G.R. No. 140995 ; August 30, 2001
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. DANILO REGALA Y MANUOD, accused-appellant.

FACTS

Accused-appellant Danilo Regala, a 52-year-old dental technician, was charged with rape. The victim, Sarah Jane Villaluz, was a 16-year-old high school student. On February 17, 1997, she and a friend went to accused-appellant’s clinic to order dental retainers. Sarah Jane returned alone the next day, February 18, 1997, to get her retainers. Accused-appellant approached her, poked a kitchen knife at her, dragged her into a room, pushed her onto a bed, undressed her, and had sexual intercourse with her despite her resistance. He threatened to kill her and her family if she refused or reported the incident. The following day, Sarah Jane reported the assault to the barangay with the help of a helper from accused-appellant’s house. A medico-legal examination by the NBI showed her hymen was intact but distensible. Accused-appellant denied the rape, claiming the act was consensual and that Sarah Jane filed charges because he refused to give her retainers without payment. The trial court found him guilty of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua and ordered him to pay P75,000.00 in moral damages.

ISSUE

1. Whether the trial court erred in finding the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
2. Whether the decision of the trial court failed to state the facts and the law upon which it was based.

RULING

The Supreme Court AFFIRMED the conviction with MODIFICATION. The Court held that the trial court did not err in finding accused-appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The lack of violent resistance by the victim does not negate rape, as intimidation was present due to the circumstances: the incident occurred inside accused-appellant’s house/clinic, he exercised moral ascendancy over the victim due to age and their professional relationship, and he threatened to kill her and her family. The intact hymen does not disprove sexual intercourse, as jurisprudence recognizes that the slightest introduction of the male organ constitutes rape. The testimony of the victim was credible, natural, and consistent, and minor inconsistencies in her testimony regarding dates and details do not undermine her credibility. The alleged motive of vengeance over unpaid retainers was deemed incredible. The award of moral damages was reduced from P75,000.00 to P50,000.00 in line with prevailing jurisprudence. Additionally, accused-appellant was ordered to pay P50,000.00 as civil indemnity. The decision of the trial court sufficiently stated the facts and the law.