6/15/2016 CriminalLawBook1Articles110|PhilippineLawReviewers

PhilippineLawReviewers

CriminalLawBook1Articles110

DEC20
PostedbyMagz
CriminalLawAbranchofmunicipallawwhichdenescrimes,treatsoftheirnatureandprovidesfor
theirpunishment.

LimitationsonthepowerofCongresstoenactpenallaws(ON)

1.Mustbegeneralinapplication.

2.Mustnotpartakeofthenatureofanexpostfactolaw.

3.Mustnotpartakeofthenatureofabillofaainder.

4.Mustnotimposecruelandunusualpunishmentorexcessivenes.

CharacteristicsofCriminalLaw:

1.GeneralthelawisbindingtoallpersonswhoresideinthePhilippines
2.TerritorialthelawisbindingtoallcrimescommiedwithintheNationalTerritoryofthe
Philippines

ExceptiontoTerritorialApplication:InstancesenumeratedunderArticle2.

3.Prospectivethelawdoesnothaveanyretroactiveeect.

ExceptiontoProspectiveApplication:whennewstatuteisfavorabletotheaccused.

Eectofrepealofpenallawtoliabilityofoender

Totalorabsolute,orpartialorrelativerepeal.Astotheeectofrepealofpenallawtotheliabilityof
oender,qualifyyouranswerbysayingwhethertherepealisabsoluteortotalorwhethertherepealispartialor
relativeonly.

Arepealisabsoluteortotalwhenthecrimepunishedundertherepealedlawhasbeendecriminalizedbythe
repeal.Becauseoftherepeal,theactoromissionwhichusedtobeacrimeisnolongeracrime.Anexampleis
RepublicActNo.7363,whichdecriminalizedsubversion.

Arepealispartialorrelativewhenthecrimepunishedundertherepealedlawcontinuestobeacrimeinspiteof
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Arepealispartialorrelativewhenthecrimepunishedundertherepealedlawcontinuestobeacrimeinspiteof
therepeal.Thismeansthattherepealmerelymodiedtheconditionsaectingthecrimeundertherepealedlaw.
Themodicationmaybeprejudicialorbenecialtotheoender.Hence,thefollowingrule:

Consequencesifrepealofpenallawistotalorabsolute

(1)Ifacaseispendingincourtinvolvingtheviolationoftherepealedlaw,thesameshallbe
dismissed,eventhoughtheaccusedmaybeahabitualdelinquent.

(2)Ifacaseisalreadydecidedandtheaccusedisalreadyservingsentencebynaljudgment,ifthe
convictisnotahabitualdelinquent,thenhewillbeentitledtoareleaseunlessthereisareservationclauseinthe
penallawthatitwillnotapplytothoseservingsentenceatthetimeoftherepeal.Butifthereisnoreservation,
thosewhoarenothabitualdelinquentseveniftheyarealreadyservingtheirsentencewillreceivethebenetofthe
repealinglaw.Theyareentitledtorelease.

Iftheyarenotdischargedfromconnement,apetitionforhabeascorpusshouldbeledtotestthelegalityof
theircontinuedconnementinjail.

Iftheconvict,ontheotherhand,isahabitualdelinquent,hewillcontinueservingthesentenceinspiteofthe
factthatthelawunderwhichhewasconvictedhasalreadybeenabsolutelyrepealed.Thisissobecausepenallaws
shouldbegivenretroactiveapplicationtofavoronlythosewhoarenothabitualdelinquents.

Consequencesifrepealofpenallawispartialorrelative

(1)Ifacaseispendingincourtinvolvingtheviolationoftherepealedlaw,andtherepealinglawis
morefavorabletotheaccused,itshallbetheoneappliedtohim.Sowhetherheisahabitualdelinquentornot,
ifthecaseisstillpendingincourt,therepealinglawwillbetheonetoapplyunlessthereisasavingclauseinthe
repealinglawthatitshallnotapplytopendingcausesofaction.

(2)Ifacaseisalreadydecidedandtheaccusedisalreadyservingsentencebynaljudgment,even
iftherepealinglawispartialorrelative,thecrimestillremainstobeacrime.Thosewhoarenothabitual
delinquentswillbenetontheeectofthatrepeal,sothatiftherepealismorelenienttothem,itwillbe
therepealinglawthatwillhenceforthapplytothem.

UnderArticle22,eveniftheoenderisalreadyconvictedandservingsentence,alawwhichisbenecialshallbe
appliedtohimunlessheisahabitualdelinquentinaccordancewithRule5ofArticle62.

Consequencesifrepealofpenallawisexpressorimplied

(1)Ifapenallawisimpliedlyrepealed,thesubsequentrepealoftherepealinglawwillrevivetheoriginal
law.Sotheactoromissionwhichwaspunishedasacrimeundertheoriginallawwillberevivedandthesame
shallagainbecrimesalthoughduringtheimpliedrepealtheymaynotbepunishable.

(2)Iftherepealisexpress,therepealoftherepealinglawwillnotrevivetherstlaw,sotheactor
omissionwillnolongerbepenalized.

Theseeectsofrepealdonotapplytoselfrepealinglawsorthosewhichhaveautomatictermination.Anexample
istheRentControlLawwhichisrevivedbyCongresseverytwoyears.

TheoriesofCriminalLaw

1.ClassicalTheoryManisessentiallyamoralcreaturewithanabsolutefreewilltochoosebetween
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goodandevilandthereforemorestressisplacedupontheresultofthefeloniousactthanuponthe
criminalhimself.

1.PositivistTheoryManissubduedoccasionallybyastrangeandmorbidphenomenonwhich
conditionshimtodowronginspiteoforcontrarytohisvolition.

EclecticorMixedPhilosophy

Thiscombinesbothpositivistandclassicalthinking.Crimesthatareeconomicandsocialandnatureshouldbe
dealtwithinapositivistmanner;thus,thelawismorecompassionate.Heinouscrimesshouldbedealtwithina
classicalmanner;thus,capitalpunishmen

BASICMAXIMSINCRIMINALLAW

DoctrineofProReo

Wheneverapenallawistobeconstruedorappliedandthelawadmitsoftwointerpretationsonelenienttothe
oenderandonestricttotheoenderthatinterpretationwhichislenientorfavorabletotheoenderwillbe
adopted.

Nullumcrimen,nullapoenasinelege

Thereisnocrimewhenthereisnolawpunishingthesame.Thisistruetocivillawcountries,butnottocommon
lawcountries.

Becauseofthismaxim,thereisnocommonlawcrimeinthePhilippines.Nomaerhowwrongful,evilorbadthe
actis,ifthereisnolawdeningtheact,thesameisnotconsideredacrime.

Actusnonfacitreum,nisimenssitrea

Theactcannotbecriminalwherethemindisnotcriminal.Thisistruetoafelonycharacterizedbydolo,butnota
felonyresultingfromculpa.Thismaximisnotanabsoluteonebecauseitisnotappliedtoculpablefelonies,or
thosethatresultfromnegligence.

UtilitarianTheoryorProtectiveTheory

Theprimarypurposeofthepunishmentundercriminallawistheprotectionofsocietyfromactualandpotential
wrongdoers.Thecourts,therefore,inexactingretributionforthewrongedsociety,shoulddirectthepunishmentto
potentialoractualwrongdoers,sincecriminallawisdirectedagainstactsandomissionswhichthesocietydoesnot
approve.Consistentwiththistheory,themalaprohibitaprinciplewhichpunishesanoenseregardlessofmaliceor
criminalintent,shouldnotbeutilizedtoapplythefullharshnessofthespeciallaw.

SourcesofCriminalLaw

1.TheRevisedPenalCode
2.SpecialPenalLawsActsenactedofthePhilippineLegislaturepunishingoensesoromissions.

ConstructionofPenalLaws

1.CriminalStatutesareliberallyconstruedinfavoroftheoender.Thismeansthatnopersonshallbe

broughtwithintheirtermswhoisnotclearlywithinthem,norshouldanyactbepronounced
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broughtwithintheirtermswhoisnotclearlywithinthem,norshouldanyactbepronounced
criminalwhichisnotclearlymadesobystatute.
2.Theoriginaltextinwhichapenallawisapprovedincaseofaconictwithanocialtranslation.
3.Interpretationbyanalogyhasnoplaceincriminallaw

MALAINSEANDMALAPROHIBITA

ViolationsoftheRevisedPenalCodearereferredtoasmaluminse,whichliterallymeans,thattheactis
inherentlyevilorbadorpersewrongful.Ontheotherhand,violationsofspeciallawsaregenerally
referredtoasmalumprohibitum.

