G.R. No. 2000 : April 19, 1905
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. VICENTE LIM TICO, ET AL., defendants-appellants.

FACTS:
Vicente Lim Tico, along with Tan Chui and Dy Too, were charged with a crime. The trial court acquitted Dy Too and convicted Tan Chui, who did not appeal. Vicente Lim Tico was also convicted and appealed the judgment. The evidence against Lim Tico consisted primarily of the extrajudicial confessions of his co-defendant Tan Chui, as testified to by several witnesses, and Tan Chui’s direct testimony at trial inculpating both himself and Lim Tico. No stolen property was found in Lim Tico’s possession. There was also testimony that Lim Tico and Tan Chui were not friends, had quarreled, and that Tan Chui had made threats against Lim Tico.

ISSUE:
Whether the conviction of Vicente Lim Tico based solely on the uncorroborated testimony of his co-defendant and accomplice, Tan Chui, is valid.

RULING:
No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and acquitted Vicente Lim Tico. The Court held that while the testimony of an accomplice can, in principle, be used for a conviction, under the specific circumstances of this case, a conviction could not stand based solely on such unsupported testimony. The Court noted that the extrajudicial confessions of Tan Chui were hearsay and inadmissible against Lim Tico. Furthermore, the government had independent evidence against Tan Chui (possession of stolen property) but had no evidence against Lim Tico apart from Tan Chui’s testimony, which was suspect given their hostile relationship. Therefore, Lim Tico was entitled to an acquittal. Costs were taxed de oficio.