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BarExaminationQuestionnaireforCriminalLaw

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BAREXAMINATION2013
CRIMINALLAW
October20,2013

2:00P.M6:00P.M.
INSTRUCTIONS

1. This Questionnaire contains FIFTEEN (15) pages including these Instructions pages. Check the number of
pagesandthepagenumbersattheupperrighthandcornerofeachpageofthisQuestionnaireandmakesureit
hasthecorrectnumberofpagesandtheirpropernumbers.
ThereareELEVEN(11)EssayQuestionsnumberedItoXI,andTWENTYFIVE(25)MultipleChoiceQuestions
(MCQs)numberedItoXXV,tobeansweredwithinfour(4)hours.
The essay portion contains questions that are worth 80o/o of the whole examination while the MCQ portion
containsquestionsworth20%.
2. Read each question very carefully and write your answers in your Bar Examination Notebook in the same
orderthequestionsareposed.Writeyouranswersonlyatthefront,nottheback,pageofeverysheetinyour
Notebook. Note well the allocated percentage points for each number, question, or subquestion. In your
answers,usethenumberingsysteminthequestionnaire.
IfthesheetsprovidedinyourExaminationNotebookarenotsufficientforyouranswers,usethebackpagesof
every sheet of your Examination Notebook, starting at the back page of the first sheet and the back of the
succeedingsheetsthereafter.
3.AnswertheEssayquestionslegibly,clearly,andconcisely.Starteachnumberonaseparatepage.Ananswer
toasubquestionunderthesamenumbermaybewrittencontinuouslyonthesamepageandtheimmediately
succeedingpagesuntilcompleted.
Your answer should demonstrate your ability to analyze the facts presented by the question, to select the
materialfromtheimmaterialfacts,andtodiscernthepointsuponwhichthequestionturns.Itshouldshowyour
knowledgeandunderstandingofthepertinentprinciplesandtheoriesoflawinvolvedandtheirqualificationsand
limitations. It should demonstrate your ability to apply the law to the given facts, and to reason logically in a
lawyerlikemannertoasoundconclusionfromthegivenpremises.
Amere"Yes"or"No"answerwithoutanycorrespondingexplanationordiscussionwillnotbegivenanycredit.
Thus, always briefly but fully explain your answers although the question does not expressly ask for an
explanation. At the same time, remember that a complete explanation does not require that you volunteer
informationordiscusslegaldoctrinesthatarenotnecessaryorpertinenttothesolutiontotheproblem.Youdo
notneedtorewriteorrepeatthequestioninyourNotebook.
4. MCQs are to be answered by writing in your Notebook the capital letter (A, B, C, D, or E) corresponding to
yourchosenanswer.TheMCQanswersshouldbegininthepagefollowingthelastpageofyouressayanswers.
ThereisonlyonecorrectanswertoeveryMCQchoosetheBESTanswerfromamongtheofferedchoices.Note
thatsomeMCQsmayneedcarefulanalysisbothofthequestionsandthechoicesoffered.
5. Make sure you do not write yourname or any extraneousnote/s or distinctivemarking/s on your Notebook
thatcanserveasanidentifyingmark/s(suchasnamesthatarenotinthegivenquestions,prayers,orprivate
notestotheExaminer).
Writing, leaving or making any distinguishing or identifying mark in the exam Notebook is considered cheating
andcandisqualifyyoufortheBarexaminations.
Youcanusethequestionnairefornotesyoumaywish/needtowriteduringtheexamination.
HANDINYOURNOTEBOOKWITHTHISQUESTIONNAIRE
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J.ARTUROD.BRION
Chairman
2013BarExaminations
ESSAYQUESTIONS
I.
