The Honorable Abelardo Subido

EN BANC G.R. No. L-23169 May 31, 197 CONCHITA CONCHITA G. VILLANOS, petto!e"-appe##ee, petto!e"-appe##ee, -$e"%&% THE HONORABLE HONORABLE ABELAR'O S(BI'O, Co))%%o!e" o* C$# C$# Se"$+e, "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t. Ray)&!o R. A")o$t *o" petto!e"-appe##ee.  Te So#+to" Ge!e"a# *o" "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t. BARRE'O, ./ Appea# *"o) te e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* 0"%t 0"%t I!%ta!+e o* Ma!#a, B"a!+ VI, ! t% C$# Ca%e No. 339, e+#a"!4 !&## a! $o te e+%o! o* te "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t Co))%%o!e" o* C$# Se"$+e A5e#a"o S&5o, ate 0e5"&a"y 7, 1963, ! A)!%t"at$e Ca%e No. R-23917, R-23917, %)%%!4 *"o) te 4o$e"!)e!t %e"$+e te petto!e"-appe##ee Co!+ta G. V##a!o%. Te #a%t to pa"a4"ap% o* te #oe" +o&"t% e+%o! "ea a% *o##o%/ 8"e)%e% +o!%e"e, te Co&"t o#% tat te a+to! o* te t e Co))%%o!e" o* C$# Se"$+e ! e+%o! e+!4: te a)!%t"at$e +a%e a4a!%t te e"e! petto!e" to&t a;o"!4 e" a *a" t"a# a! a! oppo"t&!ty to p"e%e!t e" e*e!%e a! )po%!4 &po! e" te pe!a#ty o* %)%%a#, +o!%tt&te% a 4"a$e a5&%e o* % %+"eto!. +ate, Ba+e#o" o* S+e!+e S +e!+e ! E#e)e!ta"y E&+ato! a! Ba+e#o" o* S+e!+e ! E&+ato!. Se % a +$# %e"$+e e#45#e, a$!4 pa%%e te  =&!o" a% e## a% te %e!o" tea+e"% tea+e"% +$# %e"$+e e?a)!ato!% e?a)!ato!% ! 1937 a! 196, "e%pe+t$e#y "e%pe+t$e#y.. A% o* te yea" 1963, %e a to e" +"et t"ty-e4t 3@: yea"% o* tea+!4 e?pe"e!+e. I! te %t"+t o* V4a!, %e a% "a!e >*t a)o!4 13@ +#a%%"oo) tea+e"%, t e +e!+y "at!4% o* )o%t#y 9 . O! Ap"# 1, 197, petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee "ote a #ette" =o!t#y a"e%%e to M"%. E%pe"a!Da 0. 0. Se5a%ta! a! M%% A!a+#eta 0aypo!, e" +o-tea+e"% ! te %a)e %+oo#, +o!ta!!4 #5e#o&% "e)a"% a4a!%t te to. (po! "e+ept te"eo*, M"%. Se5a%ta! a! M%% 0aypo! 0aypo! #o%t !o t)e ! !%tt&t!4 a +")!a# a+to! a4a!%t petto!e"-appe##ee ! te Co&"t o* 0"%t I!%ta!+e o* I#o+o% S&" +a"4!4 te #atte" t te +")e o* #5e#. O! Ma"+ 3, 199, petto!e"-appe##ee a% +o!$+te o* te +")e +a"4e a! %e!te!+e to pay a >!e o* 82., t %&5%a"y )p"%o!)e!t ! +a%e o* !%o#$e!+y a! to pay +o%t%. T% #5e# +o!$+to! a% a")e ! toto 5y te Co&"t o* Appea#% ! a e+%o! + t "e!e"e o! 'e+e)5e" 21, 196. Re$e o* te #atte" e+%o! a% e!e *o" #a+ o* )e"t 5y t% Co&"t ! a "e%o#&to! ate Ma"+ 6, 1961. A *e ay% a*te" te +o))e!+e)e!t o* te +")!a# a+to!, o" o! Ap"# 11, 197, M"%. Se5a%ta! a! M%% 0aypo! 0aypo! #o4e 5e*o"e te '$%o! S&pe"!te!e!t o* S+oo#% a! a)!%t"at$e +a"4e a4a!%t petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee *o" 1: 4"o%% %+o&"te%y to te) a% e" +o-tea+e"%, a! *o" 2: !oto"o&%#y %4"a+e*&# a!o" ))o"a# #a!4&a4e a!o" +o!&+t. Tey %&ppo"te te" +a"4e t te %a)e #5e#o&% #ette", 5a%% 5 a%% o* te +")!a# a+to!.  Te a)!%t"at$e +a"4e a% >"%t ea" ea" o! Septe)5e" 23, 197 5e*o"e 5e*o"e M". M". Se$e"o L&+e"o, L&+e"o, '%t"+t S&pe"$%o" a! I!$e%t4ato", at + ea"!4 M"%. Se5a%ta! +o))e!+e e" "e+t te%t)o!y. te%t)o!y. Se+o! ea"!4 te"eo* too p#a+e o! 0e5"&a"y 12, 19@ 5e*o"e te %a)e !$e%t4ato", e"e! M"%. Se5a%ta!% te%t)o!y a% +o!+#&e. A#to&4 at te +o!+#&%o! o* te %e+o! ea"!4, te !$e%t4ato" %+e&#e a t" ea"!4 o! 0e5"&a"y 2, 19@, !o ea"!4 a+t&a##y too p#a+e o! %a ate. To To yea"% te"ea*te", o! Ma"+ 1, 196, petto!e"-appe##ee "ote a #ette" to te !$e%t4ato" a%!4 *o" a %pe+a# !$e%t4ato" *"o) ete" te B&"ea& o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% o" B&"ea& o* C$# Se"$+e. 8etto!e"% "eF&e%t a%, oe$e", e!e 5y 5 y te B&"ea& o* 8&5#+

