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PEOPLE v. JUANITO PACUANCUAN

FACTS:

Appellant Juanito Pacuancuan appeals the decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) finding him guilty of murder. The prosecution's version of the facts is that an altercation took place between Pacuancuan's group and Jonathan Perdido's group over the use of the eatery's videoke microphone. Perdido and another witness went outside the eatery, and a witness saw Pacuancuan and another person standing along the highway near his house. Pacuancuan was heard saying they should go back because Perdido was only a tricycle driver, but Perdido refused. Pacuancuan then returned to the eatery and shortly after, Perdido was seen running away and later died from a stab wound. Appellant interposes the defenses of denial and alibi, stating that he was in his house at the time of the stabbing and could have been mistaken as the assailant due to resemblance. The trial court found appellant guilty based on the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, ruling that treachery qualified the killing to murder. The appeal questions the credibility of the prosecution witnesses.

ISSUES:

  1. Did the trial court err in giving credence to the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and disregarding the testimony of the accused-appellant?

  2. Did the lower court err in finding the accused-appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder?

RULING:

  1. The Supreme Court held that the trial court did not err in giving credence to the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and in disregarding the testimony of the accused-appellant. The trial court is in the best position to determine the credibility of witnesses as it has the direct opportunity to observe and evaluate their demeanor on the witness stand. The trial court's findings of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless there is a clear showing that it plainly overlooked matters of substance which, if considered, might affect the results of the review.

PRINCIPLES:

  • The credibility of witnesses is best determined by the trial judge who has the direct opportunity to observe and evaluate their demeanor on the witness stand.

  • The trial court's findings of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless there is a clear showing that it plainly overlooked matters of substance which, if considered, might affect the results of the review.