Facts:

• On April 25, 1982, at around 6:00 PM, brothers Domingo and Dominador Nepal were near Merly Pelago's store in Barangay San Isidro, General Luna, Quezon.
• Present at the store were Barangay Captain Pacito Agoncillo, Ruben Agoncillo, and others engaged in drinking.
• Dominador went to a nearby house while Domingo was called over by Ruben.
• Dominador heard shouts and returned to find Jesus Lachica kicking Ruben, with Domingo trying to intervene.
• After deciding to leave, Domingo and Dominador were ambushed by Virgilio TaAedo, Berlito Lachica, Danilo Mercadal, and others armed with bladed weapons.
• Domingo was attacked, suffering multiple wounds, including a fatal chest injury.
• Maxima Remuyan, Domingo's mother, witnessed the attack and called for help, but it was too late.
• The accused were charged with murder, facing allegations of conspiracy, treachery, and evident premeditation.
• During the trial, the accused presented alibis and denied involvement, while prosecution witnesses testified against them.
• On December 14, 1990, the trial court convicted the accused of murder, sentencing them to imprisonment and ordering indemnification for Domingo's heirs.
• The accused appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction but modified the sentence to reclusion perpetua.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled that the trial court did not misappreciate the testimonies of the witnesses.
• The evidence presented was sufficient to establish the culpability of the accused for murder.
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Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that the trial court's findings of fact, especially regarding witness credibility, are given significant weight due to its opportunity to observe witness demeanor.
• The defense's alibi was found to be weak and insufficient to prove the accused's absence at the crime scene.
• Testimonies from prosecution witnesses, including ...continue reading