02 Sison V People

02 G.R. Nos.
108280-83 November 16, AUTHOR:

1995 NOTES: DILAWAN! MARCOS PA DIN! MARCOS
PA DIN!
ROMEO SISON, NILO PACADAR, JOEL TAN,
RICHARD DE LOS SANTOS, and JOSELITO
TAMAYO, petitioners,
vs.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES and COURT
OF APPEALS, respondents.
G.R. Nos. 114931-33 November 16, 1995
THE PEOPLE OF THE

PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
ANNIE FERRER, accused, ROMEO SISON,
NILO PACADAR, JOEL TAN, RICHARD DE
LOS SANTOS, and JOSELITO
TAMAYO, accused-appellants.
TOPIC: Sec. 1 Rule 130 Object (Real)

Evidence
PONENTE: Puno (Second Division)
CASE LAW/ DOCTRINE: 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.
Emergency Recitation: A rally was held by Marcos loyalists. As a result, Salcedo was killed
due to the mauling by the loyalists. Several photographs were offered as evidence. In
admitting the photographs as evidence, the SC said that photographs can be admitted as long
as it is identified by the photographer as to its production and testified as to the circumstances
under which they were produced. Also, the photographer is not the only witness who can
identify the pictures he has taken. The correctness of the photograph can be proved prima
facie, either by the testimony of the person who made it or by other competent witnesses.
FACTS: A rally was held by Marcos loyalists at Luneta. Since they have no permit, they were
dispersed. Later in the afternoon, a small group of loyalists converged at the Chinese Garden,
Phase III of the Luneta. There, they saw Annie Ferrer, a popular movie starlet and supporter of
President Marcos, jogging around the fountain. Ferrer angrily ordered the loyalists Gulpihin
ninyo and mga Cory hecklers!" Then she continued jogging around the fountain chanting
"Marcos pa rin, Marcos pa rin, Pabalikin si Marcos, Pabalikin si Marcos, Bugbugin ang mga
nakadilaw". As a result, Salcedo (who was only attacked because he was wearing a yellow shirt
DILAWAN!!!!!!) died due to the mauling given to him by the loyalists.
Thus, several informations were filed in court against eleven persons identified as Marcos
loyalists charging them with the murder of Salcedo.
The cases were consolidated and raffled to the RTC Manila. All of the accused pleaded not
guilty to the charge and trial ensued accordingly. The prosecution presented twelve witnesses,
including two eyewitnesses, Ranulfo Sumilang and Renato Banculo, and the police officers who
were at the Luneta at the time of the incident. In support of their testimonies, the prosecution
likewise presented documentary evidence consisting of newspaper accounts of the incident
and various photographs taken during the mauling.
The RTC rendered a decision finding Romeo Sison, Nilo Pacadar, Joel Tan, Richard de los Santos
and Joselito Tamayo guilty as principals in the crime of murder qualified by treachery.
On appeal, the CA modified the decision of the RTC by acquitting Annie Ferrer but increasing
the penalty of the rest of the accused, except for Joselito Tamayo, to reclusion perpetua. The
CA found them guilty of murder qualified by abuse of superior strength, but convicted Joselito
Tamayo of homicide because the information against him did not allege the said qualifying
circumstance.
Hence, this petition.
One of the issues raised by the petitioner is that the CA erred in admitting the photographs
which were not properly identified.
ISSUE(S): Whether or not the CA erred in admitting the photographs which were not properly
identified.
HELD: No.
RATIO: 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.
This court notes that when the prosecution offered the photographs as part of its evidence,
appellants, through counsel Atty. Alfredo Lazaro, Jr. objected to their admissibility for lack of
proper identification. However, when the accused presented their evidence, Atty. Winlove
Dumayas, counsel for accused Joselito Tamayo and Gerry Neri used the photographs to prove
that his clients were not in any of the pictures and therefore could not have participated in the
mauling of the victim.
The objection of Atty. Lazaro to the admissibility of the photographs is anchored on the fact
that the person who took the same was not presented to identify them. 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. That the photographs are faithful
representations of the mauling incident was affirmed when appellants Richard de los Santos,
Nilo Pacadar and Joel Tan identified themselves therein and gave reasons for their presence
thereat.
An analysis of the photographs vis-a-vis the accused's testimonies reveal that only three of the
appellants, namely, Richard de los Santos, Nilo Pacadar and Joel Tan could be readily seen in
various belligerent poses lunging or hovering behind or over the victim. Appellant Romeo Sison
appears only once and he, although afflicted with hernia is shown merely running after
the victim.
Appellant Joselito Tamayo was not identified in any of the pictures. The absence of the two
appellants in the photographs does not exculpate them. The photographs did not capture the
entire sequence of the killing of Salcedo but only segments thereof. While the pictures did not
record Sison and Tamayo hitting Salcedo, they were unequivocally identified by Sumilang
and Banculo.
DISSENTING/CONCURRING OPINION(S):

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02 G.R. Nos.

108280-83 November 16, AUTHOR:

G.R. Nos. 114931-33 November 16, 1995

THE PEOPLE OF THE

TOPIC: Sec. 1 Rule 130 Object (Real)

PONENTE: Puno (Second Division)

Hence, this petition.

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