Criminal Law (B 1) Reviewer A C B O 2001

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C R I M I N A L L AW ( B O O K 1 )
REVIEWER
ATENEO CENTRAL BAR OPERATIONS 2001
Criminal Law – A branch of municipal law which defines crimes, treats of their nature
and provides for their punishment.
Limitations on the power of Congress to enact penal laws (ON)

1. Must be general in application.
2. Must not partake of the nature of an ex post facto law.
3. Must not partake of the nature of a bill of attainder.
4. Must not impose cruel and unusual punishment or excessive fines.
Characteristics of Criminal Law:

1. General – the law is binding to all persons who reside in the Philippines
2. Territorial – the law is binding to all crimes committed within the National Territory of
the Philippines
Exception to Territorial Application: Instances enumerated under Article 2.
3. Prospective – the law does not have any retroactive effect.
Exception to Prospective Application: when new statute is favorable to the accused.
Effect of repeal of penal law to liability of offender
Total or absolute, or partial or relative repeal. -- As to the effect of repeal of penal law to the
liability of offender, qualify your answer by saying whether the repeal is absolute or total or
whether the repeal is partial or relative only.
A repeal is absolute or total when the crime punished under the repealed law has been
decriminalized by the repeal. Because of the repeal, the act or omission which used to be a
crime is no longer a crime. An example is Republic Act No. 7363, which decriminalized
subversion.
A repeal is partial or relative when the crime punished under the repealed law continues to be a
crime inspite of the repeal. This means that the repeal merely modified the conditions affecting
the crime under the repealed law. The modification may be prejudicial or beneficial to the
offender. Hence, the following rule:
Consequences if repeal of penal law is total or absolute
(1) If a case is pending in court involving the violation of the repealed law, the same shall be
dismissed, even though the accused may be a habitual delinquent.
(2) If a case is already decided and the accused is already serving sentence by final
judgment, if the convict is not a habitual delinquent, then he will be entitled to a release
unless there is a reservation clause in the penal law that it will not apply to those serving
sentence at the time of the repeal. But if there is no reservation, those who are not
habitual delinquents even if they are already serving their sentence will receive the
benefit of the repealing law. They are entitled to release.
If they are not discharged from confinement, a petition for habeas corpus should be filed
to test the legality of their continued confinement in jail.
If the convict, on the other hand, is a habitual delinquent, he will continue serving the
sentence in spite of the fact that the law under which he was convicted has already been
absolutely repealed. This is so because penal laws should be given retroactive
application to favor only those who are not habitual delinquents.
Consequences if repeal of penal law is partial or relative
(1) If a case is pending in court involving the violation of the repealed law, and the repealing
law is more favorable to the accused, it shall be the one applied to him. So whether he is
a habitual delinquent or not, if the case is still pending in court, the repealing law will be
the one to apply unless there is a saving clause in the repealing law that it shall not apply
to pending causes of action.
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(2) If a case is already decided and the accused is already serving sentence by final
judgment, even if the repealing law is partial or relative, the crime still remains to be a
crime. Those who are not habitual delinquents will benefit on the effect of that repeal, so
that if the repeal is more lenient to them, it will be the repealing law that will henceforth
apply to them.
Under Article 22, even if the offender is already convicted and serving sentence, a law
which is beneficial shall be applied to him unless he is a habitual delinquent in
accordance with Rule 5 of Article 62.
Consequences if repeal of penal law is express or implied
(1) If a penal law is impliedly repealed, the subsequent repeal of the repealing law will revive
the original law. So the act or omission which was punished as a crime under the original
law will be revived and the same shall again be crimes although during the implied repeal
they may not be punishable.
(2) If the repeal is express, the repeal of the repealing law will not revive the first law, so the
act or omission will no longer be penalized.
These effects of repeal do not apply to self-repealing laws or those which have automatic
termination. An example is the Rent Control Law which is revived by Congress every two years.
Theories of Criminal Law

1. Classical Theory – Man is essentially a moral creature with an absolute free will to
choose between good and evil and therefore more stress is placed upon the result of
the felonious act than upon the criminal himself.
2. Positivist Theory – Man is subdued occasionally by a strange and morbid

phenomenon which conditions him to do wrong in spite of or contrary to his volition.
Eclectic or Mixed Philosophy
This combines both positivist and classical thinking. Crimes that are economic and social and
nature should be dealt with in a positivist manner; thus, the law is more compassionate. Heinous
crimes should be dealt with in a classical manner; thus, capital punishment
BASIC MAXIMS IN CRIMINAL LAW
Doctrine of Pro Reo
Whenever a penal law is to be construed or applied and the law admits of two interpretations –
one lenient to the offender and one strict to the offender – that interpretation which is lenient or
favorable to the offender will be adopted.
Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege
There is no crime when there is no law punishing the same. This is true to civil law countries, but
not to common law countries.
Because of this maxim, there is no common law crime in the Philippines. No matter how
wrongful, evil or bad the act is, if there is no law defining the act, the same is not considered a
crime.
Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea
The act cannot be criminal where the mind is not criminal. This is true to a felony characterized
by dolo, but not a felony resulting from culpa. This maxim is not an absolute one because it is
not applied to culpable felonies, or those that result from negligence.
Utilitarian Theory or Protective Theory
The primary purpose of the punishment under criminal law is the protection of society from actual
and potential wrongdoers. The courts, therefore, in exacting retribution for the wronged society,
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should direct the punishment to potential or actual wrongdoers, since criminal law is directed
against acts and omissions which the society does not approve. Consistent with this theory, the
mala prohibita principle which punishes an offense regardless of malice or criminal intent, should
not be utilized to apply the full harshness of the special law.
Sources of Criminal Law

1. The Revised Penal Code
2. Special Penal Laws – Acts enacted of the Philippine Legislature punishing offenses
or omissions.
Construction of Penal Laws

1. Criminal Statutes are liberally construed in favor of the offender. This means that no
person shall be brought within their terms who is not clearly within them, nor should
any act be pronounced criminal which is not clearly made so by statute.
2. The original text in which a penal law is approved in case of a conflict with an official
translation.
3. Interpretation by analogy has no place in criminal law
MALA IN SE AND MALA PROHIBITA
Violations of the Revised Penal Code are referred to as malum in se, which literally means, that
the act is inherently evil or bad or per se wrongful. On the other hand, violations of special laws
are generally referred to as malum prohibitum.
Note, however, that not all violations of special laws are mala prohibita. While intentional felonies
are always mala in se, it does not follow that prohibited acts done in violation of special laws are
always mala prohibita. Even if the crime is punished under a special law, if the act punished is
one which is inherently wrong, the same is malum in se, and, therefore, good faith and the lack of
criminal intent is a valid defense; unless it is the product of criminal negligence or culpa.
Likewise when the special laws requires that the punished act be committed knowingly and
willfully, criminal intent is required to be proved before criminal liability may arise.
When the act penalized is not inherently wrong, it is wrong only because a law punishes the
same.
Distinction between crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code and crimes punished
under special laws
1. As to moral trait of the offender
In crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code, the moral trait of the offender is
considered. This is why liability would only arise when there is dolo or culpa in the
commission of the punishable act.
In crimes punished under special laws, the moral trait of the offender is not considered; it
is enough that the prohibited act was voluntarily done.
2. As to use of good faith as defense
In crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code, good faith or lack of criminal intent is
a valid defense; unless the crime is the result of culpa
In crimes punished under special laws, good faith is not a defense
3. As to degree of accomplishment of the crime
In crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code, the degree of accomplishment of the
crime is taken into account in punishing the offender; thus, there are attempted,
frustrated, and consummated stages in the commission of the crime.
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In crimes punished under special laws, the act gives rise to a crime only when it is
consummated; there are no attempted or frustrated stages, unless the special law
expressly penalize the mere attempt or frustration of the crime.
4. As to mitigating and aggravating circumstances
In crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code, mitigating and aggravating
circumstances are taken into account in imposing the penalty since the moral trait of the
offender is considered.
In crimes punished under special laws, mitigating and aggravating circumstances are not
taken into account in imposing the penalty.
5. As to degree of participation
In crimes punished under the Revised Penal Code, when there is more than one
offender, the degree of participation of each in the commission of the crime is taken into
account in imposing the penalty; thus, offenders are classified as principal, accomplice
and accessory.
In crimes punished under special laws, the degree of participation of the offenders is not
considered. All who perpetrated the prohibited act are penalized to the same extent.
There is no principal or accomplice or accessory to consider.
Test to determine if violation of special law is malum prohibitum or malum in se
Analyze the violation: Is it wrong because there is a law prohibiting it or punishing it as such? If
you remove the law, will the act still be wrong?
If the wording of the law punishing the crime uses the word “willfully”, then malice must be
proven. Where malice is a factor, good faith is a defense.
In violation of special law, the act constituting the crime is a prohibited act. Therefore culpa is not
a basis of liability, unless the special law punishes an omission.
When given a problem, take note if the crime is a violation of the Revised Penal Code or a
special law.
Art. 1. This Code shall take effect on January 1, 1932.
Art. 2. Except as provided in the treaties and laws of preferential

application, the provisions of this Code shall be enforced not only within
the Philippine Archipelago including its atmosphere, its interior waters and
Maritime zone, but also outside of its jurisdiction, against those who:
1. Should commit an offense while on a Philippine ship or airship;

2. Should forge or counterfeit any coin or currency note of the
Philippine Islands or obligations and securities issued by the Government
of the Philippine Islands;
3. Should be liable for acts connected with the introduction into
these islands of the obligations and securities mentioned in the preceding
number;
4. While being public officers or employees, should commit an
offense in the exercise of their functions; or (Some of these crimes are bribery,
fraud against national treasury, malversation of public funds or property, and illegal use
of public funds; e.g., A judge who accepts a bribe while in Japan.)
5. Should commit any crimes against the national security and the
law of nations, defined in Title One of Book Two of this Code. (These crimes
include treason, espionage, piracy, mutiny, and violation of neutrality)
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• Rules as to crimes committed aboard foreign merchant vessels:

1. French Rule – Such crimes are not triable in the courts of that country, unless
their commission affects the peace and security of the territory or the safety of
the state is endangered.
2. English Rule – Such crimes are triable in that country, unless they merely affect
things within the vessel or they refer to the internal management thereof. (This is
applicable in the Philippines)
two situations where the foreign country may not apply its criminal law even if a crime was
committed on board a vessel within its territorial waters and these are:
(1) When the crime is committed in a war vessel of a foreign country, because war vessels
are part of the sovereignty of the country to whose naval force they belong;
(2) When the foreign country in whose territorial waters the crime was committed adopts the
French Rule, which applies only to merchant vessels, except when the crime committed
affects the national security or public order of such foreign country.
• Requirements of “an offense committed while on a Philippine Ship or Airship”

1. Registered with the Philippine Bureau of Customs
2. Ship must be in the high seas or the airship must be in international airspace.
Under international law rule, a vessel which is not registered in accordance with the laws of any
country is considered a pirate vessel and piracy is a crime against humanity in general, such that
wherever the pirates may go, they can be prosecuted.
• US v. Bull
A crime which occurred on board of a foreign vessel, which began when the ship was
in a foreign territory and continued when it entered into Philippine waters, is considered
a continuing crime. Hence within the jurisdiction of the local courts.
As a general rule, the Revised Penal Code governs only when the crime committed pertains to
the exercise of the public official’s functions, those having to do with the discharge of their duties
in a foreign country. The functions contemplated are those, which are, under the law, to be
performed by the public officer in the Foreign Service of the Philippine government in a foreign
country.
Exception: The Revised Penal Code governs if the crime was committed within the Philippine
Embassy or within the embassy grounds in a foreign country. This is because embassy grounds
are considered an extension of sovereignty.
Paragraph 5 of Article 2, use the phrase “as defined in Title One of Book Two of this Code.”
This is a very important part of the exception, because Title I of Book 2 (crimes against national
security) does not include rebellion.
Art 3. Acts and omissions punishable by law are felonies.
• Acts – an overt or external act

• Omission – failure to perform a duty required by law. Example of an omission:
failure to render assistance to anyone who is in danger of dying or is in an
uninhabited place or is wounded - abandonment.
• Felonies - acts and omissions punishable by the Revised Penal Code
• Crime - acts and omissions punishable by any law
What requisites must concur before a felony may be committed?
There must be (1) an act or omission; (2) punishable by the Revised Penal Code; and (3)
the act is performed or the omission incurred by means of dolo or culpa.
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• How felonies are committed:

1. by means of deceit (dolo) - There is deceit when the act is performed with
deliberate intent.
Requisites:
a. freedom
b. intelligence
c. intent
Examples: murder, treason, and robbery.
Criminal intent is not necessary in these cases:
(1) When the crime is the product of culpa or negligence, reckless imprudence, lack
of foresight or lack of skill;
(2) When the crime is a prohibited act under a special law or what is called malum
prohibitum.
In criminal law, intent is categorized into two:
(1) General criminal intent; and

(2) Specific criminal intent.
General criminal intent is presumed from the mere doing of a wrong act. This does not require
proof. The burden is upon the wrong doer to prove that he acted without such criminal intent.
Specific criminal intent is not presumed because it is an ingredient or element of a crime, like
intent to kill in the crimes of attempted or frustrated homicide/parricide/murder. The prosecution
has the burden of proving the same.
Distinction between intent and discernment
Intent is the determination to do a certain thing, an aim or purpose of the mind. It is the design to
resolve or determination by which a person acts.
On the other hand, discernment is the mental capacity to tell right from wrong. It relates to the
moral significance that a person ascribes to his act and relates to the intelligence as an element
of dolo, distinct from intent.
Distinction between intent and motive
Intent is demonstrated by the use of a particular means to bring about a desired result – it is not a
state of mind or a reason for committing a crime.
On the other hand, motive implies motion. It is the moving power which impels one to do an act.
When there is motive in the commission of a crime, it always comes before the intent. But a
crime may be committed without motive.
If the crime is intentional, it cannot be committed without intent. Intent is manifested by the
instrument used by the offender. The specific criminal intent becomes material if the crime is to
be distinguished from the attempted or frustrated stage.
2. by means of fault (culpa) - There is fault when the wrongful act results from
imprudence, negligence, lack of foresight, or lack of skill.
a. Imprudence - deficiency of action; e.g. A was driving a truck along a road. He

hit B because it was raining - reckless imprudence.
b. Negligence - deficiency of perception; failure to foresee impending danger,
usually involves lack of foresight
c. Requisites:
1. Freedom
2. Intelligence
3. Imprudence, negligence, lack of skill or foresight
4. Lack of intent
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The concept of criminal negligence is the inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of
the person performing or failing to perform an act. If the danger impending from that situation is
clearly manifest, you have a case of reckless imprudence. But if the danger that would result
from such imprudence is not clear, not manifest nor immediate you have only a case of simple
negligence.
• Mistake of fact - is a misapprehension of fact on the part of the person who caused
injury to another. He is not criminally liable.
a. Requisites:
1. that the act done would have been lawful had the facts been as the accused
believed them to be;
2. intention of the accused is lawful;
3. mistake must be without fault of carelessness.
Example: United States v. Ah Chong.

Ah Chong being afraid of bad elements, locked himself in his room by
placing a chair against the door. After having gone to bed, he was awakened by
somebody who was trying to open the door. He asked the identity of the person,
but he did not receive a response. Fearing that this intruder was a robber, he
leaped out of bed and said that he will kill the intruder should he attempt to enter.
At that moment, the chair struck him. Believing that he was attacked, he seized
a knife and fatally wounded the intruder.
Mistake of fact would be relevant only when the felony would have been intentional or through
dolo, but not when the felony is a result of culpa. When the felony is a product of culpa, do not
discuss mistake of fact.
Art. 4. Criminal liability shall be incurred:
1. By any person committing a felony, although the wrongful act

done be different from that which he intended.
Article 4, paragraph 1 presupposes that the act done is the proximate cause of the resulting
felony. It must be the direct, natural, and logical consequence of the felonious act.
• Causes which produce a different result:
a. Mistake in identity of the victim – injuring one person who is mistaken for another
(this is a complex crime under Art. 48) e.g., A intended to shoot B, but he instead
shot C because he (A) mistook C for B.
In error in personae, the intended victim was not at the scene of the crime. It was the
actual victim upon whom the blow was directed, but he was not really the intended victim.
How does error in personae affect criminal liability of the offender?
Error in personae is mitigating if the crime committed is different from that which was intended. If
the crime committed is the same as that which was intended, error in personae does not affect
the criminal liability of the offender.
In mistake of identity, if the crime committed was the same as the crime intended, but on a
different victim, error in persona does not affect the criminal liability of the offender. But if the
crime committed was different from the crime intended, Article 49 will apply and the penalty for
the lesser crime will be applied. In a way, mistake in identity is a mitigating circumstance where
Article 49 applies. Where the crime intended is more serious than the crime committed, the error
in persona is not a mitigating circumstance
b. Mistake in blow – hitting somebody other than the target due to lack of skill or
fortuitous instances (this is a complex crime under Art. 48) e.g., B and C were
walking together. A wanted to shoot B, but he instead injured C.
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In aberratio ictus, a person directed the blow at an intended victim, but because of poor
aim, that blow landed on somebody else. In aberratio ictus, the intended victim as well as the
actual victim are both at the scene of the crime.
aberratio ictus, generally gives rise to a complex crime. This being so, the penalty for the
more serious crime is imposed in the maximum period.
c. Injurious result is greater than that intended – causing injury graver than intended
or expected (this is a mitigating circumstance due to lack of intent to commit so
grave a wrong under Art. 13) e.g., A wanted to injure B. However, B died.
praeter intentionem is mitigating, particularly covered by paragraph 3 of Article 13. In order

however, that the situation may qualify as praeter intentionem, there must be a notable disparity
between the means employed and the resulting felony
• In all these instances the offender can still be held criminally liable, since he is
motivated by criminal intent.
Requisites:
a. the felony was intentionally committed
b. the felony is the proximate cause of the wrong done
• Doctrine of Proximate Cause – such adequate and efficient cause as, in the natural
order of events, and under the particular circumstances surrounding the case, which
would necessarily produce the event.
Requisites:
a. the direct, natural, and logical cause
b. produces the injury or damage
c. unbroken by any sufficient intervening cause
d. without which the result would not have occurred
• Proximate Cause is negated by:
a. Active force, distinct act, or fact absolutely foreign from the felonious act of
the accused, which serves as a sufficient intervening cause.
b. Resulting injury or damage is due to the intentional act of the victim.
proximate cause does not require that the offender needs to actually touch the body of the
offended party. It is enough that the offender generated in the mind of the offended party the
belief that made him risk himself.
• Requisite for Presumption blow was cause of the death – Where there has been an
injury inflicted sufficient to produce death followed by the demise of the person, the
presumption arises that the injury was the cause of the death. Provided:
a. victim was in normal health
b. death ensued within a reasonable time
The one who caused the proximate cause is the one liable. The one who caused the
immediate cause is also liable, but merely contributory or sometimes totally not liable.
2. By any person performing an act which would be an offense

against persons or property, were it not for the inherent impossibility of its
accomplishment or on account of the employment of inadequate or
ineffectual means.
• Requisites: (IMPOSSIBLE CRIME)

a. Act would have been an offense against persons or property
b. Act is not an actual violation of another provision of the Code or of a special
penal law
c. There was criminal intent
d. Accomplishment was inherently impossible; or inadequate or ineffectual means
were employed.
• Notes:
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a. Offender must believe that he can consummate the intended crime, a man
stabbing another who he knew was already dead cannot be liable for an
impossible crime.
b. The law intends to punish the criminal intent.
c. There is no attempted or frustrated impossible crime.
• Felonies against persons: parricide, murder, homicide, infanticide, physical injuries,
etc.
• Felonies against property: robbery, theft, usurpation, swindling, etc.
• Inherent impossibility: A thought that B was just sleeping. B was already dead. A
shot B. A is liable. If A knew that B is dead and he still shot him, then A is not liable.
When we say inherent impossibility, this means that under any and all circumstances, the
crime could not have materialized. If the crime could have materialized under a different set of
facts, employing the same mean or the same act, it is not an impossible crime; it would be an
attempted felony.
• Employment of inadequate means: A used poison to kill B. However, B survived

because A used small quantities of poison - frustrated murder.
• Ineffectual means: A aimed his gun at B. When he fired the gun, no bullet came out
because the gun was empty. A is liable.
Whenever you are confronted with a problem where the facts suggest that an impossible
crime was committed, be careful about the question asked. If the question asked is: “Is an
impossible crime committed?”, then you judge that question on the basis of the facts. If really
the facts constitute an impossible crime, then you suggest than an impossible crime is
committed, then you state the reason for the inherent impossibility.
If the question asked is “Is he liable for an impossible crime?”, this is a catching question.
Even though the facts constitute an impossible crime, if the act done by the offender constitutes
some other crimes under the Revised Penal Code, he will not be liable for an impossible crime.
He will be prosecuted for the crime constituted so far by the act done by him.
this idea of an impossible crime is a one of last resort, just to teach the offender a lesson
because of his criminal perversity. If he could be taught of the same lesson by charging him with
some other crime constituted by his act, then that will be the proper way. If you want to play safe,
you state there that although an impossible crime is constituted, yet it is a principle of criminal law
that he will only be penalized for an impossible crime if he cannot be punished under some other
provision of the Revised Penal Code.
Art 5. Whenever a court has knowledge of any act which it may deem
proper to repress and which is not punishable by law, it shall render the
proper decision and shall report to the Chief Executive, through the
Department of Justice, the reasons which induce the court to believe that
said act should be made subject of legislation.
In the same way the court shall submit to the Chief Executive, through
the Department of Justice, such statement as may be deemed proper,
without suspending the execution of the sentence, when a strict
enforcement of the provisions of this Code would result in the imposition
of a clearly excessive penalty, taking into consideration the degree of
malice and the injury caused by the offense.
When a person is charged in court, and the court finds that there is no law applicable, the
court will acquit the accused and the judge will give his opinion that the said act should be
punished.
• Paragraph 2 does not apply to crimes punishable by special law, including

profiteering, and illegal possession of firearms or drugs. There can be no executive
clemency for these crimes.
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Art. 6. Consummated felonies, as well as those which are frustrated and

attempted, are punishable.
A felony is consummated when all the elements necessary for its

execution and accomplishment are present; and it is frustrated when the
offender performs all the acts of execution which would produce the felony
as a consequence but which, nevertheless, do not produce it by reason of
causes independent of the will of the perpetrator.
There is an attempt when the offender commences the commission of a

felony directly by overt acts, and does not perform all the acts of execution
which should produce the felony by reason of some cause or accident
other than his own spontaneous desistance.
• Development of a crime
1. Internal acts – intent and plans; usually not punishable
2. External acts
a. Preparatory Acts – acts tending toward the crime
b. Acts of Execution – acts directly connected the crime
Sta ges of Commissio n o f a Crime

Attempt Frustrated Consummated
• Overt acts of execution • All acts of execution are • All the acts of execution
are started present are present
• Not all acts of execution • Crime sought to be • The result sought is
are present committed is not achieved achieved
• Due to reasons other than • Due to intervening causes
the spontaneous independent of the will of
desistance of the the perpetrator
perpetrator
• Stages of a Crime does not apply in:

1. Offenses punishable by Special Penal Laws, unless the otherwise is provided for.
2. Formal crimes (e.g., slander, adultery, etc.)
3. Impossible Crimes
4. Crimes consummated by mere attempt. Examples: attempt to flee to an enemy
country, treason, corruption of minors.
5. Felonies by omission
6. Crimes committed by mere agreement. Examples: betting in sports (endings
in basketball), corruption of public officers.
Desistance
Desistance on the part of the offender negates criminal liability in the attempted stage.
Desistance is true only in the attempted stage of the felony. If under the definition of the felony,
the act done is already in the frustrated stage, no amount of desistance will negate criminal
liability.
The spontaneous desistance of the offender negates only the attempted stage but not
necessarily all criminal liability. Even though there was desistance on the part of the offender, if
the desistance was made when acts done by him already resulted to a felony, that offender will
still be criminally liable for the felony brought about his act
In deciding whether a felony is attempted or frustrated or consummated, there are three

criteria involved:
(1) The manner of committing the crime;
(2) The elements of the crime; and
(3) The nature of the crime itself.
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• Applications:
a. A put poison in B’s food. B threw away his food. A is liable - attempted murder.1
b. A stole B’s car, but he returned it. A is liable - (consummated) theft.
c. A aimed his gun at B. C held A’s hand and prevented him from shooting B -
attempted murder.
d. A inflicted a mortal wound on B. B managed to survive - frustrated murder.
e. A intended to kill B by shooting him. A missed - attempted murder.
f. A doused B’s house with kerosene. But before he could light the match, he was
caught - attempted arson.
g. A cause a blaze, but did not burn the house of B - frustrated arson.
h. B’s house was set on fire by A - (consummated) arson.
i. A tried to rape B. B managed to escape. There was no penetration - attempted
rape.
j. A got hold of B’s painting. A was caught before he could leave B’s house -
frustrated robbery.2
The attempted stage is said to be within the subjective phase of execution of a felony. On
the subjective phase, it is that point in time when the offender begins the commission of an overt
act until that point where he loses control of the commission of the crime already. If he has
reached that point where he can no longer control the ensuing consequence, the crime has
already passed the subjective phase and, therefore, it is no longer attempted. The moment the
execution of the crime has already gone to that point where the felony should follow as a
consequence, it is either already frustrated or consummated. If the felony does not follow as a
consequence, it is already frustrated. If the felony follows as a consequence, it is consummated.
although the offender may not have done the act to bring about the felony as a
consequence, if he could have continued committing those acts but he himself did not proceed
because he believed that he had done enough to consummate the crime, Supreme Court said
the subjective phase has passed
NOTES ON ARSON;
The weight of the authority is that the crime of arson cannot be committed in the frustrated
stage. The reason is because we can hardly determine whether the offender has performed all
the acts of execution that would result in arson, as a consequence, unless a part of the premises
has started to burn. On the other hand, the moment a particle or a molecule of the premises has
blackened, in law, arson is consummated. This is because consummated arson does not require
that the whole of the premises be burned. It is enough that any part of the premises, no matter
how small, has begun to burn.
ESTAFA VS. THEFT

In estafa, the offender receives the property; he does not take it. But in receiving the
property, the recipient may be committing theft, not estafa, if what was transferred to him was
only the physical or material possession of the object. It can only be estafa if what was
transferred to him is not only material or physical possession but juridical possession as well.
When you are discussing estafa, do not talk about intent to gain. In the same manner that
when you are discussing the crime of theft, do not talk of damage.
Nature of the crime itself
In crimes involving the taking of human life – parricide, homicide, and murder – in the
definition of the frustrated stage, it is indispensable that the victim be mortally wounded. Under
the definition of the frustrated stage, to consider the offender as having performed all the acts of
execution, the acts already done by him must produce or be capable of producing a felony as a
consequence. The general rule is that there must be a fatal injury inflicted, because it is only then
that death will follow.
1
The difference between murder and homicide will be discussed in Criminal Law II. These crimes
are found in Articles 248 and 249, Book II of the Revised Penal Code.
2
The difference between theft and robbery will be discussed in Criminal Law II. These crimes are
found in Title Ten, Chapters One and Three, Book II of the Revised Penal Code.
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If the wound is not mortal, the crime is only attempted. The reason is that the wound
inflicted is not capable of bringing about the desired felony of parricide, murder or homicide as a
consequence; it cannot be said that the offender has performed all the acts of execution which
would produce parricide, homicide or murder as a result.
An exception to the general rule is the so-called subjective phase. The Supreme Court has
decided cases which applied the subjective standard that when the offender himself believed that
he had performed all the acts of execution, even though no mortal wound was inflicted, the act is
already in the frustrated stage.
The common notion is that when there is conspiracy involved, the participants are punished
as principals. This notion is no longer absolute. In the case of People v. Nierra, the Supreme
Court ruled that even though there was conspiracy, if a co-conspirator merely cooperated in the
commission of the crime with insignificant or minimal acts, such that even without his
cooperation, the crime could be carried out as well, such co-conspirator should be punished as
an accomplice only.
Art. 7. Light felonies are punishable only when they have been
consummated with the exception of those committed against persons or
property.
• Examples of light felonies: slight physical injuries; theft; alteration of boundary marks;
malicious mischief; and intriguing against honor.
• In commission of crimes against properties and persons, every stage of execution is

punishable but only the principals and accomplices are liable for light felonies,
accessories are not.
Art. 8. Conspiracy and proposal to commit felony are punishable only in

the cases in which the law specially provides a penalty therefore.
A conspiracy exists when two or more persons come to an
agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decide to commit it.
There is proposal when the person who has decided to commit a
felony proposes its execution to some other person or persons.
• Conspiracy is punishable in the following cases: treason, rebellion or insurrection,

sedition, and monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade.
• Conspiracy to commit a crime is not to be confused with conspiracy as a means of

committing a crime. In both cases there is an agreement but mere conspiracy to
commit a crime is not punished EXCEPT in treason, rebellion, or sedition. Even then,
if the treason is actually committed, the conspiracy will be considered as a means of
committing it and the accused will all be charged for treason and not for conspiracy
to commit treason.
Conspiracy and Proposal to Commit a Crime

Conspiracy Proposal
Elements • Agreement among 2 or more • A person has decided to commit a crime
persons to commit a crime • He proposes its commission to another
• They decide to commit it
Crimes 1. Conspiracy to commit sedition 1. Proposal to commit treason
2. Conspiracy to commit rebellion 2. Proposal to commit rebellion
3. Conspiracy to commit treason
• Mere conspiracy in combination in restraint of trade (Art. 186), and brigandage (Art.
306).
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Two ways for conspiracy to exist:
(1) There is an agreement.
(2) The participants acted in concert or simultaneously which is indicative of a meeting of the
minds towards a common criminal goal or criminal objective. When several offenders act
in a synchronized, coordinated manner, the fact that their acts complimented each other
is indicative of the meeting of the minds. There is an implied agreement.
Two kinds of conspiracy:
(1) Conspiracy as a crime; and

(2) Conspiracy as a manner of incurring criminal liability
When conspiracy itself is a crime, no overt act is necessary to bring about the criminal
liability. The mere conspiracy is the crime itself. This is only true when the law expressly
punishes the mere conspiracy; otherwise, the conspiracy does not bring about the commission of
the crime because conspiracy is not an overt act but a mere preparatory act. Treason, rebellion,
sedition, and coup d’etat are the only crimes where the conspiracy and proposal to commit to
them are punishable.
When the conspiracy is only a basis of incurring criminal liability, there must be an overt act
done before the co-conspirators become criminally liable. For as long as none of the conspirators
has committed an overt act, there is no crime yet. But when one of them commits any overt act,
all of them shall be held liable, unless a co-conspirator was absent from the scene of the crime or
he showed up, but he tried to prevent the commission of the crime
As a general rule, if there has been a conspiracy to commit a crime in a particular place,
anyone who did not appear shall be presumed to have desisted. The exception to this is if such
person who did not appear was the mastermind.
For as long as none of the conspirators has committed an overt act, there is no crime yet.
But when one of them commits any overt act, all of them shall be held liable, unless a co-
conspirator was absent from the scene of the crime or he showed up, but he tried to prevent the
commission of the crime
As a general rule, if there has been a conspiracy to commit a crime in a particular place,
anyone who did not appear shall be presumed to have desisted. The exception to this is if such
person who did not appear was the mastermind.
When the conspiracy itself is a crime, this cannot be inferred or deduced because there is
no overt act. All that there is the agreement. On the other hand, if the co-conspirator or any of
them would execute an overt act, the crime would no longer be the conspiracy but the overt act
itself
conspiracy as a crime, must have a clear and convincing evidence of its existence. Every
crime must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. it must be established by positive and
conclusive evidence, not by conjectures or speculations.
When the conspiracy is just a basis of incurring criminal liability, however, the same may be
deduced or inferred from the acts of several offenders in carrying out the commission of the
crime. The existence of a conspiracy may be reasonably inferred from the acts of the offenders
when such acts disclose or show a common pursuit of the criminal objective.
mere knowledge, acquiescence to, or approval of the act, without cooperation or at least,
agreement to cooperate, is not enough to constitute a conspiracy. There must be an intentional
participation in the crime with a view to further the common felonious objective.
When several persons who do not know each other simultaneously attack the victim, the act
of one is the act of all, regardless of the degree of injury inflicted by any one of them. All will be
liable for the consequences. A conspiracy is possible even when participants are not known to
each other. Do not think that participants are always known to each other.
Conspiracy is a matter of substance which must be alleged in the information, otherwise, the
court will not consider the same.
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Proposal is true only up to the point where the party to whom the proposal was made has
not yet accepted the proposal. Once the proposal was accepted, a conspiracy arises. Proposal
is unilateral, one party makes a proposition to the other; conspiracy is bilateral, it requires two
parties.
SEDITION;
Proposal to commit sedition is not a crime. But if Union B accepts the proposal, there will be
conspiracy to commit sedition which is a crime under the Revised Penal Code.
Composite crimes
Composite crimes are crimes which, in substance, consist of more than one crime but in
the eyes of the law, there is only one crime. For example, the crimes of robbery with homicide,
robbery with rape, robbery with physical injuries.
In case the crime committed is a composite crime, the conspirator will be liable for all the
acts committed during the commission of the crime agreed upon. This is because, in the eyes of
the law, all those acts done in pursuance of the crime agreed upon are acts which constitute a
single crime.
As a general rule, when there is conspiracy, the rule is that the act of one is the act of all.
This principle applies only to the crime agreed upon.
The exception is if any of the co-conspirator would commit a crime not agreed upon. This
happens when the crime agreed upon and the crime committed by one of the co-conspirators are
distinct crimes.
Exception to the exception: In acts constituting a single indivisible offense, even though the
co-conspirator performed different acts bringing about the composite crime, all will be liable for
such crime. They can only evade responsibility for any other crime outside of that agreed upon if
it is proved that the particular conspirator had tried to prevent the commission of such other act
Art. 9. Grave felonies are those to which the law attaches the capital
punishment or penalties which in any of their are afflictive, in accordance
with Article 25 of this Code.
Less grave felonies are those which the law punishes with penalties
which in their maximum period are correctional, in accordance with the
above-mentioned article.
Light felonies are those infractions of law for the commission of
which he penalty of arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding 200 pesos, or
both is provided.
• Capital punishment - death penalty.

• Penalties (imprisonment): Grave - six years and one day to reclusion perpetua (life);
Less grave - one month and one day to six years; Light - arresto menor (one day to
30 days).
CLASSIFICATION OF FELONIES
This question was asked in the bar examination: How do you classify felonies or how are felonies
classified?
What the examiner had in mind was Articles 3, 6 and 9. Do not write the classification of felonies
under Book 2 of the Revised Penal Code. That was not what the examiner had in mind because
the question does not require the candidate to classify but also to define. Therefore, the
examiner was after the classifications under Articles 3, 6 and 9.
Felonies are classified as follows:
(1) According to the manner of their commission
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Under Article 3, they are classified as, intentional felonies or those committed with
deliberate intent; and culpable felonies or those resulting from negligence, reckless
imprudence, lack of foresight or lack of skill.
(2) According to the stages of their execution
Under Article 6., felonies are classified as attempted felony when the offender
commences the commission of a felony directly by overt acts, and does not perform all
the acts of execution which should produce the felony by reason of some cause or
accident other than his own spontaneous desistance; frustrated felony when the offender
commences the commission of a felony as a consequence but which would produce the
felony as a consequence but which nevertheless do not produce the felony by reason of
causes independent of the perpetrator; and, consummated felony when all the elements
necessary for its execution are present.
(3) According to their gravity
Under Article 9, felonies are classified as grave felonies or those to which attaches the
capital punishment or penalties which in any of their periods are afflictive; less grave
felonies or those to which the law punishes with penalties which in their maximum period
was correccional; and light felonies or those infractions of law for the commission of
which the penalty is arresto menor.
Why is it necessary to determine whether the crime is grave, less grave or light?
To determine whether these felonies can be complexed or not, and to determine the prescription
of the crime and the prescription of the penalty. In other words, these are felonies classified
according to their gravity, stages and the penalty attached to them. Take note that when the
Revised Penal Code speaks of grave and less grave felonies, the definition makes a reference
specifically to Article 25 of the Revised Penal Code. Do not omit the phrase “In accordance with
Article 25” because there is also a classification of penalties under Article 26 that was not applied.
If the penalty is fine and exactly P200.00, it is only considered a light felony under Article 9.
If the fine is imposed as an alternative penalty or as a single penalty, the fine of P200.00 is
considered a correctional penalty under Article 26.
If the penalty is exactly P200.00, apply Article 26. It is considered as correctional penalty and it
prescribes in 10 years. If the offender is apprehended at any time within ten years, he can be
made to suffer the fine.
This classification of felony according to gravity is important with respect to the question of
prescription of crimes.
In the case of light felonies, crimes prescribe in two months. If the crime is correctional, it
prescribes in ten years, except arresto mayor, which prescribes in five years.
Art. 10. Offenses which are or in the future may be punishable under
special laws are not subject to the provisions of this Code. This Code shall
be supplementary to such laws, unless the latter should specially provide
the contrary.
• For Special Laws: Penalties should be imprisonment, and not reclusion perpetua,
etc.
• Offenses that are attempted or frustrated are not punishable, unless otherwise
stated.
• Plea of guilty is not mitigating for offenses punishable by special laws.
• No minimum, medium, and maximum periods for penalties.
• No penalty for an accessory or accomplice, unless otherwise stated.
• Provisions of RPC applicable to special laws:

a. Art. 16 Participation of Accomplices
b. Art. 22 Retroactivity of Penal laws if favorable to the accused
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c. Art. 45 Confiscation of instruments used in the crime
SUPPLETORY APPLICATION OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
In Article 10, there is a reservation “provision of the Revised Penal Code may be applied
suppletorily to special laws”. You will only apply the provisions of the Revised Penal Code as a
supplement to the special law, or simply correlate the violated special law, if needed to avoid an
injustice. If no justice would result, do not give suppletorily application of the Revised Penal
Code to that of special law.
For example, a special law punishes a certain act as a crime. The special law is silent as to the
civil liability of one who violates the same. Here is a person who violated the special law and he
was prosecuted. His violation caused damage or injury to a private party. May the court
pronounce that he is civilly liable to the offended party, considering that the special law is silent
on this point? Yes, because Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code may be given suppletory
application to prevent an injustice from being done to the offended party. Article 100 states that
every person criminally liable for a felony is also civilly liable. That article shall be applied
suppletory to avoid an injustice that would be caused to the private offended party, if he would not
be indemnified for the damages or injuries sustained by him.
In People v. Rodriguez, it was held that the use of arms is an element of rebellion, so a rebel
cannot be further prosecuted for possession of firearms. A violation of a special law can never
absorb a crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code, because violations of the Revised
Penal Code are more serious than a violation of a special law. But a crime in the Revised Penal
Code can absorb a crime punishable by a special law if it is a necessary ingredient of the crime in
the Revised Penal Code.
In the crime of sedition, the use of firearms is not an ingredient of the crime. Hence, two
prosecutions can be had: (1) sedition; and (2) illegal possession of firearms.
But do not think that when a crime is punished outside of the Revised Penal Code, it is already a
special law. For example, the crime of cattle-rustling is not a mala prohibitum but a modification
of the crime theft of large cattle. So Presidential Decree No. 533, punishing cattle-rustling, is not
a special law. It can absorb the crime of murder. If in the course of cattle rustling, murder was
committed, the offender cannot be prosecuted for murder. Murder would be a qualifying
circumstance in the crime of qualified cattle rustling. This was the ruling in People v. Martinada.
The amendments of Presidential Decree No. 6425 (The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972) by
Republic Act No. 7659, which adopted the scale of penalties in the Revised Penal Code, means
that mitigating and aggravating circumstances can now be considered in imposing penalties.
Presidential Decree No. 6425 does not expressly prohibit the suppletory application of the
Revised Penal Code. The stages of the commission of felonies will also apply since suppletory
application is now allowed.
Circumstances affecting criminal liability
There are five circumstances affecting criminal liability:
(1) Justifying circumstances;
(2) Exempting circumstances;
(3) Mitigating circumstances;
(4) Aggravating circumstances; and
(5) Alternative circumstances.
There are two others which are found elsewhere in the provisions of the Revised Penal Code:
(1) Absolutory cause; and
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(2) Extenuating circumstances.
In justifying and exempting circumstances, there is no criminal liability. When an accused invokes
them, he in effect admits the commission of a crime but tries to avoid the liability thereof. The
burden is upon him to establish beyond reasonable doubt the required conditions to justify or
exempt his acts from criminal liability. What is shifted is only the burden of evidence, not the
burden of proof.
Justifying circumstances contemplate intentional acts and, hence, are incompatible with dolo.
Exempting circumstances may be invoked in culpable felonies.
Absolutory cause
The effect of this is to absolve the offender from criminal liability, although not from civil liability. It
has the same effect as an exempting circumstance, but you do not call it as such in order not to
confuse it with the circumstances under Article 12.
Article 20 provides that the penalties prescribed for accessories shall not be imposed upon those
who are such with respect to their spouses, ascendants, descendants, legitimate, natural and
adopted brothers and sisters, or relatives by affinity within the same degrees with the exception
of accessories who profited themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the
crime.
Then, Article 89 provides how criminal liability is extinguished:
Death of the convict as to the personal penalties, and as to pecuniary penalties, liability therefor
is extinguished if death occurs before final judgment;
Service of the sentence;
Amnesty;
Absolute pardon;
Prescription of the crime;
Prescription of the penalty; and
Marriage of the offended woman as provided in Article 344.
Under Article 247, a legally married person who kills or inflicts physical injuries upon his or her
spouse whom he surprised having sexual intercourse with his or her paramour or mistress in not
criminally liable.
Under Article 219, discovering secrets through seizure of correspondence of the ward by their
guardian is not penalized.
Under Article 332, in the case of theft, swindling and malicious mischief, there is no criminal
liability but only civil liability, when the offender and the offended party are related as spouse,
ascendant, descendant, brother and sister-in-law living together or where in case the widowed
spouse and the property involved is that of the deceased spouse, before such property had
passed on to the possession of third parties.
Under Article 344, in cases of seduction, abduction, acts of lasciviousness, and rape, the
marriage of the offended party shall extinguish the criminal action.
Absolutory cause has the effect of an exempting circumstance and they are predicated on lack of
voluntariness like instigation. Instigation is associated with criminal intent. Do not consider culpa
in connection with instigation. If the crime is culpable, do not talk of instigation. In instigation, the
crime is committed with dolo. It is confused with entrapment.
Entrapment is not an absolutory cause. Entrapment does not exempt the offender or mitigate his
criminal liability. But instigation absolves the offender from criminal liability because in instigation,
the offender simply acts as a tool of the law enforcers and, therefore, he is acting without criminal
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intent because without the instigation, he would not have done the criminal act which he did upon
instigation of the law enforcers.
Difference between instigation and entrapment
In instigation, the criminal plan or design exists in the mind of the law enforcer with whom the
person instigated cooperated so it is said that the person instigated is acting only as a mere
instrument or tool of the law enforcer in the performance of his duties.
On the other hand, in entrapment, a criminal design is already in the mind of the person
entrapped. It did not emanate from the mind of the law enforcer entrapping him. Entrapment
involves only ways and means which are laid down or resorted to facilitate the apprehension of
the culprit.
The element which makes instigation an absolutory cause is the lack of criminal intent as an
element of voluntariness.
If the instigator is a law enforcer, the person instigated cannot be criminally liable, because it is
the law enforcer who planted that criminal mind in him to commit the crime, without which he
would not have been a criminal. If the instigator is not a law enforcer, both will be criminally
liable, you cannot have a case of instigation. In instigation, the private citizen only cooperates
with the law enforcer to a point when the private citizen upon instigation of the law enforcer
incriminates himself. It would be contrary to public policy to prosecute a citizen who only
cooperated with the law enforcer. The private citizen believes that he is a law enforcer and that is
why when the law enforcer tells him, he believes that it is a civil duty to cooperate.
If the person instigated does not know that the person is instigating him is a law enforcer or he
knows him to be not a law enforcer, this is not a case of instigation. This is a case of inducement,
both will be criminally liable.
In entrapment, the person entrapped should not know that the person trying to entrap him was a
law enforcer. The idea is incompatible with each other because in entrapment, the person
entrapped is actually committing a crime. The officer who entrapped him only lays down ways
and means to have evidence of the commission of the crime, but even without those ways and
means, the person entrapped is actually engaged in a violation of the law.
Instigation absolves the person instigated from criminal liability. This is based on the rule that a
person cannot be a criminal if his mind is not criminal. On the other hand, entrapment is not an
absolutory cause. It is not even mitigating.
In case of somnambulism or one who acts while sleeping, the person involved is definitely acting
without freedom and without sufficient intelligence, because he is asleep. He is moving like a
robot, unaware of what he is doing. So the element of voluntariness which is necessary in dolo
and culpa is not present. Somnambulism is an absolutory cause. If element of voluntariness is
absent, there is no criminal liability, although there is civil liability, and if the circumstance is not
among those enumerated in Article 12, refer to the circumstance as an absolutory cause.
Mistake of fact is an absolutory cause. The offender is acting without criminal intent. So in
mistake of fact, it is necessary that had the facts been true as the accused believed them to be,
this act is justified. If not, there is criminal liability, because there is no mistake of fact anymore.
The offender must believe he is performing a lawful act.
Extenuating circumstances
The effect of this is to mitigate the criminal liability of the offender. In other words, this has the
same effect as mitigating circumstances, only you do not call it mitigating because this is not
found in Article 13.
Illustrations:
An unwed mother killed her child in order to conceal a dishonor. The concealment of dishonor is
an extenuating circumstance insofar as the unwed mother or the maternal grandparents is
concerned, but not insofar as the father of the child is concerned. Mother killing her new born
child to conceal her dishonor, penalty is lowered by two degrees. Since there is a material
lowering of the penalty or mitigating the penalty, this is an extenuating circumstance.
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The concealment of honor by mother in the crime of infanticide is an extenuating circumstance
but not in the case of parricide when the age of the victim is three days old and above.
In the crime of adultery on the part of a married woman abandoned by her husband, at the time
she was abandoned by her husband, is it necessary for her to seek the company of another man.
Abandonment by the husband does not justify the act of the woman. It only extenuates or
reduces criminal liability. When the effect of the circumstance is to lower the penalty there is an
extenuating circumstance.
A kleptomaniac is one who cannot resist the temptation of stealing things which appeal to his
desire. This is not exempting. One who is a kleptomaniac and who would steal objects of his
desire is criminally liable. But he would be given the benefit of a mitigating circumstance
analogous to paragraph 9 of Article 13, that of suffering from an illness which diminishes the
exercise of his will power without, however, depriving him of the consciousness of his act. So this
is an extenuating circumstance. The effect is to mitigate the criminal liability.
Distinctions between justifying circumstances and exempting circumstances
In justifying circumstances –
(1) The circumstance affects the act, not the actor;
(2) The act complained of is considered to have been done within the bounds of law; hence,
it is legitimate and lawful in the eyes of the law;
(3) Since the act is considered lawful, there is no crime, and because there is no crime,
there is no criminal;
(4) Since there is no crime or criminal, there is no criminal liability as well as civil liability.
In exempting circumstances –
(1) The circumstances affect the actor, not the act;
(2) The act complained of is actually wrongful, but the actor acted without voluntariness. He
is a mere tool or instrument of the crime;
(3) Since the act complained of is actually wrongful, there is a crime. But because the actor
acted without voluntariness, there is absence of dolo or culpa. There is no criminal;
(4) Since there is a crime committed but there is no criminal, there is civil liability for the
wrong done. But there is no criminal liability. However, in paragraphs 4 and 7 of Article
12, there is neither criminal nor civil liability.
When you apply for justifying or exempting circumstances, it is confession and avoidance and
burden of proof shifts to the accused and he can no longer rely on weakness of prosecution’s
evidence
Art. 11: Justifying Circumstances - those wherein the acts of the actor are in
accordance with law, hence, he is justified. There is no criminal and civil liability
because there is no crime.
• Self-defense
A. Reason for lawfulness of self-defense: because it would be impossible for the
State to protect all its citizens. Also a person cannot just give up his rights
without any resistance being offered.
B. Rights included in self-defense:

1. Defense of person
2. Defense of rights protected by law
3. Defense of property:
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a. The owner or lawful possessor of a thing has a right to exclude any

person from the enjoyment or disposal thereof. For this purpose, he may use
such force as may be reasonably necessary to repel or prevent an actual or
threatened unlawful physical invasion or usurpation of his property. (Art. 429,
New Civil Code)
b. defense of chastity
C. Elements:
1. Unlawful Aggression - is a physical act manifesting danger to life or limb; it
is either actual or imminent.
a. Actual/real aggression - Real aggression presupposes an act positively
strong, showing the wrongful intent of the aggressor, which is not merely
threatening or intimidating attitude, but a material attack. There must be
real danger to life a personal safety.
b. Imminent unlawful aggression - it is an attack that is impending or on the
point of happening. It must not consist in a mere threatening attitude, nor
must it be merely imaginary. The intimidating attitude must be offensive
and positively strong.
c. Where there is an agreement to fight, there is no unlawful aggression.
Each of the protagonists is at once assailant and assaulted, and neither
can invoke the right of self-defense, because aggression which is an
incident in the fight is bound to arise from one or the other of the
combatants. Exception: Where the attack is made in violation of the
conditions agreed upon, there may be unlawful aggression.
d. Unlawful aggression in self-defense, to be justifying, must exist at the
time the defense is made. It may no longer exist if the aggressor runs
away after the attack or he has manifested a refusal to continue fighting.
If the person attacked allowed some time to elapse after he suffered the
injury before hitting back, his act of hitting back would not constitute self-
defense, but revenge.
 A light push on the head with the hand is not unlawful aggression, but a
slap on the face is, because his dignity is in danger.
 A police officer exceeding his authority may become an unlawful
aggressor.
 The nature, character, location, and extent of the wound may belie claim
of self-defense.
2 2. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it;

a. Requisites:
 Means were used to prevent or repel
 Means must be necessary and there is no other way to prevent or
repel it
 Means must be reasonable – depending on the circumstances, but
generally proportionate to the force of the aggressor.
b. The rule here is to stand your ground when in the right which may
invoked when the defender is unlawfully assaulted and the aggressor is
armed with a weapon.
c. The rule is more liberal when the accused is a peace officer who, unlike a
private person, cannot run away.
d. The reasonable necessity of the means employed to put up the defense.
 The gauge of reasonable necessity is the instinct of self-preservation,
i.e. a person did not use his rational mind to pick a means of defense
but acted out of self-preservation, using the nearest or only means
available to defend himself, even if such means be disproportionately
advantageous as compared with the means of violence employed by
the aggressor.
 Reasonableness of the means depends on the nature and the quality
of the weapon used, physical condition, character, size and other
circumstances.
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3. Lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the person defending

himself.
a. When no provocation at all was given to the aggressor by the person
defending himself.
b. When even if provocation was given by the person defending himself,
such was not sufficient to cause violent aggression on the part of the
attacker, i.e. the amount of provocation was not sufficient to stir the
aggressor into the acts which led the accused to defend himself.
c. When even if the provocation were sufficient, it was not given by the
person defending himself.
d. When even if provocation was given by the person defending himself, the
attack was not proximate or immediate to the act of provocation.
e. Sufficient means proportionate to the damage caused by the act, and
adequate to stir one to its commission.
D. Kinds of Self-Defense
1. Self-defense of chastity - to be entitled to complete self-defense of chastity,
there must be an attempt to rape, mere imminence thereof will suffice.
2. Defense of property - an attack on the property must be coupled with an
attack on the person of the owner, or of one entrusted with the care of such
property.
3. Self-defense in libel - physical assault may be justified when the libel is aimed
at a person’s good name, and while the libel is in progress, one libel deserves
another.
*Burden of proof - on the accused (sufficient, clear and convincing evidence;

must rely on the strength of his own evidence and not on the weakness of the
prosecution)
• Defense of Relative
A. Elements:
1. unlawful aggression
2. reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel the attack;
3. in case provocation was given by the person attacked, that the person
making the defense had no part in such provocation.
B. Relatives entitled to the defense:
1. spouse
2. ascendants
3. descendants
4. legitimate, natural or adopted brothers or sisters
5. relatives by affinity in the same degree
6. relatives by consanguinity within the 4th civil degree.
 The third element need not take place. The relative defended may even be the
original aggressor. All that is required to justify the act of the relative defending
is that he takes no part in such provocation.
 General opinion is to the effect that all relatives mentioned must be legitimate,
except in cases of brothers and sisters who, by relatives by nature, may be
illegitimate.
 The unlawful aggression may depend on the honest belief of the person making
the defense.
• Defense of Stranger
A. Elements
1. unlawful aggression
2. reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel the attack;
3. the person defending be not induced by revenge, resentment or other evil
motive.
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B. A relative not included in defense of relative is included in defense of stranger.

C. Be not induced by evil motive means that even an enemy of the aggressor who
comes to the defense of a stranger may invoke this justifying circumstances so
long as he is not induced by a motive that is evil.
• State of Necessity
A. Art. 11, Par. a provides:
Any person who, in order to avoid an evil or injury, does an act which causes
damage to another, provided that the following requisites are present:
First. That the evil sought to be avoided actually exists;
Second. That the injury feared be greater than that done to avoid it; and
Third. That there be no other practical and less harmful means of
preventing it.
B. A state of necessity exists when there is a clash between unequal rights, the
lesser right giving way to the greater right. Aside from the 3 requisites stated in
the law, it should also be added that the necessity must not be due to the
negligence or violation of any law by the actor.
C. The person for whose benefit the harm has been prevented shall be civilly liable
in proportion to the benefit which may have been received. This is the only
justifying circumstance which provides for the payment of civil indemnity. Under
the other justifying circumstances, no civil liability attaches. The courts shall
determine, in their sound discretion, the proportionate amount for which law one
is liable.
• Fulfillment of Duty or Lawful Exercise of a Right or Office

A. Elements:
1. that the accused acted in the performance of a duty, or in the lawful exercise
of a right or office;
2. that the injury caused or offense committed be the necessary consequence of
the due performance of the duty, or the lawful exercise of such right or office.
B. A police officer is justified in shooting and killing a criminal who refuses to stop
when ordered to do so, and after such officer fired warning shots in the air.
 shooting an offender who refused to surrender is justified, but not a thief who
refused to be arrested.
C. The accused must prove that he was duly appointed to the position he claimed
he was discharging at the time of the commission of the offense. It must be
made to appear not only that the injury caused or the offense committed was
done in the fulfillment of a duty, or in the lawful exercise of a right or office, but
that the offense committed was a necessary consequence of such fulfillment of
duty, or lawful exercise of a right or office.
D. A mere security guard has no authority or duty to fire at a thief, resulting in the
latter’s death.
• Obedience to a Superior Order