Brunowaschargedwithhomicideforkillingthe75yearoldownerofhisroominghouse.Theprosecutionproved
thatBrunostabbedtheownercausinghisdeathandthatthekillinghappenedat10intheeveninginthehouse
wherethevictimandBrunolived.Bruno,ontheotherhand,successfullyprovedthathevoluntarilysurrendered
totheauthoritiesthathepleadedguiltytothecrimechargedthatitwasthevictimwhofirstattackedanddidso
withoutanyprovocationonhis(Bruno's)part,butheprevailedbecausehemanagedtodrawhisknifewithwhich
hestabbedthevictim.Thepenaltyforhomicideisreclusiontemporal.
Assumingajudgmentofconvictionandafterconsideringtheattendantcircumstances,whatpenaltyshouldthe
judgeimpose?(7%)
II.
While walking alone on her way home from a party, Mildred was seized at gun point by Felipe and taken on
boardatricycletoahousesomedistanceaway.FelipewaswithJulio,Roldan,andLucio,whodrovethetricycle.
Atthehouse,Felipe,Julio,andRoldansucceededinhavingsexualintercoursewithMildredagainstherwilland
under the threat of Felipe's gun. Lucio was not around when the sexual assaults took place as he left after
bringinghiscolleaguesandMildredtotheirdestination,buthereturnedeverydaytobringfoodandthenewsin
townaboutMildred'sdisappearance.Forfivedays,Felipe,JulioandRoldankeptMildredinthehouseandtook
turnsinsexuallyassaultingher.Onthe6thday,Mildredmanagedtoescapesheproceededimmediatelytothe
nearestpolicestationandnarratedherordeal.
Whatcrime/sdidFelipe,Julio,Roldan,andLuciocommitandwhatwastheirdegreeofparticipation?(7%)
III.
Modesto and Abelardo are brothers. Sometime in August, 1998 while Abelardo was in his office, Modesto,
togetherwithtwoothermeninpoliceuniform,camewithtwoheavybags.ModestoaskedAbelardotokeepthe
two bags in his vault until he comes back to get them. When Abelardo later examined the two bags, he saw
bundlesofmoneythat,inhisroughcount,couldnotbelessthanP5Million.Hekeptthemoneyinsidethevault
andsoonheheardthenewsthatagangthatincludedModestohadbeenengagedinbankrobberies.Abelardo,
unsureofwhattodounderthecircumstances,keptquietaboutthetwobagsinhisvault.Soonafter,thepolice
captured, and secured a confession from, Modesto who admitted that their loot had been deposited with
Abelardo.
WhatisAbelardo'sliability?(7%)
IV.
Inherweeklygossipcolumninatabloid,GigiwroteanunflatteringarticleaboutPablo,afamoussinger,andhis
bitter separation from his wife. The article portrayed Pablo as an abusive husband and caused him to lose
lucrative endorsement contracts. Pablo charged Gigi with libel. In her defense, Gigi countered that she did not
commitlibelbecausePablohasattainedthestatusofapublicfiguresothatevenhispersonallifehasbecomea
legitimatesubjectofpublicinterestandcomment.
IsGigicorrect?(7%)
V.
Michael was 17 years old when he was charged for violation of Sec. 5 of R.A. 9165 (illegal sale of prohibited
drug).Bythetimehewasconvictedandsentenced,hewasalready21yearsold.Thecourtsentencedhimto
sufferanindeterminatepenaltyofimprisonmentofsix(6)yearsandone(1)dayofprisionmayor,asminimum,
toseventeen(17)yearsandfour(4)monthsofreclusiontemporal,asmaximum,andafineofP500,000.Michael
appliedforprobationbuthisapplicationwasdeniedbecausetheprobationlawdoesnotapplytodrugoffenders
underR.A.9165.MichaelthensoughtthesuspensionofhissentenceunderR.A.9344ortheJuvenileJustice
andYouthWelfareCode.
CanMichaelavailofthesuspensionofhissentenceprovidedunderthislaw?(7%)
VI.
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RobertoboughtaToyotaFortunerfromIigoforP500,000.Whiledrivinghisnewlyboughtcar,Robertometa
minor accident that made the examination of his vehicle's Registration Certificate necessary. When the
policeman checked the plate, chassis and motor numbers of the vehicle against those reflected in the
Registration Certificate, he found the chassis and motor numbers to be different from what the Registration
Certificate stated. The Deed of Sale covering the sale of the Fortuner, signed by Iigo, also bore the same
chassis and motor numbers as Roberto's Registration Certificate. The chassis and motor numbers on the
Fortunerwerefound,uponverificationwiththeLandTransportationOffice,tocorrespondtoavehiclepreviously
reportedascarnapped.
RobertoclaimedthathewasingoodfaithIigosoldhimacarnappedvehicleandhedidnotknowthathewas
buyingacarnappedvehicle.
Ifyouweretheprosecutor,wouldyouorwouldyounotchargeRobertowithacrime?(7%)
VII.
MissReyes,aladyprofessor,caughtMariano,oneofherstudents,cheatingduringanexamination.Asidefrom
calling Mariano's attention, she confiscated his examination booklet and sent him out of the room, causing
Marianoextremeembarrassment.
Inclassthefollowingday,MarianoapproachedMissReyesandwithoutanywarning,slappedherontheface.
MarianowouldhaveinflictedgraveinjuriesonMissReyeshadnotDencio,anotherstudent,intervened.Mariano
thenturnedhisireonDencioandpunchedhimrepeatedly,causinghiminjuries.
Whatcrimeorcrimes,ifany,didMarianocommit?(7%)
VIII.
William is the soninlaw of Mercedes who owns several pieces of real property. In 1994, William's wife, Anita,
died. In 1996, William caused the preparation of a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) giving him the authority to
sell two (2) parcels of land registered in the name of Mercedes. The signature of Mercedes in the SPA was
forgedand,throughthisforgedSPAandwithouttheconsentandknowledgeofMercedes,Williamsucceededin
sellingthetwo(2)parcelsforPhp2,000,000.Hepocketedtheproceedsofthesale.
Mercedes eventually discovered William's misdeeds and filed a criminal complaint. William was subsequently
chargedwithestafathroughfalsificationofpublicdocument.
Wasthecriminalchargeproper?(7%)
IX.
RomanandWendyareneighbors.OnValentine'sDay,withoutpriornotice,RomanvisitedWendyathercondo
toinvitehertodinner,butWendyturnedhimdownandabruptlyleft,leavinghercondodoorunlocked.Roman
attemptedtofollow,butappearedtohavesecondthoughtshesimplywentbacktoWendy'scondo,lethimself
in,andwaitedforherreturn.OnWendy'sarrivallaterthatevening,Romangrabbedherfrombehindand,witha
knifeinhand,forcedhertoundress.Wendyhadnochoicebuttocomply.RomanthentiedWendy'shandstoher
bedandsexuallyassaultedherfive(5)timesthatnight.
Romanwaschargedwith,andwasconvictedof,five(5)countsofrape,butthejudgedidnotimposethepenalty
ofreclusionperpetuaforeachcount.Instead,thejudgesentencedRomanto40yearsofimprisonmentonthe
basisofthethreefoldrule.
Wasthejudgecorrect?(7%)
X.
Frank borrowed P1,000,000 from his brother Eric. To pay the loan, Frank issued a postdated check to be
presentedforpaymentamonthafterthetransaction.Twodaysbeforematurity,FrankcalledErictellinghimhe
hadinsufficientfundsandrequestedthatthedepositofthecheckbedeferred.Nevertheless,Ericdepositedthe
check and it was dishonored. When Frank failed to pay despite demand, Eric filed a complaint against him for
violationofBatasPambansaBig.22(TheBouncingChecksLaw).
WasthechargebroughtagainstFrankcorrect?(7%)
XI.
AssumethatyouareamemberofthelegalstaffofSenatorSalcedowhowantstofileabillaboutimprisonment
attheNationalPenitentiaryinMuntinlupa.HewantstomaketheStateprisonarevenueearnerforthecountry
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throughalawprovidingforpremiumaccommodationsforprisoners(otherthanthoseundermaximumsecurity
status) whose wives are allowed conjugal weekend visits, and for those who want longterm premium
accommodations.
