G.R. No. 103633 October 13, 1993
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Melchor Cruz, accused-appellant.

FACTS

The accused-appellant, Melchor Cruz, was convicted of rape by the trial court and sentenced to reclusion perpetua. The prosecution’s evidence, as summarized by the Solicitor General, stated that on December 2, 1978, the 14-year-old complainant Rosalie Beltran was alone in her room when Cruz, employed by her mother as a shoemaker, entered holding a pentel pen. He embraced her, covered her mouth, removed her shorts, gave her a fistblow on the stomach, forced her to lie down, and had sexual intercourse with her. He threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She reported the incident a week later to her grandmother and then to her mother, Leonida Beltran. A medical examination at the NBI revealed a hymenal orifice wide enough to admit a male organ without producing laceration, consistent with prior penetration. The defense presented a different version, claiming Cruz and Rosalie were sweethearts and that sexual intercourse was consensual. In support, the defense presented two love letters dated January 20, 1977, and February 10, 1977, written by Rosalie to Cruz, which her mother, Leonida Beltran, affirmed were in her daughter’s handwriting. Leonida Beltran also testified she was no longer interested in prosecuting the case. The trial court rejected the defense and convicted Cruz.

ISSUE

1. Whether the trial court erred in convicting the accused when the complainant and the accused were sweethearts and there was no rape committed.
2. Whether the trial court erred in giving credit to the prosecution evidence as the alleged rape was impossible to happen.

RULING

The Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision and acquitted the accused-appellant. The Court found merit in the accused’s allegations. The love letters presented, authenticated by the complainant’s mother, established a prior romantic relationship between Cruz and Rosalie, which cast doubt on the claim of forcible intercourse. The mother’s testimony that she was no longer interested in pursuing the case further undermined the prosecution’s narrative. The Court also noted inconsistencies in Rosalie’s testimony regarding the details of the alleged rape, such as how she was forced down and her resistance. The medical findings, while indicating prior sexual experience, were not conclusive of rape and were consistent with consensual intercourse. The totality of the evidence created reasonable doubt as to the accused’s guilt. Therefore, his acquittal was ordered.