G.R. No. 130961 October 13, 1999
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. BOBBY AGUNOS, accused-appellant.

FACTS

On the evening of May 8, 1995, complainant Maricris B. Reyes was sleeping in her house in Lacab, Jones, Isabela, with her two young children. Her husband and brother were away at a polling place. At around 2:00 AM on May 9, a man, whom she initially thought was her husband, lay beside her, kissed her, and inserted three fingers into her vagina. When she shone a flashlight on him, she recognized her neighbor and nephew, accused-appellant Bobby Agunos. He threatened to box and stab her if she shouted. He then pulled her from the bed to the floor, again placed his finger in her vagina, and later, after she attended to her awakened son, pulled her down again, ripped her shorts and panty, forced her legs apart, and inserted his penis into her vagina while pinning her arm. He ejaculated between her thighs after she struggled. He warned her not to tell anyone and then left. She wiped the semen with her torn underwear. She later disclosed the incident to her sister-in-law and, after initial hesitation and partial disclosures to her husband and mother-in-law due to fear, reported it to the Barangay Captain on May 12 and eventually to the PNP on May 25. An information for rape was filed against Agunos. The accused-appellant pleaded not guilty and presented an alibi, claiming he was guarding a polling place and was seen sleeping under a mango tree at the time of the incident, which was corroborated by his aunt, Ofelia Hequilan. The Regional Trial Court found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua and to pay moral damages.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court erred in giving credence to the complainant’s testimony and in finding accused-appellant guilty of rape beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision with modification. The Court held that the complainant’s testimony was credible and sufficient to establish the crime of rape. It emphasized that when a woman says she has been raped, she says all that is necessary to show it, and her testimony alone can suffice if credible. The Court found no material contradictions in her testimony, noting that her initial hesitation to disclose full details was due to fear and the accused’s threats, which is common among rape victims. The absence of a medico-legal report and the non-presentation of the semen-stained underwear did not weaken the case, as her clear and consistent testimony was credible. The defense of alibi was rejected for being weak and not physically impossible. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed. The Court modified the damages, ordering accused-appellant to pay the complainant P50,000.00 as moral damages and an additional P50,000.00 as civil indemnity.