Case Summary (G.R. No. 1465)
Introduction of Newly Discovered Evidence
- The court has the authority to appoint a commissioner to take testimony when a motion for the introduction of newly discovered evidence is presented.
- The testimony collected by the commissioner will be considered alongside the existing evidence in the case.
Findings of the Trial Court
- The trial court's judgment was based on the authenticity of a document labeled as Exhibit No. 3, purportedly a receipt from Maximo Madrilejos dated March 1, 1875.
- The trial court found the document to be genuine, despite the presence of suspicious circumstances surrounding its presentation.
Evidence from the Commissioner
- A commissioner was appointed to investigate the date of manufacture of the paper used for the alleged receipt.
- Testimony from Joaquin Samurac, manager of "La Hispana Americana" paper factory, revealed that the paper was produced long after the claimed date of the receipt.
- The specific watermarks on the paper were exclusive to the factory and were not used until 1880, with the first shipment to the Philippines occurring in 1881.
Allegations of Fraud
- Evidence presented at trial suggested that the paper had been chemically treated to appear older and that the signature of Maximo Madrilejos was a forgery.
- The alleged transfer of property indicated by the receipt was determined to be non-existent, establishing the fraudulent nature of the document beyond reasonable doubt.
Trial Court's Reluctance
- The trial judge expressed reluctance in affirming the document's authenticity, acknowledging the weight of the evidence against it.
- The judge noted the testimony of witnesses who claimed to have seen the signing of the document, but also recognized the inconsistencies and suspicious circumstances surrounding the case.
Judicial Considerations
- The judge reflected on the implications of declaring the document a forgery, which would necessitate finding multiple witnesses guilty of false testimony.
- The judge considered the possibility of reconciling the evidence under the presumption of innocence, ultimately leading to the co...continue reading