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G.R. No. 170701 January 22, 2014

RALPH P. TUA, Petitioner,vs.HON. CESAR A. MANGROBANG, Pre !"!n# Ju"#e, Bran$% 22,Re#!ona& Tr!a& Cour', ()u , Ca*!'e+ an" ROSSANA HONRA O-TUA, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

PERALTA, J.:

Before us is a petition for review on certiorari which seeks to annulthe Decision

dated Octo!er "#, "$$% of the Court of &ppeals 'C&( issued in C&)*.R. SP No. #++ +.

On -a "$, "$$%, respondent Rossana /onrado)0ua 'respondent(filed with the Re1ional 0rial Court 'R0C( of I2us, Cavite a 3erified

Petition " for herself and in !ehalf of her 2inor children, 4oshuaRaphael, 4esse Ruth 5ois, and 4 e6reel &!i1ail, for the issuance ofa protection order, pursuant to Repu!lic &ct 'R&( +"7" or the &nti)3iolence &1ainst 8o2en and their Children &ct of "$$9, a1ainsther hus!and, petitioner Ralph 0ua. 0he case was docketed as CivilCase No. $979)$% and raffled)off to Branch "". Respondentclai2ed that she and her children had suffered fro2 petitioner:sa!usive conduct; that petitioner had threatened to cause her andthe children ph sical har2 for the purpose of controllin1 her actionsor decisions; that she was actuall deprived of custod and accessto her 2inor children; and, that she was threatened to !e deprivedof her and her children:s financial support.

Respondent and petitioner were 2arried on 4anuar $, ++# in-akati Cit . 0he have three children, na2el , 4oshua Raphael!orn on there was a ti2e when petitioner went to her roo2 andcocked his 1un and pointed the !arrel of his 1un to his head as hewanted to convince her not to proceed with the le1al separationcase she filed; she hid her fears althou1h she was scared; therewas also an instance when petitioner fed her children with the friedchicken that her oun1est dau1hter had chewed and spat out; inorder to stop his child fro2 cr in1, petitioner would threaten hi2with a !elt; when she told petitioner that she felt unsafe andinsecure with the latter?s presence and asked hi2 to stop co2in1 tothe house as often as he wanted or she would appl for aprotection order, petitioner 1ot furious and threatened her ofwithholdin1 his financial support and even held her ! the nape andpushed her to lie flat on the !ed; and, on -a 9, "$$%, while shewas at work, petitioner with co2panions went to her new ho2e andforci!l took the children and refused to 1ive the2 !ack to her.

On -a " , "$$%, the R0C issued a 0e2porar Protection Order'0PO(, 9 which we @uote in full>

Pursuant to the provisions of R.&. +"7", otherwise known as theA&nti)3iolence &1ainst 8o2en and their Children &ct of "$$9, a0e2porar Protection Order '0PO( effective for thirt ' $( da s fro2date of receipt is here! issued a1ainst respondent Ralph P. 0ua.

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restrainin1 order to te2poraril en oin the parties and their a1entsfro2 enforcin1 the assailed -a " , "$$% 0PO issued in Civil CaseNo. $979)$%. =

Petitioner later filed an r1ent -otion for Issuance of a 8rit ofPreli2inar In unction with -anifestation, # pra in1 that theenforce2ent of all orders, decision to !e issued ! the R0C and allthe proceedin1s therein !e restrained. & hearin1+ was,su!se@uentl , conducted on the 2otion.

On Octo!er "#, "$$%, the C& issued its assailed decision, thedecretal portion of which reads>

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SEC0ION %. 0e2porar Protection Orders. 0e2porarProtection Orders '0POs( refers to the protection order issued !the court on the date of filin1 of the application after e partedeter2ination that such order should !e issued. & court 2a 1rantin a 0PO an , so2e or all of the reliefs 2entioned in this &ct andshall !e effective for thirt ' $( da s. 0he court shall schedule ahearin1 on the issuance of a JPer2anent Protection OrderK PPOprior to or on the date of the e piration of the 0PO. 0he court shallorder the i22ediate personal service of the 0PO on the respondent! the court sheriff who 2a o!tain the assistance of lawenforce2ent a1ents for the service. 0he 0PO shall include notice of the date of the hearin1 on the 2erits of the issuance of a PPO.

In *arcia v. Drilon , wherein petitioner therein ar1ued that Section% of R& +"7" is a violation of the due process clause of the

Constitution, we struck down the challen1e and held>

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& protection order is an order issued to prevent further acts ofviolence a1ainst wo2en and their children, their fa2il orhousehold 2e2!ers, and to 1rant other necessar reliefs. Itspurpose is to safe1uard the offended parties fro2 further har2,2ini2i6e an disruption in their dail life and facilitate theopportunit and a!ilit to re1ain control of their life.

0he scope of reliefs in protection orders is !roadened to ensurethat the victi2 or offended part is afforded all the re2edies

necessar to curtail access ! a perpetrator to the victi2. 0hisserves to safe1uard the victi2 fro2 1reater risk of violence; toaccord the victi2 and an desi1nated fa2il or household 2e2!ersafet in the fa2il residence, and to prevent the perpetrator fro2co22ittin1 acts that eopardi6e the e2plo 2ent and support of thevicti2. It also ena!les the court to award te2porar custod of2inor children to protect the children fro2 violence, to prevent theira!duction ! the perpetrator and to ensure their financial support.

0he rules re@uire that petitions for protection order !e in writin1,si1ned and verified ! the petitioner there! undertakin1 fullresponsi!ilit , cri2inal or civil, for ever alle1ation therein. SinceAti2e is of the essence in cases of 3&8C if further violence is to !eprevented,A the court is authori6ed to issue e parte a 0PO afterraffle !ut !efore notice and hearin1 when the life, li2! or propertof the victi2 is in eopard and there is reasona!le 1round to!elieve that the order is necessar to protect the victi2 fro2 thei22ediate and i22inent dan1er of 3&8C or to prevent suchviolence, which is a!out to recur.

0here need not !e an fear that the ud1e 2a have no rational!asis to issue an e parte order. 0he victi2 is re@uired not onl toverif the alle1ations in the petition, !ut also to attach herwitnesses? affidavits to the petition.

0he 1rant of a 0PO e parte cannot, therefore, !e challen1ed asviolative of the ri1ht to due process. 4ust like a writ of preli2inarattach2ent which is issued without notice and hearin1 !ecause theti2e in which the hearin1 will take could !e enou1h to ena!le thedefendant to a!scond or dispose of his propert , in the sa2e wa ,the victi2 of 3&8C 2a alread have suffered harrowin1e periences in the hands of her tor2entor, and possi!l evendeath, if notice and hearin1 were re@uired !efore such acts could!e prevented. It is a constitutional co22onplace that the ordinarre@uire2ents of procedural due process 2ust ield to thenecessities of protectin1 vital pu!lic interests, a2on1 which isprotection of wo2en and children fro2 violence and threats to theirpersonal safet and securit .

It should !e pointed out that when the 0PO is issued e parte, thecourt shall likewise order that notice !e i22ediatel 1iven to therespondent directin1 hi2 to file an opposition within five '%( da sfro2 service. -oreover, the court shall order that notice, copies ofthe petition and 0PO !e served i22ediatel on the respondent !the court sheriffs. 0he 0POs are initiall effective for thirt ' $( da sfro2 service on the respondent.

8here no 0PO is issued e parte, the court will nonetheless orderthe i22ediate issuance and service of the notice upon therespondent re@uirin1 hi2 to file an opposition to the petition within

five '%( da s fro2 service. 0he date of the preli2inar conferenceand hearin1 on the 2erits shall likewise !e indicated on the notice.

0he opposition to the petition which the respondent hi2self shallverif , 2ust !e acco2panied ! the affidavits of witnesses and shallshow cause wh a te2porar or per2anent protection order shouldnot !e issued.

It is clear fro2 the fore1oin1 rules that the respondent of a petition

for protection order should !e apprised of the char1es i2puted tohi2 and afforded an opportunit to present his side. . 0heessence of due process is to !e found in the reasona!leopportunit to !e heard and su!2it an evidence one 2a have insupport of one?s defense. A0o !e heardA does not onl 2ean ver!alar1u2ents in court; one 2a !e heard also throu1h pleadin1s.8here opportunit to !e heard, either throu1h oral ar1u2ents orpleadin1s, is accorded, there is no denial of procedural dueprocess . 9

Petitioner also assails that there is an invalid dele1ation ofle1islative power to the court and to !aran1a officials to issueprotection orders.

Section " of &rticle 3III of the +#= Constitution provides that AtheCon1ress shall have the power to define, prescri!e, and apportionthe urisdiction of the various courts !ut 2a not deprive theSupre2e Court of its urisdiction over cases enu2erated in Section% hereof.A /ence, the pri2ar ud1e of the necessit , ade@uac ,wisdo2, reasona!leness and e pedienc of an law is pri2aril thefunction of the le1islature. % 0he act of Con1ress entrustin1 us withthe issuance of protection orders is in pursuance of our authorit tosettle usticia!le controversies or disputes involvin1 ri1hts that areenforcea!le and de2anda!le !efore the courts of ustice or theredress of wron1s for violations of such ri1hts. 7

&s to the issuance of protection order ! the Punon1 Baran1a ,Section 9 pertinentl provides>

SEC. 9. Baran1a Protection Orders 'BPOs(; 8ho -a Issue and/ow. Baran1a Protection Orders 'BPOs( refer to the protectionorder issued ! the Punon1 Baran1a orderin1 the perpetrator todesist fro2 co22ittin1 acts under Section % 'a( and '!( of this &ct.

& Punon1 Baran1a who receives applications for a BPO shallissue the protection order to the applicant on the date of filin1 aftere parte deter2ination of the !asis of the application. If the Punon1Baran1a is unavaila!le to act on the application for a BPO, theapplication shall !e acted upon ! an availa!le Baran1aLa1awad. If the BPO is issued ! a Baran1a La1awad, the order2ust !e acco2panied ! an attestation ! the Baran1a La1awadthat the Punon1 Baran1a was unavaila!le at the ti2e of theissuance of the BPO. BPOs shall !e effective for fifteen ' %( da s.I22ediatel after the issuance of an e parte BPO, the Punon1Baran1a or Baran1a La1awad shall personall serve a cop ofthe sa2e on the respondent, or direct an !aran1a official to effectits personal service.

0he parties 2a !e acco2panied ! a non)law er advocate in anproceedin1 !efore the Punon1 Baran1a . 1âwphi1

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/ence, the issuance of a BPO ! the Punon1 Baran1a or, in hisunavaila!ilit , ! an availa!le Baran1a La1awad, 2erel ordersthe perpetrator to desist fro2 'a( causin1 ph sical har2 to thewo2an or her child; and '"( threatenin1 to cause the wo2an or herchild ph sical har2.

Such function of the Punon1 Baran1a is, thus, purel e ecutive innature, in pursuance of his dut under the 5ocal *overn2ent Codeto Aenforce all laws and ordinances,A and to A2aintain pu!lic order

in the !aran1a .A=

Petitioner assails that the C& erred in findin1 that the R0C did notco22it 1rave a!use of discretion in issuin1 the 0PO dated -a " ,"$$% as the petition was !ereft of an indication of 1rounds for theissuance of the sa2e. Petitioner clai2s that while the issuance ofthe 0PO is e parte, there 2ust !e a udicial deter2ination of the!asis thereof. /e contends that the alle1ations in respondent?saffidavit attached to the petition, and without ad2ittin1 the sa2e to!e true, are nothin1 2ore than nor2al or usual @uarrels !etween ahus!and and wife which are not 1rave or i22inent enou1h to 2eritthe issuance of a 0PO.

8e are not persuaded.

8e @uote a1ain Section % of R& +"7" for read reference, thus>

SEC0ION %. 0e2porar Protection Orders. 0e2porarProtection Orders '0POs( refers to the protection order issued !the court on the date of filin1 of the application after e partedeter2ination that such order should !e issued. & court 2a 1rantin a 0PO an , so2e or all of the reliefs 2entioned in this &ct andshall !e effective for thirt ' $( da s. 0he court shall schedule ahearin1 on the issuance of a PPO prior to or on the date of thee piration of the 0PO. 0he court shall order the i22ediate personal

service of the 0PO on the respondent ! the court sheriff who 2ao!tain the assistance of law enforce2ent a1ents for the service.0he 0PO shall include notice of the date of the hearin1 on the2erits of the issuance of a PPO.

Clearl , the court is authori6ed to issue a 0PO on the date of thefilin1 of the application after e parte deter2ination that there is!asis for the issuance thereof. E parte 2eans that the respondentneed not !e notified or !e present in the hearin1 for the issuance of the 0PO. 0hus, it is within the court:s discretion, !ased on thepetition and the affidavit attached thereto, to deter2ine that theviolent acts a1ainst wo2en and their children for the issuance of a0PO have !een co22itted.

&nd Section % of the sa2e law provides>

SEC0ION %. &cts of 3iolence &1ainst 8o2en and 0heir Children.)0he cri2e of violence a1ainst wo2en and their children isco22itted throu1h an of the followin1 acts>

'a( Causin1 ph sical har2 to the wo2an or her child;

'!( 0hreatenin1 to cause the wo2an or her child ph sicalhar2;

'c( &tte2ptin1 to cause the wo2an or her child ph sicalhar2;

'd( Placin1 the wo2an or her child in fear of i22inentph sical har2;

'e( &tte2ptin1 to co2pel or co2pellin1 the wo2an or herchild to en1a1e in conduct which the wo2an or her childhas the ri1ht to desist fro2 or desist fro2 conduct which

the wo2an or her child has the ri1ht to en1a1e in, oratte2ptin1 to restrict or restrictin1 the wo2an?s or herchild?s freedo2 of 2ove2ent or conduct ! force or threatof force, ph sical or other har2 or threat of ph sical orother har2, or inti2idation directed a1ainst the wo2an orchild. 0his shall include, !ut not li2ited to, the followin1acts co22itted with the purpose or effect of controllin1 orrestrictin1 the wo2an?s or her child?s 2ove2ent orconduct>

' ( 0hreatenin1 to deprive or actuall deprivin1the wo2an or her child of custod to herHhisfa2il ;

'"( Deprivin1 or threatenin1 to deprive thewo2an or her children of financial support le1alldue her or her fa2il , or deli!eratel providin1 thewo2an?s children insufficient financial support;

' ( Deprivin1 or threatenin1 to deprive thewo2an or her child of a le1al ri1ht;

'9( Preventin1 the wo2an in en1a1in1 in anle1iti2ate profession, occupation, !usiness oractivit or controllin1 the victi2?s own 2one or

properties, or solel controllin1 the con u1al orco22on 2one , or properties;

'f( Inflictin1 or threatenin1 to inflict ph sical har2 ononeself for the purpose of controllin1 her actions ordecisions;

'1( Causin1 or atte2ptin1 to cause the wo2an or her childto en1a1e in an se ual activit which does not constituterape, ! force or threat of force, ph sical har2, or throu1hinti2idation directed a1ainst the wo2an or her child orherHhis i22ediate fa2il ;

'h( En1a1in1 in purposeful, knowin1, or reckless conduct,personall or throu1h another, that alar2s or causessu!stantial e2otional or ps cholo1ical distress to thewo2an or her child. 0his shall include, !ut not !e li2itedto, the followin1 acts>

' ( Stalkin1 or followin1 the wo2an or her child inpu!lic or private places;

'"( Peerin1 in the window or lin1erin1 outside theresidence of the wo2an or her child;

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' ( Enterin1 or re2ainin1 in the dwellin1 or on thepropert of the wo2an or her child a1ainst herHhiswill;

'9( Destro in1 the propert and personal!elon1in1s or inflictin1 har2 to ani2als or pets of the wo2an or her child; and

'%( En1a1in1 in an for2 of harass2ent or

violence;

'i( Causin1 2ental or e2otional an1uish, pu!lic ridicule orhu2iliation to the wo2an or her child, includin1, !ut notli2ited to, repeated ver!al and e2otional a!use, anddenial of financial support or custod of 2inor children ofaccess to the wo2an?s childHchildren.

In this case, the alle1ed acts of petitioner a2on1 others, i.e., hecocked the 1un and pointed the sa2e to his head in order toconvince respondent not to proceed with the le1al separation case;feedin1 his other children with the food which another child spatout; and threatenin1 the cr in1 child with a !elt to stop hi2 fro2cr in1 which was repeatedl done; and holdin1 respondent ! hernape when he 1ot furious that she was askin1 hi2 not to co2eoften to their con u1al ho2e and hold office thereat after theira1reed separation and threatenin1 her of withholdin1 half of thefinancial support for the kids, while not conclusive, are enou1h!ases for the issuance of a 0PO. Petitioner?s actions would fallunder the enu2eration of Section %, 2ore particularl , para1raphsa, d, e '"(, f, h, and i.

It is settled doctrine that there is 1rave a!use of discretion whenthere is a capricious and whi2sical e ercise of ud12ent as ise@uivalent to lack of urisdiction, such as where the power is

e ercised in an ar!itrar or despotic 2anner ! reason of passionor personal hostilit , and it 2ust !e so patent and 1ross so as toa2ount to an evasion of positive dut or to a virtual refusal toperfor2 the dut en oined or to act at all in conte2plation oflaw. #8e find that the C& did not err when it found no 1rave a!useof discretion co22itted ! the R0C in the issuance of the 0PO.

0he factual 2atters herein raised ! petitioner should !e presenteddurin1 the hearin1 on the 2erits on the issuance of the Per2anentProtection Order.

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. Respondent is en oined fro2 threatenin1 to co22it orco22ittin1 further acts of ph sical a!use and violencea1ainst the petitioner;

". 0o sta awa at a distance of at least %$$ 2eters fro2petitioner, her residence or her place of work;

. 0o refrain fro2 harassin1, anno in1, inti2idatin1,contactin1 or co22unicatin1 with petitioner; 9.

Respondent is prohi!ited fro2 usin1 or possessin1 anfirear2 or deadl weapon on occasions not related to his

o!;

%. 0o provide reasona!le financial spousal support to thepetitioner.

0he 5ocal Police Officers and the Baran1a Officials throu1h theChair2an in the area where the petitioner and respondent live atPo!lacion, Claveria, -isa2is Oriental and Bo!unto1an, 4asaan,-isa2is Oriental are directed to respond to an re@uest forassistance fro2 the petitioner for the i2ple2entation of this order.

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0he are also directed to acco2pan the petitioner to their con u1ala!ode at Purok ", Bo!unto1an, 4asaan, -isa2is Oriental to 1et her personal !elon1in1s in order to insure the safet of the petitioner.

0he Deput Sheriff of this Court is ordered to i22ediatel serve the0e2porar Protection Order '0PO( upon the respondent personalland to seek and o!tain the assistance of law enforce2ent a1ents, if needed, for purposes of effectin1 the s2ooth i2ple2entation of thisorder.

In the 2eanti2e, let cop of this order and petition !e served uponthe respondent for hi2 to file an OPPOSI0ION within a period offive '%( da s fro2 receipt hereof and let a Preli2inar Conferenceand hearin1 on the 2erits !e set on Octo!er =, "$$7 at ">$$o:clock in the afternoon.

0o insure that petitioner can receive a fair share of respondent:sretire2ent and other !enefits, the followin1 a1encies thru theirheads are directed to 8I0//O5D an retire2ent, pension andother !enefits of respondent, SHS*0. C/&R5ES &. &/ON, a2e2!er of the &r2ed

. Co22andin1 *eneralHOfficer of the

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order that 2a !e issued ! the !aran1a shall !e known as aBaran1a Protection Order 'BPO(. 9

Section # of R.&. No. +"7" enu2erates the reliefs that 2a !eincluded in the 0PO, PPO or BPO, to wit>

'a( Prohi!ition of the respondent fro2 threatenin1 toco22it or co22ittin1, personall or throu1h another, anof the acts 2entioned in Section % of this &ct;

'!( Prohi!ition of the respondent fro2 harassin1,anno in1, telephonin1, contactin1 or otherwiseco22unicatin1 with the petitioner, directl or indirectl ;

'c( Re2oval and e clusion of the respondent fro2 theresidence of the petitioner, re1ardless of ownership of theresidence, either te2poraril for the purpose of protectin1the petitioner, or per2anentl where no propert ri1hts areviolated, and if respondent 2ust re2ove personal effectsfro2 the residence, the court shall direct a lawenforce2ent a1ent to acco2pan the respondent to theresidence, re2ain there until respondent has 1athered histhin1s and escort respondent fro2 the residence;

'd( Directin1 the respondent to sta awa fro2 petitionerand an desi1nated fa2il or household 2e2!er at adistance specified ! the court, and to sta awa fro2 theresidence, school, place of e2plo 2ent, or an specifiedplace fre@uented ! the petitioner and an desi1natedfa2il or household 2e2!er;

'e( Directin1 lawful possession and use ! petitioner of anauto2o!ile and other essential personal effects,re1ardless of ownership, and directin1 the appropriate law

enforce2ent officer to acco2pan the petitioner to theresidence of the parties to ensure that the petitioner issafel restored to the possession of the auto2o!ile andother essential personal effects, or to supervise thepetitioner:s or respondent:s re2oval of personal!elon1in1s;

'f( *rantin1 a te2porar or per2anent custod of achildHchildren to the petitioner;

'1( Directin1 the respondent to provide support to thewo2an andHor her child if entitled to le1al support.Notwithstandin1 other laws to the contrar , the court shallorder an appropriate percenta1e of the inco2e or salar of the respondent to !e withheld re1ularl ! therespondent?s e2plo er for the sa2e to !e auto2aticallre2itted directl to the wo2an. Section . 0he !enefits authori6ed under this

Decree, e cept as provided herein, shall not !e su! ect toattach2ent, 1arnish2ent, lev , e ecution or an ta whatsoever;

neither shall the !e assi1ned, ceded, or conve ed to an thirdperson> Provided, 0hat if a retired or separated officer or enlisted2an who is entitled to an !enefit under this Decree has unsettled2one andHor propert accounta!ilities incurred while in the activeservice, not 2ore than fift per centu2 of the pension 1ratuit orother pa 2ent due such officer or enlisted 2an or his survivorsunder this Decree 2a !e withheld and !e applied to settle suchaccounta!ilities. 'E2phasis supplied.(

& si2ilar provision is found in R.&. No. #"+ , otherwise known asthe A*overn2ent Service Insurance S ste2 &ct of ++=,A whichreads>

SEC. +. E e2ption fro2 0a , 5e1al Process and 5ien ))

0he funds andHor the properties referred to herein as well as the!enefits, su2s or 2onies correspondin1 to the !enefits under this

&ct shall !e e e2pt fro2 attach2ent, 1arnish2ent, e ecution, levor other processes issued ! the courts, @uasi) udicial a1encies orad2inistrative !odies includin1 Co22ission on &udit 'CO&(disallowances and fro2 all financial o!li1ations of the 2e2!ers,includin1 his pecuniar accounta!ilit arisin1 fro2 or caused oroccasioned ! his e ercise or perfor2ance of his official functions

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt14http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt15http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt14http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt15

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0owards this end, the State shall e ert efforts to address violenceco22itted a1ainst wo2en and children in keepin1 with thefunda2ental freedo2s 1uaranteed under the Constitution and theprovisions of the niversal Declaration of /u2an Ri1hts, theConvention on the Eli2ination of &ll .

$'676)A $AS3 )O. 98 2 #or iolation o# Art. -- o# the'P$, as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# '.A.

10, "ommitted as #ollo*s:

hat sometime in 7ay 199-, in Paraa/ue, 7etro 7anila and*ithin the ;urisdi"tion o# this (onorable $ourt, abo e%nameda""used, by ta, tou"hed 4si"5 and inserted 4si"5 his #inger intthe agina o# said minor% i"tim.

$'676)A $AS3 )O. 98 - #or iolation o# Art. -- o# the'P$, as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# '.A.

10, "ommitted as #ollo*s:

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt27http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt27http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt28http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt29http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt27http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt28http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/jun2014/gr_201043_2014.html#fnt29

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hat sometime in bet*een the period "ommen"ing in une 199-until August 199-, in Paraa/ue, 7etro 7anila and *ithin the

;urisdi"tion o# this (onorable $ourt, abo e%named a""used, byta,tou"hed 4si"5 and inserted 4si"5 his #inger into the agina o# saidminor% i"tim.

$'676)A $AS3 )O. 98 + #or iolation o# Art. -- o# the

'P$, as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# '.A.10, "ommitted as #ollo*s:

hat sometime in bet*een the period o# O"tober to !e"ember199- at Shaolin $hinese 'estaurant lo"atedat Su"at 'oad, Paraa/ue, 7etro 7anila and *ithin the

;urisdi"tion o# this (onorable $ourt, abo e%named a""used, byta, and *ith le*d designs, didthen *ill#ully, unla*#ully and #eloniously tou"hed 4si"5 andsu", the

i"tim herein, is their third "hild. She *as born on August 2-,1982. @ @ @

Sometime in April 199- to 7ay 199-, three or #our months be#ore her ele enth 4115 birthday, =AAA> *o *as the #irst to*a #or reasons un

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the Fragante #amily o*ned, there *as a small ba"< room used asan o##i"e *hi"h later *as "on erted into a room *here they"ould rest. =AAA> *as told by her #ather to rest in that room andon"e inside, *hile tal and her #ather bought #ood #romollibee. She *as instru"ted to eat it at the ba"< room o#

their Shaolin $hinese 'estaurant so that other employees *ouldnot see it. A#ter eating, 3rnesto as *as sleeping in another room, 3rnesto entered herroom. (e lay beside her, and started su" inSeptember 199 %199 , be"ause he *as hardly home and *as

busy *ith his boo e@e"uted her "omplaint%a##ida it. (er mother and siblings also e@e"uted their a##ida its.

@ @ @ @

!uring arraignment on April 2 , 1999, the a""used enteredseparate pleas o# )ot &uilty to all the "rimes "harged.

oint trial ensued therea#ter.

Prose"ution presented the #ollo*ing *itnesses: =AAA>, ,$$$, and !r. ernadette 7adrid. he de#ense presented3rnesto Fragante as the sole *itness.

The R"#$%& o' !he T($a# Co"(!

On + uly 200-, the trial "ourt rendered a !e"ision "on i"ting appellant#or the "rimes "harged. he dispositi e portion o# the trial "ourtBs de"isionreads:

(3'3FO'3, a#ter "are#ul perusal o# the e iden"e presented,this $ourt #inds as #ollo*s: #or 4si"5

$riminal $ase )o. 98% 1 For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)

41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% 2 For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% - For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er an

imprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% + For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #ind

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the a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indsthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er an

imprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% For iolation o# Art. -- o# the 'P$,as amended, in relation to Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10 #indsthe a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# re"lusion temporal o# FOC' 33) 41+5D3A'S 36&( 485 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to F6F 33)41 5 D3A'S S6E 4 5 7O) (S and 3) D 4205 !ADS.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% 8 #or Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10#inds the a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!

'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# S6E 4 5 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to S6E4 5 D3A'S.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% 9 #or Se"tion 4b5, Art. 666 o# 'A 10#inds the a""used 3rnesto Ayuda Fragante &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to su##er animprisonment o# S6E 4 5 7O) (S and O)3 415 !AD to S6E4 5 D3A'S.

$riminal $ase )o. 98% 0 #or 'AP3 this "ourt #inds thea""used 3')3S O ADC!A F'A&A) 3 &C6 D 3DO)!'3ASO)A 3 !OC and is hereby senten"ed to !3A (.(e is ordered to pay the "omplainant P 0,000.00 as "i il

liability and P 0,000.00 as moral damages.

SO O'!3'3!.

The R"#$%& o' !he Co"(! o' A))ea#s

he $ourt o# Appeals #ound appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt #orthe "rimes "harged. 6n upholding appellantBs "on i"tion, the $ourt o#Appeals ga e "reden"e to AAABs testimony narrating ho* appellantse@ually abused her repeatedly. he $ourt o# Appeals ;un

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e are not persuaded. he prose"ution su##i"iently established appellantBsguilt beyond reasonable doubt #or the "rime o# rape.

Arti"le -- o# the 'e ised Penal $ode pro ides:

Art. -- . When and how rape is committed. % 'ape is "ommitted by ha ing "arnal

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he penalty o# reclusion temporal in its medium periodto reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the #ollo*ing:

@ @ @ @

4b5 hose *ho "ommit the a"t o# se@ual inter"ourse o# las"i ious"ondu"t *ith a "hild e@ploited in prostitution or sub;e"t to otherse@ual abuse Pro ided, hat *hen the i"tim is under t*el e4125 years o# age, the perpetrators shall be prose"uted underArti"le -- , paragraph -, #or rape and Arti"le -- o# A"t )o.

-81 , as amended, the 'e ised Penal $ode, #or rape orlas"i ious "ondu"t, as the "ase may be: Pro ided, hat the

penalty #or las"i ious "ondu"t *hen the i"tim is under t*el e4125 years o# age shall be reclusion temporal in its medium

period @ @ @

he elements o# se@ual abuse under Se"tion , Arti"le 666 o# 'epubli" A"t )o. 10 are as #ollo*s:

1. he a""used "ommits the a"t o# se@ualinter"ourse or las"i ious "ondu"t.

2. he said a"t is per#ormed *ith a "hilde@ploited in prostitution or sub;e"ted tose@ual abuse.

-. he "hild, *hether male or #emale, is belo*18 years o# age.

As "orre"tly #ound by the $ourt o# Appeals, all the elements o# se@ualabuse under Se"tion , Arti"le 666 o# 'A 10 are present here.

First, appellantBs repeated tou"hing, #ondling, and su"

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A:Sa bahay po namin at madaling ara* po iyon dahil nagpapaturo

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@ @ @ @

&enitoperineal Area: triangular pubi" hair distribution hymen "ir"ular *ith healed la"eration at-, I 9 o"lo"< position.

Spe"ulum 3@amination: "er i@%smooth, 4%5erosions, 4%5 lesions, 4%5 bleeding.

6nternal 3@amination: 6ntroitus admits 2#ingers *ith ease $er i@%#irm, "losed. Cterus%small,no palpable adne@al massJtenderness.

A O'A O'D '3SC S:

@ @ @ @

&ram stain: )o spermato?oa seen.

@ @ @.

Appellant denied the "harges against him and testi#ied thatsometime in 200+ he *as summoned by their barangay "aptain to ans*er /uestions regarding a "omplaint lodged against him by 7. hen hedenied 7s a""usations, appellant "laimed that he *as mauled by se eral

persons and *as #or"ibly ta

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through se@ual assault under 'epubli" A"t )o. 8- - or he Anti%'apea* o# 199 *hi"h in part pro ides:

Art. 2 %A. (ape) when and how committed .% 'ape is "ommitted %

15 y a man *ho shall ha e "arnal 6n addition, *e held in People v. Catubi# ,=2+> that the presen"e o# aggra ating "ir"umstan"e, su"h as 7s minority, entitles her to an a*ard o# e@emplary damages. he amount o# P2 ,000.00 as e@emplary damages #oea"h "ount o# rape is appropriate under the "ir"umstan"es. =2 >

*HEREFORE , the assailed !e"ision o# the $ourt o# Appealsis AFFIR+ED /$!h +ODIFICATIONS that in Family $ase )o. A%+-appellant 7anuel (ermo"illa is #ound guilty o# rape through se@ualinter"ourse and is senten"ed to su##er the penalty o# reclusion perpetuand to pay 7 the amounts o# P 0,000.00 as "i il indemnity,P 0,000.00 asmoral damages, and P2 ,000.00 as e@emplary damages. 6n Family $ase

)o. A%+- , appellant is #ound guilty o# rape through se@ual assault and issenten"ed to su##er the indeterminate penalty o# 12 years o# prision ma+as minimum, up to 20 years o# reclusion temporal , as ma@imum, an

pay 7 the amounts o# P-0,000.00 as "i il indemnity, P-0,000.00 as moraldamages, and P2 ,000.00 as e@emplary damages.

SO ORDERED.

CONSUELOYNARES SANTIAG

Asso"iate usti"e

THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 172226Appellee, - versus - Chairperson, HERMINIGILDOSENIERES, ELAS!O, "R., JJ. , Appell#$%,

ruad

March 23, 2007

D E ! I S I O N

TINGA, J.:

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn23http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn23http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn24http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn24http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn25http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn23http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn24http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/july2007/175830.htm#_ftn25

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On automatic review i the !eci ion "#$ dated % !ecem&er2000 o' the (egional Trial )ourt o' *aguio )it+, *ranch %,convicting erminigildo -eniere o' ra.ing AAA "2$ on two /2occa ion 1 The di .o itive .ortion o' the deci ion read :

( 4O( , 5udgment i here&+ rendereda 'ollow :

#1 In )riminal )a e No1 #%%6# (, the )ourt8nd the accu ed erm"e$nigildo -eniereguilt+ &e+ond rea ona&le dou&t o' theo9en e o' ra.e a charged in theIn'ormation, de8ned and .enali ed under-ection 2, Par1 # /a and /d o' (e.u&lic Act"No1$ ;3

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the .re ence o' omeone &e ide her1 hen he o.ened here+e , he aw that it wa -eniere , her uncle, who hadthen tarted removing her hort and underwear1 -he aid,No &ut -eniere threatened to harm her +ounger i ter i'

he did not allow him to .roceed1 Ne t, -eniere turned her&od+ to 'ace him1 AAA cli..ed together her leg to re i thim &ut -eniere e.arated them u ing hi 'eet1 AAA

houted &ut -eniere covered her mouth with her hand 1-eniere then in erted hi .eni into her vagina and made.u h and .ull movement 1 AAA cried in .ain1 AAA al o 'elta mucou liBe u& tance enter her vagina1 A'ter ati '+inghim el', -eniere re.eated hi threat o' harm to AAA

i ter and then went &acB to lee. at the o'a in the ala1AAA .ut her .ant+ and hort &acB on and went &acB to

lee. till cr+ing1

hen AAA awaBened the 'ollowing da+, -eniere wa nolonger around1 -he, however, did not re.ort the incident toher aunt ))) or to an+one el e a he wa a'raid that-eniere would maBe good hi threat to harm her +ounger

i ter1

A'ter the incident, AAA ta+ed at her godmother hou ewhich i a 'ew hou e awa+1 On #% !ecem&er #66;, hereturned to her aunt ))) hou e a he thought that-eniere no longer ta+ed there1

On #7 !ecem&er #66;, while AAA wa watching T ,-eniere arrived1 In 'right, AAA invited her male cou in!!! to go to lee. alread+1 -he and !!! le.t on the Hoor'acing each other1 Again, he awoBe when he 'elt -enierego down to the Hoor ne t to her1 Then he 'elt him removeher .ant+ and hort 1 AAA BicBed -eniere 'eet &ut hemanaged to remove her hort and .ant+1 AAA tried torou e !!! 'rom lee. &+ el&owing him &ut he could not &eawaBened1 AAA wa l+ing on her le't ide, 'acing !!!, withher thigh &ent 'orward and lower leg &ent &acBward 1Ne t, -eniere in erted hi .eni into her anu 1 -he 'elt a

li..er+ u& tance and then -eniere .ulled hi .eni outo' her anu 1 e went &acB to lee. at the o'a1 -enierele't the hou e the 'ollowing morning1

-ometime a'ter the incident, AAA le't 'or her uncle hou e, in a town omewhere in *enguet, in order to &eawa+ 'rom -eniere 1 On 2; 5anuar+ #666, her aunt ***arrived and tooB AAA to another town in *enguet1

In A.ril #666, AAA re.orted 'or the 8r t time what hadha..ened to her aunt ***1 AAA wa em&oldened &+ thecourage o' a child who had re.orted a imilar incident o'

e ual a&u e again t her'ather1 AAA and her aunt *** then traveled to *aguio )it+1On 27 A.ril#666, AAA, accom.anied &+ her aunt ***, gave her worn

tatement to the *aguio )it+ Police1 On 2; A.ril #666, hewa e amined &+ !r1 ladimir illa eor1

!r1 illa eor te ti8ed that he 'ound a hallow, healedlaceration located at 7 oclocB and 6 oclocB .o ition and adee., healed laceration at 3 oclocB .o ition1 e e .lainedthat a hallow laceration i a laceration that doe note tend to the &a e o' the h+men while a dee. laceration ia laceration which e tend 'rom the .eri.her+ to the &a eo' the h+men1 e al o di cu ed that a healed laceration ione that i more than even /7 da+ old1 e tated that&a ed on their num&er and de.th, the laceration could

have onl+ &een cau ed &+ the in ertion o' a male genitalorgan into the vagina1 !r1 illa eor i ued a medico legalre.ort containing hi 8nding 1

4or hi .art, -eniere denied the charge again t him1 eclaimed that he could not have ra.ed AAA on 22 Novem&er#66; a he wa in the hou e o' a relative in -an)arlo eight , *aguio )it+ and AAA wa tillin Manila1 On #7 !ecem&er #66;, he wa liBewi e at hirelative hou e in -an )arlo eight , *aguio )it+1

The trial court 'avored AAA ver ion o' the event andconvicted -eniere o' the crime charged, ruling in thiwi e:

The )ourt cannot give credence to thea ertion o' the accu ed that he could nothave ra.ed AAA on the night o' Novem&er22, #66; at T1 Alon o -treet, &ecau e

he wa not +et in*aguio )it+ at that time1

AAA categoricall+ te ti8ed that he arrivedin *aguio on Novem&er 7, #66; and incethen ta+ed at T1 Alon o -treet until

he wa ra.ed on the night o' Novem&er22, #66;1 There i no rea on to dou&t herte timon+ ince, a alread+ di cu ed.reviou l+, it &ear the earmarB o' credi&ilit+1

@iBewi e, the )ourt cannot give weight tothe claim o' the accu ed that on the nighto' Novem&er 22, #66;",$ a wella !ecem&er #7, #66;, he wa at -an)arlo eight , *aguio )it+ with hi relativeMar+ 5ane Tum&agahan and the latter'amil+1

e 'ailed to .re ent hi allegedrelative Mar+ 5ane or an+ other mem&er o' the latter 'amil+ or an+ other .er on tocorro&orate hi claim1 It hould not &ediJcult 'or him to ecure their .re ence incourt i' indeed he wa with hi relative ontho e night or that he .ent tho e nightat -an )arlo eight 1

*e ide , granting 'or the aBe o' argumentthat he wa at -an )arlo eight on thenight o' Novem&er 22 and !ecem&er #7,#66;, it i not im.o i&le 'or him to &e at T1Alon o at the .reci e time the e ual actwere committed1 -an )arlo eight i Eu ta Eee.ne+ ride awa+ 'rom T1 Alon o-treet a &oth .lace arewithin *aguio )it+1 -uch that i' accu ed

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travel 'rom -an )arlo eight to T1 Alon o-treet, or vi"c$e ver a, it would onl+ taBehim 20 minute , more or le 1

The Eudgment o' conviction wa elevated to the )ourt 'orautomatic review1 In a (e olution dated 27 -e.tem&er200> o' the )ourt in G1(1 No 1 #>72;% ;7, the ca e weretran 'erred to the )ourt o' A..eal .ur uant to the )ourtruling in People v. Mateo 1

In a !eci ion dated 20 !ecem&er 200

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L Now, in +our e amination a a medicolegal oJcer o' the Phili..ineNational Police, !octor, what would&e the mo t .o i&le 'oreign o&Eectthat would cau e "the e Bind $ o' laceration

A The " ic$ 'ull+ erect male genital organ,ir1

L Now, wh+ do +ou a+ that the mo t.o i&le 'oreign o&Eect which couldhave cau e "the e Bind $ o' laceration would &e a 'ull+ erectmale genital organ

A )on idering, ir, that there were threelaceration and there wa alaceration that wa con idereddee., that ma+ &e cau ed onl+ &+the in ertion o' a male organ, ir1

AAA liBewi e clearl+ te ti8ed that -eniere in ertedhi .eni into her anu , to wit:

L And a'ter +our uncle ming wa a&le toremove +our hort and .ant+,what ha..ened ne t

A Itudtodok na diay buto na diay ubet ko / e wa in erting hi .eni intom+ anu 1

It ma+ &e well to .oint out that the trial court 'oundAAA te timon+ to &e truth'ul, viz. :

There i no rea on to dou&t "AAA $te timon+1 -he wa candid, natural,'orthright and unwavering1 In hort, herte timon+ &ear the earmarB o' credi&ilit+1

4urther trengthening "AAA $credi&ilit+ i her lacB o' ulterior motiveagain t the accu ed and the a& olutea& ence o' evidence that even remotel+

ugge ted that he could have &eenactuated &+ ill motive1 It i ettled thatwhere there i no evidence indicating thatthe .rinci.al witne 'or the .ro ecutionwa actuated &+ im.ro.er motive, the.re um.tion i that he wa not oactuated and her te timon+ i entitled to'ull 'aith and credit1

It i a ettled .rinci.le that the trial court evaluation o' thecredi&ilit+ o' witne e i viewed a correct and entitled tothe highe t re .ect &ecau e it i more com.etent to oconclude, having had the o..ortunit+ to o& erve thewitne e demeanor and de.ortment on the tand, and themanner in which the+ gave their te timon+1 Dnle the trial

Eudge .lainl+ overlooBed certain 'act o' u& tance andvalue which, i' con idered, might a9ect the re ult o' theca e, hi a e ment on credi&ilit+ mu t &e re .ected1

AAA alleged act o' ca uall+ .utting on herunderwear a'ter the ra.e and her 'ailure to immediatel+re.ort the two /2 incident o' ra.e do not vitiate thecredi&ilit+ o' her account1 The )ourt ha re.eatedl+o& erved that no tandard 'orm o' &ehavior can &eantici.ated o' a ra.e victim 'ollowing her de8lement,

.articularl+ &+ a child who could not &e e .ected to 'ull+com.rehend the wa+ o' an adult1 Peo.le react di9erentl+to emotional tre and ra.e victim are no di9erent 'romthem1

Moreover, long ilence and dela+ in re.orting the crime o' ra.e ha not alwa+ &een con trued a an indication o' a'al e accu ation1 The .rinci.le a..lie with greater 'orcewhere, a in thi ca e, AAA wa onl+ ## +ear old and wa ,in all liBelihood, u ce.ti&le to intimidation and threat o' .h+ ical harm e .eciall+ 'rom a clo e relative1

Again t the overwhelming evidence o' the .ro ecution,-eniere merel+ inter.o ed the de'en e o' denial and

ali&i1 e claimed that on &oth occa ion , he waomewhere el e and could not have &een at the cene o' the crime1

aving &een .o itivel+ and unmi taBa&l+ identi8ed &+ AAAa her ra.i t, -eniere weaB de'en e o' denial and ali&icannot .ro .er1 The ettled Euri .rudence i thatcategorical and con i tent .o itive identi8cation, a& entan+ howing o' ill motive on the .art o' the e+ewitnete ti'+ing thereon, .revail over the de'en e o' denial andali&i which, i' not u& tantiated &+ clear and convincing.roo', a in the ca e at &ar, con titute el' ervingevidence unde erving o' weight in law1

Ali&i, liBe denial, i al o inherentl+ weaB and ea il+'a&ricated1 4or thi de'en e to Eu ti'+ an acKuittal, the'ollowing mu t &e e ta&li hed: the .re ence o' thea..ellant in another .lace at the time o' the commi ion o' the o9en e and the .h+ ical im.o i&ilit+ 'or him to &e atthe cene o' the crime1 The e reKui ite have not &eenmet1 -eniere claimed to &e at a relative hou e on &othocca ion o' ra.e1 )on idering that thi relative hou e i a

Eee.ne+ ride awa+ 'rom the hou e where the two /2incident o' ra.e were committed, it would have till &een.h+ icall+ .o i&le 'or him to &e .re ent at the cene o' the crime at the time o' their con ummation1

In um, the guilt o' -eniere wa .roven &e+ond

rea ona&le dou&t1 The )ourt there'ore aJrm hiconviction 'or two /2 count o' ra.e in )riminal )a e No 1#%%6# ( and #%%62 (1

ith re .ect to -eniere civil lia&ilit+, the )ourt aJrm theaward o' P

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civil indemnit+ andP2>; i A44I(M ! with MO!I4I)ATION1 In )riminal )a eNo1 #%%6# (, a..ellant (M NIGI@!O - NI ( - i

entenced to u9er the .enalt+ o' reclusion perpetua andto indemni'+ AAA the amount o' P

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around1 -he wa a'raid to tell her mother out o' 'ear thathe might &e ca tigated or re.rimanded1

On 2< !ecem&er #663, ***invited 5ulieta 4lore , a kumadre and neigh&orin Nagtagaan, to Eoin them 'or )hri tma cele&ration intheir hou e in Agoo1 On the ame da+, AAA wa with )))in Nagtagaan 'or 'e tivitie thereat1 It wa on thi occa ionthat *** learned 'rom 5ulieta 4lore the .er8diou actcommitted &+ the a..ellant1 4lore told her that ometime

a 'ew +ear &acB, he had een a..ellant drag AAA to adarB .lace &ehind hi hou e1 Although it wa almo t du B,he could ee that a..ellant Bi ing AAA1 hen he aw

them in that .o ition, he made a coughing ound which.rom.ted the a..ellant to looB &acB and &ring AAA to the'ront o' hi hou e1

*** wa unnerved &+ her talB with her kumadre 1 Thu ,on 27 !ecem&er #663, he went to Nagtagaan to ee herdaughter1 hen he a Bed her daughter a&out what hehad heard, it wa then that AAA &roBe down and told hermother a&out what a..ellant had &een doing to her1

The 'ollowing da+, on 2; !ecem&er #663, *** tooB AAA to

the !oa Gregoria Memorial o .ital1 The medicale amination conducted on AAA revealed thatAAA genetalia &ore reddi h di coloration, withold h+menal laceration at 6 and 3:00 oclocB .o ition 1

!r1 lHida *auti ta /!r1 *auti ta , who e amined AAA,te ti8ed that he e amined AAA when the child wa Eu televen /## +ear old and 'ound old laceration o' theh+men which could have &een o&tained two /2 month totwo /2 +ear .rior to the e amination1 !r1 *auti ta o.inedthat the two laceration he 'ound on the h+men o' AAAare not normal to an ## +ear old child who e h+men hould

till &e intact1

In hi de'en e, a..ellant, on the other hand, un ur.ri ingl+e .ou ed an altogether di9erent cenario1 e .re entedthe 'ollowing witne e to &ol ter hi claim : /# !!!,great grandmother o' AAA and mother in law o' thea..ellant= /2 )i.riano @agao, teacherat !amorti lementar+ -chool= /3 Gloria )ar.io, wi'e o' a..ellant and hal' i ter o' )))= /> @+dia Ma.alo, 'riend o' a..ellant= /< *artolome !e Me a, owner o' a cocB.itin Aringa+, @a Dnion= /% -antiago (e+e , manager o' acocB.it in -to1 Toma , @a Dnion= and /7 , i ter o' ***1A..ellant liBewi e te ti8ed on hi &ehal'1

The de'en e o' a..ellant con i ted o' denial and ali&i1 ea erted that in #66#, AAA wa ta+ing in the hou e o'

Gloria !umo, i ter o' ***, and the 'ormer hu &andAl'redo!umo, in !amorti , -to1 Toma , @a Dnion1 e 'urthermaintained that AAA ta+ed with the !umo cou.le 'romthe time he wa in Grade # until Grade >1 A..ellantdenied that he ra.ed AAA in #66# in their nipa hut andhou e in Nagtagaan1

A..ellant endeavored to .rove that he waa sentenciador in 'our /> cocB.it within the @a Dnionarea, .re enting everal certi8cation to that e9ect1 ee .lained that he would re.ort 'or worB &etween 6oclocB and 6:30 in the morning and would leave worB at <oclocB in the a'ternoon1 There'ore, although AAA would'reKuentl+ vi it hi hou e 'rom #66# to #663 to .la+ with

hi daughter, he wa never home or that he would not talBto her and leave the hou e1 i dut+ at the cocB.it would&e 'rom Thur da+ to -unda+1 On Monda+ to edne da+ ,the a..ellant claim to have &een in the hou e o' Gregorioand witne @+dia Ma.alo where the+ .la+ed ma%&on' 1 Twa corro&orated &+ the te timon+ o' a..ellant wi'e,Gloria )ar.io, who averred that whenever he would eeAAA, her hu &and would either &e .la+ing ma%&on'worBing at the cocB.it1 Moreover, although he waa &aranga+ oJcial, her worB did not reKuire her to &econ tantl+ .re ent at the &aranga+ hall1 Thu , he would&e home ever+da+ to care 'or the hou e and her mallchild1

A..ellant theori e that the charge again t him mighthave &een .ro.elled &+ the Kuarrel &etween the victimmother and hi wi'e1 Thi alleged Kuarrel ha..ened morethan a decade .a t, ometime in #6;0, with ***.ur.ortedl+ uttering the word , I (ill make an accusationa'ainst your %usband 1

A..ellant 'urther im.licate another relative,Al'redo !umo, a the .o i&le .er.etrator o' the ra.eim.uted to him1 Al'redo !umo i the hu &and o' ***

i ter, and an uncle &+ aJnit+ o' AAA1 A..ellant claimthat a'ter he wa a..rehended and detained in the.rovincial Eail o' -an 4ernando, @a Dnion, he wa vi ited &+hi mother in law, !!!, who then told him that itwa !umo who had ra.ed AAA1 Thi claim wa atte ted to&+ !!! in her te timon+ &e'ore the trial court1 -henarrated that a'ter he wa ho .itali ed, he ta+ed in thehou e o' ))) 'or three /3 month in #6631 !uring one o' her ta+ in the hou e o' ))), at around #2 oclocB in theevening, he witne ed Al'redo !umo, in hi &rie' ,&ending and walBing toward AAA, who wa a lee. inthe ala o' the hou e with ))) and the 'ormer cou in1Allegedl+, Al'redo went under AAA &lanBet, on to. o' thevictim and tarted the .u h and .ull movement1

Notwith tanding, the trial court 'ound a..ellant guilt+ o' ra.e on &oth count and entenced him in each ca eto reclusion perpetua , to indemni'+ the victim 'or damagein the amount o' P

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-O O(! ( !1

A..ellant maintain that the court a )uo gravel+ erred: /#in giving weight and credence to the incredi&le andincon i tent te timonie o' the .ro ecution witne e = and/2 in convicting the accu ed a..ellant o' the crimecharged de .ite the 'act that hi guilt wa not .roven&e+ond rea ona&le dou&t1

In the A..ellant *rie', a..ellant reiterate hi innocenceo' the crime charged1 e argue that in ra.e ca e , thevictim te timon+ mu t &e clear, convincing and 'ree 'rommaterial contradiction 1 )ontrariwi e, a..ellant maintainthat .rivate com.lainant te timon+ lacB element o' truth'ulne 1

Particularl+, a..ellant .oint out that AAA recollection o' her ordeal in the hand o' the accu ed a..ellant and withher uncle Al'redo !umo i ver+ uni'orm and withoutdi9erence in the wa+ the alleged act were committed1 eunder core the 'act that the crime were alleged inthe In'ormation to have &een committed ometime in the+ear #66# and ometime in the month o' 5une to themiddle o' Augu t #663, +et .rivate com.lainant could noteven remem&er the .reci e date when the da tardl+ actwere committed1

Moreover, a..ellant a ert that while AAA readil+revealed to her mother that a..ellant allegedl+ ra.ed her,

he wa a'raid to reveal her ame e .erience withAl'redo !umo1

It i a..arent that a..ellant advocate that the actualviolator o' AAA wa not him el', &ut Al'redo !umo1 e 8ndit igni8cant to .oint out that hi wi'e and Al'redo wi'e are&oth called Glor+1 A..ellant eeB to ca t dou&t on thecredi&ilit+ o' the alleged e+ewitne accounto' 5ulieta 4lore &ecau e in her te timon+, *** con8rmedthat the e act word aid to her &+ the 'ormer wa that he

aw AAA and the hu &and o' Glor+ &ehind the hou e1 eliBewi e ca.itali e on the 'ailure o' the .ro ecution to.ut 5ulieta4lore on the witne tand1

An+ review o' a ra.e ca e &egin with the ettled realit+that accu ing a .er on o' thi crime can &e done with'acilit+1 Thu , the te timon+ o' the com.lainant mu talwa+ &e crutini ed with great caution1 It ma+ not &eea + 'or her to .rove the commi ion o' ra.e= +et it i evenmore diJcult 'or the accu ed, though innocent, to di .rovehi guilt1 Thi .rinci.le mu t &e viewed in relation to thatwhich hold that the evidence 'or the .ro ecution mu t

tand or 'all on it own merit = it cannot draw trength 'romthe weaBne o' the evidence 'or the de'en e1

A'ter a Eudiciou and .ain taBing tud+ o' the argument o' the .artie and o' the record a )uo , we reach theine ca.a&le conclu ion that the .ro ecution ha e9ectivel+e ta&li hed it ca e and a thu , a..ellant contentionde erve cant con ideration1

4inding o' 'act o' trial court carr+ great weight and willnot &e di tur&ed on a..eal unle hown to &e contrar+ to'act or circum tance o' weight and u& tance in the

record1 4or generall+, the evaluation o' the credi&ilit+ o' witne e and their te timonie i a matter &e tundertaBen &+ trial court , &ecau e o' their uniKueo..ortunit+ to o& erve the witne e and their demeanor,conduct and attitude, e .eciall+ under croe amination1 In thi ca e, we 8nd no cogent rea on tode.art 'rom thi ettled rule1 The evidence 'ull+ u tainthe trial court 8nding and conclu ion 1

