Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2011 > March 2011 Decisions > [G.R. No. 190341, March 16 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. ROMY FALLONES Y LABANA, APPELLANT. :




SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 190341, March 16 : 2011]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. ROMY FALLONES Y LABANA, APPELLANT.

DECISION


ABAD, J.:


This case involves the admissibility of the deceased rape victim's spontaneous utterances during the time she was being sexually abused and immediately afterwards.

The Facts and the Case

The public prosecutor charged the accused Romy Fallones y Labana with rape[1] in an amended information dated September 14, 2004 before a Regional Trial Court (RTC).[2]

The complainant in this case, Alice,[3] was a retardate.  She died while trial was ongoing, hence, was unable to testify.[4]  To prove its case, the prosecution presented Allan (Alice's father), Amalia[5] (her sister), PO3 Lilibeth S. Aguilar (a police investigator), BSDO Eduardo P. Marcelo and BSDO Arturo M. Reyes (the apprehending officers), Dr. Paul Ed D. Ortiz (a medico-legal officer), and Eden H. Terol (a psychologist).  The accused testified in his defense.[6]

Amalia testified that at about 9:45 a.m. on June 29, 2004, her mother told her older sister, Alice, to look for their brother Andoy.[7]  Since Andoy arrived without Alice, her mother asked Amalia to look for her. Amalia looked in places where Andoy often played and this led her near accused Fallones' house.  As she approached the house, Amalia heard someone crying out from within, "Tama na, tama na!"  Recognizing Alice's voice, Amalia repeatedly knocked on the door until Fallones opened it.  Amalia saw her sister standing behind him.  As Amalia went in to take her sister out, Alice held out a sanitary napkin and, crying, said that Fallones had given her the napkin.  Alice's shorts were wet and blood-stained. Frightened and troubled, the two girls went home.[8]

On their way home, Alice recounted to her sister that Fallones brought her to his bathroom, pulled down her shorts, and ravished her.  She said that Fallones wet her shorts to make it appear that she tripped and had her monthly period.[9]  Along the way, they met an uncle and told him what happened.  On their arrival, their father brought Alice to the barangay while Amalia returned to Fallones' house where she saw her uncle, some relatives, and neighbors accosting and beating Fallones.  Shortly after, some barangay officials arrived and intervened.[10]

Accused Fallones testified that, at about the time and date of the alleged rape, he was at home with his wife, cleaning their house.  After his wife left and while he was having his lunch, two men arrived, arrested him at gunpoint, and brought him to the barangay hall.  They accused him of raping Alice but he denied the charge.  The barangay officials brought him to the police station where he was detained and further interrogated.[11]  Again, he denied the accusations.

On July 10, 2007 the RTC rendered a Decision, finding the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of simple rape.  The RTC sentenced him to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua, and ordered him to pay P50,000.00 as civil indemnity and P50,000.00 as damages.  The accused appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) but the latter court rendered judgment on June 30, 2009, affirming the RTC Decision. Accused Fallones moved for reconsideration but the CA denied his motion, hence, the present appeal to this Court.

The Issue Presented

The core issue in this case is whether or not the CA erred in affirming the RTC's finding that accused Fallones raped Alice, a mental retardate.

The Court's Ruling

Although Alice died before she could testify, the evidence shows that she positively identified Fallones as her abuser before the barangay officials and the police.  Amalia, her sister, testified of her own personal knowledge that she had been out looking for Alice that midmorning; that she heard the latter's voice from within Fallones' house imploring her attacker to stop what he was doing to her; that upon repeatedly knocking at Fallones' door, he opened it, revealing the presence of her sister, her shorts bloodied.

The prosecution presented the psychologist who gave Alice a series of psychological tests.  She confirmed that Alice had been sexually abused and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.  She found Alice to have moderate mental retardation with a mental age of a five-year-old person, although she was 18 at the time of the incident.  On cross-examination, the psychologist testified that while Alice may be vulnerable to suggestions, she had no ability to recall or act out things that may have been taught to her.  Neither can anyone manipulate her emotions if indeed she was influenced by others.[12]

Accused Fallones tried to discredit Amalia's testimony as hearsay, doubtful, and unreliable.  But, although what Alice told Amalia may have been hearsay, the rest of the latter's testimony, which established both concomitant (Alice's voice from within Fallones' house, pleading that she was hurting) and subsequent circumstance (Alice coming from behind Fallones as the latter opened the door, her shorts bloodied), are admissible in evidence having been given from personal knowledge.

