REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COURT OF APPEALS MANILA CARLOS CELDRAN Y PAMINTUAN, Petitioner, - versus-
CA-G.R.
en No.
!"#$
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Res%on&ent. x-----x---- ------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
De'e()er "*, "*, *$"+
Greetins Greetins . i
Pe/se t/0e noti'e t1/t on De'e()er "*, *$".+, *$".+, / DECISI DECISION, 'o%2 j 1ereto /tt/'1e&, 3/s ren&ere& ren&ere& in t1e /)ove-entit /)ove-entite& '/se by t1e t1e-- T4ELFTH DI DI5ISION 5ISION66, o7 t1e Court o7 A%%e/s, M/ni/, t1e oriin/ oriin/ o7 31i'1 is no3 on 7ie 3it1 t1i t1iss Court. 8ou /re 1ere)2 re9uire& to in7or( t1is 8ou t 1is Cour Cour t 3it1in FI FI5E :;< &/2s 7ro( noti'e 1ereo7 o7 t1e &/te 31en 2ou re'eive& t1is noti'e /n& t1e /tt/'1e& 'o%2 o7 t1e &e'ision. Res%e't7u2 2ours, TERESITA R. MAR IGOMEN
C l lerk e rk of Court B266>
----tBBStT ---tBBStT C B S -
T.DIE
Division Clerk oj Court
Copy furnished: De De os/ os/ Men& Men&o=/ B/-Ao & M/nue
Ro9ue & Butu2/n L/3 O77i'es - re. wire
re..3>r' re
Collaboraitng Counsel for for Petitioner
Counsel for Petitioner 3'd Foor, Prin'e D/vi& Con&o(iniu(
"$+ Ante Cor%or/te Centre, "*" 5/ 5/ero Street, S/'e&o 5i/e "**# M/0/ti Cit2
?/ti%un/n ?/ti%u n/n Hei1ts
O77 i'e o7 t1e Soi i'i 'ito torr Ge Gen ner /-
A ve ven nue,
Lo2 o2o o/
""$@ ue=on Cit2
Coun s sel el for for Repsondeni 134 A(orsoo St., Le/s%i 5i/e
L/(/n L/(/ L/(/n & Mones L/3 Fir(
"** M/0/ti Cit2
re.3>.r'
Collaborating Petitioner 2/F
Counsel
for
Te(%us P/'e IICon&o(iniu(
M/0/t/run/n
/n& M/t/ino Sts.,
Hon Ho n. Pr esi&in esi&in u& u&e - re wire Reion/ Tri/ Court Br/n'1 * "$$$ M/ni/
Diirn/n, ""$+ ue=on Cit2
JRD-CA T2%e 1ere
IDD--CA IDD
ARC!I"#-CA
re wire
Imdby
T2%e 1ere
Re%u)i'6 o7 t1e P1ii%%ines Court o7 A% %e/s MANILA T4ELFTH :"*t1< DI5ISION CARLOS CELDR A N PAMINTUAN,
y
C.A-G.R. CR NO. !"#$
P eti tioner $ Me( )er s
- ver su sPEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
Respondent%
DIMAAMPAO I%#%$ C1/ir %er son, 8BA NEJ, E.A., & MANAHA N C% % $ J f. Pro(u/te& t":EC 1 2 2014
<:
-----------
-r t
--- --- -- ------------- ---- ------- ------ -----
DEC
I S ION
L·
&: '( 6-
4
SALA NDA NA N-MANAHAN,
J .:
Be7ore us is Petition 7 or Revie36 %ursu/nt to Rue +* o7 t1e R evise& Rues o7 Cour t see0 in to rever se /n& set /si&e t1e 7oo3in issu/n'es o7 t1e R eion/ Tr i/ Court :RTC< o7 M/ni/, Br/n'1 * :"< De'ision> &/te& "* Auust *$", /n& :*< Or&er6 &/te& "" Nove( )er *$", 31i'1 /77ir(e& t1e De'ision %r o(u/te& on *@ /nu/r2 *$" o7 t1e Metr o%oit/n Tr i/ Court :MeTC< o7 M/ni/, Br/n'1 +. T1e /ss/ie& De'ision /n& Or&er o7 t1e RTC /77ir(e& t1e 'onvi'tion o7 %etitioner C/ros P. Ce&r /n : %etitioner , 7 or )revit2<, 7 or t1e 'r i(e o7 ) ffending the Religiou s * eelings un&er Ar ti'e " o7 t1e " Roo. % %.;-@. *
+
Roo.% %.""-*. "$"-"**.
R oo. %., "*. Roo. %%.*-.
)(
2 of 23
ICA. GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO N
R evise& Pen/ Co&e :RPC< ren&er e& )2 t1e MeTC, Br/n'1 + on *@ /nu/r 2 *$", t1e &is%ositive %ortion o7 31i'1 re/&s, to 3it 4HEREFOR E, Ku&(ent is 1ere)2 r en&er e& /77ir(in t1e De'ision &/te& De'e()er "+, *$"* ren&er e& )2 t1e Metro%oit/n Tri/ Cour t, Br/n'1 +, M/ni/ 7 in&in /''use& /%%e/nt CARLOS P. CELDR AN uit2 )e2on& r e/son/)e &ou)t o7 t1e 'r i(e o7 O77en&in Reiious Feeins un&er Ar ti'e " o7 t1e R evise& Pen/ Co&e /n& senten'in 1i( to /n in&eter(in/te pri sion ter( o7 t3o :*< (ont1s /n& t3ent2 one :*"< &/2s o7 arresto +ayor$ /s (ini(u( to one :"< 2e/r , one :"< (ont1 /n& eeven :""< &/2s o7 prision &orre&&ional $ /s (/i(u( 3it1 'ost &e o77 i'io.
SO )RD#R# D%, s
A#.#/ OF !# C A# On " O'to )er *$"$, /n In7or(/tion 3/s 7ie& 3it1 t1e MeTC, Br /n'1 +, M/ni/, '1/rin %etitioner 3it1 t1e 'r i(e o7 O77en&in t1e R eiious Feeins un&er Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC 'o((itte& /s 7oo3s T1/t on or /)out Se %te()er $, *$"$, in t1e Cit2 o7 M/ni/, P1ii%%ines, t1e s/i& /''use& &i& t1en /n& t1ere 3i7 u2, un/37u2, /n& 7eonious2 &isr es%e't, &isr e/r & /n& o77en&e& t1e 7 eeins o7 v/r ious reiious e/&ers in t1e %er sons o7 C/r&in/ G/u&en'io R os/es, P/%/ Nun'io, A()/ss/&or &e 5i/ /n& ot1er e/&ers o7 &i77er ent C1r isti/n &eno(in/tions, )2 t1en /n& t1ere &is %/2in / %/'/r&> )o/r & )e/rin t1e 3or & , DA.A ), 31ie e'u(eni'/ servi'e 3/s oin on insi&e t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r / C1ur '1, Intr /(uros, 31i'1 notorious2 o77 en&e& t1e 7eeins o7 t1e reiious e/&ers /n& t1e 7 /it17u, re%resente& )2 Msr . Nestor Cer )o C1ur'1, Intr/(uros, 8 Cer &/, Re'tor o7 t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r/ t1is Citv. J
Petitioner 3/s /rr/ine&, /n& 3it1 t1e /ssist/n'e o7 'ounse, %e/&e& not uit2. Tri/ on t1e (erits )e/n 3it1 t1e %rose'ution %r esentin 7our :+< 3itnesses.
;
Roo. %.*.
!
Roo. %."*+.
