Case Digest (G.R. No. L-11893)
Facts:
The People of the Philippines v. Antonio Saladino, G.R. No. L-11893. May 23, 1958, the Supreme Court En Banc, Concepcion, J., writing for the Court. The prosecution (plaintiff-appellee) charged Antonio Saladino (defendant-appellant), together with Roman Tabios, Basilio Macalinao, one alias Payabyab and six unknown persons, with kidnapping with multiple murders arising from events of April 11–12, 1943 in Laur, Nueva Ecija. The amended information alleged that the group kidnapped Bernardo Rivera and, with evident premeditation and treachery, killed Mariano Rivera, Juana Aquino, Olympia Rivera and Marcelino Rivera, and pleaded several aggravating circumstances.After trial before the Court of First Instance of Nueva Ecija, Saladino alone was apprehended and tried; the trial court found him guilty as charged for the four murders and sentenced him to four reclusion perpetua with indemnities and costs (the court applied Art. 70, Revised Penal Code, in fixing maximum duration). None of his co-defendants were apprehended. The judgment noted the kidnapping count but later the Supreme Court would treat the evidence on kidnapping as insufficient to link Saladino.
The prosecution presented eyewitness testimony primarily from Cecilio Rivera, a surviving family member, who testified that at about 3:00 a.m. he saw Saladino and Tabios enter his parents’ house, heard Tabios order Saladino to tie the family, and observed Saladino comply; Cecilio was then taken to an open field, rendered unconscious and bore a long bolo wound on the nape. Other witnesses included Aurelia Rivera (who identified Macalinao as one who took Bernardo) and Pedro de Vera (who could not identify anyone). The defense put Saladino on the stand: he denied participation and claimed he did not leave his home the night of the incident; he also produced Mayor Pedro Aquino who testified that on April 13, 1943 he was told by Cecilio that Cecilio could not identify the malefactors. On rebuttal, Estanislao Domingo confirmed that when he found Cecilio on April 13, 1943 Cecilio had a large wound on the nape and was unable to speak for over a week.
The trial court credited Cecilio’s identification, disbelieved the mayor’s account and rejected the defense theory of mistaken ide...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Was the evidence sufficient to convict Antonio Saladino for the four murders charged?
- Was the evidence sufficient to convict Antonio Saladino for the kidnapping of Bern...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)