Rommel Tan and Rommel Romeo Tan vs. People of the Philippines

Summary

The Supreme Court denied the petition filed by Rommel Tan and Rommel Romeo Tan challenging their criminal conviction for Slight Physical Injuries and Unjust Vexation. The case involved the assault of private complainant Joe Buado, where both petitioners inflicted physical injuries documented in a medico-legal certificate, and Rommel made threatening statements that annoyed and embarrassed the victim. The Court of Appeals had previously found them guilty and awarded nominal damages. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction but deleted the nominal damages award for lack of legal justification. The Court emphasized that factual findings of trial courts, when adopted by appellate courts, are binding absent exceptional circumstances. The case demonstrates the application of Article 266 of the Revised Penal Code on Slight Physical Injuries and the broad scope of Unjust Vexation in protecting individuals from conduct that causes annoyance or distress.