Further, the Court considers a res gestae Amalia's recital of what she heard Alice utter when she came and rescued her.  Res gestae refers to statements made by the participants or the victims of, or the spectators to, a crime immediately before, during, or after its commission.  These statements are a spontaneous reaction or utterance inspired by the excitement of the occasion, without any opportunity for the declarant to fabricate a false statement.  An important consideration is whether there intervened, between the occurrence and the statement, any circumstance calculated to divert the mind and thus restore the mental balance of the declarant; and afford an opportunity for deliberation.[13]  For spontaneous statements to be admitted in evidence, the following must concur: 1) the principal act, the res gestae, is a startling occurrence; 2) the statements were made before the declarant had time to contrive or devise; and 3) the statements concerned the occurrence in question and its immediately attending circumstances.[14]

Here, Fallones' act of forcing himself into Alice is a startling event.  And Amalia happened to be just outside his house when she heard Alice cry out "tama na, tama na!"  When Fallones opened the door upon Amalia's incessant knocking, Alice came out from behind him, uttering "Amalia, may napkin na binigay si Romy o." The admissibility of Alice's spontaneous statements rests on the valid assumption that they were spoken under circumstances where there had been no chance to contrive.[15]  It is difficult to lie in an excited state and the impulsiveness of the expression is a guaranty of trustworthiness.[16]

For his defense, Fallones claimed that the members of Alice's family pressured her into pointing to him as her abuser.  But he has been unable to establish any possible ill-motive that could prompt Alice's family into charging him falsely.  Indeed, Fallones admitted at the trial that there had been no animosity between Alice's family and him.[17]

Fallones argues that Alice's actuations after the incident negate rape, invoking the Court's ruling in People v. Dela Cruz.[18]  But the circumstances of the latter case are far too different from those existing in the present case.  In Dela Cruz, although the victim was seven years old when the supposed rape took place, she was not mentally retarded.  Further, she was already 19 years old when she reported the incident 12 years after it happened.  Besides, the medical findings revealed that her hymen remained intact.  Thus, the Court did not believe that she had been raped when she was seven.

In sum, the testimony of the witnesses, the physical evidence, the medico-legal finding, and the psychologist's report all establish that Fallones raped Alice.  The defense offered no witness or evidence of Fallones' innocence other than his bare denial.  Again, the Court will not disturb the RTC's findings and conclusion being the first-hand observer of the witnesses' attitude and behavior during trial.  The defense counsel was unsuccessful in impeaching Amalia during cross-examination.  In fine, the guilt of the accused has been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Alice is dead but, as Shakespeare wrote in his Sonnets--The Winter's Tale, "the silence often of pure innocence persuades when speaking fails."[19]

WHEREFORE, the Court DENIES the appeal and AFFIRMS the decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC 03182 dated June 30, 2009.

SO ORDERED.

Carpio, (Chairperson), Velasco, Jr.,* Peralta, and Mendoza, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


* Designated as additional member in lieu of Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, per Special Order 933 dated January 24, 2011.

[1] Records, p. 1, Crim. Case Q-04-127845.

[2] Id. at 25.

[3] Pursuant to Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" and its implementing rules; The real name of the victim, together with the real names of her immediate family members, is withheld and fictitious initials instead are used to represent her to protect her privacy and that of her family. (People v. Cabalquinto, GR. No. 167693, September 19, 2006, 502 SCRA 419).

[4] CA rollo, p. 24.

[5] Id.

[6] Id. at 23, RTC Decision dated July 10, 2007.

[7] Supra note 3.

[8] TSN, March 6, 2006, pp. 341-368.

[9] Id. at 349, 365.

[10] Id. at 351-353.

[11] TSN, March 14, 2007, pp. 370-386.

[12] TSN, December 12, 2005, pp. 323-337.

[13] Marturillas v. People, G.R. No. 163217, April 18, 2006, 487 SCRA 273, 308-309.

[14] Id. at 309.

[15] Id.

[16] Capila v. People, G.R. No. 146161, July 17, 2006, 495 SCRA 276, 281-282.

[17] TSN, February 14, 2007, pp. 383-384.

[18] 388 Phil. 678 (2000).

[19] "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" by John Bartlett, p. 222, par. 22.



Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






March-2011 Jurisprudence                 

  • [G.R. No. 191261, March 02 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. JENNY TUMAMBING Y TAMAYO, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 191361, March 02 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE,VS. MARIANITO TERIAPIL Y QUINAWAYAN, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 192217, March 02 : 2011] DANILO L. PAREL, PETITIONER, VS. HEIRS OF SIMEON PRUDENCIO, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 182525, March 02 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. BERTHA PRESAS Y TOLENTINO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 193482, March 02 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. NILO ROCABO, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 181298, March 02 : 2011] BELLE CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 167751, March 02 : 2011] HARPOON MARINE SERVICES, INC. AND JOSE LIDO T. ROSIT, PETITIONERS, VS. FERNAN H. FRANCISCO, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 188705, March 02 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. FEDERICO LUCERO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 178159, March 02 : 2011] SPS. VICENTE DIONISIO AND ANITA DIONISIO, PETITIONER, VS. WILFREDO LINSANGAN, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. RTJ-10-2247 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 09-3143-RTJ), March 02 : 2011] JOCELYN DATOON, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE BETHANY G. KAPILI, PRESIDING JUDGE OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 24, MAASIN CITY, SOUTHERN LEYTE, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 181371, March 02 : 2011] CENTRAL LUZON DRUG CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 172161, March 02 : 2011] SLL INTERNATIONAL CABLES SPECIALIST AND SONNY L. LAGON, PETITIONERS, VS. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, 4TH DIVISION, ROLDAN LOPEZ, EDGARDO ZUÑIGA AND DANILO CAÑETE, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 194259, March 06 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. JIMMY ALVERIO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 191389, March 07 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. LUISITO LALICAN Y ARCE, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 191561, March 07 : 2011] BANK OF COMMERCE, PETITIONER, VS. GOODMAN FIELDER INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 172011, March 07 : 2011] REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. TEODORO P. RIZALVO, JR., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 192856, March 08 : 2011] FERNANDO V. GONZALEZ, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, RENO G. LIM, STEPHEN C. BICHARA AND THE SPECIAL BOARD OF CANVASSERS CONSTITUTED PER RES. DATED JULY 23, 2010 OF THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EN BANC, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 157838, March 08 : 2011] CANDELARIO L. VERZOSA, JR. (IN HIS FORMER CAPACITY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY), PETITIONER, VS. GUILLERMO N. CARAGUE (IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT), RAUL C. FLORES, CELSO D. GANGAN, SOFRONIO B. URSAL AND COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. 10-10-4-SC, March 08 : 2011] RE: LETTER OF THE UP LAW FACULTY ENTITLED "RESTORING INTEGRITY: A STATEMENT BY THE FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF LAW ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF PLAGIARISM AND MISREPRESENTATION IN THE SUPREME COURT"

