Punching a person in the Philippines can trigger criminal liability (punishment by the State) and civil liability (damages payable to the victim). Outcomes turn on the extent of injury, context of the punch, and available defenses. This article lays out the landscape under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), the Civil Code, and special laws commonly implicated.

I. Criminal Liability under the Revised Penal Code

A. What crime is charged?

A punch usually falls under Physical Injuries, classified by gravity:

Serious Physical Injuries – typically when the victim is incapacitated for more than 30 days, suffers permanent deformity, loss of a bodily function (e.g., sight, hearing), or other grave outcomes.
Less Serious Physical Injuries – incapacity or medical attendance for 10 to 30 days.
Slight Physical Injuries & Maltreatment – incapacity or medical attendance for 1 to 9 days, or ill-treatment that does not require medical care.

Practice tip: emergency-room “medico-legal” certificates documenting days of incapacity/medical attendance often drive the charge selection.

B. Penalties (imprisonment/fines)

Exact penalties depend on the specific facts and the court’s findings, but the general ranges of imprisonment under the RPC are:

Slight physical injuries: typically arresto menor (1–30 days) and/or fine.
Less serious physical injuries: typically arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months).
Serious physical injuries: ranges escalate, commonly from prisión correccional (6 months and 1 day to 6 years) up to prisión mayor (6 years and 1 day to 12 years) when there is loss of a sense, limb, or marked deformity.

Courts may add fines and accessory penalties (e.g., suspension of political rights) as provided by law.

C. Aggravating/Qualifying Circumstances

A punch may be reclassified or punished more severely when:

Victim is a person in authority/agent (e.g., a teacher or police officer in the performance of duty) → may constitute Direct Assault in addition to physical injuries.
Use of superior strength, treachery, cruelty, or the attack is in the victim’s dwelling.
Group attack, or act done at night to facilitate the crime.
The offender is recidivist or intoxicated (not accidentally).

These can raise the penalty to a higher degree.

D. Defenses and Exempting/Mitigating Circumstances

Self-defense/defense of relative/stranger (requires unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity of the means employed, and lack of sufficient provocation).
Incomplete self-defense (mitigates the penalty).
Lack of intent to injure does not erase liability if injury results, but can mitigate.
Provocation by the victim may mitigate.
Minority, mental state, or passion/obfuscation can also mitigate when established.

E. Procedure & Jurisdictional Notes

In flagrante delicto punching can justify warrantless arrest.
Barangay conciliation (Katarungang Pambarangay) is generally required before filing a criminal case for disputes between residents when the imposable penalty does not exceed 1 year of imprisonment or ₱5,000 fine—often applicable to slight or less serious physical injuries. Exceptions apply (e.g., different cities/barangays; person in authority; offenses not subject to conciliation).
Prescription of crimes (from date of commission/ discovery, subject to rules):
- Light offenses (e.g., slight physical injuries): about 2 months.
- Offenses punishable by arresto mayor: about 5 years.
- Correctional penalties: about 10 years.
- Afflictive penalties: about 15 years.

II. Civil Liability and Damages

A punch almost always generates civil liability together with the criminal case (or via a separate civil action).

A. Bases of civil liability

Arising from crime (civil action is deemed instituted with the criminal case unless waived/reserved).
Quasi-delict (tort) under the Civil Code when negligence/ fault is alleged independently of the crime—useful if the criminal case fails on reasonable doubt; civil liability can still prosper on preponderance of evidence.

B. Types of recoverable damages

Actual/Compensatory: medical bills, medicines, therapy, lost wages/earnings, transport, caretaker costs. Keep receipts and proof of income.
Temperate: when some pecuniary loss is certain but amounts cannot be fully proved.
Moral: physical suffering, mental anguish, social humiliation. Medical documentation and testimony help substantiate.
Exemplary (punitive): to deter egregious conduct, often when aggravating circumstances are present.
Attorney’s fees and litigation expenses: in proper cases.
Interest: courts impose legal interest (rate depends on period and jurisprudence) from a reckoning point set in the decision.

Even if the accused is acquitted on reasonable doubt, courts may still award civil damages if the act/ injury is proved by a lower standard of proof.

C. Liability of employers (subsidiary liability)

If the punch is thrown by an employee in the discharge of duties, an employer may face subsidiary (or direct, under tort) liability, subject to defenses (e.g., due diligence in selection and supervision).

