People vs. Roxas
People vs. Roxas
People vs. Roxas
Supreme Court
Manila
EN BANC
Present:
CORONA, C.J.,
CARPIO,
CARPIO MORALES,
VELASCO, JR.,
- versus - NACHURA,
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
BRION,*
PERALTA,
BERSAMIN,**
DEL CASTILLO,
ABAD,
VILLARAMA,
MENDOZA,
PEREZ, and
VENANCIO ROXAS y ARGUELLES, ARANAL-SERENO,* JJ.
Appellant.
Promulgated:
August 17, 2010
x--------------------------------------------------x
DECISION
PERALTA, J.:
In Criminal Case No. Q-94-54285 for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention with Frustrated
Murder
That on or about January 12, 1994 in Quezon City, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this
Honorable Court, the above-named accused, conspiring together, confederating and mutually
helping one another, did then and there by means of force, violence against and intimidation of
person and at gunpoint, willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously kidnap, carry away and detain
AGNES GUIRINDOLA, a female, thereby depriving her of her liberty, and thereafter bring her
to an uninhabited place in Barangay Bagong Pook, San Jose, Batangas and then and there, with
intent to kill and with treachery, evident premeditation, and abuse of superior strength, willfully,
unlawfully and feloniously shoot her in the face with a hand gun, thus performing all the acts of
execution which would produce the crime of MURDER as consequence, but which,
nevertheless, do not produce it by reason of causes independent of the will of the accused, that is,
the able and timely medical assistance given to said Agnes Guirindola which prevented her
death, resulting to her utmost grief, sorrow, sufferings and sleepless night, compensable in
actual, moral and exemplary damages in such amounts as may be awarded to them under the
provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
That on or about January 12, 1994, in Quezon City, Philippines, and within the
jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, conspiring
together, confederating and mutually helping one another, with intent to gain
and by means of force, violence against and intimidation of person and at
gunpoint, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, take and
carry away one Nissan Sentra Model 1993 with Plate No. TKR-837, then
driven by Agnes Guirindola but owned by her mother Elvira G. Guirindola, to
the damage and prejudice of said Agnes Guirindola and Elvira G. Guirindola
in such amount as may be awarded to them under the Civil Code of the
Philippines.
and -
Cash P1,000.00
Check 3,000.00
and in the course of execution thereof, shoot and fatally wounded Agnes Guirindola
with a handgun, which is clearly unnecessary in the commission of the crime,
to the damage and prejudice of said Agnes Guirindola, in such amount as may
be awarded to her under the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
CONTRARY TO LAW.[if !supportFootnotes][5][endif]
On January 12, 1994, around 3:00 p.m., Agnes Guirindola (Agnes), while cruising along
Panay Avenue, Quezon City, on board a red 1993 model Nissan Sentra sedan with plate number
TKR-837, was suddenly flagged down by a man wearing a PNP reflectorized vest. The man
signaled her to make a U-turn. Agnes complied and made the U-turn. The man walked in front of
her car and proceeded to the right side of the car.[if !supportFootnotes][6][endif] Agnes, later on, identified
the man in open court as appellant, Venancio Roxas (Roxas).
Agnes opened the right front window of the car and asked Roxas, who had positioned
himself at the front passenger side, Ano ang problema? Roxas replied, Miss, one way street po ito.
Agnes explained to the man that she usually passed by the same street and it was only that day that
she had been caught. Roxas told her that the street had been made a one-way street because a girl
figured in an accident in the same street two days ago.[if !supportFootnotes][7][endif]
Roxas then asked for Agnes' drivers license. After taking the drivers license, Roxas
handed her a piece of paper which she was asked to sign. Agnes noticed that it was not the usual
traffic citation ticket but, nevertheless, she pretended to sign the same by making a check thereon.[if
!supportFootnotes][8][endif]
When Agnes handed back the paper to Roxas, the latter asked her to open the door of
the car so that he could show her the one-way sign and the other traffic aide at the corner of the
street. Agnes let Roxas enter the car. Roxas then instructed Agnes to drive to the corner of the
street, and upon reaching the corner, Roxas pointed to her the one-way sign and looked for the
traffic aide he had told Agnes about. The traffic aide was not there. Agnes asked Roxas where she
could drop him. Roxas told Agnes to make a left turn from the corner of the street and that he will
alight somewhere in Mother Ignacia. Agnes obliged and made a left turn and stopped the car.
Thinking that Roxas was waiting for a bribe, Agnes took out her wallet, pulled a P50.00 bill and
gave it to Roxas. After receiving the money, Roxas returned to Agnes her drivers license. [if
!supportFootnotes][9][endif]
Upon returning the drivers license to Agnes, Roxas immediately switched off the engine
of the car and poked a gun at her saying Miss, kailangan ko ang kotse mo. Agnes, terrified and
shocked by Roxas actions, cried and pleaded with him to let her go and just take the car. Roxas
continued to poke a gun at her, unmindful of what Agnes was telling him.[if !supportFootnotes][10][endif]
After a while, Agnes heard a knock from outside the car. Roxas opened the rear door
and then someone boarded the car, occupying the back seat. The second passenger immediately
reclined the drivers seat and pulled Agnes towards the back seat. Agnes identified this man as
Roberto Gungon (Gungon). Subsequently, Roxas took the drivers seat and drove the car while
Gungon held Agnes on the shoulder with one hand, and her leg with the other.[if
!supportFootnotes][11][endif]
Agnes then heard Gungon say: Boss, dalhin natin sya sa Philcoa. After crossing Mother
Ignacia Street, Gungon got his beeper and told Roxas: Boss, dalhin na natin siya sa dati, doon na
natin siya i-s. Agnes became more frightened as she understood s to mean salvage, a lingo for
summary execution.[if !supportFootnotes][12][endif]
Along the way, Roxas stopped the car and went to a sari-sari store. Gungon was left
behind, holding Agnes, and would tighten his grip every time she made a slight move and
sometimes would poke a gun at her. Upon returning to the car, Roxas offered Agnes a bottle of
soft drink and Skyflakes biscuit. Agnes refused so Roxas handed the softdrink to Gungon and told
him: Mamaya painom mo sa kanya at pakainin mo siya. Gungon took the bottle of softdrink and
tried to force Agnes to drink the contents thereof. Agnes refused because she saw tablets floating
inside the bottle. Roxas resumed driving, while Gungon held Agnes.[if !supportFootnotes][13][endif]
Agnes testified that she planned to escape, but could not make a single move because
every time she made a slight move, Gungon would poke the gun at her. The windows of the car
were tinted and remained closed.[if !supportFootnotes][14][endif]
[if
Around 5:00 p.m., Agnes noticed that they were already at the South Superhighway.
!supportFootnotes][15][endif]
Along the superhighway, Roxas stopped the car in order to urinate. Gungon guarded
Agnes by holding her. When Roxas returned, Gungon alighted to relieve himself too. While
Gungon was out of the car, Roxas sat at the drivers seat facing Agnes and poked his gun at her.
Shortly thereafter, Gungon came back to the car and Roxas resumed driving. When Agnes took
the prayer leaflet from her wallet, Gungon looked at her wallet and saw the picture of her sister.
When asked if she was the one in the picture, Agnes told Gungon that it was her sister. Out of the
blue, Gungon also took his wallet and showed Agnes three (3) pictures which, according to him,
were the pictures of his niece, her girlfriend and that of Roxas and a lady with a little child. After
showing the same to Agnes, Gungon returned the said pictures to his wallet.[if !supportFootnotes][16][endif]
Agnes planned to escape at that time but the car was running at a speed of 80 to 100 kilometers
per hour. Agnes just continued to pray.[if !supportFootnotes][17][endif]
At this point, Gungon again offered the softdrink to Agnes. When she refused, Gungon
became mad and tightened his hold on Agnes, forcing her to drink it. Sensing that Gungon was
already furious, Agnes took the softdrink. After Agnes drank it, Roxas told Gungon, Ipainom mo
pa itong dalawang tablets dahil malaki sya, mahina iyong dalawa para sa kanya. Gungon took
the tablets from Roxas and forced Agnes to swallow the same. Out of fear, Agnes took the tablets,
but did not swallow them. She placed the tablets under her tongue. When Roxas and Gungon were
not looking, she took her handkerchief and spat out the tablets into the handkerchief.[if
!supportFootnotes][18][endif]
Afterwards, Agnes told Roxas and Gungon that she was hungry and wanted to eat a
McDonalds sandwich. Gungon replied that they were in the province and that there was no
McDonalds there. Roxas told Agnes that they will just drop by a restaurant to buy something to
eat. Roxas then stopped by a bakery and alighted from the car, while Gungon held Agnes. It was
at this point that Agnes noticed the signboard of the bakery which read something like Sto. Tomas
or San Jose, Batangas. After a while, Roxas came back with a taisan cake and offered it to Agnes
which she refused. At that instance, Agnes felt dizzy and fell asleep.[if !supportFootnotes][19][endif]
When Agnes woke up, she found herself lying at the back seat with her legs on the lap
of Gungon. The car was at a standstill. She noticed from the cars clock on the dashboard that it
was about 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. She also found out that her jewelries consisting of bracelets, pair of
earrings, necklace and a watch worth around P30,000.00 to P40,000.00, as well as her pair of
shoes, were already gone. When she asked Gungon about them, the latter told her that they were
just keeping the same for her. Agnes also lost her wallet containing a check in the amount of
P3,000.00 and cash in the amount of P1,000.00.[if !supportFootnotes][20][endif]
Agnes also noticed that there was already a third man sitting in front of the car beside
Roxas who was still driving. She then asked them if she could relieve herself. Gungon asked Roxas
if Agnes would be allowed to relieve herself to which Roxas answered in the affirmative. Agnes
fixed her hair and then asked Gungon for her shoes. Gungon put the shoes on her feet. Roxas
alighted from the car and opened the rear door. Gungon alighted first from the car followed by
Agnes. Gungon then led Agnes to a nearby grassy area and told her, O, dyan ka na lang umihi.
