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People vs. XXX

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. XXX,* ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

G.R. No. 255677 | 2022-12-07

D E C I S I O N
 
LOPEZ, M., J.:
 
Qualifying and aggravating circumstances are integral components of a crime that must be sufficiently alleged in the Information and established during trial with proof beyond reasonable doubt.[1] The accused cannot be held liable for the qualified nature of a crime and be condemned to suffer a higher penalty based on his own admission, the bare testimony of the complainant, or the stipulation of the parties. We observe these precepts in this Appeal assailing the Court of Appeals' (CA) Decision[2] dated June 23, 2020 in CA-G.R. CRHC No. 10042.
 
ANTECEDENTS

XXX was charged with three...