,U11V T+e prties 7#t#ll9 c+ose Att9,
4ontXo( n Accre.ite. Aol#ntr9 Ar!itrtor( to resol$e si. iss#e,U11V

W+en t+e preli7inr9 con*erences %in pro$e. *#tile in 7ic!l9 settlin% t+e
.isp#te( t+e prties procee.e. to s#!7it t+eir respecti$e Position Ppers( U1-V
Replies(U1'V n. Re?oin.ersU10V to Att9, 4ontXo,

T+e Pnion r%#e. t+t Hortillno &s entitle. to !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er
.et+ !ene5ts p#rs#nt to t+e CJA, T+e Pnion 7intine. t+t Article )( Section -
n. Article )AIII( Section 0,' o* t+e CJA .i. not speci5cll9 stte t+t t+e .epen.ent
s+o#l. +$e 5rst !een !orn li$e or 7#st +$e cC#ire. ?#ri.icl personlit9 so t+t
+is3+er s#!seC#ent .et+ co#l. !e co$ere. !9 t+e CJA .et+ !ene5ts, T+e Pnion
cite. cses &+erein e7plo9ees o* 4@@ Steel Corportion (4@@ Steel) n. 49er
Steel Pipe Corportion (49er Steel)( sister co7pnies o* Continentl Steel( in
si7ilr sit#tions s Hortillno &ere !le to recei$e .et+ !ene5ts #n.er si7ilr
pro$isions o* t+eir CJAs,

T+e Pnion 7entione. in prtic#lr t+e cse o* Ste$e L, D#%n (D#%n)( n e7plo9ee
o* 49er Steel( &+ose &i*e lso pre7t#rel9 .eli$ere. *et#s( &+ic+ +. lre.9
.ie. prior to t+e .eli$er9, D#%n &s !le to recei$e pternit9 le$e( !ere$e7ent
le$e( n. $ol#ntr9 contri!#tion #n.er t+e CJA !et&een +is #nion n. 49er
Steel,U1FV D#%n;s c+il. &s onl9 -0 &ee<s in t+e &o7! n. .ie. !e*ore l!or( s
oppose. to Hortillno;s c+il. &+o &s lre.9 ':-'8 &ee<s in t+e &o7! n. onl9
.ie. .#rin% l!or,

T+e Pnion clle. ttention to t+e *ct t+t 4@@ Steel n. 49er Steel re locte. in
t+e s7e co7po#n. s Continentl SteelO n. t+e representti$es o* 4@@ Steel n.
49er Steel &+o si%ne. t+e CJA &it+ t+eir respecti$e e7plo9ees; #nions &ere t+e
s7e s t+e representti$es o* Continentl Steel &+o si%ne. t+e eKistin% CJA &it+
t+e Pnion,

Finll9( t+e Pnion in$o<e. Article 1:1- o* t+e Ci$il Co.e( &+ic+ pro$i.es t+t ll
.o#!ts in l!or le%isltions n. l!or contrcts s+ll !e constr#e. in *$or o* t+e
s*et9 o* n. .ecent li$in% *or t+e l!orer,

On t+e ot+er +n.( Continentl Steel posite. t+t t+e eKpress pro$ision o* t+e CJA
.i. not conte7plte t+e .et+ o* n #n!orn c+il.( *et#s( &it+o#t le%l personlit9,
It cli7e. t+t t+ere re t&o ele7ents *or t+e entitle7ent to t+e !ene5ts( n7el9"
(1) .et+ n. (-) stt#s s le%iti7te .epen.ent( none o* &+ic+ eKiste. in
Hortillno;s cse, Continentl Steel( rel9in% on Articles 01( 01 n. 0-U1EV o* t+e
Ci$il Co.e( conten.e. t+t onl9 one &it+ ci$il personlit9 co#l. .ie, Hence( t+e
#n!orn c+il. ne$er .ie. !ec#se it ne$er cC#ire. ?#ri.icl personlit9, Procee.in%
*ro7 t+e s7e line o* t+o#%+t( Continentl Steel resone. t+t *et#s t+t &s
.e. *ro7 t+e 7o7ent o* .eli$er9 &s not person t ll, Hence( t+e ter7
.epen.ent co#l. not !e pplie. to *et#s t+t ne$er cC#ire. ?#ri.icl personlit9,
A *et#s t+t &s .eli$ere. .e. co#l. not !e consi.ere. .epen.ent( since it ne$er
nee.e. n9 s#pport( nor .i. it e$er cC#ire t+e ri%+t to !e s#pporte.,

