THE COURT IS GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING JURISPRUDENCE WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE ISSUE OF CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES ON APPEAL:

     First, the Court gives the highest respect to the RTC’s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.  From its vantage point, the trial court is in the best position to determine the truthfulness of witnesses. (People vs. Conrado Laog y Ramin, G.R. No. 178321, October 5, 2011).  Second, absent any substantial reason which would justify the reversal of the RTC’s assessments and conclusions, the reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court’s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances, affecting the outcome of the case, are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. And third, the rule is even more stringently applied if the Court of Appeals concurred with the Regional Trial Court. (People of the Phils. vs. Julieto Sanchez , G.R. No. 197815, February 8, 2012, Brion, J.)