G.R. No. 170360 March 12, 2009
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Henry Guerrero y Agripa, Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

The accused-appellant, Henry Guerrero y Agripa, was charged with the crime of rape under an Information alleging that on or about May 30, 1998, in Quezon City, by means of force and intimidation, he willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously had carnal knowledge with AAA, a minor 13 years of age, against her will and without her consent. The appellant pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented AAA, who testified that the appellant, a frequent visitor and “kumpadre” of her mother, called her, grabbed her arms, dragged her inside his house, removed her dress and panty, undressed himself, touched her private parts, and inserted his penis into her vagina, causing her pain and bleeding. She reported the incident to her mother, BBB, after her brother informed their mother that AAA had been sleeping in school. BBB then accompanied AAA to the Batasan Police Station to report the rape. SPO4 Susano San Diego and SPO4 Milla Billones testified on the police report and investigation. Dr. Ma. Cristina Freyra, a medico-legal officer, testified that her examination of AAA revealed deep, healed hymenal lacerations at 4 and 9 o’clock positions, concluding that AAA was in a non-virgin state physically. The appellant, as sole defense witness, presented an alibi, claiming he was working as a carpenter at the house of the spouses Felipe from before 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on May 30, 1998. The Regional Trial Court convicted the appellant of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, ordering him to indemnify the offended party ₱50,000.00. The Court of Appeals affirmed the RTC decision with modification, adding an award of ₱50,000.00 as moral damages.

ISSUE

Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused-appellant for the crime of rape beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

The Supreme Court denied the appeal for lack of merit, affirming the decision of the Court of Appeals. The Court held that the prosecution sufficiently proved the appellant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The testimony of AAA was found credible, straightforward, and consistent, positively identifying the appellant as her rapist. Her testimony was corroborated by the medico-legal findings of Dr. Freyra, which indicated deep, healed hymenal lacerations consistent with the insertion of a blunt object into her vagina. The Court emphasized that the trial court’s assessment of witness credibility is accorded great respect, especially when affirmed by the appellate court. The appellant’s defenses of denial and alibi were deemed weak and insufficient to overcome the positive identification and credible testimony of the victim. The Court sustained the penalty of reclusion perpetua and the awards of ₱50,000.00 as civil indemnity and ₱50,000.00 as moral damages.