119729-2003-People v. Delim PDF

EN BANC
[G.R. No. 142773. January 28, 2003.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES , plaintiff-appellee, vs . MARLON DELIM,

LEON DELIM, MANUEL DELIM alias "BONG" (At Large), ROBERT
DELIM (At Large), and RONALD DELIM alias "BONG" , accused-
appellants.
The Solicitor General for plaintiff-appellee.

Public Attorney's Office for accused-appellant.
SYNOPSIS
Accused-appellants were found guilty by the trial court of the crime of murder for
the killing of Modesto Delim. It was established during trial that the malefactors abducted
the victim from his house. After several days, the victim was found dead by his relatives
under the thick bushes in a grassy area in the housing project in Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan.
In convicting appellants of the crime of murder, the trial court relied on circumstantial
evidence. Consequently, appellants were sentenced to suffer the supreme penalty of
death. Hence, this automatic review of the case.
The Supreme Court ruled that it is evident on the face of the Information that the
speci c intent of the malefactors in barging into the house of the victim was to kill him and
that he was seized precisely to kill him. The act of the malefactors of abducting the victim
was merely incidental to their primary purpose of killing him. Moreover, there is no speci c
allegation in the Information that the primary intent of the malefactors was to deprive the
victim of his freedom or liberty and that killing him was merely incidental to kidnapping.
Therefore, the crime charged in the Information is murder, and not kidnapping.
The Court further ruled that in the present case, the prosecution mustered the
requisite quantum of circumstantial evidence to prove that appellants, in confabulation
with their co-accused, conspired to kill and did kill the victim. Circumstantial evidence
consists of proof of collateral facts and circumstances from which the existence of the
main fact may be inferred according to reason and common experience.
The Supreme Court, however, found accused-appellants guilty only of homicide
because of the absence of any qualifying circumstance that attended the commission of
the crime.
SYLLABUS
1. REMEDIAL LAW; CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES;

INFORMATION; WHERE THE SPECIFIC INTENT OF ACCUSED IS DETERMINATIVE OF THE
CRIME CHARGED, SUCH SPECIFIC INTENT MUST BE ALLEGED THEREIN AND PROVED BY
PROSECUTION. — [I]n determining what crime is charged in an information, the material
inculpatory facts recited therein describing the crime charged in relation to the penal law
violated are controlling. Where the speci c intent of the malefactor is determinative of the
crime charged such speci c intent must be alleged in the information and proved by the
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prosecution.
2. ID.; EVIDENCE; SPECIFIC INTENT IN KIDNAPPING AND MURDER,
DISTINGUISHED. — [T]his Court held in People v. Isabelo Puno, et al ., that for kidnapping to
exist, there must be indubitable proof that the actual speci c intent of the malefactor is to
deprive the offended party of his liberty and not where such restraint of his freedom of
action is merely an incident in the commission of another offense primarily intended by the
malefactor. . . . If the primary and ultimate purpose of the accused is to kill the victim, the
incidental deprivation of the victim's liberty does not constitute the felony of kidnapping
but is merely a preparatory act to the killing, and hence, is merged into, or absorbed by, the
killing of the victim. The crime committed would either be homicide or murder. What is
primordial then is the speci c intent of the malefactors as disclosed in the information or
criminal complaint that is determinative of what crime the accused is charged with — that
of murder or kidnapping.
3. ID.; SPECIFIC INTENT AND MOTIVE, DISTINGUISHED. — Speci c intent is
used to describe a state of mind which exists where circumstances indicate that an
offender actively desired certain criminal consequences or objectively desired a speci c
result to follow his act or failure to act. Speci c intent involves a state of the mind. It is the
particular purpose or speci c intention in doing the prohibited act. Speci c intent must be
alleged in the Information and proved by the state in a prosecution for a crime requiring
speci c intent. Kidnapping and murder are speci c intent crimes. . . . Speci c intent is not
synonymous with motive. Motive generally is referred to as the reason which prompts the
accused to engage in a particular criminal activity. Motive is not an essential element of a
crime and hence the prosecution need not prove the same. As a general rule, proof of
motive for the commission of the offense charged does not show guilt and absence of
proof of such motive does not establish the innocence of accused for the crime charged
such as murder. The history of crimes shows that murders are generally committed from
motives comparatively trivial. Crime is rarely rational. In murder, the speci c intent is to kill
the victim. In kidnapping, the speci c intent is to deprive the victim of his/her liberty. If
there is no motive for the crime, the accused cannot be convicted for kidnapping. In
kidnapping for ransom, the motive is ransom. Where accused kills the victim to avenge the
death of a loved one, the motive is revenge. aTcESI
4. ID.; ID.; SPECIFIC INTENT; MAY BE PROVED BY DIRECT EVIDENCE OR BY

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. — Speci c intent may be proved by direct evidence or by
circumstantial evidence. It may be inferred from the circumstances of the actions of the
accused as established by the evidence on record.
5. ID.; ID.; CORPUS DELICTI; IN HOMICIDE AND MURDER CASES, THE
PROSECUTION IS BURDENED TO PROVE CORPUS DELICTI BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT
EITHER BY DIRECT EVIDENCE OR BY CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. — In the case at bar,
the prosecution was burdened to prove the corpus delicti which consists of two things:
rst, the criminal act and second, defendant's agency in the commission of the act.
Wharton says that corpus delicti includes two things: rst, the objective; second, the
subjective element of crimes. In homicide (by dolo) and in murder cases, the prosecution
is burdened to prove: (a) the death of the party alleged to be dead; (b) that the death was
produced by the criminal act of some other than the deceased and was not the result of
accident, natural cause or suicide; and (c) that defendant committed the criminal act or
was in some way criminally responsible for the act which produced the death. To prove the
felony of homicide or murder, there must be incontrovertible evidence, direct or
circumstantial, that the victim was deliberately killed (with malice); in other words, that
there was intent to kill. Such evidence may consist inter alia in the use of weapons by the
malefactors, the nature, location and number of wounds sustained by the victim and the
words uttered by the malefactors before, at the time or immediately after the killing of the
victim. If the victim dies because of a deliberate act of the malefactor, intent to kill is
conclusively presumed. The prosecution is burdened to prove corpus delicti beyond
reasonable doubt either by direct evidence or by circumstantial or presumptive evidence.
6. ID.; ID.; CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE; WHEN SUFFICIENT TO CONVICT
ACCUSED. — Circumstantial evidence consists of proof of collateral facts and
circumstances from which the existence of the main fact may be inferred according to
reason and common experience. What was once a rule of account respectability is now
entombed in Section 4, Rule 133 of the Revised Rules of Evidence which states that
circumstantial evidence, sometimes referred to as indirect or presumptive evidence, is
su cient as anchor for a judgment of conviction if the following requisites concur: ". . . if
(a) there is more than one circumstance; (b) the facts from which the inferences are
derived have been established; and (c) the combination of all the circumstances is such as
to warrant a finding of guilt beyond reasonable doubt."
7. ID.; ID.; FLIGHT, AN INDICATION OF GUILT; CASE AT BAR. — The sudden
disappearance of Marlon, Ronald and Leon from their houses in Barangay Bila, Sison is
strong circumstantial evidence of their guilt for the death of Modesto. Although ight after
the commission of an offense does not create a legal presumption of guilt, nevertheless,
the same is admissible in evidence against them and if not satisfactorily explained in a
manner consistent with their innocence, will tend to show that they, in fact, killed Modesto.
8. CRIMINAL LAW; CONSPIRACY; SUFFICIENTLY ESTABLISHED IF, AT THE TIME
OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME, THE ACCUSED HAD THE SAME PURPOSE AND
WERE UNITED IN ITS EXECUTION. — There is conspiracy when two or more persons agree
to commit a felony and decide to commit it. Conspiracy must be proven with the same
quantum of evidence as the felony itself, more speci cally by proof beyond reasonable
doubt. Conspiracy is not presumed. It may be proved by direct evidence or by
circumstantial evidence. Conspiracy is deducible from the acts of the malefactors before,
during and after the commission of the crime which are indicative of a joint purpose,
concerted action and concurrence of sentiment. To establish conspiracy, it is not essential
that there be proof as to the existence of a previous agreement to commit a crime. It is
su cient if, at the time of the commission of the crime, the accused had the same
purpose and were united in its execution. If conspiracy is established, the act of one is
deemed the act of all. It matters not who among the accused actually shot and killed the
victim.
9. ID.; PERSONS CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR FELONIES; PRINCIPALS; IF PART OF
CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED IN ONE PLACE AND PART IN ANOTHER, EACH PERSON
CONCERNED IN THE COMMISSION OF EITHER PART IS LIABLE AS PRINCIPAL. — If part of
a crime has been committed in one place and part in another, each person concerned in
the commission of either part is liable as principal. No matter how wide may be the
separation of the conspirators, if they are all engaged in a common plan for the execution
of a felony and all take their part in furtherance of the common design, all are liable as
principals. Actual presence is not necessary if there is a direct connection between the
actor and the crime.
10. REMEDIAL LAW; EVIDENCE; CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES; FACTUAL
FINDINGS OF TRIAL COURT AND ITS CALIBRATION OF TESTIMONIES OF WITNESSES,
GENERALLY ACCORDED GREAT RESPECT ON APPEAL. — [T]he findings of facts of the trial
court, its calibration of the collective testimonies of witnesses and its assessment of the
probative weight thereof and its conclusions culled from its ndings are accorded by the
appellate court great respect, if not conclusive effect, because of its unique advantage of
observing at close range the demeanor, deportment and conduct of the witnesses as they
give their testimonies before the court.
11. ID.; ID.; ID.; NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY INCONSISTENCIES IN THE
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES ON MINOR AND TRIVIAL MATTERS; CASE AT BAR. — The
inconsistencies in the testimonies of Rita and Randy do not render them incredible or their
testimonies barren of probative weight. It must be borne in mind that human memory is
not as unerring as a photograph and a person's sense of observation is impaired by many
factors including the shocking effect of a crime. A truth-telling witness is not always
expected to give an error-free testimony considering the lapse of time and the treachery of
human memory. What is primordial is that the mass of testimony jibes on material points,
the slight clashing of statements dilute neither the witnesses' credibility nor the veracity of
his testimony. Variations on the testimony of witnesses on the same side with respect to
minor, collateral or incidental matters do not impair the weight of their united testimony to
the prominent facts. Inconsistencies on minor and trivial matters only serve to strengthen
rather than weaken the credibility of witnesses for they erase the suspicion of rehearsed
testimony.
12. ID.; ID.; ALIBI; TO PROSPER, ACCUSED MUST PROVE THAT HE WAS IN A
PLACE OTHER THAN THE SITUS CRIMINIS AT THE TIME OF COMMISSION OF CRIME AND
THAT IT WAS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO HAVE COMMITTED THE SAME
CRIME. — [T]he defense of alibi is one of the weakest of defenses in criminal prosecution
because the same is easy to concoct between relatives, friends and even those not related
to the offender. It is hard for the prosecution to disprove. For alibi to merit approbation by
the trial court and this Court, Marlon, Ronald and Leon are burdened to prove with clear and
convincing evidence that they were in a place other than the situs criminis at the time of
the commission of the crime; that it was physically impossible for them to have
committed the said crime. They failed to discharge their burden.
13. CRIMINAL LAW; QUALIFYING CIRCUMSTANCES; MUST BE ALLEGED AND
PROVED CLEARLY AND CONCLUSIVELY AS THE CRIME ITSELF. — Qualifying
circumstances such as treachery and abuse of superior strength must be alleged and
proved clearly and conclusively as the crime itself. Mere conjectures, suppositions or
presumptions are utterly insu cient and cannot produce the effect of qualifying the crime.
As this Court held: "No matter how truthful these suppositions or presumptions may seem,
they must not and cannot produce the effect of aggravating the condition of defendant." TIaCAc
14. ID.; ID.; TREACHERY; ELEMENTS. — For treachery to be appreciated as a

