FIRST DIVISION ESMERALDO RIVERA, ISMAEL G.R. No. 166326 RIVERA, EDGARDO RIVERA, Petitioners, Present: PANGANIBAN, C.J.

, Chairperson, YNARES-SANTIAGO, AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ, CALLEJO, SR., an C!ICO-NAZARIO, JJ. Pro"#$%ate : PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Res&on ent. Jan#ar' (), (**+

- versus -

,------------------------------------ --------------, DECISION CALLEJO, SR., J.: T-is is a &etition .or re/ie0 o. t-e 1e2ision o. t-e Co#rt o. A&&ea$s 3CA4 in CA-G.R. CR No. (5(6) a..ir"in%, 0it- "o i.i2ation, t-e 1e2ision o. t-e Re%iona$ Tria$ Co#rt 3RTC4 o. Ca/ite, Bran2- 7*, in Cri"ina$ Case No. +7+(-77, entit$e People of the Philippines. v. Esmeraldo Rivera, et al.
[1] [2]

On A&ri$ 6(, 6777, an In.or"ation 0as .i$e in t-e RTC o. I"#s, Ca/ite, 2-ar%in% Es"era$ o, Is"ae$ an E %ar o, a$$ s#rna"e Ri/era, o. atte"&te "#r er. T-e a22#sator' &ortion o. t-e In.or"ation rea s:

T-at on or a8o#t t-e 9r a' o. Ma' 677:, in t-e M#ni2i&a$it' o. 1as"ari;as, Pro/in2e o. Ca/ite, P-i$i&&ines, an 0it-in t-e <#ris i2tion o. t-is !onora8$e Co#rt, t-e a8o/e-na"e a22#se , 2ons&irin%, 2on.e eratin% an "#t#a$$' -e$&in% one anot-er, 0it- intent to =i$$, 0it- trea2-er' an e/i ent &re"e itation, i t-en an t-ere, 0i$.#$$', #n$a0.#$$', an .e$onio#s$' atta2=, assa#$t an -it 0it- a &ie2e o. -o$$o0 8$o2=, one RUBEN RO1IL 0-o t-ere8' s#staine a non-"orta$ in<#r' on -is -ea an on t-e i..erent &arts o. -is 8o ', t-e a22#se t-#s 2o""en2e t-e 2o""ission o. t-e .e$on' ire2t$' 8' o/ert a2ts, 8#t .ai$e to &er.or" a$$ t-e a2ts o. e,e2#tion 0-i2- 0o#$ &ro #2e t-e 2ri"e o. M#r er 8' reason o. so"e 2a#ses ot-er t-an t-eir o0n s&ontaneo#s esistan2e, t-at is, t-e sai R#8en Ro i$ 0as a8$e to ran 3sic4 a0a' an t-e ti"e$' res&onse o. t-e &o$i2e"en, to -is a"a%e an &re<# i2e. CONTRARY TO LA>.
[3]

R#8en Ro i$ testi.ie t-at -e #se to 0or= as a ta,i ri/er. !e sto&&e ri/in% in A&ri$ 677: a.ter a 0o#$ -8e ra&ist t-reatene -is $i.e. !e 0as e/en %i/en a 2itation as a Bayaning Pilipino 8' t-e te$e/ision net0or= ABS-CBN .or sa/in% t-e 0o#$ -8e /i2ti". !is 0i.e e=e o#t a $i/in% as a "ani2#rist. T-e' an t-eir t-ree 2-i$ ren resi e in Baran%a' San Isi ro La8ra or II, 1as"ari;as, Ca/ite, near t-e -o#se o. Es"era$ o Ri/era an -is 8rot-ers Is"ae$ an E %ar o. At noon o. Ma' (, 677:, R#8en 0ent to a near8' store to 8#' .oo . E %ar o "o2=e -i" .or 8ein% <o8$ess an e&en ent on -is 0i.e .or s#&&ort. R#8en resente t-e re8#=e an -#r$e in/e2ti/es at E %ar o. A -eate e,2-an%e o. 0or s ens#e . At a8o#t 5:9* &.". t-e ne,t a', a S#n a', R#8en 0ent to t-e store to 8#' .oo an to $oo= .or -is 0i.e. !is t-ree-'ear-o$ a#%-ter 0as 0it-i". Mo"entari$', Es"era$ o an -is t0o 8rot-ers, Is"ae$ an E %ar o, e"er%e .ro" t-eir -o#se an %an%e #& on R#8en. Es"era$ o an Is"ae$ "a#$e R#8en 0it- .ist 8$o0s an -e .e$$ to t-e %ro#n . In t-at -e$&$ess &osition, E %ar o -it R#8en t-ree ti"es 0it- a -o$$o0 8$o2= on t-e &arieta$

