G.R. No. L-4717-18 February 28, 1953.
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. MANUEL TIDOY y BINTOLA and JOSE TIDOY y VELARDE, defendants-appellants.

FACTS

Manuel Tidoy and Jose Tidoy, houseboys, were charged with two counts of murder for the killings of their employers, spouses Lilim T. Carag and Maria Insua Carag. On October 16, 1950, at their residence in Manila, Lilim T. Carag was stabbed in the abdomen while sleeping. His wife, Maria, upon discovering him injured, went to the kitchen to call the houseboys. There, Manuel Tidoy emerged with a knife and grappled with her for its possession. During the struggle, Jose Tidoy emerged and stabbed Maria. Both accused then fled. The victims died from their wounds. Investigation revealed the house doors were bolted from inside and windows barricaded, except the kitchen door. The accused fled to Biñan and then attempted to sail for Leyte the same day. On board the ship, they admitted to the stabbings. They later gave extrajudicial confessions and reenacted the crimes. Jose Tidoy was found to be 16 years old at the time of the crimes.

ISSUE

Whether the appellants are guilty of the murders of Lilim T. Carag and Maria Insua Carag.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the convictions. The evidence, including their flight, attempted escape, extrajudicial confessions, and the reenactment, conclusively proved their guilt. Conspiracy was established, making each responsible for both crimes. The Court found the killings were attended by treachery. The trial court’s finding that Jose Tidoy was a minor (16 years old) was upheld. For Jose Tidoy, the indeterminate penalty imposed by the trial court was affirmed. For Manuel Tidoy, due to insufficient votes for the death penalty, the sentence was modified to reclusion perpetua. Both were ordered to indemnify the heirs of the deceased jointly and severally.