G.R. No. 206716 - Jordan vs. Grandeur Security and Services, Inc.

Salve Gonzales y Torno (appellant) was charged with parricide for killing her thirteen-year-old son Ronald Gonzales.
The incident occurred on or about September 16, 2009, in Quezon City, Philippines.
The Information alleged that appellant hit Ronald’s head with a broomstick causing serious and mortal injuries resulting in his death.

Appellant pleaded not guilty during arraignment.
Parties stipulated on appellant’s identity and her relationship as mother to the victim.
Prosecution witnesses included:

Rhey Gonzales – eldest sibling who witnessed appellant hitting Ronald first with a hanger until it broke, then with a broomstick handle on his head and body. He described Ronald’s weakening condition and eventual death.
Racel Gonzales – younger sister who corroborated the beating, observed Ronald’s vomiting and weakness, and visited him in hospital.
Glena Gonzales – appellant’s sister-in-law and neighbor who found Ronald unconscious and brought him for medical treatment; appellant refused to bring Ronald to hospital initially.
Dr. Filemon C. Porciuncula, Jr. – medico-legal officer who examined Ronald’s body and found swelling and brain hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma; ruled out death due to fall as very remote.

Admitted hitting Ronald once on his hands with a hanger but denied inflicting fatal injuries or beating him severely.
Claimed Ronald fell from the double-deck bed causing injury.
Said she hugged Ronald and expressed regret for hurting him.
Asserted she gave Ronald fluids and allowed others to bring him to the hospital.
Denied continuing the beating or inserting the broomstick handle into Ronald’s mouth.

Trial court found appellant guilty of parricide beyond reasonable doubt.
Relied heavily on positive eyewitness accounts of appellant’s children and medico-legal findings.
Imposed penalty of reclusion perpetua and awarded civil, moral, and exemplary damages to heirs.

Appellant appealed contending failure to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and argued for mitigating circumstance of lack of intent.
The Office of the Solicitor General countered, stressing the cruelty of appellant’s acts and the consistent testimonies of prosecution witnesses.
Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and ruling of the trial court.

Appellant filed a further appeal, adopting previous arguments from the Court of Appeals stages.

Whether appellant Salve Gonzales y Torno is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of parricide for the death of her son Ronald Gonzales.
Whether mitigating circumstance of lack of intention to commit so grave a wrong may be appreciated in favor of appellant.