PP v. BBB
PP v. BBB
EN BANC
[ G.R. No. 252214. June 14, 2022 ]
GAERLAN, J.:
This is an ordinary appeal under Rule 122 of the Rules of Court, as amended, seeking to reverse
and set aside the Decision[2] dated November 11, 2019 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-
G.R. CR-H.C. No. 11429. The said issuance affirmed with modification the April 16, 2018
Decision[3] of Branch I of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pallocan West, Batangas City in
Criminal Case Nos. 18941 and 18942 which, in turn, found accused-appellant BBB guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of one (1) count of rape, imposing upon him the penalty of reclusion
perpetua and other monetary awards.
Antecedents
BBB is the biological father of AAA, the private offended party. BBB was indicted for the crime
of rape committed against AAA by virtue of two Informations, the accusatory portions of which
read as follows:
Contrary to law.[4]
That on or about the 9th day of February 2014, at about 11:00 o'clock in the evening,
at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Province of Batangas, Philippines and within the
jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, by means of force
and intimidation, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously lie with
and have carnal knowledge with one [AA], accused's daughter, a fourteen (14)
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[-]year[-]old minor, against her will and consent, which acts debased, degraded and
demeaned the intrinsic worth and dignity of said [AA] as human being.
Contrary to law.[5]
Upon arraignment, BBB pleaded not guilty to the offenses charged. Thus, pre-trial ensued,
followed by trial on the merits.
The records show that AAA was not able to testify during trial. Nevertheless, the case was
prosecuted on the strength of a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test which revealed BBB to be
the biological father of AAA's child.[6]
The evidence for the prosecution and the defense were summarized by the CA as follows:
As for its next witness, the prosecution presented DDD. Her testimony was however
dispensed with after the defense agreed to stipulate and admit that: "the witness is
aunt of private complainant/victim AAA; her brother EEE reported to her that her
niece AAA is pregnant and that the father of the child in her womb is her father,
BBB; she brought AAA to the hospital and had her examined at the Batangas
Medical Center, Batangas City wherein it was found out that she was pregnant; [and]
that she will be able to identify her affidavit executed on February 11, 2014 x x x."
The prosecution also presented PO1 Richmon Tumabaga Manalo on the witness
stand. Again, his testimony was also dispensed with after the parties stipulated that
based on the complaint made on February 10, 2014 by private complainant and her
aunt DDD, that herein accused-appellant had carnal knowledge of said victim, this
witness and PO3 Reynaldo Mendoza Ilagan were able to apprehend him at YYY,
Batangas.
family knew that they had no way to raise said amount, thus, forcing them to
abandon the case. The report also stated that the child of the victim, CCC, is now
under the care of the victim's mother FFF, in xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
On the other hand, accused-appellant for his defense, denied the allegation of rape
against him. Accused-appellant mainly states that his daughter falsely accused him
of rape upon the prodding of his sister-in-law, DDD, with whom he had a
misunderstanding. He also claims to be unaware of the fact that his daughter got
pregnant and that the latter gave birth to a child in August 2014. Accused-appellant
nevertheless confirms that the representatives of the NBI collected DNA samples
from him, his daughter AAA and her child CCC upon order of the trial court. Despite
the DNA results indicating that he is the biological father of AAA's child, accused-
appellant insists that the same is not true.[7]
On April 16, 2018, the RTC found BBB guilty of rape as charged in Criminal Case No. 18942,
holding that the circumstantial evidence sufficiently establishes the fact that BBB raped AAA.[8]
The RTC declared that it cannot be denied that AAA was still a minor at the time of the
commission of the crime, as evidenced by her certificate of live birth and by BBB's own
admission, and that she was impregnated by her own biological father. And while there may be a
discrepancy as to the exact time that BBB took carnal knowledge of his own daughter, the trial
court ruled that the same cannot overcome the fact that a DNA test confirms that BBB is the
father of AAA's child.[9]
Further, the accused is hereby ordered to indemnify AAA and her mother the amount
of Seventy[-]Five Thousand (Php75,000.00) Pesos as moral damages plus the sum of
Forty Thousand (Php40,000.00) Pesos, as exemplary damages, and to pay the costs.
For failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable
doubt for the rape committed sometime in July 2013, herein Accused BBB is
acquitted (Criminal Case No. 18941).
The Jail Warden, Provincial Jail, Batangas City or any of his duly authorized
representatives is hereby directed to immediately commit the herein accused to the
custody of the National Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City. Let a commitment order be
issued for this purpose.
