Case Digest (G.R. No. 24569) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On April 18, 2010, at around 10:00 p.m., in Barangay Matingain 1, Lemery, Batangas, Hilario B. Aliling alias "Larry" was charged with Frustrated Murder for allegedly shooting Jerry Tumbaga y Marasigan with an unlicensed short firearm. The firearm inflicted two gunshot wounds on Tumbaga—0.5 cm on his left paravertebral area and 0.5 cm on the right infrascapular area. Although Aliling ostensibly intended to kill Tumbaga, the latter survived due to prompt medical attention. The prosecution relied on eyewitness testimonies, chiefly from Tumbaga and Jesus Marasigan, who identified Aliling as the assailant. The defense presented an alibi wherein Aliling, supported by witnesses including Adrian Cabral Atienza and Michael Perez Bathan, claimed he was in Barangay Masalisi campaigning from morning till after midnight and not present at the crime scene. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found Aliling guilty beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing the credibility of the prosecution’s e
... Case Digest (G.R. No. 24569) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Case Background
- Petitioner Hilario B. Aliling (Aliling) was charged with Frustrated Murder for shooting Jerry Tumbaga y Marasigan (Tumbaga) on April 18, 2010, at Barangay Matingain I, Lemery, Batangas.
- Aliling was accused of shooting Tumbaga twice using an unlicensed short firearm with intent to kill and with qualifying circumstances of treachery and evident premeditation.
- Tumbaga sustained gunshot wounds requiring medical attention and incapacitation for more than three months. Timely treatment prevented his death.
- Trial Proceedings
- Aliling pleaded not guilty and filed a motion for bail, which was granted.
- Prosecution witnesses included:
- Jerry Tumbaga, the victim, who testified he was shot in the back twice and identified Aliling as the assailant.
- Jesus Marasigan, Tumbaga’s uncle, who witnessed the shooting and identified Aliling as the gunman.
- Dr. Mark Louie M. Lanting, who conducted Tumbaga’s surgery and issued the medico-legal certificate.
- Defense witnesses included:
- Hilario Aliling, who testified an alibi denying presence at the crime scene during the shooting, stating he was campaigning in Barangay Masalisi during the relevant time.
- Adrian Cabral Atienza, who corroborated Aliling’s alibi that he was with Aliling campaigning from morning until early next day at Barangay Masalisi.
- Michael Perez Bathan, who witnessed the shooting and stated that the assailant was an unidentified man, not Aliling.
- Trial Court and Appellate Court Decisions
- The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found Aliling guilty beyond reasonable doubt, giving more weight to the prosecution’s positive identification over the defense’s alibi.
- The RTC noted an alleged inconsistency in Aliling’s testimony about his motorcycle use, which weakened the alibi.
- Aliling filed an appeal and a motion for bail pending appeal, which were granted.
- The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction, ruling the defense failed to establish a credible alibi.
- The CA denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Aliling.
- Petition for Review before the Supreme Court
- Aliling petitioned for review on certiorari under Rule 45, asserting:
- Prosecution failed to prove Aliling’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- The prosecution’s witnesses’ testimonies were inconsistent and incredible.
- The CA erred in rejecting his credible alibi supported by unbiased defense witnesses, including the eyewitness Bathan who denied Aliling as the shooter.
Issues:
- Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the RTC’s judgment convicting Hilario B. Aliling of Frustrated Murder despite credible evidence supporting his alibi and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)