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FIRST DIVISION

[ G.R. No. 241780, October 12, 2020 ]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. DANILO TUYOR Y

BANDERAS, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

DECISION

PERALTA, C.J.:

For consideration is the appeal of the Court of Appeals (CA) Decision1 dated

December 15, 2017 which affirmed with modification the Decision2 dated October 9,
2015 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 89, Bacoor City, finding accused-
appellant Danilo Tuyor y Banderas (Tuyor) guilty of four (4) counts of Rape. The
accusatory portions of the five (5) Informations3 state:

Criminal Case No. B-2008-771

That on or about the 29th of September 2007, in the Municipality of ██████████,

Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, motivated by lust and with lewd designs, with the use of force, threat and
intimidation, and taking advantage of his moral ascendancy did, then and there,
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of his step-daughter [AAA]
-Minor, fourteen (14) years old, born on April 13, 1993, against her will and consent,
which acts tend to debase, degrade and demean complainant's intrinsic worth and
integrity as a child, to the damage and prejudice of the said [AAA].

CONTRARY TO LAW.4

Criminal Case No. B-2008-770

That on or about the 24th day of October 2007, in the Municipality of ██████████,
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, motivated by lust and with lewd designs, with the use of force, threat and
intimidation, and taking advantage of his moral ascendancy did, then and there,
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of his step-daughter [AAA]
-Minor, fourteen (14) years old, born on April 13, 1993, against her will and consent,
which acts tend to debase, degrade and demean complainant's intrinsic worth and
integrity as a child, to the damage and prejudice of the said [AAA].

CONTRARY TO LAW.5

Criminal Case No. B-2008-769

That on or about the 17th day of July 2007, in the Municipality of ██████████,
Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named
accused, motivated by lust and with lewd designs, with the use of force, threat and
intimidation, and taking advantage of his moral ascendancy did, then and there,
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of his step-daughter [AAA]
-Minor, fourteen (14) years old, born on April 13, 1993, against her will and consent,
which acts tend to debase, degrade and demean complainant's intrinsic worth and
integrity as a child, to the damage and prejudice of the said [AAA].

CONTRARY TO LAW.6

Criminal Case No. B-2008-768

That on or about the 24th day of September 2007, in the Municipality

of ██████████, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the
above-named accused, motivated by lust and with lewd designs, with the use of force,
threat and intimidation, and taking advantage of his moral ascendancy did, then and
there, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of his step-daughter
[AAA] -Minor, fourteen (14) years old, born on April 13, 1993, against her will and
consent, which acts tend to debase, degrade and demean complainant's intrinsic
worth and integrity as a child, to the damage and prejudice of the said [AAA].

CONTRARY TO LAW.7

Criminal Case No. B-2008-767

That sometime in August 2007, at around 8:00 p.m. in the Municipality

of ██████████, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the
above-named accused, motivated by lust and with lewd designs, with the use of force,
threat and intimidation, and taking advantage of his moral ascendancy did, then and
there, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of his step-daughter
[AAA] -Minor, fourteen (14) years old, born on April 13, 1993, against her will and
consent, which acts tend to debase, degrade and demean complainant's intrinsic
worth and integrity as a child, to the damage and prejudice of the said [AAA].

CONTRARY TO LAW.8

Tuyor pleaded not guilty9 in all the five (5) charges. Pre-trial and trial ensued.

For the Prosecution

The facts, as established by the prosecution, and as culled from the CA Decision are
as follows:

The prosecution presented as witnesses AAA10 (the victim) and Dr. Bernadette J.

Madrid of the Child Protection Unit of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The
prosecution also adduced the following evidence: 1) Exhibit "A" - AAA's Certificate of
Live Birth; 2) Exhibit "B' - BBB's Certificate of Live Birth, the alleged offspring of AAA
with [Tuyor]; 3) Exhibit "C" - AAA's Affidavit; 4) Exhibit "E" - Medico[-]Legal Report No.
2007-4907; 5) Exhibit F - picture of AAA taken by the Child Protection Unit of PGH.

XXXX

[Tuyor] and CCC, the mother of private complainant AAA, were live-in partners for five
years. CCC had three children, including AAA, with a different man before her
cohabitation with [Tuyor]. [Tuyor] and CCC have three children of their own.

AAA testified that on July 17, 2007, around 9:30 o'clock in the evening, she was
inside their room will all her five siblings. At that time her mother was at work at SM
City Sucat. In a while, [Tuyor] asked all her five siblings to leave the room, leaving her
alone. [Tuyor] closed the door and pulled her towards the bed. He then removed
AAA's colored shorts and panty and pinned her thighs with his legs. AAA struggled
and asked why [Tuyor] was doing it to her but he just kept silent. She cried and fought
back but she was overpowered by [Tuyor]. Thereafter, he spread her legs and
inserted his penis into AAA's private parts. [Tuyor] later wiped his penis with a piece
of cloth to remove the blood that came out from AAA's vagina. He likewise threatened
AAA that he would kill her siblings and her mother if she told anyone about what
happened. Hence, AAA kept silent and never told anyone about the incident.

