Case Summary (G.R. No. 73534)
Charges and Proceedings
Federico Rosario was charged with rape and tried in court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The trial culminated in a conviction, with the court sentencing the accused to reclusion perpetua, ordering him to pay the victim P30,000 in damages, and mandating him to support Guillerma’s offspring following the alleged assault.
Evidence Presented
The prosecution's evidence consisted primarily of the testimony of Guillerma Aquino. She recounted the events leading to the assault, stating that she was attacked in her sister's house by the accused while she attempted to use the comfort room. Rosario allegedly threatened her with a bolo, physically assaulted her, and forced her to comply when she resisted his advances. After the incident, Guillerma was afraid to disclose what had happened until her physical condition prompted her father to confront her about her changed appearance, ultimately leading to her revelation of the sexual assault to her parents.
Accused's Defense
Federico Rosario’s defense rested on an alibi and a complete denial of the accusations. He claimed that he was attending to a medical emergency involving a neighbor's mother at the time of the alleged rape, stating that he was engaged in providing treatment and was not present at the scene of the crime during the timeframe in question.
Judicial Evaluation of Testimonies
The court highlighted the intrinsically difficult nature of rape cases, which often depend on the credibility of the complainant’s testimony. It recognized that due to the stark contrast in testimonies between the complainant and the accused, meticulous scrutiny was warranted. The trial court's findings were upheld, emphasizing that Guillerma's testimony was credible despite minor inconsistencies, which the court attributed to the trauma of the event she endured.
Findings on Credibility
The trial court assessed Guillerma's age, background, and character. It determined that she had no plausible motive to fabricate the accusation against Rosario, especially given her status as a young high school student facing a traumatic experience. The prosecution’s argument retained its strength based on Guillerma's apparent sincerity and composure during her testimony, which the court found compelling as she recounted the events surrounding the assault.
Reevaluation of Inconsistencies
Critics of Guillerma’s testimony pointed to inconsistencies regarding the details of the assault. Nevertheless, the court maintained that such in
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Case Background
- The case revolves around the accused-appellant, Federico Rosario, who was charged with the crime of rape against Guillerma Aquino.
- Following a trial, Rosario was convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, required to indemnify the victim in the amount of P30,000.00, and ordered to support her offspring.
- The accused appealed the conviction, claiming the lower court erred in its judgment that he had carnal knowledge of the complainant using intimidation, threats, force, and violence.
Facts of the Case
- On October 26, 1979, at approximately 12:00 noon, 17-year-old Guillerma Aquino was walking home after classes and felt the need to urinate.
- She stopped by the house of her sister, Marina Aquino, where she entered through the back door since the front door was locked.
- While in the windowless comfort room, she encountered the accused, who threatened her with a bolo and covered her mouth to prevent her from shouting.
- Despite her resistance, the accused overpowered her, causing her to lose consciousness after being punched in the stomach.
- Upon regaining consciousness, Guillerma discovered she had been sexually assaulted, experiencing pain and bleeding from her private parts.
- The accused threatened her not to disclose the incident, instilling fear for her life and her family’s safety.
- Guillerma did not report the i