Case Summary (G.R. No. 201100)
Facts Before the RTC
Garrido was charged with the crime of rape, alleged to have occurred on October 21, 2004, in Las Piñas City. AAA, the 19-year-old victim, had gone out with the accused and others, eventually ending up at Garrido's house where the alleged rape took place. After consuming alcoholic beverages, AAA became intoxicated. Garrido, upon returning from the bathroom, turned off the lights and allegedly sexually assaulted AAA. The victim later reported the incident to her sister, revealing that she had previously been raped by Garrido.
Version of the Prosecution
AAA testified that, after being persuaded to stay at Garrido's house, she was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions while she was too intoxicated to effectively resist. The prosecution presented medical evidence from Dr. Bonnie Yap Chua, who noted physical marks and lacerations consistent with sexual assault.
Version of the Defense
The defense claimed that the sexual intercourse was consensual, arguing that AAA willingly stayed over after drinking and initiating contact with Garrido. Witnesses from the defense, including Garrido and his associates, corroborated his account of consensual encounters and claimed that AAA exhibited no signs of being raped.
The Ruling of the RTC
The RTC found Garrido guilty beyond reasonable doubt of rape, leading to a sentence of reclusion perpetua and financial penalties to AAA for civil indemnity and moral damages. The court favored the credibility of AAA's testimony, asserting that her intoxication did not inhibit her ability to recall the events clearly.
The Ruling of the Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals upheld the RTC's ruling on October 20, 2009, but modified the amount of civil indemnity. The appellate court relied on the credibility of AAA's detailed account while dismissing the defense’s arguments as lacking sufficient merit.
Our Ruling
Upon reviewing the case, the Court reversed the decisions of the lower courts and acquitted Garrido due to reasonable doubt. The court identified inconsistencies in AAA's testimony regarding the events, including her recollections of being in the room with her companions. There were notable discrepancies about her level of intoxication and her responses during the alle
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Case Background
- This case is an appeal by Vincent Garrido y Elorde (Garrido) against the decision of the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Regional Trial Court's (RTC) conviction of Garrido for the crime of rape.
- The original RTC decision dated September 12, 2007, found Garrido guilty under Article 266-A in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code for raping the victim, referred to as AAA, on October 21, 2004.
Factual Context
- The incident occurred in Las Piñas City, where Garrido allegedly raped AAA multiple times against her will.
- The timeline began on October 20, 2004, when AAA, then 19, went with her sister's friend, BBB, to a shopping center to apply for a job.
- They met Garrido and another male, James, who invited them to what was purported to be a birthday party at James's house, but it turned out to be a drinking session.
Victim's Account
- AAA was persuaded to stay and drink, eventually becoming intoxicated.
- After the drinking session, Garrido offered to take AAA home but detoured to his own home for coffee.
- Once inside his house, AAA felt weak and sat on a bed while Garrido left to take a bath.
- Upon his return, Garrido turned off the lights and initiated sexual contact. Despite AAA's attempts to resist, he overpowered her, resulting in multiple instances of rape.
- After the assaults,