G.R. No. 110974 -81 June 17, 1997
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. DANTE MANANSALA Y MANALANSANG, accused-appellant.

FACTS

Accused-appellant Dante Manansala was charged with eight counts of rape against his 14-year-old daughter, Jennifer Manansala, allegedly committed from November 1 to November 8, 1991. The prosecution’s case relied primarily on Jennifer’s testimony. She initially stated the rapes occurred at a “taho” factory in Tondo, Manila, where her father worked and lived. She described incidents where he would undress her, spit on her vagina, insert his penis, and she would see a white sticky substance. She also testified he gave her money after each act and hit her with a belt when she refused. However, during cross-examination, Jennifer changed her account, stating that only the first rape on November 1 happened in Manila, and the subsequent incidents from November 2 to 8 occurred in Tarlac, where they had gone. She explained she initially claimed all rapes were in Manila due to fear the case would be dismissed for improper venue. Her mother, Teresita Espinocilla, testified that Jennifer reported the rapes on November 14, 1991, after returning from Tarlac, and that she filed a complaint. A medico-legal examination confirmed Jennifer was no longer a virgin. The defense presented accused-appellant, who denied the accusations, claiming he was in Tarlac with Jennifer from October 31 to November 14, 1991, and that the complaint was instigated by his estranged wife due to his refusal to give her money. His testimony was corroborated by his mother and aunt. The Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 9, found him guilty of the rape committed on November 1, 1991, in Manila, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and ordering him to pay P40,000. It dismissed the other seven charges for lack of jurisdiction, finding those rapes occurred in Tarlac.

ISSUE

Whether the accused-appellant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape committed on November 1, 1991.

RULING

The Supreme Court REVERSED the decision of the trial court and ACQUITTED accused-appellant Dante Manansala on the ground of reasonable doubt. The Court found the testimony of the complainant, Jennifer Manansala, to be inconsistent and unreliable. Her contradictory statements regarding the crucial fact of the venue of the alleged rapes—first claiming all occurred in Manila, then recanting and stating most occurred in Tarlac—cast serious doubt on her credibility. The Court held that such a fundamental inconsistency pertaining to an element of the crime (the place of commission, which relates to the court’s jurisdiction and the accused’s defense of alibi) could not be overlooked. The prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Court also noted that the charge was for rape committed “by means of force, violence and intimidation,” and the evidence did not sufficiently establish the element of force or intimidation, nor could the accused be convicted of a different crime like qualified seduction under that information.