Case Digest (G.R. No. 248929)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Paulino Delos Santos, Jr., G.R. No. 248929, November 09, 2020, Supreme Court Second Division, Lazaro‑Javier, J., writing for the Court.The accused‑appellant is Paulino Delos Santos, Jr. (alias "Skylab"); the plaintiff‑appellee is the People of the Philippines. Appellant was charged by Information with parricide for allegedly stabbing his father, Paulino Delos Santos, Sr., on the night of May 8, 2011 at Purok 2, Brgy. Macolabo Island, Municipality of Paracale, Camarines Norte. The case was docketed as Criminal Case No. 14834 before Branch 39, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Daet, Camarines Norte. Appellant pleaded not guilty and trial followed.
At trial the prosecution presented three witnesses: Michael L. San Gabriel (Michael), Dr. Virginia B. Mazo (Municipal Health Officer), and PO3 Gil V. Obog (police). Michael testified he saw appellant arrive intoxicated and armed with a knife, engage in a heated argument with his brother Marcos, resist his father's attempt to intervene, push his father, and then suddenly stab the father in the upper left chest; the victim died shortly thereafter. Dr. Mazo issued the death certificate attributing death to the stab wound. PO3 Obog testified about police investigation and that appellant was not found immediately at his residence. Appellant testified as sole defense witness, denied killing his father, and claimed an alibi that he was roused by noises and was told to leave when he tried to enter the house where the body was found.
By Decision dated September 5, 2016, the RTC found appellant guilty of parricide and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua (stating "without eligibility of parole") and ordered payment of civil indemnity (Php75,000), moral damages (Php50,000), and exemplary damages (Php30,000) to the heirs. Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA‑G.R. CR‑HC No. 08894. The CA, in a decision dated June 28, 2018, affirmed the conviction but modified the RTC decision to award six percent (6%) interest per annum on the monetary awards from finality until full...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the Court of Appeals err in affirming appellant's conviction for parricide? ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)