G.R. Nos. 129292-93; June 20, 2001
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ARLENGEN DEGALA, accused-appellant.

FACTS

Accused-appellant Arlengen Degala was convicted by the Regional Trial Court of Koronadal, South Cotabato, for two counts of rape committed against his minor daughter, Hailyn Degala, in March 1988 and on December 6, 1992. Hailyn, born on August 3, 1977, was 10 years and 7 months old during the first incident. The family lived in Tubing, Tupi, South Cotabato. On the night of the first rape in March 1988, while Hailyn’s mother was away working, the accused, wearing only his brief, broke into the room where Hailyn and her younger sisters were sleeping. He touched and mashed her breast, removed her panty, caressed and kissed her, and despite her resistance, succeeded in having carnal knowledge of her. The rape was repeated multiple times over four years, estimated at twenty instances. The last incident occurred on December 6, 1992, when the accused ordered Hailyn’s siblings to go to their grandparents’ house and then forced himself on her, boxing her in the epigastric region. On December 10, 1992, after learning the accused had attempted to rape her aunt, Hailyn revealed the rapes to her mother, Heidi. Her sisters, Helen and Harlyn, also made similar revelations. The accused denied the charges and left when threatened with police action. Hailyn, accompanied by her aunt Nelida Ladrillo, was medically examined on December 14, 1992, by Dr. Apolinar Hatulan, who found healed lacerations on her genitalia consistent with sexual molestation. Hailyn executed a sworn statement accusing her father. While her sisters eventually desisted from prosecution, Hailyn pursued the cases. The defense, anchored on denial, presented witnesses claiming Hailyn was disrespectful, was caught having sexual intercourse with a boyfriend on December 6, 1992, and fabricated the rape charges due to a grudge from beatings by the accused. They also alleged Nelida bore a grudge against the accused and coerced the complaints.

ISSUE

Whether or not the accused-appellant’s guilt was established beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

Yes, the accused-appellant’s guilt was established beyond reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision with modification. The lone testimony of the rape victim, if credible, is sufficient to sustain a conviction. The Court found Hailyn’s testimony to be credible, detailed, straightforward, and indicative of a true personal ordeal, noting her shame while testifying. The defense of denial and imputation of ill motive were deemed weak and insufficient to overcome the positive testimony. The medical findings of healed lacerations corroborated her claim. The Court modified the damages awarded. In each criminal case, accused-appellant is ordered to pay Hailyn Degala P50,000.00 as civil indemnity, P50,000.00 as moral damages, and P50,000.00 as exemplary damages. The penalty of reclusion perpetua for each count was affirmed.