Facts:
On or about
7:00 o’clock in the evening of September 17, 1983, in
Moreno District, municipality of Daet, province of Camarines Norte,
Julian Magdahong and
Benjamin Rivero were charged in two separate
informations for the deaths of
Gloria C. Barde and
Gilbert O. Camacho, respectively, alleging
double murder committed with
conspiracy, use of a
bolo, and attendant circumstances of
treachery,
evident premeditation, and
superior strength, with the victims stabbed and hacked on vital parts of the body resulting in
instantaneous death. During arraignment on
March 7, 1985, only Julian Magdahong appeared because his co-accused, Benjamin Rivero, was at large; Magdahong pleaded
“not guilty” to both charges, and the cases proceeded through a
consolidated trial. After trial, the court found Magdahong
guilty beyond reasonable doubt in both cases, sentencing him to
Reclusion Perpetua for each death, ordering payment to the heirs of
P30,000.00 per victim, and directing payment of
P200,000.00 to the victims’ parents for
moral, compensatory, and exemplary damages. The trial court’s conviction rested on the prosecution narrative that witnesses
Calixto Poling and
Evangeline Pacay heard a child’s cry of “Itay ko, Itay ko” coming from the Barde residence, then saw Magdahong leave the house together with Rivero with a
bloodied sundang/bolo; when Poling inquired, Magdahong threatened him and ran off, and later the pair departed in a tricycle parked in front of the residence. When
Salvador Barde and his wife returned home around
7:30 p.m., they found Gloria and Gilbert sprawl on the floor, soaked in blood, and both were already dead. The prosecution also claimed that although investigations were initially delayed, Salvador later sought assistance from PC-CIS and agents who interviewed the witnesses, which led to a formal complaint and the issuance of a warrant; Magdahong was arrested on
January 23, 1985 at
Benguet Mining Corporation in
Paracale, Camarines Norte. On appeal, Magdahong denied participation and relied on
alibi, claiming that he was at a
wel bienvenida party in a house about
three kilometers away, and further argued that the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies were fabricated; he also assailed the circumstances under which the witnesses gave their statements. He questioned the trial court’s credibility findings and insisted that the evidence was insufficient and uncorroborated.
Issues:
Whether
Julian Magdahong was guilty of
double murder beyond reasonable doubt based on the testimonies and evidence presented by the prosecution, notwithstanding his
alibi and his attack on the credibility of prosecution witnesses.
Ruling:
Ratio:
Doctrine: