Cruz vs. CA

12/19/21, 6:16 PM SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 282
188 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Cruz vs. Court of Appeals
*
G.R. No. 122445. November 18, 1997.
DR. NINEVETCH CRUZ, petitioner, vs. COURT OF APPEALS

and LYDIA UMALI, respondents.
Physicians; Medical Malpractice; Criminal Law; Reckless

Imprudence; Elements.—This Court, however, holds differently and finds
the foregoing circumstances insufficient to sustain a judgment
________________
* THIRD DIVISION.
189
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 189
of conviction against the petitioner for the crime of reckless imprudence

resulting in homicide. The elements of reckless imprudence are: (1) that the
offender does or fails to do an act; (2) that the doing or the failure to do that
act is voluntary; (3) that it be without malice; (4) that material damage
results from the reckless imprudence; and (5) that there is inexcusable lack
of precaution on the part of the offender, taking into consideration his
employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition, and
other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.
Same; Same; Same; Evidence; Witnesses; Expert Testimony; Whether
or not a physician has committed an “inexcusable lack of precaution” in the
treatment of his patient is to be determined according to the standard of
care observed by other members of the profession in good standing under
similar circumstances bearing in mind the advanced state of the profession
at the time of treatment or the present state of medical science; Inasmuch as
the causes of the injuries involved in malpractice actions are determinable
only in the light of scientific knowledge, it has been recognized that exp ert
https://central.com.ph/sfsreader/session/0000017dd238c1c928e9f293000d00d40059004a/t/?o=False 1/23
testimony is usually necessary to support the conclusion as to causation.—

Whether or not a physician has committed an “inexcusable lack of
precaution” in the treatment of his patient is to be determined according to
the standard of care observed by other members of the profession in good
standing under similar circumstances bearing in mind the advanced state of
the profession at the time of treatment or the present state of medical
science. In the recent case of Leonila Garcia-Rueda v. Wilfred L. Pascasio,
et al., this Court stated that in accepting a case, a doctor in effect represents
that, having the needed training and skill possessed by physicians and
surgeons practicing in the same field, he will employ such training, care and
skill in the treatment of his patients. He therefore has a duty to use at least
the same level of care that any other reasonably competent doctor would use
to treat a condition under the same circumstances. It is in this aspect of
medical malpractice that expert testimony is essential to establish not only
the standard of care of the profession but also that the physician’s conduct in
the treatment and care falls below such standard. Further, inasmuch as the
causes of the injuries involved in malpractice actions are determinable only
in the light of scientific knowledge, it has been recognized that expert
testimony is usually necessary to support the conclusion as to causation.
190
Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; While it may be true that
certain circumstances pointed out by the courts below seemed beyond cavil
to constitute reckless imprudence on the part of the surgeon, such
conclusion is still best arrived at not through the educated surmises nor
conjectures of laymen, including judges, but by the unquestionable
knowledge of expert witnesses. For whether a physician or surgeon has
exercised the requisite degree of skill and care in the treatment of his patient
is, in the generality of cases, a matter of expert opinion.—All three courts
below bewail the inadequacy of the facilities of the clinic and its untidiness;
the lack of provisions such as blood, oxygen, and certain medicines; the
failure to subject the patient to a cardio-pulmonary test prior to the
operation; the omission of any form of blood typing before transfusion; and
even the subsequent transfer of Lydia to the San Pablo Hospital and the
reoperation performed on her by the petitioner. But while it may be true that
the circumstances pointed about by the courts below seemed beyond cavil to
constitute reckless imprudence on the part of the surgeon, this conclusion is
still best arrived at not through the educated surmises nor conjectures of
laymen, including judges, but by the unquestionable knowledge of expert
witnesses. For whether a physician or surgeon has exercised the requisite
degree of skill and care in the treatment of his patient is, in the generality of
cases, a matter of expert opinion. The deference of courts to the expert
opinion of qualified physicians stems from its realization that the latter
possess unusual technical skills which laymen in most instances are

incapable of intelligently evaluating. Expert testimony should have been
offered to prove that the circumstances cited by the courts below are
constitutive of conduct falling below the standard of care employed by other
physicians in good standing when performing the same operation. It must be
remembered that when the qualifications of a physician are admitted, as in
the instant case, there is an inevitable presumption that in proper cases he
takes the necessary precaution and employs the best of his knowledge and
skill in attending to his clients, unless the contrary is sufficiently established.
This presumption is rebuttable by expert opinion which is so sadly lacking
in the case at bench.
Same; Same; Same; Same; Burden of Proof; In litigations involving
medical negligence, the plaintiff has the burden of establishing the
defendant’s negligence and for a reasonable conclusion of negligence, there
must be proof of breach of duty on the part of the surgeon as well as a
causal connection of such breach and the result-
191
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 191
ing death of his patient.—In litigations involving medical negligence, the

