Case Digest (G.R. No. 27234) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On July 29, 2010, in Olongapo City, Rosario S. Snyder walked along Jolo Street when a motorcycle with two men stopped beside her. The backrider forcibly grabbed three necklaces valued at ₱43,800.00, ₱13,500.00, and ₱12,800.00, respectively, totaling ₱70,100.00, and sped away. Snyder chased them briefly, shouted for help, then reported the incident at the police station. There she identified Jomar Ablaza y Caparas as the driver after viewing photographs, noting that he wore no helmet and she had a clear view of their faces. A policeman accompanied Snyder to Ablaza’s home, where Ablaza denied involvement and claimed he was asleep; they then discovered his companion, Jay Lauzon y Farrales, hiding under the sink. At trial, Snyder testified as the sole prosecution witness; Ablaza claimed an alibi of sleep following a drinking spree. On December 3, 2013, the Regional Trial Court (Branch 75, Olongapo City) found both men guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Robbery with Violence Against o Case Digest (G.R. No. 27234) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Criminal Information and Pleas
- On July 29, 2010, in Olongapo City, Jomar Ablaza y Caparas (petitioner) and Jay Lauzon y Farrales were charged under Article 294(5) of the Revised Penal Code for conspiring to grab and carry away three necklaces belonging to Rosario S. Snyder, valued at ₱70,100.00.
- Both accused pleaded not guilty; Lauzon adopted the pre-trial proceedings of Ablaza.
- Prosecution and Defense Evidence
- Victim’s Testimony (Rosario S. Snyder)
- At about 8:30 a.m., while walking on Jolo Street, a two-man motorcycle stopped beside her. The backrider suddenly grabbed her three necklaces, they glanced back at her (unhelmeted), she shouted, and they fled.
- She identified Ablaza from photographs shown at the police station immediately after the incident, then helped apprehend Lauzon hiding at Ablaza’s house. The necklaces were not recovered.
- Petitioner’s Defense
- Ablaza claimed he and Lauzon were asleep after a drinking spree; was misidentified as “tisoy” with tattoos; did not know Snyder; was arrested two months later; admitted prior robbery/theft cases.
- Lower Court Decisions
- Regional Trial Court (December 3, 2013)
- Court of Appeals (March 20, 2015)
Issues:
- Was Ablaza proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Robbery with Violence Against or Intimidation of Persons under Article 294(5) RPC?
- Should the proper conviction be theft rather than robbery?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)