Facts:

• Eduardo Mones was murdered on May 11, 1979, in the barangay of Papallasen, Municipality of Umingan, Province of Pangasinan.
• The accused individuals are Doroteo Pascual, Jr. alias "Boy", Warlie Organo, and Romeo Organo.
• The trial court found Doroteo Pascual, Jr. and Warlie Organo guilty of murder and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua.
• The court also ordered them to indemnify the heirs of the deceased in the amount of Twelve Thousand Pesos (P12,000.00).

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The appeals of Doroteo Pascual, Jr. and Warlie Organo are denied.
• The court affirms the judgment of the trial court, with the modification that the appellants shall indemnify the heir...(Unlock)

Ratio:

1. The findings of fact made by the trial court are entitled to great weight and should not be disturbed except for strong and cogent reasons.

• There are no strong and cogent reasons to disturb the trial court's conclusions and findings of fact.

2. The credibility of witnesses is not determined by the number of witnesses but by the quality of their testimony.

• Even if the testimony of Manuel Supnet, the main witness, had not been corroborated, it would not alter the result.

3. Evidence of motive is useful but not essential in a murder case.

• Lack of proof of motive is not fatal to the case for the prosecution.

4. The defense of...continue reading