RULE 30 Rafael purportedly also asked Rommel, "Ano ba

talaga ang problema ng long hair na ito?"

referring to the accused, who sported long hair.
G.R. No. 136869 October 17, 2001 Anticipating trouble, Rommel got hold of a bottle
of beer and hid it under the table.
PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, Rommel and Rafael subsequently went upstairs
vs. the Rendezvous to look for another male
DENNIS MAZO, accused-appellant. companion, Joan Martinez. Failing to find Joan,
the two went down and rode Rommel’s
KAPUNAN, J.: motorcycle to Ilaya Street. As the two rode past
Jim’s Beta House, they passed the group of
In an Information dated February 4, 1997, the Dennis Mazo. Somebody called, "Pssst," and
Provincial Prosecutor of Romblon charged Rommel stopped the vehicle at Punzalan’s
appellant Dennis Mazo before the Regional Trial Pharmacy. Rafael alighted and approached
Court (RTC) of killing one Rafael Morada, Jr., Dennis and his companions to ask who called
thus: them. Dennis and Rafael walked towards each
other, Dennis holding his back pocket. Suddenly,
That on or about the 10th day of January, 1997, Dennis, who wielded a knife on his right hand,
at around 1:00 o’clock in the morning, in the stabbed Rafael about eight inches below the left
Poblacion, municipality of Romblon, province of nipple.
Romblon, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction
of this Honorable Court, the said accused, with During this time, Rommel remained seated on
intent to kill, did then and there, by means of his motorcycle. He had turned his head, allowing
treachery, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously him to witness the incident from a distance of
attack, assault and strike with a knife, one about five (5) meters. A light from a post
RAFAEL MORADA, JR., inflicting upon the latter illuminated the scene.
serious wounds in different parts of his body
which resulted to his untimely death. Though wounded, Rafael was able to parry
another of Dennis’ thrusts and then run towards
Contrary to law.1 the municipal building. He held his left side with
both hands as Dennis gave him chase. Rafael
Arraigned on February 12, 1997, the accused stumbled as he reached the H.E. Building
pleaded not guilty to the above charges.2 fronting the Romblon West Central School, six (6)
or seven (7) arms’ length away. Rafael
The prosecution presented Rommel Abrenica, cushioned his fall with his hands and was able to
19, who testified that at about 1:00 in the roll on his back. He raised his feet and his hands
morning of January 10, 1997, he and the to shield himself from Dennis’ stabbing thrusts.
deceased, Rafael Morada, Jr., were having a Rafael cried, "Aray! Aray! Tama na! Tama na!"
drink in the "Rendezvous," located near the Thereafter, Dennis fled towards Ilaya Street.
plaza in Barangay 1, in Poblacion, Romblon,
Romblon. Earlier that evening, the two had gone Rafael managed to stand up despite his wounds.
to the "S & L Video" where each of them had two He walked towards the municipal building but fell
(2) bottles of beer. Rommel and Rafael stayed in again before reaching it. In his motorcycle,
the Rendezvous for around 30 minutes and Rommel rode to where Rafael lay. Rommel held
consumed another two (2) bottles of beer each. Dennis and tried to lift him but his friend was just
too heavy. Rommel called for help.
Before leaving the Rendezvous, an altercation Subsequently, a certain Lalong and one Joseph
between them and the accused Dennis Mazo Angcaco arrived. They rode the victim in the
occurred. Rommel’s testimony regarding the latter’s tricycle and brought him to the hospital.
altercation is sketchy but it appears that Rommel Their efforts proved futile, however, for Rafael
was jealous of the accused whose alleged was already dead on arrival.
girlfriend, a waitress at the Rendezvous,
Rommel also fancied. On their way out, Rommel In court, Rommel identified Exhibit "D" as the
saw the accused Dennis Mazo, who was with same knife that the accused allegedly used in
Anthony Mortel, Gerry Moreno and Glenn Mazo. stabbing the deceased.3
Rommel approached one of the girls in the bar.
While talking to the girl, the accused approached Dr. Victorio F. Benedicto, the Municipal Health
them and said, "[O]h, what?" They responded by Officer of Romblon, Romblon conducted the
asking him, "[W]hat?" Rommel described the autopsy on Rafael’s remains. Dr. Benedicto
accused’s attitude as "brave[,] as if he was listed five injuries on the victim’s body, all of
threatening [them]." which could have been caused by a sharp,
bladed instrument:
1. Stab wound, 3 cm. in length just below the The accused interposed self-defense, claiming
xiphoid process directed internally, upward and that it was the victim who initially possessed the
to the left, with the forceps going all the way up knife and started the fight.
to the handle.
Dennis Mazo, 19, recalled that he, his brother
2. Stab wound 5 cms. in legnth [sic] at the left Glenn, and friends Anthony Mortel and Jerry
lumbar area, directed medially penetrating the Moreno were at the Rendezvous on the evening
abdominal cavity with a loop of small intestines of January 9, 1997. A girl standing by the door
protruding called to Dennis. Dennis approached her and the
girl introduced herself as Mila. They shook
3. Stab wound ½cm in length 2cms. in depth hands and Dennis gave his name. The girl asked
back of left thigh if he wanted a drink. Dennis declined but the girl
insisted.
4. Stab wound through and through left calf
medial 3rd entrance; 4cms. lateral aspect; exit While Dennis and Mila conversed, Rafael and
5cms., medial aspect Rommel went down and headed towards them.
Rommel was holding a bottle of beer. The two,
5. Stab wound through and through, right thigh especially Rafael, stared at him "badly." Rafael
entrance-3cms., posterior lateral aspect medial pointed to Dennis asking, what was the problem
3rd. Exit antero-lateral – 3cms.4 with "that long hair"?

