Facts:

• The appellant, Efren Maglente y Cervantes, was convicted of raping his fourteen-year-old daughter, AAA.
• The incident occurred on July 13, 2002, in Rodriguez, Rizal.
• Maglente was charged with Rape under paragraph 1 of Article 266-A, in relation to number 1 of paragraph 6 of Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 8369.
• The victim testified that her father had been sexually abusing her since she was nine years old, with the last incident on July 13, 2002.
• The prosecution presented testimonies from the victim, her aunt CCC, and a medico-legal officer, Police Senior Inspector Ruby Grace Sabino.
• The medico-legal officer confirmed the victim's pregnancy and physical injuries consistent with sexual abuse.
• The RTC found Maglente guilty beyond reasonable doubt, sentencing him to death and ordering him to pay damages.
• The Court of Appeals affirmed the RTC's decision but modified the penalty to reclusion perpetua due to Republic Act No. 9346, which prohibits the death penalty.
• The appellant filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court denied the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals.
• The appellant was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of qualified rape.
• The appellant was sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
• The appellant was ordered to pa...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court upheld the conviction based on the credibility of the victim's testimony, which was categorical, straightforward, and consistent.
• The testimony of a young and immature girl against her parent is given full weight and credit, especially in cases of incestuous rape.
• The Court rejected the appellant's argument that the victim's narration lacked details, explaining that the testimony of a minor should be viewed in light of their limited understanding of sex and sexuality.
• The absence of violence or resistance from the victim does not affect the outcome of the case when a father commits rape against his own daughter, as the father's moral ...continue reading