qualifying circumstance, the prosecution is burdened to prove the following elements: (a)
the employment of means of execution which gives the person attacked no opportunity to
defend himself or retaliate; (b) the means of execution is deliberately or consciously
adopted.
15. ID.; ID.; ID.; CANNOT BE APPRECIATED IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AS TO
THE PARTICULARS OF HOW THE VICTIM WAS ASSAULTED AND KILLED ALTHOUGH HE
MAY HAVE BEEN DEFENSELESS AT THE TIME HE WAS SEIZED; CASE AT BAR. — Although
the victim may have been defenseless at the time he was seized but there is no evidence
as to the particulars of how he was assaulted and killed, treachery cannot be appreciated
against the accused. In this case, the victim was defenseless when seized by Marlon and
Ronald. However, the prosecution failed to present any witness or conclusive evidence that
Modesto was defenseless immediately before and when he was attacked and killed. It
cannot be presumed that although he was defenseless when he was seized the victim was
in the same situation when he was attacked, shot and stabbed by the malefactors.
16. ID.; AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES; TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SUPERIOR
STRENGTH; WHEN PRESENT. — To take advantage of superior strength means to
purposely use force that is out of proportion to the means of defense available to the
person attacked. What is primordial, this Court held in People v. Rogelio Francisco is that
the assailants deliberately took advantage of their combined strength in order to
consummate the crime. It is necessary to show that the malefactors cooperated in such a
way as to secure advantage from their superiority in strength.
Vitug, J., separate opinion:
1. REMEDIAL LAW; EVIDENCE; ALIBI; CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO WITHSTAND
THE POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION MADE BY CREDIBLE WITNESSES. — Between the positive
identi cation made by the eyewitnesses and the bare denial of appellants, there is scarcely
any serious doubt but that decisive weight must be given to the positive testimony of
Randy Manalo Bantas and Rita Manalo Bantas. The defense of alibi, being one that can
easily be fabricated, is inherently weak and cannot be expected to withstand the positive
identification made by credible witnesses.
2. ID.; ID.; ID.; TO BE BELIEVED, IT MUST INVARIABLY PLACE ACCUSED AT
SUCH LOCATION AS TO RENDER IT PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO BEAT THE
PLACE OF CRIME AND TO COMMIT THE SAME. — Alibi to be believed, must invariably
place the accused at such location as to render it physically impossible for him to be at the
place of the crime and, let alone, to commit the same.
3. ID.; ID.; MOTIVE; WHILE MOTIVE OF ACCUSED IN CRIMINAL CASE IS
GENERALLY IMMATERIAL NOT BEING AN ELEMENT OF THE CRIME, MOTIVE IS
IMPORTANT WHEN EVIDENCE ON THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME IS SHORT OF
MORAL CERTAINTY. — While the motive of an accused in a criminal case might generally
be immaterial, not being an element of the crime, motive could be important and
consequential when the evidence on the commission of the crime would be short of moral
certainty.
4. ID.; CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES; COMPLAINT OR
INFORMATION; CRIMINAL CHARGE IS DETERMINED BY THE ACTUAL RECITAL OF FACTS
THEREIN. — The fact that the Information went further to charge the accused with the
killing of the victim should be of no moment, the real nature of the criminal charge being
determined not from the caption or the preamble of the Information nor from the
speci cation of the law alleged to have been violated — these being conclusions of law —
but by the actual recital of facts in the complaint or information.
5. CRIMINAL LAW; KIDNAPPING; FALLS WITHIN THE CLASSIFICATION OF
CRIMES AGAINST LIBERTY AND IS AGGRAVATED NEITHER BY TREACHERY NOR
SUPERIOR STRENGTH. — The crime of kidnapping, falling as it does within the
classi cation of crimes against liberty, is aggravated neither by treachery nor superior
strength.
6. ID.; AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES; EVIDENT PREMEDITATION; WHEN
APPRECIATED. — The aggravating circumstance of evident premeditation can be
appreciated when it is shown that the culprits have previously re ected on the crime, or
that they have prepared appropriate means to execute it, coolly taking into account its
consequences.
7. REMEDIAL LAW; CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES;
COMPLAINT OR INFORMATION; MUST ALLEGE AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES,
WHETHER ORDINARY OR QUALIFYING. — The aggravating circumstances of nighttime,
dwelling and use of unlicensed rearms, not having been alleged in the Information, cannot
be considered. The Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, rendered effective on 01
December 2000, requires aggravating circumstances, whether ordinary or qualifying, to be
specified in the complaint or information.
8. ID.; EVIDENCE; QUANTUM OF PROOF IN CRIMINAL CASES; CONVICTION IS
PRONOUNCED ONLY UPON PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. — The law places
abundant protective shields in order to ensure that no man shall be made to account for a
crime he might not have committed or be adjudged guilty and meted a punishment without
him having rst been afforded a full opportunity to defend his cause. Thus, a conviction is
pronounced only upon proof beyond reasonable doubt, preceded by an arraignment where
he pleads on the basis of a complaint or information that speci es the gravamen of the
offense and the circumstances that are said to aggravate it and then the trial where
evidence is adduced by the parties.
9. ID.; ID.; QUANTUM OF PROOF IN CIVIL CASES; DAMAGES ARE ACCORDED TO
AGGRIEVED PARTY UPON A MERE PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE. — For purposes of
the civil liability, as well as its extent, civil law principles, however, are applied, and
damages might be accorded to the aggrieved party upon a mere preponderance of
evidence. EASCDH
DECISION
CALLEJO , SR ., J : p
Before the Court on automatic review is the Decision, 1 dated January 14, 2000, of
the Regional Trial Court, Branch 46, Urdaneta City, nding accused appellants Marlon
Delim, Leon Delim and Ronald Delim guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of
murder and sentencing them to suffer the supreme penalty of death. The court also
ordered accused-appellants to pay, jointly and severally, the heirs of the victim the sums of
P75,000.00 as moral damages and P25,000.00 as exemplary damages. ESDHCa
Accused-appellants Marlon, Ronald and Leon, together with Manuel alias "Bong" and
Robert, all surnamed Delim, were indicted for murder under an Information dated May 4,
1999 which reads:
"That on or about January 23, 1999, in the evening at Brgy. Bila, Sison,
Pangasinan, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, armed with short rearms barged-in and entered the house of Modesto
Delim and once inside with intent to kill, treachery, evident premedidation ( sic),
conspiring with one another, did then and there, wilfully, unlawfully and
feloniously grab, hold, hogtie, gag with a piece of cloth, brought out and abduct
Modesto Delim, accused Leon Delim and Manuel Delim stayed in the house
guarded and prevented the wife and son of Modesto Delim from helping the latter,
thereafter with abuse of superior strength stabbed and killed said Modesto Delim,
to the damage and prejudice of his heirs.
CONTRARY to Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by
Republic Act No. 7659." 2
Only accused-appellants Marlon (Bongbong), Leon and Ronald, all surnamed Delim,
were apprehended. Accused Robert and Manuel remain at-large.
At their arraignment, Marlon, Ronald and Leon, with the assistance of their counsel,
pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the trial, the prosecution established the following relevant facts 3 —
Marlon, Manuel and Robert Delim are brothers. They are the uncles of Leon Delim
and Ronald Delim. Modesto Manalo Bantas, the victim, was an Igorot and a carpenter. He
took the surname Delim after he was "adopted" by the father of Marlon, Manuel and Robert.
However, Modesto's wife, Rita, an illiterate, and their 16-year old son, Randy, continued
using Manalo Bantas as their surname. Modesto, Rita and Randy considered Marlon,
Robert, Ronald, Manuel and Leon as their relatives. Manuel and Leon were the neighbors of
Modesto. Marlon, Robert and Ronald used to visit Modesto and his family. Modesto and
his family and the Delim kins resided in Barangay Bila, Sison, Pangasinan.
On January 23, 1999, at around 6:30 in the evening, Modesto, Rita and Randy were
preparing to have their supper in their home. Joining them were Modesto and Rita's two
young grandchildren, aged 5 and 7 years old. They were about to eat their dinner when
Marlon, Robert and Ronald suddenly barged into the house and closed the door. Each of
the three intruders was armed with a short handgun. Marlon poked his gun at Modesto
while Robert and Ronald simultaneously grabbed and hog-tied the victim. A piece of cloth
was placed in the mouth of Modesto. 4 Marlon, Robert and Ronald herded Modesto out of
the house on their way towards the direction of Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan. Rita and Randy
were warned by the intruders not to leave the house. Leon and Manuel, who were also
armed with short handguns, stayed put by the door to the house of Modesto and ordered
Rita and Randy to stay where they were. Leon and Manuel left the house of Modesto only at
around 7:00 a.m. the following day, January 24, 1999.
As soon as Leon and Manuel had left, Randy rushed to the house of his uncle, Darwin
Niño, at Sitio Labayog, informed the latter of the incident the night before and sought his
help for the retrieval of Modesto. Randy was advised to report the matter to the police
authorities. However, Randy opted to rst look for his father. He and his other relatives
scoured the vicinity to locate Modesto to no avail. They proceeded to Paldit, Sison,
Pangasinan, around 200 meters away from Modesto's house, to locate Modesto but failed
to nd him there. On January 25, 1999, Randy and his relatives returned to the housing
project in Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan to locate Modesto but again failed to find him there. On
January 26, 1999, Randy reported the incident to the police authorities.
At around 3:00 in the afternoon of January 27, 1999, Randy, in the company of his
relatives, Nida Pucal, Pepito Pucal, Bernard Osias and Daniel Delim, returned to the housing
project in Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan and this time they found Modesto under thick bushes
in a grassy area. He was already dead. The cadaver was bloated and in the state of
decomposition. It exuded a bad odor. Tiny white worms swarmed over and feasted on the
cadaver. Randy and his relatives immediately rushed to the police station to report the
incident and to seek assistance. CHcTIA

When informed of the discovery of Modesto's cadaver, the local chief of police and
SPO2 Jovencio Fajarito and other policemen rushed to the scene and saw the cadaver
under the thick bushes. Pictures were taken of the cadaver. 5 Rita and Randy divulged to
the police investigators the names and addresses of Marlon, Ronald, Robert, Leon and
Manuel, whom they claimed were responsible for the death of Modesto. Rita and Randy
were at a loss why the ve malefactors seized Modesto and killed him. Rita and Randy
gave their respective sworn statements to the police investigators. 6 Police authorities
proceeded to arrest Marlon, Ronald, Robert, Manuel and Leon but failed to nd them in
their respective houses. The police o cers scoured the mountainous parts of Barangays
Immalog and Labayog to no avail.
The cadaver was autopsied by Dr. Maria Fe L. De Guzman who prepared her autopsy
report, which reads:
"SIGNIFICANT EXTERNAL FINDINGS :
- Body - both upper extremities are flexed

- both lower extremities are flexed
- (+) body decomposition
- (+) worms coming out from injuries
- 10 x 10 ml. GSW, pre-auricular area, right
- 20 x 20 ml. GSW, mandibular areas, right

- 10 x 10 ml. GSW, maxillary area, right
- 10 x 10 ml. GSW, below middle nose, directed upward (POE)
- 30 x 40 ml. GSW, mid parieto — occipital area (POEx)
- 2 x 1 cms. lacerated wound, right cheek

- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, axillary area, left
- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, lateral aspect M/3rd left arm
- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, lateral aspect D/3rd, left arm
- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, medial aspect M/3rd, left arm
- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound medial aspect D/3rd, left arm

- #3; 1 x 1 cm. in line with each other, stabbed would, medial aspect, M/3rd,
left forearm
- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, medial aspect, D/3rd, left forearm
- 10 x 6 cms. Inflamed scrotum
- penis inflamed
SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL FINDINGS :
- no significant internal findings
CAUSE OF DEATH:
GUN SHOT WOUND, HEAD." 7
The stab wounds sustained by Modesto on his left arm and forearm were defensive
wounds. The police investigators were able to con rm that Marlon, Ronald, Robert, Leon
and Manuel had no licenses for their firearms. 8
Records of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Baguio City show
that Marlon had pending cases for robbery in the Regional Trial Court of Baguio City in
Criminal Case No. 16193-R, and for robbery in band in Criminal Cases Nos. 9801 and 9802
pending with the Regional Trial Court in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. 9
To exculpate themselves, Marlon, Ronald and Leon interposed denial and alibi. 1 0
Ronald claimed that on January 23, 1999, he, his wife and children, his mother, his
brothers and sisters were in their house at Asan Norte, Sison, Pangasinan about two
kilometers away from Modesto's house.
He denied having been in the house of Modesto on January 23, 1999 and of
abducting and killing him. He theorized that Rita and Randy falsely implicated him upon the
coaching of Melchor Javier who allegedly had a quarrel with him concerning politics.
Leon for his part averred that on January 23, 1999, he was in the house of his sister,
Hermelita Estabillo at No. 55-B, Salet, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte where he had been living
since 1997 after leaving Asan Norte, Sison, Pangasinan. Since then, he had been working
for Sally Asuncion at a hollow-block factory in that city where he was a stay-in worker.
Sally Asuncion corroborated Leon's alibi. She testi ed that Leon Delim never went
home to his hometown in Pangasinan during his employment. His sister, Hermelita
Estabillo, likewise averred that on January 23, 1999, his brother was at her house to give
her his laundry. She claimed that the distance between Laoag City and Bila, Sison,
Pangasinan can be traversed in six hours by bus. Leon presented a Barangay Certi cate to
prove that he was a resident of Laoag City from January 1998 up to February 1999. 1 1
Marlon asserted that he was on vacation in Dumaguete City from December 26,
1998 up to January 29, 1999. During his stay there, he lived with his sister, Francisca Delim.
Upon his return to Manila on January 29, 1999, he immediately proceeded to Baguio to
visit his cousin. Marlon denied setting foot in Bila, Sison, Pangasinan after his sojourn in
Dumaguete City.
The trial court rendered judgment nding accused-appellants guilty of murder. The
dispositive portion of the trial court's decision reads:
"WHEREFORE, JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION beyond reasonable doubt is
hereby rendered against Ronald Delim, Marlon Delim and Leon Delim (for) the
commission of Aggravated Murder, an offense de ned and penalized under
Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. 7659 and the Court
sentences Marlon Delim, Ronald Delim and Leon Delim to suffer the penalty of
DEATH, to be implemented in the manner as provided for by law; the Court
likewise orders the accused, jointly and solidarily, to indemnify the heirs of
Modesto Delim the sum of P75,000.00 as moral damages, plus the amount of
P25,000.00 as exemplary damages.
The Branch Clerk of Court is hereby ordered to transmit the entire records
of this case to the Honorable Supreme Court, and to prepare the mittimus fteen
(15) days from date of promulgation.
The Jail Warden, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Urdaneta
District Jail, Urdaneta City is hereby ordered to transmit the persons of Marlon,
Ronald and Leon, all surnamed Delim to the New Bilibid Prisons, Muntinlupa City,
fifteen days from receipt of this decision.
SO ORDERED." 1 2
The trial court appreciated treachery as a qualifying circumstance and of taking

advantage of superior strength, nighttime and use of unlicensed rearms as separate of
aggravating circumstances in the commission of the crime. Marlon, Ronald and Leon, in
their appeal brief, assail the decision alleging that:
"I
THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THE ACCUSED-APPELLANTS
GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE CRIME OF MURDER.
II
THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THAT CONSPIRACY EXISTED IN
THE CASE AT BAR.
III
THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN NOT GIVING WEIGHT AND CREDENCE
TO ACCUSED-APPELLANTS' DEFENSE OF ALIBI." 1 3
Before resolving the merits of the case at bar, we rst resolve the matter of whether
the crime charged in the Information is murder or kidnapping. During the deliberation,
some distinguished members of the Court opined that under the Information, Marlon,
Ronald and Leon are charged with kidnapping under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code
and not with murder in its aggravated form in light of the allegation therein that the
accused "willfully, unlawfully and feloniously grab(bed), h(e)ld, hog-tie(d), gag(ged), with a
piece of cloth, brought out and abduct(ed) Modesto Delim (while) Leon Delim and Manuel
Delim stayed in the house (and) guarded and prevented the wife and son of Modesto Delim
from helping the latter." They submit that the foregoing allegation constitutes the act of
deprivation of liberty of the victim, the gravamen in the crime of kidnapping. They contend
that the fact that the Information went further to charge accused with the killing of the
victim should be of no moment, the real nature of the criminal charge being determined not
from the caption or the preamble of the Information nor from the speci cation of the law
alleged to have been violated — these being conclusions of law — but by the actual recital
of facts in the complaint or information. They further submit that since the prosecution
failed to prove motive on the part of Marlon, Ronald and Leon to kill Modesto, they are not
criminally liable for the death of the victim but only for kidnapping the victim.
It bears stressing that in determining what crime is charged in an information, the
material inculpatory facts recited therein describing the crime charged in relation to the
penal law violated are controlling. Where the speci c intent of the malefactor is
determinative of the crime charged such speci c intent must be alleged in the information
and proved by the prosecution. A decade ago, this Court held in People v. Isabelo Puno, et
al., 1 4 that for kidnapping to exist, there must be indubitable proof that the actual speci c
intent of the malefactor is to deprive the offended party of his liberty and not where such
restraint of his freedom of action is merely an incident in the commission of another
offense primarily intended by the malefactor. This Court further held:

". . .. Hence, as early as United States vs. Ancheta, and consistently
reiterated thereafter, it has been held that the detention and/or forcible taking
away of the victims by the accused, even for an appreciable period of time but for
the primary and ultimate purpose of killing them, holds the offenders liable for
taking their lives or such other offenses they committed in relation thereto, but the
incidental deprivation of the victims' liberty does not constitute kidnapping or
serious illegal detention." 1 5
If the primary and ultimate purpose of the accused is to kill the victim, the incidental
deprivation of the victim's liberty does not constitute the felony of kidnapping but is
merely a preparatory act to the killing, and hence, is merged into, or absorbed by, the killing
of the victim. 1 6 The crime committed would either be homicide or murder.
What is primordial then is the speci c intent of the malefactors as disclosed in the
information or criminal complaint that is determinative of what crime the accused is
charged with — that of murder or kidnapping.
Philippine and American penal laws have a common thread on the concept of
speci c intent as an essential element of speci c intent crimes. Speci c intent is used to
describe a state of mind which exists where circumstances indicate that an offender
actively desired certain criminal consequences or objectively desired a speci c result to
follow his act or failure to act. 1 7 Speci c intent involves a state of the mind. It is the
particular purpose or speci c intention in doing the prohibited act. Speci c intent must be
alleged in the Information and proved by the state in a prosecution for a crime requiring
specific intent. 1 8 Kidnapping and murder are specific intent crimes. IDETCA
Speci c intent may be proved by direct evidence or by circumstantial evidence. It

may be inferred from the circumstances of the actions of the accused as established by
the evidence on record. 1 9
Speci c intent is not synonymous with motive. Motive generally is referred to as the
reason which prompts the accused to engage in a particular criminal activity. Motive is not
an essential element of a crime and hence the prosecution need not prove the same. As a
general rule, proof of motive for the commission of the offense charged does not show
guilt and absence of proof of such motive does not establish the innocence of accused for
the crime charged such as murder. 2 0 The history of crimes shows that murders are
generally committed from motives comparatively trivial. 2 1 Crime is rarely rational. In
murder, the speci c intent is to kill the victim. In kidnapping, the speci c intent is to
deprive the victim of his/her liberty. If there is no motive for the crime, the accused cannot
be convicted for kidnapping. 2 2 In kidnapping for ransom, the motive is ransom. Where
accused kills the victim to avenge the death of a loved one, the motive is revenge.
In this case, it is evident on the face of the Information that the speci c intent of the
malefactors in barging into the house of Modesto was to kill him and that he was seized
precisely to kill him with the attendant modifying circumstances. The act of the
malefactors of abducting Modesto was merely incidental to their primary purpose of
killing him. Moreover, there is no speci c allegation in the information that the primary
intent of the malefactors was to deprive Modesto of his freedom or liberty and that killing
him was merely incidental to kidnapping. 2 3 Irrefragably then, the crime charged in the
Information is Murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code and not Kidnapping
under Article 268 thereof.
The threshold issue that now comes to fore is whether or not the prosecution
mustered the requisite quantum of evidence to prove that Marlon, Ronald and Leon are
guilty of murder.
In criminal prosecutions, the prosecution is burdened to prove the guilt of the
accused beyond cavil of doubt. The prosecution must rely on the strength of its own
evidence and not on the weakness of the evidence of the accused. The proof against the
accused must survive the test of reason; the strongest suspicion must not be permitted to
sway judgment. 2 4
In the case at bar, the prosecution was burdened to prove the corpus delicti which
consists of two things: rst, the criminal act and second, defendant's agency in the
commission of the act. 2 5 Wharton says that corpus delicti includes two things: rst, the
objective; second, the subjective element of crimes. 2 6 In homicide (by dolo) and in murder
cases, the prosecution is burdened to prove: (a) the death of the party alleged to be dead;
(b) that the death was produced by the criminal act of some other than the deceased and
was not the result of accident, natural cause or suicide; and (c) that defendant committed
the criminal act or was in some way criminally responsible for the act which produced the
death. 2 7 To prove the felony of homicide or murder, there must be incontrovertible
evidence, direct or circumstantial, that the victim was deliberately killed (with malice); in
other words, that there was intent to kill. Such evidence may consist inter alia in the use of
weapons by the malefactors, the nature, location and number of wounds sustained by the
victim and the words uttered by the malefactors before, at the time or immediately after
the killing of the victim. If the victim dies because of a deliberate act of the malefactor,
intent to kill is conclusively presumed.
The prosecution is burdened to prove corpus delicti beyond reasonable doubt either
by direct evidence or by circumstantial or presumptive evidence. 2 8
In the case at bar, the prosecution adduced the requisite quantum of proof of
corpus delicti. Modesto sustained ve (5) gunshot wounds. He also sustained seven (7)
stab wounds, 2 9 defensive in nature. The use by the malefactors of deadly weapons, more
speci cally handguns and knives, in the killing of the victim as well as the nature, number
and location of the wounds sustained by said victim are evidence of the intent by the
malefactors to kill the victim with all the consequences owing therefrom. 3 0 As the State
Supreme Court of Wisconsin held in Cupps v. State: 3 1
"This rule, that every person is presumed to contemplate the ordinary and
natural consequences of his own acts, is applied even in capital cases. Because
men generally act deliberately and by the determination of their own will, and not
from the impulse of blind passion, the law presumes that every man always thus
acts, until the contrary appears. Therefore, when one man is found to have killed
another, if the circumstances of the homicide do not of themselves show that it
was not intended, but was accidental, it is presumed that the death of the
deceased was designed by the slayer; and the burden of proof is on him to show
that it was otherwise."
The prosecution did not present direct evidence to prove the authors of the killing of
Modesto. It relied on circumstantial evidence to discharge its burden of proving the guilt
of accused-appellants of murder. Circumstantial evidence consists of proof of collateral
facts and circumstances from which the existence of the main fact may be inferred
according to reason and common experience. 3 2 What was once a rule of account
respectability is now entombed in Section 4, Rule 133 of the Revised Rules of Evidence
which states that circumstantial evidence, sometimes referred to as indirect or
presumptive evidence, is su cient as anchor for a judgment of conviction if the following
requisites concur:
". . . if (a) there is more than one circumstance; (b) the facts from which the
inferences are derived have been established; and (c) the combination of all the
circumstances is such as to warrant a nding of guilt beyond reasonable doubt."
33
The prosecution is burdened to prove the essential events which constitute a

compact mass of circumstantial evidence, and the proof of each being con rmed by the
proof of the other, and all without exception leading by mutual support to but one
conclusion: the guilt of accused for the offense charged. 3 4 For circumstantial evidence to
be su cient to support a conviction, all the circumstances must be consistent with each
other, consistent with the hypothesis that accused is guilty and at the same time
inconsistent with the hypothesis that he is innocent, and with every other rational
hypothesis except that of guilt. 3 5 If the prosecution adduced the requisite circumstantial
evidence to prove the guilt of accused beyond reasonable doubt, the burden of evidence
shifts to the accused to controvert the evidence of the prosecution.
In the present case, the prosecution mustered the requisite quantum of
circumstantial evidence to prove that accused-appellants, in confabulation with their co-
accused, conspired to kill and did kill Modesto:
1. Randy Bantas testi ed that Marlon and Ronald barged into the house of
Modesto, each armed with a handgun. Marlon poked his gun on Modesto while Ronald
hog-tied Modesto. They then seized Modesto and herded him out of his house:
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
What were you doing then at that time in your house?

