G.R. NO. 150917. September 27, 2006

G.R. NO. 150917. September 27, 2006

ARTEMIO YADAO, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/43661

Overview
The principle has been dinned into the ears of the bench and the bar that in this jurisdiction, accusation is not synonymous with guilt.[45] The proof against him must survive the test of reason; the strongest suspicion must not be permitted to sway judgment.[46] If the evidence is susceptible of two interpretations, one consistent with the innocence of the accused and the other consistent with his guilt, the accused must be acquitted.[47] The overriding consideration is not whether the court doubts the innocence of the accused but whether it entertains a reasonable doubt as to his guilt.[48] If there exist even one iota of doubt, this Court is "under a long standing legal injunction to resolve the doubt in favor of herein accused-petitioner."[49]

From the foregoing, the inevitable conclusion is that the guilt of petitioner xxx has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. The facts of the case, the autopsy reports, as well as the testimony of Dr. xxx do not definitely establish that the assault was the proximate cause of the death of the victim. Even assuming for the sake of argument that the blow inflicted on the head of the victim resulted in an edematous condition of the brain, petitioner xxx would still not be held liable for the death as the prosecution failed to present proof that said act was the  efficient  and  proximate  cause of the victim's demise. An acquittal based on reasonable doubt will prosper even though the accused's innocence may be doubted.[50] It is better to free a guilty man than to unjustly keep in prison one whose guilt has not been proved by the required quantum of evidence. For only when there is proof beyond any shadow of doubt that those responsible should be made answerable.[51]

Decision
WHEREFORE, the 28 March 1996 Decision of the Regional Tial Court of Bauang, La Union, Branch 33, as well as the 18 April 2001 Decision and 13 November 2001 Resolution both of the Court of Appeals are hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Petitioner xxx is ACQUITTED of the charge of homicide on the ground of reasonable doubt. His immediate release from custody is hereby ordered unless he is being held for other lawful causes. However, Petitioner xxx is ordered to pay the heirs of victim xxx in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) as civil indemnity. Costs de oficio.