Case Digest (G.R. No. 214426)
Facts:
Rolen Penaranda v. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 214426, December 02, 2021, the Supreme Court First Division, Caguioa, J., writing for the Court.In an Information dated March 9, 2006, Rolen Penaranda (petitioner) and four others were charged with frustrated murder for the June 5, 2005 attack on private complainant Reynaldo Gutierrez y Suacoco (Gutierrez) in Meycauayan, Bulacan. The Information alleged that the accused, armed with a samurai and lead pipe and acting with treachery, abuse of superior strength and evident premeditation, inflicted wounds that would have caused death but for timely medical assistance.
At arraignment petitioner pleaded not guilty. Trial ensued before Branch 21, Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malolos, Bulacan (Criminal Case No. 723‑M‑2006). The prosecution presented Gutierrez as its lone witness; petitioner testified for the defense. Gutierrez recounted being summoned and set upon by Ivan and others, being hacked with a samurai and struck with steel pipes and a stone, then left wounded. Petitioner denied being one of the assailants and offered an alibi/denial.
On May 14, 2012 the RTC convicted petitioner of attempted murder (finding intent to kill, treachery, and abuse of superior strength) and sentenced him to an indeterminate term (4 years 2 months — 10 years prision mayor) and ordered payment of damages. On appeal, the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA‑G.R. CR No. 35279 rendered a decision dated September 26, 2014 affirming with modification: it affirmed guilt for Attempted Murder but adjusted the term to 2 years 4 months prision correccional (minimum) to 8 years prision mayor (maximum) and modified the damages award.
Petitioner filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. The Supreme Court First Division (Caguioa, J.) entertained the petition and reviewed the record, including the RTC and CA findings, the witness testimony, medico‑legal certificate and...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- May the Supreme Court review and resolve factual questions in a Rule 45 petition in this case?
- Whether petitioner is guilty of attempted murder; if not, what offense (and attendant circumstances, penalty and damages) shou...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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