Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2001 > March 2001 Decisions > G.R. No. 138646 March 6, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOMER CABANSAY:




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

[G.R. No. 138646. March 6, 2001.]

THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOMER CABANSAY y PALERMO alias "OMI", Accused-Appellant.

D E C I S I O N


GONZAGA-REYES, J.:


This is an appeal from the Decision 1 dated March 02, 1999 of the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City, Branch XXIV, in Criminal Case No. CBU-43218, finding accused Jomer Cabansay y Palermo, alias "Omi", guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Murder and sentencing him to suffer the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary

On January 24, 1997, Accused was charged with the crime of Murder in an Information that reads, thus:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

That on 22 January 1997, at about 9:35 o’clock in the morning, in Cebu City, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, who was armed with a bolo (pinuti), with deliberate intent, with intent to kill, with treachery and evident premeditation, did then and there attack, assault and stab one Gilbert Castillo y Jesem, with the said bolo, thereby causing upon the latter severe physical injuries which ultimately caused his death immediately upon arrival at the hospital.

CONTRARY TO LAW. 2

On February 7, 1997, the accused was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. 3 Trial ensued. The prosecution presented the following witnesses: (1) Michael Cellan, an eyewitness to the killing; (2) Bienvenida Castillo, the wife of the victim; (3) Dr. Jesus Cerna, the medico-legal officer who examined the corpse of the victim; (4) SPO1 Alvin Montebon, the police officer who investigated the killing; and (5) Patrocinio Abesia 4 , the police officer to whom the accused surrendered.

The facts, according to prosecution witness Michael Cellan, are as follows:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

At about 9:20 in the morning of January 22, 1997, he [Michael Cellan] was in the house of Eduardo Palermo in Ermita Beach, Cebu City together with Gilbert Castillo, Romeo Palermo and a certain Jun. They were sorting out . . . "bulang" for fighting cocks and also were having a conversation. While they were conversing, he [Cellan] noticed that the accused Jomer Cabansay, with a pinuti (bolo) was walking to and for in the sala, passing by them. Without warning, the accused thrust (stabbed) the bolo upon Gilbert Castillo, who was hit on the left side of his body. Castillo turned to his side before falling. Then the accused made a follow up thrust with the bolo hitting Castillo on the right side of the body.

After stabbing Castillo twice, fatally hitting him on the left and right side of the body, Accused turned to him [Cellan] and stabbed him three (3) times hitting him on the right and left chest and on his palm as evidenced by the scars of the stab wounds. Moments later, after accused stabbed him [Cellan] and Castillo, Eduardo Palermo, uncle of the accused arrived and wrestled the bolo. Then, when Palermo fell, Accused attempted to stab the former, however, Helen, daughter of Palermo, who was at the crime scene, parried the thrust.

As a result, Helen Palermo was herself injured. After the stabbing spree, the accused Jomer Cabansay went down bringing with him the bolo he used in stabbing the victims.

Gilbert Castillo was brought to Cebu City Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival. On the other hand, he [Cellan] was brought to Cebu Community Hospital for treatment. . . . 5

On cross-examination, Michael Cellan pointed out that the accused had no previous quarrel with, or personal grudge against him or the victim Gilbert Castillo. 6

The wife of Gilbert, Bienvenida Castillo, recounted that in the morning of January 22, 1997, she was inside her house in Ermita Beach, Cebu City, breastfeeding her baby when she heard her neighbors shouting "Budok [Gilbert Castillo] was stabbed by Jomer Cabansay." 7 She went outside and saw her husband sprawled on the ground, bathing in his own blood. 8 She rushed her husband to the Cebu City Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival. 9 For the funeral expenses of her husband, Bienvenida testified on having spent more than P10,000.00. 10

Dr. Jesus Cerna, a medico legal officer of the PNP, Cebu Police Command, testified that he conducted a postmortem examination on the cadaver of Gilbert Castillo, and found one stab wound located at the left side of the lumbar area (back) of the victim. 11 The stab wound which incised the left kidney and perforated the small intestine resulted in the death of Castillo. 12

