People v. Salvador

Summary

The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Salvador and Mañosca for robbery with homicide and physical injuries. The case established conspiracy through their coordinated criminal acts: approaching victims with weapons, announcing a hold-up, dividing roles (Salvador holding one victim while Mañosca killed the other), taking property, and fleeing together. The Court rejected Salvador's defense that there was no conspiracy due to Mañosca being allegedly high on drugs, finding this claim self-serving and unsupported. Applying settled doctrine, both accused were held equally liable as principals in the complex crime since homicide was committed in connection with robbery. The decision reinforced that in robbery with homicide cases, all conspirators bear equal criminal responsibility regardless of who performed specific acts, and that conspiracy can be established through circumstantial evidence showing coordinated criminal behavior.