Case Digest (G.R. No. 184922)
Facts:
- Porferio Masagca, Jr. (appellant) was charged with three counts of rape against his daughter, referred to as AAA.
- The incidents occurred in Barangay Sto. Domingo and Barangay J.M. Alberto (Poniton), Virac, Catanduanes.
- First incident: On September 10, 2000, Masagca raped AAA after his other children left the room, threatening her to remain silent.
- Second incident: On October 6, 2001, Masagca again raped AAA after awakening her, using threats to ensure compliance.
- Third incident: On October 14, 2001, Masagca repeated the act of rape under similar circumstances.
- AAA disclosed the incidents a week later to her aunt, leading to the filing of charges.
- The prosecution presented AAA's testimony and a physician who confirmed hymenal lacerations.
- Masagca's defense was based on alibi and denial, claiming AAA fabricated the charges after being disciplined.
- The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found AAA's testimony credible and convicted Masagca, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua for each count and ordering damages.
Issue:
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Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed Masagca's conviction for three counts of rape, upholding the RTC's and Court of Appeals' findings.
- The Court modified the awards of moral and exemplary damages, increasing the...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized the credibility of AAA's testimony, particularly in incestuous rape cases, where the victim's account is given significant weight.
- The prosecution successfully established the elements of rape, with AAA positively identifying her father as the perpetrator.
- The Court noted that a victim's testimony can suffice for conviction if credible and consistent with human experience.
- Masagca's defenses of denial and alibi were deemed weak and insufficient, lacking strong evidence of innocence.
- The...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 184922)
Facts:
The case involves Porferio Masagca, Jr. (appellant), who was charged with three counts of rape against his own daughter, referred to as AAA. The events took place in Barangay Sto. Domingo and later in Barangay J.M. Alberto (Poniton), both located in Virac, Catanduanes. On September 10, 2000, at approximately 7:00 PM, after his other children had left to watch television, Masagca laid down beside AAA, removed her blanket, and held her right hand. He then proceeded to remove her shorts and underwear, laid on top of her, and forcibly penetrated her vagina with his penis for about one minute, threatening her to remain silent.
The second incident occurred on October 6, 2001, around 10:00 PM, when AAA was awakened by her father’s arrival. He again removed her shorts and underwear, lowered his own, and managed to penetrate her for about one minute while threatening her. The third incident took place on October 14, 2001, at the same time and location, where he repeated the act of rape. AAA did not disclose these incidents until a week later when she confided in her aunt, leading to the filing of charges against Masagca.
In the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Virac, the prosecution presented AAA and a physician who confirmed the presence of hymenal lacerations. Masagca defended himself by claiming alibi and denial, asserting that AAA was not living with him during the first incident and that she was with his parents during the latter two. He also alleged that AAA fabricated the charges after he disciplined her for misbehavior. The RTC found AAA's testi...