pp vs biong

7/25/2019 PP VS BIONG

1/26

EN BANC

[G.R. No. 144445-47. April 30, 2003]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. GENARO

IONG,appellant.

! E " I S I O N

PANGANIAN, J.#

Just as the prosecution is still required to present evidence to prove the

guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt despite a guilty plea in a capital

offense, so must the government submit independent evidence to provebeyond reasonable doubt all the elements -- including the qualifying

circumstances -- of the crime of rape despite the appellants admissions during

his testimony or during pretrial.

T$% "&'%

or automatic revie! before this Court is the August "#, $%%% &ecision '"(of

the )egional *rial Court +)*C of Calamba, aguna +Branch / in Criminal

Case Nos. /01/-22-C, /01#-22-C and /011-22-C, convicting 3enaro Biong oft!o +$ counts of qualified rape and sentencing him to death for each

count. *he dispositive portion of the &ecision reads as follo!s4

WHEREFORE, the Court finds accused Genaro Biong:

a. In CC No. 656!""!C, gui#t$ %e$ond reasona%#e dou%t of the cri&e of Ra'e,

defined and 'ena#i(ed under )rt. **5 of the Re+ised ena# Code, as a&ended and is

here%$ sentenced to suffer the death 'ena#t$ and a## its accessor$ 'ena#ties under the

#a- and to inde&nif$ the +icti& the a&ount of 5,///.// '#us */,///.// as &ora#da&ages0 and,

%. In CC No. 65!""!C, gui#t$ %e$ond reasona%#e dou%t of the cri&e of Ra'e defined

and 'ena#i(ed under )rt. **5 of the Re+ised ena# Code, as a&ended and is here%$

sentenced to suffer the death 'ena#t$ and a## its accessor$ 'ena#ties under the #a-0 and
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn1


2/26

to inde&nif$ the +icti& the a&ount of 5,///.// '#us */,///.// as &ora# da&ages0

and,

c1 In CC No. 65!""!C, not gui#t$ for fai#ure of the 'rosecution to 'ro+e the gui#t of

the accused %e$ond reasona%#e dou%t.

2he i&&ediate transfer of the accused to the Nationa# Bi#i%id rison is here%$

ordered.34

*hree + separate 5nformations, all dated April $", "222, charged

appellant as follo!s4

Cri&ina# Case No. 656!""!C

2hat on or a%out Fe%ruar$ 4, "", at Baranga$ 7ingga, 8unici'a#it$ of Ca#a&%a,

ro+ince of 7aguna and -ithin the 9urisdiction of this Honora%#e Court, the a%o+e!

na&ed accused, -ith #e-d de3sign and 3through force and inti&idation and -ith

intent to satisf$ his #ust, did then and there 3-i##fu##$, un#a-fu##$ and fe#onious#$

ha+e carna# no-#edge of his daughter one ;IN) 2. BIONG,3** $ears o#d, against

her -i## and consent.3


3/26

&uring his arraignment on July "2, "222, appellant, !ith the assistance of

his counsel de oficio,'#(pleaded not guilty.'1(After trial on the merits, the )*C

rendered the assailed &ecision.

T$% F&()'

Version of the Prosecution

*he 6ffice of the 7olicitor 3eneral +673 narrates the prosecutions

version of the factual antecedents as follo!s4

In the e+ening of >u#$ , "", thirteen!$ear o#d 3;ina Biong -as s#ee'ing in her

ho&e in Baranga$ 37ingga, Ca#a&%a, 7aguna, together -ith her &other and a''e##ant

her father. =ince their house -as s&a## and had on#$ one roo&, the$ a## s#e't in 9ust

one %ed.

Whi#e dee' in her s#ee', 3;ina -as sudden#$ roused -hen she fe#t so&eone -as

touching her. When she turned her head #ooed -ho it -as, she sa- a''e##ant

caressing her %od$. Before ;ina cou#d &o+e, a''e##ant issed her, &ashed her %reast

and then started re&o+ing her c#othes. =ur'rised, 3;ina strugg#ed and 'ushed

a''e##ant. Ho-e+er, her effort 'ro+ed futi#e. )''e##ant, too out a nife, thrust it on

3;inas nec and #aid on to' of her. inning 3;ina -ith his %od$, a''e##ant then

forci%#$ re&o+ed her shorts and 'ant$. I&&ediate#$ a''e##ant inserted his 'enis into3;inas +agina and thrust his %uttocs %ac and forth. )fter satisf$ing his #ust,

a''e##ant casua##$ cra-#ed %ac to the other side of the %ed and #a$ %eside 3;inas

&other. 2oo tired fro& -or, 3;inas &other did not notice -hat had ha''ened. =he

-as in dee' s#ee' the -ho#e night and -oe u' on#$ the fo##o-ing &orning. )fraid

that a''e##ant -ou#d inf#ict &ore har& on her, 3;ina 9ust e't si#ent a%out e+er$thing.

Ho-e+er, a''e##ant did not sto'. On )ugust 4, """, a''e##ant again un#eashed his

%estia# desire u'on his o-n daughter. In the sa&e fashion, -hi#e 3;ina -as s#ee'ing,

a''e##ant %egan caressing and issing her %od$.When 3;ina -oe u', a''e##anti&&ediate#$ -ent on to' of her, 'inned her do-n and started re&o+ing her shorts and

'ant$. 7osing no ti&e a''e##ant then inserted his 'enis into 3;inas +agina and

co&&enced 'u&'ing through and through. )fter satisf$ing his #ust, a''e##ant again

casua##$ -ent to the other side of the %ed and #a$ %eside 3;inas &other. )s usua#,
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn8


4/26

3;inas &other, too tired fro& -or and ha+ing a hearing 'ro%#e&, did not notice

-hat had ha''ened to her daughter.

On Fe%ruar$ , """, after gaining enough courage and rea#i(ing the futi#it$ of her

si#ence, 3;ina to#d her &other a%out the se?ua# a%uses co&&itted on her %$a''e##ant. @'on hearing this, 3;inas &other i&&ediate#$ had her e?a&ined and fi#ed

a co&'#aint against a''e##ant.

2he &edico!#ega# genita# e?a&ination on the +icti& conducted %$ ;ra. 7orna . =ta.

8aria disc#osed that 3;inas h$&en had hea#ed #acerations at and oc#oc

'ositions -ith IE ad&itting one finger -ith ease.3"

Version of the Defense

or his part, appellant relates his version of the facts in this manner4

2he defense 'resented the ora# testi&onies of Genaro Biong, 8ar$ >ean Geroni&o

and 8rs. ;a&asa 2erones.

