PEOPLE OF THE

PHILIPPINES v. HUBERT
WEBB
FACTS OF THE CASE
On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her
daughters Carmela (19 yrs. old) and Jennifer (7 yrs.
old), were brutally slain at their home in Paranaque
City. Carmela was also found to be raped.
◦ The identities of the perpetrators remained a mystery until the
National Bureau of Investigation, four years later, presented star-
witness Jessica M. Alfaro, one of its informers, who pointed
accused Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, Antonio "Tony Boy" Lejano,
Artemio "Dong" Ventura, Michael A. Gatchalian, Hospicio "Pyke"
Fernandez, Peter Estrada, Miguel "Ging" Rodriguez, and Joey
Filart as the culprits.
◦ RTC found the accused guilty of the crimes charged and
CA affirmed the decision. On appeal, the Supreme Court
however acquitted all the accused, reversing and
dismissing the guilty verdict of the RTC and the CA.
(Hubert Webb, son of Freddie Webb, former senator and basketball
player, and actor. And also brother of Pinky Webb, news anchor.
Hubert Webb was notoriously known in their neighborhood a drug
addict)
 ALFARO’s STORY
◦ Based on the prosecution’s version, on June 29, 1991 at around 8:30 in
the evening, Jessica Alfaro drove her Mitsubishi Lancer, with boyfriend
Peter Estrada as passenger, to the Ayala Alabang Commercial Center
parking lot to buy shabu from Artemio "Dong" Ventura. There, Ventura
introduced her to his friends: Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, Antonio "Tony
Boy" Lejano, Miguel "Ging" Rodriguez, Hospicio "Pyke" Fernandez,
Michael Gatchalian, and Joey Filart.
◦ As Alfaro smoked her shabu, Webb approached and requested her
to relay a message for him to a girl, whom she later identified as
Carmela Vizconde. Alfaro agreed.
◦ They drove to Carmela’s house in Paranaque City where Alfaro,
alone, went to speak to Carmela to tell her that Webb is just around
the corner. Carmela said that she just got home and thus instructed
Alfaro to come back after twenty minutes. Alfaro relayed this to the
group who then drove to Ayala Alabang Center.
◦ After another shabu session, the group drove back but only Alfaro
proceeded to Vinzon’s street where Carmela lived. Upon seeing Alfaro,
Carmela, who at that time was in the garden, requested her to return
before midnight.
◦ According to Alfaro, Webb asked the group to go to Carmela’s house
with him so they can rape her.
◦ Alfaro also stated that she saw Hubert Webb having carnal knowledge
with Carmela while she lay with her back on the floor and two bloodied
bodies lay on the bed.
(Police Officer Gerardo Boing who destroyed the evidence by
burning and cleaning the crime scene)
HUBERT’S ALIBI

During the trial, accused Webb made a

defense of alibi claiming that he was in the
United States when the massacre of the
Vizcondes happened. To support this, Webb
presented immigration checks and a
“Certification issued by the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service” of
August 31, 1995 confirming that “his entry
into that country was recorded”. 
RULING OF THE RTC AND CA
• The RTC impressed by Alfaro’s detailed narration of the crime and
ruled against Hubert Webb imposing the penalty of reclusion
perpetua.
• RTC’s ruling was solely based on the testimony of Jessica Alfaro
being the eye witness to the crime.
• CA affirmed the trial court’s decision and found sufficient evidence
of conspiracy in the commission of the crime.
 RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT
ON THE RIGHT OF ACQUITTAL DUE TO LOSS OF DNA
EVIDENCE

◦ Rape = clearly established and semen was found inside Carmela

◦ Webb is not entitled to acquittal for the failure of the State to
produce semen specimen at that late stage.
◦ When Webb raised the DNA issue, the rule governing the DNA
evidence did not exist yet (Rule on DNA Evidence took effect on
October 15, 2007).
◦ None of the accused filed a motion with the CA to have the DNA
test done pending adjudication of their appeal.
◦ Specimen was lost.
ON THE QUALITY OF THE WITNESS
◦ Jessica Alfaro – a stool pigeon
◦ Alfaro’s story – lacks sense/suffers from inherent inconsistencies.
◦ Concurring Opinion, J. Carpio Morales – habitual users of narcotics
become notorious liars.
◦ Dissenting Opinion, J. Villarama – being a former drug user does
not taint her credibility as a witness; methamphetamine and cocaine
are not downers.
 ON OTHER EVIDENCE
◦ Biong failed to maintain the sanctity of the crime scene (removed
with his bare hands the stocking wrapped around Carmela’s mouth
& neck)
◦ No latent fingerprints had been taken.