Note,however,thatnotallviolationsofspeciallawsaremalaprohibita.Whileintentionalfeloniesare
alwaysmalainse,itdoesnotfollowthatprohibitedactsdoneinviolationofspeciallawsarealways
malaprohibita.Evenifthecrimeispunishedunderaspeciallaw,iftheactpunishedisonewhichis
inherentlywrong,thesameismaluminse,and,therefore,goodfaithandthelackofcriminalintentisa
validdefense;unlessitistheproductofcriminalnegligenceorculpa.

Likewisewhenthespeciallawsrequiresthatthepunishedactbecommiedknowinglyandwillfully,
criminalintentisrequiredtobeprovedbeforecriminalliabilitymayarise.

Whentheactpenalizedisnotinherentlywrong,itiswrongonlybecausealawpunishesthesame.

DistinctionbetweencrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCodeandcrimespunishedunder
speciallaws

1.Astomoraltraitoftheoender

IncrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCode,themoraltraitoftheoenderisconsidered.Thisis
whyliabilitywouldonlyarisewhenthereisdoloorculpainthecommissionofthepunishableact.

Incrimespunishedunderspeciallaws,themoraltraitoftheoenderisnotconsidered;itisenoughthat
theprohibitedactwasvoluntarilydone.

2.Astouseofgoodfaithasdefense

IncrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCode,goodfaithorlackofcriminalintentisavaliddefense;
unlessthecrimeistheresultofculpa

Incrimespunishedunderspeciallaws,goodfaithisnotadefense

3.Astodegreeofaccomplishmentofthecrime

IncrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCode,thedegreeofaccomplishmentofthecrimeistaken
intoaccountinpunishingtheoender;thus,thereareaempted,frustrated,andconsummatedstagesin
thecommissionofthecrime.

Incrimespunishedunderspeciallaws,theactgivesrisetoacrimeonlywhenitisconsummated;there
arenoaemptedorfrustratedstages,unlessthespeciallawexpresslypenalizethemereaemptor
frustrationofthecrime.

4.Astomitigatingandaggravatingcircumstances

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IncrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCode,mitigatingandaggravatingcircumstancesaretaken
intoaccountinimposingthepenaltysincethemoraltraitoftheoenderisconsidered.

Incrimespunishedunderspeciallaws,mitigatingandaggravatingcircumstancesarenottakeninto
accountinimposingthepenalty.

5.Astodegreeofparticipation

IncrimespunishedundertheRevisedPenalCode,whenthereismorethanoneoender,thedegreeof
participationofeachinthecommissionofthecrimeistakenintoaccountinimposingthepenalty;thus,
oendersareclassiedasprincipal,accompliceandaccessory.

Incrimespunishedunderspeciallaws,thedegreeofparticipationoftheoendersisnotconsidered.All
whoperpetratedtheprohibitedactarepenalizedtothesameextent.Thereisnoprincipaloraccomplice
oraccessorytoconsider.

Testtodetermineifviolationofspeciallawismalumprohibitumormaluminse

Analyzetheviolation:Isitwrongbecausethereisalawprohibitingitorpunishingitassuch?Ifyouremovethe
law,willtheactstillbewrong?

Ifthewordingofthelawpunishingthecrimeusesthewordwillfully,thenmalicemustbeproven.Wheremalice
isafactor,goodfaithisadefense.

Inviolationofspeciallaw,theactconstitutingthecrimeisaprohibitedact.Thereforeculpaisnotabasisof
liability,unlessthespeciallawpunishesanomission.

Whengivenaproblem,takenoteifthecrimeisaviolationoftheRevisedPenalCodeoraspeciallaw.

Art.1.ThisCodeshalltakeeectonJanuary1,1932.

Art.2.Exceptasprovidedinthetreatiesandlawsofpreferentialapplication,theprovisionsofthis
CodeshallbeenforcednotonlywithinthePhilippineArchipelagoincludingitsatmosphere,its
interiorwatersandMaritimezone,butalsooutsideofitsjurisdiction,againstthosewho:

1.ShouldcommitanoensewhileonaPhilippineshiporairship;

2.ShouldforgeorcounterfeitanycoinorcurrencynoteofthePhilippineIslandsorobligationsand
securitiesissuedbytheGovernmentofthePhilippineIslands;

3.Shouldbeliableforactsconnectedwiththeintroductionintotheseislandsoftheobligationsand
securitiesmentionedintheprecedingnumber;

4.Whilebeingpublicocersoremployees,shouldcommitanoenseintheexerciseoftheir
functions;or(Someofthesecrimesarebribery,fraudagainstnationaltreasury,malversationofpublicfundsor
property,andillegaluseofpublicfunds;e.g.,AjudgewhoacceptsabribewhileinJapan.)

5.Shouldcommitanycrimesagainstthenationalsecurityandthelawofnations,denedinTitle
OneofBookTwoofthisCode.(Thesecrimesincludetreason,espionage,piracy,mutiny,andviolationof
neutrality)

Rulesastocrimescommiedaboardforeignmerchantvessels:
1.FrenchRuleSuchcrimesarenottriableinthecourtsofthatcountry,unlesstheircommission
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1.FrenchRuleSuchcrimesarenottriableinthecourtsofthatcountry,unlesstheircommission
aectsthepeaceandsecurityoftheterritoryorthesafetyofthestateisendangered.

1.EnglishRuleSuchcrimesaretriableinthatcountry,unlesstheymerelyaectthingswithinthe
vesselortheyrefertotheinternalmanagementthereof.(ThisisapplicableinthePhilippines)

twosituationswheretheforeigncountrymaynotapplyitscriminallawevenifacrimewascommiedonboarda
vesselwithinitsterritorialwatersandtheseare:

(1)Whenthecrimeiscommiedinawarvesselofaforeigncountry,becausewarvesselsarepartofthe
sovereigntyofthecountrytowhosenavalforcetheybelong;

(2)WhentheforeigncountryinwhoseterritorialwatersthecrimewascommiedadoptstheFrenchRule,
whichappliesonlytomerchantvessels,exceptwhenthecrimecommiedaectsthenationalsecurityorpublic
orderofsuchforeigncountry.

RequirementsofanoensecommiedwhileonaPhilippineShiporAirship

1.RegisteredwiththePhilippineBureauofCustoms
2.Shipmustbeinthehighseasortheairshipmustbeininternationalairspace.

Underinternationallawrule,avesselwhichisnotregisteredinaccordancewiththelawsofanycountryis
consideredapiratevesselandpiracyisacrimeagainsthumanityingeneral,suchthatwhereverthepiratesmaygo,
theycanbeprosecuted.

USv.Bull

Acrimewhichoccurredonboardofaforeignvessel,whichbeganwhentheshipwasinaforeign
territoryandcontinuedwhenitenteredintoPhilippinewaters,isconsideredacontinuingcrime.Hence
withinthejurisdictionofthelocalcourts.

Asageneralrule,theRevisedPenalCodegovernsonlywhenthecrimecommiedpertainstotheexerciseofthe
publicocialsfunctions,thosehavingtodowiththedischargeoftheirdutiesinaforeigncountry.Thefunctions
contemplatedarethose,whichare,underthelaw,tobeperformedbythepublicocerintheForeignServiceofthe
Philippinegovernmentinaforeigncountry.

Exception:TheRevisedPenalCodegovernsifthecrimewascommiedwithinthePhilippineEmbassyorwithin
theembassygroundsinaforeigncountry.Thisisbecauseembassygroundsareconsideredanextensionof
sovereignty.

Paragraph5ofArticle2,usethephraseasdenedinTitleOneofBookTwoofthisCode.

Thisisaveryimportantpartoftheexception,becauseTitleIofBook2(crimesagainstnationalsecurity)doesnot
includerebellion.

Art3.Actsandomissionspunishablebylawarefelonies.

Actsanovertorexternalact
Omissionfailuretoperformadutyrequiredbylaw.Exampleofanomission:failuretorender
assistancetoanyonewhoisindangerofdyingorisinanuninhabitedplaceoriswounded
abandonment.
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abandonment.
FeloniesactsandomissionspunishablebytheRevisedPenalCode
Crimeactsandomissionspunishablebyanylaw

Whatrequisitesmustconcurbeforeafelonymaybecommied?

Theremustbe(1)anactoromission;(2)punishablebytheRevisedPenalCode;and(3)theactisperformedorthe
omissionincurredbymeansofdoloorculpa.

Howfeloniesarecommied:

1.bymeansofdeceit(dolo)Thereisdeceitwhentheactisperformedwithdeliberateintent.

Requisites:

1.freedom
2.intelligence
3.intent

Examples:murder,treason,androbbery

Criminalintentisnotnecessaryinthesecases:

(1)Whenthecrimeistheproductofculpaornegligence,recklessimprudence,lackofforesightorlackof
skill;

(2)Whenthecrimeisaprohibitedactunderaspeciallaworwhatiscalledmalumprohibitum.

Incriminallaw,intentiscategorizedintotwo:

(1)Generalcriminalintent;and

(2)Speciccriminalintent.

Generalcriminalintentispresumedfromthemeredoingofawrongact.Thisdoesnotrequireproof.The
burdenisuponthewrongdoertoprovethatheactedwithoutsuchcriminalintent.

Speciccriminalintentisnotpresumedbecauseitisaningredientorelementofacrime,likeintenttokillinthe
crimesofaemptedorfrustratedhomicide/parricide/murder.Theprosecutionhastheburdenofprovingthesame.

Distinctionbetweenintentanddiscernment

Intentisthedeterminationtodoacertainthing,anaimorpurposeofthemind.Itisthedesigntoresolveor
determinationbywhichapersonacts.

Ontheotherhand,discernmentisthementalcapacitytotellrightfromwrong.Itrelatestothemoralsignicance
thatapersonascribestohisactandrelatestotheintelligenceasanelementofdolo,distinctfromintent.

Distinctionbetweenintentandmotive

Intentisdemonstratedbytheuseofaparticularmeanstobringaboutadesiredresultitisnotastateofmindor
areasonforcommiingacrime.

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Ontheotherhand,motiveimpliesmotion.Itisthemovingpowerwhichimpelsonetodoanact.Whenthereis
motiveinthecommissionofacrime,italwayscomesbeforetheintent.Butacrimemaybecommiedwithout
motive.

Ifthecrimeisintentional,itcannotbecommiedwithoutintent.Intentismanifestedbytheinstrumentusedby
theoender.Thespeciccriminalintentbecomesmaterialifthecrimeistobedistinguishedfromtheaemptedor
frustratedstage.

1.bymeansoffault(culpa)Thereisfaultwhenthewrongfulactresultsfromimprudence,
negligence,lackofforesight,orlackofskill.

1.Imprudencedeciencyofaction;e.g.Awasdrivingatruckalongaroad.HehitBbecauseitwas
rainingrecklessimprudence.
2.Negligencedeciencyofperception;failuretoforeseeimpendingdanger,usuallyinvolveslackof
foresight
3.c.Requisites:
1.Freedom
2.Intelligence
3.Imprudence,negligence,lackofskillorforesight
4.Lackofintent

Theconceptofcriminalnegligenceistheinexcusablelackofprecautiononthepartofthepersonperformingor
failingtoperformanact.Ifthedangerimpendingfromthatsituationisclearlymanifest,youhaveacaseof
recklessimprudence.Butifthedangerthatwouldresultfromsuchimprudenceisnotclear,notmanifestnor
immediateyouhaveonlyacaseofsimplenegligence.

Mistakeoffactisamisapprehensionoffactonthepartofthepersonwhocausedinjuryto
another.Heisnotcriminallyliable.

a.Requisites:

1.thattheactdonewouldhavebeenlawfulhadthefactsbeenastheaccusedbelievedthemtobe;
2.intentionoftheaccusedislawful;
3.mistakemustbewithoutfaultofcarelessness.

Example:UnitedStatesv.AhChong.

AhChongbeingafraidofbadelements,lockedhimselfinhisroombyplacingachairagainstthedoor.
Afterhavinggonetobed,hewasawakenedbysomebodywhowastryingtoopenthedoor.Heasked
theidentityoftheperson,buthedidnotreceivearesponse.Fearingthatthisintruderwasarobber,he
leapedoutofbedandsaidthathewillkilltheintrudershouldheaempttoenter.Atthatmoment,the
chairstruckhim.Believingthathewasaacked,heseizedaknifeandfatallywoundedtheintruder.

Mistakeoffactwouldberelevantonlywhenthefelonywouldhavebeenintentionalorthroughdolo,butnotwhen
thefelonyisaresultofculpa.Whenthefelonyisaproductofculpa,donotdiscussmistakeoffact.

Art.4.Criminalliabilityshallbeincurred:

1.Byanypersoncommiingafelony,althoughthewrongfulactdonebedierentfromthat
whichheintended.

Article4,paragraph1presupposesthattheactdoneistheproximatecauseoftheresultingfelony.It
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Article4,paragraph1presupposesthattheactdoneistheproximatecauseoftheresultingfelony.It
mustbethedirect,natural,andlogicalconsequenceofthefeloniousact.

Causeswhichproduceadierentresult:

1.Mistakeinidentityofthevictiminjuringonepersonwhoismistakenforanother(thisisacomplex
crimeunderArt.48)e.g.,AintendedtoshootB,butheinsteadshotCbecausehe(A)mistookCforB.

Inerrorinpersonae,theintendedvictimwasnotatthesceneofthecrime.Itwastheactualvictimupon
whomtheblowwasdirected,buthewasnotreallytheintendedvictim.

Howdoeserrorinpersonaeaectcriminalliabilityoftheoender?

Errorinpersonaeismitigatingifthecrimecommiedisdierentfromthatwhichwasintended.Ifthecrime
commiedisthesameasthatwhichwasintended,errorinpersonaedoesnotaectthecriminalliabilityofthe
oender.

Inmistakeofidentity,ifthecrimecommiedwasthesameasthecrimeintended,butonadierentvictim,errorin
personadoesnotaectthecriminalliabilityoftheoender.Butifthecrimecommiedwasdierentfromthe
crimeintended,Article49willapplyandthepenaltyforthelessercrimewillbeapplied.Inaway,mistakein
identityisamitigatingcircumstancewhereArticle49applies.Wherethecrimeintendedismoreseriousthanthe
crimecommied,theerrorinpersonaisnotamitigatingcircumstance

2.Mistakeinblowhiingsomebodyotherthanthetargetduetolackofskillorfortuitousinstances
(thisisacomplexcrimeunderArt.48)e.g.,BandCwerewalkingtogether.AwantedtoshootB,but
heinsteadinjuredC.

Inaberratioictus,apersondirectedtheblowatanintendedvictim,butbecauseofpooraim,thatblowlanded
onsomebodyelse.Inaberratioictus,theintendedvictimaswellastheactualvictimarebothatthesceneofthe
crime.

aberratioictus,generallygivesrisetoacomplexcrime.Thisbeingso,thepenaltyforthemoreseriouscrimeis
imposedinthemaximumperiod.

3.Injuriousresultisgreaterthanthatintendedcausinginjurygraverthanintendedorexpected(this
isamitigatingcircumstanceduetolackofintenttocommitsograveawrongunderArt.13)e.g.,A
wantedtoinjureB.However,Bdied.

praeterintentionemismitigating,particularlycoveredbyparagraph3ofArticle13.Inorderhowever,that
thesituationmayqualifyaspraeterintentionem,theremustbeanotabledisparitybetweenthemeansemployed
andtheresultingfelony

Inalltheseinstancestheoendercanstillbeheldcriminallyliable,sinceheismotivatedbycriminal
intent.

Requisites:

1.thefelonywasintentionallycommied
2.thefelonyistheproximatecauseofthewrongdone

DoctrineofProximateCausesuchadequateandecientcauseas,inthenaturalorderofevents,
andundertheparticularcircumstancessurroundingthecase,whichwouldnecessarilyproducethe
event.
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event.

Requisites:

1.thedirect,natural,andlogicalcause
2.producestheinjuryordamage
3.unbrokenbyanysucientinterveningcause
4.withoutwhichtheresultwouldnothaveoccurred

ProximateCauseisnegatedby:

1.Activeforce,distinctact,orfactabsolutelyforeignfromthefeloniousactoftheaccused,whichserves
asasucientinterveningcause.
2.Resultinginjuryordamageisduetotheintentionalactofthevictim.

proximatecausedoesnotrequirethattheoenderneedstoactuallytouchthebodyoftheoendedparty.Itis
enoughthattheoendergeneratedinthemindoftheoendedpartythebeliefthatmadehimriskhimself.

