Case Digest (G.R. No. 73044)
Facts:
The case involves the accused-appellant Lito Palino and his co-accused Armando Manalansan, who were charged with the crime of Robbery with Homicide. The incident occurred on February 3, 1985, in Barangay Camaya, Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines. The victim, Marieta Guarizo, was stabbed with a deadly weapon and robbed of cash and jewelry. Palino was arrested while Manalansan was still at large. Palino pleaded not guilty and was tried separately. The Regional Trial Court of Balanga, Bataan, Branch 4 found Palino guilty of Robbery with Homicide and sentenced him to death.
Issue:
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Ruling:
The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the trial court and found the accused-appellant guilty of Robbery with Homicide. The court found no material inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and considered their testimonies credible. The court also rejected the defense of alibi presented by the accused-appellant, as he failed to provide credible witnesses to support his claim. The court ruled that the identification of the accused-appellant by the witnesses was valid, considering the circumst...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The court found no material inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. The alleged inconsistencies and contradictions raised by the accused-appellant were deemed minor and did not affect the credibility of the witnesses. The court gave weight to the positive identification of the accused-appellant by the witnesses.
- The court ruled that the identification of the accused-appellant by the witnesses was valid. The witnesses had sufficient opportunity to observe the accused-appellant during the commission of the crime, and their testimonies were consistent with each other. The court considered the circumstances of the encounter and the illumination in the area, which supported the reliability of the identification.
- The court found no error in the trial court's reliance on the testimony of the prosecution witnesses regarding the circumstances of recovery of the alleged proceeds of the crime. The witnesses testified that the stolen items were recovered from the accused-appellant's possession, and their testimonies were consistent and credible.
- The court upheld the trial court's consideration of dwellin...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 73044)
Facts:
The case of People v. Palino y Mercado involves the accused Lito Palino and his co-accused Armando Manalansan, who were charged with the crime of Robbery with Homicide. The incident took place on February 3, 1985, in Barangay Camaya, Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines. The accused were accused of conspiring and confederating together to rob and kill Marieta Guarizo. The Regional Trial Court of Balanga, Bataan, Branch 4 convicted Palino of the crime and sentenced him to death.
Issue:
The main issues raised in the case are as follows:
- Whether the trial court erred in giving credence to the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses despite alleged inconsistencies and contradictions.
- Whether the trial court erred in giving credence to the circumstances of identification of the accused-appellant by the prosecution witnesses.
- Whether the trial court erred in giving credence to the testimony of the prosecution witnesses regarding the circumstances of recovery of the alleged proceeds of the crime.
- Whether the trial court erred in considering the aggravating circumstances of dwelling and nighttime against the accused-appellant.
- Whether the trial court erred in finding that there was conspiracy in the commission of Robbery with Homicide.
Ruling:
The Supreme Court ruled that there were no material inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. The alleged contradictions were minor and did not affect the credibility of the witnesses. The court also found that the witnesses' identification of the accused was reliable, considering the circumstances of the encounter and the illumination in the room. The court rejected the accused's defense of alibi, as he failed to present credible witnesses to support his claim. The court also upheld the trial court's f...