Case Summary (G.R. No. 205855)
Facts of the Case
On November 28, 2002, Ambatang was charged with murder after allegedly stabbing Vidal multiple times on October 17, 2002, at around 10:30 p.m. The Information noted that the killing was attended by qualifying circumstances such as treachery, evident premeditation, and abuse of superior strength. Witnesses, including Jennifer Vidal Mateo and barangay tanod Romeo Acaba, testified that they observed Ambatang attacking Vidal with a knife, leading to Vidal's death shortly after being transported to a hospital.
Defense
In his defense, Ambatang claimed he was not present at the crime scene during the incident and provided an alibi asserting that he was at a computer learning center earlier in the day. His mother and girlfriend corroborated his alibi, stating he was at home during the stabbing.
Trial Court Decision
The Regional Trial Court, Branch 163, found Ambatang guilty of murder on April 5, 2010, imposing a penalty of reclusion perpetua and ordering him to pay various damages to the victim's heirs, including civil indemnity and moral damages.
Court of Appeals Findings
Ambatang appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and modified the damages awarded. It added an award for exemplary damages while removing the award for temperate damages because there were already actual damages recognized.
Supreme Court's Resolution
Upon further appeal to the Supreme Court, the sole issue was whether Ambatang was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder. The Court reaffirmed the trial court's factual findings, noting the credibility of the prosecution witnesses and their unequivocal identification of Ambatang. The alibi and denial presented by Ambatang were found to be weak and unreliable, particularly as they were supported predominantly by family members—witnesses viewed with suspicion in the context of fabricating alibis.
Legal Principles and Conclusion
The decision emphasized the principle that positive identification of a defendant by witnesses is afforded greater weight than alibis and denials. The Court also highlighted that misapprehensions regarding minor inconsistencies in witnesses'
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 205855)
Case Overview
- Case Citation: G.R. No. 205855
- Date: March 29, 2017
- Court: Supreme Court of the Philippines
- Parties: People of the Philippines (Plaintiff-Appellee) vs. King Rex A. Ambatang (Accused-Appellant)
- Nature of the Case: Murder
Facts of the Case
- Accused-appellant King Rex Ambatang was charged with the murder of 60-year-old Ely Vidal.
- The Information filed on November 28, 2002, alleged that on October 17, 2002, Ambatang, with intent to kill and armed with a knife, assaulted and stabbed Vidal in various parts of his body, resulting in his instantaneous death.
- The prosecution presented eyewitness accounts from Jennifer Vidal Mateo and barangay tanod Romeo Acaba, who both testified to witnessing the stabbing incident.
- Jennifer heard stones being thrown at their house and observed Ambatang outside with another individual named Loui before the attack occurred.
- Melody Vidal Navarro, Jennifer's cousin, called barangay tanods while Ambatang was seen sharpening a knife in his kitchen.
- Witnesses confirmed that Ambatang was found on top of Vidal, repeatedly stabbing him. The victim was declared dead on arrival at the hospital due to stab wounds to the chest.
Defense of the Accused
- Ambatang claimed he was at the AMA Computer Learning Center from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the day of the incident and arrived home around 9:30 PM.
- He alleged that he was doing l