A. Elements:
1. there is an order;
2. the order is for a legal purpose;
3. the means used to carry out said order is lawful.
B. The subordinate who is made to comply with the order is the party which may
avail of this circumstance. The officer giving the order may not invoke this.
C. The subordinate’s good faith is material here. If he obeyed an order in good
faith, not being aware of its illegality, he is not liable. However, the order must
not be patently illegal. If the order is patently illegal this circumstance cannot be
validly invoked.
D. The reason for this justifying circumstance is the subordinate’s mistake of fact in
good faith.
E. Even if the order be patently illegal, the subordinate may yet be able to invoke
the exempting circumstances of having acted under the compulsion of an
irresistible force, or under the impulse of an uncontrollable fear.
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EXEMPTING CIRCUMSTANCES
• Exempting circumstances (non-imputability) are those ground for exemption from

punishment because there is wanting in the agent of the crime of any of the
conditions which make the act voluntary, or negligent.
• Basis: The exemption from punishment is based on the complete absence of
intelligence, freedom of action, or intent, or on the absence of negligence on the part
of the accused.
• A person who acts WITHOUT MALICE (without intelligence, freedom of action or
intent) or WITHOUT NEGLIGENCE (without intelligence, freedom of action or fault)
is NOT CRIMINALLY LIABLE or is EXEMPT FROM PUNISHMENT.
• There is a crime committed but no criminal liability arises from it because of the
complete absence of any of the conditions which constitute free will or voluntariness
of the act.
• Burden of proof: Any of the circumstances is a matter of defense and must be proved
by the defendant to the satisfaction of the court.
Art. 12. CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH EXEMPT FROM CRIMINAL LIABILITY. The

following are exempt from criminal liability:
1. An imbecile or insane person, unless the latter has acted during a lucid
interval.
• When the imbecile or an insane person has committed an act which the law defines
as a felony (delito), the court shall order his confinement on one of the hospital or
asylums established for persons thus afflicted. He shall not be permitted to leave
without first obtaining the permission of the same court.
• Requisites:
a. Offender is an imbecile
b. Offender was insane at the time of the commission of the crime
• IMBECILITY OR INSANITY
a. Basis: complete absence of intelligence, and element of voluntariness.
b. Definition : An imbecile is one who while advanced in age has a mental
development comparable to that of children between 2 and 7 years of age. An
insane is one who acts with complete deprivation of intelligence/reason or
without the least discernment or with total deprivation of freedom of the will.
• An imbecile is exempt in all cases from criminal liability. The insane is not so exempt
if it can be shown that he acted during a lucid interval. In the latter, loss of
consciousness of ones acts and not merely abnormality of mental faculties will
qualify ones acts as those of an insane.
• Procedure: court is to order the confinement of such persons in the hospitals or
asylums established. Such persons will not be permitted to leave without permission
from the court. The court, on the other hand, has no power to order such permission
without first obtaining the opinion of the DOH that such persons may be released
without danger.
• Presumption is always in favor of sanity. The defense has the burden to prove that
the accused was insane at the time of the commission of the crime. For the
ascertainment such mental condition of the accused, it is permissible to receive
evidence of the condition of his mind during a reasonable period both before and
after that time. Circumstantial evidence which is clear and convincing will suffice. An
examination of the outward acts will help reveal the thoughts, motives and emotions
of a person and if such acts conform to those of people of sound mind.
• Insanity at the time of the commission of the crime and not that at the time of the trial
will exempt one from criminal liability. In case of insanity at the time of the trial, there
will be a suspension of the trial until the mental capacity of the accused is restored to
afford him a fair trial.
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• Evidence of insanity must refer to the time preceding the act under prosecution or to
the very moment of its execution. Without such evidence, the accused is presumed
to be sane when he committed the crime. Continuance of insanity which is
occasional or intermittent in nature will not be presumed. Insanity at another time
must be proved to exist at the time of the commission of the crime. A person is also
presumed to have committed a crime in one of the lucid intervals. Continuance of
insanity will only be presumed in cases wherein the accused has been adjudged
insane or has been committed to a hospital or an asylum for the insane.
• Instances of Insanity:
a. Dementia praecox is covered by the term insanity because homicidal attack is
common in such form of psychosis. It is characterized by delusions that he is
being interfered with sexually, or that his property is being taken, thus the person
has no control over his acts.
b. Kleptomania or presence of abnormal, persistent impulse or tendency to steal, to
be considered exempting, will still have to be investigated by competent
psychiatrist to determine if the unlawful act is due to the irresistible impulse
produced by his mental defect, thus loss of will-power. If such mental defect
only diminishes the exercise of his willpower and did not deprive him of the
consciousness of his acts, it is only mitigating.
c. Epilepsy which is a chronic nervous disease characterized by convulsive motions
of the muscles and loss of consciousness may be covered by the term insanity.
However, it must be shown that commission of the offense is during one of those
epileptic attacks.
• Reyes: Feeblemindedness is not imbecility because the offender can distinguish
right from wrong. An imbecile and an insane to be exempted must not be able to
distinguish right from wrong.
• Relova: Feeblemindedness is imbecility.
• Crimes committed while in a dream, by a somnambulist are embraced in the plea of
insanity. Hypnotism, however, is a debatable issue.
• Crime committed while suffering from malignant malaria is characterized by insanity
at times thus such person is not criminally liable.
2. A person under nine years of age.
• MINORITY
a. Requisite: Offender is under 9 years of age at the time of the commission of the
crime. There is absolute criminal irresponsibility in the case of a minor under 9-
years of age.
b. Basis: complete absence of intelligence.
• Under nine years to be construed nine years or less. Such was inferred from the
next subsequent paragraph which does not totally exempt those over nine years of
age if he acted with discernment.
• Presumptions of incapability of committing a crime is absolute.
• Age is computed up to the time of the commission of the crime. Age can be
established by the testimonies of families and relatives.
• Senility or second childhood is only mitigating.
• 4 periods of the life of a human being:
Age Criminal Responsibility

9 years and below Absolute irresponsibility
Between 9 and 15 Conditional responsibility
years old Without discernment – no liability With Discernment – mitigated liability
Between 15 and 18 Mitigated responsibility
years old
Between 18 and 70 Full responsibility
years old
Over 70 years old Mitigated responsibility
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3. A person over nine years of age and under fifteen, unless he has acted with
discernment, in which case, such minor shall be proceeded against in accordance
with the provisions of article 80 of this Code.
When such minor is adjudged to be criminally irresponsible, the court, in
conformity with the provisions of this and the preceding paragraph, shall commit
him to the care and custody of his family who shall be charged with his
surveillance and education; otherwise, he shall be committed to the care of some
institution or person mentioned in said article 80.
• QUALIFIED MINORITY: Basis: complete absence of intelligence

• Such minor over 9 years and under 15 years of age must have acted without
discernment to be exempted from criminal liability. If with discernment, he is
criminally liable.
• Presumption is always that such minor has acted without discernment. The
prosecution is burdened to prove if otherwise.
• Discernment means the mental capacity of a minor between 9 and 15 years of age
to fully appreciate the consequences of his unlawful act. Such is shown by: (1)
manner the crime was committed (i.e. commission of the crime during nighttime to
avoid detection; taking the loot to another town to avoid discovery), or (2) the
conduct of the offender after its commission (i.e. elation of satisfaction upon the
commission of his criminal act as shown by the accused cursing at the victim).
• Facts or particular facts concerning personal appearance which lead officers or the
court to believe that his age was as stated by said officer or court should be stated in
the record.
• If such minor is adjudged to be criminally liable, he is charged to the custody of his
family, otherwise, to the care of some institution or person mentioned in article 80.
This is because of the court’s presupposition that the minor committed the crime
without discernment.
• Allegation of “with intent to kill” in the information is sufficient allegation of
discernment as such conveys the idea that he knew what would be the
consequences of his unlawful act. Thus is the case wherein the information alleges
that the accused, with intent to kill, willfully, criminally and feloniously pushed a child
of 8 1/2 years of age into a deep place. It was held that the requirement that there
should be an allegation that she acted with discernment should be deemed amply
met.
4. Any person who, while performing a lawful act with due care, causes an
injury by mere accident without fault or intention of causing it.
• ACCIDENT: Basis: lack of negligence and intent.

• Elements:
a. A person is performing a lawful act
b. Exercise of due dare
c. He causes injury to another by mere accident
d. Without fault or intention of causing it.
• Discharge of a firearm in a thickly populated place in the City of Manila being
prohibited by Art. 155 of the RPC is not a performance of a lawful act when such led
to the accidental hitting and wounding of 2 persons.
• Drawing a weapon/gun in the course of self-defense even if such fired and seriously
injured the assailant is a lawful act and can be considered as done with due care
since it could not have been done in any other manner.
• With the fact duly established by the prosecution that the appellant was guilty of
negligence, this exempting circumstance cannot be applied because application
presupposes that there is no fault or negligence on the part of the person performing
the lawful act.
• Accident happens outside the sway of our will, and although it comes about some act
of our will, lies beyond the bounds of humanly foreseeable consequences.
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• The accused, who, while hunting saw wild chickens and fired a shot can be
considered to be in the performance of a lawful act executed with due care and
without intention of doing harm when such short recoiled and accidentally wounded
another. Such was established because the deceased was not in the direction at
which the accused fired his gun.
• The chauffeur, who while driving on the proper side of the road at a moderate speed
and with due diligence, suddenly and unexpectedly saw a man in front of his vehicle
coming from the sidewalk and crossing the street without any warning that he would
do so, in effect being run over by the said chauffeur, was held not criminally liable, it
being by mere accident.
5. Any person who acts under the compulsion of an irresistible force.
• IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: Basis: complete absence of freedom, an element of

voluntariness
• Elements:
a. That the compulsion is by means of physical force
b. That the physical force must be irresistible.
c. That the physical force must come from a third person
• Force, to be irresistible, must produce such an effect on an individual that despite of
his resistance, it reduces him to a mere instrument and, as such, incapable of
committing a crime. It compels his member to act and his mind to obey. It must act
upon him from the outside and by a third person.
• Baculi, who was accused but not a member of a band which murdered some
American school teachers and was seen and compelled by the leaders of the band
to bury the bodies, was not criminally liable as accessory for concealing the body of
the crime. Baculi acted under the compulsion of an irresistible force.
• Irresistible force can never consist in an impulse or passion, or obfuscation. It must
consist of an extraneous force coming from a third person.
6. Any person who acts under the impulse of an uncontrollable fear of an

equal or greater injury.
• UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR: Basis: complete absence of freedom

• Elements
a. that the threat which causes the fear is of an evil greater than, or at least equal to
that w/c he is required to commit
b. that it promises an evil of such gravity and imminence that the ordinary man
would have succumbed to it.
• Duress, to be a valid defense, should be based on real, imminent or reasonable fear
for one’s life or limb. It should not be inspired by speculative, fanciful or remote fear.
• Threat of future injury is not enough. The compulsion must leave no opportunity to
the accused for escape or self-defense in equal combat.
• Duress is the use of violence or physical force.
• There is uncontrollable fear is when the offender employs intimidation or threat in
compelling another to commit a crime, while irresistible force is when the offender
uses violence or physical force to compel another person to commit a crime.
• “an act done by me against my will is not my act”
7. Any person who fails to perform an act required by law, when prevented by
some lawful or insuperable cause.
• LAWFUL OR INSUPERABLE CAUSE: Basis: acts without intent, the third condition
of voluntariness in intentional felony
• Elements:
a. That an act is required by law to be done
b. That a person fails to perform such act
c. That his failure to perform such act was due to some lawful or insuperable cause
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• Examples of lawful cause:

a. Priest can’t be compelled to reveal what was confessed to him
b. No available transportation – officer not liable for arbitrary detention
c. Mother who was overcome by severe dizziness and extreme debility, leaving
child to die – not liable for infanticide
• To be an EXEMPTING circumstance – INTENT IS WANTING
• INTENT – presupposes the exercise of freedom and the use of intelligence
• Distinction between justifying and exempting circumstance:
a. Exempting – there is a crime but there is no criminal. Act is not justified but the
actor is not criminally liable.
General Rule: There is civil liability
Exception: Par 4 (causing an injury by mere accident) and Par 7 (lawful cause)
b. Justifying – person does not transgress the law, does not commit any crime
because there is nothing unlawful in the act as well as the intention of the actor.
Distinction between Exempting and Justifying Circumstances
Exempting Circumstance Justifying Circumstance
Existence There is a crime but there is no There is no crime, the act is justified
of a crime criminal, the actor is exempted
from liability of his act
• Absolutory Causes – are those where the act committed is a crime but for some
reason of public policy and sentiment, there is no penalty imposed.
• Exempting and Justifying Circumstances are absolutory causes.
• Other examples of absolutory causes:
1) Art 6 – spontaneous desistance
2) Art 20 – accessories exempt from criminal liability
3) Art 19 par 1 – profiting one’s self or assisting offenders to profit by the effects of
the crime
• Instigation v. Entrapment
INSTIGATION ENTRAPMENT
Instigator practically induces the would-be The ways and means are resorted to for
accused into the commission of the the purpose of trapping and capturing the
offense and himself becomes co-principal lawbreaker in the execution of his criminal
plan.
Accused will be acquitted NOT a bar to accused’s prosecution and
conviction
Absolutory cause NOT an absolutory cause
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
• Definition – Those circumstance which reduce the penalty of a crime

• Effect – Reduces the penalty of the crime but does not erase criminal liability nor
change the nature of the crime
• Kinds of Mitigating Circumstance:
Privileged Mitigating Ordinary Mitigating
Offset by any Cannot be offset by any aggravating Can be offset by a generic
aggravating circumstance aggravating circumstance
circumstance
Effect on the Has the effect of imposing the If not offset, has the effect of
penalty penalty by 1 or 2 degrees than that imposing the penalty in the
provided by law minimum period
Kinds Minority, Incomplete Self-defense, Those circumstances
two or more mitigating enumerated in paragraph 1 to 10
circumstances without any of Article 13
aggravating circumstance (has the
effect of lowering the penalty by one
degree)
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Article 13.
1. Those mentioned in the preceding chapter, when all the requisites necessary to
justify the act or to exempt from criminal liability in the respective cases are not
attendant
• Justifying circumstances
a. Self-defense/defense of relative/defense of stranger – unlawful aggression must be
present for Art 13 to be applicable. Other 2 elements not necessary. If 2
requisites are present – considered a privileged mitigating circumstance.
Example: Juan makes fun of Pedro. Pedro gets pissed off, gets a knife and tries
to stab Juan. Juan grabs his own knife and kills Pedro. Incomplete self-defense
because although there was unlawful aggression and reasonable means to repel
was taken, there was sufficient provocation on the part of Juan. But since 2
elements are present, it considered as privileged mitigating.
b. State of Necessity (par 4) avoidance of greater evil or injury; if any of the last 2
requisites is absent, there’s only an ordinary Mitigating Circumstance.
Example: While driving his car, Juan sees Pedro carelessly crossing the street.
Juan swerves to avoid him, thus hitting a motorbike with 2 passengers, killing
them instantly. Not all requisites to justify act were present because harm done to
avoid injury is greater. Considered as mitigating.
c. Performance of Duty (par 5)

Example: Juan is supposed to arrest Pedro. He thus goes to Pedro’s hideout.
Juan sees a man asleep. Thinking it was Pedro, Juan shot him. Juan may have
acted in the performance of his duty but the crime was not a necessary
consequence thereof. Considered as mitigating.
• Exempting circumstance
a. Minority over 9 and under 15 – if minor acted with discernment, considered
mitigating
Example: 13 year old stole goods at nighttime. Acted with discernment as shown
by the manner in which the act was committed.
b. Causing injury by mere accident – if 2nd requisite (due care) and 1st part of 4th
requisite (without fault – thus negligence only) are ABSENT, considered as
mitigating because the penalty is lower than that provided for intentional felony.
Example: Police officer tries to stop a fight between Juan and Pedro by firing his
gun in the air. Bullet ricocheted and killed Petra. Officer willfully discharged his
gun but was unmindful of the fact that area was populated.
c. Uncontrollable fear – only one requisite present, considered mitigating

Example: Under threat that their farm will be burned, Pedro and Juan took turns
guarding it at night. Pedro fired in the air when a person in the shadows refused
to reveal his identity. Juan was awakened and shot the unidentified person.
Turned out to be a neighbor looking for is pet. Juan may have acted under the
influence of fear but such fear was not entirely uncontrollable. Considered
mitigating.
2. That the offender is under 18 years of age or over 70 years. In the case of a
minor, he shall be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Art 192
of PD 903
• Applicable to:
a. Offender over 9, under 15 who acted with discernment
b. Offender over 15, under 18
3 c. Offender over 70 years
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• Age of accused which should be determined as his age at the date of commission of
crime, not date of trial
• Various Ages and their Legal Effects

a. under 9 – exemptive circumstance
b. over 9, below 15 – exemptive; except if acted with discernment
c. minor delinquent under 18 – sentence may be suspended (PD 603)
d. under 18 – privileged mitigating circumstance
e. 18 and above – full criminal responsibility
f. 70 and above – mitigating circumstance; no imposition of death penalty; execution
g. of death sentence if already imposed is suspended and commuted.
3. That the offender had no intention to commit so grave a wrong as that

committed (praeter intentionam)
4
• Can be used only when the facts prove to show that there is a notable and evident
disproportion between means employed to execute the criminal act and its
consequences
• Intention: as an internal act, is judged by the proportion of the means employed to
the evil produced by the act, and also by the fact that the blow was or was not aimed
at a vital part of the body.
• Judge by considering (1) the weapon used, (2) the injury inflicted and (3) the attitude
of mind when the accuser attacked the other.
Example: Pedro stabbed Tomas on the arm. Tomas did not have the wound treated,
so he died from loss of blood.
• Not applicable when offender employed brute force
Example: Rapist choked victim. Brute force of choking contradicts claim that he had
no intention to kill the girl.
• Art 13, par 3 addresses itself to the intention of the offender at the particular moment
when he executes or commits the criminal act, not to his intention during the
planning stage.
• In crimes against persons – if victim does not die, the absence of the intent to kill
reduces the felony to mere physical injuries. It is not considered as mitigating.
Mitigating only when the victim dies.
Example: As part of fun-making, Juan merely intended to burn Pedro’s clothes.
Pedro received minor burns. Juan is charged with physical injuries. Had Pedro died,
Juan would be entitled to the mitigating circumstance.
• Not applicable to felonies by negligence. Why? In felonies through negligence, the
offender acts without intent. The intent in intentional felonies is replaced by
negligence, imprudence, lack of foresight or lack of skill in culpable felonies. There is
no intent on the part of the offender which may be considered as diminished.
• Basis of par 3: intent, an element of voluntariness in intentional felony, is diminished
4. That the sufficient provocation or threat on the part of the offended party
immediately preceded the act.
• Provocation – any unjust or improper conduct or act of the offended party, capable of
exciting, inciting or irritating anyone.
• Basis: diminution of intelligence and intent
• Requisites:
a. Provocation must be sufficient.
1. Sufficient – adequate enough to excite a person to commit the wrong and must
accordingly be proportionate to its gravity.
2. Sufficiency depends on:
 the act constituting the provocation
 the social standing of the person provoked
 time and place provocation took place
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3. Example: Juan likes to hit and curse his servant. His servant thus killed him.
There’s mitigating circumstance because of sufficient provocation.
4. When it was the defendant who sought the deceased, the challenge to fight
by the deceased is NOT sufficient provocation.
b. It must originate from the offended party
1. Why? Law says the provocation is “on the part of the offended party”
2. Example: Tomas’ mother insulted Petra. Petra kills Tomas because of the
insults. No Mitigating Circumstance because it was the mother who insulted
her, not Tomas.
3. Provocation by the deceased in the first stage of the fight is not
Mitigating
Circumstance when the accused killed him after he had fled because the
deceased from the moment he fled did not give any provocation for the
accused to pursue and attack him.
c. Provocation must be immediate to the act., i.e., to the commission of the crime by
the person who is provoked
1. Why? If there was an interval of time, the conduct of the offended party could
not have excited the accused to the commission of the crime, he having had
time to regain his reason and to exercise self-control.
2. Threat should not be offensive and positively strong because if it was, the
threat to inflict real injury is an unlawful aggression which may give rise to
self-defense and thus no longer a Mitigating Circumstance
5. That the act was committed in the immediate vindication of a grave offense to
the one committing the felony (delito), his spouse, ascendants, descendants,
legitimate, natural or adopted brother or sisters, or relatives by affinity within the
same degree.
1. Requisites:
 there’s a grave offense done to the one committing the felony etc.
 that the felony is committed in vindication of such grave offense.
2. Lapse of time is allowed between the vindication and the one doing the
offense (proximate time, not just immediately after)
3. Example: Juan caught his wife and his friend in a compromising situation.
Juan kills his friend the next day – still considered proximate.
PROVOCATION VINDICATION
Made directly only to the person Grave offense may be also against the
committing the felony offender’s relatives mentioned by law
Cause that brought about the provocation Offended party must have done a grave
need not be a grave offense offense to the offender or his relatives
Necessary that provocation or threat May be proximate. Time interval allowed
immediately preceded the act. No time
interval
• More lenient in vindication because offense concerns the honor of the person. Such
is more worthy of consideration than mere spite against the one giving the
provocation or threat.
• Vindication of a grave offense and passion and obfuscation can’t be counted
separately and independently
6. That of having acted upon an impulse so powerful as naturally to have

produced passion or obfuscation
• Passion and obfuscation is mitigating: when there are causes naturally producing in
a person powerful excitement, he loses his reason and self-control. Thereby
dismissing the exercise of his will power.
• PASSION AND OBFUSCATION are Mitigating Circumstances only when the same
arise from lawful sentiments (not Mitigating Circumstance when done in the spirit of
revenge or lawlessness)
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• Requisites for Passion & Obfuscation

a. The offender acted on impulse powerful enough to produce passion or obfuscation
b. That the act was committed not in the spirit of lawlessness or revenge
c. The act must come from lawful sentiments
• Act which gave rise to passion and obfuscation
a. That there be an act, both unlawful and unjust
b. The act be sufficient to produce a condition of mind
c. That the act was proximate to the criminal act
d. The victim must be the one who caused the passion or obfuscation
• Example: Juan saw Tomas hitting his (Juan) son. Juan stabbed Tomas. Juan is
entitled to Mitigating Circumstance of P&O as his actuation arose from a natural
instinct that impels a father to rush to the rescue of his son.
• The exercise of a right or a fulfillment of a duty is not the proper source of P&O.
Example: A policeman arrested Juan as he was making a public disturbance on the
streets. Juan’s anger and indignation resulting from the arrest can’t be considered
passionate obfuscation because the policeman was doing a lawful act.
• The act must be sufficient to produce a condition of mind. If the cause of the loss of
self-control was trivial and slight, the obfuscation is not mitigating.
Example: Juan’s boss punched him for not going to work he other day. Cause is
slight.
• There could have been no Mitigating Circumstance of P&O when more than 24
hours elapsed between the alleged insult and the commission of the felony, or
several hours have passed between the cause of the P&O and the commission of
the crime, or at least ½ hours intervened between the previous fight and subsequent
killing of deceased by accused.
• Not mitigating if relationship is illegitimate
• The passion or obfuscation will be considered even if it is based only on the honest
belief of the offender, even if facts turn out to prove that his beliefs were wrong.
• Passion and obfuscation cannot co-exist with treachery since the means that the
offender has had time to ponder his course of action.
• PASSION AND OBFUSCATION arising from one and the same cause should be
treated as only one mitigating circumstance
• Vindication of grave offense can’t co-exist w/ PASSION AND OBFUSCATION
PASSION AND OBFUSCATION IRRESITIBLE FORCE

Mitigating Exempting
No physical force needed Requires physical force
From the offender himself Must come from a 3rd person
Must come from lawful sentiments Unlawful
PASSION AND OBFUSCATION PROVOCATION

Produced by an impulse which may be Comes from injured party
caused by provocation
Offense, which engenders perturbation of Must immediately precede the commission
mind, need not be immediate. It is only of the crime
required that the influence thereof lasts
until the crime is committed
Effect is loss of reason and self-control on Same
the part of the offender
7. That the offender had voluntarily surrendered himself to a person in authority or

his agents, or that he had voluntarily confessed his guilt before the court prior to
the presentation of the evidence for the prosecution.
• 2 Mitigating Circumstances present:

a) voluntarily surrendered
b) voluntarily confessed his guilt
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• If both are present, considered as 2 independent mitigating circumstances. Mitigate

penalty to a greater extent
• Requisites of voluntary surrender:
a) offender not actually arrested
b) offender surrendered to a person in authority or the latter’s agent
c) surrender was voluntary
• Surrender must be spontaneous – shows his interest to surrender unconditionally to
the authorities
• Spontaneous – emphasizes the idea of inner impulse, acting without external
stimulus. The conduct of the accused, not his intention alone, after the commission
of the offense, determines the spontaneity of the surrender.
Example: Surrendered after 5 years, not spontaneous anymore.
Example: Surrendered after talking to town councilor. Not V.S. because there’s an
external stimulus
• Conduct must indicate a desire to own the responsibility
• Not mitigating when warrant already served. Surrender may be considered mitigating
if warrant not served or returned unserved because accused can’t be located.
• Surrender of person required. Not just of weapon.
• Person in authority – one directly vested with jurisdiction, whether as an individual or
as a member of some court/government/corporation/board/commission. Barrio
captain/chairman included.
• Agent of person in authority – person who by direct provision of law, or be election,
or by appointment by competent authority is charged with the maintenance of public
order and the protection and security of life and property and any person who comes
to the aid of persons in authority.
• RPC does not make distinction among the various moments when surrender may
occur.
• Surrender must be by reason of the commission of the crime for which defendant is
charged
• Requisites for plea of guilty
a) offender spontaneously confessed his guilt
b) confession of guilt was made in open court (competent court)
c) confession of guilt was made prior to the presentation of evidence for the
prosecution
• plea made after arraignment and after trial has begun does not entitle accused to
have plea considered as Mitigating Circumstance
• plea in the RTC in a case appealed from the MTC is not mitigating - must make plea
at the first opportunity
• plea during the preliminary investigation is no plea at all
• even if during arraignment, accused pleaded not guilty, he is entitled to Mitigating
Circumstance as long as withdraws his plea of not guilty to the charge before the
fiscal could present his evidence
• plea to a lesser charge is not Mitigating Circumstance because to be voluntary plea
of guilty, must be to the offense charged
• plea to the offense charged in the amended info, lesser than that charged in the
original info, is Mitigating Circumstance
• present Rules of Court require that even if accused pleaded guilty to a capital
offense, its mandatory for court to require the prosecution to prove the guilt of the
accused being likewise entitled to present evidence to prove, inter alia, Mitigating
Circumstance
8. That the offender is deaf and dumb, blind or otherwise suffering from some
physical defect w/c thus restricts his means of action, defense or communication
w/ his fellow beings.
• Basis: one suffering from physical defect which restricts him does not have complete
freedom of action and therefore, there is diminution of that element of voluntariness.
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• No distinction between educated and uneducated deaf-mute or blind persons

• The physical defect of the offender should restrict his means of action, defense or
communication with fellow beings, this has been extended to cover cripples, armless
people even stutterers.
• The circumstance assumes that with their physical defect, the offenders do not have
a complete freedom of action therefore diminishing the element of voluntariness in
the commission of a crime.
9. Such illness of the offender as would diminish the exercise of the will-power of
the offender w/o depriving him of consciousness of his acts.
• Basis: diminution of intelligence and intent

• Requisites:
a) illness of the offender must diminish the exercise of his will-power
b) such illness should not deprive the offender of consciousness of his acts
• when the offender completely lost the exercise of will-power, it may be an exempting
circumstance
• deceased mind, not amounting to insanity, may give place to mitigation
10. And any other circumstance of a similar nature and analogous to those above-
mentioned
• Examples of “any other circumstance”:

a) defendant who is 60 years old with failing eyesight is similar to a case of one
over 70 years old
b) outraged feeling of owner of animal taken for ransom is analogous to vindication
of grave offense
c) impulse of jealous feeling, similar to PASSION AND OBFUSCATION
d) voluntary restitution of property, similar to voluntary surrender
e) extreme poverty, similar to incomplete justification based on state of necessity
• NOT analogous:
a) killing wrong person
b) not resisting arrest not the same as voluntary surrender
c) running amuck is not mitigating
• MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCE which arise from:
a) moral attributes of the offender
Example: Juan and Tomas killed Pedro. Juan acted w/ PASSION AND
OBFUSCATION. Only Juan will be entitled to Mitigating Circumstance
b) private relations with the offended party
Example: Juan stole his brother’s watch. Juan sold it to Pedro, who knew it was
stolen. The circumstance of relation arose from private relation of Juan and the
brother. Does not mitigate Pedro.
c) other personal cause
Example: Minor, acting with discernment robbed Juan. Pedro, passing by, helped
the minor. Circumstance of minority, mitigates liability of minor only.
• Shall serve to mitigate the liability of the principals, accomplices and accessories to
whom the circumstances are attendant.
• Circumstances which are neither exempting nor mitigating
a) mistake in the blow
b) mistake in the identity of the victim
c) entrapment of the accused
d) accused is over 18 years old
e) performance of a righteous action
Example: Juan saved the lives of 99 people but caused the death of the last person,
he is still criminally liable
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES
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• Definition – Those circumstance which raise the penalty for a crime without
exceeding the maximum applicable to that crime.
• Basis: The greater perversity of the offense as shown by:
a) the motivating power behind the act
b) the place where the act was committed
c) the means and ways used
d) the time
e) the personal circumstance of the offender
f) the personal circumstance of the victim
• Kinds:
a) Generic – generally applicable to all crimes
b) Specific – apply only to specific crimes (ignominy – for chastity crimes; treachery
– for persons crimes)
c) Qualifying – those that change the nature of the crime (evident premeditation –
becomes murder)
d) Inherent – necessarily accompanies the commission of the crime (evident
premeditation in theft, estafa)
QUALIFYING AGGRAVATING GENERIC AGGRAVATING

CIRCUMSTANCE CIRCUMSTANCE
Gives the proper and exclusive name, Increase penalty to the maximum, without
places the author thereof in such a exceeding limit prescribed by law
situation as to deserve no other penalty
than that specifically prescribed by law
Can’t be offset by Mitigating Circumstance May be compensated by Mitigating
Circumstance
Must be alleged in the information. Integral Need not be alleged. May be proved over
part of the offense the objection of the defense. Qualifying if
not alleged will make it generic
• Aggravating Circumstances which DO NOT have the effect of increasing the penalty:
1) which themselves constitute a crime specifically punishable by law or which are
included in the law defining a crime and prescribing the penalty thereof
Example: breaking a window to get inside the house and rob it
2) aggravating circumstance inherent in the crime to such degree that it must of
necessity accompany the commission thereof
Example: evident premeditation inherent in theft, robbery, estafa, adultery and
concubinage
• Aggravating circumstances are not presumed. Must be proved as fully as the crime
itself in order to increase the penalty.
Art 14. Aggravating circumstances. — The following are aggravating

circumstances:
1. That advantage be taken by the offender of his public position
• Requisite:
a. The offender is a public officer
b. The commission of the crime would not have been possible without the powers,
resources and influence of the office he holds.
• Essential - Public officer used the influence, prestige or ascendancy which his office
gives him as the means by which he realized his purpose.
• Failure in official is tantamount to abusing of office
• Wearing of uniform is immaterial – what matters is the proof that he indeed took
advantage of his position
2. That the crime be committed in contempt of or with insult to the public

authorities
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• Requisites:
a. The offender knows that a public authority is present
b. The public authority is engaged in the exercise of his functions
c. The public authority is not the victim of the crime
d. The public authority’s presence did not prevent the criminal act
• Example: Juan and Pedro are quarrelling and the municipal mayor, upon passing by,
attempts to stop them. Notwithstanding the intervention and the presence of the
mayor, Juan and Pedro continue to quarrel until Juan succeeds in killing Pedro.
• Person in authority – public authority who is directly vested with jurisdiction, has the
power to govern and execute the laws
• Examples of Persons in Authority
a. Governor
b. Mayor
c. Barangay captain
d. Councilors
e. Government agents
f. Chief of Police
• Rule not applicable when committed in the presence of a mere agent.
• Agent – subordinate public officer charged with the maintenance of public order and
protection and security of life and property
Example: barrio vice lieutenant, barrio councilman
3. That the act be committed:

(1) with insult or in disregard of the respect due to the offended party on account
of his (a) rank, (b) age, (c) sex or
(2) that it be committed in the dwelling of the offended party, if the latter has not
given provocation.
• circumstances (rank, age, sex) may be taken into account only in crimes against
persons or honor, it cannot be invoked in crimes against property
• Rank – refers to a high social position or standing by which to determine one’s pay
and emoluments in any scale of comparison within a position
• Age – the circumstance of lack of respect due to age applies in case where the
victim is of tender age as well as of old age
• Sex – refers to the female sex, not to the male sex; not applicable when
a. The offender acted w/ PASSION AND OBFUSCATION
b. there exists a relation between the offender and the victim (but in cases of
divorce decrees where there is a direct bearing on their child, it is applicable)
c. the condition of being a woman is indispensable in the commission of the crime
(Ex. Parricide, rape, abduction)
• Requisite of disregard to rank, age, or sex
a. Crimes must be against the victim’s person or his honor
b. There is deliberate intent to offend or insult the respect due to the victim’s rank,
age, or sex
• Disregard to rank, age, or sex is absorbed by treachery or abuse of strength
• Dwelling – must be a building or structure exclusively used for rest and comfort
(combination house and store not included)
a. may be temporary as in the case of guests in a house or bedspacers
b. basis for this is the sanctity of privacy the law accords to human abode
• dwelling includes dependencies, the foot of the staircase and the enclosure under
the house
• Elements of the aggravating circumstance of dwelling
a. Crime occurred in the dwelling of the victim
b. No provocation on the part of the victim
• Requisites for Provocation: ALL MUST CONCUR
a. given by the owner of the dwelling
b. sufficient
c. immediate to the commission of the crime
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When dwelling may and may not be considered

When it may be considered When it may not be considered
• although the offender fired the shot from • If the offended party has given
outside the house, as long as his victim provocation
was inside • If both the offender and the
• even if the killing took place outside the offended party are occupants of the
dwelling, so long as the commission began same dwelling
inside the dwelling • In robbery with force upon things, it
• when adultery is committed in the dwelling is inherent
of the husband, even if it is also the
dwelling of the wife, it is still aggravating
because she and her paramour committed
a grave offense to the head of the house
• In robbery with violence against persons,
robbery with homicide, abduction, or illegal
detention
4. That the act be committed with (1) abuse of confidence or (2) obvious
ungratefulness
Requisites of Abuse of Confidence Requisite of Obvious Ungratefulness

a) Offended party has trusted the a) ungratefulness must be obvious, that is,
offender there must be something which the
b) Offender abused such trust offender should owe the victim a debt of
c) Abuse of confidence facilitated the gratitude for
commission of the crime Note: robbery or theft committed by a visitor
in the house of the offended party is
aggravated by obvious ungratefulness
• Example: A jealous lover, already determined to kill his sweetheart, invited her for a
ride and during that ride, he stabbed her
• Abuse of confidence is inherent in:
a. malversation
b. qualified theft
c. estafa by conversion
d. misappropriation
e. qualified seduction
5. That the crime be committed in the palace of the Chief Executive, or in his
presence, or when public authorities are engaged in the discharge of their duties,
or in a place dedicated to religious worship.
• Requirements of the aggravating circumstance of public office:

a. The crime occurred in the public office
b. Public authorities are actually performing their public duties
• A polling precinct is a public office during election day
• Nature of public office should be taken into account, like a police station which is on
duty 24 hrs. a day
• place of the commission of the felony (par 5): if it is Malacañang palace or a church
is aggravating, regardless of whether State or official; functions are being held.
• as regards other places where public authorities are engaged in the discharge of
their duties, there must be some performance of public functions
• the offender must have intention to commit a crime when he entered the place
• Requisites for aggravating circumstances for place of worship:
a. The crime occurred in a place dedicated to the worship of God regardless of
religion
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b. Offender must have decided to commit the crime when he entered the place of
worship
When Paragraph 2 and 5 of Article 14 are applicable
Committed in the presence of the Chief Committed in contempt of Public Authority
Executive, in the Presidential Palace or a (Par. 2, Art 14)
place of worship(Par. 5, Art. 14)
Public authorities are performing of their Same
duties when the crime is committed
When crime is committed in the public Outside the office (still performing duty)
office, the officer must be performing his
duties, except in the Presidential Palace
Public authority may be the offended party Public authority is not be the offended
party
6a. That the crime be committed (1) in the nighttime, or (2) in an uninhabited place
(3) by a band, whenever such circumstances may facilitate the commission of the
offense.
• Nighttime, Uninhabited Place or By a Bang Aggravating when:

a. it facilitated the commission of the crime
b. especially sought for by the offender to insure the commission of the crime or for
the purpose of impunity
 Impunity – means to prevent the accused’s being recognized or to secure
himself against detection or punishment
c. when the offender took the advantage thereof for the purpose of impunity
d. commission of the crime must have began and accomplished at nighttime
• Nighttime begins at the end of dusk and ending at dawn; from sunset to sunrise
a. commission of the crime must begin and be accomplished in the nighttime
b. when the place of the crime is illuminated by light, nighttime is not aggravating
c. absorbed by Treachery
• Uninhabited Place – one where there are no houses at all, a place at a considerable
distance from town, where the houses are scattered at a great distance from each
other
Requisites:
a. The place facilitated the commission or omission of the crime
b. Deliberately sought and not incidental to the commission or omission of the
crime
c. Taken advantage of for the purpose of impunity
• what should be considered here is whether in the place of the commission of the
offense, there was a reasonable possibility of the victim receiving some help
6b. - Whenever more than 3 armed malefactors shall have acted together in the
commission of an offense, it shall be deemed to have been committed by a band.
• Requisites:
a. Facilitated the commission of the crime
b. Deliberately sought
c. Taken advantage of for the purposes of impunity
d. There must be four or more armed men
• if one of the four-armed malefactors is a principal by inducement, they do not form a
band because it is undoubtedly connoted that he had no direct participation,
• Band is inherent in robbery committed in band and brigandage
• It is not considered in the crime of rape
• It has been applied in treason and in robbery with homicide
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7. That the crime be committed on the occasion of a conflagration, shipwreck,

earthquake, epidemic or other calamity or misfortune
• Requisites:
a. Committed when there is a calamity or misfortune
1. Conflagration
2. Shipwreck
3. Epidemic
b. Offender took advantage of the state of confusion or chaotic condition from such
misfortune
• Basis: Commission of the crime adds to the suffering by taking advantage of the
misfortune.
• based on time
• offender must take advantage of the calamity or misfortune
Distinction between Paragraphs 7 and 12 of Article 14

Committed during a calamity or misfortune Committed with the use of wasteful means
Crime is committed DURING any of the Crime is committed BY using fire, inundation,
calamities explosion or other wasteful means
8. That the crime be committed with the aid of (1) armed men or (2) persons who
insure or afford impunity
• based on the means and ways

• Requisites:
a. that armed men or persons took part in the commission of the crime, directly or
indirectly
b. that the accused availed himself of their aid or relied upon them when the crime
was committed
• Exceptions:
a. when both the attacking party and the party attacked were equally armed
b. not present when the accused as well as those who cooperated with him in the
commission of the crime acted under the same plan and for the same purpose.
c. Casual presence, or when the offender did not avail himself of any of their aid nor
did not knowingly count upon their assistance in the commission of the crime
WITH THE AID OF ARMED MEN BY A BAND

Present even if one of the offenders merely Requires more than 3 armed malefactors
relied on their aid. Actual aid is not who all acted together in the commission
necessary of an offense
• if there are more than 3 armed men, aid of armed men is absorbed in the
employment of a band.
9. That the accused is a recidivist
• Recidivist – one who at the time of his trial for one crime, shall have been previously
convicted by final judgment of another crime embraced in the same title of the RPC
• Basis: Greater perversity of the offender as shown by his inclination to commit
crimes
• Requisites:
a. offender is on trial for an offense
b. he was previously convicted by final judgment of another crime
c. that both the first and the second offenses are embraced in the same title of the
RPC
d. the offender is convicted of the new offense
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• What is controlling is the time of the trial, not the time of the commission of the
offense. At the time of the trial means from the arraignment until after sentence is
announced by the judge in open court.
• When does judgment become final? (Rules of Court)
a. after the lapse of a period for perfecting an appeal
b. when the sentence has been partially or totally satisfied or served
c. defendant has expressly waived in writing his right to appeal
d. the accused has applied for probation
• Example of Crimes embraced in the Same title of the RPC
a. robbery and theft – title 10
b. homicide and physical injuries – title 8
• Q: The accused was prosecuted and tried for theft, robbery and estafa. Judgments
were read on the same day. Is he a recidivist?
A: No. Because the judgment in any of the first two offenses was not yet final when
he was tried for the third offense
• Recidivism must be taken into account no matter how many years have intervened
between the first and second felonies
• Pardon does not obliterate the fact that the accused was a recidivist, but amnesty
extinguishes the penalty and its effects
• To prove recidivism, it must be alleged in the information and with attached certified
copies of the sentences rendered against the accused
• Exceptions: if the accused does not object and when he admits in his confession and
on the witness stand
10. That the offender has been previously punished for an offense to which the
law attaches an equal or greater penalty or for two or more crimes to which it
attaches a lighter penalty
• Reiteracion or Habituality – it is essential that the offender be previously punished;

that is, he has served sentence.
• Par. 10 speaks of penalty attached to the offense, not the penalty actually imposed
REITERACION RECIDIVISM
Necessary that offender shall have served Enough that final judgment has been
out his sentence for the first sentence rendered in the first offense
Previous and subsequent offenses must Same title
not be embraced in the same title of the
Code
Not always an aggravating circumstance Always aggravating
• 4 Forms of Repetition
a. Recidivism – generic
b. Reiteracion or Habituality – generic
c. Multiple recidivism or Habitual delinquency – extraordinary aggravating
d. Quasi-Recidivism – special aggravating
• Habitual Delinquency – when a person within a period of 10 years from the date of
his release or last conviction of the crimes of serious or less serious physical injuries,
robbery, theft, estafa or falsification is found guilty of any of said crimes a third time
or oftener.
• Quasi-Recidivism – any person who shall commit a felony after having been
convicted by final judgment, before beginning to serve such sentence, or while
serving the same, shall be punished by the maximum period of the penalty
prescribed by law for the new felony
11. That the crime be committed in consideration of a price, reward or promise.
• Requisites:
a. At least 2 principals
1. The principal by inducement
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2. The principal by direct participation

b. the price, reward, or promise should be previous to and in consideration of the
commission of the criminal act
• Applicable to both principals.
12. That the crime be committed by means of inundation, fire, poison, explosion,
stranding a vessel or intentional damage thereto, or derailment of a locomotive, or
by use of any other artifice involving great waste or ruin.
• Requisite: The wasteful means were used by the offender to accomplish a criminal
purpose
13. That the act be committed with evident premeditation
• Essence of premeditation: the execution of the criminal act must be preceded by cool
thought and reflection upon the resolution to carry out the criminal intent during the
space of time sufficient to arrive at a calm judgment
• Requisites:
a. the time when the offender determined to commit the crime
b. an act manifestly indicating that the culprit has clung to his determination
c. a sufficient lapse of time between the determination and execution to allow him to
reflect upon the consequences of his act and to allow his conscience to
overcome the resolution of his will
• Conspiracy generally presupposes premeditation
• When victim is different from that intended, premeditation is not aggravating.
Although it is not necessary that there is a plan to kill a particular person for
premeditation to exist (e.g. plan to kill first 2 persons one meets, general attack on a
village…for as long as it was planned)
• The premeditation must be based upon external facts, and must be evident, not
merely suspected indicating deliberate planning
• Evident premeditation is inherent in robbery, adultery, theft, estafa, falsification, and
etc.
14. That (1) craft, (2) fraud, or (3) disguise be employed
• Craft – involves intellectual trickery and cunning on the part of the accused.
It is employed as a scheme in the execution of the crime (e.g. accused pretended to
be members of the constabulary, accused in order to perpetrate rape, used
chocolates containing drugs)
• Fraud –involves insidious words or machinations used to induce victim to act in a
manner which would enable the offender to carry out his design.
• as distinguished from craft which involves acts done in order not to arouse the
suspicion of the victim, fraud involves a direct inducement through entrapping or
beguiling language or machinations
• Disguise – resorting to any device to conceal identity. Purpose of concealing identity

is a must.
Distinction between Craft, Fraud, and Disguise

Craft Fraud Disguise
Involves the use of intellectual Involves the use of direct Involves the use of
trickery and cunning to arouse inducement by insidious devise to conceal
suspicion of the victim words or machinations identity
• Requisite: The offender must have actually taken advantage of craft, fraud, or
disguise to facilitate the commission of the crime.
• Inherent in: estafa and falsification
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15. That (1) advantage be taken of superior strength, or (2) means be employed to
weaken the defense
• To purposely use excessive force out of the proportion to the means of defense
available to the person attacked.
a. Superiority may arise from aggressor’s sex, weapon or number as compared to
that of the victim (e.g. accused attacked an unarmed girl with a knife; 3 men
stabbed to death the female victim).
b. No advantage of superior strength when one who attacks is overcome with
passion and obfuscation or when quarrel arose unexpectedly and the fatal blow
was struck while victim and accused were struggling.
c. Vs. by a band : circumstance of abuse of superior strength, what is taken into
account is not the number of aggressors nor the fact that they are armed but their
relative physical might vis-à-vis the offended party
• Requisite of Means to Weaken Defense
a. Means were purposely sought to weaken the defense of the victim to resist the
assault
b. The means used must not totally eliminate possible defense of the victim,
otherwise it will fall under treachery
• To weaken the defense – illustrated in the case where one struggling with another
suddenly throws a cloak over the head of his opponent and while in the said
situation, he wounds or kills him. Other means of weakening the defense would be
intoxication or disabling thru the senses (casting dirt of sand upon another’s eyes)
16. That the act be committed with treachery (alevosia)
• TREACHERY: when the offender commits any of the crime against the person,
employing means, methods or forms in the execution thereof which tend directly and
specially to insure its execution without risk to himself arising from the defense which
the offended party might make.
• Requisites:
a. that at the time of the attack, the victim was not in the position to defend himself
b. that the offender consciously adopted the particular means, method or form of
attack employed by him
• Treachery – can’t be considered when there is no evidence that the accused, prior to
the moment of the killing, resolved to commit to crime, or there is no proof that the
death of the victim was the result of meditation, calculation or reflection.
a. does not exist if the accused gave the deceased chance to prepare or there was
warning given or that it was preceded by a heated argument
b. there is always treachery in the killing of child
c. generally characterized by the deliberate and sudden and unexpected attack of
the victim from behind, without any warning and without giving the victim an
opportunity to defend himself
• Examples: victim asleep, half-awake or just awakened, victim grappling or being
held, stacks from behind
• But treachery may exist even if attack is face-to-face – as long as victim was not
given any chance to prepare defense
TREACHERY ABUSE OF SUPERIOR MEANS EMPLOYED TO

STRENGTH WEAKEN DEFENSE
Means, methods or forms Offender does not employ Means are employed but it
are employed by the means, methods or forms only materially weakens the
offender to make it of attack, he only takes resisting power of the
impossible or hard for the advantage of his superior offended party
offended party to put any strength
sort of resistance
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• Where there is conspiracy, treachery is considered against all the offenders

• Treachery absorbs abuse of strength, aid of armed men, by a band and means to
weaken the defense
17. That the means be employed or circumstances brought about which add
ignominy to the natural effects of the acts
• IGNOMINY – is a circumstance pertaining to the moral order, which adds disgrace

and obloquy to the material injury caused by the crime
Applicable to crimes against chastity (rape included), less serious physical injuries,
light or grave coercion and murder
• Requisites:
a. Crime must be against chastity, less serious physical injuries, light or grave
coercion, and murder
b. The circumstance made the crime more humiliating and shameful for the victim
• Examples: accused embraced and kissed the offended party not out of lust but out of
anger in front of many people, raped in front of the husband, raped successively by
five men
• tend to make the effects of the crime more humiliating
• Ignominy not present where the victim was already dead when such acts were
committed against his body or person
18. That the crime be committed after an unlawful entry
• Unlawful entry – when an entrance is effected by a way not intended for the purpose.
Meant to effect entrance and NOT exit.
• Why aggravating? One who acts, not respecting the walls erected by men to guard
their property and provide for their personal safety, shows greater perversity, a
greater audacity and hence the law punishes him with more severity
• Example: Rapist gains entrance thru the window
• Inherent in: Trespass to dwelling, robbery with force upon things, and robbery with
violence or intimidation against persons.
19. That as a means to the commission of the crime, a wall, roof, door or window
be broken
• Requisites:
a. A wall, roof, window, or door was broken
b. They were broken to effect entrance
• Applicable only if such acts were done by the offender to effect entrance.
• Breaking is lawful in the following instances:
a. an officer in order to make an arrest may break open a door or window of any
building in which the person to be arrested is or is reasonably believed to be;
b. an officer if refused admittance may break open any door or window to execute
the search warrant or liberate himself,
20. That the crime be committed (1) with the aid of persons under 15 years of age,
or (2) by means of motor vehicles, airships or other similar means.
• Reason for #1: to repress, so far as possible, the frequent practice resorted to by
professional criminals to avail themselves of minors taking advantage of their
responsibility (remember that minors are given leniency when they commit a crime)
Example: Juan instructed a 14-year old to climb up the fence and open the gate for
him so that he may rob the house
• Reason for #2: to counteract the great facilities found by modern criminals in said
means to commit crime and flee and abscond once the same is committed.
Necessary that the motor vehicle be an important tool to the consummation of the
crime (bicycles not included)
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Example: Juan and Pedro, in committing theft, used a truck to haul the appliances
from the mansion.
21. That the wrong done in the commission of the crime be deliberately
augmented by causing other wrong not necessary for its commission
• CRUELTY: when the culprit enjoys and delights in making his victim suffer slowly
and gradually, causing him unnecessary physical pain in the consummation of the
criminal act. Cruelty cannot be presumed nor merely inferred from the body of the
deceased. Has to be proven.
a. mere plurality of words do not show cruelty
b. no cruelty when the other wrong was done after the victim was dead
• Requisites:
a. that the injury caused be deliberately increased by causing other wrong
b. that the other wrong be unnecessary for the execution of the purpose of the
offender
IGNOMINY CRUELTY
Moral suffering – subjected to humiliation Physical suffering
Art 15. ALTERNATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES. Their concept. — Alternative

circumstances are those which must be taken into consideration as aggravating
or mitigating according to the nature and effects of the crime and the other
conditions attending its commission. They are the relationship, intoxication and
the degree of instruction and education of the offender.
The alternative circumstance of relationship shall be taken into
consideration when the offended party in the spouse, ascendant, descendant,
legitimate, natural, or adopted brother or sister, or relative by affinity in the same
degrees of the offender.
The intoxication of the offender shall be taken into consideration as a
mitigating circumstances when the offender has committed a felony in a state of
intoxication, if the same is not habitual or subsequent to the plan to commit said
felony but when the intoxication is habitual or intentional, it shall be considered
as an aggravating circumstance.
• Alternative Circumstances – those which must be taken into consideration as

aggravating or mitigating according to the nature and effects of the crime and other
conditions attending its commission.
• They are:
a. relationship – taken into consideration when offended party is the spouse,
ascendant, descendant, legitimate, natural or adopted brother or sister, or
relative by affinity in the same degree of the offender
b. intoxication – mitigating when the offender has committed a felony in the state of
intoxication, if the same is not habitual or subsequent to the plan to commit the
said felony. Aggravating if habitual or intentional
c. degree of instruction and education of the offender
RELATIONSHIP
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCE AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE
In crimes against property (robbery, In crimes against persons – in cases
usurpation, fraudulent insolvency, arson) where the offender, or when the offender
and the offended party are relatives of the
same level, as killing a brother, adopted
brother or half-brother.
Always aggravating in crimes against
chastity.
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Exception: Art 332 of CC – no criminal

liability, civil liability only for the crimes of
theft, swindling or malicious mischief
committed or caused mutually by spouses,
ascendants, descendants or relatives by
affinity (also brothers, sisters, brothers-in-
law or sisters-in-law if living together). It
becomes an EXEMPTING circumstance.
• Relationship neither mitigating nor aggravating when relationship is an element of

the offense.
Example: parricide, adultery, concubinage.
INTOXICATION
a) if intoxication is not habitual a) if intoxication is habitual – such habit
b) if intoxication is not subsequent to the must be actual and confirmed
plan to commit a felony b) if its intentional (subsequent to the plan
to commit a felony)
• Must show that he has taken such quantity so as to blur his reason and deprive him
of a certain degree of control
• A habitual drunkard is given to inebriety or the excessive use of intoxicating drinks.
• Habitual drunkenness must be shown to be an actual and confirmed habit of the
offender, but not necessarily of daily occurrence.
DEGREE OF INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION

Low degree of instruction education or the High degree of instruction and education –
lack of it. Because he does not fully realize offender avails himself of his learning in
the consequences of his criminal act. Not committing the offense.
just mere illiteracy but lack of intelligence.
• Determined by: the court must consider the circumstance of lack of instruction
• Exceptions (not mitigating):
a. crimes against property
b. crimes against chastity (rape included)
c. crime of treason
Art 16 Who are criminally liable. — The following are criminally liable for grave
and less grave felonies:
1. Principals.
2. Accomplices.
3. Accessories.
The following are criminally liable for light felonies:

1. Principals
2. Accomplices.
• Accessories – not liable for light felonies because the individual prejudice is so small
that penal sanction is not necessary
• Only natural persons can be criminals as only they can act with malice or negligence
and can be subsequently deprived of liberty. Juridical persons are liable under
special laws.
• Manager of a partnership is liable even if there is no evidence of his direct
participation in the crime.
• Corporations may be the injured party
• General Rule: Corpses and animals have no rights that may be injured.
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• Exception: defamation of the dead is punishable when it blackens the memory of one
who is dead.
Art 17. Principals. — The following are considered principals:

1. Those who take a direct part in the execution of the act;
2. Those who directly force or induce others to commit it;
3. Those who cooperate in the commission of the offense by another act
without which it would not have been accomplished.
• Principals by Direct Participation

Requisites for 2 or more to be principals by direct participation:
a. participated in the criminal resolution (conspiracy)
b. carried out their plan and personally took part in its execution by acts which
directly tended to the same end
• Conspiracy – Is unity of purpose and intention.
Establishment of Conspiracy
a. proven by overt act
b. Not mere knowledge or approval
c. It is not necessary that there be formal agreement.
d. Must prove beyond reasonable doubt
e. Conspiracy is implied when the accused had a common purpose and were united
in execution.
f. Unity of purpose and intention in the commission of the crime may be shown in
the following cases:
1. Spontaneous agreement at the moment of the commission of the crime
2. Active Cooperation by all the offenders in the perpetration of the crime
3. Contributing by positive acts to the realization of a common criminal intent
4. Presence during the commission of the crime by a band and lending moral
support thereto.
g. While conspiracy may be implied from the circumstances attending the
commission of the crime, it is nevertheless a rule that conspiracy must be
established by positive and conclusive evidence.
• Conspirator not liable for the crimes of the other which is not the object of the
conspiracy or is not a logical or necessary consequence thereof
• Multiple rape – each rapist is liable for another’s crime because each cooperated in
the commission of the rapes perpetrated by the others
• Exception: in the crime of murder with treachery – all the offenders must at least
know that there will be treachery in executing the crime or cooperate therein.
Example: Juan and Pedro conspired to kill Tomas without the previous plan of
treachery. In the crime scene, Juan used treachery in the presence of Pedro and
Pedro knew such. Both are liable for murder. But if Pedro stayed by the gate while
Juan alone killed Tomas with treachery, so that Pedro didn’t know how it was carried
out, Juan is liable for murder while Pedro for homicide.
• No such thing as conspiracy to commit an offense through negligence. However,
special laws may make one a co-principal. Example: Under the Pure Food and Drug
Act, a storeowner is liable for the act of his employees of selling adulterated coffee,
although he didn’t know that coffee was being sold.
• Conspiracy is negatived by the acquittal of co-defendant.
• That the culprits “carried out the plan and personally took part in the execution, by
acts which directly tended to the same end”:
a. The principals by direct participation must be at the scene of the crime,
personally taking part, although he was not present in the scene of the crime, he
is equally liable as a principal by direct participation.
b. One serving as guard pursuant to the conspiracy is a principal direct
participation.
• If the second element is missing, those who did not participate in the commission of
the acts of execution cannot be held criminally liable, unless the crime agreed to be
committed is treason, sedition, or rebellion.
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• Principals by Induction
a. “Those who directly force or induce others to commit it”
b. Principal by induction liable only when principal by direct participation committed
the act induced
c. Requisites:
1. inducement be made directly with the intention of procuring the commission
of the crime
2. such inducement be the determining cause of the commission of the crime by
the material executor
d. Forms of Inducements
1. By Price, reward or promise
1. By irresistible force or uncontrollable fear
d. Imprudent advice does not constitute sufficient inducement
e. Requisites for words of command to be considered inducement:
1. Commander has the intention of procuring the commission of the crime
2. Commander has ascendancy or influence
3. Words used be so direct, so efficacious, so powerful
4. Command be uttered prior to the commission
5. Executor had no personal reason
f. Words uttered in the heat of anger and in the nature of the command that had to
be obeyed do not make one an inductor.
INDUCTOR PROPOSES TO COMMIT A FELONY

