Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. 166!1 Octobe" #!$ %!!6
&'o"(e"l) G.R. Nos. 1*+66!,6-.
PEOP/E O' T0E P01/1PP1NES$ appellee$
2s.
A/'RE3O BON$ appellant.
3 E C 1 S 1 O N
T1NGA$ 4.5
T6o c"itical issues e(e"7e in this case. The fi"st "elates to 6hethe" the Cou"t shoul8
affi"( the con2iction of appellant Alf"e8o Bon 9appellant: fo" si; counts of "ape an8 t6o
counts of atte(pte8 "ape$ the 2icti(s bein7 his then,(ino" nieces. On that sco"e$ 6e
affi"(. As a conse<uence thou7h$ 6e a"e ulti(atel) i(pelle8 to conf"ont a <uestion (uch
b"oa8e" in both scope an8 i(po"t. =hile the Cou"t ha8 p"e2iousl) 8ecline8 to
ac>no6le87e the constitutional abolition of the 8eath penalt) th"ou7h the 1?+-
Constitution$1 6e no6 fin8 it necessa") to 8ete"(ine 6hethe" the enact(ent of Republic
Act No. ?#6 "esulte8 in the statuto") inte"8iction of the 8eath penalt).
The secon8 issue a"ises as 6e a"e co(pelle8 to "e2ie6 the (a;i(u( te"( of "eclusion
te(po"al in the sentence i(pose8 on appellant b) the Cou"t of Appeals fo" the t6o counts
of atte(pte8 "ape. The sentence 6as p"esc"ibe8 b) the appellate cou"t p"io" to the
enact(ent of Republic Act No. ?#6 6hich en8e8 the i(position of the 8eath penalt) in
the Philippines. The p"o;i(ate conce"n as to appellant is 6hethe" his penalt) fo"
atte(pte8 <ualifie8 "ape$ 6hich un8e" the penal la6 shoul8 be t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than
that of consu((ate8 <ualifie8 "ape$ shoul8 be co(pute8 f"o( 8eath o" "eclusion
pe"petua.
'i"st$ the antece8ent facts.
1.
Ei7ht 9+: 1nfo"(ations% 6e"e file8 6ithin the pe"io8 f"o( %1 Au7ust %!!! to %# 'eb"ua")
%!!1 b) the Assistant P"o2incial P"osecuto" of Gu(aca$ @ueAon a7ainst appellant$
cha"7in7 hi( 6ith the "ape of AAA# an8 BBB$ the 8au7hte"s of his ol8e" b"othe".
Appellant 6as accuse8 of "apin7 AAA in C"i(inal Case Nos. 6+??,G$ 6?!%,G$ 6?!6,G$
an8 6?!+,GB 6hile he 6as accuse8 of "apin7 BBB in C"i(inal Case Nos. 66+?,G$ 6?!#,
G$ 6?!*,G$ an8 6?!-,G.* All these cases 6e"e consoli8ate8 fo" t"ial. The "apes 6e"e
alle7e8 to ha2e been co((itte8 in se2e"al instances o2e" a span of si; 96: )ea"s.
Both AAA an8 BBB testifie8 a7ainst appellant$ thei" uncle$ an8 both i8entifie8 hi( as the
(an 6ho ha8 "ape8 the(. 3u"in7 t"ial$ thei" "especti2e bi"th ce"tificates an8 the (e8ical
ce"tificates e;ecute8 b) the 8octo" 6ho ph)sicall) e;a(ine8 the( 6e"e ente"e8 as
8ocu(enta") e2i8ence.
AAA testifie8 that she 6as onl) si; 96: )ea"s ol8 6hen she 6as fi"st (oleste8 in 1?? in
the house appellant ha8 sha"e8 6ith he" 7"an8(othe".6 She "ecounte8 that the inci8ent
too> place 6hen she an8 appellant 6e"e alone in the house. Appellant touche8 he" thi7hs
an8 2a7ina$ "e(o2e8 he" clothes an8 inse"te8 his penis into he" 2a7ina. Appellant
th"eatene8 that she an8 he" pa"ents 6oul8 be >ille8 shoul8 she 8isclose the inci8ent to
an)one. She the"eafte" stoppe8 sleepin7 in the house of he" 7"an8(othe". 1t 6as onl)
th"ee 9#: )ea"s afte"$ in 1??-$ that she slept in the sai8 house$ )et a7ain she 6as se;uall)
abuse8 b) appellant. She 6as then nine 9?: )ea"s ol8.-
AAA "ecounte8 that at a7e ele2en 911: in 1???$ she 6as "ape8 b) appellant fo" the thi"8
ti(e$ a7ain at the house of he" 7"an8(othe".+ The follo6in7 )ea"$ 6hen she 6as t6el2e
91%:$ she 6as abuse8 fo" the fou"th ti(e b) appellant. This ti(e$ she 6as "ape8 in an
out8oo" clea"in7? afte" ha2in7 been in2ite8 the"e b) appellant to 7et so(e 2e7etables.
=hile at the clea"in7$ appellant fo"ce8 he" to lie 8o6n on a 7"ass) spot an8 t"ie8 to inse"t
his penis in he" 2a7ina. As she c"ie8 in pain$ appellant alle7e8l) stoppe8.1!
1t 6as onl) on 1% 4une %!!! that she 8eci8e8 to "e2eal to he" (othe"$ CCC$11 the b"utish
acts appellant ha8 8one to he".1% 0e" (othe" thus file8 a co(plaint a7ainst he" uncle.
AAA i8entifie8 appellant in open cou"t an8 p"esente8 as 8ocu(enta") e2i8ence he" bi"th
ce"tificate to p"o2e that she 6as bo"n on # Septe(be" 1?++.1#
BBB$ on the othe" han8$ testifie8 that she 6as fi"st "ape8 b) appellant in 1??- 6hen she
6as ten 91!: )ea"s ol8$ also at the house appellant sha"e8 6ith he" 7"an8(othe". =hile
alone in the house$ appellant po>e8 a >nife at he"$ "e(o2e8 he" clothes an8 inse"te8 his
penis in he" 2a7ina. 3espite the pain she felt$ she coul8 not "esist appellant as he 6as
hol8in7 a >nife. She 8i8 not "epo"t the "ape to he" pa"ents out of fea" of appellantCs th"eat
that he 6oul8 >ill he".1 BBB fu"the" testifie8 that in 1??+ an8 1???$ she 6as "ape8 a7ain
b) appellant on se2e"al occasions$ the "apes occu""in7 un8e" th"eat of a bla8e8 6eapon$
an8 "e7a"8less of the ti(e of 8a).1*
BBB state8 that she 6as last "ape8 b) appellant on 1* 4anua") %!!!.16 On that ni7ht$ she
6as sleepin7 besi8e he" siste" AAA in the house of he" 7"an8(othe" 6hen she felt
appellant touchin7 he" bo8). She pushe8 hi( a6a) but appellant pulle8 he" th"ee 9#:
(ete"s a6a) f"o( AAA to6a"8s the 8oo". As appellant 6as hol8in7 a >nife$ BBB coul8
not (a>e an) noise to ale"t he" siste". Appellant o"8e"e8 he" to "e(o2e he" clothes an8
fo"ce8 he" to lie 8o6n. Afte" he too> off his clothes$ appellant place8 hi(self on top of
BBB an8 sta)e8 the"e fo" th"ee 9#: (inutes D(o2in7 up an8 8o6n.D The"eafte"$ she put on
he" clothes an8 "etu"ne8 to 6he"e he" siste" 6as. She a88e8 that althou7h it 6as 8a">$ she
>ne6 it 6as appellant 6ho ha8 (oleste8 he" as she 6as fa(ilia" 6ith his s(ell. Since
then$ she ne2e" slept in he" 7"an8(othe"Cs house a7ain.1-
1t 6as on 1 4une %!!! that BBB 8isclose8 he" ha""o6in7 e;pe"ience to he" (othe". P"io"
to that$ ho6e2e"$ she ha8 al"ea8) "e2eale8 the se;ual abuses she ha8 un8e"6ent to he"
siste" AAA. Upon lea"nin7 of the sa(e$ he" (othe" b"ou7ht he" to the police station an8
he" state(ent 6as ta>en. The"eafte"$ she 6as b"ou7ht to the hospital to be e;a(ine8.
'u"the"(o"e$ BBB e;plaine8 that she onl) "epo"te8 the abuses 8one to he" on 1 4une
%!!! o" fi2e 9*: (onths afte" the last "ape because she 6as af"ai8 of appellantCs th"eat of
>illin7 he" an8 he" fa(il).1+
The thi"8 6itness fo" the p"osecution 6as the (othe"$ CCC. She testifie8 that she onl)
>ne6 of the abuses 8one on he" 8au7hte"s on 1* 4une %!!!. 'i2e (onths ea"lie"$ CCC
beca(e conce"ne8 afte" obse"2in7 that BBB$ on the p"ete;t of p"epa"in7 clothes fo" a
7a(e$ 6as pac>in7 (o"e than enou7h clothes. She as>e8 he" othe" 8au7hte"$ 333$ to 8i7
into the (atte" an8 the latte" tol8 he" that BBB 6as plannin7 to lea2e thei" house. Upon
lea"nin7 this$ she sent so(ebo8) to "et"ie2e BBB. 0o6e2e"$ it 6as onl) fi2e (onths afte"
that inci8ent that BBB confi8e8 to he" (othe" that she 6as "ape8 b) appellant. CCC lost
no ti(e in "epo"tin7 the (atte" to the autho"ities an8 ha8 BBB an8 AAA e;a(ine8 in the
hospital. Afte" e;a(ination$ it 6as confi"(e8 that BBB 6as in8ee8 se;uall) (oleste8.1?
CCC initiall) 8i8 not tell he" husban8 about 6hat ha8 happene8 to thei" 8au7hte"s
because she 6as af"ai8 that he" husban8 (i7ht >ill appellant. 1t 6as onl) afte" appellant
6as a""este8 that she 8isclose8 such fact to he" husban8. Afte" the a""est of appellant$ his
"elati2es beca(e an7") at CCC$ an8 he" (othe",in,la6 a2oi8e8 tal>in7 to he" since
then.%!
The ph)sician 6ho e;a(ine8 BBB an8 AAA also testifie8 fo" the p"osecution. 3". Pu"ita
T. Tullas 93". Tullas:$ (e8ical office" of Gu(aca 3ist"ict 0ospital$ testifie8 that she 6as
the one 6ho e;a(ine8 BBB an8 AAA$ an8 the"eafte"$ issue8 (e8ical ce"tificates fo" each
chil8. These (e8ical ce"tificates 6e"e p"esente8 in cou"t.%1
The (e8ical ce"tificate of BBB "e2eale8 that at the ti(e of e;a(ination$ the"e 6e"e no
e;te"nal si7n of ph)sical inEu") foun8 on he" bo8). 0o6e2e"$ 3". Tullas foun8 that the
labia (aEo"a an8 (ino"a of BBB 6as sli7htl) 7apin7$ he" 2a7inal o"ifice 6as a8(ittin7
t6o fin7e"s 6ithout "esistance an8 the"e 6e"e h)(enal lace"ations at Dth"ee 9#: oCcloc>D
an8 Dei7ht 9+: oCcloc>D 6hich (i7ht ha2e happene8 a lon7 ti(e befo"e he" e;a(ination.
