Almeida vs Abaroa 40 Phil 1056

FACTS:

Civil action brought by Lucino Almeida, Chan Tanco, and other plaintiffs against Eduardo Abaroa.
Plaintiffs alleged that Abaroa set fire to and burned their store and warehouse, causing damages to their
property, then a criminal prosecution for arson was also brought against Abaroa but Abaroa was
acquitted by the court due to lack of satisfactory proof showing his participation in the crime

ISSUE: Can a civil action be brought against Abaroa for the damages caused by the fire, despite his
acquittal in the criminal case?

RULING:

NO. Abaroa cannot face a civil action as the Plaintiffs failed to establish grounds beyond the acquitted
arson charge. Full acquittal implies innocence and freedom from responsibility. Abaroa's exoneration in
the criminal case precludes civil liability for the damages caused by the fire. The court upheld the lower
court's dismissal of the civil action against Abaroa.