Case Title Legal Principles/Key Points

1. People vs. Bardaje In crimes against chastity, the conviction or acquittal of an accused depends
almost entirely on the credibility of a complainant's testimony since by the
intrinsic nature of those crimes they usually involve only two persons the
complainant and the accused. The offended party's testimony, therefore, must be
subjected to thorough scrutiny for a determination of its veracity beyond
reasonable doubt.
Physical evidence is of the highest order and speaks more eloquently than an
witnesses put together.

2. Sison vs People The rule in this jurisdiction is that photographs, when presented in evidence,
must be identified by the photographer as to its production and testified as to the
circumstances under which they were produced. The value of this kind of
evidence lies in its being a correct representation or reproduction of the original,
and its admissibility is determined by its accuracy in portraying the scene at the
time of the crime.
The photographer, however, is not the only witness who can identify the pictures
he has taken. The correctness of the photograph as a faithful representation of
the object portrayed can be proved prima facie, either by the testimony of the
person who made it or by other competent witnesses, after which the court can
admit it subject to impeachment as to its accuracy. Photographs, therefore, can
be identified by the photographer or by any other competent witness who can
testify to its exactness and accuracy.
We rule that the use of these photographs by some of the accused to show their
alleged non-participation in the crime is an admission of the exactness and
accuracy thereof.

3. State vs Tatum What quantum of authentication do courts require before a photograph may be
admissible in evidence? It is simply this--that some witness (not necessarily the
photographer) be able to give some indication as to when, where, and under
what circumstances the photograph was taken, and that the photograph
accurately portrays the subject or subjects illustrated. The photograph need only
be sufficiently accurate to be helpful to the court and the jury.

4. Tijing vs CA Under the law, the attending physician or midwife in attendance at birth should
cause the registration of such birth. Only in default of the physician or midwife,
can the parent register the birth of his child. The certificate must be filed with the
local civil registrar within thirty days after the birth.
Resemblance between a minor and his alleged parent is competent and material
evidence to establish parentage.
Parentage will still be resolved using conventional methods unless we adopt the
modern and scientific ways available. Fortunately, we have now the facility and
expertise in using DNA test for identification and parentage testing. The
University of the Philippines Natural Science Research Institute (UP-NSRI) DNA
Analysis Laboratory has now the capability to conduct DNA typing using short
tandem repeat (STR) analysis. The analysis is based on the fact that the DNA of
a child/person has two (2) copies, one copy from the mother and the other from
the father. The DNA from the mother, the alleged father and child are analyzed
to establish parentage. Of course, being a novel scientific technique, the use of
DNA test as evidence is still open to challenge. Eventually, as the appropriate
case comes, courts should not hesitate to rule on the admissibility of DNA
evidence. For it was said, that courts should apply the results of science when
competently obtained in aid of situations presented, since to reject said result is
to deny progress. Though it is not necessary in this case to resort to DNA
testing, in future it would be useful to all concerned in the prompt resolution of
parentage and identity issues.

5. People vs Vallejo An accused can be convicted even if no eyewitness is available, provided

sufficient circumstantial evidence is presented by the prosecution to prove
beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime.
In rape with homicide, the evidence against an accused is more often than not
circumstantial. This is because the nature of the crime, where only the victim
and the rapist would have been present at the time of its commission, makes the
prosecution of the offense particularly difficult since the victim could no longer
testify against the perpetrator. Resort to circumstantial evidence is inevitable
and to demand direct evidence proving the modality of the offense and the
identity of the perpetrator is unreasonable.
Circumstantial evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction if: (a) there is more
Case Title
6. People vs Umanito
7. Lucas vs Lucas
8. De Villa vs Dir. Of Prisons
Legal Principles/Key Points
than one circumstance; (b) the facts from which the inferences are derived are
proven; and (c) the combination of all circumstances is such as to produce
conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
DNA is an organic substance found in a persons cells which contains his or her
genetic code. Except for identical twins, each persons DNA profile is distinct and
unique.
The purpose of DNA testing is to ascertain whether an association exists between
the evidence sample and the reference sample. The samples collected are
subjected to various chemical processes to establish their profile.
The test may yield three possible results:
a. The samples are different and therefore must have originated
from different sources (exclusion). This conclusion is absolute
and requires no further analysis or discussion;
b. It is not possible to be sure, based on the results of the test,
whether the samples have similar DNA types (inconclusive).
This might occur for a variety of reasons including degradation,
contamination, or failure of some aspect of the protocol. Various
parts of the analysis might then be repeated with the same or a
different sample, to obtain a more conclusive result; or
c. The samples are similar, and could have originated from the
same source (inclusion). In such a case, the samples are found
to be similar, the analyst proceeds to determine the statistical
significance of the Similarity.
In assessing the probative value of DNA evidence, therefore, courts should
consider, among others things, the following data: how the samples were
collected, how they were handled, the possibility of contamination of the
samples, the procedure followed in analyzing the samples, whether the proper
standards and procedures were followed in conducting the tests, and the
qualification of the analyst who conducted the tests.
Indeed, extrajudicial confessions are presumed to be voluntary, and, in the
absence of conclusive evidence showing that the declarants consent in
executing the same has been vitiated, the confession will be sustained.
To ensure reliable results, the Standard Operating Procedure of the Forensic
Chemistry Division of the NBI in paternity cases is to use buccal swabs taken
from the parties and blood as a back-up source.
The said Standard Operating Procedure was adopted in the instant case.
As earlier mentioned, DNA samples consisted of buccal swabs and blood samples
taken from the parties by the forensic chemists who adopted reliable techniques
and procedure in collecting and handling them to avoid contamination. The
method that was used to secure the samples were safe and reliable. The
samples were taken and handled by an expert, whose qualifications, integrity
and dedication to her work is unquestionable, hence, the possibility of
substitution or manipulation is very remote.
Section 6. A.M. No. 06-11-5-SC provides that: "If the value of the Probability
of Paternity is 99.9% or higher, there shall be a disputable presumption of
paternity.
There are four significant procedural aspects of a traditional paternity action which
the parties have to face: a prima facie case, affirmative defenses, presumption
of legitimacy, and physical resemblance between the putative father and the
child.
The herein petition to establish illegitimate filiation is an action in rem. By the
simple filing of the petition to establish illegitimate filiation before the RTC, which
undoubtedly had jurisdiction over the subject matter of the petition, the latter
thereby acquired jurisdiction over the case. An in rem proceeding is validated
essentially through publication.
Case Title Legal Principles/Key Points