Case Digest (G.R. No. 134485)
Facts:
- Oscar Perez is the appellant; the People of the Philippines is the appellee.
- The incident occurred on April 28, 1995, in Maria Ramona Subdivision, Barangay Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan.
- Ildefonso Balite and his wife, Rowena, lived in a tenement next to the Santos family, which included Oscar Perez and his family.
- Both families shared an electrical supply; Ildefonso noticed an electrical spark from the overloaded socket connected to the Santos unit.
- Concerned for safety, Ildefonso asked Emerencia Santos to disconnect their power temporarily, but she refused.
- This refusal led to a confrontation between Ildefonso and Oscar, who was awakened by Emerencia.
- After a heated exchange, Ildefonso left, followed by Rowena, but Oscar pursued Ildefonso.
- Ildefonso was shot in the chest and head by Oscar as he turned to face him.
- Ildefonso was declared dead on arrival at the hospital; an autopsy confirmed two fatal gunshot wounds.
- Rowena and a witness, Maricel Santos, provided statements to the police.
- An Information for murder was filed against Oscar on June 28, 1995; he pleaded not guilty.
- The Regional Trial Court of Malolos, Bulacan, found Oscar guilty of murder on May 15, 1998, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and ordering civil indemnity to the victim's heirs.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding Oscar Perez guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder qualified by treachery.
- The court upheld the sentence of reclusion perpetua and the order to pay P50,000...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court determined that the prosecution established the elements of treachery, marked by a sudden and unexpected attack that left the victim defenseless.
- Ildefonso was unaware of the danger as Oscar called out to him before shooting.
- The attack was unprovoked, and Ildefonso was unarmed, unable to defe...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 134485)
Facts:
The case involves Oscar Perez as the appellant and the People of the Philippines as the appellee. The events leading to the case transpired on April 28, 1995, in Maria Ramona Subdivision, Barangay Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan. Ildefonso Balite and his wife, Rowena, resided in a tenement housing unit adjacent to that of the Santos family, which included Oscar Perez, his wife, and his parents-in-law. The two families shared an electrical supply, but on the night of the incident, Ildefonso noticed an electrical spark from the overloaded socket supplying power to the Santos unit. Concerned for safety, he sought permission from Emerencia Santos to temporarily disconnect their power supply, but she refused. This refusal led to a confrontation between Ildefonso and Oscar, who was awakened by Emerencia. After a heated exchange, Ildefonso left the scene, followed by Rowena. Oscar, however, pursued Ildefonso and called out to him. When Ildefonso turned to face Oscar, he was shot in the chest and then again in the head as he lay on the ground. Ildefonso was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. An autopsy revealed two fatal gunshot wounds, one to the chest and one to the head, indicating that the shots were fired at close range. Following the incident, Rowena and a witness, Maricel Santos, provided statements to the police. On June 28, 1995, an Information fo...