by Marryl Crafts

    
PEOPLE v. DANNY GODOY, GR Nos. 115908-09, 1995-12-06 (/juris/view/c8275?
user=gMzV4eXVKZUh4cXpTN2oxV3pqR2hJaDVzbDNZeHdNYjlibzZxNFR1YWp1Zz0=)

Facts:

Accused-appellant Danny Godoy was charged in two separate informations filed before the Regional Trial
Court, for Palawan and Puerto Princesa City, Branch 47, with rape and kidnapping with serious illegal
detention

In Criminal Case No. 11640 for Rape:

"That on or about the evening of the 21st day of January, 1994, at Barangay Pulot Center, Municipality of
Brooke's Point, Province of Palawan, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said
accused by means of force, threat and... intimidation, by using a knife and by means of deceit, did then and
there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously have carnal knowledge with one Mia Taha to her damage and
prejudice."[1]

In Criminal Case No. 11641 for Kidnapping with Serious Illegal Detention:

"That on or about the 22nd day of January, 1994, at Barangay Ipilan, Municipality of Brooke's Point, Province
of Palawan, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, a private
individual, and being a teacher of the victim, Mia

Taha, and by means of deceit did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously kidnap or detained (sic)
said Mia Taha, a girl of 17 years old (sic), for a period of five (5) days thus thereby depriving said Mia Taha of
her liberty against her will and consent and without... legal justification, to the damage and prejudice of said
Mia Taha."

On May 20, 1994, the court a quo rendered judgment[5] finding appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of
the crimes of rape and kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and sentencing him to the maximum penalty
of death in both cases.

Issues:

The trial court gravely erred by imposing the death penalty for each of the crimes charged on the accused-
appellant despite the fact that the crimes were allegedly committed prior to the effectivity of Republic Act
No. 7659.

Ruling:

Republic Act No.  7659 which reimposed the death penalty on certain heinous crimes took effect on
December 31, 1993, that is, fifteen days after its publication in the December 16, 1993 issues of the Manila
Bulletin,... Philippine Star, Malaya and Philippine Times Journal,[95] and not on January 1, 1994 as is
sometimes misinterpreted.

Principles: