G.R. No. 122453. July 28, 1999.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. HENRY REYES y BENITEZ, accused-appellant.

FACTS

An information was filed on April 23, 1993, accusing Henry Reyes y Benitez of raping Annalee Auque y Ocalinas on or about April 22, 1993, in Manila, by means of force or intimidation. Both the complainant and the accused-appellant lived in the same house owned by Dr. Jose Mañalac and Mrs. Amelia Mañalac, with the complainant working as a housemaid and the accused-appellant treated as a son.
On the night of April 21, 1993, the complainant, accused-appellant, and another housemaid, Lucia Arquniolo (“Eyet”), were drinking beer in the maids’ room. The complainant noticed white particles in her glass. After feeling dizzy, she went to the comfort room. A power interruption occurred, and the accused-appellant allegedly blocked her way, held her hand, and pinned her against the door, after which she lost consciousness. She regained consciousness in accused-appellant’s room, lying on his bed with him sitting beside her. Assisted by Eyet, she returned to her room and later discovered her underwear was drenched in blood. She reported the rape to her sister, Chona Cordero, and was brought to the Philippine General Hospital and then the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for examination.
The NBI medico-legal report showed genital findings compatible with recent sexual intercourse. The complainant exhibited signs of mental instability following the incident. The defense presented a different version, with witnesses Mila Orias and Eyet stating they found the complainant lying on accused-appellant’s bed but everything appeared normal, and the complainant asked them not to tell their employer. The accused-appellant testified that he was asleep when he found the complainant in his room and that she refused to leave.
The Regional Trial Court found the accused-appellant guilty of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, with damages. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court.

ISSUE

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

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction with modification. The Court found the complainant’s testimony credible, straightforward, and consistent. Her immediate report of the rape to her sister and the subsequent medical findings corroborated her account. The defense’s claim that the complainant voluntarily went to accused-appellant’s room was deemed implausible and contrary to human experience, considering her mental state and the physical evidence. The Court upheld the trial court’s assessment of credibility.
The decision of the Regional Trial Court was AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that accused-appellant shall indemnify complainant Annalee Auque y Ocalinas in the amount of P50,000.00 as civil indemnity ex delicto and P50,000.00 as moral damages. Costs were imposed against accused-appellant.