Case Digest (G.R. No. 132676) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On the evening of August 25, 1996 in Barangay Baligayan, Pangasinan, resident Ruben Meriales heard a loud explosion that fatally wounded Florentino Dulay and his daughters Norwela and Nissan, and injured Noemi Dulay. Hidden behind bamboo slats in his own kitchen, Meriales positively identified Barangay Captain Jaime Carpo, Warlito Ibao, and Warlito’s sons Oscar and Roche Ibao as the perpetrators who stooped near his barn and hurled a hand grenade into the Dulay home. Meriales delayed reporting his observations until after the victims’ funeral but later gave a sworn statement on September 4, 1996 naming the accused. On October 3, 1996, the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Tayug, Pangasinan issued arrest warrants and charged the four with multiple murder complexed with attempted murder. At trial, the prosecution relied heavily on Meriales’ testimony and forensic evidence of grenade fragments, while the defense presented alibi testimony from the accused and their relatives and subm Case Digest (G.R. No. 132676) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Commission of the Offense
- Date, Time and Place
- On August 25, 1996 at around 8:00 PM in Brgy. Baligayan, Tayug, Pangasinan.
- Victims’ hut: the house of Florentino Dulay and family.
- Acts of the Accused
- Witness Ruben Meriales heard dogs barking, procured a flashlight and hid behind bamboo slats in his kitchen to observe.
- He saw barangay captain Jaime Carpo, Warlito Ibao, Oscar Ibao and Roche Ibao near his barn.
- Oscar lifted the sawali mat of the Dulays’ hut, hurled a hand grenade inside, then fled toward the creek with Roche.
- Explosion ensued, killing Florentino, his wife Norwela and daughter Nissan; daughter Noemi was wounded but survived.
- Aftermath, Investigation and Trial
- Immediate Response
- Ruben rushed to aid, borrowed a jeepney, but Norwela and Nissan died en route or shortly after due to shrapnel wounds.
- Noemi was treated and later transferred due to serious but nonfatal injuries.
- Statement and Complaint
- Ruben, fearing reprisal, gave his detailed statement at the police station on September 4, 1996.
- A criminal complaint for murder (three counts) and attempted murder (one count) was filed October 3, 1996.
- Arrests and Surrender
- Jaime Carpo was arrested October 25, 1996; Roche Ibao on December 9, 1996; Oscar and Warlito Ibao surrendered thereafter.
- Trial Proceedings
- Prosecution witnesses: Ruben Meriales, Noemi Dulay, two (2) physicians, and three (3) police officers.
- Defense witnesses: accused-appellants and their relatives, who raised alibi and alleged bias on Ruben’s part.
Issues:
- Credibility and Sufficiency of the Sole Witness
- Whether Ruben Meriales’s testimony was inconsistent with his prior affidavit.
- Whether Ruben’s admitted grudge against the Ibaos fatally compromised his impartiality.
- Adequacy of the Defense Case
- Validity of the alibi claims of Jaime Carpo, Warlito Ibao, Oscar Ibao and Roche Ibao.
- Legality of the P600,000 compromise on civil liability made by counsel without special power of attorney.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)