ASSIGNMENT IN CRIMINAL LAW I

Prescribed textbook/s:
Revised Penal Code Book I by Luis B. Reyes

NB: Closed book policy shall be observed during class. Only handwritten
notes will be allowed.

I General Principles of Criminal Law

A. Nature and definition

B. Characteristics of Criminal Law

1. General (Art. 2, RPC)
2. Territorial (Art. 2, RPC)
3. Prospective (Article 21 and 22, RPC)
a. Effects of repeal

C. Sources of Criminal Law

1. Revised Penal Code
2. Special Penal Code

D. Constitutional Limitations on Criminal Law

1. Due process and Equal protection (Art. 3, Sec. 1, 1987
Constitution)
2. Freedom of Expression (Art. 3 Sec. 4, 1987 Constitution)
3. Freedom of Religion (Art. 3, Sec. 5, 1987 Constitution)
4. No excessive fines, nor cruel, degrading or inhumane
punishment Freedom of Expression (Art. 3 Sec. 19, 1987
Constitution)
5. Non-imprisonment for debt of non-payment of poll tax (Art.
3, Sec. 19, 1987 Constitution)
6. Bill of attainder (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)
7. Ex-post facto laws (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)

E. Construction and interpretation

1. Liberally in favour of the accused
2. Spanish text of the RPC prevails over the English text
3 Retroactive application when favourable to the accused
 4. Prescribed but undeserved penalties (Art. 5, RPC)
5. Suppletory application of RPC to Special Penal Laws (Art.
10, RPC)

II. General Principles of Criminal Liability

A. Felony, defined (Art. 3, RPC)

B. Elements of criminal liability
1. Physical element (Actus reus)
a. Act
b. Omission
2. Mental element (Mens rea)
a. Deliberate intent (Dolo)
i. Elements of dolo
ii General and specific intent
iii Mistake of fact
iv. Malum prohibition as exception to the
requirement of mens rea
v. Intent distinguished from motive
b Constructive intent (Culpa) Art 3 and 365
i. Elements
ii. Imprudence or lack of skill
iii. Negligence or lack of foresight
c. Transferred intent (Art. 4, par. 1)
i. Aberratio ictus
ii. Error in personae
iii. Praeter intentionem
3.Concurrence
4.Resulting harm
5 Causation

C. Impossible Crimes (Art. 4, Par. 2)

III. Stages of execution

A. Attempted Stage
B. Frustrated Stage
C. Consummated crimes
D. Stages of execution in relation to specific felonies
 1. Theft
2. Illegal Trespass
3. Physical Injuries, Homicide, and Murder
4. Robbery
5. Rape
6. Arson

E. Conspiracy and proposals to commit a felony (Art. 8)

1. Conspiracy and proposal, when punished?
2. As a manner of incurring criminal liability

Please read the cases cited in the textbook. Also, please read the
following cases which will be asked during recitation

General Principles of Criminal Law

Lent v. Tullett Prevon, G.R. No. 189158, 11 January 2017
WHO vs. Aquino, G.R. No. l-35131, 29 November 1972
Minucher v. Scalzo, G.R. No. 142396, 11 February 2003
Liang v. People, G.R. No. 125865, 28 January 2000
People v. Tulin, G.R. No. 111709, 30 August 2001, 364 SCRA 10
People vs. Wong Cheng G.R. No. 18924, 19 Oct. 1922
White Light Corp. v. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846 20 Jan. 2009
Garcia v. Drilon, G.R. No. 179267, 25 June 2013
Guingguing vs. People, G.R. No. 128959,30 Sept 2005
Estrada vs. Escitor, A.M. No. P-02-1651, 22 June 2006, 492 SCRA 1
People vs. Echagaray, G.R. No. 117472, 7 Feb. 1997, 267 SCRA 682
People vs. Ferrer, L-32613-14, 27 Dec. 1972, 48 SCRA 382
Us vs. Diaz Conde, L-18208, 14 Feb. 1922
People v. Abilong, L-1960, 26 November 1948
People vs. Formigones, L-3246-49, 29 Nov. 1950
Ladonga v. People, G.R. No. 141066, 17 February 2005
People vs. Simon, G.R. No. 93028, 29 July 1994