Dr. Benedicto concluded that the cause of the Dennis approached Rafael and told him,
victim’s death was "cardiac tamponade "’[T]ol (brother), I don’t have [a] problem [with
secondary to traumatic injury to the heart you]." Rafael just stared at him. Rommel told
inflicted by injury No. 1." He could not tell, Rafael, "[P]are, kinakaya ka lang yata."
however, the order of the infliction of the
injuries.5 As the situation grew tenser, Dennis’
companions approached and tried to patch
SPO2 Jose Riva de la Cruz was the guard on things up between the protagonists. Dennis’
duty when the accused was brought to the police friends told him it would be better if they went
station. SPO2 De la Cruz asked the accused home "because the two (2) would not respond."
why he was "surrendering." Dennis answered, "I The group thus headed home.
stabbed Rabot Morada." The accused also told
SPO2 de la Cruz that he used a kitchen knife in The four were walking in front of Jim’s Beta Shop
stabbing the victim. SPO2 de la Cruz asked him when a speeding motorcycle driven by Rommel
where the knife was. The accused replied, "I Abrenica passed by them and stopped in front of
threw it in the creek at the back of the house of Punzalan’s Pharmacy. Rafael alighted from the
Noel Falcutilla." vehicle, drew something from his back pocket
and walked towards Dennis.
When SPO3 Elizer Gene Mallen arrived at the
police station, SPO2 de la Cruz instructed him to At about a distance of one (1) meter from Dennis,
go to the back of Noel Falcutilla’s house to Rafael, with knife in hand, delivered a thrust in
recover the knife. SPO3 Mallen complied and the direction of Dennis’ abdomen. Dennis, a
soon returned with the weapon. student of the Yaw Yan Karate Club, Parañaque
Chapter, managed to evade Rafael’s thrust by
SPO2 de la Cruz showed the knife to the sidestepping. He turned his body, held Rafael’s
accused and asked him if that was the same arm with both hands, and pounded Rafael’s arm
knife used in the killing. The accused replied, with his right knee.
"Yes, sir."
Rafael lost his grip on the knife, which fell on the
SPO2 de la Cruz admitted, however, that his ground to Dennis’ right. Rafael stooped to pick
questioning of the accused was made without up the knife but Dennis was there ahead of him.
the latter having the benefit of counsel.6 Dennis grabbed the knife from the ground and
stabbed Rafael, hitting him in the right part of the
Gloria Morada, the deceased’s sister, testified abdomen. Dennis again stabbed Rafael and hit
that her brother, a marine engineering graduate, him this time on the left. Rafael exclaimed, "Ah, I
was 23 when he was killed. She said that she am hit!" and fell on his back. Rafael raised his
spent P800.00 for the embalming of the body feet and kicked Dennis on the abdomen. Dennis
and another P8,000 for the coffin. The lot where reacted by stabbing Rafael on the foot.
he was buried cost P5,000 and the expenses for
the nine-day wake amounted to P10,000.7 Dennis’ companions told him, "Let’s go," and
Dennis followed them home.8
The foregoing account was corroborated by surrender to him. He then accompanied Violeta
Dennis’ companions, Gerry Moreno9 and and Jane back to their residence.
Anthony Mortel,10 in their respective testimonies.
Arriving at Dennis Mazo’s residence, the
Dennis rested at home until Senior Police Inspector was informed by Catalino Mazo,
Inspector Harry B. Mazo, then the Chief of the Dennis’ grandfather, that Dennis was already
Romblon, Romblon Police Station and a distant sleeping. Catalino woke Dennis, who told the
relative of the accused, arrived. The Inspector Inspector that he was afraid of the victims’
asked Dennis whether he was involved in the relatives. Considering that it was already early
stabbing incident. Dennis answered in the morning, and in order to give Dennis time to rest,
affirmative and told Inspector Mazo that he was the Inspector told Dennis that it would be better
going to surrender to him. Inspector Mazo that Dennis surrender to him later that morning.
approved, and said that he will fetch Dennis at Dennis acceded to the Inspector’s suggestion.
6:00 that morning.
Later, Inspector Mazo picked up Dennis at the
As promised, Inspector Mazo picked up Dennis latter’s residence before heading to the police
before going to work that day. Dennis was station. Without question, Dennis rode with the
brought to the police headquarters where an Inspector to the station where he was locked up
investigation was conducted. Dennis said he told in the investigation room.
the police about the whole incident. He pointed
them to where he threw the knife, which the Senior Police Inspector Mazo inquired from
victim allegedly used in the attack. Dennis what happened earlier that morning.
Dennis narrated that while he was having a drink
Rafael further testified that he sustained an in the Rendezvous Shopping Center with a
injury in his right forefinger as he parried Rafael’s friend, Rommel Abrenica stared at him angrily.
thrust. Dennis treated the injury with first aid by Dennis said that Rommel felt jealous towards
washing it and applying Merthiolate on the him because of a girl. Upon the advice of Dennis’
wound. Dennis later had the injury treated by Dr. younger brother, Dennis and his friends went
Victorio Benedicto on January 17, 1997, seven home.
days after the incident. It did not occur to Dennis
to have the wound treated immediately after the On their way home, a motorcycle chased their
infliction of the injury because he was still group and stopped near them. Dennis heard
confused.11 Rommel tell Rafael to alight the vehicle and say,
"Banatan mo na." The victim alighted and
Dr. Victorio Benedicto confirmed that he treated attacked Dennis with a knife. Dennis, in
Dennis for the injury on his finger. In a self-defense, was able to stab Rafael, who ran
medico-legal certificate dated January 17, 1997, towards the church.
Dr. Benedicto stated that he attended to Dennis
for a "[h]ealed incised wound 1.5 cms. Senior Police Inspector Mazo asked him the
mid-portion, anterior aspect RT. index finger."12 whereabouts of the knife. Dennis revealed that
the knife was thrown in the creek, near the
The doctor said that the injury could have been residence of one Mr. Falcutilla.14
caused by a kitchen knife, such as Exhibit "D,"
but that it could also have been sustained before On rebuttal, the prosecution again presented
or even after the January 10 incident.13 Rommel Abrenica15 and SPO2 de la Cruz,16 who
both affirmed their earlier testimonies. The
To prove the mitigating circumstance of prosecution also offered for the first time the
voluntary surrender, the defense presented testimony of Adrian "Dianne" Yap, 20, a
Senior Police Inspector Harry B. Mazo. make-up artist.

