In his 10-page decision, Judge Bayani Rivera also ordered accused Feliciano Perez, married, of 228 Libis Talisay St., Caloocan, to pay victim Ranillo Anonoays family P121,345 in damages.
Perezs brother and co-accused, Tolentino Jr. remains at large.
Court records showed that on Jan. 16, 2000, Anonoy, 35, painter, of 169 Libis Talisay St., was talking with his common-law-wife Rosette Payao, 27, and sister Soledad, in front of their house when the Perezes barged in.
Both Payao and the victims sister told the court that the accused suddenly grabbed Anonay on the chest after they both fell on the ground. The two witnesses said Tolentino Perez urged his brother to stab the victim.
Anonay was taken to the Caloocan General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
In his defense, Perez claimed that he had gone to Anonays house to confront him about the misunderstanding they had during a baptismal party held earlier that day. Perez told the court that Anonay, a childhood friend, did not like the way he sang at the videoke and hit him on the head with a beer bottle. Anonay, he said, fled after the incident. Nikko Dizon