RequisiteforPresumptionblowwascauseofthedeathWheretherehasbeenaninjuryinictedsucient
toproducedeathfollowedbythedemiseoftheperson,thepresumptionarisesthattheinjurywas
thecauseofthedeath.Provided:

1.victimwasinnormalhealth
2.deathensuedwithinareasonabletime

Theonewhocausedtheproximatecauseistheoneliable.Theonewhocausedtheimmediatecauseisalso
liable,butmerelycontributoryorsometimestotallynotliable.

2.Byanypersonperforminganactwhichwouldbeanoenseagainstpersonsorproperty,wereit
notfortheinherentimpossibilityofitsaccomplishmentoronaccountoftheemploymentof
inadequateorineectualmeans.

Requisites:(IMPOSSIBLECRIME)

1.Actwouldhavebeenanoenseagainstpersonsorproperty
2.ActisnotanactualviolationofanotherprovisionoftheCodeorofaspecialpenallaw
3.Therewascriminalintent
4.Accomplishmentwasinherentlyimpossible;orinadequateorineectualmeanswereemployed.

Notes:

1.Oendermustbelievethathecanconsummatetheintendedcrime,amanstabbinganotherwhohe
knewwasalreadydeadcannotbeliableforanimpossiblecrime.
2.Thelawintendstopunishthecriminalintent.
3.Thereisnoaemptedorfrustratedimpossiblecrime.

Feloniesagainstpersons:parricide,murder,homicide,infanticide,physicalinjuries,etc.
Feloniesagainstproperty:robbery,theft,usurpation,swindling,etc.
Inherentimpossibility:AthoughtthatBwasjustsleeping.Bwasalreadydead.AshotB.Aisliable.
IfAknewthatBisdeadandhestillshothim,thenAisnotliable.

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Whenwesayinherentimpossibility,thismeansthatunderanyandallcircumstances,thecrimecouldnothave
materialized.Ifthecrimecouldhavematerializedunderadierentsetoffacts,employingthesamemeanorthe
sameact,itisnotanimpossiblecrime;itwouldbeanaemptedfelony.

Employmentofinadequatemeans:AusedpoisontokillB.However,BsurvivedbecauseAusedsmall
quantitiesofpoisonfrustratedmurder.
Ineectualmeans:AaimedhisgunatB.Whenheredthegun,nobulletcameoutbecausethegun
wasempty.Aisliable.

Wheneveryouareconfrontedwithaproblemwherethefactssuggestthatanimpossiblecrimewas
commied,becarefulaboutthequestionasked.Ifthequestionaskedis:Isanimpossiblecrimecommied?,then
youjudgethatquestiononthebasisofthefacts.Ifreallythefactsconstituteanimpossiblecrime,thenyou
suggestthananimpossiblecrimeiscommied,thenyoustatethereasonfortheinherentimpossibility.

IfthequestionaskedisIsheliableforanimpossiblecrime?,thisisacatchingquestion.Eventhoughthe
factsconstituteanimpossiblecrime,iftheactdonebytheoenderconstitutessomeothercrimesundertheRevised
PenalCode,hewillnotbeliableforanimpossiblecrime.Hewillbeprosecutedforthecrimeconstitutedsofarby
theactdonebyhim.

thisideaofanimpossiblecrimeisaoneoflastresort,justtoteachtheoenderalessonbecauseofhis
criminalperversity.Ifhecouldbetaughtofthesamelessonbycharginghimwithsomeothercrimeconstitutedby
hisact,thenthatwillbetheproperway.Ifyouwanttoplaysafe,youstatetherethatalthoughanimpossiblecrime
isconstituted,yetitisaprincipleofcriminallawthathewillonlybepenalizedforanimpossiblecrimeifhecannot
bepunishedundersomeotherprovisionoftheRevisedPenalCode.

Art5.Wheneveracourthasknowledgeofanyactwhichitmaydeempropertorepressandwhichis
notpunishablebylaw,itshallrendertheproperdecisionandshallreporttotheChiefExecutive,
throughtheDepartmentofJustice,thereasonswhichinducethecourttobelievethatsaidactshouldbe
madesubjectoflegislation.

InthesamewaythecourtshallsubmittotheChiefExecutive,throughtheDepartmentofJustice,
suchstatementasmaybedeemedproper,withoutsuspendingtheexecutionofthesentence,whena
strictenforcementoftheprovisionsofthisCodewouldresultintheimpositionofaclearlyexcessive
penalty,takingintoconsiderationthedegreeofmaliceandtheinjurycausedbytheoense.

Whenapersonischargedincourt,andthecourtndsthatthereisnolawapplicable,thecourtwillacquit
theaccusedandthejudgewillgivehisopinionthatthesaidactshouldbepunished.

Paragraph2doesnotapplytocrimespunishablebyspeciallaw,includingproteering,andillegal
possessionofrearmsordrugs.Therecanbenoexecutiveclemencyforthesecrimes.

Art.6.Consummatedfelonies,aswellasthosewhicharefrustratedandaempted,arepunishable.

Afelonyisconsummatedwhenalltheelementsnecessaryforitsexecutionandaccomplishmentare
present;anditisfrustratedwhentheoenderperformsalltheactsofexecutionwhichwould
producethefelonyasaconsequencebutwhich,nevertheless,donotproduceitbyreasonofcauses
independentofthewilloftheperpetrator.

Thereisanaemptwhentheoendercommencesthecommissionofafelonydirectlybyovertacts,
anddoesnotperformalltheactsofexecutionwhichshouldproducethefelonybyreasonofsome
causeoraccidentotherthanhisownspontaneousdesistance.
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Developmentofacrime

1.Internalactsintentandplans;usuallynotpunishable
2.Externalacts
1.PreparatoryActsactstendingtowardthecrime
2.ActsofExecutionactsdirectlyconnectedthecrime

StagesofCommissionofaCrime

Aempt Frustrated Consummated

Overtactsofexecutionare
started
Notallactsofexecution
arepresent
Duetoreasonsotherthan
thespontaneous
desistanceofthe
perpetrator
Allactsofexecutionare
present
Crimesoughttobe
commiedisnotachieved
Duetointerveningcauses
independentofthewillof
theperpetrator
Alltheactsofexecution
arepresent
Theresultsoughtis
achieved

StagesofaCrimedoesnotapplyin:

1.OensespunishablebySpecialPenalLaws,unlesstheotherwiseisprovidedfor.
2.Formalcrimes(e.g.,slander,adultery,etc.)
3.ImpossibleCrimes
4.Crimesconsummatedbymereaempt.Examples:aempttoeetoanenemycountry,treason,
corruptionofminors.
5.Feloniesbyomission
6.Crimescommiedbymereagreement.Examples:beinginsports(endingsinbasketball),
corruptionofpublicocers.

Desistance

Desistanceonthepartoftheoendernegatescriminalliabilityintheaemptedstage.Desistanceistrueonly
intheaemptedstageofthefelony.Ifunderthedenitionofthefelony,theactdoneisalreadyinthefrustrated
stage,noamountofdesistancewillnegatecriminalliability.

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Thespontaneousdesistanceoftheoendernegatesonlytheaemptedstagebutnotnecessarilyallcriminal
liability.Eventhoughtherewasdesistanceonthepartoftheoender,ifthedesistancewasmadewhenactsdone
byhimalreadyresultedtoafelony,thatoenderwillstillbecriminallyliableforthefelonybroughtabouthisact

Indecidingwhetherafelonyisaemptedorfrustratedorconsummated,therearethreecriteriainvolved:

(1)Themannerofcommiingthecrime;

(2)Theelementsofthecrime;and

(3)Thenatureofthecrimeitself.

