Facts:

• Ian Contreras y Eroy was the accused-appellant, while the People of the Philippines served as the plaintiff-appellee.
• The incidents occurred between May and June 1996 in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.
• A total of 12 informations for statutory rape were filed against the accused.
• Due to the inability to determine exact dates, he was convicted of four counts of rape involving four victims, including a six-year-old girl named Angelic Ocrenas.
• The Regional Trial Court, Branch 171, sentenced him to death for the rape of Angelic Ocrenas and imposed reclusion perpetua for the other counts.
• The prosecution relied on testimonies from victims and their relatives regarding the sexual abuse.
• The trial court found sufficient evidence for the charges involving Jodalyn Cabiten, Stephanie Jane Diaz, and Paulene Jade Diaz, but deemed the evidence for Angelic insufficient.
• The accused-appellant pleaded not guilty and escaped from jail during the trial.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court reversed the trial court's decision regarding the death penalty for the rape of Angelic Ocrenas and acquitted the accused due to insufficient evidence.
• The ruling on the imposition of reclusion perpetua for Jodalyn Cabiten was uph...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court determined that the evidence against Ian Contreras y Eroy for the rape of Angelic Ocrenas was insufficient for a conviction.
• Testimony from Nelene Diaz, who saw the accused with Angelic, did not conclusively prove carnal knowledge, as she did not witness penetration.
• The court highlig...continue reading