S+oo#% ! $e o* ea"t o* pe"%o!!e# ! te O+e. Co!t!&ato! o* te !$e%t4ato! a% "e+te. 8&"%&a!t te"eto, ea"!4 a% a4a! %+e&#e *o" A&4&%t @, 196, 5&t !$e%t4ato! +o&# !ot a#%o p"o+ee o! %a ate  ate 5e+a&%e o* a!ote" p#ea *o" po%tpo!e)e!t 5y petto!e"appe##ee o +#a)e tat %e )ae a %e+o! "eF&e%t *o" a!ote" !$e%t4ato", t% t)e *"o) te C$# Se"$+e Co))%%o!, o ## t"y =o!t#y te +a"4e a4a!%t e" to4ete" t a!ote" to a)!%t"at$e +a"4e% + %e e"%e#* a% >#e a4a!%t S&pt. S&p t. 'Do! a! o!e M". 8ae"!a# 8ae"!a# a! a4a!%t M"%. Se5a%ta! a! M%% 0aypo!. 0o" F&te %o)et)e, !o a+to! at%oe$e" a% tae! o! te %e+o! "eF&e%t o* petto!e"appe##ee. He!+e, o! Ma"+ 16, 1962, te !$e%t4ato" )ae a! !o"%e)e!t *o"a"!4 to te '$%o! S&pe"!te!e!t o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% te e?p#a!ato! o* petto!e"-appe##ee o! te +a"4e% p"e*e""e a4a!%t e" a! te pape"% +o$e"!4 te !$e%t4ato! %o *a" +o!&+te. Te !o"%e)e!t %tate tat +o!t!&ato! o* te !$e%t4ato! +o&# !ot p"o+ee 5e+a&%e o* a!ote" "eF&e%t o* te petto!e" p etto!e"-appe##ee -appe##ee *o" a!ote" !$e%t4ato" *"o) te C$# Se"$+e Co))%%o!, + %o *a" a% !ot 5ee! a+te &po!. Te '$%o! S&pe"!te!e!t, ! t&"!, !o"%e te %a)e pape"% to te '"e+to" o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% t a %tate)e!t to te e;e+t tat petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee "e*&%e to %&5)t to !$e%t4ato!. He a#%o *o"a"e *o" a"e to te '"e+to" a +opy o* te 'e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* Appea#% C.A. G.R. No. 1@9-R: + a")e te #5e# +o!$+to! o* petto!e"appe##ee. S&5%eF&e!t#y, *o##o!4 te !o"%e)e!t o* te S&pe"!te!e!t o* S+oo#%, te A%%%ta!t '"e+to" o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% +o&"%e a!ote" !o"%e)e!t to te Se+"eta"y o* E&+ato! e"e! e #e%e %tate tat petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee "e*&%e to %&5)t to a *o")a# !$e%t4ato!.  Te A%%%ta!t '"e+to" '"e+to" *&"te" %tate tat +o!%e"!4 te "e*&%a# o* o* petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a! e" +o!$+to! o* te +")e o* #5e#, e "e+o))e!% tat petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee 5e t"a!%*e""e to a!ote" %tato!, "ep")a!e a! a"!e tat te +o))%%o! 5y e" o* te %a)e o" %)#a" o;e!%e ## 5e %e$e"e#y ea#t t. T% "e+o))e!ato! )et te app"o$a# app "o$a# o" +o!+&""e!+e o* te Se+"eta"y o*  E&+ato! o ! a! !o"%e)e!t, ate May 21, 1962, )a!*e%te %a +o!+&""e!+e to te Co))%%o!e" o* C$# Se"$+e, "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t e"e!. '%"e4a"!4 te "e+o))e!ato! o* te 'epa"t)e!t o* E&+ato!, "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t, o! 0e5"&a"y 7, 1963, "e!e"e a e+%o! >!!4 petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee 4&#ty o* te a)!%t"at$e +a"4e a! %)%%!4 e" *"o) te %e"$+e. 1 O! Ma"+ 7, 1963, petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee >#e a $e">e petto! *o" +e"to"a" a!o" p"o5to!, t "t o* p"e#)!a"y !=&!+to!, 5e*o"e te #oe" +o&"t, *o" te !&##>+ato! o* te e+%o! o* te "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t. 8etto!e"-appe##ee 8etto!e"-appe##ee +#a)e tat %e a% e!e &e p"o+e%% o* #a ! tat te +a"4e a4a!%t e" a% e+e to&t a;o"!4 e" a! opp&"t&!ty to e*e! e"%e#*, te e+%o! 5e!4 )e"e#y 5a%e o! te +")!a# +o!$+to! *o" #5e#. Se o5ta!e, o! Ma"+ 11, 1963, a "t o* p"e#)!a"y !=&!+to! *"o) te #oe" +o&"t e!=o!!4 te "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t a!o" a!y o* % a4e!t% o" "ep"e%e!tat$e% *"o) e!*o"+!4 % e+%o!. A*te" A*te" &e t"a#, te #oe" +o&"t p"o)ate te appea#e e+%o! o! Ma"+ 2, 196 ! *a$o" o* petto!e"-appe##ee. petto!e"-appe##ee. He!+e, t% appea#. 8e!!4 "e%o#&to! o* t% appea#, o! a!&a"y 29, 1969, te Se+"eta"y o* E&+ato! %%&e a! !o"%e)e!t %tat!4, ! e;e+t, tat % O+e ## !te"po%e !o o5=e+to! to te pay)e!t o* ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% a"e &e to petto!e"-appe##ee, o a% a#"eay "ea+e te +o)p&#%o"y a4e o* "et"e)e!t #a%t 'e+e)5e" 31, 196@. O! 0e5"&a"y 6, 1969, ! *o" te petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee o! a## +o&!t% a!
