Case Digest (G.R. No. 126286)
Facts:
- The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Roger Vaynaco, Roneo Tabones, and Allan Cajipe, the accused-appellants.
- The events occurred on September 26, 1994, in Tacloban City, Philippines.
- May Anne Gabrito, a 15-year-old student from Leyte Colleges, was returning home from Gaisano Shopping Center when she met seven college students from Divine Word University.
- The students invited her to Sandy Beach Resort, where they consumed alcohol together.
- Later that evening, the seven students gang-raped her in a cottage at the resort.
- After the assault, May Anne was forcibly taken by eleven other teenagers to Costa Brava beach resort, where she was raped again by multiple assailants.
- The ordeal lasted from 7:00 PM until around 4:00 AM the next day.
- May Anne had a history of mental health issues, including a mood disorder, major depression, and schizo-affective disorder, affecting her decision-making.
- On November 29, 1994, the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City filed four informations against the accused for the rapes.
- The trial court convicted Vaynaco, Tabones, and Cajipe, sentencing each to three penalties of reclusion perpetua and ordering them to pay P150,000.00 in moral damages.
- The accused appealed, claiming insufficient evidence and violation of their right to due process.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no reversible error in the conviction.
- The Court ruled that the evidence, particularly the victim's testimony, was sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The Court held that the trial ju...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court emphasized that a victim's testimony, even from a mentally disturbed individual, can still be credible and sufficient for conviction.
- A victim's declaration of rape is a strong basis for conviction if it meets the credibility test.
- The trial court's assessment of the victim's testimony was given the highest respect, corroborated by medical evidence showing spermatozoa and injuri...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 126286)
Facts:
The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against Roger Vaynaco, Roneo Tabones, and Allan Cajipe, who are the accused-appellants. The events transpired on September 26, 1994, in Tacloban City, Philippines. The victim, May Anne Gabrito, a 15-year-old student from Leyte Colleges, was returning home from the Gaisano Shopping Center when she encountered seven college students from Divine Word University. They invited her to Sandy Beach Resort, where they consumed alcohol together. Later that evening, the seven students gang-raped her in one of the resort's cottages.
After the assault, May Anne attempted to return home but was forcibly taken by eleven other teenagers to Costa Brava beach resort, where she was again raped in succession by multiple assailants. The ordeal lasted from 7:00 PM until around 4:00 AM the following day. The victim's mental health was a significant aspect of the case; she had been diagnosed with a mood disorder, major depression, and schizo-affective disorder, which affected her ability to make rational decisions.
On November 29, 1994, the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City filed four informations against the accused for the rapes committed against May Anne. The trial court, after hearing the case, convicted Vaynaco, Tabones, and Cajipe, sentencing each to three penalties of reclusion perpetua and ordering them to pay P150,000.00 in moral damages to t...