Lugto v. People

Summary

The Supreme Court denied petitioner Richard Mark Lugto's petition challenging his conviction for robbery with violence under the Revised Penal Code. On May 26, 2015, petitioner and accomplices robbed Noli Chavez of P3,100.00 in cash and personal property, then stabbed him three times causing serious injuries requiring hospitalization and surgery. The RTC convicted petitioner based on the victim's positive identification and evidence. The Court of Appeals affirmed but corrected the penalty, removing treachery as an aggravating circumstance since robbery is a crime against property, not persons. The Supreme Court affirmed, ruling that questions of witness credibility are factual matters not reviewable under Rule 45, and that petitioner's denial could not overcome the positive identification and established chain of evidence proving all elements of robbery with violence.