A We were eating, sir.
Q You said we, who were your companions eating then at that time?
A My father, my mother and the two children and myself, sir.
Q While taking your supper that time, do you recall if there was anything
unusual that happened at that time?
A When we were about to start to eat three armed men entered our house.
Q Do you know these three armed men who entered your house?
A Yes, sir.
Q Who are they, name them one by one?
A Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim.
Q Are these three persons inside the courtroom now?

A Two of them, sir.
Q Who are these two who are inside the courtroom?

A Marlon and Ronald, sir.
Q Will you please stand up and point to them?

A (Witness is pointing to a person seated on the bench inside the courtroom,
who, when his name was asked answered Marlon Delim. Likewise, witness
is pointing unto a person seated on the bench inside the courtroom, who,
when his name was asked he answered Ronald Delim).
Q You said that these two armed persons entered your house, what kind of
arm were they carrying at that time?
A Short handgun, sir.

Q When these three armed persons whom you have mentioned, armed with
short firearms, what did they do then when they entered your house?
A They took my father, sir.

Q Who took your father?
A Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim, sir.
Q When these three persons took your father, what did you do then?
A None, sir.
COURT:
How did they get your father?
A They poked a gun and brought him outside the house, sir.
FISCAL TOMBOC:
Who poked a gun?
A Marlon Delim, sir.

Q Again, Mr. Witness, will you point to the person who poked a gun?
A (Witness is pointing to Malon (sic) Delim, one of the accused).
Q After bringing your father out from your house, what transpired next?
A Manuel Delim and Leon Delim said, 'Stay in your house,' and guarded us.
COURT:
You said your father was taken out, who?
A Marlon, Robert and Ronald, sir.
FISCAL TOMBOC:
Where did these three persons bring your father?
A I do not know where they brought my father, sir. CIAHDT
COURT:
Was your father taken inside your house or outside?
A Inside our house, sir.

Q You said that Marlon poked a gun at your father, is that correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q What did Ronald and Robert do while Marlon was poking his gun to your
father?
A Ronald and Robert were the ones who pulled my father out, sir." 3 6
Randy's account of the incident was corroborated by his mother, Rita, who testified:
"PROSECUTION TOMBOC:
You said during the last hearing that on January 23, 1999 at around 6:30 in
the evening while preparing for your supper three (3) armed men entered
inside your house, who were these three (3) men who entered your house?
A I know, Marlon, Bongbong and Robert, sir.
ATTY. FLORENDO:
We just make of record that the witness is taking her time to answer, Your
Honor.
PROSECUTOR TOMBOC:
You said that Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Bongbong entered your house,
are these three (3) persons who entered your house in Court now?
A They are here except the other one, sir.

Q Will you please step down and point to the persons who entered your
house?
A Witness is pointing to Marlon Delim, Robert Delim is not in Court and

Bongbong is Ronald Delim.
Q After these three (3) armed men entered your house, what happened then?
A My husband was brought out, sir.
Q What is the name of your husband?

A Modesto Delim, sir." 3 7
2. Randy said that when Marlon and Ronald barged into their house, Leon, armed
with a handgun, acted as a lookout when he stood guard by the door of the house of
Modesto and remained thereat until 7:00 a.m. of the next day:
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
When your father was pulled out from your house by these three persons,
what did you and your mother do while these three persons were taking out
of your house?
A We did not do anything because Manuel and Leon Delim guarded us.
COURT:
Where, in your house?

A Yes, sir.

FISCAL TOMBOC:
From that very time that your father was pulled out by these three persons
Marlon, Robert and Ronal (sic), where were Leon and Manuel then?
A They were at the door, sir.

COURT:
Why do you know that they were guarding you?
A Because they were at the door, sir.

FISCAL TOMBOC:
What was their appearance that time when these two persons were guarding
you, these Leon and Manuel?
A They were armed, sir.
Q What do you mean by armed?
A They have gun, sir.

Q What kind of firearm?
A Short firearm, sir.

Q By the way, where are these Leon and Manuel now, if you know?
A Leon is here, sir.
Q About Manuel?
A None, sir.
Q Will you please stand up and point at Leon, Mr. Witness?

A (Witness pointed to a person seated on the bench inside the courtroom,
who when his name was asked, answered, Leon Delim)." 3 8
3. Rita and Randy were ordered by Leon not to leave the house as Ronald and
Marlon left the house with Modesto in tow. Rita and Randy were detained in their house up
to 7:00 a.m. of January 24, 1999 to prevent them from seeking help from their relatives
and police authorities.
4. Randy likewise testi ed that on January 27, 1999, at about 3:00 p.m., the
cadaver of Modesto was found under the thick bushes in a grassy area in the housing
project located about 200 meters away from the house of Modesto. The cadaver exuded
bad odor and was already in the state of decomposition:
"Q So what did you do then on January 27, where did you look for your
father?
A The same place and at 3:00 o'clock P.M., we were able to find my father.
COURT:
Where?
A At the housing project at Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan, sir.

FISCAL TOMBOC:
Do you have companions at that time when you were able to look for your
father on January 27, 1999 at 3:00 o'clock P.M.?
A Yes, sir.
Q Who?
A My Aunt, sir.
Q What is the name of your Aunt?
A Nida Pucal, sir.

Q Who else?
A Pepito Pucal, Bernard Osias and Daniel Delim, sir.
COURT:
When you found your father, what was his condition?
A He was dead, sir.

COURT:
Go ahead.
FISCAL TOMBOC:
You said that he was already dead, what was his appearance then when you
saw him dead?
A He has bad odor, sir, in the state of decompsition (sic)." 3 9
The testimony of Randy was corroborated by Dr. de Guzman who testi ed that the
cadaver of Modesto was in a state of decomposition, with tiny white worms crawling from
his wounds, and that his penis and scrotum were in amed. The victim sustained ve
gunshot wounds and defensive wounds on the left arm and forearm:
"PROS. TOMBOC:
Q Will you please tell the Honorable Court your findings, Doctora?
WITNESS:
A First nding: Upon seeing the cadaver, this is the position of the body, both
upper extremities are exed and both lower extremities are exed
(Nakakukot).
Q How many days had already elapsed when you autopsied the cadaver of
the victim, Doctora?
A Four (4) days upon the recovery of the body, sir.
Q And what was your findings Doctora?

A The body was already under the state of decomposition, sir, with foul odor
and there were so many worms coming out from the injuries, there were
tiny white worms, sir.
Q What else did you observe Doctora?
A Upon seeing the cadaver I asked the relative to refer it to the NBI sir.
Actually the victim was an igorot (sic) and they have tradition that they will
bury immediately. Whether they like it or not I should do it, sir.
Q What else Doctora?

A And the penis was in ammed ( sic), the scrotum was also in ammed ( sic),
sir.
And for the head injuries there was 10 x 10 ml. GSW pre-auricular area, right;
there was also 20 ml x 20 ml. GSW, mandibular area, right; I cannot also
determine the exit.
Q So there were two (2) gunshot wounds (GSW) Doctora?
A Yes sir.
And there was also 10 x 10 ml. GSW, maxillary area, right; there was also 10
x 10 ml. GSW, below middle nose, directed upward (POE); and there was
also 30 x 40 ml. GSW, mid parieto-occipital area (POEx).
Q How many all in all are the gunshot wound?
A Five (5) sir.
And also there was 2 x 1 cms. Lacerated wound, right cheek; 1 x 1 cm.
stabbed wound, axillary area, left; 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound, lateral aspect
M/3rd, left arm; 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound lateral aspect D/3rd, left arm; 1 x
1 cm. stabbed wound, medial aspect M/3rd, left arm; 1 x 1 cm. stabbed
wound, medial aspect D/3rd, left arm; and #3; 1 x 1 cm. in line with each
other, stabbed wound, medial aspect, M/3rd, left forearm.
Q How many stabbed wound are there Doctora?

A There were seven (7) stabbed wounds, sir.
Q Those stabbed wounds were defensive wounds, Doctora?

A Yes sir." 4 0
The state of decomposition of the cadaver, with tiny white worms swarming and
feasting on it and the distention of his scrotum and penis are evidence that the cadaver
was in the stage of putrefaction and that the victim had been dead for a period ranging
from three to six days. 4 1 Admittedly, there are variant factors determinative of the exact
death of the victim. An equally persuasive authority states: TCIHSa
"Chronological Sequence of Putrefactive Changes Occurring in Tropical

Region:
Time Since Death Condition of the Body
48 hours Ova of flies seen.
Trunk bloated. Face discolored and swollen. Blisters present. Moving
maggots seen.
72 hours Whole body grossly swollen and disfigured. Hair and nails loose.
Tissues soft and discolored." 4 2
The lapse of two or three to four days from the seizure of the victim in the
evening of January 23, 1999 to the discovery of his cadaver which was already in the
state of putrefaction in the afternoon of January 27, 1999, about 200 meters away from
his house, is consistent with and con rmatory of the contention of the prosecution that
the victim was killed precisely by the very malefactors who seized him on January 23,
1999.
5. When police authorities went to the residences of all the malefactors, the
latter had flown the coop and were nowhere to be found:
"COURT:
In connection with this case, you investigated the wife and son of Modesto
Delim?
A Yes, sir.
Q In the course of the investigation did you come to know who were the
suspects?
A Yes, sir, she elaborated that the suspects were their neighbors, Marlon
Delim and his brothers, sir.
Q What are the names of the brothers?
A Manuel Delim, Leon Delim I cannot remember the others, sir.

Q By reason of that information were you able to apprehend any of them for
investigation?
A No, sir.
Q Why?
A Because when we were dispatched by the Chief of Police no Delim brothers

could be found, they all left the place, sir.
Q In what place did you look for the brothers Delim?
A Within the vicinity, sir.

Q In what place?
A Brgy. Bila and the place where the crime was committed in Brgy. Bila and
the place where the cadaver was found in Paldit, sir.
Q Where did you look for the Delim brothers?

A Nearby barangays, Immalog, sir.
Q Wherelse (sic)?
A Labayog, Sison, sir.
Q Wherelse?

A In mountainous part of Immalog, part of Tuba Benguet, sir.
Q What was the result?
A Negative result, sir." 4 3
6. Leon was the neighbor of Modesto and Rita while Marlon and Ronald used to
go to the house of Modesto and Rita:
"COURT:
These Leon and Manuel Delim are they known to you prior to that day,
January 23, 1999?
A Yes, sir, I know them.

Q Why do you know Manuel and Leon prior to January 23, 1999?
A They are my neighbors, sir.
Q How about Marlon, Robert and Bongbong do you know them before
January 23, 1999?
A I know them, sir.
Q Why do you know them?