1.A. CR CR No. !"#$
of *
DECISIO N
EVIDENCE FOR T HE PROSECUTIO N
Cue& 7ro( t1e De'ision o7 t1e R TC, t1e %r ose'ution6s evi&en'e 3/s /n'1ore& on t1e testi(onies o7 Teresit/ A=urin, M/r'ein/ C/'/ /n& Fr. Os'/r Aun&/2. T1e %rose'ution %ro7 er re & t1e 7 oo3in ver sion o7 1o3 t1e in'i&ent su ) Ke't (/tter o7 t1is '/se tr /ns %ire& ,In &el ebrat ion o f the se&ond anniversary o f the . ay hey 0e )ne C a+paign (.0C 1 and the l aun&hing of !and 2 ritt en 0ibl e$ whi&h &oin&id ed with the fea st of aint J er o+e $ a thr on g of peopl e &o+ posed +ainly of &athol i& &hur&h di gnitaries int er+i3ed wit h those of d i fferent y$ poli&e $ reli gions and persuaiions (si&1 su&h as +e+ber s o f t he +ilitar +edia $ non-&atholi&s $ student s$ r e presentat i ves of var ious reli g ious organi4ations$ et&% gat hered around $ al+ost filling the .anila C athedral $ I nira+uros$ .anila in t he af t ernoon of epte+ber $, *$"$. hi s event &o+pri sed of thr ee :< in separabl e par t s% he first part wa s the e&u+eni&al liturgi&al r el i g iou s worship wher e in the head s of the diff erent pr ot e st ant +ainland &hur &he s and t he &atholi& &hur&h were present &el ebrating t he words of 5od % It was foll owed by the #u&hari sti& &elebration - the hol y +ass$ the integral par t of t he &elebration% he last part wa s the hand writt en unity bible% ( /$ .a y #, *$"*, pages 67-68 1 As part of t he e&u+eni&al liturgi&al relig iou s worshi p $ 0r other #d gar J% ria irona$ national pr esident of the anggunian g 9aik o n% g Pilipina s $ was read ing a passa g e ro+ the 0ible at around $$ o' &lo&k in the aft ernoon% And it was ther eabout s that t he in&ident sub je&t +att er of this &a se &o++en&ed % eresit a A4urin $ a devout &atholi&$ r e gular &hur&h goer $ for+er theology tea&herlfa&il itator in retreats bibliodra+a all over Asia for +or e than "$ year s$ volunt eer in uarious bibl i&al a&tivities in the &ountry$ and an att endee in thi s event as a vol unteer in the bibl e enthr one+ent par t $ re&all ed t hat she wa s at the l ef t side of the &athedral when she saw a&&u sed -appell ant holdin g a pl a&ar d &o+in g fr o+ the sid e (l e f t1 where she was% 2 ear ing an odd and ana&hronous outfit o f bla&k suit with a hat $ a&&u sed -appell ant ;uietl y sauntered t oward the &ent er of the aisl e in f ront of the altar and suddenl y brough%t out a pla&ard $ appro3i+ately 1.4 of an D A.A ),$ big enoug h to be illustration board$ e+bla 4oned with the word , read 9lp to t he end o f the seats at the C at hed ral % ! e was showin g it ( pla&ar d1 t o the P apal / un&io $ Car d inal $ and the bi shops sitied ( si& 1 in front of the &at hedr al and to t he a sse+bly% It o&&urred t o her $ at the outset$ t hat it wa s part of the 0rot her irona's pr esentat ion but under st anding s lat er that it was not as she initall y t hou g ht it dawned on her +o+ent wa s% Pro&eeding in front to find out what wa s happenin g$ she not i&ed that so+ebody wa s t ak ing a&&used-appell ant % C o++otion ensued when
1.A.
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISION
+ of 23
a&&u sed-appellant started shouting while in side the &hur&h% Initially nervou s witnessing the rau&ou s s&ene $ she soon be&a+e offended and indignant that it disrupted and showed disr e spe&t to an otherwi se sole+n &elebration% he &onjured that the , DA.A), (written in the pla&ard held by a&&used -appellant 1 was Padre Da+aso$ a &hara&ter in Jose Ri4al's novel depi&ted a s not a very good e 3a+ple of a &l ergy who fathered a &hild% )utside the &onte3t of what happened (subje&t of t his &a se 1 $ she &onsidered , da+aso, as not a bad word % A s an ordinary &athol i& $ she< albeit believing t h at attention +ust &alled on the wrong doings of prie sts$ subs&ribes to the view that it should be done sin&erely $ in privat e and definitely not in a pla&e for publi& worship and d uring a y% As it happened$ she found it (a&&used-appellant's a&t1 religiou s a&tivit offensive as it presu+ed that every &lergy present during the o&&asion had done so+ething a+i s s%
Corroborating the testi+ony of ere sita
" of 23
!eA.
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO N
whi&h% he did t wi&e or thr i&e% he la st ti+e he d id 50 1 he brught with hi+ a pl a&ard $ holding it behind hi+ and then he put it down% l= v>'lilet he lit ur gi&al$ r el i g iou s worship wa s g oing on a&&used -appell ant look ed at the right aisl e of the &at hedr al and winked at so+ebody po sit ioned ther e% A&&u sed -a p pell ant soon pi&ked up t he pl a&ard and a+bl ed to t he &enter of the ai sl e and on&e there +ade a bow to t he altar t o g enufl e&t $ an a&t whi&h i s &on sider ed a veneration $ a s a respe&t to an y r el i gious worship% instant l y $ he raised the pla&ard $ wit h t he word , D A.A $ I &onspi&uously writt en on it whil e he traipsed to the &enter of t he ai sl e $ in front of the altar % And soon $ hefa&ed Cardinal Ro sale s $ the bishops and the P a pal /un&io= who wa s the r e pr esentative of the ! ol y *at h er in the Phil i p pine s% ! is initial f as&ination $ eng endered by hi s notion that this s&ene wa s part of .r% ir ana' s d iff erent style o f pr esentat ion$ wa s soon repl a&ed with sho&k$ a git at ion and a f eel in g o f bein g in sul t ed a s awarenes s loo+ed upon hi+ t hat it was not as he init iall y de&ipher ed it was% 9ook ing at the bishops $ he saw the+ pointing at hi+ being the organi4er of t he event$ instru&ting hi+ to do so+ethin g about t he in&ident $ /s he and t he other or gani 4er s turned pallid % A&&used -appellant then started shout in g , 0i sho ps $ st o p involving your self ( si&1 in polit i&s whil e rai sin g and showin g hi s pla&ar d to the &ar d inal % 2 hil e sho&k filled hi+ $ he &annot also help t o pity the &ardinal who did nothing but look d own$ obviousl y sharin g the sa+e feelin g of &on st ernation and see+ed &annot i+agine what was g oing on% . r% C ornejo $ the " i&e-President of 5 .A> $ stood u p $ followed by hi+$ took and &onvin&ed a&&used -appell ant to stay away fr o+ t he &enter aisle% / ot letting UP I a&&used -a ppell ant still went ba&k and &ontinued shoutin g at the top of his voi&e t oward the C ar dinal$ P apal /un&io and bi sho ps and raised and showed t he pl a&ard at the+% 2 hile he and . r% Cornejo had su&&eed ed in br in gin g a&&u sed-a p pell ant at t he le ft side near the &hoir$ he nonethel e ss &ontinued to stru gg le with% hi+ (a&&u sedappellant 1 by puttin g d own the pla&ard whi&h he wa s rai sing f or ever ybody t o see $ si+ultaneou sl y shout in g ,Ano g ust o n yo $ +ag sisig+o pa?, (2hat do you want $ d o I st ill need to shout ?1% Pl eading hi+ ( a&&u sed-appellants 1 not tO he al so besee&hed hi+ to ju st air what ever he wished to say outsid e the &onfines of the &hur &h% 2ith the help of t he +ilitary +en$ t hel j +anag ed to get hi+ out of the &athed ral %
I
2 hen he saw the wor d , D A.A), in the pl a&ard $ he $ at the in&eption$ t hou g ht it referred to the se&retary of aint J ero+e$ pro+pt in g hi+ t o think t hat the s&ene wa s par t of t he r efle&tion% I n hindsi ght $ in the li g ht of the de+on st ration held by a g rou p advo&atin g Pro RH 0ill t hat en sued the foll owin g d ay at the C 0C P and t aking into a&&ount t he attire of a&&u sed-appellant whi&h look ed like the one worn by J ose Ri 4 al$ it o&&urred to hi+ that t he word , Da+aso, i s &onne&ted with P hili pp ine ! istor y$ t he abuse s &o++itt ed by the &l ergy d uring t he ti+e o f Ri4al % As a C hri stian &atholi&$ inside the hol y pl a&e $ +inor basili&a of the I++a&ul a te Con&ep&ion$ t he +ain &hur&h of t he 0ishops and the !ol y fat her in the Philip pines $ whi&h is +ore than f our hundred :+$$< year s old where all the 0i sho p s and &ardinal 'wer e &on se&rat ed there$ he f el t off end ed and insult ed% An int ru sion of the hol y r el igiou s lit urgi&al worship$ where &atholi&s and
"'.A. GR CR No. !"#$
! of 23
DECISION
non &atholi&s were unit ed b y the word of 5od and +anifest ing in one word of 5od$ he &on sidered a&&used-appellant's a&tions very in sulting % 1/7
A7 ter t1e %rose'ution reste& its '/se, t1e %etitioner 7 ie& / De(urrer to Evi&en'e on M/2 *$"*, 3it1 %rior e/ve o7 'ourt, /ruin t1/t t1e %rose'ution 7/ie& to est/)is1 / t1e ee(ents o7 t1e 'ri(e '1/re& in t1e In7or(/tion. He /so r/ise& t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC. An O%%osition to t1e De(urrer to Evi&en'e 3/s 7ie& )2 t1e %riv/te %rose'utor on "@ M/2 *$"*. In its Or&er &/te& "" une *$"*, t1e MeTC &enie& %etitioner 6s De(urrer to Evi&en'e 7or /'0 o7 (erit.
