Facts:

• Accused-appellant Koben Vista was convicted of multiple murder by the Regional Trial Court of Antique and sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
• The prosecution presented the positive testimonies of Nicanor Lomugdang and Demetrio Lomugdang to establish the identity of Vista as the perpetrator of the crime.
• The defense of Vista was denial and uncorroborated alibi.
• The distance between Vista's residence and the place where the grenade throwing occurred was only two kilometers.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed Vista's conviction.
• The Court held that his identity as the perpetrator of the crime was sufficiently established by the positive testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.
• The trial court, as the trier of fact and credibility, found that the testimonies of the witnesses clearly and adequately proved how the killing happened and the extent of Vista's participation in the incident...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The determination of credibility is a function of the trial court, and its factual findings are generally not disturbed on appeal unless there is a misapplication of facts or circumstances.
• In this case, there was no valid reason to discredit the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.
• Alibi is rejected when the identity of the accused is sufficiently and positively established by the ...continue reading