Case Digest (G.R. No. 235725) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In People of the Philippines vs. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho (G.R. Nos. 225642–43, January 17, 2018), the private complainant, AAA, alleged that on February 10 and 11, 2009 in Davao City she was forcibly abducted and raped by the accused. She testified that on the evening of February 10 she was en route to a comfort room beside the Maligatong Cooperative building when Amarela suddenly pulled her under a makeshift stage, punched her abdomen, boxed her thigh to impair resistance, then undressed and had carnal knowledge of her. Fleeing thereafter, AAA sought help and was brought to the residence of Neneng Racho, who directed his son Junard G. Racho to escort her to her aunt’s house. According to AAA, Racho instead coerced her into a shanty, struck her abdomen, undressed them both, and again consummated the act. AAA later reported the incidents to the police. At the Regional Trial Court, Branch 11, Davao City, both appellants denied the charges, presenting alibi and denial d Case Digest (G.R. No. 235725) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Informations and Parties
- Accused-Appellants: Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho.
- Plaintiff-Appellee: People of the Philippines.
- Two Informations filed in Davao City RTC, Branch 11:
- Crim. Case No. 64,964–09 (Amarela charged with rape on Feb. 10, 2009).
- Crim. Case No. 64,965–09 (Racho charged with rape on Feb. 11, 2009).
- Prosecution Evidence
- AAA, single housekeeper, testified she was pulled from a beauty contest area to a makeshift stage under a day-care center by Amarela, punched, undressed, and raped.
- After the first attack she fled, sought help, was escorted by Racho against her will into a shanty, boxed in the abdomen, undressed, and raped.
- She reported to police the next day and accused were arrested.
- Defense Evidence
- Amarela claimed he drank, fell unconscious, and had no recollection of any assault.
- Racho testified he merely accompanied AAA home at his mother’s behest and left when she insisted on going further; he denied any carnal act, citing an impaired left arm.
- Medical certificate corroborated Racho’s arm injury; his mother confirmed he escorted AAA then returned home without incident.
- Proceedings Below
- RTC (26 June 2012) found AAA’s testimony credible, convicted both of rape, imposed reclusion perpetua and awarded P50,000 civil indemnity and P50,000 moral damages each.
- CA (17 February 2016) affirmed, upholding positive identification doctrine and victim’s credibility, rejecting appellants’ arguments on darkness, lack of medical injuries, and improbability of double rape.
Issues:
- Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Amarela and Racho raped AAA.
- Whether AAA’s lone testimony, given inconsistencies, identification difficulties, physical impossibilities under the stage, and inconclusive medical findings, satisfies the moral certainty standard.
- Whether Racho’s denial and alibi deserve weight to raise reasonable doubt.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)