t1e
Conse9uent2, t1e %etitioner %resente& 7or 1is &e7ense t3o 3itnesses, n/(e2 Ms. Ri/ Rein/ S. Li(K/% /n& Att2. C1risti/n Monso&. #"I D# /C# *) R !# D #*#/# T1e %ertinent %ortion o7 t1e RTC De'ision re/&s Gist o7 Ms. Ri/ R ein/ S. Li(K/%6s Ms. Li( K/%< testi(on2
:1erein/7ter
'/e&
! aving known a&&used -a p pell ant for about t en (10) years and wor ked untn hi+ in a nu+ber o f proje&ts $ she has &o+e to know hi+ bolh a s a friend and an ar ti st$ shar ing with hi+ a love for history% ! er first +eet ing with hi+ d ates ba&k in 2003 when t he y wor k ed together in a theat er pro je&t $ she wa s part of the prod u&tion and he was an a&tor % As their +eetin g blosso+ed into fr iend ship$ #o was t heir work as so&iation e 3tended % ! e d id oratori&al walking tours in t he old hi stori&al distri&t of .anil a of ' whi&h she att end ed +any $ tr an s&ribed and &o++ent ed on so+e of the+% A+on g the +any proje&ts t he y have d one t ogether$ whi&h wer e +ore on ar t and &ulture $ wa s an event that &o++e+or ated t he 0attle of .anil a% !er relat ionship ' wit h hi+ (a s a &losefriend and wor k as so&iate 1 spannin g a good nu+ber of years $ she ha s &o+e t o k now hi+ as having a ba&kground on per for +an&e ar t and st ud ied at a very good art s&hool in the @nit ed tat es% #
@ "$ ""
Roo. %%."*-";. Roo. %%."*!-";*. Roo, %."*;. T1e Or&er o7 t1e MeTe &/te& "" A%r"*$"*. Roo, %%.";;-"!". Roo, %%."!*-"!+.
ICA.
$ of 23
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISION
Distin&tly$ she re+e+bered that in the afternoon of epte+ber 3%& B6B$ she was at @nit *+ /orth e;uia Apart+ent$ an artist's pla&e where they usually hangout% 2ith a deadline to beat$ she was on her &o+puter$ writing while a&&used was getting dressed up and ready for so+ething% !e then entreated her to a&&o+pany and drive hi+ to the .anila Cathedral where$ she was +ade aware$ there will be an Anti R! de+onstration to be attended by people oppposed to the Reprodu&tive !ealth (R!1 bill% *re;uently walking the streets of .anila where he sees +any &hildren and young pregnant +others who obviously &annot take &are of their &hildren a&&used-appellant is a keen advo&ate of the bill % Initially unbidding to heed his re;uest be&ause it was then raining$ she ulti+ately yielded$ willing to take a rest fro+ writing% he and a&&used-appellant $ wearing his u sual attire of dark pants$ white shirt and bla&k suit and hat$ then pro&eeded to the .anila Cathedral% After parking their vehi&le $ they entered the &hur&h using the right side entran&e% It was awashed with all sorts of people% here were +e+bers of the poli&e$ "IP's$ nuns$ &hoir +e+bers$ et&% In view perhaps of her failure to glan&e at the front seats $ the attend an&e of &hur&h dignitaries e s&aped her noti&e% A little bit &ons&ious be&ause Carlos was wearing bla&k$ she$ on&e inside the &hur&h$ tried to figure out whether a +ass was being held at that ti+e but sooner she reali4ed that the answer to her +ental ;uery was in the negative% 2hile they (she and a&&used-appellant1 were standing near the pillar$ looking around$ a&&used-appellant then told her he wanted to raise the pie&e of &ardboard with the word ,Da+aso, written on it% hough having no l&nowledge why he has it$ she was aware what the word +eant% Da+aso is a &hara&ter in the novel /oli .e angere written by Jose Ri4al % 'Are you sure?, was her response to hi+ $ who then gave her a &a+era for her to take pi&tures intended to be posted in fa&ebook% As she &onsidered it a bad angle (in taking pi&tures1 fro+ where she was $ she s&urried out of the &hur&h to the ba&k door and +ade a re-entry through the +ain entran&e% here and then$ she saw a&&used$ ;uiet and &al+$ already at the +iddle aisle near and fa&ing the altar and holding the pla&ard% he ad+ired hi+ for his valor in doing so% A s a&&used-appellant was standing there a few +inutes$ no big rea&tion was eli&ited fro+ the people$ there was no +u+ble$ people were just sitted (si&1% he even re+e+bered hi+ &hanging his position fro+ one side to the other as he held the pla&ard$ nay +aking a ;uarter turn$
@ of *
I.A.
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO N
pro+pting her to think$ at that jun&tur e$ that he '2a se3hibiting the funny side of hi+% o her$ not a tra&e of s&andal &an be seen fro+ hi s +ove+ents% As a &ou ple of poli&e+en &a+e and es&orted hi+ out of the &athedral$ dis&ern+ent &a+e to her that he was in trouble $ #o she e3ited the &hur&h and beheld a so+ewhat &haot i& s&ene where a&&used was being surr ounded by several +e+bers of the poli&e and other +en in pl ain &lothes% A +ana&le was pla&ed in hi s hands% hough in answer t o her ;uery$ the poli&e offi&er t old her t hat a&&used-appellant '2 ould not be apprehended$ he was neverthele s s brought to the nearest pol i&e pre&int % Su((/r2 o7 Att2. C1risti/n Monso&6s Att2. Monso& 7 or )revit2< testi(on2
:1erein/7 ter
'/e&
A vi&e-&hair+an of the 0ishop 0usiness+an C onferen&e f or hu+an develop+ent$ he was invited by the 0ible o&iet y to attend the subje&t event% 5ra&ing the o&&a sion$ he siited (si&1 hi+ self at the thir d row fronting the first and se&ond pews where the bisho ps were positioned% !e &onfir+ed that a&&used-appellant$ dressed in an outfit that re se+bl e s t h e one worn by Jose Ri4 al$ silent l y walk ed to the +iddle of the ai sle and rea&hing the front of the altar$ he raised the pla&ar d with the 'word ,Da+a so, written on it% !e and the bishops were l ooking at hi+% !e was sure that the bishops g ot the i+port o f what he (a&&used appellant1 had done% A few +inutes thereafter$ a&&used-appellant$ in silen&e$ went with poli&e o ff i&er who took hi+ to the side of the &athedral % her eat$ a&&used appellant said in a loud voi&e Don't +eddle with politi&s% , II
his in&ident unfolded not dur ing the &elebration of t he holy +ass$ and nothing happened that disturbed t he pro&eedings% A &atholi& hi+self he did not &onsider a&&used -a ppell ant's a&t ions offensive% he word ,Da+aso, ins&ribed on the pla&ard brought out b y a&&used -a ppellant dur ing t he subje&t in&ident $ ha s so+ething to do wit h Jose Ri4al sin&e Padre Da+aso was t he &entral figure in hi s writin g s% , 6A
On *@ /nu/r2 *$", t1e MeTC ren&ere& its De'ision, 7in&in /''use& CARLOS CELDRAN 8 PAMINTUAN Guit2 )e2on& r e/son/)e &ou )t 7or t1e 'ri(e o7 Offending the R eligious Feelings I I
"* "
Roio, %%."!-"@. Su %r /, note +.
eA. ' C o.
+ of 23
3*1$0
!DECISIO N un&er Arti'e " o7 t1e Revise& Pen/ Co&e /n& senten'e& /''or&in2.
1i(
Petitioner t1en 7ie& on "" Fe)ru/r 2 *$" / Noti'e o7 A%%e/. T1e RTC /ve &ue 'ourse to t1e /% %e/ /n& on "* Auust *$", it ren&ere& / De'ision, t1e &is%ositive %ortion o7 31i'1 r e/&s 4HER EFOR E, Ku&(ent is 1er e )2 ren&ere& /77 ir(in t1e De'ision &/te& De'e()er "+, *$"* ren&er e& )2 t1e Metr o %oit/n Tri/ Cour t, Br/n'1 +, M/ni/ 7in&in /''use& / %%e/nt CAR LOS P. CELDR A N uit2 )e2on& re/son/)e &ou )t o7 t1e 'ri(e o7 O77en&in R eiious Feeins un&er Arti'e " o7 t1e R evise& Pen/ Co&e /n& senten'in 1i( to /n in&eter(in/te pri sion ter ( o7 t3o :*< (ont1s /n& t3ent2 one :*"< &/2s o7 arr e st o +ayor$ /s (ini(u( to one (1) 2e/r one (1) (ont1 /n& eeven :""< &/2s o7 pri sion &orre&&ional$ /s (/i(u( 3it1 'ost &e o77i'io. t
SO OR DER ED."!
Petitioner 7ie& / Motion 7 or Re'onsi&er/tion ( Re : De'ision &/te& "* Auust *$"< on *$ Se%te( )er *$", )ut t1e s/(e 3/s &enie& )2 t1e RTC in its Or&er &/te& "" Nove()er *$", 31i'1 st/tes Fin&in no 'oent re/son to &e %/rt 7ro( t1e %revious r uin o7 t1e 'ourt in its &e'ision &/te& Auust "*, *$", t1e .otion f or Re&onsider ation &/te& Auust "*, *$" 7ie& )2 /''use&-/ %%e/nt is 1er e )2 DENIED 7or /'0 o7 (erit. SO OR DERED.6
Arieve&, %etitioner 7ie& / Petition 7 or Revie36 on * De'e()er *$"*". T1ere/7 ter, t1e O7 7i'e o7 t1e Soi'itor Gener/ :OSC< 7ie& its Co((ent on "@ M/r'1 *$"+. .14
""
R o
$ . % %."!@-"!.
"; .Su%r/. note. * . "!
RoUo, %.*.
1$
1,
Roo, %%.**@-!$. /r & note 3.
1+ R o11$, %."*. *$ Su %r/, not.e 6I . *"
R oo. %.+. T1e Petition 7or Revie3 3/s 7ie& 3tt1( t1e eten&e& %erio& r/nte& %er R esoution o7 t1e Court o7 A% %e/s. S %e'i/ Ei1t1 Division &/te& @ ./nu/r2 *$"+.
"$ of *
IC.A. ' C No. !"#$
DECISIO N
On *@ M/2 *$"+, / Resoution o7 t1e Court o7 A%%e/s, T1irteent1 Division &ire'te& t1e %/rties to 7ie t1eir res%e'tive (e(or/n&/. In / Resoution &/te& " Auust *$", t1is Court &ee(e& t1e %etition su)(itte& 7or &e'ision. I@# In its Petition, t1e inter %ose& )2 t1e %etitioner
7oo3in
/ssin(ent
o7 err or s
/re
THE HONORABLE REGIO NAL TRIAL COURT ERRED I N AFFIRMI NG THE CO N5ICTION OF THE PETITIONER ON THE BASIS OF THE E5IDENCE ON RECORD>; THE HO NORABLE REGIONAL TRIAL COUR T ERRED I N NOT DECLARI NG 7u.TICLE " OF THE RE5ISED PENAL CODE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.2* R@9 I / 5 * irst A ssigned # rror T1e %etitioner 6s /r u(ent t1/t t1e RTC erre& 31en it /77ir(e& t1e 'onvi'tion on t1e )/sis o7 t1e evi&en'e on r e'or & is )ere7 t o7 (er it. T1e ee(ents o7 O77 en&in t1e Reiious Feeins /s &e7ine& un&er Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC /re 22
23 24
25 26
.
R oo. %%.;+-;!!. Pur su/nt to t1e Resoution of t1e Cour t o7 A%%e/s, For(er S %e'i/ Ei1t1 %r #ton &/te& "; /nu/r2 *$"+. &ire'tin te r es%on&ents t.o (e / Co((ent. Roo. %.;!. R oo, %.!#+. R oo, %.+$. R oo, %.+".
"'.A. ' C o. 3*1$0
11 of 23
I
DECSION
:"< t1/t t1e /'ts 'o( %/ine& o7 3ere %er7or(e& in / %/'e &evote& to r eiious 3ors1i %, or &urin t1e 'ee)r/tion o7 /n2 reiious 'ere(on2 /n& :*< t1/t t1e /'ts (ust )e notorious2 o77ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17u. 4e 7in& t1/t t1e 7oo3in ee(ents /re %resent to u%1o& t1e %etitioner6s 'onvi'tion. Element No." is %resent.
T1e su)Ke't in'i&ent 1/& )een 'o((itte& )2 t1e %etitioner &urin t1e 'ee )r /tion o7 / reiious 'ere(on2, t1e se'on& /nniver s/r 2 o7 t1e M/2 T1e2 Be One Bi )e C/(%/in :MTBC< /n& t1e /un'1in o7 H/n& 4ritten Bi )e, 31i'1 'oin'i&e& 3it1 t1e 7e/st o7 S/int er o(e 31er e (/n2 %eo%e 'o(%ose& o7 (/in2 C/t1oi' C1ur '1 &init/ries inter(ie& 3it1 &i77erent reiions 3er e in /tten&/n'e. T1e event 'onsiste& o7 t1ree :< %/rts, n/(e2 t1e e'u(eni'/ ituri'/ reiious 3ors1i%, t1e Eu'1/r isti' 'ee)r/tion /n& t1e 1/n& 3ritten unit2 )i )e. T1e in'i&ent 1/%%ene& 31en Brot1er E&/r . Tri/ Tiron/, N/tion/ Presi&ent o7 t1e S/nuni/n L/i0o n Pii%in/s, 3/s re/&in / %/ss/e 7ro( t1e Bi)e /t /roun& $$ %.(. on Se%te( )er *$"$. As 'or re 't2 o)serve& )2 t1e RTC in its &e'ision, t1e 7ir st ee(ent is %r esent sin'e it 1/s )een est/ )is1e& t1/t t1e in'i&ent tr/ns %ire& insi&e t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r /, 31i'1 is %/%/ )2 / %/'e &evote& to reiious 3or s1i %. Element No.* is %resent.
It is note3ort12 to /s0 31/t
&oes Ar t " O77en&in t1e Reiious Feeins (e/n 31en it 'rirnin/i=es /'ts notorious2 o77ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17u
27
L# . eye#. The Rev ised P ena !"d e: #""$ I- $ $* (200*).
1.A. ' C o. 3*1$0
12 of 23
DECISIO N
At t1e outset, to 1e% eu'i&/te t1is (/tter, 3e (ust &e7ine e/'1 ter( /s / % %ie& in Arti'e ". %rete& to (e/n /n2 (ove(ent 7 or t1e A&t s 3ou& )e inter
%ur%ose o7 )ein un&er stoo& /n& seen. It (/2 )e in t1e 7or( o7 uttere& 3or&s, over t )e1/vior , &ee&s, or /n2t1in 31i'1 is 0no3in2 %er7or(e& )2 / %er son, s2()oi' or ot1er3ise. Petitioner even &e7ine& /n 6/'tion6 31en it st/te& t1/t, , an a&t ion $ in the stri&t
sen se $ &onsist s of a voluntary &orporal +ove+ent$ or a body +ove+ent $ guided to obtain a det er+ined end % ,AC In t1e '/se un&er 'onsi&er/tion, it 1/s )een est/ )is1e& t1/t t1e /'ts 'or(nitte& )2 t1e %etitioner /re /s 7oo3s :"< %etitioner 3/s &r esse& 2n )/'0 suit /n& 1/t :*< 1e 3/0e& t1rou1 t1e (i&&e /ise in 7ront o7 t1e /t/r o7 t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r / :< 1e &is %/2e& / %/'/r& 3it1 t1e 3or& 6DAMASO6 /n& s1o3e& it to t1e /sse()2 o7 %er sons t1er e/t, 31ie /n e'u(eni'/ ser vi'e 3/s onoin /n& :+< /7ter )ein es'orte& out, %etitioner )urte& out t1e 3or&s o7 t1e s/(e tenor - Don6t (e&&e in %oiti's. Sini7i'/nt2, t1e 'oe'tive testi(onies o7 3itnesses 7or t1e %r ose'ution %ositive2 %ointe& to t1e %etitioner /s t1e one 31o 'o((itte& t1e 7or eoin /'ts.
/ot oriously offen sive (/2 )e inter%rete&
to (e/n so(et1in (/&e 0no3n 31i'1 '/uses so(eone to 7ee resent7u, u%set or /nno2e&. It is vie3e& 7ro( t1e st/n&/r& o7 /n2 r eiion /s )ein o77 ensive. T1e /'t is o77ensive to / reiious 31et1er 1e is / (e()er o7 t1e %/rti'u/r reiion 'on'er ne& or not 31et1er 1e is %resent or / )sent t1ere/t.
It )e/rs /rti'u/tin t1/t t1e o77ense is Ku&e& 7r o( t1e %oint o7 vie3 o7 t1e 'o( %/in/nt, /n& not t1/t o7 t1e o77en&er. As 1e& )2 t1e Court in one '/se, ,whether or not the a&t &o+pl ained of is offensive to the
rel igiou s feelings of the C atholi&s$ is a ;uestion of f a&t whi&h +ust be judged only a&&ording to t he feel in g s of the Catholi&s and not those of other f aithf ul ones $ for it is possible that &ertain a&ts +ay offend the f eelin gs of those who 2, o5o. /.*"$. tn6 Ce!!o C!on& %e& e'n" P ena 7o!. 1 312 (1+"2). 8e te9t #y#: ) *a on (en sen/id " est & t" + ' "nsiste en 2 l m"vimient" '"&,"&a v"-T i". $ en n d.e m"vimient"s ' "&,"&a es. di&id"s a a obtenon d e -&i fin. dete&mi nad".) 29
o!!o& /.+,.
30 Leonor %& odo& "tes and ! ases "n the Revised P ena !"d e 3++ (200,).
.A.
GR CR No. !"#$
" o7
*
I
:DECISIO N
----------------------------------------------,
profes s a &er tain religion$ 'while not otherwi se offen sive to the feelings of t hose professing another ait n%':, T1ere 3ere 7 our :+< 3itnesses 31o %resente& t1e(seves /n& e(%1/ti'/2 &e'/re& t1/t t1e2 3er e o77en&e& /n& insute& )2 t1e ver2 s/(e /'tu/tions o7 t1e %etitioner 31i'1 '/use& t1e reiious 'ere(on2 to )e &isru%te&. T1e testi(onies o7 t1e %rose'ution 3itnesses 3ere ive 7u 7/it1 /n& 're&it )2 t1e MeTC /n& t1e RTC. In. its De'ision, t1e MeTC 1e& t1/t, , he te sti+onies o f the pro se&ut ion wit nesse s here were del ivered in a s pontaneous$ nat ur al and straig ht for war d +anner % he t ru t h o f said test i+onies &onfor+ to &o++on k nowl ed ge$ ob ser vat ion and e 3per ien&e o f +ank ind$ if t ak en und er the &ir&u+stan&e s surr ound ing the &a se% .or eover$ the t est i+ony of *r% )s&ar Alunday$ "D &ould not be doubted $ &onsider ing that he i s ju st +ore t han one +eter away f ro+ the s&ene wher e a&&u sed held the pla&ard % A&&or dingly$ hi s testi+on; d e servesfull f aith and &redit % 1/22
*eelings of the faith ful (/2 )e inter%rete& to re7er to t1e reiious 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17u, /s '/n )e e/ne& 7r o( t1e tite o7 Arti'e ", O77en&in t1e Reiious Feeins. Coro/ri2, sin'e t1e 'r i(in/i=e& /'t (ust )e 'orrunitte& in / %/'e &evote& to reiious 3ors1i% or &urin / reiious 'ere(on2, t1en t1e 7 /it17u (ust re7er to t1ose 31o /re insi&e t1is %/'e &evote& to reiious 3ors1i% or t1ose en/e& in t1e reiious 3ors1i% /t t1e ti(e o7 t1e 'orrunission o7 t1e /'t. In t1e inst/nt '/se, t1e /'ts o7 t1e %etitioner 3ere 'o((itte& insi&e t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r/. Conse9uent2, s/i& /'ts 3ere vie3e& /s notor ious2 o77ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1ose %ro%er2 i&enti7ie& /s t1e (e()er s o7 t1e C/t1oi' C1ur'1 /n& ot1er %ersons %resent /n& /tten&in t1e e'u(eni'/ ser vi'e insi&e t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r/ /t t1/t ti(e.
21 P e" ,e #& #aes '. o. 4*000. ;y 2"& 1+3+& 32
o!!o& %.*. o5o& /.++.
ICA.
"+ of * CR CR No. !"#$
DECTSIO N
One 7in/ %oint, t1e RTC 'orre't2 o)ser ve& t1/t t1e /'ts o7 t1e %etitioner 3ere (e/nt to (o'0, insut /n& ri&i'ue t1ose 'er2 31ose )eie7 s /n& %rin'i%es 3ere &i/(etri'/2 o % %ose& to 1is o3n. T1us, t1e %etitioner '/nnot /r ue t1/t oo& 7/it1 is / &e7ense. It is 3ort1
o)ser vin t1/t %etitioner6s /'ts %rior to r/isin 1is %/'/r & insi&e t1e M/ni/ C/t1e&r/ in 7ront o7 v/r ious r eiious e/&er s /n& ot1er s in /tten&/n'e &urin /n event, 3ou& s1o3 t1/t 1e 3/s /3/r e o7 t1e 'onse9uen'es o7 1is /'ts. In&ee&, / re/son/)e %er son 3ou& 1/ve 7oreseen / %r o)/)iit2 t1/t t1e )is1o%s /n& ot1er s in /tten&/n'e 3ou& )e e%ose& to t1e ris0 o7 ri&i'ue /n& insut. Note3ort12 is t1e testi(on2 o7 Ms. Ri/ Rein/ Li(K/%, 31er ein s1e r eve/e& t1e 'ir'u(st/n'es o7 t1e %etitioner 6s %/n to %u )i'i=e 1is inten&e& /'t )2 1/n&in 1er / '/(er/ to t/0 e %i'tures to )e %oste& in F/'e )oo0. Un&ou)te&2, %etitioner 6s /'t 3/s intention/ sin'e 1e (e/nt to %u)is1 / %1oto o7 1i( &oin t1e 'ri(in/ /'t. At /n2 r/te, %etitioner &i& not testi72 to %rove 1is oo& 7/it1 /n& /'0 o7 'ri(in/ intent. His /'tions %rior to /n& /7ter 1e r/ise& 1is %/'/r& insi&e t1e '/t1e&r/ )eie 1is '/i( o7 oo& 7/it1. A t1ins 'onsi&ere&, / t1e ee(ents o7 O77en&in t1e R eiious Feeins %unis1/)e un&er Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC /re %r esent to u%1o& t1e %etitioner6s 'onvi'tion. For / its 'on'e&e& (erits t1e %etitioner '/nnot ive /n2 /&&ition/ (e/nin to t1e 'e/r /n& %/in /nu/e o7 t1e /3. I
e&ond Assigned # rr or Ar ti'e " o7 t1e Revise& Pen/ Co&e &oes not vio/te t1e "@# P1ii% %ine Constitution. T1e %etitioner6s 'ontention t1/t t1e RTC erre& 31en it &i& not &e'/re Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC un'onstitution/ is (is %/'e&. 34
o!!o. /.23. ;
R oo, %.+@ T.S.N. *# une *$"*. %..
I.A&
"; of *
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO N
At t1e outset, 3e 7in& t1/t t1e /tt/'0 on t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 t1e /3 o7 31i'1 1e IS )ein '1/re& 3it1 s1ou& not )e 'ounten/n'e&. T1e '/ses o7 De(etri/ vs. A)/ /n& Fr/n'is'o vs. House o7 Re%r esent/tives 'ite t1e seven %i/rs o7 t1e i(it/tions to t1e %o3er o7 Ku&i'i/ revie3, /s enun'i/te& in t1e 'on'urrin o%inion o7 U6S. Su %re(e Court usti'e Louis Br/n&eis in As13/n&er vs. Tennessee 5/e2 Aut1orit2. It st/tes, /(on ot1ers t1/t, , 3 3 3
2hen the val idit y of an a&t o f Congr e ss i s d rawn in ;uestion$ and even if a serious d oubt of &onst it utional ity is raised $ it is a &ardinal pr in&ipl e that t his Cour t will fir st a s&ert ain whet her a &onstr u&tion o f t he statute i s f airly pos sible by whi&h t he ;uestion +ay be avoided , $ In t1e s/(e vein, to %/ss u%on t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 t1e st/tute /s 9uestione& )2 t1e %etitioner is /0in to in&ire't2 /o3in / iti/nt to /ss/i t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 / st/tute ever2 ti(e 1e is '1/re& 3it1 / vio/tion o7 / %rovision o7 /3, Ines'/%/ )2, t1is 3ou& 're/te / &/nerous %r e'e&ent 31erein t1e /''use& '/n (ere2 /ss/i t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 t1e /3 to es'/%e i/)iit2 t1ere7ro(. T1is, our 'ourts, s1ou& not 'on&one. "
3* 232 P1i. 222 (1+,$). 3$ 4*0 P1i. ,30 (2003)&
@ ". T1e Cour t 3i not %/ss u%on t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 eis/tion in / 7rien&2, non-/&vers/r 2, %ro'ee&in, &e'inin )e'/use to &e'i&e su'1 9uestions 6is eiurn/te on2 in t1e /st r esort, /n& /s / ne'essit2 in t1e &eter(in/tion o7 re/, e/rnest /n& vit/ 'ontr overs2 )et3een in&ivi&u/s. It never 3/s t1e t1ou1t t1/t, )2 (e/ns o7 / 7 rien&2 suit, / %/rt2 )e/ten in t1e eis/tur e 'ou& tr/ns7 er to t1e 'our ts /n in9uir2 /s to t1e 'onstitu tion/iL2o7 tie eis/tive /'t.6 . *. TIe Court 3i not 6/nti'i%/te / 9uestion o7 'onstitution/ /3 2n /&v/n'e o7 t1e ne'essit2 o7 &e't&tn it.6 . 6It is not tie 1/ )it o7 t1e Court to &e'i&e 9uestions o7 / 'onstitution/ n/tur e uness /)soute2 ne'ess/r2 to / &e'ision o7 t1e '/se.6 . T1e Court 3 not 67or(u/te / rue o7 'onstitution/ /3 )ro/&er t1/n is re9uir e& )2 t1e %r e'ise 7/'ts to 31i'1 it is to )e / %%ie&.6 . +. T1e Court 3i not %/ss u%on / 'onstitution/ 9uestion /t1ou1 %ro %er2 %r esente& )2 t1e re'or &, i7 t1ere is /so %resent so(e ot1er r oun& u %on 31i'1 t1e '/se (/2 )e &is%ose& o7. T1is rue 1/s 7oun& (ost v/r ie& / %%i'/tion. T1us, i7 / '/se '/n )e &e'i&e& on eit1er o7 t3o r oun&s. one invovin / 'onstitution/ 9uestion, t1e ot1er / 9uestion o7 st/tutor2 'onstr u'tion or ener/ /3. t1e Court 3i &e'i&e on2 t1e /tter. . ;. T1e Court 3i not %/ss u %on tie 5/i&it2o7 / st/tute u %on 'o( %/int o7 one 31o 7 /is to s1o3 t1/t 1e is in Kur e& )2 its o %er /tion. , A(on t1e (/n2 / %%i'/tions o7 t1is rue, none is (ore stri0in t1/n t1e &eni/ o7 U"eri1t o7 '1/ene to one 31o /'0s / %erson/ or %ro%er t2 ri1t. T1us, tie '1/ene )2 / %u)i' o77't/intereste& on2 in t1e %er7 or(/n'e o7 1is o7 7i'i/&ut2 3i not )e entert/ine&. . !. T1e Court 3i not %/ss u %on t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 / st/tute /t t1e inst/n'e o7 one 31o 1/s /v/ie& 1i(se7 o7 its )ene7its. . #. 41en t1e v/i&it2 o7 /n /'t o7 t1e Conress is &r/3n in 9uestion, n! even 2f / serious &ou )t o7 'onstitution/it2 is r /ise&. it is / '/r &in/ %rin'i%e t1/t t1is Cour t 3i 7ir st /s'ert/in 31et1er / 'onstru'tion o7 t1e st/tute is 7 /ir2 %ossi)e )2 31i'1 t1e 9uestion (/2 )e /voi&e&... 3+ 2+$ 5.. 2,, (1+3*).
"
"! o7 *
1.A. GR CR No. !"#$ DECISION
E(%1/sis (ust /so )e %/'e& to t1e 7/'t t1/t 7ir st /n& 7ore(ost, Ar ti'e " o7 t1e RPC s1ou& )e %resu(e& v/i& /n& 'onstitution/. 41en 'on7ronte& 3it1 / 'onstitution/ 9uestion, it is ee(ent/r 2 t1/t ever2 'our t (ust /%%ro/'1 it 3it1 r/ve '/re /n& 'onsi&er/)e '/ution )e/rin in (in& t1/t ever 2 st/tute is %resu(e& v/i& /n& ever2 re/son/)e &ou )t s1ou& )e resove& in 7/vor o7 its 'onstitution/it2. Petitioner is r e(in&e& o7 t1e '/se o7 P eopl e v s% Ri&ardo 9i+a&o, $ 31er ein t1e Su%re(e Cour t 1e& in t1is 3ise I t is a well settl ed rule that the &ourts are not &on&erned with the wisdo+$ effi&a&y or +orality of laws% hat ;uestion falls e3&lusively within the provin&e of the 9egislature whi&h ena&ts the+ and the C h ief # 3e&utive who appr o ves or vetoes the+% he onl y fun&tion o f the judi&iary is to interpret t he l aws and$ if not in d ishar +ony wit h t he Con st itut ion $ to a p ply the+% 3 3 3 while t hey as &iti 4en s or as judges +a y r eg ar d a &er tain law as har sh $ unwise or +orally wron g $ and +ay re&o++end to the author ity 0 1 depar t +ent &on&erned $ it s a+end +ent $ +odifi&ation $ or repeal $ still $ a s long as said law is in for&e$ the6j +u st apply it and give eff e&t as de&reed by the law-+aking body$, /I
4e 7 in& t1/t t1ere 3/s no in7rine(ent o7 t1e %etitioner 6s ri1t to 7r ee s%ee'1 /n& e%ression nor 3/s t1ere / vio/tion o7 t1e e9u/ %rote'tion '/use /n& non-est/)is1(ent '/use o7 t1e "@# Constitution.
*irst$ Ar ti'e " is not vio/tive o7 %etitioner 6s 'onstitution/ ri1t to 7r ee s %ee'1 /n& e%r ession. T1e %etitioner 'onten&s t1/t Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC vio/tes Se'tion +, Arti'e III o7 t1e "@# Constitution, 31i'1 st/tes t1/t e&tion +. /o law shall be passed abridging the freedo+ of spee&h$ of e3pression$ or the press$ or the right o f the people pea&eably t o asse+ble and pet ition the g overn+ent f or redress of grievan&es% /I
/I
+$
+" +*
Pe",e 34 te P hi i, ,i nes #& van eine 6 t"n y < and &yst e at e 6aamn" y 8efania9 '&. o. 1*+3*4. Se %te""
1+"1.
P e", e "; tie PhUi,,ines vs. Hon. *"& eti<" B. = ene&a'i"n. C.R. Nos. 11++,$-,,. P e",e #. *ima' ". ,, >!. 3* (1+"1).
"* O'to)er 1++"
2t2n6
"# of *
C.A. GR CR No. !"#$
I%
E CI S TON
For %etitioner , Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC is / 7or( o7 st/te o7 reu/tion o7 s %ee'1 /n& 'on&u't t1rou1 t1e i(%osition su)se9uent %unis1(ent. Petitioner 7 urt1er /rues t1/t Arti'e " is /n over)ro/& /3 t1/t 'ri(in/i=es / su )st/nti/ /(ount o7 'onstitution/2 %rote'te& s%ee'1 /n& /''or &s t1e %oi'e un'onstitution/ &is'retion in en7or 'e(ent.T /I
It
/&&s t1/t t1e /)sen'e o7 /n o ) Ke'tive st/n&/r & in t1e &eter(in/tion o7 /'ts notor ious2 o77ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17u6 o%ens Arti'e " to / First A(en&(ent :7ree s %ee'1< voi& 7 or v/ueness '1/ene, e/vin t1ereon t1e o77en&e& %/rt2 uni(ite& %o3er to &e'i&e 31i'1 s%ee'1 3ou& 'onstitute t1e o77ense. t1e To /(%i7 2, %etitioner /ee& t1/t RTC is 'ri(in/i=in e%ression o7 /n i&e/, 31en t1e 'ourt sueste& t1/t t1e 3or& 6DAMASO6 is not %r ote'te& s%ee'1 )ut r/t1er /n insutin 3or &. In
its De'ision, t1e R TC e(%1/si=e& t1/t t1e ri1t to 7ree s%ee'1 &oes not u/r/ntee /n un )r i&e& i'ense to s/2 31/t ever one (/2 3is1 to, e/'1 in&ivi&u/ s1ou& )e 'ir'u(s %e't in settin oose ever 2 3or & t1/t 7o3s 7r o( 1is>1er (out 1. A%%2in t1ereon t1e '/se o7 Philippine s Journal ist $ In&% et al vs% * ran&i s hoenen',$ t1e tri/ 'ourt 7oun& t1/t notorious2 o77en&in t1e reiious 7 eeins (/2 'o(e in t1e 7 or ( o7 insutin 3or &s 31i'1 /r e inten&e& to r i&i'ue t1e &o(/, %r/'ti'e or ritu/ o7 / reiion. It /&&e& 7ur t1er t1/t / %erson o7 or &in/r2 un&erst/n&in 'ou& r e/&i2 )e /3/re u%on %er us/ o7 Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC t1/t 1e>s1e is not su%%ose& to &o /'ts notorious2 o77ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17 u su'1 /s utterin un%r ote'te& s %ee'1 31ie insi&e / %/'e 43
R oUo. %.!$.
++ R oUo. %.!". '(n >"-st"n -s. Hi. I& /t +;@. +; Ro o. %.!*. +! I)i&. 47
4,
R oo,%.". '.. o. 1433$2. %ee?ber *$$; ) #-t no a s ,ee' h is ,&"t e'te'* The & i h t ?ff &ee s ,ee' h is n"t abs"-t e /t. a imes and un&er aU 'i&'@nstan'es. The& e a& e 'e&tain @ e Ad efined and na&& "@ y imited '*asses ?f s ,ee'h. the ,& event-ni @d ,-nishment "; @ hi' h has neer been th"- / t to & aise any !"ns(:if :1(i"na ,&"bem. T1ese in' *-de the *e@d and o)s'ene. the ,& "fane ihe >be*"-s.and the !ns-**i&t or Tth*in uor&s A 'h"se @hi'h by ihei& ve&y urr er/n'e ir>i'r iIy-&y or tend to in' it e 4 immedia1.e b&ea'h )f the ,e"'e. )
"@ of *
eA. GR CR No. !"#$
!DECISIO N
&evote& to reiious reiious 'ere(on2.