Induce others Same
Liable only when the crime is Punishable at once when proposes to commit
executed rebellion or treason. The person to whom one
proposed should not commit the crime,
otherwise the latter becomes an inductor
Covers any crime Covers only treason and rebellion
• Effects of Acquittal of Principal by direct participation on liability of principal by

inducement
a. Conspiracy is negated by the acquittal of the co-defendant.
b. One can not be held guilty of instigating the commission of the crime without first
showing that the crime has been actually committed by another. But if the one
charged as principal by direct participation be acquitted because he acted
without criminal intent or malice, it is not a ground for the acquittal of the principal
by inducement.
• Principals by Indispensable Cooperation

a. “Those who cooperate in the commission of the offense by another act without
which it would not have been accomplished”
b. Requisites:
1. Participation in the criminal resolution
2. Cooperation through another act (includes negligence)
• *there is collective criminal responsibility when the offenders are criminally liable in
the same manner and to the same extent. The penalty is the same for all.
• there is individual criminal responsibility when there is no conspiracy.
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Art. 18. Accomplices. — Accomplices are those persons who, not being
included in Art. 17, cooperate in the execution of the offense by previous or
simultaneous acts.
• Requisites:
a. there be a community of design (principal originates the design, accomplice only
concurs)
b. he cooperates in the execution by previous or simultaneous acts, intending to
give material and moral aid (cooperation must be knowingly done, it must also be
necessary and not indispensable
c. There be a relation between the acts of the principal and the alleged accomplice
• Examples: a) Juan was choking Pedro. Then Tomas ran up and hit Pedro with a
bamboo stick. Juan continued to choke Pedro until he was dead. Tomas is only an
accomplice because the fatal blow came from Juan. b) Lending a dagger to a killer,
knowing the latter’s purpose.
• An accomplice has knowledge of the criminal design of the principal and all he does
is concur with his purpose.
• There must be a relation between the acts done by the principal and those attributed
to the person charges as accomplice
• In homicide or murder, the accomplice must not have inflicted the mortal wound.
Art. 19. Accessories. — Accessories are those who, having knowledge of

the commission of the crime, and without having participated therein, either as
principals or accomplices, take part subsequent to its commission in any of the
following manners:
1. By profiting themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects
of the crime.
2. By concealing or destroying the body of the crime, or the effects or
instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery.
3. By harboring, concealing, or assisting in the escape of the principals of
the crime, provided the accessory acts with abuse of his public functions or
whenever the author of the crime is guilty of treason, parricide, murder, or an
attempt to take the life of the Chief Executive, or is known to be habitually guilty of
some other crime.
• Example of Par 1: person received and used property from another, knowing it was
stolen
• Example of Par 2: placing a weapon in the hand of the dead who was unlawfully
killed to plant evidence, or burying the deceased who was killed by the principals
• Example of Par 3: a) public officers who harbor, conceal or assist in the escape of
the principal of any crime (not light felony) with abuse of his public functions, b)
private persons who harbor, conceal or assist in the escape of the author of the
crime – guilty of treason, parricide, murder or an attempt against the life of the
President, or who is known to be habitually guilty of some crime.
• General Rule: Principal acquitted, Accessory also acquitted
• Exception: when the crime was in fact committed but the principal is covered by
exempting circumstances.
Example: Minor stole a ring and Juan, knowing it was stolen, bought it. Minor is
exempt. Juan liable as accessory
• Trial of accessory may proceed without awaiting the result of the separate charge
against the principal because the criminal responsibilities are distinct from each other
• Liability of the accessory – the responsibility of the accessory is subordinate to that
of a principal in a crime because the accessory’s participation therein is subsequent
to its commission, and his guilt is directly related to the principal. If the principal was
acquitted by an exempting circumstance the accessory may still be held liable.
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• Difference of accessory from principal and accomplice:

a. Accessory does not take direct part or cooperate in, or induce the commission of
the crime
b. Accessory does not cooperate in the commission of the offense by acts either
prior thereto or simultaneous therewith
c. Participation of the accessory in all cases always takes place after the
commission of the crime
d. Takes part in the crime through his knowledge of the commission of the offense.
Art. 20. Accessories who are exempt from criminal liability. — The penalties
prescribed for accessories shall not be imposed upon those who are such with
respect to their spouses, ascendants, descendants, legitimate, natural, and
adopted brothers and sisters, or relatives by affinity within the same degrees, with
the single exception of accessories falling within the provisions of paragraph 1 of
the next preceding article.
• Basis: Ties of blood and the preservation of the cleanliness of one’s name which
compels one to conceal crimes committed by relatives so near as those mentioned.
• Nephew and Niece not included
• Accessory not exempt when helped a relative-principal by profiting from the effects of
the crime, or assisted the offender to profit from the effects of the crime.
• Only accessories covered by par 2 and 3 are exempted.
• Public officer who helped his guilty brother escape does not incur criminal liability as
ties of blood constitutes a more powerful incentive than the call of duty.
• PENALTY – suffering inflicted by the State for the transgression of a law.
• 3 fold purpose:
a. retribution or expiation – penalty commensurate with the gravity of the offense
b. correction or reformation – rules which regulate the execution of penalties
consisting of deprivation of liberty
c. social defense – inflexible severity to recidivists and habitual delinquents
• Juridical Conditions of Penalty
a. Must be productive of suffering – limited by the integrity of human personality
b. Must be proportionate to the crime
c. Must be personal – imposed only upon the criminal
d. Must be legal – according to a judgment of fact and law
e. Must be equal – applies to everyone regardless of the circumstance
f. Must bee correctional – to rehabilitate the offender
Art. 21. Penalties that may be imposed. — No felony shall be punishable by

any penalty not prescribed by law prior to its commission.
• Guarantees that no act of a citizen will be considered criminal unless the State has
made it so by law and provided a penalty
• Except: When the penalty is favorable to the criminal
Art. 22. Retroactive effect of penal laws. — Penal Laws shall have a
retroactive effect insofar as they favor the persons guilty of a felony, who is not a
habitual criminal, as this term is defined in Rule 5 of Article 62 of this Code,
although at the time of the publication of such laws a final sentence has been
pronounced and the convict is serving the same.
• General Rule: Criminal laws are given prospective effects
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• Exception: Give retroactive effect when favorable to the accused. Ex. Special law
made the penalty less severe – but must refer to the same deed or omission
penalized by the former statute
• New law may provide that its provisions not to be applied to cases already filed in
court at the time of the approval of such law.
• The favorable retroactive effect of a new law may find the defendant in one of the 3
situations
a. crime has been committed and the prosecution begins
b. sentence has been passed but service has not begun
c. sentence is being carried out.
• Habitual criminal (person who within the pd of 10 years from date of release or last
conviction of the crimes of serious or less serious physical injuries, robbery, theft,
estafa or falsification, he is found guilty of any said crimes a third time or oftener) is
NOT entitled to the benefit of the provisions of the new favorable law.
• Civil liabilities not covered by Art 22 because rights of offended persons are not
within the gift of arbitrary disposal of the State.
• But new law increasing civil liability cannot be given retroactive effect.
• Retroactivity applicable also to special laws
• The right to punish offenses committed under an old penal law is not extinguished if
the offenses are still punished in the repealing penal law. However, if by re-
enactment of the provisions of the former law, the repeal is by implication and there
is a saving clause, criminal liability under the repealed law subsists.
• No retroactive effect of penal laws as regards jurisdiction of the court. Jurisdiction of
the court is determined by the law in force at the time of the institution of the action,
not at the time of the commission of the crime.
• Jurisdiction of courts in criminal cases is determined by the allegations of the
complaint or information, and not by the findings the court may make after trial.
• When a law is ex post facto
a Makes criminal an act done before the passage of the law and which was
innocent when done, and punishes such an act.
b Aggravates the crime or makes it greater than it was when committed.
c Changes the punishment and inflicts a greater punishment than the law annexed
to the crime when committed.
d Alters the legal rules of evidence and authorizes conviction upon less or different
testimony than the law required at the time of the commission of the crime.
e Assuming to regulate civil rights and remedies only, in effect imposes penalty or
deprivation of a right for something which when done was lawful.
f Deprives a person accused of a crime some lawful protection to which he has
become entitled, such as the protection of a former conviction or acquittal or a
proclamation of amnesty.
• Bill of Attainder – a legislative act which inflicts punishment without trial. Its essence
is the substitution of a legislative for a judicial determination of guilt.
• Effect of change of Penal Law
a With enactment of a penal law punishing the offense – the action is not
dismissed. The penalty in the new law if favorable to the accused.
b Without enactment of a penal law punishing the offense - the previous offense is
obliterated and the action is dismissed.
Art. 23. Effect of pardon by the offended party. — A pardon of the offended
party does not extinguish criminal action except as provided in Article 344 of this
Code; but civil liability with regard to the interest of the injured party is
extinguished by his express waiver.
• Even if injured party already pardoned the offender – fiscal can still prosecute. Not
even considered a ground for dismissal of the information. Exception: Art 344 -
crimes of seduction, abduction, rape or acts of lasciviousness – pardon must be
expressed.
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• Basis: crime is an offense against the State. Aggrieved party only a witness.
• Only Chief Executive can pardon the offenders
• Can’t compromise criminal liability, only civil liability – but it still shall not extinguish
the public action for the imposition of the legal penalty.
• Offended party in the crimes of adultery and concubinage can’t institute criminal
prosecution if he shall have consented or pardoned the offenders.
• Pardon in adultery and concubinage may be implied – continued inaction after
learning of the offense. Must pardon both offenders.
• The pardon afforded the offenders must come BEFORE the institution of the criminal
proceedings. Complaint for any of the above-mentioned crimes in Art 344 will still be
prosecuted by the court on the ground that the pardon (basis for the motion to
dismiss) was given after the filing of the complaint.
• The only act that extinguishes the penal action, after the institution of criminal action,
is the marriage between the offender and the offended party
• Pardon under Art 344 is only a bar to criminal prosecution. It DOES NOT extinguish
criminal liability. It is not one of the causes that totally extinguish criminal liability in
Art 89.
• Civil liability with regard to the interest of the injured party is extinguished by his
express waiver because personal injury may be repaired through indemnity anyway.
State has no reason to insist on its payment.
• Waiver must be express.
Art. 24. Measures of prevention or safety which are nor considered

penalties. — The following shall not be considered as penalties:
1. The arrest and temporary detention of accused persons, as well as their
detention by reason of insanity or imbecility, or illness requiring their confinement
in a hospital.
2. The commitment of a minor to any of the institutions mentioned in Article
80 and for the purposes specified therein.
3. Suspension from the employment of public office during the trial or in
order to institute proceedings.
4. Fines and other corrective measures which, in the exercise of their
administrative disciplinary powers, superior officials may impose upon their
subordinates.
5. Deprivation of rights and the reparations which the civil laws may
establish in penal form.
• Par 1 refers to the “accused persons” who are detained “by reason of insanity or
imbecility” not an insane or imbecile who has not been arrested for a crime.
• They are not considered penalties because they are not imposed as a result of
judicial proceedings. Those in par 1, 3 and 4 are merely preventive measures before
the conviction of offenders.
• Commitment of a minor is not a penalty because it is not imposed by the court in a
judgment. The imposition of the sentence in such a case is suspended.
• Fines in par 4 are not imposed by the court because otherwise, they constitute a
penalty
Art. 25. Penalties which may be imposed. — The penalties which may be
imposed according to this Code, and their different classes, are those included in
the following:
Scale
PRINCIPAL PENALTIES
Capital punishment:
Death.
Afflictive penalties:
Reclusion perpetua,
Reclusion temporal,
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Perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification,

Perpetual or temporary special disqualification,
Prision mayor.
Correctional penalties:
Prision correccional,
Arresto mayor,
Suspension,
Destierro.
Light penalties:
Arresto menor,
Public censure.
Penalties common to the three preceding classes:
Fine, and
Bond to keep the peace.
ACCESSORY PENALTIES
Perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification,
Perpetual or temporary special disqualification,
Suspension from public office, the right to vote and be voted for, the
profession or calling.
Civil interdiction,
Indemnification,
Forfeiture or confiscation of instruments and proceeds of the offense,
Payment of costs.
• Classification of penalties:
a Principal - art 25
b Accessory – deemed included in the imposition of the principal penalties
• According to divisibility (principal)
a divisible – those that have fixed duration and are divisible into 3 periods
b indivisible – no fixed duration (death, RP, perpetual or absolute disqualification)
• According to subject matter
a corporal – death
b deprivation of freedom – reclusion, prision, arresto
c restriction of freedom – destierro
d deprivation of rights – disqualification and suspension
e pecuniary – fine
• According to gravity
a capital
b afflictive
c correccional
d light
• Public censure is a penalty, and being such, is not proper in acquittal. But a
competent court, while acquitting an accused may, with unquestionable propriety
express its disapproval or reprehension of those acts to avoid the impression that by
acquitting the accused it approves or admires his conduct.
• Permanent and temporary absolute and permanent and temporary special
disqualification and suspension may be principal or accessory penalties because
they are found in 2 general classes.
Art. 26. When afflictive, correctional, or light penalty. — A fine, whether

imposed as a single of as an alternative penalty, shall be considered an afflictive
penalty, if it exceeds 6,000 pesos; a correctional penalty, if it does not exceed
6,000 pesos but is not less than 200 pesos; and a light penalty if it less than 200
pesos.
• Fines are imposed either as alternative (Art 144 punishing disturbance of

proceedings with arresto mayor or fine from 200 pesos to 1000 pesos) or single (fine
of 200 to 6000 pesos)
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• Penalty cannot be imposed in the alternative since it’s the duty of the court to
indicate the penalty imposed definitely and positively. Thus, the court cannot
sentence the guilty person in a manner as such as “to pay fine of 1000 pesos, or to
suffer an imprisonment of 2 years, and to pay the costs.”
• If the fine imposed by the law for the felony is exactly 200 pesos, it is a light felony.
• Fines:
a Afflictive – over 6000
b Correctional – 201 to 6000
c Light – 200 and less
• Note: The classification applies if the fine is imposed as a single or alternative
penalty. Hence, it does not apply if the fine imposed together with another penalty.
• Bond to keep the peace is by analogy:
a Afflictive – over 6000
b Correctional – 201 to 6000
c Light – 200 and less
Distinction between classification of Penalties in Art. 9 and Art. 26

Article 9 Article 26
Applicable in determining the prescriptive Applicable in determining the prescriptive
period of felonies period of penalties
DURATION AND EFFECT OF PENALTIES
Art. 27. Reclusion perpetua. — Any person sentenced to any of the

perpetual penalties shall be pardoned after undergoing the penalty for thirty
years, unless such person by reason of his conduct or some other serious cause
shall be considered by the Chief Executive as unworthy of pardon.
Reclusion temporal. — The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be from twelve
years and one day to twenty years.
Prision mayor and temporary disqualification. — The duration of the penalties of
prision mayor and temporary disqualification shall be from six years and one day
to twelve years, except when the penalty of disqualification is imposed as an
accessory penalty, in which case its duration shall be that of the principal penalty.
Prision correccional, suspension, and destierro. — The duration of the penalties
of prision correccional, suspension and destierro shall be from six months and
one day to six years, except when suspension is imposed as an accessory
penalty, in which case, its duration shall be that of the principal penalty.
Arresto mayor. — The duration of the penalty of arresto mayor shall be from one
month and one day to six months.
Arresto menor. — The duration of the penalty of arresto menor shall be from one
day to thirty days.
Bond to keep the peace. — The bond to keep the peace shall be required to cover
such period of time as the court may determine.
• 3 fold rule: the maximum duration of the convict’s sentence shall not be more than 3
times the length of time corresponding to the most severe of the penalties imposed
upon him.
• the maximum duration of the convict’s sentence shall in no case exceed 40 years
• Temporary disqualification and suspension, when imposed as accessory penalties,
have different durations – they follow the duration of the principal penalty
• Destierro is imposed in the following circumstances:
a serious physical injuries or death under exceptional circumstances (spouse
finding other spouse in pari delicto)
b failure to give bond for good behavior ( a person making threat may be required
to give bond not to molest the person threatened, if not destierro)
c penalty for the concubine
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d in cases where the reduction of the penalty by one or more degrees results in
destierro
• Bond to keep the peace is not specifically provided as a penalty for any felony and
therefore cannot be imposed by the court. It is required in Art 284 and not to be given
in cases involving other crimes.
• Summary:
a Perpetual penalties – after 30 years, can be pardoned, except when he is
unworthy of pardon by reason of his conduct and some other serious cause, it
won’t exceed 40 years.
b Reclusion Temporal – 12 yrs and 1 day to 20 yrs
c Prision Mayor and temporary disqualification – 6 yrs and 1 day to 12 yrs;
disqualification if accessory follows the duration of the principal penalty
d Prision Correccional, suspension and destierro – 6 mos and 1 day to 12 yrs;
disqualification if accessory follows the duration of the principal penalty
e Arresto Mayor – 1 month and 1 day to 6 months
f Arresto Menor – 1 day to 30 days
g Bond to keep the peace – the period during which the bond shall be effective is
discretionary to the court
Capital and Afflictive Penalties

Death Reclusion Reclusion Prison Mayor
Perpetua Temporal
Term of None 20 days and 1 12 years and 1 6 years and 1 day
Imprison- day to 40 years day to 20 years to 12 years
ment
Accessory None, unless -Civil Interdiction -Civil -Temporary
Penalties pardoned: or during his Interdiction or absolute
-Perpetual sentence during his disqualification
absolute -Perpetual sentence -Perpetual special
disqualification absolute -Perpetual disqualification
-Civil disqualification absolute from the right of
interdiction for disqualification suffrage which the
30 years offender suffers
although pardoned
Correctional and Light Penalties

Prison Correctional Arresto Mayor Arresto Menor
Imprison- 6 months and 1 day to 6 1 month and 1 day 1 day to 30 days
ment years to 6 months
Accessory -Suspension from public -Suspension of right -Suspension of right
Penalties office to hold office to hold office
-Suspension from the right to -Suspension of the -Suspension of the
follow a profession or calling right of suffrage right of suffrage
-Perpetual special during the term of during the term of
disqualification on the right the sentence the sentence
of suffrage
Art. 28. Computation of penalties. — If the offender shall be in prison, the

term of the duration of the temporary penalties shall be computed from the day on
which the judgment of conviction shall have become final.
If the offender be not in prison, the term of the duration of the penalty
consisting of deprivation of liberty shall be computed from the day that the
offender is placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities for the enforcement of
the penalty. The duration of the other penalties shall be computed only from the
day on which the defendant commences to serve his sentence.
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• Director of Prisons/warden to compute based on Art 28:

a When the offender is in prison – the duration of the temporary penalties (PAD,
TAD, detention, suspension) is from the day on which the judgment of conviction
becomes final.
b When the offender is not in prison – the duration of the penalty in deprivation of
liberty is from the day that the offender is placed at the disposal of judicial
authorities for the enforcement of the penalty
c The duration of the other penalties – the duration is from the day on which the
offender commences to serve his sentence
• Reason for rule (a) – because under Art 24, the arrest and temporary detention of
the accused is not considered a penalty
• if in custody, the accused appealed, the service of the sentence should commence
from the date of the promulgation of the decision of the appellate court, not from the
date of the judgment of the trial court was promulgated.
• service of one in prison begins only on the day the judgment of conviction becomes
final.
• In cases if temporary penalties, if the offender is under detention, as when
undergoing preventive imprisonment, rule (a) applies.
• If not under detention (released on bail) rule (c) applies
• Offender under preventive imprisonment, rule (c) applies not rule (a)
• The offender is entitled to a deduction of full-time or 4/5 of the time of his detention.
Art. 29. Period of preventive imprisonment deducted from term of

imprisonment. — Offenders who have undergone preventive imprisonment shall
be credited in the service of their sentence consisting of deprivation of liberty,
with the full time during which they have undergone preventive imprisonment, if
the detention prisoner agrees voluntarily in writing to abide by the same
disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted prisoners, except in the following
cases:
1. When they are recidivists or have been convicted previously twice or
more times of any crime; and
2. When upon being summoned for the execution of their sentence they
have failed to surrender voluntarily.
If the detention prisoner does not agree to abide by the same disciplinary
rules imposed upon convicted prisoners, he shall be credited in the service of his
sentence with four-fifths of the time during which he has undergone preventive
imprisonment. (As amended by Republic Act 6127, June 17, 1970). cd i
Whenever an accused has undergone preventive imprisonment for a period
equal to or more than the possible maximum imprisonment of the offense charged
to which he may be sentenced and his case is not yet terminated, he shall be
released immediately without prejudice to the continuation of the trial thereof or
the proceeding on appeal, if the same is under review. In case the maximum
penalty to which the accused may be sentenced is destierro, he shall be released
after thirty (30) days of preventive imprisonment. (As amended by E.O. No. 214,
July 10, 1988)
• Accused undergoes preventive suspension if:

a offense is non-bailable
b bailable but can’t furnish bail
• the full time or 4/5 of the time during which the offenders have undergone preventive
suspension shall be deducted from the penalty imposed
• preventive imprisonment must also be considered in perpetual penalties. Article does
not make any distinction between temporal and perpetual penalties.
• duration of RP is to be computed at 30 years, thus, even if the accused is sentenced
to life imprisonment, he is entitled to the full time or 4/5 of the time of preventive
suspension
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• Credit is given in the service of sentences “consisting of deprivation of liberty”

(imprisonment and destierro). Thus, persons who had undergone preventive
imprisonment but the offense is punishable by a fine only would not be given credit.
• Destierro is considered a “deprivation of liberty”

• If the penalty imposed is arresto menor to destierro, the accused who has been in
prison for 30 days (arresto menor to 30 days) should be released because although
the maximum penalty is destierro (6 mos 1 day to 6 yrs), the accused sentenced to
such penalty does not serve it in prison.
• Habitual Delinquents not entitled to the full time or 4/5 credit of time under preventive
imprisonment since he is necessarily a recidivist or has been convicted previously
twice or more times of any crime.
• Example: X who was arrested for serious physical injuries, detained for 1 year and
went out on bail but was later on found guilty. He was consequently summoned for
the execution of the sentence, but having failed to appear, X will not be credited in
the service of his sentence for serious physical injuries w/ one year or 4/5 of one
year preventive imprisonment.
Art. 30. Effects of the penalties of perpetual or temporary absolute

disqualification. — The penalties of perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification for public office shall produce the following effects:
1. The deprivation of the public offices and employments which the
offender may have held even if conferred by popular election.
2.The deprivation of the right to vote in any election for any popular office
or to be elected to such office.
3. The disqualification for the offices or public employments and for the
exercise of any of the rights mentioned.
In case of temporary disqualification, such disqualification as is comprised in
paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article shall last during the term of the sentence.
4. The loss of all rights to retirement pay or other pension for any office
formerly held.
• The exclusion is a mere disqualification for protection and not for punishment – the
withholding of a privilege, not a denial of a right.
• Perpetual absolute disqualification is effective during the lifetime of the convict and
even after the service of the sentence.
• Temporary absolute disqualification is effective during the term of sentence and is
removed after the service of the same. Exception: (1) deprivation of the public office
or employment; (2) loss of all rights to retirement pay or other pension for any office
formerly held.
• Effects of Perpetual and temporary absolute disqualification:
a Deprivation of any public office or employment of offender
b Deprivation of the right to vote in any election or to be voted upon
c Loss of rights to retirement pay or pension
d All these effects last during the lifetime of the convict and even after the service
of the sentence except as regards paragraphs 2 and 3 of the above in connection
with Temporary Absolute Disqualification.
Art. 31. Effect of the penalties of perpetual or temporary special

disqualification. — The penalties of perpetual or temporal special disqualification
for public office, profession or calling shall produce the following effects:
1. The deprivation of the office, employment, profession or calling affected;
2. The disqualification for holding similar offices or employments either
perpetually or during the term of the sentence according to the extent of such
disqualification.
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Art. 32. Effect of the penalties of perpetual or temporary special

disqualification for the exercise of the right of suffrage. — The perpetual or
temporary special disqualification for the exercise of the right of suffrage shall
deprive the offender perpetually or during the term of the sentence, according to
the nature of said penalty, of the right to vote in any popular election for any
public office or to be elected to such office. Moreover, the offender shall not be
permitted to hold any public office during the period of his disqualification.
• Temporary disqualification if imposed is an accessory penalty, its duration is that of

the principal penalty
• Effects of Perpetual and Temporary Special Disqualification
a. For public office, profession, or calling
1. Deprivation of the office, employment, profession or calling affected
2. Disqualification for holding similar offices or employment during the period of
disqualification
b. For the exercise of the right of suffrage
1. Deprivation of the right to vote or to be elected in an office.
1. Cannot hold any public office during the period of disqualification.
Art. 33. Effects of the penalties of suspension from any public office,
profession or calling, or the right of suffrage. — The suspension from public
office, profession or calling, and the exercise of the right of suffrage shall
disqualify the offender from holding such office or exercising such profession or
calling or right of suffrage during the term of the sentence.
The person suspended from holding public office shall not hold another having
similar functions during the period of his suspension.
• Effects:
a Disqualification from holding such office or the exercise of such profession or
right of suffrage during the term of the sentence.
b Cannot hold another office having similar functions during the period of
suspension.
Art. 34. Civil interdiction. — Civil interdiction shall deprive the offender
during the time of his sentence of the rights of parental authority, or guardianship,
either as to the person or property of any ward, of marital authority, of the right to
manage his property and of the right to dispose of such property by any act or
any conveyance inter vivos.
• Effects:
a. Deprivation of the following rights:
1. Parental rights
2. Guardianship over the ward
3. Martial authority
4. Right to manage property and to dispose of the same by acts inter vivos
b. Civil Interdiction is an accessory penalty to the following principal penalties
1. If death penalty is commuted to life imprisonment
2. Reclusion perpetua
3. Reclusion temporal
• He can dispose of such property by will or donation mortis causa
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Art. 35. Effects of bond to keep the peace. — It shall be the duty of any
person sentenced to give bond to keep the peace, to present two sufficient
sureties who shall undertake that such person will not commit the offense sought
to be prevented, and that in case such offense be committed they will pay the
amount determined by the court in the judgment, or otherwise to deposit such
amount in the office of the clerk of the court to guarantee said undertaking.
The court shall determine, according to its discretion, the period of
duration of the bond.
Should the person sentenced fail to give the bond as required he shall be
detained for a period which shall in no case exceed six months, is he shall have
been prosecuted for a grave or less grave felony, and shall not exceed thirty days,
if for a light felony.
• Bond to keep the peace is different from bail bond which is posted for the provisional
release of a person arrested for or accused of a crime. Bond to keep the peace or for
good behavior is imposed as a penalty in threats.
Art. 36. Pardon; its effect. — A pardon shall not work the restoration of the
right to hold public office, or the right of suffrage, unless such rights be expressly
restored by the terms of the pardon.
A pardon shall in no case exempt the culprit from the payment of the civil
indemnity imposed upon him by the sentence.
• Pardon by the President does not restore the right to public office or suffrage except
when both are expressly restored in the pardon. Nor does it exempt from civil
liability/from payment of civil indemnity.
• Limitations to President’s power to pardon:
a can be exercised only after final judgment
b does not extend to cases of impeachment
c does not extinguish civil liability – only criminal liability
• Pardon granted in general terms does not include accessory penalties.
• Exceptions:
a. if the absolute pardon us granted after the term of imprisonment has expire, it
removes all that is left of the consequences of conviction. However, if the penalty
is life imprisonment and after the service of 30 years, a pardon is granted, the
pardon does not remove the accessory penalty of absolute perpetual
disqualification
b. if the facts and circumstances of the case show that the purpose of the President
is to precisely restore the rights i.e., granting absolute pardon after election to a
post (mayor) but before the date fixed by law for assuming office to enable him to
assume the position in deference to the popular will
• Pardon by the offended party – does not extinguish criminal liability, may include
offended party waiving civil indemnity and it is done before the institution of the
criminal prosecution and extended to both offenders.
Art. 37. Cost. — What are included. — Costs shall include fees and
indemnities in the course of the judicial proceedings, whether they be fixed or
unalterable amounts previously determined by law or regulations in force, or
amounts not subject to schedule.
• Costs include:
a. fees
b. indemnities in the course of judicial proceedings
• Costs (expenses of the litigation) are chargeable to the accused in vase of
conviction.
• In case of acquittal, the costs are de oficio, each party bearing is own expense
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• No costs allowed against the Republic of the Philippines until law provides the
contrary
Art. 38. Pecuniary liabilities. — Order of payment. — In case the property of

the offender should not be sufficient for the payment of all his pecuniary
liabilities, the same shall be met in the following order:
1. The reparation of the damage caused.
2. Indemnification of consequential damages.
3. The fine.
4. The cost of the proceedings.
• Applicable “in case property of the offender should not be sufficient for the payment
of all his pecuniary liabilities.” Hence, if the offender has insufficient or no property,
there is no use for Art 38.
• Order of payment is mandatory
• Example: Juan inflicted serious physical injuries against Pedro and took the latter’s
watch and ring. He incurred 500 worth of hospital bills and failed to earn 300 worth of
salary. Given that Juan only has 1000 pesos worth of property not exempt from
execution, it shall be first applied to the payment of the watch and ring which cannot
be returned as such is covered by “reparation of the damage caused” thus, no. 1 in
the order of payment. The 500 and 300 are covered by “indemnification of the
consequential damage” thus, no. 2 in the order of payment.
Art. 39. Subsidiary penalty. — If the convict has no property with which to
meet the fine mentioned in the paragraph 3 of the nest preceding article, he shall
be subject to a subsidiary personal liability at the rate of one day for each eight
pesos, subject to the following rules:
1. If the principal penalty imposed be prision correccional or arresto and
fine, he shall remain under confinement until his fine referred to in the preceding
paragraph is satisfied, but his subsidiary imprisonment shall not exceed one-third
of the term of the sentence, and in no case shall it continue for more than one
year, and no fraction or part of a day shall be counted against the prisoner.
2. When the principal penalty imposed be only a fine, the subsidiary
imprisonment shall not exceed six months, if the culprit shall have been
prosecuted for a grave or less grave felony, and shall not exceed fifteen days, if
for a light felony.
3. When the principal imposed is higher than prision correccional, no
subsidiary imprisonment shall be imposed upon the culprit.
4. If the principal penalty imposed is not to be executed by confinement in
a penal institution, but such penalty is of fixed duration, the convict, during the
period of time established in the preceding rules, shall continue to suffer the same
deprivations as those of which the principal penalty consists.
5. The subsidiary personal liability which the convict may have suffered by
reason of his insolvency shall not relieve him, from the fine in case his financial
circumstances should improve. (As amended by RA 5465, April 21, 1969.)
• There is no subsidiary penalty for non-payment of reparation, indemnification and

