G.R. No. L-2853
FACTS:
The defendant-appellant, Melecio Flores, was convicted of rape. The conviction rested primarily on the testimony of the complainant herself. The two other prosecution witnesses provided corroboration only on minor and undisputed points. The accused contradicted the complainant’s account, and her testimony was found to be inconsistent in its details.
ISSUE:
Whether the complainant’s uncorroborated and inconsistent testimony is sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
RULING:
No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and ordered the dismissal of the complaint. Citing precedents (U.S. vs. Mamintud and U.S. vs. Dacotan), the Court held that in rape cases, the evidence of the complainant must be clear and corroborated to justify a conviction. The testimony in this case, being uncorroborated on material points and inconsistent, failed to meet the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant was ordered discharged with costs de oficio.