For conjugal weekenders, he plans to rent out rooms with hotellike amenities at rates equivalent to those
chargedby4starhotelsforlongtermoccupants,heispreparedtoofferroomandboardwithspecialmealsin
airconditionedsingleoccupancyrooms,atratesequivalenttothosechargedby3starhotels.
WhatadvicewillyougivetheSenatorfromthepointofviewofcriminallaw,takingintoaccountthepurposeof
imprisonment(7%)andconsiderationsofethicsandmorality(3%)?(10%totalpoints)
MULTIPLECHOICEQUESTIONS
I. The acquittal of an accused shall bar the civil action arising from the crime where the judgment of acquittal
holdsthat__________.(0.5%)
(A)theacquittalisbasedonreasonabledoubt
(B)theliabilityoftheaccusedisnotcriminalbutcivilinnature
(C)thecivilliabilitydoesnotarisefromorisnotbasedonthecriminalactforwhichtheaccusedhasbeen
acquitted
(D)theaccuseddidnotcommittheactimputedtohim
II.Subsidiaryliabilitymaybeimposedonthefollowing,except__________.(0.5%)
(A)innkeepers,inrelationtothecrimecommittedintheirestablishment
(B)employersengagedinindustry,forthecrimecommittedbytheiremployees
(C)parentsofminorswhoactwithdiscernmentincommittingcrimes
(D)hospitaladministratorsorowners,forcrimescommittedbytheirhospitalnurses
III.Passionorobfuscationmaybeappreciated__________.(0.5%)
(A)ifitarisesfromjealousyinanamorousrelationshipbetweenamarriedmanandasinglewoman
(B)ifitarisesfromjealousyofamanwhohasbeenlivinginwiththewomanforthepast20years
(C)ifitarisesfromjealousywithimmoral,lustfulandvindictivesentimentsoftheoffenderagainstthe
victim
(D)innoneoftheabovesituations
IV. Who among the following accused is entitled to a privileged mitigating circumstance that would lower the
imposablepenaltybyonedegree?(0.5%)
(A)Aminorabove15yearsoldandbelow18yearsoldwhoactedwithdiscernment.
(B) One who, in fulfillment of his duty to carry out the warrant of arrest of a fugitive, shot the fugitive to
deathwithoutascertaininghisidentity.
(C) One who defended himself against an unlawful aggression but used unreasonable means and gave
provocation.
(D)Alloftheabove.
V.Conspiracytocommitafelonyispunishableonlyincaseswherethelawspecificallyprovidesapenalty.Which
ofthefollowingcombinationscontainspecificfeloniesundertheRevisedPenalCode?(0.5%)
(A) Conspiracy to commit treason, conspiracy to commit rebellion, conspiracy to commit coup d'etat,
conspiracytocommitmisprisionoftreason.
(B) Conspiracy to commit rebellion, conspiracy to commit coup d'etat, conspiracy to commit treason,
conspiracytocommitsedition.
(C) Conspiracy to commit rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy to commit sedition, conspiracy to commit
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illegalassemblies,conspiracytocommittreason.
(D)Conspiracytocommittreason,conspiracytocommitsedition,conspiracytocommitterrorism.
(E)Noneoftheabove.
VI.Choosethecorrectcircumstancewhenawomanmaybeheldliableforrape:(0.5%)
(A)Withtheuseofforceorintimidation.
(B)Whentherapeiscommittedbytwoormorepersons.
(C)Whentheoffenderusesaninstrumentandinsertsitmthemouthofthevictim.
(D) When she befriends and puts a sleeping pill in the victim's drink to enable her husband to have
intercoursewiththevictim.
