DOJ Petition for Review Rule 45

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Manila

MELISSA MERCADO MARTEL Complainant-Appellant,

- versus -

I!S! No! "#$ D$%&%'

RO(ERT PU)A P U)AT T MARTEL Respondent-Appellee. x -------------------------------------------- x

APPEAL*PETTITION FOR RE+IE, TO T-E -ONORA(LE SECRETAR) OF JUSTICE

COMPLAINANT-APPEL PELLANT

MELISSA SSA

MERCAO

MARTEL

!"Complainant#$, assisted %& 'ounsel, respe't(ull& (iles t)is APPEAL*PETITION +OR REIE !"Appeal#$ to t)e onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'e to REERSE AN SET ASIE t)e )i0)l& ar%itrar&, ar%itrar&, 'ompletel& 'ompletel& %aseless, %aseless, 0rossl& 0rossl& un1usti(i un1usti(ied ed and mani(estl& mani(estl& erroneous RESOL2TION o( Senior State Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao, a'tin0 as Assistant Cit& Prose'utor o( Ma3ati Cit& !"ACP LAO#$4, dated Au0ust 44, 5667 !"Resolution$, 'op& 'op& re'ei re'eived ved on t)e t)e same same date, date, dism dismis issi sin0 n0 (or (or "ins "insu( u((i (i'i 'ien' en'& & o( evid eviden en'e# 'e#5 t)e Complaint-A((idavit (iled %& Complainant a0ainst )er )us%and, Respondent Ro%ert Pu&at Martel !"Respondent#$ (or +rustrated Parri'ide !t)e "Complaint#$.

A 'erti( 'erti(ied ied true 'op& o( t)e 8uestio 8uestioned ned Resolut Resolution ion,, 9)i') 9)i') does not %ear

t)e

)eadin0 o( t)e epartment o( /usti'e, is atta')ed as Anne. /A0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. I!TIMELINESS OF T-E APPEAL

4.

Se't Se'tio ion n : o( epar epartm tment ent Cir' Cir'ul ular ar No. No. ;6 ;6 provi provide dess t)a t)att t)e t)e app appeal eal s)al s)alll %e %e

ta3en 9it)in (i(teen !4<$ da&s (rom re'eipt o( t)e resolution.

4 As per .O. No. 5=:, dated /ul& 4, 5667. 5 Resolution, Resolution, pa0e >.

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5 5.

T)e 'ounsel o( Complainant re'eived a 'op& o( t)e 8uestioned Resolution

on Au0ust 44, 5667 or on t)e same date it 9as issued. :.

T)e T)e 4<-d 4<-da& a& per perio iod d 9it) 9it)in in 9)i 9)i') ') to to appe appeal al t)e t)e Res Resol olut utio ion n 9ill 9ill exp expir iree on

Au0ust Au0ust 5=, 5667 5667 )en'e )en'e t)e (ilin (ilin0 0 o( t)is Appeal Appeal is 9it)in 9it)in t)e 4<-da& 4<-da&

re0lam re0lament entar& ar&

period. II!

7.

T-E PARTIES PARTIES

T)e T)e Comp Compllaina ainant nt is Mel Melissa ssa Mer' Mer'ad ado o Mart Martel el,, +il +ilipino pino,, mar married ried to t)e t)e

Respondent and 'urrentl& residin0 at 5:C Man)attan Condominium, 4=5 alero Street, Sal'edo illa0e, Ma3ati Cit&. T)e Respondent is Ro%ert Pu&at Martel, +ilipino, married to Complainant Complainant and 'urrentl& 'urrentl& residin0 residin0 at 2nit <, Avi0non vi0non To9ers, o9ers, Le0aspi Le0aspi illa0e illa0e,, Ma3ati Cit&. <.

On Apr April il <, <, 5667 5667,, t)e t)e Comp Compla lain inan antt exe' exe'ut uted ed and and (il (iled ed t)e t)e Com Compl plai aint nt (or (or

+rustrated Parri'ide under Arti'le 57= in relation to Arti'le = o( t)e Revised Penal Code %e(ore t)e Cit& Prose'ution O((i'e o( Ma3ati. T)e Complaint 9as do'3eted as I.S. No. 67--< 67--<><5 ><5 entitl entitled ed Melissa Mercado Martel , Compla Complain inant ant,, vs. vs. Robert Puyat Martel , Respondent, (or +rustrated Parri'ide. T)e preliminar& investi0ation 9as initiall& assi0ned to Prose'utor Mel8uiades I. Mutian0pili o( t)e Cit& Prose'ution O((i'e o( Ma3ati. A 'op& o( t)e Complaint is atta')ed as ANNE1 /(0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. =.

On Ma& Ma& :, :, 5667 5667,, t)e t)e Comp Compla lain inan ant, t, %& %& 'oun 'ounse sel, l, re8 re8ue uest sted ed t)e t)e ep epar artm tmen entt

o( /usti'e to 'ondu't t)e preliminar& investi0ation on t)e 0round t)at s)e ma& not %e 0iven a (air and o%1e'tive opportunit& to present )er 'ase %e'ause t)e Investi0atin0 +is'al 'ould su''um% to severe pressure (rom t)e a''used and )is 9ealt)& (amil&. A 'op& o( t)e Letter, dated Ma& :, 5667, is atta')ed as ANNE1 /C0 and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. ;.

As per .O. No. 5=:, dated /ul& 44, 5667, t)e Complaint 9as trans(erred

to t)e epartment o( /usti'e and Senior State Prose'utor Ro%erto A. Lao 9as desi0nated as Assistant Cit& Prose'utor o( Ma3ati Cit& to 'o ndu't t)e preliminar& investi0ation.













:

III!

?.

STATEMENT STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS

T)e T)e Compl Complai aint nt (or (or +rus +rustr trat ated ed Parr Parri' i'id idee (ile (iled d %& t)e t)e Compl Complai aina nant nt a0ai a0ains nstt

t)e Respondent states t)at@ "!a$

On Au0ust Au0ust 5=, 566: 566: at or around around 5@66 5@66 PM, I 9as 9as 9at')in0 9at')in0 television television in m& sons room, Paolo M. Martel !)ereina(ter "PAOLO#$, lo'ated at t)e RitB To9ers, Apt. <67-A, A&ala Avenue, Ma3ati, Metro Manila. it)out an& provo'ation, m& )us%and ROERT P2DAT MARTEL, a*3*a "ROD# !)ereina(te !)ereina(terr "ROD#$, suddenl& suddenl& atta'3ed atta'3ed me and stran0led stran0led me. e t)en dra00ed me to Paolos %ed and pinned me do9n 9it) )is (ull 9ei0)t and %e0an to %eat, slap, and )it me all over m& (a'e and %od&.

!%$

ROD 0ot up (rom t)e %ed and and start started ed to to t)ro9 t)ro9 and toss (amil& (amil& pi'tur pi'turee (rames and ot)er (amil& %elon0in0s. ROD moved moved to t)e livin0 room and 'ontinued t)ro9in0 and tossin0 (amil& pi'tures.