plaintiff has the burden of establishing appellant’s negligence and for a
reasonable conclusion of negligence, there must be proof of breach of duty
on the part of the surgeon as well as a causal connection of such breach and
the resulting death of his patient. In Chan Lugay v. St. Luke’s Hospital, Inc.,
where the attending physician was absolved of liability for the death of the
complainant’s wife and newborn baby, this Court held that: “In order that
there may be a recovery for an injury, however, it must be shown that the
‘injury for which recovery is sought must be the legitimate consequence of
the wrong done; the connection between the negligence and the injury must
be a direct and natural sequence of events, unbroken by intervening efficient
causes.’ In other words, the negligence must be the proximate cause of the
injury. For, ‘negligence, no matter in what it consists, cannot create a right
of action unless it is the proximate cause of the injury complained of.’ And
‘the proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in natural and
continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces
the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred.’ ” (Italics
supplied.)
Same; Same; Same; Evidence; Damages; While a conviction of a crime
requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, only a preponderance of evidence
is required to establish civil liability, thus, even as the Court was not able to
render a sentence of conviction for insufficiency of evidence, the Court is
not blind to the reckless and imprudent manner in which the surgeon
carried out her duties.—Nevertheless, this Court finds the petitioner civilly
liable for the death of Lydia Umali, for while a conviction of a crime
requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, only a preponderance of evidence
is required to establish civil liability. The petitioner is a doctor in whose
hands a patient puts his life and limb. For insufficiency of evidence this
Court was not able to render a sentence of conviction but it is not blind to
the reckless and imprudent manner in which the petitioner carried out her
duties. A precious life has been lost and the circumstances leading thereto
exacerbated the grief of those left behind. The heirs of the deceased
continue to feel the loss of their mother up to the present time and this Court
is aware that no amount of compassion and commiseration nor words of
bereavement can suffice to assuage the sorrow felt for the loss of a loved
one. Certainly, the award of moral and exemplary damages in favor of the
heirs of Lydia Umali are proper in the instant case.
192

PETITION for review on certiorari of a decision of the Court of

Appeals.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.

Tranquilino F. Meris Law Office for petitioner.
The Solicitor General for public respondent.
FRANCISCO, J.:
“Doctors are protected by a special rule of law. They are not guarantors of
care. They do not even warrant a good result. They are not insurers against
mishaps or unusual consequences. Furthermore they are not liable for honest
1
mistakes of judgment . . .”
The present case against petitioner is in the nature of a medical

malpractice suit, which in simplest terms is the type of claim which
a victim has available to him or her to redress a wrong committed
2
by
a medical professional which has caused bodily harm. In this
jurisdiction, however, such claims are most often brought as a civil
3
action for damages under Article 2176 of the Civil Code, and in
some instances,
4
as a criminal case under Article 365 of the Revised
Penal Code
________________
1 “THE PHYSICIAN’S LIABILITY AND THE LAW ON NEGLIGENCE” by

Constantino Nuñez, p. 1 citing Louis Nizer, My Life in Court, New York: Double Day
& Co., 1961 in Tolentino, Jr., MEDICINE and LAW, Proceedings of the Symposium
on Current Issues Common to Medicine and Law, U.P. Law Center, 1980.
2 Leonila Garcia-Rueda vs. Wilfred L. Pascasio, et al., G.R. No. 118141,
September 5, 1997.
3 ART. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being
fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if
there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties, is called a quasi-
delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
4 Art. 365. Imprudence and Negligence. Any person who, by reckless imprudence,
shall commit any act which, had it been intentional, would constitute a grave felony,
shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision
correccional in its medium period; if it would have constituted a less grave felony, the
193
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 193

with which the civil action for damages is impliedly instituted. It is

via the latter type of action that the heirs of the deceased sought
redress for the petitioner’s alleged imprudence and negligence in
treating the deceased thereby caus-
_______________
penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum and medium periods shall be imposed; if
it would have constituted a light felony, the penalty, of arresto menor in its maximum
period shall be imposed.
Any person who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall commit an act which
would otherwise constitute a grave felony, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in
its medium and maximum periods; if it would have constituted a less serious felony,
the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed.
When the execution of the act covered by this article shall have only resulted in
damage to the property of another, the offender shall be punished by a fine ranging
from an amount equal to the value of said damages to three times such value, but
which shall in no case be less than twenty-five pesos.
A fine not exceeding two hundred-pesos and censure shall be imposed upon any
person who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall cause some wrong which, if
done maliciously, would have constituted a light felony.
In the imposition of these penalties, the courts shall exercise their sound
discretion, without regard to the rules prescribed in article sixty-four.
The provisions contained in this article shall not be applicable:
1. When the penalty provided for the offense is equal to or lower than those
provided in the first two paragraphs of this article, in which case the courts
shall impose the penalty next lower in degree than that which should be
imposed, in the period which they may deem proper to apply.
2. When, by imprudence or negligence and with violation of the Automobile
Law, the death of a person shall be caused, in which case the defendant shall
be punished by prision correccional in its medium and the maximum

periods.
Reckless imprudence consists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing

to do an act from which material damage results by reason of inexcusable lack of
precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking
into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical
condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.
194