  • [G.R. No. 187714, March 08 : 2011] AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR., MANUEL B. VILLAR, JOKER P. ARROYO, FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN, PIA S. CAYETANO, AND ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO, PETITIONERS, VS. SENATE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPRESENTED BY SENATE PRESIDENT JUAN PONCE ENRILE, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 170071, March 09 : 2011] HEIRS OF JOSE MARCIAL K. OCHOA NAMELY: RUBY B. OCHOA, MICAELA B. OCHOA AND JOMAR B. OCHOA, PETITIONERS, VS.G & S TRANSPORT CORPORATION, RESPONDENT. [G.R. No. 170125] G & S TRANSPORT CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. HEIRS OF JOSE MARCIAL K. OCHOA NAMELY: RUBY B. OCHOA, MICAELA B. OCHOA AND JOMAR B. OCHOA, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 163530, March 09 : 2011] PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK, PETITIONER, VS. RAMON VALENZUELA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. Nos. 159017-18, March 09 : 2011] PAULINO S. ASILO, JR., PETITIONER, VS. THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPOUSES VISITACION AND CESAR C. BOMBASI, RESPONDENTS. [G.R. No. 159059] VICTORIA BUETA VDA. DE COMENDADOR, IN REPRESENTATION OF DEMETRIO T. COMENDADOR, PETITIONER, VS. VISITACION C. BOMBASI AND CESAR C. BOMBASI, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 185758, March 09 : 2011] LINDA M. CHAN KENT, REPRESENTED BY ROSITA MANALANG, PETITIONER, VS. DIONESIO C. MICAREZ, SPOUSES ALVARO E. MICAREZ & PAZ MICAREZ, AND THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 168523, March 09 : 2011] SPOUSES FERNANDO AND ANGELINA EDRALIN, PETITIONERS, VS. PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 191388, March 09 : 2011] ASIA UNITED BANK, CHRISTINE T. CHAN, AND FLORANTE C. DEL MUNDO, PETITIONERS, VS. GOODLAND COMPANY, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. Nos. 181566 and 181570, March 09 : 2011] DAVAO FRUITS CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 177467, March 09 : 2011] PFIZER, INC. AND/OR REY GERARDO BACARRO, AND/OR FERDINAND CORTES, AND/OR ALFRED MAGALLON, AND/OR ARISTOTLE ARCE, PETITIONERS, VS. GERALDINE VELASCO, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 174034, March 09 : 2011] HEIRS OF MARILOU K. SANTIAGO, REPRESENTED BY DENNIS K. SANTIAGO, LOURDES K. SANTIAGO AND EUFEMIA K. SANTIAGO, PETITIONERS, VS. ALFONSO AGUILA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 181370, March 09 : 2011] JULIAN S. LEBRUDO AND REYNALDO L. LEBRUDO, PETITIONERS, VS. REMEDIOS LOYOLA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 192649, March 09 : 2011] HOME GUARANTY CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. R-II BUILDERS INC., AND NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 171189, March 09 : 2011] LORES REALTY ENTERPRISES, INC., LORENZO Y. SUMULONG III, PETITIONERS, VS. VIRGINIA E. PACIA, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-09-2677 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 07-2582-P), March 09 : 2011] ANGELINA C. LIM AND VIVIAN M. GADUANG, COMPLAINANTS, VS. MARIBETH G. AROMIN, RECORDS OFFICER I, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, MEYCAUAYAN, BULACAN, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. RTJ-08-2149 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 08-2787-RTJ), March 09 : 2011] LYDIA A. BENANCILLO, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE VENANCIO J. AMILA, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 3, TAGBILARAN CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 158576, March 09 : 2011] CORNELIA M. HERNANDEZ, PETITIONER, VS. CECILIO F. HERNANDEZ, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. RTJ-10-2241[Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 09-3224-RTJ], March 09 : 2011] FERDINAND C. BACOLOT, COMPLAINANT, VS. HON. FRANCISCO D. PAÑO, PRESIDING JUDGE, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 93, SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 189981, March 09 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ALLAN GABRINO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 181249, March 14 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. BAIDA SALAK Y BANGKULAS, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 190171, March 14 : 2011] ALEN ROSS RODRIGUEZ AND REGIDOR TULALI, PETITIONERS, VS. THE HON. BIENVENIDO BLANCAFLOR, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE ACTING PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF PALAWAN, BRANCH 52, AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 178272, March 14 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. RODRIGO SALCEDO ALIAS "DIGOL," APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 191392, March 14 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ROLLY SORIAGA Y STO. DOMINGO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 172087, March 15 : 2011] PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION (PAGCOR), PETITIONER, VS. THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE (BIR), REPRESENTED HEREIN BY HON. JOSE MARIO BUÑAG, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PUBLIC RESPONDENT, JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE, WHO ARE PERSONS ACTING FOR, IN BEHALF, OR UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF RESPONDENT. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. 2010-11-SC, March 15 : 2011] RE: EMPLOYEES INCURRING HABITUAL TARDINESS IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF 2009

