Previous 8 / 13 Next

-8- Decision G.R. No. 232678 thereby depriving her of her basic needs and inflicting upon her psychological and emotional suffering and/or injuries, to the damage and prejudice of the said offended party. CONTRARY TO LAW. 20 In the context of Section 6, Rule 110, the Court finds that the aforequoted Information contains the recital of facts necessary to constitute the crime charged. The June 5, 2006 Information stated in no uncertain terms that: (1) the offended party, AAA, is the wife of the offender Reyes; (2) AAA sustained mental and emotional anguish; and (3) such anguish is inflicted by offender Reyes when he deliberately and unlawfully denied AAA with financial support. Psychological violence is certainly an indispensable element of violation of Section 5(i) ofR.A. No. 9262. Equally essential is the element of the mental or emotional anguish which is personal to the complainant. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while mental or emotional suffering is the effect caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party. 21 To establish psychological violence, it is necessary to adduce proof of the commission of any of the acts enumerated in Section 5(i) or similar of such acts. We concur with the similar findings of the courts a quo that the prosecution had duly proved, through the clear and convincing testimonies of AAA and her daughter, that Reyes committed psychological violence against AAA when he deprived her of financial support beginning July 2005 and onwards which caused her to experience mental and emotional suffering to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected. Reyes argues that he cannot be held liable for violation of R.A No. 9262 because he has no obligation to financially support AAA since he never contracted marriage with her. Petitioner is mistaken. We find that the National Statistics Office certified copy of a marriage certificate presented by the prosecution serves as positive evidence of the existence of the marriage between Reyes and AAA. The certified copy of the marriage contract, issued by a public officer in custody thereof, is admissible as the best evidence of its contents. The marriage contract plainly indicates that a marriage was celebrated between Reyes and AAA on May 15, 1969, and it should be accorded the full faith and credence given to public documents. 22 As correctly pointed out by the CA, their marriage is deemed valid until declared otherwise in a judicial proceeding. Hence, Reyes is obliged to support his wife, AAA, the amount of which shall be in proportion to the resources or means of the said petitioner and to the needs of the latter. 23 20 21 22 23 Records, p. I. AAA v. BBB, G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018. Tenebro v. Court ofAppeals, 467 Phil. 723, 740 (2004). lim-luav. lua,710Phil.211,221 (2013). /7

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

Reyes v. People

Jurisprudence

Case number: G.R. No. 232678

Division: PH Supreme Court Third Division

Date of decision: Jul 3, 2019

Year of decision: 2019

GBV Case Type

Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (VAWC)

Nature of the case: The accused committed psychological violence against his wife when he suddenly stopped giving her financial support and by reason of which, she suffered emotional and mental anguish. The Court maintained that the accused has an obligation to financially support his wife and their marriage is valid until annulled by the court. It held that the accused could not escape liability by the mere expedient of claiming that his marriage with his wife is void because violation of Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 can be committed even against a woman with whom the accused had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child. In fine, the accused was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime under the aforesaid section of R.A. 9262.

Summary of outcome: The offender is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of four (4) years and two (2) months of prision correccional, as minimum, to eight (8) years and one (1) day of prision mayor, as maximum and ordered to pay a fine quivalent to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00). Further, the offender is directed to undergo a mandatory psychological counselling or psychiatric treatment, and to report his compliance therewith to the court of origin within fifteen (15) days after the completion of such counselling or treatment.

Observatory: Gender-Based Violence

Ponente: PERALTA, J.:

Long title: ESTEBAN DONATO REYES, PETITIONER, V. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

Geolocation 1

Latitude: 14.646148

Longitude: 121.050212

: Geolocation 1

Primary Documents

Esteban Donato Reyes Vs. People of the Philippines.pdf
English
Download View

Commission on Human Rights

Select target paragraph3

Reyes v. People

Primary Documents

Notifications