ing her death. The petitioner and one Dr. Lina Ercillo who was the
attending anaesthesiologist during the operation of the deceased
were charged with “reckless imprudence and negligence resulting to
(sic) homicide” in an information which reads:
“That on or about March 23, 1991, in the City of San Pablo, Republic of the
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the accused
abovenamed, being then the attending anaesthesiologist and surgeon,
respectively, did then and there, in a negligence (sic), careless, imprudent,
and incompetent manner, and failing to supply or store sufficient provisions
and facilities necessary to meet any and all exigencies apt to arise before,
during and/or after a surgical operation causing by such negligence,
carelessness, imprudence, and incompetence, and causing by such failure,
including the lack of preparation and foresight needed to avert a tragedy, the
untimely death of said Lydia Umali on the day following said surgical
5
operation.”
Trial ensued after both the petitioner and Dr. Lina Ercillo pleaded
not guilty to the above-mentioned charge. On March 4, 1994, the
Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) of San Pablo City rendered
a decision, the dispositive portion of which is hereunder quoted as
follows:
“WHEREFORE, the court finds the accused Dra. Lina Ercillo not guilty of
the offense charged for insufficiency of evidence while her co-accused Dra.
Ninevetch Cruz is hereby held responsible for the death of Lydia Umali on
March 24, 1991, and therefore guilty under Art. 365 of the Revised Penal
Code, and she is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of 2 months and 1
6
day imprisonment of arresto mayor with costs.”
________________
Simple imprudence consists in the lack of precaution displayed in those cases in

which the damage impending to be caused is not immediate nor the danger clearly
manifest.
The penalty next higher in degree to those provided for in this article shall be
imposed upon the offender who fails to lend on the spot to the injured parties such
help as may be in his hands to give.
5 INFORMATION.
6 DECISION in Criminal Case No. 25534, March 4, 1994, p. 12; Rollo, p. 65.
195
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 195

The petitioner appealed her conviction to the Regional 7Trial Court

(RTC) which affirmed in toto the decision of the MTCC prompting
the petitioner to file a petition for review with the Court of Appeals
but to no avail. Hence this petition for review on certiorari assailing
the decision promulgated by the Court of Appeals on October 24,
1995 affirming petitioner’s conviction with modification that she is
further directed to pay8 the heirs of Lydia Umali P50,000.00 as
indemnity for her death.
In substance, the petition brought before this Court raises the
issue of whether or not petitioner’s conviction of the crime of
reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, arising from an alleged
medical malpractice, is supported by the evidence on record.
First the antecedent facts.
On March 22, 1991, prosecution witness, Rowena Umali De
Ocampo, accompanied her mother to the Perpetual Help Clinic and
General Hospital situated in Balagtas Street, San Pablo City,
Laguna. They arrived at the said hospital at around 4:30 in the
9
afternoon of the same day. Prior to March 22, 1991, Lydia was
10
examined by the petitioner who found a “myoma” in her uterus,
and scheduled her for a hysterectomy operation on March 23,
11
1991. Rowena and her mother slept in the clinic on the evening of
March 22, 1991 as the latter was 12
to be operated on the next day at
1:00 o’clock in the afternoon. According to Rowena, she noticed
that the clinic was untidy and the window and the floor were very
dusty prompting her to ask the attendant for a rag to wipe the win-
________________
7 DECISION in Criminal Case No. 9273-SP, July 26, 1994, p. 4; Rollo, p. 53.
8 DECISION in CA-G.R. CR No. 16388, October 24, 1995, p. 10; Rollo, p. 49.
9 TSN, Rowena Umali De Ocampo, November 10, 1992, pp. 5-6.
10 TSN, Edna Pujanes, September 30, 1992, p. 5.
11 Record of Exhibits, p. 15.
12 TSN, supra, p. 8.
196

13
dow and the floor with. Because of the untidy state of the clinic,
Rowena tried
14
to persuade her mother not to proceed with the
operation. The following day, before her mother was wheeled into
the operating room, Rowena asked the petitioner if the operation
could be postponed. The petitioner called Lydia into her office and
the two had a conversation. Lydia then informed Rowena that the
15
petitioner told her that she must be operated on as scheduled.
Rowena and her other relatives, namely her husband, her sister
and two aunts waited outside the operating room while Lydia
underwent operation. While they were waiting, Dr. Ercillo went out
of the operating room and instructed them to buy tagamet ampules
which Rowena’s sister immediately bought. About one hour had
passed when Dr. Ercillo came out again this time to ask them to buy
blood for Lydia. They bought type “A” blood from the St. Gerald
Blood Bank and the same was brought by the attendant into the
operating room. After the lapse of a few hours, the petitioner
informed them that the operation was finished. The operating staff
then went inside the petitioner’s clinic to take their snacks. some
thirty minutes after, Lydia was brought out of the operating room in
a stretcher and the petitioner asked Rowena and the other relatives to
buy additional blood for Lydia. Unfortunately, they were not able to
comply with petitioner’s order as there was no more type “A” blood
available in the blood bank. Thereafter, a person arrived to donate
blood which was later transfused to Lydia. Rowena then noticed her
mother, who was attached to an oxygen tank, gasping for breath.
Apparently the oxygen supply had run out and Rowena’s husband
together with the driver of the accused had to go to the San Pablo
District Hospital to get oxygen. Lydia was given the fresh supply of
16
oxygen as soon as it arrived. But at around 10:00 o’clock P.M. she
went into shock and her blood pressure
_______________
13 Ibid., p. 6.
14 Ibid., p. 8.
15 Ibid., pp. 27-28.
16 Ibid., pp. 10-14.
197
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 197