Prosecution witness SPO1 Alvin Montebon testified that he received a "stabbing alarm" through a phone call from the Cebu City Medical Center on January 22, 1997. 13 Together with one SPO3 Baguton, SPO1 Montebon went to the medical center where they saw the dead body of Gilbert Castillo. The two police officers proceeded to the crime scene in Ermita Beach to investigate. They learned from Helen Palermo and the neighbors of the victim that it was Jomer Cabansay who stabbed Gilbert Castillo and Michael Cellan. 14 Further investigation revealed that Castillo, Cellan and some other persons were conversing inside the room of Eduardo Palermo when Castillo saw the wife of the accused in the extension room, feeding her baby with water. 15 Castillo gave the wife of the accused money to buy something to feed the baby with, 16 an act apparently resented by the accused. 17 Not long thereafter, the accused stabbed Castillo. At the Cebu Community Hospital, the police officers were told by Michael Cellan that the accused got angry upon seeing Castillo give money to his (accused’s) wife. 18

The defense presented the accused, Jomer Cabansay, and his wife, Roda Cabansay, as witnesses.

Jomer Cabansay claimed self-defense, and proffered his own version of what transpired, to wit:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

. . . On January 22, 1997 he [accused] was in the house of his uncle Eduardo Palermo. Early in the morning of that date at about 7:40 A.M., there was an altercation between Bodoc (Gilbert Castillo) and Michael Cellan upstairs. At the door of the room he [accused] saw Gilbert Castillo bringing with him a long bolo. When he tried to enter the room, Castillo, without any word, struck him with the bolo. He was not however hit as he was able to hold Castillo’s hand. At the same time, Michael Cellan got inside, went around and boxed him at the back. He and Castillo wrestled for [the] possession of the bolo. Even if he was successful in getting possession of the bolo; Castillo continued to attack him. He stepped backward, such that he was pressed against the wall but Castillo still continued his attack. He hit back at Castillo with the bolo, hitting the latter on his chest. Castillo stepped back but again came back to continue the fight. Each time Castillo gave him [a] fistic blow, he would retaliate by stabbing him. Castillo was hit a second time but he could not remember what part of the body was hit. He also remembered hitting Michael [Cellan] although he could not remember what part of Michael’s body was hit.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary

The fight continued, fist blows against a bolo, he [accused] did not run as his wife, children, cousins and in-laws were in the house. The fight finally stopped when his uncle arrived at the scene, saying "Hoy, what is that?" but did not intervene at all. Castillo and Cellan jumped out of the window, from the second floor of the house. After the scuffle, he was shocked that he left to go to his mother in Pasil. The latter advised him to surrender and sensing it was good, he then decided to surrender. 19

On cross-examination the accused admitted that in a previous incident, he had stabbed other persons, but the case was settled with the victims by his mother. 20

The wife of the accused, Roda Cabansay, corroborated the testimony of the accused on material points.

A rebuttal witness was presented by the prosecution in the person of SPO4 Patrocinio Fernandez Abesia who testified that the mother of accused came to him and interceded for the latter’s surrender. 21 He was not given by the accused any reason for the killing. 22 Neither did SPO4 Abesia notice any injury or bruise on the accused’s body. 23

The accused, as a surrebuttal witness, admitted that he was accompanied by his mother when he surrendered to SPO4 Abesia, but denied having been examined by the police officer for injuries. 24 The accused maintained that he sustained bruises but did not show them to SPO4 Abesia; neither did he go to a doctor for examination.25cralaw:red

After trial, the court a quo rendered a judgment dated March 02, 1999, the dispositive portion of which reads:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

WHEREFORE, the Court finds the accused JOMER CABANSAY GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of MURDER. After considering in his favor the mitigating circumstance of surrender, the accused is sentenced to suffer the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua. He is credited during the period of his preventive imprisonment.

He is civilly liable to pay the heirs of Gilbert Castillo the sum of P50,000.00 for the death of Castillo, P10,000.00 for funeral expenses.

SO ORDERED. 26

Hence, this appeal where the accused raises the following assignment of errors:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

I.


THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING THE JUSTIFYING CIRCUMSTANCE OF SELF-DEFENSE INTERPOSED BY THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

II.


THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE CRIME OF MURDER.

III.


THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE QUALIFYING CIRCUMSTANCE OF TREACHERY IS ATTENDANT IN THE CASE AT BAR.

The basic argument of the accused is that he has amply established the existence of all the elements of self-defense, and thus, cannot be held liable for the death of Gilbert Castillo. He argues that if it were true that the accused, holding a bolo, kept going back and forth inside the house where the victim and his companions were, then the latter would have already been forewarned of his impending attack; hence, treachery cannot be appreciated.

The Office of the Solicitor General, on the other hand, contends that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of self-defense, and that treachery was attendant when the accused suddenly and unexpectedly attacked the unarmed victim, without even the slightest provocation on the latter’s part.

The appeal is unmeritorious.

The accused admits the killing of the victim but denies any liability by invoking self-defense. Self-defense, as a justifying circumstance, shifts the prosecutorial burden of proving the guilt of the accused to the accused who must prove the elements of such defense, to wit: (1) unlawful aggression on the part of the victim; (2) reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it; and (3) lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the person defending himself. 27 It is incumbent upon the accused to rely on the strength of his own evidence which must be clear, sufficient and convincing, and not on the weakness of the evidence of the prosecution. 28

The prosecution and the defense gave different accounts of the incident, but it is the version of the prosecution that was given credence by the court a quo. The court found the version of the defense simply not worthy of belief. The altercation, according to the accused, was between Gilbert Castillo and Michael Cellan, but when the accused entered the room, he was the one attacked by Castillo and Cellan, with the former striking him with a bolo and the latter boxing him from behind. No reason was given for the attack. There had been no previous quarrel between the accused and his alleged attackers. Despite Cellan’s giving the accused fist blows on the back, the latter was still able to wrestle the bolo from Castillo. Armed with the bolo, the accused did little to intimidate his attackers who relentlessly gave him fist blows. The accused was then forced to retaliate by making a thrust of the bolo he was holding, hitting Castillo on the back. Despite the stab wound which later proved to be fatal, 29 Castillo allegedly persisted on attacking the accused with fist blows, prompting the accused to make a second thrust of the bolo. 30 Still, Castillo repeatedly advanced toward the accused, attempting to further assault the latter. 31 Cellan, on the other hand, also continued delivering fist blows upon the accused, alternating with Castillo. In the process, Cellan was also hit by the accused with the bolo. Already severely wounded, 32 the two aggressors allegedly still continued to alternately attack the accused who, in return, made a thrust of the bolo for every fist blow he received. 33 The assault upon the accused ceased only upon the arrival of his uncle, Eduardo Palermo, when the two aggressors jumped out of the window. Seeing that the accused was wielding a bolo, Eduardo allegedly grabbed the bolo and wrestled with the accused for its possession. 34 As a consequence, Eduardo was hit by the bolo. Helen, the daughter of Eduardo and niece of the accused was also hit when she tried to parry the thrust intended for her father.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw library

We agree with the finding of the court a quo. It is well-settled that where the credibility of the witnesses is in issue, the findings of the trial court are generally left undisturbed by this Court. 35 We have always accorded a trial court’s evaluation of the testimonies of witnesses the highest respect, owing to the court’s unique opportunity to observe the conduct and demeanor of witnesses under grueling examination. Hence, absent any cogent reason to disturb the findings of the trial court, we are doctrinally bound to refuse to do so.

Moreover, continuous fistic attacks by an unarmed person upon another who is armed with a bolo, especially after the attacker has already been wounded, is inconsistent with the human tendency towards self-preservation. Between a testimony inconsistent with common human behavior, and one consistent therewith, the latter is generally given more weight and credence. 36

Taking into account the version of the prosecution, the theory of self-defense is not tenable. At the outset, we mentioned that for self-defense to prosper, all the essential elements thereof must be adequately proven by the accused. Unlawful aggression, the first of these three essential elements, presupposes an actual, sudden and unexpected attack or imminent danger on the life and limb of the person defending himself. 37 Without this element, there can be no successful invocation of self-defense. 38 When the accused stabbed Gilbert Castillo, the latter and his companions were conversing and sorting "bulang." They posed no threat or danger to the accused. Certainly, the benevolent act of Gilbert Castillo of giving money to the wife of the accused to buy milk for her child cannot be considered as unlawful aggression. If there is any aggression present in this case, it would be that authored by the accused which resulted in the death of Castillo.

