Case Summary (G.R. No. L-48746)
Procedural History
Julio Cabanlig was accused of rape, and the trial was held in the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan. The trial court rendered its decision on June 20, 1978, finding Cabanlig guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua. He was also ordered to indemnify Isabel Distor in the amount of P6,000 and to pay court costs.
Testimony of the Complainant
Isabel Distor testified that while attending the girl scout camping, she was lured away from the group by Myrna Tadena and Paulina Bugaoan to urinate. Instead of going to the toilet, they proceeded to Cabanlig's house. After a brief period of conversation in the camarin owned by Cabanlig, Isabel was left alone, at which point Cabanlig confronted her, threatened her with a knife, and brutally raped her. Testimony indicated that Cabanlig assaulted Distor twice that night, disregarding her pleas for mercy.
Response of the Victim
After the assaults, Isabel returned to the school campus in the morning, feeling traumatized and fearful of further retaliation from Cabanlig if she disclosed the incident. It was several days later, after her father was informed by school officials, that she felt compelled to reveal the details of the rape, leading to the father's intervention through the local barrio captain.
Attempts at Settlement and Consequence
Despite attempts by local council members to mediate the situation by arranging a marriage between Isabel and Cabanlig, the accused subsequently married another woman, prompting Isabel and her family to initiate formal legal action against him.
Medical Examination and Evidence
Isabel underwent a medical examination on December 19, 1975, which resulted in a medico-legal certificate corroborating her allegations of sexual assault.
Findings of the Trial Court
The trial court noted several uncontested facts: Cabanlig engaged in sexual intercourse with Isabel when she was only 14 years old, both parties were single at the time, and an agreement to marry was made but never fulfilled. The court assessed the credibility of Isabel's testimony favorably, observing her demeanor and the consistency of her account.
Appeal and Arguments
Cabanlig's appeal centered on the contention that the trial court erred in convicting him of rape. He raised issues regarding Isabel's credibility, claiming inconsistencies in her testimony and questioning details like the absence of her name on the camping participants list, her allegations about being invited to Cabanlig’s home, and discrepancies concerning the threats made during the assault.
Judicial Observations on Credibility
The appellate court upheld the trial court's assessment of Isabel's credibility, emphasizing that the trial court had the superior vantage point to evaluate the evidence and the witnesses&
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Case Overview
- The case involves the appellant, Julio Cabanlig, accused of raping Isabel Distor on October 30, 1975, in Barangay San Felipe, Binalonan, Pangasinan.
- The trial court found Cabanlig guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, along with a monetary indemnity to the complainant.
Background of the Incident
- On October 30, 1975, Isabel Distor, a member of the school girl scouts, participated in a camping event at the school campus.
- The activities included skits, an induction program, and concluded with a night camping event.
- Isabel was invited by Myrna Tadena and Paulina Bugaoan to leave the camping site to urinate but was instead taken to Cabanlig's house.
Testimony of the Complainant
- Isabel testified that upon arriving at Cabanlig's house, she and her companions sat on a bamboo bed and engaged in conversation.
- After Myrna and Paulina left her momentarily, Cabanlig arrived, embraced and kissed her, then forcibly pushed her down onto the bed.
- He threatened her with a knife, warning her against screaming for help, and proceeded to rape her.
Details of the Assault
- Isabel described two instances of sexual intercourse that night, during which she cried and pleaded for mercy, but Cabanlig ignored her pleas and continued to assault her.
- She stated that she was unable to escape due to Cabanlig's physical hold and threats against her life.
- After the assaults, Cabanl