G.R. No. 219830 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. ROBERTO O. BATUHAN AND ASHLEY PLANAS LACTURAN, ACCUSED-.D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

Accordingly, we resolve to reduce the maximum of the indeterminate sentence to 6 years, 1 month and 11 days of prision mayor. We maintain the minimum of the indeterminate sentence imposed by the CA i.e. 4 years and 2 months of prision correccional. Moreover, to conform with recent jurisprudence, the amount of damages awarded by the CA to AAA must be modified. In line with the ruling in People v. Jugueta, [52] Batuhan is liable to pay AAA the following amounts: P2,130 as actual damages; P75,000.00 as civil indemnity; P75,000.00 as moral damages; and P75,000.00 as exemplary damages. Lacturan, on the other hand, must pay Bacumo P2,500, but as actual damages and not as civil indemnity. This amount represents the value of the property stolen from the victim. [53] The award of moral damages to Bacumo in the amount of P20,000 is proper [54] and must be sustained. WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant appeal is DENIED. The Court of Appeals Decision dated 17 March 2015 in CA-G.R. CEB-CR-HC No. 01366 is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION in regard to the period of imprisonment of Ashley Planas Lacturan and the amount of damages to be paid to AAA. Accused Ashley Planas Lacturan is hereby sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of 4 years and 2 months of prision correccional, as minimum, to 6 years, 1 month and 11 days of prision mayor, as maximum. Accused-appellant Roberto Batuhan is ordered to pay AAA: (a) P2,130 as actual damages; (b) P75,000.00 as civil indemnity; (c) P75,000.00 as moral damages; and (d) P75,000.00 as exemplary damages. Accused-appellant Ashley Planas Lacturan is ordered to pay Melito Bacumo: (a) P2,500 as actual damages; and (b) P20,000 as moral damages. All the monetary awards for damages shall earn interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of finality of this Resolution until fully paid. SO ORDERED.