Senior Police Inspector Mazo was at home on It was fiesta time and Adrian and his friends
January 10, 1997, at about 3:30 in the morning were having a stroll at around midnight of
when somebody knocked on his door. He January 10, 1997 to look for men. The group
opened it and found Violy Mazo and Jane Muros, ended up in the church belfry, where the men
the grandmother and cousin of the accused, were supposed to hang out. Adrian’s
respectively. They informed the Inspector that companions were Ronnie Manzo, Alexander
Dennis was involved in the stabbing incident that "Sandra" Montojo, Arnel "Gretchen" Rocha,
occurred earlier. Senior Police Inspector Mazo John-john "Nene" Mutia, Erning Galanao and
inquired where Dennis was. According to the Lope Gregorio. Like his friends, Adrian is gay.
women, they could not ascertain their relative’s
whereabouts. Senior Police Inspector Mazo told Adrian later left his companions at the side of the
the two that if Dennis was afraid, he could belfry and the church and saw Dennis and
Rafael running from Jim’s Video to the Romblon
West Central School. Light emanating from the doubt of the crime of Murder and hereby
Daily Bread Bakery enabled Adrian to witness sentences him to suffer the penalty of reclusion
the incident. perpetua with the accessory penalties of the law
and to pay the costs.
As Dennis chased Rafael, the latter fell in front of
the school by the gate. Rafael crawled on his The accused is ORDERED to pay the heirs of
back to the other side of the street towards the the victim the following sums: P50,000.00 as
front of the H.E. Building. Dennis crouched indemnity for the death of Rafael Morada, Jr. and
forward and executed downward thrusts with his P50,000.00 as moral damages; and to pay Ms.
right hand, as if with a knife. As Rafael finally Gloria Morada the sum of P23,800.00 as actual
reached the front of the H.E. Building, he damages, all without subsidiary imprisonment in
shouted, "Ayaw, pare, aray!" Rafael raised his case of insolvency.
hands and legs. Rafael was kicking, as if
defending himself. The bail bond of the accused is ORDERED
CANCELLED and said accused is ORDERED
Rommel Abrenica then headed towards the confined in jail.
municipal building in his motorcycle. Upon
seeing Rommel, Dennis ran towards Ilaya Street. The preventive imprisonment the accused had
Rafael, on the other hand, followed Rommel. undergone, if any, shall be credited in his favor
Rafael fell on his belly near the front of the to its full extent pursuant to Article 29 of the
municipal building and Rommel went to him. Revised Penal Code, as amended.

Adrian followed Rafael to the municipal building. SO ORDERED.19

As Rommel turned Rafael’s body, Adrian got a
glimpse of Rafael’s intestines.17 Appellant maintains that the killing of Rafael
Morada, Jr., was done in self-defense, a
Another rebuttal witness, Louel Manzo, justifying circumstance,20 or at least constituted
observed that Exhibit "D," the knife that was incomplete self-defense, a privileged mitigating
allegedly used in the stabbing of Rafael Morada, circumstance.21 Appellant also argues that the
looked familiar. According to Louel, he and prosecution failed to prove the attendance of the
Dennis had an altercation two days before the qualifying circumstance of treachery.22 Finally,
stabbing and Dennis had chased him with a he faults the trial court for failing to appreciate
knife. the mitigating circumstance of voluntary
surrender in his favor.23
Louel narrated that on January 8, 1997, at
around 3:00 p.m., he was with Reagan Manzano, Where the accused owns up to the killing of the
Joal Madeja and Loreto Relano. While on his victim, the burden of evidence shifts to him and
way home from the plaza after watching he must show by clear and convincing proof that
basketball, an altercation between him and he indeed acted in self-defense.24 To meet this
Dennis Mazo’s friend, Bongbong Moaje, broke burden, appellant has offered his testimony as
out. Dennis challenged Louel to fight with well as that of Anthony Mortel and Gerry Moreno,
Bongbong. Louel, however, told Dennis that his companions on the night of the incident.
fighting was not the solution to the dispute.
Dennis told Louel to wait for him, and went home. These testimonies, however, are belied by the
When Dennis returned, he chased Louel with a testimony of Rommel Abrenica, who testified that
knife. Louel fell and Dennis stopped only when it was appellant who was the aggressor.
Louel fell.
Appellant brands Abrenica’s testimony as
Louel then went home, got his airgun and unreliable, the witness having consumed four (4)
proceeded to Dennis’ house, intending to scare bottles on the night of the incident, two (2) while
him. Dennis, who was holding a knife, told him at the S & L Video and another two (2) at the
that they should fight with knives instead. Louel Rendezvous. Nevertheless, it must be pointed
in turn challenged him to a fistfight but Dennis out that the four (4) bottles were far from his
did not accept his challenge.18 threshold of seven (7). Moreover, these were
consumed over a protracted period of two and a
On November 26, 1998, the Romblon RTC half (2½) hours thus lessening the likelihood that
rendered judgment convicting the accused of his senses would be impaired by the intake of
Murder and sentencing him to suffer the penalty alcohol.
of reclusion perpetua. The dispositive portion of
the decision reads: Appellant also questions Abrenica’s opportunity
to witness the stabbing:
WHEREFORE, this Court finds the accused
DENNIS MAZO GUILTY beyond reasonable
x x x on cross-examination, he admitted he could As well as to this:
not get a good picture of the incident considering
he never alighted from his motorcycle and Q – And you will agree with me that
merely turned his head to observe the incident because of your [sic] difficulty of position at the
(Rommel Abrenica, on cross, id., p. 43). distance of one (1) meter from Rafael Morada, Jr.
Because of the difficulty of his position, he could to that of Dennis Mazo you could not see what
not see the incident (Rommel Abrenica, on was in the hands of Dennis Mazo, correct?
clarification by the trial court, id., p. 59). He could
not see what was in the hands of the accused A – Yes, sir.28
(Rommel Abrenica, on cross, id., p. 51). He
cannot be positive that the victim was not the "Yes, sir," my position made it difficult to see
one carrying the knife (Rommel Abrenica, on what was in Dennis Mazo’s hands, or, "Yes, sir,"
cross, id., pp. 51 and 53). He did not, at that time, I was able to see despite the difficulty of my
ask the victim if he was carrying a knife (id., p. position?
45); he only assumed the victim had no knife
with him because he had never before seen him The Court finds the testimony of Abrenica worthy
with one in the past (id., p. 45). Significantly, he of belief not only because it is replete with details
only looked at the victim and the accused for "a but is also corroborated in part by the testimony
while" (id., p. 55).25 of Adrian Yap. Yap, like Abrenica, testified that
appellant chased the deceased to the H.E.
The Court finds these points rather Building, rebutting appellant’s and his witnesses’
inconsequential. It is true that Abrenica admitted account. Notably, appellant, Moreno and Mortel
that he never alighted from his motorcycle and did not mention any chase taking place.
merely turned his head to observe the
showdown between appellant and the victim but Appellant, though, likewise assails Yap’s
there was never an admission that he could not trustworthiness, whose appearance as a rebuttal
get a good picture of the incident. witness, it is claimed, is most "irregular and
improper" since he should have testified during
As to whether the witness’ position enabled him the prosecution’s presentation of its
evidence-in-chief. 29
to accurately observe the incident, the Court
notes that defense counsel’s questions to
Abrenica were phrased in the negative and This argument loses its value in the face of the
assumed facts that had not been admitted, defense’s failure to object to the offer of the
thereby tending to yield answers that may be witness’ testimony or to move for such testimony
interpreted one way or the other. To illustrate: to be struck off the record when the impropriety
thereof became apparent. In any case,
ATTY. FRADEJAS Continuing: "[e]vidence offered in rebuttal is not
automatically excluded just because it would
Q – And considering your [sic] difficulty have been more properly admitted in the case in
of your position, you could not see whether chief. Whether evidence could have been more
Dennis Mazo was able to hold the hand of properly admitted in the case in chief is not a test
Rafael Morada, Jr., correct? of admissibility of evidence in rebuttal. Thus, the
fact that testimony might have been useful and
A – No, sir.26 usable in the case in chief does not necessarily
preclude its use in rebuttal."30
"No, sir," in appellant’s view, means that the
difficulty of Abrenica’s position prevented him Appellant also doubts Yap’s presence during the
from seeing appellant hold the victim’s hands. stabbing incident since the same is
Yet "No, sir," could also mean that, no, the uncorroborated by other evidence:
witness did not see such act take place since,
consistent with his testimony and contrary to 44. Curiously, while claiming to be an
appellant and his witness’ version, appellant’s eyewitness who later made a statement to the
holding of the victim’s hands did not take place Philippine National Police (PNP), Yap admitted
at all. The same duplicitous interpretations may he did not execute any affidavit (id., p. 9). On
be attached to the next question: clarification by the trial court, he said his
statement in writing was taken by the PNP (id., p.
Q – You could not also see whether 27) and that the same was in the custody of
Rafael Morada, Jr. was able to move his hand Senior State Prosecutor Francisco Benedicto Jr.
from his left side going to the right side because (id., p. 28). However, the prosecution did not
his back was facing towards your back? produce anything (whether documentary or
testimonial) that would corroborate Yap's
A – I did not see.27 allegation that he was an eyewitness. If ever, it
suppressed the alleged written statement of Yap
and therefore it should be presumed to be Q – You like him?
adverse to the prosecution's case had it been
produced (Rule 131, Secs. 3, e, Rules of Court). A – Of course I am a gay I would like him
Yap's testimony is remarkable for being because he is handsome.
uncorroborated, which is anomalous under the
circumstances. Q – Did you ever wanted him to be a
partner?
45. Chief prosecution witness Abrenica, whom
Yap claimed he saw overtake the victim as the A – No, sir.
latter struggled to get to the municipal hall, never
even mentioned that he saw Yap. Neither in his Q – You never approach[ed] him and
lengthy testimonies on the prosecution's offered yourself to him as your partner?
evidence-in-chief (Rommel Abrenica, 04 March
1997 TSN, pp. 4 to 63 and 07 July 1997 TSN, pp. A – No, sir.
1-7) nor in the rebuttal evidence (Rommel
Abrenica, 20 January 1991 TSN, pp. 1-29) did Q – But you said that you admired him,
he hint seeing Yap. The persons Abrenica macho, guwapo and a good dances [sic] right?
claimed he saw near the municipal hall were
Joseph Angcaco and a certain Lalong who A – Yes, sir.
helped him bring the victim to the hospital
Q – Are you attracted to your same sex
(Rommel Abrenica on direct, 04 March 1997
meaning the males?
TSN, p. 17). Yap is conspicuously absent in
Abrenica's testimony. xxx31
A – Yes, sir.
The Court finds no reason to doubt Yap’s
Q – You were attracted to Dennis Mazo?
presence at the scene of the crime for, like
Abrenica’s testimony, Yap’s account is fraught
A – Yes, sir.
with details, which could be possible only if he
was actually present when the killing occurred. Q – And you sincerely wanted to be with
Moreover, the trial court described Yap as a him at one time or another because you admire
"most spontaneous" witness, and appellate him to be macho, guwapo?
courts usually accord great weight to the trial
court’s assessment of a witness’ credibility, A – I am shytupe [sic] I cannot tell.
having been in a better position to observe his
demeanor.32 Further, the defense failed to Q – You cannot tell us but within your
establish any motive for Yap to testify falsely heart you were craving or you desire Dennis
against appellant. Indeed, Yap testified against Mazo to be your partner one time or another in
appellant, despite his admiration for him: your life?

Q – Now you said that you saw the A – Yes, sir.

accused Dennis Mazo and you pointed to him
when you were asked to in the courtroom, how Q – But you never had the chance to be
long have you known Dennis Mazo? with Dennis Mazo?

A – Before Dennis Mazo was going to A – None, sir.

Joey Argawanon.
Q – And you rebelled within you yourself
Q – Who is that Joey Argawanon? to be with Dennis Mazo?

A – Former President of the Gay Society A – No.

in Romblon.
Q – Right now, do you still admire
Q – You met Dennis Mazo in the place Dennis Mazo for his handsomeness or being a
of Joey Argawanon? macho guy?

