Case Digest (G.R. No. 85795)
Facts:
- The case involves People of the Philippines vs. Nestor C. Lagota and Librado Fernandez, G.R. No. 85795, decided on February 14, 1991.
- The accused were sentenced to reclusion perpetua for murder by the Regional Trial Court of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Branch 39.
- The incident occurred on May 9, 1987, during a local fiesta in Barangay Magtaking, Bugallon, Pangasinan, around 7:30 PM.
- Eyewitnesses Flor Escano and Alberto Rosario testified that Herminigildo Escano was attacked while walking home with his wife and niece.
- The attack began with Joey de Quintos punching Herminigildo, followed by stabbing him with an ice pick.
- Other members of Joey's group, including Lagota and Fernandez, participated in the assault using various weapons, resulting in fifteen stab wounds and eight incised wounds, ten of which were fatal.
- Herminigildo died within minutes due to massive bleeding.
- The Integrated National Police investigated and arrested Lagota and Fernandez, while three other suspects remained at large.
- An Information charging murder was filed against six accused on December 2, 1987.
- Lagota and Fernandez pleaded not guilty and presented alibi defenses, claiming they were not present during the incident.
- The trial court found them guilty based on eyewitness testimonies and sentenced them accordingly.
- The case was appealed on the grounds that the presumption of innocence had not been overturned.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding no error in the conviction of Nestor Lagota and Librado Fernandez.
- The court ruled that the evidence, particularly eyewitness testimonies, sufficiently established the guilt of the accused...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized the credibility of eyewitnesses Flor Escano and Alberto Rosario, noting their consistent and corroborative testimonies regarding the brutal attack.
- The court addressed the defense's claims of i...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 85795)
Facts:
In the case of People of the Philippines vs. Nestor C. Lagota and Librado Fernandez, G.R. No. 85795, decided on February 14, 1991, the accused, Nestor Lagota and Librado Fernandez, were sentenced to reclusion perpetua by the Regional Trial Court of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Branch 39, for the crime of murder. The incident occurred on the evening of May 9, 1987, around 7:30 PM, in Barangay Magtaking, Bugallon, Pangasinan, during a local fiesta. Eyewitnesses Flor Escano and Alberto Rosario testified that Herminigildo Escano, Flor's husband, was attacked while walking home with Flor and their niece. Herminigildo was confronted by Joey de Quintos, who initially punched him and then stabbed him with an ice pick. This attack escalated as other members of Joey's group, including the appellants, took turns stabbing and hacking Herminigildo with various weapons, including a bolo and stones. The brutal assault resulted in fifteen stab wounds and eight incised wounds, ten of which were fatal. The victim died within minutes due to massive bleeding. Following the incident, the Integrated National Police investigated and apprehended Lagota and Fernandez, while three other suspects remained at large. An Information charging murder was filed against the six accused on December 2, 1987. During the trial, both Lagota and Fernandez pleaded not guilty and presented alibi defenses, c...