A They used to go to our house, sir.
Q I noticed that Marlon, Bongbong, Robert, Manuel and Leon are all Delims
and your husband's name is Modesto Delim are they related with each
other?
A Yes, sir." 4 4
The sudden disappearance of Marlon, Ronald and Leon from their houses in
Barangay Bila, Sison is strong circumstantial evidence of their guilt for the death of
Modesto. Although ight after the commission of an offense does not create a legal
presumption of guilt, nevertheless, the same is admissible in evidence against them and if
not satisfactorily explained in a manner consistent with their innocence, will tend to show
that they, in fact, killed Modesto. 4 5
It is true that the prosecution failed to prove motive on the part of the malefactors
to abduct and kill Modesto. Indeed, Randy and Rita testi ed that they were not aware of
any misunderstanding or grudge between Modesto on the one hand and Marlon, Ronald
and Leon and their co-accused on the other before the incident, or any motivation on the
part of the three malefactors to cause harm to Modesto. Nonetheless, it cannot thereby be
concluded that a person or persons other than Marlon, Ronald and Leon were criminally
responsible for the death of the victim. It is a matter of judicial notice that nowadays
persons have killed or committed serious crimes for no reason at all. 4 6 In this case, the
inscrutable facts are that Marlon and Ronald, each of whom was armed with a handgun,
forcibly took Modesto from his house at the gunpoint, hog-tied, put a piece of cloth in his
mouth and after Ronald and Marlon had left the house with Modesto in tow, Rita heard
three gunshots or so and the cadaver of Modesto was found concealed under the bushes
and already in a state of putrefaction in the afternoon of January 27, 1999. Modesto
sustained several gunshot wounds and died because of a gunshot wound on the head. The
criminal acts and the connection of Marlon, Ronald and Leon with said acts having been
proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt, the act itself furnishes the evidence,
that to its perpetration there was some causes or in uences moving the mind. 4 7 The
remarkable tapestry intricately woven by the prosecution should not be trashed simply
because the malefactors had no motive to kill Modesto.
Ranged against the evidence of the prosecution, the burden of evidence shifted on
Marlon, Ronald and Leon to rebut the same and explain what happened to the victim after
taking him from his house in the evening of January 23, 1999. They may have freed the
victim shortly after taking him, or the victim may have been able to escape and that
thereafter a person or some other persons may have killed him. However, Marlon, Ronald
and Leon failed to give any explanation. Instead, they merely denied having seized and
killed the victim and interposed alibi as their defense.
Leon is equally guilty for the death of Modesto because the evidence on record
shows that he conspired with accused-appellants Marlon and Ronald and accused Robert
and Manuel in killing the victim.
There is conspiracy when two or more persons agree to commit a felony and decide
to commit it. 4 8 Conspiracy must be proven with the same quantum of evidence as the
felony itself, more speci cally by proof beyond reasonable doubt. Conspiracy is not
presumed. It may be proved by direct evidence or by circumstantial evidence. Conspiracy
is deducible from the acts of the malefactors before, during and after the commission of
the crime which are indicative of a joint purpose, concerted action and concurrence of
sentiment. 4 9 To establish conspiracy, it is not essential that there be proof as to the
existence of a previous agreement to commit a crime. 5 0 It is sufficient if, at the time of the
commission of the crime, the accused had the same purpose and were united in its
execution. If conspiracy is established, the act of one is deemed the act of all. It matters
not who among the accused actually shot and killed the victim. 5 1 This is based on the
theory of a joint or mutual agency ad hoc for the prosecution of the common plan:
". . . The acts and declarations of an agent, within the scope of his
authority, are considered and treated as the acts and declarations of his principal.
'What is so done by an agent, is done by the principal, through him, as his mere
instrument.' Franklin Bank of Baltimore v. Pennsylvania D. & M. Steam Navigation
Co., 11 G. & J. 28, 33 (1839). 'If the conspiracy be proved to have existed, or rather
if evidence be given to the jury of its existence, the acts of one in furtherance of
the common design are the acts of all; and whatever one does in furtherance of
the common design, he does as the agent of the co-conspirators.' R. v. O'Connell,
5 St. Tr. (N.S.) 1, 710." 5 2
In the eyes of the law, conspirators are one man, they breathe one breath, they speak
one voice, they wield one arm and the law says that the acts, words and declaration of
each, while in the pursuit of the common design, are the acts, words and declarations of
all. 5 3
In the case at bar, Marlon, Ronald and Leon arrived together in the house of
Modesto, each armed with a handgun. Marlon and Ronald barged into said house while
Leon stood guard by the door thereof. After Marlon and Ronald had left with Modesto in
tow, Leon stood by the door and warned Randy and Rita not to leave the house. Leon stood
guard by the door of the house until 7:00 a.m. of January 24, 1999 when he left the house.
The overt acts of all the malefactors were so synchronized and executed with precision
evincing a preconceived plan or design of all the malefactors to achieve a common
purpose, namely the killing of Modesto. Irrefragably, the tasks assigned to Leon in the
commission of the crime were — (a) to act as a lookout; (b) to ensure that Rita and Randy
remain in their house to prevent them from seeking assistance from police authorities and
their relatives before their mission to kill Modesto shall have been a fait accompli as well
as the escape of Marlon and Ronald. 5 4 Patently, Leon, a lookout for the group, is guilty of
the killing of Modesto. 5 5 Leon may not have been at the situs criminis when Modesto was
killed by Marlon and Ronald nevertheless he is a principal by direct participation. 5 6 If part
of a crime has been committed in one place and part in another, each person concerned in
the commission of either part is liable as principal. No matter how wide may be the
separation of the conspirators, if they are all engaged in a common plan for the execution
of a felony and all take their part in furtherance of the common design, all are liable as
principals. Actual presence is not necessary if there is a direct connection between the
actor and the crime. 5 7
Ronald, Marlon and Leon, however, assail the testimonies of Randy and Rita alleging
that the same were marred by inconsistencies.
1. Randy initially stated that he did not know where the assailants
brought his father. Later however, Randy claimed that the malefactors
proceeded to the direction of Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan;
2. Rita on the other hand identi ed Leon, Marlon and Ronald as those
who barged into their house. She later changed her testimony and
declared that it was Robert, together with Marlon and Ronald who
barged into the house;
3. Rita likewise testi ed that two men stood outside the house guarding
them. Later, she testi ed that after the three men brought out the
victim, the two other accused entered the house and guarded them
there;
4. Rita claimed that she went out to look for her husband the next day, or
on January 25, 1999, and she was accompanied by her son Randy.
However, Randy testi ed that he was alone when he looked for his
father from January 24 to 26, 1999. 5 8
We do not agree with Marlon, Ronald and Leon. Case law has it that the ndings of
facts of the trial court, its calibration of the collective testimonies of witnesses and its
assessment of the probative weight thereof and its conclusions culled from its ndings
are accorded by the appellate court great respect, if not conclusive effect, because of its
unique advantage of observing at close range the demeanor, deportment and conduct of
the witnesses as they give their testimonies before the court. In the present case, the trial
court gave credence and full probative weight to the testimonies of the witnesses of the
prosecution. Moreover, there is no evidence on record that Randy and Rita were moved by
any improper or ill motive in testifying against the malefactors and the other accused;
hence, their testimonies must be given full credit and probative weight. 5 9 The
inconsistencies in the testimonies of Rita and Randy do not render them incredible or their
testimonies barren of probative weight. It must be borne in mind that human memory is
not as unerring as a photograph and a person's sense of observation is impaired by many
factors including the shocking effect of a crime. A truth-telling witness is not always
expected to give an error-free testimony considering the lapse of time and the treachery of
human memory. What is primordial is that the mass of testimony jibes on material points,
the slight clashing of statements dilute neither the witnesses' credibility nor the veracity of
his testimony. 6 0 Variations on the testimony of witnesses on the same side with respect
to minor, collateral or incidental matters do not impair the weight of their united testimony
to the prominent facts. 6 1 Inconsistencies on minor and trivial matters only serve to
strengthen rather than weaken the credibility of witnesses for they erase the suspicion of
rehearsed testimony. 6 2
Moreover, the testimony of a witness should be construed in its entirety and not in
truncated terms and the true meaning of answers to isolated questions propounded to a
witness is to be ascertained by due consideration of all the questions propounded to the
witness and his answers thereto. 6 3
Randy's testimony that he did know where the malefactors brought his father is not
inconsistent with his testimony that Ronald and Marlon brought his father towards the
direction of Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan. Randy may not have known the destination of
accused-appellants but he saw the direction to which they went. While it may be true that
when asked to identify the three who barged into their house, Rita pointed to Leon as one
of them, however, Rita had been consistent throughout her testimony that those who
barged into their house were Ronald and Marlon. Leon's counsel never cross-examined Rita
and impeached her testimony on her identi cation of Leon as one of those who barged
into their house to give her an opportunity to explain her perceived inconsistency
conformably with Rule 132, Section 13, of the Revised Rules of Evidence which reads:
"Before a witness can be impeached by evidence that he has made at other
times statements inconsistent with his present testimony, the statements must be
related to him, with the circumstances of the times and places and the persons
present, and he must be asked whether he made such statements, and if so,
allowed to explain them. If the statements be in writing they must be shown to the
witness before any question is put to him concerning them." 6 4
Hence, the presentation of the inconsistent statements made by Rita is insu cient
for the desired impeachment of her. 6 5 As to whether Rita and Randy were together in
looking for Modesto or Leon merely stood guard by the door of the house or entered the
house are inconsequential. The fact is that Leon stood guard throughout the night to
prevent Rita and Randy from seeking assistance for the seizure and killing of Modesto.
This Court is convinced, as the trial court was, that the respective testimonies of
Randy and Rita bear the earmarks of truth and sincerity. Despite intense and grueling
cross-examination, they responded with consistency upon material details that could only
come from a rsthand knowledge of the shocking events which unfolded before their
eyes. The Court thus nds no cogent reason to disregard the ndings of the trial court
regarding their credibility. DIEACH
Marlon, Ronald and Leon contend that the trial court committed a reversible error in
not giving credence and probative weight to their evidence to prove their defense of alibi.
They aver that their collective evidence to prove their defense is strong.
We do not agree. Case law has it that the defense of alibi is one of the weakest of
defenses in criminal prosecution because the same is easy to concoct between relatives,
friends and even those not related to the offender. 6 6 It is hard for the prosecution to
disprove. For alibi to merit approbation by the trial court and this Court, Marlon, Ronald and
Leon are burdened to prove with clear and convincing evidence that they were in a place
other than the situs criminis at the time of the commission of the crime; that it was
physically impossible for them to have committed the said crime. 6 7 They failed to
discharge their burden. Moreover, Rita and Randy positively and spontaneously identi ed
Marlon, Ronald and Leon as the culprits. The house of Ronald, where he claimed he was
when the crime was committed, was only two kilometers away from the house of Modesto
and can be negotiated by a tricycle. Leon failed to adduce any documentary evidence to
prove his employment by Sally Asuncion. The barefaced fact that he was a resident of
Laoag City does not constitute proof that he was in Laoag City on the day of the
commission of the crime. With respect to Marlon, he failed to adduce evidence aside from
his self-serving testimony that he resided in, left Dumaguete City and arrived in Manila on
January 29, 1999.
The trial court convicted Marlon, Ronald and Leon of murder with the qualifying
circumstance of treachery in the killing of Modesto. The trial court likewise appreciated
nighttime and abuse of superior strength and the use of unlicensed rearms as separate
aggravating circumstances. The O ce of the Solicitor General contends that indeed
treachery was attendant in the killing of Modesto. Hence, Marlon, Ronald and Leon are
guilty of murder defined in and penalized by Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Court however nds that Marlon, Ronald and Leon are guilty only of homicide
defined in and penalized by Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.
Qualifying circumstances such as treachery and abuse of superior strength must be
alleged and proved clearly and conclusively as the crime itself. Mere conjectures,
suppositions or presumptions are utterly insu cient and cannot produce the effect of
qualifying the crime. 6 8 As this Court held: "No matter how truthful these suppositions or
presumptions may seem, they must not and cannot produce the effect of aggravating the
condition of defendant." 6 9 Article 14, paragraph 16 of the Revised Penal Code provides
that there is treachery when the offender commits any of the crimes against the person,
employing means, methods or forms in the execution thereof which tend directly and
especially to insure its execution, without risk to himself arising from the defense which
the offended party might make. For treachery to be appreciated as a qualifying
circumstance, the prosecution is burdened to prove the following elements: (a) the
employment of means of execution which gives the person attacked no opportunity to
defend himself or retaliate; (b) the means of execution is deliberately or consciously
adopted. 7 0 Although the victim may have been defenseless at the time he was seized but
there is no evidence as to the particulars of how he was assaulted and killed, treachery
cannot be appreciated against the accused. 7 1 In this case, the victim was defenseless
when seized by Marlon and Ronald. However, the prosecution failed to present any witness
or conclusive evidence that Modesto was defenseless immediately before and when he
was attacked and killed. It cannot be presumed that although he was defenseless when he
was seized the victim was in the same situation when he was attacked, shot and stabbed
by the malefactors. To take advantage of superior strength means to purposely use force
that is out of proportion to the means of defense available to the person attacked. 7 2 What
is primordial, this Court held in People v. Rogelio Francisco 7 3 is that the assailants
deliberately took advantage of their combined strength in order to consummate the crime.
It is necessary to show that the malefactors cooperated in such a way as to secure
advantage from their superiority in strength. 7 4 In this case, the prosecution failed to
adduce evidence that Marlon and Ronald deliberately took advantage of their numerical
superiority when Modesto was killed. The barefaced facts that the malefactors
outnumbered Modesto and were armed while Modesto was not does not constitute proof
that the three took advantage of their numerical superiority and their handguns when
Modesto was shot and stabbed. 7 5
In sum then, we believe that Marlon, Ronald and Leon are guilty only of Homicide
de ned in and penalized by Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code with reclusion temporal
in its full period.
Although the special aggravating circumstance of the use of unlicensed rearms
was proven during the trial, there is no allegation in the Information that Marlon, Ronald and
Leon had no license to possess the rearm. Lack of license to possess a rearm is an
essential element of the crime of violation of PD 1866 as amended by Republic Act No.
8294, or as a special aggravating circumstance in the felony of homicide or murder. 7 6
Neither can dwelling, although proven, aggravate the crime because said circumstance
was not alleged in the Information as required by Rule 110, Section 8, of the Revised Rules
of Court. 7 7 Although this rule took effect on December 1, 2000, after the commission of
the offense in this case, nonetheless it had been given retroactive effect considering that
the rule is favorable to the accused. 7 8
There being no modifying circumstances in the commission of homicide, Marlon,
Ronald and Leon should be meted an indeterminate penalty, the minimum of which shall be
taken from the entirety of prision mayor, ranging from 6 years and one day to 12 years and
the maximum period of which shall be taken from the medium period of reclusion
temporal, ranging from 14 years, 8 months and one day to 17 years and 4 months.
Consequently, the award for damages in favor of the heirs of the victim should be
modi ed. The sum of P75,000.00 awarded as moral damages should be reduced to
P50,000.00 in accordance with prevailing jurisprudence. 7 9 The amount of P25,000.00 as
exemplary damages is in order. 8 0 In addition, civil indemnity in the amount of P50,000.00
should be awarded without need of proof, likewise in consonance with prevailing
jurisprudence. 8 1
IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FOREGOING, the decision of the trial court is AFFIRMED with
MODIFICATION. Accused-appellants Marlon Delim, Ronald Delim and Leon Delim are
hereby found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the felony of Homicide de ned in and
penalized by Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code. There being no modifying
circumstances in the commission of the crime, each of accused-appellants is hereby
meted an indeterminate penalty of from ten (10) years and one (1) day of prision mayor in
its maximum period as minimum to fourteen (14) years, eight (8) months and one (1) day
of reclusion temporal in its medium period as maximum. Accused-appellants are hereby
ordered to pay, jointly and severally, to the heirs of the victim the amount of P50,000.00 by
way of civil indemnity, the amount of P50,000.00 by way of moral damages and the
amount of P25,000.00 by way of exemplary damages.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Puno, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Carpio, Austria-
Martinez, Corona, Carpio-Morales and Azcuna, JJ., concur.
Vitug, J., see separate opinion.
Ynares-Santiago, and Gutierrez, JJ., join the dissenting opinion of J. Vitug.
Separate Opinions
VITUG, J.:
Circumstantial evidence has been de ned as that which relates to a series of facts
other than the fact in issue which, by experience, are found to be so associated with such
fact that, in relation of cause and effect, they lead to a veritable conclusion. There should,
for circumstantial evidence to warrant a criminal conviction, be a) more than one
circumstance; b) proof of the facts from which the inference is derived; and c) a clear
showing that the combination of all the circumstances can aptly support a conviction
beyond reasonable doubt. 1 The use of circumstantial evidence in criminal cases,
prompted by sheer necessity, has long been an accepted, practice but with one important
caveat — it must be used with utmost care and, when its exacting standards are not met, it
is correctly ignored.
On 04 May 1999, the following Information was led against Marlon, Leon, Manuel,
Robert and Ronald, all surnamed Delim; viz:
"That on or about January 23, 1999 in the evening at Brgy. Bila, Sison,
Pangasinan, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused armed with short rearms barged in and entered the house of Modesto
Delim and once inside with intent to kill, treachery, evident premeditation,
conspiring with one another, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully and
feloniously grab, hold, hog-tie, gag with a piece of cloth, brought out and abduct
Modesto Delim, (while) accused Leon and Manuel Delim stayed in the house
(and) guarded and prevented the wife and son of Modesto Delim from helping the
latter, thereafter with abuse of superior strength stabbed and killed said Modesto
Delim, to the damage and prejudice of his heirs.
"Contrary to Article 248, Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act
No. 7659." 2
The evidence would show that Modesto Delim was forcibly abducted from his
residence by appellants, all armed, on the night of 23 January 1999. But to say that the
same group was also responsible for his death, days later, or that his violent end was the
consequence of the abduction, and nothing more, would be to unduly put to risk our
standard of moral certainty required for all convictions.
It was approximately six-thirty on the evening of 23 January 1999. Three armed men
suddenly barged into the house of Modesto Delim in Brgy. Bila, Sison, Pangasinan.
Modesto, who was then about to take his supper with his wife Rita Manalo Bantas, his
teen-age son Randy Manalo Bantas, and his two grandchildren, was suddenly seized by the
intruders. Randy identi ed the malefactors to be their neighbors — Marlon, Robert, and
Ronald, all surnamed Delim. Without any word, the trio went straight for Modesto. Randy
saw Marlon poke a gun at his father while Ronald and Robert held back his arms and
brought him outside the house. Two more armed cohorts, namely, Manuel and Leon, both
also surnamed Delim, stood guard by the door. No words were uttered to interrupt the
heavy silence except when one of the two men told the stunned family members to stay
where they were. All through the night, both Manuel and Leon Delim kept watch outside the
door and only left at around seven o'clock in the morning of the next day.
Soon after Manuel Delim and Leon Delim had left, Randy immediately sought the
help of his Uncle Darwin Niño who forthwith told him to bring the matter to the authorities.
But it was only two days later that, in the company of his Uncle Melchor, Randy nally
reported the incident to the police. In the meantime, the distressed son scoured the vicinity
of Paldit, Pangasinan, to look for his father. He was nowhere to be found. Days passed.
Then, one day, he stumbled upon the decomposing body of his father at a thick grassy
portion of a housing project in Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan, some 200 meters from their
house. Dr. Ma. Fe Lagmay de Guzman, who conducted the autopsy, found the corpse
riddled with ve fatal gunshot wounds, seven stab wounds and several "defensive"
wounds.
The victim's surviving spouse Rita Manalo Bantas and son Randy Manalo Bantas
could not understand why anyone would want Modesto killed. The family was completely
unaware of any possible motive for the nabbing and killing of Modesto Delim or of any bad
blood between Modesto and the five indictees.
On 14 January 2000, the Regional Trial Court of Urdaneta City, Branch 46, rejecting
the defense of alibi, convicted Ronald, Marlon, and Leon for murder; it held: EHITaS
"WHEREFORE, judgment of conviction beyond reasonable doubt is hereby

