Punching another person can lead to criminal liability, civil liability, or both. Outcomes depend on the severity of the injury, the relationship of the parties, the context (e.g., domestic setting, school, hazing, sports), and the presence of defenses (like self-defense). Below is a comprehensive guide in the Philippine context.

1) Criminal liability under the Revised Penal Code (RPC)

A. What crime is charged?

Most punch-related cases are prosecuted as physical injuries under the RPC. Classification depends on how serious the harm is and—critically—how many days the victim was medically attended or incapacitated from work.

Serious Physical Injuries (Art. 263) Applies to the gravest results, such as:
- Loss of speech, hearing, sense of smell, or loss of an eye, hand, foot, arm, or leg
- Loss of the use of such member/organ, or becoming impotent, blind, insane, imbecile
- Deformity or incapacity for habitual work for a prolonged period (e.g., >30 or >90 days, depending on the case) Penalty: prisión correccional to prisión mayor (roughly 6 months + 1 day up to 12 years, depending on the particular injury and circumstances).
Less Serious Physical Injuries (Art. 265)
- Medical attendance or incapacity for labor ≥10 days but <30 data-preserve-html-node="true" days. Penalty: arresto mayor (roughly 1 month + 1 day to 6 months) and possible civil fine.
Slight Physical Injuries and Maltreatment (Art. 266)
- Medical attendance or incapacity for labor 1–9 days, or
- Ill-treatment that does not require medical attendance (e.g., a bruise that heals quickly), or
- Physical injuries in certain minor situations. Penalty: arresto menor (1–30 days) or fine (amounts in the RPC have been updated by later laws).

Practical point: The medico-legal certificate and follow-up medical records are central. Prosecutors and courts look closely at the number of days of medical attendance or incapacity to work to classify the offense.

B. Circumstances that raise or alter the charge

Direct Assault (Art. 148) if the punch targets a person in authority (e.g., a barangay captain, teacher in the exercise of functions) or agent while performing official duties. Penalties increase and may be imposed in addition to physical injuries.
Qualified circumstances (e.g., use of superior strength, nighttime, in public, recidivism, intoxication if habitual or intentional) can aggravate penalties.
Multiple offenders or use of weapons can also aggravate punishment.

C. Special laws that may apply

Violence Against Women and Their Children (RA 9262): A punch within an intimate or family context can be prosecuted as physical violence with stiffer penalties, and victims may obtain Protection Orders (EPO/TPO/PPO).
Child Abuse (RA 7610): Punching a minor constitutes child abuse; penalties are significantly higher.
Anti-Hazing (RA 11053): If the punch occurs during hazing/initiations, specialized (and heavier) penalties apply.
Schools/Workplaces: Separate administrative liabilities (suspension, dismissal) may arise under codes of conduct, anti-bullying policies (RA 10627), or company rules. These are in addition to criminal/civil cases.

D. Penalty ranges and alternatives

Arresto menor/Mayor may be served in jail; however, courts may grant:
- Probation (Probation Law), subject to eligibility; or
- Community service in lieu of jail time for arresto penalties under the Community Service Act (RA 11362), at the court’s discretion.
Fines may accompany or substitute short jail terms, as allowed.

E. Prescriptive periods (time limits to file)

Light offenses (e.g., slight physical injuries): generally 2 months from the commission.
Less grave offenses (e.g., less serious physical injuries): generally 10 years.
Grave offenses (some serious physical injuries): generally 20 years. (Separate rules govern interruption and tolling; timely reporting helps preserve rights.)

2) Civil liability: compensation for the victim

A punch can give rise to civil liability in two ways:

Civil action ex delicto (arising from the crime): When a criminal case is filed, the civil action for damages is deemed instituted unless the victim waives, reserves the right to file it separately, or has already filed a separate case.
Independent civil action for quasi-delict (Art. 2176, Civil Code): The victim may sue in a separate civil case for a negligent/intentional tort even if there is a criminal case (or even if the criminal case is dismissed or results in acquittal), subject to rules against double recovery.

Recoverable damages (Civil Code)

Actual/compensatory damages (hospital bills, medicines, therapy, lost wages/earning capacity). Receipts and payroll records matter.
Moral damages (for physical suffering, mental anguish, serious anxiety, social humiliation). Requires credible testimony and context.
Temperate damages (when actual loss is certain but not provable in specific amounts) or nominal damages (to vindicate rights).
Exemplary (punitive) damages (when offender’s act is wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, or when aggravating circumstances attend).
Attorney’s fees and litigation expenses (per Art. 2208) when justified.
Legal interest (commonly 6% per annum under prevailing jurisprudence) computed from the date determined by the court (often the date of demand for liquidated sums and, for unliquidated awards, from finality of judgment).

Tip: Keep all receipts, doctor’s notes, and proof of income (payslips, tax returns) to support claims.

3) Defenses and how they affect liability

Self-defense, defense of relative, or stranger (justifying circumstances): If complete, they erase criminal and civil liability.
- Requirements: unlawful aggression by the victim, reasonable necessity of the means employed, and lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the defender.
Incomplete self-defense (one element missing): Can mitigate criminal liability and reduce the penalty; civil liability may still remain, though often reduced according to contributory fault.
State of necessity: Injury done to avoid a greater harm; civil liability may shift to the person benefited.
Accident (no fault/negligence), insanity, minority, or irresistible force: may exempt from criminal liability (with varying civil effects).
Provocation by the victim can mitigate penalties and reduce damages.
Consent and assumption of risk (e.g., in sports) can limit liability—but not for intentional blows outside the sport’s accepted rules.

4) Procedure and evidence: what typically happens

Report & Documentation
- Police blotter and medico-legal exam as early as possible.
- Photograph injuries; get follow-up medical certificates showing days of medical attendance/incapacity.
Barangay Justice System (Katarungang Pambarangay)
- For many punch cases (especially slight and less serious injuries) where the parties reside in the same city/municipality, barangay conciliation is a condition precedent to filing in court, unless an exception applies (e.g., government party, urgent legal action, parties live in different cities/municipalities, or the offense falls under exceptions).
- If the parties reach a written settlement and comply, it has the force of a final judgment and can bar further suit on the same cause (without legalizing public offenses). Non-compliance lets the aggrieved party proceed to court.
Filing the criminal case
- Typically initiated through the Prosecutor’s Office (complaint-affidavit with evidence), which may require clarificatory hearings before filing an Information in court.
Bail/Arraignment/Trial
- For bailable offenses (most physical injuries), the accused may post bail.
- Civil action is ordinarily deemed included in the criminal case unless reserved.
Judgment and Execution
- The court imposes penalties and awards damages, with interest. Restitution and compliance are enforced through writs if the accused does not voluntarily pay.

5) Special contexts

Domestic setting: RA 9262 may apply; victims may obtain protection orders (ex parte EPO, 15-day TPO, and PPO after hearing). Violations carry separate criminal liability.
Victim is a child: RA 7610 elevates penalties and treats the act as child abuse. Protective measures and specialized procedures apply.
Hazing/Fraternities: RA 11053 imposes stringent penalties even absent death, and holds organizers/officers liable.
Workplace/school: Administrative cases (discipline, dismissal) can proceed independently.
Sports: Ordinary in-play contact may be non-criminal; intentional, retaliatory, or dangerously excessive blows can still be charged.

6) Money questions: how courts think about damages

Actual expenses must be receipted where feasible; lack of receipts can lead to temperate damages instead of actual.
Lost earnings need proof of salary, occupation, or business income (e.g., pay slips, ITRs); otherwise, courts may deny or reduce claims.
Moral damages hinge on credible proof of pain, humiliation, or anxiety (testimony is important).
Exemplary damages punish and deter—courts look for aggravating features (e.g., public place, use of a weapon, prior threats).
Interest is standard and can be substantial over time.

7) Settlement, apology, and restorative outcomes

Amicable settlement may occur at the barangay or during the case.
Civil compromise can settle money claims; however, public criminal liability itself generally cannot be compromised (except in very limited instances defined by law).
Restorative justice pathways (particularly for youth) and community service options can be considered under modern statutes and court programs.

8) Government compensation when offender can’t pay

Victims of violent crimes may apply for state compensation (administered under enabling laws and DOJ programs) when the offender is unknown, cannot be prosecuted, or is insolvent. Awards are capped and subject to proof and availability of funds; they do not bar the victim from pursuing the offender for the remainder.

9) Practical checklist (victims)

Get medico-legal and follow-up certificates (track days).
Keep receipts and income proof.
Record witnesses, CCTV, and incident reports.
Consider barangay conciliation (if required) and protection orders (where applicable).
Decide whether to merge the civil claim in the criminal case or file a separate tort suit (quasi-delict).
Mind prescriptive periods.

10) Practical checklist (accused)

Preserve evidence of self-defense or provocation (videos, texts, witnesses).
Obtain independent medical evaluation if also injured.
Explore probation/community service eligibility for arresto-level penalties.
Avoid contact with the complainant, especially where protection orders might issue—violations are separate crimes.

11) Key takeaways

The number of days of medical attendance or incapacity is pivotal in classifying the criminal charge.
Civil damages can be significant (actual, moral, exemplary, plus interest), and may be pursued with or independent of the criminal case.
Context matters: domestic relations, child status, hazing, public officials, and sports can change the legal framework and penalties.
Defenses (complete or incomplete self-defense) can remove or mitigate liability.
Documentation wins cases—for both sides.

Disclaimer

This article is an overview for general information and does not replace tailored legal advice. Facts and remedies can vary by circumstance. For specific cases, consult a Philippine lawyer.