Case Digest (G.R. No. 141724-27)
Facts:
- The case involves the People of the Philippines (appellee) and Arnulfo Orande y Chavez (appellant).
- The appeal is from the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 18, dated November 12, 2003.
- The appellant was convicted of two counts of simple rape, one count of statutory rape, and one count of frustrated rape.
- Sentences included reclusion perpetua for simple and statutory rapes, and an indeterminate penalty of 8 years to 14 years and 8 months for frustrated rape.
- The complainant, referred to as AAA, accused the appellant of raping her four times between January 1994 and November 1996.
- The first incident occurred on April 15, 1994, when AAA was nine years old, involving threats with a knife and partial penetration.
- The second incident was on March 12, 1995, when AAA was 11 years old, with similar threats and actions.
- The third incident took place on January 14, 1996, when AAA was 12 years old, again involving threats and forced sexual acts.
- The final incident occurred in November 1996, where the appellant attempted to rape AAA but was interrupted.
- AAA's testimony was supported by medical evidence indicating signs of trauma consistent with sexual abuse.
- The trial was delayed for eight months to allow AAA to undergo psychological therapy due to trauma.
- The appellant denied the allegations, claiming an alibi and suggesting AAA had motives to fabricate charges.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The court affirmed the trial court's conviction of the appellant for two counts of statutory rape and two counts of simple rape.
- The court agreed with the appellant's contention that t...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's findings, emphasizing the credibility of AAA's testimony, which was convincing and consistent despite her trauma.
- The court noted the trial court's unique opportunity to observe AAA's demeanor during her testimony, reflecting her emotional distress and desire for justice.
- The court rejected the appellant's defense of denial and alibi, stating such defenses are weak against the positive identification and testimony of a rape victim.
- Regarding frustrated rape, the co...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 141724-27)
Facts:
The case involves the People of the Philippines as the appellee and Arnulfo Orande y Chavez as the appellant. The appeal arises from the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 18, dated November 12, 2003, in Criminal Case Nos. 97-159184, 97-159185, 97-159186, and 97-159187. The appellant was convicted of two counts of simple rape, one count of statutory rape, and one count of frustrated rape, resulting in sentences of reclusion perpetua for the simple and statutory rapes, and an indeterminate penalty of 8 years to 14 years and 8 months for the frustrated rape. The complainant, referred to as AAA, accused the appellant of raping her four times between January 1994 and November 1996.
The charges were detailed in the informations filed by the City Prosecutor, specifying the dates and circumstances of each incident. The first incident occurred on April 15, 1994, when AAA was only nine years old. The appellant, who was the common-law husband of AAA's mother, Girlie, threatened AAA with a knife and forced her to undress, resulting in partial penetration. The second incident took place on March 12, 1995, when AAA was 11 years old, and involved similar threats and actions. The third incident occurred on January 14, 1996, when AAA was 12 years old, and again involved threats and forced sexual acts. The final incident happened in November 1996, where the appellant attempted to rape AAA but was interrupted.
AAA's testimony was supported by medical evidence from the Child Protection Unit of the Philippine General Hospital, which indicated signs of trauma consistent with sexua...