Thursday, May 10, 2012

Factual findings of lower courts - G.R. No. 184528

G.R. No. 184528

"x x x.


It is axiomatic that, as a general rule, “only questions of law may be raised in a petition for review on certiorari because the Court is not a trier of facts.”[20]  We only take cognizance of questions of fact in certain exceptional circumstances;[21] however, we find them to be absent in the instant case. It is also long settled that “factual findings of the trial court, when affirmed by the Court of Appeals, will not be disturbed by this Court.  As a rule, such findings by the lower courts are entitled to great weight and respect, and are deemed final and conclusive on this Court when supported by the evidence on record.”[22]  We therefore adopt the factual findings of the lower court and the Court of Appeals and rule that the grant of respondent’s demurrer to evidence was proper under the circumstances obtaining in the case at bar.
 x  x x."