G.R. No. L-1719 - Rakes vs. The Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co.

The incident occurred in July 1975 at the residence of the accused, Antonio S. Sonico, who is also the granduncle of the victim, Loida S. Baclig.
The familial relationship is clarified by noting that the accused is the husband of the sister of the victim’s grandmother, and the victim affectionately refers to him as "Lelong Anton."
The victim visited the accused’s house to retrieve her pillow and blanket for the previous night.

After entering the house and retrieving the items from an upstairs room, the victim was abruptly pulled by the accused to another room on the northeastern part of the house where the door and one of the windows were closed.
The accused compelled the victim to sit on the bed, positioning her feet on the floor; he then lifted her buttocks, removed her panties while kneeling, and subsequently removed his own pants and underwear.
He forced the victim to lie down in the middle of the bed by raising her hanging legs, allowed her legs to spread, and then performed sexual intercourse using an “up and down” motion for about ten minutes.
During the assault, the accused, while laughing, warned the victim not to report the incident to anyone, threatening to kill her if she did.
It was noted that at the time of the assault, the accused was in possession of a kitchen knife.

Physical evidence supporting the victim’s account included blood stains observed on her skirt and garments, and a noticeable enlargement of her breasts.
Two teachers from Cabugao North Elementary School testified that they had observed the abnormal enlargement of Loida’s breasts starting in July 1975, which led them to involve her parents in November 1975.
A medico-legal examination was conducted by Dr. Soledad S. Pira at the Gabriela Silang General Hospital. The certificate (dated December 3, 1975) noted:

Markedly enlarged bilateral breasts with warmth to the touch, indented nipples, and a movable palpable mass at the left anterior axillary fold.
Old laceration on the hymen at the 9 o’clock position along with other findings related to the reproductive organs.

The accused, Antonio S. Sonico, denied committing the crime and asserted that he could not fathom the motive for the accusation.
He attributed the charge partly to an alleged attempt by his daughter, Trining Seguban, to deter the complainants from pursuing the case in order to "preserve domestic tranquility" and out of pity for him as an old man.
The complainant’s mother, Leonila Baclig, rejected the proposal for settlement, leading the investigation and trial to proceed.

Eyewitness testimony and the detailed narrative by Loida Baclig clearly identified the accused as the perpetrator.
Despite the victim filing her complaint nearly five months later—a delay explained by her young age (11 years old) and the threat to her life—the court found her account credible.
The medico-legal report corroborated the victim’s testimony by confirming the presence of physical injuries consistent with sexual assault, including the old hymenal laceration.
The act committed was classified as statutory rape since the victim was less than twelve (12) years old at the time of the offense.

Whether the nearly five-month delay in filing the rape complaint casts doubt on the credibility of the victim’s testimony.

Whether the combined testimonies of the victim and the corroborative medical and witness evidence are sufficient to establish the crime of rape beyond reasonable doubt despite the delay in reporting and examination.

Whether the trial court erred in giving credence to the victim’s and her witnesses’ testimonies in light of the alleged delay and inconsistencies.
Whether the trial court wrongly relied on the testimony regarding the alleged “old laceration” without conclusive confirmation from the medico-legal officer.
Whether there is moral certainty that the rape was actually committed on the alleged date despite the ambiguities regarding timing.