Facts:

• On August 23, 2004, Rex Nimuan y Cacho was charged with murder in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 31, Agoo, La Union.
• The appellant pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.
• Eyewitness Alfredo Ruiz, the victim's brother and the appellant's first cousin, testified.
• On July 22, 2004, Alfredo saw the victim, the appellant, and Boy Nieva drinking at a local store.
• Later, while walking home, Alfredo witnessed the appellant attack the victim with a bolo, leading to the victim's collapse.
• Alfredo fled to seek help after observing the attack.
• The postmortem report indicated the victim died from multiple hack wounds causing massive blood loss.
• The appellant claimed an alibi, stating he was watching television at his uncle's house during the incident.
• The RTC found the appellant guilty of murder on December 29, 2004, citing Alfredo's identification and postmortem findings.
• The court recognized treachery as a qualifying circumstance but acknowledged voluntary surrender as a mitigating factor, sentencing the appellant to 20 years of reclusion temporal maximum to 40 years of reclusion perpetua and ordering P100,000 civil indemnity to the victim's heirs.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Court affirmed the conviction of the appellant for murder.
• The Court upheld the appreciation of treachery as a qualifying circumstance.
• The Court agreed with the Court of Appeals that the mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender was not applicable....(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court found no reason to overturn the lower courts' findings, as the evidence established the appellant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Alfredo Ruiz's eyewitness account was credible and supported by the postmortem report detailing the...continue reading