Facts:

• The case, "People vs. Cultura," involves the accused-appellant Apolonio Cultura, charged with rape.
• The incident occurred on April 9, 1996, at Barrio Datag, Siaton, Negros Oriental.
• The victim, eleven-year-old Dahlia Rose Balsamo, was catching shrimps in the Siaton River when Cultura approached her.
• Cultura boxed her twice, causing her to lose consciousness.
• Upon regaining consciousness, Dahlia found herself in a bamboo grove, naked and bleeding from her vagina.
• She ran home, where her father noticed her condition and took her to the barangay captain and then to the police.
• Dahlia was brought to the Bayawan District Hospital, where her severe vaginal laceration was treated.
• The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Branch 43, convicted Cultura of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, ordering him to pay Dahlia P50,000.00 as civil indemnity.
• Cultura appealed the decision, denying the charges and raising the defense of alibi, claiming he was in the poblacion of Siaton, driving a trysicad at the time of the crime.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Regional Trial Court, convicting Apolonio Cultura of rape and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua.
• The Court also ordered Cultura to pay a...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's decision based on the credibility of the complainant's testimony and the sufficiency of circumstantial evidence.
• The Court emphasized that the assessment of witness credibility is best left to the trial court, which has the unique position of observing the demeanor and behavior of witnesses.
• The Court found that the complainant's account of the events was consistent and credible, and there was no reason for her to fabricate the charges against Cultura.
• The circumstantial evidence presented formed an unbroken chain leading to the conclusion that Cultura committed the crime.
• The Court noted that the prompt reporting of the incident by the complainant strengthened her credibility.
• The defense of alibi was rejected as it could n...continue reading