SC: Denial carries no weight in law
Denial is considered with suspicion and always received with caution because it
is inherently weak and unreliable, easily fabricated and concocted.[1]
[2] People of the Philippines v. Ma. Harleta Velasco et al., G.R. No. 195668, June 25, 2014.
Denial, essentially a negation of a fact, does not prevail over an affirmative assertion of the fact. Thus, courts - both trial and appellate have generally viewed the defense of denial in criminal cases with considerable caution, if not with outright rejection. Such judicial attitude comes from the recognition that denial is inherently weak and unreliable by virtue of its being an excuse too easy and too convenient for the guilty to make. To be worthy of consideration at all, denial should be substantiated by clear and convincing evidence. The accused cannot solely rely on her negative and self-serving negations, for denial "carries no weight in law and has no greater evidentiary value" than the testimony of credible witnesses who testify on affirmative matters.[2][1] People v. Daud, G.R. No. 197539, June 2, 2014, citing People v. Ocden, G.R. No. 173198, June 1, 2011.
[2] People of the Philippines v. Ma. Harleta Velasco et al., G.R. No. 195668, June 25, 2014.