Vicente Lamis v. David Y. Ong

Summary

Security guard Vicente Lamis shot cemetery visitor David Ong during a confrontation at Manila Chinese Cemetery's gate after hours. Ong sued both Lamis and his employer Sandigan for damages. The trial court awarded substantial damages, which the Court of Appeals affirmed. On appeal to the Supreme Court, petitioners challenged Lamis' self-defense claim and Sandigan's due diligence defense. The Supreme Court denied the petition, holding these were questions of fact not reviewable on certiorari, but significantly reduced the damage awards from P850,000 total to P75,000 as the original amounts were excessive. The case establishes liability principles for security agencies and appropriate damage measurements in tort cases.