3". Tullas conclu8e8 that the"e (i7ht ha2e been se;ual penet"ation cause8 b) a (ale se;
o"7an fo" se2e"al ti(es.%%
AAACs (e8ical ce"tificate state8 that at the ti(e of e;a(ination$ the"e 6e"e no e;te"nal
ph)sical inEu"ies appa"ent on he" bo8). AAACs labia (aEo"a an8 (ino"a 6e"e 6ell
coaptate8 an8 the h)(en 6as still intact. On 8i"ect e;a(ination$ 3". Tullas sai8 that it
coul8 happen that the h)(en 6oul8 still be intact 8espite se;ual penet"ation 6ith a pe"son
ha2in7 an elastic h)(en. On the othe" han8$ 6hen as>e8 on c"oss,e;a(ination$ she state8
that the"e 6as also the possibilit) that no fo"ei7n bo8) touche8 the labia of the pu8en8u(
of AAA.%#
Onl) appellant testifie8 fo" his 8efense$ offe"in7 8enial an8 alibi as his 8efense. 0e
a2e""e8 in cou"t that f"o( 1?? to %!!!$ he li2e8 in the house of his pa"ents 6hich 6as
about Dthi"t) 9#!: a"( st"etchesD a6a) f"o( the house of BBB an8 AAA. 0e 8enie8
ha2in7 "ape8 BBB on 1* 4anua") %!!! because on sai8 8ate he 6as at the house of his
siste"$ t6o 9%: >ilo(ete"s a6a) f"o( the house of his pa"ents 6he"e the "ape occu""e8$
f"o( 115#! in the (o"nin7 an8 sta)e8 the"e until ea"l) (o"nin7 of the follo6in7 8a).%
0e offe"e8 a 7ene"al 8enial of the othe" cha"7es a7ainst hi( b) BBB an8 AAA. 0e
clai(e8 that he sel8o( sa6 the t6o (ino"s. 0e fu"the" asse"te8 that p"io" to the
institution of the c"i(inal case a7ainst hi( he ha8 a s(ooth "elationship 6ith his nieces
an8 the onl) "eason the case 6as file8 a7ainst hi( 6as that CCC$ his siste",in,la6 an8 the
(othe" of his nieces$ ha"bo"e8 ill,feelin7s to6a"8s his 8ecease8 fathe"$ 6ho 6oul8 call
CCC DlaA)D 6ithin ea"shot of othe" fa(il) (e(be"s.%*
The RTC con2icte8 appellant on all ei7ht 9+: counts of "ape.%6 The RTC p"onounce8
appellantCs 8efense of 8enial an8 alibi as uncon2incin7$ citin7 Eu"isp"u8ence 8ecla"in7
8enial an8 alibi as int"insicall) 6ea> 8efenses. The RTC conclu8e8 that appellant faile8
to cont"o2e"t the clea"$ can8i8 an8 st"ai7htfo"6a"8 testi(onies of his nieces. 1t fu"the"
consi8e"e8 the <ualif)in7 ci"cu(stances of (ino"it) of the 2icti(s an8 the "elationship of
the 2icti(s an8 appellant$ the latte" bein7 the fo"(e"Cs "elati2e b) consan7uinit) 6ithin
the thi"8 8e7"ee.
As the penalt) i(pose8 consiste8 of ei7ht 9+: 8eath sentences$ the "eco"8s of the case
6e"e auto(aticall) ele2ate8 to this Cou"t fo" "e2ie6. 0o6e2e"$ in the afte"(ath of the
p"onounce(ent of the Cou"t in People 2. Mateo%- the p"esent case 6as t"ansfe""e8 to the
Cou"t of Appeals fo" app"op"iate action an8 8isposition.
On %? 3ece(be" %!!$ the Cou"t of Appeals a7"ee8 6ith the "ulin7s of the RTC in "e7a"8
to si; 96: of the ei7ht 9+: 8eath sentences i(pose8 on appellant.%+ The appellate cou"t
"atiocinate8$ thus5
=e ha2e painsta>in7l) 7one o2e" the "eco"8 of these cases an8 fin8 no co7ent "eason to
8e2iate f"o( the fin8in7s of the t"ial cou"t e;cept in at least t6o 9%: cases. The
p"osecutionCs case 6hich 6as ancho"e8 (ainl) on the testi(onies of p"i2ate co(plainants
&BBB. an8 &AAA.$ 8ese"2e full faith an8 c"e8it fo" bein7 clea"$ p"ecise an8
st"ai7htfo"6a"8. /i>e the t"ial cou"t$ =e fin8 no "eason to 8isbelie2e the p"i2ate
co(plainants. 1t 6as establishe8 6ith ce"titu8e that the accuse8 on se2e"al occasions
se;uall) assaulte8 his nieces. The pe"pet"ation of the c"i(es an8 its autho"ship 6e"e
p"o2e8 b) the 2icti(sC can8i8 an8 un6a2e"in7 testi(onies both of 6ho( ha8 the
(isfo"tune of sha"in7 the sa(e fate in the han8s of thei" o6n uncle. The since"it) of
&AAA. 6as (a8e (o"e e2i8ent 6hen she c"ie8 on the 6itness stan8 in ob2ious 8ist"ess
o2e" 6hat thei" uncle ha8 8one to he" an8 he" siste".%?
The Cou"t of Appeals 8o6n7"a8e8 the con2ictions in C"i(inal Case Nos. 6?!6 an8 6?!+
to atte(pte8 "ape. 1n these t6o 9%: cases$ it 6as alle7e8 that appellant ha8 "ape8 AAA in
1??? an8 on 11 4une %!!!$ "especti2el). Acco"8in7 to the appellate cou"t$ it coul8 not fin8
e2i8ence be)on8 "easonable 8oubt in those t6o 9%: cases that appellant ha8 acco(plishe8
the sli7htest penet"ation of AAACs 2a7ina to (a>e hi( liable fo" consu((ate8 "ape. 1t
st"esse8 that the"e 6as not e2en (o"al ce"taint) that appellantCs penis e2e" touche8 the
labia of the pu8en8u($ <uotin7 po"tions of the t"ansc"ipt of the steno7"aphic notes 6he"e
AAA 6as as>e8 if appellant 6as then successful in inse"tin7 his penis into he" 2a7ina an8
she ans6e"e8 in the ne7ati2e.#! Acco"8in7l)$ the Cou"t of Appeals "e8uce8 the penalties
attache8 to the t6o 9%: counts of "ape f"o( 8eath fo" consu((ate8 <ualifie8 "ape to an
in8ete"(inate penalt) of ten 91!: )ea"s of p"ision (a)o"$ as (ini(u($ to se2enteen 91-:
)ea"s an8 fou" 9: (onths of "eclusion te(po"al$ as (a;i(u($ fo" atte(pte8 "ape.
Appellant$ in his Supple(ental B"ief#1 befo"e this Cou"t$ assails the fin8in7s of the Cou"t
of Appeals. 0e cites inconsistencies in the testi(on) of BBB as to 6hat "eall) t"anspi"e8
on 1* 4anua") %!!!. Pa"ticula"l)$ appellant obse"2es that BBB testifie8 on 6 4une %!!1 as
to he" "ape on 1* 4anua") %!!!. BBB$ he" siste" an8 appellant ha8 been sleepin7 si8e b)
si8e. 0o6e2e"$ 6hen BBB a7ain testifie8 on # 4ul) %!!%$ this ti(e she state8 that on that
ni7ht$ as she an8 he" siste" AAA 6e"e sleepin7 in thei" "oo( at thei" pa"entsC house 9an8
not at he" 7"an8(othe"Cs:$ the accuse8 passe8 th"ou7h a 6in8o6$ ente"e8 thei" "oo( an8
"ape8 he" a7ain.#% Appellant also latches on the inconsistencies in BBBCs testi(on) as to
the len7th of the 8u"ation of he" "ape on that 8a). 1n BBBCs testi(on) on 6 4une %!!1$ she
sai8 that appellant 6as atop he" fo" th"ee 9#: (inutes 6hile in the # 4ul) %!!% hea"in7$
BBB state8 that the "ape laste8 fo" onl) half a (inute.
1t (ust be obse"2e8 thou7h that BBB 6as at a ten8e" a7e 6hen she 6as "ape8 in %!!1.
Mo"eo2e"$ these inconsistencies$ 6hich the RTC an8 the Cou"t of Appeals 8i8 not
consi8e" (ate"ial$ 6e"e elicite8 6hile BBB 6as testif)in7 in open cou"t. Ou" obse"2ations
in People 2. Pe"eA## on the app"eciation of alle7e8 inconsistencies in the testi(on) of
"ape 2icti(s 6ho happen to be (ino"s a"e inst"ucti2e$ thus5
=e note that these alle7e8 inconsistencies "efe"$ at best$ onl) to t"i2ial$ (ino"$ an8
insi7nificant 8etails. The) bea" no (ate"ialit) to the co((ission of the c"i(e of "ape of
6hich accuse8,appellant 6as con2icte8.&#. As pointe8 out b) the Solicito" Gene"al in
the AppelleeCs B"ief$ the see(in7 inconsistencies 6e"e b"ou7ht about b) confusion an8
(e"el) "ep"esent (ino" lapses 8u"in7 the "ape 2icti(Cs 8i"ect e;a(ination an8 cannot
possibl) affect he" c"e8ibilit). Mino" lapses a"e to be e;pecte8 6hen a pe"son is
"ecountin7 8etails of a t"au(atic e;pe"ience too painful to "ecall. The "ape 2icti( 6as
testif)in7 in open cou"t$ in the p"esence of st"an7e"s$ on an e;t"e(el) inti(ate (atte"$
6hich$ (o"e often than not$ is tal>e8 about in hushe8 tones. Un8e" such ci"cu(stances$ it
is not su"p"isin7 that he" na""ation 6as less than lette",pe"fect.&#*. DMo"eo2e"$ the
inconsistenc) (a) be att"ibute8 to the 6ell,>no6n fact that a cou"t"oo( at(osphe"e can
affect the accu"ac) of testi(on) an8 the (anne" in 6hich a 6itness ans6e"s
<uestions.D&#6.#-
'u"the"$ the public p"osecuto" offe"e8 a con2incin7 e;planation on 6h) BBB 6as
confuse8 on so(e points of he" t6o testi(onies. Pa"ticula"l) in the Me(o"an8u( fo" the
People#+ file8 6ith the RTC$ the public p"osecuto" c"e8itabl) e;plaine8 the
inconsistencies$ thus5
&BBB.Cs testi(on) on 4ul) #$ %!!% (i7ht be cont"a8icto") to he" fi"st testi(on) on 4une
6$ %!!1$ 6ith "espect to the last "ape on 4anua") 1*$ %!!!$ as "e7a"8s the place of
co((issionhouse of he" pa"ents o" house of accuse8B an8 the len7th of ti(e he sta)e8
on he" top # (inutes o" half,(inute. But she "e(aine8 consistent in he" 8ecla"ation
that on 4anua") 1*$ %!!!$ he" uncle inse"te8 his penis into he" 2a7ina$ an8 he 6as (o2in7
6hile on he" top then she felt so(ethin7 ca(e out f"o( hi(. 0e 6as able to "ape he"
because he th"eatene8 he" 6ith a >nife o" bla8e8 6eapon. 'u"the"$ the fi"st she too> the
6itness stan8 on 4une 6$ %!!1$ she 6as (a8e to "ecall the last "ape$ the fi"st "ape an8
(an) acts of se;ual abuses &sic. a7ainst he". She 6as e2en confuse8 about he" a7e 6hen
she 6as fi"st "ape8 b) he" uncle. Afte" she testifie8 on No2e(be" 1$ %!!1$ fo" the
sepa"ate cha"7es of "apes in 1??-$ 1??+ an8 1???$ she 6as able to "ecall (o"e clea"l) the
last "ape on 4anua") 1*$ %!!!$ 6hich happene8 in he" o6n house. These note8
8isc"epancies as to the e;act place of co((ission accuse8Cs house o" 2icti(Cs house
is not an essential ele(ent of the c"i(e of "ape an8 both houses a"e situate8 in B"7).
Filla Pa8ua 1la)a$ Gu(aca$ @ueAon$ 6hich is 6ithin the te""ito"ial Eu"is8iction of this
0ono"able Cou"t. ; ; ; #?
1n a88ition$ 6e sha"e the lo6e" cou"tCs 8isbelief of appellantCs p"offe"e8 8efenses of 8enial
an8 alibi. These t6o 8efenses a"e inhe"entl) the 6ea>est as the) a"e ne7ati2e 8efenses.
Me"e 8enials of in2ol2e(ent in a c"i(e cannot ta>e p"ece8ence o2e" the positi2e
testi(on) of the offen8e8 pa"t). 'o" alibi to p"ospe"$ it is not enou7h fo" the 8efen8ant to
p"o2e that he 6as so(e6he"e else 6hen the c"i(e 6as co((itte8B he (ust li>e6ise
8e(onst"ate that it is ph)sicall) i(possible fo" hi( to ha2e been at the scene of the c"i(e
at the ti(e.!
1n the case at ba"$ appellantCs alibi that he 6as at his siste"Cs house ba"el) t6o 9%:
>ilo(ete"s a6a) 6hen the "ape too> place on 1* 4anua") %!!! cannot be 7i2en c"e8ence
b) this Cou"t. 1f 6e a"e to th"ea8 this line of "easonin7$ appellant coul8 ha2e easil) left
his siste"Cs house in the (i88le of the ni7ht$ "ape8 BBB$ an8 then "etu"ne8 to his siste"Cs
house 6ithout (uch 8ifficult) an8 6ithout an)bo8) noticin7 his absence.
=ell,settle8 is the "ule that a cate7o"ical an8 positi2e i8entification of an accuse8$
6ithout an) sho6in7 of ill,(oti2e on the pa"t of the e)e6itness testif)in7 on the (atte"$
p"e2ails o2e" alibi an8 8enial.1 The 8efenses of 8enial an8 alibi 8ese"2e scant
consi8e"ation 6hen the p"osecution has st"on7$ clea" an8 con2incin7 e2i8ence i8entif)in7
appellant as the pe"pet"ato".% 1n this case$ both BBB an8 AAA$ (ino"s an8 "elati2es of
appellant$ positi2el) i8entifie8 hi( as thei" "apist in open cou"t. The lo6e" cou"ts foun8
no issue 8et"actin7 f"o( the c"e8ibilit) of such i8entification.
1t is 6o"th) to note that the alibi p"esente8 b) appellant is li(ite8 to the 1* 4anua") %!!!
"ape of BBB. 0e offe"s nothin7 to counte"act the accusations a7ainst hi( in2ol2in7 the
se2en 9-: othe" specific acts of "ape othe" than the a2e"(ent that he 8i8 not >no6
an)thin7 about the alle7ations p"opoun8e8 on hi($ an infinitesi(al 8efense consi8e"in7
the e2i8ence a7ainst hi(.
Appellant 8oes clai( that the p"esent case 6as (e"el) institute8 because of the 7"u87e of
CCC to6a"8s his 8ecease8 fathe". 1t is out"a7eous to e2en su77est that a (othe" 6ill
subEect he" 8au7hte"s to the hu(iliatin7 e;pe"ience of co(in7 befo"e the cou"t an8
na""atin7 thei" ha""o6in7 e;pe"ience Eust because she 6as ta77e8 b) he" fathe",in,la6 as
laA). 1n a88ition$ CCCCs fathe",in,la6 ha8 8ie8 se2e"al )ea"s befo"e the c"i(inal cha"7es
a7ainst appellant 6e"e e2e" institute8. 1f CCC t"ul) 6ante8 to "etaliate an8 8a(a7e the
"eputation of he" fathe",in,la6$ she coul8 ha2e 8one so 6hen the latte" 6as still ali2e. No
(e(be" of a "ape 2icti(Cs fa(il) 6oul8 8a"e encou"a7e the 2icti( to publicl) e;pose the
8ishono" of the fa(il)$ (o"e specificall) if such accusation is a7ainst a (e(be" of the
fa(il)$ unless the c"i(e 6as in fact co((itte8.#
Besi8es$ no sane 6o(an$ least of all a chil8$ 6oul8 concoct a sto") of 8eflo"ation$ allo6
an e;a(ination of he" p"i2ate pa"ts an8 subEect he"self to public t"ial o" "i8icule if she has
not in t"uth$ been a 2icti( of "ape an8 i(pelle8 to see> Eustice fo" the 6"on7 8one to he".
Testi(onies of chil8,2icti(s a"e no"(all) 7i2en full 6ei7ht an8 c"e8it$ since 6hen a
6o(an$ (o"e so if she is a (ino"$ sa)s that she has been "ape8$ she sa)s in effect all that
is necessa") to sho6 that "ape has been co((itte8. Gouth an8 i((atu"it) a"e 7ene"all)
ba87es of t"uth an8 since"it). The 6ei7ht of such testi(onies (a) be counte"e8 b)
ph)sical e2i8ence to the cont"a")$ o" in8ubitable p"oof that the accuse8 coul8 not ha2e
co((itte8 the "ape$ but in the absence of such counte"2ailin7 p"oof$ these testi(onies
shall be acco"8e8 ut(ost 2alue.
The t6in a77"a2atin7 ci"cu(stances of (ino"it) an8 "elationship 6e"e p"ope"l)
app"eciate8 in this case. The (ino"it) of the 2icti(s an8 thei" "elationship 6ith appellant
6e"e aptl) establishe8
in the lo6e" cou"t p"ocee8in7s. Not onl) 8i8 the p"osecution alle7e in the 1nfo"(ations
the a7es of the 2icti(s 6hen the) 6e"e "ape8 but the p"osecution also p"esente8 the bi"th
ce"tificates of BBB an8 AAA in cou"t as 8ocu(enta") e2i8ence to p"o2e that the) 6e"e
both (ino"s 6hen appellant "ape8 the(. Appellant$ in open cou"t$ also a8(itte8 that that
he 6as the uncle of both 2icti(s bein7 the b"othe" of the 2icti(sC fathe"$ an8 thus$ a
"elati2e of the 2icti(s 6ithin the thi"8 8e7"ee of consan7uinit).
'u"the"(o"e$ the 8ela) in "epo"tin7 the "epulsi2e acts of appellant to BBB an8 AAA is
un8e"stan8abl) Eustifie8$ consi8e"in7 that appellant "epeate8l) th"eatene8 to >ill the( an8
thei" fa(il) shoul8 the) 8isclose the inci8ents to an)one. 1t has been hel8 ti(e an8 a7ain
that 8ela) in "e2ealin7 the co((ission of "ape is not an in8ication of a fab"icate8
cha"7e.* Such inti(i8ation (ust be 2ie6e8 in li7ht of the 2icti(Cs pe"ception an8
Eu87(ent at the ti(e of the co((ission of the c"i(e an8 not b) an) ha"8 an8 fast "ule. 1t
is enou7h that the inti(i8ation p"o8uces a fea" that if the 2icti( 8oes not )iel8 to the
pe"2e"se i(pulses of the accuse8$ so(ethin7 6oul8 happen to he" at the (o(ent$ o" e2en
the"eafte"$ as 6hen she is th"eatene8 6ith 8eath if she 6oul8 "epo"t the inci8ent.6
At the sa(e ti(e$ 6e a7"ee 6ith the Cou"t of Appeals that the t6o counts of "ape in
C"i(inal Case Nos. 6?!6,G an8 6?!+,G 6e"e not p"o2en be)on8 "easonable 8oubt$ but
onl) the t6o sepa"ate inci8ents of atte(pte8 "ape.
1t is to be note8 that the"e is an atte(pt to co((it "ape 6hen the offen8e" co((ences its
co((ission 8i"ectl) b) o2e"t acts but 8oes not pe"fo"( all acts of e;ecution 6hich shoul8
p"o8uce the felon) b) "eason of so(e cause o" acci8ent othe" than his o6n spontaneous
8esistance.- 1n C"i(inal Case No. 6?!6,G$ the "eco"8s sho6 that the"e 6as no
penet"ation o" an) in8ication that the penis of appellant touche8 the labia of the
pu8en8u( of AAA. This 6as e2i8ent in AAACs testi(on) at the hea"in7 on 1- Octobe"
%!!1$ to 6it5
@ 3o )ou "e(e(be" of an) unusual inci8ent that happene8 to )ou 6hen )ou 6e"e
ele2en )ea"s ol8H
A Ges$ Ma(. &sic.
@ =hat 6as thatH
A 0e also touche8 () 2a7ina an8 () othe" p"i2ate pa"ts an8 he inse"te8 also his penis
9into: () 2a7ina. &sic.
@ =as he able to inse"t his penis into )ou" 2a7inaH
A No$ Ma(. &sic.
@ =h)H
A 1t 6as painful$ Ma(. &sic.
; ; ; ;
@ 0o6 (an) ti(es 8i8 he t") to inse"t his penis into )ou" 2a7inaH
A Man) ti(es$ Ma(.+ &sic.
AAA also testifie8 in the sa(e 2ein in C"i(inal Case No. 6?!+,G.
@ 1 a( no6 th"ou7h 6ith C"i(inal Case No. 6?!6,G. 1n C"i(inal Case No. 6?!+,G$
also fo" Rape. =hen 6as the last ti(e that this se;ual abuse 6as co((itte8 b) )ou"
UncleH
A 4une 11$ Ma(. &sic.
@ =hat )ea"H
A 4une 11$ %!!!$ Ma(. &sic.
; ; ; ;
@ =hat 8i8 )ou" Uncle 8o to )ou on 4une 11$ %!!!H
A 0e also "e(o2e8 () clothes$ Ma(. &sic.
@ An8 afte" "e(o2in7 )ou" clothes$ 6hat 8i8 he 8o to )ouH
A 0e 6as t")in7 to inse"t his penis into () 2a7ina$ Ma(. &sic.
; ; ; ;
@ An8 6hat 8i8 )ou feel 6hen he 6as t")in7 to inse"t his penis in )ou" 2a7inaH
A Painful$ Ma(. &sic.
@ An8 6hat 8i8 )ou 8o 6hen )ou feel painfulH
A 1 c"ie8$ Ma(. &sic.
@ =hen )ou c"ie8$ 6hat 8i8 )ou" Uncle 8o$ if an)H
A 0e 8i8 not pu"sue 6hat he 6as 8oin7$ Ma(. &sic.
; ; ; ;
@ An8 )ou" Uncle 6as not able to penet"ate his penis to )ou" 2a7inaH
A No$ Ma(.? &sic.
1n 8o6n7"a8in7 the offense co((itte8 an8 conse<uentl) 8ec"easin7 the penalt)$ the CA
8ecla"e85
1t is ca"nal >no6le87e$ not pain$ that is the ele(ent to consu((ate "ape. 1n8ee8 pain (a)
be 8e8uce8 f"o( the se;ual act but accuse8 cannot be con2icte8 of "ape b) p"esu(in7
ca"nal >no6le87e out of pain. 1t is 6ell,settle8 that co(plete penet"ation of the penis into
the 2a7ina is not necessa") to con2ict fo" consu((ate8 "ape since the sli7htest
penet"ation of one into the othe" 6ill suffice. 0o6e2e"$ in People 2. Ca(puhan$ the te"(
Dsli7htest penet"ationD 6as cla"ifie8 to (ean that the"e (ust be sufficient an8 con2incin7
p"oof of the penis in8ee8 touchin7 at the 2e") least the labias of the fe(ale o"7an. Me"e
epi8e"(al contact bet6een the penis an8 the e;te"nal la)e" of the 2icti(Cs 2a7ina 9the
st"o>in7 an8 the 7"aAin7 of the (ale o"7an upon the fe(ale o"7an o" the (ons pubis:
cate7o"iAes the c"i(e as atte(pte8 "ape o" acts of lasci2iousness. The"e (ust be positi2e
p"oof of e2en the sli7htest penet"ation$ (o"e accu"atel)$ the touchin7 of the labias b) the
penis$ befo"e "ape coul8 be 8ee(e8 consu((ate8. =e$ the"efo"e$ ta>e e;ception to the
fin8in7 of the t"ial cou"t that 6hen the accuse8 6as t")in7 to inse"t his penis into the
chil8Cs 2a7ina$ the act p"o2e8 painful to &AAA$. 6hich (a8e the accuse8 stop f"o(
fu"the" e;ecutin7 the act. '"o( the testi(on) of p"i2ate co(plainant$ &AAA. in the afo"e,
nu(be"e8 cases$ the p"osecution faile8 to 8e(onst"ate be)on8 an) sha8o6 of 8oubt that
accuse8,appellantCs penis "eache8 the labia of the pu8en8u( of AAACs 2a7ina. The"e is
no basis then to appl) the "ule that the int"o8uction of the penis into the ape"tu"e of the
fe(ale o"7an 9the"eb) touchin7 the labia of the pu8en8u(: al"ea8) consu((ates the case
of "ape. ; ; ; *!
1t shoul8 be a88e8 that un8e" A"ticle 6 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ the"e is an atte(pt
6hen the offen8e" co((ences the co((ission of a felon) 8i"ectl) b) o2e"t acts$ an8
8oes not pe"fo"( all the acts of e;ecution 6hich shoul8 p"o8uce the felon) b) "eason of
so(e cause o" acci8ent othe" than his o6n spontaneous 8esistance. 1n the c"i(e of "ape$
penet"ation is an essential act of e;ecution to p"o8uce the felon). Thus$ fo" the"e to be an
atte(pte8 "ape$ the accuse8 (ust ha2e co((ence8 the act of penet"atin7 his se;ual o"7an
to the 2a7ina of the 2icti( but fo" so(e cause o" acci8ent othe" than his o6n spontaneous
8esistance$ the penet"ation$ ho6e2e" sli7ht$ is not co(plete8.*1
The Cou"t thus affi"(s the conclusions of the Cou"t of Appeals that it has been
establishe8 be)on8 "easonable 8oubt that appellant is 7uilt) of si; 96: counts of "ape an8
t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape. 0o6e2e"$ in li7ht of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ the app"op"iate
penalties fo" both c"i(es shoul8 be a(en8e8.
11.
