Case Digest (G.R. No. 228000)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Ronald Palema y Vargas, Rufel Palmea y Bautista, Lyndon Saldua y Quezon, and Virgo Grengia, G.R. No. 228000, July 10, 2019, Supreme Court Third Division, Leonen, J., writing for the Court. The prosecution appealed the Court of Appeals' affirmation of the Regional Trial Court's conviction of four accused for robbery with homicide and challenged the acquittal of a co-accused.The Information, dated November 26, 2007, charged seven respondents — Ronald Palema, Rufel Palmea, Lyndon Saldua, Virgo Grengia, Lester Ladra (a minor), Edwin Manzanero, and Marvin Marqueses — with robbery with homicide for the November 10, 2007 killing of Enicasio Depante at Calamba Town Plaza. On arraignment, six pleaded not guilty; Marqueses remained at large. After pre-trial, trial on the merits proceeded.
Prosecution witnesses testified that at about 11:00 p.m. three men (identified later as Palema, Palmea, and Manzanero) approached Enicasio; Palmea struck him and drew a knife, Palema stabbed him when the knife was retrieved, and Grengia and Saldua joined in beating the victim. The victim later died of blood loss. Ladra eventually pleaded guilty and testified that the group, drunk and believing the victim had molested a woman, attacked and mugged him and that he (Ladra) stabbed the victim; Ladra also said Grengia was not with them. Manzanero died during the proceedings and the trial court dismissed the case against him.
By March 6, 2012 the RTC found Ladra guilty of robbery with homicide but, applying juvenile-law provisions, suspended service of sentence and remanded him to the National Training School for Boys (NTSB). The NTSB later recommended dismissal and discharge to parents; the RTC granted that recommendation on March 5, 2013 and dismissed Ladra. On April 15, 2013 the RTC convicted Palema, Palmea, Saldua, and Grengia of robbery with homicide, sentenced them to reclusion perpetua, ordered damages to the victim’s heirs, and acquitted Marqueses for lack of proof.
The Court of Appeals, in a May 18, 2016 Decision (CA-G.R. CR HC No. 06250), affirmed the RTC, upholding witnesses’ credibility and finding conspira...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Did the Court of Appeals err in affirming the conviction of Ronald Palema, Rufel Palmea, Lyndon Saldua, and Virgo Grengia for robbery with homicide?
- Was the acquittal of Marvin Marques...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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