!'$

ROD s)outed s)outed (or (or me to to 0o to t)e livin0 livin0 room room and ordered ordered me me to to 'ut 'ut all all t)e pi'tures pi'tures o( Antonio Mi0uel M. M. Martel, Martel, a*3*a "ANTON#

!)ereina(ter

"ANTON#$, "ANTON#$, 9)i') I did in (ear. e ordered me to t)ro9 t)e pi'tures pi'tures in t)e 3it')en %ut 9)en I t)re9 t)e pi'tures in t)e 0ar%a0e 'an lo'ated in t)e 3it')en, )e 0ot ver& an0r& and %eat me a0ain all over m& (a'e and %od&. !d$ !d$

I tri tried ed to to de(e de(end nd m&s m&sel el(( %ut %ut t)i t)iss made made ROD ROD more more an0r an0r& &.

ROD ROD

violentl& pulled m& )air and 3ept pullin0 m& )air 'ausin0 me to stum%le and (all on t)e (loor. As I )al( laid in t)e 3it')en 3it')en (loor, m& dau0)ter, Ma. LuB omini8ue M. Martel, a*3*a "NII# !)ereina(ter "NII#$, arrived (rom s')ool 9it) one o( RODS %od&0uards, /oel Castillo !)ereina(ter "Castillo#$. 2pon seein0 m& dau0)ter, ROD le(t le(t t)e 3it')en s)outin0 at Castillo to %rin0 me to our room. !e$

I %e00ed Castillo not to %rin0 me to our room. I 'autiousl& stood up 9it)













7 0uard Nimes !)ereina !)ereina(ter (ter "Nimes#$. "Nimes#$. ROD 9al3ed 9al3ed slo9l& to9ards to9ards me 9it) t)e pistol on )is side and in a )us)ed an0r& tone said, "Putan0-ina moF )o t)e )ell do &ou t)in3 &ou areG# e t)en 9rapped )is le(t arm around me, )eld up t)e 0un, pointed t)e 0un 'lose to m& a%domen, pulled t)e tri00er and s)ot me. !($

Stunned Stunned and %leedin0, %leedin0, I as3ed Castillo Castillo to )elp me es'ape t)e apartment. apartment. Castillo 'are(ull& led me do9n t)e emer0en'& stair9ell and as 9e 9al3ed do9n to9ards t)e lo%%& o( t)e RitB To9ers, I )eard ROD s)outin0 at Castillo, Castillo, " Putang-ina mo Castillo! Mamili ka, pera ko o buhay niya! Castillo replied sa&in0, " Buhay po Sir”.

!0$

2pon rea')in0 t)e lo%%& o( t)e RitB To9ers, To9ers, I 9as immediatel& rus)ed to t)e emer0en'& room o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center %& t)e driver, Ri'ardo anaa0 !)ereina(ter "anaa0#$, Castillo and m& &oun0er son, Anton.

!)$

2pon arrivin0 arrivin0 at t)e emer0en'& emer0en'& room o( t)e Ma3ati Ma3ati Medi'al Medi'al Center, Center, t)e do'tors and t)e nurses as3ed me 9)at )appened and I told t)em, "I 9as s)ot %& m& )us%and.#

!i$ !i$

M& mot mot)er )er i'tor 'toria ia C. C. Mer' Mer'ado ado,, rus rus)ed )ed to m& m& side side and and I told told )er )er RO ROD D s)ot me.#

>.

On Ma& Ma& <, <, 5667 5667 Res Respo pond nden entt exe' exe'ut uted ed and and (il (iled ed )is )is Cou Count nter er-A -A(((idav idavit it and and

alle0ed alle0ed as )is onl& de(ense de(ense t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident. To 'orro%orate 'orro%orate )is stor& t)at it 9as an a''ident, )e su%mitted t)e a((idavits o( )is 9itnesses, namel&, +idel Nimes, Ma. LuB omini8ue Mer'ado Martel, /oel Castillo, Reuel C. Riodi8ue, Paolo Ro%erto Martel and Att&. avid Pu&at. e also su%mitted t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e exe'uted %& t)e Complainant. Copies o( t)e Counter-A((idavit o( Respondent, +idel Nimes !"Nimes#$, Ma. LuB omini8ue omini8ue Mer'ado Mer'ado Martel Martel !"Ni33i#$, !"Ni33i#$, /oel Castillo Castillo !"Castill !"Castillo#$, o#$, Reuel C. Riodi8ue Riodi8ue !"Riodi8ue#$, Paolo Ro%erto Martel !"Paolo#$ and Att&. avid Pu&at !"Att&. Pu&at#$ are













< A 'op& o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e is atta')ed as ANNE1 /3 # and made an inte0ral part )ereo(. 46. 46.

Nime Nimess and Cast Castil illo lo are are %od&0u %od&0uar ards ds o( Resp Respon onde dent nt 9)o 9)o admit admit t)at t)at t)e& t)e&

'ontinue 'ontinue to %e emplo&ed emplo&ed %& Respondent. Respondent. Ni33i, Ni33i, a minor, minor, and Paolo are ')ildren ')ildren o( t)e Complainant and Respondent livin0 9it) Respondent. Att&. avid Pu&at is Respondents 'ounsel and (irst 'ousin. 44.

Riodi8ue is a poli'e investi0ator 9it) t)e Criminal Investi0ation ivision,

omi' omi'id idee Se't Se'tio ion, n, Ma3a Ma3ati ti Cit& Cit& Poli' Poli'ee Stat Statio ion n 9)o 9)o inves investi ti0a 0ate ted d t)e t)e s)oo s)ooti tin0 n0 o( Complainant. e stated in )is A((idavit A((idavit !ANNE1 /-0$ t)at@ ":. ":. uri urin0 n0 t)e t)e enti entire re inve invest sti0 i0at atio ion, n, Ms. Ms. Mart Martel el neve never r mentioned t)at s)e 9as s)ot %& Mr. Ro%ert Martel, nor did s)e mention t)at t)e 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained resulted (rom t)e (ault o( Mr. Martel. Martel. 7.

S)e also ment entioned ned t)at s)e 9as not not interested in (ilin0 an& an& ')ar0es a0ainst an&one %e'ause t)e in1uries s)e sustained 9ere t)e result o( an a''ident.# 45.

o9ever, o9ever, in in Riodi8ue Riodi8uess +inal Investi0at Investi0ation ion Report, Report, 9)i') Respondent Respondent

annexed to t)e Petition (or Certiorari t)at )e (iled in t)e Court o( Appeals: as Annex "C,# Riodi8 Riodi8ue ue 'ontradi 'ontradi'te 'ted d )is A((i A((idav davit it !ANNE1 9)en )e state tated d t)at )at !a$ t)e ANNE1 /-0$ 9)en Complainant re(used to 0ive an& statement, t)ere(ore, t)e& never spo3e to ea') ot)er and, !%$ )e 'on'luded 'on'luded it 9as an a''ident a''ident solely solely on on t)e %asis o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e personall& su%mitted to )im %& Att&. Att&. Ra(ael Har'ia, a la9&er o( Respondent and 9)o misrepresented )imsel( as t)e la9&er o( t)e Complainant. To 8uote pertinent portions o( t)e +inal Investi0ation Report@ ";.T)e vi'tim 9)o re(used to 0ive an& statement momentaril& 0ave instead a mani(estation t)at an& in8uiries 9it) re0ards to t)e said in'ident s)ould %e 'oursed to )er son !PAOLO$. ?. T)is o((i'e sent a letter to MR. ROERTO MARTEL, )us%and o( MELISSA re8uestin0 )im to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e to s)ed li0)t on t)e in'ident 9)i') 9as re'eived %& t)eir se'urit& aide RICARO T2MAHO. o9ever, Mr. Mr. MARTEL MARTEL (ailed to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e o((i'e to 0ive an& in(ormation in(ormation a%out t)e t)e in'ident. in'ident. Li3e9ise, Li3e9ise, t)is pro%er pro%er sent a lett letter er to PAOLO OLO MAR MARTEL, EL, 9)om 9)om )er )er mot) mot)er er 0ave 0ave an aut) aut)or orit it& & to represent on )er %e)al( to appear %e(ore t)is o((i'e %ut )e also (ailed to













= >.

On O't O'to% o%er er 4=, 4=, 566 566:, :, AT ATTD. TD. RA+ RA+A AEL HARC HARCIA IA 9)o 9)o 9as 9as t)e t)e 'oun 'ounse sell de parte o( t)e vi'tim appeared to t)is o((i'e and su%mitted personall& an A((idavit o( esistan'e exe'uted %& MELISSA MARTEL statin0 t)erein t)at t)e 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained 9as a result (rom an a''ident, 9it)out 9it)out t)e (ault o( ne0li0en'e o( an&%od& and t)ere(ore, t)ere(ore, s)e voluntaril& voluntaril& desisted (rom (ilin0 an& 'omplaint, 'riminal or 'ivil, a0ainst an& person, in'ludin0 )er )us%and, ROERT MARTEL. A 'op& o( t)e +inal Investi0ation Report exe'uted %& Riodi8ue, dated O'to%er 5<,

566:, is annexed to t)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit o( Complainant, dated Au0ust 57, 5667 as Annex "4# o( t)e Consolidated Repl&-A((idavit. 4:. 4:.

On Ma& 45, 45, 5667 5667,, Comp Compla lain inan antt exe' exe'ut uted ed and (ile (iled d a Repl Repl& &-A(( -A((id idav avit it 'ate0 'ate0or ori' i'al all& l& re(utin0 and den&in0 all t)e alle0ations o( Respondent and )is 9itnesses in'ludin0 t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e. S)e annexed to t)e Repl&-A((idavit t)e (ollo9in0 do'uments@ !a$ T)e A((ivadit A((ivadit o( )er mot)er, i'toria i'toria C. Mer'ado Mer'ado !%$ T9o T9o p)oto0rap)s p)oto0rap)s ta3en on Au0ust Au0ust 5?, 5667, or t9o da&s a(ter s)e 9as s)ot %& Respondent, 9)ile s)e 9as at t)e Intensive Care 2nit o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, 0rap)i'all& s)o9in0 t)at s)e not onl& sustained a 0uns)ot 9ound %ut 9as %adl& %eaten and %ruised prior to %ein0 s)ot !'$ T)e is')ar0e Summar&, Summar&, dated e'em%er :, 566:, issued %& t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Cent Center er,, 'on(i 'on(irm rmin in0 0 t)at t)at on Au0u Au0ust st 5=, 5=, 5667 5667 at 7@66 7@66 p.m. p.m. t)e t)e Compla Complain inant ant sustai sustained ned "multi "multiple ple in1ur& in1ur& se'ond se'ond de0ree de0ree to 0uns)o 0uns)ott 9ound 9ound !t)e !t)e "is') "is')ar0 ar0ee Summar&#$ and !d$ T)e Medi'o-L Medi'o-Le0al e0al Report Report exe'ut exe'uted ed %& r. r. Teres Teresita ita San')eB San')eB o( t)e Ma3ati Ma3ati Medi'al Center 'on(irmin0 t)at on Au0ust 5=, 5667 at around 7@66 p.m. t)e Complainant sustained a "0uns)ot 9ound and s9ellin0
47. 47.

2nde 2nderr t)e t)e 8ues 8uesti tion oned ed Resol Resolut utio ion, n, ACP ACP LAO erron erroneo eous usl& l& dismi dismiss ssed ed t)e

'ompla 'omplaint int (or "insu( "insu((i (i'ie 'ien'& n'& o( eviden eviden'e# 'e# a(ter a(ter (indin (indin0 0 t)at t)at t)e Respond Respondent ent and )is















; I+!

ASSI2NMENT OF ERRORS

4<.

ACP LAO 'ommit 'ommitted ted t)e (ollo9 (ollo9in0 in0 mani(es mani(estl& tl& un1ust un1ust and patent patent errors errors@@

4A5 4A5

ACP ACP LAO LAO ACT ACTED ED ,IT,IT- 2RA 2RA+ +E A(U A(USE SE OF AUT-O UT-ORIT RIT) ) AND DISCRETION IN CONDUCTIN2 T-E PREL PRELIM IMIN INAR AR) ) IN+E IN+EST STI2 I2A ATION ION AS IF IT ,E ,ERE RE A TRIAL ON T-E MERITS AND DISMISSED T-E COMPLA COMPLAINT INT FOR /INSUF /INSUFFIC FICIEN IENC) C) OF E+IDEN E+IDENCE0 CE0 AFTE AFTER R FIND FINDIN2 IN2 TT-A AT TT-E E RESP RESPON ONDE DENT NT AND -IS -IS (OD)2 (O D)2UA UARD RDS S ,E ,ERE RE MORE MORE CRED CREDI(L I(LE E TT-AN AN TT-E E +ICTIM T-E COMPLAINANT!

4(5 4(5

ACP ACP LAO LAO ERR ERRON ONEO EOUS USL L) DIS DISMI MISS SSED ED T-E T-E COM COMPL PLAI AINT NT (ASED ON -IS MISAPPRECIATION OF T-E FACTS AND FAILED TO FIND T-AT6 7!

RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS A LIE AS T-E MEDICA MEDICAL L RECORD RECORDS S PRO+E PRO+E T-AT T-AT -E (E (EA AT UP TT-E E COMP COMPLA LAIN INAN ANT T (EFORE S-OOTIN2 -ER ,ITITDELI(ERATE INTENT TO 3ILL -ER!

'!

RESPONDENT8S ACTIONS IMMEDIATEL) AFTER T-E S-OOTIN2 ARE E+IDENCE OF 2UILT!

9!

RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF ACCIDENT IS (ELIED () -IS O,N STATEMENTS T-AT IT ,AS -E ,-O PULLED T-E TRI22ER OF T-E 2UN AND NOT COMPLAIN AINANT ANT! T-E P-O -OT TO2RAP-S T-E MED MEDICO$ LE2AL REPORT AND T-E DISC-AR2E SUMMAR) PRO+E T-A TAT T-E COMP COMPLA LAIN INA ANT ,AS DELI(ERATEL) S-OT () RESP RESPON ONDE DENT NT AT POIN POINT T$(L (LAN AN3 3 RAN2E!













? COMPLAINANT ,IT-OUT APPRECIATIN2 APPRECIATIN2 T-E TRUTT-AT IT ,AS PROCURED () T-E RESPONDENT AND T-AT T-E COMPLAINANT ,AS FORCED INTIMID INTIMIDAT ATED ED AND AND -ARRAS -ARRASSED SED TO SI2N SI2N IT ,,-ILE ILE S-E SE ,AS ST STIL ILL L L)IN2 IN2 IN -ER -OS OSPI PIT TAL (E (ED D FI2-TIN2 FOR -ER LIFE!

!$ ACP ACP LAO LAO ERRO ERRONE NEOU OUSL SL) ) CONC CONCLU LUDE DED D TT-A AT TT-E E COMP COMPLA LAIN INAN ANT T IS NOT NOT CRED CREDI( I(LE LE (E (ECA CAUS USE E SS-E E FILE FILED D -E -ER R COMP COMPLA LAIN INT T /MOR /MORE E TT-AN AN EI2EI2-T T 4:5 4:5 # MONT-S AFTER T-E INCIDENT!0 INCIDENT!0 +!AR2UMENTS IN SUPPORT OF T-E APPEAL 4A5

ACP LAO ACTED ,IT- 2RA+E A(USE OF

AUT-ORIT) AND DISCRETION IN CONDUCTIN2 T-E PREL PRELIM IMIN INAR AR) ) IN+E IN+EST STI2 I2A ATION ION AS IF IT ,E ,ERE RE A TRIAL

ON

T-E

MERITS

AND

DISMISSED

T-E

COMP COMPLA LAINT INT FOR FOR /INSU /INSUFF FFIC ICIEN IENC) C) OF E+IDE E+IDENC NCE0 E0 AFTE AFTER R FIND FINDIN IN2 2 TT-A AT TT-E E RESP RESPON ONDE DENT NT AND -IS -IS (OD) (O D)2U 2UAR ARDS DS ,E ,ERE RE MORE MORE CRED CREDI( I(LE LE TT-AN AN TT-E E +ICTIM T-E COMPLAINANT!

4=.

ACP ACP LAO LAO 0rave 0ravel& l& a%us a%used ed )is )is aut)o aut)ori rit& t& and and dis'r dis'ret etio ion n 9)en 9)en )e issue issued d t)e 8uest 8uestio ioned ned Resolution as i( )e 'ondu'ted a trial on t)e merits and dismissed t)e Complaint a(ter (indin0 t)at Respondents de(ense o( a''ident, as 'orro%orated %& )is %od&0uards, 9as more 'redi%le@ "As )it)erto s)o9n, 'omplainants narration o( t)e events is (ar (rom t)e trut) as testi(ied to %& % & t)e (amil&s o9n se'urit& 0uards emplo&ed sin'e 5666, disinterested 9itnesses as t)e& are. In t)is re0ard, t)e %alan'e o( 'redi%ilit& tilts in (avor o( respondent. More so in vie9 o( t)e a((idavit o( desi desist stan' an'ee 'omp 'ompla lain inan antt )ers )ersel el(( exe'u exe'ute ted d on O'to% O'to%er er 4<, 4<, 5667. 5667.## ! Resolution, Resolution, pa0e =$.

4;.

T)e T)e 8uesti 8uestione oned d Resolu Resoluti tion, on, 9it) 9it)out out an& an& dou%t dou%t,, 9ent %e&o %e&ond nd t)e s'op s'opee o( a prel prelim imin inar ar& &













> %elieve t)at t)e a''used is pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime and t)ere(ore, 9)et)er an in(ormation s)ould %e (iled a0ainst t)e a''used ! People People s. nting , 4?; SCRA ;??$. Simpl& stated, all t)at ACP LAO is re8uired to do is to determine t)e existen'e o( pro%a%le 'ause. 4>.

To determine t) t)e ex existen'e o( o( pr pro%a%le 'a 'ause, t) t)e pr prose'utor on onl& )a )as to to (ind t)at t)ere is reasona%le reasona%le 0round to %elieve %elieve t)at t)e a''used 'ommitted 'ommitted t)e 'rime. 'rime. As stated stated %& t)e Supreme Supreme Court Court in Pilapil in Pilapil s. Sandiganbayan, Sandiganbayan, H.R. No. 464>;?, April ;, 4>>:@ "Pro%a%le 'ause is a reasona%le 0round or presumptions t)at a matter is, or ma& %e 9ell-(ounded, su') as a state o( (a'ts in t)e mind o( t)e prose'utor as 9ould lead a person o( ordinar& a'tuation and pruden'e to %elieve, or entertain an )onest or stron0 suspi'ion, t)at a t)in0s is so. T)e term does not mean Ja'tual and positive 'ause nor does it import a%solute a%solute 'ertaint& 'ertaint&.. It is merel& %ased %ased on opinion opinion and reasona%le %elie(. %elie(. T)us, a (indin0 o( pro%a%le 'ause does not re8uire an in8uir& into 9)et)er t)ere is su((i'ient su((i'ient eviden'e to pro'ure a 'onvi'tion. It is enou0) t)at it is %elieved t)at t)e a't or omission 'omplained 'onstitutes t)e o((ense ')ar0ed. ')ar0ed. Pre'isel& Pre'isel&,, t)ere is a trial (or (or t)e re'eption re'eption o( eviden'e o( t)e prose'ution in support o( t)e ')ar0e.# !See, also People . Castillo Castillo,, ::: SCRA <6= "din Security #gency, nc. . Sandiganbayan, Sandiganbayan, :=< SCRA :<4$. 4?. 4?.

T)us T)us,, ACP ACP LAO LAO a'te a'ted d %e&ond %e&ond t)e t)e s'op s'opee o( t)is t)is aut aut)o )ori rit& t& and and dis'r dis'ret etio ion n

9)en )e 'on'luded t)at t)e %od&0uards 9ere "disinterested# 9itnesses and t)ere(ore, 9ere more 'redi%le t)an Complainants positive assertion t)at s)e 9as deli%eratel& s)ot %& Respondent. e ex'eeded )is aut)orit&, sin'e it is 9ell-settled t)at t)e issue o( 'redi%ilit& is ex'lusivel& (or t)e trial 'ourt to appre'iate a(ter a (ull-%lo9n )earin0 on t)e merits. As stated %& t)e Supreme Court in People in People . $uan de la Cru%, et. al ., ., H.R. No.