SO ORDERED.[10]
Aggrieved, BBB interposed an appeal with the CA. He argued, in the main, that because AAA
was unable to testify before the trial court, the prosecution was not able to prove one of the
elements of the crime of rape, i.e., that there be force, threat, intimidation, or coercion. BBB
also contended that the witnesses who testified for the prosecution had no personal knowledge
of the act of rape purportedly committed against AAA; and that the fact that AAA's child was
born sometime in August 2014 shows that it was very unlikely that she was raped either in July
2013 or on February 9, 2014.[11]
The CA Ruling
On November 11, 2019, the CA issued the herein assailed decision affirming with modification
BBB's conviction.[12]
The appellate court held that, indeed, the fact that BBB fathered AAA's child, is irrefutable. It is
conclusive proof that BBB had carnal knowledge of his own minor daughter.[13]
The CA further ruled that because BBB is AAA's father, there was no more need for the
prosecution to prove that there was actual threat, force, or intimidation in the commission of the
crime of rape. BBB's moral ascendancy over AAA already exists by virtue of their relationship
as father and daughter, respectively.[14]
Finally, the CA declared that the fact that AAA's child's date of birth does not correspond with
exactitude to the date when AAA was raped by BBB is immaterial. The date of commission of
the rape is not an essential element of the crime, especially in this case when the victim was
impregnated by her own father, the appellate court emphasized.[15]
The Decision promulgated on June 14, 2018 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 1 of
Batangas City, finding accused-appellant BBB guilty beyond reasonable doubt of
Rape in Crim. Case No. 18942 is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION that
the penalty of reclusion perpetua is imposed without the benefit of parole and the
amounts awarded for the civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages are
hereby increased to P100,000.00 each, pursuant to the prevailing jurisprudence.
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SO ORDERED.[16]
On January 8, 2020, the CA issued a Minute Resolution[17] giving due course to the Notice of
Appeal[18] filed by BBB, thereby ordering the elevation of the records of the instant case to this
Court.
In a Resolution[19] dated September 2, 2020, this Court noted the records of the case forwarded
by the CA. The parties were then ordered to file their respective supplemental briefs, should
they so desire, within 30 days from notice.
In a Manifestation (In Lieu of Supplemental Brief)[20] dated November 4, 2020, BBB, through
the Public Attorney's Office, declared that he would no longer file a supplemental brief because
all of his contentions have been exhaustively ventilated in the Appellant's Brief[21] that he filed
with the CA. On December 17, 2020, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a similar
Manifestation[22] on behalf of the People.
Issue
Succinctly, this Court is tasked to determine whether the CA erred in affirming with
modification BBB's conviction for the crime of rape.
BBB excoriates his conviction primarily on the ground that AAA was not able to testify against
him in open court. It is his theory that the reliance of the courts a quo on circumstantial evidence
is virtually flawed because there was no direct evidence of the commission of the crime of rape,
thereby warranting his acquittal.
Following a painstaking review of the records of the instant case, as well as the parties'
respective postures as amplified in their pleadings, the Court finds the instant appeal bereft of
merit.
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In this jurisdiction, circumstantial evidence has been defined as that evidence "which indirectly
proves a fact in issue through an inference which the fact-finder draws from the evidence
established."[27] It is that which "goes to prove a fact or series of facts other than the facts in
issue, which, if proved, may tend by inference to establish a fact in issue."[28]
Contrary to BBB's insinuations, circumstantial evidence is neither weaker nor inferior to direct
evidence. Rather, direct evidence and circumstantial evidence are equally probative.[29] It is a
settled rule that circumstantial evidence is sufficient to support a conviction, and that direct
evidence is not always necessary.[30] Circumstantial evidence is not only sufficient, but may
also be more certain, satisfying and persuasive than direct evidence.[31]
In People v. Pentecostes,[32] this Court held that a person accused of a crime may be convicted
solely based on circumstantial evidence if the following requisites concur:
2. the facts from which the inferences are derived are proven; and
Like a tapestry made up of strands which create a pattern when interwoven, a judgment of
conviction based on circumstantial evidence can be upheld only if the circumstances proved
constitute an unbroken chain which leads to one fair and reasonable conclusion which points to
the accused, to the exclusion of all others, as the guilty person.[34] The circumstances proved
must be concordant with each other, consistent with the hypothesis that the accused is guilty
and, at the same time, inconsistent with any hypothesis other than that of guilt.[35] The facts and
circumstances must be so closely interwoven and connected that the finger of guilt is pointed
unerringly at the accused and the accused alone.[36]
Under Article 266-A(1) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended, the elements of rape are:
(1) the offender had carnal knowledge of the victim; and (2) such act was accomplished through
force or intimidation; or when the victim is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious; or
when the victim is under twelve years of age.[37] These elements are obtaining in this case.
The records of the instant case ineluctably show that BBB fathered AAA's child. The result of
the DNA test which was ordered by the trial court attests to the same with scientific certainty.
Thus, the first element of rape, i.e., that the offender had carnal knowledge of the victim, has
been duly established by the prosecution. Surely, it is an unimpeachable fact that BBB had
carnal knowledge of AAA.
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As to the second element of rape, the CA correctly ruled that AAA's testimony was no longer
necessary in order for the prosecution to prove that force or intimidation was employed by BBB
to consummate his dastardly acts.
Case law holds that where the rape is committed by a close kin, such as the victim's father,
stepfather, uncle, or the common-law spouse of her mother, it is not necessary that actual force
or intimidation be employed; moral influence or ascendancy takes the place of violence or
intimidation,[38] especially so when they are living under the same roof.[39] Considering that
BBB is AAA's biological father, the former's moral ascendancy over the latter is substituted for
force and intimidation.[40]
Indeed, in cases of incestuous rape of a minor, it has been established that moral ascendancy of
the ascendant substitutes force or intimidation.[41]
We have to bear in mind that, in incest rape, the minor victim is at a great
disadvantage because the assailant, by his overpowering and overbearing moral
influence, can easily consummate his bestial lust with impunity. As a consequence,
proof of force and violence is unnecessary unlike where the accused is not an
ascendant or blood relative of the victim. Thus, the failure of the victim to explicitly
verbalize, as in this case, the use of force, threat, or intimidation by the accused
should not adversely affect the case of the prosecution as long as there is adequate
proof that sexual intercourse did take place. x x x[43]
As expounded by the RTC, BBB admitted not only that he is AAA's biological father but also
the fact that AAA was a minor at the time of the commission of the crime. AAA's birth
certificate was also presented during the trial to further cement these facts.
Being AAA's biological father, BBB indubitably holds moral ascendancy over her. Thus, there
was no longer any need for the prosecution to prove the use of force and intimidation in the act
of rape. After all, such moral ascendancy may have reduced AAA to nothing more but an object,
devoid of free will, to satisfy BBB's ungodly desires.[46]
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The defenses of denial and frame-up advanced by BBB are not enough to overcome the
evidence adduced by the prosecution.
Denial is considered with suspicion and received with caution, not only because it is inherently
weak and unreliable but also because it is easily fabricated and concocted[47] and difficult to
check or rebut.[48] The same goes for the defense of frame-up.[49]
We are not convinced by BBB's assertion that he was framed by AAA upon the prodding of his
sister-in-law who harbored ill feelings against him. BBB failed to present any clear and
convincing proof that AAA was moved by hatred or revenge, or that she was influenced by her
aunt to implicate such a serious and grave crime against him.[50]
Too, the Court cannot sustain BBB's argument that he should be acquitted because the
gestational period of AAA's pregnancy was incompatible with the alleged time of the
commission of the crime of rape as stated in the Information.
In a prosecution for rape, the material fact to be considered is the occurrence of carnal
knowledge, not the time of its commission.[51] The date of commission is not an essential
element of the crime of rape.[52] The precise time of the crime has no substantial bearing on its
commission.[53] Consequently, the date or the time of the commission of the rape need not be
stated in the complaint or information with absolute accuracy, for it is sufficient that the
complaint or information states that the crime was committed at any time as near as possible to
the date of its actual commission.[54]
Here, the prosecution was already able to prove the presence of the essential elements of the
crime of rape. The fact that there is a slight discrepancy on the date of the commission of the
crime vis-à-vis the date when AAA gave birth is immaterial. It cannot result in BBB's acquittal.
All told, the Court finds that the RTC and the CA did not commit any reversible error in
convicting accused-appellant of rape under Article 266-A of the RPC.
The Court modifies the award of civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages in
favor of AAA. In line with current policy,[55] the Court also imposes interest at the legal rate of
six percent (6%) per annum on all these monetary awards, reckoned from the date of finality of
this Resolution until their full satisfaction.
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Indeed, when facts or circumstances which are proved are not only consistent with the guilt of
the accused but also inconsistent with his innocence, such evidence, in its weight and probative
force, may surpass direct evidence in its effect upon the court.[56] We find no compelling reason
to stray from this principle, in light of applicable laws and prevailing jurisprudence.
WHEREFORE, the appeal is DISMISSED for lack of merit. The Decision dated November
11, 2019 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR HC No. 11429 is AFFIRMED with
MODIFICATION.
Accused-appellant BBB is found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Rape under Article 266-
A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of
reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole. Accused-appellant BBB is further ORDERED
to PAY AAA the amount of P100,000.00 each as civil indemnity, moral damages, and
exemplary damages.
All monetary awards shall earn legal interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the
date of finality of this Decision until their full satisfaction.
SO ORDERED.
Gesmundo, C.J., Leonen, SAJ., Caguioa, Hernando, Inting, Zalameda, M. Lopez, Rosario, J.
Lopez, Dimaampao, Marquez, Kho, Jr., and Singh, JJ., concur.
Lazaro-Javier,* J., on official leave.
* On official leave.
[1] Pursuant to Supreme Court Amended Administrative Circular No. 83-2015, the personal
circumstances and other information which tend to establish or compromise the identity of the
victim, including the names of her family members or relatives, and the barangay and town
where the incidents occurred, are withheld. The names of the victim and her family members or
relatives are replaced with fictitious initials. Likewise, the real name of the accused-appellant is
replaced with fictitious initials by reason of his relationship to the minor victim.
[2]Rollo, pp. 3-13. Penned by Associate Justice Ma. Luisa C. Quijano-Padilla with Associate
Justices Edwin D. Sorongon and Ruben Reynaldo G. Roxas concurring.
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