GR 37378; (July, 1933) (Digest)
G.R. No. 37378; July 29, 1933
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. PRIMITIVO ESQUILONA, BERNABE ESQUILONA, and JOSE ESQUILONA, defendants-appellants.
FACTS
The appellants were convicted by the Court of First Instance of Masbate for the crime of rape against Marcela Villar. The prosecution’s evidence consisted of the testimony of Marcela, who stated that the appellants, armed with bolos, threatened and forced her to go to a house where Primitivo Esquilona embraced her. This was corroborated by two other witnesses. The defense, presenting eight witnesses against the prosecution’s three, contended that Marcela and Primitivo were sweethearts and that she went to the appellants’ house voluntarily to avoid an arranged marriage with another man.
ISSUE
Whether the guilt of the appellants for the crime of rape has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
RULING
No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and acquitted the appellants. After a careful review, the Court entertained serious doubt as to their guilt, noting the conflicting testimonies, the number of defense witnesses (including three disinterested ones), the appellants’ youth, and the insufficiency of the evidence to justify a prison sentence of over fourteen years. The Court emphasized that a conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, which was not met in this case.
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