  • [A.C. No. 8253(Formerly CBD Case No. 03-1067), March 15 : 2011] ERLINDA R. TAROG, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. ROMULO L. RICAFORT, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 152033, March 16 : 2011] FILIPINAS SYNTHETIC FIBER CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. WILFREDO DE LOS SANTOS, BENITO JOSE DE LOS SANTOS, MARIA ELENA DE LOS SANTOS AND CARMINA VDA. DE LOS SANTOS, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 169717, March 16 : 2011] SAMAHANG MANGGAGAWA SA CHARTER CHEMICAL SOLIDARITY OF UNIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR EMPOWERMENT AND REFORMS (SMCC-SUPER), ZACARRIAS JERRY VICTORIO - UNION PRESIDENT, PETITIONER,VS. CHARTER CHEMICAL AND COATING CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 190341, March 16 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. ROMY FALLONES Y LABANA, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 169599, March 16 : 2011] REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. JUANITO MANIMTIM, JULIO UMALI, REPRESENTED BY AURORA U. JUMARANG, SPOUSES EDILBERTO BAÑANOLA AND SOFIA BAÑANOLA, ZENAIDA MALABANAN, MARCELINO MENDOZA, DEMETRIO BARRIENTOS, FLORITA CUADRA, AND FRANCISCA MANIMTIM, RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. MTJ-08-1718, March 16 : 2011] ATTY. RAFAEL T. MARTINEZ, AND SPOUSES DAN AND EDNA REYES, COMPLAINANTS, VS. JUDGE GRACE GLICERIA F. DE VERA, PRESIDING JUDGE, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, SAN CARLOS CITY, PANGASINAN, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-06-2206, March 16 : 2011] EXECUTIVE JUDGE LEONILO B. APITA, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 7, TACLOBAN CITY, COMPLAINANT, VS. MARISSA M. ESTANISLAO, COURT LEGAL RESEARCHER II, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 34, TACLOBAN CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 185390, March 16 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ALEX PALING, ERNIE VILBAR @ "DODONG" (AT LARGE), AND ROY VILBAR, ACCUSED, ALEX PALING, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 182239, March 16 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. HERMIE M. JACINTO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 157476, March 16 : 2011] VENANCIO GIVERO, EDGARDO GIVERO AND FLORIDA GAYANES, PETITIONERS, VS. MAXIMO GIVERO AND LORETO GIVERO, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 168651, March 16 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. EDITH RAMOS ABAT, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 185683, March 16 : 2011] UNION LEAF TOBACCO CORPORATION, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MR. HILARION P. UY, PETITIONER, VS. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 131481, March 16 : 2011] BUKLOD NANG MAGBUBUKID SA LUPAING RAMOS, INC., PETITIONER, VS. E. M. RAMOS AND SONS, INC., RESPONDENT. [G.R. No. 131624] DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, PETITIONER, VS. E. M. RAMOS AND SONS, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 178323, March 16, 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ARMANDO CHINGH Y PARCIA, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [A.M. No. P-11-2914 [FORMERLY A.M. OCA IPI NO. 09-3159-P], March 16 : 2011] DY TEBAN TRADING CO., INC., COMPLAINANT, VS. ARCHIBALD C. VERGA, SHERIFF IV, RTC, BRANCH 33 BUTUAN CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 169103, March 16 : 2011] COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PETITIONER, VS. MANILA BANKERS' LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 171870, March 16 : 2011] SPOUSES ANTONIO F. ALAGAR AND AURORA ALAGAR, PETITIONER, VS. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 173780, March 21 : 2011] METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, PETITIONER, VS. MARINA B. CUSTODIO, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-07-2297 (formerly A.M. No. 07-1-04-MTC -Re: Report on the Financial Audit Conducted in the MTC, Argao, Cebu), March 21 : 2011] OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. MS. MIRA THELMA V. ALMIRANTE, INTERPRETER AND FORMER OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, ARGAO, CEBU, RESPONDENT. D E C I S I O N

  • [G.R. No. 165427, March 21 : 2011] BETTY B. LACBAYAN, PETITIONER, VS. BAYANI S. SAMOY, JR., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 192821, March 21 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. APPELLEE, SIXTO PADUA Y FELOMINA, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 174504, March 21 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. HON. SANDIGANBAYAN (THIRD DIVISION) AND MANUEL G. BARCENAS, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 182458, March 21 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. REX NIMUAN Y CACHO, APPELLANT.

