G.R. No. 112983 March 22, 1995
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. HECTOR MAQUEDA @ PUTOL, and RENE SAGVAMAIJTE (at large), Accused, HECTOR MAQUEDA @ PUTOL, Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

On August 27, 1991, in Tuba, Benguet, British consultant Horace William Barker was killed and his wife Teresita Mendoza Barker was severely beaten with lead pipes during a robbery at their home. The initial information included Richard Malig, but he was later dropped for lack of evidence. The amended information accused former houseboy Rene Salvamante and Hector Maqueda alias “Putol.” Salvamante remained at large, so trial proceeded only against Maqueda, who pleaded not guilty. The prosecution’s evidence established that around 6:00 a.m. on August 27, househelp Norie Dacara encountered Salvamante and a tall, fair-complexioned man (identified as Maqueda) in the house. Norie was strangled and hit. Another househelp, Julieta Villanueva, saw a man (identified as Maqueda) brandishing a lead pipe. Teresita Barker was beaten by Salvamante and Maqueda despite her pleas. At around 7:00 a.m., witnesses Mike Tayaban and Mark Pacio saw two men, one taller with an amputated left hand and missing thumb and index finger on the right (identified as Maqueda), near the crime scene. They boarded a jeepney. The victims were found bloodied; Horace died. Lead pipes, a black T-shirt, and a green hand towel were recovered. Maqueda presented an alibi, claiming he was working in a polvoron factory in Sukat, Metro Manila, on the crime date. The trial court found Maqueda guilty beyond reasonable doubt of robbery with homicide and serious physical injuries and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, with indemnities and damages. Maqueda appealed.

ISSUE

The core issue is whether the trial court erred in convicting accused-appellant Hector Maqueda of the crime of robbery with homicide and serious physical injuries based on the evidence presented.

RULING

The Supreme Court DISMISSED the appeal and AFFIRMED the trial court’s decision in toto. The Court held that the prosecution proved Maqueda’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The positive identification by eyewitnesses Norie Dacara, Julieta Villanueva, and Teresita Barker, who had a clear view of Maqueda during the crime, prevailed over his alibi defense. The alibi was weak and not physically impossible, as the distance between the crime scene and his alleged location did not preclude his presence. Furthermore, his alibi was contradicted by testimony that he only started working at the polvoron factory on October 7, 1991, not July 5 as he claimed. The Court found the witnesses’ testimonies credible and consistent. The crime of robbery with homicide was established, as the homicide and serious physical injuries were committed by reason or on the occasion of the robbery. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was correctly imposed.