Absent the element of unlawful aggression, the theory of self-defense of the accused collapses. Inevitably, the result would be the conviction of the accused springing from his own admission that he killed the victim. 39

Anent the qualifying circumstance of treachery, we find the same to have been duly proven by the prosecution.

Treachery is present where the offender commits any of the crimes against persons employing means or methods which directly and specially insure its execution without risk to himself arising from the defense the offended party might make. 40 There are two conditions for the existence of this qualifying circumstance, viz: (1) the employment of the means of execution that gives the person attacked no opportunity to defend himself or retaliate; and (2) the deliberate and conscious adoption of the means of execution. 41

In this case, the qualifying circumstance of treachery was established by the prosecution witness Michael Cellan who testified that he and the victim, together with two other companions, were conversing and sorting "bulang" when the accused suddenly and without provocation stabbed the victim. The location of the wound indicates that the victim was stabbed by the accused from the back. 42 After the victim fell to his side, the accused-appellant made a follow-up thrust. 43 Witness Cellan, who was shocked by the suddenness of the attack, 44 was likewise stabbed by the accused three times. 45

The accused contends that treachery is negated by the finding of the trial court that the accused was seen by the victim and his companions walking back and forth inside the house carrying a "pinuti" or bolo; that if this were true, the victim should have already been forewarned of an impending attack. We are not convinced. Although the accused was seen walking to and for while holding a bolo, the victim and his companions remained unsuspecting and unaware of any danger. In their mind, they had not done the accused any wrong, and hence, there was no reason for the latter to attack them. During the cross-examination, witness Michael Cellan stated:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Q: When he [referring to accused Jomer Cabansay] was going to and for he was already carrying with him the "pinote" ?

A: Yes Sir, he got that "pinote" from the aparador.

Q: Are you sure of that?

A: Yes.

Q: While noticing he was already bringing with him a weapon, what occurred into your mind?

A: We never expected him to do that to us because we never offended him. 46

The mode of attack adopted by the accused did not afford the victim Gilbert Castillo any opportunity to defend himself or repel the assault. And the swift and unexpected attack on the unarmed victim, without the slightest provocation on the part of the latter, gives attendance to the qualifying circumstance of treachery. 47

As regards evident premeditation, there is no necessity in discussing this circumstance at length for the prosecution presented no evidence to prove the same, and the trial court itself declined to consider it in its decision. Evident premeditation may be appreciated when there exists adequate proof of the following elements: (1) the time when the offender determined to commit the crime; (2) an act manifestly indicating that he has clung to his determination; and (3) sufficient lapse of time between determination and execution to allow himself to reflect upon the consequences of his act. 48 None of these elements are present.

The mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender was properly appreciated by the trial court. Prosecution witness SPO4 Patrocinio Abesia himself testified that the mother of the accused interceded for the latter’s surrender, and subsequently, the accused voluntarily surrendered to him.

We, therefore, find the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of murder with the qualifying circumstance of treachery. The penalty for this crime under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code is reclusion perpetua to death. Considering the mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender, and the fact that there is no aggravating circumstance, the imposable penalty would be reclusion perpetua.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary

Finally, the records show that the award of P10,000.00 for funeral expenses is based on the mere allegation of witness Bienvenida Castillo, the wife of the victim. Not a single tangible evidence was offered to support such allegation. Jurisprudence dictates that we delete such award, as only expenses supported by documents such as receipts, and which appear to have been genuinely expended in connection with the death of the victim are allowed to be recovered. 49

WHEREFORE, the questioned Decision convicting the accused-appellant Jomer Cabansay y Palermo of the crime of Murder and sentencing him to suffer the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua and to indemnify the private complainant is hereby AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that the award of P10,000.00 for funeral expenses is deleted.

SO ORDERED.

Melo, Vitug, Panganiban and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:



1. Penned by Judge Priscila S. Agana.

2. Rollo, p. 6.

3. RTC Records, p. 12.

4. A rebuttal witness.

5. RTC Decision, pp. 1 to 2; Rollo, pp. 77 to 78.

6. Ibid.

7. TSN dated April 16, 1997, p. 3.

8. Ibid.

9. Id., p. 4.

10. Id., p. 5.

11. TSN dated April 18, 1997, p. 5.

12. Ibid.

13. TSN dated April 28, 1997, p. 2.

14. Ibid., p. 3.

15. Id., p. 4.

16. Id.

17. During the investigation, the police officers gathered that the act of Castillo might have been taken as an insult by the accused.

