"Forgery is present when any writing is counterfeited by the

signing of another’s name with intent to defraud."27 It can be

established by comparing the alleged false signature with the
authentic or genuine one. A finding of forgery does not depend
entirely on the testimonies of government handwriting experts
whose opinions do not mandatorily bind the courts. A trial judge is
not precluded but is even authorized by law28 to conduct an
independent examination of the questioned signature in order to
arrive at a reasonable conclusion as to its authenticity.

G.R. No. 179448 June 26, 2013

CARLOS L. TANENGGEE, Petitioner,

vs.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,

Whenever the defendant, at the trial of his case, testifying in his

own behalf, denies that a certain writing or signature is in his own
hand, he may on cross-examination be compelled to write in open
court in order that the jury maybe able to compare his handwriting
with the one in question.

G.R. No. 32025 September 23, 1929

FRANCISCO BELTRAN, petitioner,

vs.
FELIX SAMSON, Judge of the Second Judicial District, and
FRANCISCO JOSE, Provincial Fiscal of Isabela,