G.R. No. 183577 February 1, 2010
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, vs. HILARIO ESCOTON, Appellant.

FACTS

The appellant, Hilario Escoton, was charged with multiple rape against his niece, AAA, who was 10 years old at the time of the incident on May 12, 2001. The Information alleged that the appellant, armed with a sickle, by use of force and intimidation, and taking advantage of his relationship and AAA’s minority, had carnal knowledge of her five times in one evening against her will. The prosecution established AAA’s age through her Certificate of Live Birth and Baptismal Certificate, and the familial relationship. AAA testified that on the evening of May 12, 2001, the appellant woke her and her brother from their grandmother’s house and brought them to his house about 500 meters away. There, he undressed himself and her, made her lie on a bamboo floor, and inserted his penis into her vagina despite her pleas. She felt pain and he ejaculated a warm liquid. He raped her five times that night while her brother lay silently beside her. The next day, she immediately reported the incident to her grandmother and then to the police. A medical examination revealed incomplete healed lacerations on her hymen. The appellant denied the rape, claiming the case was fabricated because of a prior altercation where he pushed AAA for being stubborn and because he had challenged her relatives to a fight.

ISSUE

The central issue is the credibility of the victim’s testimony and whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the appellant for the crime of multiple rape beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the appellant’s conviction for multiple rape. The Court upheld the findings of the trial court and the Court of Appeals, giving the highest respect to the trial court’s assessment of AAA’s credibility. The Court ruled that AAA’s testimony was credible, natural, and consistent. Her immediate reporting of the incident and submission to a medical examination strengthened her credibility. The medical findings, though negative for spermatozoa, corroborated her claim of recent sexual intercourse due to the hymenal lacerations. The Court emphasized that the testimony of a rape victim, especially one of tender age, is given full weight and credence. The appellant’s denial and imputation of ill motive were insufficient to overcome the positive identification and detailed testimony of the victim. The qualifying circumstances of minority (AAA was under 18) and relationship (appellant is an uncle within the third civil degree) were duly proven. However, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9346 , the penalty of death imposed by the trial court was reduced to reclusion perpetua. The Court affirmed the award of civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages, with the modification that the amounts be paid for each count of rape, totaling ₱75,000.00 as civil indemnity, ₱75,000.00 as moral damages, and ₱75,000.00 as exemplary damages.