AAA wa all o' nine /6 +ear old when her u9ering

&egan1 It i ludicrou to &elieve that a child o' uch tender+ear would concoct uch grave accu ation again t hergranduncle i' the ame were not true1 ven more, it i.re.o terou to imagine that a child o' her age wouldalread+ have uch intimate Bnowledge o' the e ual act

he de cri&ed in her te timon+, with uch clarit+ andcoherence, unle the ame were &orne o' .er onale .erience1

!uring direct e amination, AAA recounted the crimeagain t her in .articular detail, and with o&viou di trete ti8ed that:

L hen +ou were till in Grade >",$ what didthe accu ed Gregorio )ar.io do to+ou

A e called 'or me to remove hi earwa'rom hi ear and a'ter that he&rought me to their hou e1

ATTF1 (I (A:

Ma+ we maBe o' record that the witne icr+ing1

4I-)A@:

L here were +ou at that in tance when hecalled 'or +ou to clean hi earwa

A At our hou e1

L "AAA$ are " ic$ +ou a&le to continuete ti'+ing now &ecau e +ou arecr+ing

A Fe , ir1

L And to what .articular .lace did theaccu ed &ring +ou

A To their hou e1

L *+ the wa+, when the accu ed came to+our hou e to call 'or +ou to cleanhi earwa ",$ who were +ourcom.anion

A M+ grandmother1

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L And what wa the comment o' +ourgrandmother when the accu edcalled 'or +ou to clean hi earwa

A M+ grandmother wa then wa hingclothe 1

L !id the accu ed a B .ermi ion 'rom +ourgrandmother o that +ou would gowith the accu ed to clean hiearwa

A No, ir1

L And what did +ou an wer Gorio when hewa calling 'or +ou to clean hiearwa

A The 8r t time he called 'or me I went1

L And he &rought +ou to their hou e

A Fe , ir at / sic their hut1

L That hut or kubo ",$ how 'ar i it 'romthe accu ed hou e

A It i ver+ near1

L Again, with +our eat now a a .oint o' re'erence",$ will +ou .lea e looBout ide and .oint to an+ o&Eect toindicate the hou e o' the accu ed,will +ou .lea e .oint out ide wherethe hut i

A er+ near1 / itne .ointing to a di tanceo' around % meter 1

L *+ the wa+ "AAA$, in .roceeding to thathut",$ could +ou .a &+ the hou eo' the accu ed

A No, ir +ou mu t have to .a 8r t thehut1

L hat did the accu ed do to +ou when he&rought +ou in ide the nipa hut

A hen I had alread+ removed theearwa ",$ he tooB me to their roomand undre ed me and removed m+.ant+ and 'orci&l+ in erted hi8nger a well a hi .eni 1

L That room which +ou mentioned",$ i thatthe room o' the hut or hou e

A The room o' their hou e1

L hen +ou came 'rom the hut going to thehou e o' the accu ed",$ were therean+ .er on in ide the hou e

A None, ir1

)OD(T:

L a there a &ed in ide the room

A Fe , ir1

L !id he la+ +ou down on the &ed

A Fe , ir1

L hen Gorio undre ed +ou",$ what el edid he do" $ "!$id he remove hiclothe

A e removed hi .ant and then he did the.u h and .um.ing1

L A&out +ou " ic$ when he did the .u h and.um.ing were +ou l+ing on the &ed

A Fe , ir1

L here i " ic$ Gorio" $ " $here wa he

A I wa l+ing and he wa on to. o' me1

L !id +ou ee hi .eni

A Fe , ir1

L hat other .art o' +our &od+ did hetouch

A e even touched m+ &rea t1

L !id he Bi +our &rea t

A No, ir1

L A&out +ou " ic$ did he Bi +our li. , +our'ace or an+ .art o' +our &od+

A Fe , ir1

L here what .art o' +our &od+

A ere on m+ li. 1

L here el e

A On m+ li. onl+1

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4I-)A@:

L Fou aid that &e'ore the accu ed in ertedhi .eni he 8r t in erted hi 8ngerinto +our vagina i that correct

A Fe , ir1

L hich 8nger did he u e

A i right thum&1

L hat did +ou 'eel when he wa in ertinghi 8nger in ide +our vagina

A It i / sic .ain'ul /naa.ge 1

L !id +ou hout

A Fe , ir1

L *+ the wa+, how old are / sic +ou when

+ou were in Grade >

A Nine /6 +ear old1

L In .ite o' the 'act &ecau e / sic o' .aindid the accu ed in i t on in ertinghi 8nger in ide +our vagina

A Fe , ir1

L a he a&le to in ert hi 8nger in ide+our vagina

A Fe , ir1

L And according to +ou +ou 'elt .ain

A Fe , ir1

L A&out what time o' the da+ wa it whenthe accu ed &rought +ou in ide thatroom o' their hou e

A A'ter lunch1

L Fou aid that the accu ed in erted hiright thum& in ide +our vagina wathe accu ed a&le to in ertthe entirement o' hi 8nger

A Fe , ir1

L ow long wa the accu ed a&le to in erthi right thum& in ide +our vagina

A 4or Kuite a long time1

L A'ter the accu ed had in erted hi rightthum& in ide +our vagina",$ whatel e did he do

A A'ter that he 'orci&l+ in erted hi .eniinto m+ vagina and dragged me intotheir &athroom and wanted me to

ucB hi .eni &ut I re'u ed to do o1

L *e'ore the accu ed actuall+ &rought +ouin ide the &athroom",$ wa he a&leto in ert hi .eni in ide +ourvagina

A Fe , ir1

L a hi .eni then erect

A Fe , ir1

L And what did +ou 'eel when the accu edin erted hi erect .eni in ide +ourvagina

A It i " ic$ .ain'ul and hurting/naa.ge and na aBit 1

L !id +ou actuall+ ee the erect .eni o' the accu ed

A Fe , ir1

L And u. to what e tent wa hi .eniin erted into +our vagina

A I did not notice or did not ee what / sic IBnow he wa a&le to in ert it1

L And did +ou hout when the accu edin erted hi erect .eni in ide +ourvagina

A hen I aid Mama, he will / sic .anB meand .inch me or la. me1

L And were +ou then cr+ing when theaccu ed wa then in erting hi erect

.eni

A Fe , ir1

L In .ite o' +our cr+ing did the accu edtill .er i t on in erting hi erect

.eni in ide +our vagina

A Fe , ir1

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L ow 'ar i the &athroom 'rom the roomwhere he tooB +ou

A er+ near, a di tance o' % meter 1

L hen the accu ed tooB +ou in ide the&athroom +ou are " ic$ till naBed

A I wa alread+ dre ed u.1

L A&out " ic$ the accu ed did he .ut on hi.ant

A e wa alread+ on hi .ant 1

L !id +ou a+ that he &rought +ou to the&athroom o he could .ut hi .eniin ide +our mouth

A Fe , ir1

L a he a&le to .ut hi .eni on / sic +ourmouth

A No, ir, I did not ucB it1

4I-)A@:

L hen the accu ed &rought +ou in idethat &athroom did he locB the room

A Fe , ir1

4I-)A@:

L Thi Gregorio )ar.io alia Gorio",$ will +ou&e a&le to identi'+ him

A Fe , ir1

L I' Gregorio )ar.io alia Gorio i in ide thecourtroom",$ will +ou .lea e .oint tohim

A That one",$ ir1 / itne .ointing to the

accu ed who i now eated in idethe courtroom and when a Bed hiname he an weredGregorio )ar.io1

L *+ the wa+, when +ou re'u ed to ucB the.eni in ide the &athroom whatha..ened ne t

A e told me to go home and he al o aiddo not ever tell +our Mama a&outthi and told thi in a ver+threatening manner1

L hen +ou arrived home wa +ourgrandmother there

A Fe , ir1

L !id +ou re.ort to her what ha..ened

A No, ir &ecau e I wa a'raid1

L A'raid o' whom

A I wa a'raid to tell &ecau e o' thethreatening word 1

L O' whom

A O' Gregorio )ar.io1

L !id +ou al o re.ort what ha..ened to+our mother "***$

A No, ir1 "I$t wa a certain umadre o' her

who told her1

L !o +ou Bnow the name o' that Bumadre o' +our mother

A 5ulieta1

L hat i her urname

A Munar1

L A'ter that 8r t incident",$ "AAA$",$ did theaccu ed do it to +ou again 'or the

econd time when +ou were till inGrade >

A Fe , ir"1$ " $e did it again1

L )an +ou recall 'or how man+ time

A I cannot count how man+ time &ut it wa'or man+ time 1

L In tho e ucceeding time ",$ where didthe accu ed in ert hi .eni in ide+our vagina

A There at their hou e1

L On tho e other occa ion " ic$ where werethe wi'e and the 3 children o' theaccu ed

