G.R. No. 248743 - LPL Greenhills Condominium Corp. vs. Brouwer

Accused-appellant Nestor G. Soriano (“Boy”) and Honey Rosario Cimagala were live-in partners with a son, Nestor Jr. (“Otoy”).
The couple resided in Fe Cimagala’s house on Datu Abing Street, Calinan, Davao City.

On the night of 17 September 1998, a dispute arose when Honey’s brother took their son out without Nestor’s consent; Nestor wanted Honey and Otoy to return with him to Manila.
During the quarrel, Honey rebuffed Nestor’s sexual advances and kicked him. In anger, Nestor struck Honey, muttered “It is better that I burn this house,” and used a match to set fire to a plastic partition in her room. He then set Honey’s clothes ablaze.

The fire rapidly engulfed the second floor, spread to the ground floor, and destroyed Fe Cimagala’s house along with five adjacent houses owned by neighbors.
On 21 September 1998, an Information for Arson was filed and later amended twice, charging Destructive Arson under Art. 320, RPC as amended by RA 7659 and PD 1744.
At trial, Honey and several neighbors testified for the prosecution; Nestor was the sole defense witness. On 3 September 1999, the RTC convicted him of Destructive Arson and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, ordering indemnity and moral and exemplary damages.

Whether the act constitutes Destructive Arson under Art. 320, RPC as amended by RA 7659.
Whether it instead falls under Simple Arson (other cases) as defined in Sec. 3, par. 2, PD 1613.

Whether “motivation by spite or hatred” toward the occupant qualifies as a special aggravating circumstance.
Whether an impulse of resentment akin to passion and obfuscation operates as a mitigating circumstance.

Whether the complainants proved actual or moral damages.
Whether temperate or exemplary damages can be awarded absent concrete proof of actual loss.