rendered against Ronald Delim, Marlon Delim and Leon Delim (for) the
commission of Aggravated Murder, an offense de ned and penalized under
Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. 7659 and the Court
sentences Marlon Delim, Ronald Delim and Leon Delim to suffer the penalty of
death, to be implemented in the manner as provided for by law; the Court likewise
ordered the accused, jointly and solidarily, to indemnify the heirs of Modesto
Delim the sum of P75,000.00 as moral damages, plus the amount of P25,000.00
as exemplary damages." 3
In assailing the nding of guilt beyond reasonable doubt by the court a quo,
appellants stress on what they claim to be inconsistencies in the testimony of Randy
Manalo Bantas and that of Rita Manalo Bantas. I agree with my colleagues that the trial
court has not erred in regarding the so-called inconsistencies as being minor and trivial
that hardly can affect the credibility of the witnesses. The narration given by Randy Manalo
Bantas and Rita Manalo Bantas at the witness stand, identifying each of the appellants and
detailing their individual participation in the incident, could not have been more
spontaneous and straightforward; thus —
Testimony of Randy Manalo Bantas
"Q. While taking your supper that time, do you recall if there was anything
unusual that happened at that time?
"A. When we were about to start to eat, three armed men entered our house.
"Q. Do you know these three armed men who entered your house?
"A. Yes, sir.
"Q. Who were they, name them one by one.
"A. Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim.

"Q. Are these three persons inside the courtroom now?
"A. Two of them, sir.
"Q. Who are these two who are inside the courtroom?
"A. Marlon and Ronald, sir.

xxx xxx xxx
"Q. You said that these two armed persons entered your house; what kind of
arms were they carrying at that time?
"A. Short handguns, sir.
"Q. When these three armed persons whom you have mentioned, armed with
short firearms, what did they do when they entered your house?
"A. They took my father, sir.
"Q. Who took your father?
"A. Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim, sir.
"Q. When these three persons took your father, what did you do then?
"A. None, sir.
"COURT:
How did they get your father?

"A. They poked a gun and brought him outside the house, sir.
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
Who poked a gun?

"A. Marlon Delim, sir.
"xxx xxx xxx
"Q. After bringing your father out from your house, what transpired next?
"A. Manuel Delim and Leon Delim said, 'Stay in your house,' and guarded us.
"COURT:
You said your father was taken out, who?
"A. Marlon, Robert and Ronald, sir.

"FISCAL TOMBOC:
Where did these three persons bring your father?
"A. I do not know where they brought my father, sir.

"COURT:
Was your father taken inside your house or outside?
"A. Inside our house, sir.

"Q. You said that Marlon poked a gun at your father, is that correct?
"A. Yes, sir.
"Q. What did Ronald and Robert do while Marlon was poking his gun at your
father?
"A. Ronald and Robert were the ones who pulled my father out, sir.
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
When your father was pulled out from your house by these three persons,
what did you and your mother do while these three persons were taking
your father out of your house?
"A. We did not do anything because Manuel and Leon Delim guarded us.
"xxx xxx xxx
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
What was their appearance that time when these two persons were guarding
you, these Leon and Manuel?
"A. They were armed, sir.
"Q. What do you mean by armed?
"A. They have [a] gun, sir.
"Q. What kind of firearm?

"A. Short firearm, sir.
"xxx xxx xxx
"FISCAL TOMBOC:
You said that you were guarded by Leon and Manuel, how long did these two
persons guard you in your house?
"A. Up to the morning, sir.
"Q. You know what time?

"A. Yes, sir, [seven o'clock].
"xxx xxx xxx
"Q. When [seven o'clock] arrived, you said that they guarded you up to [seven
o'clock], what did these two, Leon and Manuel, do then?
"A. They left, sir.

"Q. Do you know where they went?
"A. No, sir." 4
Testimony of Rita Manalo Bantas

"PROSECUTOR TOMBOC
You said during the last hearing that on January 23, 1999 at around 6:30 in
the evening while preparing for your supper three (3) armed men entered
inside your house, who were these three (3) men who entered your house?
"A I know, Marlon, Bongbong and Robert, sir.

"xxx xxx xxx
"PROSECUTOR TOMBOC
You said that Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Bongbong entered your house,
are these three (3) persons who entered your house in Court now?
"A They are here except the other one, sir.
"Q Will you please step down and point to the persons who entered your
house?
"A Witness is pointing to Marlon Delim, Robert Delim is not in Court and
Bongbong is Ronald Delim.
"Q. After these three (3) armed men entered your house, what happened then?
"A My husband was brought out, sir.

