FIRST DIVISION

[G.R. No. 103613. February 23, 2001]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner, vs. COURT OF PPELS a!"
EL#IO C. TNGN, respondents.
[G.R. No. 10$%30. February 23, 2001]
EL#IO C. TNGN, petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES a!"
COURT OF PPELS, respondents.
# E C I S I O N
&NRES'SNTIGO, J.(
At around 11:30 p.m. of December 1, 19!, Na"# $apta%n &'ad%o $. Tan(an )a* dr%"%n(
a'one on Ro+a* ,ou'e"ard -ead%n( *out-. .e -ad /u*t come from ,uend%a A"enue on an
%nte''%(ence operat%on. At t-e *ame t%me, 0enero*o 1%randa, a 293#ear o'd optometr%*t, )a*
dr%"%n( -%* car %n t-e *ame d%rect%on a'on( Ro+a* ,ou'e"ard )%t- -%* unc'e, 1anue' 1%randa,
after com%n( from t-e Ramada .ote'. 0enero*o )a* mo"%n( a-ead of Tan(an. Sudden'#,
f%recrac4er* )ere t-ro)n %n 0enero*o5* )a#, cau*%n( -%m to *)er"e to t-e r%(-t and cut Tan(an5*
pat-. Tan(an b'e) -%* -orn *e"era' t%me*. 0enero*o *'o)ed do)n to 'et Tan(an pa**. Tan(an
acce'erated and o"ertoo4 0enero*o, but )-en -e (ot %n front, Tan(an reduced *peed. 0enero*o
tr%ed four or f%"e t%me* to o"erta4e on t-e r%(-t 'ane but Tan(an 4ept b'oc4%n( -%* 'ane. A* -e
approac-ed A%rport Road, Tan(an *'o)ed do)n to ma4e a 63turn. 0enero*o pa**ed -%m, pu''ed
o"er and (ot out of t-e car )%t- -%* unc'e. Tan(an a'*o *topped -%* car and (ot out. A* t-e
1%randa* (ot near Tan(an5* car, 0enero*o 'oud'# retorted, 7Putang ina mo, bakit mo ginigitgit
ang sasakyan ko?8 0enero*o and Tan(an t-en e+c-an(ed e+p'et%"e*. Tan(an po%nted -%* -and
to 0enero*o and t-e 'atter *'apped %t, *a#%n(, 7Huwag mo akong dinuduro! Sino ka ba, ano ba
ang pinagmamalaki mo?8 Tan(an countered, 7Ikaw, ano ang gusto mo?8 9%t- t-%*, Tan(an )ent
to -%* car and (ot -%* .3 ca'%ber -and(un on t-e front *eat. T-e *ub*e:uent e"ent* per account of
t-e part%e*5 re*pect%"e )%tne**e* )ere conf'%ct%n(:
Accord%n( to t-e pro*ecut%on )%tne**e*, part%cu'ar'#, 1ar# Ann ,orromeo, Ro*a'%a
$ru; and 1anue' 1%randa, t-e accu*ed po%nted -%* (un at 0enero*o 1%randa and
)-en 1anue' 1%randa tr%ed to %nter"ene, t-e accu*ed po%nted -%* (un at 1anue'
1%randa, and after t-at t-e accu*ed po%nted a(a%n t-e (un to 0enero*o 1%randa, t-e
accu*ed *-ot 0enero*o 1%randa at a d%*tance of about a meter but becau*e t-e arm of
t-e accu*ed )a* e+tended, t-e mu;;'e of t-e (un reac-ed to about more or 'e** one
foot a)a# from t-e bod# of 0enero*o 1%randa. T-e *-ot -%t t-e *tomac- of 0enero*o
1%randa cau*%n( t-e 'atter to fa'' and )-%'e *t%'' con*c%ou*, 0enero*o 1%randa to'd
1anue' 1%randa, -%* unc'e, to (et t-e (un. 1anue' 1%randa (rapp'ed for t-e
po**e**%on of t-e (un and dur%n( t-e%r (rapp'%n(, Ro*a'%a $ru; %nter"ened and too4
-o'd of t-e (un and after Ro*a'%a $ru; -a* ta4en -o'd of t-e (un, a man )ear%n( a red
T3*-%rt too4 t-e (un from -er. T-e man %n T3*-%rt )a* c-a*ed b# 1anue' 1%randa
)-o )a* ab'e to (et t-e (un )-ere t-e man %n red T3*-%rt p'aced %t.
On t-e ot-er -and, t-e defen*e, part%cu'ar'# t-e accu*ed and -%* )%tne** b# t-e name
of Ne'*on <ante c'a%med t-at after t-e (un )a* ta4en b# t-e accu*ed from %n*%de -%*
car, t-e 1%randa* *tarted to (rapp'e for po**e**%on of t-e (un and dur%n( t-e
(rapp'%n(, and )-%'e t-e t)o 1%randa* )ere tr#%n( to )re*t a)a# t-e (un from t-e
accu*ed, t-e# fe'' do)n at t-e bac4 of t-e car of t-e accu*ed. Accord%n( to t-e
accu*ed, -e 'o*t t-e po**e**%on of t-e (un after fa''%n( at t-e bac4 of -%* car and a*
*oon a* t-e# -%t t-e (round, t-e (un fe'', and %t e+p'oded -%tt%n( 0enero*o 1%randa.
=1>
After t-e (un )ent off, Tan(an ran a)a#. 1ean)-%'e, 0enero*o 'a# on t-e (round
b'ood%ed. .%* unc'e, 1anue', 'oo4ed for t-e (un and ran after Tan(an, /o%n%n( t-e mob t-at -ad
a'read# pur*ued -%m. Tan(an found a po'%ceman )-o a''o)ed -%m to enter -%* patro'
car. 1anue' arr%"ed and to'd t-e po'%ceman t-at Tan(an -ad /u*t *-ot -%* nep-e). T-en -e )ent
bac4 to )-ere 0enero*o 'a# and t-ere found t)o 'ad%e*, 'ater %dent%f%ed a* 1ar# Ann ,orromeo
and Ro*a'%na $ru;, -e'p%n( -%* nep-e) board a ta+%. 1anue' *u((e*ted t-at 0enero*o be
brou(-t to t-e -o*p%ta' %n -%* car. .e )a* ru*-ed to t-e <-%'%pp%ne 0enera' .o*p%ta' but -e
e+p%red on t-e )a#.
Tan(an )a* c-ar(ed )%t- t-e cr%me of murder )%t- t-e u*e of an un'%cen*ed f%rearm.
=2>
After
a re%n"e*t%(at%on, -o)e"er, t-e %nformat%on )a* amended to -om%c%de )%t- t-e u*e of a '%cen*ed
f%rearm,
=3>
and -e )a* *eparate'# c-ar(ed )%t- %''e(a' po**e**%on of un'%cen*ed f%rearm.
=!>
On
arra%(nment, Tan(an entered a p'ea of not (u%'t# %n t-e -om%c%de ca*e, but mo"ed to :ua*- t-e
%nformat%on for %''e(a' po**e**%on of un'%cen*ed f%rearm on "ar%ou* (round*. T-e mot%on to
:ua*- )a* den%ed, )-ereupon -e f%'ed a pet%t%on for certiorari )%t- t-%* $ourt.
=?>
On No"ember ?,
19@, *a%d pet%t%on )a* d%*m%**ed and t-e /o%nt tr%a' of t-e t)o ca*e* )a* ordered.
=A>
Dur%n( t-e tr%a', t-e pro*ecut%on and t-e defen*e *t%pu'ated on t-e fo''o)%n(: t-at t-e
amount of <12A,000.00 )a* %ncurred for t-e funera' and bur%a' e+pen*e* of t-e "%ct%mB
=@>
t-at
<@!,A2?.00 )a* %ncurred for attorne#* fee*B and t-at t-e -e%r* of 0enero*o *uffered mora'
dama(e*, t-e amount of )-%c- %* 'eft for t-e court* to determ%ne. After tr%a', t-e 'o)er court
ac:u%tted Tan(an of %''e(a' po**e**%on of f%rearm, but con"%cted -%m of -om%c%de. T-e pr%"%'e(ed
m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance of %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e and t-e ord%nar# m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance* of
*uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on on t-e part of t-e offended part# and of pa**%on and obfu*cat%on )ere
apprec%ated %n -%* fa"orB con*e:uent'#, t-e tr%a' court ordered -%m to *uffer an %ndeterm%nate
pena't# of t)o C2D mont-* of arresto mayor, a* m%n%mum, to t)o C2D #ear* and four C!D mont-*
of prision correccional, a* ma+%mum, and to %ndemn%f# t-e -e%r* of t-e "%ct%m.
=>
Tan(an )a*
re'ea*ed from detent%on after t-e promu'(at%on of /ud(ment
=9>
and )a* a''o)ed ba%' %n t-e
-om%c%de ca*e.
<r%"ate comp'a%nant*, t-e -e%r* of 0enero*o 1%randa, f%'ed a pet%t%on for re"%e) )%t- t-%*
$ourt, doc4eted a* 0.R. No. 102A@@, c-a''en(%n( t-e c%"%' a*pect of t-e court a quo5* dec%*%on,
but t-e *ame )a* d%*m%**ed for be%n( premature. On t-e ot-er -and, Tan(an appea'ed to t-e
$ourt of Appea'*, )-%c- aff%rmed t-e /ud(ment of t-e tr%a' court but %ncrea*ed t-e a)ard of c%"%'
%ndemn%t# to <?0,000.00.
=10>
.%* *ub*e:uent mot%on for recon*%derat%on and a mot%on to c%te t-e
So'%c%tor 0enera' %n contempt )ere den%ed b# t-e $ourt of Appea'*.
=11>
T-e Off%ce of t-e So'%c%tor 0enera', on be-a'f of t-e pro*ecut%on, a''e(%n( (ra"e abu*e of
d%*cret%on, f%'ed a pet%t%on for certiorari under Ru'e A?, doc4eted a* 0.R. No. 103A13, nam%n( a*
re*pondent* t-e $ourt of Appea'* and Tan(an, )-ere %t pra#ed t-at t-e appe''ate court5*
/ud(ment be mod%f%ed b# con"%ct%n( accu*ed3appe''ant of -om%c%de )%t-out apprec%at%n( %n -%*
fa"or an# m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance.
