Citation: 796 SCRA 675 at 683 - 688 Criminal convictions must be supported by clear, compelling, and moral certainty in evidence . The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that weaknesses in prosecution cases—such as coerced confessions, unreliable witnesses, and procedural violations—can justify acquittal . Key Legal Doctrines for Acquittal 📌 Extrajudicial Confessions Obtained During Custodial Investigation ✔ Confessions made without legal counsel or in violation of Miranda rights are inadmissible in court. ✔ Relevant Cases: People v. Nicandro (141 SCRA 289, 1986) ; People v. Santiago (147 SCRA 141, 1987) 📌 Failure to Establish Corpus Delicti ✔ The physical evidence proving the crime must be presented —mere allegations are insufficient. ✔ Relevant Case: People v. Mendiola (235 SCRA 116, 1994) 📌 Weak or Contradictory Testimony from Government Witnesses ✔ If witness accounts contain irreconcilable inconsistencies , the accused cannot be convicted. ✔ Relevant Cases...
Case Digests and Doctrines Simplified