VII.Thedeathoftheaccusedextinguisheshiscriminalliabilitybutcivilliabilityisnotextinguished.(0.5%)
(A)whenthedeathoftheaccusedoccurredbeforeconviction
(B)whenthedeathoftheaccusedoccurredafterconvictionandafterhehasperfectedhisappealfrom
conviction
(C)whenthedeathoftheaccusedoccurredduringthependencyofhisappeal
(D)whenthedeathoftheaccusedoccurredafterfinaljudgment
(E)Noneoftheabove.
VIII.CompellingthepilotofanaircraftofPhilippineRegistrytochangeitsdestinationis__________.(0.5%)
(A)gravecoercion
(B)aviolationoftheAntiHijackingLaworR.A.No.6235
(C)gravethreats
(D)aviolationoftheHumanSecurityActof2007ortheAntiTerrorismLaw
(E)Alloftheabove.
IX.Choosefromthelistbelowthecorrectprincipleinconsidering"motive".(0.5%)
(A)Iftheevidenceismerelycircumstantial,proofofmotiveisessential.
(B) Generally, proof of motive is not necessary to pin a crime on the accused if the commission of the
crimehasbeenprovenandtheevidenceofidentificationisconvincing.
(C)Motiveisimportanttoascertainthetruthbetweentwoantagonistictheories.
(D)Motiveisrelevantiftheidentityoftheaccusedisuncertain.
(E)Alloftheabovearecorrect.
X.LuiswassentencedtoprisionmayorandtopayafineofP50,000,withsubsidiaryimprisonmentincaseofin
solvency.Isthesentencecorrect?(0.5%)
(A)Yes,becauseLuishasnopropertytopayforthefine,sohemustsuffertheequivalentimprisonment
providedbylawinlieuoffine.
(B) No, because subsidiary imprisonment is applicable only when the penalty imposed is prision
correccionalorbelow.
(C)Yes,becausethesentencesaysso.
(D)No,becausethesubsidiaryimprisonmentisapplicableonlywhenthepenaltyimposedislimitedtoa
fine.
(E)Noneoftheabove.
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XI.Anthonydrewapromissorynoteandaskedhistem1inallyillanddyingbusinesspartnerBentosignit.The
promissorynoteboundBentopayAnthonyOneMillionPesos(P1,000,000)plus12%interest,onorbeforeJune
30,2011.
IfBendiedbeforethepromissorynote'sduedateandAnthonystillcollectedP1,000,000withinterestfromBen's
estate,whatcrime/sdidAnthonycommit?(1%)
(A)Falsificationofapublicdocument.
(B)Falsificationofaprivatedocumentandestafa.
(C)Estafa.
(D)Estafathrufalsificationofaprivatedocument.
(E)Noneoftheabove.
XII.OutofspiteandsimplyintendingtoputGinatoshameforbreakingoffwithhim,Ritchieemptiedagallonof
motor oil on the school's stairway where Gina usually passed. Gina, unaware of what Ritchie did, used the
slipperystairwayandslipped,hittingherheadonthestairs.Ginadiedfrombrainhemorrhage.
WhatcrimedidRitchiecommit?(1%)
(A)Murder.
(B)Recklessimprudenceresultinginhomicide.
(C)Homicide.
(D)Impossiblecrimeofhomicide.
(E)None.
XIII.Santoswassentencedtosufferimprisonmentinthreeseparatejudgments:6monthsand1dayto4years
forattemptedhomicide6yearsand1dayto8yearsforfrustratedhomicideand6yearsand1dayto20yearsfor
homicide.Afterhis20thyearintheNationalPenitentiary,Santosfiledapetitionforhabeascorpusclaimingthat
hehadfullyservedhissentenceof20yearsandshouldthereforebeimmediatelyreleasedfromimprisonment.
WasSantoscorrect?(1%)
(A) Yes, because he served his sentences simultaneously so that his 20 years of incarceration was
sufficient.
(B)No,becausemultiplesentencesareservedsuccessivelynotsimultaneously.
(C)No,onlypenaltiesotherthanimprisonmentcanbeservedsimultaneously.
(D)Yes,becauseafterhehasservedtheminimumofhispenalties,hecannowbereleased.