Continentl Steel 7intine. t+t t+e &or.in% o* t+e CJA &s cler n.
#n7!i%#o#s, Since neit+er o* t+e prties C#li5e. t+e ter7s #se. in t+e CJA( t+e
le%ll9 ccepte. .e5nitions t+ereo* &ere .ee7e. #to7ticll9 ccepte. !9 !ot+
prties, T+e *il#re o* t+e Pnion to +$e #n!orn c+il. incl#.e. in t+e .e5nition o*
.epen.ent( s #se. in t+e CJA Q t+e .et+ o* &+o7 &o#l. +$e C#li5e. t+e
prent-e7plo9ee *or !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts Q !o#n. t+e Pnion
to t+e le%ll9 ccepte. .e5nition o* t+e ltter ter7,

Continentl Steel( lstl9( $erre. t+t si7ilr cses in$ol$in% t+e e7plo9ees o* its
sister co7pnies( 4@@ Steel n. 49er Steel( re*erre. to !9 t+e Pnion( &ere
irrele$nt n. inco7petent e$i.ence( %i$en t+e seprte n. .istinct personlities
o* t+e co7pnies, Neit+er co#l. t+e Pnion s#stin its cli7 t+t t+e %rnt o*
!ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts to t+e prent-e7plo9ee *or t+e loss o*
n #n!orn c+il. constit#te. =co7pn9 prctice,>

On -1 No$e7!er -11:( Att9, 4ontXo( t+e ppointe. Accre.ite. Aol#ntr9
Ar!itrtor( iss#e. Resol#tionU1:V r#lin% t+t Hortillno &s entitle. to
!ere$e7ent le$e &it+ p9 n. .et+ !ene5ts,

Att9, 4ontXo i.enti5e. t+e ele7ents *or entitle7ent to si. !ene5ts( t+#s"


T+is O6ce .eclres t+t *or t+e entitle7ent o* t+e !ene5t o* !ere$e7ent le$e
&it+ p9 !9 t+e co$ere. e7plo9ees s pro$i.e. #n.er Article )( Section - o* t+e
prties; CJA( t+ree (') in.ispens!le ele7ents 7#st !e present" (1) t+ere is
=.et+>O (-) s#c+ .et+ 7#st !e o* e7plo9ee;s =.epen.ent>O n. (') s#c+
.epen.ent 7#st !e =le%iti7te>,

On t+e ot+er+n.( *or t+e entitle7ent to !ene5t *or .et+ n. cci.ent ins#rnce s
pro$i.e. #n.er Article )AIII( Section 0( pr%rp+ (0,') o* t+e prties; CJA( *o#r (0)
in.ispens!le ele7ents 7#st !e present" () t+ere is =.et+>O (!) s#c+ .et+ 7#st
!e o* e7plo9ee;s =.epen.ent>O (c) s#c+ .epen.ent 7#st !e =le%iti7te>O n. (.)
proper le%l .oc#7ent to !e presente.,U18V


Att9, 4ontXo *o#n. t+t t+ere &s no .isp#te t+t t+e .et+ o* n e7plo9ee;s
le%iti7te .epen.ent occ#rre., T+e *et#s +. t+e ri%+t to !e s#pporte. !9 t+e
prents *ro7 t+e $er9 7o7ent +e3s+e &s concei$e., T+e *et#s +. to rel9 on
not+er *or s#pportO +e3s+e co#l. not +$e eKiste. or s#stine. +i7sel*3+ersel*
&it+o#t t+e po&er or i. o* so7eone else( speci5cll9( +is3+er 7ot+er, T+ere*ore(
t+e *et#s &s lre.9 .epen.ent( lt+o#%+ +e3s+e .ie. .#rin% t+e l!or or
.eli$er9, T+ere &s lso no C#estion t+t Hortillno n. +is &i*e &ere l&*#ll9
7rrie.( 7<in% t+eir .epen.ent( #n!orn c+il.( le%iti7te,

In t+e en.( Att9, 4ontXo .ecree."