Applications:

1.AputpoisoninBsfood.Bthrewawayhisfood.Aisliableaemptedmurder.[1]
2.AstoleBscar,buthereturnedit.Aisliable(consummated)theft.
3.AaimedhisgunatB.CheldAshandandpreventedhimfromshootingBaemptedmurder.
4.AinictedamortalwoundonB.Bmanagedtosurvivefrustratedmurder.
5.AintendedtokillBbyshootinghim.Amissedaemptedmurder.
6.AdousedBshousewithkerosene.Butbeforehecouldlightthematch,hewascaughtaempted
arson.
7.Acauseablaze,butdidnotburnthehouseofBfrustratedarson.
8.BshousewassetonrebyA(consummated)arson.
9.AtriedtorapeB.Bmanagedtoescape.Therewasnopenetrationaemptedrape.
10.AgotholdofBspainting.AwascaughtbeforehecouldleaveBshousefrustratedrobbery.[2]

Theaemptedstageissaidtobewithinthesubjectivephaseofexecutionofafelony.Onthesubjective
phase,itisthatpointintimewhentheoenderbeginsthecommissionofanovertactuntilthatpointwherehe
losescontrolofthecommissionofthecrimealready.Ifhehasreachedthatpointwherehecannolongercontrolthe
ensuingconsequence,thecrimehasalreadypassedthesubjectivephaseand,therefore,itisnolongeraempted.
Themomenttheexecutionofthecrimehasalreadygonetothatpointwherethefelonyshouldfollowasa
consequence,itiseitheralreadyfrustratedorconsummated.Ifthefelonydoesnotfollowasaconsequence,itis
alreadyfrustrated.Ifthefelonyfollowsasaconsequence,itisconsummated.

althoughtheoendermaynothavedonetheacttobringaboutthefelonyasaconsequence,ifhecouldhave
continuedcommiingthoseactsbuthehimselfdidnotproceedbecausehebelievedthathehaddoneenoughto
consummatethecrime,SupremeCourtsaidthesubjectivephasehaspassed

NOTESONARSON;

Theweightoftheauthorityisthatthecrimeofarsoncannotbecommiedinthefrustratedstage.Thereason
isbecausewecanhardlydeterminewhethertheoenderhasperformedalltheactsofexecutionthatwouldresultin
arson,asaconsequence,unlessapartofthepremiseshasstartedtoburn.Ontheotherhand,themomenta
particleoramoleculeofthepremiseshasblackened,inlaw,arsonisconsummated.Thisisbecauseconsummated
arsondoesnotrequirethatthewholeofthepremisesbeburned.Itisenoughthatanypartofthepremises,no
maerhowsmall,hasbeguntoburn.

ESTAFAVS.THEFT

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Inestafa,theoenderreceivestheproperty;hedoesnottakeit.Butinreceivingtheproperty,therecipient
maybecommiingtheft,notestafa,ifwhatwastransferredtohimwasonlythephysicalormaterialpossessionof
theobject.Itcanonlybeestafaifwhatwastransferredtohimisnotonlymaterialorphysicalpossessionbut
juridicalpossessionaswell.

Whenyouarediscussingestafa,donottalkaboutintenttogain.Inthesamemannerthatwhenyouare
discussingthecrimeoftheft,donottalkofdamage.

Natureofthecrimeitself

Incrimesinvolvingthetakingofhumanlifeparricide,homicide,andmurderinthedenitionofthe
frustratedstage,itisindispensablethatthevictimbemortallywounded.Underthedenitionofthefrustrated
stage,toconsidertheoenderashavingperformedalltheactsofexecution,theactsalreadydonebyhimmust
produceorbecapableofproducingafelonyasaconsequence.Thegeneralruleisthattheremustbeafatalinjury
inicted,becauseitisonlythenthatdeathwillfollow.

Ifthewoundisnotmortal,thecrimeisonlyaempted.Thereasonisthatthewoundinictedisnotcapable
ofbringingaboutthedesiredfelonyofparricide,murderorhomicideasaconsequence;itcannotbesaidthatthe
oenderhasperformedalltheactsofexecutionwhichwouldproduceparricide,homicideormurderasaresult.

Anexceptiontothegeneralruleisthesocalledsubjectivephase.TheSupremeCourthasdecidedcaseswhich
appliedthesubjectivestandardthatwhentheoenderhimselfbelievedthathehadperformedalltheactsof
execution,eventhoughnomortalwoundwasinicted,theactisalreadyinthefrustratedstage.

Thecommonnotionisthatwhenthereisconspiracyinvolved,theparticipantsarepunishedasprincipals.
Thisnotionisnolongerabsolute.InthecaseofPeoplev.Nierra,theSupremeCourtruledthateventhoughthere
wasconspiracy,ifacoconspiratormerelycooperatedinthecommissionofthecrimewithinsignicantorminimal
acts,suchthatevenwithouthiscooperation,thecrimecouldbecarriedoutaswell,suchcoconspiratorshouldbe
punishedasanaccompliceonly.

Art.7.Lightfeloniesarepunishableonlywhentheyhavebeenconsummatedwiththeexceptionof
thosecommiedagainstpersonsorproperty.

Examplesoflightfelonies:slightphysicalinjuries;theft;alterationofboundarymarks;malicious
mischief;andintriguingagainsthonor.

Incommissionofcrimesagainstpropertiesandpersons,everystageofexecutionispunishablebut
onlytheprincipalsandaccomplicesareliableforlightfelonies,accessoriesarenot.

Art.8.Conspiracyandproposaltocommitfelonyarepunishableonlyinthecasesinwhichthelaw
speciallyprovidesapenaltytherefore.

Aconspiracyexistswhentwoormorepersonscometoanagreementconcerningthecommissionofa
felonyanddecidetocommitit.

Thereisproposalwhenthepersonwhohasdecidedtocommitafelonyproposesitsexecutionto
someotherpersonorpersons.

Conspiracyispunishableinthefollowingcases:treason,rebellionorinsurrection,sedition,and
monopoliesandcombinationsinrestraintoftrade.

Conspiracytocommitacrimeisnottobeconfusedwithconspiracyasameansofcommiingacrime.Inboth
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Conspiracytocommitacrimeisnottobeconfusedwithconspiracyasameansofcommiingacrime.Inboth
casesthereisanagreementbutmereconspiracytocommitacrimeisnotpunishedEXCEPTin
treason,rebellion,orsedition.Eventhen,ifthetreasonisactuallycommied,theconspiracywillbe
consideredasameansofcommiingitandtheaccusedwillallbechargedfortreasonandnotfor
conspiracytocommittreason.

ConspiracyandProposaltoCommitaCrime

Conspiracy Proposal

Elements Agreementamong2ormore
personstocommitacrime
Theydecidetocommitit
Apersonhasdecidedto
commitacrime
Heproposesitscommission
toanother

Crimes 1.Conspiracytocommit
sedition
2.Conspiracytocommit
rebellion
3.Conspiracytocommittreason
4.Proposaltocommittreason
5.Proposaltocommitrebellion

Mereconspiracyincombinationinrestraintoftrade(Art.186),andbrigandage(Art.306).

Twowaysforconspiracytoexist:

(1)Thereisanagreement.

(2)Theparticipantsactedinconcertorsimultaneouslywhichisindicativeofameetingofthemindstowards
acommoncriminalgoalorcriminalobjective.Whenseveraloendersactinasynchronized,coordinatedmanner,
thefactthattheiractscomplimentedeachotherisindicativeofthemeetingoftheminds.Thereisanimplied
agreement.

Twokindsofconspiracy:

(1)Conspiracyasacrime;and

(2)Conspiracyasamannerofincurringcriminalliability

Whenconspiracyitselfisacrime,noovertactisnecessarytobringaboutthecriminalliability.Themere
conspiracyisthecrimeitself.Thisisonlytruewhenthelawexpresslypunishesthemereconspiracy;otherwise,
theconspiracydoesnotbringaboutthecommissionofthecrimebecauseconspiracyisnotanovertactbutamere
preparatoryact.Treason,rebellion,sedition,andcoupdetataretheonlycrimeswheretheconspiracyandproposal
tocommittothemarepunishable.

Whentheconspiracyisonlyabasisofincurringcriminalliability,theremustbeanovertactdonebeforethe
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Whentheconspiracyisonlyabasisofincurringcriminalliability,theremustbeanovertactdonebeforethe
coconspiratorsbecomecriminallyliable.Foraslongasnoneoftheconspiratorshascommiedanovertact,there
isnocrimeyet.Butwhenoneofthemcommitsanyovertact,allofthemshallbeheldliable,unlessaco
conspiratorwasabsentfromthesceneofthecrimeorheshowedup,buthetriedtopreventthecommissionofthe
crime.

Asageneralrule,iftherehasbeenaconspiracytocommitacrimeinaparticularplace,anyonewhodidnot
appearshallbepresumedtohavedesisted.Theexceptiontothisisifsuchpersonwhodidnotappearwasthe
mastermind.

Foraslongasnoneoftheconspiratorshascommiedanovertact,thereisnocrimeyet.Butwhenoneof
themcommitsanyovertact,allofthemshallbeheldliable,unlessacoconspiratorwasabsentfromthesceneofthe
crimeorheshowedup,buthetriedtopreventthecommissionofthecrime

Asageneralrule,iftherehasbeenaconspiracytocommitacrimeinaparticularplace,anyonewhodidnot
appearshallbepresumedtohavedesisted.Theexceptiontothisisifsuchpersonwhodidnotappearwasthe
mastermind.

Whentheconspiracyitselfisacrime,thiscannotbeinferredordeducedbecausethereisnoovertact.Allthat
thereistheagreement.Ontheotherhand,ifthecoconspiratororanyofthemwouldexecuteanovertact,the
crimewouldnolongerbetheconspiracybuttheovertactitself.

conspiracyasacrime,musthaveaclearandconvincingevidenceofitsexistence.Everycrimemustbeproved
beyondreasonabledoubt.itmustbeestablishedbypositiveandconclusiveevidence,notbyconjecturesor
speculations.

Whentheconspiracyisjustabasisofincurringcriminalliability,however,thesamemaybededucedor
inferredfromtheactsofseveraloendersincarryingoutthecommissionofthecrime.Theexistenceofa
conspiracymaybereasonablyinferredfromtheactsoftheoenderswhensuchactsdiscloseorshowacommon
pursuitofthecriminalobjective.

mereknowledge,acquiescenceto,orapprovaloftheact,withoutcooperationoratleast,agreementto
cooperate,isnotenoughtoconstituteaconspiracy.Theremustbeanintentionalparticipationinthecrimewitha
viewtofurtherthecommonfeloniousobjective.

Whenseveralpersonswhodonotknoweachothersimultaneouslyaackthevictim,theactofoneistheactof
all,regardlessofthedegreeofinjuryinictedbyanyoneofthem.Allwillbeliablefortheconsequences.A
conspiracyispossibleevenwhenparticipantsarenotknowntoeachother.Donotthinkthatparticipantsare
alwaysknowntoeachother.

Conspiracyisamaerofsubstancewhichmustbeallegedintheinformation,otherwise,thecourtwillnot
considerthesame.

Proposalistrueonlyuptothepointwherethepartytowhomtheproposalwasmadehasnotyetacceptedthe
proposal.Oncetheproposalwasaccepted,aconspiracyarises.Proposalisunilateral,onepartymakesa
propositiontotheother;conspiracyisbilateral,itrequirestwoparties.

SEDITION;

Proposaltocommitseditionisnotacrime.ButifUnionBacceptstheproposal,therewillbeconspiracytocommit
seditionwhichisacrimeundertheRevisedPenalCode.
Compositecrimes
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Compositecrimes

Compositecrimesarecrimeswhich,insubstance,consistofmorethanonecrimebutintheeyesofthelaw,
thereisonlyonecrime.Forexample,thecrimesofrobberywithhomicide,robberywithrape,robberywithphysical
injuries.

Incasethecrimecommiedisacompositecrime,theconspiratorwillbeliableforalltheactscommied
duringthecommissionofthecrimeagreedupon.Thisisbecause,intheeyesofthelaw,allthoseactsdonein
pursuanceofthecrimeagreeduponareactswhichconstituteasinglecrime.

Asageneralrule,whenthereisconspiracy,theruleisthattheactofoneistheactofall.Thisprinciple
appliesonlytothecrimeagreedupon.

Theexceptionisifanyofthecoconspiratorwouldcommitacrimenotagreedupon.Thishappenswhenthe
crimeagreeduponandthecrimecommiedbyoneofthecoconspiratorsaredistinctcrimes.

Exceptiontotheexception:Inactsconstitutingasingleindivisibleoense,eventhoughthecoconspirator
performeddierentactsbringingaboutthecompositecrime,allwillbeliableforsuchcrime.Theycanonlyevade
responsibilityforanyothercrimeoutsideofthatagreeduponifitisprovedthattheparticularconspiratorhadtried
topreventthecommissionofsuchotheract.

Art.9.Gravefeloniesarethosetowhichthelawaachesthecapitalpunishmentorpenaltieswhichin
anyoftheirareaictive,inaccordancewithArticle25ofthisCode.

Lessgravefeloniesarethosewhichthelawpunisheswithpenaltieswhichintheirmaximumperiod
arecorrectional,inaccordancewiththeabovementionedarticle.

Lightfeloniesarethoseinfractionsoflawforthecommissionofwhichhepenaltyofarrestomayoror
anenotexceeding200pesos,orbothisprovided.

Capitalpunishmentdeathpenalty.
Penalties(imprisonment):Gravesixyearsandonedaytoreclusionperpetua(life);Lessgraveone
monthandonedaytosixyears;Lightarrestomenor(onedayto30days).

CLASSIFICATIONOFFELONIES

Thisquestionwasaskedinthebarexamination:Howdoyouclassifyfeloniesorhowarefeloniesclassied?

WhattheexaminerhadinmindwasArticles3,6and9.DonotwritetheclassicationoffeloniesunderBook2of
theRevisedPenalCode.Thatwasnotwhattheexaminerhadinmindbecausethequestiondoesnotrequirethe
candidatetoclassifybutalsotodene.Therefore,theexaminerwasaftertheclassicationsunderArticles3,6and
9.

Feloniesareclassiedasfollows:

(1)Accordingtothemanneroftheircommission

UnderArticle3,theyareclassiedas,intentionalfeloniesorthosecommiedwithdeliberateintent;andculpable
feloniesorthoseresultingfromnegligence,recklessimprudence,lackofforesightorlackofskill.

(2)Accordingtothestagesoftheirexecution

UnderArticle6.,feloniesareclassiedasaemptedfelonywhentheoendercommencesthecommissionofa
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UnderArticle6.,feloniesareclassiedasaemptedfelonywhentheoendercommencesthecommissionofa
felonydirectlybyovertacts,anddoesnotperformalltheactsofexecutionwhichshouldproducethefelonyby
reasonofsomecauseoraccidentotherthanhisownspontaneousdesistance;frustratedfelonywhentheoender
commencesthecommissionofafelonyasaconsequencebutwhichwouldproducethefelonyasaconsequencebut
whichneverthelessdonotproducethefelonybyreasonofcausesindependentoftheperpetrator;and,consummated
felonywhenalltheelementsnecessaryforitsexecutionarepresent.

(3)Accordingtotheirgravity

UnderArticle9,feloniesareclassiedasgravefeloniesorthosetowhichaachesthecapitalpunishmentor
penaltieswhichinanyoftheirperiodsareaictive;lessgravefeloniesorthosetowhichthelawpunisheswith
penaltieswhichintheirmaximumperiodwascorreccional;andlightfeloniesorthoseinfractionsoflawforthe
commissionofwhichthepenaltyisarrestomenor.

Whyisitnecessarytodeterminewhetherthecrimeisgrave,lessgraveorlight?

Todeterminewhetherthesefeloniescanbecomplexedornot,andtodeterminetheprescriptionofthecrimeandthe
prescriptionofthepenalty.Inotherwords,thesearefeloniesclassiedaccordingtotheirgravity,stagesandthe
penaltyaachedtothem.TakenotethatwhentheRevisedPenalCodespeaksofgraveandlessgravefelonies,the
denitionmakesareferencespecicallytoArticle25oftheRevisedPenalCode.DonotomitthephraseIn
accordancewithArticle25becausethereisalsoaclassicationofpenaltiesunderArticle26thatwasnotapplied.

IfthepenaltyisneandexactlyP200.00,itisonlyconsideredalightfelonyunderArticle9.

Iftheneisimposedasanalternativepenaltyorasasinglepenalty,theneofP200.00isconsideredacorrectional
penaltyunderArticle26.

IfthepenaltyisexactlyP200.00,applyArticle26.Itisconsideredascorrectionalpenaltyanditprescribesin10
years.Iftheoenderisapprehendedatanytimewithintenyears,hecanbemadetosuerthene.

Thisclassicationoffelonyaccordingtogravityisimportantwithrespecttothequestionofprescriptionofcrimes.

Inthecaseoflightfelonies,crimesprescribeintwomonths.Ifthecrimeiscorrectional,itprescribesintenyears,
exceptarrestomayor,whichprescribesinveyears.

Art.10.Oenseswhichareorinthefuturemaybepunishableunderspeciallawsarenotsubjectto
theprovisionsofthisCode.ThisCodeshallbesupplementarytosuchlaws,unlessthelaershould
speciallyprovidethecontrary.

ForSpecialLaws:Penaltiesshouldbeimprisonment,andnotreclusionperpetua,etc.
Oensesthatareaemptedorfrustratedarenotpunishable,unlessotherwisestated.
Pleaofguiltyisnotmitigatingforoensespunishablebyspeciallaws.
Nominimum,medium,andmaximumperiodsforpenalties.
Nopenaltyforanaccessoryoraccomplice,unlessotherwisestated.

ProvisionsofRPCapplicabletospeciallaws:

1.Art.16ParticipationofAccomplices
2.Art.22RetroactivityofPenallawsiffavorabletotheaccused

3.Art.45Conscationofinstrumentsusedinthecrime
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3.Art.45Conscationofinstrumentsusedinthecrime

SUPPLETORYAPPLICATIONOFTHEREVISEDPENALCODE

InArticle10,thereisareservationprovisionoftheRevisedPenalCodemaybeappliedsuppletorilytospecial
laws.YouwillonlyapplytheprovisionsoftheRevisedPenalCodeasasupplementtothespeciallaw,orsimply
correlatetheviolatedspeciallaw,ifneededtoavoidaninjustice.Ifnojusticewouldresult,donotgivesuppletorily
applicationoftheRevisedPenalCodetothatofspeciallaw.

Forexample,aspeciallawpunishesacertainactasacrime.Thespeciallawissilentastothecivilliabilityofone
whoviolatesthesame.Hereisapersonwhoviolatedthespeciallawandhewasprosecuted.Hisviolationcaused
damageorinjurytoaprivateparty.Maythecourtpronouncethatheiscivillyliabletotheoendedparty,
consideringthatthespeciallawissilentonthispoint?Yes,becauseArticle100oftheRevisedPenalCodemaybe
givensuppletoryapplicationtopreventaninjusticefrombeingdonetotheoendedparty.Article100statesthat
everypersoncriminallyliableforafelonyisalsocivillyliable.Thatarticleshallbeappliedsuppletorytoavoidan
injusticethatwouldbecausedtotheprivateoendedparty,ifhewouldnotbeindemniedforthedamagesor
injuriessustainedbyhim.

InPeoplev.Rodriguez,itwasheldthattheuseofarmsisanelementofrebellion,soarebelcannotbefurther
prosecutedforpossessionofrearms.Aviolationofaspeciallawcanneverabsorbacrimepunishableunderthe
RevisedPenalCode,becauseviolationsoftheRevisedPenalCodearemoreseriousthanaviolationofaspeciallaw.
ButacrimeintheRevisedPenalCodecanabsorbacrimepunishablebyaspeciallawifitisanecessaryingredient
ofthecrimeintheRevisedPenalCode

Inthecrimeofsedition,theuseofrearmsisnotaningredientofthecrime.Hence,twoprosecutionscanbehad:
(1)sedition;and(2)illegalpossessionofrearms.

ButdonotthinkthatwhenacrimeispunishedoutsideoftheRevisedPenalCode,itisalreadyaspeciallaw.For
example,thecrimeofcalerustlingisnotamalaprohibitumbutamodicationofthecrimetheftoflargecale.
SoPresidentialDecreeNo.533,punishingcalerustling,isnotaspeciallaw.Itcanabsorbthecrimeofmurder.
Ifinthecourseofcalerustling,murderwascommied,theoendercannotbeprosecutedformurder.Murder
wouldbeaqualifyingcircumstanceinthecrimeofqualiedcalerustling.ThiswastherulinginPeoplev.
Martinada.

TheamendmentsofPresidentialDecreeNo.6425(TheDangerousDrugsActof1972)byRepublicActNo.7659,
whichadoptedthescaleofpenaltiesintheRevisedPenalCode,meansthatmitigatingandaggravating
circumstancescannowbeconsideredinimposingpenalties.PresidentialDecreeNo.6425doesnotexpressly
prohibitthesuppletoryapplicationoftheRevisedPenalCode.Thestagesofthecommissionoffelonieswillalso
applysincesuppletoryapplicationisnowallowed.

Circumstancesaectingcriminalliability

Therearevecircumstancesaectingcriminalliability:

(1)Justifyingcircumstances;

(2)Exemptingcircumstances;

(3)Mitigatingcircumstances;

(4)Aggravatingcircumstances;and

(5)Alternativecircumstances.
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(5)Alternativecircumstances.

TherearetwootherswhicharefoundelsewhereintheprovisionsoftheRevisedPenalCode:

(1)Absolutorycause;and

(2)Extenuatingcircumstances.

Injustifyingandexemptingcircumstances,thereisnocriminalliability.Whenanaccusedinvokesthem,hein
eectadmitsthecommissionofacrimebuttriestoavoidtheliabilitythereof.Theburdenisuponhimtoestablish
beyondreasonabledoubttherequiredconditionstojustifyorexempthisactsfromcriminalliability.Whatis
shiftedisonlytheburdenofevidence,nottheburdenofproof.

Justifyingcircumstancescontemplateintentionalactsand,hence,areincompatiblewithdolo.Exempting
circumstancesmaybeinvokedinculpablefelonies.

Absolutorycause

Theeectofthisistoabsolvetheoenderfromcriminalliability,althoughnotfromcivilliability.Ithasthesame
eectasanexemptingcircumstance,butyoudonotcallitassuchinordernottoconfuseitwiththecircumstances
underArticle12.

Article20providesthatthepenaltiesprescribedforaccessoriesshallnotbeimposeduponthosewhoaresuchwith
respecttotheirspouses,ascendants,descendants,legitimate,naturalandadoptedbrothersandsisters,orrelatives
byanitywithinthesamedegreeswiththeexceptionofaccessorieswhoprotedthemselvesorassistingthe
oendertoprotbytheeectsofthecrime.

Then,Article89provideshowcriminalliabilityisextinguished:

Deathoftheconvictastothepersonalpenalties,andastopecuniarypenalties,liabilitythereforisextinguishedif
deathoccursbeforenaljudgment;

Serviceofthesentence;

Amnesty;

Absolutepardon;

Prescriptionofthecrime;

Prescriptionofthepenalty;and

MarriageoftheoendedwomanasprovidedinArticle344.

UnderArticle247,alegallymarriedpersonwhokillsorinictsphysicalinjuriesuponhisorherspousewhomhe
surprisedhavingsexualintercoursewithhisorherparamourormistressinnotcriminallyliable.

UnderArticle219,discoveringsecretsthroughseizureofcorrespondenceofthewardbytheirguardianisnot
penalized.

UnderArticle332,inthecaseoftheft,swindlingandmaliciousmischief,thereisnocriminalliabilitybutonly 20/24
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UnderArticle332,inthecaseoftheft,swindlingandmaliciousmischief,thereisnocriminalliabilitybutonly
civilliability,whentheoenderandtheoendedpartyarerelatedasspouse,ascendant,descendant,brotherand
sisterinlawlivingtogetherorwhereincasethewidowedspouseandthepropertyinvolvedisthatofthedeceased
spouse,beforesuchpropertyhadpassedontothepossessionofthirdparties.

UnderArticle344,incasesofseduction,abduction,actsoflasciviousness,andrape,themarriageoftheoended
partyshallextinguishthecriminalaction.

Absolutorycausehastheeectofanexemptingcircumstanceandtheyarepredicatedonlackofvoluntarinesslike
instigation.Instigationisassociatedwithcriminalintent.Donotconsiderculpainconnectionwithinstigation.If
thecrimeisculpable,donottalkofinstigation.Ininstigation,thecrimeiscommiedwithdolo.Itisconfusedwith
entrapment.

Entrapmentisnotanabsolutorycause.Entrapmentdoesnotexempttheoenderormitigatehiscriminal
liability.Butinstigationabsolvestheoenderfromcriminalliabilitybecauseininstigation,theoendersimply
actsasatoolofthelawenforcersand,therefore,heisactingwithoutcriminalintentbecausewithoutthe
instigation,hewouldnothavedonethecriminalactwhichhediduponinstigationofthelawenforcers.