=e shall not 86ell at len7th on the p"ope" penalt) i(posable on appellant fo" the si; 96:
counts of "ape. The sentence of 8eath i(pose8 b) the RTC an8 affi"(e8 b) the Cou"t of
Appeals can no lon7e" be affi"(e8 in 2ie6 of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ title8 DAn Act
P"ohibitin7 the 1(position of 3eath Penalt) in the Philippines.D Section % of the la6
(an8ates that in lieu of the 8eath penalt)$ the penalt) of "eclusion pe"petua shall be
i(pose8. Co""espon8in7l)$ the Cou"t can no lon7e" uphol8 the 8eath sentences i(pose8
b) lo6e" cou"ts$ but (ust$ if the
7uilt of the accuse8 is affi"(e8$ i(pose instea8 the penalt) of "eclusion pe"petua$ o" life
i(p"ison(ent 6hen app"op"iate. Since the passa7e of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ the Cou"t has
ha8 occasion to effectuate such "e8uction in "ecent cases such as People 2.
Tubon7banua*% an8 People 2. Cabal<uinto.*#
111.
The <uestion of 6hat shoul8 be the app"op"iate penalt) fo" the t6o 9%: counts of
atte(pte8 "ape p"o2es to be the (o"e challen7in7 but inte"estin7 <uestion facin7 the
Cou"t.
The Cou"t of Appeals ha8 sentence8 appellant$ fo" the atte(pte8 "ape of AAA$ to Dan
in8ete"(inate penalt) of ten 91!: )ea"s of p"ision (a)o"$ as (ini(u($ to se2enteen 91-:
)ea"s an8 fou" 9: (onths of "eclusion te(po"al as (a;i(u($D fo" each count of
atte(pte8 "ape. The"e is no 8oubt as to the 2ali8it) of this sentence at the ti(e it 6as
(ete8 p"io" to the enact(ent of Rep. Act No. ?#6. A"ticle *1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e
establishes the penalt) to be i(pose8 upon the p"incipals of an atte(pte8 felon)5
ART. *1. ;;; A penalt) lo6e" b) t6o 8e7"ees than that p"esc"ibe8 b) la6 fo" the
consu((ate8 felon) shall be i(pose8 upon the p"incipals in an atte(pt to co((it a
felon).*
=hat is the penalt) Dlo6e" b) t6o 8e7"ees than that p"esc"ibe8 b) la6D fo" atte(pte8
"apeH A"ticle %66,B of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ 6hich inco"po"ates the a(en8(ents
int"o8uce8 b) Rep. Act No. +#*#$ p"esc"ibes5
The 8eath penalt) shall also be i(pose8 if the c"i(e of "ape is co((itte8 6ith an) of the
follo6in7 a77"a2atin7I<ualif)in7 ci"cu(stances5
1. =hen the 2icti( is un8e" ei7hteen 91+: )ea"s of a7e an8 the offen8e" is a pa"ent$
ascen8ant$ step,pa"ent$ 7ua"8ian$ "elati2e b) consan7uinit) o" affinit) 6ithin the thi"8
ci2il 8e7"ee$ o" the co((on la6 spouse of the pa"ent of the 2icti(. ; ; ;**
The p"esc"ibe8 penalt) fo" the consu((ate8 "ape of a 2icti( 8ul) p"o2en to ha2e been
un8e" ei7hteen )ea"s of a7e an8 to ha2e been "ape8 b) he" uncle$ is 8eath un8e" A"ticle
%66,B of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e. The 8ete"(ination of the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e"
than the 8eath penalt) entails the application of A"ticles 61 an8 -1 of the Re2ise8 Penal
Co8e5
A"t. 61. Rules of 7"a8uatin7 penalties.'o" the pu"pose of 7"a8uatin7 the penalties
6hich$ acco"8in7 to the p"o2isions of A"ticles *! to *-$ inclusi2e$ of this Co8e$ a"e to be
i(pose8 upon pe"sons 7uilt) as p"incipals of an) f"ust"ate8 o" atte(pte8 felon)$ o" as
acco(plices o" accesso"ies$ the follo6in7 "ules shall be obse"2e85
1. =hen the penalt) p"esc"ibe8 fo" the felon) is sin7le an8 in8i2isible$ the penalt) ne;t
lo6e" in 8e7"ee shall be that i((e8iatel) follo6in7 that in8i2isible penalt) in the
"especti2e 7"a8uate8 scale p"esc"ibe8 in A"ticle -1 of this Co8e.*6
; ; ; ;
A"ticle -1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e 9A"ticle -1: 6a""ants special attention$ c"ucial as it
is to ou" 8isposition of this <uestion. The p"o2ision "ea8s5
A"t. -1. G"a8uate8 scales. 1n the case in 6hich the la6 p"esc"ibes a penalt) lo6e" o"
hi7he" b) one o" (o"e 8e7"ees than anothe" 7i2en penalt)$ the "ules p"esc"ibe8 in A"ticle
61 shall be obse"2e8 in 7"a8uatin7 such penalt).
The lo6e" o" hi7he" penalt) shall be ta>en f"o( the 7"a8uate8 scale in 6hich is
co(p"ise8 the 7i2en penalt)5
The cou"ts$ in appl)in7 such lo6e" o" hi7he" penalt)$ shall obse"2e the follo6in7
7"a8uate8 scales5
SCA/E NO. 1
1. 3eath
%. Reclusion pe"petua
#. Reclusion te(po"al
. P"ision (a)o"
*. P"ision co""ectional
6. A""esto (a)o"
-. 3estie""o
+. A""esto (eno"
?. Public censu"e
1!. 'ine*-
; ; ; ;
'ollo6in7 the scale p"esc"ibe8 in A"ticle -1$ the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than 8eath is
"eclusion te(po"al$ 6hich 6as the (a;i(u( penalt) i(pose8 b) the Cou"t of Appeals on
appellant fo" atte(pte8 "ape. Reclusion te(po"al is a penalt) co(p"ise8 of th"ee 8i2isible
pe"io8s$ a (ini(u($ a (e8iu( an8 a (a;i(u(.
At the sa(e ti(e$ the 1n8ete"(inate Sentence /a6 p"esc"ibes that Dthe cou"t shall
sentence the accuse8 to an in8ete"(inate sentence$ the (a;i(u( te"( of 6hich shall be
that 6hich$ in 2ie6 of the atten8in7 ci"cu(stances$ coul8 be p"ope"l) i(pose8 un8e" the
"ules of the sai8 Co8e$ an8 the (ini(u( 6hich shall be 6ithin the "an7e of the penalt)
ne;t lo6e" to that p"esc"ibe8 b) the Co8e fo" the offense.D The pu"pose of the
p"esc"iption of (ini(u( an8 (a;i(u( pe"io8s un8e" the 1n8ete"(inate Sentence /a6 is
to effect the p"i2ile7e 7"ante8 un8e" the sa(e la6$ fo" p"isone"s 6ho ha2e se"2e8 the
(ini(u( penalt) to be eli7ible fo" pa"ole pe" the 8isc"etion of the Boa"8 of
1n8isc"i(inate Sentence.*+ Thus$ con2icts sentence8 to suffe" 8eath penalt) o" life,
i(p"ison(ent a"e ineli7ible un8e" that la6$ as a"e pe"sons sentence8 to "eclusion
pe"petua$ an in8i2isible penalt) 6ithout (ini(u( o" (a;i(u( pe"io8s.*?
0ence$ the Cou"t of Appeals sentence8 appellant to suffe" the penalt) fo" atte(pte8 "ape$
6ith a (a;i(u( penalt) 6ithin the "an7e of "eclusion te(po"al$ an8 a (ini(u( penalt)
6ithin the "an7e of the penalt) ne;t lo6e"$ o" p"ision (a)o". 1f Rep. Act No. ?#6 ha8 not
been enacte8$ the Cou"t 6oul8 ha2e affi"(e8 such sentence 6ithout co(plication.
0o6e2e"$ the enact(ent of the la6 has 7i2en "ise to the p"oble( conce"nin7 the
i(posable penalt). Appellant 6as sentence8 to a (a;i(u( te"( 6ithin "eclusion
te(po"al since that is the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than 8eath. =ith the eli(ination of
8eath as a penalt)$ 8oes it follo6 that appellant shoul8 no6 be sentence8 to a penalt) t6o
8e7"ees lo6e" than "eclusion pe"petua$ the hi7hest "e(ainin7 penalt) 6ith the enact(ent
of Rep. Act No. ?#6H 1f it so follo6e8$ appellant 6oul8 be sentence8 to p"ision (a)o" in
lieu of "eclusion te(po"al.
1F.
Ob2iousl)$ ou" "ulin7 on the app"op"iate penalt) on appellant fo" atte(pte8 "ape 6ill
affect not onl) appellant$ but se2e"al classes of con2icts as 6ell. Befo"e 6e p"ocee8 6ith
the 8iscussion$ the Cou"t fin8s it necessa") to (a>e the follo6in7 <ualification.
P"io" to the enact(ent of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ the 8eath penalt) 6as i(posable un8e" t6o
8iffe"ent f"a(es of "efe"ence. This 6as especiall) (a8e clea" 6ith the 1??# a(en8(ents
to the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e th"ou7h Rep. Act No. -6*?$ o" the 3eath Penalt) /a6. Un8e"
the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ as a(en8e8$ the 8eath penalt) 6as p"o2i8e8 fo" in t6o 6a)s$
na(el)5 as the (a;i(u( penalt) fo" D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath$D an8 8eath itself as an
auto(atic an8 e;clusi2e penalt). 3eath as the auto(atic penalt) 6as (an8ate8 fo" the
c"i(es of <ualifie8 b"ibe") Dif it is the public office" 6ho as>s o" 8e(an8s such 7ift o"
p"esentBD6! >i8nappin7 o" 8etention Dfo" the pu"pose of e;to"tin7 "anso( f"o( the 2icti(
o" an) othe" pe"sonBD61 8est"ucti2e
a"son 6he"ein D8eath "esultsBD6% an8 "ape <ualifie8 b) an) of the se2e"al ci"cu(stances
enu(e"ate8 un8e" the la6.
On the othe" han8$ the penalt) of D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD 6as i(posable on se2e"al
c"i(es$ inclu8in7 (u"8e"$6# <ualifie8 pi"ac)$6 an8 t"eason.6* The i(position of the
8eath penalt) fo" c"i(es punishable b) D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD 8epen8e8 on the
app"eciation of the a77"a2atin7 an8 (iti7atin7 ci"cu(stances 7ene"all) outline8 in
A"ticles 1# an8 1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e. Refe"ence to those t6o p"o2isions 6as
unnecessa") if the penalt) i(pose8 6as 8eath$ as oppose8 to D"eclusion pe"petua to
8eath.D
The"e is no nee8 fo" no6 to 8iscuss the effects of Rep. Act No. ?#6 on the penalties fo"
f"ust"ate8 an8 atte(pte8 felonies 6hich 6e"e punishable b) D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD
if consu((ate8$ o" on acco(plices an8 accesso"ies to such felonies. Such situations 8o
not "elate to the case of appellant$ 6ho 6as con2icte8 of t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape$
6hich$ if consu((ate8$ of cou"se 6oul8 ha2e ca""ie8 p"io" to the enact(ent of Rep. Act
?#6 the penalt) of 8eath$ an8 not D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath.D
The Cou"t also "eco7niAes that the 7"a8uation of penalties "ec>one8 f"o( D"eclusion
pe"petua to 8eathD 8iffe"s f"o( that base8 on the e;clusi2e penalt) of 8eath. 'o" e;a(ple$
it has been hel8 that the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD is
p"ision (a)o".66 1n cont"ast$ the Cou"t has li>e6ise hel8 that fo" <ualifie8 "ape in the
atte(pte8 sta7e$ Dthe penalt) ; ; ; t6o 9%: 8e7"ees lo6e" than the i(posable penalt) of
8eath fo" the offense cha"7e8 ; ; ; is "eclusion te(po"al.D6- 1n People 2. Tolentino$6+ 6e
"ule8 that the accuse8$ 6ho ha8 been sentence8 to 8ie fo" the "ape of his nine 9?:,)ea" ol8
step8au7hte"$ 6as 7uilt) onl) of atte(pte8 "ape. 1n e;plainin7 that D"eclusion te(po"alD
6as the p"ope" penalt)$ the Cou"t$ th"ou7h then Chief 4ustice 3a2i8e$ e;plaine85
Un8e" A"ticle *1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ the penalt) fo" an atte(pte8 felon) is the
Dpenalt) lo6e" b) t6o 8e7"ees than that p"esc"ibe8 b) la6 fo" the consu((ate8 felon).D
1n this case$ the penalt) fo" the "ape if it ha8 been consu((ate8 6oul8 ha2e been 8eath$
pu"suant to A"ticle ##* of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ as a(en8e8 b) R.A. No. -6*?$ since
&RT6?. 6as ei7ht )ea"s ol8 an8 TO/ENT1NO 6as the co((on,la6 spouse of &RTCs.
