October 2011 - Philippine Supreme Court Resolutions
Philippine Supreme Court Resolutions
[G.R. No. 185842 : October 19, 2011]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES V. CATALINO GONZALES, PEDRING TALPE, AND JOSE VALENCIA
G.R. No. 185842 (People of the Philippines v. Catalino Gonzales, Pedring Talpe, and Jose Valencia)
RESOLUTION
Considering the allegations, issues and arguments presented in the appeal, the Court resolves to DENY the appeal for failure to sufficiently show that the Court of Appeals committed any reversible error in its assailed Decision dated September 18, 2007 as to warrant the exercise of the Court's appellate jurisdiction.
IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the Court ADOPTS the findings and conclusions of law in the Decision dated September 18, 2007 in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 02262 and AFFIRMS said Decision finding appellant Catalino Gonzales, Pedring Talpe, and Jose Valencia guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crimes of Arson, Murder, and Attempted Murder, with the following MODIFICATIONS:
1. In Criminal Case No. 98-164268 for Arson - sentencing them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua and to indemnify Carlos Mendoza and Johnny Mendoza, Sr. the amount of twenty thousand pesos (PhP 20,000) as actual damages;
2. In Criminal Case No. 98-164269 for Murder - sentencing them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua and to indemnify the heirs of the deceased Julian Mendoza, the sum of seventy-five thousand pesos (PhP 75,000) as civil indemnity ex delicto, seventy-five thousand pesos (PhP 75,000) as moral damages, thirty thousand pesos (PhP 30,000) as exemplary damages, and actual damages in terms of burial and funeral expenses in the amount of forty-eight thousand and eight hundred pesos (PhP 48,800); and
3. In Criminal Case No. 98-164270 for two counts of Attempted Murder - sentencing them to suffer the penalty of two (2) indeterminate penalties of two (2) years, four (4) months and one (1) day of prision correccional, as minimum, to eight (8) years and one (1) day of prision mayor, as maximum, and to indemnify Carlos Mendoza and Johnny Mendoza, Sr. the amount of fifty-one thousand 50/100 pesos (PhP 51,000.50) as actual damages.
SO ORDERED.
Very truly yours,
(Sgd.) LUCITA ABJELINA-SORIANO
Division Clerk of Court