G.R. No. 250934 , June 16, 2021
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Melford Brillo y De Guzman, Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

On June 17, 2011, Melford Brillo y De Guzman (accused-appellant) was charged with Rape under Article 266-A, paragraph 1(b) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, in relation to Republic Act No. 7610 . The Information alleged that on or about October 1, 2010, accused-appellant, by means of force, intimidation, and by taking advantage of her intoxication, had sexual intercourse with the minor victim “AAA,” then 15 years old, against her will and consent.
The prosecution established that on October 1, 2010, AAA, then 15, accompanied a friend to meet a group of male individuals, including accused-appellant. The group proceeded to a house for a drinking session. AAA was forced to drink liquor, became dizzy, and passed out in a bedroom. She awoke at around 9:00 PM to find herself naked with accused-appellant, also naked, on top of her. Accused-appellant proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. AAA tried to push him away, but he punched her, held her hands, and forced himself on her. Other individuals were present in the room, appearing to take a video with their cellular phones. A medico-legal examination conducted on October 4, 2010, revealed lacerations on AAA’s hymen.
The defense, presented solely by accused-appellant, denied the accusation. He claimed AAA was voluntarily drinking and acting naughtily. He alleged that when he went to retrieve his phone from the room where AAA was sleeping, she suddenly grabbed, kissed, and hugged him. He later claimed to have witnessed another person, GGG, having sexual intercourse with AAA, which he reported to his companions. He accompanied AAA when she left the house.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted accused-appellant of rape, sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, and ordered him to pay civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction with modifications to the awarded damages.

ISSUE

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming accused-appellant’s conviction for rape despite his claims regarding the victim’s credibility and the prosecution’s alleged failure to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

The Supreme Court DENIED the appeal and AFFIRMED the Decision of the Court of Appeals with MODIFICATIONS to the awarded damages. The Court held that the prosecution successfully proved accused-appellant’s guilt for the crime of rape beyond reasonable doubt.
The Court emphasized that the trial court’s assessment of witness credibility is accorded great weight and respect. AAA’s testimony was clear, consistent, and credible. The Court found no ill motive for AAA to falsely accuse accused-appellant, and her willingness to undergo the ordeal of a public trial lent credence to her account. Her testimony was corroborated by the medico-legal findings of recent hymenal lacerations. The defense of denial and alibi could not prevail over AAA’s positive identification and credible testimony. The Court also noted that the victim’s moral character is immaterial in rape cases where, as here, she was deprived of reason or rendered unconscious through intoxication.
The Court modified the damages awarded in line with prevailing jurisprudence. Accused-appellant was ordered to pay AAA the amounts of P100,000.00 as civil indemnity, P100,000.00 as moral damages, and P100,000.00 as exemplary damages. All monetary awards shall earn legal interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the date of finality of the judgment until fully paid.