623 Phil. 745
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.:
That on or about 11:00 in the evening of August 21, 1997, at Purok 1-A, Brgy. San Roque, Mercedes, Camarines Norte, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused motivated by bestial lust, and by means of force and intimidation, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously, had carnal knowledge on one [AAA], a minor, 15 years of age, against her will, to her damage and prejudice.
That the crime was committed with the aggravating circumstance of nocturnity and that it was committed in the dwelling of the offended party, the latter not having given provocation thereon.
In August 1997, fifteen year old student [AAA] was renting a room in a boarding house at Purok 1-A, Barangay San Roque, Mercedes, Camarines Norte. In the night of 21 August 1997, [AAA] was roused from her sleep by accused-appellant who was on top of her and in the act of removing her shirt. Accused-appellant who was already naked from the waist down, pressed on [AAA] keeping the latter's hands crossed on her chest and lowered her loose garter shorts and panty down to her knees. He then inserted his penis inside [AAA]'s private part and made pumping motions causing unbearable pain to the poor teenager. All this time, [AAA] pushed her attacker away but her efforts proved futile for accused-appellant was quite heavy for the fifteen year old. Accused-appellant's push and pull motion lasted for about five minutes. After satisfying his lust and before leaving, accused-appellant talking slowly threatened [AAA] not to report what happened or he would kill her and the latter's parents. After that and while still hurting from the pain in her private part, [AAA] fixed her disheveled self and retreated to one side of her room crying. That night she couldn't bring herself to sleep. Still shaken, [AAA] stayed in her room the next morning. At 10:00 o'clock the following morning, [AAA]`s mother arrived. She wasted no time and reported the incident to her mother. Accompanied by their neighbor Tiang Azon, [AAA] went to Bombo Radio the next day to request for assistance. On 24 August 1997, [AAA] and her mother went to the police. Assisted by her mother, [AAA] executed a sworn statement narrating the incident. The following day, they went to the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital for medical examination. The Medico-Legal Officer, Dr. Marcelito Abas, conducted the medical examination and made the following findings:"GENITAL EXAMINATION:
= Healed hymenal laceration at 3-7-9-12 o'clock;
=Vagina admits one (1) finger easily"
For his defense, 25-year old accused-appellant claimed that he and [AAA] were lovers. According to him, [AAA] was introduced to him by a cousin of the former sometime in June 1996. Thereafter, accused-appellant courted her for two days before winning her heart. Then, he left for Sariaya, Quezon for a year. When he returned to Camarines Norte, he courted [AAA] again. Again, [AAA] "answered" him. Thereafter, accused-appellant would frequent the boarding house of [AAA] every afternoon. Sometimes, he would go there at night. Still according to accused-appellant, they had gone out on dates and had sexual intercourse with [AAA] before the complained incident. On that fateful night of 21 August 1997, accused-appellant admitted that he was at the boarding house of [AAA] with two of the latter's classmates. Shortly thereafter, the classmates asked permission to leave and accused-appellant was left in the boarding house with [AAA]. Accused-appellant claimed that they subsequently had sex.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, having found the accused Ricardo Grande alias "Ricardo Sayno" guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of Rape, he is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua and to pay the offended party the amount of P50,000.00, as damages.The case was directly elevated to this Court for automatic review. However, in a Resolution[7] dated December 6, 2004, and pursuant to our ruling in People v. Mateo,[8] the case was transferred to the CA.
SO ORDERED.
WHEREFORE, the decision of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 38, Daet, Camarines Norte, Criminal Case No. 9165 is hereby AFFIRMED. Accused-appellant Ricardo Grande alias "Ricardo Sayno" is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of simple rape and is sentenced to reclusion perpetua. Accused-appellant is ordered to pay the victim, [AAA], P50,000.00 as civil indemnity and P50,000.00 as moral damages.
SO ORDERED.
x x x First, the prosecution has to show the guilt of the accused by proof beyond reasonable doubt or that degree of proof that, to an unprejudiced mind, produces conviction. Second, the evidence for the prosecution must stand or fall on its own merits and cannot draw strength from the weakness of the evidence of the defense. Third, unless there are special reasons, the findings of trial courts, especially regarding the credibility of witnesses, are entitled to great respect and will not be disturbed on appeal. Fourth, an accusation for rape can be made with facility; it is difficult to prove but more difficult for the person accused, though innocent, to disprove; and Fifth, in view of the intrinsic nature of the crime of rape where only two persons are usually involved, the testimony of the complainant must be scrutinized with extreme caution.
Art. 335. When and how rape is committed. --- Rape is committed by having carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following circumstances:
- By using force or intimidation;
- When the woman is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious; and
- When the woman is under twelve years of age or is demented.
The "sweetheart defense" is a much-abused defense that rashly derides the intelligence of the Court and sorely tests its patience. Being an affirmative defense, it must be established with convincing evidence - by some documentary and/or other evidence like mementos, love letters, notes, pictures and the like. Likewise, the "sweetheart theory" appellant proffers is effectively an admission of carnal knowledge of the victim and consequently places on him the burden of proving the supposed relationship by substantial evidence. To be worthy of judicial acceptance, such a defense should be supported by documentary, testimonial or other evidence. x x x
x x x [T]he accused's allegation of an amorous relationship with the private complainant is unworthy of credence. It must be noted that [AAA] was a girl of fifteen and a barrio lass, while accused [was] in his twenties at the time of the incident. Other than [accused's] self-serving testimony, no other evidence, like love letters, mementos or pictures were presented to prove his alleged relationship with [AAA]. x x x Neither was there any corroborative testimony supporting this alleged voluntary amorous liaison. In fact, [AAA] never mentioned that they were even friends. x x x This is not even a case of consenting adults for the victim was only fifteen years old at the time she was raped by the accused. Moreover, there was no evidence whatsoever of any romantic relationship between them.
[Direct Examination]
FISCAL FERRER:
Q - Prior to August 21, 1997, was there an occasion that you were able to see this Ricardo Grande alias Ricardo Sayno in the vicinity of your boarding house in Mercedes?
WITNESS:
A - Yes, Sir.
FISCAL FERRER:
Q - And how often do you see him?
A - Every time he pass (sic) by the house, Sir
Q - At the time that you always see him, do you know that his name is Ricardo Grande before the incident?
A - No, Sir.
Q - Is Ricardo Grande, the accused here, a suitor of yours?
A - No, Sir.
FISCAL FERRER:
Q - Do you have any relationship with the accused Ricardo Grande?
WITNESS:
A - None, Sir.[18]
[Cross-Examination]
Q - Could you now tell this Honorable Court if you had a relation with the accused?
A - We have no relation, sir.
Q - How long have you known the accused?
A - When I transferred to the boarding house.
ATTY. BUQUE:
Q - But you know this accused has an alias Ricardo Sayno, am I correct?
A - No Sir, only from Information.
Q - Did he court you?
A - No, Sir.
Q - Did you court him?
A - No, sir.[19]
x x x the sweetheart defense is considered an uncommonly weak defense because its presence does not automatically negate the commission of rape. The gravamen of the crime is sexual congress of a man with a woman without her consent. Hence, notwithstanding the existence of a romantic relationship, a woman cannot be forced to engage in sexual intercourse against her will. (Emphasis supplied)
[Direct testimony]: Q - What time did you sleep in your boarding house on August 21, 1997? A - 8:00 o'clock in the evening. Q - What time did you wake up? A - 11:00 o'clock in the evening. Q - Why did you wake up at 11:00 o'clock in the evening? WITNESS: A - I was awakened because I noticed that somebody was on top of me and removing my T-shirt. FISCAL FERRER: Q - Did you recognize this person who was on top of you when you woke up? A - I recognized him because it was bright that night and I recognized his face. Q - And you were able to see his face and you were able to recognize him? A - Yes, sir. Q - And if that person whom you saw on top of you when you woke up on August 21, 1997 in the evening is here in Court, will you be able to recognize him? A - Yes, sir. Q - Please point him out if he is inside the courtroom A - That man. (Witness touched the shoulder of the accused who gave his name as Ricardo Grande). FISCAL FERRER: Q - And you are very sure that this is the person who was on top of you on August 21, 1997 at 11:00 o'clock in the evening whom you identified as Ricardo Grande alias Ricardo Sayno? WITNESS: A - Yes, sir. FISCAL FERRER: Q - You said that you were awakened because somebody was on top of you, will you describe before this Honorable Court the position of that somebody who was on top of you? A - While I was lying on that evening of August 21, 1997, I noticed somebody was on top of me and was trying to remove my T-shirt. I was pushing him and he pressed on my breast that I could hardly breath. FISCAL FERRER: Q - What else did the accused do while he was on top of you? WITNESS: A - He was forcibly trying to remove my T-shirt and he tried to insert his penis into my vagina. x x x FISCAL FERRER: Q - By the way Miss Witness, when you noticed that the accused was already on top of you half-naked waist down, what did you do if any? WITNESS: A - I was struggling and pushing him. FISCAL FERRER: Q - Were you able to push him away from you? A - No, Sir, because he was heavy. Q - Were you able to shout for help? A - No, Sir, because I was afraid. Q - And you said that he was trying to insert his penis into your vagina, is that correct? A - Yes, Sir. Q - Did (sic) the accused able to insert his penis into your vagina? A - Yes, sir. Q - How did the accused able to (sic) insert his penis into your vagina? A - I noticed that he was making a push and pull movement of his buttocks. Q - When you said that he was making a push and pull movement, where was his penis already? A - Inside my vagina. Q - And what did you feel when the penis of the accused was inside your vagina or what did you feel when the penis of the accused entered your vagina? A - It was painful. Q - How painful was it? A - It was very painful and I could hardly bear it. Q - What did you feel when the accused was pumping his penis into your vagina on (sic) push and pull movement? A - I became weak and afraid. Q - Why were you afraid? A - Because he might kill me, Sir while he was doing that. x x x Q - Did you desist his (sic) abuses made by the accused? A - Yes, Sir. Q - In what way or in what manner? A - I was just pushing him, Sir. Q - Were you able to push him away? A - No, sir, because he was heavy. [22] [Cross-Examination] ATTY. BUQUE: Q - In your sworn statement during the preliminary investigation and during your investigation at the Mercedes Police Station you are consistent that the accused was not armed on that night of August 21? WITNESS: A - He was not armed. x x x ATTY. BUQUE: Q - Ms. Witness, the fact that the accused Ricardo Grande was not armed (sic) you did not put up a struggle? x x x WITNESS: A - I put up a fight, sir. ATTY. BUQUE: Q - What kind of fight was that? A - I was pushing him. Q - And you did not push him because as per your testimony he was too heavy? FISCAL FERRER: We will object to that. She pushed him but she was not able to completely free herself from the accused because the accused while on top of her was too heavy. x x x ATTY. BUQUE: Q - But you were successful in freeing yourself from him? WITNESS: A - Yes, Sir. Q - Did you try to punch him or scratch his face? A - No, Sir, because my hands were crossed on top of my breast and he was lying on my arm.[23]
"GENITAL EXAMINATION:
= Healed hymenal laceration at 3-7-9-12 o'clock;
=Vagina admits one (1) finger easily"
x x x The trial judge enjoys the advantage of observing the witness' deportment and manner of testifying, her "furtive glance, blush of conscious shame, hesitation, flippant or sneering tone, calmness, sigh, or the scant or full realization of an oath" - all of which are useful aids for an accurate determination of a witness' honesty and sincerity. The trial judge, therefore, can better determine if such witnesses were telling the truth, being in the ideal position to weigh conflicting testimonies. Unless certain facts of substance and value were overlooked which, if considered, might affect the result of the case, its assessment must be respected for it had the opportunity to observe the conduct and demeanor of the witnesses while testifying and detect if they are lying. The rule finds an even more stringent application where the said findings are sustained by the Court of Appeals.[26]
x x x it is settled that no woman, least of all a child, would concoct a story of defloration, allow an examination of her private parts and subject herself to public trial or ridicule if she has not, in truth, been a victim of rape and impelled to seek justice for the wrong done to her. Testimonies of child-victims are given full faith and credit, since when a girl says she has been raped, she says in effect all that is necessary to show that rape was indeed committed. Youth and immaturity are generally badges of truth and sincerity. It is also an accepted doctrine that in the absence of evidence of improper motive on the part of the victim to falsely testify against the accused, her testimony deserves credence.