Title
People vs. LOPEZ
Case
G.R. No. 179714
Decision Date
Oct 2, 2009
A 4-year-old girl accused Rodolfo Lopez of sexual assault; medical evidence confirmed penetration. Lopez denied, blaming her brother. Courts convicted him of statutory rape, imposing reclusion perpetua.
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Case Summary (G.R. No. 179714)

Nature of the Crime and Initial Proceedings

  • The case involves the crime of Statutory Rape, defined under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act (RA) 8353.
  • The appellant, Rodolfo Lopez, was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Labo, Camarines Norte.
  • The incident occurred on June 11, 1998, involving a four-year-old victim, BBB, who was left in the care of Lopez.
  • Following the incident, BBB exhibited physical signs of abuse, prompting her mother, AAA, to seek medical examination.

Medical Examination and Charges Filed

  • A medical examination conducted on June 15, 1998, revealed superficial hymenal laceration consistent with sexual assault.
  • An Information was filed against Lopez on July 17, 1998, detailing the charges of Statutory Rape.
  • During the arraignment, Lopez pleaded not guilty, and the trial proceeded with testimonies from the victim, her mother, and medical personnel.

Testimonies and Defense

  • The prosecution presented testimonies that corroborated the victim's account of the assault.
  • The defense relied solely on Lopez's denial of the charges, suggesting that the victim's brother was responsible for the abuse.
  • The trial court found the victim's testimony credible and consistent, leading to Lopez's conviction.

Sentencing and Appeal

  • The RTC sentenced Lopez to death and ordered him to pay civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages to the victim.
  • The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) due to the imposition of the death penalty.
  • The CA affirmed the RTC's decision but modified the penalty to reclusion perpetua, in line with RA 9346, which prohibits the death penalty.

Arguments on Appeal

  • Lopez argued that the trial court erred by convicting him based on the weakness of his defense rather than the strength of the prosecution's evidence.
  • The prosecution countered that it established Lopez's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing the credibility of the victim's testimony.

Legal Standards for Statutory Rape

  • Statutory Rape is defined as carnal knowledge of a woman under twelve years of age, with no requirement to prove intimidation or force.
  • The prosecution successfully established both elements of the crime: the act of carnal knowledge and the victim's age.

Evaluation of Testimonies

  • The trial court's assessment of witness credibility is given significant weight on appeal, as it had the opportunity to observe the witnesses firsthand.
  • The victim's consistent and straightforward testimony, supported by medical findings, was dee...continue reading

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