GR 210752; (August, 2016) (Digest)
G.R. No. 210752 , August 17, 2016
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Eddie Regalado, Accused-Appellant.
FACTS
Accused-appellant Eddie Regalado was charged with three counts of Statutory Rape. The Informations alleged that in June and October 2007, in Iriga City, he had carnal knowledge of AAA, a 10-year-old minor, through force, threat, and intimidation. The prosecution established that AAA was raped repeatedly at a pansitan in the public market during noontime in June 2007, with the last incident on October 1, 2007. AAA testified that accused-appellant would undress her, lock the door, insert his penis into her vagina, and afterward give her money and threaten to kill her if she told anyone. Out of fear, she initially kept silent but later disclosed the incidents to her teacher, CCC, who informed her guardian, BBB. AAA was examined by Dr. Angelo Agudo, who found healed superficial lacerations on her hymen compatible with sexual assault. The defense presented denial and alibi, claiming accused-appellant was working at a piggery and could not have left, and presented the owner of the pansitan, who testified it was only open on Sundays. The Regional Trial Court convicted accused-appellant of three counts of Statutory Rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua for each count, with damages. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction with modification, adding civil indemnity.
ISSUE
Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming accused-appellant’s conviction for three counts of Statutory Rape.
RULING
The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals. The essential elements of Statutory Rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, are: (1) the victim is a female under 12 years of age, and (2) the offender has carnal knowledge of the victim. Both elements were proven beyond reasonable doubt. AAA’s birth certificate and the stipulation of facts established she was under 12. AAA’s credible, positive, and categorical testimony, corroborated by medical findings, proved carnal knowledge. The Court upheld the assessment of AAA’s testimony, noting that testimonies of child-victims are given full weight. The defenses of denial and alibi were rejected for being weak and uncorroborated. The Court modified the damages in line with prevailing jurisprudence, awarding for each count of rape: ₱75,000.00 as civil indemnity, ₱75,000.00 as moral damages, and ₱75,000.00 as exemplary damages, all with legal interest until fully paid.