WHEREFORE( pre7ises consi.ere.( resol#tion is +ere!9 ren.ere. ORDERIN2
U+erein petitioner Continentl SteelV to p9 Roln.o P, Hortillno t+e 7o#nt o* Fo#r
T+o#sn. Nine H#n.re. T+irt9-Nine Pesos (P0(G'G,11)( representin% +is
!ere$e7ent le$e p9 n. t+e 7o#nt o* Ele$en T+o#sn. Fi$e H#n.re. Fi*t9
Pesos (P11(FF1,11) representin% .et+ !ene5ts( or totl 7o#nt o* P1E(08G,11

T+e co7plint %inst 4n#el S9( +o&e$er( is ORDERED DIS4ISSED *or lc< o*
7erit,

All ot+er cli7s re DIS4ISSED *or lc< o* 7erit,

F#rt+er( prties re +ere!9 ORDERED to *it+*#ll9 !i.e &it+ t+e +erein .ispositions,


A%%rie$e.( Continentl Steel 5le. &it+ t+e Co#rt o* Appels Petition *or Re$ie& on
Certiorri(U1GV #n.er Section 1( R#le 0' o* t+e R#les o* Co#rt( .oc<ete. s CA-2,R,
SP No, 111EG:,

Continentl Steel cli7e. t+t Att9, 4ontXo erre. in %rntin% Hortillno;s cli7s *or
!ere$e7ent le$e &it+ p9 n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts !ec#se no .et+ o* n
e7plo9ee;s .epen.ent +. occ#rre., T+e .et+ o* *et#s( t &+te$er st%e o*
pre%nnc9( &s eKcl#.e. *ro7 t+e co$er%e o* t+e CJA since &+t &s
conte7plte. !9 t+e CJA &s t+e .et+ o* le%l person( n. not t+t o* *et#s(
&+ic+ .i. not cC#ire n9 ?#ri.icl personlit9, Continentl Steel pointe. o#t t+t its
contention &s !olstere. !9 t+e *ct t+t t+e ter7 .et+ &s C#li5e. !9 t+e
p+rse le%iti7te .epen.ent, It sserte. t+t t+e stt#s o* c+il. co#l. onl9 !e
.eter7ine. #pon si. c+il.;s !irt+( ot+er&ise( no s#c+ ppelltion cn !e +.,
Hence( t+e con.itions sine C# non *or Hortillno;s entitle7ent to !ere$e7ent
le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts #n.er t+e CJA &ere lc<in%,

T+e Co#rt o* Appels( in its Decision .te. -: Fe!r#r9 -118( 6r7e. Att9,
4ontXo;s Resol#tion .te. -1 No$e7!er -11:, T+e ppellte co#rt interprete.
.et+ to 7en s *ollo&s"


