Case Digest (G.R. No. 111193)
Facts:
- The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Wilfredo Lara and several co-accused, including Ferdinand Suarez and Loreto Reyes.
- The incident occurred on December 8, 1987, at Estrellita Guzman's residence in Pasig, Metro Manila.
- Arlene Tuyor, a domestic helper, was awakened by loud knocking and found Ferdinand Suarez surrounded by two masked men.
- The intruders tied Tuyor and abducted Suarez, after which Tuyor discovered Estrellita Guzman bleeding from stab wounds; she later died from her injuries.
- Police found evidence at the scene, including ropes, cloths, and a half-eaten chicken.
- Ferdinand Suarez confessed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that he conspired with Loreto Reyes and others to rob his aunt, Estrellita Guzman, providing them with keys for the crime.
- The NBI arrested several individuals, including Wilfredo Lara, who was implicated by Reyes in planning the robbery.
- The Regional Trial Court of Pasig found the accused guilty of robbery with homicide, sentencing them to reclusion perpetua and ordering damages to the victim's heirs.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court ruled that the extrajudicial confessions of the accused were admissible as corroborative evidence against Lara.
- The trial court's finding of guilt was upheld, as the evidence was sufficient to establish Lara's involvement in the crime.
- The Court ...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court noted that extrajudicial confessions are admissible only against the confessant but can corroborate evidence against co-accused if they interlock and support each other's statements.
- The confessions of Reyes and Suarez were credible and corroborated by oth...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 111193)
Facts:
The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Wilfredo Lara, the accused-appellant, along with several co-accused including Ferdinand Suarez, Loreto Reyes, and others. The events transpired in the early hours of December 8, 1987, at the residence of Estrellita Guzman located at 22 Sta. Teresita Street, Barrio Capitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila. Arlene Tuyor, a domestic helper, was awakened by loud knocking on her door and found Ferdinand Suarez, also known as "Jojo," surrounded by two masked men. The intruders tied Tuyor up and abducted Suarez. After the intruders left, Tuyor discovered Estrellita Guzman bleeding in her bedroom, who later succumbed to her injuries from stab wounds. The police investigation revealed that the intruders had forcibly entered the house, and evidence such as ropes, cloths, and a half-eaten chicken was found at the scene.
Ferdinand Suarez later recounted that he was attacked by six men in his home, who threatened him and his family. He eventually confessed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that he had conspired with Loreto Reyes and others to rob his aunt, Estrellita Guzman, and that he had provided them with keys to facilitate the crime. The NBI's investigation led to the arrest of several individuals, including Wilfredo Lara, who was implicated by Reyes as having been involved in the planning of the robbery. The case was filed in the Reg...