antonio vs. reyes, 484 scra 353, march 10, 2006.doc

8/14/2019 Antonio vs. Reyes, 484 SCRA 353, March 10, 2006.doc

1/36

THIRD DIVISION

LEONILO ANTONIO G.R. No. 155800

Petitioner,

Present:

- versus - QUISUMING!

Chairman!

"ARPIO

"ARPIO MORALES! #n$MARIE I%ONNE &. RE'ES! TINGA!JJ.

Res(on$ent.

Pro)u*+#te$:

M#r, 10! 00/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D E C I S I O N

TINGA!J.:

St#tisti,s never *ie! ut *overs o2ten $o! 3ui((e$ # s#+e. Tis s#$

trut #s unsett*e$ )#n4 # *ove tr#ns2or)e$ into )#tri)on4. An4 sort

o2 $e,e(tion eteen s(ouses! no )#tter te +r#vit4! is #*#4s

$is3uietin+. 6e,eit to te $e(t #n$ re#$t unvei*e$ in te 2o**oin+

(#+es! $#r7 #n$ irr#tion#* #s in te )o$ern noir t#*e! $i)s #n4 tr#,e o2

,ertitu$e on te +ui*t4 s(ouses ,#(#i*it4 to 2u*2i** te )#rit#*

o*i+#tions even )ore.


2/36


3/36

o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e. e #sserte$ t#t res(on$ents in,#(#,it4

eiste$ #t te ti)e teir )#rri#+e #s ,e*er#te$ #n$ sti** susists u( to

te (resent.898

As )#ni2est#tions o2 res(on$ents #**e+e$ (s4,o*o+i,#*

in,#(#,it4! (etitioner ,*#i)e$ t#t res(on$ent (ersistent*4 *ie$ #out

erse*2! te (eo(*e #roun$ er! er o,,u(#tion! in,o)e! e$u,#tion#*

#tt#in)ent #n$ oter events or tin+s!;9;to it:

?1@ Se ,on,e#*e$ te 2#,t t#t se (revious*4 +#ve irt to #n

i**e+iti)#te son!10910#n$ inste#$ intro$u,e$ te o4 to (etitioner #s te

#$o(te$ ,i*$ o2 er 2#)i*4. Se on*4 ,on2esse$ te trut #out te

o4s (#rent#+e en (etitioner *e#rne$ #out it 2ro) oter sour,es

#2ter teir )#rri#+e.11911

?@ Se 2#ri,#te$ # stor4 t#t er roter-in-*#! E$in 6#vi$!

#tte)(te$ to r#(e #n$ 7i** er en in 2#,t! no su, in,i$ent o,,urre$. 1

91

?>@ Se )isre(resente$ erse*2 #s # (s4,i#trist to er

ostetri,i#n! 6r. "onsue*o G#r$iner! #n$ to*$ so)e o2 er 2rien$s t#tse +r#$u#te$ it # $e+ree in (s4,o*o+4! en se #s neiter.1>91>

?


4/36

sin+*e )e)er o2 er 2#)i*4 ever itnesse$ er #**e+e$ sin+in+

#,tivities it te +rou(. In te s#)e vein! se (ostu*#te$ t#t #

*un,eon so #s e*$ #t te Pi*i((ine %i**#+e ote* in er onor#n$ even (resente$ #n invit#tion to t#t e22e,t1. See #*so re,or$s! (. ;1.1;

91;Rollo! ((. B1! ;.0

90I$.; re,or$s! (. >.


5/36

?B@ Se eiite$ inse,urities #n$ =e#*ousies over i) to te

etent o2 ,#**in+ u( is o22i,e)#tes to )onitor is ere#outs. en

e ,ou*$ no *on+er t#7e er unusu#* e#vior! e se(#r#te$ 2ro) er inAu+ust 1;;1. e trie$ to #tte)(t # re,on,i*i#tion ut sin,e er e#vior

$i$ not ,#n+e! e 2in#**4 *e2t er 2or +oo$ in Nove)er 1;;1. 191

In su((ort o2 is (etition! (etitioner (resente$ 6r. 6#nte errer#

A,e$e ?6r. A,e$e@! # (s4,i#trist! #n$ 6r. Arnu*2o %.

Lo(e ?6r. Lo(e@! # ,*ini,#* (s4,o*o+ist! o st#te$! #se$ on te

tests te4 ,on$u,te$! t#t (etitioner #s essenti#**4 # nor)#*!

intros(e,tive! s4 #n$ ,onserv#tive t4(e o2 (erson. On te oter #n$!

te4 oserve$ t#t res(on$ents (ersistent #n$ ,onst#nt *4in+

1

91Rollo! ((. B1! ;.


6/36

to (etitioner #s #nor)#* or (#to*o+i,#*. It un$er)ine$ te #si,

re*#tionsi( t#t sou*$ e #se$ on *ove! trust #n$ res(e,t.9 Te4

2urter #sserte$ t#t res(on$ents etre)e =e#*ous4 #s #*so(#to*o+i,#*. It re#,e$ te (oint o2 (#r#noi# sin,e tere #s no #,tu#*

#sis 2or er to sus(e,t t#t (etitioner #s #vin+ #n #22#ir it #noter

o)#n. Te4 ,on,*u$e$ #se$ on te 2ore+oin+ t#t res(on$ent #s

(s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ to (er2or) er essenti#* )#rit#*

o*i+#tions.>9>

In o((osin+ te (etition! res(on$ent ,*#i)e$ t#t se (er2or)e$

er )#rit#* o*i+#tions 4 #tten$in+ to #** te nee$s o2 er us#n$. Se

#sserte$ t#t tere #s no trut to te #**e+#tion t#t se 2#ri,#te$

stories! to*$ *ies #n$ invente$ (erson#*ities.


7/36

?


8/36

In #$$ition! res(on$ent (resente$ 6r. Antonio E2ren Re4es ?6r.

Re4es@! # (s4,i#trist! to re2ute te #**e+#tions #nent er (s4,o*o+i,#*

,on$ition. 6r. Re4es testi2ie$ t#t te series o2 tests ,on$u,te$ 4 is

#ssist#nt!>>9>> to+eter it te s,reenin+ (ro,e$ures #n$ te

"o)(reensive Ps4,o-P#to*o+i,#* R#tin+ S,#*e ?"PRS@ e i)se*2

,on$u,te$! *e$ i) to ,on,*u$e t#t res(on$ent #s not

(s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ to (er2or) te essenti#* )#rit#*

o*i+#tions. e (ostu*#te$ t#t re+ressive e#vior! +ross neuroti,is)!

(s4,oti, ten$en,ies! #n$ (oor ,ontro* o2 i)(u*ses! i, #re si+ns t#t

)i+t (oint to te (resen,e o2 $is#*in+ tren$s! ere not e*i,ite$ 2ro)

res(on$ent.>


9/36

tus $e,*#re$ te )#rri#+e eteen (etitioner #n$ res(on$ent nu** #n$

voi$.

Sort*4 e2ore te tri#* ,ourt ren$ere$ its $e,ision! te

Metro(o*it#n Triun#* o2 te Ar,$io,ese o2 M#ni*# #nnu**e$ te

"#to*i, )#rri#+e o2 te (#rties! on te +roun$ o2 *#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion

on te (#rt o2 te (#rties.>B9>B6urin+ te (en$en,4 o2 te #((e#* e2ore

te "ourt o2 A((e#*s! te Metro(o*it#n Triun#*s ru*in+ #s #22ir)e$

it )o$i2i,#tion 4 ot te N#tion#* A((e**#te M#tri)oni#*

Triun#*! i, e*$ inste#$ t#t on*4 res(on$ent #s i)(#ire$ 4 #

*#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion.>89>8Suse3uent*4! te $e,ision o2 te N#tion#*

A((e**#te M#tri)oni#* Triun#* #s u(e*$ 4 te Ro)#n Rot# o2 te

%#ti,#n.>;9>;

Petitioner $u*4 #*erte$ te "ourt o2 A((e#*s o2 tese ru*in+s 4

te "#to*i, triun#*s. Sti**! te #((e**#te ,ourt reverse$ te RT"s

=u$+)ent. i*e ,on,e$in+ t#t res(on$ent )#4 not #ve een

,o)(*ete*4 onest it (etitioner! te "ourt o2 A((e#*s neverte*ess

e*$ t#t te tot#*it4 o2 te evi$en,e (resente$ #s insu22i,ient to

est#*is res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4. It $e,*#re$ t#t te

re3uire)ents in te ,#se o2Republic v. Court of Appeals


10/36

In ,onsi$erin+ te )erit o2 tis (etition! te "ourt is e#vi*4

in2*uen,e$ 4 te ,re$en,e #,,or$e$ 4 te RT" to te 2#,tu#*

#**e+#tions o2 (etitioner./


11/36

o2 te )i*4 "o$e.8/ Pi*. B/0

?000@! #n$ +uenaventura v. Court of Appeals! G.R. Nos. 1B>58 J 1B


12/36

our o$4 o2 *#s! #*tou+ )ent#* in,#(#,it4 #s *on+ een re,o+nie$

#s # +roun$ 2or te $isso*ution o2 # )#rri#+e.

