G.R. No. 187847 - Alcala Vda. de Alcaneses vs. Alcaneses

Accused-appellant Armando Archivido y Abengoza (Armando) was charged with murder and frustrated murder in two separate Informations for incidents occurring on July 31, 2009, at Barangay San Pascual, Basud, Camarines Norte.
Criminal Case No. 13933 charged him with murder of Lilia Archivido y Decerez (Lilia), inflicted with multiple fatal hacking wounds with qualifying circumstances of evident premeditation, treachery, and superior strength.
Criminal Case No. 13937 charged him with frustrated murder of Ruben Archivido y Avengoza (Ruben), who suffered severe hacking injuries but survived due to timely medical treatment.

Armando and Ruben are brothers with a long-standing land dispute involving their inheritance of an 8-hectare parcel subdivided in 1979. Armando demanded a bigger share in 1989 which Ruben and their mother Lydia refused.
The familial dispute escalated over the years, and Armando allegedly threatened to kill Ruben and Lilia on July 2, 2009, documented in the barangay blotter.
On July 31, 2009, around 10:00 a.m., while Ruben and Lilia were returning from their land, Armando intentionally bumped Lilia leading to an argument eventually settled. After they turned their backs, Armando suddenly hacked Lilia from behind.
Ruben rushed to aid Lilia but was then hacked multiple times by Armando. Armando left to wash his bolo before surrendering voluntarily at the barangay hall and later at the police station.

Lilia died from hemorrhagic shock due to her wounds, confirmed by Dr. Jose Magana after post-mortem examination.
Ruben sustained six hacking wounds causing severe bleeding but survived after 16 days of hospital confinement under Dr. Edmundo Dizon’s care.
Medical report on Armando indicated superficial wounds treated by Dr. Antonio Dee, inconsistent with his claim of self-defense.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 39, Daet, Camarines Norte, convicted Armando on October 10, 2012, for murder and frustrated murder, sentenced to reclusion perpetua and prision mayor, respectively, and ordered to pay damages.
The Court of Appeals (CA), in a December 16, 2016 Decision, affirmed the conviction but modified penalties and damages, ruling treachery present but evident premeditation not proven, and recognized voluntary surrender as mitigating circumstance.
Armando filed appeals at both levels, maintaining self-defense and requesting downgrading of charges to homicide and frustrated homicide.

Whether or not accused-appellant Armando is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of:

Murder with qualifying circumstance of treachery and evident premeditation in the killing of Lilia Archivido; and
Frustrated murder (later downgraded to frustrated homicide) for the attack on Ruben Archivido.

Whether Armando’s plea of self-defense (complete or incomplete) is valid and should exonerate him.

Whether the qualifying circumstance of evident premeditation was sufficiently proven.

Whether Armando is entitled to the mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender.