GR L 39152; (January, 1983) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-39152 January 28, 1983
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. LEONARDO CASTILLO Y CENIDO, accused-appellant.
FACTS
On the evening of February 15, 1971, the victim, Victoria Estrella, was sent on an errand by her father in Cardona, Rizal. She was accosted by the accused, Leonardo Castillo, who asked for directions. Under the pretense of needing to see her father, he convinced her to board a bus. He then forcibly took her to a secluded area in Barrio Mambog, Binangonan. There, he threatened her, forced her to lie down, kissed her, and committed lascivious acts, including urinating in her mouth. Medical examination later revealed a lacerated hymen and other genital injuries consistent with sexual intercourse.
The victim reported the incident immediately. The accused was later arrested in connection with a separate rape case. The victim positively identified him in a police line-up of twelve detainees. The accused interposed the defense of alibi, claiming he was on vacation in El Monteverde Subdivision in Binangonan at the time of the incident.
ISSUE
Whether the accused’s guilt for the crime of rape was proven beyond reasonable doubt.
RULING
Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The Court found the victim’s testimony credible, straightforward, and consistent with the medical findings, which corroborated that sexual intercourse and penetration had occurred. Her positive identification of the accused in a fair line-up was decisive. The defense of alibi was inherently weak and could not prevail over the victim’s positive identification. For alibi to succeed, the accused must demonstrate it was physically impossible for him to be at the crime scene. The Court noted that El Monteverde Subdivision is within Binangonan, the very municipality where the crime was committed, thus not precluding his presence at the locus criminis. Furthermore, his arrest for a similar offense and the victim’s ability to identify him shortly after the incident bolstered the prosecution’s case. The trial court’s assessment of witness credibility is accorded great respect. The judgment of the Court of First Instance imposing reclusion perpetua and moral damages was affirmed in toto.