G.R. No. 134194 . October 26, 1999.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. WILSON BATOON, accused-appellant.

FACTS

On February 19, 1996, the Regional Trial Court of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, found accused-appellant Wilson Baton guilty of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, with damages. The information alleged that on the night of November 8, 1993, in Namillangan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, the accused, taking advantage of the absence of his wife and his being the stepfather of the victim, used force to have sexual intercourse with Regina P. Olarte against her will. On that night, Regina was sleeping in her room; her mother was in Manila. Around midnight, she was awakened when the light went off, saw a shadow, and felt Wilson’s hand on her mouth. Despite her struggles, he tied her hands and mouth with cloth, removed her skirt and panty, and had sexual intercourse with her. He threatened her not to tell her mother. Regina revealed the rape to her mother in January 1994 and subsequently filed a complaint. The medico-legal report showed healed hymenal lacerations. The defense denied the accusation, claiming Wilson was sleeping with his youngest daughter, while Regina shared a room with his other daughter and his brother-in-law’s family, making the rape impossible without awakening others. He alleged the complaint was instigated by his in-laws and that Regina’s uncle had previously raped her. The trial court found Regina’s testimony credible and convicted Wilson.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court erred in convicting accused-appellant Wilson Baton of rape and in ordering him to pay moral and exemplary damages.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The trial court’s findings on the credibility of the complainant are entitled to the highest respect and were not shown to be flawed. The Court found Regina’s testimony to be clear, candid, and straightforward, detailing the rape and her resistance. The defense of alibi and impossibility due to the presence of others was unavailing, as the accused had moral ascendancy over the victim, and the house’s layout allowed the act to be committed without notice. The delay in reporting the incident was sufficiently explained by the accused’s threats. The medico-legal findings corroborated the fact of sexual intercourse. The award of moral damages was proper due to the psychological trauma, and exemplary damages were warranted due to the accused’s moral ascendancy as a stepfather. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed. The appealed decision was affirmed with the modification that the accused was also ordered to pay P50,000 as civil indemnity.