G.R. NO. 159734 - ROSARIO V. ASTUDILLO, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Ruling

accordingly sentenced as follows: IN CRIMINAL CASE NO. Q-96-67827 Accused Roberto F. Benitez, Rosario Astudillo a.k.a. "Baby", and Filipina Orellana y Macaraeg shall each suffer imprisonment of TWELVE (12) YEARS and ONE (1) DAY, as minimum, to FOURTEEN (14) YEARS, as maximum, of reclusion temporal, and to pay the amount of P797,984.00, jointly and severally for their civil liability; IN CRIMINAL CASE NO. Q-96-67829 Accused Rosario Astudillo a.k.a. "Baby", shall suffer imprisonment of TWELVE (12) YEARS and ONE (1) DAY, as minimum, to FOURTEEN (14) YEARS , as maximum, of reclusion temporal, and to pay the amount of P12,665.00 for her civil liability; IN CRIMINAL CASE NO. Q-96-67830 Accused Filipina Orellana y Macaraeg , shall suffer imprisonment of TWELVE (12) YEARS and ONE (1) DAY , as minimum, to FOURTEEN (14) YEARS , as maximum, of reclusion temporal, and to pay the sum of P4,755.00 for her civil liability; and IN CRIMINAL CASE NO. Q-96-67831 Accused Roberto F. Benitez, shall suffer imprisonment of TWELVE (12) YEARS and ONE (1) DAY, as minimum, to FOURTEEN (14) YEARS , as maximum, of reclusion temporal, and to pay the amount of P11,079.00 for his civil liability. The penalties imposed on all the accused are quite harsh, but as the maxim goes, "Dura Lex Sed Lex", the Court could not impose otherwise. SO ORDERED.