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PEOPLE vs. Sergio Bato, et al.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. SERGIO BATO and ABRAHAM BATO, accused, ABRAHAM BATO, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 113804 | 1998-01-16

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J:

In the absence of an eyewitness, the guilt of an accused may be established by circumstantial evidence. Such evidence, however, must still pass the test of moral certainty. When inadequate and uncorroborated, circumstantial evidence cannot sustain a conviction. Specifically, where the state's evidence does not constitute an unbroken chain leading beyond reasonable doubt to the guilt of the accused, the constitutional presumption of innocence prevails and the accused is entitled to an acquittal.

The Case

This postulate is applied by this Court in reversing the Decision of the Court of Appeals 1 finding...