JUSTICE MARTIN VILLARAMA, JR.: THE FACTS FOUND BY THE TRIAL COURT, AS AFFIRMED IN TOTO BY THE CA, ARE AS A GENERAL RULE, CONCLUSIVE UPON THE SUPREME COURT IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SHOWING OF GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION

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. 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 (ANITA L. MIRANDA VS. THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. NO. 176298, JANUARY 25, 2012, VILLARAMA, JR., J.).