Facts:

• Nazario Catuiza is the petitioner against the People of the Philippines and the Honorable Court of Appeals.
• The incident occurred on August 10, 1957, involving two Halili Transit buses, Nos. 187 and 606, on an educational trip to Nueva Ecija.
• The weather was rainy, and the roads were wet.
• While traveling between kilometers 99 and 100 of the National Highway, bus 606, driven by Catuiza, collided with a jeepney coming from the opposite direction.
• The collision resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and serious injuries to two others, all passengers in the jeepney.
• Catuiza was convicted of multiple homicide and serious physical injuries due to reckless negligence in the Court of First Instance of Nueva Ecija.
• He received an indeterminate sentence of six months to six years and was ordered to indemnify the victims' heirs.
• The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, prompting Catuiza to appeal the ruling.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Court ruled that the collision and its consequences are attributable to Nazario Catuiza due to his reckless negligence.
• The Court held that sums paid by insurance companies and financial aid should not be deducted from the awarded damages.
• Loss of earning capacity can be awarded to the heirs of the deceased, regardless of their dependency status.
• The Court found no merit in reducing the damages awarded, as the absence of ma...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court of Appeals determined that Catuiza's reckless negligence was the proximate cause of the accident, as he was speeding and swerved into the opposite lane.
• The defense's claim of the jeepney being overloaded and the driver at fault was dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting contributory negligence.
• Artic...continue reading