Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila


FIRST DIVISION


PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 181900
Plaintiff-Appellee
P!esent"

CORONA C.J. Chai!pe!son
- #e!sus - VE$ASCO %R&
$EONARDO-DE CASTRO
DE$ CASTI$$O an'
PERE( JJ.

DEMETRIO SALAZAR, P!o)ul*ate'"
Accuse'-Appellant&
Octobe! +, +,-,
.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

D E C I S I O N


VELASCO, JR., J.:

The Cae

This is an appeal f!o) the %une / +,,0 Decision
1-2
of the Cou!t of Appeals 3Cebu Cit45 in CA-6&R&
CR-7&C& No& ,,889 entitle' People of the Philippines v. Demetrio Salazar :hich affi!)e' :ith
)o'ification the con#iction of accuse'-appellant De)et!io Sala;a! in C!i)inal Case Nos& A--<+, an' A-
-<+- fo! t:o 3+5 counts of Statuto!4 Rape&

The Fa!"

On Septe)be! < -=== t:o Info!)ations :e!e file' befo!e the RTC cha!*in* accuse'-appellant :ith
t:o 3+5 counts of statuto!4 !ape& It :as alle*e' that accuse'-appellant on t:o 3+5 sepa!ate occasions ha'
!ape' a -+-4ea!-ol' *i!l AAA&
1+2
The fi!st Info!)ation !ea's"

That on o! about the -/
th
'a4 of Ma4 -=== at about -,",, o> cloc? in the e#enin*
)o!e o! less at 1@@@2 Municipalit4 of $a#e;a!es P!o#ince of No!the!n Sa)a!
Philippines an' :ithin the Au!is'iction of the 7ono!able Cou!t the abo#e-na)e'
accuse' :ho is still at la!*e :ith abuse of confi'ence bein* his step fathe! ente!e' the
be'!oo) :he!e 1AAA2 :as sleepin* :ith le:' 'esi*ns 'i' then an' the!e :illfull4
unla:full4 an' feloniousl4 co#e! he! )outh an' b4 )eans of fo!ce an' inti)i'ation an'
ta?in* a'#anta*e of his supe!io! st!en*th un'!esse' he! too? off he! sho!ts an' pant4
place on top of he! an' ha#e se.ual inte!cou!se :ith one 1AAA2 :ho is a )ino! -+ 4ea!s
of a*e all a*ainst the :ill of the latte!&

CONTRARB TO $AC&
192


Chile the secon' Info!)ation states"

That on o! about the +8
th
'a4 of %une -=== at about -+",, o> cloc? )i'ni*ht )o!e
o! less at 1@@@2 Municipalit4 of $a#e;a!es P!o#ince of No!the!n Sa)a! Philippines
an' :ithin the Au!is'iction of this 7ono!able Cou!t the abo#e-na)e' accuse' :ho is still
at la!*e :ith abuse of confi'ence bein* his step fathe! ente!e' the be'!oo) :he!e
1AAA2 :as sleepin* :ith le:' 'esi*ns 'i' then an' the!e :illfull4 unla:full4 an'
feloniousl4 co#e! he! )outh an' b4 )eans of fo!ce an' inti)i'ation an' ta?in*
a'#anta*e of his supe!io! st!en*th un'!esse' he! too? off he! sho!ts an' pant4 place' on
top of he! an' ha#e se.ual inte!cou!se :ith one 1AAA2 :ho is a )ino! -+ 4ea!s of a*e
all a*ainst the :ill of the latte!&

CONTRARB TO $AC&
1D2


On Dece)be! < -=== in his a!!ai*n)ent accuse'-appellant plea'e' not *uilt4& On Dece)be! -9
-=== p!e-t!ial of the case :as te!)inate'& Accuse'-appellant escape' f!o) 'etention until he :as cau*ht
an' the hea!in* of the case be*an on %ul4 +0 +,,,&
182

Mean:hile on Feb!ua!4 ++ +,,, AAA pu!po!te'l4 e.ecute' an Affi'a#it of Desistance :he!ein
she state' that she :as not !ape' b4 accuse'-appellant an' that she no lon*e! inten's to pu!sue the cases
file' a*ainst accuse'-appellant& Du!in* the hea!in* she e.plaine' that he! o:n )othe! fo!ce' he! to
e.ecute the affi'a#it upon th!eat of ha!)&
1<2

The p!osecution establishe' that AAA is the 'au*hte! of EEE :ith :ho) accuse'-appellant :as
cohabitin*& AAA EEE an' accuse'-appellant all li#e' in the sa)e one-!oo) house locate' in @@@
$a#e;a!es No!the!n Sa)a!& AAA>s biolo*ical fathe! CCC :as se!#in* ti)e at the Eu!eau of Co!!ections
in Muntinlupa :hen the inci'ents occu!!e'&
102

The fi!st !ape occu!!e' at about -,",, in the e#enin* of Ma4 -/ -===& At the ti)e AAA :as onl4
t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol'& Chile EEE :as out *a)blin* AAA :ho :as then sleepin* in thei! house :as
a:a?ene' b4 accuse'-appellant :ho ha' been '!in?in*& 7e place' his han' o#e! he! )outh !e)o#e' he!
pant4 an' inse!te' his penis insi'e he! #a*ina& AAA felt pain in he! #a*ina an' t!ie' to sc!ea) but :as
stifle' b4 accuse'-appellant>s han' o#e! he! )outh& She c!ie' instea'& Afte!:a!'s accuse'-appellant
stoo' up an' !etu!ne' to :he!e he :as p!e#iousl4 sleepin*&
1/2

Chen he! )othe! ha' a!!i#e' AAA tol' he! about the !ape& EEE ho:e#e! 'i' not belie#e he! an'
si)pl4 'is)isse' he! clai)s&
1=2

On %une +8 -=== at a!oun' )i'ni*ht accuse'-appellant a*ain !ape' AAA& Accuse'-appellant fi!st
slappe' he!& 7e then place' a han'?e!chief insi'e he! )outh sp!ea' he! a!)s an' inse!te' his penis insi'e
he! #a*ina :hile ?issin* he! !i*ht chee?& Afte! the act accuse'-appellant stoo' up '!an? coffee an'
p!ocee'e' to *o to sleep& AAA a*ain tol' the inci'ent to he! )othe! :ho ha' a!!i#e' f!o) anothe! bout of
*a)blin*& EEE conf!onte' accuse'-appellant& Afte! a sho!t a!*u)ent EEE a*ain 'is)isse' he!
'au*hte!>s clai)s&
1-,2

$ate! AAA info!)e' he! aunt DDD about the secon' !ape& 7e! aunt b!ou*ht he! to the police
station to !epo!t the inci'ent& She :as late! e.a)ine' b4 the Municipal 7ealth Office! of
$a#e;a!es No!the!n Sa)a!&
1--2

Fo! his pa!t accuse'-appellant inte!pose' the 'efense of alibi clai)in* that on the 'ate of the
alle*e' fi!st !ape he :as at his fa!) at Sitio Napuno' Barangay Cabu!ihan $a#e;a!es No!the!n Sa)a!
)a?in* cop!a& 7e clai)e' that the fa!) is si. 3<5 ?ilo)ete!s a:a4 an' coul' onl4 be ne*otiate' b4 hi?in*
fo! one 3-5 hou!& 7e fu!the! clai)e' that he :as at the fa!) f!o) Ma4 -8 -=== to Ma4 +9 -===&
1-+2

As to the secon' alle*e' !ape accuse'-appellant alle*e' that :hile he :as at thei! house in @@@
AAA :as not the!e& 7e clai)e' that AAA an' he! b!othe! EEE as?e' pe!)ission f!o) an' :as allo:e'
b4 thei! )othe! EEE to :atch a sho: at the to:n p!ope! of $a#e;a!es in the e#enin* of %une +8
-===& AAA an' EEE alle*e'l4 !etu!ne' ho)e at 0",, of the follo:in* )o!nin*&
1-92

At the hea!in* of the case the p!osecution p!esente' a)on* othe!s DDD as a :itness& DDD
testifie' that AAA is he! niece& She also p!esente' a Ce!tificate of Eaptis) :he!ein it is state' that AAA
:as bo!n on Ap!il -, -=/0&
1-D2
D!& Ethel Pa!ane Si)eon the Municipal 7ealth Office! of $a#e;a!es :as also p!esente' as a
:itness fo! the p!osecution& She testifie' that she con'ucte' a )e'ical e.a)ination of AAA on %une +/
-===& She also i'entifie' the Me'ico-$e*al Ce!tificate containin* he! fin'in*s on such )e'ical
e.a)ination& In the ce!tificate she foun' he)ato)as on the labia majora an' labia minoraof AAA& She
also foun' lace!ations at the 9 < an' -- o>cloc? positions in AAA>s #a*ina& She conclu'e' that AAA :as
!ape'&
1-82

The 'efense>s sole :itness :as accuse'-appellant :ho alle*e' that the !elati#es of the #icti)>s
fathe! CCC 'i' not app!o#e of his !elationship :ith EEE& CCC>s !elati#es :ante' to ta?e custo'4 of
AAA& Accuse'-appellant clai)e' that the instant cases :e!e institute' to :!est custo'4 of AAA f!o) EEE
an' hi)self&
1-<2

The!eafte! the RTC issue' its Decision 'ate' %ul4 0 +,,9 the 'ispositi#e po!tion of :hich !ea's"

C7EREFORE in the li*ht of the p!e#ailin* consi'e!ations the cou!t he!eb4
sentences De)et!io Sala;a! 6UI$TB be4on' !easonable 'oubt of the t:o 3+5 counts of
Statuto!4 Rape as 'efine' an' penali;e' b4 A!ticle 998 of the Re#ise' Penal Co'e an'
a)en'e' b4 Republic Act No& 0<8= an' sentences hi) to the sup!e)e penalt4 of DEAT7
b4 lethal inAection& An' in'e)nit4 is he!eb4 i)pose' in the a)ount of Se#ent4 Fi#e
Thousan' Pesos 3Php 08,,,&,,5F )o!al an' e.e)pla!4 'a)a*es a!e a:a!'e' in the
a)ount of Fift4 Thousan' Pesos 3Php 8,,,,&,,5&

$et the !eco!'s of the enti!e cases to*ethe! :ith the t!ansc!ipt of steno*!aphic
notes be fo!:a!'e' to the 7ono!able Sup!e)e Cou!t fo! auto)atic !e#ie:&

SO ORDERED&
1-02



The !eco!'s of the case :e!e then t!ansfe!!e' to this Cou!t fo! auto)atic !e#ie:& The pa!ties :e!e
'i!ecte' b4 the Cou!t to sub)it thei! !especti#e b!iefs& 7o:e#e! in a Resolution 'ate' %une 0 +,,8
1-/2
the
Cou!t t!ansfe!!e' the case to the CA b4 #i!tue of its !ulin* in People v. Mateo
1-=2
p!o#i'in* fo! inte!)e'iate
!e#ie: b4 the CA of cases :he!e the penalt4 i)pose' b4 the t!ial cou!t is 'eath reclusion perpetua o! life
i)p!ison)ent&

The!eafte! the CA issue' the assaile' 'ecision the 'ispositi#e po!tion of :hich p!o#i'es"

C7EREFORE p!e)ises consi'e!e' this appeal is DENIED& The Decision
'ate' ,0 %ul4 +,,9 of the Re*ional T!ial Cou!t 8
th
%u'icial Re*ion E!anch +9 Allen
No!the!n Sa)a! is AFFIRMED :ith MODIFICATION that the 'eath penalt4 i)pose'
on appellant is !e'uce' to !eclusion pe!petuaF appellant is sentence' to suffe! the penalt4
of !eclusion pe!petua fo! each count of !apeF appellant is li?e:ise o!'e!e' to pa4 the
co)plainant in C!i)inal Case No& A--<+, the a)ounts of Fift4 Thousan' Pesos
3P8,,,,&,,5 as )o!al 'a)a*es an' Fift4 Thousan' Pesos 3P8,,,,&,,5 as ci#il
in'e)nit4F an' in C!i)inal Case No& A--<+- the a)ounts of Fift4 Thousan' Pesos
3P8,,,,&,,5 as )o!al 'a)a*es an' Fift4 Thousan' Pesos 3P8,,,,&,,5 as ci#il
in'e)nit4&

SO ORDERED&
1+,2


The CA foun' accuse'-appellant *uilt4 of t:o 3+5 counts of si)ple !ape instea' of statuto!4
!ape& The CA !easone' that the p!osecution faile' to a''uce e#i'ence to establish that the !ape #icti) :as
t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol' at the ti)e of the c!i)es& Fu!the! the CA state' that a baptis)al ce!tificate is not
sufficient p!oof of the a*e of a pe!son& Thus the #icti)>s a*e :as not establishe'&
1+-2
The CA then
)o'ifie' the penalt4 i)pose' upon accuse'-appellantf!o) 'eath penalt4 to reclusion perpetua&

7ence :e ha#e this appeal&




The I#e

Accuse'-appellant in a Manifestation 3In $ieu of Supple)ental E!ief5 'ate' %une +D +,,/
1++2
!eplea's an' a'opts all the 'efenses an' a!*u)ents !aise' in his E!ief fo! the Accuse'-Appellant
'ate' Au*ust < +,,D
1+92
to :it"

ASSI6NMENT OF ERRORS

I&

The T!ial Cou!t *!a#el4 e!!e' in *i#in* full faith an' c!e'ence to the testi)on4 of the
p!osecution :itness . . . an' in totall4 i*no!in*G'is!e*a!'in* the #e!sion of the 'efense&

II&

The T!ial Cou!t *!a#el4 e!!e' in con#ictin* hi) of the c!i)e cha!*e' 'espite the fact that
his *uilt :as not p!o#en be4on' !easonable 'oubt&


The R#$%&' o( "he Co#)"

The appeal is be!eft of )e!it&

F%)" I#e:
The *%!"%+, A((%-a*%" o( De%"a&!e !a&&o" .e '%*e& a&/ 0e%'h"

Accuse'-appellant clai)s that the instant case shoul' ha#e been 'is)isse' b4 the t!ial cou!t
consi'e!in* that AAA ha' e.ecute' an affi'a#it of 'esistance e.one!atin* accuse'-appellant f!o) the
c!i)es cha!*e'& The CA ho:e#e! 'i' not *i#e an4 :ei*ht to such affi'a#it on the follo:in* !easonin*"

The affi'a#it of 'esistance !elie' upon b4 appellant coul' not be *i#en an4
p!obati#e :ei*ht consi'e!in* that it :as not 'ul4 s:o!n to& Fu!the! :hen p!i#ate
co)plainant :as conf!onte' about it she testifie' that he! )othe! th!eatene' to ?ill he!
shoul' she !efuse to e.ecute the affi'a#it&
1+D2
In an4 e#ent AAA>s pu!po!te' Affi'a#it of Desistance cannot cause the 'is)issal of the case& It
)ust be pointe' out that the alle*e' affi'a#it :as e.ecute' afte! the case ha' al!ea'4 been institute'& Thus
the Cou!t al!ea'4 ha' acHui!e' Au!is'iction o#e! the case an' cont!ol o#e! the p!ocee'in*s& As the Cou!t
!ule' in People v. Montes"
1+82

As a')itte' b4 appellant the alle*e' Affi'a#it of Desistance of the #icti) :as
ne#e! i'entifie' b4 he! but sub)itte' in cou!t onl4 afte! the institution of the !ape
cases& S#!h .e%&' "he !ae, "he A((%-a*%" 11 e*e& 0he& !o&")#e- a a 2a)-o& %& "he
e)"0h%$e 32)%*a"e !)%+e4 o( )a2e 11 % &o" a ')o#&- (o) "he -%+%a$ o( "he !)%+%&a$
!ae, %&!e "he a!"%o& ha*e a$)ea-/ .ee& %&"%"#"e-. To Austif4 the 'is)issal of the
Co)plaints the pa!'on shoul' ha#e been )a'e p!io! to the institution of the c!i)inal
actions& 3E)phasis supplie'&5

In People v. Ramirez Jr.
1+<2
the Cou!t :as e#en )o!e ci!cu)spect"

As a !ule a !ecantation o! an affi'a#it of 'esistance is #ie:e' :ith suspicion an'
!ese!#ation& %u!isp!u'ence has in#a!iabl4 !e*a!'e' such affi'a#it as e.cee'in*l4
un!eliable because it can easil4 be secu!e' f!o) a poo! an' i*no!ant :itness usuall4
th!ou*h inti)i'ation o! fo! )oneta!4 consi'e!ation& Mo!eo#e! the!e is al:a4s the
p!obabilit4 that it :oul' late! on be !epu'iate' an' c!i)inal p!osecution :oul' thus be
inte!)inable&

In'ee' the Affi'a#it of Desistance of p!i#ate co)plainant is hi*hl4
suspect& Appa!entl4 she e.ecute' it on the basis of a consi'e!ation of P8,,, :hich :as
late! inc!ease' to P-,,,,,& Afte! he! testi)on4 ha' been !en'e!e' ho:e#e! appellant
!efuse' to pa4 the a)ount a*!ee' upon the!eb4 p!o)ptin* he! to !ecant the Affi'a#it&

She ha' state' the!ein that Ithe accuse' is in'ee' innocent of the c!i)es
cha!*e1'2 since in t!uth he ne#e! )oleste' )e se.uall4 as cha!*e'&J Such state)ent :as
a )e!e le*al conclusion be!eft of an4 'etails o! othe! in'icia of c!e'ibilit4 )uch less
t!uth& Mo!e li?el4 it e)anate' not f!o) this 4oun* *i!l>s )outh but f!o) a t!aine' le*al
)in'& Mo!eo#e! :hile she affi!)e' he! Affi'a#it on the stan' she also 'ecla!e' on
cla!ificato!4 Huestion f!o) the Au'*e that she :as -D 4ea!s ol' :hen she :as )oleste'
an' !ape' b4 appellant& These facts !aise 'oubts as to the !eliabilit4 of he! state)ents in
he! Affi'a#it&

A" "h% 2o%&", 0e )e%"e)a"e "ha", ./ %"e$(, a& a((%-a*%" o( -e%"a&!e o) 2a)-o&
% &o" a ')o#&- (o) "he -%+%a$ o( a& a!"%o&, o&!e %" ha .ee& %&"%"#"e- %& !o#)". I&
"he 2)ee&" !ae, 2)%*a"e !o+2$a%&a&" $o" "he )%'h" o) a.o$#"e 2)%*%$e'e "o -e!%-e
0he"he) "he )a2e !ha)'e ho#$- 2)o!ee-, .e!a#e "he !ae ha- a$)ea-/ )ea!he- a&-
+#" "he)e(o)e !o&"%&#e "o .e hea)- ./ "he !o#)" a 5#o. 3E)phasis supplie'&5
Appl4in* People v. Ramirez Jr. to the instant case :e fin' that accuse'-appellant>s contentionthat
AAA>s Affi'a#it of Desistance )e!its the 'is)issal of the casehas no basis&

Se!o&- I#e:
AAA, "e"%+o&/ ho#$- .e '%*e& (#$$ 0e%'h" a&- !)e-e&!e

Ne.t accuse'-appellant Huestions the t!ial cou!t>s !eliance on the testi)on4 of AAA& Citin* People
v. Domogoy
1+02
accuse'-appellant posits that AAA>s testi)on4 )ust be !ecei#e' :ith caution&

It )ust be st!esse' ho:e#e! that the #icti) in People v. Domogoy :as t:ent4-one 3+-5 4ea!s
ol'& 7e!e the contention is that AAA :as onl4 t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol' at the ti)e that she :as !ape'& This
'iffe!ence is pi#otal in li*ht of ou! !ulin* in People v. Montes"
1+/2

In a litan4 of cases this Cou!t has !ule' that the testi)onies of chil'-#icti)s of
!ape a!e to be *i#en full :ei*ht an' c!e'ence& Reason an' e.pe!ience 'ictate that a *i!l of
ten'e! 4ea!s :ho ba!el4 un'e!stan's se. an' se.ualit4 is unli?el4 to i)pute to an4 )an
a c!i)e so se!ious as !ape if :hat she clai)s is not t!ue& 7e! can'i' na!!ation of ho: she
:as !ape' bea!s the ea!)a!?s of c!e'ibilit4 especiall4 if no ill :ill -- as in this case --
)oti#ates he! to testif4 falsel4 a*ainst the accuse'& It is :ell-settle' that :hen a :o)an
)o!e so :hen she is a )ino! sa4s she has been !ape' she sa4s in effect all that is
!eHui!e' to p!o#e the !a#ish)ent& The accuse' )a4 thus be con#icte' solel4 on he!
testi)on4 -- p!o#i'e' it is c!e'ible natu!al con#incin* an' consistent :ith hu)an natu!e
an' the no!)al cou!se of thin*s&

Chile in the )o!e !ecent People v. Basmayor
1+=2
the Cou!t !ule'"

This Cou!t has hel' ti)e an' a*ain that testi)onies of !ape #icti)s :ho a!e
4oun* an' i))atu!e 'ese!#e full c!e'ence consi'e!in* that no 4oun* :o)an especiall4
of ten'e! a*e :oul' concoct a sto!4 of 'eflo!ation allo: an e.a)ination of he! p!i#ate
pa!ts an' the!eafte! pe!#e!t he!self b4 bein* the subAect of a public t!ial if she :as not
)oti#ate' solel4 b4 the 'esi!e to obtain Austice fo! the :!on* co))itte' a*ainst he!&
Bouth an' i))atu!it4 a!e *ene!all4 ba'*es of t!uth& It is hi*hl4 i)p!obable that a *i!l of
ten'e! 4ea!s one not 4et e.pose' to the :a4s of the :o!l' :oul' i)pute to an4 )an a
c!i)e so se!ious as !ape if :hat she clai)s is not t!ue&
Clea!l4 the t!ial cou!t co!!ectl4 *a#e *!eat :ei*ht to the testi)on4 of AAA&

Mo!eo#e! *i#en the fact that the CA uphel' the fin'in*s of the t!ial cou!t on the factual issues of the
case the Cou!t is boun' b4 the t!ial cou!t>s assess)ent of the :itnesses as the Cou!t hel' in People v.
Ducabo"
19,2

I" % 0e$$1e&")e&!he- "ha" "he (%&-%&' o( "he ")%a$ !o#)" o& "he !)e-%.%$%"/ o( a
0%"&e -ee)*e ')ea" 0e%'h", '%*e& "he !$ea) a-*a&"a'e o( a ")%a$ 6#-'e %& "he
a22)e!%a"%o& o( "e"%+o&%a$ e*%-e&!e. Ce ha#e !eco*ni;e' that the t!ial cou!t is in the
best position to assess the c!e'ibilit4 of :itnesses an' thei! testi)onies because of thei!
uniHue oppo!tunit4 to obse!#e the :itnesses fi!st han' an' to note thei! 'e)eano!
con'uct an' attitu'e un'e! *!uelin* e.a)ination& These a!e si*nificant facto!s in
e#aluatin* the since!it4 of :itnesses in the p!ocess of unea!thin* the t!uth& The )#$e
(%&- a& e*e& +o)e ")%&'e&" a22$%!a"%o& 0he)e "he a%- (%&-%&' a)e #"a%&e- ./
"he Co#)" o( A22ea$. Th#, e7!e2" (o) !o+2e$$%&' )eao&, 0e a)e -o!")%&a$$/ .o#&-
./ "he ")%a$ !o#)", ae+e&" o( "he !)e-%.%$%"/ o( 0%"&ee. 3E)phasis supplie'&5


Th%)- I#e:
A!!#e-1a22e$$a&" % '#%$"/ o( %+2$e )a2e

The !ele#ant po!tions of A!ticle +<<-A of the Re#ise' Penal Co'e 'efine the c!i)e of !ape as
follo:s"

Chapte! Th!ee
Rape

A!ticle +<<-A& Rape! "hen #n$ %o& Committe$&Rape is co))itte'"

-5 E4 a )an :ho shall ha#e ca!nal ?no:le'*e of a :o)an un'e! an4 of the
follo:in* ci!cu)stances"

a5 Th!ou*h fo!ce th!eat o! inti)i'ationF

b5 Chen the offen'e' pa!t4 is 'ep!i#e' of !eason o! othe!:ise
unconsciousF

c5 E4 )eans of f!au'ulent )achination o! *!a#e abuse of autho!it4F an'

'5 Chen the offen'e' pa!t4 is #&-e) "0e$*e 819: /ea) o( a'e o! is
'e)ente' e#en thou*h none of the ci!cu)stances )entione' abo#e be
p!esent& 3E)phasis supplie'&5

In o!'e! fo! the accuse' to be foun' *uilt4 of the c!i)e of statuto!4 !ape in this Au!is'iction the Cou!t
hel' in People v. 'ampos
19-2
that t:o 3+5 ele)ents )ust concu!" 3-5 that the offen'e! ha' ca!nal ?no:le'*e
of the #icti)F an' 3+5 that the #icti) is belo: t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol' thus"

The t:o ele)ents of statuto!4 !ape a!e" 3-5 that the accuse' ha' ca!nal ?no:le'*e of a
:o)anF an' 3+5 that the :o)an is belo: -+ 4ea!s of a*e& A!ticle 998 of the Re#ise'
Penal Co'e is no: in A!ticle +<<-A pa!& --' in #ie: of the a)en')ents int!o'uce' b4
R&A& /989& Statuto!4 !ape is co))itte' b4 ha#in* ca!nal ?no:le'*e of a :o)an un'e!
pa!& ' I:hen the offen'e' pa!t4 is un'e! -+ 4ea!s of a*e&J

7e!e :hile it is un'ispute' that the fi!st ele)ent is p!esent accuse'-appellant Huestions the p!esence
of the secon'& Confo!)abl4 the CA !ule' that in'ee' the fact that the #icti) :as t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol' at
the ti)e of the co))ission of the c!i)es :as not sufficientl4 establishe'&
19+2
7o:e#e! cont!a!4 to such
fin'in* of the CA this Cou!t has !ule' in People v. Ramos
1992
that in statuto!4 !ape cases a baptis)al
ce!tificate is sufficient to p!o#e the a*e of the #icti)&

Thus :ithout a 'oubt the baptis)al ce!tificate of AAA that :as p!esente' 'u!in* the t!ial of the case
couple' :ith the testi)on4 of DDD the aunt of AAA sufficientl4 establishe' that the #icti) :as t:el#e
4ea!s ol' at the ti)e the c!i)es :e!e co))itte'& 7a#in* been bo!n on Ap!il -, -=/0 :hen the fi!st !ape
occu!!e' on Ma4 -/ -=== AAA :as e.actl4 -+ 4ea!s one )onth an' / 'a4s ol' at the fi!st !ape inci'ent&

Consi'e!in* ho:e#e! that AAA :as al!ea'4 -+ 4ea!s ol' :hen she :as !ape' the secon' ele)ent
fo! statuto!4 !ape that Ithat the #icti) is belo: t:el#e 3-+5 4ea!s ol'J is not p!esent& ConseHuentl4 the
fin'in* of the appellate cou!t fo! si)ple !ape is co!!ect not on the *!oun' of the a*e of AAA not bein*
p!o#e' but on the fact that she :as no lon*e! belo: -+ 4ea!s of a*e at the ti)e the c!i)e :as co))itte'&

Fo#)"h I#e:
Reclusion Perpetua % "he 2)o2e) 2e&a$"/

The c!i)e of si)ple !ape ha#in* been establishe' the ne.t Huestion is :hat penalt4 shoul' be
i)pose' upon accuse'-appellant&

At the ti)e the c!i)es :e!e co))itte' b4 accuse'-appellant the penalt4 fo! the c!i)e of si)ple
!ape :as containe' in A!t& +<<-E of the Re#ise' Penal Co'e"

A!ticle +<<-E& Penalty&Ra2e #&-e) 2a)a')a2h 1 o( "he &e7" 2)e!e-%&'
a)"%!$e ha$$ .e 2#&%he- ./ reclusion perpetua.

Chene#e! the !ape is co))itte' :ith the use of a 'ea'l4 :eapon o! b4 t:o o!
)o!e pe!sons the penalt4 shall be reclusion perpetua to 'eath&

Chen b4 !eason o! on the occasion of the !ape the #icti) has beco)e insane
the penalt4 shall beco)e !eclusion pe!petua to 'eath&

Chen the !ape is atte)pte' an' a ho)ici'e is co))itte' b4 !eason o! on the
occasion the!eof the penalt4 shall be !eclusion pe!petua to 'eath&

Chen b4 !eason o! on the occasion of the !ape ho)ici'e is co))itte' the
penalt4 shall be 'eath&

The 'eath penalt4 shall also be i)pose' if the c!i)e of !ape is co))itte' :ith
an4 of the follo:in* a**!a#atin*GHualif4in* ci!cu)stances"

$: ;he& "he *%!"%+ % #&-e) e%'h"ee& 818: /ea) o( a'e a&- "he o((e&-e) % a
2a)e&", a!e&-a&", "e212a)e&", '#a)-%a&, )e$a"%*e ./ !o&a&'#%&%"/ o) a((%&%"/
0%"h%& "he "h%)- !%*%$ -e')ee, o) "he !o++o&1$a0 2o#e o( "he 2a)e&" o( "he *%!"%+<

. . . .& 3E)phasis supplie'&5

Thus si)ple !ape :hen Hualifie' b4 the ci!cu)stance that the offen'e! is a pa!ent ascen'ant step-
pa!ent *ua!'ian !elati#e b4 consan*uinit4 o! affinit4 :ithin the thi!' ci#il 'e*!ee o! the co))on-la:
spouse of the pa!ent of the #icti) :oul' be p!ope!l4 punishable :ith the 'eath penalt4& Othe!:ise put
:hen the t:o ci!cu)stances of )ino!it4 an' !elationship concu! then the p!ope! i)posable penalt4 shall be
'eathKno: Hualifie' b4 Republic Act No& =9D<&
19D2


In the instant case asi'e f!o) )ino!it4 of the #icti) it :as alle*e' in the info!)ations file' befo!e
the t!ial cou!t that accuse'-appellant is the #icti)>s stepfathe!& Mino!it4 of AAA an' he! !elation to
accuse'-appellant :as the Hualif4in* ci!cu)stance that the t!ial cou!t consi'e!e' in i)posin* the penalt4 of
'eath on accuse'-appellant& 7o:e#e! in o!'e! to beco)e the #icti)>s stepfathe! accuse'-appellant )ust
necessa!il4 ha#e been le*all4 )a!!ie' to AAA>s )othe!& This :as not the case& No e#i'ence :as a''uce'
'u!in* the t!ial to establish that AAA>s )othe! an' accuse'-appellant :e!e e#e! le*all4 )a!!ie'& Mo!eo#e!
althou*h the fact that accuse'-appellant :as the co))on-la: husban' of the #icti)>s )othe! such
ci!cu)stance cannot be app!eciate' althou*h p!o#e' 'u!in* the t!ial as it :as not alle*e' in the
info!)ations an' :oul' the!eb4 #iolate the constitutional !i*ht of accuse'-appellant to be info!)e' of the
cha!*es a*ainst hi)& Thus :e hel' in People v. (egosa"
1982

Ce a*!ee :ith the appellant>s contention that he is *uilt4 onl4 of si)ple
statuto!4 !ape an' not of !ape in its Hualifie' fo!) un'e! A!ticle 998 pa!a*!aph 9 of the
Re#ise' Penal Co'e as a)en'e'& The p!osecution :as bu!'ene' to p!o#e the alle*ation
in the Info!)ation that the appellant :as the stepfathe! of the #icti)& 7o:e#e! the
p!osecution faile' to p!o#e the sa)e& The e*%-e&!e o& )e!o)- ho0 "ha" "he a22e$$a&"
0a +e)e$/ "he !o++o&1$a0 h#.a&- o( "he *%!"%+, +o"he). Th% 2e!%a$ 5#a$%(/%&'
!%)!#+"a&!e, "ha" "he a22e$$a&" 0a "he !o++o&1$a0 h#.a&- o( "he +o"he) o( "he
*%!"%+, 0a &o" a$$e'e- %& "he I&(o)+a"%o&. E*e& %( #!h 2e!%a$ 5#a$%(/%&'
!%)!#+"a&!e 0a 2)o*e-, %" !a&&o" .e a22)e!%a"e- a'a%&" "he a22e$$a&" %& o)-e) "o
5#a$%(/ "he !)%+e< o"he)0%e, "he a22e$$a&" 0o#$- .e -e2)%*e- o( h% )%'h" "o .e
%&(o)+e- o( "he !ha)'e $o-'e- a'a%&" h%+. This :as the !ulin* of the Cou!t in People
vs. )iza$a thus"

Ce a*!ee :ith the accuse'-appellant that he is *uilt4 onl4 of t:o
counts of si)ple !ape instea' of Hualifie' !ape& The e#i'ence on !eco!' sho:s
that the accuse'-appellant is the co))on-la: husban' of . . . the )othe! of
the p!i#ate co)plainant& The p!i#ate co)plainant as of Octobe! -==/ :as still
-9 4ea!s ol' an' un'e! A!ticle 998 as a)en'e' b4 Republic Act 0<8= the
)ino!it4 of the p!i#ate co)plainant concu!!in* :ith the fact that the accuse'-
appellant is the co))on-la: husban' of the #icti)>s )othe! is a special
Hualif4in* ci!cu)stance :a!!antin* the i)position of the 'eath penalt4&
7o:e#e! the sai' ci!cu)stance :as not alle*e' in the Info!)ations as !eHui!e'
b4 Section / Rule --, of the Re#ise' Rules on C!i)inal P!oce'u!e :hich :as
*i#en !et!oacti#e effect b4 this Cou!t because it is fa#o!able to the accuse'&
7ence e#en if the p!osecution p!o#e' the special Hualif4in* ci!cu)stance of
)ino!it4 of the p!i#ate co)plainant an' !elationship the accuse'-appellant
bein* the co))on-la: husban' of he! )othe! accuse'-appellant is *uilt4 onl4
of si)ple !ape& Un'e! the *i#en la: the penalt4 fo! si)ple !ape is !eclusion
pe!petua& 3E)phasis supplie'&5


ConseHuentl4 the CA i)pose' the co!!ect penalt4 of reclusion perpetua a*ainst accuse'-appellant as
p!o#i'e' un'e! A!t& +<<-E in !elation to A!t& +<<-A pa!a*!aph 3a5 of the Re#ise' Penal Co'e the!e bein*
no Hualif4in* ci!cu)stances&

In line :ith p!e#ailin* Au!isp!u'ence e.e)pla!4 'a)a*es of PhP 9,,,, in each case shall be
a:a!'e' to AAA&
19<2

;HEREFORE the appeal is DENIED& The %une / +,,0 CA Decision in CA-6&R& CR-7&C& No&
,,889 is he!eb4AFFIRMED :ith the MODIFICATION that accuse'-appellant is foun' *uilt4 of t:o 3+5
counts of si)ple !ape an' is o!'e!e' to pa4 the offen'e' pa!t4 AAA PhP 9,,,, as e.e)pla!4 'a)a*es
fo! each count of !ape in a''ition to the a:a!' of PhP 8,,,, as ci#il in'e)nit4 an' PhP 8,,,, as
)o!al 'a)a*es also fo! each count of !ape&

No costs&

SO ORDERED.