Case Summary (G.R. No. L-6320)
Facts of the Case
Feliciano de la Pasion owned a young carabao, approximately three years old and valued at P110, which he secured near his residence in Poponto on the night of May 22, 1909. The carabao was discovered missing after its tether had been cut and the enclosure gate forcibly opened. De la Pasion, alongside local neighbors, searched for the carabao for several days without success. On June 5, 1909, Irineo Daquigan and Teofilo Bautista saw Caralipio and Fernando driving the stolen carabao toward San Manuel, where Caralipio was riding it.
Discovery and Legal Proceedings
Upon notification by the witnesses, de la Pasion located the carabao with the municipal treasurer in San Manuel. Ownership was disputed since Cipriano Fernando also claimed it. Following a preliminary investigation by Justice of the Peace Marciano de Guzman, sufficient evidence led to the defendants being held for trial. The court needed to determine the rightful ownership based on credible evidence provided during these proceedings.
Evidence Presented
De la Pasion established his ownership through his own testimony and corroborative statements from multiple witnesses, including a practical identification test conducted by Justice de Guzman. He instructed both Fernando and de la Pasion to present the alleged mothers of the young carabao. When the mothers were brought to the confinement area, the young carabao exhibited clear affection towards de la Pasion's caraballa, ignoring the one claimed by Fernando. This incident solidified de la Pasion's assertion of ownership.
Accusations and Testimony
Fernando admitted during cross-examination that he had previously branded and obtained ownership certificates for two other young carabaos believed to be of the same lineage as the disputed carabao, leading to incredulity regarding his claim of ownership. The trial emphasized that it was implausible for a single caraballa to have birthed three carabaos within a two-year timeframe, further undermining Fernando's defense.
Judicial Findings and Conclusion
The court found that de la Pasion's testimony, supported by the surrounding circumstances, was credible and entirely consistent. The trial court's conclusions were deemed sufficiently corroborate
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Case Overview
- The case is an appeal from the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan regarding the conviction of Mariano Caralipio and Cipriano Fernando for theft.
- The appellants were sentenced to one year and one day of presidio correccional, costs, and the return or value of the stolen property, which was a young carabao valued at P110.
Facts of the Case
- Feliciano de la Pasion owned a young carabao, approximately three years old, described as largely white, about three and one-half feet tall, without brands, with slightly downward-curved horns longer than its ears.
- On the night of May 22, 1909, the carabao was tied near de la Pasion’s house in Poponto, Bautista, Pangasinan.
- The next morning, the carabao was discovered missing, with evidence indicating that the rope had been cut and the gate forcibly opened.
- De la Pasion searched for the carabao with neighbors but was unsuccessful.
- On June 5, 1909, Irineo Daquigan and Teofilo Bautista spotted the two defendants driving the stolen carabao towards San Manuel, with Caralipio riding it.
Proceedings and Investigations
- De la Pasion, informed by Daquigan and Bautista, went to San Manuel where the carabao was found in the possession of the municipal treasurer.
- Dispute arose over owners