III. Special Laws That May Increase Exposure

A simple punch can trigger more serious charges when special statutes apply:

Violence Against Women and Their Children (RA 9262) – punching a spouse/partner or the mother of one’s child is physical violence; penalties range from correctional to afflictive imprisonment, plus Protection Orders (TPO/PPO/EPO), custody, and support directives.
Special Protection of Children (RA 7610) – punching a child constitutes child abuse; penalties are severe and protective measures apply.
Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) may aggravate liability if conduct is part of gender-based violence in certain contexts.
Public officers/teachers/police victims – may constitute Direct Assault (separate felony) when attacked while performing official duties.
Sports context – beyond ordinary “game contact,” gratuitous punching can still be prosecuted if it exceeds the sport’s rules/consent.

IV. Evidence That Often Decides These Cases

Medico-legal certificate: details injuries and days of incapacity/medical attendance—the key driver of the charge and penalty bracket.
Photos/Video/CCTV/Bodycam: provenance and chain of custody matter.
Witnesses: including immediate reporting and consistent statements.
Receipts and payroll records: to prove actual damages and lost income.
Psychological evaluation: supports claims for moral damages, especially under RA 9262 and child-related cases.

V. Settlement, Affidavits, and Their Limits

Affidavit of Desistance/Amicable Settlement can support civil compromise and sometimes persuade a prosecutor to dismiss or a court to mitigate, particularly in slight/less serious cases.
But: for many public crimes (and under special laws like RA 9262/RA 7610), settlement does not automatically extinguish criminal liability. Prosecutors and courts are not bound to dismiss solely because the victim executes a quitclaim.

VI. Sentencing Mechanics and Ranges (At a Glance)

Penalty scale (RPC):
- Arresto menor: 1–30 days (light).
- Arresto mayor: 1 month & 1 day to 6 months (correctional).
- Prisión correccional: 6 months & 1 day to 6 years (correctional).
- Prisión mayor: 6 years & 1 day to 12 years (afflictive).
Courts apply the Indeterminate Sentence Law (for sentences exceeding 1 year, with exceptions), fixing minimum and maximum terms across penalty ranges, adjusted by aggravating/mitigating circumstances.

VII. Practical Pathways for Victims

Immediate care & documentation: Seek treatment; request a medico-legal exam and police blotter.
Barangay conciliation (if applicable): Often a prerequisite before filing in court for minor injuries between residents.
Criminal complaint: With the City/Provincial Prosecutor; attach medical proof and witness statements.
Protection Orders: If domestic/relationship-based (RA 9262), apply for TPO/PPO.
Civil action: File together with the criminal case or separately (e.g., quasi-delict) to recover damages.
Preserve evidence: Keep receipts, wage records, and communications.

VIII. Practical Pathways for the Accused

Counsel early: Statements to authorities should be made with advice of counsel.
Preserve defense evidence: Videos, eyewitnesses, messages showing provocation or unlawful aggression may support self-defense.
Medical exam: If injured, obtain your own medico-legal for context.
Explore settlement: For minor injuries (subject to limits), consider amicable settlement; civil compromise can reduce exposure even if the criminal case proceeds.
Comply with Release/Bail conditions; avoid contact that could be construed as harassment or retaliation.

IX. Frequently Asked Points

Is intent required? Not to cause a particular level of injury; intent to strike plus resulting injury suffices.
What if there’s no visible injury? “Maltreatment” or unlawful physical contact may still be punished (slight injuries), and civil liability may attach.
Can a punch be attempted/frustrated? Physical injuries are generally treated as consummated once contact/injury occurs; attempt/ frustration rarely applies.
Can you be sued twice? You cannot be punished twice criminally for the same act, but a separate civil action (e.g., quasi-delict) may proceed on a different cause of action and standard of proof.
Will a guilty plea help? It can mitigate the penalty, but consult counsel regarding consequences (criminal record, immigration, employment).

X. Bottom Line

A single punch can lead from a light offense with short jail time or fine to afflictive imprisonment and substantial civil damages, depending on injury, context, and aggravating factors.
Medical documentation and days of incapacity drive the charge and penalty.
Special laws (RA 9262, RA 7610) and status of the victim (person in authority) can dramatically increase criminal exposure.
Even if the criminal case falters, civil damages can still be awarded on a lower standard of proof.

Disclaimer: This is general legal information for the Philippine setting. Facts matter. For a specific incident, consult a Philippine lawyer who can evaluate evidence, applicable defenses, and optimal strategy.