Case Digest (G.R. No. 118077)
Facts:
- Dominador A. Cabaluna is the accused-appellant; Leticia Abenion is the complainant.
- The incident occurred on February 14, 1992, in Davao City, Philippines.
- Leticia, aged 15, was unwell with a fever and headache.
- Dominador offered her red capsules, claiming they would help her condition.
- After taking the capsules, Leticia lost consciousness and has no memory of subsequent events.
- Upon waking the next morning, she found herself naked in an unfamiliar room with Dominador, who was in his underwear.
- Leticia noticed blood from her private parts, indicating a violent sexual encounter.
- In shock, she escaped and sought help from a passerby to return home.
- Two days later, she confided in Alicia Cabaluna, Dominador's wife, leading to a confrontation.
- Leticia filed a formal complaint with the police on February 17, 1992.
- A medical examination confirmed signs of defloration, supporting her claims.
- Dominador claimed they were in a consensual relationship and had checked into a lodge willingly.
- The trial court found the prosecution's evidence compelling, convicting Dominador of rape and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua, along with P40,000 in indemnity.
- Dominador appealed, questioning the credibility of Leticia's testimony and the sufficiency of evidence.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no merit in the accused's claims.
- The conviction of Dominador A. Cabaluna for rape was uph...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court highlighted the significance of the complainant's credibility in rape cases, noting the trial court's advantage in assessing witness reliability.
- Leticia's account was deemed consistent and credible, despite her trauma.
- Dominador's defense of a consensual relationship was rejected; his uncorroborated claims did not outweigh the prosecution's ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 118077)
Facts:
The case involves Dominador A. Cabaluna as the accused-appellant and Leticia Abenion as the complainant. The events transpired on February 14, 1992, in Davao City, Philippines. Leticia, who was 15 years old at the time, was feeling unwell with a fever and headache. Dominador, who was engaged in selling Chinese ointments and medicines, offered her medication in the form of red capsules, claiming they would help her condition. After taking the capsules, Leticia lost consciousness and has no recollection of the events that followed.
Upon regaining consciousness the next morning, Leticia found herself naked in an unfamiliar room, with Dominador present, who was only in his underwear. She noticed blood leaking from her private parts, indicating a violent sexual encounter had occurred. In a state of shock, she managed to escape the room and sought help from a passerby, who assisted her in returning home.
Leticia confided in Alicia Cabaluna, Dominador's wife, about the incident two days later, which led to a confrontation between Alicia and Dominador. Subsequently, Leticia filed a formal complaint with the police on February 17, 1992. A medical examination confirmed signs of defloration, supporting Leticia's claims.
In the trial court, Dominador's defense was that he and Leticia were in a consensual relationship, asserting that they had been "sweethearts" and had checked...