G.R. No. 118967 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. ERNESTO DELA CRUZ. D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

WHEREFORE, the Court hereby finds the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of murder defined and penalized by Art. 248 par. 1 and 5, Revised Penal Code, qualified by treachery and evident premeditation attended by the aggravating circumstance of nighttime (Art. 14, par. 6, RPC). He is sentenced to serve imprisonment of reclusion perpetua with all its accessory penalties. Only the constitutional proscription against the imposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes committed before 01 January 1994 prevents this Court from imposing the supreme penalty. He is further directed to pay the heirs of the victim P50,000.00 as indemnification of the death of the deceased, P10,000.00 for moral damages and P20,000.00 for exemplary damages with prejudice against the grant of parole or pardon, and costs. SO ORDERED.