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probable cause.
Agdeppa v. Office of the Ombudsman, supra note 56, at 333 citing De Jesus v. Guerrero III,
614 Phil. 520, 529.
The basic rule is that mere allegation is not evidence and is not equivalent to proof. Charges based
on mere suspicion and speculation likewise cannot be given credence. When the complainant relies
on mere conjectures and suppositions, and fails to substantiate his allegations, the complaint must
be dismissed for lack of merit
People vs. Saavedra, supra; People vs. Viray, No. 72892, January 7, 1987; Moniza, Jr. vs.
People, No. 72719, September 18,1986; People vs. Palon, supra; People vs. Benavidez, No.
L-59985, January 20, 1984; People vs. Drilon, Jr., No. L-33431, June 28, 1983; People vs.
Sosing, No. L-42791, January 30,1982; People vs. Custodia, No. L-30463, October 30, 1972.
It must be emphasized that "[c]ourts must judge the guilt or innocence of the accused based on facts
and not on mere conjectures, presumptions, or suspicions."45
A court cannot rely on speculations, conjectures or guesswork, but must depend upon competent
proof and on the basis of the best evidence obtainable under the circumstances. Litigation cannot be
properly resolved by suppositions, deductions or even presumptions, with no basis in evidence, for
the truth must have to be determined by the hard rules of admissibility and proof.