Dierencebetweeninstigationandentrapment

Ininstigation,thecriminalplanordesignexistsinthemindofthelawenforcerwithwhomthepersoninstigated
cooperatedsoitissaidthatthepersoninstigatedisactingonlyasamereinstrumentortoolofthelawenforcerin
theperformanceofhisduties.

Ontheotherhand,inentrapment,acriminaldesignisalreadyinthemindofthepersonentrapped.Itdidnot
emanatefromthemindofthelawenforcerentrappinghim.Entrapmentinvolvesonlywaysandmeanswhichare
laiddownorresortedtofacilitatetheapprehensionoftheculprit.

Theelementwhichmakesinstigationanabsolutorycauseisthelackofcriminalintentasanelementof
voluntariness.

Iftheinstigatorisalawenforcer,thepersoninstigatedcannotbecriminallyliable,becauseitisthelawenforcer
whoplantedthatcriminalmindinhimtocommitthecrime,withoutwhichhewouldnothavebeenacriminal.If
theinstigatorisnotalawenforcer,bothwillbecriminallyliable,youcannothaveacaseofinstigation.In
instigation,theprivatecitizenonlycooperateswiththelawenforcertoapointwhentheprivatecitizenupon
instigationofthelawenforcerincriminateshimself.Itwouldbecontrarytopublicpolicytoprosecuteacitizen
whoonlycooperatedwiththelawenforcer.Theprivatecitizenbelievesthatheisalawenforcerandthatiswhy
whenthelawenforcertellshim,hebelievesthatitisacivildutytocooperate.

Ifthepersoninstigateddoesnotknowthatthepersonisinstigatinghimisalawenforcerorheknowshimtobenot
alawenforcer,thisisnotacaseofinstigation.Thisisacaseofinducement,bothwillbecriminallyliable.

Inentrapment,thepersonentrappedshouldnotknowthatthepersontryingtoentraphimwasalawenforcer.The
ideaisincompatiblewitheachotherbecauseinentrapment,thepersonentrappedisactuallycommiingacrime.
Theocerwhoentrappedhimonlylaysdownwaysandmeanstohaveevidenceofthecommissionofthecrime,but
evenwithoutthosewaysandmeans,thepersonentrappedisactuallyengagedinaviolationofthelaw.

Instigationabsolvesthepersoninstigatedfromcriminalliability.Thisisbasedontherulethatapersoncannotbea
criminalifhismindisnotcriminal.Ontheotherhand,entrapmentisnotanabsolutorycause.Itisnoteven
mitigating.

Incaseofsomnambulismoronewhoactswhilesleeping,thepersoninvolvedisdenitelyactingwithoutfreedom21/24
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Incaseofsomnambulismoronewhoactswhilesleeping,thepersoninvolvedisdenitelyactingwithoutfreedom
andwithoutsucientintelligence,becauseheisasleep.Heismovinglikearobot,unawareofwhatheisdoing.So
theelementofvoluntarinesswhichisnecessaryindoloandculpaisnotpresent.Somnambulismisanabsolutory
cause.Ifelementofvoluntarinessisabsent,thereisnocriminalliability,althoughthereiscivilliability,andifthe
circumstanceisnotamongthoseenumeratedinArticle12,refertothecircumstanceasanabsolutorycause.

Mistakeoffactisanabsolutorycause.Theoenderisactingwithoutcriminalintent.Soinmistakeoffact,itis
necessarythathadthefactsbeentrueastheaccusedbelievedthemtobe,thisactisjustied.Ifnot,thereis
criminalliability,becausethereisnomistakeoffactanymore.Theoendermustbelieveheisperformingalawful
act.

Extenuatingcircumstances

Theeectofthisistomitigatethecriminalliabilityoftheoender.Inotherwords,thishasthesameeectas
mitigatingcircumstances,onlyyoudonotcallitmitigatingbecausethisisnotfoundinArticle13.

Illustrations:

Anunwedmotherkilledherchildinordertoconcealadishonor.Theconcealmentofdishonorisanextenuating
circumstanceinsofarastheunwedmotherorthematernalgrandparentsisconcerned,butnotinsofarasthefather
ofthechildisconcerned.Motherkillinghernewbornchildtoconcealherdishonor,penaltyisloweredbytwo
degrees.Sincethereisamaterialloweringofthepenaltyormitigatingthepenalty,thisisanextenuating
circumstance.

Theconcealmentofhonorbymotherinthecrimeofinfanticideisanextenuatingcircumstancebutnotinthecase
ofparricidewhentheageofthevictimisthreedaysoldandabove.

Inthecrimeofadulteryonthepartofamarriedwomanabandonedbyherhusband,atthetimeshewasabandoned
byherhusband,isitnecessaryforhertoseekthecompanyofanotherman.Abandonmentbythehusbanddoesnot
justifytheactofthewoman.Itonlyextenuatesorreducescriminalliability.Whentheeectofthecircumstanceis
tolowerthepenaltythereisanextenuatingcircumstance.

Akleptomaniacisonewhocannotresistthetemptationofstealingthingswhichappealtohisdesire.Thisisnot
exempting.Onewhoisakleptomaniacandwhowouldstealobjectsofhisdesireiscriminallyliable.Buthewould
begiventhebenetofamitigatingcircumstanceanalogoustoparagraph9ofArticle13,thatofsueringfroman
illnesswhichdiminishestheexerciseofhiswillpowerwithout,however,deprivinghimoftheconsciousnessofhis
act.Sothisisanextenuatingcircumstance.Theeectistomitigatethecriminalliability.

Distinctionsbetweenjustifyingcircumstancesandexemptingcircumstances

Injustifyingcircumstances

(1)Thecircumstanceaectstheact,nottheactor;

(2)Theactcomplainedofisconsideredtohavebeendonewithintheboundsoflaw;hence,itislegitimate
andlawfulintheeyesofthelaw;

(3)Sincetheactisconsideredlawful,thereisnocrime,andbecausethereisnocrime,thereisno
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(3)Sincetheactisconsideredlawful,thereisnocrime,andbecausethereisnocrime,thereisno
criminal;

(4)Sincethereisnocrimeorcriminal,thereisnocriminalliabilityaswellascivilliability.

Inexemptingcircumstances

(1)Thecircumstancesaecttheactor,nottheact;

(2)Theactcomplainedofisactuallywrongful,buttheactoractedwithoutvoluntariness.Heisamere
toolorinstrumentofthecrime;

(3)Sincetheactcomplainedofisactuallywrongful,thereisacrime.Butbecausetheactoractedwithout
voluntariness,thereisabsenceofdoloorculpa.Thereisnocriminal;

(4)Sincethereisacrimecommiedbutthereisnocriminal,thereiscivilliabilityforthewrongdone.
Butthereisnocriminalliability.However,inparagraphs4and7ofArticle12,thereisneithercriminalnorcivil
liability.

Whenyouapplyforjustifyingorexemptingcircumstances,itisconfessionandavoidanceandburdenofproof
shiftstotheaccusedandhecannolongerrelyonweaknessofprosecutionsevidence.

[1]ThedierencebetweenmurderandhomicidewillbediscussedinCriminalLawII.These
crimesarefoundinArticles248and249,BookIIoftheRevisedPenalCode.

[2]ThedierencebetweentheftandrobberywillbediscussedinCriminalLawII.These
crimesarefoundinTitleTen,ChaptersOneandThree,BookIIoftheRevisedPenalCode.

Reference:

CriminalLawBook1Reviewer

AteneoCentralBarOperations2001

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AboutMagz

Firstofall,Iamnotalawyer.ImagraduateofABPoliticalScienceandwenttotheCollegeofLawbutstopped
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Comments6

regregemarac|November16,2013at8:47pm
thanks,usefulforuscriminologystudents.thanksalot!

CCDClatrinidadbenguet

Magz|June28,2014at7:05pm
Notatall.Goodlucktoyourstudies.

JohnnyCo|July9,2014at9:59am
abigthankstotheonewhothinkofthis,agreathelp..NICEONE.morepowertoyouMags.

Magz|July13,2014at12:51pm
Yourewelcome.Morepowertoyou,too.Creditgoestotherespectiveownersoftheresources.

melcky|August23,2014at12:31pm
thanksalottoyou.. ,ithelpsmealot .godbless

Louie|October16,2014at1:36pm
salamatMagzenjoyyourday..

CreateafreewebsiteorblogatWordPress.com.TheMystiqueTheme.

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