General Principles of Criminal Liability

People v. Sylvester and Atienza, G.R. No. 35748, 14 Dec. 1931, 56
Phil. 353
People v. Talingdan, L-32126, 6 July 1978, 84 SCRA 19
Manuel v. People, G.R. No. 165842, 29 November 2005
People v. Puno, G.R. No. 97471,17 February 1993, 219 SCRA 85
 People v. Delim, G.R. No. 142773, 28 January 2003
US v. Ah Chong, G.R. No. 52772, 19 March 1910, 15 Phil 488
Padilla v. Dizon, AC No. 3086, 23 February 1988, 158 SCRA 127
Magno v. CA, G.R. No. 96132, 26 June 1992, 210 SCRA 475
People v. Pugay, L-74324, 17 November 1988, 167 SCRA 439
Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No.148560, 19 Nov. 2001
Ivler v. San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, 17 November 2010
People v. Guillen, L-1477, 18 January 1950, 85 Phil. 307
People v. Sabalones, G.R. No. 123485, 31 Aug. 1998, 294 SCRA 751
People vs. Albuquerque, G.R. No. 38773, 19 Dec. 1933, Phil. 150
Bataclan v. Medina, L-10126, 22 October 1957 102 Phil. 181
People v. Iligan, G.R. No. 75369, 26 November 1990
Urbano v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 72964, 7 Jan. 1988
Intod v. CA, G.R. No. 103119, 21 October 1992, 215 SCRA 52
People v. Saladino, L-3634, 30 May 1951, 89 Phil. 807
Jacinto v. People, G.R. No. 162540, 13 July 2009

Impossible Crimes
Intod v. CA, G.R. No. 103119, 21 October 1992, 215 SCRA 52
People v. Sa ladino, L-3634, 30 May 1951, 89 Phil. 807
Jacinto v. People, G.R. No. 162540, 13 July 2009

Stages of execution
US v. Eduave, G.R. No. 12155, 2 February 1917, 36 Phil. 209
Rivera v. People, G.R. No. 166326, 25 January 2006, 480 SCRA 188
Baleros v. People, G.R. No. 138033, 22 February 2006, 483 SCRA 10

Stages of execution in relation to specific felonies

Valenzuela v. People, G.R. No. 160188, 21 June 2007
People v. Lamahang, L-43530, 3 August 1935, 61 Phil. 703
People v. Borinaga, G.R. No. 33463, 18 December 1930, 55 Phil. 433
People v. Kalalo, G.R. No. 39303-05, 17 March 1934, 59 Phil. 715
People v. Trinidad, G.R. No. 79123-25, 9 Jan. 1989, 169 SCRA 51
Martinez v. CA ,G.R. No. 168827, 13 April 2007
Mondragon v. People, L-17666, 30 June 1966, 17 SCRA 476
People v. Sy Pio, L-5848, 30 April 1954, 94 Phil. 885
People v. Dio, L-36461, 29 June 1984, 130 SCRA 151
People v. Salvilla, G.R. No. 86163, 26 April 1990
People v. Orita, G.R. No. 88724, 3 April 1990, 184 SCRA 105
 People v. Campuhan, G.R. No. 129433, 30 March 2000
US v. Valdes, L-14128, 10 December 1918.

Conspiracy and proposals to commit a felony

People v. Tulin, G.R. No. 111709, 30 August 2001
People v. Pugay, G.R. No. L-74324, 17 November 1988
People v. Caballero, G.R. Nos. 149028-30, 2 April 2003
People v. Cruz, G.R. No. 74048, 14 November 1990
People v. Carbonel, 48 Phil 868 (1926)
People v. Tabuso, G.R. No. 113708, 26 October 1999
People v. Aguilos, G.R. No.121828, 28 June 2003