G.R. No. 105803 October 12, 1993
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Edwin Tayag y Santos, accused-appellant.

FACTS

On September 13, 1991, in barangay del Pilar, Pampanga, 12-year-old Mylene Rueda was sent on an errand to buy banana after dinner. On her way, she passed by the house of the accused, Edwin Tayag, who called her, grabbed her hand, and forced her into a closed store. Inside, Tayag kissed her, mashed her breasts, inserted a finger into her organ, and despite her resistance and attempts to shout (which he prevented by covering her mouth and issuing threats), succeeded in having sexual intercourse with her, causing her pain. Afterward, Tayag left Mylene locked inside the store; she was only able to leave around 2:00 a.m. when the area was quiet. Her father, Romeo Rueda, had searched for her that evening and encountered Tayag twice, who claimed Mylene was not there. Upon her return, Mylene, appearing scared and pale, revealed the rape to her parents. A medical examination by Dr. Maria Luisa D. del Rosario revealed fresh deep lacerations in Mylene’s hymen, consistent with recent sexual penetration, though no spermatozoa were found. The defense presented a different version: Tayag claimed he found Mylene already inside the store, consoled her about family issues, left to play cards, and later slept while she remained, and she left on her own. His mother and aunt testified that Mylene had fallen from a bicycle earlier that day and was accustomed to entering their place. Mylene and her sisters rebutted these claims, denying any maltreatment or bicycle incident.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court erred in convicting accused-appellant Edwin Tayag of rape based on the testimony of the victim, which the defense claims was fraught with serious doubt and incredible, and despite an alleged lack of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction but modified the civil indemnity. The Court found the prosecution’s evidence, particularly the credible and straightforward testimony of the 12-year-old victim, sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The trial court’s assessment of Mylene’s testimony as credible was adopted, noting that a young, innocent girl would not fabricate a tale of defloration and subject herself to the rigors of a public trial without motive. Her detailed account, delivered courageously despite tears, was consistent and bore the earmarks of truth. The medical findings of fresh hymenal lacerations corroborated her claim of recent sexual penetration. In contrast, the defense’s story was deemed contrived and implausible, with improbabilities such as Tayag leaving Mylene alone in a dark room and failing to establish a close relationship that would explain her confiding in him. The Court held that the prosecution successfully discharged its burden of proof. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was upheld, but the civil indemnity was reduced from P100,000.00 to P50,000.00, consistent with awards in similar cases involving a 12-year-old victim.