After Agnes relieved herself, and as she was about to get up and return to the car, she saw white
sparks at her right side and then she fell down. When she opened her eyes, she saw Roxas walking
back towards the car with a gun in his hand. She did not see Gungon at that particular time. Then
she lost consciousness.[if !supportFootnotes][21][endif]
When Agnes regained consciousness, she was all alone. Roxas, Gungon and the third
man, as well as the car, were no longer there. It was very dark. She followed a sparkling light that
led her to a small house. Upon reaching the house, she opened the door and saw two (2) children
and a teenager singing. She asked for their help but upon seeing her, they ran away. She then saw
a lady standing at the stairs of the house carrying a baby. Agnes asked for her help but the lady
went upstairs and locked herself inside the room. Agnes followed her and knocked at the door of
the room asking for help, but still the lady did not come out of the room. She then went downstairs
and lied down on the sofa. Only then did she notice that blood was profusely oozing from her face
and there were holes in the left side of her neck and her right cheek.[if !supportFootnotes][22][endif]
After a while, Agnes heard a vehicle arrive and also heard voices saying: May taong
duguan sa loob ng bahay, tulungan natin siya! Agnes was then carried to a Fiera motor vehicle
and brought to the Batangas Regional Hospital, where she was treated for her wounds and given
first aid.[if !supportFootnotes][23][endif] Agnes sustained the following injuries:
Gunshot wound, POE, Zygomatic area (R), POX Sudmandibular
area (L); Fx, zygomatic arch & condylar area, (R) Sec to GSW;
Submandibular Gland involvement with sinus tract. (Exhibit A, Medical
Certificate dated February 1, 1994 signed by attending physician Dr. Lauro R.
San Jose, Captain MC, Neurosurgery 4-A, p. 177, Volume III, Record)
The following day, about 3:00 a.m. of January 13, 1994, the parents of Agnes and the
rest of the family arrived at the hospital. Her parents immediately arranged for her transfer to the
V. Luna General Hospital (now AFP Medical Center) in Quezon City, where she was treated
further, operated on and confined for forty-three (43) days.[if !supportFootnotes][24][endif] Agnes incurred
actual damages amounting to P36,161.83 for her hospitalization, surgical operation and medical
treatment, and suffered moral damages the amount of which she cannot readily quantify, as a result
of the ordeal she underwent on that fateful day of January 12, 1994.[if !supportFootnotes][25][endif]
Upon transfer of Agnes to the V. Luna General Hospital, her parents immediately
reported the incident to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila, which promptly
conducted an investigation. On January 17, 1994, some NBI agents visited her for the taking of
the cartographic sketches of Roxas and Gungon. On January 19, 1994, another group of NBI agents
went to the hospital and showed her 3 to 4 pictures of Gungon who was subsequently arrested in
Davao City. On February 1, 1994, Agnes positively identified Gungon at the NBI in a police lineup
consisting of 5 to 6 men. Likewise, Agnes was able to identify certain personal effects recovered
from Gungon such as her rosary beads,[if !supportFootnotes][26][endif] jewelry purse,[if !supportFootnotes][27][endif]
key chain with a key to the lock of her Nissan Sentra car,[if !supportFootnotes][28][endif] and the check taken
from her, which were all presented in evidence in the trial of Gungon as well as in the trial of the
instant case against Roxas.[if !supportFootnotes][29][endif]
In the meantime, the NBI conducted a manhunt for Roxas. On September 11, 1995,
Roxas was arrested by elements of the NBI inside the municipal hall of Taysan, Batangas, where
he was working under the Office of the Mayor using the aliases Joe Villamor and Marianito
Villamor.