area. Es"era$ o an Is"ae$ 2ontin#e "a#$in% R#8en. Peo&$e 0-o sa0 t-e in2i ent s-o#te : ?Awatin sila Awatin sila @ R#8en .e$t iAA' 8#t "ana%e to stan #&. Is"ae$ t-re0 a stone at -i", -ittin% -i" at t-e 8a2=. >-en &o$i2e"en on 8oar a "o8i$e 2ar arri/e , Es"era$ o, Is"ae$ an E %ar o .$e to t-eir -o#se. R#8en 0as 8ro#%-t to t-e -os&ita$. !is atten in% &-'si2ian, 1r. La"8erto Ca%in%in, Jr., si%ne a "e i2a$ 2erti.i2ate in 0-i2- -e e2$are t-at R#8en s#staine $a2erate 0o#n s on t-e &arieta$ area, 2ere8ra$ 2on2#ssion or 2ont#sion, -e"ato"a on t-e $e.t #&&er 8#tto2=s, "#$ti&$e a8rasions on t-e $e.t s-o#$ er an -e"ato"a &erior8ita$ $e.t. T-e o2tor e2$are t-at t-e $a2erate 0o#n in t-e &arieta$ area 0as s$i%-t an s#&er.i2ia$ an 0o#$ -ea$ .ro" one to se/en a's. T-e o2tor &res2ri8e "e i2ine .or R#8enBs 8a2= &ain, 0-i2- -e -a to ta=e .or one "ont-.
[4] [5] [6]

Es"era$ o testi.ie t-at at aro#n 6:** &.". on Ma' 9, 677:, R#8en arri/e at -is -o#se an 8an%e t-e %ate. R#8en 2-a$$en%e -i" an -is 8rot-ers to 2o"e o#t an .i%-t. >-en -e 0ent o#t o. t-e -o#se an ta$=e to R#8en, t-e $atter &#n2-e -i". T-e' 0rest$e 0it- ea2- ot-er. !e .e$$ to t-e %ro#n . E %ar o arri/e an &#s-e R#8en asi e. !is 0i.e arri/e , an -e 0as &#$$e a0a' an 8ro#%-t to t-eir -o#se. Cor -is &art, Is"ae$ testi.ie t-at -e trie to &a2i.' R#8en an -is 8rot-er Es"era$ o, 8#t R#8en %ra88e -i" 8' t-e -air. !e "ana%e to .ree -i"se$. .ro" R#8en an t-e $atter .$e . !e 0ent -o"e a.ter0ar s. !e i not see -is 8rot-er E %ar o at t-e s2ene. E %ar o e2$are t-at at a8o#t 6:** &.". on Ma' 9, 677:, -e 0as t-ro0in% %ar8a%e in .ront o. t-eir -o#se. R#8en arri/e an -e 0ent insi e t-e -o#se to a/oi a 2on.rontation. R#8en 8an%e t-e %ate an or ere -i" to %et o#t o. t-eir -o#se an e/en t-reatene to s-oot -i". !is 8rot-er Es"era$ o 0ent o#t o. t-eir -o#se an as=e R#8en 0-at t-e &ro8$e" 0as.