Sometime in August 2007, at around 8 o'clock in the evening, AAA was inside her
room sleeping when she felt that someone was on top of her. When she opened her
eyes, she saw [Tuyor] naked from the waist down. Then, he covered her mouth and
inserted his penis into her vagina. AAA cried and was threatened again by [Tuyor] not
to tell anyone about what happened or he would kill her.

AAA was not able to narrate and testify on the third incident of rape on her direct
examination for she was continuously crying.

Nevertheless, she was able to recall later that on September 29 and October 24, 2007
that she was at her room sleeping when [Tuyor] undressed her and covered her
mouth. AAA was awakened when [Tuyor] inserted his penis into her vagina.
Thereafter, he threatened AAA again to [sic] not tell anyone as to what happened or
else he would kill her.

On October 26, 20-07, AAA complained of stomach cramps to her mother CCC so the
latter brought her to a doctor where they found out that AAA was pregnant. AAA then
told her mother that [Tuyor] had raped her several times. Thereafter, they went to the
police station in ██████████, Cavite to file a complaint against [Tuyor]. AAA was
examined by the Philippine General Hospital for medico-legal examination which
showed that she suffered hymenal laceration and was indeed pregnant.

[Tuyor] was arrested by barangay officials and brought to the Bacoor police station
where complaints for rape were filed against him."11

For the Defense

Tuyor was given ample time to present his evidence, but he manifested through his
counsel that he would no longer be presenting evidence.

RTC Ruling

On October 9, 2015, the RTC rendered its Decision, the dispositive portion of which
reads:

ACCORDINGLY, in Criminal Case B-2008-767, finding the accused Danilo Tuyor y

Banderas GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Rape, he is sentenced to suffer the
penalty of reclusion perpetua.

He is ordered to pay AAA P50,000[.00 as civil indemnity, P50,000[.00 as moral

damages and P30,000[.00as exemplary damages and to pay the interest at the rate
of six percent (6%) per annum on all damages awarded, to be computed from the
date of the finality of this Decision until fully paid.

In Criminal Case B-2008-768, the accused Danilo Tuyor y Banderas is

found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Rape and is sentenced to suffer the
penalty of reclusion perpetua.

He is ordered to pay AAA P50,000[.00 as civil indemnity, P50,000[.00as moral

damages and P30,000[.00 as exemplary damages and to pay the interest at the rate
of six percent (6%) per annum on all damages awarded, to be computed from the
date of the finality of this Decision until fully paid.

In Criminal Case B-2008-769, considering the failure of the prosecution to prove his
guilt beyond reasonable doubt, the accused is ACQUITTED of the crime charged.

In Criminal Case B-2008-770, the accused Danilo Tuyor y Banderas is

found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Rape and sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua.

He is ordered to pay AAA P50,000[.00 as civil indemnity, P50,000[.00 as moral

damages and P30,000[.00 as exemplary damages and to pay the interest at the rate
of six percent (6%) per annum on all damages awarded, to be computed from the
date of the finality of this Decision until fully paid.

In Criminal Case B-2008-771, the accused Danilo Tuyor y Banderas is

found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Rape and sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua.

He is ordered to pay AAA P50,000[.00 as civil indemnity, P50,000[.00 as moral

damages and P30,000[.00 as exemplary damages and to pay the interest at the rate
of six percent (6%) per annum on all damages awarded, to be computed from the
date of the finality of this Decision until fully paid.

Being a detention prisoner, the accused is credited in full of the time he had
undergone preventive imprisonment.

SO ORDERED.12

The RTC found AAA's testimony as categorical, straightforward, consistent and

credible. AAA was able to narrate four of the five crimes of rape in detail: the act of
Tuyor in inserting his private organ into hers; how she struggled to fight back against
the accused; the pain she experienced during the rape; the whitish substance which
came out from Tuyor; how Tuyor wiped her private part; and Tuyor's threats after the
crimes of rape.13 Through AAA's narration, the RTC was fully convinced that Tuyor
raped AAA. According to the court a quo, Tuyor can only be convicted of the crimes of
simple rape and not qualified rape. Although it was proven that AAA was a minor
when the crimes of rape were committed, the relationship between AAA and Tuyor
was not that of a stepfather-stepdaughter's since Tuyor was not married to AAA's
mother. The special qualifying circumstance of a stepfather and stepdaughter
relationship where the victim is a minor, cannot be considered in this case.

Tuyor filed his appeal with the CA. The accused-appellant Tuyor, and the plaintiff-
appellee filed their respective Briefs.

CA Ruling

On December 15, 2017, the Court of Appeals issued its assailed Decision affirming
accused-appellant Tuyor's conviction. The dispositive portion of the Decision reads:

WHEREFORE, the instant appeal is DENIED. The assailed x x x Decision dated

October 9, 2015 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 89 of ██████████ in
Criminal Cases Nos. B-2008-767, B-2008-768, B-2008-769, B-2008-770, and B-2007-
771 is hereby AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that as to each of said cases, the
civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages are increased to PhP
100,000.00 as to each award. Lastly, accused-appellant is ordered to pay interest on
the amounts awarded at the legal rate of 6% per annum from the date of finality of this
judgment until fully paid.