Te S(#nis "ivi* "o$e o2 188; (roiite$ 2ro) ,ontr#,tin+

)#rri#+e (ersons o #re not in te 2u** en=o4)ent o2 teir re#son #t

te ti)e o2 ,ontr#,tin+ )#rri#+e.H51951 M#rri#+es it su, (ersons

ere or$#ine$ #s voi$!595 in te s#)e ,*#ss #s )#rri#+es it

un$er#+e (#rties #n$ (ersons #*re#$4 )#rrie$! #)on+ oters. A (#rt4s

)ent#* ,#(#,it4 #s not # +roun$ 2or $ivor,e un$er te 6ivor,e L# o21;1B!5>95> ut # )#rri#+e ere eiter (#rt4 #s o2 unsoun$ )in$H #t

te ti)e o2 its ,e*er#tion #s ,ite$ #s #n #nnu**#*e )#rri#+eH un$er

te M#rri#+e L# o2 1;;.5A,t No. B10 ?1;[email protected] ?1;;@! Se,. >0 ?,@55

955See Ee,utive Or$er No. [email protected]

95BSee "I%IL "O6E! Art. 80.58

958Su=e,t to te s#)e 3u#*i2i,#tions un$er Arti,*e 85 ?>@ o2 te "ivi* "o$e. See note 5/.


13/36

Su, ,#use 2or te #nnu*)ent o2 )#rri#+e is re,o+nie$ #s # vi,e

o2 ,onsent! =ust *i7e ins#nit4 i)(in+es on ,onsent 2ree*4 +iven i, is

one o2 te essenti#* re3uisites o2 # ,ontr#,t.5;95; Te initi#* ,o))on

,onsensus on (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 un$er Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4

"o$e #s t#t it $i$ not ,onstitute # s(e,ie o2 vi,e o2 ,onsent. Custi,es

Se)(io-6i4 #n$ "#+uio#! ot )e)ers o2 te )i*4 "o$e revision

,o))ittee t#t $r#2te$ te "o$e! #ve o(ine$ t#t (s4,o*o+i,#*

in,#(#,it4 is not # vi,e o2 ,onsent! #n$ ,on,e$e$ t#t te s(ouse )#4

#ve +iven 2ree #n$ vo*unt#r4 ,onsent to # )#rri#+e ut #s

nonete*ess in,#(#*e o2 2u*2i**in+ su, ri+ts #n$ o*i+#tions./09/0 6r.

To*entino *i7eise st#te$ in te 1;;0 e$ition o2 is ,o))ent#ries on

te )i*4 "o$e t#t tis (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 to ,o)(*4 it te

essenti#* )#rit#* o*i+#tions $oes not #22e,t te ,onsent to te

)#rri#+e.H/19/1

Tere ere initi#* ,riti,is)s o2 tis ori+in#* un$erst#n$in+ o2

Arti,*e >/ #s (r#se$ 4 te )i*4 "o$e ,o))ittee. To*entino o(ine$

t#t (s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it4 to ,o)(*4 ou*$ note

=uri$i,#**4 $i22erent 2ro) (4si,#* in,#(#,it4 o2 ,onsu))#tin+ te

)#rri#+e! i, )#7es te )#rri#+e on*4 voi$#*e un$er Arti,*e B ?@ in re*#tion to Art. 1>18 ?1@./0

9/0See "antos v. Court of Appeals! >10 Pi*. 1! >->> ?1;;5@. See #*so A. SEMPIO 6I'!AN6OO ON TE &AMIL' "O6E O& TE PILIPPINES >B ?1;88@. A ,ontr#r4 vie tou+ #se(resse$ 4 Custi,e Ri,#r$o Puno! #*so # )e)er o2 te )i*4 "o$e ,o))ission. See "antos v. Court of

Appeals! ii$./1

9/1I A. TOLENTINO! "I%IL "O6E O& TE PILIPPINES: "OMMENTARIES AN6

CURISPRU6EN"E B


14/36

#)ount to *#,7 o2 ,onsent to te )#rri#+e.H/>9/>Tese ,on,erns tou+

ere #nsere$! e+innin+ it "antos v. Court of Appeals!/


15/36

it te essenti#* )#rit#* o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e.H/;9/; At te s#)e

ti)e! it #s een ,onsistent*4 re,o+nie$ 4 tis "ourt t#t te intent o2

te )i*4 "o$e ,o))ittee #s to $esi+n te *# #s to #**o so)eresi*ien,4 in its #((*i,#tion! 4 #voi$in+ s(e,i2i, e#)(*es t#t ou*$

*i)it te #((*i,#i*it4 o2 te (rovision un$er te (rin,i(*e o2 e3usdem

#eneris. R#ter! te (re2eren,e o2 te revision ,o))ittee #s 2or te

=u$+e to inter(ret te (rovision on a case-to-case basis, guie by

e!perience, in t"e #inings o# e!perts an researc"ers in

psyc"ological isciplines, an by ecisions o# c"urc" tribunals

$"ic", alt"oug" not bining on

/;

9/;It )#4 e note$ t#t # (revious in,#rn#tion o2 Arti,*e >/! suse3uent*4 re=e,te$ 4 te )i*4

"o$e "o))ission! st#te$ t#t #)on+ tose voi$ ab initio )#rri#+es #re tose ,ontr#,te$ 4 #n4 (#rt4

o! #t te ti)e o2 te ,e*er#tion! #s #ntin+ in te su22i,ient use o2 re#son or =u$+)ent to un$erst#n$

te essenti#* n#ture o2 )#rri#+e or #s (s4,o*o+i,#**4 or )ent#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ to $is,#r+e te essenti#*

)#rit#* o*i+#tions! even i2 su, *#,7 o2 in,#(#,it4 is )#$e )#ni2est #2ter te ,e*er#tion.H See "antosv.

Court of Appeals! su(r# note /0! #t >0.


16/36

t"e civil courts, )#4 e +iven (ersu#sive e22e,t sin,e te (rovision #s

t#7en 2ro) "#non L#.HB09B0

e *i7eise oserve$ inRepublic v. Da#da#:B19B1

eter or not (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 eists in # +iven ,#se

,#**in+ 2or #nnu*)ent o2 # )#rri#+e! $e(en$s ,ru,i#**4! )ore t#n in

#n4 2ie*$ o2 te *#! on te 2#,ts o2 te ,#se. E#, ,#se )ust e

=u$+e$! not on te #sis o2 # (riori #ssu)(tions! (re$i*e,tions or+ener#*i#tions ut #,,or$in+ to its on 2#,ts. In re+#r$ to

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s # +roun$ 2or #nnu*)ent o2 )#rri#+e! it is

trite to s#4 t#t no ,#se is on #** 2ours it #noter ,#se. Te tri#*=u$+e )ust t#7e (#ins in e#)inin+ te 2#,tu#* )i*ieu #n$ te

#((e**#te ,ourt )ust! #s )u, #s (ossi*e! #voi$ sustitutin+ its on

=u$+)ent 2or t#t o2 te tri#* ,ourt.B9B

Te "ourt tus #,7no*e$+es t#t te $e2inition o2 (s4,o*o+i,#*

in,#(#,it4! #s inten$e$ 4 te revision ,o))ittee! #s not ,#st in

intr#,t#*e s(e,i2i,s. Cu$i,i#* un$erst#n$in+ o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4

)#4 e in2or)e$ 4 evo*vin+ st#n$#r$s! t#7in+ into #,,ount te

(#rti,u*#rs o2 e#, ,#se! ,urrent tren$s in (s4,o*o+i,#* #n$ even

,#noni,#* tou+t! #n$ e(erien,e. It is un$er te #us(i,es o2 te

$e*ier#te #)i+uit4 o2 te 2r#)ers t#t te "ourt #s $eve*o(e$ te

Molina ru*es! i, #ve een ,onsistent*4 #((*ie$ sin,e 1;;B.Molina

#s (roven in$uit#*4 use2u* in (rovi$in+ # unit#r4 2r#)eor7 t#t

+ui$es ,ourts in #$=u$i,#tin+ (etitions 2or $e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4 un$er

Arti,*e >/. At te s#)e ti)e! teMolina +ui$e*ines #re not set in stone!

te ,*e#r *e+is*#tive intent )#n$#tin+ # ,#se-to-,#se (er,e(tion o2 e#,

situ#tion! #n$ Molina itse*2 #risin+ 2ro) tis evo*ution#r4

un$erst#n$in+ o2 Arti,*e >/. Tere is no ,#use to $is#vo Molina #t

B0

9B0"alita v. Ma#tolis! G.R. No. 10/ Cune 1;;> S"RA 100! 10B-108D ,itin+ A.SEMPIO-6I'! su(r# note /0! #t >B! e)(#sis su((*ie$. See #*so "antos v. Court of Appeals! su(r# note /0!

