Facts:

In the case of The United States vs. Chiong Songco, decided on February 27, 1911, the defendant, Chiong Songco, was accused of committing a violent act against the complaining witness by throwing the contents of a bottle filled with sulphuric acid onto his face and body. This act resulted in significant injuries that caused the victim to suffer from illness for over thirty days. The incident occurred at night, and the attack was executed from behind a sheet of zinc, which provided cover for the defendant. The victim was caught completely off guard, having no reason to expect such an assault. The trial court found that the attack was treacherous, as defined in Article 10 of the Penal Code, and thus established the presence of treachery (con alevosia) in the commission of the crime. The trial court convicted Songco of lesiones, as defined in subsection 4 of Article 416, in conjunction with Article 417 of the Penal Code, and sentenced him to one year and one day of imprisonmen...

Facts:

1. Incident Details: The defendant, Chiong Songco, threw the contents of a bottle of sulphuric acid into the face and body of the complaining witness. This act caused wounds that resulted in the victim's illness (enfermedad) for more than thirty days.
2. Manner of Attack: The attack was carried out treacherously (con alevosia), as defined under Article 10 of the Penal Code. The defendant attacked at night, from behind a sheet of zinc, and at a time when the victim was unprepared and had no reason to anticipate such an assault.
3. Trial Court Findings: The trial court found the defendant guilty of the crime of lesiones (physical injuries) under subsection 4 of Article 416, read together with Article 417 of the Penal Code. The court also noted the aggravating circumstance of nocturnity (nighttime) and sentenced the defendant to 1 year and 1 day of imprisonment.

Issue:

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Ruling:

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Ratio:

1. Classification of the Crime: The crime committed was lesiones (physical injuries) with the qualifying circumstance of treachery, not the use of poisons as defined under Article 417.
2. Application of Treachery: Treachery (alevosia) qualifies the crime and warrants the imposition of a higher penalty under the last paragraph of Article 416.
3. Penalty Adjustment: The penalty should be prision correccional in its medium degree (2 years), as the aggravating circumstance of nocturnity was already factored into the finding of treachery.
4. Accessory Penalties: The defendant is also liable for the accessory penalties prescribed by law and must pay the costs of both instances.