"xxx xxx xxx
"PROSECUTOR TOMBOC
Who brought your husband out of your house on January 23, 1999 at 6:30 in
the evening?
"A Marion Delim, Bongbong and Robert Delim, sir.
"Q Then after Marlon Delim, Bongbong and Robert Delim brought your
husband out what transpired next?
"A The two (2) stayed at the door of our house to guard us, sir.
"Q Who were these two (2) persons who guarded you?
"A Leon and Manuel, sir.
"xxx xxx xxx

"COURT
You said the two (2) Leon and Manuel stayed at the door guarding you, is
that correct?`
"A Yes, sir.

"Q What made you say that you are guarded by them?
"A Because they have guns with them, sir.
"PROSECUTOR TOMBOC
Do you know what kind of firearm were they holding?

"A I don't know, sir.
"Q. But you can describe whether long or short firearm?
"A Short firearms, sir.

"Q. What did you do then when these two (2) armed persons guarded you in
your house?
"A We did not do anything because we were afraid, sir.
"COURT

These Leon and Manuel Delim are they known to you prior to that day,
January 23, 1999?
"A Yes, sir, I know them.
"Q Why do you know Manuel and Leon prior to January 23, 1999?
"A They are my neighbors, sir.

"Q How about Marlon, Robert and Bongbong do you know them before
January 23, 1999?
"A I know them, sir.
"Q Why do you know them?

"A They used to go to our house, sir.
"xxx xxx xxx
"Q You said that Leon and Manuel Delim guarded the door of your house,
how long did they stay there?
"A The whole night up to [seven] o'clock the following morning when they left
the house, sir.
"Q You said they left, do you know where they proceeded?
"A I don't know where they [went], sir.
"Q How about you, what did you do then when the two persons left your
house?
"A I stayed at home because I [was] afraid, sir.

"COURT
When the 3 persons brought your husband out did Modesto Delim go with
them voluntarily?
"A No, sir.

"Q Why do you say [that] he did not go voluntarily?
"A Because they held his hand and brought him outside, sir.
"PROSECUTOR TOMBOC
You said they held the hand of your husband, will you please demonstrate
how he was brought outside?
"A They held the 2 hands placed at the back and they brought outside my
husband, sir.
"Q Who among the 3 men held the hands of your husband?
"A Marlon, Bongbong and Robert, Sir.

"COURT
Did your husband resist when they held the hand?
"A He did not resist, Sir." 5
Between the positive identi cation made by the eyewitnesses and the bare denial of
appellants, there is scarcely any serious doubt but that decisive weight must be given to
the positive testimony of Randy Manalo Bantas and Rita Manalo Bantas. 6 The defense of
alibi, being one that can easily be fabricated, is inherently weak and cannot be expected to
withstand the positive identification made by credible witnesses.
Randy Manalo Bantas, who was in the house when the ve intruders entered their
abode and took his father away, could not have been mistaken in identifying the
malefactors who not only were neighbors but also had family ties with them as well.
According to Randy and Rita Manalo Bantas, it was appellant Leon Delim, together with
Manuel Delim (at large), who stood guard at their house after the others, appellant Marlon
Delim, Robert Delim (at large) and appellant Ronald Delim, took Modesto away on the early
evening of 23 January 1999. Leon and Manuel stayed well into the night and left only at
seven o'clock in the morning of the next day. The certi cate of residency issued by the
barangay captain of Salet, Laoag City, only con rmed that Leon Delim was a co-resident of
the barangay but it did not establish with any degree of certainty that Leon Delim had not
left Laoag City on the day of the incident. Appellant Ronald Delim, in his case, said that he
was home at Asan Norte with his family when the abduction and the brutal slaying of
Modesto Delim occurred. Ronald himself con rmed, however, that Asan Norte was a mere
ten-minute bicycle ride from the victim's house at Paldit, Pangasinan. Alibi, to be believed,
must invariably place the accused at such location as to render it physically impossible for
him to be at the place of the crime and, let alone, to commit the same. The claim, upon the
other hand, of appellant Marlon Delim that he was at Dumaguete City during the fateful day
of 23 to 24 January 1999 remained to be just a bare assertion; it was not corroborated
even by his sister in Dumaguete whom, he said, he worked for. ASCTac
The evidence would indeed point out that Marlon, Ronald and Robert seized
Modesto Delim from his house while Leon and Manuel stood guard and stayed at the door
of the victim's house. Randy Manalo Bantas and Rita Manalo Bantas, however, could only
testify on the participation of each of the malefactors in the abduction of Modesto Delim
but not on what might have happened to him thereafter. In arriving at its verdict convicting
appellants for "aggravated murder," the trial court considered the act of the accused of
forcibly taking Modesto Delim from his house as being likewise enough to substantiate
the killing by them of the victim. The conclusion could rightly be assailed. The accounts of
Randy and his mother Rita would indicate that the forcible taking of Modesto was carried
out in absolute silence, with not one of the ve intruders uttering any word which could
give a clue on the reason for the abduction and, more particularly, whether the same was
carried out for the purpose of killing Modesto. The two witnesses were unaware of any
existing grudge between the malefactors and the victim that could have prompted them to
violently snuff out the life of the latter. While the motive of an accused in a criminal case
might generally be immaterial, not being an element of the crime, motive could be
important and consequential when the evidence on the commission of the crime would be
short of moral certainty. 7
In sustaining the conclusion of the trial court that the ve accused also snuffed out
the life of Modesto Delim, the ponencia relied on circumstantial evidence testi ed to by
Randy Bantas. He recounted that, on the early evening of 23 January 1999, Marlon and
Ronald barged into the house of Modesto, each armed with a handgun. Marlon poked his
gun on Modesto while Ronald hog-tied Modesto. They then seized Modesto and herded
him out of the house. Leon, armed with a handgun, acted as a lookout by standing guard by
the door of the house of Modesto until seven o'clock in the morning of the next day. Rita
and Randy were ordered by Leon not to leave the house as Ronald and Marlon left the
house with Modesto in tow. On the afternoon of 27 January 1999, the cadaver of Modesto
was found under the thick bushes in a grassy area in the housing project located about
200 meters away from the house of Modesto, exuding bad odor and in a state of
decomposition.
The above recitals all point to only one established fact, i.e., that the accused
forcibly took Modesto Delim from his residence to an unknown destination on the night of
23 January 1999, would be scanty to support a conclusion that the ve, aside from
abducting the victim, likewise killed him. There was an unexplained gap in what ought to
have been a continuous chain of events. The body bore several defensive wounds, which
could give rise to the not too unlikely scenario that Modesto might have ultimately been
released by his abductors sometime before he was killed.
Recognizing that circumstantial evidence is as strong as the weakest link, this Court
is bound not to ignore all other possibilities. 8 It would seem to me that what has instead
been shown and established beyond reasonable doubt is the guilt of appellants for the
crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, the whereabouts of the victim — the
immediate consequence of the abduction — for "more than three days" from the time of his
abduction not having been accounted for. The allegation in the Information that the
accused "willfully, unlawfully and feloniously grab(bed), h(e)ld, hog-tie(d), gag(ged), with a
piece of cloth, brought out and abduct(ed) Modesto Delim (while) Leon Delim and Manuel
Delim stayed in the house (and) guarded and prevented the wife and son of Modesto Delim
from helping the latter," constitutes the act of deprivation of liberty and the gravamen in
the crime of kidnapping. Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic
Act No. 7659, provides:
"Article 267. Kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Any private
individual who shall kidnap or detain another, or in any manner deprive him of his
liberty, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death:
"1. If the kidnapping or detention shall have lasted more than three
days.
"2. If it shall have been committed simulating public authority.

"3. If any serious physical injuries shall have been in icted upon the
person kidnapped or detained; or if threats to kill him shall have been made.
"4. If the person kidnapped or detained shall be a minor, except when
the accused is any of the parents, a female or a public officer.
"The penalty shall be death where the kidnapping or detention was
committed for the purpose of extorting ransom from the victim or any other
person, even if none of the circumstances abovementioned were present in the
commission of the offense.
"When the victim is killed or dies as a consequence of the detention or is
raped, or is subjected to torture or dehumanizing acts, the maximum penalty shall
be imposed."
The fact that the Information went further to charge the accused with the killing of
the victim should be of no moment, the real nature of the criminal charge being determined
not from the caption or the preamble of the Information nor from the speci cation of the
law alleged to have been violated — these being conclusions of law — but by the actual
recital of facts in the complaint or information. 9
In meting upon appellants the supreme penalty of death, the trial court has
appreciated ve aggravating circumstances of treachery, abuse of superior strength,
nighttime, dwelling, and use of unlicensed rearms. The Information speci es treachery,
abuse of superior strength and evident premeditation as being the aggravating
circumstances in the commission of the crime. Treachery and superior strength, however,
only pertain to crimes against persons. The crime of kidnapping, falling as it does within
the classi cation of crimes against liberty, is aggravated neither by treachery nor superior
strength. The aggravating circumstance of evident premeditation can be appreciated when
it is shown that the culprits have previously re ected on the crime, or that they have
prepared appropriate means to execute it, coolly taking into account its consequences.
The evidence is de cient in this respect. The aggravating circumstances of nighttime,
dwelling and use of unlicensed rearms, not having been alleged in the Information, cannot
be considered. The Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, rendered effective on 01
December 2000, 1 0 requires aggravating circumstances, whether ordinary or qualifying, to
be specified in the complaint or information.
The crime of kidnapping is punishable by reclusion perpetua to death. There being
neither aggravating nor mitigating circumstance that can be appreciated, the punishment
that should be imposed is the lesser penalty of reclusion perpetua than the penalty of
death. 1 1
Now, on the civil aspect of the case. The law places abundant protective shields in
order to ensure that no man shall be made to account for a crime he might not have
committed or be adjudged guilty and meted a punishment without him having rst been
afforded a full opportunity to defend his cause. Thus, a conviction is pronounced only upon
proof beyond reasonable doubt, preceded by an arraignment where he pleads on the basis
of a complaint or information that speci es the gravamen of the offense and the
circumstances that are said to aggravate it and then the trial where evidence is adduced by
the parties. For purposes of the civil liability, as well as its extent, civil law principles,
however, are applied, and damages might be accorded to the aggrieved party upon a mere
preponderance of evidence. There is, I believe, enough justi cation, albeit inadequate for
purposes of a criminal conviction, to hold appellants responsible and civilly liable for the
death of Modesto Delim whose body was found riddled with bullets a few days after being
forcibly abducted by appellants.
Consonantly, appellants should be held liable, jointly and severally, for civil indemnity
of P50,000.00 for the death of the victim, moral damages in an equal amount for the
mental anguish suffered by his heirs and P25,000.00 exemplary damages because of the
attendance of aggravating circumstances that were established albeit not allowed to be
considered in meting out the sentence for the crime. Thus, in People vs. Catubig , 1 2 the
Court has said:
"The term 'aggravating circumstances' used by the Civil Code, the law not
having speci ed otherwise, is to be understood in its broad or generic sense. The
commission of an offense has a two-pronged effect, one on the public as it
breaches the social order and the other upon the private victim as it causes
personal sufferings, each of which is addressed by, respectively, the prescription
of heavier punishment for the accused and by an award of additional damages to
the victim. The increase of the penalty or a shift to a graver felony underscores
the exacerbation of the offense by the attendance of aggravating circumstances,
whether ordinary or qualifying, in its commission. Unlike the criminal liability
which is basically a State concern, the award of damages, however, is likewise, if
not primarily, intended for the offended party who suffers thereby. It would make
little sense for an award of exemplary damages to be due the private offended
party when the aggravating circumstance is ordinary but to be withheld when it is
qualifying. Withal, the ordinary or qualifying nature of an aggravating
circumstance is a distinction that should only be of consequence to the criminal,
rather than to the civil, liability of the offender. In fine, relative to the civil aspect of
the case, an aggravating circumstance, whether ordinary or qualifying, should
entitle the offended party to an award of exemplary damages within the unbridled
meaning of Article 2230 of the Civil Code.
"Relevantly, the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure, made effective on 01
December 2000, requires aggravating circumstances, whether ordinary or
qualifying, to be stated in the complaint or information.
"xxx xxx xxx
"A court would thus be precluded from considering in its judgment the
attendance of 'qualifying or aggravating circumstances' if the complaint or
information is bereft of any allegation on the presence of such circumstances.
"The retroactive application of procedural rules, nevertheless, cannot
adversely affect the rights of the private offended party that have become vested
prior to the effectivity of said rules. Thus, in the case at bar, although relationship
has not been alleged in the information, the offense having been committed,
however, prior to the effectivity of the new rules, the civil liability already incurred
by appellant remains unaffected thereby."
WHEREFORE, I vote for the modi cation of the decision of the Regional Trial Court,
Branch 46, of Urdaneta City by instead holding appellants Ronald Delim, Marlon Delim and
Leon Delim guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal
Detention, de ned and penalized by Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, and imposing
on each of them the penalty of reclusion perpetua, as well as by ordering said appellants to
pay, jointly and severally, the heirs of Modesto Delim the amounts of P50,000.00 civil
indemnity, P50,000.00 moral damages and P25,000.00 exemplary damages, with costs de
officio. ECaAHS
Footnotes
1. Penned by Judge Modesto C. Juanson.
2. Records, p. 1.
3. Prosecution presented four witnesses, namely, Rita Bantas, Randy Bantas, Dra. Maria Fe
de Guzman and SPO2 Jovencio Fajarito.
4. Records, Exhibit "C."
5. Records, Exhibits "C" and "C-1".
6. Records, Exhibits "D" and "B".

