GR 270317; (October, 2024) (Digest)
G.R. No. 270317 , October 23, 2024
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. XXX270317, Accused-Appellant.
FACTS
Two Informations were initially filed against accused-appellant XXX270317 on March 10, 2015, charging him with acts of lasciviousness against his 10-year-old daughter AAA270317 (Criminal Case No. 19564) and rape by sexual assault (anal rape) against his 8-year-old daughter BBB270317 (Criminal Case No. 19565), both alleged to have occurred on March 6, 2015. He pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, on June 15, 2015, six more Informations were filed charging him with: five counts of rape by sexual assault (involving digital and penile-anal penetration) against AAA270317 and BBB270317 for incidents in 2013 and 2014; and one count of statutory rape (carnal knowledge) against AAA270317 in 2013. He pleaded not guilty to these as well. The prosecution presented the testimonies of the victims, AAA270317 and BBB270317, who detailed multiple instances of sexual abuse by their father in various locations. Their teacher, CCC270317, testified that AAA270317 confided the abuse to her, leading to the report. The defense presented only XXX270317, who denied the charges. The Regional Trial Court found him guilty of all charges, a decision affirmed by the Court of Appeals.
ISSUE
Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the conviction of accused-appellant XXX270317 for the crimes charged.
RULING
The Supreme Court denied the appeal and affirmed the convictions with modifications to the penalties and awards of damages. The Court found the testimonies of the minor victims, AAA270317 and BBB270317, to be credible, consistent, and sufficient to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. The defense of denial could not prevail over their positive and categorical declarations. The crimes were proven as follows:
1. For Criminal Case No. 19910 (Statutory Rape under Article 266-A(1)(d) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610 ): The accused was found guilty of statutory rape for having carnal knowledge of his 9-year-old daughter, AAA270317. The penalty was reduced to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole, in accordance with R.A. No. 9346 .
2. For six counts of Rape by Sexual Assault under Article 266-A(2) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610 (Criminal Case Nos. 19565, 19908, 19909, 19911, 19912, and 19913): The accused was found guilty of sexually assaulting his daughters through acts of digital and penile-anal penetration. The proper penalty for each count is reclusion perpetua.
3. For one count of Acts of Lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610 (Criminal Case No. 19564): The accused was found guilty for touching the breast and vagina of his 10-year-old daughter, AAA270317. The proper penalty is reclusion perpetua.
The Court awarded civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages for each count of rape and acts of lasciviousness. It also imposed a fine for each violation of R.A. No. 7610 , to be administered as a cash fund for the rehabilitation of the victims, with legal interest on all monetary awards.