A .ist .i%-t ens#e . E %ar o r#s-e o#t o. t-e -o#se an &#s-e R#8en asi e. R#8en .e$$ to t-e %ro#n . >-en -e stoo #&, -e &#$$e at E %ar oBs s-irt an -air, an , in t-e &ro2ess, R#8enBs -ea -it t-e $a"& &ost.
[7]

On A#%#st 9*, (**(, t-e tria$ 2o#rt ren ere <# %"ent .in in% a$$ t-e a22#se %#i$t' 8e'on reasona8$e o#8t o. .r#strate "#r er. T-e is&ositi/e &ortion o. t-e e2ision rea s:
>!ERECORE, &re"ises 2onsi ere , a$$ t-e a22#se are .o#n GUILTY 8e'on reasona8$e o#8t an are senten2e to an i"&rison"ent o. si, 3+4 'ears an one 364 a' to ei%-t 3:4 'ears o.prision mayor as t-e &rose2#tion -as &ro/e 8e'on reasona8$e o#8t t-e 2#$&a8i$it' o. t-e a22#se . Li=e0ise, t-e a22#se are to &a', <oint$' an se/era$$', 2i/i$ in e"nit' to t-e &ri/ate 2o"&$ainant in t-e a"o#nt o. P9*,***.**. SO OR1ERE1.
[8]

T-e tria$ 2o#rt %a/e no 2re en2e to t-e 2o$$e2ti/e testi"onies o. t-e a22#se an t-eir 0itnesses. T-e a22#se a&&ea$e to t-e CA, 0-i2ren ere <# %"ent on J#ne :, (**D a..ir"in%, 0it- "o i.i2ation, t-e a&&ea$e e2ision. T-e is&ositi/e &ortion o. t-e CA e2ision rea s:
>!ERECORE, t-e 1e2ision o. t-e Re%iona$ Tria$ Co#rt o. I"#s, Ca/ite, Bran2- 7*, is MO1ICIE1 in t-at t-e a&&e$$ants are 2on/i2te o. ATTEMPTE1 MUR1ER an senten2e to an in eter"inate &ena$t' o. ( 'ears o. prision correccional as "ini"#" to + 'ears an 6 a' o. prision mayor as "a,i"#". In a$$ ot-er res&e2ts, t-e e2ision a&&ea$e .ro" is ACCIRME1. SO OR1ERE1.
[9]

T-e a22#se , no0 &etitioners, .i$e t-e instant &etition .or re/ie0 on certiorari, a$$e%in% t-at t-e CA erre in a..ir"in% t-e RTC e2ision. T-e' insist t-at t-e &rose2#tion .ai$e to &ro/e t-at t-e' -a t-e intention to =i$$ R#8en 0-en t-e' "a#$e an -it -i" 0it- a -o$$o0 8$o2=. Petitioners a/er t-at, 8ase on t-e testi"on' o. 1r. Ca%in%in, R#8en s#staine on$' a

s#&er.i2ia$ 0o#n in t-e &arieta$ areaE -en2e, t-e' s-o#$ 8e -e$ 2ri"ina$$' $ia8$e .or &-'si2a$ in<#ries on$'. E/en i. &etitioners -a t-e intent to =i$$ R#8en, t-e &rose2#tion .ai$e to &ro/e trea2-er'E -en2e, t-e' s-o#$ 8e -e$ %#i$t' on$' o. atte"&te -o"i2i e. On t-e ot-er -an , t-e CA -e$ t-at t-e &rose2#tion 0as a8$e to &ro/e &etitionersB intent to =i$$ R#8en:
On t-e .irst assi%ne error, intent to =i$$ "a' 8e e #2e .ro" t-e nat#re o. t-e 0o#n in.$i2te an t-e =in o. 0ea&on #se . Intent to =i$$ 0as esta8$is-e 8' /i2ti" R#8en Ro i$ in -is testi"on' as .o$$o0s: F: An 0-i$e 'o# 0ere 8ein% 8o,e 8' Es"era$ o an Bon%, 0-at -a&&ene ne,tG A: >-en I 0as a$rea ' $'in% H o0nI ,,,, 1a%o$ Ri/era s-o0e #& 0it- a &ie2e o. -o$$o0 8$o2= ,,, an -it "e t-ri2e on t-e -ea , Sir. F: An 0-at a8o#t t-e t0o 3(4, 0-at 0ere t-e' oin% 0-en 'o# 0ere -it 0it- a -o$$o0 8$o2= 8' 1a%o$G A: I 0as a$rea ' $'in% on t-e %ro#n an t-e' =e&t on 8o,in% "e 0-i$e 1a%o$ 0as -ittin%, Sir. As ear$ier state 8' 1r. Ca%in%in, a&&e$$ants 2o#$ -a/e =i$$e t-e /i2ti" -a t-e -o$$o0 8$o2= ire2t$' -it -is -ea , an -a t-e &o$i2e not &ro"&t$' inter/ene so t-at t-e 8rot-ers s2a"&ere a0a'. >-en a 0o#n is not s#..i2ient to 2a#se eat-, 8#t intent to =i$$ is e/i ent, t-e 2ri"e is atte"&te . Intent to =i$$ 0as s-o0n 8' t-e .a2t t-at t-e 394 8rot-ers -e$&e ea2- ot-er "a#$ t-e e.ense$ess /i2ti", an e/en a.ter -e -a a$rea ' .a$$en to t-e %ro#n E t-at one o. t-e" e/en &i2=e #& a 2e"ent -o$$o0 8$o2= an &ro2ee e to -it t-e /i2ti" on t-e -ea 0it- it t-ree ti"esE an t-at it 0as on$' t-e arri/a$ o. t-e &o$i2e"en t-at "a e t-e a&&e$$ants esist .ro" t-eir 2on2erte a2t o. tr'in% to =i$$ R#8en Ro i$.
[10]