18. Id.

19. RTC Decision, pp. 3 to 4; Rollo, pp. 79 to 80.

20. TSN dated December 8, 1997, p. 7.

21. RTC Decision, p. 4; Rollo, p. 80.

22. Ibid.

23. Id.

24. Id.

25. Id.

26. Id., p. 6; Rollo, p. 82.

27. Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code. People v. Arizala, 317 SCRA 244 (1999), at p. 251, citing People v. Navarro, G.R. No. 125538, September 3, 1998, 295 SCRA 139; and People v. Villamor, 292 SCRA 384 (1998).

28. People v. Vallador, 257 SCRA 515 (1996), at p. 524, citing People v. Quino, G.R. No. 105580, May 17, 1994, 232 SCRA 400; and People v. Aliviado, G.R. Nos. 113792-94, August 14, 1995, 247 SCRA 300.

29. The Necropsy Report shows that this stab wound which incised the kidney and perforated the intestine of Gilbert Castillo caused the latter’s death. [Exhibit "B" ; RTC Records, p. 31.]

30. According to prosecution witness Michael Cellan, Gilbert Castillo was stabbed twice by the accused. This was admitted by the accused during his direct examination. [Ibid., p. 8.] However, the Necropsy Report shows that only one (1) stab wound was sustained by Castillo.

31. TSN dated November 19, 1997, pp. 8 to 9.

32. The Necropsy Report indicates that Castillo sustained one (1) fatal stab wound. [Exhibit "B", supra.] Cellan, on the other hand, sustained three (3) stab wounds — two on his chest and one on the palm of his hand. [TSN dated April 14, 1997, pp. 5 to 6.]

33. TSN dated November 19, 1997, p. 7.

34. TSN dated May 5, 1998, p. 15.

35. People v. Dorado, 303 SCRA 61 (1999), at p. 70.

36. Artajos v. Court of Appeals, 306 SCRA 317 (1999), at p. 323.

37. People v. Tomolin, 311 SCRA 498 (1999), at p. 505, citing People v. De Gracia, 264 SCRA 200 (1996).

38. People v. Balamban, 264 SCRA 619, at p. 631, citing People v. Boniao, 217 SCRA 653 (1993).

39. People v. Real, 308 SCRA 244, at p. 253.

40. People v. Realin, 301 SCRA 495 (1999), at p. 513, citing People v. Buka, 205 SCRA 567, 587 (1992); People v. Villegas, 262 SCRA 314, 323 (1996); and People v. Tabag, 268 SCRA 115, 131-132 (1997).

41. Ibid., Citations omitted.

42. The Necropsy Report shows that the stab wound is located at the left lumbar area (back) of Gilbert Castillo. [Exhibit "B", supra.] The medico legal officer, Dr. Jesus Cerna, pointed out during cross-examination that it was not possible for the attacker to have inflicted the stab wound while positioned in front of the victim "because the exit was at the front and the entrance was at the back. As a matter of fact, the length of the entrance was four cms. and the exit is one cm. because the top exit is small. . . ." [TSN dated April 18, 1997, p. 9.]

43. See Note No. 31.

44. TSN dated April 14, 1997, p. 13.

45. Supra., Note No. 31.

46. TSN dated April 14, 1997, p. 10.

47. People v. Ombrog, 268 SCRA 93 (1997), at p. 103, citing People v. Ponayo, 235 SCRA 226, August 10, 1994, further Citations omitted.

48. People v. Academia, 307 SCRA 229 (1999), at p. 235, citing People v. Baydo, 273 SCRA 526 (1997).

49. David v. Court of Appeals, 290 SCRA 727 (1998), at pp. 746 to 747, citing Fuentes v. Court of Appeals, 253 SCRA 430 (1996).




