The affirmative declaration of Rile prevails over the bare denial of petitioner. The latter's allegation that she was never acquainted with the former until sometime in April 1989 and, hence, could not have entered into any business dealing with her is untenable. This Court has held that denial is a self-serving negative defense that cannot be given greater weight than the declaration of a credible witness who testified on affirmative matters.[5] People v. Carizo, 233 SCRA 687 [1994].

MARIA SOCORRO CACA, Petitioner vs. CA and People of the Philippines,G. R. No. 16962, July 7, 1997 Per Justice Romero, Second Division