Case Digest (G.R. No. 182239) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In People of the Philippines v. Hermie M. Jacinto, G.R. No. 182239, decided on March 16, 2011 under the 1987 Constitution, appellant Hermie M. Jacinto was charged by Information dated March 20, 2003 in RTC Criminal Case No. 1679-13-141 with rape of five-year-old AAA on January 28, 2003 at about 7:00 p.m. in barangay xxx, municipality and province of xxx. Prosecution evidence included the personal and consistent testimony of AAA, who positively identified Hermie as “kuya” and described how he led her from a store to a rice field, removed her clothes, mounted her, and inserted his penis into her vagina. Her father FFF and a bystander Julito corroborated her account, and medico-legal certificates by Dr. Gaspar and Dr. Micabalo revealed hymenal lacerations and erythema consistent with forcible penetration. Appellant pleaded alibi, testifying he attended a birthday celebration at the Perochos’ home and ran errands to buy rum in about five minutes; his witnesses—his aunt Gloria, Luzvi Case Digest (G.R. No. 182239) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Commission of Crime
- On January 28, 2003, at around 7:00 p.m. in barangay XXX, Hermie M. Jacinto allegedly had carnal knowledge of five-year-old AAA in a rice field near the Perochos’ house: he removed her panty, mounted her in a push-pull movement, causing pain and bleeding.
- AAA ran home crying, barefoot and soiled; FFF (father) found contusions on her neck, mud on her head, blood oozing, whitish mucoid material on her genitals, and a contusion on her chest.
- Pre-trial and Trial Evidence (Prosecution and Medical)
- Information filed March 20, 2003 in the Regional Trial Court as Criminal Case No. 1679-13-141; charged rape qualified by minority; appellant pleaded not guilty July 15, 2003.
- Prosecution witnesses: AAA positively identified Jacinto; FFF and Julito Apiki saw Jacinto holding AAA’s hand at the store, confronted him later.
- Medical findings: Dr. Bernardita M. Gaspar’s certificate noted hymenal lacerations at 5 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions and genital soiling; Dr. Christine Ruth B. Micabalo confirmed penetration injuries.
- Defense Evidence and Alibi
- Appellant’s alibi: attended a birthday party at the Perochos’ from morning; was sent to buy a bottle of rum (returned in 3–5 minutes as shown by his watch); witnesses Aunt Gloria, Luzvilla Balucan, and Antonia Perocho testified he remained at the party.
- Alternative suspect: Luzvilla and Antonia claimed Julito, not appellant, carried AAA; their accounts conflicted on times, clothing (shirt color), presence of other persons, and sequence of events.
- Procedural History
- Trial court decision (March 26, 2004) convicted Jacinto of rape and sentenced him to death, plus P75,000 indemnity and P50,000 moral damages; on April 6, 2004, amended to reclusion perpetua upon proof he was 17 at the time of the offense.
- Court of Appeals (August 29, 2007) affirmed conviction, imposed indeterminate sentence (6 years 1 day to 12 years prision mayor minimum; 17 years 4 months reclusion temporal maximum), awarded P75,000 civil indemnity, P75,000 moral damages, P25,000 exemplary damages; allowed appeal to the Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court required supplemental briefs and rendered decision on March 16, 2011.
Issues:
- Whether the prosecution proved appellant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt despite the defense of alibi and conflicting testimonies.
- How appellant’s minority at the time of the offense and Republic Act No. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act) affect the proper penalty and disposition.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)