(othe". The last pa"a7"aph the"eof p"o2i8es5
The 8eath penalt) shall also be i(pose8 if the c"i(e of "ape is co((itte8 6ith an) of the
follo6in7 atten8ant ci"cu(stances5
1. =hen the 2icti( is un8e" ei7hteen 91+: )ea"s of a7e an8 the offen8e" is a pa"ent$
ascen8ant$ step,pa"ent$ 7ua"8ian$ "elati2e b) consan7uinit) o" affinit) 6ithin the thi"8
ci2il 8e7"ee$ o" the co((on,la6 spouse of the pa"ent of the 2icti(.
; ; ; ;
The penalt) in this case shoul8 ha2e been "eclusion te(po"al$ 6hich is the penalt) lo6e"
b) t6o 8e7"ees than 8eath. 0o6e2e"$ 6ith the application of the 1n8ete"(inate Sentence
/a6$ TO/ENT1NO (a) be sentence8 to an in8ete"(inate i(p"ison(ent penalt) 6hose
(ini(u( shall be 6ithin the "an7e of p"ision (a)o" an8 6hose (a;i(u( shall be 6ithin
the "an7e of "eclusion te(po"al in its (e8iu( pe"io8 pu"suant to A"ticle 6 91: of the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e.-!
This 8ichoto() "esults f"o( the application of A"ticle 61 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e.
Both "eclusion pe"petua an8 8eath a"e in8i2isible penalties. Un8e" A"ticle 61 9%: of the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ D&6.hen the penalt) p"esc"ibe8 fo" the c"i(e is co(pose8 of t6o
in8i2isible penalties the penalt) ne;t lo6e" in 8e7"ee shall be that i((e8iatel)
follo6in7 the lesse" of the penalties p"esc"ibe8 in the "especti2e 7"a8uate8 scale.D 0ence$
in passin7 sentence on those con2icte8 of atte(pte8 felonies 6hich 6a""ante8 the penalt)
of D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD if consu((ate8$ the Cou"t has consistentl) hel8 that
penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD is p"ision (a)o". 1n
cont"ast$ if the penalt) fo" the consu((ate8 c"i(e is the sin7le in8i2isible penalt) of
8eath$ as 6as p"esc"ibe8 fo" se2e"al c"i(es un8e" Rep. Act No. -6*?$ A"ticle 6191: of the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e p"o2i8es that Dthe penalt) p"esc"ibe8 fo" the felon) is sin7le an8
in8i2isible$ the penalt) ne;t lo6e" in 8e7"ee shall be that i((e8iatel) follo6in7 that
in8i2isible penalt) in the "especti2e 7"a8uate8 scale p"esc"ibe8 in A"ticle -1D. Thus$ the
p"ope" penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than 8eath is "eclusion te(po"al.
1t is also fo" this "eason that the cont"o2e"s) 6e a"e no6 a88"essin7 8i8 not si(ila"l) a"ise
afte" the enact(ent of the 1?+- Constitution$ 6hich p"ohibits the i(position of the 8eath
penalt) subEect to its subse<uent "ea8option at the choice of Con7"ess. Gene"all)$ the
hi7hest penalt) i(pose8 un8e" the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e 6as D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath$D
a penalt) co(pose8 of t6o in8i2isible penalties. As a "esult$ the Cou"t ha8 no occasion$
afte" the passa7e of the 1?+- Constitution$ to consi8e" the effect of the cha"te" on
penalties 8o6n7"a8e8 f"o( a sin7le in8i2isible penalt). 1t 6as un8e" Rep. Act No. -6*?$
passe8 in 1??#$ that so(e co((onl) occu""in7 c"i(es$ such as <ualifie8 "ape an8
>i8nappin7 fo" "anso($ 6e"e penaliAe8 6ith the sin7le in8i2isible penalt) of 8eath.
The 8iscussion fo" pu"poses of this 8ecision 6ill onl) cente" on c"i(es$ such as <ualifie8
"ape as 8efine8 in the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ as a(en8e8$ fo" 6hich the i(posable penalt)
6as 8eath alone. Thus$ ou" "ulin7 6ill bea" no 8i"ect effect on the sentencin7 of
acco(plices an8 accesso"ies o" pe"sons 7uilt) of the atte(pte8 o" f"ust"ate8 sta7e of
felonies fo" 6hich the i(posable penalt) 6as D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath.D
0ence$ it shoul8 be un8e"stoo8 that an) "efe"ence fo"th6ith to the penalt) of 8eath 8oes
not "efe" to the penalt) of D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath.D
F.
1f the"e 6as a clea" intent in Rep. Act No. ?#6 to 8o6n7"a8e the penalties fo" con2icts
6hose sentences ha8 been 7"a8uate8 be7innin7 f"o( 8eath pu"suant to A"ticle -1$ the
Cou"t 6oul8 not hesitate to enfo"ce such 8o6n7"a8in7 base8 on clea" statuto") intent.
0o6e2e"$ nothin7 in Rep. Act No. ?#6 e;p"essl) "efe"s to those penalties i(pose8 on
f"ust"ate8 o" atte(pte8 felonies$ o" on accesso"ies an8 acco(plices.
Section 1 of Rep. Act No. ?#6 bea"s e;a(ination5
Section 1. The i(position of the penalt) of 8eath is he"eb) p"ohibite8. Acco"8in7l)$
Republic Act No. Ei7ht Thousan8 One 0un8"e8 Se2ent),Se2en 9R.A. No. +1--:$
othe"6ise >no6n as the Act 3esi7natin7 3eath b) /ethal 1nEection$ is he"eb) "epeale8.
Republic Act No. Se2en Thousan8 Si; 0un8"e8 'ift),Nine 9R.A. No. -6*?:$ othe"6ise
>no6n as the 3eath Penalt) /a6$ an8 all othe" la6s$ e;ecuti2e o"8e"s an8 8ec"ees$
insofa" as the) i(pose the 8eath penalt) a"e he"eb) "epeale8 o" a(en8e8 acco"8in7l).
1f the penalties fo" atte(pte8 "ape of a (ino"$-1 a(on7 othe"s$ 6e"e 8ee(e8 to ha2e been
a(en8e8 b) 2i"tue of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ such a(en8(ent can be Eustifie8 un8e" the
a(bit of the "epealin7 clause$ 6hich "ea8s$ Dall othe" la6s$ e;ecuti2e o"8e"s an8 8ec"ees$
insofa" as the) i(pose the 8eath penalt) a"e he"eb) "epeale8 o" a(en8e8 acco"8in7l).D
=hile this clause (a)$ 7i2en its b"ea8th$ initiall) i(p"ess as the natu"e of a 7ene"al
"epealin7 clause$ it is in actualit) an e;p"ess "epealin7 clause. Section 1 specificall)
"epeals all la6s$ e;ecuti2e o"8e"s an8 8ec"ees insofa" as the) i(pose the 8eath penalt)$
an8 not (e"el) such enact(ents 6hich a"e inconsistent 6ith Rep. Act No. ?#6.
Section 1 a"7uabl) p"esents (o"e p"oble(s in that "e7a"8 6ith its utiliAation of the
pa"ticula" ph"ase Dinsofa" as the) i(pose the 8eath penalt).D =e can ente"tain t6o schools
of thou7ht in const"uin7 this p"o2ision$ both of the( "oote8 in lite"alist inte"p"etations.
'i"st$ it can be clai(e8 that the p"esent application of the penalties fo" atte(pte8 "ape of a
(ino" 9a(on7 (an) e;a(ples: 8oes not Di(pose the 8eath penalt)$D since none of the
con2icts conce"ne8 6oul8 face e;ecution th"ou7h the application of the penalt) fo"
atte(pte8 "ape. 0ence$ the statuto") p"o2isions enfo"ce8 in 8ete"(inin7 the penalt) fo"
atte(pte8 "ape$ o" othe" c"i(es not punishable b) 8eath$ a"e not a(en8e8 b) Rep. Act
No. ?#6.
On the othe" han8$ the ope"ation of the p"o2isions i(posin7 the penalt) fo" atte(pte8
"ape of a (ino" necessa"il) calls fo" the application$ if not its lite"al i(position$ of 8eath
as a penalt)$ in the conte;t of appl)in7 the 7"a8uate8 scale of penalties un8e" A"ticle -1
of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e. 1f 6e 6e"e to const"ue Di(poseD as to (ean Dappl)$D then it
coul8 be a"7ue8 that A"ticle -1 6as in8ee8 a(en8e8 b) Rep. Act No. ?#6. Afte" all$ the
application of A"ticle -1 to c"i(es such as atte(pte8 "ape of a (ino" call fo" the actual
ope"ation of the 8eath penalt) not onl) in theo")$ but as a (eans of 8ete"(inin7 the
p"ope" 7"a8uate8 penalt).
On face 2alue$ the att"acti2e 6o"th of the fi"stl) offe"e8 line of thin>in7 is enhance8 b) its
innate conse"2atis($ li(itin7 as it 6oul8 the effects of Rep. Act No. ?#6. 1t also can be
un8e"stoo8 if conf"onte8 6ith the option of e(plo)in7 eithe" a libe"al o" a conse"2ati2e
const"uction$ the"e is a natu"al ten8enc) to e(plo) the conse"2ati2e (o8e. 'u"the"$ the
"easonin7 is see(in7l) consistent 6ith that e(plo)e8 b) the Cou"t in People 2. MuJoA$-%
a 8ecision 6hich 6ill be tho"ou7hl) anal)Ae8 in the cou"se of this 8iscussion.
1f the t"ue intent of Rep. Act No. ?#6 6as to li(it the e;tent of the Di(positionD of the
8eath penalt) to actual e;ecutions$ this coul8 ha2e been acco(plishe8 6ith (o"e cla"it).
'o" e;a(ple$ ha8 Section 1 "ea8 instea8 Dinsofa" as the) sentence an accuse8 to 8eath$D
the"e 6oul8 ha2e been no "oo( fo" 8oubt that onl) those statuto") p"o2isions callin7 fo"
actual e;ecutions 6oul8 ha2e been "epeale8 o" a(en8e8. The inabilit) of Con7"ess to
shape the "epealin7 clause in so specific a fashion 8oes lea2e open the <uestion 6hethe"
Con7"ess 8i8 actuall) inten8 to li(it the ope"ation of Rep. Act No. ?#6 to actual
e;ecutions onl).
But let us fo" no6 test that p"e(ise b) assu(in7 fo" the nonce that the le7islati2e intent
of Rep. Act No. ?#6 6as to li(it the p"ohibition of the la6 to the ph)sical i(position of
the 8eath penalt)$ 6ithout e;ten8in7 an) effect to the 7"a8uate8 scale of penalties un8e"
A"ticle -1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e.
F1.
The"e a"e t"oublin7 "esults if 6e 6e"e to uphol8$ base8 on le7islati2e intent$ the
inte"p"etation of Rep. Act No. ?#6 that li(its its effects onl) to (atte"s "elatin7 to the
ph)sical i(position of the 8eath penalt).
1llust"ations a"e necessa"). The eas) 8e(onst"ation of ini<uitous "esults is in the case of
acco(plices. Un8e" A"ticle %6- of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ as a(en8e8$ >i8nappin7 fo"
"anso( 6as punishable b) 8eath. /et us sa) K an8 G 6e"e t"ie8 fo" the c"i(e. K 6as
cha"7e8 as a p"incipal fo" ha2in7 8i"ectl) pa"ticipate8 in the >i8nappin7. G 6as cha"7e8
as an acco(plice fo" ha2in7 allo6e8 K to use his house to 8etain the 2icti($ e2en thou7h
G 6as ab"oa8 at the ti(e of the c"i(e an8 othe"6ise ha8 no othe" pa"ticipation the"ein.
Both K an8 G 6e"e con2icte8 b) final Eu87(ent. Since K coul8 no lon7e" be (ete8 the
8eath penalt)$ he is sentence8 instea8 to "eclusion pe"petua. O"8ina"il)$ G as an
acco(plice shoul8 "ecei2e the penalt) ne;t lo6e" in 8e7"ee$ o" "eclusion te(po"al. Get
follo6in7 the Dconse"2ati2eD inte"p"etation of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ the 7"a8uation of
penalties "e(ains unaffecte8 6ith the enact(ent of the ne6 la6. Thus$ un8e" A"ticle -1$
6hich 6oul8 still ta>e into account the 8eath penalt) 6ithin the 7"a8uate8 scale$ G$ as an
acco(plice$ 6oul8 be sentence8 to "eclusion pe"petua$ the sa(e penalt) as the p"incipal.
