GR 94787; (November, 1991) (Digest)
G.R. No. 94787 November 3, 1991
The People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Ricardo Urquia, Jr., et al., accused, Ricardo Urquia, Jr. and Leoncito Intoy, accused-appellants.
FACTS
The case involves the robbery and killing of four members of the Cosmiano family in their home in Barangay Tapi, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, on the evening of October 1, 1985. The assailants, armed with firearms and bladed weapons, entered the house, hogtied the victims, took cash and personal properties, and then fatally attacked them. Among the accused, Ricardo Urquia, Jr. and Leoncito Intoy were convicted by the Regional Trial Court as principals of the crime of Robbery with Multiple Homicide and sentenced to reclusion perpetua. They appealed the decision.
The prosecution’s primary witness was Maricor Coleto, a niece living with the victims, who was present during the incident. She positively identified appellants Urquia and Intoy as among the perpetrators. The defense of both appellants was alibi. Urquia claimed he was in Surigao City at the time, while Intoy asserted he was in another barangay. The trial court found Coleto’s testimony credible and rejected the alibis.
ISSUE
The core issue is whether the guilt of appellants Ricardo Urquia, Jr. and Leoncito Intoy for the crime of Robbery with Homicide was proven beyond reasonable doubt.
RULING
The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The Court upheld the trial court’s assessment of witness Maricor Coleto’s credibility, noting her testimony was straightforward, logical, and unwavering under cross-examination. It is settled that the testimony of a single credible eyewitness is sufficient for a conviction. The Court rejected the appellants’ alibi defenses. For alibi to prosper, the accused must prove not only their presence elsewhere but also the physical impossibility of being at the crime scene. The appellants failed to demonstrate such impossibility. The Court also corrected the designation of the crime. Regardless of the number of killings, the proper denomination is Robbery with Homicide under Article 294(1) of the Revised Penal Code, not Robbery with Multiple Homicide. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed, but civil indemnity was increased to P50,000.00 for each victim, totaling P200,000.00. The appeal of Leoncito Intoy was dismissed.