dropped to 60/50. Lydia’s unstable condition necessitated her

transfer to the San Pablo District Hospital so she could be connected
17
to a respirator and further examined. The transfer to the San Pablo
District Hospital was without the prior consent of Rowena nor of the
other relatives present who found out about the intended transfer
only when an ambulance arrived to take Lydia to the San Pablo
District Hospital. Rowena and her other relatives then boarded a
18
tricycle and followed the ambulance.
Upon Lydia’s arrival at the San Pablo District Hospital, she was
wheeled into the operating room and the petitioner and Dr. Ercillo
re-operated on her because there was blood oozing from the
19
abdominal incision. The attending physicians summoned Dr.
Bartolome Angeles, head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of San Pablo District Hospital. However, when Dr.
Angeles arrived, Lydia was already in shock and possibly dead as
her blood pressure was already o/o. Dr. Agneles then informed
petitioner and Dr. Ercillo that there was nothing he could do to help
20
save the patient. While the petitioner was closing the abdominal
21
wall, the patient died. Thus, on March 24, 1991, at 3:00 o’clock in
the morning, Lydia Umali was pronounced dead. Her death
certificate states “shock” as the immediate cause of death and
“Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)” as the antecedent
22
cause.
In convicting the petitioner, the MTCC found the following
circumstances as sufficient basis to conclude that she was indeed
negligent in the performance of the operation:
“x x x, the clinic was untidy, there was lack of provision like blood and
oxygen to prepare for any contingency that might happen during the
operation. The manner and the fact that the patient was brought to the San
Pablo District Hospital for reoperation indicates
_______________
17 Record of exhibits, supra.

18 TSN, supra, pp. 15-16.
19 Record of Exhibits, supra.
20 TSN, Dr. Bartolome Angeles, October 7, 1992, pp. 10-12.
21 Record of Exhibits, supra.
22 Record of Exhibits, p. 5.
198

that there was something wrong in the manner in which Dra. Cruz
conducted the operation. There was no showing that before the operation,
accused Dra. Cruz had conducted a cardio pulmonary clearance or any
typing of the blood of the patient. It was (sic) said in medical parlance that
the “the abdomen of the person is a temple of surprises” because you do not
know the whole thing the moment it was open (sic) and surgeon must be
prepared for any eventuality thereof. The patient (sic) chart which is a
public document was not presented because it is only there that we could
determine the condition of the patient before the surgery. The court also
noticed in Exh. “F-1” that the sister of the deceased wished to postpone the
operation but the patient was prevailed upon by Dra. Cruz to proceed with
the surgery. The court finds that Lydia Umali died because of the negligence
and carelessness of the surgeon Dra. Ninevetch Cruz because of loss of
blood during the operation of the deceased for evident unpreparedness and
for lack of skill, the reason why the patient was brought for operation at the
San Pablo City District Hospital. As such, the surgeon should answer for
such negligence. With respect to Dra. Lina Ercillo, the anaesthesiologist,
there is no evidence to indicate that she should be held jointly liable with
23
Dra. Cruz who actually did the operation.”
The RTC reiterated the abovementioned findings of the MTCC and

upheld the latter’s declaration of “incompetency, negligence and
lack of foresight and skill of appellant (herein petitioner)
24
in handling
the subject patient before and after the operation.” And likewise
affirming the petitioner’s conviction, the Court of Appeals echoed
similar observations, thus:
“x x x. While we may grant that the untidiness and filthiness of the clinic
may not by itself indicate negligence, it nevertheless shows the absence of
due care and supervision over her subordinate employees. Did this
unsanitary condition permeate the operating room? Were the surgical
instruments properly sterilized? Could the conditions in the OR have
contributed to the infection of the patient? Only the petitioner could answer
these, but she opted not to testify. This could only give rise to the
presumption that she has nothing good to testify on her defense. Anyway,
the alleged “unverified
__________________
23 DECISION, supra, pp. 11-12; Rollo, pp. 64-65.

24 DECISION, supra, p. 4; Rollo, p. 53.
199
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 199

statement of the prosecution witness” remains unchallenged and unrebutted.

Likewise undisputed is the prosecution’s version indicating the following
facts: that the accused asked the patient’s relatives to buy Tagamet capsules
while the operation was already in progress; that after an hour, they were
also asked to buy type “A” blood for the patient; that after surgery, they
were again asked to procure more type “A” blood, but such was not
anymore available from the source; that the oxygen given to the patient was
empty; and that the son-in-law of the patient, together with a driver of the
petitioner, had to rush to the San Pablo City District Hospital to get the
much-needed oxygen. All these conclusively show that the petitioner had
not prepared for any unforeseen circumstances before going into the first
surgery, which was not emergency in nature, but was elective or pre-
scheduled; she had no ready antibiotics, no prepared blood, properly typed
and cross-matched, and no sufficient oxygen supply.
Moreover, there are a lot of questions that keep nagging Us. Was the
patient given any cardio-pulmonary clearance, or at least a clearance by an
internist, which are standard requirements before a patient is subjected to
surgery. Did the petitioner determine as part of the pre-operative evaluation,
the bleeding parameters of the patient, such as bleeding time and clotting
time? There is no showing that these were done. The petitioner just appears
to have been in a hurry to perform the operation, even as the family wanted
a postponement to April 6, 1991. Obviously, she did not prepare the patient;
neither did she get the family’s consent to the operation. Moreover, she did
not prepare a medical chart with instructions for the patient’s care. If she did
all these, proof thereof should have been offered. But there is none. Indeed,
25
these are overwhelming evidence of recklessness and imprudence.”
This Court, however, holds differently and finds the foregoing

circumstances insufficient to sustain a judgment of conviction
against the petitioner for the crime of reckless imprudence resulting
in homicide. The elements of reckless imprudence are: (1) that the
offender does or fails to do an act; (2) that the doing or the failure to
do that act is voluntary; (3) that it be without malice; (4) that
material damage results from the reckless imprudence; and (5) that
there is inexcus-
_________________
25 DECISION, supra, p. 7; Rollo, p. 47.
200

able lack of precaution on the part of the offender, taking into

consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence,
physical condition, and other circumstances regarding persons, time
and place.
Whether or not a physician has committed an “inexcusable lack
of precaution” in the treatment of his patient is to be determined
according to the standard of care observed by other members of the
profession in good standing under similar circumstances bearing in
mind the advanced state of the profession

26
at the time of treatment or
the present state of medical science. In the recent case of Leonila
27
Garcia-Rueda v. Wilfred L. Pascasio, et al., this Court stated that in
accepting a case, a doctor in effect represents that, having the needed
training and skill possessed by physicians and surgeons practicing in
the same field, he will employ such training, care and skill in the
treatment of his patients. He therefore has a duty to use at least the
same level of care that any other reasonably competent doctor would
use to treat a condition under the same circumstances. It is in this
aspect of medical malpractice that expert testimony is essential to
establish not only the standard of care of the profession but also that
the physician’s conduct in the treatment and care falls below such
28
standard. Further, inasmuch as the causes of the injuries involved
in malpractice actions are determinable only in the light of scientific
knowledge, it has been recognized that expert testimony is usually
29
necessary to support the conclusion as to causation.
Immediately apparent from a review of the records of this case is
the absence of any expert testimony of the matter of the standard of
care employed by other physicians of good standing in the conduct
of similar operations. The prosecu-
__________________
26 MEDICINE and LAW, supra, p. 24.

27 Supra.
28 MEDICINE and LAW, supra, p. 25; Willard vs. Hutson, 1 ALR 3d 1092, 1102
[1963]; Snyder vs. Pantaleo, 122 A. 2d 21, 23 [1956].
29 American Jurisprudence 2d, Vol. 61, p. 510.
201
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 201

tion’s expert witnesses in the persons of Dr. Floresto Arizala and Dr.
Nieto Salvador, Jr. of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
only testified as to the possible cause of death but did not venture to
illuminate the court on the matter of the standard of care that
petitioner should have exercised.
All three courts below bewail the inadequacy of the facilities of
the clinic and its untidiness; the lack of provisions such as blood,
oxygen, and certain medicines; the failure to subject the patient to a
cardio-pulmonary test prior to the operation; the omission of any
form of blood typing before transfusion; and even the subsequent
transfer of Lydia to the San Pablo Hospital and the reoperation
performed on her by the petitioner. But while it may be true that the
circumstances pointed out by the courts below seemed beyond cavil
to constitute reckless imprudence on the part of the surgeon, this
conclusion is still best arrived at not through the educated surmises

nor conjectures of laymen, including judges, but by the
unquestionable knowledge of expert witnesses. For whether a
physician or surgeon has exercised the requisite degree of skill and
care in the treatment of his patient is, in the generality of cases, a
30
matter of expert opinion. The deference of courts to the expert
opinion of qualified physicians stems from its realization that the
latter possess unusual technical skills which laymen in most
31
instances are incapable of intelligently evaluating. Expert
testimony should have been offered to prove that the circumstances
cited by the courts below are constitutive of conduct falling below
the standard of care employed by other physicians in good standing
when performing the same operation. It must be remembered that
when the qualifications of a physician are admitted, as in the instant
case, there is an inevitable presumption that in proper cases he takes
the necessary precaution and employs the best of his knowledge and
skill in attending to his clients, unless the contrary is sufficiently
32
established. This
________________
30 Willard vs. Hutson, supra.

31 MEDICINE and LAW, supra.
32 Abaya, et al. vs. Favis, 3 CA Reports 450, 454-455 [1963].
202

presumption is rebuttable by expert opinion which is so sadly

lacking in the case at bench.
Even granting arguendo that the inadequacy of the facilities and
untidiness of the clinic; the lack of provisions; the failure to conduct
pre-operation tests on the patient; and the subsequent transfer of
Lydia to the San Pablo Hospital and the reoperation performed on
her by the petitioner do indicate, even without expert testimony, that
petitioner was recklessly imprudent in the exercise of her duties as a
surgeon, no cogent proof exists that any of these circumstances
caused petitioner’s death. Thus, the absence of the fourth element of
reckless imprudence: that the injury to the person or property was a
consequence of the reckless imprudence.
In litigations involving medical negligence, the plaintiff has the
burden of establishing appellant’s negligence and for a reasonable
conclusion of negligence, there must be proof of breach of duty on
the part of the surgeon as well as a causal
33
connection of such breach
and the resulting death of his patient. In Chan Lugay v. St. Luke’s
34
Hospital, Inc., where the attending physician was absolved of
liability for the death of the complainant’s wife and newborn baby,
this Court held that:
“In order that there may be a recovery for an injury, however, it must be
shown that the ‘injury for which recovery is sought must be the legitimate
consequence of the wrong done; the connection between the negligence and
the injury must be a direct and natural sequence of events, unbroken by
intervening efficient causes.’ In other words, the negligence must be the
proximate cause of the injury. For, ‘negligence, no matter in what it
consists, cannot create a right of action unless it is the proximate cause of
the injury complained of.’ And ‘the proximate cause of an injury is that
cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient
intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would
35
not have occurred.” (Italics supplied.)
_________________
33 Ibid.
34 10 CA Reports 415 [1966].
35 Ibid., pp. 427-428.
203
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 203

