G.R. No. 109763 February 24, 1998
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. CANDELARIO IBALANG alias “TATA,” accused-appellant.

FACTS

Accused-appellant Candelario Ibalang is the stepfather of complainant Leizel Morales, the daughter of his wife Rosita Loyong from a previous marriage. Leizel lived with them in Araibo, Pantukan, Davao del Norte. On June 26, 1990, Leizel was medically examined and found to have a fresh hymenal laceration and hyperemia. In a sworn statement dated July 4, 1990, she narrated that she was raped by her stepfather on June 23, 1990, at around midnight, and again on June 24, 1990, at around 8:00 AM, inside their house. She testified that on the first instance, while she and her siblings were asleep and her mother was away, accused-appellant removed her panties, placed himself on top of her, and inserted his penis into her vagina despite her pleas and resistance, causing her vagina to bleed. The following morning, while she was washing dishes, he called her into a room, embraced her, removed her panty, pushed her to lie down, and again had sexual intercourse with her against her will. She reported the incidents to her aunt, Baby Morales, and was later accompanied to the barangay captain, her uncle, and the provincial hospital for examination. The prosecution presented corroborating testimonies from her uncle Remegio Morales and aunt Floresfina Morales-Toong, and the medical findings of Dr. Agnes Quibod. The defense presented accused-appellant, who denied the accusations, claiming Leizel had left their house on June 22 and he only learned of the rape charge after his arrest. He asserted his good moral character, supported by testimonies from two Iglesia ni Kristo members, and suggested the complaint was motivated by his wife’s relatives who were against their marriage due to property concerns. The trial court convicted accused-appellant of two counts of rape.

ISSUE

The main issue is whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that accused-appellant Candelario Ibalang committed rape against his stepdaughter Leizel Morales on June 23 and 24, 1990.

RULING

The Supreme Court AFFIRMED the decision of the trial court, finding accused-appellant guilty of two counts of rape and sentencing him to two counts of reclusion perpetua and ordering him to pay moral damages. The Court held that the complainant’s testimony was credible, straightforward, and consistent. The medical certificate corroborated her claim of recent sexual intercourse. The Court rejected the defense’s denial and alibi, noting that the complainant, a child of tender years, had no motive to falsely accuse her stepfather who supported her. The defense’s claim of ill-motive from relatives was deemed insufficient to undermine her credible testimony. The Court emphasized that the testimonies of young rape victims are credible, especially when corroborated by physical evidence and when no improper motive is shown.