Case Digest (G.R. No. 222492)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. XXX, G.R. No. 222492, June 03, 2019, the Supreme Court Second Division, Lazaro-Javier, J., writing for the Court. The appeal seeks to set aside the Court of Appeals' December 23, 2014 Decision in CA G.R. CR-HC No. 06517 which affirmed the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Quezon City, Branch 107's December 3, 2013 conviction of appellant XXX for rape.On August 25, 2009, an Information charged appellant with rape allegedly committed on August 19, 2009 against his daughter AAA, then 13 years old. At arraignment appellant pleaded not guilty. During trial the prosecution presented the testimony of the victim AAA, her mother BBB, and barangay tanod Ruel Beaquin, and offered documentary and medico-legal exhibits (birth certificate, complaint affidavit, initial medico-legal report, PNP Crime Laboratory report, and related papers). Appellant testified as lone defense witness and presented no documentary evidence.
The trial court, in Criminal Case No. Q-09-160296, found appellant guilty as charged and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, with awards of P75,000 for civil indemnity, P75,000 moral damages and P25,000 exemplary damages (Decision, Dec. 3, 2013). On appeal the Court of Appeals affirmed but modified the conviction to one of qualified rape, imposed reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole, and set damages at P75,000 each (Decision, Dec. 23, 2014). The present appeal to the Supreme...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the Court of Appeals err in convicting appellant of qualified rape? ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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