Facts:

• The case "People vs. Villafuerte" involves defendants Engracio Villafuerte and Eugenia Rabano, charged with adultery.
• The complaint was filed by Felix Villa on April 26, 1902.
• The incident took place in Lucena, where Villafuerte frequently visited Villa's house, especially when Villa was not present.
• Three weeks before April 20 of the previous year, Villafuerte moved from his mother's house to Villa's house.
• On the night of April 20, Villa and Basilio Navela, a local police officer, caught Villafuerte and Rabano lying together in Villa's house.
• Villa whipped his wife upon discovering them together.
• A child witness, Maria Origenes, testified seeing Villafuerte and Rabano engaging in carnal intercourse when Villa was absent.
• Despite the absence of a marriage certificate, multiple witnesses, including those for the defense, affirmed that Villa and Rabano were known as husband and wife.
• The lower court found both defendants guilty of adultery under Article 433 of the Penal Code.
• They were sentenced to three years, six months, and twenty-one days of prision correccional, along with the payment of costs.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The court affirmed the judgment of the lower court, finding Engracio Villafuerte and Eugenia Rabano guilty of adultery.
• They were sentenced to three years, six months, and tw...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court reasoned that the legitimacy of the marriage relationship between Felix Villa and Eugenia Rabano is a necessary element to establish the crime of adultery.
• Although no marriage certificate was presented, the court held that the presumption of a legal marriage could be made based on the consistent acknowledgment by both parties and the testimony of witnesses.
• Both ...continue reading