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-2001 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.M. No. MTJ-00-1279 March 1, 2001 - ALICIA GONZALES-DECANO v. ORLANDO ANA F. SIAPNO

  • A.M. No. MTJ-00-1282 March 1, 2001 - SOFRONIO DAYOT v. RODOLFO B. GARCIA

  • G.R. No. 112092 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROBERT NUÑEZ

  • G.R. No. 123069 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. PEDRO SASPA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 126019 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MARIO CALDONA

  • G.R. No. 131637 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RODELIO PERALTA

  • G.R. No. 133888 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALFREDO NARDO

  • G.R. No. 134330 March 1, 2001 - ENRIQUE M. BELO, ET AL. v. PHIL. NATIONAL BANK, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 135667-70 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JESSIE VENTURA COLLADO

  • G.R. No. 138666 March 1, 2001 - ISABELO LORENZANA v. PEOPLE OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. 140511 March 1, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. BALTAZAR AMION

  • G.R. No. 142313 March 1, 2001 - MANUEL CHU, SR., ET AL. v. BENELDA ESTATE DEV’T. CORP.

  • G.R. No. 142527 March 1, 2001 - ARSENIO ALVAREZ v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 144678 March 1, 2001 - JAVIER E. ZACATE v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 146710-15 & 146738 March 2, 2001 - JOSEPH E. ESTRADA v. ANIANO DESIERTO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 113236 March 5, 2001 - FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY OF THE PHIL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 113265 March 5, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MANUEL PEREZ

  • G.R. No. 118680 March 5, 2001 - MARIA ELENA RODRIGUEZ PEDROSA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 123788 March 5, 2001 - DOMINADOR DE GUZMAN v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 124686 March 5, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROQUE ELLADO

  • G.R. No. 127158 March 5, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JULIO HERIDA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 132353 March 5, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALFREDO IBO

  • G.R. No. 126557 March 6, 2001 - RAMON ALBERT v. CELSO D. GANGAN

  • G.R. No. 138646 March 6, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOMER CABANSAY

  • G.R. No. 139518 March 6, 2001 - EVANGELINE L. PUZON v. STA. LUCIA REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT

  • G.R. Nos. 140249 & 140363 March 6, 2001 - DANILO S. YAP v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 140884 March 6, 2001 - GELACIO P. GEMENTIZA v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 143823 March 6, 2001 - JENNIFER ABRAHAM v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 126168 March 7, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ANTONIO SAMUDIO

  • G.R. No. 129594 March 7, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JUNNIFER LAURENTE

  • G.R. No. 135945 March 7, 2001 - UNITED RESIDENTS OF DOMINICAN HILL v. COMM. ON THE SETTLEMENT OF LAND PROBLEMS

  • G.R. No. 136173 March 7, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERNESTO ICALLA

  • G.R. Nos. 137481-83 & 138455 March 7, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CONRADO SALADINO

  • G.R. Nos. 139962-66 March 7, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EUGENIO MANGOMPIT

  • A.M. No. MTJ-00-1297 March 7, 2001 - JOSEFINA BANGCO v. RODOLFO S. GATDULA

  • A.M. No. MTJ-00-1329 March 8, 2001 - HERMINIA BORJA-MANZANO v. ROQUE R SANCHEZ

  • G.R. No. 122611 March 8, 2001 - NAPOLEON H. GONZALES v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 125901 March 8, 2001 - EDGARDO A. TIJING, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 130378 March 8, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ARNEL MATARO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134279 March 8, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RICKY ROGER AUSTRIA

  • G.R. Nos. 135234-38 March 8, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALEJANDRO GUNTANG

  • G.R. No. 137649 March 8, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RODOLFO VILLADARES

  • G.R. No. 138137 March 8, 2001 - PERLA S. ZULUETA v. ASIA BREWERY

  • G.R. No. 138774 March 8, 2001 - REGINA FRANCISCO, ET AL v. AIDA FRANCISCO-ALFONSO

  • G.R. No. 140479 March 8, 2001 - ROSENCOR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, ET AL. v. PATERNO INQUING, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 140713 March 8, 2001 - ROSA YAP PARAS, ET AL. v. ISMAEL O. BALDADO

  • G.R. No. 112115 March 9, 2001 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 140619-24 March 9, 2001 - BENEDICTO E. KUIZON, ET AL. v. ANIANO A. DESIERTO

  • G.R. No. 126099 March 12, 2001 - ROBERTO MITO v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 128372 March 12, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. REMEGIO DELA PEÑA

  • G.R. Nos. 130634-35 March 12, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MANOLITO OYANIB

  • G.R. No. 131889 March 12, 2001 - VIRGINIA O. GOCHAN, ET AL. v. RICHARD G. YOUNG, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 136738 March 12, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EFREN VALEZ

  • G.R. No. 137306 March 12, 2001 - VIRGINIA AVISADO, ET AL. v. AMOR RUMBAUA, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 140011-16 March 12, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EUSTAQUIO MORATA

  • A.M. No. P-01-1464 March 13, 2001 - SALVADOR O. BOOC v. MALAYO B. BANTUAS

  • G.R. No. 103073 March 13, 2001 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 131530 March 13, 2001 - Y REALTY CORP. v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 136594 March 13, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOEL CANIEZO

  • G.R. No. 139405 March 13, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ARTURO F. PACIFICADOR

  • A.M. No. RTJ-00-1530 March 14, 2001 - EDGARDO ALDAY, ET AL. v. ESCOLASTICO U. CRUZ

  • G.R. Nos. 116001 & 123943 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LUISITO GO

  • G.R. No. 130209 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LARRY LAVAPIE, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 130515 & 147090 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ANSELMO BARING

  • G.R. Nos. 134451-52 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. REYNALDO FRETA

  • G.R. No. 137036 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. HERNANDO DE MESA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 138045 March 14, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MARIETTA PATUNGAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 139300 March 14, 2001 - AMIGO MANUFACTURING v. CLUETT PEABODY CO.

  • G.R. No. 102985 March 15, 2001 - RUBEN BRAGA CURAZA v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 133480 March 15, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. FLORANTE AGUILUZ

  • G.R. Nos. 135201-02 March 15, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. FLORENCIO FRANCISCO

  • G.R. No. 141616 March 15, 2001 - CITY OF QUEZON v. LEXBER INCORPORATED

  • G.R. No. 116847 March 16, 2001 - MANUFACTURERS BUILDING v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 128083 March 16, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RODOLFO M. HILARIO

  • G.R. No. 128922 March 16, 2001 - ELEUTERIA B. ALIABO, ET AL. v. ROGELIO L. CARAMPATAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129070 March 16, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. NELLIE CABAIS

  • G.R. No. 131544 March 16, 2001 - EPG CONSTRUCTION CO., ET AL. v. GREGORIO R. VIGILAR

  • G.R. No. 135047 March 16, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RICARDO CACHOLA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 137282 March 16, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALFREDO ALIPAR

  • G.R. Nos. 137753-56 March 16, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL v. NILO ARDON

  • A.M. No. 01-1463 March 20, 2001 - EVELYN ACUÑA v. RODOLFO A. ALCANTARA

  • A.M. No. MTJ-00-1306 March 20, 2001 - ROBERT M. VISBAL v. RODOLFO C. RAMOS

  • A.M. No. P-97-1241 March 20, 2001 - DINNA CASTILLO v. ZENAIDA C. BUENCILLO

  • G.R. Nos. 105965-70 March 20, 2001 - GEORGE UY v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL

  • G.R. No. 108991 March 20, 2001 - WILLIAM ALAIN MIAILHE v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 130663 March 20, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL v. ANGELES STA. TERESA

  • G.R. Nos. 136862-63 March 20, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLANDO SANTOS

  • G.R. Nos. 139413-15 March 20, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ENDRICO GALAS

  • G.R. No. 140356 March 20, 2001 - DOLORES FAJARDO v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 140919 March 20, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. BUTCH BUCAO LEE

  • G.R. No. 142476 March 20, 2001 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. SANDIGANBAYAN

  • G.R. No. 144074 March 20, 2001 - MEDINA INVESTIGATION & SECURITY CORP., ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 127772 March 22, 2001 - ROBERTO P. ALMARIO v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 133815-17 March 22, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EDGARDO LIAD, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134972 March 22, 2001 - ERNESTO CATUNGAL, ET AL. v. DORIS HAO

  • A.M. No. P-01-1469 March 26, 2001 - ROEL O. PARAS v. MYRNA F. LOFRANCO

  • A.M. No. RTJ-01-1624 March 26, 2001 - REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE RELATIVE TO SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS NO. 28

  • A.M. No. 99-731-RTJ March 26, 2001 - HILARIO DE GUZMAN v. DEODORO J. SISON

  • G.R. Nos. 102407-08 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EDMUNDO LUCERO

  • G.R. No. 121608 March 26, 2001 - FLEISCHER COMPANY v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 121902 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. WALTER MELENCION

  • G.R. No. 125865 March 26, 2001 - JEFFREY LIANG v. PEOPLE OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. 129916 March 26, 2001 - MAGELLAN CAPITAL MNGT. CORP., ET AL. v. ROLANDO M. ZOSA, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 131638-39 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LORETO MEDENILLA

  • G.R. No. 131653 March 26, 2001 - ROBERTO GONZALES v. NLRC, ET AL

  • G.R. No. 133475 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERNESTO MONTEJO

  • G.R. No. 134903 March 26, 2001 - UNICRAFT INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL CORP., ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 136790 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MANUEL GALVEZ

  • G.R. No. 137268 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EUTIQUIA CARMEN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 137590 March 26, 2001 - FLORENCE MALCAMPO-SIN v. PHILIPP T. SIN

  • G.R. No. 137739 March 26, 2001 - ROBERTO B. TAN v. PHIL. BANKING CORP., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 137889 March 26, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROMEO DELOS SANTOS

  • G.R. No. 142950 March 26, 2001 - EQUITABLE PCI BANK v. ROSITA KU

  • G.R. Nos. 147066 & 147179 March 26, 2001 - AKBAYAN - Youth, ET AL. v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. 00-7-09-CA March 27, 2001 - IN RE: DEMETRIO G. DEMETRIA

  • A.M. No. P-01-1473 March 27, 2001 - GLORIA O. BENITEZ v. MEDEL P. ACOSTA

  • G.R. No. 123149 March 27, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CORNELIO CABUG

  • G.R. No. 131588 March 27, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. GLENN DE LOS SANTOS

  • G.R. Nos. 137762-65 March 27, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. REYNALDO BARES

  • G.R. No. 137989 March 27, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SONNY MATIONG, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-01-1357 March 28, 2001 - MONFORT HERMANOS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CORP. v. ROLANDO V. RAMIREZ

  • A.M. No. RTJ-00-1574 March 28, 2001 - GORGONIO S. NOVA v. SANCHO DAMES II

  • G.R. No. 100701 March 28, 2001 - PRODUCERS BANK OF THE PHIL. v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 101442 March 28, 2001 - JOSE ANGELES v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. 110012 March 28, 2001 - ANASTACIO VICTORIO v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 112314 March 28, 2001 - VICENTE R. MADARANG v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 117964 March 28, 2001 - PLACIDO O. URBANES, JR. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 122216 March 28, 2001 - ALJEM’S CORPORATION v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 126751 March 28, 2001 - SAFIC ALCAN & CIE v. IMPERIAL VEGETABLE OIL CO.

  • G.R. No. 126959 March 28, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SERVANDO SATURNO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 136965 March 28, 2001 - UNIVERSITY OF THE PHIL. v. SEGUNDINA ROSARIO

  • G.R. No. 137660 March 28, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CARLOS L. ALCANTARA

  • G.R. No. 137932 March 28, 2001 - CHIANG YIA MIN v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 138474 March 28, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. FORTUNATO BALANO

  • G.R. Nos. 139571-72 March 28, 2001 - ROGER N. ABARDO v. SANDIGANBAYAN

  • G.R. No. 140153 March 28, 2001 - ANTONIO DOCENA, ET AL. v. RICARDO P. LAPESURA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 141307 March 28, 2001 - PURTO J. NAVARRO, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 142007 March 28, 2001 - MANUEL C. FELIX v. ENERTECH SYSTEMS INDUSTRIES, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 143173 March 28, 2001 - PEDRO ONG, ET AL. v. SOCORRO PAREL, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 144169 March 28, 2001 - KHE HONG CHENG v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 131836 March 30, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MELITA SINCO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 137564 March 30, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. DOMINADOR DOMENDED

  • G.R. No. 137648 March 30, 2001 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. IRENEO PADILLA

  • G.R. No. 140311 March 30, 2001 - DENNIS T. GABIONZA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL