Case Digest (G.R. No. 137752)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Robert Ayungon, G.R. No. 137752, June 19, 2001, Supreme Court First Division, Ynares‑Santiago, J., writing for the Court.The prosecution charged accused‑appellant Robert Ayungon with rape allegedly committed on or about February 16, 1998 in San Mateo, Rizal. Ayungon was arraigned on March 5, 1998 and pleaded not guilty; trial followed in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Rizal, Branch 76 (Criminal Case No. 3498‑98). The information alleged the use of threats and a knife and invoked provisions of the Revised Penal Code as amended by R.A. 8353 and R.A. 7610.
The complainant, 16‑year‑old Carlalyn Bargos, testified she was sleeping in a dark room adjacent to the kitchen when she felt someone touching her genitals around 4:30 a.m.; she opened her eyes and saw the accused pointing a knife at her neck, covered her face with a pillow, forcibly removed her shorts and panties, inserted his penis into her vagina, kissed her breasts and threatened to kill her. Her sister Cristina and mother Corazon corroborated elements of the account: Cristina saw the accused thrusting on top of Carlalyn and observed a cloth partly covering his head but leaving eyes, nose and mouth exposed; Corazon awakened and the assailant fled. Carlalyn reported the incident promptly to police and underwent medical examination the same day, which disclosed fresh hymenal lacerations at 3, 5 and 9 o’clock and findings “compatible with recent loss of virginity.”
Ayungon denied the charge, asserting alibi and denial: he testified he was at home that night, supported by testimony of his brother and a friend. On November 25, 1998, the RTC found the prosecution witnesses credible, convicted Ayungon of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, awarding P50,000 as moral damages (the trial court denominated this award as moral damages).
...(Pro-only)Issues:
- Did the trial court err in giving credence to the complainant and her witnesses?
- Was the accused proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt of rape, and what are the proper penalties an...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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