7. Records, Exhibit "A."
8. Records, Exhibit "E."
9. Records, p. 34.
10. Accused-appellants testified and presented, as witnesses, Sally Asuncion, Hermelita
Estabillo, Estelita Delim and Flor Delim.
11. Records, Exhibit "2".
12. RTC Decision, pp. 9-10; Records, pp. 166-167.

13. Rollo, p. 51.
14. 219 SCRA 85 (1993).
15. People v. Puno, et al., supra.

16. In People v. Ancheta, et al., 1 Phil. 165 (1902), it was held that where the victim was
kidnapped by the malefactors and brought to a place where he was killed by another
malefactor, the crime was murder because the primary intention of the malefactors was
to kill him. In People v. Cajayon, et al., 2 Phil. 570, the victim was taken from his house
and brought to another province where he was killed, the Court ruled that the malefactors
were guilty of murder. In People v. Quinto, 82 Phil. 467, the victim was taken by the
malefactors from his house in Floridablanca, Pampanga and brought to Gumain River
where he was killed, this Court held that the crime was murder. In People v. Juan
Bulatao, 82 Phil. 743, the victim was taken from his house and was found dead the
following morning, this Court held that the malefactors were guilty of murder. In People
v. Francisco Moreno, 85 Phil. 731, the victim was taken from his house in Aguilar,
Pangasinan and brought to Mangatarem, Pangasinan where he was killed, we ruled that
the offenders were guilty of murder, not kidnapping.
17. People v. Garland, 627 NE 2d 377.
18. State v. Mundy, 650 NE 2d 502.
19. 21 Am Jur 2d, Criminal Law, pp. 214-215.
20. Cupps v. State, 97 Northwestern Reports, 210.
21. Wharton, Criminal Law, Vol. 1, p. 215.
22. People v. Manliguez, et al., 206 SCRA 812 (1992).
23. Records, p. 1.
24. People v. Dramayo, et al., 42 SCRA 59 (1971).

25. Gay v. State, 60 Southwestern Reporter, 771 (1901).
26. Ibid., note 22.
27. Wharton, Criminal Law, Vol. 1, pp. 473-474, citing Lovelady v. State, 14 Tex. App. 545).
28. People v. William Fulinara, et al., 247 SCRA 28 (1995).

29. Records, Exhibit "A".
30. Warren v. State, 41 Southern Reporter 2d 201 (1949); State v. Roger, 182 Southwestern
Reporter 2d 525 (1949).
31. 97 Northwestern Reporter, 210 (1903).

32. Francisco, The Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, Part II, Vol. VII, 1991 ed.
33. Supra.
34. People v. Elizaga, et al., 23 SCRA 449 (1968).
35. People v. Casingal, et al., 243 SCRA 37 (1995).
36. TSN, Bantas, pp. 4-6, August 18, 1999.
37. TSN, Delim, pp. 2-3, September 21, 1999.
38. Ibid., pp. 7-8, August 18, 1999.

39. TSN, Bantas, pp. 12-13, August 18, 1999.
40. TSN, De Guzman, pp. 5-6, August 16, 1999.
41. Wharton & Stille, Medical Jurisprudence, Vol. III, p. 39.

42. Casper, Forensic Medicine, cited by Modi, Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 12
ed., 157, p. 134.
43. TSN, Fajarito, pp. 5-6, August 17, 1999.
44. TSN, Delim, p. 5, September 21, 1999.
45. People v. Erardo, 277 SCRA 643 (1997).

46. People v. Valdez, 304 SCRA 611 (1999).
47. Cupps v. State, supra.
48. Article 8, Revised Penal Code.
49. People v. Abordo, et al., 321 SCRA 23 (1999).
50. People v. Naredo, et al., 276 SCRA 489 (1997).
51. People v. Sequiño, et al., 264 SCRA 79 (1996).
52. State v. Carbonne, et al., 91 Atlantic Reporter, A.2d 571.
53. Territory v. Goto, 27 Hawaii 65 (1923).
54. The detention of Rita and Randy in their house was only incidental to the
consummation of the killing of Modesto. Hence Marlon, Ronald and Leon are not liable
for serious illegal detention (United States v. Sol, et al., 9 Phil. 265 (1907).
55. People v. Diaz, et al., 167 SCRA 239 (1988).

56. People v. Santos, 84 Phil. 97 (1949); People v. Escober, 157 SCRA 541 (1988); People v.
Nacional, 248 SCRA 122 (1995).
57. Wharton, Criminal Law, Vol. 1, p. 341.
58. Supra, p. 15; Rollo, p. 65.
59. People v. Estepano, et al., 307 SCRA 701 (1999).
60. People v. Biñas, 320 SCRA 22 (1999).
61. People v. Lucena, 356 SCRA 90, 102 (2001).

62. People v. Dando, 325 SCRA 406, 424 (2000).
63. Francisco, Revised Rules of Court, Part II, Vol. VII, 1991 ed.
64. Supra.
65. People v. De Guzman, 288 SCRA 346 (1998).
66. Naval v. Panday, et al., 275 SCRA 654 (1997).
67. People v. Cañete, et al., 287 SCRA 490 (1998).
68. People v. Garcia, 258 SCRA 422 (1996).
69. United States v. Perdon, 4 Phil. 143 (1905) cited in People v. Torejas, 43 SCRA 158
(1972).
70. People v. Silvestre, 307 SCRA 68 (1999).

71. People v. Durante, 53 Phil. 363 (1929); People v. Amanse, 80 Phil. 424 (1948); People v.
Villaruel, 87 Phil. 826 (1950); People v. Silvestre, supra.
72. Albert's Commentaries on the Revised Penal Code, 1981 ed., Vol. 1, p. 396.
73. 234 SCRA 333 (1994).
74. People v. Elizaga, 86 Phil. 365 (1950).

75. People v. Ibañez, Jr., 56 SCRA 210 (1974).
76. People v. Ave, G.R. No. 137274-75, October 18, 2002.
77. SEC. 8. Designation of the offense. — The complaint or information shall state the
designation of the offense given by the statute, aver the acts or omissions constituting
the offense, and specify its qualifying and aggravating circumstances. If there is no
designation of the offense, reference shall be made to the section or subsection of the
statute punishing it.
78. People v. Salvador, G.R. No. 132481, August 14, 2002, p. 15.
79. People v. Agunias, et al., 279 SCRA 52 (1997).
80. People v. Catubig, 363 SCRA 621 (2001).
81. People v. Mejares, supra, p. 13.
VITUG, J.:
1. Section 4, Rule 133, Rules of Court.

2. Rollo, p. 7.
3. Rollo, p. 9.
4. TSN, Randy Manalo Bantas, 18 August 1999, pp. 4-9.
5. TSN, Rita Delim, 21 September 1999, pp. 2-7.

6. People vs. Lacap, G.R. No. 139114, 23 October 2001.

7. People vs. SPO1 W. Leano, et al., G.R. No. 138886, 09 October 2001.
8. People vs. Tolentino, 166 SCRA 469.
9. People vs. Resayaga, 159 SCRA 426; Oca vs. Jimenez, 5 SCRA 425; U.S. vs. Lin San, 17
Phil 273.
10. People vs. Bragat, G.R. No. 134490, 04 September 2001. Section 8, Rule 110 of the
Rules of Court now provides:
"Sec. 8. Designation of the offense. — The complaint or information shall

state the designation of the offense given by the statute, aver the acts or omissions
constituting the offense, and specify its qualifying and aggravating circumstances. If
there is no designation of the offense, reference shall be made to the section or
subsection of the statute punishing it."
11. Article 63 of the Revised Penal Code provides —

"Art. 63. Rules for the application of indivisible penalties. — In all cases in
which the law prescribes a single indivisible penalty, it shall be applied by the courts
regardless of any mitigating or aggravating circumstances that may have attended the
commission of the deed.
"In all cases in which the law prescribes a penalty composed of two indivisible
penalties, the following rules shall be observed in the application thereof:
xxx xxx xxx
"2) when there are neither mitigating nor aggravating circumstances in the
commission of the deed, the lesser penalty shall be applied."
12. 23 August 2001.

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EN BANC

[G.R. No. 142773. January 28, 2003.]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES , plaintiff-appellee, vs . MARLON DELIM,

The Solicitor General for plaintiff-appellee.

1. REMEDIAL LAW; CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES;

4. ID.; ID.; SPECIFIC INTENT; MAY BE PROVED BY DIRECT EVIDENCE OR BY

14. ID.; ID.; TREACHERY; ELEMENTS. — For treachery to be appreciated as a

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- Body - both upper extremities are flexed

- 20 x 20 ml. GSW, mandibular areas, right

- 2 x 1 cms. lacerated wound, right cheek

- 1 x 1 cm. stabbed wound medial aspect D/3rd, left arm

SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL FINDINGS :

- no significant internal findings

The trial court appreciated treachery as a qualifying circumstance and of taking

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Speci c intent may be proved by direct evidence or by circumstantial evidence. It

The prosecution is burdened to prove the essential events which constitute a

What were you doing then at that time in your house?

A Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim.

Q Are these three persons inside the courtroom now?

Q Who are these two who are inside the courtroom?

Q Will you please stand up and point to them?

A Short handgun, sir.

A They took my father, sir.

A Marlon Delim, Robert Delim and Ronald Delim, sir.

A Marlon Delim, sir.

A (Witness is pointing to Malon (sic) Delim, one of the accused).

A Marlon, Robert and Ronald, sir.

A I do not know where they brought my father, sir. CIAHDT

Was your father taken inside your house or outside?

A Inside our house, sir.

A They are here except the other one, sir.

A Witness is pointing to Marlon Delim, Robert Delim is not in Court and

A My husband was brought out, sir.

Q What is the name of your husband?

Where, in your house?

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A They were at the door, sir.

Why do you know that they were guarding you?

A Because they were at the door, sir.

Q What do you mean by armed?

A They have gun, sir.

A Short firearm, sir.

A Leon is here, sir.

Q Will you please stand up and point at Leon, Mr. Witness?

A At the housing project at Paldit, Sison, Pangasinan, sir.

Q What is the name of your Aunt?

A Nida Pucal, sir.

A Pepito Pucal, Bernard Osias and Daniel Delim, sir.

A He was dead, sir.

A He has bad odor, sir, in the state of decompsition (sic)." 3 9

Q And what was your findings Doctora?

Q What else Doctora?

Q So there were two (2) gunshot wounds (GSW) Doctora?

A Five (5) sir.

Q How many stabbed wound are there Doctora?

Q Those stabbed wounds were defensive wounds, Doctora?

"Chronological Sequence of Putrefactive Changes Occurring in Tropical