T-e O..i2e o. t-e So$i2itor Genera$ 3OSG4, .or its &art, asserts t-at t-e e2ision o. t-e CA is 2orre2t, t-#s:
T-e e/i en2e an testi"onies o. t-e &rose2#tion 0itnesses e.eat t-e &res#"&tion o. inno2en2e raise 8' &etitioners. T-e 2ri"e -as 8een 2$ear$' esta8$is-e 0it- &etitioners as t-e &er&etrators. T-eir intent to =i$$ is /er' e/i ent an 0as esta8$is-e 8e'on reasona8$e o#8t. E'e0itnesses to t-e 2ri"e, A$i2ia Jera Cr#A an L#2ita Ji$$e<o 2$ear$' an 2ate%ori2a$$' e2$are t-at t-e /i2ti" R#8en Ro i$ 0as 0a$=in% a$on% St. Peter A/en#e 0-en -e 0as s# en$' 8o,e 8' Es"era$ o ?Ba8'@ Ri/era. T-e' .#rt-er narrate t-at, soon t-erea.ter, -is t0o 8rot-ers Is"ae$ an E %ar o ?1a%#$@ Ri/era, 2o"in% .ro" St. Peter

II, %an%e #& on t-e /i2ti". Bot- A$i2ia Jera Cr#A an L#2ita Ji$$e<o re2o#nte t-at t-e' sa0 E %ar o ?1a%#$@ Ri/era &i2= #& a -o$$o0 8$o2= an -it R#8en Ro i$ 0it- it t-ree 394 ti"es. A 2are.#$ re/ie0 o. t-eir testi"onies re/ea$e t-e s# enness an #ne,&e2te ness o. t-e atta2= o. &etitioners. In t-is 2ase, t-e /i2ti" i not e/en -a/e t-e s$i%-test 0arnin% o. t-e an%er t-at $a' a-ea as -e 0as 2arr'in% -is t-ree-'ear o$ a#%-ter. !e 0as 2a#%-t o..-%#ar 8' t-e assa#$t o. Es"era$ o ?Ba8'@ Ri/era an t-e si"#$taneo#s atta2= o. t-e t0o ot-er &etitioners. It 0as a$so esta8$is-e t-at t-e /i2ti" 0as -it 8' E %ar o ?1a%#$@ Ri/era, 0-i$e -e 0as $'in% on t-e %ro#n an 8ein% "a#$e 8' t-e ot-er &etitioners. Petitioners 2o#$ -a/e =i$$e t-e /i2ti" -a -e not "ana%e to es2a&e an -a t-e &o$i2e not &ro"&t$' inter/ene . Petitioners a$so ra0 attention to t-e .a2t t-at t-e in<#r' s#staine 8' t-e /i2ti" 0as s#&er.i2ia$ an , t-#s, not $i.e t-reatenin%. T-e nat#re o. t-e in<#r' oes not ne%ate t-e intent to =i$$. T-e Co#rt o. A&&ea$s -e$ : As ear$ier state 8' 1r. Ca%in%in, a&&e$$ants 2o#$ -a/e =i$$e t-e /i2ti" -a t-e -o$$o0 8$o2= ire2t$' -it -is -ea , an -a t-e &o$i2e not &ro"&t$' inter/ene so t-at t-e 8rot-ers s2a"&ere a0a'. >-en a 0o#n is not s#..i2ient to 2a#se eat-, 8#t intent to =i$$ is e/i ent, t-e 2ri"e is atte"&te . Intent to =i$$ 0as s-o0n 8' t-e .a2t t-at t-e t-ree 394 8rot-ers -e$&e ea2- ot-er "a#$ t-e e.ense$ess /i2ti", an e/en a.ter -e -a a$rea ' .a$$en to t-e %ro#n E t-at one o. t-e" &i2=e #& a 2e"ent -o$$o0 8$o2= an &ro2ee e to -it t-e /i2ti" on t-e -ea 0it- it t-ree ti"esE an t-at it 0as on$' t-e arri/a$ o. t-e &o$i2e"en t-at "a e t-e a&&e$$ants esist .ro" t-eir 2on2erte a2t o. tr'in% to =i$$ R#8en Ro i$.
[11]

T-e &etition is enie .or $a2= o. "erit. An essentia$ e$e"ent o. "#r er an -o"i2i e, 0-et-er in t-eir 2ons#""ate , .r#strate or atte"&te sta%e, is intent o. t-e o..en ers to =i$$ t-e /i2ti" i""e iate$' 8e.ore or si"#$taneo#s$' 0it- t-e in.$i2tion o. in<#ries. Intent to =i$$ is a s&e2i.i2 intent 0-i2- t-e &rose2#tion "#st &ro/e

8' ire2t or 2ir2#"stantia$ e/i en2e, 0-i$e %enera$ 2ri"ina$ intent is &res#"e .ro" t-e 2o""ission o. a .e$on' 8' dolo. In People v. !elim, t-e Co#rt e2$are t-at e/i en2e to &ro/e intent to =i$$ in 2ri"es a%ainst &ersons "a' 2onsist, inter alia, in t-e "eans #se 8' t-e "a$e.a2tors, t-e nat#re, $o2ation an n#"8er o. 0o#n s s#staine 8' t-e
[12]

/i2ti", t-e 2on #2t o. t-e "a$e.a2tors 8e.ore, at t-e ti"e, or i""e iate$' a.ter t-e =i$$in% o. t-e /i2ti", t-e 2ir2#"stan2es #n er 0-i2t-e 2ri"e 0as 2o""itte an t-e "oti/es o. t-e a22#se . I. t-e /i2ti" ies as a res#$t o. a e$i8erate a2t o. t-e "a$e.a2tors, intent to =i$$ is &res#"e . In t-e &resent 2ase, t-e &rose2#tion "#stere t-e reK#isite K#ant#" o. e/i en2e to &ro/e t-e intent o. &etitioners to =i$$ R#8en. Es"era$ o an Is"ae$ &#""e$e t-e /i2ti" 0it- .ist 8$o0s. E/en as R#8en .e$$ to t-e %ro#n , #na8$e to e.en -i"se$. a%ainst t-e s# en an s#staine assa#$t o. &etitioners, E %ar o -it -i" t-ree ti"es 0it- a -o$$o0 8$o2=. E %ar o trie to -it R#8en on t-e -ea , "isse , 8#t sti$$ "ana%e to -it t-e /i2ti" on$' in t-e &arieta$ area, res#$tin% in a $a2erate 0o#n an 2ere8ra$ 2ont#sions. T-at t-e -ea 0o#n s s#staine 8' t-e /i2ti" 0ere "ere$' s#&er.i2ia$ an 2o#$ not -a/e &ro #2e -is eat- oes not ne%ate &etitionersB 2ri"ina$ $ia8i$it' .or atte"&te "#r er. E/en i. E %ar o i not -it t-e /i2ti" sK#are$' on t-e -ea , &etitioners are sti$$ 2ri"ina$$' $ia8$e .or atte"&te "#r er. T-e $ast &ara%ra&- o. Arti2$e + o. t-e Re/ise Pena$ Co e e.ines an atte"&t to 2o""it a .e$on', t-#s:
T-ere is an atte"&t 0-en t-e o..en er 2o""en2es t-e 2o""ission o. a .e$on' ire2t$' 8' o/ert a2ts, an oes not &er.or" a$$ t-e a2ts o. e,e2#tion 0-i2- s-o#$ &ro #2e t-e .e$on' 8' reason o. so"e 2a#se or a22i ent ot-er t-an -is o0n s&ontaneo#s esistan2e.

T-e essentia$ e$e"ents o. an atte"&te .e$on' are as .o$$o0s:

9. T-e o..en erBs a2t 8e not sto&&e 8' -is o0n s&ontaneo#s esistan2eE

D. T-e non-&er.or"an2e o. a$$ a2ts o. e,e2#tion 0as #e to 2a#se or a22i ent ot-er t-an -is s&ontaneo#s esistan2e.
[13]

T-e .irst reK#isite o. an atte"&te .e$on' 2onsists o. t0o e$e"ents, na"e$':

3(4 S#2- e,terna$ a2ts -a/e ire2t 2onne2tion 0it- t-e 2ri"e inten e to 8e 2o""itte .
[14]

T-e Co#rt in People v. "i#ada e$a8orate on t-e 2on2e&t o. an o/ert or e,terna$ a2t, t-#s:
[15]

An o/ert or e,terna$ a2t is e.ine as so"e &-'si2a$ a2ti/it' or ee , in i2atin% t-e intention to 2o""it a &arti2#$ar 2ri"e, "ore t-an a "ere &$annin% or &re&aration, 0-i2- i. 2arrie o#t to its 2o"&$ete ter"ination .o$$o0in% its nat#ra$ 2o#rse, 0it-o#t 8ein% .r#strate 8' e,terna$ o8sta2$es nor 8' t-e s&ontaneo#s esistan2e o. t-e &er&etrator, 0i$$ $o%i2a$$' an ne2essari$' ri&en into a 2on2rete o..ense. T-e raison d$etre .or t-e $a0 reK#irin% a ire2t o/ert a2t is t-at, in a "a<orit' o. 2ases, t-e 2on #2t o. t-e a22#se 2onsistin% "ere$' o. a2ts o. &re&aration -as ne/er 2ease to 8e eK#i/o2a$E an t-is is ne2essari$' so, irres&e2ti/e o. -is e2$are intent. It is t-at K#a$it' o. 8ein% eK#i/o2a$ t-at "#st 8e $a2=in% 8e.ore t-e a2t 8e2o"es one 0-i2- "a' 8e sai to 8e a 2o""en2e"ent o. t-e 2o""ission o. t-e 2ri"e, or an o/ert a2t or 8e.ore an' .ra%"ent o. t-e 2ri"e itse$. -as 8een 2o""itte , an t-is is so .or t-e reason t-at so $on% as t-e eK#i/o2a$ K#a$it' re"ains, no one 2an sa' 0it- 2ertaint' 0-at t-e intent o. t-e a22#se is. It is ne2essar' t-at t-e o/ert a2t s-o#$ -a/e 8een t-e #$ti"ate ste& to0ar s t-e 2ons#""ation o. t-e esi%n. It is s#..i2ient i. it 0as t-e ?.irst or so"e s#8seK#ent ste& in a ire2t "o/e"ent to0ar s t-e 2o""ission o. t-e o..ense a.ter t-e &re&arations are "a e.@ T-e a2t one nee not 2onstit#te t-e $ast &ro,i"ate one .or 2o"&$etion. It is ne2essar', -o0e/er, t-at t-e atte"&t "#st -a/e a 2a#sa$ re$ation to t-e inten e 2ri"e. In t-e 0or s o. Jia a, t-e o/ert a2ts "#st -a/e an i""e iate an ne2essar' re$ation to t-e o..ense.
[16]

In t-e 2ase at 8ar, &etitioners, 0-o a2te in 2on2ert, 2o""en2e t-e .e$on' o. "#r er 8' "a#$in% t-e /i2ti" an -ittin% -i" t-ree ti"es 0it- a -o$$o0 8$o2=E t-e' narro0$' "isse -ittin% t-e "i $e &ortion o. -is -ea . I. E %ar o -a one so, R#8en 0o#$ s#re$' -a/e ie .