SO ORDERED.14

The CA held that the records clearly prove that Tuyor had carnal knowledge of AAA
with force, threat and intimidation and by taking advantage of his moral ascendancy
over AAA, being the live-in partner of AAA's mother.15 Based on AAA's testimony, it
was established that Tuyor raped her.16 The prosecution's evidence has established
that Tuyor committed four counts of qualified rape against AAA, to wit: (1) the
presentation of AAA's Certificate of Live Birth, which proves that she was 14 years old
when the incidents of rape happened; (2) Tuyor had carnal knowledge of AAA on four
separate occasions through AAA's positive, categorical, and spontaneous testimony;
(3) Tuyor perpetrated the acts through force, threat or intimidation by using force and
threatening to kill AAA if the latter would tell anyone about the sexual assault; and (4)
AAA is the live-in partner of AAA's mother.17

As regards the medico-legal report presented before the RTC, the latter gave weight
and credence to it, to which the CA affirmed. There is a presumption of regularity in
the performance of the government doctor's functions and duties, when Dr. Irene
Baluyut issued the medico-legal report.18 Since entries in the official records made in
the performance of official duty are prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated,
Dr. Baluyut's findings that AAA had sexual contact and was seven weeks pregnant at
that time, are conclusive in the absence of evidence proving the contrary.19 Even
assuming arguendo that the medico-legal report has no evidentiary value, the
prosecution has established Tuyor's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, by sufficiently
proving all the elements of qualified rape.20

On January 15, 2018, accused-appellant Tuyor filed his Notice of Appeal21 before the
CA, on the ground that the CA Decision dated December 15, 2017 is contrary to fact,
law and applicable jurisprudence.

When this appeal was instituted before this Court, the parties made their
Manifestations22 that they will adopt their appellant's and appellee's Briefs,
respectively, in lieu of their Supplemental Briefs.

Issues

1. Whether the CA erred in not excluding Dr. Bernadette J. Madrid's testimony for
allegedly being hearsay.

2. Whether the CA erred in giving due weight and credence to AAA's testimony.

3. Whether the CA erred in convicting Tuyor guilty beyond reasonable doubt of four
(4) counts of qualified rape through sexual intercourse under Article 266(A)(la), in
relation to Article 266-B(1).

Tuyor faults the CA for affirming his conviction.

He argues that Dr. Madrid's testimony should have been excluded for being hearsay
because she was neither present at the time the medico-legal report was made, nor
was she present at the time of AAA's medical examination.

As regards AAA's testimony, Tuyor argues that AAA's failure to be consistent as to

the exact date when she was allegedly raped for the second time, is fatal and should
have been considered in favor of him. According to him, the RTC gave more credence
to AAA's incredible testimony.23

Ruling of the Court

We deny the appeal, but modify the crime committed,24 the penalty imposed, and the
awarded indemnities.

After establishing that the medico-legal report shall be given weight and credence, Dr.
Madrid's testimony that she is familiar with Dr. Baluyut's signature and her
interpretations of Dr. Baluyut's medico-legal report, shall also be given weight and
credence.

The medico-legal report shall be given weight and credence, even if the physician
who examined and prepared it, was not presented in court.

First, Dr. Baluyut's issuance of the medico-legal report falls under one of the
exceptions to the hearsay rule.

Under Section 44, Rule 130 of the Rules on Evidence, "Entries in official records
made in the performance of [her] duty [as] a public officer of the Philippines, x x x
are prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated."

Dr. Baluyut, a government doctor, and who by actual practice and by virtue of her
oath as civil service official, is competent to examine persons and issue medico-legal
reports. There is a presumption of regularity in the performance of Dr. Baluyut's
functions and duties when she issued the medico-legal reports. In the absence of
evidence proving the contrary, Dr. Baluyut's finding that AAA had sexual intercourse
with Tuyor, and was seven weeks pregnant when she was examined, are conclusive.

Second, when Dr. Madrid testified in court, she identified the signature of Dr. Baluyut
in Medico-Legal Report No. 2007-4907, and mentioned that she is familiar with Dr.
Baluyut's signature because she saw Dr. Baluyut sign a document, to wit:

Pros. Dumaual :I am showing you a Medico[-]Legal [Rjeport prepared by Dr. Irene D.

Baluy[u]t. Will you go over this document[?]. Where is the Medico[-]Legal Report that
you are referring to?

Witness :This is the one. This is the Medico[-]Legal Report No. 2007-4907 prepared
by Dr. Baluy[u]t and this is her signature, sir.

xxxx

Pros. Dumaual :And how did you come to know that is the signature of Dr. Baluy[u]t?

Witness : I already saw her signing a document, sir.25

Under Section 50(b), Rule 130 of the Rules on Evidence, "[T]he opinion of a witness x
x x may be received in evidence regarding x x x [a] handwriting with which [s]he has
sufficient familiarity."
Since Dr. Madrid was familiar with Dr. Baluyut's signature, because both of them work
at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and she saw Dr. Baluyut sign a document,
Dr. Madrid's testimony with regard to Dr. Baluyut's signature is admissible as an
opinion of an ordinary witness.

Third, Dr. Madrid, a doctor from the Child Protection Unit (CPU) of the PGH, is an
expert witness:

Pros. Dumaual : Madam Witness, since when have you been a doctor of CPU-PGH?

Witness : Since January, 1997, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : [Doctor,] [y]ou said that you were already connected with the PGH
since 1997.