+o!te!to! o* "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t tat petto!e"-appe##ee a% &!&#y e#ay!4 te p"o+ee!4% a! tat %e "e*&%e to %&5)t to !$e%t4ato! a% !o ! o 5a%% ! *a+t a! ! #a. #a. A% "4t#y e# 5y H% Ho!o"/  Tat petto!e"  !ot a$e te oppo"t&!ty to e*e! e"%e#* &"!4 te a)!%t"at$e !$e%t4ato! +a! !ot 5e %e"o&%#y F&e%to!e. A% a )atte" o* *a+t o!#y o!e t!e%% a% a5#e to te%t*y a! e" +"o%% e?a)!ato! a% !ot yet 5ee! +o!+#&e e! te ea"!4 a% po%tpo!e. E$e! te So#+to" Ge!e"a# appa"e!t#y a4"ee% to t% >!!4 e! e a"4&e% ! % )e)o"a!&) tat e! %+p#!a"y a+to! % 5a%e 5 a%e &po! +o!$+to! o* a +")!a# o;e!%e, te *o")a# a)!%t"at$e ea"!4 )ay 5e %pe!%e t.  Te a"4&)e!t o* te So#+to" So#+to" Ge!e"a# % too 5"oa 5"oa a! +a! !ot 5e t"&e ! a## +a%e%. I! t% pa"t+&#a" +a%e, t"ee %epa"ate a)!%t"at$e +a"4e% a"e !te"-#!e !te"-#!e t ea+ e a+ ote". ote". O!e % te a)!%t"at$e +a"4e a4a!%t te *o")e" S&pe"!te!e!t o* S+oo#% o* I#o+o% S&" a! % Ce* C#e" *o" a##e4e 5"5e o" at #ea%t +o""&pto! ! o+e. 0"o) te e$e!+e ! te "e+o"% ! te p"e%e!t +a%e, t a% !%!&ate tat te Ce* C#e" "e+e$e )ate"a# *a$o"% *"o) te *ate" o* M"%. Se5a%ta! "e%&#t!4 ! %a#a"y p"o)oto!% ! e" *a$o". *a$o". A!ote" a)!%t"at$e +a%e % tat o!e >#e 5y petto!e" a4a!%t M"%. Se5a%ta! a! M%% A!a+#eta 0aypo! *o" &tte"!4 %)#a" o"% *o" + te petto!e" % !o 5e!4 %)%%e. Te t" %, o* +o&"%e, te +a%e a4a!%t te petto!e" *o" "t!4 te #5e#o&% #ette". I! $e o* te +#o%e "e#ato! 5etee! t"ee a)!%t"at$e +a%e%, te 5e%t p"o+e&"e o&# a$e 5ee! to !$e%t4ate te) =o!t#y. =o!t#y. Te !$e%t4ato" )&%t !e+e%%a"#y ! e+e%%a"#y 5e !ot o!e o o++&pe% te "a! o* '%t"+t S&pe"$%o" 5e+a&%e t % #oe" ta! te "a! o* o!e o* te "e%po!e!t%. He %o&# a#%o !ot 5e &!e" te o+e o* te '$%o! S&pe"!te!e!t o* I#o+o% S&", ! o"e" to a$o a!y %&%p+o! o* pa"ta#ty. I! a%!4 *o" a! !$e%t4ato" *"o) te B&"ea& o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% o" *"o) te O+e o* te Co))%%o!e" o* C$# Se"$+e, te e"e! petto!e" +a!!ot 5e +a"4e t e#5e"ate#y e#ay!4 te p"o+ee!4%. &%t at appe!e t te ote" to +a%e%, te Co&"t a% !o ea a% te"e % !o e$e!+e ! te p"e%e!t +a%e a5o&t te). <at a% p"o$e! ! te p"e%e!t +a%e % tat 5ot "e%po!e!t Co))%%o!e" o* C$# Se"$+e a! te '"e+to" o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% E?. N: e"e )%#e 5y te e""o!eo&% +o!+#&%o!% o* te S&pe"!te!e!t o* S+oo#% o* I#o+o% S&" E?. M-1: to te e;e+t tat te "e%po!e!t e"e! petto!e": "e*&%e to %&5)t %&5 )t to !$e%t4ato! 5y % o+e. S&+ a +o!+#&%o! % &!a""a!te *o" a% %o! 5y te e$e!+e, te !$e%t4ato! a% e#aye >"%t 5e+a&%e te !$e%t4ato" a% o&t o* I#o+o% S&" *o" o$e" to yea"% a! #ate" 5e+a&%e appa"e!t#y te "e%po!e!t  !ot a+t o! petto!e"% "eF&e%t *o" a! !$e%t4ato" +o)!4 *"o) te C$# Se"$+e Co))%%o! a! te o# !$e%t4ato", !%tea o* p"o+ee!4 t te !$e%t4ato!, )e"e#y %&5)tte te "e+o"% to te '"e+to" o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% t"o&4 te S&pe"!te!e!t o* S+oo#%, o a% %tate a5o$e )%&!e"%too te !o"%e)e!t o* te !$e%t4ato" E?. M:.  T% )%&!e"%ta!!4 o* te attt&e tae! tae! 5y te e"e! petto!e" % $e"y )po"ta!t )po"ta!t !ot o!#y ! te a+to! tae! 5y te '"e+to" o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% E?. N: o %&5)tte te +a%e to te e"e! "e%po!e!t t"& te Se+"eta"y o* E&+ato! *o" e+%o! 5&t a#%o ! >!!4 e"e! petto!e" 4&#ty a! "e+o))e!!4 tat %e 5e t"a!%*e""e to a!ote" %tato!, "ep")a!e a! a"!e tat te +o))%%o! 5y e" o* te %a)e o" %)#a" o;e!%e ## 5e %e$e"e#y ea#t t. I!ee, t )ay 5e !ote tat at o++&""e a% p"e+%e#y at petto!e" *ea"e o&# appe! * te !$e%t4ato! e"e to 5e +o!&+te 5y %o)eo!e *"o) te O+e o* te S&pe"!te!e!t, +o!%e"!4 tat %e a +a"4e te *o")e" S&pe"!te!e!t t 5"5e"y o" +o""&pto! ! o+e. A% +a! 5e %ee!, t a% te S&pe"!te!e!t o )ae te !ta# e""o!eo&% !o"%e)e!t tat petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee "e*&%e to %&5)t to a! !$e%t4ato! a! e$e! atta+e to te "e+o"% + e"e %e!t t %a !o"%e)e!t +e"t>e +opy o* te e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* Appea#% +o!$+t!4 e", t&% p"o$!4, a% t t&"!e o&t #ate", te "e%po!e!t appe##a!t t at e +o!%e"e a %&+e!t #e4a# 5a%% *o" e" %)%%a#. Te%e +"+&)%ta!+e% 4$e ae e4t to te +a"4e o* petto!e"-appe##ee tat te a+to! o* "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t % %o"t o* 5e!4 *a" a! #e4a#. (!o&5te#y, %e a a "4t to "eF&e%t *o" a ;e"e!t !$e%t4ato" a! to aat te o&t+o)e o* %&+ "eF&e%t. Tat te a&to"te% +o!+e"!e a##oe yea"% to pa%% to&t e$e! a+t!4 te"eo! +a!!ot 5e +o&!te a4a!%t e". e". At te %ta4e ! + te !$e%t4ato! a% at te t)e e! te S&pe"!te!e!t !o"%e te "e+o"% to 4e" a&to"te%, o!#y o!e t!e%% o* te +o)p#a!a!t% a te%t>e, %o, e$e! te +o)p#a!a!t% %e a !ot ! ot "e%te )o"e )po"ta!t#y, te "e%po!e!t te"e!, e"e! petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a !ot yet p"e%e!te a!y e$e!+e.
te"e*o"e, tat te a+to! o* te e&+ato! a&to"te% a! te "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t o* +o!%e"!4 te +a%e %&5)tte *o" e+%o! % &!a""a!te. It % o5$o&% tat %a a+to! +o!%tt&te% e!a# to petto!e"-appe##ee o* e" "4t to &e p"o+e%%, e!+e t e e+%o! o* "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t % !&## a! $o.  Te p#ea tat te e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* Appea#% + *o&! petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee 4&#ty 4&#ty o* #5e# a4a!%t te +o)p#a!a!t% ! te a)!%t"at$e +a%e, + a"o%e *"o) te %a)e a##e4e#y %#a!e"o&% "e)a"%, % e!o&4 5a%% *o" "e%po!e!t-appe##a!t% e+%o! % eF&a##y to&t )e"t.  To  To 5e4! t, te %a e+%o! a% !e$e" p"e%e!te, p"e%e!te, e$e! !*o")a##y, a% a% e$e!+e &"!4 te !$e%t4ato!. It a% =&%t atta+e to te "e+o"% 5y te S&pe"!te!e!t e! e !o"%e te) to te B&"ea& o* 8&5#+ S+oo#% to&t e$e! a$%!4 petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a5o&t t. T&%, %e a !o +a!+e to p"e%e!t e$e!+e + +o&# a$e 5#&!te te e;e+t% o* %a e+%o!. A! %e a a "4t to p"e%e!t %&+ e$e!+e. A +o!e)!ato"y e+%o! ! a +")!a# +a%e, e$e! * >!a#, 5y t%e#* a#o!e, +a!!ot %e"$e a% 5a%% *o" a e+%o! ! a! a)!%t"at$e +a%e !$o#$!4 te %a)e *a+t%, *o" te %)p#e "ea%o! tat )atte"% tat a"e )ate"a# ! te a)!%t"at$e +a%e a"e !ot !e+e%%a"#y "e#e$a!t ! te +")!a# +a%e. So, !ott%ta!!4 tat >!!4% ! +")!a# +a%e% )&%t 5e 5eyo! "ea%o!a5#e o&5t, tey +a!!ot 5e +o!+#&%$e *o" a)!%t"at$e p&"po%e%. Te"e a"e e*e!%e%, e?+&%e% a! atte!&at!4 +"+&)%ta!+e% o* $a#&e ! a)!%t"at$e p"o+ee!4% + a"e !ot a)%%5#e ! te t"a# o* te +")!a# +a%e%. At a!y "ate, t % %ett#e ! t% =&"%+to! tat e$e! e"e +")!a# +o!$+to! % %pe+>e 5y #a a% a 4"o&! *o" %&%pe!%o! o" "e)o$a# o* a! o+a# o" e)p#oyee, %&+ +o!$+to! oe% !ot ! ot e? p"op"o $4o"e =&%t*y a&to)at+ %&%pe!%o! to&t !$e%t4ato! a! ea"!4 a% to %&+ +o!$+to!. Not e$e! >!a# +o!$+to! o* a +")e !$o#$!4 )o"a# t&"pt&e, a% %t!4&%e *"o) +o!$+to! pe!!4 appea#, %pe!%e% t te "eF&%te !ot+e a! ea"!4. 0!a# +o!$+to! % )e!to!e ! %e+to! 21@@ o* te Re$%e A)!%t"at$e Coe a% 4"o&! *o" p"o+ee!4 a)!%t"at$e#y a4a!%t te +o!$+te o+e" 5&t oe%  oe% !ot ope"ate a% a&to)at+ "e)o$a# o!4 aay t te *o")a#te% o* a! a)!%t"at$e ea"!4. La+%o! $%. RoF&e, 92 8#. 6, 71.: Nete" +a! ! !o )e"t ! t% a"4&)e!t. It a% 5ee! "epeate#y e# tat te p"!+p#e "eF&"!4 te p"e$o&% e?a&%to! o* a)!%t"at$e "e)ee% % !ot app#+a5#e e"e te F&e%to! ! %p&te % p&"e#y a #e4a# o!e Tapa#e% Tapa#e% $%. Te 8"e%e!t J Boa" o* Re4e!t% o* te (.8., (.8., L-1723, Ma"+ 3, 1963:, e"e te +o!t"o$e"te a+t % pate!t#y ##e4a# o" a% pe"*o")e to&t =&"%+to! o" ! e?+e%% o* =&"%+to! Ma!4&5at $%. O%)eKa, L12@37, Ap"# 3, 199:, e"e te "e%po!e!t % a epa"t)e!t ep a"t)e!t %e+"eta"y o%e a+t% a% a! a#te" e4o o* te 8"e%e!t 5ea" te )p#e o" a%%&)e app"o$a# o* te #atte" Ma"!&F&e I"o! M!e% A4e!t%, I!+. $%. Se+"eta"y o* 8&5#+
te %e"$+e. It appea"% tat M"%. V##a!o% a% a5#e to o5ta! a "t o* p"e#)!a"y !=&!+to! e!=o!!4 te ))eate e?e+&to! o* te e+%o! o* tat O+e. O! Ma"+ 2, 196, oe$e", te Co&"t o* 0"%t I!%ta!+e o* Ma!#a, B"a!+ VI t"o&4 &4e Ca")e#!o A#$e!a "e!e"e a e+%o! e+#a"!4 te a*o"e%a e+%o! o* tat O+e ! A)!%t"at$e Ca%e 23917 !&## a! $o, te"e5y )a!4 te "t o* p"e#)!a"y =&!+to! pe")a!e!t. It appea"% *&"te" tat t at te e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* 0"%t I!%ta!+e % o! appea# to te S&p"e)e Co&"t. Re+o"% Re+o"% %o tat #a%t 'e+e)5e" 31, 196@, M"%. Co!+ta G. V##a!o% "ea+e te +o)p&#%o"y "et"e)e!t a4e o* 6. 'e$o o* a!y )ea!% o* #$e#oo, %e % !o "eF&e%t!4 *o" ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% %e % e!tt#e to a*te" #o!4 yea"% o* %e"$+e ! te 4o$e"!)e!t. It )ay 5e )e!to!e ! t% +o!!e+to! tat ! a 1%t I!o"%e)e!t ate May 1@, 1961 tat O+e "&#e tat te +o)p&#%o"y "et"e)e!t o* o!e o a% "ea+e te a4e o* 6 te")!ate% te a)!%t"at$e p"o+ee!4% a4a!%t ). Te Se+"eta"y o* &%t+e, oe$e", ! Op!o! No. , %. 1962 %tate te te "et"e)e!t o* a! o+e" o" e)p#oyee oe% !ot, ... !&##*y o" "e!e" )oot te !$e%t4ato! o* te a)!%t"at$e +a"4e% >#e a4a!%t ) *o" e#!F&e!+y o" )%+o!&+t ! O+e, a#to&4 t )ay "e!e" a+ae)+ te )po%to! )p o%to! o* +e"ta! pe!a#te% #e "e)o$a#, e)oto! o" "e&+to! ! "a!. Te +o!%eF&e!ta# pe!a#te% o* *o"*et&"e o* "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% a! #ea$e p"$#e4e% !+e!ta# to %)%%a# *"o) te %e"$+e *o" +a&%e )ay %t## 5e 4$e! e;e+t. Hoe$e", te Ho!o"a5#e Co))%%o!e" o* +$# Se"$+e ! a 1%t I!o"%e)e!t ate a!&a"y 17, 1962 "e!e"e a! op!o! tat o!#y ! +a%e o* !$e%t4ato! o" p"o%e+&to! o* to%e o;e!%e%, a% e>!e a! pe!a#De &!e" Rep&5#+ A+t A+t No. 319, ote"%e !o! a% te A!t-G"a*t La a! to%e ! te Re$%e 8e!a# Coe o! B"5e"y, )ay a p&5#+ o+e" 5e p"o5te *"o) "e%4!!4 o" "et"!4. I! $e te"eo*, te t! "eF&e%t o* M"%. Co!+ta G. V##a!o% % 5e!4 t"a!%)tte to tat O+e *o" ate$e" a+to! tat O+e ee)% p"ope" to tae o! te )atte". 0&"te", 0&"te", !*o")ato! % 5e!4 "eF&e%te a% to at O+e ## 4$e 4 $e e;e+t to te *o"*et&"e o* "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% !+e!ta# to %)%%a# *"o) te %e"$+e. It )ay 5e )e!to!e ! t% +o!!e+to! tat +o!%e"!4 te *o"ty t"ee yea"% o* %e"$+e o* M"%. V##a!o% ! te 4o$e"!)e!t a! ! +o!%o!a!+e t e+%o!a# +o!%e!%&% e.4., La+%o! $. RoF&e, et a#., 9 O.G. No. 1, p. 93 a! 67 C..S. %e+%. @, 61, 62 J 67: e"e a! a5"oa tat te +o!%t"&+to! o* "&#e% "e#at!4 to a)!%t"at$e %+p#!a"y a+to! )&%t 5e %t"+t#y +o!%t"&e a4a!%t te 4o$e"!)e!t a! #5e"a##y ! *a$o" o* "e%po!e!t e)p#oyee, t% O+e ## !te"po%e !o o5=e+to! to te pay)e!t o* ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% a"e &e to M"%. Co!+ta G. V##a!o%.
!%&")o&!ta5#e o5=e+to! to te" aopt!4 te +o&"%e o* a+to! %&44e%te ! te a5o$e +o))&!+ato! o* Se+"eta"y Co"p&D + o&# !at&"a##y )ea! tat, &po! te "e%&)pto! o* te p"o+ee!4% a% a +o!%eF&e!+e o* t% e+%o!, te a)!%t"at$e +a%e a4a!%t petto!e" p etto!e"-appe##ee %a## 5e ))eate#y %)%%e, to&t "e4a" to te t e )e"t% o* te +a"4e te"e! )ae a! %e ## 5e 4"a!te a## te 5e!e>t% o* "et"e)e!t, * o!#y to +o)pe!%ate te e!a# to e" o* &e p"o+e%% tat t% %e % e!tt#e to a*te" 3: yea"% o* %e"$+e ! te 4o$e"!)e!t a! tat t% o+e ## !te"po%e !o o5=e+to! to te pay)e!t p ay)e!t o* ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% a"e &e to e":. By $"t&e o* %&+ !o"%e)e!t a! +o!%e"!4 *&"te" tat te )a! op!o! !ote% tat te a##e4e *a&#t o* petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a !o "e+t "e#ato! to e" o", 2 a! tat te a##e4e #5e# +a"4e a% !ot +o!ta!e ! p&5#+ +o))&!+ato!%, ! +o!t"a%t to e" )p"e%%$e +"ee!ta#% a! #e!4t a! "e+o" o* %e"$+e a% a p&5#+ %+oo# tea+e" t e+e!+y "at!4% o* )o%t#y 9, I %&5)t tat ! te !te"e%t o* =&%t+e a! eF&ty a! to a$o *&"te" &!&e e#ay a! ep"$ato! o* petto!e" o* e" "4t to e" =&%t#y ea"!e "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% o!4 e" *o" o$e" t"ee yea"% !o, te Co&"t %o&# "e+t tat "e%po!e!t +o))%%o!e" a++ept te o"4!a# "e+o))e!ato! o* "ep")a!!4 petto!e" %!+e t"a!%*e" o* %tato! % ! o )oot: a! *o"tt a&to"De te pay)e!t o* a## "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t &e to petto!e"-appe##ee. petto!e"-appe##ee.  T% o&# "e!e" &!!e+e%%a"y te "e)a! "e)a! o* te +a%e *o" te o#!4 yet o* a p"ope" a! *&## ea"!4 *o" te ete")!ato! o* petto!e"-appe##ee% 4&#t o" !!o+e!+e o! te a)!%t"at$e

+a"4e !ott%ta!!4 te! Se+"eta"y Co"p&D e!o"%e)e!t a! te Co&"t% o! $e% a% a5o$e "e*e""e to, a! + 5y te $e"y t)e a! e#ay e!ta#e, o&# "e%&#t ! 4"a$e p"e=&+e to petto!e" o ! e" t#4t yea"% % ! 4"eat !ee o* te "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% &#y ea"!e 5y e" a*te" *o"ty-t"ee yea"% o* *at*&# a! e+e!t %e"$+e. Maa%a" a! A!to!o, ., +o!+&". Sepa"ate Op!o!% 0ERNAN'O, ., +o!+&""!4/ I +o!+&" ! te )a! op!o! o* &%t+e Ba""eo 5&t o&# 4o *&"te" ta! te +o!+&""!4 op!o! o* &%t+e Teea!ee Teea!ee a% to te %po%to! o* t% appea#. Te pe!e!+y o* a! a)!%t"at$e +a%e tat a t% o"4!% ! a! o;e!%$e #ette" tat a% "tte! o! Ap"# 1, 197 +o&#, to )y )!, !o #o!4e" p"e+#&e te *&## e!=oy)e!t o* "et"e)e!t "4t% to + petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a% e!tt#e a% o* 'e+e)5e" 31, 196@, t&% p&tt!4 a! e! to a! !to#e"a5#e %t&ato! !ot t"a+ea5#e to petto!e"-appe##ee. <at a% 5ee! %o %t"o!4#y p&t *o"t ! 5ot op!o!% a% to te #e!4ty a! o!o"a5#e %e"$+e o* petto!e"-appe##ee, e?+ept e?+ept *o" tat #ap%e *o" + %e a p"e%&)a5#y p "e%&)a5#y 5ee! ea#t t a++o"!4 to o&" pe!a# #a% t te o;e!e pa"te% a$!4 5ee! 4$e! %at%*a+to!, %&+e% *o" )e to "ea+ te a5o$e "e%&#t. Co!%e"!4 e" a4e, a! po%%5#y e" %tate o* ea#t, %e %o&# !ot 5e )ae to &!e"4o a!ote" a)!%t"at$e !$e%t4ato!. Te )atte" %o&# 5e e+#a"e te")!ate. Ca%t"o, ., +o!+&"%.  TEEHANEE, ., +o!+&""!4/ I +o!+&" t M". &%t+e Ba""eo% )a! op!o! %&%ta!!4 te t"a# Co&"t%  e+%o! + e+#a"e% !&## a! $o "e%po!e!t +o))%%o!e"% e+%o! o* %)%%a#, !ott%ta!!4 tat o"!a"#y petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee %o&# a$e appea#e te e+%o! to te C$# Se"$+e Boa" o* Appea#%, a% p"o$e 5y 5 y #a. #a. Hoe$e", te a!te+ee!t% a! )e"t% o* te %&5=e+t a)!%t"at$e +a%e o* 4"o%% %+o&"te%y a! !oto"o&%#y %4"a+e*&# #a!4&a4e a4a!%t petto!e" a$e 5ee! %&5%ta!ta##y %+&%%e 5e*o"e te Co&"t. A% *a" 5a+ a% 1962, e$e! to&t ea"!4 petto!e"% %e, te )a?)&) pe!a#ty tat te E&+ato! epa"t)e!t a&to"te% "e+o))e!e a% t"a!%*e" o* %tato! t "ep")a! a! a"!!4. 1 O! a!&a"y 23, 1969, te! E&+ato! Se+"eta"y O. '. Co"p&D %%&e a! !o"%e)e!t to "e%po!e!t +o))%%o!e" !ot!4 tat petto!e" "ea+e te +o)p&#%o"y "et"e)e!t a4e o* 6 o! 'e+e)5e" 31, 196@:. 'e$o o* a!y )ea!% o* #$e#oo, %e % !o "eF&e%t!4 *o" ate$e"  ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% %e % e!tt#e to a*te" 3: yea"% o* %e"$+e ! te 4o$e"!)e!t a! tat t% o+e ## !te"po%e !o o5=e+to! to te pay)e!t p ay)e!t o* ate$e" "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% a"e &e to e":. By $"t&e o* %&+ !o"%e)e!t a! +o!%e"!4 *&"te" tat te )a! op!o! !ote% tat te a##e4e *a&#t o* petto!e"-appe##ee petto!e"-appe##ee a !o "e+t "e#ato! to e" o", 2 a! tat te a##e4e #5e# +a"4e a% !ot +o!ta!e ! p&5#+ +o))&!+ato!%, ! +o!t"a%t to e" )p"e%%$e +"ee!ta#% a! #e!4t a! "e+o" o* %e"$+e a% a p&5#+ %+oo# tea+e" t e+e!+y "at!4% o* )o%t#y 9, I %&5)t tat ! te !te"e%t o* =&%t+e a! eF&ty a! to a$o *&"te" &!&e e#ay a! ep"$ato! o* petto!e" o* e" "4t to e" =&%t#y ea"!e "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% o!4 e" *o" o$e" t"ee yea"% !o, te Co&"t %o&# "e+t tat "e%po!e!t +o))%%o!e" a++ept te o"4!a# "e+o))e!ato! o* "ep")a!!4 petto!e" %!+e t"a!%*e" o* %tato! % ! o )oot: a! *o"tt a&to"De te pay)e!t o* a## "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t &e to petto!e"-appe##ee. petto!e"-appe##ee.  T% o&# "e!e" &!!e+e%%a"y te "e)a! "e)a! o* te +a%e *o" te o#!4 yet o* a p"ope" a! *&## ea"!4 *o" te ete")!ato! o* petto!e"-appe##ee% 4&#t o" !!o+e!+e o! te a)!%t"at$e +a"4e !ott%ta!!4 te! Se+"eta"y Co"p&D e!o"%e)e!t a! te Co&"t% o! $e% a% a5o$e "e*e""e to, a! + 5y te $e"y t)e a! e#ay e!ta#e, o&# "e%&#t ! 4"a$e p"e=&+e to petto!e" o ! e" t#4t yea"% % ! 4"eat !ee o* te "et"e)e!t 5e!e>t% &#y ea"!e 5y e" a*te" *o"ty-t"ee yea"% o* *at*&# a! e+e!t %e"$+e. Maa%a" a! A!to!o, ., +o!+&". E!!ote% BARRE'O, ./

1 Te pe"t!e!t po"to!% o* %a e+%o! e+%o! "ea/ T% % a! a)!%t"at$e +a%e a4a!%t M"%. Co!+ta G. V##a!o%, a C#a%%"oo) Tea+e" Tea+e" ! te V4a! Ce!t"a# S+oo#, V4a!, I#o+o% S&", *o" 4#y )p"ope" +o!&+t. I! a e+%o! o* te Co&"t o* Appea#% ! CA-G.R. No. 1@9-R p"o)ate o! 'e+e)5e" 31, 196, +o!>")ato"y o* tat o* te Co&"t o* 0"%t I!%ta!+e o* I#o+o% S&", "e%po!e!t Co!+ta G. V##a!o% a% +o!$+te o* te +")e o* #5e# a! %e!te!+e to pay a >!e o* 82. t %&5%a"y )p"%o!)e!t, ! +a%e o* !%o#$e!+y a! to pay te +o%t%. Te o;e!e pa"te% e"e E%pe"a!Da 0. 0. Se5a%ta! a! A!a+#eta 0aypo!, 0aypo!, +o-tea+e"% o* te "e%po!e!t ! te V4a! E#e)e!ta"y S+oo#. Te #5e# a4a!%t te o;e!e pa"te% a% +o!ta!e ! a #ette" p"e%e!te ! te +")!a# p"o%e+&to! o* te "e%po!e!t a% E?5t E ?5t A a! "ep"o&+e ! t% e!t"ety ! te +")!a# +o)p#a!t. Bot +o&"t% tat +o!e)!e te "e%po!e!t *o&! te #ette" #5e#o&% pe" %e. A +&"%o"y "ea!4 o* te %a)e e"a%e% a!y o&5t a% to t% +a"a+te". Te Co&"t o* Appea#% )ae te ato!a# "e)a" tat te "e%po!e!t e!t 5eyo! #)t% 5y !%&#t!4 a! %#a!e"!4 !ot o!#y te +o)p#a!a!t% 5&t a#%o te" )ote"%. I! te +a%e o* 8eop#e $%. A#+a5ao,  O.G. 6, te Co&"t o* Appea#% "&#e tat te "e)a" +o)!4 *"o) a )!o" p&ta!4 !a )o % a +#ea" !+ato! o* te )!o"% pe"$e"te +a"a+te". +a"a+te". T% O+e % o* te 5e#e* tat te o" +o!ta!e ! E?.A, +o)!4 a% tey a"e *"o) a p&5#+ %+oo# tea+e", &!e""te% t% a&to" a% &!>t *o" te "o#e o* )o&#e" o* te 0#p!o yo&t% +a"a+te". I! $e o* te *o"e4o!4, "e%po!e!t Co!+ta G. V##a!o% % *o&! 4&#ty a% +a"4e *o" +  + %e % e"e5y %)%%e *"o) te %e"$+e e;e+t$e o! e" #a%t ay o* %e"$+e t  t pay. pay. I! te p&5#+ p &5#+ !te"e%t, t % e"e5y o"e"e tat t% e+%o! 5e e?e+&te ))eate#y. ))eate#y. 2 Co&!%e#% atte!to! % +a##e to te *a+t tat "e%o#&to!% o* te Co&"t a"e to 5e atte!e to t #e%% !;e"e!+e ta! at % )a!*e%tato! e$e!+e%, %!+e t oe% !ot appea" tat +o&!%e# a% e?e"te )a?)&) e;o"t to +o)p#y t te Co&"t% "e%o#&to!. A %)#a" !o!+a#a!t attt&e ! te *&t&"e ## 5e p"ope"#y p "ope"#y ea#t t.  TEEHANEE, ., +o!+&""!4/