Dr. Arizala who conducted an autopsy on the body of thedeceased

summarized his findings as follows:
“Atty. Cachero:
Q. You mentioned about your Autopsy Report which has been
marked as Exh. “A-1-b.” There appears here a signature above
the typewritten name Floresto Arizala, Jr., whose signature is
that?
A. That is my signature, sir.
Q. Do you affirm the truth of all the contents of Exh. “A-1-b”?
A. Only as to the autopsy report no. 91-09, the time and place and
everything after the post mortem findings, sir.
Q. You mentioned on your “Post Mortem Findings” about surgical
incision, 14:0 cm., infraumbilical area, anterior abdominal area,
midline, will you please explain that in your own language?
A. There was incision wound (sic) the area just below the navel,
sir.
Q. And the last paragraph of the postmortem findings which I read:
Uterus, pear-shaped and pale measuring 7.5 x 5.5 x 5.0 cm. with
some surface nodulation of the fundic area posteriorly. Cut-
section shows diffusely pale myometrium with areas of streak

induration. The ovaries and adnexal structures are missing with
the raw surfaces patched with clotted blood. Surgical sutures
were noted on the operative site.
Intestines and mesenteries are pale with blood clots noted between the mesentric
folds.
Hemoperitoneum: 300 s.s.,
right paracolic gutter,
50 c.c., left paracolic gutter
200 c.c., mesentric area,
100 c.c., right pelvic gutter
stomach empty.
Other visceral organs, pale,’
will you please explain that on (sic) your own language or in ordinary..........
A. There was a uterus which was not attached to the adnexal

structures namely ovaries which were not pre
204

sent and also sign of previous surgical operation and there were
(sic) clotted blood, sir.
Q. How about the ovaries and adnexal structures?
A. They are missing, sir.
Q. You mean to say there are no ovaries?
A. During that time there are no ovaries, sir.
Q. And there were likewise sign of surgical sutures?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How about the intestines and mesenteries are place (sic) with
blood clots noted between the mesenteric folds, will you please
explain on (sic) this?
A. In the peritoneal cavity, they are mostly perritonial blood.........
Q. And what could have caused this blood?
A. Well, ordinarily blood is found inside the blood vessel. Blood
were (sic) outside as a result of the injuries which destroyed the
integrity of the vessel allowing blood to sip (sic) out, sir.
Q. By the nature of the postmortem findings indicated in Exh. A-1-
B, can you tell the court the cause of death?
A. Yes, sir. The cause of death is: Gross findings are compatible
with hemorrhagic shock.

Q. Can you tell to us what could have caused this hemorrhagic
shock?
A. Well hemorrhagic shock is the result of blood loss.
Q. What could have the effect of that loss of blood?
36
A. Unattended hemorrhage, sir. (Italics supplied.)
The foregoing was corroborated by Dr. Nieto Salvador:
“Q. And were you able to determine the cause of death by virtue of
the examination of the specimen submitted by Dr. Arizala?
A. Without knowledge of the autopsy findings it would be difficult
for me to determine the cause of death, sir.
__________________
36 TSN, Dr. Floresto Arizala, January 20, 1993, pp. 43-46.
205
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 205

Q. Have you also examined the post mortem of Dr. Arizala?

A. Yes, sir, and by virtue of the autopsy report in connection
with your pathology report.
Q. What could have caused the death of the victim?
A. This pathologic examination are (sic) compatible with the
person who died, sir.
Q. Will you explain to us the meaning of hemorrhagic
compatible?
A. It means that a person died of blood loss. Meaning a person
died of non-replacement of blood and so the victim before
she died there was shock of diminish of blood of the
circulation. She died most probably before the actual
complete blood loss, sir.
Court: Is it possible doctor that the loss of the blood was due on
(sic) operation?
A. Based on my pathologist finding, sir.
Q. What could have caused this loss of blood?
A. Many, sir. A patient who have undergone surgery. Another
may be a blood vessel may be cut while on operation and
this cause (sic) bleeding, or may be set in the course of
operation, or may be (sic) he died after the operation.

Ofcourse there are other cause (sic).
Atty. Cachero:
Q. Especially so doctor when there was no blood replacement?
37
A. Yes, sir.” (underscoring supplied.)
The testimonies of both doctors establish hemorrhage or

hemorrhagic shock as the cause of death. However, as likewise
testified to by the expert witnesses in open court, hemorrhage or
hemorrhagic shock during surgery may be caused by several
different factors. Thus, Dr. Salvador’s elaboration on the matter:
“Atty. Pascual:
Q. Doctor, among the causes of hemorrhage that you mentioned
you said that it could be at the moment of opera
__________________
37 TSN, Dr. Nieto Salvador, Jr., pp. 10-11.
206

tion when one losses (sic) control of the presence, is that

correct? During the operation there is lost (sic) of control of the
cut vessel?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Or there is a failure to ligate a vessel of considerable size?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Or even if the vessel were ligated the knot may have slipped
later on?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you also mentioned that it may be possible also due to some
clotting defect, is that correct?
38
A. May be (sic).” (Italics supplied.)
Defense witness, Dr. Bu C. Castro also gave the following expert