>e re<e2t &etitionersB 2ontention t-at t-e &rose2#tion .ai$e to &ro/e trea2-er' in t-e 2o""ission o. t-e .e$on'. Petitioners atta2=e t-e /i2ti" in a s# en an #ne,&e2te "anner as R#8en 0as 0a$=in% 0it- -is t-ree-'earo$ a#%-ter, i"&er/io#s o. t-e i""inent &eri$ to -is $i.e. !e -a no 2-an2e to e.en -i"se$. an reta$iate. !e 0as o/er0-e$"e 8' t-e s'n2-roniAe assa#$t o. t-e t-ree si8$in%s. T-e essen2e o. trea2-er' is t-e s# en an #ne,&e2te atta2= on t-e /i2ti". E/en i. t-e atta2= is .ronta$ 8#t is s# en an #ne,&e2te , %i/in% no o&&ort#nit' .or t-e /i2ti" to re&e$ it or e.en -i"se$., t-ere 0o#$ 8e trea2-er'. O8/io#s$', &etitioners assa#$te t-e /i2ti" 8e2a#se o. t-e a$ter2ation 8et0een -i" an &etitioner E %ar o Ri/era a a' 8e.ore. T-ere 8ein% 2ons&ira2' 8' an a"on% &etitioners, trea2-er' is 2onsi ere a%ainst a$$ o. t-e".
[17] [18] [19]

T-e a&&e$$ate 2o#rt senten2e &etitioners to s#..er an in eter"inate &ena$t' o. t0o 3(4 'ears o. prision correccional in its "ini"#" &erio , as "ini"#", to si, 'ears an one a' o. prision mayor in its "a,i"#" &erio , as "a,i"#". T-is is erroneo#s. Un er Arti2$e (D: o. t-e Re/ise Pena$ Co e, as a"en e 8' Re&#8$i2 A2t No. 5+)7, t-e &ena$t' .or "#r er is reclusion perpetua to eat-. Sin2e &etitioners are %#i$t' on$' o. atte"&te "#r er, t-e &ena$t' s-o#$ 8e re #2e 8' t0o e%rees, 2on.or"a8$' to Arti2$e )6 o. t-e Re/ise Pena$ Co e. Un er &ara%ra&- ( o. Arti2$e +6, in re$ation to Arti2$e 56 o. t-e Re/ise Pena$ Co e, s#2- a &ena$t' is prision mayor. In t-e a8sen2e o. an' "o i.'in% 2ir2#"stan2e in t-e 2o""ission o. t-e .e$on' 3ot-er t-an t-e K#a$i.'in% 2ir2#"stan2e o. trea2-er'4, t-e "a,i"#" o. t-e in eter"inate &ena$t' s-a$$ 8e ta=en .ro" t-e "e i#" &erio o. prision mayor 0-i2- -as a ran%e o. .ro" ei%-t 3:4 'ears an one 364 a' to ten 36*4 'ears. To eter"ine t-e "ini"#" o. t-e in eter"inate &ena$t', t-e &ena$t' o. prision mayor s-o#$ 8e re #2e 8' one e%ree, prision correccional, 0-i2- -as a ran%e o. si, 3+4 "ont-s an one 364 a' to si, 3+4 'ears.

!en2e, &etitioners s-o#$ 8e senten2e to s#..er an in eter"inate &ena$t' o. .ro" t0o 3(4 'ears o. prision correccional in its "ini"#" &erio , as "ini"#", to nine 374 'ears an .o#r 3D4 "ont-s o. prision mayor in its "e i#" &erio , as "a,i"#". IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FOREGOING, t-e &etition is DENIED .or $a2= o. "erit. T-e 1e2ision o. t-e Co#rt o. A&&ea$s is AFFIRMED WITH THE MODIFICATION t-at &etitioners are senten2e to s#..er an in eter"inate &ena$t' o. .ro" t0o 3(4 'ears o. prision correccional in its "ini"#" &erio , as "ini"#", to nine 374 'ears an .o#r 3D4 "ont-s o. prision mayor in its "e i#" &erio , as "a,i"#". No 2osts. SO ORDERED