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A The+ went omewhere el e1

L !id +ou re.ort al o what ha..ened ontho e occa ion to +ourgrandmother

A I did not tell it to an+&od+1

L h+ not

A *ecau e I wa a'raid1

L @et u go to the time when +ou werealread+ in Grade

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o' cro e amination &+ the de'en e a well1 Although attime having &roBen down and cried, AAA nonethelemanaged to give an unam&iguou , categorical and'orthright te timon+1 er a..arent vulnera&ilit+ 'rom therecent traumatic event in her li'e onl+ erve to rein'orcethe trength and .lau i&ilit+ o' her allegation 1

e have no rea on to &elieve that AAA wa motivated &+an+ other rea on than to eeB Eu tice and vindication 'orthe wrong done again t her1 A the )ourt o' A..eal a.tl+

.ointed out, the revelation o' an eleven +ear old childwho e cha tit+ wa a&u ed de erve 'ull credit a herwillingne to 'ace .olice inve tigation and to undergo thetrou&le o' humiliation o' a .u&lic trial i eloKuent te timon+o' the truth'ulne o' her com.laint1

Moreover, the medical certi8cate and te timon+ o' !r1*auti ta corro&orate AAA allegation o' ra.e1 !r1 *auti ta'ound two old h+menal laceration at 6 oclocB and 3oclocB.o ition in her e amination o' AAA1 The ru.ture o' AAA h+men, he e .lained, wa cau ed &+ the in ertion o' a hard o&Eect, .o i&l+ an erect human .eni 1

A..ellant di credit the .rivate com.lainant te timon+ a

re.lete with incon i tencie and he call attention to AAA'ailure to remem&er the date on which he claimed tohave &een ra.ed &+ a..ellant1 To the e, the )ourt hare.eatedl+ held that it i natural 'or incon i tencie tocree. into the te timon+ o' a ra.e victim who i o' tenderage1 )ourt e .ect minor incon i tencie when a childvictim narrate the detail o' a harrowing e .erience liBera.e1 Incon i tencie in a ra.e victim te timon+ do notim.air her credi&ilit+, e .eciall+ i' the incon i tencie re'erto trivial matter that do not alter the e ential 'act o' thecommi ion o' ra.e1 It hould &e .ointed out that victim o' ra.e hardl+ retain in their memor+ the date , num&er o' time and manner the+ were violated, and it i 'or thirea on that the e act date o' the commi ion o' the ra.e inot an e ential element o' the crime1 I' nothing more,the e minor incon i tencie in 'act are &adge o' candidne and naturalne on the .art o' the witne 1

The incon i tencie , i' an+, in AAA te timon+ are minordetail 1 The+ are too incon eKuential and immaterial toa9ect the heart o' the i ue1 The e la. e do not detract'rom the overwhelming te timon+ o' the .ro ecutionwitne e who .o itivel+ identi8ed the male'actor1 hat imaterial i that all the element o' tatutor+ ra.e have&een .ro.erl+ alleged and adeKuatel+ .roved in thi ca e1In tatutor+ ra.e, onl+ two element need to &ee ta&li hed: /# that the accu ed had carnal Bnowledge o' the o9ended .art+= and /2 that the o9ended .art+ wa&elow twelve /#2 +ear o' age at the time o' the e uala ault1 4orce or intimidation, not &eing an e entialelement o' the crime, need not &e .roven1

A..ellant aver that AAA recollection o' her ordeal in hihand and with Al'redo !umo wa ver+ uni'orm1 Thu , hea ert that thi engender the u .icion that AAAte timon+ wa coached, rehear ed or contrived1

The )ourt 8nd no rea on to rever e the a e ment o' thetrial court that .rivate com.lainant i a tru tworth+ witneand that the crime a alleged have ati 'actoril+ &een.roved1 It mu t &e tre ed that the allegation thatAl'redo !umo ra.ed .rivate com.lainant i inde.endent o'

the allegation again t a..ellant1 Indeed, while it a..earthat te timonie were introduced in trial todemon trate !umo cul.a&ilit+ 'or ra.ing AAA, the claimthat another .er on i al o re .on i&le 'or other da tardl+act doe not negate the commi ion o' ra.e &+ a..ellantwhen thi ha &een demon trated in vivid detail &+ .rivatecom.lainant her el'1 The .re.aration made &+ *** andcoun el to 8le com.laint 'or ra.e again tAl'redo !umo highlight the autonom+ o' the charge o' ra.eagain t the e.arate cul.rit 1

Moreover, AAA uneKuivocal recounting o' her horri8ce .erience &+ &oth men va tl+ di9er in circum tance 1 4ore am.le, a..ellant wa alleged to have ra.ed AAA in theda+time and in hi home when hi 'amil+ wa out14urthermore, AAA could no longer count the multitude o' time he wa e uall+ a&u ed &+ a..ellant1 On the otherhand, the alleged ra.e &+ !umo were .ur.orted to have&een done at night, with relative within the immediate

urrounding o' the cene o' the crime, anda'ter !umo u..o edl+ dranB with ))) until the latter wainto icated, in order to 'acilitate the ra.e1 !umo allegedl+ra.ed AAA on eight /; weeBend , &oth on -aturda+ andon -unda+ 1

Thu , a..ellant ha mi era&l+ 'ailed to demon trate thatAAA i con'u ed &+ her circum tance 1 )onver el+, AAAha in 'act hown a clear headed remem&rance o' her

u9ering 'rom each o' her o9ender 1

It i o' no moment that a a..ellant .ut it, .rivatecom.lainant readil+ revealed to her mother that theaccu ed a..ellant allegedl+ ra.ed her, "+et$ he wa a'raidto reveal her ame e .erience with Al'redo !umo1 )ontrar+to hi a ertion , the record am.l+ how that .rivatecom.lainant ha had the tendenc+ to carr+ the &urden o' her ordeal &+ her el'1 AAA wa im.l+ 'orced &+circum tance to divulge her e .erience when con'ronted&+ her mother, in the ca e o' a..ellant, and whente ti'+ing in court, in the ca e o' Al'redo !umo1

In the ame manner, the attem.t to di credit the credi&ilit+o' the e+ewitne account a told to *** &+ her kumadrewithout merit1 Al&eit *** admit that a..ellant wa onl+re'erred to a the hu &and o' Glor+ and although &otha..ellant and Al'redo !umo wive are named Glor+, thecircum tance o' time and .lace cou.led with theunam&iguou identi8cation o' a..ellant &+ AAA a thera.i t 'or the e ca e at &ar, can lead to no conclu ionother than that it wa a..ellant who committed thede.lora&le act a charged1 e note the .ro ecutionattem.t to u&.oena 5ulieta 4lore to te ti'+ in trial,however 'or naught1 The court order and u&.oenareturn demon trate the earne t e9ort made &+ the.ro ecution to .re ent the te timon+ o' the e+ewitne 1Dltimatel+, 5ulieta 4lore te timon+ would merel+ have&een corro&orative and not e ential to e ta&li hing the'undamental element o' the in tant ca e 1

D.on the other hand, a..ellant ali&i and denial o' thecrime charged are inherentl+ weaB1 It i in 'act thede'en e o' ali&i that hould &e con idered with u .icionand alwa+ received with caution, not onl+ &ecau e it iinherentl+ weaB and unrelia&le, &ut al o &ecau e it i ea il+'a&ricated1 4or ali&i to .ro .er, the a..ellant mu t not onl+.rove that he wa omewhere el e when the crime wa

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committed1 e mu t al o convincingl+ demon trate the.h+ ical im.o i&ilit+ o' hi .re ence atthe locus criminis at the time o' the incident1

In the ca e at &ar, a..ellant 'ailed to how that it wouldhave &een .h+ icall+ im.o i&le 'or him to &e at the ceneo' the crime on the occa ion o' the ra.e1 Not onl+ werethe alleged location o' hi ali&i all within the ame.rovince, there i no evidence that a..ellant nevera& ented him el' 'rom worB or the

.ur.orted ma%&on' e ion with hi 'riend in the three+ear that the ra.e were alleged to have &een committed1It i liBewi e inconceiva&le that a..ellant wi'e never oncele't him alone in their home, a it i a& urd to &elieve hiclaim that he never .oBe with AAA whenever he wa athi hou e1

On the contrar+, it wa adeKuatel+ e ta&li hed thata..ellant lived &ut a 'ew meter 'rom AAA home1 It iea + to ee how the crime could have &een committedwith 'acilit+1 Moreover, &eing the hu &and o' a grandaunt,he e erci ed moral a cendanc+ over the child1 Not onl+that, a o& erved &+ the trial court, the a..ellant i a &ulB+and hulBing man1 A nine +ear old child would have &een nomatch 'or hi .h+ ical i e1

Thu , we u tain the 8nding o' guilt and the con eKuent.enalt+ im.o ed a .ronounced &+ the (T) and the )ourto' A..eal 1 Noteworth+ i the 'act that&oth In'ormation 'or tatutor+ ra.e allege that the crimewere committed .rior to &oth the .a age o' the lawim.o ing death 'or ra.e ca e , a well a the new ra.elaw1 Article 33< o' the (evi ed Penal )ode then .rovided:

Article 33