Witness : Yes, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : And on October 26, 2007[,] how long have you been a medico legal
officer?

Witness : 10 years, sir.26

Under Section 49 of the Rules of Evidence, "The opinion of a witness on a matter

requiring special knowledge, skill, experience or training which [s]he is shown to
possess, may be received in evidence."

The prosecution was able to establish Dr. Madrid's expertise in the relevant medical
field. Dr. Madrid's interpretation of the entries made by Dr. Baluyut in the medico-legal
report is admissible as expert testimony.

With respect to the probative value of Dr. Madrid's expert testimony, this will depend
on her credibility as an expert witness and the relevance of her testimony to the issue
at hand. As a rule, the trial judge's assessment of the witnesses' testimonies and
findings of fact are accorded great respect on appeal.27 In the absence of any
substantial reason to justify the reversal of the trial court's assessment and
conclusion, like when no significant facts and circumstances are shown to have been
overlooked or disregarded, the reviewing court is generally bound by the former's
findings.28 The rule is even more stringently applied if the appellate court has
concurred with the trial court.29

Dr. Madrid testified as regards Dr. Baluyut's findings contained in the medico-legal
report, to wit:

Pros. Dumaual : Can you tell us the case of [AAA] based on the data record?

Witness : Based on the record [AAA] appeared before Dr. Baluy[u]t on October 26,
2007 and conducted the examination and attached to the record the picture of the
said victim, sir.
xxxx

Pros. Dumaual : What can you say about the findings of Dr. Baluy[u]t to [AAA]?

Witness : Based on the medical examination of Dr. Baluy[u]t that there is a definite
evidence of sexual abuse on the genitalia of the victim on the 5:00 o'clock position,
sir.30

There is no substantial reason to justify the reversal of the RTC's assessment and
conclusion on the probative value of Dr. Madrid's expert testimony. Moreso, the CA
concurred with the RTC on the matter. The relevance of Dr. Madrid's testimony to the
issue at hand was also established where she testified that based on the medico-legal
report, AAA was sexually abused.

AAA's testimony must be given

due weight and credence.

In determining whether AAA's testimony should be given due weight and credence, it
is important to take into consideration the women's honor doctrine which states, "[the]
well-known fact that women, especially Filipinos would not admit that they have been
abused unless that abuse had actually happened, [because it is] their natural instinct
to protect their honor,"31 borders on the fallacy of non-sequitur, to wit:32

xxx While the factual setting back then would have been appropriate to say it is
natural for a woman to be reluctant in disclosing a sexual assault; today we simply
cannot be stuck to the Maria Clara stereotype of a demure and reserved Filipino
woman. We should stay away from such mindset and accept the realities of a
woman's dynamic role in society today; she who has over the years transformed into
a strong and confidently intelligent and beautiful person, willing to fight for her
rights.33

Through this, the Court can evaluate the weight and credibility of a private
complainant of rape without gender bias or cultural misconception.34

It is a settled rule that rape may be proven by the sole and uncorroborated testimony
of the offended party, provided that her testimony is clear, positive and probable.35

As a general rule, findings of facts and assessment of credibility of witnesses are

matters best left to the trial court.36 Jurisprudence has set the following guidelines:

First, the Court gives the highest respect to the RTC's evaluation of the testimony of
the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a
witness on the stand. From its vantage point, the trial court is in the best position to
determine the truthfulness of witnesses.

Second, absent any substantial reason which would justify the reversal of the RTC's
assessments and conclusions, the reviewing court is generally bound by the lower
court's findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances, affecting the
outcome of the case, are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded.
And third, the rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the
RTC.37

AAA's testimony with regard to the first, second, fourth and fifth counts of rape
committed against her, was categorical and straightforward. There could be no
substantial reason to overturn the weight given by the RTC, and as affirmed by the
CA.

On the first count of rape, AAA narrated:

PROS. DUMAUAL : Can you still remember when was the first time you were raped
by the accused, [AAA]?

WITNESS : AAA: July 17, 2007, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : Can you still remember the exact time when you were first
abused by the accused [o]n July 17, 2007?

WITNESS :9:30 in the evening, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL :What were you doing on July 17, 2007 at around 9:30 in the
evening in your house?

WITNESS : I was inside our room, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : Where was the accused during that time?

WITNESS : Also inside the room, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : Do you know if during that time your siblings were already
sleeping?

WITNESS : At that time, he asked my siblings to go out and go to sleep and until the
time we were the ones left in the room, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : What did the accused exactly tell you before he raped you?

WITNESS : He told me that he ordered my sibling (sic) to go out of the room, sir.

xxxx
PROS. DUMAUAL : After telling you that, what did the accused do next?

WITNESS : He removed my clothes and pulled me towards the bed, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What clothes were you wearing then?

WITNESS : I was wearing white t-shirt and colored shorts, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Where were you when he removed your clothes?

WITNESS : In the room, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : You said you were wearing white t-shirt and colored shorts. What
clothes did the accused removed (sic) first?

WITNESS : Shorts, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was your reaction when he removed your shorts?

WITNESS : I was struggling against him and I was asking why, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what was the answer of the accused when you asked him
why he was doing that to you?

WITNESS : Nothing, sir. He did not say anything.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : How was he able to remove your shorts considering that it has
buttons and buttons are difficult to remove?

WITNESS : He removed the buttons one by one and then he pinned down my thigh
with his legs, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was his position when he remove (sic) you shorts?

WITNESS : His feet were straight, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : After he removed your shorts, what did he do next?

WITNESS : He raped me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Why did you say that he raped you?

WITNESS : When I was lying down that's the time he forced me and I was crying at
that time, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : You said that he forced you. How did he force you? What did he
do when you said that he forced you?

WITNESS : He was holding both of my shoulders and I was pushing him away, but I
couldn't fight him back considering that he was strong, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : When he held your shoulders, what did he do next?

WITNESS : Then he raped me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : By rape, you mean what?

WITNESS : He spread my legs and inserted his organ into mine, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : Was he able to penetrate you?

WITNESS : Yes, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : How long did he penetrate you?

WITNESS : Only for a short period of time.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Was that the first time that you had an experience of penetration?

WITNESS :Yes, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what did you feel?

WITNESS : It was painful, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was your reaction when he tried to in and out his private
part?

WITNESS : I was just crying, sir.

xxxx

COURT : By the way, after he removed his private part in and out of your private part,
what happened?

WITNESS : Blood came out, Your Honor.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL Why did you not report to them what the accused did to you?

WITNESS He threatened that he would kill us all, sir. Ꮮαwρhi ৷

PROS. DUMAUAL : Who threatened you?

WITNESS : The accused, Danilo Tuyor, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : When did he tell you that he would kill you all?

WITNESS : He whispered it to me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : When was that?

WITNESS : After doing what he did to me and when my siblings arrived, we were the
only ones left in that room that's the time he told me the threat, sir.38

On the second incident of rape, AAA recalled how the ordeal transpired:

PROS. DUMAUAL : You said you were raped five times. When was the second time
that you were raped by the accused?

WITNESS : August 2008, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : But can you still remember what you were doing during that time
that you were raped for the second time?

WITNESS : I was about to go to sleep, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What time was that?

WITNESS : 8 o'clock, sir.

xxxx

COURT : And how did the rape occur?

WITNESS : I was already asleep until the time that I felt that he was on top of me,
Your Honor.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : You said that you noticed the accused was already on top of you,
how did you come to know that it was the accused who was on top of you considering
that you said that you had no electricity during that time?

WITNESS : Because at that time, he was our only companion in that house, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what did he do when he went on top of you?

WITNESS : I did not know then that I was already naked and I only felt that he was
already on top of me, sir.     

PROS. DUMAUAL : By naked, you mean your total body?

   

WITNESS : Only my clothing from the waist down, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : What did the accused do when you found him on top of you in
the night of August 2008?

WITNESS : He inserted his organ into mine, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what did he do after the accused inserted his private part
into your private part?

WITNESS : He covered my mouth, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : How about him, did he make any motion while he inserted his
private part into your private part?

WITNESS : He held both of my hands, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And how long did he insert his private part into your private part?

WITNESS : Only for five minutes, sir.

PROS. DUMUAL : And during that time that he inserted his private part into your
private part for five minutes, did he make any motion.

WITNESS : No, sir. I didn't know considering that he had my eyes closed, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what did you feel when he inserted his private part into your
private part in the night of August 2008 when he raped you for the second time?

WITNESS : Masakit po.

PROS. DUMAUAL : You said that he inserted his private part into your private part for
almost five minutes. After five minutes, what did he do next?

WITNESS : Nilabas-masok nya po.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Did you notice if there was something that came out from you?

WITNESS : No, I didn't notice, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : How about him, did you notice if there was something that came
out form (sic) his private part?

WITNESS : There was, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : How did you come to know that considering that it was dark?

WITNESS : I was able to touch something which was sticky coming from his organ,
sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : How were you able to touch that sticky substance when
according to you during that time he was covering your mouth and holding your
hands?

WITNESS : After the act, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : After he wiped your private part and he wiped his private part,
what did he do?

WITNESS : I was crying, sir.39

As regards the third count of rape, the elements of the crime were not established.
While AAA testified on the third count of rape, she was crying profusely during the
direct examination; and the prosecution had to ask for a continuance, to wit:

PROS. DUMAUAL  : And where were you when you were raped for the third time [o]n
September 24, 2007?
WITNESS I was doing the dishes then, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What portion of your house were you washing the dishes?

WITNESS : In the kitchen, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : It was already 10 o'clock. Why is it that it was only then that you
were washing the dishes?

WITNESS : Because we just had dinner, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And who were your companions in eating supper?

WITNESS : My siblings and my mother because after my mother came from work, sir,
that same night, she would also sell ballot.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What time did your mother arrive on that night of September 24,
2007?

WITNESS : 9 o'clock, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : While washing the dishes, where were your siblings?

WITNESS : Already asleep, sir.

COURT : And where was your mother then?

WITNESS : We all had supper then, Your Honor, and after that, I did the dishes and
that's the time she left, Your Honor.

COURT : So while washing dishes, your mother had already left home?

WITNESS : Yes, Your Honor.

COURT : And what time did [s]he usually return after selling ballot?

WITNESS : Sometimes 1 o'clock early morning, sometimes 2 o'clock, Your Honor.

COURT : By the way, what was your mother's work in SM hen?

WITNESS : In the alteration department, Your Honor.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Your Honor, please, it appears that the witness is already crying
and likewise the mother. Can we ask for a continuance?40

When her examination continued before the RTC, she no longer testified on the third
count of rape.41

On the fourth incident of rape, AAA declared:

       

PROS. DUMAUAL : So when was the fourth time that you were sexually abused by
the accused?

WITNESS : September 29, 2007, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL What time?

WITNESS 10:05 in the evening, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Where were you that time?

WITNESS : I was about to go to sleep when he laid down beside me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Where were you suppose[d] to sleep on that time and date?

WITNESS : On the floor, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Do you have companions inside that place where you were about
to sleep and then he laid beside you?

WITNESS : He told my siblings to go out, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : So when they went out of the place, what happened?

WITNESS : He pulled me inside the room and that is where he raped me, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : So, was he able to pull you out to that room?

WITNESS : Yes, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what happened when he was able to pull you inside the
room?

WITNESS : He covered my mouth with the handkerchief, sir. Before that I am asking
him why but he did not answer and then he pulled me inside the room.

xxxx
PROS. DUMAUAL : So what happened when you were pulled inside the room?

WITNESS : That's when he started raping me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : How did he start raping you?

WITNESS : He held my hands and then pinned "inipit" down my legs and then he
inserted his genital organ into mine, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was your position when he held your hands and pinned
your legs?

Interpreter : The witness demonstrated her hands downwards.

WITNESS : He hold (sic) my hands and he pinned my two legs, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Were you standing when he hold (sic) your hands?

WITNESS : I was sitting, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Were you wearing something during that time that he held your
hands and pinned your legs?

WITNESS : Yes, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was something in your body?

WITNESS : I was wearing short and t-shirt, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Considering that you were wearing shorts, how was he able to
insert his private part with your private part?

WITNESS : My legs was (sic) pinned down by his legs and then he spread my legs,
sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Why was your short already placed down, who did that?

WITNESS : He did it, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : When did he pull down your shorts?

WITNESS : Before he started raping me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was your position when he pulled your short?

WITNESS : Lying, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what did you do, if any, when he pulled your short?

WITNESS : He told me not to tell that matter to my mother or he would kill us, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : And what happened when he inserted his private part into your
private part?

Interpreter : Make it of record that the witness is crying.

WITNESS : That is when he started raping me but I did not know for how long he did
that to me, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What did the accused do when his private part was inserted into
yours?

WITNESS : Nothing, he was just quiet, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Was there any movement that transpire [d]?

WITNESS : None, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : You mean to say his private part was just inserted to your private
part without him doing anything?

WITNESS : Aside from what he told me not to tell that to my mother or else he would
kill us also, sir.

xxxx

PROS. DUMAUAL : Did you notice if something came out from him?

WITNESS : Yes, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : What was that that came out from the accused?

WITNESS : Looks like something white, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : Did you observe what was that?

WITNESS : No, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : In what particular part of his body did that something white came
out?

WITNESS : From his organ, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : So after noticing that whitish substance came out from his private
organ, what did the accused do next, if any?

WITNESS : He wiped it out and asked me to stand up while I was crying, sir.

PROS. DUMAUAL : When did you start crying?

WITNESS : "Pagpasok ng ari nya", sir.42

On the fifth incident of rape, AAA stated:

Pros. Dumaual : Because you did not report the incident it appears that there was
another time that you were sexually abused again by the accused. Can you still
remember when was that?

Witness : October 24, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : Of what year?

Witness : 2007, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : And can you still remember the time when that sexual abused (sic)
happened on October 24, 2007?

Witness : 9:30 o'clock in the evening, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : And where were [you] during that time? During that time and date?

Witness : I was already lying down on my bed and it was about 5 minutes and then
suddenly I felt that somebody lay down beside me, although I have may (sic) family
lying beside me but not that close, it was only the accused who laid beside me so
close, sir.

xxxx

Pros. Dumaual : So who were with you on October 24, 2009 when you were already
sleeping at around 9:30 o'clock in the evening?

Witness : My younger siblings, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : And how far were they from the place where you were sleeping?

Witness : We were lying beside each other, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : So, you said a while ago that you were asleep and somebody laid
beside you. Did you come to know who was that person who laid beside you?

Witness : When I was awaken[ed,] I realized that it was the accused who laid beside
me, sir.
Pros. Dumaual : What made you realized (sic) that it was the accused who laid beside
you?

Witness : Because he placed his hand on my breast and he mashed it, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : For how long did he mash your breast?

Witness : I did not know probably 2 minutes, sir.

xxxx

Pros. Dumaual :After mashing your breast for 2 minutes, what did the accused do
next, if any?

Witness :The same, sir. I was facing my side when he raped me.

Pros. Dumaual :Right side or left side?

Interpreter :Make it of record that the witness turn[ed] to her right side.

Pros. Dumaual :Where was the accused when you were facing right side?

Witness :Behind me, sir.

Pros. Dumaual :What did he do?

Witness :He removed my short, sir.

xxxx

Pros. Dumaual :What did he do with your panty?

Witness :He pulled them halfway down my legs and then he inserted his organ into
my private part, sir.

Pros. Dumaual :Are you sure that he was able to insert his private part into your
private part?

Witness :Yes, sir.

xxxx

Pros. Dumaual : Did you notice if there was movement made by the accused while his
private part was inserted into your private part while you were facing the right side and
he was at your back?

Witness : No, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : Did you notice if there was something that came out from his private
part on that time and date?

Witness : Yes, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : How did you come to know that something came out from his private
part?

Witness : That something came out from his private part felt hot, sir.43

Based on AAA's testimony, the elements of rape were proven beyond reasonable
doubt.

Under Article 266-A, rape is committed:

Article 266-A. Rape: When and How Committed. - x x x

1) By a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under any

of the following circumstances:

a) Through force, threat, or intimidation;

xxx

Tuyor had carnal knowledge of AAA through force, threat and intimidation. AAA's
positive, categorical and spontaneous testimony shows that on these four separate
instances, Tuyor had inserted his penis into her vagina against her will by using force
and threatening to kill AAA if she would tell anyone about the rape.

AAA's inconsistency as to the exact date of the second rape does not in itself, cast
doubt on Tuyor's guilt. Since the essence of rape is carnal knowledge of a person
through force or intimidation against that person's will,44 the precision as to the time
when the rape is committed has no bearing on its commission.45

Tuyor can only be convicted

with four (4) counts of simple
rape.

Under Article 266-B of the RPC, death penalty shall be imposed in a crime of rape
through sexual intercourse:

1. When the victim is under eighteen (18) years of age and the offender is a parent,
ascendant, step-parent, guardian, relative by consanguinity or affinity within the third
civil degree, or the common law spouse of the parent of the victim.

In order to qualify the rape, the minority of the victim and his or her relationship with
the offender should both be alleged in the Information and proven beyond reasonable
doubt during trial.46 The raison d' etre is that the special qualifying circumstances of
minority and relationship have the effect of altering the nature of the rape and its
corresponding penalty.47 Otherwise, death penalty cannot be imposed upon the
offender.48

AAA's minority at the time the crimes were committed against her, was properly
alleged and proven during trial. Evidence also proved that Tuyor had carnal
knowledge of AAA without the latter's consent, with the use of force, threat and
intimidation, and by taking advantage of his moral ascendancy. However, in the five
Informations, the allegation that AAA is the "stepdaughter" of Tuyor, is inaccurate.
Neither AAA is the stepdaughter of Tuyor nor is the latter the stepfather of the former,
because such a relationship presupposes a legitimate relationship between the
appellant and the victim's mother.49 A stepdaughter is the daughter of one's wife or
husband by a former marriage, or a stepfather is the husband of one's mother by
virtue of a marriage subsequent to that of which the person spoken of is the
offspring50

During trial, the prosecution failed to establish the stepparent-stepdaughter

relationship between Tuyor and AAA. No proof of marriage was presented to establish
Tuyor's relationship with AAA's mother. On the contrary, AAA's testimony shows that
Tuyor was the live-in partner of AAA's mother, to wit:

Pros. Dumaual : How were you related to the accused?

Witness   : He is my stepfather, sir.

Pros. Dumaual : How did he become your stepfather?

Witness : He is the live-in partner of my mother, sir.51

xxxx

COURT : Is the accused married to your mother?

Witness : No, Your Honor.52

Although the State has successfully proven the common-law relationship, the crime is
only simple rape where the information does not properly allege the qualifying
circumstance of relationship between the accused and the victim.53 This is because
the accused's right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against
him is inviolable54 Tuyor can only be convicted of simple rape, and not of qualified
rape.

The Penalties

In Criminal Cases No. B-2008-767, B-2008-768, B-2008-770, B-2008-771, Rape

through Sexual Intercourse, under paragraph 1 of Article 266-A, were committed
without any of the qualifying or aggravating circumstances enumerated under Article
266-B, where the penalty for each count of rape shall be reclusion perpetua.

The Damages

For the four (4) counts of rape, the award of civil indemnities, moral and exemplary
damages are proper. Ꮮαwρhi ৷

Jurisprudence has settled that an award of civil indemnity ex delicto is mandatory

upon a finding of the fact of rape, while moral damages may be automatically
awarded in rape cases without need of proof of mental and physical suffering.55 The
award of exemplary damages is also proper to set a public example, to serve as
deterrent to elders who abuse and corrupt the youth, and to protect the latter from
sexual abuse.56

For the crime of simple rape under Article 266-A(1), the penalty to be imposed
is reclusion perpetua57 with civil indemnity of P75,000.00, moral damages of
P75,000.00, and exemplary damages of P75,000.00; in accordance with People v.
Jugueta.58

In consonance with prevailing jurisprudence, the amount of damages awarded shall

earn interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the finality of this
judgment until said amounts are fully paid.

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the appeal is DISMISSED. The Decision

dated October 9, 2015 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 89, Bacoor City in Criminal
Cases No. B-2008-767 to B-2008-771, as affirmed by the Court of Appeals Decision
dated December 15, 2017 in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 08607
is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATIONS. We find accused-appellant Danilo Tuyor y
Banderas:

1 Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Simple Rape under Article 266-

A(1)(a) and penalized in Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, in
Criminal Case No. B-2008-767, and is sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua, and with modification as to the award of
damages. Accused-appellant is ORDERED to PAY AAA the amounts
of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P75,000.00 as moral damages, and
P75,000.00 as exemplary damages.