opinion:
“Q. Doctor even a patient after an operations (sic) would suffer

hemorrage what would be the possible causes of such
hemorrage (sic)?
A. Among those would be what we call Intravascular Coagulation

and this is the reason for the bleeding, sir, which cannot be
prevented by anyone, it will happen to anyone, anytime and to
any persons (sic), sir.
COURT:
What do you think of the cause of the bleeding, the cutting or
the operations done in the body?
A. Not related to this one, the bleeding here is not related to any
cutting or operation that I (sic) have done.
Q. Aside from the DIC what could another causes (sic) that could
be the cause for the hemorrhage or bleeding in a patient by an
operations(sic)?
A. In general sir, if there was an operations (sic) and it is possible
that the ligature in the suture was (sic) become (sic) loose, it is
(sic) becomes loose if proven.
x x x x x x x x x
_________________
38 TSN, Dr. Nieto Salvador, Jr., ibid., pp. 20-21.
207
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 207

Q. If the person who performed an autopsy does not find any

untight (sic) clot (sic) blood vessel or any suture that become
(sic) loose the cause of the bleeding could not be attributed to
the fault of the subject?
39
A. Definitely, sir.” (Italics supplied.)
According to both doctors, the possible causes of hemorrhage during

an operation are: (1) the failure of the surgeon to tie or suture a cut
blood vessel; (2) allowing a cut blood vessel to get out of control;
(3) the subsequent loosening of the tie or suture applied to a cut
blood vessel; and (4) and a clotting defect known as DIC. It is
significant to state at this juncture that the autopsy conducted by Dr.
Arizala on the body of Lydia did not reveal any untied or unsutured
cut blood vessel nor was there any indication that the tie or suture of
a cut blood vessel had become loose thereby causing the
40
hemorrhage. Hence the following pertinent portion of Dr. Arizala’s testimony:
“Q: Doctor, in examining these structures did you know whether

these were sutured ligature or plain ligature.
A: Ligature, sir.
Q: We will explain that later on. Did you recall if the cut
structures were tied by first suturing it and then tying a knot or
the tie was merely placed around the cut structure and tied?
A: I cannot recall, sir.
Q: As a matter of fact, you cannot recall because you did not even
bothered (sic) to examine, is that correct?
A: Well, I bothered enough to know that they were sutured, sir.
Q: So, therefore, Doctor, you would not know whether any of the
cut structures were not sutured or tied neither were you able to
determine whether any loose suture was found in the peritoneal
cavity?
41
A: I could not recall any loose sutured (sic), sir.”
____________________
39 TSN, Dr. Bu C. Castro, September 28, 1993, pp. 10-13.

40
41 TSN, Dr. Floresto Arizala, supra, pp. 27-28.
208

On the other hand, the findings of all three doctors do not preclude
the probability that DIC caused the hemorrhage and consequently,
Lydia’s death. DIC which is a clotting defect creates a serious
bleeding tendency and when massive DIC occurs as a complication
42
of surgery leaving raw surface, major hemorrhage occurs. And as
testified to by defense witness, Dr. Bu C. Castro, hemorrhage due to
43
DIC “cannot be prevented, it will happen to anyone, anytime.” He
testified further:
“Q. Now, under that circumstance one of the possibility as you

mentioned in (sic) DIC?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you mentioned that this cannot be prevented?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Can you even predict if it really happen (sic)?
A. Possible, sir.
Q. Are there any specific findings of autopsy that will tell you
whether this patient suffered among such things as DIC?
A. Well, I did reserve because of the condition of the patient.
Q. Now, Doctor you said that you went through the record of the
deceased Lydia Umali looking for the chart, the operated (sic)
records, the post mortem findings on the histophanic (sic)
examination based on your examination of record, doctor, can
you more or less says (sic) what part are (sic)concerned could
have been the caused (sic) of death of this Lydia Umali?
A. As far as the medical record is concern (sic) the caused (sic) of
death is dessimulated (sic) Intra Vascular Coagulation or the
DIC which resulted to hemorrhage or bleedings, sir.
__________________
42 Robert Berkow, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 1987, p. 1170.
43 TSN, Dr. Bu Castro, supra.
209
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 209

Q. Doctor based on your findings then there is knowing (sic) the

doctor would say whether the doctor her (sir) has been (sic)
fault?
ATTY. MALVEDA:
We will moved (sic) to strike out the (sic) based on finding they
just read the chart as well as the other record.
ATTY. PASCUAL:
Precisely based on this examination.
ATTY. MALVEDA:
Not finding, there was no finding made.
COURT:
He is only reading the record.
ATTY. PASCUAL:
Yes, sir.
44
A. No, sir, there is no fault on the part of the surgeon, sir.”
This Court has no recourse but to rely on the expert testimonies

rendered by both prosecution and defense witnesses that substantiate
rather than contradict petitioner’s allegation that the cause of Lydia’s
death was DIC which, as attested to by an expert witness, cannot be
attributed to the petitioner’s fault or negligence. The probability that
Lydia’s death was caused by DIC was unrebutted during trial and
has engendered in the mind of this Court a reasonable doubt as to
the petitioner’s guilt. Thus, her acquittal of the crime of reckless
imprudence resulting in homicide. While we condole with the family

of Lydia Umali, our hands are bound by the dictates of justice and
fair dealing which hold inviolable the right of an accused to be
presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Nevertheless, this Court finds the petitioner civilly liable for the
death of Lydia Umali, for while a conviction of a crime requires
proof beyond reasonable doubt, only a preponderance of evidence is
45
required to establish civil liability.
_________________
44 TSN, Dr. Bu C. Castro, supra, pp. 13-15.

45 Padilla vs. Court of Appeals, 129 SCRA 558, 565 [1984]; People vs. Jalandoni,
131 SCRA 454 [1984].
210

The petitioner is a doctor in whose hands a patient puts his life and
limb. For insufficiency of evidence this Court was not able to render
a sentence of conviction but it is not blind to the reckless and
imprudent manner in which the petitioner carried out her duties. A
precious life has been lost and the circumstances leading thereto
exacerbated the grief of those left behind. The heirs of the deceased
46
continue to feel the loss of their mother up to the present time and
this Court is aware that no amount of compassion and
commiseration nor words of bereavement can suffice to assuage the
sorrow felt for the loss of a loved one. Certainly, the award of moral
and exemplary damages in favor of the heirs of Lydia Umali are
proper in the instant case.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, petitioner DR.
NINEVETCH CRUZ is hereby ACQUITTED of the crime of
reckless imprudence resulting in homicide but is ordered to pay the
heirs of the deceased Lydia Umali the amount of FIFTY
THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) as civil liability, ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) as moral damages,
and FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) as exemplary
damages.
Let a copy of this decision be furnished to the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) for appropriate action.
__________________
46
“Q. When you came to know that your mother was already dead there in the
operating room of the San Pablo District Hospital, how did you feel being the
daughter?
A. I was crying and crying hysterically. And I asked why it happened to my mother,
sir.
Q. And up to the present time do you still feel about the loss of your mother?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How about your sister and brother?
A. Same with me, sir.
Q. Estimated to money value, how much I cost you and your sister and brother—
the lost of your mother?
A. There is no equivalent, sir.” (TSN, Rowena Umali De Ocampo, supra, p. 18.)
211
VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 211

SO ORDERED.
Romero, Melo and Panganiban, JJ., concur.

Narvasa (C.J., Chairman), On leave.
Petitioner acquitted but ordered to pay moral and exemplary

damages.
Notes.—The supposed medical evaluation made by appellant or

his counsel, without showing their competence in the field of
medicine, must give way to the expert testimony of the examining
physician. (People vs. Pelones, 230 SCRA 379 [1994])
The fact of want of competence or diligence is evidentiary in
nature, the veracity of which can best be passed upon after a full-
blown trial for it is virtually impossible to ascertain the merits of a
medical negligence case without extensive investigation, research,
evaluation and consultations with medical experts—clearly, the City
Prosecutors are not in a competent position to pass judgment on
such a technical matter, especially when there are conflicting
evidence and findings. (Garcia-Rueda vs. Pascasio, 278 SCRA 769
[1997])
——o0o——
212
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12/19/21, 6:16 PM SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 282

188 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

DR. NINEVETCH CRUZ, petitioner, vs. COURT OF APPEALS

Physicians; Medical Malpractice; Criminal Law; Reckless

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 189

Cruz vs. Court of Appeals

of conviction against the petitioner for the crime of reckless imprudence

testimony is usually necessary to support the conclusion as to causation.—

190 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Cruz vs. Court of Appeals

possess unusual technical skills which laymen in most instances are

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 191

Cruz vs. Court of Appeals

ing death of his patient.—In litigations involving medical negligence, the

192 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

PETITION for review on certiorari of a decision of the Court of

The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.

The present case against petitioner is in the nature of a medical

1 “THE PHYSICIAN’S LIABILITY AND THE LAW ON NEGLIGENCE” by

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 193

with which the civil action for damages is impliedly instituted. It is

be punished by prision correccional in its medium and the maximum

Reckless imprudence consists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing

194 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Simple imprudence consists in the lack of precaution displayed in those cases in

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 195

The petitioner appealed her conviction to the Regional 7Trial Court

196 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 197

dropped to 60/50. Lydia’s unstable condition necessitated her

17 Record of exhibits, supra.

198 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

The RTC reiterated the abovementioned findings of the MTCC and

23 DECISION, supra, pp. 11-12; Rollo, pp. 64-65.

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 199

statement of the prosecution witness” remains unchallenged and unrebutted.

This Court, however, holds differently and finds the foregoing

25 DECISION, supra, p. 7; Rollo, p. 47.

200 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

able lack of precaution on the part of the offender, taking into

mind the advanced state of the profession

26 MEDICINE and LAW, supra, p. 24.

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 201

conclusion is still best arrived at not through the educated surmises

30 Willard vs. Hutson, supra.

202 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

presumption is rebuttable by expert opinion which is so sadly

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 203

Dr. Arizala who conducted an autopsy on the body of thedeceased

section shows diffusely pale myometrium with areas of streak

A. There was a uterus which was not attached to the adnexal

204 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

with hemorrhagic shock.

The foregoing was corroborated by Dr. Nieto Salvador:

36 TSN, Dr. Floresto Arizala, January 20, 1993, pp. 43-46.

VOL. 282, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 205

Q. Have you also examined the post mortem of Dr. Arizala?

operation, or may be (sic) he died after the operation.

The testimonies of both doctors establish hemorrhage or