#t >/DRepublic v. Court of Appeals! su(r# note 51 S"RA


17/36

(resent! #n$ in$ee$ te $is(osition o2 tis ,#se s#** re*4 (ri)#ri*4 on

t#t (re,e$ent. Tere is nee$ tou+ to e)(#sie oter (ers(e,tives

#s e** i, sou*$ +overn te $is(osition o2 (etitions 2or $e,*#r#tiono2 nu**it4 un$er Arti,*e >/.

O2 (#rti,u*#r noti,e #s een te ,it#tion o2 te "ourt! 2irst in

"antosten inMolina! o2 te ,onsi$ere$ o(inion o2 ,#non *# e(erts

in te inter(ret#tion o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4. Tis is ut

un#voi$#*e! ,onsi$erin+ t#t te )i*4 "o$e ,o))ittee #$ *unt*4#,7no*e$+e$ t#t te ,on,e(t o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s $erive$

2ro) ,#non *#!B>9B>#n$ #s one )e)er #$)itte$! en#,te$ #s # so*ution

to te (ro*e) o2 )#rri#+es #*re#$4 #nnu**e$ 4 te "#to*i, "ur,

ut sti** eistent un$er ,ivi* *#.B/. Even tou+ te

,on,e(t )#4 #ve een $erive$ 2ro) ,#non *#! its in,or(or#tion into

te )i*4 "o$e #n$ suse3uent =u$i,i#* inter(ret#tion o,,urre$ in

o**4 se,u*#r (ro+ression. In$ee$! i*e "ur, tou+t on

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 is )ere*4 (ersu#sive on te tri#* ,ourts!

=u$i,i#* $e,isions o2 tis "ourt inter(retin+ (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4

#re in$in+ on *oer ,ourts.B/9B/

B>

9B>See"antos v. Court of Appeals! su(r# note /0! #t >->;.B/. A** too 2re3uent*4! tis "ourt #n$ *oer

,ourts! in $en4in+ (etitions o2 te 7in$! #ve 2#vor#*4 ,ite$ Se,tions 1

#n$ ! Arti,*e % o2 te "onstitution! i, res(e,tive*4 st#te t#t

9te St#te re,o+nies te &i*i(ino 2#)i*4 #s te 2oun$#tion o2 te

n#tion. A,,or$in+*4! it s#** stren+ten its so*i$#rit4 #n$ #,tive*4

(ro)ote its tot#* $eve*o()en9t!H #n$ t#t 9)#rri#+e! #s #n invio*#*e

so,i#* institution! is te 2oun$#tion o2 te 2#)i*4 #n$ s#** e (rote,te$

4 te St#te.H Tese (rovisions i+*i+t te i)(ort#n,e o2 te 2#)i*4

#n$ te ,onstitution#* (rote,tion #,,or$e$ to te institution o2 )#rri#+e.

ut te "onstitution itse*2 $oes not est#*is te (#r#)eters o2

st#te (rote,tion to )#rri#+e #s # so,i#* institution #n$ te 2oun$#tion o2

te 2#)i*4. It re)#ins te (rovin,e o2 te *e+is*#ture to $e2ine #** *e+#*

#s(e,ts o2 )#rri#+e #n$ (res,rie te str#te+4 #n$ te )o$#*ities to

(rote,t it! #se$ on #tever so,io-(o*iti,#* in2*uen,es it $ee)s (ro(er!

#n$ su=e,t o2 ,ourse to te 3u#*i2i,#tion t#t su, *e+is*#tive

en#,t)ent itse*2 #$eres to te "onstitution #n$ te i** o2 Ri+ts. Tis

ein+ te ,#se! it #*so 2#**s on te *e+is*#ture to (ut into o(er#tion te

,onstitution#* (rovisions t#t (rote,t )#rri#+e #n$ te 2#)i*4. Tis #s

een #,,o)(*ise$ #t (resent trou+ te en#,t)ent o2 te )i*4

"o$e! i, $e2ines )#rri#+e #n$ te 2#)i*4! s(e**s out te

,orres(on$in+ *e+#* e22e,ts! i)(oses te *i)it#tions t#t #22e,t )#rrie$

#n$ 2#)i*4 *i2e! #s e** #s (res,ries te +roun$s 2or $e,*#r#tion o2

nu**it4 #n$ tose 2or *e+#* se(#r#tion. i*e it )#4 #((e#r t#t te

=u$i,i#* $eni#* o2 # (etition 2or $e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4 is re2*e,tive o2 te

,onstitution#* )#n$#te to (rote,t )#rri#+e! su, #,tion in 2#,t )ere*4

i2e $urin+ teir ten ?10@ )ont )#rit#* ,o#it#tion! re)#ins # in$in+ (re,e$ent! even tou+ it #s

$e,i$e$ sort*4 e2ore teMolina,#se.


19/36

en2or,es # st#tutor4 $e2inition o2 )#rri#+e! not # ,onstitution#**4

or$#ine$ $e,ree o2 #t )#rri#+e is. In$ee$! i2 ,ir,u)st#n,es #rr#nt!

Se,tions 1 #n$ o2 Arti,*e % nee$ not e te on*4 ,onstitution#*,onsi$er#tions to e t#7en into #,,ount in reso*vin+ # (etition 2or

$e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4.

In$ee$! Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4 "o$e! in ,*#ssi24in+ )#rri#+es

,ontr#,te$ 4 # (s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ (erson #s # nu**it4!

sou*$ e $ee)e$ #s #n i)(*e)ent o2 tis ,onstitution#* (rote,tion o2

)#rri#+e. Given te #voe$ St#te interest in (ro)otin+ )#rri#+e #s te

2oun$#tion o2 te 2#)i*4! i, in turn serves #s te 2oun$#tion o2 te

n#tion! tere is # ,orres(on$in+ interest 2or te St#te to $e2en$ #+#inst

)#rri#+es i**-e3ui((e$ to (ro)ote 2#)i*4 *i2e. %oi$ ab initio)#rri#+es

un$er Arti,*e >/ $o not 2urter te initi#tives o2 te St#te ,on,ernin+

)#rri#+e #n$ 2#)i*4! #s te4 (ro)ote e$*o,7 #)on+ (ersons o! 2or

re#sons in$e(en$ent o2 teir i**! #re not ,#(#,it#te$ to un$erst#n$ or

,o)(*4 it te essenti#* o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e.

Tese #re te *e+#* (re)ises t#t in2or) us #s e $e,i$e te

(resent (etition.

Molina &uidelines As Applied in %his Case

As st#te$ e#r*ier! Molina est#*ise$ te +ui$e*ines (resent*4

re,o+nie$ in te =u$i,i#* $is(osition o2 (etitions 2or nu**it4 un$er

Arti,*e >/. Te "ourt #s ,onsistent*4 #((*ie$ Molina sin,e its

(ro)u*+#tion in 1;;B! #n$ te +ui$e*ines terein o(er#te #s te +ener#*

ru*es. Te4 #rr#nt ,it#tion in 2u**:

1@ Te ur$en o2 (roo2 to so te nu**it4 o2 te )#rri#+e

e*on+s to te (*#inti22. An4 $out sou*$ e reso*ve$ in 2#vor o2

te eisten,e #n$ ,ontinu#tion o2 te )#rri#+e #n$ #+#inst its


20/36

$isso*ution #n$ nu**it4. Tis is roote$ in te 2#,t t#t ot our"onstitution #n$ our *#s ,eris te v#*i$it4 o2 )#rri#+e #n$ unit4

o2 te 2#)i*4. Tus! our "onstitution $evotes #n entire Arti,*e on

te )i*4! re,o+niin+ it #s te 2oun$#tion o2 te n#tion.H It

$e,rees )#rri#+e #s *e+#**4 invio*#*e!H tere4 (rote,tin+ it 2ro)$isso*ution #t te i) o2 te (#rties. ot te 2#)i*4 #n$

)#rri#+e #re to e (rote,te$H 4 te st#te.

