Case Digest (G.R. No. 218245)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Jesus Empuesto y Socatre, G.R. No. 218245, January 17, 2018, the Supreme Court Third Division, Martires, J., writing for the Court.The People of the Philippines (plaintiff-appellee) prosecuted defendant-appellant Jesus Empuesto y Socatre (accused-appellant) for rape in an Information alleging that on or about July 3, 2005, in xxxxxxxxxxx, Bohol, accused with carnal, lecherous intent, by force, threat and intimidation, had carnal knowledge of the victim AAA in violation of Art. 266-A(1)(a) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
At arraignment the accused pleaded not guilty and trial ensued. The prosecution presented the testimony of the private complainant AAA, her daughter BBB, Rebecca Bantilan, and municipal health officer Dr. Jaime Gregorio L. Salarda, and offered a medico-legal examination report. AAA recounted that accused entered her bamboo‑slat house through a hole in the floor in the early morning while she and her children slept, threatened her with a bolo, ordered her not to cry, removed her panty, forced himself on her while she was breastfeeding, and raped her; she positively identified accused as a neighbor whom she knew and who called her "marehan." AAA reported the incident promptly to relatives and to the police and submitted to medical examination; Dr. Salarda found fresh laceration and ulceration of the labia minora.
Accused testified and offered witnesses (his brother Basilio and Sanie/“Sonnie” Bautista) asserting denial and alibi: that he had been attending a vigil and remained at the plaza or in company of those witnesses throughout the night until morning. The defense also produced testimony suggesting accused was arrested later that morning.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found AAA's testimony credible, the medico‑legal findings corroborative, and the alibi weak and physically possible to rebut, and convicted accused of rape under Art. 266-A(1)(a), sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and awarding P50,000 civil indemnity. The Court of Appeals (CA), Nineteenth Division, affirmed the conviction bu...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the trial court and the Court of Appeals err in finding Jesus Empuesto y Socatre guilty of rape despite the accused's claim that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reason...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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