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PEOPLE Vs. Juanito Q. Aquino

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. JUANITO Q. AQUINO, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 87084 | 1990-06-27

D E C I S I O N


REGALADO, J.:

In the criminal justice systems of modern civilized nations, insanity is invariably recognized as a valid defense against punishment for crime. The proverbial bone of contention, however, is in the ascertainment of the veracity of the claimed affliction and the determination of the degree of mental aberration, as a ground for acquittal or a basis for extenuation of criminal liability. We have such a situation before us in the present appeal.

Appellant Juanito Q. Aquino was charged with rape with homicide before the Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 57 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, under...