SAN BEDA COLLEGE OF LAW

Mendiola, Manila

CRIMINAL LAW I

I. General Principles of Criminal Law

A. Nature and definition
People v. Genosa, 341 SCRA 493
B. Characteristics of Criminal Law
1. General (Art. 2, RPC)
2. Territorial (Art.2, RPC)
People v. Tulin, 364 SCRA 10
3. Prospective (Article 21 and 22, RPC)
a. Effects of repeal
C. Sources of Criminal Law
1. Revised Penal Code
2. Special Penal Laws
D. Constitutional Limitations on Criminal Law
1. Due process and Equal protection (Art. 3, Sec. 1, 1987
Constitution)
White Light Corp. v. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846,
20 January 2009
2. Freedom of expression (Art. 3, Sec. 4, 1987 Constitution)
3. Freedom of religion (Art. 3, Sec. 5, 1987 Constitution)
Estrada v. Escritor, 492 SCRA 1
4. No excessive fines, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment. (Art. 3, Sec. 19, 1987 Constitution)
People v. Echagaray, 267 SCRA 682
Corpuz v. People, G.R. No. 180016, 29 April 2014
5. Non-imprisonment for debt or non-payment of poll tax (
Art. 3, Sec. 19, 1987 Constitution)
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 6. Bill of attainder (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)
People v. Ferrer, 48 SCRA 382
7. Ex-post facto laws (Art. 3, Sec. 22, 1987 Constitution)
US v. Diaz Conde, L-18208, 14 February 1922
E. Construction and interpretation
1. Liberally in favour of the accused
2. Spanish text of the RPC prevails over the English text
People v. Abilong, L-1960, 26 November 1948.
3. Retroactive application when favourable to the accused
4. Prescribed but undeserved penalties (Art. 5, RPC)
People v. Formigones, L-3246, 29 November 1950

II. General Principles of Criminal Liability

A. Felony, defined (Art. 3, RPC)
B. Elements of criminal liability

1. Physical element (Actus reus)

a. Act
b. Omission
People v. Sylvestre and Atienza, 56 Phil.
353
People v. Talingdan, 84 SCRA 19
2. Mental element (Mens rea)
a. Deliberate intent (Dolo)
i. Elements of dolo
ii. General and specific intent
People v. Puno, 219 SCRA 85
iii. Mistake of fact
US v. Ah Chong, 15 Phil. 488
People v. Oanis, 74 Phil. 257
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 iv. Malum prohibitum as exception to the
requirement of mens rea
Padilla v. Dizon, 158 SCRA 127
Magno v. CA 210 SCRA 475
Garcia v. CA 484 SCRA 617
v. Intent distinguished from motive
b. Constructive intent (Culpa) Art. 3 and 365
i. Elements
ii. Imprudence or lack of skill
iii. Negligence or lack of foresight
People v. Pugay, 167 SCRA 439
Ivler v. San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716,
17 November 2010.
c. Transferred intent (Art. 4, par. 1)
i. Aberratio ictus
People v. Guillen, 85 Phil. 307.
ii. Error in personae
People v. Sabalones, 294 SCRA 751
iii. Praeter intentionem
Peoplevs. Albuquerque, 59Phil. 150
3. Concurrence
4. Resulting harm
5. Causation
Bataclan v. Medina, 102 Phil. 181
C. Impossible Crimes (Art. 4, Par. 2)
Intod v. CA, 215 SCRA 52
People v. Saladino, 89 Phil. 807
III. Stages of execution
A. Attempted Stage

