Back

PEOPLE vs Restituto Rendaje

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. RESTITUTO RENDAJE, appellant.

G.R. No. 136745 | 2000-11-15

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

In rejecting this appeal, the Court relies on the time-tested doctrine that the credibility of witnesses is best assessed by the trial court, which had the opportunity to observe their demeanor and conduct on the stand.

The Case

Before the Court is an appeal by Restituto Rendaje, challenging the April 6, 1998 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Iloilo City (Branch 36) in Criminal Case No. 44086. The decretal portion of said Decision, which found him guilty of murder, reads as follows:

"WHEREFORE, the Court hereby finds the accused, Restituto Rendaje, GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the...