  • [A.M. No. MTJ-08-1727 (FORMERLY A.M. OCA I.P.I. NO. 03-1465-MTJ), March 22 : 2011] MILAGROS VILLACERAN AND OMAR T. MIRANDA, COMPLAINANTS, VS. JUDGE MAXWEL S. ROSETE AND PROCESS SERVER EUGENIO TAGUBA, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, BRANCH 2, SANTIAGO CITY, ISABELA, RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. SCC-98-4, March 22 : 2011] ASHARY M. ALAUYA, CLERK OF COURT, SHARI'A DISTRICT COURT, MARAWI CITY, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE CASAN ALI L. LIMBONA, SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURT, LANAO DEL SUR, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 190529, March 22 : 2011] PHILIPPINE GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD, INC., REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY-GENERAL GEORGE "FGBF GEORGE" DULDULAO, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 166471, March 22 : 2011] TAWANG MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE, PETITIONER, VS. LA TRINIDAD WATER DISTRICT, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 193256, March 22 : 2011] ABC (ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS) PARTY LIST, REPRESENTED HEREIN BY ITS CHAIRMAN, JAMES MARTY LIM, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND MELANIO MAURICIO, JR., RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 170446, March 23 : 2011] EDGEWATER REALTY DEVELOPMENT, INC., PETITIONER, VS. METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND MANILA WATER COMPANY, INC., RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 178096, March 23 : 2011] ROSA DELOS REYES, PETITIONER, VS. SPOUSES FRANCISCO ODONES AND ARWENIA ODONES, NOEMI OTALES, AND GREGORIO RAMIREZ, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 164693, March 23 : 2011] JOSEFA S. ABALOS* AND THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONERS, VS. SPS. LOMANTONG DARAPA AND SINAB DIMAKUTA, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 169260, March 23 : 2011] SANDEN AIRCON PHILIPPINES AND ANTONIO ANG, PETITIONERS, VS. LORESSA P. ROSALES, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 189821, March 23 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. ANTONIO OTOS ALIAS ANTONIO OMOS, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 176058, March 23 : 2011] PRESIDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION (PAGC) AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, PETITIONERS, VS. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 151369, March 23 : 2011] ANITA MONASTERIO-PE AND THE SPOUSES ROMULO TAN AND EDITHA PE-TAN, PETITIONERS, VS. JOSE JUAN TONG, HEREIN REPRESENTED BY HIS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, JOSE Y. ONG, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 146839, March 23 : 2011] ROLANDO T. CATUNGAL, JOSE T. CATUNGAL, JR., CAROLYN T. CATUNGAL AND ERLINDA CATUNGAL-WESSEL, PETITIONERS, VS. ANGEL S. RODRIGUEZ, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 160736, March 23 : 2011] AIR ADS INCORPORATED, PETITIONER, VS. TAGUM AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TADECO), RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 156142, March 23 : 2011] SPOUSES ALVIN GUERRERO AND MERCURY M. GUERRERO, PETITIONERS, VS. HON. LORNA NAVARRO DOMINGO, IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 201, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, LAS PIÑAS CITY & PILAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 192416, March 23 : 2011] GRANDTEQ INDUSTRIAL STEEL PRODUCTS, INC., ABELARDO GONZALES,[1] RONALD A. DE LEON,[2] NOEL AGUIRRE, FELIX ARPIA, AND NICK EUGENIO, PETITIONERS, VS. ANNALIZA M. ESTRELLA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 172678, March 23 : 2011] SEA LION FISHING CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 193664, March 23 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. DOMINGO BANAN Y LUMIDO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 164321, March 23 : 2011] SKECHERS, U.S.A., INC., PETITIONER, VS. INTER PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL TRADING CORP., AND/OR INTER PACIFIC TRADING CORP. AND/OR STRONG SPORTS GEAR CO., LTD., AND/OR STRONGSHOES WAREHOUSE AND/OR STRONG FASHION SHOES TRADING AND/OR TAN TUAN HONG AND/OR VIOLETA T. MAGAYAGA AND/OR JEFFREY R. MORALES AND/OR ANY OF ITS OTHER PROPRIETOR/S, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND/OR OCCUPANTS OF ITS PREMISES LOCATED AT S-7, ED & JOE'S COMMERCIAL ARCADE, NO. 153 QUIRINO AVENUE, PARAÑAQUE CITY, RESPONDENTS. TRENDWORKS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, PETITIONER-INTERVENOR, VS. INTER PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL TRADING CORP. AND/OR INTER PACIFIC TRADING CORP. AND/OR STRONG SPORTS GEAR CO., LTD., AND/OR STRONGSHOES WAREHOUSE AND/OR STRONG FASHION SHOES TRADING AND/OR TAN TUAN HONG AND/OR VIOLETA T. MAGAYAGA AND/OR JEFFREY R. MORALES AND/OR ANY OF ITS OTHER PROPRIETOR/S, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND/OR OCCUPANTS OF ITS PREMISES LOCATED AT S-7, ED & JOE'S COMMERCIAL ARCADE, NO. 153 QUIRINO AVENUE, PARAÑAQUE CITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 190001, March 23 : 2011] GENUINO ICE COMPANY, INC., HECTOR S. GENUINO AND EDGAR A. CARRJAGA, PETITIONERS. VS. ERIC Y. LAVA AND EDDIE BOY SODELA, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 182550, March 23 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. RUEL VELARDE ALIAS DOLOY BELARDE, APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 169895, March 23 : 2011] ISAGANI M. YAMBOT, LETTY JIMENEZ-MAGSANOC, JOSE MA. D. NOLASCO, ARTEMIO T. ENGRACIA, JR. AND VOLT CONTRERAS, PETITIONERS, VS. HON. ARTEMIO TUQUERO IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, AND ESCOLASTICO U. CRUZ, JR., RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. P-09-2651, March 23 : 2011] EMMANUEL M. GIBAS, JR., COMPLAINANT, VS. MA. JESUSA E. GIBAS, COURT STENOGRAPHER I, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, GUIGUINTO, BULACAN, AND FRANCONELLO S. LINTAO, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 83, MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 185454, March 23 : 2011] STAR TWO (SPV-AMC), INC., PETITIONER, VS. HOWARD KO, MIN MIN SEE KO, JIMMY ONG, AND GRACE NG ONG, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 176596, March 23 : 2011] JUDGE ADORACION G. ANGELES, PETITIONER, VS. HON. MANUEL E. GAITE, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR LEGAL AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT; HON. RAUL GONZALES, SECRETARY, AND HON. JOVENCITO ZUÑO, CHIEF STATE PROSECUTOR, BOTH OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ); HON. RAMON R. GARCIA (SUBSTITUTED BY HON. JOSEPH LOPEZ), CITY PROSECUTOR, ACP MARLINA N. MANUEL, AND ACP ADELIZA H. MAGNO-GUINGOYON, ALL OF THE MANILA PROSECUTION SERVICE; AND SSP EMMANUEL VELASCO, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 179844, March 23 : 2011] EMERSON B. BAGONGAHASA, GIRLIE B. BAGONGAHASA, DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM - PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM OFFICER OF LAGUNA, AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OF SINOLOAN, LAGUNA, PETITIONERS, VS. JOHANNA L. ROMUALDEZ, RESPONDENT. SPOUSES CESAR M. CAGUIN AND GERTRUDES CAGUIN, SPOUSES TEODORO MADRIDEJOS AND ANICETA IBANEZ MADRIDEJOS, DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM - PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM OFFICER OF LAGUNA, AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OF SINOLOAN, LAGUNA, PETITIONERS, VS. DIETMAR L. ROMUALDEZ, RESPONDENT. SOTELA D. ADEA, SPOUSES ESPERANZA AND LEONCIO MARIO, SPOUSES DELIA AND DANILO CACHOLA, SPOUSES MA. ALICIA AND REYMUNDO CAINTO, EDUARDO B. DALAY, SPOUSES JOSE LEVITICO AND EPIFANIA DALAY, SPOUSES JIFFY AND FAUSTINO DALAY, SPOUSES MA. RUTH AND MELCHOR PACURIB, MA. JERIMA B. DALAY, SPOUSES CLEOFAS AND TERESITA VITOR, SPOUSES CELESTINA AND ALEJANDRO COSICO, SPOUSES AUREA AND ANTONIO HERNANDEZ, SPOUSES JULIA AND RAFAEL DELA CRUZ, SPOUSES RAQUEL AND SEBASTIAN SAN JUAN, SPOUSES MARGARITA AND PABLITO LLANES, SR., FIDEL M. DALAY, SPOUSES JAIME AND MELVITA DALAY, SPOUSES EMILY AND FLORENCIO PANGAN, SPOUSES FELIPE AND ROSALIE DALAY, SPOUSES MARCELO AND CATALINA B. DALAY, AND SPOUSES RENATO AND ELIZABETH DALAY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM - PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM OFFICER OF LAGUNA, AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OF SINOLOAN, LAGUNA, PETITIONERS, VS. SPOUSES DANIEL AND ANA ROMUALDEZ, AND JACQUELINE L. ROMUALDEZ, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 175697, March 23 : 2011] RURAL BANK OF TOBOSO, INC. (NOW UCPB SAVINGS BANK), PETITIONER, VS. JEAN VENIEGAS AGTOTO, RESPONDENT. [G.R. NO. 176103] JEAN VENIEGAS AGTOTO, PETITIONER, VS. RURAL BANK OF TOBOSO, INC. AND ANTONIO ARBIS IN HIS CAPACITY AS EX-OFFICIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 167518, March 23 : 2011] BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, PETITIONER, VS. PIO ROQUE S. COQUIA, JR., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 192877, March 23 : 2011] BR> SPOUSES HERMES P. OCHOA AND ARACELI D. OCHOA, PETITIONERS, VS. CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 192789, March 23 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. NGANO SUGAN, NGA BEN LATAM, FRANCING, GAGA LATAM, SALIGO KUYAN AND KAMISON AKOY, ACCUSED, GAGA LATAM, SALIGO KUYAN AND KAMISON AKOY, APPELLANTS.