A – No, sir. I came to know because he A – Yes, sir.

was one of the dancers of [sic] Joey[’s] show.
Q – Are you aware that right now the
Q – How do you size-up Dennis Mazo, is Honorable Placido C. Marquez of the RTC of
he macho? Romblon is prepared to decide on the liberty of
the life of Dennis Mazo whom you admire?
A – Yes sir, guwapo.
A – Yes, sir.
COURT: Q: So, what did you do?

Q – Why despite that awareness on your A: I asked for help.

part is testifying practically against him, why?
Q: Did anyone answer your call for help?
A – Of course the one one [sic] is
looking for justice and besides I saw it and I am A: Not yet.
telling the truth what is the truth that Dennis I
saw him chasing Rapot who fell in front of the Q: What about later?
gate of the Romblon West Central School; then
Rapot crawling going in front of the H.E. begging A: Somebody helped me.
"don't pare, ouch!" of course I saw their
circumstances that Rapot was in hard situation Q: Who helped you?
and who would not pitty [sic] the other side who
is now dead!33 A: Lalong.

The failure of the prosecution to offer in evidence Q: Do you know his complete name?
the affidavit allegedly executed by Yap after the
killing does not give rise to the presumption that A: His name is Lalong.
evidence willfully suppressed would be adverse
Q: Who else helped you?
if produced.34 Such presumption is not
applicable when the omitted evidence is at the
A: Joseph Angcaco.
disposal of both parties, because it would have
the same weight against the one as against the
Q: And what was done with Rafael
other party.35 In People vs. Padiernos,36 the
Morada, Jr. when the two (2) came?
Court rejected a similar claim by the accused,
thus: A: Joseph Angcaco had a tricycle.
xxx Nor do we find merit in the contention that Q: And what was done with Rafael
the non-presentation of the written statement of Morada Jr. since, Joseph Angcaco had a
this witness to the police which she allegedly did tricycle?
not sign, gave rise to the presumption that it
"contained declarations disastrous to the A: We brought him to the hospital"37
prosecution case." The presumption that
suppressed evidence is unfavorable does not Yap never claimed to have helped Abrenica or
apply where the evidence was at the disposal of the victim.
both the defense and the prosecution. In the
case at bar, the alleged statement of prosecution Next, appellant describes Yap’s testimony as
witness Letty Basa was in the possession of the "incredible" because:
police authorities. Hence, the defense could
have requested the lower court below to issue a xxx He admitted he did not observe any
subpoena requiring the police to produce such commotion before the alleged chase (id., p. 13).
statement, but as the defense failed to do that, This is surprising because the church belfry
they cannot now argue that said statement if (where Rap was allegedly positioned) was only
produced would have been adverse to the 15-20 meters from Punzalan's Pharmacy where
prosecution. the stabbing occurred (id., pp. 12-13) and there
was alight [sic] at the Jem's Beta Show and Daily
As regards Abrenica’s failure to mention Yap’s Bread Bakery. Moreover, the moon was bright.
presence in his testimony, it must be noted that Yap also did not see any knife (id., 24-26). [On
the questions propounded by the prosecution the contrary, he said accused was on top of the
related to the identity of the persons who came victim with his hand making a repeated thrust
to the victim’s succor, not those who were "like he was punching" (id., p. 26)]. In fact, he
present at the scene. only concluded that accused stabbed the victim
because he saw the latter's intestines as the
Q: When he had fallen, what did you do? body was turned over by Abrenica (id., p. 25)].
After the incident, Yap never told Abrenica of
A: I held him and cuddled him. what he saw (id., p. 28). He did not, during that
night, make any report to the police (id., p. 33).
Q: And what did you do with him?
None of the seven (7) gay companions, who also
allegedly heard the commotion, corroborated his
A: I was about to lift him but he was too
testimony even though they were also alleged to
heavy.
be eyewitness to the chase and the fight (id., pp.
25 and 26). Yap said he and another gay, Appellant himself provides additional ground for
Ronnie Manzo, followed the victim and Abrenica the Court to reject his plea of self-defense.
to the municipal building and were only two (2) Appellant’s claim that he sustained an injury in
meters from them (id., pp. 25-26). But Abrenica his finger during the confrontation is simply too
never claimed having seen them. Neither did contrived to deserve any credence. We sustain
Lalong and Joseph Angcaco, who helped bring the trial court’s finding in this regard:
the victim to the hospital, testify to corroborate
Yap's testimony. Neither did the gay Ronnie The accused claimed that he wrested the knife
Manzo take the witness stand, whether during (Exh. D) from the deceased when the latter
the presentation of the evidence-in-chief or the stabbed him and that he was injured in his right
rebuttal. The non-production of a corroborative forefinger because his right forefinger slid when
witness, without any explanation given why he he parried the blow or thrust. (Dennis Mazo, tsn,
was not so produced, weakens the testimony of on direct examination, September 9, 1997, p. 39).
the witness who named that corroborating These claims should be rejected. As
witness in his testimony (Pp. v. Abonales, 60 OG demonstrated by the accused himself, he
179, 182-183).38 allegedly made a side step to his right side while
the victim was approaching and delivering a
The Court is not persuaded by these arguments. forward thrust on him with his right hand holding
the knife; he took hold with his two (2) hands the
First, that Adrian did not see any commotion right hand of the deceased and with his right
before the chase is easily explainable. Adrian knee raised forward, he pounded the right hand
recounted that he was in the belfry with his of the victim against his right knee and the
companions but later detached himself from the deceased lost his grip on the knife and it fell on
group and went out because he had no male the ground (Dennis Mazo, on direct
companion.39 Thus, it is possible that the examination, supra, pp. 30-32). He was ahead in
pre-chase commotion occurred while Adrian was getting the knife; automatically after the knife fell,
in the belfry and only chanced upon the chase he got it (supra, p. 32). This same scene
when he went out. showing how the accused allegedly parried the
thrust of the knife by the deceased was
Second, that Adrian did not see any knife in described and demonstrated by defense witness
appellant’s hands did not render his testimony Anthony Mortel (Anthony Mortel, tsn, on direct
incredible. (On the contrary, his candor in examination, July 8, 1997, p. 12). The same is
admitting so boosts rather than diminishes his true with the description and demonstration by
credibility for if his testimony were fabricated he another defense witness, Gerry Moreno (Gerry
could easily have testified that he saw the knife.) Moreno, tsn, on direct examination, Sept. 8,
As appellant himself pointed out, Adrian 1997, pp. 16-17).
witnessed the incident from a distance of 15-20
meters. The stabbing occurred in the wee hours The strong, clear and convincing evidence
of the morning. These circumstances naturally testified to by the accused himself and his own
prevented Adrian from seeing the attack in detail, two (2) witnesses, and even demonstrated by
although they were sufficient for him to work out them in Court, as shown above, would show that
a general depiction of the tragic event. there was no such parrying of the thrust or blow
Consequently, Adrian was able to demonstrate with the knife (Exh. D) by the deceased which
how appellant crouched as he thrusted his right could have injured the right forefinger (right
hand downwards, at the same time moving index finger) of the accused. This finds support
forward.40 in the utter lack of corroboration by his relative,
the Chief of Police of Romblon Harry B. Mazo,