2he first -itness, Genaro Biong, is the accused. He testified that on >u#$ ", "", he

-as at the house of his &anager, Eddie Hernande( to re'air the tric$c#e he -as

dri+ing. )fter-hich, he 'roceeded to the house of his %rother!in!#a-, Basi# and sta$ed

there unti# the ne?t da$ %ecause the$ had drining s'ree. On )ugust 4, "", he -as

'#$ing his route after-hich, he 'roceeded to the house of Basi# for a drining session

and he didnt 3go ho&e the ne?t da$. On Fe%ruar$ 4, """, after '#$ing his route he

-ent ho&e %ut no%od$ -as at their house. His -ife arri+ed at around ":// '&. )nd

after a fe- &inutes, his daughter arri+ed fro& the house of his sister.He -ent out to

'#$ his route and -ent ho&e the ne?t &orning. He denied the c#ai& of his daughter

that he -as using sha%u. He 'resented a Che&istr$ Re'ort fro& the Regiona# Cri&e

7a%orator$ Office < sho-ing that he is negati+e for sha%u in his %#ood. 2he on#$

reason he can thin of -h$ his daughter fi#ed the case -as that his father!in!#a- has a

grudge against hi& %ecause he refused to #i+e -ith his in!#a-s. His father!in!#a--anted to tae custod$ of his daughter.

2he second -itness, 8ar$ >ean Geroni&o, is the forensic che&ist -ho tested the

accused for sha%u. 2he counse# sti'u#ated to the due e?ecution of the findings

conducted or contained in the Che&istr$ Re'ort No.


5/26

2he #ast -itness, 3;a&asa 2erones is the &other of the a##eged +icti&. =he testified

that the$ s#ee' and cra&&ed together in one %ed that it is natura# that if so&eone

&o+es his #egs or hands or if it touches $ou, $ou -ou#d %e a-aen. =he ad&itted that

his hus%and is fond of drining and he so&eti&es doesnt co&e ho&e %ecause of his

drining session -ith his friend. =he said that during the three A*1 ra'e incidents, she-as not a-aen %ecause she -as tired.3/ACitations o&itted1

R*li+ o )$% Tri&l "o*r)

*he trial court held that &ina Biong testified in a straightfor!ard, natural

and candid manner. Although she !as visibly under stress and almost

continuously in tears, her testimony !as clear.7he !as credible. 8er

testimony !as convincing.

5n brushing aside the alibi of appellant, the trial court found that he had

failed to sho! the physical impossibility of his presence at the site of the

crime. urther, his alibi !as uncorroborated.

8ence, this automatic revie!.'""(

T$% I''*%'

7pecifically, appellant assigns the follo!ing errors for our consideration4

I

2he #o-er court erred in con+icting the accused!a''e##ant of the cri&e of ra'e des'ite

the %#atant inconsistencies in the testi&on$ of the a##eged ra'e +icti&.

II

2he #o-er court erred in con+icting the accused!a''e##ant of the cri&e of ra'e,

defined and 'ena#i(ed under )rt. **5 of the Re+ised ena# Code, as a&ended, -henhis gui#t -as not 'ro+en %e$ond reasona%#e dou%t. 34

5n sum, the main issue is !hether the prosecutions evidence sufficiently

established appellants guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

T$% "o*r)' R*li+
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn12


6/26

Appellants conviction should be affirmed, but the penalty must be reduced

to reclusion perpetua.

&i+ I''*%#

Sufficiency of the Prosecutions Evidence

At the outset !e note that in Criminal Case No. /01/-22-C, the trial court

acquitted appellant of rape that had allegedly ta9en place on ebruary "$,

"221. Basic is the rule that an acquittal is immediately final upon its

promulgation.'"(8ence, that case is no longer sub:ect to our revie!. ;e !ill

deal only !ith Criminal Case Nos. /01#-22-C and /011-22-C.

Appellant argues that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond

reasonable doubt. *he records, ho!ever, sho! other!ise.

A 5 dont 9no! the time because it !as night time, sir.

= ;here !ere you then>

A 5 !as at home, sir.

= ;hat !ere you ? ? ? doing :ust before you !ere raped>

A 5 !as sleeping, sir.

= ;here !ere you then sleeping>

A 5n our house, sir.

= 5n !hat part of your house>

A 5n a room, sir.

= &id you have any companion in that room at that time>

A @es, sir, the three of us !ith my mother.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn13


7/26

= ;hen you say the three of us, to !hom are you referring to>

A y father, sir.

= &o you have any other siblings>

A None, sir.

= 8o! !ere you a!a9ened>

A Because somebody !as embracing me, sir.

= After you sensed that somebody !as embracing you, ho! did you respond>

A 5 !as surprised, sir.

= ;hy !ere you surprised>

ay !e move, your 8onor that the ans!er of the !itness be recorded in the

vernacular.

A &ahil hindi 9o po a9alain na may mangyayari po sa a9in.

= &id you find out the identity of that person !ho !as embracing you>

A @es, sir.

= ;ho is that person>

A 3enaro Biong, sir.

= @our father>

A @es, sir.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

= After you !ere embraced by you father !hat else did he do>

A 8e !as 9issing me from my head up to my feet, sir.

= ;hat did you do !hen he did that>

A 5 !as struggling, sir.


8/26

= 8o! did you struggle>

A 5 !as pushing him a!ay, sir.

= ;ere you able to push him a!ay>

A No, sir.

= ;hy>

A Because he is heavy, sir.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

= &id you shout>

A No, sir.

= ;hy did you not shout>

A Because he has a 9nife, sir.

= ;hat 9ind of 9nife>

A 5t is big and broad, sir.

= After he too9 off your shorts, !hat else did he remove>

A y panty, sir.

= And !hat did you do !hile he !as removing your panty>

A Nagpapapalag po.

= After he removed your panty !hat else did he do>

A 8e touched my breast, sir.

= ;hich breast>

A Both, sir.

= And after he touched both your breasts !hat did he do ne?t>

A 8e 9issed me from my head up to my feet, sir.


9/26

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

= After he suc9ed your breast !hat did he do ne?t>

A 3inala! nya po a9o.

= ;hen you said ginala! nya po a9o tell us e?actly !hat did he do>

A 8e laid on top of me, sir.

= ;hat else did he do>

57CA4

+;itness at this point, your 8onor cannot seem to give her ans!er.

;5*NE774

A 8e inserted his penis to my vagina, sir.

57CA4

+;itness is crying !hen she !as giving her ans!er.

= ;hat !ere you doing at that point !hen he !as suc9ing your breast>

A Nagpapalag po.

= At that point that he penetrated you, !hat !ere you then doing>

A 5 !as not able to move because he !as lying on top of me, sir.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

= @ou said you !ere again raped on August "$, "221, !hat time did this happen>

A Night time also, sir.

= ;here did this happen>

A Also in our house, sir.

= 5n !hat particular portion of your house>

A Also in the room, sir.


10/26

= ;hat !ere you doing :ust before you !ere raped>

A 5 !as sleeping, sir.

= And !hat roused you from your sleep>

A Because somebody is touching me, sir.

= ;ere you able to recognie that person !ho !as touching you>

A @es, sir.

= ;hose that person>


= ;hen you say that you !ere roused by that person !ho !as touching you, tell us on!hat part of your body !ere you being touched>

A All of my body, sir.

= 8o! did you react>

A 5 !as surprised, sir.

= ;here !as your mother at that time>

A Also sleeping, sir.

= After you !ere touched all over your body by your father, !hat else happened>

A 8e !as 9issing me from my head up to my feet, sir.

= ;hat !ere you !earing then>

A ong pants, sir.

= ;hat else>

A *-shirt, sando and panty, sir.

= ;hen your father !as 9issing you all over, can you tell us if you !ere then still

dressed>

A None, sir.


11/26

= ;ho removed your clothes>


= ;hen you say that your clothes !ere ta9en off, tell us !ere all your clothes and

under!ear ta9en off>

A No, sir.

= *ell us, !hich apparel !as removed from your body>

A y pants and panty, sir.

= And !ho removed these>


= And ho! did he remove it>

A 8e too9 it off, sir.

= ;hat !ere you doing !hen he !as removing your long pants and panty>

A 5 !as lying do!n, sir.

= Nothing else>

A 5 !as struggling, sir.

= *ell us, ho! did you struggle>

A 5 !as pushing him a!ay, sir.

= ;ere you able to succeed in pushing him a!ay>

A No, sir.

= ;hy>

A Because hes heavy, sir.

= And after he !as able to remove your pants and panty, !hat did he do ne?t>

A 8e laid on top of me, sir.


12/26

= After he laid on top of you, !hat did he do ne?t>

A 8e again inserted his penis to my vagina, sir.

= ;hat did you feel !hen he did that>

A 5t hurts, sir.

= After he penetrated you, !hat else happened>

A 8e laid beside my mother, sir.'"(

*he foregoing testimony indubitably sho!s that in advancing his libidinous

pursuit, appellant not only used his moral ascendancy over his o!n daughter,

but also employed intimidation. By threatening private complainant !ith a

9nife, he succeeded in having carnal 9no!ledge of her. *he element of rape --carnal 9no!ledge through intimidation -- !as duly established.

Credibility of the

Victims Testimony

*he trial court found the testimony of private complainant to be both

credible and convincing. 5t is settled that the determination of the competence

and the credibility of a !itness rests primarily !ith the trial court,'"0(

because ithas the unique position of observing the !itnesss deportment on the stand

!hile testifying. Absent any substantial reason to :ustify the reversal of the

assessments and conclusions of the trial court, the revie!ing court is

generally bound by the formers findings. '"/(oreover, in the case at bar, the

victims testimony is corroborated by the medical findings.

According to the edico-egal Certification,'"#(the victim had lacerations on

her hymen. Although not indispensable to a rape conviction, the findings in the

report that point to se?ual assault strengthen her claim that she !as raped.

Appellant alleges inconsistencies in the testimony of private complainant

that supposedly render it highly incredible. ;e have e?amined the records of

the case, but found no significant inconsistencies in her testimony. *he

supposed contradictions refer to minor details that do not in any !ay affect or
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn17


13/26

obscure her other!ise e?plicit account. *o be sure, inconsistencies in the

testimony of a rape victim are inconsequential !hen they refer to minor details

that have nothing to do !ith the essential fact of the commission of the crime

-- carnal 9no!ledge through force or intimidation.'"1(

;hen a !oman, more so if she is a minor, says that she has been raped,

she says in effect all that is necessary to constitute the commission of the

crime.'"2(No young !oman !ould rec9lessly accuse her o!n father of so grave

a crime, unless she has been truly aggrieved.'$%(;hen her testimony is

straightfor!ard and candid, unsha9en by rigid cross-e?amination and

unfla!ed by inconsistencies or contradictions in its material points, it must be

given full faith and credit.'$"(5n a rape case, the accused may be convicted

solely on the testimony of the victim, provided it is credible, natural, convincing

and consistent !ith human nature and the normal course of things. '$$(

*he fact that the mother of private complainant !as on the same bamboo

bed !hen the rape !as committed does not ma9e the latters claim any less

credible. 5t !as established that the mother !as a deep sleeperD !or9ing as a

laundry!oman, she !as al!ays tired at the end of the day. 5t !as also

established that she had hearing problems. *he records further sho! that the

accused used to sleep on the space bet!een her and the victim. 8ence, it is

believable that the mother !as una!are of and undisturbed by the bestial acts

being done by the accused to their daughter.

;e cannot fault private complainant for not shouting or trying to get help

from her mother, though the latter !as sleeping right there on the same bed

!hile the incident !as happening. i9e any child raised in the traditional

ilipino !ay, the victim !as afraid of her father. *his !as evident from her o!n

testimony !hen she said, Dahil isang tingin lang niya ay natatakot na ako. '$(5t

is understandable that the fear that gripped her co!ed her into silence and

prevented her from attempting to get help from her mother.

*he trial court !as correct in brushing aside appellants defense of denial

and alibi, !hich !as uncorroborated and unsubstantiated by clear and

convincing evidence. 5t aptly e?plained4
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn23http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/apr2003/144445_47.htm#_ftn23


14/26

? ? ?. For a#i%i ? ? ? to 'ros'er, the defense &ust %e a%#e to sho- that the accused

cou#d not ha+e %een 'h$sica##$ 'resent at the 3site of the cri&e, or its i&&ediate

+icinit$, during the ti&e of its co&&ission. In these cases3, the house of the accuseds

%rother!in!#a- -here the accused c#ai&ed to %e at the ti&e of the incidents of ra'e on

>u#$ ", "" and )ugust 4, "" -as a%out */ &inutes dri+e fro& the '#ace of theincident.8oreo+er, the accused did not e+en 'resent his %rother!in!#a- Basi#, at #east

to corro%orate his testi&on$. 2he Hon. =u're&e Court in the case of eo'#e +s. Rene

Henson, 3stated that a#i%i cannot stand against the 'ositi+e identification of the

accused &ade %$ the +icti&. )ccording#$, his defense of a#i%i &ust necessari#$ fai#. 34


15/26

;ith respect to damages, this Court has consistently held that, upon a

finding of the fact of rape, the a!ard of civil indemnity ex delictois mandatory.'$#(5f the death penalty is imposed, the indemnity should be


16/26

2HIR; ;II=ION

[G.R. No. 136137. December 11, 2001]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,plaintiff-appellee, vs. CLI!TO "LE!"

#IONG $% L&r'e(, NTONIO DIOL, ENRI)*E "DODO+"

ORLES $% L&r'e(, ORLNDO "-OLOT" LE+SON $% L&r'e(,

OHN DOE $% L&r'e(, RICHRD DOE $% L&r'e( &/ PETER DOE

$% L&r'e(, accused.

NTONIO DIOL, accused-appellant.

D E C I S I O N

IT*G,J.