  • [A.M. No. MTJ-11-1782 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 05-1807-MTJ], March 23 : 2011] JOSEFINA NAGUIAT, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE MARIO B. CAPELLAN, PRESIDING JUDGE, MTCC, BR. 1, MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R.No. 170195, March 28 : 2011] SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, PETITIONER, VS. TERESA G. FAVILA, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 187425, March 28 : 2011] COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, PETITIONER, VS. AGFHA INCORPORATED, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-09-2686 (FORMERLY OCA I.P.I NO. 06-2441-P), March 28 : 2011] PRISCILLA L. HERNANDO, COMPLAINANT, VS. JULIANA Y. BENGSON, LEGAL RESEARCHER, RTC, BRANCH 104, QUEZON CITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 185556, March 28 : 2011] SUPREME STEEL CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. NAGKAKAISANG MANGGAGAWA NG SUPREME INDEPENDENT UNION (NMS-IND-APL), RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 178454, March 28 : 2011] FILIPINA SAMSON, PETITIONER, VS. JULIA A. RESTRIVERA, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-09-2637 (Formerly A.M. No. 08-12-682-RTC), March 29 : 2011] OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. MAGDALENA L. LOMETILLO, FORMER CLERK OF COURT VII, VICTORIA S. PATOPATEN, CASHIER II, LINDA C. GUIDES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER I, LENNY GEMMA P. CASTILLO, CLERK III, AND BRENDA M. LINACERO, CLERK III, ALL OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, ILOILO CITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 191560, March 29 : 2011] HON. LUIS MARIO M. GENERAL, COMMISSIONER, NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION, PETITIONER, VS. HON. ALEJANDRO S. URRO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE NEW APPOINTEE VICE HEREIN PETITIONER HON. LUIS MARIO M. GENERAL, NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION, RESPONDENT. HON. LUIS MARIO M. GENERAL, COMMISSIONER, NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION, PETITIONER, VS. PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, THRU EXECUTIVE SECRETARY LEANDRO MENDOZA, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE APPOINTING POWER, HON. RONALDO V. PUNO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND AS EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION AND HON. EDUARDO U. ESCUETA, ALEJANDRO S. URRO, AND HON. CONSTANCIA P. DE GUZMAN AS THE MIDNIGHT APPOINTEES, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 171427, March 30 : 2011] STERLING SELECTIONS CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. LAGUNA LAKE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (LLDA) AND JOAQUIN G. MENDOZA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS GENERAL MANAGER OF LLDA, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 159450, March 30 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. OLIVIA ALETH GARCIA CRISTOBAL, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 177324, March 30 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. REYNALD DELA CRUZ Y LIBANTOCIA, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 189834, March 30 : 2011] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. JAY MANDY MAGLIAN Y REYES, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 169575, March 30 : 2011] IMELDA PANTOLLANO (FOR HERSELF AS SURVIVING SPOUSE AND IN BEHALF OF HER 4 CHILDREN HONEYVETTE, TIERRA BRYN, KIENNE DIONNES, SHERRA VEDA MAE, THEN ALL MINORS, WITH DECEASED SEAMAN VEDASTO PANTOLLANO), PETITIONER, VS. KORPHIL SHIPMANAGEMENT AND MANNING CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 170351, March 30 : 2011] LEYTE GEOTHERMAL POWER PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYEES UNION - ALU - TUCP, PETITIONER, VS. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OIL COMPANY - ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • [A. M. No. P-10-2803, March 30 : 2011] JUDGE JEOFFRE W. ACEBIDO, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 41, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, COMPLAINANT,VS. LUDYCISSA A. HALASAN, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, AND JOEL A. LARGO, UTILITY WORKER I, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 41, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 181355, March 30 : 2011] BENJAMIN BELTRAN, JR. AND VIRGILIO BELTRAN, PETITIONERS, VS. THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G. R. No. 169766, March 30 : 2011] ESTRELLITA JULIAJVO-LLAVE, PETITIONER, VS. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, HAJA PUTRI ZORAYDA A. TAMANO AND ADIB AHMAD A. TAMANO, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 182177, March 30 : 2011] RICHARD JUAN, PETITIONER, VS. GABRIEL YAP, SR., RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 184980, March 30 : 2011] DANILO MORO, PETITIONER, VS. GENEROSO REYES DEL CASTILLO, JR., RESPONDENT. D E C I S I O N

  • [G.R. No. 177260, March 30 : 2011] LOTTO RESTAURANT CORPORATION, REPRESENTED BY SUAT KIM GO, PETITIONER, VS. BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., RESPONDENT.