Macario de Leon v. Anastasio Naval

Summary

This 1904 Supreme Court En Banc case involved an appeal by defendant Anastasio Naval challenging the trial court's factual findings in a loan collection case brought by Macario de Leon. The plaintiff claimed the defendant owed 1,125 pesos from a loan of 1,500 pesos. The defendant appealed arguing the evidence was insufficient to prove the loan. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court judgment, establishing the important procedural principle that appellate courts cannot review evidence or disturb factual findings of trial courts absent specific statutory exceptions such as motions for new trial. The decision emphasized that trial court determinations on evidence weight and factual findings are final and irrevocable, with appellate jurisdiction limited to questions of law arising from established facts. This case demonstrates early Philippine jurisprudence on the scope of appellate review and the finality of trial court factual determinations in civil cases.