Finally, the prosecution has discretion to decide who brought him that same early morning of the
on who to call as witness during trial. Its failure to incident to the investigation room of their police
present Ronnie Manzo or any of Adrian’s headquarters and who testified as a defense
companions does not give rise to the witness. The same is true with another defense
presumption that "evidence willfully suppressed witness, SPO2 Jose dela Cruz, who was the one
would be adverse if produced" since the to whom Senior Police Inspector Mazo turned
evidence was merely corroborative or over the accused early that same morning of the
cumulative and was not proven to be willfully incident and who accomplished the temporary
suppressed.41 Like the affidavit Adrian executed, and permanent police blotters after making
which was not offered by the prosecution in inquiries from the accused which permanent
evidence, appellant could have subpoenaed police blotter (Exhs. 1 and 1-A) made no mention
Adrian’s companions to testify in his behalf if he also of such injury allegedly sustained by the
believed that their testimonies were vital to his accused. Both police officers made no mention
defense.42 at all in their Court testimonies about this vital
injury during the stabbing incident. Likewise, it
would appear that his medical consultation with such as when a heated argument preceded the
the nearby Dr. Victorio F. Benedicto only on July attack, or when the victim was standing face to
17, 1997 and who inspected his already healed face with his assailants and the initial assault
incised wound or scar (Exh. 2) was an could not have been unforeseen.47 Moreover–
afterthought. Moreover, from the testimony of Dr.
Benedicto this wound could have been In treachery, the mode of attack must
sustained possibly by the accused on January be consciously adopted. This means that the
12 or 13, 1997 (Dr. Victorio F. Benedicto, tsn, on accused must make some preparation to kill the
additional cross examination, Oct. 17, 1997, p. deceased in such a manner as to insure the
22) or possibly incurred about on January 10, execution of the crime or to make it impossible or
1997 (supra, on additional question by the hard for the person attacked to defend himself or
defense counsel, p. 23). Either way, this retaliate. The mode of attack, therefore, must be
testimony does not help the accused in clearly planned by the offender, and must not spring
and convincingly proving that he sustained this from the unexpected turn of events.48
healed wound during the incident especially in
the context of other testimonial and documentary The meeting between appellant’s group and the
evidence including his own and those of his victim was merely by chance and it could not be
other defense witnesses.43 said that the mode of attack could have been
planned. A killing done at the spur of the moment
Thus, rather than strengthening his plea of is not treacherous.49
self-defense, appellant’s allegation that he
suffered an injury during the purported scuffle The trial court also held that there was treachery
diminishes his claim to the justifying when appellant continued to stab the victim
circumstance. when the latter fell and was crawling on his back.
This conclusion is erroneous. It is true that
As appellant failed to prove by clear and appellant took advantage of the victim’s
convincing evidence that the deceased was the unfortunate fall to finish him off but there is no
unlawful aggressor, his claim of incomplete showing that appellant had consciously adopted,
self-defense must also fail. Unlawful aggression prepared or planned to use the victim’s sudden,
is an indispensable requisite for this privileged hapless position to his advantage. As treachery
mitigating circumstance to be appreciated.44 is absent, and as there appears to be no other
circumstance to qualify the killing to Murder,
Nevertheless, we agree with appellant that appellant can be convicted only of Homicide.50
treachery did not attend the commission of the
crime. There is treachery when the offender Finally, appellant submits that voluntary
commits any of the crimes against the person, surrender should have been appreciated in his
employing means, methods, or forms in the favor, a submission with which the Solicitor
execution thereof which tend directly and General agrees.
specially to insure its execution, without risk to
himself arising from the defense which the For voluntary surrender to be appreciated as a
offended party might make.45 Its essence lies in mitigating circumstance, the following requisites
the attack which comes without warning, and is must concur: (1) the offender had not been
swift, deliberate and unexpected, and affords the actually arrested; (2) the offender surrendered
hapless, unarmed and unsuspecting victim no himself to a person in authority; and (3) the
chance to resist or to escape.46 surrender was voluntary.51 To be voluntary, the
surrender must be spontaneous and deliberate,
Here, the trial court found that treachery was that is, there must be an intent to submit oneself
present both at the initial and final stages of the unconditionally to the authorities.52 The
attack. First, the victim approached appellant surrender must be considered as an
unarmed without any inkling that he would be acknowledgment of his guilt or an intention to
stabbed by appellant. It bears noting, however, save the authorities the trouble and expense that
that an altercation in the Rendezvous had just his search and capture would require.53
recently ensued between appellant on the one
hand and the victim and Rommel Abrenica on The trial court held that there was no voluntary
the other. There was an exchange of words with surrender, reasoning that the surrender was
the victim mocking appellant’s long hair. In their worked out only because Senior Police Inspector
subsequent encounter, the victim by his Mazo accidentally found appellant when he
lonesome audaciously approached appellant accompanied the latter’s relatives back to their
and his three companions. It cannot be said, house. It did not occur to the trial court, though,
therefore, that the victim had not been that appellant could have escaped right after that
forewarned of the danger he faced when he meeting but he did not. Instead, he submitted
approached appellant. There could be no himself unconditionally later that morning when
treachery when the victim was placed on guard, Senior Police Insp. Mazo came for him. By doing
so, appellant manifested his intention to save the Appeals in CA G.R. No. SP-10649 which denied
authorities the trouble of conducting a manhunt due course to a petition for certiorari filed therein
for him. by the herein petitioner to annul two orders
issued by the Court of First Instance of Manila in
The penalty for homicide is reclusion Civil Case No. 126113. The instant petition was
54
temporal. In view of the presence of one given due course in the Resolution of September
mitigating circumstance, the same must be 14, 1981 and the parties ordered to submit their
imposed in its minimum period.55 Under the respective memoranda. The petitioner flied a
Indeterminate Sentence Law:56 memorandum in his behalf but the private
respondent merely adopted its comment on the
SECTION 1. x x x in imposing a prison sentence petition as its memorandum.
for an offense punishable by the Revised Penal
Code, or its amendments, the court shall Civil Case No. 126113 was an action filed by
sentence the accused to an indeterminate private respondent Belfast Surety & Insurance
sentence the maximum term of which shall be Co., Inc. against herein petitioner and his father
that which, in view of the attending Benjamin R. Sarmiento, Sr. for indemnification
circumstances, could be imposed under the under an Indemnity Agreement executed by
rules of the said Code, and the minimum of them in connection with a bail bond. The case
which shall be within the range of the period next was assigned to Branch X of the Court of First
lower to that prescribed by the Code for the Instance of Manila presided over by respondent
offense x x x. Judge Celestino C. Juan who had since retired.

