Friday, April 17, 2015

Facts found by the trial court, as affirmed in toto by the CA, are as a general rule, conclusive upon the Supreme Court




"x x x.
We find no cogent reason to disturb the above findings of the trial court which were affirmed by the CA and fully supported by the evidence on record. Time and again, the Court has held that the facts found by the trial court, as affirmed in toto by the CA, are as a general rule, conclusive upon this Court[5] in the absence of any showing of grave abuse of discretion. In this case, none of the exceptions to the general rule on conclusiveness of said findings of facts are applicable.[6] The Court gives weight and respect to the trial court’s findings in criminal prosecution because the latter is in a better position to decide the question, having heard the witnesses in person and observed their deportment and manner of testifying during the trial.[7] Absent any showing that the lower courts overlooked substantial facts and circumstances, which if considered, would change the result of the case, this Court gives deference to the trial court’s appreciation of the facts and of the credibility of witnesses.
x x x."

See

G.R. No. 176298, January 25, 2012, ANITA L. MIRANDA, PETITIONER, VS. THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.