XIV.Amelia,afamousactress,boughtthepenthouseunitofaposhcondominiumbuildinginTaguigCity.Every
night, Amelia would swim naked in the private, but open air, pool of her penthouse unit. It must have been
obvious to Amelia that she could be seen from nearby buildings. In fact, some residents occupying the higher
floorsofthenearbyresidentialbuildingsdidindeedentertainthemselvesandtheirfriendsbywatchingherswim
inthenudefromtheirwindows.
WhatcrimedidAmeliacommit?(1%)
(A)Alarmsandscandalsbecauseheractofsw1mmmgnakeddisturbsthepublictranquility.
(B)Gravescandalbecauseshecommittedhighlyscandalousactsthatareoffensivetodecencyorgood
customs.
(C)Immoraldoctrines,obscenepublicationsandexhibitions,andindecentshowsunderArticle201ofthe
RevisedPenalCode,becauseheractofswimmingnakedisakintoanindecentliveshow.
(D)Ameliadidnotcommitanycrimebecausetheswimmingpoolislocatedinherprivatehome.
XV.AfterdrinkingabottleofJackDaniels,JonjondrovehisBMWsportscarathighspeed,rammedintoagroup
ofcrossingpedestrians,andhitatrafficlightpost.Theincidentcausedthedeathofone(1)pedestrian,serious
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injuriestothree(3)others,andthedestructionofthetrafficlightpost.
Ifyouweretheprosecutor,whatwouldyouchargeJonjon?(1%)
(A)Homicidewithseriousphysicalinjuriesthroughsimplenegligence.
(B)Damagetoproperty,seriousphysicalinjuriesandhomicidethroughrecklessnegligence.
(C)Simplenegligenceresultingindamagetoproperty,seriousphysicalinjuriesandhomicide.
(D)Recklessimprudenceresultinginhomicide,seriousphysicalinjuriesanddamagetoproperty.
XVI.OnJune1,2011,EfrenboughtausedtopofthelineMercedesBenzforP7.5MillionfromSwitikTrading.
Onthesameday,hepaidP2,500,000incashandissuedSwitikTradingacheckforP5,000,000datedJuly31,
2011.Hethenbroughtthecartoafriend'shouseandhiditinanundergroundgarage.ThecheckEfrenissued
wasdishonoredforinsufficiencyoffundswhenpresentedforpaymentonduedate.Efrenwasaskedtohonor
andpaythecheckortoreturnthecar,butherefused.
Whatcrime/sdidEfrencommit?(1%)
(A)Carnapping.
(B)Estafaandcarnapping.
(C)AviolationofBPBlg.22.
(D)EstafaandaviolationofBPBlg.22.
(E)Noneoftheabove.
XVII.InhisAnswertoacomplaint,Atty.Jose(counselforthedefendant)statedthatAtty.Agrada(counselforthe
plaintiff)is"bobo,inutile,goodfornothing,stupid,andamenacetoclients."
CanAtty.Josebeheldcriminallyliableforlibel?(1%)
(A)No,becauseanAnswertoacomplaintisacourtpleadingwherecommunicationsmadeareprivileged
thewritercannotbeheldliableforlibel.
(B)Yes,becausethestatementcastsaspersiononthecharacter,integrityandreputationofAtty.Agrada
asalawyerandexposedhimtopublicridicule.
(C)Yes,althoughacourtpleadingisaprivilegedcommunication,maliciousstatementsthatareirrelevant
andimpertinenttotheissueinthepleadingmaybelibelous.
(D)Yes,therewasamaliciousintenttoridiculeAtty.Agradaasalawyer.
(E) No, because the statement is in a pleading, but Atty. Jose can be charged administratively for
misconductbeforetheSupremeCourt.
XVIII.Usinghischarmsbecauseofhismoviestarlooks,Phil,inamoviedatewithLyn,a19yearoldcolegiala,
kissedheronthecheekandstrokedherpubichair.LynshoutedforhelpandPhilwasarrested.Philisliablefor
__________.(

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