1t (i7ht be counte"e8 that pa"t of the le7islati2e intent of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ b) "etainin7
the 7"a8uate8 scale of penalties un8e" A"ticle -1$ 6as to e<ualiAe the penalties of
p"incipals an8 acco(plices fo" c"i(es p"e2iousl) punishable b) 8eath. =e 8o not 8oubt
that the le7islatu"e has the theo"etical capabilit) to a(en8 the penal la6 in such fashion.
Get 7i2en the 8"astic effects of e<ualiAin7 the penalties fo" p"incipals an8 acco(plices$ a
step that "uns cont"a") to ent"enche8 thou7ht in c"i(inal la6$ one coul8 "easonabl)
assu(e that a le7islatu"e t"ul) o"iente8 to enact such chan7e 6oul8 ha2e been can8i8
enou7h to ha2e e;plicitl) state8 such intent in the la6 itself. Of cou"se$ nothin7 in Rep.
Act No. ?#6$ eithe" in the caption o" in the p"o2isions$ e;plicates the intention to
e<ualiAe the penalties fo" p"incipals an8 acco(plices in an) c"i(e at all.
Mo"eo2e"$ it cannot be 8enie8 that it 6oul8$ at ba"e (ini(u($ see( st"an7e that the
penalties fo" p"incipals an8 acco(plices a"e e<ualiAe8 in so(e c"i(es$ an8 not in othe"s.
/et us "etu"n to ou" p"e2ious e;a(ple of K an8 G$ but this ti(e$ assu(e that the) 6e"e
cha"7e8 fo" si(ple >i8nappin7$ 6ith no <ualif)in7 ci"cu(stance that 6oul8 ha2e "esulte8
in the i(position of the 8eath penalt). Since the c"i(e is not punishable b) 8eath$ Rep.
Act No. ?#6 6oul8 ha2e no effect in the i(position of the penalt) fo" si(ple
>i8nappin7. Acco"8in7l)$ K 6oul8 ha2e been sentence8 to "eclusion pe"petua as the
p"incipal$ 6hile G 6oul8 ha2e been sentence8 to "eclusion te(po"al as an acco(plice.
Since si(ple >i8nappin7 is a co(pa"ati2el) li7hte" c"i(e than >i8nappin7 fo" "anso($ the
lesse" penalties a"e Eustifie8. Since G 6as (e"el) an acco(plice to the c"i(e of si(ple
>i8nappin7$ the i(position on hi( of a li7hte" penalt) than K is in acco"8 6ith the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e an8 establishe8 Eu"i8ical an8 le7al thou7ht. /ess Eustifiable 6oul8 be
the notion that in >i8nappin7 fo" "anso($ the p"incipal an8 the acco(plice 6oul8 "ecei2e
the sa(e penalt)$ 6hile in si(ple >i8nappin7$ the p"incipal suffe"s a hi7he" penalt) than
the acco(plice. '"an>l)$ the"e is no "ational e;planation fo" such a 8ispa"it)$ an8 no le7al
Eustification othe" than the "eco7nition that Con7"ess has the po6e" to 6ill it so.
A8(itte8l)$ the i(pact of Rep. Act No. ?#6 is less 8"a(atic in "elation to f"ust"ate8 an8
atte(pte8 felonies 6hich 6e"e punishable b) 8eath if consu((ate8. The consu((ate8
felon) p"e2iousl) punishable b) 8eath 6oul8 no6 be punishable b) "eclusion pe"petua.
At the sa(e ti(e$ the sa(e felon) in its f"ust"ate8 sta7e 6oul8$ un8e" the fo"e7oin7
p"e(ise in this section$ be penaliAe8 one 8e7"ee lo6e" f"o( 8eath$ o" also "eclusion
pe"petua. 1t 8oes not see( "i7ht$ of cou"se$ that the sa(e penalt) of "eclusion pe"petua
6oul8 be i(pose8 on both the consu((ate8 an8 f"ust"ate8 felon). 0o6e2e"$ the ano(al)
6oul8 be (ainl) in theo")$ as 6e "eco7niAe that those felonies p"e2iousl) punishable b)
8eath a"e i(p"obable of co((ission in thei" f"ust"ate8 sta7e$ unli>e se2e"al felonies
punishable b) D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath$D-# such as (u"8e"$ 6hich (a) be f"ust"ate8.
Still$ it cannot be 8enie8 that these felonies p"e2iousl) punishable b) 8eath a"e capable of
co((ission in thei" atte(pte8 sta7es an8 that the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e p"o2i8es that the
penalt) fo" atte(pte8 felonies is Da penalt) lo6e" b) t6o 8e7"ees than that p"esc"ibe8 b)
la6 fo" the consu((ate8 felon).D The Cou"t has thus consistentl) i(pose8 "eclusion
te(po"al$ the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than 8eath$ as the (a;i(u( te"( fo" atte(pte8
felonies 6hich$ if consu((ate8$ 6oul8 ha2e 6a""ante8 the 8eath penalt).- 1f it 6e"e to
be insiste8 that Rep. Act No. ?#6 8i8 not affect at all the penalties fo" atte(pte8
felonies$ then those foun8 7uilt) of the subEect atte(pte8 felonies 6oul8 still be
sentence8 to "eclusion te(po"al$ e2en thou7h the Dpenalt) lo6e" b) t6o 8e7"ees than that
p"esc"ibe8 b) la6 fo" the consu((ate8 felon)D 6oul8 no6 be p"ision (a)o".
1t shoul8 be pointe8 out that the inte"p"etation of Rep. Act No. ?#6 that 6oul8 sanction a
penalt) fo" so(e atte(pte8 felonies that is onl) one 8e7"ee lo6e" than the consu((ate8
c"i(e 6oul8$ a7ain$ be 8isha"(onious an8 inconsistent 6ith the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e an8
establishe8 thou7ht in c"i(inal la6. Conce8in7 a7ain that the le7islatu"e has the
8isc"etion to 8esi7nate the c"i(inal penalties it sees fit$ a "e7i(e that foists a 8iffe"ential
theo"etical basis fo" the punish(ent of 8iffe"ent atte(pte8 felonies "esultin7 in
8isc"i(inato") penalties is not onl) i""ational but also$ to sa) the least$ hi7hl) suspect.
Consi8e"in7 that ph)sical libe"ties a"e at sta>e$ it 6oul8 be a (ost c"uel Eo>e if such
8isc"i(inato") effects ensue8 not f"o( 8elibe"ate le7islati2e 6ill$ but f"o( o2e"si7ht.
F11.
The i(ple(entation of Rep. Act No. ?#6 in a 6a) that lea2es e;tant the penalties fo"
acco(plices$ accesso"ies$ f"ust"ate8 an8 atte(pte8 felonies$ clea"l) "esults in illo7ical$
ini<uitous an8 inconsistent effects. 1n cont"ast$ no si(ila" fla6s ensue shoul8 6e const"ue
Rep. Act No. ?#6 instea8 as not ha2in7 ba""e8 the application of the 8eath penalt) e2en
as a (eans of 8ep"eciatin7 penalties othe" than 8eath. 1n pa"ticula"$ the ope"ati2e
a(en8(ent that 6oul8 assu"e the inte7"it) of penalties fo" acco(plices$ accesso"ies$
f"ust"ate8 an8 atte(pte8 felonies lies in A"ticle -1$ 6hich "an>s D8eathD at the top of the
scale fo" 7"a8uate8 penalties.
Si(pl) put$ the ne7ation of the 6o"8 D8eathD as p"e2iousl) insc"ibe8 in A"ticle -1 6ill
ha2e the effect of app"op"iatel) 8o6n7"a8in7 the p"ope" penalties attachin7 to
acco(plices$ accesso"ies$ f"ust"ate8 an8 atte(pte8 felonies to the le2el consistent 6ith
the "est of ou" penal la6s. Retu"nin7 to ou" p"e2ious e;a(ples$ G$ the con2icte8
acco(plice in >i8nappin7 fo" "anso($ 6oul8 no6 bea" the penalt) of "eclusion te(po"al$
the penalt) one 8e7"ee lo6e" than that the p"incipal K 6oul8 bea" 9"eclusion pe"petua:.
Such sentence 6oul8 be consistent 6ith A"ticle *% of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ as 6ell as
A"ticle -1$ as a(en8e8$ to "e(o2e the "efe"ence to D8eath.D Mo"eo2e"$ the p"ospect of the
acco(plice "ecei2in7 the sa(e sentence as the p"incipal$ an ano(alous notion 6ithin ou"
penal la6s$ 6oul8 be eli(inate8. Thus$ the sa(e stan8a"8 6oul8 p"e2ail in sentencin7
p"incipals an8 acco(plices to the c"i(e of >i8nappin7 in "anso($ as that p"esc"ibe8 to the
c"i(e of si(ple >i8nappin7.
The ha"(oniAation that 6oul8 "esult if Rep. Act No. ?#6 6e"e const"ue8 as ha2in7
eli(inate8 the "efe"ence to D8eathD in A"ticle -1 6oul8 "un ac"oss the boa"8 in ou" penal
la6s. Consistent 6ith A"ticle *1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ those con2icte8 of atte(pte8
<ualifie8 "ape 6oul8 "ecei2e the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than that p"esc"ibe8 b) la6$
no6 Rep. Act No. ?#6$ fo" <ualifie8 "ape.
The"e a"e p"inciples in statuto") const"uction that 6ill sanction$ e2en (an8ate$ this
De;pansi2eD inte"p"etation of Rep. Act No. ?#6. The (a;i( inte"p"eta"e et conco"8a"e
le7ibus est opti(us inte"p"etan8i e(bo8ies the p"inciple that a statute shoul8 be so
const"ue8 not onl) to be consistent 6ith itself$ but also to ha"(oniAe 6ith othe" la6s on
the sa(e subEect (atte"$ as to fo"( a co(plete$ cohe"ent an8 intelli7ible s)ste(a
unifo"( s)ste( of Eu"isp"u8ence.-* D1nte"p"etin7 an8 ha"(oniAin7 la6s 6ith la6s is the
best (etho8 of inte"p"etation. ; ; ; ; This (anne" of const"uction 6oul8 p"o2i8e a
co(plete$ consistent an8 intelli7ible s)ste( to secu"e the "i7hts of all pe"sons affecte8 b)
8iffe"ent le7islati2e an8 <uasi,
le7islati2e acts.D-6 The"e can be no ha"(on) bet6een Rep. Act No. ?#6 an8 the Re2ise8
Penal Co8e unless the late" statute is const"ue8 as ha2in7 8o6n7"a8e8 those penalties
attache8 to 8eath b) "eason of the 7"a8uate8 scale un8e" A"ticle -1. Onl) in that (anne"
6ill a clea" an8 consistent "ule e(e"7e as to the application of penalties fo" f"ust"ate8 an8
atte(pte8 felonies$ an8 fo" accesso"ies an8 acco(plices.
1t is also a 6ell,>no6n "ule of le7al he"(eneutics that penal o" c"i(inal la6s a"e st"ictl)
const"ue8 a7ainst the state an8 libe"all) in fa2o" of the accuse8.-- 1f the lan7ua7e of the
la6 6e"e a(bi7uous$ the cou"t 6ill lean (o"e st"on7l) in fa2o" of the 8efen8ant than it
6oul8 if the statute 6e"e "e(e8ial$ as a (eans of effectin7 substantial Eustice.-+ The la6
is ten8e" in fa2o" of the "i7hts of an in8i2i8ual.-? 1t is this philosoph) of caution befo"e
the State (a) 8ep"i2e a pe"son of life o" libe"t) that ani(ates one of the (ost
fun8a(ental p"inciples in ou" Bill of Ri7hts$ that e2e") pe"son is p"esu(e8 innocent until
p"o2en 7uilt).
