FACTS:
On January 7, 1992, several assailants attacked the household of Sarah Marie Palma Burgos, resulting in the deaths of Sarah and her uncle Erasmo Palma. Victor Palma and Benigno Oquendo survived the attack. The police theorized that the assault was motivated by a land transaction dispute between Sarah's partner, David So, and respondent Johnny Co. Four months later, the police arrested Cresencio Aman and Romeo Martin, who confessed to their involvement in the attack and implicated two others, Artemio "Pong" Bergonia and Danilo Say, as well as respondent Co as the mastermind. The RTC acquitted Aman and Martin after trial. On September 5, 2002, respondent Co surrendered and was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of frustrated murder. On April 14, 2004, the RTC granted bail to Co, citing weak evidence of guilt. The RTC's decision was based on Aman and Martin's statements, David's testimony, Police officer Leopoldo Vasquez's account, and an alleged offer of settlement. The heirs of Sarah moved for reconsideration, which was denied by the RTC. They then filed a special civil action for certiorari with the Court of Appeals (CA), but the CA dismissed the petition for not involving the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG). The heirs appealed to the Supreme Court, questioning the CA's dismissal of their petition.