Judge Benjamin Antonio found Maximo Alvarez guilty beyond reasonable doubt of arson and ordered him to pay the cost of the suit of his estranged wife, Esperanza.
Court records showed that the incident took place on May 29, 1998 at about 3:30 a.m. at Esperanza’s house at Block 5, Lot 9, Phase 1-C, Dagat-Dagatan. The accused had been separated from Esperanza for eight months, and was trying to reconcile with her. But his wife’s relatives discouraged her.
Desperate, Alvarez, on the night of May 28, hired a cab, driven by Virgilio Palad, to take him to his ex-wife’s house, which is owned by her friend, Susan Ramirez. According to the testimony of Palad, Alvarez had in his possession a bag containing a gallon of gasoline and a lighter.
Palad said when they reached the house of Esperanza, Alvarez alighted from the cab. A few moments later, Palad was shocked to see the front of the house burst into flames. – Nikko Dizon