Accordingly, appellant is sentenced to suffer After the petitioner filed an answer with
imprisonment for a minimum term of eight (8) compulsory counterclaim, private respondent
years and one (1) day of prision mayor to a filed a motion to dismiss the case against
maximum term of fourteen (14) years defendant Benjamin R. Sarmiento, Sr., and to
of reclusion temporal in its minimum period. schedule the case for pre-trial. This motion was
granted by Judge Juan and the pre-trial was set
WHEREFORE, the decision of the Regional Trial on February 5, 1980, at 8:30 a.m.
Court of Romblon is MODIFIED insofar as it
convicts appellant Dennis Mazo of Murder and At the said pre-trial, nobody appeared except
imposes upon him the penalty of reclusion Atty. Federico T. Castillo, Jr., counsel for the
perpetua. Judgment is hereby rendered finding private respondent. However, the petitioner sent
appellant GUILTY of Homicide and sentencing to the Court on the same date an urgent motion
him to suffer the penalty of imprisonment for for postponement stating therein that when he
eight (8) years and one (1) day of prision was preparing to go to the Court, he felt severe
mayor as minimum to fourteen (14) years stomach pain followed by loose bowel
of reclusion temporal in its minimum period as movements, and he accordingly prayed that the
maximum. pre-trial be postponed to another date.

SO ORDERED. The urgent motion for postponement filed by the

petitioner was denied in the order of Judge Juan
G.R. No. L-56605 January 28, 1983 dated February 5, 1980. On motion of Atty.
Castillo, the petitioner was "declared non-suited"
ANDRES C. SARMIENTO, petitioner, (should have been "as in default") and the
vs. private respondent allowed to present its
THE HON. CELESTINO C. JUAN, PRESIDING evidence ex-parte on February 26, 1980, at 8:30
JUDGE, BRANCH X, COURT OF FIRST a.m.
INSTANCE OF MANILA and BELFAST
SURETY & INSURANCE CO., On February 25, 1980, the petitioner filed a
INC., respondents. motion for reconsideration of the order of
February 5, 1980. In his order of February 26,
Andres C. Sarmiento in his own behalf. 1980, Judge Juan denied the said motion for
reconsideration "for lack of merit," and reiterated
Federico T. Castillo, Jr., for respondents. the permission for the private respondent to
present its evidence ex-parte.

