G.R. No. 126036 ; September 7, 2000
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. PASCUAL BALINAD alias “Daculo” and CENON BALINAD, accused-appellants.

FACTS

Accused-appellants Pascual “Daculo” Balinad and Cenon Balinad, along with two others, were charged with Murder for the killing of Marcelino Dura. The prosecution’s case rested primarily on the testimony of alleged eyewitness Basilio Alanis, who claimed he saw the attack from a copra kiln’s mezzanine. He testified that Cenon struck the victim with a piece of wood, after which another co-accused, Pascual “Saday” Balinad, slashed the victim’s throat. The trial court convicted the appellants, imposing reclusion perpetua, a decision affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

ISSUE

Whether the testimony of the lone eyewitness, Basilio Alanis, is credible and sufficient to sustain a conviction for Murder beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and acquitted appellants Pascual “Daculo” Balinad and Cenon Balinad. The Court meticulously scrutinized Alanis’s testimony and found it gravely flawed and inconsistent with his prior sworn statement on material points. Key discrepancies included the source of illumination during the incident and his actions immediately after witnessing the crime. The Court ruled that while the testimony of a single witness can suffice for conviction, it must be credible and consistent. Alanis’s testimony was deemed a mere concoction, unreliable, and insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the evidence failed to meet the required quantum of proof. The Court modified the conviction of the separately accused Pascual “Saday” Balinad, who had pleaded guilty, to Homicide and adjusted his penalty accordingly.