Saturday, August 24, 2019

Irrelevant defenses in RA 9262 domestic violence case



“Anent the third issue, his former counsel's supposed gross negligence in failing to present the court actions between his mother and his mother-in-law and his filing a petition for the declaration of nullity of his marriage to complainant, the same are irrelevant as the elements for the violation of Section 5(i) of RA No. 9262 have been duly established.

That said elements have been duly established also disposes of the last issue raised, that the emotional/mental anguish suffered by the complainant was not proven. As found by the trial and appellate courts, the elements are all present; thus, petitioner's contention that his conviction was based on mere conjecture has already been evaluated and been found to be without merit. It has long been established that this Court is not a trier of facts. Factual findings of the RTC are conclusive and binding on this Court when affirmed by the CA. It is not the place for the petitioner to insist on a review of the factual findings of the trial courts, without showing that it falls under the exceptions.”

G.R. No. 234520, February 28, 2018]. ALLAN SAN JUAN VILLALON VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES.