Eustaquio Mayo y Agpaoa v. People

Summary

This Supreme Court case involved a petition challenging the award of P700,000.00 moral damages to Linda Navarette, victim of a vehicular accident caused by bus driver Eustaquio Mayo's reckless imprudence. The accident resulted in Navarette's permanent facial disfigurement and total loss of vision in her right eye. While affirming her entitlement to moral damages under Article 2219(1) of the Civil Code for physical injuries resulting from a criminal offense, the Supreme Court reduced the award to P200,000.00, finding the original amount unconscionable and excessive. The Court rejected damages for loss of boyfriend, citing lack of legal basis and insufficient causal connection. The decision established important precedents on the proper measurement of moral damages, emphasizing they should alleviate suffering rather than enrich the complainant, and must be reasonable considering the actual losses and gravity of injuries sustained.