On / >une ""6, fourteen!$ear o#d Caro# E'is -as in her grand'arents house in %arrio

2u%uran, @''er Ichon, 8acrohon, =outhern 7e$te, -hen, a%out three oc#oc in the afternoon,


17/26

Ro-ena 7e$son and Ge&&a >e9e 8ora#es in+ited her to go -ith the& to %arrio =indangan,

a%out fi+e i#o&eters fro& 2u%uran, to get the 'air of 'ants of Ro-ena fro& her father!in!#a-

E&ong 7e$son. ) %enefit dance, s'onsored %$ the Da%ataang Baranga$, -as schedu#ed at=indangan that sa&e e+ening %ut Caro# E'is had no intention of attending the affair. Caro#

considered the t-o -o&en as her friends as %oth freuent#$ -ou#d 'ass ti&e in the '#ace of

her TiaEgia, a#though Ro-ena, at 4/, and Ge&&a, at ", -ere -a$ o#der than she -as. )fterasing 'er&ission fro& her grand'arents, Caro# decided to go. )s the gir# -ou#d soon #earn, it

-as a decision that -ou#d change her $oung #ife.

2he three gir#s initia##$ tra+ersed the distance to =indangan %$ foot %ut, after reaching a

'articu#ar 9uncture in I#ihan, the$ too a tric$c#e ride for the re&aining stretch of their9ourne$. )rri+ing at =indangan at fi+e oc#oc that afternoon, the$ direct#$ -ent to the store of

Inda$ 7i&, -here the$ sat on the stores ad9oining -ooden %enches, sta$ing there for the ne?t t-o

hours. Caro# re'eated#$ to#d Ro-ena that the$ shou#d no- go and get her 'air of 'ants %utRo-ena 're+ai#ed u'on her to -ait a-hi#e. )t eight oc#oc that e+ening, the %enefit dance

started. )gain, Caro# tried to con+ince Ro-ena that the$ shou#d no- go %ut the #atter insisted

that the$ dance first.Ro-ena and Ge&&a headed for the dance f#oor -hi#e Caro#, not %eing

a''ro'riate#$ dressed for the occasion, re&ained seated at the store -ith Inda$ 7i& and the#atters daughter, E#+i(a, for co&'an$. 8ean-hi#e, a &an, -ho #ater introduced hi&se#f to %e

8ario 8araon, a''roached her and ased her to dance %ut soon #eft -hen she %egged off. 7ater,)ntonio ;io#a a#so ased her to dance and -hen she again dec#ined, he -ent %ac to his

co&'anions -ho -ere seated on a ta%#e. 8o&ents #ater, 8ario 8araon returned and uiet#$ sat

%eside her. =i#ence engu#fed %oth Caro# and 8araon -ho o%+ious#$ had nothing to sa$ to each

other. 8o&entari#$, their si#ence -as interru'ted -hen Caro# ased 8araon the na&e of the'erson -ho had 9ust ased her to dance. 8araon ans-ered that it -as )ntonio ;io#a, a#ias

8oco$. 2he 'ersistent ;io#a con+inced her to dance three &ore ti&es, %ut she re'eated#$

refused hi&. Caro#, -ho at e#e+en oc#oc in the e+ening had sti## not eaten dinner, decided to#oo for her erst-hi#e co&'anions Ro-ena and Ge&&a %ut fai#ing to find the& at the dance ha##

or an$-here e#se, she returned to her seat at the store. =he -ou#d ha+e -anted to return to hergrand'arents house in 2u%uran %ut for #ac of fare &one$ and her fear of a dar and so#itar$9ourne$ ho&e, the gir# thought it %est to 9ust -ait for her friends. )fter a -hi#e, she decided to

'roceed to the house of E&ong, -hich -as a%out 5/ &eters fro& Inda$ 7i&s store, to #oo for

the& there. Not finding an$one in the house, Caro# -ent %ac to the store -here she inuired

-hether Ro-ena and Ge&&a had %$ then returned. =he -as to#d that the$ had not. =he -assitting on the stores -ooden %ench -hen she &et ;o&inga 8ingga$ Cortina. )fter te##ing

Cortina of her '#ight, the #atter +o#unteered to acco&'an$ Caro# to E&ong 7e$sons

house. Finding no%od$ at the house of E&ong 7e$son, the t-o gir#s decided to return to thestore. It -as a''ro?i&ate#$ three oc#oc in the ear#$ &orning of /4 >une ""6 -hen the$ trudged

%ac to Inda$ 7i&s store.

)#ong the -a$, at a 'oint near a schoo#, the$ noticed se+en &en. )&ong the se+en, Caro#first recogni(ed )ntonio ;io#a, -ho -as 9ust -earing a sando. =he a#so recogni(ed Enriue

8ora#es a#ias ;odo$, Ca#i?to )#e? Biong, and Or#ando 7e$son a#ias Do#ot. =he did not no- the

na&es of the three others. )fter seeing the se+en &en, 8ingga$ Cortina ran a-a$, #ea+ing Caro#

%ehind. ;es'erate, she $e##ed, 8ingga$, %ut the #atter did not res'ond. 7eft a#one -ith theiruarr$, the se+en &en surrounded Caro# and dragged her to-ards a sec#uded area %ehind the

schoo# %ui#ding. Ca#i?to Biong too ho#d of her, Or#ando 7e$son 'u##ed her 2!shirt -hi#e Enriue


18/26

8ora#es he#d her %$ the nec. ointing his hunting nife at her, )ntonio ;io#a -arned her not to

&ae a sound. Or#ando 7e$son re#eased her 2!shirt and 'u##ed do-n her short 'ants and her

under-ear. Ca#i?to Biong %egan to touch her a## o+er. 8ora#es then he#d her feet, 7e$son herhands and ;io#a e't her at %a$ -ith his nife. It -as Ca#i?to Biong -ho first ra+aged her,

fo##o-ed %$ Or#ando 7e$son, Enriue 8ora#es and the three others -ho& she cou#d not

identif$. =he tried to shout %ut the$ ue##ed her cries %$ co+ering her &outh -ith a c#oth.It -as a harsh initiation for Caro# into the carna# -or#d, and the 'ain -as

un%eara%#e. )ntonio ;io#a, -ho continued to 'oint the nife at her, hi&se#f did not se?ua##$

&o#est her. )fter ha+ing sated their %east#$ a''etites, the grou' #eft her. B#ood stained her

'ants. Not no-ing -hat to do, the $oung gir# -ent %ac to the house of E&ong to #oo forGe&&a and Ro-ena %ut, fai#ing to find the& there, she returned to the schoo#, -here, una%#e to

s#ee', she sat on a %ench at an incons'icuous corner of the %ui#ding and sta$ed there u' unti#

&orning. It -as fi+e oc#oc in the &orning -hen she decided to tae the one!hour hieho&e-ard to 2u%uran.

Caro# did not i&&ediate#$ te## her grand'arents a%out the incident for fear of their anger. It

-as on#$ four da$s #ater -hen she found the courage to narrate her ordea# to 7ucing Neri, a'aterna# aunt, -ho 'ro&'t#$ re#a$ed her sad ta#e to her grandfather. Her re#ati+es acco&'anied

her to the 8acrohon 'o#ice station and thereafter to the &unici'a# hea#th office for &edica#

e?a&ination. )ccording to ;r. )rchi&edes ;e&etrio, the +agina of 'ri+ate co&'#ainant 'ro+ed

negati+e of s'er&ato(oa. But, to the e?a&ining doctor, it -as on#$ to %e e?'ected %ecause the'h$sica# e?a&ination -as &ade fi+e da$s after the a##eged ra'e. 8edica# findings further

re+ea#ed the h$&en to %e no #onger intact, and -ithout an$ recent #acerations. ;r. ;e&etrio

found o#d and hea#ed #acerations, -hich, he o'ined, cou#d not ha+e %een &ade 9ust -ithin the #astfi+e da$s.

re#i&inar$ in+estigation $ie#ded the na&es of four of the &a#efactors, -hi#e three re&ained

unidentified. )## %ut )ntonio ;io#a had f#ed =indangan, their -herea%outs sti##

unno-n. )ntonio ;io#a -as the on#$ one arrested and, on /< 8arch "", an accusator$Infor&ation -as fi#ed against hi&. 2hus !

2he undersigned rosecutor, acting u'on a s-orn co&'#aint origina##$ signed and

fi#ed %$ the offended 'art$, here%$ accuses C)7I2O BIONG a#ias )#e?,

ENRI@E 8OR)7E=, a#ias ;odo$, OR7)N;O 7EJ=ON a#ias Do#ot, >OHN

;OE, RICH)R; ;OE and E2ER ;OE, -ho are a## at #arge, and )N2ONIO

;IO7), -ho is 'resent#$ detained in the ro+incia# >ai#, 8aasin, =outhern 7e$te, of

the cri&e of Ra'e co&&itted %$ the& as fo##o-s !

2hat on or a%out the second da$ of >une ""6, at around *:// a.&., in %aranga$=indangan, &unici'a#it$ of 8acrohon, 'ro+ince of =outhern 7e$te, hi#i''ines, and

-ithin the 9urisdiction of this Honora%#e Court, the a%o+e!na&ed accused cons'iring,

confederating and &utua##$ he#'ing one another, -ith #ustfu# intent and %$ &eans of

force, threat and inti&idation, did then and there -i##fu##$, un#a-fu##$ and fe#onious#$

tae turns in ra+ishing one Caro# F. E'is, and successfu##$ had carna# intercourse -ith


19/26

said offended 'art$ -ithout her consent and against her -i##, to the da&age and

're9udice of said Caro# F. E'is and of socia# order.3

)ntonio ;io#a ad+anced the defense of alibi and introduced a succession of -itnesses in anatte&'t to destro$ the credi%i#it$ of 'ri+ate co&'#ainant.

Witness Ro-ena 7e$son denied ha+ing %een a 'ersona# friend of Caro# E'is and disc#ai&ed

ha+ing gone to the #atters house in 2u%uran on / >une ""6. =he testified that, on * 8a$ ""6,

three da$s %efore the a##eged ra'e she -as on her -a$ to =indangan -ith Ge&&a 8ora#es to geta 'air of trousers fro& her &other!in!#a- 2oning 7e$son. It -as then -hen she first &et

'ri+ate co&'#ainant on the road. =he descri%ed the &eeting as %eing %rief and une+entfu#. @'on

reaching =indangan, 2oning 7e$son to#d her and Ge&&a that the 'air of trousers -ere not $etfinished. =ince it -as a#read$ #ate, she and Ge&&a decided to s'end the night at I#ihan in the

house of Be#en 7e$son, a re#ati+e, and there sta$ed unti# the afternoon of the ne?t da$. On cross!

e?a&ination, the -itness acno-#edged as %eing the sister!in!#a- of accused Or#ando Do#ot

7e$son and ad&itted 'ersona##$ no-ing accused )ntonio ;io#a and Ca#i?to Biong and that it-as the father of ;io#a hi&se#f -ho con+inced her to tae the -itness stand.

) re'udiation of the account of 'ri+ate co&'#ainant -as a#so echoed in the testi&on$ of

defense -itness ;o&inga 8ingga$ Cortina. )ccording to Cortina, she first &et 'ri+ateco&'#ainant Caro# E'is on / >une ""6. )t %et-een 6:*/ to :// '.&., she had gone to the store

of Inda$ 7i& to %u$ so&ething to eat -hen she sa- Caro# sitting on the %ench. O%+ious#$

recogni(ing her as a ne-co&er in the area, she introduced herse#f and ased the other gir# herna&e to -hich the #atter re'#ied, I a& Caro#. Cortina said that after that f#eeting encounter, she

'roceeded ho&e to 're'are herse#f for the %enefit dance. 2he dance started at /:*/ '.&. When

she returned #ater, she sa- Caro# sti## sitting on the %ench. =he sta$ed at the dance ha## for on#$

thirt$ &inutes and thereafter -ent ho&e -ith her cousin =arah >ane 2enio. It -as e#e+en oc#ocin the e+ening -hen she arri+ed ho&e and ne+er #eft the house after that. =he denied ha+ing

acco&'anied 'ri+ate co&'#ainant to the house of E&ong 7e$son, #et a#one %eing -ith her -henthe se+en accused su''osed#$ accosted the&. @'on cross!e?a&ination, Cortina a#so diso-nedan$ acuaintance -ith Ge&&a 8ora#es and Ro-ena 7e$son.

7u(+i&inda 2ie&'o 7i&, a#so no-n in the =indangan neigh%orhood as Inda$ 7i& ad&itted

ha+ing 'ersona##$ no-n 'ri+ate co&'#ainant as the gir#friend of her trusted errand %o$,>onathan Biong, a#ias ;o. )ccording to 7i&, she first &et Caro# E'is -hen she and her fa&i#$

-ere s-i&&ing at a %each in =indangan. 2here, she sa- >onathan Biong a''roach E'is and

%ring her food. =o&eti&e in 8arch or )'ri# of ""6, Caro#, in the co&'an$ of an unidentified

gir#, ca&e to %aranga$ =u&a$od at =itio )&'aro in 8acrohon. )gain, in 8a$ that $ear, Caro#sta$ed at =indangan for three da$s in the co&'an$ of >onathan Biong. 2he -itness -as on %oard

a &otorc$c#e, dri+en %$ >onathan Biong, on her -a$ ho&e fro& 8aasin and 7u&%ag -hen she

sa- Caro# standing %$ the roadside. Biong &o&entari#$ sto''ed and Caro# ho''ed in. On 48a$ ""6, Caro# and Biong s'ent the night at the house of )niceto Biong, the unc#e of

>onathan. 2he fo##o-ing da$, Caro# and Biong s'ent the night at the house of >onathans aunt. 2he

-itness did not %other to as >onathan Biong a%out it %ecause she ne- he and 'ri+ateco&'#ainant -ere s-eethearts and she res'ected their 'ri+ac$. 2he -itness said that she -as

certain that on the e+ening of / >une ""6, >onathan Biong -as not in =indangan %ecause he

-as in Ce%u. 2hat night, 7i& sa- Caro# E'is sitting on a store %ench together -ith 8ingga$
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn1


20/26

Cortina. When ased %$ the -itness, the $oung gir# re'#ied that she -as going to s'end the night

at Ro-enas '#ace.

)niceto Biong dec#ared that -hen he entered his house in =indangan on / >une ""5, hesa- Caro# E'is #$ing on the %ed. He ased -ho she -as and she re&ared, ;o. ;o and I are

s-eethearts, referring to >onathan Biong, his ne'he- and the son of his %rother )rcadio. )fter

changing his c#othes, )niceto #eft for his far&. When he returned at fi+e oc#oc that afternoon,he sa- Caro# sti## there. =he to#d hi& she -as going to tae her su''er at the house of Bo$

7i&. )niceto Biong too his dinner and s'ent the night at the residence of his sister, 8aria

Cortina, the &other of 8ingga$ Cortina. 2he ne?t &orning of /4 >une ""5, -hen he returned

to his house to change into -or c#othes, he sa- Caro# inside %ut he noticed that his ne'he- -asnot around. )fter ad+ising her to go ho&e, he ga+e her so&e food to eat. He did not o%ser+e an$

change in her a''earance nor an$ indication that she &ight ha+e %een su%9ected to a +io#ent ra'e

the 're+ious night. It -as the #ast ti&e he e+er sa- her. When he #ater chided >onathan a%out it,his ne'he- si&'#$ s&i#ed.

)ccused )ntonio ;io#a testified that on the e+ening of / >une ""6, at se+en oc#oc in the

e+ening, he -as 're'aring the sound s$ste& o-ned %$ his o#der %rother, 8atrani##o ;io#a, at thedance ha##, -hich -as 9ust a fe- &eters a-a$ fro& his house. He ad&itted ha+ing seen Caro#

and 8ingga$ at the store of Inda$ 7i&. It -as the first ti&e that he sa- Caro# and on#$ ca&e to

no- her na&e during the 're#i&inar$ in+estigation of the ra'e case. ;io#a said that the %enefit

dance ended at a%out t-o oc#oc in the ear#$ &orning. He %rought the sound s$ste&, inc#udingthe a&'#ifier, ho&e -here he s'ent the night. He #earned of the a##eged cri&e on#$ -hen three

'o#ice officers accosted hi& on / >u#$ ""6. )ccused ad&itted ha+ing no-n his co!accused

Enriue 8ora#es, -ho -as a #itt#e o#der in $ears, as -e## as Ca#i?to Biong, and Or#ando 7e$son-ho, at < to 5 $ears o#d, -ere re#ati+e#$ $ounger, than he -as.

Witness )ntonio 8aturan corro%orated the testi&on$ of )ntonio ;io#a. He stated that on the

night of / >une ""6, he -as at the dance ha## of Baranga$ =indangan. When the affair ca&e to

an end at a%out t-o oc#oc in the &orning, he he#'ed ;io#a return the eui'&ent to the #attershouse, -hich -as a%out 5 &eters fro& the ha##. His o-n residence %eing a distant a-a$, and it

-as a#read$ #ate, ;io#a in+ited hi&, and he acceded, to s'end the night at ;io#as house. 2he ne?t

da$, he and ;io#a -oe u' at si? oc#oc in the &orning.

2he succession of its -itnesses not-ithstanding, the defense fai#ed to con+ince the tria#

court of the innocence of accused )ntonio ;io#a0 it ad9udged:

WHEREFORE, 9udg&ent is rendered finding accused )N2ONIO ;IO7) a#ias

8oo$ G@I72J %e$ond reasona%#e dou%t of si? A61 counts of Ra'e and sentencing

hi& to si? A61 deter&inate, indi+isi%#e 'ena#ties of REC7@=ION ERE2@) su%9ect

to )rtic#e / of the Re+ised ena# Code, and to 'a$ the costs.

)ccused ;io#a is a#so #ia%#e for ci+i# inde&nit$ for &ora# da&ages at 5/,///.// 'er

ra'e or a tota# of *//,///.// to the 'ri+ate co&'#ainant Caro# E'is in #ine -ith current

9uris'rudence.


21/26

2he accused is entit#ed to the fu## 'eriod of his 're+enti+e i&'rison&ent to %e

deducted fro& the 'eriod of his origina# sentence.

)ccused )ntonio ;io#a has a''ea#ed his con+iction. )''e##ant has raised nine assign&entsof error, -hich, in su&, assai# the re#iance &ade %$ the court a quoso#e#$ on the account of

'ri+ate co&'#ainant in utter disregard of the testi&on$ of the defense -itnesses. He argues thatthe dis&issa# of his defense of alibi%$ the tria# court in the face of o+er-he#&ing corro%orati+e

testi&on$ is un9ustified.

2he Court is not 're'ared to acce't a''e##ants '#ea and to disregard the assess&ent &ade %$

the tria# court. 2he test of credi%i#it$ is not necessari#$ a uestion of nu&%ers nor a function of an

a''e##ate court &ore than that of the tria# court. Re'eated#$, the Court has ca##ed attention to thefact that it is the tria# court -hich can %e afforded the uniue o''ortunit$ to o%ser+e the

-itnesses on the stand. 2he &anner -itnesses testif$ the hesitant 'ause, the ner+ous +oice, the

undertone, the %efudd#ed #oo, the honest ga(e, the &odest %#ush, or the gui#t$ %#anch is a

significant indicumin a't#$ assigning +a#ue to testi&onia# e+idence. 2he e+a#uation &ade %$ thetria# court on the credi%i#it$ of -itnesses is right#$ accorded res'ect and it is not interfered -ith

e?ce't on#$, as so often he#d, -hen an$ circu&stance -ou#d indeed a''ear to ha+e %een 'atent#$

o+er#ooed or &isconstrued that the a''e##ate court cou#d %e constrained to do other-ise.34

In the case at %ar, the Court is not 9ustified to ascri%e to the tria# court an$ such error.

2he narrati+e of 'ri+ate co&'#ainant -as c#ear and un-a+ering in '#acing a''e##ant at the

scene of the cri&e. =he con+incing#$ detai#ed his e?act 'artici'ation -hen she -as -a$#aid and

su%9ected to a &ost horrif$ing ordea#. =he testified thus#$:

. =ince no%od$ res'onded fro& the house of E&ong 7e$son, -here did $ou goK

). We -ent %ac to the dancing ha##, 'assing the schoo# -hen I sa- so&e%od$.

. Who -as this so&e%od$K). I cou#d not identif$ the 'ersons %ut the$ -ere &an$.

. Ho- &an$K

). =e+en. 2he 'erson -ho& I first sa- -as he A-itness is 'ointing to accused )ntonio ;io#a to %e the

'erson -ho& she sa- first1 -ho -as -earing an undershirt Asando1 at that ti&e.

. No- -hat ha''ened -hen $ou sa- the& at the +icinit$ of the schoo# at =indanganK

). ;o&inga Cortina ran a-a$, #ea+ing &e %ehind.

. Before 8ingga$ ran a-a$, did she te## $ou an$thingK

). No, sir.. )fter 8ingga$ ran a-a$, -hat ha''enedK

). )#e? he#d &e.

. What e#se ha''enedK

). 2he$ surrounded &e.

. Jou &ean that se+en 'ersons -ho& $ou sa- surrounded $ouK
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn2


22/26

). Jes, sir.

. )side fro& the se+en 'ersons surrounding $ou, -ere there an$ other 'ersons 'resentK

). No &ore.

. When one of the& -ho& $ou identified as )#e? he#d $ou, -hich hand of $ours did he ho#dK

). 8$ t-o hands -ere he#d %$ )#e?.

. )fter the ho#ding of $our t-o hands %$ )#e?, -hat ha''ened ne?tK

). Or#ando 7e$son a#ias Do#ot 'u##ed &$ t!shirt.

. When Or#ando 7e$son 'u##ed $our t!shirt, -hat -ere the other 'ersons doingK

). Enriue 8ora#es a#ias ;odo$ he#d &$ nec.

. What a%out accused )ntonio ;io#a, -hat did he do if an$K

). He 'ointed his hunting nife at &e.

. Can $ou sti## reca## ho- #ong -as the nife 'ointed at $ouK

). No, sir.

. When $ou said he 'ointed his nife at $ou, -hat 'articu#ar 'art of $our %od$ -as 'ointed to %$ his

nifeK

). )t &$ chest. A-itness 'ointing to her #eft chest1.

. Whi#e 'ointing his nife at $ou, did he utter an$thingK

). Jes, sir.

. What did he sa$K

). If I -ou#d shout, he -ou#d i## &e.

. )fter $ou -ere he#d %$ so&e of the se+en 'ersons at the +icinit$ of the =indangan schoo#, -hat

ha''ened ne?tK

). Or#ando 7e$son re#eased &$ t!shirt and 'u##ed do-n &$ short 'ants.

. Whi#e Or#ando 7e$son -as 'u##ing do-n $our short 'ants, -hat did accused )ntonio ;io#a doK

). He -as sti## 'ointing his nife at &e.

. Was Or#ando 7e$son successfu# in 'u##ing $our short 'antsK

). Jes, sir.

. Were $ou -earing $our 'ant$ at that ti&eK

). Jes. =ir.

. When $our short 'ants -ere 'u##ed do-n %$ Or#ando 7e$son, $ou -ere sti## -earing $our 'ant$K

). It -as inc#uded -hen he 'u##ed &$ short 'ants.

. )fter $our short 'ants and 'ant$ -ere 'u##ed do-n, -hat ha''ened ne?tK

). )#e? -as the first one to touch &e.


23/26

. What 'art of $our %od$ -as touchedK

). 8$ %reast.

. )fter that, -hat ha''enedK

). He touched &$ +agina.

. Who touched itK

). )#e?.

. Whi#e )#e? Biong -as touching $our +agina, -hat did accused )ntonio ;io#a doK

). He -as sti## 'ointing his nife at &e.

. What did the other 'ersons do to $ouK

). 2he$ he#d &$ ar&s and #egs.

. Can $ou te## us -ho he#d $our feetK

). Enriue 8ora#es.

. )nd -ho he#d $our handsK

). Or#ando 7e$son.

. ;id $ou no- the se+en 'ersons -ho he#d $ouK

). I cou#d not identif$ the three A*1 of the&.

. Who -ere the four of the& -ho& $ou ha+e no-nK

). )ntonio ;io#a, Ca#i?to Biong, Or#ando 7e$son and Enriue 8ora#es.

. )nd after )#e? or Ca#i?to Biong touched $our +agina, -hat ha''ened ne?tK

). He had se?ua# intercourse -ith &e.

. WhoK

). Ca#i?to Biong.

CO@R2:

. He -as the first oneK

). Jes, $our honor.

RO=EC@2OR 8))8O:

. )fter Ca#i?to Biong, -ho -as the ne?tK

). Or#ando 7e$son.

. )nd -ho -as the third oneK

). Enriue 8ora#es.

. Was there a fourth one -ho had se?ua# intercourse -ith $ouK

). 2he other three of -ho& I cou#d not identif$.

. What a%out )ntonio ;io#a, did he ha+e se?ua# intercourse -ith $ouK


24/26

). No, sir.

. What -as he doing -hen the other si? A61 co&'anions -ere ha+ing se?ua# intercourse -ith $ou at

that ti&eK

). He -as sti## 'ointing his nife at &$ chest.

. Can $ou gi+e us an esti&ate Caro#, ho- #ong the se?ua# intercourse %$ the si? A61 &en 3#astedK

). No, sir.

CO@R2:

. 2his ha''ened -here, in the schoo#K

). Jes, $our honor.

. Inside one of the roo&sK

). Outside the schoo#.

RO=EC@2OR 8))8O:

. What 'articu#ar '#ace in the schoo#K

). Behind the schoo# %ui#ding.

. Ho- far is this fro& the roadK

). 8a$%e fro& here to ;I7G.

IN2ERRE2ER: Witness is 'ointing fro& the -itness stand to-ards ;I7G -hich is a''ro?i&ate#$

thirt$ A*/1 &eters.

Whi#e the si? A61 &en -ere ha+ing se?ua# intercourse -ith $ou, did $ou not tr$ to shoutK

) I shouted.

Ho- #oud -as itK

) I shouted #oud#$ t-ice and after that the$ co+ered &$ &outh -ith a c#oth.

Who co+ered $our &outhK

) I cou#d not identif$.

)fter that -hat ha''enedK

) 2he$ #eft &e in the schoo#.

CO@R2:

)#oneK

) Jes, Jour Honor.

RO=EC@2OR 8))8O:

)nd -here did $ou goK

) I -ent %ac to E&ongs '#ace.

What ha''ened at E&ongs '#aceK


25/26

) I ased -hether Ro-ena 7e$son and Ge&&a 8ora#es -ent %ac %ut sti## the$ did not co&e %ac.

)fter that -here did $ou goK

) I -ent %ac to the schoo#.

What 'art of the schoo#K

) >ust a#ong the side of the schoo# on a %ench.

. )%out -hat ti&e -as that Caro# -hen the incident -herein $ou -ere forci%#$ a%used %$ the

accusedK

). )%out 3three oc#oc ear#$ in the &orning.

. =o it -as a#read$ >une 4, ""6K

). Jes, sir.

. No- -hen $ou -ent %ac to the schoo# and seated on a %ench, -hat ha''enedK

). Nothing, sir. I 9ust sta$ed there unti# &orning.

. In the &orning, -hat did $ou doK

). I -ent %ac to the house of &$ grand'arents.3*

) 'erusa# of the accounts of defense -itnesses Inda$ 7i&, ;o&inga Cortina, Ro-ena

7e$son, )niceto Biong and )ntonio 8aturan, -ou#d sho- that their testi&on$ &ere#$ touchedon incidents 'rior to the ra'e.No-here in their narrati+e did the$ successfu##$ negate the

'resence of )ntonio ;io#a during the co&&ission of the %east#$ cri&e. )ntonio 8aturan testified

that after assisting ;io#a tae the sound eui'&ent to the #atters house, the t-o of the&

i&&ediate#$ s#e't together in thesalaof ;io#as house. 2he -itness cou#d not ha+e %een e?'ectedto ee' an e$e on his co&'anion a## night and %e 'ositi+e#$ certain that the #atter did not, at

an$ti&e, #ea+e to 9oin his co!accused. 2he scene of the cri&e -as not rea##$ distant a-a$ fro&

his residence. If at a##, the account of Inda$ 7i& and )niceto Biong on#$ de'icted 'ri+ateco&'#ainant as %eing one -ho cou#d %ra(en#$ and -anton#$ s'end three nights -ith her #o+er,

f#outing the conser+ati+e &ora# sensi%i#ities of the 'eo'#e of =indangan. E+en if true, it certain#$

-ou#d not ha+e necessari#$ 'rec#uded 'ri+ate co&'#ainant fro& %eing ra'ed.

2he findings of ;r. )rchi&edes ;e&etrio, -ho conducted a &edica# e?a&ination on 'ri+ate

co&'#ainant Afi+e da$s after the incident1, that the +icti&s 'ri+ate organ sho-ed no recent

#acerations %ut on#$ o#d and hea#ed +agina# tearing, not #ie#$ &ade during the #ast fi+e da$s,

cou#d not %$ itse#f %e taen to necessari#$ &ean that she -as not su%9ected to the cri&echarged. Neither +irginit$ nor a finding of fresh +agina# #acerations -ou#d %e essentia# in 'ro+ing

ra'e.

In a #ong #ine of cases, this Court has continued to ho#d that su%9ecting the +icti& to &edica#e?a&ination is not e+en asine qua nonto 'ro+e the charge.3ust to the contrar$, it has %een a

consistent ru#ing of the Court that an accused &a$ %e con+icted e+en so#e#$ on the testi&on$ of

the co&'#ainant if the sa&e is not i&'ro%a%#e, 35and it is credi%#e, natura#, con+incing, andconsistent -ith hu&an nature and the course of things.36

)''e##ant assai#s the findings of cons'irac$ %$ the court a quo, contending that there has

%een #ac of 'roof gi+en of a 'rior agree&ent to co&&it the cri&e %$ a## the accused. 2he
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn6


26/26

argu&ent is -ithout &erit.Cons'irac$ e?ists -hen t-o or &ore 'ersons co&e to an agree&ent

concerning the co&&ission of the fe#on$ and decide to co&&it it. 32he agree&ent to co&&it the

cri&e is, &ore freuent#$ than not, &ade %$ the &a#efactors, not -ithin a considera%#e inter+a#'receding the co&&ission of the act, %ut c#ose to, or conte&'oraneous -ith, the actua#

co&&ission thereof,3-hen %$ their co##ecti+e acts, it %eco&es i&'#icit that the$ ha+e

s'ontaneous#$ agreed and decided to co&&it the fe#on$. 2he e?istence of cons'irac$, in fact, isoften inferred fro& the actuations of the accused during the co&&ission of the cri&e, -hich

'oint to a 9oint 'ur'ose, concert of action and co&&unit$ of interest.3"

On the -itness stand, the +icti& 'oignant#$ recounted the indi+idua# 'artici'ation of the

se+en &a#efactors. Ca#i?to )#e? Biong he#d her hands, Or#ando Do#ot 7e$son 'u##ed her 2!shirt, and Enriue ;odo$ 8ora#es he#d her %$ the nec. 2hen, 7e$son re#eased her 2!shirt and

'u##ed do-n her short 'ants and under-ear. )#e? forth-ith touched her %reasts and +agina -hi#e

the others continued to ho#d her hands and feet.;uring a## the ti&e that the si? of his co!accusedtoo turns in ra+ishing their ha'#ess +icti&, a''e##ant )ntonio ;io#a e't on 'oing his nife at

her. It shou#d %e o%+ious that the &a#efactors acted in concert and s$nchron$, -ith e+ident unit$

in their cri&ina# intent, in acco&'#ishing their sinister design. 2he coo'erati+e acts of each

to-ards the cri&ina# 'ur'ose of taing on their +icti& shou#d 'ro+e that the$ -ere a## 'arties tothe dastard#$ deed.3/Whi#e a''e##ant ;io#a conceded#$ did not actua##$ 'enetrate 'ri+ate

co&'#ainant, his act of ho#ding a nife against her to effecti+e#$ si#ence an$ 'rotest, -as an o+ertact in furtherance and faci#itation of the cons'irac$.

2he act of one cons'irator %eing the act of a## the cons'irators, ;io#a is #ia%#e for as &an$

counts of ra'e as each of his si? co!cons'irators has co&&itted against 'ri+ate co&'#ainant.

Confor&a%#$ -ith 're+ai#ing 9uris'rudence, a''e##ant shou#d %e he#d #ia%#e to 'a$ thea&ounts of 5/,///.// ci+i# inde&nit$ and 5/,///.// &ora# da&ages, the t-o inds of

da&ages ha+ing inde'endent 9ura# foundations, for each of the acts of ra'e co&&itted against

'ri+ate co&'#ainant or a grand tota# of 6//,///.//.

HEREFORE, the decision of the Regiona# 2ria# Court of 8aasin, =outhern 7e$te, inCri&ina# Case No. "", is )FFIR8E; and )N2ONIO ;IO7) is found gui#t$ %e$ond

reasona%#e dou%t of ra'e, on si? counts, against Caro# E'is and is sentenced to suffer, for each

count, the 'ena#t$ of reclusion perpetua. )''e##ant is a#so ordered, confor&a%#$ -ith 're+ai#ing9uris'rudence, to 'a$ a tota# of 6//,///.// %$ -a$ of da&ages, as hereina%o+e so e?'#ained, to

'ri+ate co&'#ainant. Costs against a''e##ant.

SO ORDERED.

Melo, (Chairman), Panganiban, Sandoval-Gutierrez, andCarpio, !, concur!
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/dec2001/136137.htm#_edn10

pp vs biong

Documents