Te )i*4 "o$e e,oes tis ,onstitution#* e$i,t on

)#rri#+e #n$ te 2#)i*4 #n$ e)(#sies teir (er)#nen,e!

invio*#i*it4 #n$ so*i$#rit4.

@ Te root ,#use o2 te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 )uste: ?#@ )e$i,#**4 or ,*ini,#**4 i$enti2ie$! ?@ #**e+e$ in te

,o)(*#int! ?,@ su22i,ient*4 (roven 4 e(erts #n$ ?$@ ,*e#r*4e(*#ine$ in te $e,ision. Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4 "o$e re3uires

t#t te in,#(#,it4 )ust e (s4,o*o+i,#*not (4si,#*! #*tou+ its

)#ni2est#tions #n$or s4)(to)s )#4 e (4si,#*. Te evi$en,e

)ust ,onvin,e te ,ourt t#t te (#rties! or one o2 te)! #s)ent#**4 or (s4,i,#**4 i** to su, #n etent t#t te (erson ,ou*$

not #ve 7non te o*i+#tions e #s #ssu)in+! or 7noin+ te)!

,ou*$ not #ve +iven v#*i$ #ssu)(tion tereo2. A*tou+ no

e#)(*e o2 su, in,#(#,it4 nee$ e +iven ere so #s not to *i)it te

#((*i,#tion o2 te (rovision un$er te (rin,i(*e o2 e3usdem #eneris!

neverte*ess su, root ,#use )ust e i$enti2ie$ #s # (s4,o*o+i,#*i**ness #n$ its in,#(#,it#tin+ n#ture 2u**4 e(*#ine$. E(ert

evi$en,e )#4 e +iven 4 3u#*i2ie$ (s4,i#trists #n$ ,*ini,#*

(s4,o*o+ists.

>@ Te in,#(#,it4 )ust e (roven to e eistin+ #t te

ti)e o2 te ,e*er#tionH o2 te )#rri#+e. Te evi$en,e )ust sot#t te i**ness #s eistin+ en te (#rties e,#n+e$ teir I

$os.H Te )#ni2est#tion o2 te i**ness nee$ not e (er,eiv#*e #t

su, ti)e! ut te i**ness itse*2 )ust #ve #tt#,e$ #t su, )o)ent!

or (rior tereto.


21/36

root ,#uses. Te i**ness )ust e son #s $onri+t in,#(#,it4 orin#i*it4! not # re2us#*! ne+*e,t or $i22i,u*t4! )u, *ess i** i**. In

oter or$s! tere is # n#t#* or su(ervenin+ $is#*in+ 2#,tor in te

(erson! #n #$verse inte+r#* e*e)ent in te (erson#*it4 stru,ture t#t

e22e,tive*4 in,#(#,it#tes te (erson 2ro) re#**4 #,,e(tin+ #n$tere4 ,o)(*4in+ it te o*i+#tions essenti#* to )#rri#+e.

/@ Te essenti#* )#rit#* o*i+#tions )ust e tose

e)r#,e$ 4 Arti,*es /8 u( to B1 o2 te )i*4 "o$e #s re+#r$s te

us#n$ #n$ i2e #s e** #s Arti,*es 0! 1 #n$ 5 o2 te s#)e

"o$e in re+#r$ to (#rents #n$ teir ,i*$ren. Su, non-,o)(*ie$

)#rit#* o*i+#tion?s@ )ust #*so e st#te$ in te (etition! (roven 4

evi$en,e #n$ in,*u$e$ in te tet o2 te $e,ision.

B@ Inter(ret#tions +iven 4 te N#tion#* A((e**#teM#tri)oni#* Triun#* o2 te "#to*i, "ur, in te Pi*i((ines!

i*e not ,ontro**in+ or $e,isive! sou*$ e +iven +re#t res(e,t 4

our ,ourts. It is ,*e#r t#t Arti,*e >/ #s t#7en 4 te )i*4 "o$e

Revision "o))ittee 2ro) "#non 10;5 o2 te Ne "o$e o2 "#nonL#! i, e,#)e e22e,tive in 1;8> #n$ i, (rovi$es:

Te 2o**oin+ #re in,#(#*e o2 ,ontr#,tin+

)#rri#+e: Tose o #re un#*e to #ssu)e te

essenti#* o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e $ue to ,#uses o2

(s4,o*o+i,#* n#ture.

Sin,e te (ur(ose o2 in,*u$in+ su, (rovision in our )i*4

"o$e is to #r)onie our ,ivi* *#s it te re*i+ious 2#it o2 our

(eo(*e! it st#n$s to re#son t#t to #,ieve su, #r)oni#tion! +re#t

(ersu#sive ei+t sou*$ e +iven to $e,isions o2 su, #((e**#te

triun#*. I$e#**4su=e,t to our *# on evi$en,e#t is $e,ree$#s ,#noni,#**4 inv#*i$ sou*$ #*so e $e,ree$ ,ivi**4 voi$.BB9BB

Molina #$ (rovi$e$ 2or #n #$$ition#* re3uire)ent t#t te

So*i,itor Gener#* issue # ,erti2i,#tion st#tin+ is re#sons 2or is

#+ree)ent or o((osition to te (etition.B89B8 Tis re3uire)ent oever

#s $is(ense$ it 2o**oin+ te i)(*e)ent#tion o2 A.M. No. 0-11-

10-S"! or te Ru*e on 6e,*#r#tion o2 Aso*ute Nu**it4 o2 %oi$

M#rri#+es #n$ Annu*)ent o2 %oi$#*e M#rri#+es.B;9B;Sti**! Arti,*e


22/36

o2 te )i*4 "o$e )#n$#tes t#t te #((e#r#n,e o2 te (rose,utin+

#ttorne4 or 2is,#* #ssi+ne$ e on e#*2 o2 te St#te to t#7e ste(s to

(revent ,o**usion eteen te (#rties #n$ to t#7e ,#re t#t evi$en,e isnot 2#ri,#te$ or su((resse$. Ovious*4! ,o**usion is not #n issue in tis

,#se! ,onsi$erin+ te ,onsistent vi+orous o((osition o2 res(on$ent to

te (etition 2or $e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4. In #n4 event! te 2is,#*s

(#rti,i(#tion in te e#rin+s e2ore te tri#* ,ourt is et#nt 2ro) te

re,or$s o2 tis ,#se.

As e#r*ier note$! te 2#,tu#* 2in$in+s o2 te RT" #re no $ee)e$

in$in+ on tis "ourt! oin+ to te +re#t ei+t #,,or$e$ to te

o(inion o2 te (ri)#r4 trier o2 2#,ts! #n$ te re2us#* o2 te "ourt o2

A((e#*s to $is(ute te ver#,it4 o2 tese 2#,ts. As su,! it )ust e

,onsi$ere$ t#t res(on$ent #$ ,onsistent*4 *ie$ #out )#n4 )#teri#*

#s(e,ts #s to er ,#r#,ter #n$ (erson#*it4. Te 3uestion re)#ins

eter er (#ttern o2 2#ri,#tion su22i,ient*4 est#*ises er

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4! ,onsistent it Arti,*e >/ #n$ +ener#**4! te

Molina +ui$e*ines.

e 2in$ t#t te (resent ,#se su22i,ient*4 s#tis2ies te +ui$e*ines

inMolina.

First. Petitioner #$ su22i,ient*4 over,o)e is ur$en in (rovin+

te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 o2 is s(ouse. A(#rt 2ro) is on

testi)on4! e (resente$ itnesses o ,orroor#te$ is #**e+#tions on

is i2es e#vior! #n$ ,erti2i,#tions 2ro) *#,7+o*$ Re,or$s #n$ te

Pi*i((ine %i**#+e ote* P#vi**on i, $is(ute$ res(on$ents ,*#i)s

(ertinent to er #**e+e$ sin+in+ ,#reer. e #*so (resente$ to ?@

e(ert itnesses 2ro) te 2ie*$ o2 (s4,o*o+4 o testi2ie$ t#t te

#err#nt e#vior o2 res(on$ent #s t#nt#)ount to (s4,o*o+i,#*

in,#(#,it4. In #n4 event! ot ,ourts e*o ,onsi$ere$ (etitioners


23/36

evi$en,e #s ,re$i*e enou+. Even te #((e**#te ,ourt #,7no*e$+e$

t#t res(on$ent #s not tot#**4 onest it (etitioner.80980

As in #** ,ivi* )#tters! te (etitioner in #n #,tion 2or $e,*#r#tion

o2 nu**it4 un$er Arti,*e >/ )ust e #*e to est#*is te ,#use o2 #,tion

it # (re(on$er#n,e o2 evi$en,e. oever! sin,e te #,tion ,#nnot e

,onsi$ere$ #s # non-(u*i, )#tter eteen (riv#te (#rties! ut is

i)(resse$ it St#te interest! te )i*4 "o$e *i7eise re3uires te

(#rti,i(#tion o2 te St#te! trou+ te (rose,utin+ #ttorne4! 2is,#*! or

So*i,itor Gener#*! to t#7e ste(s to (revent ,o**usion eteen te (#rties

#n$ to t#7e ,#re t#t evi$en,e is not 2#ri,#te$ or su((resse$. Tus!

even i2 te (etitioner is #*e est#*is te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 o2

res(on$ent it (re(on$er#nt evi$en,e! #n4 2in$in+ o2 ,o**usion #)on+

te (#rties ou*$ ne,ess#ri*4 ne+#te su, (roo2s.

"econd. Te root ,#use o2 res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4

#s een )e$i,#**4 or ,*ini,#**4 i$enti2ie$! #**e+e$ in te ,o)(*#int!

su22i,ient*4 (roven 4 e(erts! #n$ ,*e#r*4 e(*#ine$ in te tri#* ,ourts

$e,ision. Te initi#tor4 ,o)(*#int #**e+e$ t#t res(on$ent! 2ro) te

st#rt! #$ eiite$ unusu#* #n$ #nor)#* e#vior o2 (eren9ni#**4

te**in+ *ies! 2#ri,#tin+ ri$i,u*ous stories! #n$ inventin+ (erson#*ities

#n$ situ#tions!H o2 ritin+ *etters to (etitioner usin+ 2i,titious n#)es!

#n$ o2 *4in+ #out er #,tu#* o,,u(#tion! in,o)e! e$u,#tion#*

#tt#in)ent! #n$ 2#)i*4 #,7+roun$! #)on+ oters.81981

Tese #**e+#tions! initi#**4 ,#r#,terie$ in +ener#*ities! ere

2urter *in7e$ to )e$i,#* or ,*ini,#* ,#uses 4 e(ert itnesses 2ro) te

2ie*$ o2 (s4,o*o+4. Petitioner (resente$ to ?@ su, itnesses in

80

980Rollo! (. 8.

81

981Re,or$s! ((. ->.


24/36

(#rti,u*#r. 6r. A,e$e! # (s4,i#trist o #$ e#$e$ te $e(#rt)ent o2

(s4,i#tr4 o2 #t *e#st to ?@ )#=or os(it#*s!898 testi2ie$ #s 2o**os:

ITNESS:

Given t#t #s # 2#,t! i, is on*4 #se$ on te #22i$#vit

(rovi$e$ to )e! I ,#n s#4 t#t tere #re # ,ou(*e o2 tin+s

t#t 9#re terri*4 ron+ it te st#n$#r$s. Tere #re #

,ou(*e o2 tin+s t#t see)s ?sic@ to e re(e#te$ over #n$ over

#+#in in te #22i$#vit. One o2 i, is te (ersistent! ,onst#nt

#n$ re(e#te$ *4in+ o2 te res(on$entHD i,! I tin7! #se$

on #ssess)ent o2 nor)#* e#vior o2 #n in$ivi$u#*! is

#nor)#* or (#to*o+i,#*.

ATT'. RA: ?#,7 to te itness@

Q- ou*$ 4ou s#4 ten! Mr. itness! t#t e,#use o2 tese

#,tu#tions o2 te res(on$ent se is ten in,#(#*e o2

(er2or)in+ te #si, o*i+#tions o2 er )#rri#+e

A- e**! (ersistent *4in+ vio*#tes te res(e,t t#t one oes

to#r$s #noter. Te *#,7 o2 ,on,ern! te *#,7 o2 *ove

to#r$s te (erson! #n$ it is #*so so)etin+ t#t en$#n+ers

u)#n re*#tionsi(. 'ou see! re*#tionsi( is #se$ on

,o))uni,#tion eteen in$ivi$u#*s #n$ #t e +ener#**4

,o))uni,#te #re our tou+ts #n$ 2ee*in+s. ut ten en

one t#*7s #n$ e(resse9s teir 2ee*in+s! 94ou #re e(e,te$ to

te** te trut. An$ tere2ore! i2 4ou ,onst#nt*4 *ie! #t $o

4ou tin7 is +oin+ to #((en #s 2#r #s tis re*#tionsi( is

,on,erne$. Tere2ore! it un$er)ines t#t #si, re*#tionsi(

t#t sou*$ e #se$ on *ove! trust #n$ res(e,t.

Q- ou*$ 4ou s#4 ten! Mr. itness! t#t $ue to te e#vior o2

te res(on$ent in ,onst#nt*4 *4in+ #n$ 2#ri,#tin+ stories! se

is ten in,#(#*e o2 (er2or)in+ te #si, o*i+#tions o2 te)#rri#+e

ATT'. RA: ?#,7 to te itness@

Q- Mr. itness! #se$ on te testi)on4 o2 Mr. Lev4 Men$o#!

o is te tir$ itness 2or te (etitioner! testi2ie$ t#t teres(on$ent #s een ,#**in+ u( te (etitioners o22i,e)#tes

#n$ #s7 i) ?sic@ on te #,tivities o2 te (etitioner #n$ #s7i) on te e#vior o2 te (etitioner. An$ tis is s(e,i2i,#**4

st#te$ on (#+e si ?/@ o2 te tr#ns,ri(t o2 steno+r#(i, notes!

#t ,#n 4ou s#4 #out tis! Mr. itness

8

98Universit4 o2 S#nto To)#s os(it#* #n$ UERM Me)ori#* Me$i,#* "enter. 6r. A,e$e

*i7eise #s te (#st (resi$ent o2 te Pi*i((ine Ps4,i#trist Asso,i#tion. TSN! &eru#r4 >! 1;;


25/36

A- I2 #n in$ivi$u#* is =e#*ous enou+ to te (oint t#t e is(#r#noi$! i, )e#ns t#t tere is no #,tu#* #sis on er

sus(e,t ?sic@ t#t er us#n$ is #vin+ #n #22#ir it #

o)#n! i2 ,#rrie$ on to te etre)e! ten t#t is (#to*o+i,#*.

T#t is not #nor)#*. e #** 2ee* =e#*ous! in te s#)e #4 #se #*so *ie ever4 no #n$ tenD ut ever4tin+ t#t is ,#rrie$

out in etre)e is #nor)#* or (#to*o+i,#*. I2 tere is no#sis in re#*it4 to te 2#,t t#t te us#n$ is #vin+ #n #22#ir

it #noter o)#n #n$ i2 se (ersistent*4 e*ieves t#t te

us#n$ is #vin+ #n #22#ir it $i22erent o)en! ten t#t is

(#to*o+i,#* #n$ e ,#** t#t (#r#noi$ =e#*ous4.

Q- No! i2 # (erson is in (#r#noi$ =e#*ous4! ou*$ se e,onsi$ere$ (s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ to (er2or) te #si,

o*i+#tions o2 te )#rri#+eA- 'es! M##).8>98>

Te oter itness! 6r. Lo(e! #s (resente$ to est#*is not on*4

te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 o2 res(on$ent! ut #*so te (s4,o*o+i,#*

,#(#,it4 o2 (etitioner. e ,on,*u$e$ t#t res(on$ent is 9#

(#to*o+i,#* *i#r! t#t 9se ,ontinues to *ie 9#n$ se *oves to 2#ri,#te#out erse*2.H8


26/36

e#vi*4 on teir on #,,e(t#n,e o2 (etitioners version #s te true set o2

2#,ts. oever! sin,e te tri#* ,ourt itse*2 #,,e(te$ te ver#,it4 o2

(etitioners 2#,tu#* (re)ises! tere is no ,#use to $is(ute te ,on,*usiono2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 $r#n tere2ro) 4 (etitioners e(ert

itnesses.