Reso"t to the afo"e(entione8 p"inciples in statuto") const"uction 6oul8 not ha2e been
necessa") ha8 Rep. Act No. ?#6 ineluctabl) state8 that the "epeal of all la6s i(posin7
the 8eath penalt) 8i8 not en7en8e" the co""espon8in7 (o8ification of penalties othe" than
8eath$ 8epen8ent as these a"e on D8eathD as a (easu"e un8e" the 7"a8uate8 scale of
penalties un8e" A"ticle -1. A8(itte8l)$ if this 6e"e in8ee8 the intent of Con7"ess$ an8
such intent 6e"e une<ui2ocall) e;p"esse8 in Rep. Act No. ?#6$ the "esultin7 ine<uities
an8 inconsistencies 6e ha8 ea"lie" pointe8 out 6oul8 ha2e "e(aine8. 1f that 6e"e to be
the case$ 6e 6oul8 ha2e ac>no6le87e8$ pe"haps tacitl)$ that such ine<uities an8
inconsistencies fell pa"t of the le7islati2e intent. 1t 8oes not spea> 6ell of a Con7"ess to
be 8elibe"atel) inconsistent 6ith$ o" i7no"ant of its o6n p"io" enact(ents. Get ulti(atel)$
Section 1 of Rep. Act No. ?#6 is not e;p"essi2e of such "ash o" inEu8icious notions$ as it
is susceptible to a "ea8in7 that 6oul8 ha"(oniAe its effects 6ith the p"ecepts an8 p"actices
that pe"2a8e ou" 7ene"al penal la6s$ an8 in a (anne" that 8oes not 8ef) the clea" 6ill of
Con7"ess.
F111.
One 6ho 6oul8 li>e to a82ocate that Rep. Act No. ?#6 8i8 not co""espon8in7l) a(en8
an) of the penalties othe" than 8eath in ou" penal la6s 6oul8 (ost ce"tainl) in2o>e ou"
"ulin7 in People 2. MuJoA$+! 8eci8e8 in 1?+?. The"ein$ a 8i2i8e8 Cou"t "ule8 in that the
constitutional ba" on the i(position of the 8eath penalt) 8i8 not enact Da co""espon8in7
(o8ification in the othe" pe"io8s &in penalties.D$ the"e bein7 no e;p"ession of Dsuch a
"e<ui"e(ent in A"ticle 111$ Section 1?91: of the Constitution o" in8icat&ion. the"ein b)
at least
clea" an8 un(ista>able i(plication.D+1 1n so conclu8in7$ the Cou"t (a8e the oft,cite8
p"onounce(ent that the"e 6as nothin7 in the 1?+- Constitution D6hich e;p"essl) 8ecla"es
the abolition of the 8eath penalt).D+%
1t is ti(e to "e,e;a(ine MuJoA an8 its continue8 2iabilit) in li7ht of Rep. Act No. ?#6.
Mo"e p"ecisel)$ 6oul8 MuJoA as p"ece8ent 8ete" the Cou"t f"o( "ulin7 that Rep. Act No.
?#6 conse<uentl) 8o6n7"a8e8 penalties othe" than 8eathH
1t can be "ecalle8 that the accuse8 in MuJoA 6e"e foun8 7uilt) of (u"8e"$ 6hich un8e"
the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ ca""ie8 the penalt) of "eclusion te(po"al in its (a;i(u( pe"io8
to 8eath. The subEect (u"8e"s the"ein 6e"e not atten8e8 b) an) (o8if)in7 ci"cu(stance$
an8 thus penaliAe8 in the penalt)Cs (e8iu( te"(. 4u"isp"u8ence p"e2ious to MuJoA hel8
that the p"ope" penalt) in such instances shoul8 be Dthe hi7he" half of "eclusion te(po"al
(a;i(u($D 6ith "eclusion te(po"al (a;i(u($ 8i2i8e8 into t6o hal2es fo" that pu"pose.
MuJoA "eEecte8 this fo"(ulation$ hol8in7 instea8 that the penalt) shoul8 be "eclusion
pe"petua. To6a"8s this conclusion$ the Cou"t (a8e the abo2e,cite8 conclusions "elatin7 to
the constitutional abolition of the 8eath penalt)$ an8 the cha"te"Cs effects on the othe"
pe"io8s. Si; Eustices 8issente8 f"o( that "ulin7$ an8 as "ecentl) as 1??-$ a (e(be" of the
Cou"t felt st"on7l) enou7h to publish a 2ie6 u"7in7 the "ee;a(ination of MuJoA.+#
1t 6oul8 be 8isin7enuous to consi8e" MuJoA as 8i"ectl) settlin7 the <uestion no6
befacin7 us$ as the le7al p"e(ises behin8 MuJoA a"e 8iffe"ent f"o( those in this case.
Most pe"tinentl)$ MuJoA in<ui"e8 into the effects of the Constitution on the p"ope"
penalt) fo" (u"8e"B 6hile he"ein$ 6e a"e asce"tainin7 the effects of Rep. Act No. ?#6 on
the p"ope" penalt) fo" atte(pte8 <ualifie8 "ape. MuJoA (a) ha2e p"onounce8 that the
Constitution 8i8 not abolish the 8eath penalt)$ but that issue no lon7e" falls into
consi8e"ation he"ein$ the co""ect <ue") no6 bein7 6hethe" Con7"ess has banne8 the 8eath
penalt) th"ou7h Rep. Act No. ?#6. Othe"6ise f"a(e8$ MuJoA 8oes not p"eclu8e the
Cou"t f"o( conclu8in7 that 6ith the e;p"ess p"ohibition of the i(position of the 8eath
penalt) Con7"ess has une<ui2ocall) banne8 the sa(e.
MuJoA (a8e ha) o2e" the peculia" fo"(ulation of Section 1?91:$ A"ticle 111$ 6hich
p"o2i8e8 that D&n.eithe" shall 8eath penalt) be i(pose8$ unless$ fo" co(pellin7 "easons
in2ol2in7 heinous c"i(es$ the Con7"ess he"eafte" p"o2i8es fo" it.D MuJoA an8 its
p"o7enies$ ha2e inte"p"ete8 that p"o2ision as p"ohibitin7 the actual i(position of the
8eath penalt)$ as oppose8 to enactin7 an a(en8ato") la6 that eli(inates all "efe"ences
an8 applications of the 8eath penalt) in ou" statutes. 1t can also be un8e"stoo8 an8
app"eciate8 that at the ti(e MuJoA 6as 8eci8e8$ it 6oul8 ha2e been pole(ical to foste"
an une<ui2ocal p"onounce(ent that Section 1?91:$ A"ticle 111 abolishe8 the 8eath penalt)$
since the 2e") p"o2ision itself ac>no6le87e8 that Con7"ess (a) nonetheless subse<uentl)
p"o2i8e fo" the penalt) Dfo" co(pellin7 "easons in2ol2in7 heinous c"i(es$D as Con7"ess
2e") 6ell 8i8 Eust fou" 9: )ea"s afte" MuJoA. No such lan7ua7e e;ists in Rep. Act No.
?#6. Of cou"se$ the le7islatu"e has the inhe"ent an8 constitutional po6e" to enact la6s
p"esc"ibin7 penalties fo" c"i(es$ an8 the Constitution 6ill not p"ohibit Con7"ess f"o(
"eenactin7 the 8eath penalt) Dfo" co(pellin7 "easons in2ol2in7 heinous c"i(es.D Get it
6as that e;p"ess stipulation in the Constitution that 8issua8e8 the Cou"t f"o( "eco7niAin7
the constitutional abolition of the 8eath penalt)B an8 the"e is no si(ila" statuto")
e;p"ession in Rep. Act No. ?#6$ 6hich coul8 be const"ue8 as e2ocati2e of intent si(ila"
to that of the Constitution.
The 8oct"ine in MuJoA that the constitutional p"ohibition on the i(position of the 8eath
penalt) 8i8 not enact a co""espon8in7 (o8ification of othe" penalties is si(ila"l)
i""ele2ant to this case$ 6hich calls fo" an e;a(ination as to 6hethe" such co""espon8in7
(o8ifications of othe" penalties a"ose as a conse<uence of Rep. Act No. ?#6$ an8 not the
Constitution.
'o" pu"poses of le7al he"(eneutics$ the c"itical <uestion is 6hethe" Rep. Act No. ?#6
inten8e8 to 8elete the 6o"8 D8eathD as e;p"essl) p"o2i8e8 fo" in the 7"a8uate8 scale of
penalties un8e" A"ticle -1. MuJoA 8i8 not en7a7e in an analo7ous in<ui") in "elation to
A"ticle -1 an8 the Constitution$ fo" 6hat 6as "ele2ant the"ein 6as not the 7ene"al
7"a8uate8 scale of penalties$ but the "an7e of the penalties fo" (u"8e". 0e"ein$ at ba"e
(ini(u($ no p"o2ision in Rep. Act No. ?#6 p"o2i8es a conte;t 6ithin 6hich the
concept of D8eath penalt)D bea"s "etenti2e le7al effect$ especiall) in "elation to A"ticle -1.
Unli>e the Constitution$ Rep. Act No. ?#6 8oes e;p"essl) stipulate the a(en8(ent of all
e;tant la6s insofa" as the) calle8 fo" the i(position of the penalt) of 8eath.
The i(p"ession left b) MuJoA 6as that the use of the 6o"8 Di(positionD in the
Constitution e2ince8 the f"a(e"Cs intent to "etain the ope"ation of penalties un8e" the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e. 1n the sa(e 2ein$ one (i7ht t") to const"ue the use of Di(positionD
in Rep. Act No. ?#6 as a (eans e(plo)e8 b) Con7"ess to ensu"e that the D8eath
penalt)D$ as applie8 in A"ticle -1$ "e(ain e;tant. 1f the use of Di(positionD 6as
i(ple(ente8 as a (eans of "etainin7 D8eathD un8e" A"ticle -1$ it 6oul8 ha2e been a (ost
cu"ious$ "oun8about (eans in8ee8. The Cou"t can tole"ate to a ce"tain 8e7"ee the
8elibe"ate 2a7ueness so(eti(es e(plo)e8 in le7islation$ )et constitutional 8ue p"ocess
8e(an8s a hi7he" 8e7"ee of cla"it) 6hen inf"in7e(ents on life o" libe"t) a"e inten8e8. =e
ha2e "ule8$ on 8ue p"ocess 7"oun8s$ as a"bit"a") an8 opp"essi2e a ta; assesse8 on a
stan8a"8 cha"acte"iAe8 as Dnothin7 but blathe" in sea"ch of (eanin7.D+ 1n the (atte" of
statutes that 8ep"i2e a pe"son of ph)sical libe"t)$ the 8e(an8 fo" a clea" stan8a"8 in
sentencin7 is e2en (o"e e;actin7.
Get in t"uth$ the"e is no (ate"ial 8iffe"ence bet6een Di(positionD an8 Dapplication$D fo"
both te"(s e(bo8) the ope"ation in la6 of the 8eath penalt). Since A"ticle -1
8eno(inates D8eathD as an ele(ent in the 7"a8uate8 scale of penalties$ the"e is no
<uestion that the ope"ation of A"ticle -1 in2ol2es the actual application of the 8eath
penalt) as a (eans of 8ete"(inin7 the e;tent 6hich a pe"sonCs libe"t) is to be 8ep"i2e8.
Since Rep. Act No. ?#6 une<ui2ocall) ba"s the application of the 8eath penalt)$ as 6ell
as e;p"essl) "epeals all such statuto") p"o2isions "e<ui"in7 the application of the 8eath
penalt)$ such effect necessa"il) e;ten8s to its "ele2ance to the 7"a8uate8 scale of penalties
un8e" A"ticle -1.
=e cannot fin8 basis to conclu8e that Rep. Act No. ?#6 inten8e8 to "etain the ope"ati2e
effects of the 8eath penalt) in the 7"a8uation of the othe" penalties in ou" penal la6s.
MunoA cannot enEoin us to a8opt such conclusion. Rep. Act No. ?#6 is not s6a88le8 in
the sa(e "est"aints app"eciate8 b) MuJoA on Section 1?91:$ A"ticle 111. The 2e")
Con7"ess e(po6e"e8 b) the Constitution to "einstate the i(position of the 8eath penalt)
once thou7ht it best to 8o so$ th"ou7h Rep. Act No. -6*!. =ithin the sa(e "eal( of
constitutional 8isc"etion$ Con7"ess has "e2e"se8 itself. 1t (ust be asse"te8 that to8a)$ the
le7al status of the supp"ession of the 8eath penalt) in the Philippines has ne2e" been (o"e
secu"e than at an) ti(e in ou" political histo") as a nation.
'ollo6in7 MuJoA$ the so2e"ei7n people$ th"ou7h the 1?+- Constitution$ (i7ht not ha2e
6ille8 the abolition of the 8eath penalt) an8 instea8 place8 it un8e" a suspensi2e
con8ition. As such$ 6e affi"(e8 the cha"acte"iAation of the 8eath penalt) 8u"in7 the
inte""e7nu( bet6een the 1?+- Constitution an8 its "ei(position th"ou7h la6 as bein7 Din
a state of hibe"nation.D+* No lon7e". 1t "ea6a>ene8 then it 8ie8B because the so2e"ei7n
people$ th"ou7h Rep. Act No. ?#6$ banne8 the 8eath penalt). Onl) b) an Act of
Con7"ess can it be "ebo"n. Befo"e that 8a)$ the consi8e"ation of 8eath as a penalt) is
be"eft of le7al effect$ 6hethe" as a (eans of 8ep"i2in7 life$ o" as a (eans of 8ep"i2in7
libe"t).
3espite ou" p"esent p"onounce(ent on the ban a7ainst of the 8eath penalt)$ 6e 8o not
ac>no6le87e that MuJoA lac>e8 le7al Eustification 6hen it 6as 8eci8e8B that its
application as p"ece8ent p"io" to Rep. Act No. ?#6 6as e""oneousB o" that p"e2ious
sentences i(pose8 on con2icts on the basis of MuJoA 6e"e 6"on7. MuJoA p"ope"l) stoo8
as the 7o2e"nin7 p"ece8ent in the (atte" of sentences that passe8 finalit) p"io" to Rep. Act
No. ?#6B an8 the consistent "eliance b) the cou"ts on its 8oct"ines ent"enche8 its footin7
in c"i(inal la6 Eu"isp"u8ence.
1K.
Rep. Act No. -6*?$ in the cou"se of "eint"o8ucin7 the 8eath penalt) in the Philippines$
also effecti2el) classifie8 the c"i(es liste8 the"ein as Dheinous$D 6ithin constitutional
conte(plation. Such "eclassification un8e" Rep. Act No. -6*? 6as acco(panie8 b)
ce"tain le7al effects othe" than the i(position of the 8eath penalt)$ such as the inc"ease in
i(posable fines attache8 to ce"tain heinous c"i(es.+6 The cate7o"iAation of ce"tain
c"i(es as DheinousD$ constitutin7 as it 8oes official "eco7nition that so(e c"i(es a"e (o"e
o8ious than othe"s$ has also influence8 this Cou"t in a8Eu87in7 the p"ope" pecunia")
in8e(nities a6a"8e8 to the 2icti(s of these c"i(es. 0ence$ a 7ene"al inclination pe"sists
in le2)in7 a 7"eate" a(ount of 8a(a7es on accuse8 foun8 7uilt) of heinous c"i(es.
1t shoul8 be un8e"stoo8 that the 8eba""in7 of the 8eath penalt) th"ou7h Rep. Act No. ?#6
8i8 not co""espon8in7l) 8eclassif) those c"i(es p"e2iousl) catalo7ue8 as DheinousD. The
a(en8ato") effects of Rep. Act No. ?#6 e;ten8 onl) to the application of the 8eath
penalt) but not to the 8efinition o" classification of c"i(es. T"ue$ the penalties fo" heinous
c"i(es ha2e been 8o6n7"a8e8 un8e" the ae7is of the ne6 la6. Still$ 6hat "e(ains e;tant
is the "eco7nition b) la6 that such c"i(es$ b) thei" abho""ent natu"e$ constitute a special
cate7o") b) the(sel2es. Acco"8in7l)$ Rep. Act No. ?#6 8oes not se"2e as basis fo" the
"e8uction of ci2il in8e(nit) an8 othe" 8a(a7es that a8he"e to heinous c"i(es.
K.
0a2in7 p"onounce8 the statuto") 8isallo6ance of the 8eath penalt) th"ou7h Rep. Act No.
?#6 an8 the co""espon8in7 (o8ification of penalties othe" than 8eath th"ou7h that
statute$ 6e no6 p"ocee8 to 8iscuss the effects of these "ulin7s.
As to sentences not )et han8e8 8o6n$ o" affi"(e8 6ith finalit)$ the application is
i((e8iate. 0encefo"th$ D8eath$D as utiliAe8 in A"ticle -1 of the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ shall
no lon7e" fo"( pa"t of the e<uation in the 7"a8uation of penalties. 'o" e;a(ple$ in the
case of appellant$ the 8ete"(ination of his penalt) fo" atte(pte8 "ape shall be "ec>one8
not f"o( t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than 8eath$ but t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than "eclusion pe"petua.
0ence$ the (a;i(u( te"( of his penalt) shall no lon7e" be "eclusion te(po"al$ as "ule8
b) the Cou"t of Appeals$ but instea8$ p"ision (a)o".
The"e shoul8 be little co(plication if the c"i(e co((itte8 6as punishable b) the f"ee,
stan8in7 penalt) of D8eath$D as utiliAe8 in Rep. Act No. -6*?$ as oppose8 to the "an7e8
penalt) of D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eath$D as often use8 in the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e an8
othe" penal la6s. The facts of the p"esent case 8o not conce"n the latte" penalt)$ hence ou"
"eluctance to a2ail of an e;ten8e8 8iscussion the"eof. 0o6e2e"$ 6e 8i8 ea"lie" obse"2e
that both D"eclusion pe"petuaD an8 8eath a"e in8i2isible penalties. Un8e" A"ticle 61 9%: of
the Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ D&6.hen the penalt) p"esc"ibe8 fo" the c"i(e is co(pose8 of t6o
in8i2isible penalties ; ; ; ; the penalt) ne;t lo6e" in 8e7"ee shall be that i((e8iatel)
follo6in7 the lesse" of the penalties p"esc"ibe8 in the "especti2e 7"a8uate8 scale.D 0ence$
as 6e ea"lie" note8$ ou" p"e2ious "ulin7s that the penalt) t6o 8e7"ees lo6e" than
D"eclusion pe"petua to 8eathD is p"ision (a)o".
Then the"e is the (atte" of 6hethe" "et"oacti2e effect shoul8 be e;ten8e8 to this ne6
"ulin7$ fa2o"able as it is to pe"sons p"e2iousl) con2icte8 of c"i(es 6hich$ if
consu((ate8 o" pa"ticipate8 in as a p"incipal$ 6oul8 ha2e 6a""ante8 the solita") penalt)
of 8eath. =e see no choice but to e;ten8 the "et"oacti2e benefit. A"ticle %% of the Re2ise8
Penal Co8e states that D&p.enal la6s shall ha2e a "et"oacti2e effect insofa" as the) fa2o"
the pe"son 7uilt) of a felon)$ 6ho is not a habitual c"i(inal&+-. ; ; ; ; althou7h at the
ti(e of the publication of such la6s a final sentence has been p"onounce8 an8 the con2ict
is se"2in7 the sa(e.D Gi2en that 6e ha2e "ule8 that Rep. Act No. ?#6 8o6n7"a8e8 the
penalties fo" such c"i(es$ the benefit of A"ticle %% has to appl)$ e;cept as to those pe"sons
8efine8 as Dhabitual c"i(inal&s..D 1n8ee8$ Rep. Act No. ?#6 e;p"essl) "eco7niAe8 that its
enact(ent 6oul8 ha2e "et"oacti2e beneficial effects$ "efe""in7 as it 8i8 to Dpe"sons ; ; ;
6hose sentences 6e"e "e8uce8 to "eclusion pe"petua b) "eason of this Act.D++
1t cannot be 8iscounte8 that b) ope"ation of Rep. Act No. ?#6 an8 A"ticle %% of the
Re2ise8 Penal Co8e$ the"e (a) be con2icts p"esentl) se"2in7 thei" o"i7inal sentences
6hose actual se"2e8 te"(s e;cee8 thei" "e8uce8 sentences. 1t shoul8 be un8e"stoo8 that
this 8ecision 8oes not (a>e ope"ati2e the "elease of such con2icts$ especiall) as the"e
(a) be othe" "easons that e;ist fo" thei" continue8 8etention. The"e a"e "e(e8ies un8e"
la6 that coul8 be e(plo)e8 to obtain the "elease of such p"isone"s$ if 6a""ante8. Offices
such as the Public Atto"ne)Cs Office an8 non,7o2e"n(ental o"7aniAations that f"e<uentl)
assist 8etainees possess the capacit) an8 acu(en to help i(ple(ent the "elease of such
p"isone"s 6ho a"e so entitle8 b) "eason of this "ulin7.
K1.
=e close b) "etu"nin7 to the (atte" of appellant Alf"e8o Bon. B) "eason of Rep. Act No.
?#6$ he is spa"e8 the 8eath sentence$ an8 entitle8 to the co""espon8in7 "e8uction of his
penalt) as a conse<uence of the 8o6n7"a8in7 of his offense f"o( t6o 9%: counts
consu((ate8 "ape to t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape. 'o" the si; 96: counts of "ape$ 6e
8o6n7"a8e the penalt) of 8eath to "eclusion pe"petua 6ith no eli7ibilit) fo" pa"ole$
pu"suant to Rep. Act No. ?#6. 'o" each of the t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape$ 6e
8o6n7"a8e b) one 8e7"ee lo6e" the penalt) i(pose8 b) the Cou"t of Appeals. =e hol8
that the"e bein7 no (iti7atin7 o" a77"a2atin7 ci"cu(stances$ the penalt) of p"ision (a)o"
shoul8 be i(pose8 in it (e8iu( pe"io8. Conse<uentl)$ 6e i(pose the ne6 penalt) of t6o
9%: )ea"s$ fou" 9: (onths an8 one 91: 8a) of p"ision co""eccional as (ini(u($ to ei7ht
9+: )ea"s an8 one 91: 8a) of p"ision (a)o" as (a;i(u(.
/astl)$ as to 8a(a7es$ the Cou"t a6a"8s AAA P#!$!!!.!! as ci2il in8e(nit)$ P%*$!!!.!!
as (o"al 8a(a7es an8 P1!$!!!.!! as e;e(pla") 8a(a7es fo" each count of atte(pte8
"ape$ it bein7 the p"e2ailin7 "ate of in8e(nit) as p"onounce8 in the "ecent case of People
2. Mi"an8a.+?
Sepa"atel)$ the Cou"t applies p"e2ailin7 Eu"isp"u8ence?! in a6a"8in7 to BBB an8 AAA
P-*$!!!.!! as ci2il in8e(nit)$ P-*$!!!.!! as (o"al 8a(a7es an8 P%*$!!!.!! as
e;e(pla") 8a(a7es$ fo" each count of consu((ate8 "ape.
=0ERE'ORE$ in li7ht of the fo"e7oin7$ the 3ecision of the Cou"t of Appeals is he"eb)
A''1RME3 =1T0 MO31'1CAT1ON. The Cou"t sentences appellant Alf"e8o 4. Bon to
the penalt) of "eclusion pe"petua 6ith no possibilit) of pa"ole fo" each of the si; 96:
counts of consu((ate8 "ape co((itte8 a7ainst AAA in C"i(inal Case Nos. 66??$ 6?!%$
an8 a7ainst BBB in C"i(inal Case Nos. 66+?$ 6?!#$ 6?!*$ an8 6?!-. Appellant is fu"the"
OR3ERE3 to in8e(nif) AAA an8 BBB fo" the c"i(e of consu((ate8 "ape$ in the
a(ounts of P*!$!!!.!! as ci2il in8e(nit)$ P*!$!!!.!! as (o"al 8a(a7es an8 P%*$!!!.!!
as e;e(pla") 8a(a7es fo" each of the(.
'o" the t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape of AAA in C"i(inal Cases No. 6?!6 an8 6?!+$
appellant is he"eb) SENTENCE3 to an in8ete"(inate penalt) of t6o 9%: )ea"s$ fou" 9:
(onths an8 one 91: 8a) of p"ision co""eccional as (ini(u($ to ei7ht 9+: )ea"s an8 one
91: of p"ision (a)o" as (a;i(u( fo" each count of atte(pte8 "ape. 1n a88ition$ appellant
is OR3ERE3 to in8e(nif) AAA fo" each of the t6o 9%: counts of atte(pte8 "ape in the
a(ounts of P#!$!!!.!! as ci2il in8e(nit)$ P%*$!!!.!! as (o"al 8a(a7es an8 P1!$!!!.!!
as e;e(pla") 8a(a7es.
SO OR3ERE3.
Pan7aniban$ C.4. 9Chai"pe"son:$ Puno$ @uisu(bin7$ Gna"es,Santia7o$ San8o2al,
Gutie""eA$ Ca"pio$ Aust"ia,Ma"tineA$ Co"ona$ Ca"pio Mo"ales$ CalleEo$ S".$ AAcuna$
Chico,NaAa"io$ Ga"cia$ an8 Felasco$ 4".$ 44.$ concu".