G.R. No. 72786 -88 June 22, 1992
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Florencio Telio, accused-appellant.

FACTS

The accused-appellant, Florencio Telio, was charged with three counts of rape committed against his thirteen-year-old daughter, Jenny Telio. The first rape occurred on May 12, 1984, in their house, where he forced her to remove her clothes and deflowered her while she was washing dishes. The second rape happened on June 4, 1984, under similar circumstances. The third rape was on June 11, 1984, during which he boxed her in the thigh and pointed a knife at her, repeating his threat to kill her mother if she complained. Jenny initially did not report the incidents due to these threats. However, after the third rape, she confided in a neighbor, Erlinda Morales, who advised her to tell her mother. Jenny’s mother, Erlinda Telio, upon learning of the rapes, reported the incidents to the police. Jenny executed a sworn statement, and the accused-appellant was arrested and signed a sworn confession. A medical examination confirmed Jenny was in a “non-virgin state.” The accused-appellant challenged his confession as coerced and pleaded alibi, claiming he was working in Marikina during the first two incidents and was at home with only his son during the third. He also suggested the charges were concocted by his wife due to his infidelity.

ISSUE

Whether the accused-appellant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape.

RULING

Yes, the accused-appellant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Regional Trial Court convicting Florencio Telio of three counts of rape and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua for each count, with an order to pay P50,000.00 moral damages. The Court upheld the trial court’s assessment of the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, particularly Jenny Telio, whose testimony was found sincere, straightforward, and natural. The defense of alibi was deemed inherently weak and unpersuasive due to lack of corroboration and failure to prove the impossibility of committing the crimes. The claim that the charges were fabricated due to marital infidelity was rejected as unnatural and ridiculous. The Court emphasized the repulsive nature of the crime, especially as it involved incest, and relied on the victim’s credible testimony over the accused’s weak defenses.