Case Digest (G.R. No. 228232) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On May 15, 1998, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Antonio V. Nueva EspaAa was operating a passenger bus owned by Vallacar Transit, Inc. as it traveled south on the national highway in Calag-Calag, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, en route to Dumaguete City. While negotiating a curve, the bus collided with a northbound Honda motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of its riders, Reynard So and Nilo Castro. An information for reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide was subsequently filed against Nueva EspaAa, who was also accused of failing to provide assistance to the victims. The prosecution presented eyewitnesses, including Julito Dayuday, who testified having observed the incident firsthand, claiming the bus swerved from its lane and struck the motorcycle. Dayuday mentioned that he saw Nueva EspaAa exit the bus post-collision without offering help to the injured So and Castro. Another eyewitness, Florencio Banico, corroborated this claim.
The defense countered with testimony from
Case Digest (G.R. No. 228232) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Incident Details:
- On May 15, 1998, at around 11:15 a.m., petitioner Antonio V. Nueva España was driving a passenger bus owned by Vallacar Transit, Inc. on the national highway of Calag-Calag, Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
- While negotiating a curve, the bus collided with a northbound Honda motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of Reynard So (the motorcycle driver) and Nilo Castro (the passenger).
- Prosecution's Case:
- Eyewitness Julito Dayuday testified that the bus swerved from its lane and struck the motorcycle, dragging it about 24 meters. He also stated that the petitioner failed to assist the victims and instead walked away from the scene.
- Florencio Banico, a passenger on the bus, corroborated Dayuday's testimony, adding that the victims were left unattended after the collision.
- The fathers of So and Castro testified about their sons' earnings and the expenses incurred for their wakes and funerals.
- Defense's Case:
- SPO2 Dolger Germundo and SPO3 Hilbert Arinaza testified that the bus was in its proper lane and that the motorcycle rammed into the bus.
- Roche Taburasa, the driver of a Suzuki motorcycle, claimed that So's motorcycle overshot its lane while attempting to overtake him, leading to the collision.
- Petitioner denied the charges, claiming that he assisted the victims and reported the incident to the police.
- Trial Court Decision:
- The trial court convicted petitioner of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide and imposed an indeterminate penalty of 6 months of arresto mayor to 6 years and 1 day of prision correcional. The court also awarded damages to the heirs of the victims.
- Court of Appeals Decision:
- The appellate court modified the penalty to 6 years of prision correcional as minimum to 8 years of prision mayor as maximum. It also adjusted the computation of lost earning capacity and affirmed the subsidiary liability of petitioner's employer.
Issues:
- Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming petitioner's conviction despite alleged inconsistencies between the prosecution's evidence and the physical evidence.
- Whether the award of damages totaling over P18 million was excessive and contrary to law and jurisprudence.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)