Case Digest (G.R. No. 191063)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Aldrin M. Galicia, G.R. No. 191063, October 09, 2013, Supreme Court Second Division, Perez, J., writing for the Court.On June 10, 2004, Judge Voltaire Rosales was fatally shot while inside his green Mitsubishi Pajero at the corner of N. Gonzales and F. Platon Streets, Tanauan City, Batangas. On January 24, 2005, an Information for murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, was filed charging Aldrin M. Galicia and Jun Asuncion with murder committed with treachery and evident premeditation; Asuncion remained at large while Galicia was arrested and pleaded not guilty.
At trial the prosecution relied principally on eyewitnesses Maricel Flores and Ramil Enriquez, whose testimonies placed two men on a black motorcycle—one later identified as Galicia—approaching the vicinity, firing at the Pajero, and fleeing. Forensics evidence, including an autopsy by Dr. Antonio Vertido, established gunshot wounds to the head and neck as cause of death. The defense presented alibi testimony placing Galicia at a wake in Pantay Matanda and elicited testimony from Barangay Chairwoman Lourdes Rosales that Flores initially told police she did not see the incident.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 58, Makati City, after evaluating witnesses and exhibits, found Galicia guilty of murder in a Decision dated November 5, 2007, and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua with an order to indemnify Php50,000. The Court of Appeals (CA), in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 03143, promulgated Novembe...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the trial court and the Court of Appeals commit reversible error in accrediting the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses Maricel Flores and Ramil Enriquez despite alleged contradictions and inconsistencies?
- Were the qualifying circumstances of treachery and evident premeditation established so as to characterize the killing as murder and warrant aggravation of penalty?
- Are the penalties and damages imposed by the lower courts ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)