Case Digest (G.R. No. 179187)
Facts:
- Renato Talusan y Panganiban (appellant) was convicted of kidnapping with rape of a six-year-old minor, referred to as AAA.
- The events occurred between January 15 and January 23, 2004, in Las Piñas City, Philippines.
- The Information indicated that the appellant conspired with an unidentified individual, Eljoy Salonga, to unlawfully kidnap AAA and sexually abuse her over eight days.
- On January 14, 2004, the appellant lured AAA by promising to take her to Jollibee, a popular fast-food chain.
- Trusting him as a fellow attendee of Sunday Bible classes, AAA accompanied him instead of going to Jollibee.
- The appellant took her to a house in Imus, Cavite, where he introduced her as his daughter.
- During the eight days of captivity, the appellant repeatedly sexually abused AAA.
- AAA's stepfather, BBB, reported her missing after she did not return home.
- BBB located the appellant and AAA on January 23, 2004, leading to the appellant's arrest.
- A medico-legal examination revealed injuries consistent with recent sexual abuse.
- The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found the appellant guilty based on his voluntary plea and evidence, sentencing him to death.
- The Court of Appeals modified the sentence to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole, affirming the conviction but adjusting the penalties.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Court ruled that the appellant's plea of guilty was not improvident, as the trial court conducted a proper searching inquiry.
- The evidence presented was sufficient to support the conviction of kidnapping with rape, establishing the elements of the crime beyond reasonable doubt.
- The penalty of death was modified to rec...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized the necessity of a searching inquiry to ensure a plea of guilty is made voluntarily and with full understanding of its consequences.
- The trial court conducted a thorough inquiry into the appellant's understanding of the charges and the implications of his plea, confirming he was not coerced or...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 179187)
Facts:
The case involves Renato Talusan y Panganiban (appellant) who was convicted of kidnapping with rape of a six-year-old minor, referred to as AAA. The events transpired between January 15 and January 23, 2004, in Las Piñas City, Philippines. The Information filed against the appellant indicated that he, in conspiracy with an unidentified individual named Eljoy Salonga, unlawfully kidnapped AAA and subjected her to sexual abuse over a period of eight days. On January 14, 2004, while AAA was on her way to school, the appellant lured her by promising to take her to Jollibee, a popular fast-food chain. Trusting him as a fellow attendee of Sunday Bible classes, AAA accompanied him. Instead of taking her to Jollibee, he brought her to a house in Imus, Cavite, where he introduced her as his daughter. During the eight days of captivity, the appellant repeatedly sexually abused AAA by inserting his finger into her vagina.
AAA's stepfather, BBB, reported her missing after she failed to return home. Following a series of inquiries and tips from neighbors, BBB located the appellant and AAA on January 23, 2004, leading to the appellant's arrest. A medico-legal examination conducted by Dr. Pierre Paul Carpio revealed injuries consistent with recent sexual abuse. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Las Piñas City found the appellant guilty based on his voluntary plea of guilty and the evidence presented, sentencing him to death. The case was automatically reviewed by the Su...