=12>
Sub*e:uent'#, t-e Off%ce of t-e So'%c%tor 0enera', t-%* t%me
act%n( for pub'%c re*pondent $ourt of Appea'*, f%'ed a mot%on for e+ten*%on to f%'e comment to %t*
o)n pet%t%on for certiorari.
=13>
D%*co"er%n( %t* ('ar%n( error, t-e Off%ce of t-e So'%c%tor 0enera' 'ater
)%t-dre) %t* mot%on for e+ten*%on of t%me.
=1!>
Tan(an f%'ed a Rep'# a*4%n( t-at t-e ca*e be
*ubm%tted for dec%*%on.
=1?>
1ean)-%'e, Tan(an f%'ed a *eparate pet%t%on for re"%e) under Ru'e !?, doc4eted a* 0.R. No.
10?30.
=1A>
S%nce t-e pet%t%on for certiorari f%'ed b# t-e So'%c%tor 0enera' rema%ned unre*o'"ed, t-e
t)o ca*e* )ere con*o'%dated.
=1@>
T-e Off%ce of t-e So'%c%tor 0enera' f%'ed a man%fe*tat%on %n 0.R.
No. 10?30, a*4%n( t-at %t be e+cu*ed from f%'%n( a comment to Tan(an5* pet%t%on for re"%e), %n
order to a"o%d ta4%n( contrad%ctor# po*%t%on*.
=1>
In t-e recent ca*e of People v. Velasco and alve!,
=19>
)e -e'd t-at t-e pro*ecut%on cannot
a"a%' of t-e remed%e* of *pec%a' c%"%' act%on on certiorari, pet%t%on for re"%e) on certiorari, or
appea' %n cr%m%na' ca*e*. <re"%ou* to t-at, )e cate(or%ca''# ru'ed t-at t-e )r%t
of certiorari cannot be u*ed b# t-e State %n a cr%m%na' ca*e to correct a 'o)er court5* factua'
f%nd%n(* or e"a'uat%on of t-e e"%dence.
=20>
Ru'e 11@, Sect%on @, of t-e Re"%*ed Ru'e* of $r%m%na' <rocedure, %* c'ear:
"ormer conviction or acquittal# double $eopardy. 3 9-en an accu*ed -a* been
con"%cted or ac:u%tted, or t-e ca*e a(a%n*t -%m d%*m%**ed or ot-er)%*e term%nated
)%t-out -%* e+pre** con*ent b# a court of competent /ur%*d%ct%on, upon a "a'%d
comp'a%nt or %nformat%on or ot-er forma' c-ar(e *uff%c%ent %n form and *ub*tance to
*u*ta%n a con"%ct%on and after t-e accu*ed -ad p'eaded to t-e c-ar(e, t-e con"%ct%on or
ac:u%tta' of t-e accu*ed or t-e d%*m%**a' of t-e ca*e *-a'' be a bar to anot-er
pro*ecut%on for t-e offen*e c-ar(ed, or for an# attempt to comm%t t-e *ame or
fru*trat%on t-ereof, or for an# offen*e )-%c- nece**ar%'# %nc'ude* or %* nece**ar%'#
%nc'uded %n t-e offen*e c-ar(ed %n t-e former comp'a%nt or %nformat%on.
.o)e"er, t-e con"%ct%on of t-e accu*ed *-a'' not be a bar to anot-er pro*ecut%on for
an offen*e )-%c- nece**ar%'# %nc'ude* t-e offen*e c-ar(ed %n t-e former comp'a%nt or
%nformat%on under an# of t-e fo''o)%n( %n*tance*:
CaD t-e (ra"er offen*e de"e'oped due to *uper"en%n( fact* ar%*%n( from t-e
*ame act or om%**%on con*t%tut%n( t-e former c-ar(eB
CbD t-e fact* con*t%tut%n( t-e (ra"er c-ar(e became 4no)n or )ere d%*co"ered
on'# after a p'ea* )a* entered %n t-e former comp'a%nt or %nformat%onB or
CcD t-e p'ea of (u%'t# to t-e 'e**er offen*e )a* made )%t-out t-e con*ent of
t-e f%*ca' and of t-e offended part#, e+cept a* pro"%ded %n *ect%on 1CfD of Ru'e 11A.
In an# of t-e fore(o%n( ca*e*, )-ere t-e accu*ed *at%*f%e* or *er"e* %n )-o'e or %n part
t-e /ud(ment, -e *-a'' be cred%ted )%t- t-e *ame %n t-e e"ent of con"%ct%on for t-e
(ra"er offen*e.
,a*ed on t-e fore(o%n(, t-e So'%c%tor 0enera'5* pet%t%on for certiorari under Ru'e A?, pra#%n(
t-at no m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance be apprec%ated %n fa"or of accu*ed3appe''ant and t-at t-e pena't#
%mpo*ed on -%m be corre*pond%n('# %ncrea*ed, con*t%tute* a "%o'at%on of Tan(an5* r%(-t a(a%n*t
doub'e /eopard# and *-ou'd be d%*m%**ed.
9e no) come to t-e pet%t%on for re"%e) f%'ed b# Tan(an. It %* note)ort-# t-at dur%n( t-e
tr%a', pet%t%oner Tan(an d%d not %n"o4e *e'f3defen*e but c'a%med t-at 0enero*o )a* acc%denta''#
*-ot. A* *uc-, t-e burden of pro"%n( *e'f3defen*e,
=21>
)-%c- norma''# )ou'd -a"e be'on(ed to
Tan(an, d%d not come %nto p'a#. A't-ou(- Tan(an mu*t pro"e -%* defen*e of acc%denta' f%r%n( b#
c'ear and con"%nc%n( e"%dence,
=22>
t-e burden of pro"%n( t-e comm%**%on of t-e cr%me rema%ned %n
t-e pro*ecut%on.
,ot- t-e tr%a' court and t-e $ourt of Appea'* apprec%ated %n fa"or of Tan(an t-e pr%"%'e(ed
m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance of %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e under Art%c'e 13 C1D, %n re'at%on to Art%c'e 11
C1D, of t-e Re"%*ed <ena' $ode, to )%t:
RTICLE 11. %usti&ying circumstances. 3 T-e fo''o)%n( do not %ncur an# cr%m%na'
'%ab%'%t#:
1. An#one )-o act* %n defen*e of -%* per*on or r%(-t*, pro"%ded t-at t-e fo''o)%n(
c%rcum*tance* concur:
"irst. 6n'a)fu' a((re**%on.
Second. Rea*onab'e nece**%t# of t-e mean* emp'o#ed to pre"ent or repe'
%t.
'(ird. Eac4 of *uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on on t-e part of t-e per*on defend%n(
-%m*e'f.
+ + + + + + + + +
RTICLE 13. )itigating *ircumstances. F T-e fo''o)%n( are m%t%(at%n(
c%rcum*tance*:
1. T-o*e ment%oned %n t-e preced%n( $-apter, )-en a'' t-e re:u%*%te* nece**ar# to
/u*t%f# t-e act or to e+empt from cr%m%na' '%ab%'%t# %n t-e re*pect%"e ca*e* are not
attendant.
Incomp'ete *e'f3defen*e %* not con*%dered a* a /u*t%f#%n( act, but mere'# a m%t%(at%n(
c%rcum*tanceB -ence, t-e burden of pro"%n( t-e cr%me c-ar(ed %n t-e %nformat%on %* not *-%fted to
t-e accu*ed.
=23>
In order t-at %t ma# be *ucce**fu''# apprec%ated, -o)e"er, %t %* nece**ar# t-at a
ma/or%t# of t-e re:u%rement* of *e'f3defen*e be pre*ent, part%cu'ar'# t-e re:u%*%te of un'a)fu'
a((re**%on on t-e part of t-e "%ct%m.
=2!>
6n'a)fu' a((re**%on b# %t*e'f or %n comb%nat%on )%t-
e%t-er of t-e ot-er t)o re:u%*%te *uff%ce* to e*tab'%*- %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e. Ab*ent t-e
un'a)fu' a((re**%on, t-ere can ne"er be *e'f3defen*e, comp'ete or %ncomp'ete,
=2?>
becau*e %f t-ere
%* not-%n( to pre"ent or repe', t-e ot-er t)o re:u%*%te* of defen*e )%'' -a"e no ba*%*.
=2A>
T-ere %* no :ue*t%on t-at t-e bu''et )-%c- -%t t-e "%ct%m )a* f%red from t-e ca'%ber. 3, )-%c-
)a* %**ued to Tan(an b# t-e <-%'%pp%ne Na"#. T-e cau*e of deat- )a* *e"ere -emorr-a(e
*econdar# to (un*-ot )ound of t-e abdomen, cau*ed b# t-e bu''et f%red from a (un of t-e *a%d
ca'%ber. T-e pro*ecut%on c'a%med t-at Tan(an *-ot t-e "%ct%m po%nt3b'an4 %n t-e *tomac- at a
d%*tance of about one foot. On t-e ot-er -and, Tan(an a''e(ed t-at )-en -e (rapp'ed )%t-
0enero*o and 1anue' 1%randa for po**e**%on of t-e (un, %t fe'' to t-e (round and acc%denta''#
f%red, -%tt%n( t-e "%ct%m.
9-en t-e te*t%mon%e* of )%tne**e* %n open court are conf'%ct%n( %n *ub*tant%a' po%nt*, t-e
ca'%brat%on of t-e record* on appea' become* d%ff%cu't. It %* t-e )ord of one part# a(a%n*t t-e
)ord of t-e ot-er. T-e re"%e)%n( tr%buna' re'%e* on t-e co'd and mute pa(e* of t-e record*,
un'%4e t-e tr%a' court )-%c- -ad t-e un%:ue opportun%t# of ob*er"%n( f%r*t3-and t-at e'u*%"e and
%ncommun%cab'e e"%dence of t-e )%tne**5 deportment on t-e *tand )-%'e te*t%f#%n(.