3ors1i%
or &urin
t1e 'ee)r/tion o7 /n2
4e 1o& t1/t t1e /ru(ent o7 t1e %etitioner t1/t Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC vio/tes 1is r i1t to 7ree&o( o7 e%ression '/nnot )e sust/ine&. Free&o( o7 s%ee'1 is vio/te& 31en s%ee'1 is restri'te& or %unis1e& even i7 t1e s %ee'1 &oes not %resent / 'e/r /n& %resent &/ner o7 / su)st/ntive evi 31i'1 t1e St/te 1/s t1e ri1t to %revent. T1e Su%re(e Court 1/s o7ten stresse& t1/t 7 ree&o( o7 s%ee'1 is not /)soute, /n& (ust )e )//n'e& 3it1 t1e re9uire(ents o7 e9u/2 i(%ort/nt %u)i' interests. Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC is 'e/r 31en 2t %en/i=es /'ts notorious2 o77ensive to t1e 7 /it17u insi&e / %/'e &evote& 7or reiious 3or s1i%. Un&er t1e RPC, it '/n )e e/ne& 7ro( Tite T3o Cri(es A/inst t1e Fun&/(ent/ L/3s o7 t1e St/te /n& Se'tion Four - Cr i(es A/inst R eiious v5ors1i% t1ereo7 , t1/t Arti'e " 1/s t1e %ur%ose o7 u/r/nteein t1e 7ree eer'ise o7 one6s reiion in'u&in t1e %reserv/tion o7 t1e s/n'tit2 /n& soe(nit2 o7 t1ese %/'es. Un&ou)te&2, t1e %u)i' interest serve& )2 Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC, is t1e (/inten/n'e o7 %e/'e /n& or &er i.n s/i& reiious %/'e or reiious 'ere(onies. A '/re7u %er us/ o7 t1e 7 /'ts o7 t1e '/se 3ou& reve/ t1/t t1e /'t o7 t1e %etitioner in oin to t1e 7 ront o7 t1e /t/r, &urin e'u(eni'/ servi'e, /n& r/isin / %/'/r& 3it1 t1e 3or& 6DAMASO6 in7i'ts inKur2 or ten&s to in'ite /n i((e&i/te )r e/'1 o7 t1e %e/'e in t1/t %/'e o7 3or s1i%. T1ere7ore, t1e /'t o7 %etitioner insi&e t1e '/t1e&r/ is 31/t Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC see0s to %en/i=e. As enun'i/te& )2 t1e Su %re(e Court in one '/se, ,3 3 3 It has
been well ob served that su&h utteran&e s are no essential part of any e3posit ion of ideas $ and are of su&h slight so&ial val ue a s a step to truth that an y benefit that +ay be d erived f ro+ the+ is &learly outweighed by the 49
Roo. %.". ;$
Ba di va & #& C"n< aes 1** CA 31*& 3"4@ *-' as #. R "y" 344 C 4,1& 4+0@ !have< -s. C"n
ICA.
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO N
" of *
I
so&ial intere st in or d er and +or al it y%76, T1us, t1e %u)i' inter est serve& )2 Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC t/0 es %r e'e&en'e over t1e %etitioner 6s r i1t to 7 ree s %ee'1 insi&e / %/'e &evote& 7or 3ors1i %.
e&ond $ Ar ti'e " &oes not en'r o/'1 u%on t1e e9u/ %rote'tion '/use o7 t1e 'onstitution. T1e %etitioner 'onten&s t1/t Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC vio/tes Se'tion I, Arti'e III o7 t1e Constitution, 31i'1 st/tes t1/t , e&tion ". No per son shall be de prived of life$ liberty$ or pro perty without due pro&ess of law $ nor shall any person be denied the e;ual pr ote&tion of the laws% ,
For %etitioner, Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC is / %en/ st/tute t1/t s%e'i7i'/2 %rote'ts t1e 7eeins /n& t1e )eie7 s o7 reiious %er sons, 7or it un&u2 7/vor s one '/ss or rou % :t1e reiious %eo %e or t1ose 31o (/int/in )eie7 s )/se& on 7/it1< over /not1er :t1e ir re iious, t1e /t1eist, t1e %//n, /n& 1o&er s o7 )eie7 s 31i'1 /re not reiious<. Petitioner /rues t1/t 31ie Arti'e " &oes not (/ni7est2 &is'ri(in/te s%ee'1 /n& i&e/s, t1e su%%r ession )e'o(es o)vious in t1e /36s /%%i'/tion /s t1e 7/it17u or )eiever s no3 '/i( t1/t t1e 3or& 6DAMAS6 is / 6notorious2 o77ensive /'t6 to t1eir 67 eeins6. A% %2in t1e '/se o7 #r ne st o 5on4ale s et al vs% Cent ral E<-' a&e&a d e ar l a& 9abor @ nion et aE $ t1e RTC 7oun& t1/t t1e %ur%ose o7 t1is /3 is 7or t1e un)eievers o7 / reiion to r es%e't t1e ri1ts /n& )eie7 s o7 t1e )eievers 31o /re e9u/2 entite& to t1e st/te6s %rote'tion /n& 7or t1e( to 1/ve / %e/'e7u /n& or&er2 'o-eisten'e 31i'1 is essenti/ in / 'ivii=e& so'iet2.P 4e u%1o& t1e 7in&ins o7 t1e RTC. "1 ;*
"3
>L Born!#t# In.. #. 8oenen& 4$$ CA 4,2 (200")& tn6 C/!n#y "*,& *2 Ct. $**. ,* L.Ed. I O".
R oo. %.!+;. o!!o& /.*4$.
"4 '.. o. L-3,1$,. O'to)er 3. 1+,". 55
o!!o& /.30.
#. e@ >am,shi&e( 31" 5.-.
ICA.
20 of 23
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISION
I
Pri(/ri2, it s1ou& )e )orne in (in& t1/t reiious 7ree&o(, /t1ou1 not uni(ite&, is / 7un&/(ent/ %erson/ ri1t /n& i)ert2, /n& 1/s / %re7erre& %osition in t1e 1ier/r'12 o7 v/ues. It 1/s )een s/i& t1/t t1e reiious '/uses o7 t1e Constituti.on /re / &esine& to %rote't t1e )ro/&est %ossi)e i)ert2 o7 'ons'ien'e, to /o3 e/'1 (/n to )eieve /s 1is 'ons'ien'e &ire'ts, to %ro7ess 1is )eie7s. /n& to ive /s 1e )eieves 1e ou1t to ive, 'onsistent 3it1 t1e i)ert2 o7 ot1er s /n& 3it1 t1e 'o((on oo&."$ T1e '/se o7 People v s% C ayat 5 su((/ri=e& e9u/ %rote'tion, t1us
t1e Kuris %ru&en'e
on
It is an est abl ished prin&ipl e of &onstitutional
l aw that the guar ant y of the e;ual prote&tion of the l aws is not violated by a legislat ion ba sed on r easonabl e &l assifi&at ion% And the &la s sifi&ation$ to be reasonable$ (1) +u st rest on sub st antial dist in&t ionsF (2) +u st be % ger +ane to the pur po se of the l awF :< +u st not be li+ited t o e 3istin g &ond ition s onl yF and :+< +ust a p ply e;ually to all +e+ber s of the sa+e &l a s s% rr /I
Petitioner /ss/is t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 Ar ti'e " o7 t1e RPC 7or )ein vio/tive o7 t1e 7irst /n& se'on& re9uire(ents st/te& /)ove. It /vers t1/t it (/0es / &istin'tion )et3een )eievers /n& non )eiever s /n& uses t1e s/(e /s t1e )/sis to %unis1 s%ee'1 or 'on&u't &ee(e& o77ensive to t1e )eievers6 7eeins. T1e %etitioner6s /ssertions /'0 su)st/n'e. T1er e is / re/son/)e &istin'tion )et3een t1ose 31o 1/ve / r eiion /n& t1ose 31o &o not. In /&&ition, Arti'e " is er(/ne to t1e %ur%ose o7 t1e /3 31i'1 is to see0 t1e %rote'tion o7 t1e ri1t o7 t1e r eiious to t1e 7r ee eer'ise o7 t1eir reiion.
