THIRD DIVISION
[G.R. No. 239785. March 11, 2020.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,vs. JAIME GARCIA, JR., accused-appellant.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, Third Division, issued a Resolution datedMarch 11, 2020, which reads as follows:
"G.R. No. 239785 (PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee v. JAIME GARCIA, JR., accused-appellant). — On April 26, 2018, the Court of Appeals elevated the records of this case to this Court in compliance with its February 16, 2017 Resolution, 1 which gave due course to the Notice of Appeal filed by accused-appellant Jaime Garcia, Jr.
In its July 23, 2018 Resolution, 2 this Court noted the records forwarded by the Court of Appeals and informed the parties that they may file their supplemental briefs, if they so desire, within 30 days from notice.
On October 1, 2018, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a Manifestation 3 adopting its Appellee's Brief filed before the Court of Appeals. A similar Manifestation 4 was filed by the Public Attorney's Office on behalf of accused-appellant.
After an evaluation of the case records, this Court resolves to affirm the conviction of accused-appellant and dismiss the appeal, there being no reversible error in the assailed Decision that would warrant the exercise of this Court's appellate jurisdiction. However, in accordance with People v. Jugueta, 5 where this Court clarified that "for qualified rape: where the penalty imposed is Death but reduced to reclusion perpetua because of [Republic Act No.] 9346, the civil indemnity and moral damages should be P100,000.00 each, as well as exemplary damages in the amount of P100,000.00," this Court modifies the award of civil indemnity and moral damages to P100,000.00 each. Further, exemplary damages is awarded at P100,000.00.
WHEREFORE, this Court ADOPTS the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals. The Decision dated January 19, 2017 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 07359 is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION. This Court finds accused-appellant Jaime Garcia, Jr. GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Rape. He is sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua and to pay private complainant civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages at P100,000.00 each, and the costs of the suit.
All damages awarded shall be subject to the interest rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the finality of this Resolution until fully paid. 6
SO ORDERED."
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) MISAEL DOMINGO C. BATTUNG IIIDivision Clerk of Court
Footnotes
1.Rollo, p. 19.
2.Rollo, pp. 21-22.
3.Rollo, pp. 23-24.
4.Rollo, pp. 32-33.
5. 783 Phil. 806 (2016) [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
6.Nacar v. Gallery Frames, 716 Phil. 267 (2013) [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].