Case Digest (G.R. No. 128986)
Facts:
People of the Philippines filed with the Supreme Court a special civil action for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court assailing the Court of Appeals (CA) March 24, 1997 Decision that set aside the Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) conviction and acquitted Casan Maquiling of homicide and serious physical injuries. The original RTC Decision dated September 25, 1995, by Judge Maximino Magno-Libre, had found Maquiling guilty of homicide for the killing of Frederick Pacasum and of serious physical injuries for having physically injured Oligario “Jojo” Villarimo, based on the prosecution’s narrative that Maquiling first boxed the deceased and, during a commotion outside a disco, retrieved a .45 caliber pistol, fired warning shots, shot the deceased twice on the left thigh, fired another shot hitting the deceased on the chest, and also shot Jojo on the leg. The defense version, as summarized by the CA, was that the incident started as a quarrel involving Frederick and Maquiling’s...Case Digest (G.R. No. 128986)
Facts:
The People of the Philippines filed a Rule 65 petition for certiorari assailing the Court of Appeals Decision dated March 24, 1997 that set aside the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lanao del Norte, Branch 5 conviction of Casan Maquiling for homicide and serious physical injuries and ordered the acquittal. The RTC had found Maquiling guilty beyond reasonable doubt, while the CA accepted Maquiling’s claim of self-defense and noted material inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses.The CA found that unlawful aggression existed, that the means used were reasonably necessary, and that Maquiling lacked sufficient provocation. The People claimed the CA committed grave abuse of discretion and denied due process, including by allegedly disregarding physical evidence and by reviewing credibility findings not raised in the appeal brief.
Issues:
- Whether the Court of Appeals Decision of March 24, 1997 was void ab initio for grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.
- Whether the Court of Appeals denied the People due process by reviewing the RTC’s credibility findings despite the issues not being raised in the appeal brief.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)