=2@>
T-e tr%a'
court5* a**e**ment* of t-e cred%b%'%t# of )%tne**e* %* accorded (reat )e%(-t and re*pect on appea'
and %* b%nd%n( on t-%* $ourt,
=2>
part%cu'ar'# )-en %t -a* not been ade:uate'# demon*trated t-at
*%(n%f%cant fact* and c%rcum*tance* )ere *-o)n to -a"e been o"er'oo4ed or d%*re(arded b# t-e
court be'o) )-%c-, %f con*%dered, m%(-t affect t-e outcome -ereof.
=29>
T-e rat%ona'e for t-%* -a*
been ade:uate'# e+p'a%ned %n t-at,
T-e tr%a' court -a* t-e ad"anta(e of ob*er"%n( t-e )%tne**e* t-rou(- t-e d%fferent
%nd%cator* of trut-fu'ne** or fa'*e-ood, *uc- a* t-e an(r# f'u*- of an %n*%*ted a**ert%on
or t-e *udden pa''or of a d%*co"ered '%e or t-e tremu'ou* mutter of a re'uctant an*)er
or t-e fort-r%(-t tone of a read# rep'#B or t-e furt%"e ('ance, t-e b'u*- of con*c%ou*
*-ame, t-e -e*%tat%on, t-e *%ncere or t-e f'%ppant or *neer%n( tone, t-e -eat, t-e
ca'mne**, t-e #a)n, t-e *%(-, t-e candor or 'ac4 of %t, t-e *cant or fu'' rea'%;at%on of
t-e *o'emn%t# of an oat-, and carr%a(e and m%en.
=30>
&:ua''#, )-en a per*on fabr%cate* a *tor#, -e u*ua''# adopt* a *%mp'e account becau*e a
comp'e+ one m%(-t 'ead to entan('ement from )-%c- -e ma# f%nd %t -ard to e+tr%cate
-%m*e'f. A'on( t-e *ame '%ne, t-e e+per%ence of t-e court* and t-e (enera' ob*er"at%on* of
-uman%t# teac- u* t-at t-e natura' '%m%tat%on* of our %n"ent%"e facu't%e* are *uc- t-at %f a )%tne**
de'%"er* %n court a fa'*e narrat%"e conta%n%n( numerou* deta%'*, -e %* a'mo*t certa%n to fa'' %nto
fata' %ncon*%*tenc%e*, to ma4e *tatement* )-%c- can be read%'# refuted, or to e+po*e %n -%*
demeanor t-e fa'*%t# of -%* me**a(e.
=31>
A*%de from t-%*, %t %* not a'*o unu*ua' t-at t-e )%tne** ma#
-a"e been coac-ed before -e %* ca''ed to t-e *tand to te*t%f#.
Some)-ere a'on( t-e pa%n*ta4%n( re"%e) of t-e e"%dence on record, one "er*%on r%n(* t-e
*emb'ance of trut-, not nece**ar%'# becau*e %t %* t-e ab*o'ute trut-, but *%mp'# becau*e %t %* t-e
be*t appro+%mat%on of t-e trut- ba*ed on t-e dec'arat%on* of )%tne**e* a* corroborated b#
mater%a' e"%dence. <erforce, t-e ot-er "er*%on mu*t be re/ected. Trut- and fa'*e-ood, %t -a* been
)e'' *a%d, are not a')a#* oppo*ed to eac- ot-er '%4e b'ac4 and )-%te, but oftent%me*, and b#
de*%(n, are made to re*emb'e eac- ot-er *o a* to be -ard'# d%*t%n(u%*-ab'e.
=32>
T-u*, after
ana'#;%n( t-e conf'%ct%n( te*t%mon%e* of t-e )%tne**e*, t-e tr%a' court found t-at:
9-en t-e accu*ed too4 t-e (un from -%* car and )-en -e tr%ed to (et out of t-e car
and t-e t)o 1%randa* *a) t-e accu*ed a'read# -o'd%n( t-e (un, t-e# *tarted to (rapp'e
for t-e po**e**%on of t-e (un t-at %t )ent off -%tt%n( 0enero*o 1%randa at t-e
*tomac-. T-e court be'%e"e* t-at contrar# to t-e te*t%mon# of t-e accu*ed, -e ne"er
'o*t po**e**%on of t-e (un for %f -e d%d and )-en t-e (un fe'' to t-e (round, %t )%'' not
f%r*t e+p'ode or %f %t d%d, *omebod# %* not -o'd%n( t-e *ame, t-e tra/ector# of t-e bu''et
)ou'd not be perpend%cu'ar or -or%;onta'.
=33>
T-e $ourt of Appea'* a(reed 3
T-e f%nd%n( of t-e 'o)er court t-at 0enero*o 1%randa III )a* *-ot )-%'e t-e accu*ed
and t-e 1%randa* )ere (rapp'%n( for t-e po**e**%on of t-e (un %mmed%ate'# after t-e
accu*ed -ad ta4en -%* (un from %n*%de -%* car and before t-e t-ree a''e(ed'# fe'' to t-e
(round be-%nd t-e car of t-e accu*ed %* borne out b# t-e record. T-e court a'*o a(ree*
)%t- t-e court be'o) t-at %t )a* t-e accu*ed3appe''ant )-o *-ot and 4%''ed 0enero*o
1%randa III. If t-e accu*ed3appe''ant d%d not *-oot 0enero*o III dur%n( t-e *cuff'e, -e
)ou'd -a"e c'a%med acc%denta' 4%''%n( b# a''e(%n( t-at -%* (un e+p'oded dur%n( t-e
*cuff'e %n*tead of fa'*e'# te*t%f#%n( t-at -e and t-e 1%randa* fe'' to t-e (round be-%nd
-%* car and t-e (un e+p'oded %n t-e po**e**%on of 1anue' 1%randa. T-e t-eor# of t-e
pro*ecut%on t-at t-e *-oot%n( too4 p'ace )-%'e t-e t-ree )ere (rapp'%n( for t-e
po**e**%on of t-e (un be*%de t-e car of appe''ant %* comp'ete'# %n -armon# )%t- t-e
f%nd%n(* and te*t%mon# of Dr. Ibarro'a re(ard%n( t-e re'at%"e po*%t%on of t-e t-ree and
t-e precar%ou* nearne** of t-e "%ct%m )-en accu*ed3appe''ant pu''ed t-e tr%((er of -%*
(un. Dr. Ibarro'a e+p'a%ned t-at t-e (un )a* about t)o C2D %nc-e* from t-e entrance
)ound and t-at %t* po*%t%on )a* a'mo*t perpend%cu'ar )-en %t )a* f%red. It )a* %n fact
t-e c'o*ene** of t-e 1%randa* "%*3G3"%* appe''ant dur%n( t-e *cuff'e for t-e (un t-at t-e
accu*ed3appe''ant )a* compe''ed to pu'' t-e tr%((er %n an*)er to t-e %n*t%nct of *e'f3
pre*er"at%on.
=3!>
No con"%nc%n( rea*on appear* for t-e $ourt to depart from t-e*e factua' f%nd%n(*, t-e *ame
be%n( ab'# *upported b# t-e e"%dence on record. In "%o'ent deat-* cau*ed b# (un*-ot )ound*,
t-e med%ca' report or t-e autop*# on t-e cada"er of t-e "%ct%m mu*t a* muc- a* po**%b'e narrate
t-e ob*er"at%on* on t-e )ound* e+am%ned. It %* mater%a' %n determ%n%n( t-e trut-fu'ne** of t-e
e"ent* narrated b# t-e )%tne**e* pre*ented. It %* not enou(- t-at t-e )%tne** 'oo4* cred%b'e and
a**ume* t-at -e %ndeed )%tne**ed t-e cr%m%na' act. .%* narrat%on mu*t be *ub*tant%ated b# t-e
p-#*%ca' e"%dence a"a%'ab'e to t-e court.
T-e med%ca' e+am%ner te*t%f%ed t-at t-e d%*tance bet)een t-e mu;;'e of t-e (un and t-e
tar(et )a* about 2 %nc-e* but def%n%te'# not more t-an 3 %nc-e*. ,a*ed on t-e po%nt of e+%t and
t-e tra/ector# tran*%t of t-e )ound, t-e "%ct%m and t-e a''e(ed a**a%'ant )ere fac%n( eac- ot-er
)-en t-e *-ot )a* made and t-e po*%t%on of t-e (un )a* a'mo*t perpend%cu'ar )-en f%red.
=3?>
T-e*e f%nd%n(* d%*pro"e Tan(an5* c'a%m of acc%denta' *-oot%n(. A re"o'"er %* not prone to
acc%denta' f%r%n( becau*e of t-e nature of %t* mec-an%*m, un'e** %t )a* a'read# f%r*t coc4ed and
pre**ure )a* e+erted on t-e tr%((er. If %t )ere uncoc4ed, t-en con*%derab'e pre**ure -ad to be
app'%ed on t-e tr%((er to f%re t-e re"o'"er.
=3A>
.a"%n( e*tab'%*-ed t-at t-e *-oot%n( )a* not acc%denta', t-e ne+t %**ue to be re*o'"ed %*
)-et-er Tan(an acted %n %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e. T-e e'ement of un'a)fu' a((re**%on %n *e'f3
defen*e mu*t not come from t-e per*on defend%n( -%m*e'f but from t-e "%ct%m.
A mere t-reaten%n( or %nt%m%dat%n( att%tude %* not *uff%c%ent.
=3@>
E%4e)%*e, t-e e+c-an(e of
%n*u't%n( )ord* and %n"ect%"e* bet)een Tan(an and 0enero*o 1%randa, no matter -o)
ob/ect%onab'e, cou'd not be con*%dered a* un'a)fu' a((re**%on, e+cept )-en coup'ed )%t-
p-#*%ca' a**au't.
=3>
T-ere be%n( no 'a)fu' a((re**%on on t-e part of e%t-er anta(on%*t*, t-e c'a%m
of %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e fa''*. Tan(an undoubted'# -ad po**e**%on of t-e (un, but t-e
1%randa* tr%ed to )re*t'e t-e (un from -%m. It ma# be *a%d t-at t-e former -ad no %ntent%on of
4%''%n( t-e "%ct%m but *%mp'# to reta%n po**e**%on of -%* (un. .o)e"er, t-e fact t-at t-e "%ct%m
*ub*e:uent'# d%ed a* a re*u't of t-e (un*-ot )ound, t-ou(- t-e *-ooter ma# not -a"e t-e
%ntent%on to 4%'', doe* not ab*o'"e -%m from cu'pab%'%t#. .a"%n( cau*ed t-e fata' )ound, Tan(an
%* re*pon*%b'e for a'' t-e con*e:uence* of -%* fe'on%ou* act. .e brou(-t out t-e (un, )re*t'ed
)%t- t-e 1%randa* but ant%c%pat%n( t-at t-e (un ma# be ta4en from -%m, -e f%red and f'ed.
T-e t-%rd re:u%*%te of 'ac4 of *uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on on t-e part of t-e per*on defend%n(
-%m*e'f %* not *upported b# e"%dence. ,# repeated'# b'oc4%n( t-e pat- of t-e 1%randa* for
a'mo*t f%"e t%me*, Tan(an )a* %n effect t-e one )-o pro"o4ed t-e former. T-e repeated b'o)%n(
of -orn*, a**um%n( %t )a* done b# 0enero*o, ma# be %rr%tat%n( to an %mpat%ent dr%"er but %t
certa%n'# cou'd not be con*%dered a* creat%n( *o po)erfu' an %nducement a* to %nc%te pro"ocat%on
for t-e ot-er part# to act "%o'ent'#.
T-e apprec%at%on of t-e ord%nar# m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance* of *uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on and
pa**%on and obfu*cat%on under Art%c'e 13, para(rap-* ! and A,
=39>
-a"e no factua' ba*%*. Suff%c%ent
pro"ocat%on a* a re:u%*%te of %ncomp'ete *e'f3defen*e %* d%fferent from *uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on a* a
m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance. A* an e'ement of *e'f3defen*e, %t perta%n* to %t* ab*ence on t-e part of
t-e per*on defend%n( -%m*e'fB )-%'e a* a m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance, %t perta%n* to %t* pre*ence on
t-e part of t-e offended part#. ,e*%de*, on'# one m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance can ar%*e out of one
and t-e *ame act.
=!0>
A**um%n( for t-e *a4e of ar(ument t-at t-e b'o)%n( of -orn*, cutt%n( of 'ane*
or o"erta4%n( can be con*%dered a* act* of pro"ocat%on, t-e *ame )ere not *uff%c%ent. T-e )ord
7*uff%c%ent8 mean* ade:uate to e+c%te a per*on to comm%t a )ron( and mu*t accord%n('# be
proport%onate to %t* (ra"%t#.
=!1>
1oreo"er, 0enero*o5* act of a*4%n( for an e+p'anat%on from
Tan(an )a* not *uff%c%ent pro"ocat%on for -%m to c'a%m t-at -e )a* pro"o4ed to 4%'' or %n/ure
0enero*o.
=!2>
For t-e m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance of pa**%on and obfu*cat%on to be apprec%ated, %t %* re:u%red
t-at C1D t-ere be an act, bot- unlaw&ul and su&&icient to produce*uc- a cond%t%on of m%ndB and C2D
*a%d act )-%c- produced t-e obfu*cat%on )a* not far remo"ed from t-e comm%**%on of t-e cr%me
b# a con*%derab'e 'en(t- of t%me, dur%n( )-%c- t-e perpetrator m%(-t reco"er -%* norma'
e:uan%m%t#.
=!3>
In t-e ca*e at bar, Tan(an cou'd not -a"e po**%b'# acted upon an %mpu'*e for t-ere )a* no
*udden and une+pected occurrence )-%c- )u'd -a"e created *uc- cond%t%on %n -%* m%nd to *-oot
t-e "%ct%m. A**um%n( t-at -%* pat- )a* *udden'# b'oc4ed b# 0enero*o 1%randa due to t-e
f%recrac4er*, %t can no 'on(er be treated a* a *tart'%n( occurrence, prec%*e'# becau*e -e -ad
a'read# pa**ed t-em and )a* a'read# t-e one b'oc4%n( t-e%r pat-. Tan(an5* act* )ere done %n t-e
*p%r%t of re"en(e and 'a)'e**ne**, for )-%c- no m%t%(at%n( c%rcum*tance of pa**%on or obfu*cat%on
can ar%*e.
9%t- re*pect to t-e pena't#, under t-e 'a)* t-en e+%*t%n(, -om%c%de )a* pena'%;ed
)%t- reclusion temporal,
=!!>
but %f t-e -om%c%de )a* comm%tted )%t- t-e u*e of an un'%cen*ed
f%rearm, t-e pena't# *-a'' be deat-.
=!?>
T-e deat- pena't#, -o)e"er, cannot be %mpo*ed on Tan(an
becau*e %n t-e meant%me, t-e 19@ $on*t%tut%on pro*cr%bed t-e %mpo*%t%on of deat- pena't#B and
a't-ou(- %t )a* 'ater re*tored %n 199!, t-e retroact%"e app'%cat%on of t-e deat- pena't# %*
unfa"orab'e to -%m. <re"%ou*'#, t-e accu*ed ma# be pro*ecuted for t)o cr%me*: C1D -om%c%de or
murder under t-e Re"%*ed <ena' $ode and C2D %''e(a' po**e**%on of f%rearm %n %t* a((ra"ated form
under <.D. 1AA.
=!A>
<.D. 1AA )a* amended b# R.A. No. 29!,
=!@>
)-%c- pro"%de* t-at %f an un'%cen*ed f%rearm %*
u*ed %n murder or -om%c%de, *uc- u*e of un'%cen*ed f%rearm *-a'' be apprec%ated a* an
a((ra"at%n( c%rcum*tance and no 'on(er con*%dered a* a *eparate offen*e,
=!>
)-%c- mean* t-at
on'# one offen*e *-a'' be pun%*-ed F murder or -om%c%de. .o)e"er, t-%* 'a) cannot app'#
retroact%"e'# becau*e %t )%'' re*u't %n t-e %mpo*%t%on on Tan(an of t-e ma+%mum per%od of t-e
pena't#. 1oreo"er, under Ru'e 110, Sect%on of t-e Re"%*ed Ru'e* of $r%m%na' <rocedure,
=!9>
t-e
a((ra"at%n( c%rcum*tance mu*t be a''e(ed %n t-e %nformat%on. ,e%n( fa"orab'e, t-%* ne) ru'e can
be (%"en retroact%"e effect a* t-e# are app'%cab'e to pend%n( ca*e*.
=?0>
In an# ca*e, Tan(an )a*
ac:u%tted of t-e %''e(a' po**e**%on ca*e.
$on*e:uent'#, Tan(an *-ou'd be *entenced to *uffer t-e pena't# of reclusion
temporal. <ur*uant to Art%c'e A! of t-e Re"%*ed <ena' $ode, %f t-e pre*cr%bed pena't# %*
compo*ed of t-ree per%od*, and t-ere %* ne%t-er m%t%(at%n( nor a((ra"at%n( c%rcum*tance, t-e
med%um per%od *-a'' be app'%ed. App'#%n( t-e Indeterm%nate Sentence 'a), t-e ma+%mum of t-e
%ndeterm%nate pena't# *-a'' be t-at )-%c-, %n "%e) of t-e attendant c%rcum*tance*, ma# be
proper'# %mpo*ed, )-%c- %n t-%* ca*e %*reclusion temporal med%um )%t- an %mpr%*onment ran(e
of from fourteen C1!D #ear*, e%(-t CD mont-* and one C1D da# to *e"enteen C1@D #ear* and four
C!D mont-*. T-e m%n%mum of t-e %ndeterm%nate *entence *-a'' be t-e ne+t 'o)er de(ree )-%c-
%* prision mayor )%t- a ran(e of from *%+ CAD #ear* and one C1D da# to t)e'"e C12D #ear*.
=?1>
.ence, pet%t%oner Tan(an %* *entenced to an %ndeterm%nate pena't# of *%+ CAD #ear* and one C1D
da# of prision mayor, a* m%n%mum, to fourteen C1!D #ear*, e%(-t CD mont-* and one C1D da#
of reclusion temporal, a* ma+%mum.
T-e deat- %ndemn%t# of <30,000.00 )a* correct'# %ncrea*ed b# t-e appe''ate court to
<?0,000.00 %n '%ne )%t- /ur%*prudence.
=?2>
1ora' dama(e* are a)arded %n cr%m%na' ca*e* %n"o'"%n(
%n/ur%e* %f *upported b# e"%dence on record,
=?3>
but t-e *t%pu'at%on of t-e part%e* %n t-%* ca*e
*ub*t%tute* for t-e nece**%t# of e"%dence %n *upport t-ereof. T-ou(- not a)arded be'o), t-e
"%ct%m5* -e%r* are ent%t'ed to mora' dama(e* %n t-e amount of <?0,000.00 )-%c- %* con*%dered
rea*onab'e con*%der%n( t-e pa%n and an(u%*- brou(-t b# -%* deat-.
=?!>
)HEREFORE, t-e pet%t%on %n 0.R. No. 103A13 %* DIS1ISS&D. T-e appea'ed dec%*%on
*ub/ect of 0.R. No. 10?30 %* AFFIR1&D )%t- t-e fo''o)%n( 1ODIFI$ATIONS:
C1D Tan(an %* *entenced to *uffer an %ndeterm%nate pena't# of *%+ CAD #ear* and one C1D da#
of prision mayor, a* m%n%mum, to fourteen C1!D #ear*, e%(-t CD mont-* and one C1D da#
of reclusion temporal, a* ma+%mum, )%t- a'' t-e acce**or# pena't%e*.
C2D Tan(an %* ordered to pa# t-e "%ct%m5* -e%r* <?0,000.00 a* c%"%' %ndemn%t#, <!2,000.00 a*
funera' and bur%a' e+pen*e*, <?,000.00 a* attorne#5* fee*, and <?0,000.00 a* mora' dama(e*.
SO OR#ERE#.
+avide, %r., *.%., ,*(airman-, Puno, .apunan, and Pardo, %%., concur.