It does not appear whether

VASQUEZ, J.: the ex-parte presentation of evidence by the
private respondent had already been
In this petition for review on certiorari, petitioner accomplished, nor that a derision thereon had
Andres C. Sarmiento seeks to set aside a been rendered. That such proceedings had not
decision rendered by the respondent Court of taken place could, however, be gathered from
the fact that on March 19, 1980, the petitioner respondent had not filed any answer to the
filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme counterclaim contained in the petitioner's answer,
Court docketed as G.R. No. 53399 to annul the such circumstance does not prevent the trial
aforementioned orders of Judge Juan dated court from conducting the pre-trial. As was
February 5, 1980 and February 26, 1980. The observed by the respondent Court of Appeals in
said petition was remanded to the Court of its questioned decision: "If no answer (to the
Appeals pursuant to the Resolution of the First counterclaim) is timely filed the pre-trial order
Division of this Court dated March 28, 1980. It may issue. Otherwise, an unscrupulous party
was docketed in the Court of Appeals as CA-G.R. litigant can hold court processes by the simple
No. SP-14649. In a decision promulgated on expedient of failing to answer."
August 29, 1980 by the Special First Division of
the Court of Appeals, the petition was denied The requirement that the pre-trial shall be
due course and ordered dismissed for lack of scheduled "after the last pleading has been filed"
meet. Said decision is the subject of the present ( Section 1, Rule 20, Rules of Court) is intended
appeal by certiorari. to fully apprise the court and the parties of all the
issues in the case before the pre-trial is
The petitioner assails the refusal of the conducted. It must be remembered that the
respondent Court of Appeals to disturb the issues may only be ascertained from the
questioned orders of Judge Juan which allegations contained in the pleadings filed by
petitioner claims to have been issued in excess the parties. The last permissible pleading that a
of jurisdiction and with grave abuse of discretion. party may file would be the reply to the answer to
He contends that (a) the pre-trial was premature the last pleading of claim that had been filed in
inasmuch as, there having been no answer filed the case, which may either be the complaint, a
by the private respondent to the petitioner's cross-claim, a counterclaim or a third party
counterclaim alleged in his answer, the "last complaint, etc. (Secs. 2 and 11, Rule 6, Rules of
pleading" has not yet been filed so as to Court.) Any pleading asserting a claim must be
authorize a pre-trial to be conducted in answered, and the failure to do so by the party
accordance with Section 1, Rule 20, of the Rules against whom the claim is asserted renders him
of Court; (b) there being no valid pre-trial, the liable to be declared in default in respect of such
trial court had no authority to declare him as claim. (See. 10, Ibid) There are, however,
"non-suited", or more correctly, as in default, for recognized exceptions to the rule, making the
his failure to appear at the said pre-trial; (b) failure to answer a pleading of claim as a ground
assuming that there was a valid pre-trial, the trial for a default declaration, such as the failure to
court could not legally declare the petitioner as in answer a complaint in intervention (Sec. 2(c)
default due to his failure to be present threat Rule 12, Rules of Court), or a compulsory
inasmuch as the private respondent itself made counterclaim so intimately related to the
no valid appearance at said pre-trial because complaint such that to answer to same would
only its counsel appeared without any special merely require a repetition of the allegations
authority to represent his client at the said contained in the complaint (Zamboanga
pre-trial; and (c) it was a grave abuse of Colleges, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, 1 SCRA
discretion on the part of the trial court to deny the 870; Ballecer vs. Bernardo, 18 SCRA
petitioner's urgent motion for postponement 291; Agaton vs. Perez, 18 SCRA 1165.)
despite the merit of the ground alleged therein,
and the same thing is true with the denial of his In the case presently considered, the nature of
motion to set aside or lift the order declaring him the counterclaim in the petitioner's answer has
in default. not been made clear, except to categorize it as a
compulsory counterclaim. Such being the case,
We see no merit in the petitioner's contention it is likely to be one where the answering thereof
that the pre-trial was prematurely scheduled on is not necessary, and the failure to do so would
the supposed ground that the last pleading had not be a ground to be declared in default. In any
not been filed. In the petition for certiorari event, the private respondent's failure to answer
docketed as G.R. No. 53399, the petitioner has the petitioner's counterclaim after the period to
alleged that he filed his answer to the complaint file the answer had lapsed is no obstacle to
containing a compulsory counterclaim on holding a pre-trial.1äwphï1.ñët The requirement
December 21, 1979 which was served on the that the last pleading must have been filed
counsel for the private respondent on the same before a pre-trial may be scheduled should more
date. (Rollo, p. 19.) The pre-trial was scheduled appropriately be construed to mean not only if
to be held on February 5, 1980 or a month and a the last pleading had been actually filed, but also
half after the petitioner had flied his answer to if the period for filing the same had expired.
the complaint in Civil Case No. 126113 and
private respondent served with a copy of the We, however, find merit in the petitioner's two
same. While it may be true that the private other contentions. The denial by Judge Juan of
the petitioner's motion to postpone the pre-trial
scheduled on February 5, 1980 may have proper under the circumstances surrounding the
appeared valid at the outset, considering that it same. It is undenied that nobody appeared at
was filed at the last minute and was not the pre-trial except the counsel for the private
accompanied by a medical certificate although respondent. Under settled doctrines, not even
the ground alleged was illness on the part of the the private respondent may be considered as
petitioner. Nonetheless, a different appraisal of having appeared at the said pre-trial, it not
the petitioner's plea should have been made having made appearance thereat through a duly
after the petitioner filed a motion for authorized representative. In such a situation,
reconsideration which was made under oath. the trial court would have acted more properly if
Due regard should have been given to the it dismissed the case, or declared the private
repeated pronouncements by this Court against respondent as plaintiff therein as non-suited
default judgments and proceedings that lay more instead of declaring the petitioner as in default
emphasis on procedural niceties to the sacrifice (erroneously stated by it as "non-suited.") This is
of substantial justice. After all, because while the court may declare the plaintiff
the ex-parte presentation of evidence had not non- suited for non-appearance at the pre-trial or
yet been conducted nor had a decision been dismiss the case for his non- appearance at the
rendered in the case. It appeared to be a simple trial without motion on the part of the defendant
matter of giving the petitioner a chance to have (Sec. 3, Rule 17), the latter may not be declared
his day in court in order to defend himself in default without such motion on the part of the
against the claim filed by the private respondent. plaintiff. (Sec. 1. Rule 18; Trajano vs. Cruz, 80
As it turned out, the procedure adopted by the SCRA 712.) A plaintiff who makes no valid
trial court proved unprofitable and appearance at pre-trial may not ask that the
disadvantageous to all parties concerned, defendant be punished for the same
including the courts. The case would have been shortcoming it was equally guilty of.
disposed of in a much easier and more
expeditious manner if the trial court had heeded WHEREFORE, the judgment of the Court of
the petitioner's simple plea for a chance to be Appeals rendered in CA-G.R. No. 10649
heard. Thereby, all the proceedings taken promulgated on August 29, 1980, and the
subsequent to the disputed orders of the trial Resolution issued in said case dated March 29,
court could have been avoided, and the Court of 1981 which denied a motion for the
Appeals and the Supreme Court spared from the reconsideration of the said judgment are hereby
trouble of resolving the petitions filed before REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The orders of the
them. Court of First Instance of Manila in Civil Case No.
126113 dated February 5, 1980 and February 26,
The petitioner also has valid reason to complain 1980 are ordered ANNULLED and SET ASIDE.
about the apparent overanxiousness of the trial Let the said case be rescheduled for pre-trial
court to finish the case in summary fashion. The and for subsequent proceedings thereafter.
petitioner had manifested to the Court that his Costs against the private respondent.
inability to appear before the pre-trial was due to
a sudden ailment that befell him while he was SO ORDERED.
preparing to go to Court. While it is true that the
motion for postponement was not accompanied
by a medical certificate, it must be considered
that not every ailment is attended to by a
physician, or if so, a medical certificate under
oath as required by the Rules could be secured
within the limited time available. There has been
no refutation of the cause of the non-appearance
of the petitioner as claimed by the latter. Said
cause had been reiterated under oath in the
petitioner's motion for reconsideration to which
the trial court turned a deaf ear. Any suspicion
that the petitioner was merely suing for delay is
readily dispelled by the fact that the pre-trial was
being set for the first time, and that the petitioner
took immediate steps against the refusal of the
trial court to set aside the default declaration and
to pursue remedies steadfastly against the same
in the higher tribunals.

The declaration default on the part of the

petitioner may not be considered as entirely