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People vs. Vicente Basquez

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. VICENTE BASQUEZ y MANZANO, appellant.

G.R. No. 144035 | 2001-09-27

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

Judges are not mere boxing referees, whose only task is to watch the bout and decide the results. They are duty-bound to conduct an orderly trial and an expeditious presentation of the evidence. In the performance of their responsibility, they may ask questions that would elicit the facts of the issues involved, clarify ambiguous remarks by witnesses, and address the points that are overlooked by counsel.[1]

The Case

Before the Court is an appeal by Vicente Basquez, challenging the April 10, 2000 Judgment[2] of the Regional Trial Court of Davao City (Branch 17), in Criminal Case No. 42148-98. The...