qualified by treachery. Each of them interposed the defense of alibi, respectively.

Topic Damages/General Provisions/Concept of Damages

Case No. G.R. No. 120921 | January 29, 1998
Case Name People v. Ballesteros ISSUES
Full Case THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
1. Was it correct in finding Ballesteros et. Al guilty beyond reasonable doubt?
Name vs.
FELIPE BALLESTEROS, CESAR GALO and ALVIN BULUSAN, accused-
YES, the established doctrine is that, for the defense of alibi to prosper, the accused
appellants.
must prove, not only that he was at some other place at the time of the commission
Ponente Romero, J.
of the crime, but also that it was physically impossible for him to be at the locus
Doctrine Damages may be defined as the pecuniary compensation,
delicti or within its immediate vicinity. On the night of May 28, 1991, Galo and
recompense, or satisfaction for an injury sustained, or as otherwise
Bulusan attended the dance at the barangay hall. After the dance, they went their
expressed, the pecuniary consequences which the law imposes for the
separate ways but remained within the barangay.
breach of some duty or the violation of some right.[27] Actual or
compensatory damages are those awarded in satisfaction of, or in
recompense for, loss or injury sustained,[28] whereas moral damages
RATIO DECIDENDI
may be invoked when the complainant has experienced mental
anguish, serious anxiety, physical suffering, moral shock and so forth,
1. Was the TC correct in the award of damages to the heirs of the victims?
and had furthermore shown that these were the proximate result of
the offenders wrongful act or omission.
Digest Anton YES, damages may be defined as the pecuniary compensation, recompense, or
Writer satisfaction for an injury sustained, or as otherwise expressed, the pecuniary
Nature Appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Bangui, Ilocos consequences which the law imposes for the breach of some duty or the violation
Norte finding the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder, of some right.[27] Actual or compensatory damages are those awarded in
qualified by treachery satisfaction of, or in recompense for, loss or injury sustained,[28] whereas moral
damages may be invoked when the complainant has experienced mental anguish,
RELEVANT FACTS serious anxiety, physical suffering, moral shock and so forth, and had furthermore
shown that these were the proximate result of the offenders wrongful act or
omission.[29] In granting actual or compensatory damages, the party making a claim
Petitioner Agliam et. al on May 28, 1991, converged at a carinderia to attend a
for such must present the best evidence available, viz., receipts, vouchers, and the
dance. Shortly after at the dance, they decided to head for home because they
like,[30] as corroborated by his testimony.[31]
sensed some hostility from Cesar Galo and his companions who were giving them
dagger looks. The group had barely left when their owner jeep was fired upon from
Here, the claim for actual damages by the heirs of the victims is not controverted,
the rear. The precipitate attack upon the jeep left two people dead and four others
the same having been fully substantiated by receipts accumulated by them and
injured.
presented to the court.[32] Therefore, the award of actual damages is
Respondent Shari’a Court denies the petition and Hatima’s subsequent MR in an proper. However, the order granting compensatory damages to the heirs of Jerry
order dated August 10, 1990, on the ground that the petition is substantially for Agliam and Eduardo Tolentino Sr. must be amended. Consistent with the policy of this
change of name and that compliance with the provisions of Rule 103, Rules of Court Court, the amount of fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) is given to the heirs of the
on change of name is necessary if the petition is to be granted as it would result in victims by way of indemnity, and not as compensatory damages.[33] As regards moral
the resumption of the use of petitioner's maiden name and surname. damages, the amount of psychological pain, damage and injury caused to the heirs
of the victims, although inestimable,[34] may be determined by the trial court in its
Respondent Ballesteros et. Al appealed from the decision of the Regional Trial Court discretion.
of Bangui, Ilocos Norte finding them guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder,
 DISPOSITIVE

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the decision appealed from is hereby AFFIRMED

WITH MODIFICATION. No pronouncement as to costs.