Valenton, Francis Angelo T.

Criminal Law 2

1S

Li vs. People of the Philippines (G.R. No. 127962)

Facts: The petitioner is Kingstone Li. The respondents People of the Philippines, and the
Honorable Court of Appeals. In the case at bar, on April 19, 1993, street brawl ensued between
Christopher Arugay and his neighbor the herein petitioner Li. Arugay sustained multiple stab
wounds causing his death while Li sustained hack wounds on the head. The prosecution said
that, Arugay was watching the television at home with his sisters Cristy and Baby Jane and
boyfriend of Baby Jane, and his girlfriend dela Camara. Suddenly they heard a noise. Enraged,
Arugay yelled “Pare bastos kayo, bat kayo nakahubad?” Li replied “putang ina” and threw
something at the Arugay’s house. Arugay went outside and confronted Li, and the latter striking
Arugay with a baseball bat on the head and later stabbing him with a knife. Sangalang was also
seen stabbing the victim at least once with a knife. Li was charged before the RTC of Makati
with the crime of Homicide. The RTC then found the petitioner guilty. Hence the appeal.

Issue: Is the petitioner liable for homicide.

Held: The Supreme Court said that the petitioner should be convicted for the crime of slight
physical injury instead of homicide. The only injury attributable to Li is the contusion on the
victim’s right arm that resulted from Li striking Arugay with a baseball bat. Such injuries cause
by Li was not the probable cause of the death of Arugay. Hence, it is wrong to find him guilty of
homicide.