Facts:

The case involves Mariano Daga, also known as Maning, who was the defendant-appellant in a criminal case against him for robbery with homicide. The incident occurred on March 5, 1960, at approximately 2:00 a.m. in the residence of Potenciano Barbasa, located in the barrio of Pawing, municipality of Palo, province of Leyte. During the early hours, a thief entered Barbasa's home and stole two watches and a ring valued at P105.00, along with P3.40 in cash. When Potenciano Barbasa awoke and confronted the intruder, he was stabbed in the left side of the stomach, resulting in his death the following day, March 6, 1960, at 3:00 a.m.

In the lower court, the Court of First Instance of Leyte found Daga guilty of the charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Additionally, he was ordered to indemnify the heirs of the deceased Barbasa in the amount of P6,000.00, along with the value of the stolen goods. The primary issue in the case revolved around the identity of the perpet...

Facts:

1. Incident Details:

   • On March 5, 1960, at around 2:00 a.m., a thief entered the house of Potenciano Barbasa in Pawing, Palo, Leyte.
   • The thief stole two watches, a ring (valued at P105.00), and cash amounting to P3.40 from the bedroom.
   • Potenciano Barbasa woke up and grappled with the thief, who stabbed him on the left side of the stomach with a knife.
   • Potenciano died on March 6, 1960, at 3:00 a.m. due to the inflicted wound.

2. Identification of the Culprit:

   • Epifania Barbasa (widow of the deceased) and their children, Milagros and William Barbasa, positively identified Mariano Daga as the thief and killer.
   • The witnesses testified that they knew Daga prior to the incident and saw him enter the lighted bedroom, steal the items, and stab Potenciano.

3. Defense of Alibi:

   • Mariano Daga denied the charges and claimed he was in Binangoran, Santa Fe, Leyte, from March 4, 1960, at 7:00 a.m. to March 5, 1960, at 11:30 a.m.
   • He presented testimonies from Teodorico Pedrero and Vicente Caidic to support his alibi.

4. Corroborating Evidence:

   • Vicente Dula, a municipal policeman, testified that he saw Daga walking between Guindapunan and Pawing on the evening of March 4, 1960.
   • Dula also found Daga in Pawing on March 6, 1960, with a knife (Exh. B) in his pocket. Daga admitted to Dula that the knife was used to stab Potenciano.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• (Unlock)

Ratio:

1. Credibility of Witnesses:

   • The trial court found the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses credible, as they had no reason to falsely accuse Daga.
   • The witnesses knew Daga prior to the incident, and their identification of him was clear and consistent.

2. Weakness of Alibi:

   • The alibi presented by Daga was deemed unworthy of credence. The proximity of the two municipalities (Palo and Santa Fe) allowed Daga to commit the crime in Pawing and still be in Binangoran later that day.

3. Corroborating Evidence:

   • The testimony of Vicente Dula, the municipal policeman, further supported the prosecution's case. Dula's account of finding Daga with the knife and Daga's admission of using it to stab Potenciano strengthened the evidence against him.

4. Absence of Motive to Fabricate:

   • There was no evidence suggesting that the prosecution witnesses or Vicente Dula had any ulterior motive to falsely implicate Daga.

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, emphasizing the credibility of the prosecution's evidence and the weakness of the defense's alibi.