Case Digest (G.R. No. 97957)
Facts:
- The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Alberto Lase, alias "Bert," the accused-appellant.
- The incident occurred on May 18, 1987, in Barangay Pia-ong, Dimasalang, Masbate, where the victim, Dante Huelva, was fatally stabbed.
- A criminal complaint for murder was filed two days later by the Acting Station Commander of the Integrated National Police (INP) of Dimasalang with the 5th Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC).
- An inquiry by the presiding judge led to an arrest warrant for Lase, who was arrested on May 20, 1987, and later released on bail.
- Lase did not submit a counter-affidavit during the preliminary investigation, prompting the MCTC to forward the case to the Office of the Provincial Fiscal of Masbate.
- A reinvestigation requested by Lase resulted in the case being dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but this dismissal was reversed by the Secretary of Justice.
- The Provincial Fiscal was directed to file an information for murder against Lase, alleging intent to kill and treachery.
- The prosecution presented several witnesses, including Dr. Ernesto Tamayo and Godofreda Huelva, the victim's mother.
- The defense claimed an alibi, asserting Lase was elsewhere during the stabbing.
- The trial court found Lase guilty of murder, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and ordering him to indemnify the victim's parents P30,000.
- Lase appealed, claiming errors in the trial court's reliance on prosecution witnesses and the failure to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's reliance on the prosecution witnesses, affirming their credibility.
- The Court ruled that the prosecution proved the accused-appellant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- The Court found that treachery wa...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized that the trial court is best positioned to assess witness credibility, having observed their demeanor during testimony.
- The Court noted that the delay in reporting the crime by witness Dominico Pangantihon did not inh...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 97957)
Facts:
The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Alberto Lase, alias "Bert," the accused-appellant. The incident in question occurred on May 18, 1987, in Barangay Pia-ong, Dimasalang, Masbate, where the victim, Dante Huelva, was fatally stabbed. Two days after the incident, a criminal complaint for murder was filed by the Acting Station Commander of the Integrated National Police (INP) of Dimasalang with the 5th Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC). The presiding judge conducted an inquiry, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Lase, who was arrested on May 20, 1987, and subsequently released on bail.
Lase failed to submit a counter-affidavit during the preliminary investigation, resulting in the MCTC forwarding the case to the Office of the Provincial Fiscal of Masbate. A reinvestigation was requested by Lase, which led to the dismissal of the case due to insufficient evidence. However, this dismissal was reversed by the Secretary of Justice, directing the Provincial Fiscal to file an information for murder against Lase. The information alleged that Lase, with intent to kill and treachery, attacked and stabbed Huelva, causing his death.
During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses, including Dr. Ernesto Tamayo, who conducted the autopsy, and Godofreda Huelva, the victim's mother. The defense relied on alibi, claiming Lase was elsewhere at the time of the stabbing. The trial court ultimately found Lase guilty of murder, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and ordering him...