G.R. No. 168266 - Cargill, Inc. vs. Intra Strata Assurance Corp.

On May 31, 2002, an Information was filed in the RTC of Manila charging Jonas Guillen y Atienza with rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.
Appellant pleaded not guilty on July 11, 2002.
On June 10, 2008, RTC Branch 48 convicted appellant of rape, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and awarding P50,000.00 moral damages and P30,000.00 exemplary damages.
The Court of Appeals, in a Decision dated November 26, 2009, affirmed the RTC.
Appellant filed this petition seeking to overturn his conviction.

On May 20, 2002 at around 12:00 midnight, the victim (aAAAa) was alone in her second‐floor room in Sampaloc, Manila, playing cards. Appellant, her neighbor, forced entry by poking a balisong at her neck, turned off the lights, undressed her, and had forcible carnal knowledge. He then left the scene.
The victim immediately reported to her sister‐in‐law and the police. Officers arrested appellant near the scene; the victim positively identified him at the precinct.
Medico‐legal examination by Dra. Annabelle Soliman at the NBI on May 20, 2002 revealed a healed hymenal laceration at 7 o’clock, presence of spermatozoa, and extragenital injuries.

Appellant denied the charge, claiming an alibi of having a drinking spree in Galas, Quezon City, around the time of the incident.
He asserted that the victim fabricated the charge due to a prior altercation with her husband.

Whether the trial court erred in convicting appellant despite the presumption of innocence not being overturned beyond reasonable doubt.
Whether appellant’s silence and passivity when confronted at the police station can be construed as an implied admission of guilt.