46 54.

is error is made more e0re0ious 9)en )e 'on'luded t)at t)e Respondent

and )is %od&0uards 9ere more 'redi%le solely 'redi%le solely on on t)e %asis o( t)eir prepared a((idavits. T)e re'ords s)o9 t)at t)e ACP LAO never 'ondu'ted an& 'lari(i'ator& 8uestionin0 o( t)e parties and t)eir 9itnesses, t)ere(ore, never )ad t)e opportunit& to o%serve t)eir deportment, deportment, manner o( testi(&in0 testi(&in0,, or )e 9ould )ave veri(ied veri(ied t)at t)e %od&0uards %od&0uards 9ere not e&e 9itnesses 9itnesses to t)e s)ootin0. T)e re'ords re'ords s)o9 t)at ACP ACP LAO onl& re8uired re8uired t)e parties and t)eir 9itnesses to appear %e(ore %e (ore )im (or t)e purpose o( rene9in0 t)e oat)s on t)eir respe'tive a((idavits. 55. 55.

It is is (und (undam amen enta tall la9 la9 t)at t)at t)e t)e 1ud0e 1ud0eme ment nt o( 're 'redi di%i %ili lit& t& is is deriv derived ed (rom (rom an

open 'ourt examination o( testimonial eviden'e, dire't examination or 'ross-examination. /ud0ement o( 'redi%ilit& is )ardl& possi%le %& a mere readin0 o( t)e dr& 'ontents o( Respondents Counter-A((idavit and )is 9itnesses respe'tive A((idavits, 9)i') are, (or t)e most part, prepared %& t)e la9&er. T)e 'redi%ilit& o( t)e 9itnesses 'annot %e in(erred %& mere examination exa mination o( t)e do'uments do'u ments !a((idavits$ t)at t)e parties presented spe'iall& in t)is 'ase 9)ere t)ere 9as no )earin0 set (or 'lari(i'ator& 8uestions. As t)e Supreme Court pointed out in Mondia, $r. $r. . 'eputy "mbudsman)*isayas "mbudsman)*isayas #rea, #rea, :7= SCRA :=<, it is patentl& 9ron0 (or ACP LAO to ma3e a 1ud0ement on 'redi%ilit& solely solely on a mere readin0 o( t)e do'uments@ "T)e propoundin0 o( 'lari(i'ator& 8uestions is an important 'omponent o( a preliminar& investi0ation.#

4(5 4(5

ACP ACP LAO LAO ERRO ERRONE NEOU OUSL SL) ) DIS DISMIS MISSE SED D T-E COM COMPL PLAI AINT NT (ASE (ASED D ON -IS MISAPPRECIATION OF T-E FACTS AND FAILED TO FIND T-AT6













44 )ersel( in t)e a%domen. T)e p)oto0rap)s o( t)e Complainant, t)e Medi'o Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar&, 9)i') prove t)at t)e Complainant 9as too %adl& %eaten and %ruised %& t)e Respondent, totall& 'ontradi't ACP LAOS (indin0s t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as a''idental and sel(-in(li'ted. 57.T)e t9o p)oto0rap)s o( t)e Complainant ta3en t9o da&s a(ter t)e s)ootin0 9)ile s)e 9as t)e Intensive Care 2nit vividl& s)o9 t)e %eatin0 s)e re'eived on )er e&es, (a'e and ot)er parts o( )er %od&;. 5<. T)e is')ar0 is')ar0ee Summar& Summar&? also also suppor supports ts t)e Compla Complaina inant ntss alle0at alle0ation ionss t)at t)at s)e 9as severel& %eaten and %ruised %& Respondent %e(ore %ein0 s)ot %& )im@ "ADMITTIN2 DIA2NOSIS @ Multiple Multiple p)&si'al p)&si'al in1ur& se'ondar& se'ondar& to to a 0uns)ot 9ound. PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL DIA2NOSIS @ Huns)o Huns)ott 9ound 9ound a%domen a%domen@@ 'ontus 'ontusion ion antium antium o( stoma'), la'eration o( liver, pun'tured %od& o( t)e pan'reasK (RIEF -ISTOR) AND ESSENTIAL P-)SICAL FINDIN2S @

NO4@ Huns)ot 9ound TO4@ 7@66 p.m. O4@ O4@ Au0u Au0ust st 5=, 5=, 566 566: : PO4@ Residen' en'e# 5=. T)e Medi'o Medi'o Le0al Report Report> undou%tedl& supports Complainants alle0ations t)at s)e 9as severel& %eaten and %ruised %e(ore %ein0 s)ot %& Respondent@ /(RIEF -ISTOR)6

Nature o( In'ident@ Huns)ot 9ound PERTINENT P-)SICAL E1AMINATION6 E1AMINATION6

4. Point o( entr&, HS, HS, 4 'm, !$ tattooin0, epi0astri' epi0a stri' area. 5. Point o( exit, !$ HS, 4 'm, t)ora'olum%ar area, le(t.















45 5;. 5;.

ACP ACP LAO LAO s)oul s)ould d )ave )ave appre appre'i 'iat ated ed t)e t)e (a't (a't t)at t)at it 9as 9as Respo Respond nden entt 9)o

9as t)e a00ressor a00ressor and not t)e Complainant Complainant.. It is 'ompletel& 'ompletel& ridi'ulous ridi'ulous to 'on'lude 'on'lude t)at Complainant intended or 'ould in1ure or 3ill Respondent 9it) onl& a REA 3ni(e or a %ottle o( " patis.# patis.#46 I( t)e Complainant 0ra%%ed a REA 3ni(e or a %ottle o( " patis,# patis,# it 9as 9as to de(e de(end nd )ers )ersel el(( a0ai a0ains nstt an& an& (urt (urt)e )err atta atta'3 '3 %& t)e t)e Resp Respon onde dent nt.. )at )at t)e t)e Respondents %od&0uards a'tuall& sa9 9as not a mere "8uarrel# %et9een )us%and and 9i(e %ut 9as an a't a't o( IOLENCE IOLENCE a0ainst a0ainst t)e t)e Complainant Complainant,, 9)i') is is no9 a 'rime 'rime under Repu%li' A't No. >5=5, ot)er9ise 3no9n as t)e Anti-iolen'e Anti-iolen'e A0ainst omen omen and t)eir C)ildren A't o( 5667. 5?. Respond Respondent ents s alle0at alle0ation ion t)at t)at "9e t)en t)en ended ended up 9restl 9restlin0 in0 all over our 3it')en 3it')en##44 is 'ompletel& un%elieva%le. e ma3es it appear t)at Complainant is stron0er and (ier'er t)at )e is 9)en t)e Medi'o-Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar& prove t)at it 9as t)e Complainant 9)o sustained severe %eatin0 prior to %ein0 s)ot %& Respondent. T)e trut) is 9)en Complainant Complainant tried tried to (ee%l& de(end )ersel( 9it) a REA 3ni(e and a %ottle %ottle o( "patis,# "patis,# Respondent Respondent 0ot an0rier and, and, in a s)o9 o( po9er, po9er, s)ot )er in )er a%domen a%domen 9it) deli%erate intent to 3ill.

5.

RESPONDENT8S

ACTIONS













4: 9)& did )e not )elp )er out o( t)e 'on1u0al d9ellin0 or 'all (or immediate medi'al attentionG I( as )e 'laims t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& 9)& did )e not do an&t)in0 to tr& to save )is seriousl& in1ured 9i(eG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt& and 9anted )er to die t)at da& rat)er t)an su((er t)e 'onse8uen'es o( )is )einous a't. !%$ It 9as Castil Castillo lo 9)o, 9)o, a(ter a(ter seein0 seein0 t)e Compla Complaina inant nt l&in0 l&in0 in t)e 3it')en 3it')en (loor (loor %leedin0 9it) a 9ound in )er stoma'), assisted t)e 'omplainant in 0oin0 do9n t)e stair9a& o( t)e RitB To9ers 'ondominium45. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is, i( as Respondent 'laims t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not rus) )is 9i(e to t)e )ospitalG )& )e did )e not even %rin0 )er to t)e )ospitalG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt&. !'$ Respondent Respondent admits admits t)at )e never visited )is 9i(e 9i(e in t)e )ospital not on'e durin0 t)e entire time s)e 9as re'overin0 at t)e )ospital4:. In t)e almost (our !7$ mont)s t)at Complainant spent in t)e )ospital, one mont) at t)e Intensive Care 2nit, Respondent never on'e visited )er. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is, i( as Respondent states t)at t)e s)ootin0 9as an a''ident, 9)& did )e not visit )is 9i(e in t)e )ospitalG O%viousl&, it is %e'ause )e is 0uilt&.













47 !e$ !e$

Resp Respond onden entt admi admits ts t)at t)at )e )e (led (led t)e t)e 'oun 'ountr& tr& "as "as earl earl& & as 5 Sept Septem em%e %err 566: 566: and and onl& returned on < e'em%er 566:# and atta')ed )is passport to prove t)e same4=. In ot)er 9ords, exa'tl& seven !;$ da&s da &s a(ter s)ootin0 )is 9i(e, Respondent (led t)e 'ountr&. T)e 8uestion t)at ACP LAO LAO s)ould )ave as3ed is 9)& did Respondent (lee t)e 'ountr& immediatel& a(ter )is 9i(e 9as s)ot and 9)ile s)e 9as (i0)tin0 (or )er li(e in)e Intensive Care 2nitG Are t)ese t)e a'tuations o( a man 9)o )ad no intent to 3ill or in1ure )is 9i(eG As )eld in a lon0 line o( 'ases, "(li0)t %etra&s a 0uilt& 'ons'ien'e, (or as t)e 0ood

%oo3 sa&s, t)e 9i'3ed (leet) even 9)en no man pursuet), 9)ereas t)e ri0)teous are as %rave as a lion !Sealle ! Sealle . Court o+ #ppeals, #ppeals, :<: SCRA :: See, also People also People . Mendo%a, Mendo%a, ::5 SCRA 7?< People 7?< People . (aag, ::5 SCRA ;4= People . People . Paglinaan, Paglinaan, :57 SCRA >; People . Penaso, Penaso, :5= SCRA :44$.# :6. T)e (ore0oin0 (ore0oin0 are so o%vious o%vious to an independent independent mind su') t)at ACP ACP LAO s)ould s)ould )ave (ound reasona%le reasona%le 0round to %elieve %elieve t)at Respondent Respondent is pro%a%l& pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide. Common sense di'tates t)at an inno'ent )us%ands (irst instin't 9ould %e to rus) to )is seriousl& in1ured 9i(e and 'all (or )elp and 'are (or )er as s)e )overed %et9een li(e or deat). It is totall& unnatural (or a )us%and to a%andon )is 9i(e in













4< :4. ACP LAO 0rossl& 0rossl& misappre'iated t)e (a't t)at Complainant s)ot )ersel( as s)e and Respondent stru00led (or possession o( t)e 0un. T)is (indin0 is outra0eous sin'e t)e p)oto0rap)s, t)e Medi'o Le0al Report and t)e is')ar0e Summar& su%mitted %& t)e Complainant prove ot)er9ise. More importantl&, Respondents Respondents o9n statements in )is Counter-A((idavit %elie )is de(ense o( a''ident. :4.I( ACP LAO a'tuall& read Respondents Counter-A((idavit, Counter-A((idavit, )e 9ould 9o uld dis'over t)at Respondent admitted t)at !a$ )e )ad 'ontrol and possession o( t)e 0un and, !%$ )e s)ot )er on'e@ "KI I NOT SOOT m& 9i(e 9it) t)e intention o( 3illin0 )er nor did I intend to in1ure )er in an& an & 9a&. T)ere 9as a%solutel& no intention o( m& part to 3ill Melissa ! If it =e;e t;ue that I ha> such intention =hB then =oul> I not fi;e a secon> o; thi;> shot =hen I =oul> hae un>e; such situation ee;B oppo;tunitB to >o so! # !Emp)asis Ours A((idavit o( Respondent, par. 4?, ANNE1 /D0 $. is alle0ation t)at )e )as to (ire t9o or t)ree times to s)o9 intent to 3ill is totall& ridi'ulous %e'ause t)e realit& is it ta3es onl& one %ullet, one s)ot, s)ot, to 3ill anot)er. Sin'e t)e Respondent admitted t)at )e s)ot )is 9i(e, t)ere is no ot)er reasona%le 'on'lusion t)an a (indin0 o( pro%a%le 'ause, and let t)e Respondent prove )is de(ense o( "a''idental s)ootin0# in 'ourt. :5. ACP LAO also erroneousl& erroneousl& 'on'luded 'on'luded solely solely on Respondents alle0ations t)at t)e "t)e













4= t)e Complainant. Complainant. T)e Respondent Respondent is a%out < (eet > in')es tall tall and 9ei0)s 4>6 pounds, pounds, 9)ile t)e Complainant is < (eet and 7 in')es tall and 9ei0)s 4<6 pounds.

#!

RESPONDENT RESPONDENT8S 8S (OD)2UARDS (OD)2UARDS ARE (IASED ,ITNESSES AND () T-EIR O,N ADMISSION DID NOT ,ITNESS T-E TE SS-OO OOTI TIN2 N2 AND COUL COULD D NOT NOT CORR CORRO( O(OR ORA ATE RESP RESPON ONDE DENT NT8S 8S DEFENSE OF /ACCIDENT!0 /ACCIDENT!0

:7. :7. It is pat patentl entl& & erro errone neou ouss (or ACP LAO LAO to 'on' 'on'llude ude t)at )at t)e t)e %od& %od&0u 0uar ards ds are are "disinterested#4> 9itnesses 9)ose testimonies are more 'redi%le t)an t)at o( t)e vi'tim, t)e Complainant, 9)en t)e %od&0uards admit t)at !a$ t)e& )ave %een emplo&ed %& Respondent sin'e 5666 and 'ontinue to %e emplo&ed %& Respondent and, !%$ t)e& did not 9itness t)e a'tual s)ootin056. :<. A disinterested disinterested 9itness is de(ined "as a person person 9)o )as no ill-motive to testi(& testi(& a0ainst t)e a''used or t)e 'omplainant.# ut 9)et)er a parti'ular 9itness is disinterested is a matter t)at is ex'lusivel& (or a trial 'ourt to evaluate and appre'iate !! People People . agtu, agtu, H.R. No. 4-<55:;, Septem%er :6, 4>?4$. :=. Even assumin0 t)at ACP ACP LAO )ad t)e aut)orit& aut)orit& and dis'retion to de'lare t)at a 9itness 9itness is "disinterested# !9)i') )e does not$, Respondents %od&0uards are not "disinterested#















4; o''urredG o''urredG o9 'an t)e %od&0uards tilt t)e %alan'e %alan'e o( 'redi%ilit& 'redi%ilit& in (avor o( t)eir t)eir %oss de(ense o( a''ident 9)en t)e& did not see or 9itness t)e a'tual s)ootin0G et9een t)ose 9)o 9ere not t)ere and t)e one 9)o 9as s)ot, 8uiet 'learl&, t)e ACP s)ould )ave 0iven more 9ei0)t to t)e Complainants statements.

%! RESPONDENT8S DEFENSE OF /ACC /ACCIDE IDENT NT0 0 IS E+ID E+IDEN ENTI TIAR AR) ) IN NAT NATURE AND AND S-O S-OULD ULD (E TES TESTED TED IN COURT!

:?. :?. ACP ACP LAO LAO 0rav 0ravel& el& a%use a%used d )is )is aut)o aut)ori rit& t& and and dis' dis're reti tion on 9)en 9)en )e 'on'l 'on'lud uded ed t)at t)at Respondents de(ense o( a''ident 9as 'redi%le %e'ause 'redi%ilit& is (or t)e trial 'ourt to appre'iate. T)e de(ense o( a''idental s)ootin0 is a 8uestion o( (a't and evidentiar& in nature and s)ould %e presented at t)e trial and su%1e'ted to 'ross-examination. 'ross-examination. As stated in People . Cariue% , H.R. No. 45>:67, Septem%er 5;, 4>>>@ It is 9ell settled t)at a













4? ,AS FORC FORCED ED INTI INTIMID MIDA ATED AND -ARR -ARRAS ASSE SED D TO SI2 SI2N IT ,-ILE SS-E E ,AS ST STIILL L)IN2 IN2 IN -ER -OSPITAL -OSPITAL (ED FI2-TIN2 FOR -ER LIFE!

:>. ACP LAO 0ravel& 0ravel& a%used a%used )is aut)orit aut)orit& & and dis'reti dis'retion on 9)en 9)en )e 'on'lu 'on'luded ded t)at t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e, 9)i') 9as pro'ured %& Respondent 9as a (ree and voluntar& a't o( t)e Complainant. 76. ACP LAO (ailed to appre'iate t)e (a'ts t)at !a$ t)e A((ida A((idavit vit o( esistan'e esistan'e 9as prepared %& Respondents la9&er, Att&. Att&. avid Pu&at, !%$ it 9as pro'ured %& Respondent, t)rou0) Att&. avid Pu&at and Complaints son Paolo, 9)ile t)e Complainant 9as still l&in0 in )er )ospital %ed at t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, and !'$ t)at s)e 9as in an extremel& vulnera%le vulnera%le state 9it) 9it) no mone& to pa& (or )er medi'al %ills in t)e )ospital )ospital a(ter )er dis')ar0e, (or t)e 'ontinuin0 medi'al 'osts as a result o( )er in1ur& amountin0 to a%out P76,666 P76,666 a mont). mont).

Hiven Hiven t)ese 'ir'ums 'ir'umstan tan'es 'es,, t)e Complai Complainan nantt 9as )elples )elplesss and













4> su((ered in t)e )ands o( t)e Respondent at t)e )earin0 o( )er appli'ation (or Temporar& Prote'tion Order in t)e Re0ional Trial Court o( Ma3ati Cit&, ran') 4:=, 9)i') t)e Court 0ranted. 7:. T)e Complainants Complainants 'ounsel, 'ounsel, Att& Att&.. o9ard Calle1a, stron0l& stron0l& advised )er not to si0n t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e, %ut s)e 9as 'ompelled to si0n t)e same %e'ause t)e Respondent, t)rou0) )is la9&er and son, t)reatened )er t)at t)e Respondent 9ould not pa& (or )er medi'al %ills !amountin0 to a%out t)ree !:$ million pesos$ or support )er a(ter s)e leaves t)e )ospital, and s)e 9ill not see )er ')ildren a0ain unless s)e exe'uted t)e A((idavit A((idavit o( esistan'e. A 'op& o( t)e A((idavit o( Att&. o9ard Calle1a is atta')ed as ANNE1 /N0 o( t)is Appeal. 76.ACP LAO (ailed to appre'iate t)e (a't t)at an inno'ent )us%and 9ould not )ave made )is 9i(e exe'ute an A((idavit o( esistan'e (or it 9ould )ave served no purpose i( )e )ad not done an&t)in0 9ron0. & so doin0, t)e Respondent )ad in e((e't













56 esides, s)e si0ned it under duress and )ad not)in0 to do 9it) its preparation ! People People . Marciano Marciano Bertul+o, Bertul+o, H.R. No. 47:;>6, Ma& ;, 5665$.# "T)e Complainant, %& testi(&in0 on t)e 9itness stand and narratin0 )er ordeal ordeal at t)e )ands )ands o( t)e a''use a''used-a d-appel ppellant lant )as e((e't e((e'tive ivel& l& repudia repudiated ted t)e 'ontents o( )er a((idavit and )as s)o9n )er intention to 'ontinue t)e prose'ution o( t)e 'aseKT)e 'aseKT)e 8uestion o( voluntarines voluntarinesss o( t)e exe'ution o( t)e a((idavit a((idavit is o( no moment as it is still t)e trial 'ourt 9)i') )as t)e option o( dismissin0 t)e 'ase or pro'eedin0 9it) t)e trial on'e t)e in(ormation )as %een (iled in 'ourt. As su'), even i( t)e a((idavit 9as exe'uted voluntaril&, t)e 'ourt still )as t)e dis'retion to disre0ard t)e same and pro'eedin0 9it) t)e trial o( t)e a''used. Moreover, %& testi(&in0 on t)e 9itness stand and re'ountin0 t)e details o( )er ordeal at t)e )ands o( t)e a''used-appellant, t)e Complainant )as e((e'tivel& renoun'ed or diso9ned )er previous statements in t)e said a((idavitK)ile t)ere ma& %e J(lip(loppin0 'ondu't on t)e part o( t)e Complainant in de'idin0 9)et)er to pursue t)e prose'ution o( t)e 'ase, t)ere is no su') e8uivo'ation in )er testimon& 9it) respe't to 9)at )appened to )er ! People People . Ben ibo-on, ibo-on, H.R. No. 4:=;:;, Ma& 5:, 5664$.# 7<. +urt)ermore +urt)ermore,, it 9as patentl& patentl& erroneous i( not a s)o9in0 o( )is la'3 o( o%1e'tivit& o%1e'tivit& and 3no9led0e o( 1urispruden'e (or ACP LAO to dismiss t)e 'omplaint on t)e %asis o( t)e A((idavit o( esistan'e %e'ause an a((idavit o( desistan'e does not extin0uis) 'riminal













54 %e0an to ma3e 'ontradi'tor& statements in re0ard to t)is 'rimeKe )imsel( %& )is o9n a't o( 0ivin0 (alse testimon& impea')es )is o9n testimon& and t)e 'ourt is 'ompelled to ex'lude it (rom all 'onsideration.# 4D5

ACP ACP LAO LAO ERRO ERRONE NEOU OUSL SL) ) CONC CONCLU LUDE DED D TT-E E

COMP COMPLA LAIN INAN ANT T IS NOT NOT CRED CREDI( I(LE LE (E (ECA CAUS USE E SS-E E FILE FILED D -E -ER R COMP COMPLA LAIN INT T /MOR /MORE E TT-AN AN EI2EI2-T T 4:5 4:5 MONT-S AFTER T-E INCIDENT!0 INCIDENT!0

7?.

T)e T)e Compl Complai aina nant nt (ile (iled d t)e 'ase 'ase seve seven n !;$ mont mont)s )s a(te a(terr t)e s)oot s)ootin in0 0 and not not "more "more t)an t)an ei0)t !?$ mont)s a(ter t)e in'ident# as ACP LAO erroneousl& pointed out.

7>.

In an& 'ase, 'ase, it it is 9it) 9it)in in t)e t)e Compl Complain ainant ants s ri0)t ri0)t to to (ile (ile t)e Compla Complaint int as as t)e t)e a'tion a'tion to (ile (ile t)e same )as not pres'ri%ed. Arti'le 57= o( t)e Revised Penal Code states t)at parri'ide is punis)a%le %& reclusion perpetua to deat). deat). Arti' Arti'le le >6 o( t)e same same la9 provides provides t)at t)at 'rimes 9)i') are punis)a%le %& deat), reclusion perpetua or perpetua or reclusion reclusion temporal pres'ri%e pres'ri%e in t9ent& !56$ &ears. It is immaterial i( s)e (iled it one !4$ da& or seven !;$ mont)s or















55 9)en t)e Complainant 9ent to t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 at t)e RitB To9ers to 0et )er personal %elon0in0s, t)e Respondent (iled a 'omplaint (or Ro%%er& a0ainst )er. <4. <4.

ACP ACP LAO LAO s)oul s)ould d )ave )ave appr appre'i e'iat ated ed t)e t)e (a't (a't t)at t)at 0iv 0iven en t)e t)e Compl Complai ainan nant tss

'ir'umstan'es and 9it) little (inan'ial resour'es and t)e odds s)e is a0ainst, s)e )ad t)e 'oura0e to (ile a 'riminal 'ase (or +rustrated Parri'ide and a 'ivil a'tion (or a Prote'tion Order under t)e Anti-iolen'e Anti-iolen'e A0ainst omen omen and T)eir C)ildren A't o( 5667. <5. <5.

In sum sum,, %ase %ased d on t)e t)e undi undisp sput uted ed (a't (a'tss o( t)i t)iss 'ase 'ase,, t)e t)e la9 la9 and and 'ase 'ase la9 la9,,

ACP LAO s)ould )ave (ound t)at t)e 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide 9as 'ommitted, t)at













5: !0$

T)e Comp omplainant nant 9as 9as admitted at t)e Ma3ati Medi' di'al

Center at 7@66 p.m. (or a 0uns)ot 9ound s)e sustained on Au0ust 5=, 5667 at t)eir 'on1u0al d9ellin0 d 9ellin0 at t)e RitB To9ers Condominium. SECOND, %ased on t)e undisputed (a'ts and eviden'e o( t)e 'ase, t)ere is a 9ell-

0rounded %elie( t)at Respondent is pro%a%l& 0uilt& o( t)e 'rime o( +rustrated Parri'ide@ !a$ !a$

Resp Respond onden entt adm admit itte ted d )e )e 9as 9as pres presen entt at at exa exa't 'tl& l& t)e t)e tim timee and and

pla'e o( t)e 'ommission o( t)e 'rime, t)ere(ore, )ad t)e opportunit& to 'ommit t)e 'rime.













57 FILED DURIN2 T-E PRELIMINAR) IN+ESTI2ATION IN+ESTI2ATION

<:. <:.

In 'om 'ompl plia ian'e n'e 9it 9it) ) t)e re8 re8ui uire reme ment nt o( Se'ti Se'tion on : o( ep epar artm tmen entt Order Order No.

55:, t)e Complainant is appendin0 t)e (ollo9in0 annexes to )er Appeal@ !A$

Resolu olution o( o( Se Senior Sta State Pro Prose'utor Ro% Ro%erto A. A. Lao Lao dat dated Au Au0us 0ust 44, 5667, atta')ed as ANNE A )ereo(.

!$

Com Complai plaint nt-A -A(((idavi davitt o( o( Mel Meliissa ssa Mer Mer'a 'ado do Mar Martel tel dat dated ed Apri pril <, <, 566 5667, 7, atta')ed as ANNE  )ereo(.

!C$

Letter o( Mel Melissa Mer Mer'ado Mar Martel add addressed to C)ie( Pro Prose'utor /oven'ito /oven'ito uo dated Ma& :, 5667, re8uestin0 re8uestin0 t)at t)at t)e preliminar& preliminar& investi0ati investi0ation on %& Prose'utor Prose'utor Mel8uiades Mel8uiades Mutian0pil Mutian0pilii %e trans(erred trans(erred













5< +II!

<7.

SU(MISSION OF ADDITIONAL PLEADIN2S

ACP ACP LAO LAO erron erroneo eous usl& l& 'on'l 'on'lude uded d t)at t)at t)e Comp Compla lain inan antt )ad (ail (ailed ed to re(u re(ute te or re%u re%utt t)e statements o( Respondent and )is 9itnesses. ACP LAO totall& i0nored t)e (a't t)at t)e Complainant )ad (iled t)e Repl&-A((idavit !"ANNE1 /L #$ 'ate0ori'all& and positivel& re(utin0 all t)eir alle0ations as (a%ri'ated lies. S)e annexed to )er Repl&-A((idavit, t)e A((idavit o( )er 9itness, i'toria C. Mer'ado, t)e p)oto0rap)s ta3en at t)e Intensive Care 2nit o( t)e Ma3ati Medi'al Center, t)e is')ar0e Summar& and t)e Medi'o-Le0al Report.













5= In t)e interest o( 1usti'e and (air pla&, t)e Complainant most respe't(ull& pra &s (or ot)er 1ust and e8uita%le relie( as t)e onora%le Se'retar& o( /usti'e ma& (ind 9arranted in t)e premises. Pasi0 Cit&, Au0ust Au0ust 57, 5667

LO2RES CR2 MATTERS MATTERS Counsel (or Private Respondent PTR No. :66<;<<-:*:6*67-ula'an IP No. =6>4>7-:*:6*67-Manila Roll o( Attorne& No. ::4














5;

MELISSA MELISS A M. MARTEL

DOJ Petition for Review Rule 45

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