Facts:

• The case People vs. Bienvenido Hinlo y Canalija, G.R. No. L-48548, was decided on January 27, 1981.
• The incident took place on May 8, 1977, in Almanza, Las Piñas, Metro Manila.
• Bienvenido Hinlo engaged in a domestic dispute with his wife, during which he slapped her and threatened those who intervened.
• He forcibly entered Lolita Manalili's home and attacked Hilarion Martin, who was seated and talking with Benjamin Dayuta.
• Hinlo stabbed Martin twice in the back without provocation, resulting in fatal injuries, and also stabbed Dayuta once in the arm.
• Martin was transported to Perpetual Help Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
• Hinlo fled the scene and subsequently attacked Juan Padayao in an alley.
• He was arrested and charged with murder, leading to a conviction and a sentence of reclusion perpetua by the Court of First Instance of Rizal.
• Hinlo appealed, arguing that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses were inconsistent and unreliable.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision, concluding that minor inconsistencies in witness testimonies did not compromise their credibility.
• The Court determined that the failure to present additional witnesses did not constitute suppression of evidence, as their testimonies would have been cumulative.
• The defense of alibi was found insufficient due to the positive identification of the accused by ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court noted that minor inconsistencies in witness testimonies do not inherently diminish credibility; they may suggest that witnesses were not rehearsed.
• Key prosecution witnesses, Benjamin Dayuta and Saturnina Pe...continue reading