Facts:

• Graciano Palalon was the defendant-appellant; the People of the Philippine Islands were the plaintiff-appellee.
• The incident occurred on July 20, 1925, in Basac, Bais, Oriental Negros.
• Palalon was a foreman supervising children, including 10-year-old Roman Megio, who was gathering sugar cane.
• Roman was resting instead of working, prompting Palalon to reprimand him.
• Roman responded insolently, questioning Palalon's authority and making derogatory remarks.
• In anger, Palalon struck Roman on the mouth with the back of his hand.
• Witnesses for the prosecution claimed Roman fell backward onto a tramway rail, sustaining injuries and bleeding.
• Defense witnesses contended that Roman did not fall or bleed and that the incident occurred away from the tramway.
• Roman continued to work until the next afternoon but later fell ill with a fever and died two and a half days after the incident.
• The prosecution argued that Roman's death resulted from internal injuries caused by the blow, supported by Dr. Jose V. Valero's testimony.
• The defense argued that Roman's ability to work after the incident raised doubts about the prosecution's claims.
• The trial court convicted Palalon of homicide, sentencing him to twelve years of reclusion temporal and ordering indemnification for the heirs.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court reversed the lower court's judgment, acquitting Graciano Palalon of homicide.
• The Court found reasonable doubt regarding the cause of Roman Megio's death.
• Although Palalon could be convicted of lesiones, he had already s...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court's decision was based on the principle of reasonable doubt concerning the causation of Roman Megio's death.
• While it was acknowledged that Palalon struck Roman, the evidence did not convincingly link this act to the boy's death.
• The prosecution...continue reading