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Velasquez vs. People

NICOLAS VELASQUEZ AND VICTOR VELASQUEZ, PETITIONERS, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

G.R. No. 195021 | 2017-03-15

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
An accused who pleads a justifying circumstance under Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code[1] admits to the commission of acts, which would otherwise engender criminal liability. However, he asserts that he is justified in committing the acts. In the process of proving a justifying circumstance, the accused risks admitting the imputed acts, which may justify the existence of an offense were it not for the exculpating facts. Conviction follows if the evidence for the accused fails to prove the existence of justifying circumstances.

Through this Petition for Review on Certiorari[2] under Rule 45 of the...