Vicente v. People

Summary

Eduardo N. Vicente was convicted of perjury for making false statements under oath in a disbarment petition against Atty. Jose Aliling IV. Vicente falsely claimed that Aliling influenced court sheriffs to improperly levy and sell his properties, when in fact the sheriffs acted pursuant to a valid writ of execution. The Court of Appeals found him guilty, and the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction with modified sentence, ruling that all elements of perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code were established. The case demonstrates that making deliberate false statements under oath in legal proceedings, even in disbarment petitions, constitutes criminal perjury punishable under the Revised Penal Code. The Supreme Court emphasized that factual findings of trial courts, when affirmed by appellate courts, deserve great weight and respect.