Agnes further testified that the name of appellant Venancio Roxas was supplied by the NBI, but
she was very sure that he was the person who fatally shot her. She positively identified Roxas on
January 12, 1994 during a police line-up at the NBI as the perpetrator other than Gungon, of the
crimes charged. She told the NBI agents that the person in the picture was the one who had flagged
her down and shot her on January 12, 1994.
For the defense, appellant denied committing the crimes charged against him. He
claimed that it was impossible for him to be at the place of incident on January 12, 1994. He
narrated that on that same day, at around 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., he and a certain Tranquilino
Mangiliman and two others were installing an antenna on the roof of his house. He added that he
never left his house that evening. Both Mangiliman and his wife, Hermogena Roxas, testified that
on January 12, 1004, Roxas was in his house at Feria Compound, Commonwealth Town Homes,
Quezon City.
Subsequently, in a Decision[if !supportFootnotes][30][endif] dated September 5, 2002, the court a quo, found
Roxas guilty of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention with frustrated murder, carnapping and
theft, the dispositive portion of which reads:
Roxas moved for a reconsideration of the September 5, 2002 decision of the court a quo.
Likewise, noting the well-attended promulgation of the court a quos decision, Roxas also moved
for the inhibition of the Honorable Judge Demetrio Macapagal, Sr. He argued that the presence of
then Justice Secretary Hernando Perez showed the court's predisposition to convict him of the
offenses charged. Roxas contended that he was robbed of his right to due process because the
Judge Demetrio Macapagal, Sr. had lost the cold neutrality of an impartial judge required of him
in trying and resolving cases.
In an Order[if !supportFootnotes][32][endif] dated October 8, 2002, the RTC denied appellants motions for
inhibition and reconsideration.
Meanwhile, appellant's co-accused Roberto Gungon y Santiago was found guilty of the same
charges in a Decision[if !supportFootnotes][33][endif] dated March 19, 1998. Roxas was at-large during the
trial and was arrested only after the RTC rendered the judgment of conviction against Gungon.
Thus, the cases, as far as they concerned Roxas, was archived until he was eventually arrested on
September 11, 1995.
The records of this case were originally elevated to this Court for automatic review. Conformably
with our ruling in People v. Mateo,[if !supportFootnotes][34][endif] however, the case was referred to the
Court of Appeals for intermediate review.
In its Decision[if !supportFootnotes][35][endif] dated January 13, 2006, the appellate court affirmed in toto
the decision of the court a quo.
Thus, this appeal, raising the following arguments:
II
Roxas challenged the RTC judges neutrality as he invoked that he was deprived of his right to due
process because of the unexplained presence of the former Secretary of the Department of Justice,
Hernando Perez, in court. He contended that the RTC was already predisposed to convict him even
before trial.
We are unconvinced.
The Court finds no basis for appellant's allegation that he was deprived of due process of law and
that the trial conducted was far from impartial and fair. The imputation of bias and partiality is not
supported by the record. The fact that the trial judge opted to believe the prosecution's evidence
rather than that of the defense is not a sign of bias.[if !supportFootnotes][36][endif]
Even if the RTC had allowed the presence of then Secretary Hernando Perez and the media, there
is no sufficient basis to show that their presence or pervasive publicity unduly influenced the
court's judgment. Before we could conclude that appellant was prejudiced by the presence of the
media and Secretary Perez, he must first show substantial proof, not merely cast suspicions. There
must be a showing that adverse publicity indeed influenced the court's decision.[if
!supportFootnotes][37][endif]
We found none, in this case.
Appellant further argued that the RTC erred in finding him guilty of the crimes charged against
him.
Time and again, we have ruled that the findings of the trial court on the credibility of witnesses
and their testimonies are entitled to the highest respect and will not be disturbed on appeal in the
absence of any clear showing that the trial court overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some
facts or circumstances of weight and substance which would have affected the result of the case.
The trial court is in a better position to decide the question of credibility, having seen and heard
the witnesses themselves and observed their behavior and manner of testifying.[if
!supportFootnotes][38][endif]
We have painstakingly examined the records of the case, particularly the testimonies for the
prosecution and the defense. However, after much examination, we find no persuasive much less
compelling reason to depart from the findings of the trial court.
Agnes not only positively identified her abductors, she also graphically narrated what
happened on January 12, 1994. Actual restraint of the victim's liberty was evident in the instant
case from the moment Agnes was taken from Panay Avenue to a remote place in Batangas. Agnes
testified, thus:
Q - After Roberto Gungon pulled you towards the back seat, what
happened?
A - Venancio Roxas took the driver seat and started the car, sir. I
mean, he took the driver seat and started the car.
A One hand on my shoulder and the other one is (sic) on my leg, sir.
xxxx
A Roxas still drove and Gungon was still holding me, then after that
we went to this gasoline station to gas up, sir.
xxxx
Q Why were you not able to escape while you were seated and
crying?
A Because Gungon was holding me and everytime I just made a
slight move, he poked the gun at me, sir.[if !supportFootnotes][39][endif]
xxxx
Q While you were praying, do you know what Gungon and Roxas
were doing at that time?
xxxx
A Yes, Roxas was driving and Gungon was still holding me and he
asked Roxas if he could relieve himself, sir.
xxxx
A He told Gungon that he'll take a leak (sic) first before Gungon so
Roxas alighted from the car and took a leak (sic), sir.
Q How about Gungon, where was he?
A- Yes, he went back to the car, he sat at the driver's seat, he faced
in front of me (sic), took the gun and poked it at me and then Gungon alighted
from the car and he was the next one who took a leak (sic), sir.
xxxx
Q - After Roxas alighted from the car, where were you at that time?
A- Yes, we were waiting for Roxas and he was holding my leg, sir.[if
!supportFootnotes][40][endif]
xxxx
A - Ever since he pulled me from the driver seat to the back seat up
to the time when we were cruising along South Superhighway, sir.
A Yes, sir.
Thus, based on the foregoing testimony of Agnes, the trial court did not err in convicting appellant
of the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code
defines the crime, thus:
Art. 267. Kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Any private
individual who shall kidnap or detain another, or in any other manner deprive
him of his liberty, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death;
3. If any serious physical injuries shall have been inflicted upon the
person kidnapped or detained, or if threats to kill him shall have been made;
Treachery exists when an offender commits any of the crimes against persons,
employing means, methods or forms in the execution thereof which tend directly and specially to
ensure its execution, without risk to himself, arising from the defense which the offended party
might make. As narrated by Agnes, she could not have been aware that she would be attacked by
appellant. In the darkness of the night while she just finished relieving herself and still trying to
get up, she was shot by appellant in the head with a gun. There was no opportunity for her to
defend herself, since appellant, suddenly and without provocation, shot her as she was about to get
up. The essence of treachery is the unexpected and sudden attack on the victim which renders the
latter unable and unprepared to defend himself by reason of the suddenness and severity of the
attack. This criterion applies whether the attack is frontal or from behind.[if !supportFootnotes][43][endif]
Moreover, the requisites of evident premeditation was likewise duly established in this
case, to wit: (a) the time when the accused determined to commit the crime; (b) an act manifestly
indicating that the accused has clung to his determination; and (c) a sufficient lapse of time between
such determination and execution to allow him to reflect upon the consequences of his act. [if
!supportFootnotes][44][endif]
The prosecution's evidence particularly the testimony of Agnes demonstrated that Gungon and
Roxas had indeed planned to kill her from the time they took the car. As testified to by Agnes:
Q- You said that Roxas returned with a biscuit and a bottle of softdrink, what was done
with the biscuit and bottle of softdrink, if you know?
A I refused to accept it, he insisted but still I refused so he just handed it to Gungon. He
just told Gungon mamaya painom mo sa kanya at pakainin mo siya, sir.
A- Simply because when he handed it to me I saw tablets floating inside the bottle, sir.[if
!supportFootnotes][45][endif]
xxxx
Q At about 5:00 and 6:00 in the evening of January 12, 1994 where were you at that
time?
xxxx
A- Actually we were not really there, its (sic) we were headed towards South
Superhighway. I mean I dont know the exact place but I am familiar that we
were heading towards South super highway, sir.
xxxx
xxxx
Q While you were driving along South super highway at that time,
do you know what happened inside the car between the three of you?
A Yes, sir. That time Gungon was still holding me and then he told Roxas boss, dalhin
na natin siya sa dati, doon na natin siya i-s.
Q After you heard that remark of Gungon, what did you do?
