G.R. No. 227022 . September 29, 2021
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Cris Peralta y De Guzman a.k.a. “Ile*”, Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

In the early morning of December 23, 2004, PO3 Florencio B. Antolin, his sons Francisco and Fernando, and other passengers were on a jeepney in Pasig City. Among the passengers were accused-appellant Cris Peralta and his co-accused Jayson Abila, along with two other unnamed men. The four men declared a holdup. One suspect poked a gun at the driver, Willy Ballore, ordering him to turn onto C-5 Road, while the others divested the passengers of their belongings. During the commotion, PO3 Antolin was shot twice and stabbed. The four suspects alighted near Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. The passengers later sought help, and PO3 Antolin was brought to the hospital where he was declared dead. The police investigation led to the arrest of Cris Peralta based on witness identification; Jayson Abila remained at large. An Information was filed charging them with Robbery with Homicide. During trial, the prosecution presented witnesses, including PO3 Antolin’s sons Francisco and Fernando, who identified Cris as one of the assailants and the one who shot their father. The defense consisted solely of Cris’s testimony, denying participation and claiming he was fetched from his home by a police officer on the pretext of Christmas gift-giving and later framed. The Regional Trial Court convicted Cris Peralta of Robbery with Homicide and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.

ISSUE

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the conviction of accused-appellant Cris Peralta for the crime of Robbery with Homicide.

RULING

The Supreme Court denied the appeal and affirmed the conviction. The Court held that all elements of Robbery with Homicide were proven beyond reasonable doubt: (1) the taking of personal property with intent to gain, (2) by means of violence or intimidation against a person, and (3) on the occasion or by reason of the robbery, homicide was committed. The Court found the testimonies of prosecution witnesses, particularly Francisco and Fernando Antolin, to be credible, consistent, and positive in identifying Cris Peralta as a perpetrator. Their vantage points inside the jeepney and the illumination from streetlights and the jeepney’s interior light allowed for a clear view. The alleged inconsistencies in their testimonies were minor and did not affect their credibility. The defense of alibi was rejected for being weak and unsubstantiated. The Court modified the awarded damages in line with prevailing jurisprudence, increasing the civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages to PHP 100,000.00 each, and awarding temperate damages of PHP 50,000.00 in lieu of actual damages, plus interest on all damages at 6% per annum from finality of judgment until full payment.