SECOND DIVISION
[G.R. No. 222488. March 15, 2017.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,vs. MARK ARCHIE BRINGAS Y BRIONES, accused-appellant.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, Second Division, issued a Resolution dated15 March 2017which reads as follows:
"G.R. No. 222488: PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES v. MARK ARCHIE BRINGAS Y BRIONES
The Court of Appeals elevated the records of this case to this Court on February 11, 2016 1 through its May 26, 2015 Resolution, 2 which gave due course to the Notice of Appeal filed by accused-appellant, Mark Archie Bringas y Briones (Bringas).
In the Resolution 3 dated April 20, 2016, this Court noted the case records forwarded by the Court of Appeals. The parties were then ordered to file their supplemental briefs, should they so desire, within 30 days from notice.
On June 16, 2016, the Public Attorney's Office filed a Manifestation 4 on behalf of accused-appellant Bringas, stating that it would no longer file a supplemental brief. A similar Manifestation 5 was filed by the Office of the Solicitor General on June 22, 2016 on behalf of the People of the Philippines.
After evaluating the records of this case, this Court resolves to AFFIRM the assailed Court of Appeals Decision, the accused-appellant failing to show any reversible error on the part of the Court of Appeals.
However, this Court MODIFIES the exemplary damages awarded to the heirs of the deceased, Zeus Navarro, Jr. Per People v. Jugueta, 6 the previously awarded P30,000.00 is increased to P75,000.00.
WHEREFORE, the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Court of Appeals are AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION. Accused-appellant Mark Archie Bringas y Briones is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder punishable under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code. He is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Moreover, he is ordered to pay the heirs of the deceased, Zeus Navarro, Jr., P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P127,550.00 as actual damages, 7 P75,000.00 as moral damages, and P75,000.00 as exemplary damages. The monetary awards for civil liability and damages shall earn an interest rate of six (6%) percent per annum from finality of the decision until full payment. 8 aScITE
SO ORDERED."
Very truly yours,
MA. LOURDES C. PERFECTODivision Clerk of Court
By:
(SGD.) TERESITA AQUINO TUAZONDeputy Division Clerk of Court
Footnotes
1.Rollo, p. 1.
2. CA rollo, p. 114.
3.Rollo, pp. 18-19.
4.Id. at 20-34.
5.Id. at 35-39.
6. G.R. No. 202124. April 5, 2016 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2016/april2016/202124.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
7. CA rollo, p. 18. The amount represents the funeral and burial expenses incurred by the heirs of the deceased.
8.Nacar v. Gallery Frames, G.R. No. 189871. August 13, 2013 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2013/august2013/189871.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].