It is 3e sette& in t1is Kuris&i'tion t1/t t1e e9u/ %rote'tion '/use re9uires e9u/it2 /(on e9u/s /s &eter(ine& /''or&in to / v/i& '/ssi7i'/tion. B2 '/ssi7i'/tion is (e/nt t1e rou%in o7 %er sons or t1ins si(i/r to e/'1 ot1er in 'ert/in %/r ti'u/r s /n& &i77erent 7 ro( / ot1er s in t1ese s/(e %/rti'u/r s. 56
&nest" '. 'onD!e#. et a* -s. !ent&a A 4u&arera %e ar ta& *ab"& U ni"n '.. o. L-3,1$,& tober 3& 1+,".
;# I)i&. ;@
!@ P1i. 12&1, (1+3+).
5 G P hii, ,ine J -d es Ess"' iati"n vs. P&ad" **# SCR #$.
CA. ' C No. !"#$ DECISIO N
hird$ Arti'e " &oes not in7rine '/use o7 t1e 'onstitution.
*" of *
t1e non-est/)is1(ent
T1e %etitioner 'onten&s t1/t Arti'e " o7 t1e R PC vio/tes Se'tion ;, Ar ti'e III o7 t1e Constitution or t1e Non-Est/ )is1(ent C/use, 31i'1 st/tes t1/t , e&tion ;. /o l aw shall be +ade r espe&tin g an est abl-i sh+ent of religion $ or prohibit ing the f re e e3er&i se ther eof he fr ee e 3er &i se and enjo y+ent of relig iou s prof ession and worship $ without d i s&r i+ination or pre fer en&e$ shall forever be all owed % No r eligiou s te st shall be r e;uired for t he e3er&i se of &ivil or politi&al r i ghts%,
For %etitioner , t1e Non-Est/ )is1(ent C/use %ro1i)its t1e st/te 7r o( %ro(otin / r eiion over ot1er r eiions or non-r eiious rou%s by s1ie&in t1e( 7ro( 'riti'is(. It /vers t1/t 3it1 Arti'e ", t1e st/te 'e/ses to )e neutr/, /n& 'o(es to t1e /i& o7 reiion )2 %unis1in eiti(/te s%ee'1 7or o77en&in t1e (ere 67 eeins6 o7 t1e 67 /it17u6 .!$ In /%%2in t1e so-'/e& Le(on Test, t1e %etitioner /r ue& t1/t :/< Arti'e " 1/s no se'u/r eis/tive %ur%ose, t1e su) Ke't o7 t1e /3 )ein soe2 t1e %rote'tion o7 t1e 67eeins6 o7 t1e )eiever s6 :)< Arti'e " 1/s t1e %r in'i %/ e77e't o7 %ro(otin reiion /s it s1ie&s t1e /tter 7ro( /n2 /n& / t2%es o7 'riti'is( /n& :'< t1e /3 're/tes /n UIU".eCess/r2ent/ne(ent 3it1 reiion, t1e st/te )ein Ku&e, Kur 2 /n& ee'utioner o7 in&ivi&u/s t1/t t1e reiious (/2 'onsi&er uit2 o7 o77en&in t1eir 7eeins.7 In t1e R TC De'ision, it 3/s 1e& t1/t t1e %ur%oses o7 Ar ti'e " o7 t1e RPC, /)eit )ene7i'i/ /n& /&v/n'in t1e interests o7 t1ose %r /'ti'in reiion, is se'u/r in n/tur e, /n& t1us, it is not vio/tive o7 non-est/ )is1(ent '/use o7 t1e 'onstitution. 60
*1
62 63
Roo. %.!+$. R oo. %.!+$-!+". Citin t1e '/se o7 Le(on us% ? ur t=(/n. +$ U.S. !$* :"#"< 31i'1 7or(u/te& t1r ee 'rtten/ to test t1e 'onstitution/it2 o7 / /3 &e/in 3it1 r eiion un&er t1e Non-Est/ )is1(ent C/use. to Ft: First, t1e st/tute (ust 1/ve / se'u/r eis/tive %ur%ose se'on&, its %nn't%/ or %r i(/r2 eTe't ?#t )e one tt neit1er /&v/n'es nor In!btt# reiion 7 n/2, te st/tute (ust not 7 oster 6/n e'essive ent/ne(ent Ft r eiion.6 R oo. % %.!+"-!+*. Roo. %.*@.
Q** of *
I.A.
GR CR No. !"#$ DECISIO I
4e u%1o& t1e 7in&in o7 t1e RTC in t1is '/se. Non-est/ )is1(ent o7 reiion is vio/te& 31en t1e St/te s1o3s %re7 er en'e 7or one reiion over ot1ers or %re7er s reiion to no r eiion.
Ar ti'e " o7 t1e RPC is / 'r i(e //inst t1e 7ree eer'ise o7 reiion '/use (/n&/te& )2 our Constitution. In&is %ut/)2, t1e %ur%ose o7 t1is %en/ st/tute is to i(%ose %unitive (e/sures to t1ose 31o 3ou& ri&i'ue /n& s1o3 &is&/in to t1e 7eeins /n& senti(ents o7 t1e 7/it17us 31ie insi&e / %/'e &evote& to reiious 3ors1i% or in 'ee)r/tion o7 / reiious 'ere(on2. T1us, t1e RTC 3/s 'orr e't 31en it 7 oun& t1/t in 'on7or(it2 3it1 one6s ri1t to 7ree eer'ise o7 reiion, t1e 7 /it17 us (/2, 3it1in t1e i(its set )2 /3s, ri1t7 u 2 %r/'ti'e /n& o )serve t1eir )eie7 s, uni(%e&e& )2 un7/ir inter 7eren'e 7ro( ot1er %eo%e. It ,oes 3it1out s/2in t1/t t1ose %eo%e o)ser vin / 'ert/in 7 or ( o7 reiion or se't /re e9u/2 entite& to t1e st/te6s %rote'tion /s /n2 o7 its 'iti=ens. Ar u/)2, 3e &o not /r ee 3it1 %etitioner 6s 'ontention t1/t Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC s1ie& r eiion 7ro( 'r iti'is(. Arti'e " o7 t1e RPC &oes not %en/i=e 'riti'is(s or /n2 7 or( o7 s %ee'1. It i(%oses / %en/ s/n'tion on /n2one 31o %er7or(s /'ts notor ious2 o77 ensive to t1e 7eeins o7 t1e 7/it17u &one insi&e / %/'e &evote& to reiious 3ors1i % or &ur in t1e 'ee)r/tion o7 /n2 reiious 'ere(on2. T1e %etitioner '/nnot ive /n2 /&&ition/ (e/nin to t1e 'e/r /n& %/in /nu/e o7 t1e /3. A''or&in2, t1e %en/t2 Revise& Pen/ Co&e %er uses
7or vio/tion o7 Ar ti'e " o7 t1e
,he penalty of arre st o +ayor in its +a3i+u+ period t o pri sion &orr e&&ional in its +ini+u+ period shall be i+posed upon anyone who$ in a pl a&e d evoted to r eli giou s worshi p or dur ing the &el ebration of an y !+ Se'tion ;. Arti'e I. "@# Constitution. 65
R oo. %.*#.
!
* of
eA. GR CR No. !"#$
*
---------------------------------------
DECISION
r el igious &ere+ony shall perfor+ a&ts not oriou sl y offensive to the f eelin gs of the f a ithful% /I
T1er e7ore, 4e 7in& t1/t t1e RTC %ro%er2 i( %ose& t1e %en/t2 o7 /n in&eter (in/te %r ision ter ( o7 t3o :*< (ont1s /n& t3ent2 one :*"< &/2s o7 arresto +ayor $ /s (ini(u( to one :"< 2e/r , one :"< (ont1 /n& eeven :""< &/2s o7 prision &orre&&ional$ /s (/i(u( 3it1 'ost &e o7i'io. 4HEREFORE, %re(ises 'onsi&er e&, t1e inst/nt /% %e/ is DE NIED. A''or &in2, t1e "* Auust *$" De'ision /n& t1e Or&er &/te& "" Nove( )er *$" o7 t1e R eion/ Tr i/ Court o7 M/ni/, Br /n'1 * /re 1er e )2 AFFIRMED 2n toto% SO ORDERED. ('n
TGINA SIGNED
CARMELITA SALANDANAN
MANAHAN
Asso&iate J u sti&e 2 # C )/ C@R: 6nG" NAL SIG N APAR
:
B. DIMAAMPAO
ELIHU A. 8BANEJ
Asso&iate J u sti&e
As so&iate J u sti&e
CERTIFICATION Pursu/nt to Ar ti'e 5III, Se'tion " o7 t1e Constitution, it is 1ere)2 'erti7ie& t1/t t1e 'on'usions in t1e / )ove &e'ision 3ere re/'1e& 2n 'onsut/tion )e7or e t1e '/se 3/s /ssine& to t1e 3r iter o7 t1e o%inion o7 t1e Court.
t6HB6rBAtSIGNEO6 APAR B. DIMAAMPAO As so&iate J u sti&e Chair per son$ welfth Division
