G.R. No. 117472 - People vs. Echegaray y Pilo

In July 2005, an Information for rape was filed against Jonathan Baay y Falco before the RTC of Mambusao, Capiz, alleging carnal knowledge of AAA, a mentally retardate, aggravated by her condition.
Arraigned on April 14, 2010, the accused pleaded not guilty. Trial ensued, and the RTC rendered its Decision on January 4, 2013, convicting him of statutory rape under Article 266-A(1)(d), as amended.
On February 26, 2015, the Court of Appeals (Eighteenth Division) affirmed the conviction but modified the damage awards. The accused appealed to the Supreme Court.

AAA testified that in July 2005, while drying palay, the accused lured her into the forest, forcibly had sexual intercourse with her (penetration), and discharged semen. She later became pregnant and delivered a child on April 21, 2006.
AAA’s mother, BBB, corroborated that AAA disclosed the incident to her during a medical check‐up. BBB arranged a psychological assessment by Dra. Adicula-Sicad, who certified AAA’s mental age at 4–5 years due to congenital retardation.
A case study by the Municipal Social Welfare Officer on January 4, 2006 showed AAA consistently identified the accused as her abuser.

The accused and defense witnesses testified that from May 15 to August 30, 2005, he worked on a distant farm and could not have gone to the forested area where the rape allegedly occurred.
The defense claimed a family feud over trees between the parties and shame over AAA’s out‐of‐wedlock pregnancy motivated the rape charge. The accused denied any sexual act with AAA.

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the conviction of the accused‐appellant for statutory rape under Article 266-A(1)(d) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.