Case Digest (G.R. No. 97914)
Facts:
- The case "People vs. Bromo" involves the fatal stabbing of Zacarias Lindo on March 19, 1983, in Negros Oriental, Philippines.
- Joel Bromo, alias "Cano," was charged with murder qualified by treachery.
- The prosecution's key witness was Victorina Zuniega, the sister-in-law of the deceased, who witnessed the stabbing.
- Victorina testified that Bromo, standing behind Lindo, stabbed him twice with a stainless hunting knife—once on the neck and once on the side.
- The victim ran into a dance hall, shouting that Bromo had stabbed him.
- The defense claimed that Sonny Boy Alejo was the actual assailant and presented witnesses to support this claim.
- The trial court found Bromo guilty, relying on Victorina's testimony and rejecting the defense's alibi and denial.
- Bromo was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to indemnify the victim's heirs.
- Bromo appealed, questioning the credibility of the lone eyewitness and asserting that Alejo was the true assailant.
- The Supreme Court of the Philippines heard the appeal, with the decision penned by Justice Gonzaga-Reyes on November 22, 1999.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no reason to doubt the credibility of the lone eyewitness, Victorina Zuniega.
- The Supreme Court rejected the defense's claim that Sonny Boy Alejo was the assailant, upholding the trial court's findings.
- The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Joel Bromo for murder qualified by...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court found Victorina Zuniega's testimony credible and consistent with the medico-legal findings.
- Her account was detailed and corroborated by the physical evidence, including the nature and location of the stab wounds.
- The Court emphasized that positive identification by an eyewitness carries more weight than the accused's denial and alibi.
- The dying declaration of the victim, identifying Bromo as his assailant, met all requisites for admissibility under Rule 130, Section 37 of the Rules of Court.
- The defense's claim that Sonny Boy Alejo was the assailant lacked credibility, as it was not corroborated by ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 97914)
Facts:
The case "People vs. Bromo" revolves around the fatal stabbing of Zacarias Lindo on the evening of March 19, 1983, at sitio Guindahogan, Barangay Suquib, Municipality of Tayasan, Negros Oriental, Philippines. The accused, Joel Bromo alias "Cano," was charged with murder qualified by treachery. The prosecution's case was primarily based on the testimony of Victorina Zuniega, the sister-in-law of the deceased, who witnessed the stabbing. Victorina testified that Bromo, standing behind Lindo, stabbed him twice with a stainless hunting knife—once on the left portion of the neck and then on the left side of the body. The victim subsequently ran inside a dance hall, shouting that Bromo had stabbed him. The defense claimed that another person, Sonny Boy Alejo, was the actual assailant and presented witnesses to support this claim. However, the trial court found Bromo guilty, giving full credence to Victorina's testimony and rejecting the defense's alibi and denial. The court sentenced Bromo to reclusion perpetua and ordered him to indemnify the victim's heirs. Bromo appealed the decision, challenging the credibility of the lone eyewitness and asserting that Alejo was the true assailant. The appeal was heard by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, with the decision penned by Justice Gonzaga-Reyes on November 22, 1999.
Issue:
- Did the trial court err in finding the testimony of the lone eyewitness, Victorina Zuniega, cr...