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PEOPLE vs Tomas Visperas, et al

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. TOMAS VISPERAS JR. alias "BOY SAKSAK"; JACINTO CRUZ alias "BOY LAGARE" (acquitted); and AVELINO CABLAYAN alias "WILLY" (acquitted), accused, / TOMAS VISPERAS JR. alias "BOY SAKSAK," appellant.

G.R. No. 147315 | 2003-01-13

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

Once again, we rule that the credible and positive testimony of a single eyewitness is sufficient to sustain a conviction. Where the guilt of the accused is firmly established by the lone eyewitness' unwavering and unequivocal testimony that positively identifies him as the assailant, the defense of denial and alibi must inevitably collapse. Without any proven qualifying circumstance, however, the killing constitutes homicide only, not murder.

The Case

Tomas Visperas Jr. appeals the December 15, 2000 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dagupan City (Branch 42) in Criminal Case No....