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PEOPLE vs Estoya

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. LOLITO ESTOYA, appellant.

G.R. No. 153538 | 2004-05-19

D E C I S I O N




PANGANIBAN, J.:

To qualify a killing to murder, treachery must be proved as fully as the crime itself. Inferences and presumptions cannot substitute for proof beyond reasonable doubt. Since the prosecution failed to prove this qualifying circumstance, appellant may be held guilty only of homicide, not murder.

The Case

Lolito Estoya appeals the March 8, 2002 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dumaguete City (Branch 34) in Criminal Case No. 13734, finding him guilty of murder as follows:

"WHEREFORE, accused LOLITO ESTOYA is hereby found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of MURDER, and the Court...