costs in par 1, 2 and 4 of Art 38. It is only for fines.
• Art 39 applies only when the convict has no property with which to meet the fine in
par 3 of art 38. Thus, a convict who has property enough to meet the fine and not
exempted from execution cannot choose to serve the subsidiary penalty instead of
the payment of the fine.
• Subsidiary imprisonment is not an accessory penalty. It is covered by Art 40-45 of
this Code. Accessory penalties are deemed imposed even when not mentioned while
subsidiary imprisonment must be expressly imposed.
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• Rules:
PENALTY IMPOSED LENGTH OF SUBSIDIARY PENALTY
Prision correccional or arresto and fine
Not exceed 1/3 of term of sentence, in no case
more than 1 year fraction or part of a day not
counted.
Fine only Not to exceed 6 months if prosecuted for grave
or less grave felony, not to exceed 15 days if
prosecuted for light felony
Higher than prision correccional No subsidiary imprisonment
Not to be executed by confinement but Same deprivations as those of the principal
of fixed duration penalty under rules 1, 2 and 3 above
• If financial circumstances improve, convict still to pay the fine even if he has suffered
subsidiary personal liability.
• the penalty imposed must be PC, AM, Am, suspension, destierro and fine only. –
other than these (PM, RT, RP) court cannot impose subsidiary penalty.
• Even if the penalty imposed is not higher than PC, if the accused is a habitual
delinquent who deserves an additional penalty of 12 yrs and 1 day of RT, there is no
subsidiary imprisonment.
Art. 40. Death — Its accessory penalties. — The death penalty, when it is not
executed by reason of commutation or pardon shall carry with it that of perpetual
absolute disqualification and that of civil interdiction during thirty years following
the date sentence, unless such accessory penalties have been expressly remitted
in the pardon.
Art. 41. Reclusion perpetua and reclusion temporal. — Their accessory

penalties. — The penalties of reclusion perpetua and reclusion temporal shall
carry with them that of civil interdiction for life or during the period of the
sentence as the case may be, and that of perpetual absolute disqualification
which the offender shall suffer even though pardoned as to the principal penalty,
unless the same shall have been expressly remitted in the pardon.
Art. 42. Prision mayor — Its accessory penalties. — The penalty of prision
mayor, shall carry with it that of temporary absolute disqualification and that of
perpetual special disqualification from the right of suffrage which the offender
shall suffer although pardoned as to the principal penalty, unless the same shall
have been expressly remitted in the pardon.
Art. 43. Prision correccional — Its accessory penalties. — The penalty of

prision correccional shall carry with it that of suspension from public office, from
the right to follow a profession or calling, and that of perpetual special
disqualification from the right of suffrage, if the duration of said imprisonment
shall exceed eighteen months. The offender shall suffer the disqualification
provided in the article although pardoned as to the principal penalty, unless the
same shall have been expressly remitted in the pardon.
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Art. 44. Arresto — Its accessory penalties. — The penalty of arresto shall
carry with it that of suspension of the right too hold office and the right of suffrage
during the term of the sentence.
• Outline of accessory penalties inherent in principal penalties

a. death – if not executed because of commutation or pardon
1. perpetual absolute disqualification
2. civil interdiction during 30 years (if not expressly remitted in the pardon)
b. RP and RT
1. civil interdiction for life or during the sentence
2. perpetual absolute disqualification (unless expressly remitted in the pardon)
c. PM
1. temporary absolute disqualification
2. perpetual absolute disqualification from suffrage (unless expressly remitted in
the pardon)
d. PC
1. suspension from public office, profession or calling
2. perpetual special disqualification from suffrage if the duration of the
imprisonment exceeds 18 months (unless expressly remitted in the pardon)
• The accessory penalties in Art 40-44 must be suffered by the offender, although
pardoned as to the principal penalties. To be relieved of these penalties, they must
be expressly remitted in the pardon.
• No accessory penalty for destierro
• Persons who served out the penalty may not have the right to exercise the right of
suffrage. For a prisoner who has been sentenced to one year of imprisonment or
more for any crime, absolute pardon restores to him his political rights. If the penalty
is less than one year, disqualification does not attach except if the crime done was
against property.
• The nature of the crime is immaterial when the penalty imposed is one year
imprisonment or more.
• The accessory penalties are understood to be always imposed upon the offender by
the mere fact that the law fixes a certain penalty for the crime. Whenever the courts
impose a penalty which by provision of law, carries with it other penalties, it’s
understood that the accessory penalties are also imposed.
• the accessory penalties do not affect the jurisdiction of the court in which the
information is filed because they don’t modify or alter the nature of the penalty
provided by law. What determines jurisdiction in criminal cases is the extent of the
principal penalty w/c the law imposes of the crime charged.
• the MTC has exclusive jurisdiction over offenses punishable with imprisonment of not
exceeding 4 years and 2 months or a fine of not more than 4000 or both regardless
of other imposable accessory or other penalties.
Art. 45. Confiscation and forfeiture of the proceeds or instruments of the

crime. — Every penalty imposed for the commission of a felony shall carry with it
the forfeiture of the proceeds of the crime and the instruments or tools with which
it was committed.
Such proceeds and instruments or tools shall be confiscated and forfeited in
favor of the Government, unless they be property of a third person not liable for
the offense, but those articles which are not subject of lawful commerce shall be
destroyed.
• every penalty imposed carries with it the forfeiture of the proceeds of the crime and
the instruments or tools used in the commission of the crime
• proceeds and instruments/tools of the crime are confiscated in favor of the
government
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• 3rd persons’ (not liable for the offense) property is not subject to confiscation and
forfeiture
• property not subject of lawful commerce (whether it belongs to accused or 3rd
person) shall be destroyed.
• can’t confiscate/forfeit unless there’s a criminal case filed and tried, and accused is
acquitted.
• must indict 3rd person to order confiscation of his property
• instruments of the crime belonging to innocent 3rd person may be recovered
• confiscation can be ordered only if the property is submitted in evidence or placed at
the disposal of the court
• articles which are forfeited - when the order of forfeiture is already final, can’t be
returned even in case of an acquittal
• confiscation and acquittal are additional penalties. Where the penalty imposed did
not include the confiscation of the goods involved, the confiscation & forfeiture of
said goods would be an additional penalty and would amount to an increase of the
penalty already imposed, thereby placing the accused in double jeopardy.
• when the accused has appealed, confiscation and forfeiture not ordered by the trial
court may be imposed by the appellate court
• the government can’t appeal the modification of a sentence if the defendant did not
appeal. But if the defendant appeals, it removes all bars to the review and correction
of the penalty imposed by the court below, even if an increase thereof should be the
result.
Art. 46. Penalty to be imposed upon principals in general. — The penalty

prescribed by law for the commission of a felony shall be imposed upon the
principals in the commission of such felony.
Whenever the law prescribes a penalty for a felony is general terms, it shall
be understood as applicable to the consummated felony.
• The penalty prescribed by law in general terms shall be imposed:

a upon the principals
b for consummated felony
• Exception: when the law fixes a penalty for the frustrated or attempted felony.
Whenever it is believed that the penalty lower by one or two degrees corresponding
to said acts of execution is not proportionate to the wrong done, the law fixes a
distinct penalty for the principal in the frustrated or attempted felony.
• The graduation of penalties refers to:
a stages of execution (consummated, frustrated, attempted)
b degree of the criminal participation of the offender (principal, accomplice,
accessory)
• the division of a divisible penalty (min, med, max) refers to the proper period of the
penalty which should be imposed when aggravating or mitigating circumstances
attend the commission of the crime.
Art. 47. In what cases the death penalty shall not be imposed. — The death
penalty shall be imposed in all cases in which it must be imposed under existing
laws, except in the following cases:
1. When the guilty person be more than seventy years of age.
2. When upon appeal or revision of the case by the Supreme court, all the
members thereof are not unanimous in their voting as to the propriety of the
imposition of the death penalty. For the imposition of said penalty or for the
confirmation of a judgment of the inferior court imposing the death sentence, the
Supreme Court shall render its decision per curiam, which shall be signed by all
justices of said court, unless some member or members thereof shall have been
disqualified from taking part in the consideration of the case, in which even the
unanimous vote and signature of only the remaining justices shall be required.
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• whenever the judgment of the lower court imposes the death penalty, the case shall
be determined by 10 justices of the court. When 10 justices fail to reach a decision
(as to the propriety of the imposition of the death penalty), the penalty next lower in
degree than the death penalty shall be imposed.
• Death penalty not imposed in the ff cases:

a) when the person is more than 70 years old at time RTC sentenced him
b) when upon appeal or revision of the case by the SC, 10 justices are not
unanimous in their voting
c) when the offender is a minor under 18 yrs of age. Why? Because minority is
always a mitigating circumstance
• Justification for the death penalty: social defense and exemplarity. Not considered
cruel and unusual because does not involve torture or lingering death.
• Crimes where death penalty is imposed:

a) treason
b) certain acts of espionage under Commonwealth Act 616
c) correspondence w/ hostile country when it contains notice or information and the
intention of the offender is to aid the enemy
d) qualified piracy
e) certain violations of the Anti-subversion act
f) parricide
g) murder
h) kidnapping and serious illegal detention
i) robbery w/ homicide
j) rape w/ homicide
k) when death resulted from the commission of arson or other crime involving
destruction
• trial court must require the prosecution to present evidence, despite plea of guilty,
when the crime charged is punished by death. A sentence of death is valid only if it is
susceptible of a fair and reasonable examination by the court. This is impossible if no
evidence of guilt was taken after a plea of guilty.
Art. 48. Penalty for complex crimes. — When a single act constitutes two or
more grave or less grave felonies, or when an offense is a necessary means for
committing the other, the penalty for the most serious crime shall be imposed, the
same to be applied in its maximum period.
• The 2 or more grave or less grave felonies must be the result of a single act, or an
offense must be a necessary means to commit the crime.
• Complex crime – one crime only as there is only one criminal intent – only one
information need be filed
• 2 kinds of complex crimes:

a) compound crime – single act constitutes 2 or more grave or less grave felonies
Requisites:
1) that only one single act is committed by the offender
2) that the single act produces
a) 2 or more grave felonies
b) one or more grave and one or more less grave felonies
c) 2 or more less grave felonies
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b) complex crime proper – when an offense is a necessary means for committing

another
Requisites:
1) that at least 2 offenses are committed
2) that one or some of the offenses must be necessary to commit the other
3) that both or all the offenses must be punished under the same statute
• No single act in the following cases:
a) When 2 persons are killed one after the other, by different acts, although these 2
killings were the result of a single criminal impulse, the different acts must be
considered as distinct crimes.
b) When the acts are wholly different, not only in themselves, but also because they
are directed against 2 different persons, as when one fires his gun twice in
succession, killing one and injuring the other.
• Light felonies produced by the same act should be treated and punished as separate
offenses or may be absorbed by the grave felony.
Examples:
a) several light felonies resulting from one single act – not complex
Juan hit Pedro’s car, resulting in several light injuries and light felony of damage
to property. No complex crime because the crime of slight physical injuries and
damage to property are light felonies. There are as many crimes as there are
persons injured w/ light physical injuries and as many penalties as there are light
felonies committed, even though they are produced by a single act of the
offender.
b) when the crime is committed by force or violence, slight physical injuries are
absorbed.
• Examples of complex crimes:
a) Juan was a barangay captain who was killed while discharging his duty, the crime
is a complex crime of homicide w/ assault upon a person of authority.
b) Juan raped Petra, causing her physical injuries w/c required a month’s worth of
medical attention. This is a complex crime of rape w/ less serious physical
injuries. The injuries were necessary to the commission of the rape.
• when in obedience to an order, several accused simultaneously shot many persons,
without evidence how many each killed, there is only a single offense, there being a
single criminal impulse.
• when various acts are executed for the attainment of a single purpose w/c
constitutes an offense, such acts must be considered only as one offense.
Example: Juan falsified 100 warehouse receipts from April to June which enabled
him to swindle the bank of 100 million. There’s only one complex crime of estafa
through multiple falsification of documents.
• There is no complex crime of arson w/ homicide
• Art 48 is applicable to crimes through negligence
Example: Juan lit a cigarette as he poured gas in the tank of his car in his garage.
The gas caught fire and the house burned. His sister died and the maid suffered
serious physical injuries. The crimes of arson, homicide, serious physical injuries and
damage to property constitute a complex crime. There is only one penalty but there
are 3 civil liabilities.
• No complex crime when one of the offenses is penalized by a special law
• Example of complex crime proper (at least 2 crimes must be committed):
Kidnapping the victim to murder him in a secluded place – ransom wasn’t paid so
victim was killed. Kidnapping was a necessary means to commit murder. But where
the victim was taken from his home for the sole purpose of killing him and not for
detaining him illegally or for the purpose of ransom, the crime is simple murder.
• “Necessary means” does not mean “indispensable means”. Indispensable would
mean it is an element of the crime. The crime can be committed by another mean.
The means actually employed (another crime) was merely to facilitate and insure the
consummation of the crime.
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• When in the definition of a felony, one offense is a means to commit the other, there
is no complex crime.
Ex. Murder committed by means of fire. Murder can be qualified by the circumstance
of fire so no complex crime even if Art 321 and 324 punishes arson. It’s plain and
simple murder.
• Not complex crime when trespass to dwelling is a direct means to commit a grave
offense. Like rape, there is no complex crime of trespass to dwelling with rape.
Trespass will be considered as aggravating (unlawful entry or breaking part of a
dwelling)
• No complex crime when one offense is committed to conceal another
Example: Juan set the school on fire after committing homicide. 2 crimes.
• When the offender had in his possession the funds w/c he misappropriated, the
falsification of a public or official document involving said funds is a separate offense.
But when the offender had to falsify a public or official document to obtain
possession of the funds w/c he misappropriated, the falsification is a necessary
means to commit the malversation.
• There is no complex crime of rebellion with murder, arson, robbery or other common
crimes. They are mere ingredients of the crime of rebellion – absorbed already.
• When 2 crimes produced by a single act are respectively within the exclusive
jurisdiction of 2 courts of different jurisdiction, the court of higher jurisdiction shall try
the complex crime.
Example: Although the forcible abduction which was supposedly commenced in
Manila was not proven, and although the rape which was proven was actually
committed in Cavite, still the RTC of Manila had jurisdiction to convict the accused of
rape. The complex crime of forcible abduction with rape was charged in the
complaint on the basis of which the case was tried.
• Art. 48 is intended to favor the culprit.
• The penalty for complex crime is the penalty for the most serious crime, the same to
be applied in its maximum period. If the different crimes resulting from one single act
are punished with the same penalty, the penalty for any one of them shall be
imposed, the same to be applied in the maximum period. The same rule shall be
observed when an offense is a necessary means to commit the other.
• A complex crime of the second form may be committed by two persons.
• But when one of the offenses, as a means to commit the other, was committed by
one of the accused by reckless imprudence, the accused who committed the crime
by reckless imprudence is liable for his acts only.
Example: Juan cooperated in the commission of the complex offense of estafa
through falsification by reckless imprudence by acts without which it could not have
been accomplished, and this being a fact, there would be no reason to exculpate him
from liability. Even assuming he had no intention to defraud Tomas if his co-
defendants succeeded in attaining the purpose sought by the culprits, Juan’s
participation together w/ the participation of his co-defendants in the commission of
the offense completed all the elements necessary for the perpetration of the complex
crime of estafa through falsification of documents.
• When two felonies constituting a complex crime are punishable by imprisonment and
fine, respectively, only the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed.
• When a single act constitutes two grave or less grave or one grave and another less
grave, and the penalty for one is imprisonment while that for the other is fine, the
severity of the penalty for the more serious crime should not be judged by the
classification of each of the penalties involved, but by the nature of the penalties.
Example: Even if the fine for damage to property through reckless imprudence is
P40,000, an afflictive penalty, and the penalty for the physical injuries resulting from
the same act is only 4 mos of arresto mayor, a correccional penalty may be imposed.
• In the order of severity of the penalties, arresto mayor and arresto menor are
considered more severe than destierro and arresto menor is higher in degree than
destierro.
• Fine is not included in the list of penalties in the order of severity and it is the last in
the order.
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• Art 48 applies only to cases where the Code doesn’t provide a specific penalty for a
complex crime.
• Art 48 doesn’t apply when the law provides one single penalty for single complex
crimes like the ff:
a) robbery w/ homicide
b) robbery w/ rape
c) kidnapping w/ serious physical injuries
d) rape w/ homicide
• When a complex crime is charged and one offense is not proven, the accused can
be convicted of the other.
• Plurality of crimes – consists in the successive execution by the same individual of
different criminal acts upon any of w/c no conviction has yet been declared.
• Kinds of plurality of crimes:
a) formal or ideal – only one criminal liability
b) real or material – there are different crimes in law as well as in the conscience of
the offender, in such cases, the offender shall be punished for each and every
offense that he committed.
Example: Juan stabbed Pedro, then Juan stabbed Tomas too. There are 2
committed as 2 acts were performed.
PLURALITY OF CRIMES RECIDIVISM

No conviction of the crimes committed There must be conviction by final judgment of
the first prior offense
• Formal/ideal plural crimes are divided into 3 groups: (a person committing multiple
crimes is punished w/ one penalty in the ff cases)
a) when the offender commits any of the complex crimes defined in art 48
b) when the law specifically fixes a single penalty for 2 or more offenses committed:
robbery w/ homicide, kidnapping w/ serious physical injuires
c) when the offender commits continued crimes
• Continued crimes – refers to a single crime consisting of a series of acts but all
arising from one criminal resolution. Although there is a series of acts, there is only
one crime committed, so only one penalty shall be imposed.
• Examples of continued crimes:
a) a collector of a commercial firm misappropriates for his personal use several
amounts collected by him from different persons. There is only one crime
because the different and successive appropriations are but the different
moments during which one criminal resolution arises.
b) Juan stole 2 books belonging to 2 different persons. He commits only one crime
because there is unity of thought in the criminal purpose of the offender.
• A continued crime is not a complex crime as offender does not perform a single act
but a series of acts. Therefore:
a) penalty not to be imposed in the maximum
b) no actual provision punishing a continued crime – it’s a principle applied in
connection w/ 2 or more crimes committed w/ a single intention.
• Continued crime is different from a transitory crime. Transitory crime is “moving
crime”.
Example: kidnapping someone for ransom and moving him to another venue. The
offenders can be prosecuted and tried in either of the 2 areas.
REAL/MATERAIAL PLURALITY CONTINUED CRIME

There is a series of acts performed by the Same
offender
Each act performed constitutes a separate Different acts constitute only one crime
crime because each act is generated by a because all of the acts performed arise from
criminal impulse one criminal resolution.
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Art. 49. Penalty to be imposed upon the principals when the crime
committed is different from that intended. — In cases in which the felony
committed is different from that which the offender intended to commit, the
following rules shall be observed:
1. If the penalty prescribed for the felony committed be higher than that
corresponding to the offense which the accused intended to commit, the penalty
corresponding to the latter shall be imposed in its maximum period.
2. If the penalty prescribed for the felony committed be lower than that
corresponding to the one which the accused intended to commit, the penalty for
the former shall be imposed in its maximum period.
3. The rule established by the next preceding paragraph shall not be
applicable if the acts committed by the guilty person shall also constitute an
attempt or frustration of another crime, if the law prescribes a higher penalty for
either of the latter offenses, in which case the penalty provided for the attempted
or the frustrated crime shall be imposed in its maximum period.
• Art 49 has reference to the provision in the 1st par of Art 4 which provides that
criminal liability shall be incurred “by any person committing a felony although the
wrongful act done be different from that which he intended”
• Art 49 applicable only in cases when there is a mistake in identity of the victim of the
crime and the penalty for the crime committed is different from that for the crime
intended to be committed.
• Art 49 also has no application where a more serious consequence not intended by
the offender befalls the same person.
Example: Juan only wanted to inflict a wound upon Pedro but because he lost control
of his right arm, he killed Pedro. Art 49 not applicable.
ART 49 ART 48
Lesser penalty to be imposed in its maximum Penalty for the more serious crime shall be
pd imposed in its maximum pd
Notes:
1. Art. 49 has reference to Art. 4(1). It applies only when there is error in personae.
2. In Art. 49 (Paragraphs 1 and 2) the lower penalty in its maximum period is always
imposed.
3. In Par. 3 the penalty for the attempted or frustrated crime shall be imposed in its
maximum period. This rule is not necessary and may well be covered by Art. 48, in
view of the fact that the same act also constitutes an attempt or a frustration of
another crime.
Art. 50. Penalty to be imposed upon principals of a frustrated

crime. — The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for the
consummated felony shall be imposed upon the principal in a frustrated felony.
Art. 51. Penalty to be imposed upon principals of attempted crimes. — A

penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed by law for the consummated
felony shall be imposed upon the principals in an attempt to commit a felony.
Art. 52. Penalty to be imposed upon accomplices in consummated

crime. — The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for the
consummated shall be imposed upon the accomplices in the commission of a
consummated felony.
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Art. 53. Penalty to be imposed upon accessories to the commission of a

consummated felony. — The penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed by
law for the consummated felony shall be imposed upon the accessories to the
commission of a consummated felony.
Art. 54. Penalty to imposed upon accomplices in a frustrated

crime. — The penalty next lower in degree than prescribed by law for the
frustrated felony shall be imposed upon the accomplices in the commission of a
frustrated felony.
Art. 55. Penalty to be imposed upon accessories of a frustrated

crime. — The penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed by law for the
frustrated felony shall be imposed upon the accessories to the commission of a
frustrated felony.
Art. 56. Penalty to be imposed upon accomplices in an attempted

crime. — The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for an
attempt to commit a felony shall be imposed upon the accomplices in an attempt
to commit the felony.
Art. 57. Penalty to be imposed upon accessories of an attempted

crime. — The penalty lower by two degrees than that prescribed by law for the
attempted felony shall be imposed upon the accessories to the attempt to commit
a felony.
Application of Article 50 to 57
Participation Consummated Frustrated Attempted
Principal Penalty imposed by law 1° less 2° less
Accomplice 1° less 2° less 3° less
Accessory 2° less 3° less 4° less
• Notes:
Art 50-57 not applicable when the law specifically prescribes the penalty for the
frustrated and attempted felony or that to be imposed upon the accomplices and
accessories.
Degree – one whole penalty, one entire penalty or one unit of the penalties
enumerated in the graduated scales provided for in Art 71
Period – one of 3 equal portions, min/med/max of a divisible penalty. A period of a
divisible penalty when prescribed by the Code as a penalty for a felony, is in itself a
degree.
Distinctions between Degree and Period

Degree Period
Refers to the penalty imposable for a felony Refers to the duration of the penalty consisting
committed considering the stages of execution of the maximum, medium, and minimum, after
and the degree of participation of the offender considering the presence or absence of
aggravating circumstances
May refer to both divisible and indivisible Refers only to divisible penalties
penalties
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• The rules provided in Arts. 53, 55 and 57 do not apply if the felony is light because
accessories are not liable for the same
• Bases for imposition of the penalty under the RPC
a. Stage of the commission of the crime
1. Participation of the persons liable
2. Presence of aggravating or mitigating circumstances
Art. 58. Additional penalty to be imposed upon certain

accessories. — Those accessories falling within the terms of paragraphs 3 of
Article 19 of this Code who should act with abuse of their public functions, shall
suffer the additional penalty of absolute perpetual disqualification if the principal
offender shall be guilty of a grave felony, and that of absolute temporary
disqualification if he shall be guilty of a less grave felony.
• Art is limited only to grave and less grave felonies since it is not possible to have
accessories liable for light felonies. It is further limited to those whose participation in
the crime is characterized by the misuse of public office or authority.
Example: a) A mayor aided in friend, a wanted criminal, in escaping
b) A senator gives protection to his jueteng lord friend
• Additional Penalties for Public Officers who are accessories

1. Absolute perpetual disqualification, if the principal offender is guilty of a grave
felony.
2. Absolute temporary disqualification if the principal offender is guilty of less grave
felony
Art. 59. Penalty to be imposed in case of failure to commit the crime

because the means employed or the aims sought are impossible. — When the
person intending to commit an offense has already performed the acts for the
execution of the same but nevertheless the crime was not produced by reason of
the fact that the act intended was by its nature one of impossible accomplishment
or because the means employed by such person are essentially inadequate to
produce the result desired by him, the court, having in mind the social danger and
the degree of criminality shown by the offender, shall impose upon him the
penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from 200 to 500 pesos.
• Basis for the imposition of proper penalty in impossible crimes: sopcial danger and
degree of criminality shown by the offender.
Example: Juan fired a revolver at Pedro at the distance of 2 kilometers. This shoes
stupidity rather than danger. Juan should not be punished as there is no social
danger nor degree of criminality.
But if Juan was a convicted felon, act may be punished.
• Article limited to those cases of grave and less grave felonies.
Art. 60. Exception to the rules established in Articles 50 to 57. — The

provisions contained in Articles 50 to 57, inclusive, of this Code shall not be
applicable to cases in which the law expressly prescribes the penalty provided for
a frustrated or attempted felony, or to be imposed upon accomplices or
accessories.
• 2 cases wherein the accomplice is punished w/ the same penalty imposed upon the
principal
a) ascendants, guardians, curators, teachers and any person who by abuse of
authority or confidential relationship shall cooperate as accomplices in the crimes
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of rape, acts of lasciviousness, seduction, corruption of minors, white slave trade

or abduction.
b) one who furnished the place for the perpetration of the crime of slight illegal
detention.
• Accessory punished as principal: Art 142 – punishes an accessory for knowingly
concealed certain evil practices.
• Cases when instead of a penalty 2 degrees lower, one degree for accessory:
a) knowingly using counterfeited seal or forged signature or stamp of the President
b) illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank note
c) using a falsified document
d) using a falsified dispatch
Art. 61. Rules for graduating penalties. — For the purpose of graduating the
penalties which, according to the provisions of Articles 50 to 57, inclusive, of this
Code, are to be imposed upon persons guilty as principals of any frustrated or
attempted felony, or as accomplices or accessories, the following rules shall be
observed:
1. When the penalty prescribed for the felony is single and indivisible, the
penalty next lower in degrees shall be that immediately following that indivisible
penalty in the respective graduated scale prescribed in Article 71 of this Code.
2. When the penalty prescribed for the crime is composed of two indivisible
penalties, or of one or more divisible penalties to be impose to their full extent, the
penalty next lower in degree shall be that immediately following the lesser of the
penalties prescribed in the respective graduated scale.
3. When the penalty prescribed for the crime is composed of one or two
indivisible penalties and the maximum period of another divisible penalty, the
penalty next lower in degree shall be composed of the medium and minimum
periods of the proper divisible penalty and the maximum periods of the proper
divisible penalty and the maximum period of that immediately following in said
respective graduated scale.
4. when the penalty prescribed for the crime is composed of several periods,
corresponding to different divisible penalties, the penalty next lower in degree
shall be composed of the period immediately following the minimum prescribed
and of the two next following, which shall be taken from the penalty prescribed, if
possible; otherwise from the penalty immediately following in the above
mentioned respective graduated scale.
5. When the law prescribes a penalty for a crime in some manner not
especially provided for in the four preceding rules, the courts, proceeding by
analogy, shall impose corresponding penalties upon those guilty as principals of
the frustrated felony, or of attempt to commit the same, and upon accomplices
and accessories.
• The rules provided in this Art should also apply in determining the minimum of the
Indeterminate Sentence Law (ISL). It also applies in lowering the penalty by one or
two degrees by reason of the presence of the privileged mitigating circumstance or
when the penalty is divisible and there are two or more mitigating circumstances.
Graduated Scale in Art 71

• Indivisible Penalties:
a) Death
b) Reclusion Perpetua
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• Divisible Penalties:
a) Reclusion Temporal
b) Prision Mayor
c) Prision Correccional
d) Arresto Mayor
e) Destierro
f) Arresto Menor
g) Public Censure
h) Fine
• Rule No. 1:
When the penalty is single and indivisible (ex. RP), the penalty next lower shall be
reclusion temporal.
• Rule No. 2:
a) when the penalty is composed of two indivisible penalties
Ex. penalty for parricide is reclusion perpetua to death, the next lower penalty is
reclusion temporal
b) when the penalty is composed of one or more divisible penalties to be imposed to
their full extent
Ex. one divisible penalty is reclusion temporal. The penalty immediately following
RT is prision mayor. 2 divisible penalties are prision correccional to prision mayor.
The penalty immediately preceding the lesser of the penalties of prision
correccional to prision mayor is arresto mayor.
• Rule No. 3:
When the penalty is composed of 2 indivisible penalties and the maximum period of
a divisible penalty/ or when composed of one divisible penalty the maximum of one
divisible penalty
Ex. penalty for murder is reclusion temporal to death. The point of reference will
be on the proper divisible penalty which is reclusion temporal. Under the 3 rd rule,
the penalty next lower to reclusion temporal is composed of the medium and
minimum periods of reclusion temporal and the maximum of prision mayor.
• Rule No.4:
When the penalty is composed of several periods
Ex. the “several” periods contemplated in this rule correspond to different
divisible penalties. A penalty of prision mayor in its medium period to reclusion
temporal in its minimum period is an example of such. The penalty immediately
following the minimum of the entire sentence, which is prision mayor medium, is
prision mayor in its minimum and the 2 periods next following, which are prision
correccional max and medium.
• Rule No.5:
When the penalty has only 2 periods
Ex. Abduction punishable by prision correccional in its medium and minimum.
The next penalty following is formed by 2 periods to be taken from the same
penalty if possible or from the periods of the penalty numerically following the
lesser of the penalties prescribed. The penalty next following prision correccional
in its med and min shall be arresto mayor in its med and max.
• Mitigating and Aggravating circumstances are first disregarded in the application of

the rules for graduating penalties. It is only after the penalty next lower in degree is
already determined that the mitigating and aggravating circumstances should be
considered.
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Art. 62. Effect of the attendance of mitigating or aggravating circumstances

and of habitual delinquency. — Mitigating or aggravating circumstances and
habitual delinquency shall be taken into account for the purpose of diminishing or
increasing the penalty in conformity with the following rules:
1. Aggravating circumstances which in themselves constitute a crime
specially punishable by law or which are included by the law in defining a crime
and prescribing the penalty therefor shall not be taken into account for the
purpose of increasing the penalty.
2. The same rule shall apply with respect to any aggravating circumstance
inherent in the crime to such a degree that it must of necessity accompany the
commission thereof.
3. Aggravating or mitigating circumstances which arise from the moral
attributes of the offender, or from his private relations with the offended party, or
from any other personal cause, shall only serve to aggravate or mitigate the
liability of the principals, accomplices and accessories as to whom such
circumstances are attendant.
4. The circumstances which consist in the material execution of the act, or in
the means employed to accomplish it, shall serve to aggravate or mitigate the
liability of those persons only who had knowledge of them at the time of the
execution of the act or their cooperation therein.
5. Habitual delinquency shall have the following effects.
(a) Upon a third conviction the culprit shall be sentenced to the penalty
provided by law for the last crime of which he be found guilty and to the additional
penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods;
(b) Upon a fourth conviction, the culprit shall be sentenced to the penalty
provided for the last crime of which he be found guilty and to the additional
penalty of prision mayor in its minimum and medium periods; and
(c) Upon a fifth or additional conviction, the culprit shall be sentenced to the
penalty provided for the last crime of which he be found guilty and to the
additional penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period to reclusion temporal
in its minimum period.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, the total of the two penalties to be
imposed upon the offender, in conformity herewith, shall in no case exceed 30
years.
For the purpose of this article, a person shall be deemed to be habitual
delinquent, is within a period of ten years from the date of his release or last
conviction of the crimes of serious or less serious physical injuries, robo, hurto
estafa or falsification, he is found guilty of any of said crimes a third time or
oftener.
• Par 1: Aggravating circumstances are not to be taken into account when:

a) they themselves constitute a crime
Ex. by “means of fire” – arson
b) they are included by law in the definition of a crime
• Par 2: Same rules applies when the aggravating circumstance is inherent in the
crime
• Par 3. Aggravating or mitigating circumstances arising from any of the ff affect only
those to whom such circumstances are attendant:
a) from the moral attributes of the offender
b) from his private relations w/ the offended party
c) from any other personal cause
• Par 4: the circumstances w/c consist of the ff shall serve to aggravate and mitigate
the liability only of those who had knowledge of them at the time of the commission
of the offense
a) material execution of the act
b) means employed to accomplish the crime
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• Par 5: Habitual Delinquent is a person who within the period of 10 years from the
date of his (last) release or last conviction of the crimes of:
a) serious or less serious physical injuries
b) robbery
c) estafa
d) falsification
is found guilty of any of the said crimes a third time or oftener.
• Ten year period to be computed from the time of last release or conviction
• Subsequent crime must be committed after conviction of the former crime. Cases still
pending are not to be taken into consideration.
HABITUAL DELINQUENCY RECIDIVISM

Crimes to be committed are specified Same title
W/ in 10 years No time fixed by law
Must be found guilty 3rd time or oftener Second conviction
Additional penalty is imposed Is not offset by MC, increases penalty to
maximum
• Rulings on Habitual Delinquency:

a) the law on habitual delinquency does not contemplate the exclusion from the
computation of prior conviction those falling outside the 10 yr pd immediately
preceding the crime for w/c the defendant is being tried
b) ten yr pd is counted not from the date of commission of the subsequent offense
but to the date of conviction thereof in relation to the date of his last release or
last conviction
c) when an offender has committed several crimes mentioned in the definition of
habitual delinquent, without being first convicted of any of them before
committing the others, he is not a habitual delinquent
d) convictions on the same day or at about the same time are considered as one
only (days, weeks..)
e) crimes committed on the same date, although convictions on different dates are
considered as one
f) previous convictions are considered every time a new offense is committed
g) commissions of those crimes need not be consummated
h) habitual delinquency applies to accomplice and accessories as long as in the
crimes specified
i) a crime committed in the minority of the offender is not counted
j) imposition of additional penalty is mandatory and constitutional
k) modifying circumstances applicable to additional penalty
l) habitual delinquency is not a crime, it is simply a fact or circumstance which if
present gives rise to the imposition of additional penalty
m) penalty for habitual delinquency is a real penalty that determines jurisdiction
n) a habitual delinquent is necessarily a recidivist
o) in imposing the additional penalty, recidivism is not aggravating. The additional
penalty must be imposed in its minimum
p) an offender can be a habitual delinquent w/o being a recidivist
Notes:
• In no case shall be the total penalties imposed upon the offender exceed 30 years
• The law does not apply to crimes described in Art. 155
• The imposition of the additional penalties on habitual delinquents are constitutional, it
is simply a punishment on future crimes on account of the criminal propensities of
the accused.
• The imposition of such additional penalties are mandatory.
• Habitual delinquency applies at any stage of the execution because subjectively, the
offender reveals the same degree of depravity or perversity as the one who commits
a consummated crime.
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• Habitual delinquency applies to all participants because it reveals persistence in

them of the inclination to wrongdoing and of the perversity of character that led them
to commit the previous crime.
 Cases where the attending aggravating or mitigating circumstances are not

considered in the imposition of penalties.
• Penalty that is single and indivisible
• Felonies through negligence
• Penalty is a fine
• Penalty is prescribed by a special law
Art. 63. Rules for the application of indivisible penalties. — In all cases in
which the law prescribes a single indivisible penalty, it shall be applied by the
courts regardless of any mitigating or aggravating circumstances that may have
attended the commission of the deed.
In all cases in which the law prescribes a penalty composed of two indivisible
penalties, the following rules shall be observed in the application thereof:
1. When in the commission of the deed there is present only one aggravating
circumstance, the greater penalty shall be applied.
2. When there are neither mitigating nor aggravating circumstances and there
is no aggravating circumstance, the lesser penalty shall be applied.
3. When the commission of the act is attended by some mitigating
circumstances and there is no aggravating circumstance, the lesser penalty shall
be applied.
4. When both mitigating and aggravating circumstances attended the
commission of the act, the court shall reasonably allow them to offset one another
in consideration of their number and importance, for the purpose of applying the
penalty in accordance with the preceding rules, according to the result of such
compensation.
• Art 63 applies only when the penalty prescribed by the Code is either one indivisible
penalty or 2 indivisible penalties
• When the penalty is composed of 2 indivisible penalties, the penalty cannot be
lowered by one degree no matter how many mitigating circumstances are present
 Exception: in cases of privileged mitigating circumstances
• Par.4: the moral value rather than the numerical weight shall be taken into account
• Rules for the application of indivisible penalties
 Penalty is single and indivisible – applied regardless of the presence of
aggravating and mitigating circumstances
 Penalty composed of two indivisible penalties
1. One aggravating circumstance present – higher penalty
2. One mitigating circumstance present – lower penalty
3. Some mitigating circumstances present and no aggravating – lower penalty
4. Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstance are present – basis in number and
importance
Art. 64. Rules for the application of penalties which contain three periods. —
In cases in which the penalties prescribed by law contain three periods, whether it
be a single divisible penalty or composed of three different penalties, each one of
which forms a period in accordance with the provisions of Articles 76 and 77, the
court shall observe for the application of the penalty the following rules,
according to whether there are or are not mitigating or aggravating
circumstances:
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1. When there are neither aggravating nor mitigating circumstances, they

shall impose the penalty prescribed by law in its medium period.
2. When only a mitigating circumstances is present in the commission of the
act, they shall impose the penalty in its minimum period.
3. When an aggravating circumstance is present in the commission of the act,
they shall impose the penalty in its maximum period.
4. When both mitigating and aggravating circumstances are present, the
court shall reasonably offset those of one class against the other according to
their relative weight.
5. When there are two or more mitigating circumstances and no aggravating
circumstances are present, the court shall impose the penalty next lower to that
prescribed by law, in the period that it may deem applicable, according to the
number and nature of such circumstances.
6. Whatever may be the number and nature of the aggravating circumstances,
the courts shall not impose a greater penalty than that prescribed by law, in its
maximum period.
7. Within the limits of each period, the court shall determine the extent of the
penalty according to the number and nature of the aggravating and mitigating
circumstances and the greater and lesser extent of the evil produced by the crime.
• Art 64 applies when the penalty has 3 periods because they are divisible. If the
penalty is composed of 3 different penalties, each forms a period according to Art 77
• Par 4: the mitigating circumstances must be ordinary, not privileged. The aggravating
circumstances must be generic or specific, not qualifying or inherent.
Example: a qualifying circumstance (treachery) cannot be offset by a generic
mitigating circumstance (voluntary circumstance)
• The court has discretion to impose the penalty within the limits fixed by law
• Art 64 not applicable when the penalty is indivisible or prescribed by special law or a
fine
• Rules for the application of divisible penalties
 No aggravating and no mitigating circumstances – medium period
 One mitigating circumstance – minimum period
 One aggravating circumstance – maximum period
 Mitigating and aggravating circumstance o offset each other and according to
relative weight
 2 or more mitigating without any aggravating circumstance – on degree lower
Art. 65. Rule in cases in which the penalty is not composed of three periods.
— In cases in which the penalty prescribed by law is not composed of three
periods, the courts shall apply the rules contained in the foregoing articles,
dividing into three equal portions of time included in the penalty prescribed, and
forming one period of each of the three portions.
COMPUTATIONS:
A. Example: Prision Mayor (6 yrs, 1 day to 12 yrs)
1) subtract the minimum (disregard 1 day) from the maximum
12yrs – 6yrs = 6 yrs
2) divide the difference by 3
6 yrs / 3 = 2 yrs
3) use the minimum (6 yrs and 1 day) as the minimum of the minimum period.
Then add the 2 yrs (disregarding the 1 day) to the minimum to get the
maximum of the minimum
6 yrs (minimum of the minimum)
+ 2 yrs (difference)
-------------------------------------------
8 yrs (maximum of the minimum).
Therefore, minimum period of prision mayor; 6 yrs 1 day to 8 yrs
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4) use the maximum of the minimum period as the minimum of the medium
period and add 1 day to distinguish from the minimum period. Then add 2
years to the minimum of the medium (disregarding the 1 day) to get the
maximum of the medium period.
8 yrs (minimum of the medium)
-------------------------------------------
10 yrs (maximum of the medium)
Therefore, medium period of prision mayor; 8 yrs 1 day to 10 yrs
5) use the maximum of the medium period as the minimum of the maximum pd,
add 1 day to distinguish it from the medium period. Then add 2 yrs to the
minimum of the maximum pd (disregarding the 1 day) to get the maximum of
the maximum period)
10 yrs (maximum of the medium)
----------------------------------------------
12 yrs (maximum of the maximum)
Therefore, maximum period of prision mayor; 10 yrs 1 day to 12 yrs
 Computation above applicable to all others except arresto mayor
B. Example: Prision Mayor minimum (6 yrs 1 day to 8 yrs) only

1) Subtract minimum from the maximum
8yrs – 6yrs = 2 yrs
2) Divide the difference by 3
2yrs / 3 = 8 months
3) Use the minimum of the given example as the minimum period. Then to get to
get the maximum of the minimum, add the 8 months
6 yrs + 8 months = 6 yrs and 8 months
Therefore, minimum of prision mayor minimum; 6 yrs 1 day to 6 yrs 8 months
4) Use the maximum of the minimum as the minimum of the medium period. Add
1 day to distinguish it from the maximum of the minimum. Add the 8 months
and this becomes the maximum of the medium
6 yrs 8 months + 8 months = 7 yrs 4 months
Therefore, the medium period of prision mayor minimum; 6 yrs 8 mos 1 day to 7 yrs 4
mos
5) Use the maximum of the medium as the minimum period of the maximum
period and add 1 day to distinguish. Add the 8 months to get the maximum of
this maximum
7 yrs 4 mos + 8 mos = 8 yrs
Therefore, maximum of prision mayor; 7 yrs 4 mos 1 day to 8 yrs
Art. 66. Imposition of fines. — In imposing fines the courts may fix any
amount within the limits established by law; in fixing the amount in each case
attention shall be given, not only to the mitigating and aggravating circumstances,
but more particularly to the wealth or means of the culprit.
• Court must consider the following in imposing the fine:

a) mitigating and aggravating circumstances
b) the wealth and means of the culprit
• When the minimum of the fine is not fixed, the court shall have the discretion
provided it does not exceed the amount authorized by law
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Art. 67. Penalty to be imposed when not all the requisites of exemption of
the fourth circumstance of Article 12 are present.— When all the conditions
required in circumstances Number 4 of Article 12 of this Code to exempt from
criminal liability are not present, the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum
period to prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon the
culprit if he shall have been guilty of a grave felony, and arresto mayor in its
minimum and medium periods, if of a less grave felony.
• Requisites of Art 12 par 4

a) act causing the injury must be lawful
b) act performed w/ due care
c) injury was caused by mere accident
d) no fault or intention to cause injury
• if these conditions are not all present, then the ff penalties shall be imposed:
a) grave felony – arresto mayor max to prision correccional min
b) less grave felony – arresto mayor min to arresto mayor med
Art. 68. Penalty to be imposed upon a person under eighteen years of age.
— When the offender is a minor under eighteen years and his case is one coming
under the provisions of the paragraphs next to the last of Article 80 of this Code,
the following rules shall be observed:
1. Upon a person under fifteen but over nine years of age, who is not
exempted from liability by reason of the court having declared that he acted with
discernment, a discretionary penalty shall be imposed, but always lower by two
degrees at least than that prescribed by law for the crime which he committed.
2. Upon a person over fifteen and under eighteen years of age the penalty
next lower than that prescribed by law shall be imposed, but always in the proper
period.
Notes:
• Art. 68 applies to such minor if his application for suspension of sentence is
disapproved or if while in the reformatory institution he becomes incorrigible in which
case he shall be returned to the court for the imposition of the proper penalty.
• Art. 68 provides for 2 privileged mitigating circumstances
If the act is attended by two or more mitigating circumstance and no aggravating
circumstance, the penalty being divisible a minor over 15 but under 18 may still get a
penalty two degrees lower.
 under 15 but over 9 and has acted w/ discretion: 2 degrees lower
 under 18 but over 15: 1 degree lower
Art. 69. Penalty to be imposed when the crime committed is not wholly
excusable. — A penalty lower by one or two degrees than that prescribed by law
shall be imposed if the deed is not wholly excusable by reason of the lack of some
of the conditions required to justify the same or to exempt from criminal liability in
the several cases mentioned in Article 11 and 12, provided that the majority of
such conditions be present. The courts shall impose the penalty in the period
which may be deemed proper, in view of the number and nature of the conditions
of exemption present or lacking.
• Penalty to be imposed when the crime committed is not wholly excusable

 1 or 2 degrees lower if the majority of the conditions for justification or exemption
in the cases provided in Arts. 11 and 12 are present.
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Art. 70. Successive service of sentence. — When the culprit has to serve
two or more penalties, he shall serve them simultaneously if the nature of the
penalties will so permit otherwise, the following rules shall be observed:
In the imposition of the penalties, the order of their respective severity shall be
followed so that they may be executed successively or as nearly as may be
possible, should a pardon have been granted as to the penalty or penalties first
imposed, or should they have been served out.
For the purpose of applying the provisions of the next preceding paragraph the
respective severity of the penalties shall be determined in accordance with the
following scale:
1. Death,
2. Reclusion perpetua,
3. Reclusion temporal,
4. Prision mayor,
5. Prision correccional,
6. Arresto mayor,
7. Arresto menor,
8. Destierro,
9. Perpetual absolute disqualification,
10 Temporal absolute disqualification.
11. Suspension from public office, the right to vote and be voted for, the right
to follow a profession or calling, and
12. Public censure.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the rule next preceding, the maximum duration
of the convict's sentence shall not be more than three-fold the length of time
corresponding to the most severe of the penalties imposed upon him. No other
penalty to which he may be liable shall be inflicted after the sum total of those
imposed equals the same maximum period.
Such maximum period shall in no case exceed forty years.
In applying the provisions of this rule the duration of perpetual penalties ( pena
perpetua) shall be computed at thirty years. (As amended).
• Maximum duration of the convict’s sentence: 3 times the most severe penalty
• Max period shall not exceed 40 years
• Subsidiary imprisonment – this shall be excluded in computing for the maximum
duration
Example: Juan has 10 sentences of 6 months and 1 day each and a fine of 1000. He
was not able to pay the fine. Therefore, he must serve subsidiary penalty after 18
months and 3 days in jail.
Art. 71. Graduated scales. — In the case in which the law prescribed a
penalty lower or higher by one or more degrees than another given penalty, the
rules prescribed in Article 61 shall be observed in graduating such penalty.
The lower or higher penalty shall be taken from the graduated scale in which is
comprised the given penalty.
The courts, in applying such lower or higher penalty, shall observe the following
graduated scales:
SCALE NO. 1
1. Death,
2. Reclusion perpetua,
3. Reclusion temporal,
4. Prision mayor,
5. Prision correccional,
6. Arresto mayor,
7. Destierro,
8. Arresto menor,
9. Public censure,
10. Fine.
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SCALE NO. 2
1. Perpetual absolute disqualification,
2. Temporal absolute disqualification
3. Suspension from public office, the right to vote and be
voted for, the right to follow a profession or calling,
4. Public censure,
5. Fine.
Art. 72. Preference in the payment of the civil liabilities. — The civil liabilities
of a person found guilty of two or more offenses shall be satisfied by following the
chronological order of the dates of the judgments rendered against him,
beginning with the first in order of time.
• the penalties shall be satisfied according to the scale of Art 70
Art. 73. Presumption in regard to the imposition of accessory

penalties. — Whenever the courts shall impose a penalty which, by provision of
law, carries with it other penalties, according to the provisions of Articles 40, 41,
42, 43 and 44 of this Code, it must be understood that the accessory penalties are
also imposed upon the convict.
• subsidiary penalties are deemed imposed. However, the subsidiary imprisonment

must be expressly stated in the decision.
Art. 74. Penalty higher than reclusion perpetua in certain cases. — In cases
in which the law prescribes a penalty higher than another given penalty, without
specially designating the name of the former, if such higher penalty should be that
of death, the same penalty and the accessory penalties of Article 40, shall be
considered as the next higher penalty.
• if the decision or law says higher than RP or 2 degrees than RT, then the penalty
imposed is RP or RT as the case may be. Death must be designated by name.
However, for the other penalties, this does not apply.
Example: the penalty for crime X is 2 degrees lower than RP. The penalty imposed is
prision mayor.
Art. 75. Increasing or reducing the penalty of fine by one or more degrees.
— Whenever it may be necessary to increase or reduce the penalty of fine by one
or more degrees, it shall be increased or reduced, respectively, for each degree,
by one-fourth of the maximum amount prescribed by law, without however,
changing the minimum.
The same rules shall be observed with regard of fines that do not consist of a
fixed amount, but are made proportional.
• To get the lower degree:

 Max: reduce by one-fourth
 Min: the same
Art. 76. Legal period of duration of divisible penalties. — The legal period of
duration of divisible penalties shall be considered as divided into three parts,
forming three periods, the minimum, the medium, and the maximum in the manner
shown in the following table:
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Art. 77. When the penalty is a complex one composed of three distinct
penalties. — In cases in which the law prescribes a penalty composed of three
distinct penalties, each one shall form a period; the lightest of them shall be the
minimum the next the medium, and the most severe the maximum period.
Whenever the penalty prescribed does not have one of the forms specially
provided for in this Code, the periods shall be distributed, applying by analogy the
prescribed rules.
• if there are 3 distinct penalties; there shall be a minimum, a medium and a maximum
Example: Reclusion temporal max to death
Art. 78. When and how a penalty is to be executed. — No penalty shall be

executed except by virtue of a final judgment.
A penalty shall not be executed in any other form than that prescribed by law, nor
with any other circumstances or incidents than those expressly authorized
thereby.
In addition to the provisions of the law, the special regulations prescribed for the
government of the institutions in which the penalties are to be suffered shall be
observed with regard to the character of the work to be performed, the time of its
performance, and other incidents connected therewith, the relations of the
convicts among themselves and other persons, the relief which they may receive,
and their diet.
The regulations shall make provision for the separation of the sexes in different
institutions, or at least into different departments and also for the correction and
reform of the convicts.
• Only penalty by final judgment can be executed. Judgment is final if the accused has
not appealed within 15 days or he has expressly waived in writing that he will not
appeal.
• There could be no subsidiary liability if it was not expressly ordered in the judgment
Art. 79. Suspension of the execution and service of the penalties in case of
insanity. — When a convict shall become insane or an imbecile after final
sentence has been pronounced, the execution of said sentence shall be
suspended only with regard to the personal penalty, the provisions of the second
paragraph of circumstance number 1 of article 12 being observed in the
corresponding cases.
If at any time the convict shall recover his reason, his sentence shall be executed,
unless the penalty shall have prescribed in accordance with the provisions of this
Code.
The respective provisions of this section shall also be observed if the insanity or
imbecility occurs while the convict is serving his sentence
• Cases of insanity:
a) after final sentence, suspend the sentence regarding the personal penalties
b) if he recovers, the sentence is executed unless it has prescribed
c) the payment of civil of pecuniary liabilities shall not be suspended
• Art 80 (as amended by PD 603: Child and Youth Welfare Code)

a) youthful offender – over 9 but under 18 at time of the commission of the offense
b) a youthful offender held for examination or trial who cannot furnish bail will be
committed to the DSWD/local rehab center or detention home
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c) judgment of the court shall not be pronounced but suspended except for the ff
cases:
1. those who previously enjoyed a suspension of sentence
2. those convicted of death or life imprisonment
3. those convicted for an offense by the military tribunals
d) the DSWD may dismiss the case if the youth behaves properly
e) the records of the proceeding shall be privileged and shall not be disclosed
f) the civil liability of the youthful offender may be voluntary assumed by a relative
or a friend
g) the parent or guardian of the child is liable when he aids, abets or connives w/
the commission of the crime or does an act producing, promoting or contributing
to the child’s being a juvenile delinquent.
h) The penalties for the parent or guardian: Fine not exceeding 500 and/or
imprisonment not exceeding 2 years
Art. 81. When and how the death penalty is to be executed. — The death
sentence shall be executed with reference to any other and shall consist in putting
the person under sentence to death by electrocution. The death sentence shall be
executed under the authority of the Director of Prisons, endeavoring so far as
possible to mitigate the sufferings of the person under sentence during
electrocution as well as during the proceedings prior to the execution.
If the person under sentence so desires, he shall be anaesthetized at the moment
of the electrocution.
Art. 82. Notification and execution of the sentence and assistance to the
culprit. — The court shall designate a working day for the execution but not the
hour thereof; and such designation shall not be communicated to the offender
before sunrise of said day, and the execution shall not take place until after the
expiration of at least eight hours following the notification, but before sunset.
During the interval between the notification and the execution, the culprit shall, in
so far as possible, be furnished such assistance as he may request in order to be
attended in his last moments by priests or ministers of the religion he professes
and to consult lawyers, as well as in order to make a will and confer with members
of his family or persons in charge of the management of his business, of the
administration of his property, or of the care of his descendants.
• Designate a working day w/c shall not be communicated to the offender before the
sunrise of said day. The execution shall not take place until after the expiration of at
least 8 hrs following such notification.
• He can execute a will.
Art. 83. Suspension of the execution of the death sentence. — The death
sentence shall not be inflicted upon a woman within the three years next following
the date of the sentence or while she is pregnant, nor upon any person over
seventy years of age. In this last case, the death sentence shall be commuted to
the penalty of reclusion perpetua with the accessory penalties provided in Article
40.
• Death sentence commuted to RP:

a) woman, within 3 years, following the date of sentence
b) woman, while pregnant
c) person over 70 years old.
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Art. 84. Place of execution and persons who may witness the same. — The
execution shall take place in the penitentiary of Bilibid in a space closed to the
public view and shall be witnessed only by the priests assisting the offender and
by his lawyers, and by his relatives, not exceeding six, if he so request, by the
physician and the necessary personnel of the penal establishment, and by such
persons as the Director of Prisons may authorize.
Art. 85. Provisions relative to the corpse of the person executed and its
burial. — Unless claimed by his family, the corpse of the culprit shall, upon the
completion of the legal proceedings subsequent to the execution, be turned over
to the institute of learning or scientific research first applying for it, for the
purpose of study and investigation, provided that such institute shall take charge
of the decent burial of the remains. Otherwise, the Director of Prisons shall order
the burial of the body of the culprit at government expense, granting permission
to be present thereat to the members of the family of the culprit and the friends of
the latter. In no case shall the burial of the body of a person sentenced to death be
held with pomp.
Art. 86. Reclusion perpetua, reclusion temporal, prision mayor, prision

correccional and arresto mayor. — The penalties of reclusion perpetua, reclusion
temporal, prision mayor, prision correccional and arresto mayor, shall be
executed and served in the places and penal establishments provided by the
Administrative Code in force or which may be provided by law in the future.
Art. 87. Destierro. — Any person sentenced to destierro shall not be

permitted to enter the place or places designated in the sentence, nor within the
radius therein specified, which shall be not more than 250 and not less than 25
kilometers from the place designated.
• Destierro shall be imposed in the ff cases:

a) death or serious physical injuries is caused or are inflicted under exceptional
circumstance
b) person fails to give bond for god behavior
c) concubine’s penalty for the crime of concubinage
d) lowering the penalty by degrees
• Execution of Distierro
a) Convict shall not be permitted to enter the place designated in the sentence nor
within the radius specified, which shall not be more than 250 and not less than 25
km from the place designated.
b) If the convict enters the prohibited area, he commits evasion of sentence
Art. 88. Arresto menor. — The penalty of arresto menor shall be served in
the municipal jail, or in the house of the defendant himself under the surveillance
of an officer of the law, when the court so provides in its decision, taking into
consideration the health of the offender and other reasons which may seem
satisfactory to it.
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• Served where:
 In the municipal jail
 In the house of the offender, but under the surveillance of an officer of the law
whenever the court so provides in the decision due to the health of the offender. But
the reason is not satisfactory just because the offender is a respectable member of
the community
Art. 89. How criminal liability is totally extinguished. — Criminal liability is

totally extinguished:
(1) By the death of the convict, as to the personal penalties and as to pecuniary
penalties, liability therefor is extinguished only when the death of the offender
occurs before final judgment.
• Extinguishment of criminal liability is a ground of motion to quash
• Criminal liability whether before or after final judgment is extinguished upon death
because it is a personal penalty
• Pecuniary penalty is extinguished only when death occurs before final judgement.
• The death of the offended party however does not extinguish criminal liability of the
accused because it is a crime against the state.
(2) By service of the sentence

• Crime is a debt, hence extinguished upon payment
• Service does not extinguish civil liability
• Amnesty – is an act of the sovereign power granting oblivion or general pardon. It
wipes all traces and vestiges of the crime but does not extinguish civil liability.
(3) By absolute pardon

• Pardon – an act of grace proceeding from the power entrusted w/ the execution of
laws, which exempts the individual from the punishment the law inflicts for the crime.
AMNESTY PARDON
Extended to classes of persons who may be Exercised individually by the president
guilty of political offenses
Exercised even before trial or investigation Exercised when one is convicted
Looks backward and abolishes the offense Looks forward and relieves the offender of the
itself consequences
Does not extinguish civil liability Same
A public act that needs the declaration of the A private act of the president
president with the concurrence of Congress
Courts should take judicial notice Must be pleaded and proved
(4) By prescription of the crime

• When the crime prescribes, the state loses the right to prosecute
• Prescription of a crime – is the loss/forfeiture of the right of the state to prosecute the
offender after the lapse of a certain time.
(5) By prescription of the penalty

• means the loss/forfeiture of the right of government to execute the final sentence
after the lapse of a certain time. Conditions: there must be final judgement and the
period has elapsed.
(6) By the marriage of the offended woman, as provided in Art 344 of this Code
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Art. 90. Prescription of crime. — Crimes punishable by death, reclusion

perpetua or reclusion temporal shall prescribe in twenty years.
Crimes punishable by other afflictive penalties shall prescribe in fifteen years.
Those punishable by a correctional penalty shall prescribe in ten years; with the
exception of those punishable by arresto mayor, which shall prescribe in five
years.
The crime of libel or other similar offenses shall prescribe in one year.
The crime of oral defamation and slander by deed shall prescribe in six months.
Light offenses prescribe in two months.
When the penalty fixed by law is a compound one, the highest penalty shall be
made the basis of the application of the rules contained in the first, second and
third paragraphs of this article. (As amended by RA 4661, approved June 19,
1966.)
• In computing for the period, the first day is excluded and the last day included.
Subject to leap years
• When the last day of the prescriptive period falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday, the
info can no longer be filed the ff day
• Simple slander prescribes in 2 months and grave slander in 6 months
• Since destierro is a correctional penalty, it prescribes in 10 years. Afflictive penalties,
15 years.
• If compound penalty, basis will be the highest penalty
• If fine is an alternative penalty (imposed together w/ a penalty lower than the fine),
fine shall be the basis
• Prescription begins to run from the discovery thereof. Interrupted when proceedings
are instituted and shall begin to run again when the proceedings are dismissed.
• If an accused fails to move to quash before pleading, he is deemed to have waived
all objections.
• Prescription does not take away the court’s jurisdiction but only absolves the
defendant and acquits him.
Art. 91. Computation of prescription of offenses. — The period of

prescription shall commence to run from the day on which the crime is discovered
by the offended party, the authorities, or their agents, and shall be interrupted by
the filing of the complaint or information, and shall commence to run again when
such proceedings terminate without the accused being convicted or acquitted, or
are unjustifiably stopped for any reason not imputable to him.
The term of prescription shall not run when the offender is absent from the
Philippine Archipelago.
• If there is nothing concealed (appears in a public document), the crime commences

to run on the date of the commission
• Period of prescription for crimes that is continuing never runs
• Crime needs to be discovered by:
a) offended party
b) authorities
c) their agents
• If a person witnesses the crime but only tells the authorities 25 years later,
prescription commences on the day the authorities were told.
• What interrupts prescription?

a) preliminary examination or investigation w/c is similar to judicial proceeding
b) filing the proper complaint w/ the fiscal’s office and the prosecutor. Police not
included.
c) Filing complaint with the court that has proper jurisdiction
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• When the period commences to run again

a) When the proceeding is terminated without the accused being convicted or
acquitted
b) When the proceeding is unjustifiably stopped for a reason not imputable to the
offender
• “when such proceedings terminate” – termination that is final; an unappealed
conviction or acquittal
• “unjustifiably stopped for any reason” – example: accused evades arrest,
proceedings must be stopped
• Art 91 applies to a special law when said law does not provide for the application but
only provides for the period of prescription
Art. 92. When and how penalties prescribe. — The penalties imposed by
final sentence prescribe as follows:
1. Death and reclusion perpetua, in twenty years;
2. Other afflictive penalties, in fifteen years;
3. Correctional penalties, in ten years; with the exception of the penalty of
arresto mayor, which prescribes in five years;
4. Light penalties, in one year.
• Note that final sentence must be imposed

• If a convict can avail of mitigating circumstances and the penalty is lowered, it is still
the original penalty that is used as the basis for prescription. However, if the convict
already serves a portion of his sentence and escapes after, the penalty that was
imposed (not the original) shall be the basis for prescription
• Fines less than 200 fall under light penalty. Those above are correccional.
Art. 93. Computation of the prescription of penalties. — The period of

prescription of penalties shall commence to run from the date when the culprit
should evade the service of his sentence, and it shall be interrupted if the
defendant should give himself up, be captured, should go to some foreign country
with which this Government has no extradition treaty, or should commit another
crime before the expiration of the period of prescription.
• Elements:
a) penalty is final
b) convict evaded the sentence
c) convict has not given himself up
d) penalty has prescribed because of lapse of time from the date of the evasion of
the service of the sentence
• Interruption of the period

 If the defendant surrenders
 If he is captured
 If he should go into a foreign country with which the Philippines has no
extradition treaty
 If he should commit another crime before the expiration of the period of
prescription
 Acceptance of a conditional pardon(People v. Puntilos)
• If a government has an extradition treaty w/ the country to w/c a convict escaped and
the crime is not included in the treaty, the running of the prescription is interrupted
• Sentence evasion clearly starts the running of the prescription. It does not interrupt it.
Acceptance of the conditional pardon interrupts the prescriptive period.
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• Rolito Go case: since he was captured, he is only supposed to serve the remainder
of his sentence. Reason: during the period he escaped, his existence is one of fear
and discomfort
Art. 94. Partial Extinction of criminal liability. — Criminal liability is

extinguished partially:
1. By conditional pardon;
2. By commutation of the sentence; and
3. For good conduct allowances which the culprit may earn while he is
serving his sentence.
Conditional pardon – contract between the sovereign power of the executive and the
convict
• Convict shall not violate any of the penal laws of the Philippines
• Violation of conditions:
 Offender is re-arrested and re-incarcerated
 Prosecution under Art. 159
Commutation – change in the decision of the court by the chief regarding the
(1) degree of the penalty;
(2) by decreasing the length of the imprisonment or fine
• Commutation allowed when:

a) person over 70 yrs old
b) 10 justices fail to reach a decision affirming the death penalty
• Consent not necessary in commutation
• Prisoner is also allowed special time allowance for loyalty w/c is 1/5 deduction of
the period of his sentence.
Parole – consists in the suspension of the sentence of a convict after serving the
minimum term of the indeterminate penalty, without granting pardon, prescribing the
terms upon which the sentence shall be suspended. In case his parole conditions are
not observed, a convict may be returned to the custody and continue to serve his
sentence without deducting the time that elapsed.
CONDITIONAL PARDON PAROLE

Given after final judgement Given after service of the minimum penalty
Granted by Chief Executive Given by the Bd of Pardons and Parole
For violation, convict may not be prosecuted For violations, may be rearrested, convict
under 159 serves remaining sentence
• Good conduct allowance during confinement

Deduction for the term of sentence for good behavior
Art. 95. Obligation incurred by person granted conditional

pardon. — Any person who has been granted conditional pardon shall incur the
obligation of complying strictly with the conditions imposed therein otherwise, his
non-compliance with any of the conditions specified shall result in the revocation
of the pardon and the provisions of Article 159 shall be applied to him.
• Condition of pardon is limited to unserved portion of the sentence, unless an

intention to extend it beyond the time is manifest
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Art. 96. Effect of commutation of sentence. — The commutation of the

original sentence for another of a different length and nature shall have the legal
effect of substituting the latter in the place of the former.
Art. 97. Allowance for good conduct. — The good conduct of any prisoner in
any penal institution shall entitle him to the following deductions from the period
of his sentence:
1. During the first two years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a
deduction of five days for each month of good behavior;
2. During the third to the fifth year, inclusive, of his imprisonment, he shall be
allowed a deduction of eight days for each month of good behavior;
3. During the following years until the tenth year, inclusive, of his
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of ten days for each month of good
behavior; and
4. During the eleventh and successive years of his imprisonment, he shall be
allowed a deduction of fifteen days for each month of good behavior.
• Allowance for good conduct not applicable when prisoner released under conditional
pardon.
• Good conduct time allowance is given in consideration of good conduct of prisoner
while he is serving sentence.
Allowances for Good conduct per year

Years Allowance
First 2 years 5 days per month of good behavior
3rd to 5th years 8 days per month of good behavior
Following years up to 10th year 10 days per month of good behavior
11th year and successive years 15 days per month of good behavior
Art. 98. Special time allowance for loyalty. — A deduction of one-fifth of the
period of his sentence shall be granted to any prisoner who, having evaded the
service of his sentence under the circumstances mentioned in article 58 of this
Code, gives himself up to the authorities within 48 hours following the issuance of
a proclamation announcing the passing away of the calamity or catastrophe to in
said article.
• Special time allowance for loyalty of prisoners:

 The article applies only to prisoners who escaped
 deduction of 1/5 of the period of sentence of prisoner who having evaded the
service of his sentence during the calamity or catastrophe mentioned in Art 158,
gives himself up to the authorities w/in 48 hrs ff the issuance of the proclamation
by the President announcing the passing away of the calamity or catastrophe
 deduction based on the original sentence and not on the unexpired portion
• Art 158 provides for increased penalties:

- a convict who has evaded the service of his sentence by leaving the penal
institution on the occasion of disorder resulting from conflagration, earthquake or
similar catastrophe or during mutiny in which he did not participate is liable to an
increased penalty (1/5 of the time still remaining to be served – not to exceed 6
months), if he fails to give himself up to the authorities w/in 48 hrs ff the issuance of a
proclamation by the President announcing the passing away of the calamity.
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Art. 99. Who grants time allowances. — Whenever lawfully justified, the
Director of Prisons shall grant allowances for good conduct. Such allowances
once granted shall not be revoked.
a) authority to grant time allowance for good conduct is exclusively vested in the Dir
(e.g. provincial warden cannot usurp Director’s authority)
b) it is not an automatic right and once granted, cannot be revoked by him
CIVIL LIABILITY
2 classes:
a) social injury – produced by disturbance and alarm w/c are the outcome of the offense
b) personal injury – caused by the victim who may have suffered damage, either to his
person, property, honor or chastity
Art. 100. Civil liability of a person guilty of felony. — Every person criminally
liable for a felony is also civilly liable.
Basis:
obligation to repair or to make whole the damage caused to another by reason of an act
or omission, whether done intentionally or negligently and whether or not punishable by
law
Dual character of the crime as against:

a) the state because of the disturbance of peace and order
b) the private person injured unless it involves the crime of treason, rebellion,
espionage, contempt and others where no civil liability arises on the part of
the offender either because there are no damages or there is no private
person injured by the crime
Damage that may be recovered in criminal cases:

• Crimes against persons, like crime of physical injuries – whatever he spent for
treatment of wounds, doctor’s fees, medicines as well as salary or wages unearned
• Moral Damages: seduction, abduction, rape or other lascivious acts, adultery or
concubinage, illegal or arbitrary detention or arrest, illegal search, libel, slander or
any other form of defamation, malicious prosecution
• Exemplary Damages: imposed when crime was committed with one or more
aggravating circumstances
a) If there is no damage caused by the commission of the crime, offender is not civilly
liable
b) Dismissal of the info or the crime action does not affect the right of the offended party
to institute or continue the civil action already instituted arising from the offense,
because such dismissal does not carry with it the extinction of the civil one.
c) When accused is acquitted on ground that his guilt has not been proven beyond
reasonable doubt, a civil action for damages for the same act or omission may be
instituted
d) Exemption from criminal liability in favor of an imbecile or insane person, and a
person under 9 yrs, or over 9 but under 15 who acted w/ discernment and those
acting under the impulse of irresistible force or under the impulse of an uncontrolable
fear of an equal or greater injury does not include exemption from civil liability.
e) Acquittal in the crim action for negligence does not preclude the offended party from
filing a civil action to recover damages, based on the theory that the act is quasi-
delict
f) When the court found the accused guilty of crim negligence but failed to enter
judgement of civil liability, the private prosecutor has a right to appeal for the
purposes of the civil liability of the accused. The appellate court may remand the
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case to the trial court for the latter to include in its judgement the civil liability of the
accused
g) Before expiration of the 15-day of for appealing, the trial court can amend the
judgement of conviction by adding a provision for the civil liability of the accused,
even if the convict has started serving the sentence.
h) An independent civil action may be brought by the injured party during the pendency
of the criminal case provided the right is reserved. Reservation is necessary in the ff
cases:
1. any of the cases referred to in Art 32 (perpetual or temporary
disqualification for exercise of the right of suffrage)
2. defamation, fraud and physical injury (bodily injury and not the crime of
physical injury)
3. civil action is against a member of a city or municipal police force for
refusing or failing to render aid or protection to any person in case of
danger to life or property
4. in an action for damage arising from fault or negligence and there is no
pre-existing contractual relation between the parties (quasi-delict)
i) Prejudicial Question – one w/c arises in a case, the resolution of which is a logical
antecedent of the issue involved in said case and the cognizance of which pertains
to another tribunal.
• For the principle to apply, it is essential that there be 2 cases involved, a civil and a
criminal case. Prejudicial questions may be decided before any criminal prosecution
may be instituted or may proceed.
• An independent civil action may be brought by the injured party during the pendency
of the criminal case, provided that the right is reserved
• Extinction of the penal action does not carry with it the extinction of the civil, unless
the extinction proceeds from a declaration in a final judgement that the fact from
which the civil might arise did not exist
Art. 101. Rules regarding civil liability in certain cases. — The exemption
from criminal liability established in subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of article 12 and
in subdivision 4 of article 11 of this Code does not include exemption from civil
liability, which shall be enforced subject to the following rules:
First. In cases of subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of Article 12, the civil liability for acts
committed by an imbecile or insane person, and by a person under nine years of
age, or by one over nine but under fifteen years of age, who has acted without
discernment, shall devolve upon those having such person under their legal
authority or control, unless it appears that there was no fault or negligence on
their part.
Should there be no person having such insane, imbecile or minor under his
authority, legal guardianship or control, or if such person be insolvent, said
insane, imbecile, or minor shall respond with their own property, excepting
property exempt from execution, in accordance with the civil law.
Second. In cases falling within subdivision 4 of Article 11, the persons for whose
benefit the harm has been prevented shall be civilly liable in proportion to the
benefit which they may have received.
The courts shall determine, in sound discretion, the proportionate amount for
which each one shall be liable.
When the respective shares cannot be equitably determined, even approximately,
or when the liability also attaches to the Government, or to the majority of the
inhabitants of the town, and, in all events, whenever the damages have been
caused with the consent of the authorities or their agents, indemnification shall be
made in the manner prescribed by special laws or regulations.
Third. In cases falling within subdivisions 5 and 6 of Article 12, the persons using
violence or causing the fears shall be primarily liable and secondarily, or, if there
be no such persons, those doing the act shall be liable, saving always to the latter
that part of their property exempt from execution.
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General Rule: exemption from criminal liability does not include exemption from civil
liability
Exception: no civil liability in par 4 and 7of art 12. Par 1,2,3,5 and 6 are NOT exempt
from civil liability although exempt from criminal liability
Who are civilly liable for:

a. acts of insane or minor exempt from criminal liability
1. primarily devolve upon perosns having legal authority or control over him,
if at fault or negligent (except if proven that they acted w/o fault or w/ due
diligence)
2. if no fault or negligence, or even w/ fault but is insolvent and there are no
persons having legal authority over them, the property of the insane,
minor or imbecile not exempt from execution shall be held liable.
b. over 15 but under 18 w. discernment
β 1. civil code says parent (dad then mom)_
2. guardians
3. minors own property where a guardian ad litem shall be appointed
*final release of a child based on good conduct does not remove his civil
liability for damages.
c. persons acting under an irresistible force or uncontrollable fear

1. persons using violence or causing the fear are primarily liable
2. if there are none, those doing the act
d. no civil liability in justifying circumstances EXCEPT: par 4 of Art 11, the one
benefited by the act is civilly liable.
e. civil liability in case of state of necessity

Those who benefited by the act and court shall determine the
proportionate amount for which each shall be liable. If the government or
majority of the inhabitants are liable, such will be determined by special laws
or regulations.
Art. 102. Subsidiary civil liability of innkeepers, tavernkeepers and

proprietors of establishments. — In default of the persons criminally liable,
innkeepers, tavernkeepers, and any other persons or corporations shall be civilly
liable for crimes committed in their establishments, in all cases where a violation
of municipal ordinances or some general or special police regulation shall have
been committed by them or their employees.
Innkeepers are also subsidiarily liable for the restitution of goods taken by
robbery or theft within their houses from guests lodging therein, or for the
payment of the value thereof, provided that such guests shall have notified in
advance the innkeeper himself, or the person representing him, of the deposit of
such goods within the inn; and shall furthermore have followed the directions
which such innkeeper or his representative may have given them with respect to
the care and vigilance over such goods. No liability shall attach in case of robbery
with violence against or intimidation of persons unless committed by the
innkeeper's employees.
Elements of Par 1:
1. That the innkeeper of the establishment or his employee committed a
violation of municipal ordinance or some general or special police regulation
2. A crime is committed in such establishment
3. Person criminally liable is insolvent
 when all these are present, the innkeeper and the like are subsidiarily liable
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Elements of Par 2:
1. guests notified in advance the innkeeper of the deposit of such goods w/in the
inn
2. guests followed the directions of the innkeeper w/ respect to the care and
vigilance over the such goods
3. such goods of the guest lodging therein were taken by robbery w/ force upon
things or theft
• When all these are present, the innkeeper is subsidiarily liable

• No civil liability in case of robbery w/ violence against or intimidation of person,
unless committed by the innkeeper’s employees
• Actual deposit of the things of the guest to the innkeeper is not necessary, it is
enough that they were within the inn.
Art. 103. Subsidiary civil liability of other persons. — The subsidiary liability
established in the next
preceding article shall also apply to employers, teachers, persons, and
corporations engaged in any kind of industry for felonies committed by their
servants, pupils, workmen, apprentices, or employees in the discharge of their
duties.
Elements
a. employer, teacher, person or corporation is engaged in any kind of industry
Industry – any department or branch of art, occupation or business; especially
one w/c employs so much labor and capital is a distinct branch of trade
b. any of their servants, pupils, workmen, apprentices of employees commits a felony
while in the discharge of his duties
c. the said employee is insolvent and has not satisfied his civil liability
 Hospitals are not engaged in industry; hence nit subsidiarily liable for acts of nurses
 Private persons w/o business or industry, not subsidiarilly liable
Art. 104. What is included in civil liability. — The civil liability established in
Articles 100, 101, 102, and 103 of this Code includes:
1. Restitution;
2. Reparation of the damage caused;
3. Indemnification for consequential damages.
• First remedy granted by law is no. 1, in case this is not possible no. 2.
• In either case, no. 3 may be required
• Restitution – in theft, the culprit is duty bound to return the property stolen
• Reparation – in case of inability to return the property stolen, the culprit must pay the
value of the property stolen.
• In case of physical injuries, the reparation of the damage cause would consist in the
payment of hospital bills and doctor’s fees to the offended party
• Indemnification – the lost of salary or earnings
CIVIL LIABILITIES PECUNIARY LIABILITIES

Includes reparation and indemnification Same
Includes restitution (return property taken), No restitution as the liabilities are to paid out of
nothing to pay in terms of money the property of the offender
No fines and costs of proceedings Includes fines and costs of proceedings
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Art. 105. Restitution. — How made. — The restitution of the thing itself must
be made whenever possible, with allowance for any deterioration, or diminution of
value as determined by the court.
The thing itself shall be restored, even though it be found in the possession of a
third person who has acquired it by lawful means, saving to the latter his action
against the proper person, who may be liable to him.
This provision is not applicable in cases in which the thing has been acquired by
the third person in the manner and under the requirements which, by law, bar an
action for its recovery.
• The convict cannot by way of restitution, give to the offended party a similar thing of
the same amount, kind or species and quality. The very thing should be returned.
• If the property stolen while in the possession of the third party suffers deterioration
due to his fault, the court will assess the amount of the deterioration and, in addition
to the return of the property, the culprit will be ordered to pay such amount
• General Rule: the owner of the property illegally taken by the offender can recover it
from whomsoever is in possession thereof. Thus, even if the property stolen was
acquired by a 3rd person by purchase w/o knowing that it has been stolen, such
property will be returned to the owner.
• If the thing is acquired by a person knowing that it was stolen, then he is an
accessory and therefore criminally liable
• The third party who acquired the stolen property may be reimbursed w/ the price paid
therefor if it be acquired at (a) a public sale and (b) in good faith
• Circumstances which bar an action for recovery:
1. Torrens title
2. When sale is authorized
• When the liability to return a thing arises from a contract, not from a criminal act, the
court cannot order its return in the criminal case.
• Restitution may be ordered, even if accused is acquitted, provided the offense is
proved and it is shown that the thing belongs to someone else
• When crime is not against property, no restitution or reparation of the thing can be
done
• Payment of salary of an employee during the period of suspension cannot, as a
general rule, be properly decreed by the court in a judgement of acquittal. It devolves
upon the head of the department concerned
• The court has authority to order the reinstatement of the accused acquitted of a
crime punishable by the penalty of perpetual or temporary disqualification
Art. 106. Reparation. — How made. — The court shall determine the amount
of damage, taking into consideration the price of the thing, whenever possible,
and its special sentimental value to the injured party, and reparation shall be made
accordingly.
Notes:
• Reparation will be ordered by the court if restitution is not possible
• Reparation shall be
a) the price of the thing
b) its sentimental value
• If there is no evidence as to the value of the thing unrecovered, reparation cannot be
made
• Payment by the insurance company does not relive the offender of his obligation to
repair the damage caused
• The damages shall be limited to those caused by the crime
• Accused is liable for the damages caused as a result of the destruction of the
property after the crime was committed either because it was lost or destroyed by the
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accused himself or that of any other person or as a result of any other cause or
causes
Art. 107. Indemnification — What is included. — Indemnification for

consequential damages shall include not only those caused the injured party, but
also those suffered by his family or by a third person by reason of the crime.
• Indemnity refers to crimes against persons; reparation to crimes against property

• Indemnity for medical services still unpaid may be recovered
• Contributory negligence on the part of the offended party reduces the civil liability of
the offender
• The civil liability may be increased only if it will not required an aggravation of the
decision in the criminal case on w/c it is based
• The amount of damages for death shall be at least 50,000, even though there may
have been mitigating circumstances.
• In addition:
1. payment for the loss of the earning capacity of the deceased
2. if the deceased was obliged to give support, the recipient who is not an heir,
may demand support from the defendant
3. the spouse, illegitimate and illegitimate descendants and ascendants of the
deceased may demand for moral damages.
• Moral damages may be recovered in the ff:
1. physical injuries
2. seduction, abduction, rape
3. adultery, concubinage
4. illegal or arbitrary detention
5. illegal search
6. libel, slander, defamation
7. malicious prosecution
• Exemplary damages may be imposed when the crime was committed with one or
more aggravating circumstances; cannot be recovered as a matter of right, the court
will decide whether they should be adjudicated.
Art. 108. Obligation to make restoration, reparation for damages, or

indemnification for consequential damages and actions to demand the same —
Upon whom it devolves. — The obligation to make restoration or reparation for
damages and indemnification for consequential damages devolves upon the heirs
of the person liable.
The action to demand restoration, reparation, and indemnification likewise
descends to the heirs of the person injured.
• The heirs of the person liable has no obligation if restoration is not possible and the
deceased left no property
• Civil liability is possible only when the offender dies after final judgement.
• If the death of the offender took place before any final judgement of conviction was
rendered against him, the action for restitution must necessarily be dismissed.
Art. 109. Share of each person civilly liable. — If there are two or more
persons civilly liable for a felony, the courts shall determine the amount for which
each must respond.
In case of insolvency of the accomplices, the principal shall be subsidiarily liable for their
share of the indemnity and in case of the insolvency of the principal, the accomplices
shall be subsidiarily liable, jointly and severally liable, for the indemnity due from said
principal
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Art. 110. Several and subsidiary liability of principals, accomplices and

accessories of a felony — Preference in payment. — Notwithstanding the
provisions of the next preceding article, the principals, accomplices, and
accessories, each within their respective class, shall be liable severally (in
solidum) among themselves for their quotas, and subsidiaries for those of the
other persons liable.
The subsidiary liability shall be enforced, first against the property of the
principals; next, against that of the accomplices, and, lastly, against that of the
accessories.
Whenever the liability in solidum or the subsidiary liability has been enforced, the
person by whom payment has been made shall have a right of action against the
others for the amount of their respective shares.
• Example: an indemnity of 100,000 has been sentenced, 50,000 will go to the

principal and 20,000 to the accomplice
• Subsidiary liability will be enforced on:
1. first, against the property of the principal
2. second, against that of the accomplice
3. third, against that of the accessories
Art. 111. Obligation to make restitution in certain cases. — Any person who
has participated gratuitously in the proceeds of a felony shall be bound to make
restitution in an amount equivalent to the extent of such participation.
Notes:
1. This refers to a person who has participated gratuitously in the commission of a
felony and he is bound to make restitution in an amount equivalent to the extent of
such participation
2. The third person must be innocent of the commission of the crime otherwise he
would be liable as an accessory and this article will apply
Art. 112. Extinction of civil liability. — Civil liability established in Articles 100,
101, 102, and 103 of this Code shall be extinguished in the same manner as
obligations, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Law.
• Civil liability is extinguished by:

1. payment or performance
2. loss of the thing due
3. condonation or remission of the debt
4. confusion or merger of the rights of creditor and debtor
5. compensation
6. novation
• Other causes of extinguishment of obligations such as annulment, rescission,
fulfillment of a resolutory condition and prescription are governed elsewhere in this
code
• Civil liability may arise from
1. Crime - RPC
2. Breach of contract - CC
3. Tortious act – CC
• The civil liability from any of these is extinguished by the same causes enumerated
above
• The accused shall still be liable for the payment of the thing stolen even if it is lost or
destroyed
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Art. 113. Obligation to satisfy civil liability. — Except in case of extinction of

his civil liability as provided in the next preceding article the offender shall
continue to be obliged to satisfy the civil liability resulting from the crime
committed by him, notwithstanding the fact that he has served his sentence
consisting of deprivation of liberty or other rights, or has not been required to
serve the same by reason of
amnesty, pardon, commutation of sentence or any other reason.
Notes:
• Unless extinguished, civil liability subsists even if the offender has served sentence
consisting of deprivation of liberty or other rights or has served the same, due to
amnesty, pardon, commutation of the sentence or any other reason.
• Under the law as amended, even if the subsidiary imprisonment is served for non-
payment of fines, this pecuniary liability of the defendant is not extinguished.
• while amnesty wipes out all traces and vestiges of the crime, it does not extinguish
the civil liability of the offender. A pardon shall in no case exempt the culprit from the
payment of the civil indemnity imposed upon him by the sentence
• probation affects only the criminal aspect of the crime.
94

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1

Limitations on the power of Congress to enact penal laws (ON)

Characteristics of Criminal Law:

Effect of repeal of penal law to liability of offender

Consequences if repeal of penal law is total or absolute

Consequences if repeal of penal law is partial or relative

Consequences if repeal of penal law is express or implied

Theories of Criminal Law

2. Positivist Theory – Man is subdued occasionally by a strange and morbid

Eclectic or Mixed Philosophy

BASIC MAXIMS IN CRIMINAL LAW

Doctrine of Pro Reo

Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege

Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea

Utilitarian Theory or Protective Theory

Sources of Criminal Law

Construction of Penal Laws

MALA IN SE AND MALA PROHIBITA

1. As to moral trait of the offender

2. As to use of good faith as defense

In crimes punished under special laws, good faith is not a defense

3. As to degree of accomplishment of the crime

4. As to mitigating and aggravating circumstances

Test to determine if violation of special law is malum prohibitum or malum in se

Art. 1. This Code shall take effect on January 1, 1932.

Art. 2. Except as provided in the treaties and laws of preferential

1. Should commit an offense while on a Philippine ship or airship;

• Rules as to crimes committed aboard foreign merchant vessels:

• Requirements of “an offense committed while on a Philippine Ship or Airship”

Art 3. Acts and omissions punishable by law are felonies.

• Acts – an overt or external act

What requisites must concur before a felony may be committed?

• How felonies are committed:

Criminal intent is not necessary in these cases:

In criminal law, intent is categorized into two:

(1) General criminal intent; and

Distinction between intent and discernment

Distinction between intent and motive

a. Imprudence - deficiency of action; e.g. A was driving a truck along a road. He

Example: United States v. Ah Chong.

Art. 4. Criminal liability shall be incurred:

1. By any person committing a felony, although the wrongful act

• Causes which produce a different result:

How does error in personae affect criminal liability of the offender?

praeter intentionem is mitigating, particularly covered by paragraph 3 of Article 13. In order

2. By any person performing an act which would be an offense

• Requisites: (IMPOSSIBLE CRIME)

• Employment of inadequate means: A used poison to kill B. However, B survived

• Paragraph 2 does not apply to crimes punishable by special law, including

Art. 6. Consummated felonies, as well as those which are frustrated and

A felony is consummated when all the elements necessary for its

There is an attempt when the offender commences the commission of a

Sta ges of Commissio n o f a Crime

• Stages of a Crime does not apply in:

In deciding whether a felony is attempted or frustrated or consummated, there are three

(1) The manner of committing the crime;

(2) The elements of the crime; and

(3) The nature of the crime itself.

ESTAFA VS. THEFT