UHerein petitioner Continentl Steel;sV eKposition on t+e le%l sense in &+ic+ t+e
ter7 =.et+> is #se. in t+e CJA *ils to i7press t+e Co#rt( n. t+e s7e is
irrele$nt *or scertinin% t+e p#rpose( &+ic+ t+e %rnt o* !ere$e7ent le$e n.
.et+ !ene5ts t+ere#n.er( is inten.e. to ser$e, W+ile t+ere is no r%#in% &it+
UContinentl SteelV t+t t+e cC#isition o* ci$il personlit9 o* c+il. or *et#s is
con.itione. on !ein% !orn li$e #pon .eli$er9( it .oes not *ollo& t+t s#c+ e$ent o*
pre7t#re .eli$er9 o* *et#s co#l. ne$er !e conte7plte. s =.et+> s to !e
co$ere. !9 t+e CJA pro$ision( #n.o#!te.l9 n e$ent c#sin% loss n. %rie* to t+e
Iecte. e7plo9ee( &it+ &+o7 t+e .e. *et#s stn.s in le%iti7te reltion,
UContinentl SteelV +s propose. nrro& n. tec+nicl si%ni5cnce to t+e ter7
=.et+ o* le%iti7te .epen.ent> s con.ition *or %rntin% !ere$e7ent le$e n.
.et+ !ene5ts #n.er t+e CJA, Follo&in% UContinentl Steel;sV t+eor9( t+ere cn !e
no eKperience o* =.et+> to spe< o*, T+e Co#rt( +o&e$er( .oes not s+re t+is $ie&,
A .e. *et#s si7pl9 cnnot !e eC#te. &it+ n9t+in% less t+n =loss o* +#7n li*e>(
especill9 *or t+e eKpectnt prents, In t+is li%+t( !ere$e7ent le$e n. .et+
!ene5ts re 7ent to ss#%e t+e e7plo9ee n. t+e ltter;s i77e.ite *7il9(
eKten. to t+e7 solce n. s#pport( rt+er t+n n ct con*errin% le%l stt#s or
personlit9 #pon t+e #n!orn c+il., UContinentl Steel;sV insistence t+t t+e
certi5cte o* *etl .et+ is *or sttisticl p#rposes onl9 s.l9 7isses t+is cr#cil
point,U-1V


Accor.in%l9( t+e *llo o* t+e -: Fe!r#r9 -118 Decision o* t+e Co#rt o*
Appels re.s"

WHEREFORE( pre7ises consi.ere.( t+e present petition is +ere!9 DENIED *or lc< o*
7erit, T+e ssile. Resol#tion .te. No$e7!er -1( -11: o* Accre.ite. Aol#ntr9
Ar!itrtor Att9, Alln S, 4ontXo is +ere!9 AFFIR4ED n. PPHELD,

Wit+ costs %inst U+erein petitioner Continentl SteelV,U-1V


In Resol#tionU--V .te. G 49 -118( t+e Co#rt o* Appels .enie. t+e 4otion *or
Reconsi.ertionU-'V o* Continentl Steel,

Hence( t+is Petition( in &+ic+ Continentl Steel persistentl9 r%#es t+t t+e
CJA is cler n. #n7!i%#o#s( so t+t t+e literl n. le%l 7enin% o* .et+ s+o#l.
!e pplie., Onl9 one &it+ ?#ri.icl personlit9 cn .ie n. .e. *et#s ne$er
cC#ire. ?#ri.icl personlit9,

We re not pers#.e.,

As Att9, 4ontXo i.enti5e.( t+e ele7ents *or !ere$e7ent le$e #n.er Article
)( Section - o* t+e CJA re" (1) .et+O (-) t+e .et+ 7#st !e o* .epen.ent( i,e,(
prent( spo#se( c+il.( !rot+er( or sister( o* n e7plo9eeO n. (') le%iti7te reltions
o* t+e .epen.ent to t+e e7plo9ee, T+e reC#isites *or .et+ n. cci.ent ins#rnce
#n.er Article )AIII( Section 0(') o* t+e CJA re" (1) .et+O (-) t+e .et+ 7#st !e o*
.epen.ent( &+o co#l. !e prent( spo#se( or c+il. o* 7rrie. e7plo9eeO or
prent( !rot+er( or sister o* sin%le e7plo9eeO n. (0) presenttion o* t+e proper
le%l .oc#7ent to pro$e s#c+ .et+( e,%,( .et+ certi5cte,

It is &ort+9 to note t+t .espite t+e repete. ssertion o* Continentl Steel t+t t+e
pro$isions o* t+e CJA re cler n. #n7!i%#o#s( its *#n.7entl r%#7ent *or
.en9in% Hortillno;s cli7 *or !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts rests on
t+e p#rporte.l9 proper interprettion o* t+e ter7s =.et+> n. =.epen.ent> s #se.
in t+e CJA, I* t+e pro$isions o* t+e CJA re in.ee. cler n. #n7!i%#o#s( t+en
t+ere is no nee. to resort to t+e interprettion or constr#ction o* t+e s7e,
4oreo$er( Continentl Steel itsel* .7itte. t+t neit+er 7n%e7ent nor t+e Pnion
so#%+t to .e5ne t+e pertinent ter7s *or !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+
!ene5ts .#rin% t+e ne%otition o* t+e CJA,

T+e relince o* Continentl Steel on Articles 01( 01 n. 0- o* t+e Ci$il Co.e *or t+e
le%l .e5nition o* .et+ is 7isplce., Article 01 pro$i.es t+t concei$e. c+il.
cC#ires personlit9 onl9 &+en it is !orn( n. Article 01 .e5nes &+en c+il. is
consi.ere. !orn, Article 0- plinl9 sttes t+t ci$il personlit9 is eKtin%#is+e. !9
.et+,

First( t+e iss#e o* ci$il personlit9 is not rele$nt +erein, Articles 01( 01 n. 0- o*
t+e Ci$il Co.e on nt#rl persons( 7#st !e pplie. in reltion to Article ': o* t+e
s7e Co.e( t+e $er9 5rst o* t+e %enerl pro$isions on ci$il personlit9( &+ic+ re.s"

Art, ':, 8#ri.icl cpcit9( &+ic+ is t+e 5tness to !e t+e s#!?ect o* le%l reltions( is
in+erent in e$er9 nt#rl person n. is lost onl9 t+ro#%+ .et+, Cpcit9 to ct(
&+ic+ is t+e po&er to .o cts &it+ le%l eIect( is cC#ire. n. 79 !e lost,


We nee. not est!lis+ ci$il personlit9 o* t+e #n!orn c+il. +erein since +is3+er
?#ri.icl cpcit9 n. cpcit9 to ct s person re not in iss#e, It is not
C#estion !e*ore #s &+et+er t+e #n!orn c+il. cC#ire. n9 ri%+ts or inc#rre. n9
o!li%tions prior to +is3+er .et+ t+t &ere psse. on to or ss#7e. !9 t+e c+il.;s
prents, T+e ri%+ts to !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts in t+e instnt
cse pertin .irectl9 to t+e prents o* t+e #n!orn c+il. #pon t+e ltter;s .et+,

Secon.( Sections 01( 01 n. 0- o* t+e Ci$il Co.e .o not pro$i.e t ll .e5nition o*
.et+, 4oreo$er( &+ile t+e Ci$il Co.e eKpressl9 pro$i.es t+t ci$il personlit9 79
!e eKtin%#is+e. !9 .et+( it .oes not eKplicitl9 stte t+t onl9 t+ose &+o +$e
cC#ire. ?#ri.icl personlit9 co#l. .ie,

An. t+ir.( .et+ +s !een .e5ne. s t+e cesstion o* li*e,U-0V Li*e is not
s9non97o#s &it+ ci$il personlit9, One nee. not cC#ire ci$il personlit9 5rst
!e*ore +e3s+e co#l. .ie, E$en c+il. insi.e t+e &o7! lre.9 +s li*e, No less
t+n t+e Constit#tion reco%niHes t+e li*e o* t+e #n!orn *ro7 conception(U-FV t+t t+e
Stte 7#st protect eC#ll9 &it+ t+e li*e o* t+e 7ot+er, I* t+e #n!orn lre.9 +s li*e(
t+en t+e cesstion t+ereo* e$en prior to t+e c+il. !ein% .eli$ere.( C#li5es s .et+,

Li<e&ise( t+e #n!orn c+il. cn !e consi.ere. .epen.ent #n.er t+e CJA, As
Continentl Steel itsel* .e5nes( .epen.ent is =one &+o relies on not+er *or
s#pportO one not !le to eKist or s#stin onesel* &it+o#t t+e po&er or i. o*
so7eone else,> Pn.er si. %enerl .e5nition(U-EV e$en n #n!orn c+il. is
.epen.ent o* its prents, Hortillno;s c+il. co#l. not +$e rec+e. '8-'G &ee<s o*
its %esttionl li*e &it+o#t .epen.in% #pon its 7ot+er( Hortillno;s &i*e( *or
s#stennce, A..itionll9( it is eKplicit in t+e CJA pro$isions in C#estion t+t t+e
.epen.ent 79 !e t+e prent( spo#se( or c+il. o* 7rrie. e7plo9eeO or t+e
prent( !rot+er( or sister o* sin%le e7plo9ee, T+e CJA .i. not pro$i.e
C#li5ction *or t+e c+il. .epen.ent( s#c+ t+t t+e c+il. 7#st +$e !een !orn or
7#st +$e cC#ire. ci$il personlit9( s Continentl Steel $ers, Wit+o#t s#c+
C#li5ction( t+en c+il. s+ll !e #n.erstoo. in its 7ore %enerl sense( &+ic+
incl#.es t+e #n!orn *et#s in t+e 7ot+er;s &o7!,

T+e ter7 le%iti7te 7erel9 ..resses t+e .epen.ent c+il.;s stt#s in reltion to
+is3+er prents, In An%eles $, 4%l9(U-:V &e +$e eKpo#n.e. on &+o is
le%iti7te c+il.( $iH"

A le%iti7te c+il. is pro.#ct o*( n.( t+ere*ore( i7plies $li. n. l&*#l
7rri%e, Re7o$e t+e ele7ent o* l&*#l #nion n. t+ere is strictl9 no le%iti7te
5lition !et&een prents n. c+il., Article 1E0 o* t+e F7il9 Co.e cnnot !e 7ore
e7p+tic on t+e 7tter" =C+il.ren concei$e. or !orn .#rin% t+e 7rri%e o* t+e
prents re le%iti7te,> (E7p+sis o#rs,)


Con$ersel9( in Jriones $, 4i%#el(U-8V &e i.enti5e. n ille%iti7te c+il. to !e s
*ollo&s"

T+e 5ne .istinctions 7on% t+e $rio#s t9pes o* ille%iti7te c+il.ren +$e !een
eli7inte. in t+e F7il9 Co.e, No&( t+ere re onl9 t&o clsses o* c+il.ren --
le%iti7te (n. t+ose &+o( li<e t+e le%ll9 .opte.( +$e t+e ri%+ts o* le%iti7te
c+il.ren) n. ille%iti7te, All c+il.ren concei$e. n. !orn o#tsi.e $li. 7rri%e
re ille%iti7te( #nless t+e l& itsel* %i$es t+e7 le%iti7te stt#s, (E7p+sis o#rs,)



It is pprent t+t ccor.in% to t+e F7il9 Co.e n. t+e *ore-cite. ?#rispr#.ence(
t+e le%iti7c9 or ille%iti7c9 o* c+il. ttc+es #pon +is3+er conception, In t+e
present cse( it &s not .isp#te. t+t Hortillno n. +is &i*e &ere $li.l9 7rrie.
n. t+t t+eir c+il. &s concei$e. .#rin% si. 7rri%e( +ence( 7<in% si. c+il.
le%iti7te #pon +er conception,

Also incontest!le is t+e *ct t+t Hortillno &s !le to co7pl9 &it+ t+e
*o#rt+ ele7ent entitlin% +i7 to .et+ n. cci.ent ins#rnce #n.er t+e CJA( i,e,(
presenttion o* t+e .et+ certi5cte o* +is #n!orn c+il.,

2i$en t+e eKistence o* ll t+e reC#isites *or !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er
.et+ !ene5ts #n.er t+e CJA( Hortillno;s cli7s *or t+e s7e s+o#l. +$e !een
%rnte. !9 Continentl Steel,