2 Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Simple Rape under Article 266-

A(1)(a) and penalized in Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, in
Criminal Case No. B-2008-768, and is sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua, and with modification as to the award of
damages. Accused-appellant is ORDERED to PAY AAA the amounts
of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P75,000.00 as moral damages, and
P75,000.00 as exemplary damages.

3 Not guilty of Simple Rape under Article 266-A(l)(a) and penalized in

Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, in Criminal Case No. B-
2008-769, considering his guilt was not proven beyond reasonable
doubt. Accused-appellant is ACQUITTED of the crime charged.

4 Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Simple Rape under 266-A(1)(a)

and penalized in Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, in Criminal
Case No. B-2008-770, and is sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua, and with modification as to the award of
damages. Accused-appellant is ORDERED to PAY AAA the amounts
 of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P75,000.00 as moral damages, and
P75,000.00 as exemplary damages.

5 Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Simple Rape under 266-A(1)(a)

and penalized in Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code, in Criminal
Case No. B-2008-771, and is sentenced to suffer the penalty
of reclusion perpetua, and with modification as to the award of
damages. Accused-appellant is ORDERED to PAY AAA the amounts
of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity, P75,000.00 as moral damages, and
P75,000.00 as exemplary damages.

Legal interest of six percent (6%) per annum is imposed on all damages awarded
from the date of finality of this Decision until fully paid.

SO ORDERED.

WE CONCUR:

Caguioa, Lazaro-Javier, Lopez and Rosario, JJ., concur.

Footnotes

1Penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando (now a

member of this Court), with Associate Justices Marlene B. Gonzales-
Sison and Rafael Antonio M. Santos concurring; rollo pp. 2-20.

2Penned by Executive Judge Eduardo Israel Tanguanco; CA rollo, pp.

46-61.

3Rollo, pp. 4-5.

4Records, pp. 1, 3.

5Id. at 5, 7.

6Id. at 9, 11.

7Id. at 13, 15.

8Id. at 17.

9CA rollo, p. 47.

10Under Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children

Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), the real
name of the victim and those of her immediate family members are
withheld and fictitious initials are instead used to protect the victim's
privacy.

11Rollo, pp. 5-6. (Citations omitted)

12CA rollo, pp. 60-61.

13Id. at 56.

14Rollo, p.19.

15Id. at 8.

16Id.

17Id. at 16.

18Id. at 18.

19Id.

20Id.

21CA rollo, pp. 109-110.

22Id. at 32-36; 37-42.

23CA rollo, p. 37.

24In Criminal Case Nos. B-2008-767 to B-2008-771.

25TSN, August 5, 2013, pp. 4-5.

26Id. at 3.

27People v. Labraque, 818 Phil. 204, 211 (2017, citing People v.

Alberca, 810 Phil. 896, 906 (2017).

28Id. at 211-212.

29Id. at 212.

30TSN, August 5, 2013, pp. 4-5.

31People v. Taño, et al., 109 Phil. 912, 914 (1960).

32People v. Amarela, G.R. Nos. 225642-43. January 17, 2018, 852

SCRA 54, 68.

33Id.

34Id.

35People v. Barberan, et al, 788 Phil. 103, 109 (2016).

36People v. Dayaday, 803 Phil. 363, 371 (2017).

37People v. Tanglao, G.R. No. 219963, June 13, 2018. (Emphases

ours)

38TSN, December 1, 2009, pp. 4-15. (Emphases supplied)

39Id. at 16-20. (Emphases supplied)

40Id. at 23-25.

41TSN, October 19, 2010, pp. 1-21; TSN, December 14, 2010, pp. 1-
8; TSN, March 6, 2012, pp. 1-12

42TSN, December 1, 2009, pp. 3-9. (Emphases supplied)

43Id. at 12-15, (Emphases ours)

44People v. ZZZ, G.R. No. 224584, September 4, 2019.

45Id.

46People v. Romeo de Castro de Guzman, G.R. No. 224212,

November 27, 2019.

47Id.

48Id.

49Id.

50People v. Melendres, 393 Phil. 878, 896 (2000).

51TSN, October 19,2010, p. 7.

52TSN, March 6, 2012, p. 10.

53People v. Romeo de Castro de Guzman, supra note 46.

 54Id.

55People v. Tulagan, G.R. No. 227363, March 12, 2019.

56People v. Layco, Sr., 605 Phil. 877, 882 (2009).

57Article 266-B of the revised Penal Code provides:

Article 266-B. Penalty. - Rape under paragraph 1 of the next

preceding article shall be punished by reclusion perpetua.

58783 Phil. 806(2016).

II. For Simple Rape/Qualified Rape:

2.1 Where the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua[;] other

than [where the penalty imposed is Death but reduced
to reclusion perpetua because of RA 9346, or where the crime
committed was not consummated but merely attempted] x x x:

a. Civil indemnity - P75,000.00

b. Moral damages - P75,000.00

c. Exemplary damages - P75,000.00

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