A*so! it te tot#*it4 o2 te evi$en,e (resente$ #s #sis! te tri#*

,ourt e(*i,#te$ its 2in$in+ o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 in its $e,ision

in tis ise:

To te )in$ o2 te "ourt! #** o2 te #ove #re in$i,#tions t#tres(on$ent is (s4,o*o+i,#**4 in,#(#,it#te$ to (er2or) te essenti#*

o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e. It #s een son ,*e#r*4 2ro) er

#,tu#tions t#t res(on$ent #s t#t (ro(ensit4 2or te**in+ *ies #out

#*)ost #n4tin+! e it er o,,u(#tion! er st#te o2 e#*t! er sin+in+

#i*ities! er in,o)e! et,. Se #s tis 2#nt#sti, #i*it4 to invent #n$

2#ri,#te stories #n$ (erson#*ities. Se (r#,ti,#**4 *ive$ in # or*$ o2)#7e e*ieve )#7in+ er tere2ore not in # (osition to +ive )e#nin+

#n$ si+ni2i,#n,e to er )#rri#+e to (etitioner. In (ersistent*4 #n$,onst#nt*4 *4in+ to (etitioner! res(on$ent un$er)ine$ te #si,

tenets o2 re*#tionsi( eteen s(ouses t#t is #se$ on *ove! trust

#n$ res(e,t. As ,on,*u$e$ 4 te (s4,i#trist (resente$ 4

(etitioner! su, re(e#te$ *4in+ is #nor)#* #n$ (#to*o+i,#* #n$#)ounts to (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4.8B98B

%hird.Res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s est#*ise$ to

#ve ,*e#r*4 eiste$ #t te ti)e o2 #n$ even e2ore te ,e*er#tion o2

)#rri#+e. Se 2#ri,#te$ 2rien$s #n$ )#$e u( *etters 2ro) 2i,titious

,#r#,ters e** e2ore se )#rrie$ (etitioner. Li7eise! se 7e(t

(etitioner in te $#r7 #out er n#tur#* ,i*$s re#* (#rent#+e #s se

on*4 ,on2esse$ en te *#tter #$ 2oun$ out te trut #2ter teir

)#rri#+e.

Fourth. Te +r#vit4 o2 res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 is

su22i,ient to (rove er $is#i*it4 to #ssu)e te essenti#* o*i+#tions o2

8B

98BRollo! ((. ;5-;/.


27/36

)#rri#+e. It is i))e$i#te*4 $is,erni*e t#t te (#rties #$ s#re$ on*4

# *itt*e over # 4e#r o2 ,o#it#tion e2ore te e#s(er#te$ (etitioner *e2t

is i2e. #tever su, ,ir,u)st#n,e s(e#7s o2 te $e+ree o2 to*er#n,eo2 (etitioner! it *i7eise su((orts te e*ie2 t#t res(on$ents

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4! #s orne 4 te re,or$! #s so +r#ve in etent

t#t #n4 (ro*on+e$ )#rit#* *i2e #s $uit#*e.

It sou*$ e note$ t#t te *ies #ttriute$ to res(on$ent ere not

#$o(te$ #s 2#*se (retenses in or$er to in$u,e (etitioner into )#rri#+e.

More $isturin+*4! te4 in$i,#te # 2#i*ure on te (#rt o2 res(on$ent to

$istin+uis trut 2ro) 2i,tion! or #t *e#st #i$e 4 te trut. Petitioners

itnesses #n$ te tri#* ,ourt ere e)(#ti, on res(on$ents inveter#te

(ro,*ivit4 to te**in+ *ies #n$ te (#to*o+i, n#ture o2 er )istruts!

i, #,,or$in+ to te)! ere reve*#tor4 o2 res(on$ents in#i*it4 to

un$erst#n$ #n$ (er2or) te essenti#* o*i+#tions o2 )#rri#+e. In$ee$! #

(erson un#*e to $istin+uis eteen 2#nt#s4 #n$ re#*it4 ou*$

si)i*#r*4 e un#*e to ,o)(reen$ te *e+#* n#ture o2 te )#rit#* on$!

)u, *ess its (s4,i, )e#nin+! #n$ te ,orres(on$in+ o*i+#tions

#tt#,e$ to )#rri#+e! in,*u$in+ (#rentin+. One un#*e to #$ere to

re#*it4 ,#nnot e e(e,te$ to #$ere #s e** to #n4 *e+#* or e)otion#*,o))it)ents.

Te "ourt o2 A((e#*s so)eo ,on,*u$e$ t#t sin,e res(on$ent

#**e+e$*4 trie$ er est to e22e,t # re,on,i*i#tion! se #$ #)(*4

eiite$ er #i*it4 to (er2or) er )#rit#* o*i+#tions. e #re not

,onvin,e$. Given te n#ture o2 er (s4,o*o+i,#* ,on$ition! er

i**in+ness to re)#in in te )#rri#+e #r$*4 #nises n#4 etenu#tes

er *#,7 o2 ,#(#,it4 to 2u*2i** te essenti#* )#rit#* o*i+#tions.

Res(on$ents #i*it4 to even ,o)(reen$ #t te essenti#* )#rit#*

o*i+#tions #re is i)(#ire$ #t est. "onsi$erin+ t#t te evi$en,e


28/36

,onvin,in+*4 $is(utes res(on$ents #i*it4 to #$ere to te trut! er

#vo#*s #s to er ,o))it)ent to te )#rri#+e ,#nnot e #,,or$e$

)u, ,re$en,e.

At tis (oint! it is ort ,onsi$erin+ Arti,*e @ o2 te )i*4

"o$e i, st#tes t#t # )#rri#+e )#4 e #nnu**e$ i2 te ,onsent o2

eiter (#rt4 #s ot#ine$ 4 2r#u$! #n$ Arti,*e


29/36

in te #ss#i*e$ $e,ision $es(ite (etitioners e22orts to rin+ te )#tter to

its #ttention.88988 Su, $e*ier#te i+nor#n,e is in ,ontr#vention o2

Molina! i, e*$ t#t inter(ret#tions +iven 4 te N#tion#* A((e**#teM#tri)oni#* Triun#* o2 te "#to*i, "ur, in te Pi*i((ines! i*e

not ,ontro**in+ or $e,isive! sou*$ e +iven +re#t res(e,t 4 our ,ourts.

As note$ e#r*ier! te Metro(o*it#n Triun#* o2 te Ar,$io,ese o2

M#ni*# $e,ree$ te inv#*i$it4 o2 te )#rri#+e in 3uestion in #

Conclusion8;98; $#te$ >0 M#r, 1;;5! ,itin+ te *#,7 o2 $ue

$is,retionH on te (#rt o2 res(on$ent.;09;0Su, $e,ree o2 nu**it4 #s

#22ir)e$ 4 ot te N#tion#* A((e**#te M#tri)oni#* Triun#*!;19;1

#n$ te Ro)#n Rot# o2 te %#ti,#n.;9; In 2#,t! res(on$ents

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s ,onsi$ere$ so +r#ve t#t # restri,tive

,*#use;>9;> #s #((en$e$ to te senten,e o2 nu**it4 (roiitin+

res(on$ent 2ro) ,ontr#,tin+ #noter )#rri#+e itout te Triun#*s

,onsent.

In its 6e,ision $#te$ < Cune 1;;5! te N#tion#* A((e**#te

M#tri)oni#* Triun#* (ronoun,e$:

Te CURISRPRU6EN"E in te "#se )#int#ins t#t

)#tri)oni#* ,onsent is ,onsi$ere$ onto*o+i,#**4 $e2e,tive #n$

88

988As son 4 te Motion?s@ 2or E#r*4 Reso*ution o2 te "#se 2i*e$ 4 (etitioner it te

,#noni,#* $e,*#r#tions #tt#,e$ #s #nnees.8;

98;I$. #t ;B-;8.;0

9;0Te Metro(o*it#n Triun#* o2 te Ar,$io,ese o2 M#ni*# #se$ te $e,ree o2 inv#*i$it4 on te

+roun$ o2 *#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion on te (#rt o2 ot (#rties. On #((e#*! oever! te N#tion#* A((e**#te

M#tri)oni#* Triun#* )o$i2ie$ te =u$+)ent 4 o*$in+ t#t *#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion #((*ie$ to res(on$ent

ut tere #s no su22i,ient evi$en,e to (rove *#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion on te (#rt o2 (etitioner. See #*so note

>8.;1

9;1Rollo! ((. ;;-100.;

9;I$. #t 101-10>.;>

9;>A restri,tive ,*#use is ereit #tt#,e$ to tis senten,e o2 nu**it4 to te e22e,t t#t te

res(on$ent )#4 not enter into #noter )#rri#+e itout te e(ress ,onsent o2 tis Triun#*! in $e2eren,e

to te s#n,tit4 #n$ $i+nit4 o2 te s#,r#)ent o2 )#tri)on4! #s e** #s 2or te (rote,tion o2 te inten$e$

s(ouse.HD rollo! (. ;B.


