Case Digest (G.R. No. 191197) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
The case of People of the Philippines vs. Rodrigo Lapore revolves around the conviction of Rodrigo Lapore for the crime of rape as defined under Article 266-A and punishable under Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code. The case was initiated on 20 March 2007, in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Puerto Princesa City, in Criminal Case No. 15286. The incident took place in October 1998, in Barangay Berong, Municipality of Quezon, Palawan, where Lapore, who was a guest in the victim AAA’s house, allegedly committed the crime against AAA, who was 13 years old at that time and illiterate.
On the evening of 1 October 1998, while AAA's parents had left for Puerto Princesa City and her older brother went fishing, Lapore entered AAA's room and allegedly assaulted her. He threatened her with a knife, forcing her into submission while he had carnal knowledge of her. Afterward, AAA reported the incident to her parents upon their return, leading to a confrontation with Lapore, wh
Case Digest (G.R. No. 191197) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
# Background of the Case
- The accused-appellant, Rodrigo Lapore, was convicted of rape under Article 266-A and penalized under Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, as amended. The crime was committed against AAA, a 13-year-old girl, in Barangay Berong, Municipality of Quezon, Palawan, in October 1998.
# The Incident
- On 1 October 1998, AAA was left at home with her siblings and Lapore, who was staying as a guest. Lapore was a pastor in their church. While AAA was asleep, Lapore entered her room, removed her panty, and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her. AAA cried and tried to shout, but Lapore threatened her with a knife. After the act, Lapore left.
# Reporting the Crime
- On 20 October 1998, AAA reported the incident to her parents upon their return. Lapore admitted to the rape and promised to marry AAA but later fled. After three months, AAA and her mother reported the incident to the Barangay Chairman and the police. AAA underwent a medical examination, which confirmed the rape.
# Prosecution Evidence
- AAA’s mother, BBB, testified and presented AAA’s birth certificate, proving her age. Dr. Alma Feliciano-Rivera interpreted the medical certificate, which revealed healed lacerations and loss of physical virginity, consistent with rape.
# Defense Evidence
- Lapore claimed that AAA offered herself to him in marriage and that the rape accusation was a vendetta due to his reprimand of AAA’s mother for her vices. He also insinuated that AAA was already pregnant by her boyfriend, Julio Flores.
Issues:
- Whether Lapore was positively identified as the perpetrator of the rape.
- Whether the inconsistencies in AAA’s testimony affected her credibility.
- Whether the aggravating circumstances (abuse of confidence, minority, and use of a deadly weapon) could qualify the crime to qualified rape.
- Whether the prosecution proved the elements of rape beyond reasonable doubt.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
- On 1 October 1998, AAA was left at home with her siblings and Lapore, who was staying as a guest. Lapore was a pastor in their church. While AAA was asleep, Lapore entered her room, removed her panty, and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her. AAA cried and tried to shout, but Lapore threatened her with a knife. After the act, Lapore left.
# Reporting the Crime
- On 20 October 1998, AAA reported the incident to her parents upon their return. Lapore admitted to the rape and promised to marry AAA but later fled. After three months, AAA and her mother reported the incident to the Barangay Chairman and the police. AAA underwent a medical examination, which confirmed the rape.
# Prosecution Evidence
- AAA’s mother, BBB, testified and presented AAA’s birth certificate, proving her age. Dr. Alma Feliciano-Rivera interpreted the medical certificate, which revealed healed lacerations and loss of physical virginity, consistent with rape.
# Defense Evidence
- Lapore claimed that AAA offered herself to him in marriage and that the rape accusation was a vendetta due to his reprimand of AAA’s mother for her vices. He also insinuated that AAA was already pregnant by her boyfriend, Julio Flores.
Issues:
- Whether Lapore was positively identified as the perpetrator of the rape.
- Whether the inconsistencies in AAA’s testimony affected her credibility.
- Whether the aggravating circumstances (abuse of confidence, minority, and use of a deadly weapon) could qualify the crime to qualified rape.
- Whether the prosecution proved the elements of rape beyond reasonable doubt.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
- AAA’s mother, BBB, testified and presented AAA’s birth certificate, proving her age. Dr. Alma Feliciano-Rivera interpreted the medical certificate, which revealed healed lacerations and loss of physical virginity, consistent with rape.