FACTS:

The petitioner was charged with homicide for stabbing the victim, Jayson Espinola, causing his death. The prosecution presented witnesses who testified that the petitioner approached the victim and stabbed him with a knife. The victim was brought to the hospital but eventually died due to complications from the stab wound. The petitioner, on the other hand, claimed that he was attacked by a group of men and only stabbed the victim in self-defense, mistaking him for one of his assailants. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found the petitioner guilty of homicide and sentenced him to imprisonment. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction but modified the penalty and the civil liability. The CA reduced the petitioner's sentence and the award of actual damages. The petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration, which was partially granted, resulting in a modified judgment.

ISSUES:

1. Whether the petitioner is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of homicide.

RULING:

1. The Court of Appeals affirmed the petitioner's conviction for homicide, finding him guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The CA modified the penalty and the civil liability, sentencing the petitioner to an indeterminate penalty of six months and one day of prision correccional as minimum, to six years and one day to twelve years of prision mayor as maximum. The award of actual damages for medical and funeral expenses was reduced to Php 16,300.00, while a civil indemnity of Php 50,000.00 was awarded to the legal heirs of the victim.

PRINCIPLES:

• The Court will not hesitate or halt to impose the penalty of imprisonment whenever warranted on a child in conflict with the law.

• The court recognizes the mandate to protect the best interest of the child in conflict with the law through measures that will ensure the observance of international standards of child protection, and to apply the principles of restorative justice in all laws, policies, and programs applicable to children in conflict with the law.