30/36

ere2ore =u$i,i#**4 ine22e,tive en e*i,ite$ 4 # P#rt "ontr#,t#ntin (ossession #n$ e)(*o4 o2 # $is,retion#r4 =u$+)ent 2#,u*t4 it #

(er,e(tive vi+or )#r7e$*4 in#$e3u#te 2or te (r#,ti,#* un$erst#n$in+

o2 te ,on=u+#* "oven#nt or serious i)(#ire$ 2ro) te ,orre,t

#((re,i#tion o2 te inte+r#* si+ni2i,#n,e #n$ i)(*i,#tions o2 te)#rri#+e vos.

Te &A"TS in te "#se su22i,ient*4 (rove it te ,ertitu$e

re3uire$ 4 *# t#t #se$ on te $e(ositions o2 te P#rtes in "#us#

#n$ (re)ise$ on te testi)onies o2 te "o))on #n$ E(ert

itnesse9s! t"e Responent mae t"e marriage option in tenure

o# averse personality constracts t"at $ere mar%ely antit"etical

to t"e substantive content an implications o# t"e &arriage

Covenant, an t"at seriously unermine t"e integrality o# "ermatrimonial consent in terms o# its eliberative component' In

ot"er $ors, a##licte $it" a iscretionary #aculty impaire in its

practico-concrete (ugment #ormation on account o# an averse

action an reaction pattern, t"e Responent $as impaire #rom

eliciting a (uicially bining matrimonial consent. Tere is no

su22i,ient evi$en,e in te "#se oever to (rove #s e** te 2#,t o2

+r#ve *#,7 o2 $ue $is,retion on te (#rt o2 te Petitioner.;


31/36

A((e#*s reverse$ te =u$+)ent o2 te tri#* ,ourt! te #((e**#te ,ourt

notin+ t#t it $i$ not #((e#r ,ert#in t#t res(on$ents ,on$ition #s

in,ur#*e #n$ t#t 6r. A,e$e $i$ not testi24 to su, e22e,t.;59;5

Petitioner (oints out t#t one )ont #2ter e #n$ is i2e initi#**4

se(#r#te$! e returne$ to er! $esirin+ to )#7e teir )#rri#+e or7.

oever! res(on$ents #err#nt e#vior re)#ine$ un,#n+e$! #s se

,ontinue$ to *ie! 2#ri,#te stories! #n$ )#int#ine$ er e,essive

=e#*ous4. &ro) tis 2#,t! e $r#s te ,on,*usion t#t res(on$ents

,on$ition is in,ur#*e.

&ro) te tot#*it4 o2 te evi$en,e! ,#n it e $e2initive*4 ,on,*u$e$

t#t res(on$ents ,on$ition is in,ur#*e It ou*$ see)! #t *e#st! t#t

res(on$ents (s4,osis is 3uite +r#ve! #n$ # ,ure tereo2 # re)#r7#*e

2e#t. "ert#in*4! it ou*$ #ve een e#sier #$ (etitioners e(ert

itnesses ,#r#,terie$ res(on$ents ,on$ition #s in,ur#*e. Inste#$!

te4 re)#ine$ si*ent on eter te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s

,ur#*e or in,ur#*e.

ut on ,#re2u* e#)in#tion! tere #s +oo$ re#son 2or te

e(erts t#,iturnit4 on tis (oint.

Te (etitioners e(ert itnesses testi2ie$ in 1;;< #n$ 1;;5! #n$

te tri#* ,ourt ren$ere$ its $e,ision on 10 Au+ust 1;;5. Tese events

tr#ns(ire$ e** e2ore Molina #s (ro)u*+#te$ in 1;;B #n$ )#$e

e(*i,it te re3uire)ent t#t te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 )ust e

son to e )e$i,#**4 or ,*ini,#**4 (er)#nent or in,ur#*e. Su,

re3uire)ent #s not e(ress*4 st#te$ in Arti,*e >/ or #n4 oter(rovision o2 te )i*4 "o$e.

;5

9;5Rollo! (. 8.


32/36

On te oter #n$! te "ourt in "antos! i, #s $e,i$e$ in

C#nu#r4 1;;5! e+#n its $is,ussion 4 2irst ,itin+ te $e*ier#tions o2

te )i*4 "o$e ,o))ittee!;/9;/

ten te o(inion o2 ,#noni,#*s,o*#rs!;B9;B e2ore #rrivin+ #t its 2or)u*#tion o2 te $o,trin#*

$e2inition o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4.;89;8 "antos $i$ re2er to Custi,e

"#+uio#s o(inion e(resse$ $urin+ te $e*ier#tions t#t

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 is in,ur#*e!H;;9;;#n$ te vie o2 # 2or)er

(resi$in+ =u$+e o2 te Metro(o*it#n M#rri#+e Triun#* o2 te

Ar,$io,ese o2 M#ni*# t#t (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 )ust e,#r#,terie$ 4 ?#@ +r#vit4! ?@ =uri$i,#* #nte,e$en,e! #n$ ?,@

in,ur#i*it4.H1009100 oever! in 2or)u*#tin+ te $o,trin#* ru*e on

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4! te "ourt in "antoso)itte$ #n4 re2eren,e to

in,ur#i*it4 #s # ,#r#,teristi, o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4.1019101

;/

9;/"antos v. Court of Appeals! su(r# note /0! #t >0->/.;B

9;BI$. #t >B->;.;8

9;8I$. #t >;->.100

9100I$. #t >;.101

9101It sou*$ e ovious! *oo7in+ #t #** te 2ore+oin+ $is3uisitions! in,*u$in+! #n$ )ost

i)(ort#nt*4! te $e*ier#tions o2 te )i*4 "o$e Revision "o))ittee itse*2! t#t te use o2 te (r#se(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 un$er Arti,*e >/ o2 te "o$e #s not een )e#nt to ,o)(reen$ #** su,

(ossi*e ,#ses o2 (s4,oses #s! *i7eise )entione$ 4 so)e e,,*esi#sti,#* #utorities! etre)e*4 *o

inte**i+en,e! i))#turit4! #n$ *i7e ,ir,u)st#n,es ?,ite$ in &r. Arte)io #*u)#s %oi$ #n$ %oi$#*e

M#rri#+es in te )i*4 "o$e #n$ teir P#r#**e*s in "#non L#! 3uotin+ 2ro) te 6i#+nosti, St#tisti,#*

M#nu#* o2 Ment#* 6isor$er 4 te A)eri,#n Ps4,i#tri, Asso,i#tionD E$#r$ u$sons #n$oo7 II 2or

M#rri#+e Nu**it4 "#ses@. Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4 "o$e ,#nnot e t#7en #n$ ,onstrue$ in$e(en$ent*4 o2

ut )ust st#n$ in ,on=un,tion it! eistin+ (re,e(ts in our *# on )#rri#+e. Tus ,orre*#te$!

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 sou*$ re2er to no *ess t#n # )ent#* ?not (4si,#*@ in,#(#,it4 t#t ,#uses # (#rt4to e tru*4 in,o+nitive o2 te #si, )#rit#* ,oven#nts t#t ,on,o)it#nt*4 )ust e #ssu)e$ #n$ $is,#r+e$

4 te (#rties to te )#rri#+e i,! #s so e(resse$ 4 Arti,*e /8 o2 te )i*4 "o$e! in,*u$e teir )utu#*

o*i+#tions to *ive to+eter! oserve *ove! res(e,t #n$ 2i$e*it4 #n$ ren$er e*( #n$ su((ort. Tere is #r$*4

#n4 $out t#t te inten$)ent o2 te *# #s een to ,on2ine te )e#nin+ o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 to

te )ost serious ,#ses o2 (erson#*it4 $isor$ers ,*e#r*4 $e)onstr#tive o2 #n utter intensitivit4 or in#i*it4 to

+ive )e#nin+ #n$ si+ni2i,#n,e to te )#rri#+e. Tis (s4,o*o+i, ,on$ition )ust eist #t te ti)e te

)#rri#+e is ,e*er#te$. Te *# $oes not evi$ent*4 envision! u(on te oter #n$! #n in#i*it4 o2 te s(ouse

to #ve seu#* re*#tions it te oter. Tis ,on,*usion is i)(*i,it un$er Arti,*e 5< o2 te )i*4 "o$e

i, ,onsi$ers ,i*$ren ,on,eive$ (rior to te =u$i,i#* $e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4 o2 te voi$ )#rri#+e to e*e+iti)#te.

Te oter 2or)s o2 (s4,oses! i2 eistin+ #t te in,e(tion o2 )#rri#+e! *i7e te st#te o2 # (#rt4

ein+ o2 unsoun$ )in$ or ,on,e#*)ent o2 $ru+ #$$i,tion! #itu#* #*,oo*is)! o)oseu#*it4 or

*esi#nis)! )ere*4 ren$ers te )#rri#+e ,ontr#,t voi$#*e (ursu#nt to Arti,*e


33/36

Tis $is3uisition is )#teri#* #s "antos#s $e,i$e$ )onts e2ore

te tri#* ,ourt ,#)e out it its on ru*in+ t#t re)#ine$ si*ent on

eter res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s in,ur#*e.

"ert#in*4! "antos$i$ not ,*e#r*4 )#n$#te t#t te in,ur#i*it4 o2 te

(s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 e est#*ise$ in #n #,tion 2or $e,*#r#tion o2

nu**it4. At *e#st! tere #s no =uris(ru$enti#* ,*#rit4 #t te ti)e o2 te

tri#* o2 tis ,#se #n$ te suse3uent (ro)u*+#tion o2 te tri#* ,ourts

$e,ision t#t re3uire$ # )e$i,#* 2in$in+ o2 in,ur#i*it4. Su, re3uisite

#rose on*4 it Molina in 1;;B! #t # ti)e en tis ,#se #s on

#((e**#te revie! or #2ter te re,e(tion o2 evi$en,e.

e #re ##re t#t inPesca v. Pesca!10910te "ourt ,ountere$ #n

#r+u)ent t#tMolina #n$ "antossou*$ not #((*4 retro#,tive*4

it te oserv#tion t#t te inter(ret#tion or ,onstru,tion (*#,e$ 4

te ,ourts o2 # *# ,onstitutes # (#rt o2 t#t *# #s o2 te $#te te

st#tute in en#,te$.10>910> 'et e #((ro#, tis (resent ,#se 2ro) utter*4

(r#,ti,#* ,onsi$er#tions. Te re3uire)ent t#t (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4

)ust e son to e )e$i,#**4 or ,*ini,#**4 (er)#nent or in,ur#*e is

one t#t ne,ess#ri*4 ,#nnot e $ivine$ itout e(ert o(inion. "*e#r*4

in tis ,#se! tere #s no ,#te+ori,#* #ver)ent 2ro) te e(ert

itnesses t#t res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s ,ur#*e or

in,ur#*e si)(*4 e,#use tere #s no *e+#* ne,essit4 4et to e*i,it su,

# $e,*#r#tion #n$ te #((ro(ri#te 3uestion #s not #,,or$in+*4

(ro(oun$e$ to i). I2 e #((*4 Pescaitout $ee( re2*e,tion! tere

te)se*ves! $e(en$in+ on te $e+ree #n$ severit4 o2 te $isor$er! in$i,i# o2 (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4.

Unti* 2urter st#tutor4 #n$ =uris(ru$enti#* (#r#)eters #re est#*ise$! ever4 ,ir,u)st#n,e t#t)#4 #ve so)e e#rin+ on te $e+ree! etent! #n$ oter ,on$itions o2 t#t in,#(#,it4 )ust! in ever4 ,#se!

e ,#re2u**4 e#)ine$ #n$ ev#*u#te$ so t#t no (re,i(it#te #n$ in$is,ri)in#te nu**it4 is (ere)(tori*4

$e,ree$. Te e**-,onsi$ere$ o(inions o2 (s4,i#trists! (s4,o*o+ists! #n$ (ersons it e(ertise in

(s4,o*o+i,#* $is,i(*ines )i+t e e*(2u* or even $esir#*e.H "antos v. Court of Appeals! i$. #t >;-/;1! 1B A(ri* 001! >5/ S"RA 588.10>

910>I$. #t 5;>.


34/36

ou*$ e un$ue (re=u$i,e to tose ,#ses trie$ e2oreMolinaor "antos!

es(e,i#**4 tose (resent*4 on #((e**#te revie! ere (resu)#*4 te

res(e,tive (etitioners #n$ teir e(ert itnesses ou*$ not #ve seente nee$ to #$$u,e # $i#+nosis o2 in,ur#i*it4. It )#4 o*$ in tose

,#ses! #s in tis ,#se! t#t te (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 o2 # s(ouse is

#,tu#**4 in,ur#*e! even i2 not (ronoun,e$ #s su, #t te tri#* ,ourt

*eve*.

e st#te$ e#r*ier t#t Molina is not set in stone! #n$ t#t te

inter(ret#tion o2 Arti,*e >/ re*ies e#vi*4 on # ,#se-to-,#se (er,e(tion.

It ou*$ e insens#te to re#son to )#n$#te in tis ,#se #n e(ert

)e$i,#* or ,*ini,#* $i#+nosis o2 in,ur#i*it4! sin,e te (#rties ou*$

#ve #$ no i)(e**in+ ,#use to (resent evi$en,e to t#t e22e,t #t te

ti)e tis ,#se #s trie$ 4 te RT" )ore t#n ten ?10@ 4e#rs #+o. &ro)

te tot#*it4 o2 te evi$en,e! e #re su22i,ient*4 ,onvin,e$ t#t te

in,ur#i*it4 o2 res(on$ents (s4,o*o+i,#* in,#(#,it4 #s een

est#*ise$ 4 te (etitioner. An4 *in+erin+ $outs #re 2urter $is(e**e$

4 te 2#,t t#t te "#to*i, "ur, triun#*s! i, in$uit#*4

,onsi$er in,ur#i*it4 #s #n inte+r#* re3uisite o2 (s4,o*o+i,#*

in,#(#,it4! ere su22i,ient*4 ,onvin,e$ t#t res(on$ent #s so

in,#(#,it#te$ to ,ontr#,t )#rri#+e to te $e+ree t#t #nnu*)ent #s#rr#nte$.

A** to*$! e ,on,*u$e t#t (etitioner #s est#*ise$ is ,#use o2

#,tion 2or $e,*#r#tion o2 nu**it4 un$er Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4 "o$e.

Te RT" ,orre,t*4 ru*e$! #n$ te "ourt o2 A((e#*s erre$ in reversin+

te tri#* ,ourt.

Tere is *itt*e re*is in $e,i$in+ tis (resent (etition! (ronoun,in+

#s it $oes te )#rit#* on$ #s #vin+ een ineistent in te 2irst (*#,e. It

is (ossi*e t#t res(on$ent! $es(ite er (s4,o*o+i,#* st#te! re)#ins in


35/36

*ove it (etitioner! #s eiite$ 4 er (ersistent ,#**en+e to te

(etition 2or nu**it4. In 2#,t! te #((e**#te ,ourt (*#,e$ un$ue e)(#sis

on res(on$ents #voe$ ,o))it)ent to re)#in in te )#rri#+e. 'et te"ourt $e,i$es tese ,#ses on *e+#* re#sons #n$ not v#(i$ senti)ent#*it4.

M#rri#+e! in *e+#* ,onte)(*#tion! is )ore t#n te *e+iti)#ti#tion o2 #

$esire o2 (eo(*e in *ove to *ive to+eter.

ERE&ORE! te (etition is GRANTE6. Te $e,ision o2 te

RT" $#te$ 10 Au+ust 1;;5! $e,*#rin+ te )#rri#+e eteen (etitioner#n$ res(on$ent NULL #n$ %OI6 un$er Arti,*e >/ o2 te )i*4 "o$e!

is REINSTATE6. No ,osts.

SO OR6ERE6.

6ANTE O. TINGA

Associate Justice

E "ON"UR:

LEONAR6O A. QUISUMING

Associate Justice"#ir)#n


36/36

ANTONIO T. "ARPIO "ON"ITA "ARPIO MORALES

Associate Justice Associate Justice

)TTEST)TION

I #ttest t#t te ,on,*usions in te #ove 6e,ision #$ een

re#,e$ in ,onsu*t#tion e2ore te ,#se #s #ssi+ne$ to te riter o2 te

o(inion o2 te "ourts 6ivision.

LEONAR6O A. QUISUMING

Associate Justice

Chairman, %hird Division

CERTI*IC)TION

Pursu#nt to Se,tion 1>! Arti,*e %III o2 te "onstitution! #n$ te

Attest#tion 4 te 6ivisions "#ir)#n! it is ere4 ,erti2ie$ t#t te

,on,*usions in te #ove 6e,ision #$ een re#,e$ in ,onsu*t#tion

e2ore te ,#se #s #ssi+ne$ to te riter o2 te o(inion o2 te "ourts

6ivision.

ARTEMIO %. PANGANIAN

Chief Justice

antonio vs. reyes, 484 scra 353, march 10, 2006.doc

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