We e7p+siHe t+t !ere$e7ent le$e n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts re %rnte.
to n e7plo9ee to %i$e i. to( n. i* possi!le( lessen t+e %rie* o*( t+e si. e7plo9ee
n. +is *7il9 &+o s#Iere. t+e loss o* lo$e. one, It cnnot !e si. t+t t+e
prents; %rie* n. sense o* loss risin% *ro7 t+e .et+ o* t+eir #n!orn c+il.( &+o( in
t+is cse( +. %esttionl li*e o* '8-'G &ee<s !#t .ie. .#rin% .eli$er9( is n9 less
t+n t+t o* prents &+ose c+il. &s !orn li$e !#t .ie. s#!seC#entl9,

Jein% *or t+e !ene5t o* t+e e7plo9ee( CJA pro$isions on !ere$e7ent le$e
n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts s+o#l. !e interprete. li!erll9 to %i$e li*e to t+e intentions
t+ereo*, Ti7e n. %in( t+e L!or Co.e is speci5c in en#ncitin% t+t in cse o*
.o#!t in t+e interprettion o* n9 l& or pro$ision Iectin% l!or( s#c+ s+o#l. !e
interprete. in *$or o* l!or,U-GV In t+e s7e &9( t+e CJA n. CJA pro$isions
s+o#l. !e interprete. in *$or o* l!or, In 4rcopper 4inin% $, Ntionl L!or
Reltions Co77ission(U'1V &e prono#nce."

Finll9( petitioner 7isinterprets t+e .eclrtion o* t+e L!or Ar!iter in t+e ssile.
.ecision t+t B&+en t+e pen.#l#7 o* ?#.%7ent s&in%s to n. *ro n. t+e *orces re
eC#l on !ot+ si.es( t+e s7e 7#st !e stille. in *$or o* l!or,B W+ile petitioner
c<no&le.%es t+t ll .o#!ts in t+e interprettion o* t+e L!or Co.e s+ll !e
resol$e. in *$or o* l!or( it insists t+t &+t is in$ol$e.-+ere is t+e 7en.e. CJA
&+ic+ is essentill9 contrct !et&een pri$te persons, W+t petitioner +s lost
si%+t o* is t+e $o&e. polic9 o* t+e Stte( ens+rine. in o#r Constit#tion( to ccor.
#t7ost protection n. ?#stice to l!or( polic9( &e re( li<e&ise( s&orn to #p+ol.,

In P+ilippine Tele%rp+ _ Telep+one Corportion $, NLRC U18' SCRA 0F1 (1GG1)V( &e
cte%oricll9 stte. t+t"

W+en conNictin% interests o* l!or n. cpitl re to !e &ei%+e. on t+e scles o*
socil ?#stice( t+e +e$ier inN#ence o* t+e ltter s+o#l. !e co#nter-!lnce. !9
s97pt+9 n. co7pssion t+e l& 7#st ccor. t+e #n.erpri$ile%e. &or<er,

Li<e&ise( in Ter7inl Fcilities n. Ser$ices Corportion $, NLRC U1GG SCRA -EF
(1GG1)V( &e .eclre."

An9 .o#!t concernin% t+e ri%+ts o* l!or s+o#l. !e resol$e. in its *$or p#rs#nt to
t+e socil ?#stice polic9,


IN AIEW WHEREOF( t+e Petition is DENIED, T+e Decision .te. -: Fe!r#r9 -118
n. Resol#tion .te. G 49 -118 o* t+e Co#rt o* Appels in CA-2,R, SP No, 111EG:(
6r7in% t+e Resol#tion .te. -1 No$e7!er -11: o* Accre.ite. Aol#ntr9 Ar!itrtor
Att9, Alln S, 4ontXo( &+ic+ %rnte. to Roln.o P, Hortillno !ere$e7ent le$e
p9 n. ot+er .et+ !ene5ts in t+e 7o#nts o* Fo#r T+o#sn. Nine H#n.re. T+irt9-
Nine Pesos (P0(G'G,11) n. Ele$en T+o#sn. Fi$e H#n.re. Fi*t9 Pesos (P11(FF1,11)(
respecti$el9( %ro#n.e. on t+e .et+ o* +is #n!orn c+il.( re AFFIR4ED, Costs
%inst Continentl Steel 4n#*ct#rin% Corportion,

SO ORDERED,

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