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B. Frustrated Stage
C. Consummated crimes
US v. Eduave, 36 Phil. 209
Rivera v. People, 480 SCRA 188
Baleros v. People, 483 SCRA 10
D. Stages of execution in relation to specific felonies
1. Theft
Valenzuela v. People, G.R. No. 160188, 21 June 2007
Epifanio v. People, G.R. No. 157057, 26 June 2007
2. Illegal Trespass
People v. Lamahang, 61 Phil. 703
3. Physical Injuries, Homicide, and Murder
People v. Borinaga, 55 Phil. 433
People v. Kalalo, 59 Phil. 715
People v. Trinidad, 169 SCRA 51
Martinez v. CA, G.R. No. 168827, 13 April 2007.
Mondragon v. People, 17 SCRA 476
People v. Sy Pio, 94 Phil. 885
4. Robbery
People v. Dio, 130 SCRA 151
5. Rape
People v. Orita, 184 SCRA 105
People v. Campuhan, G.R. No. 129433, 30 March 2000
E. Conspiracy and proposals to commit a felony (Art. 8)
1. Conspiracy and proposal, when punished?
2. As a manner of incurring criminal liability.

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IV. Circumstances that affect criminal liability
A. Justifying circumstances
1. Defense of self, relatives, and strangers
People v. Decena, 235 SCRA 67
People v. Dela Cruz, 347 SCRA 100
People v. Jaurigue, 76 Phil. 174
People v. Narvaez, 121 SCRA 389
Sabang v. People, 518 SCRA 35
People v. Dagani, 499 SCRA 64
Palaganas v. People, 501 SCRA 533
2. Avoidance of greater evil
People v. Ricohermoso, 56 SCRA 431
People v. Norma Hernandez, 55 OG 8465
3. Fulfillment of duty
People v. Delima, 46 Phil. 738
People v. Lagata, 83 Phil. 150
Mamangun v. People, G.R. No. 149152, 2 February
2007
People v. Dagani, 499 SCRA 64
4. Obedience to a lawful order of a superior
People v. Beronilla, 96 Phil. 566
Tabuena v. Sandiganbayan, 268 SCRA 332
B. Exempting Circumstances
1. Insanity
People v. Bonoan, 64 Phil. 87
People v. Dungo, 199 SCRA 860
People v. Taneo, 58 Phil. 255
People v. Madarang, 332 SCRA 99
People v. Opuran, 425 SCRA 654

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 People v. Genosa, 341 SCRA 493, 419 SCRA 537
RA 9262 (Re: Battered Woman Syndrome)
2. Minority
RA 9344, Sec. 6
People v. Doquea, 68 Phil. 580
Ortega v. People, G.R. No. 151085, 20 August 2008
3. Accident
US v. Taedo, 15 Phil. 196
People v. Castillo, 526 SCRA 215
People v. Retubado, G.R. No. 124058, 10 December 2003
4. Irresistible force or uncontrollable fear of a greater
injury
US v. Caballeros, 4 Phil. 350
People v. Loreno, 130 SCRA 311
People v. Del Rosario, 305 SCRA 740
5. Insuperable cause
People v. Bandian, 63 Phil. 530 (see also dissent of J.
Villareal)
C. Other exculpatory causes
1. Instigation
People v. Lua Chu, 56 Phil. 44
People v. Doria, 301 SCRA 668
2. Pardon (Art. 266-C and Art. 344)
3. Absolutory circumstances
a. Art. 6 (3)
b. Art. 20
c. Art. 247
d. Art. 280*
e. Art. 332

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 Intestate Estate of Manolita Gonzales v.
People, G.R. No. 181409, 11 February 2010.
D. Mitigating Circumstances
1. Classes of Mitigating Circumstances
a. Privileged
i. Art. 13 (2) and Art. 68
ii. Art. 13 (1) and Art. 69
People v. Jaurigue, 76 Phil. 174
People v. Narvaez, 121 SCRA 389
People v. Ulep, G.R. No. 132547, 20
September 2000
Guillermo v. People, G.R. No.
153287, 20 January 2009.
b. Ordinary
i. Lack of intent to commit so grave a
wrong
People v. Ural, 56 SCRA 138
People v. Gonzales, 359 SCRA 352
ii. Sufficient provocation
People v. Pagal, 79 SCRA 570
Urbano v. People, G.R. No. 182750,
20 January 2009
iii. Vindication of a wrong
People v. Benito, 74 SCRA 271
Bacabac v. People, G.R. No. 149372,
11 September 2007
iv. Passion or obfuscation
US v. Hicks, 14 Phil. 217
US v. Dela Cruz, 22 Phil. 429
People v. Gelaver, 223 SCRA 310

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 People v. Bello, L-18792, 28 February
1964
v. Voluntary surrender or plea of guilt
People v. Amaguin, 229 SCRA 166
People v. Dela Cruz, 63 Phil. 874
vi. Deafness, muteness, blindness, or other
physical defect which restricts the
offenders means of action, defense, or
communication
vii. Illness as would diminish the exercise of
will-power without depriving the
offender of consciousness of his acts.
viii. Analogous circumstances

E. Aggravating Circumstances
Art. 14 and 62 of the RPC.
People v. Legaspi, G.R. Nos. 136164-65, 20 April 2001
1. Classes of Aggravating Circumstance
a. Generic
b. Qualifying
c. Specific
d. Inherent
e. Special
2. Taking advantage of public office
People v. Capalac, 117 SCRA 874
People v. Gapasin, 231 SCRA 728
3. Insult to public authority
People v. Tiongson, 130 SCRA 614
People v. Magdueo, 144 SCRA 210
People v. Tac-an, G.R. Nos. 76338-89, 26 February
1990.

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4. Disregard of rank, age, or sex, and dwelling;
People v. Diaz, G.R. No. L-24002, 21 January 1974.
People v. Arizobal, 348 SCRA 143
People v. Daniel, G.R. No. L-40330, 20 November 1978
5. Abuse of confidence or obvious ungratefulness
People v. Mandolado, 123 SCRA 133
6. The crime is committed in the palace of Chief Executive,
in his presence, where public authorities are engaged in
the discharge of their duties, or place dedicated to
religious worship;
7. Nighttime, uninhabited place, or by a band;
People v. Garcia, 94 SCRA 14
People v. Rodas, G.R. No. 175881, 28 August 2007
People v. Damaso, 86 SCRA 370 (uninhabited)
8. Crime committed on the occasion of conflagration,
shipwreck, earthquake, epidemic, or other calamity or
misfortune;
9. Aid of armed men or persons who afford impunity;
10.Recidivism
People v. Baldera, 86 Phil. 189
11. Reiteracion
12. Habitual delinquency (Art. 62, par. 5);
People v. Melendrez, 59 Phil. 154
13. Quasi- recidivism (Art. 160)
14. Price, reward, or promise;
15. Inundation, fire, poison, etc.
16. Evident premeditation;
US v. Manalinde, 14 Phil. 77
People v. Ilaoa, 233 SCRA 231
People v. Bibat, 290 SCRA 27

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17. Craft, fraud, or disguise;
People v. Empasis, 222 SCRA 59
18. Taking advantage of superior strength, or means
employed to weaken the defense;
People v. Bigcas, 211 SCRA 631
19. Treachery;
People v. Sangalang, 58 SCRA 737
People v. San Pedro, 95 SCRA 306
People v. Castillo, 289 SCRA 213
People v. Arizobal, 348 SCRA 143
People v. Escote, 400 SCRA 603
People v. Villonez, 359 Phil. 95, 1998
People v. Guzman, G.R. No. 169246, 26 January 2007
20. Ignominy;
People v. Torriefel 45 OG 803
People v. Jose, 37 SCRA 450
People v. Butler, 120 SCRA 281
People v. Saylan, 130 SCRA 159
People v. Sultan, 331 SCRA 216
21. Unlawful entry;
22. Breaking of wall, roof, floor, door, or window;
23. Aid of persons under fifteen years old, use of motor
vehicles, airships, or other similar means;
24. Cruelty;
25. Organized or syndicated crime group;
26. Use of illegal firearms or explosives see PD 1866 as
amended by RA 8294
People v. Ladjaalam, G.R. Nos. 136149-51, 19 September
2000
Celino v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 170562, 29 June
2007
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 27. Use of dangerous drugs while committing a felony
Sec. 25 of RA 9165
F. Alternative Circumstances
1. Relationship
People v. Atop, 286 SCRA 157
2. Intoxication
3. Degree of Instruction
People v. San Pedro, 95 SCRA 306
V. Persons Criminally Liable
A. Principals Art. 17
People v. Yanson-Dumancas, 320 SCRA 584
People v. Maluenda, 288 SCRA 225
B. Accomplices Art. 18
Abejuela v. People, 200 SCRA 806
People v. Doble, 114 SCRA 131
People v. Doctolero, 193 SCRA 632
People v. De Vera, 312 SCRA 640
Garces v. People, G.R. No. 173858, 17 July 2007
C. Accessories Art. 19 and 20 (RPC); PD 1612
People v. Talingdan, 84 SCRA 19
VI. Complex Crimes (Art. 48)
People v. Sanchez, 113 SCRA 254, GR No. 131116, August 27, 1999
People v. Mallari, G.R. No. L-58886, 13 December 1988
People vs. Sanchez, 313 SCRA 254
People vs. Hernandez, 99 Phil. 515
Enrile vs. Salazar, 184 SCRAI 217
Ivler v. San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, 17 November 2010.
People v. Valdez, G.R. No. 127663, 11 March 1999
VII. Penalties

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A. Imposable penalties
1. Principal penalties
a. Capital punishment Sec. 19, Art III of the
1987 Constitution; RA 7659, RA 8177; RA
9346; Art. 40 and 47 Revised Penal Code
Harden v. Director of Prisons, 81 Phil. 741
b. Afflictive penalties
i. Reclusion perpetua RA 7659, Art. 27 of
Revised Penal Code
People v. Lucas, G.R. No. 108172, 25 May
1994;
People v. Lucas, G.R. No. 108172, 9
January 1995;
People v. Latupan, G.R. No. 112453, 28
June 2001
ii. Reclusion temporal
iii. Perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification Article 30
iv. Perpetual or temporary special
disqualification Art. 31
v. Prision mayor Art. 27
c. Correctional penalties Art. 27, 39, and 44
i. Prision correccional
ii. Arresto mayor
iii. Suspension
iv. Destierro
d. Light penalties Art. 27, 39, and 44
i. Arresto menor
ii. Public censure
e. Common penalties Art.25
i. Fines Art. 26, 39, and 66
ii. Bond to keep the peace Art. 27 and 35
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 2. Accessory penalties Art. 40 -45
a. Perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification
b. Perpetual or temporary special
disqualification
c. Suspension from public office, the right to
vote and be voted for, the profession or
calling
d. Civil interdiction
e. Indemnification
f. Forfeiture or confiscation of the instruments
and proceeds of the offense
g. Payment of costs
3. Subsidiary penalty Art. 39
B. Application and computation of penalties
1. General rules Art. 5, 21, 28, 29 (see also RA 10592), 46,
73-77
2. Specific Rules
a. Complex Crimes (Art. 48)
b. Crime different from that which was intended
Art. 49
c. Effect of degree of participation and stage of
commission Art. 50 -57, 60-61
d. Additional penalty for certain accessories
Art. 58
e. Impossible crimes Art. 59
f. Effect of mitigating, aggravating, and
qualifying circumstances Art. 62-66
g. Incomplete justifying or exempting
circumstances Art. 67 and 69
h. Minors RA 9344
3. Indeterminate Sentence Law

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 People v. Lanuza, G.R. No. 188562, 17 August 2011
Talampas v. People, G.R. No. 180219, 23 November
2011
People v. Temporada, G.R. No. 173473, 17 December
2008. See CJ Puno Dissent and J. Corona Separate
Opinion
C. Execution and service of penalties
1. General rules Art. 47, 70, 78, and 86-88,
In re Petition for Habeas Corpus, Pete Lagran, 363
SCRA 275
2. Probation Law (PD 968 as amended)
3. Suspension of sentence
a. In cases of insanity Art. 79
b. Minors
i. Section 31-35 of AM No. 02-1-18-SC
ii. RA 9344
VIII. Extinction of criminal liability
A. Total Art.89-93
People v. Desierto, 363 SCRA 585
B. Partial Art. 94-99; See also amendments under RA 10592
IX. Civil Liability arising from criminal liability Art. 100-113

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