A Well, of course I was shocked and I asked them if they were going to rape me or kill
me or just leave me somewhere, I do not know, sir.
xxxx
Q What did you do when the bottle of softdrink was being offered to
you?
Q When you refused to drink it, do you know what did Gungon do?
A Yes, he got mad and furious, he held me so tight and forced me to drink it, sir.
Q - Now, because he was furious and he was angry at you, what did
you do?
xxxx
A Yes, sir, after drinking it Roxas offered two (2) more tablets to
Gungon, he told to Gungon ipainom mo pa sa kanya itong dalawang tabletas
dahil malaki siya, mahina iyong dalawa para sa kanya.[if !supportFootnotes][47][endif]
xxxx
Q Do you know what time was it when you woke up?
Thus, from the foregoing, it is evident that the commission of the killing, albeit frustrated, was
formed from the moment the accused took the victim in Quezon City until she was ultimately
executed in Batangas. The lapse of more than eight hours, that is, approximately from 1:00 p.m.
to 10:00 p.m., satisfies the last requisite for the appreciation of evident premeditation as there was
sufficient time for meditation and reflection before the commission of the crime yet appellant
proceeded with the same.
Likewise, we agree that Roxas is also guilty of violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law. R.A. 6539,
otherwise known as An Act Preventing and Penalizing Carnapping, defines carnapping as the
taking, with intent to gain, of a motor vehicle belonging to another without the latters consent, or
by means of violence against or intimidation of persons, or by using force upon things." More
specifically, the elements of the crime are as follows:
4. That the taking is without the consent of the owner thereof; or that
the taking was committed by means of violence against or intimidation of
persons, or by using force upon things.
A careful examination of the evidence presented would show that all the elements of carnapping
were proven in this case. It cannot be denied that the 1993 Nissan Sentra with plate number TKR-
837 was unlawfully taken from Agnes without her consent and by means of force or intimidation,
considering that he and his co-accused alternately poked a gun at Agnes. After shooting her,
appellant also flee with the subject vehicle which shows his intent to gain. Agnes also positively
identified appellant and Gungon as the ones who took the subject vehicle from her.
Finally, we likewise agree that Roxas is only guilty of theft and not robbery as initially charged.
From the records, it appears that the jewelries and cash were taken from Agnes without the
attendance of violence or intimidation upon her person. Agnes herself testified that when she
regained consciousness, she already found her necklace, pair of earrings, watch and cash, to be
missing.[if !supportFootnotes][49][endif] While it was proven beyond reasonable doubt that appellant took
Agnes' personal things, there was no evidence, however, that the taking was employed with the
use of force, violation and intimidation.
PENALTIES
As to the imposable penalty, we sustain the findings of the RTC, as affirmed by the appellate court,
with modification as to the penalty for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with
frustrated murder and the awarding of damages.
The crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention has been correctly complexed by the RTC
with frustrated murder. A complex crime is committed when a single act constitutes two or more,
grave or less grave, felonies, or when an offense is a necessary means for committing the other.
In a complex crime, the penalty for the most serious crime shall be imposed, the same to be applied in its maximum period. Since the kidnapping
and serious illegal detention is the more serious crime, the proper penalty under Article 267[if !supportFootnotes][50][endif] of the Revised Penal
Code, as amended by R.A. 7659, should be applied in its maximum period; thus, the penalty should be death. However, in light of R.A. 9346, or
the Anti-Death Penalty Law, which prohibits the imposition of the death penalty, the imposition of the penalty of reclusion perpetua instead of
death is, thus, proper and ineligible for parole.
Likewise, in accordance with current jurisprudence, we modify the award of damages, and apply People of the Philippines v. Richard O. Sarcia[if
!supportFootnotes][51][endif] where we said:
xxxx
It should be noted that while the new law prohibits the imposition of the death penalty, the
penalty provided for by law for a heinous offense is still death and the offense is still
heinous. Consequently, the civil indemnity for the victim is still Php75,000.00.
WHEREFORE, the instant appeal is DENIED. The Decision of the Court of Appeals, dated
January 13, 2006, in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 00666, is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION,
insofar as to sentence appellant Venancio Roxas y Arguelles to suffer the penalty of reclusion
perpetua for the crime of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention with Frustrated Murder, and
to declare him ineligible for parole. Appellant is, likewise, ordered to pay Agnes Guirindola
P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P75,000.00 as moral damages, and P30,000.00 as exemplary
damages. Costs against the appellant.
SO ORDERED.
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice