This case has been cited 1 times or more.
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2015-02-25 |
VILLARAMA, JR., J. |
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| In administrative proceedings, the complainant has the burden of proving the allegations in his complaint with substantial evidence, i.e., that amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to justify a conclusion.[9] Further, it is settled that the assessment of the credibility of witnesses is a function primarily lodged in the Investigating Justice.[10] The findings of investigating magistrates are generally given great weight by the Court by reason of the unmatched opportunity to see the deportment of the witnesses as they testified.[11] The rule which concedes due respect, and even finality, to the assessment of credibility of witnesses by trial judges in civil and criminal cases applies a fortiori to administrative cases.[12] However, there are some exceptions to the rule according finality to the trial judge's assessment of a witness' testimony, such as when his evaluation was reached arbitrarily or when the trial court overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight and substance which would affect the result of the case.[13] | |||||