Case Digest (G.R. No. 121039-45)
Facts:
The People of the Philippines v. Mayor Antonio L. Sanchez, et al., G.R. Nos. 121039-45, January 25, 1999, First Division, Austria‑Martinez, J., writing for the Court. The criminal prosecution arose from the June 28–29, 1993 abduction, gang‑rape and killings of university students Allan Gomez and Eileen Sarmenta. After a 16‑month trial, Judge Harriet O. Demetriou of the Regional Trial Court, Pasig City, Branch 70 rendered a 132‑page Decision dated March 11, 1995 finding Mayor Antonio L. Sanchez and co‑accused George Medialdea, Zoilo Ama, Baldwin Brion, Luis and Rogelio Corcolon, and Pepito Kawit guilty beyond reasonable doubt of seven counts of rape with homicide, imposing seven terms of reclusion perpetua on each, and awarding specified actual and moral damages and litigation expenses to the victims’ families.The prosecution’s case principally rested on the in‑court testimony of two co‑conspirators turned state witnesses, Aurelio Centeno and Vicencio Malabanan, who narrated the abduction at U.P. Los Baños, detention at the Mayor’s Erais Farm, Allan’s beating and execution, and Eileen’s gang‑rape and killing; their accounts were corroborated by physical evidence (a missing belt loop from Eileen’s shorts recovered at Erais Farm, an M16 shell matching cartridges from an M16 rifle surrendered by Luis Corcolon, and the medico‑legal findings showing multiple seminal ejaculations and hymenal laceration). The defense advanced alibis, accused a rival (Kit Alqueza) as the mastermind, and alleged coercion/torture of several accused to extract inculpatory statements; several accused claimed they were tortured or subjected to harsh interrogation by police/military. The RTC credited Centeno and Malabanan, discredited the alibis and other defense witnesses, and found the physical and forensic evidence corroborative.
Appellants appealed the RTC conviction to the Supreme Court; the case came before the Court “on review.” The appellants challenged mainl...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the trial court commit grave abuse of discretion in accrediting the testimonies of Aurelio Centeno and Vicencio Malabanan despite alleged inconsistencies and prior recantations?
- Was the evidence as a whole sufficient to convict the appellants of seven counts of rape with homicide and conspiracy?
- Did pervasive media publicity at the investigation and trial stages so prejudiced the proceedings as to deny appellants a fair and impartial trial?
- Were the d...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)