THIRD DIVISION
[G.R. No. 129074. February 28, 2000]
PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. SALVADOR LOMERIO, defendant-appellant.
D E C I S I O N
GONZAGA-REYES, J.: Sclaw
Accused-appellant SALVADOR LOMERIO
(hereafter SALVADOR) prays for the reversal of the Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court of Antipolo, Rizal,
Branch 74 dated January 16, 1977 finding him guilty of the crime of RAPE based
on an Information which alleges:
"That on or
about the 23rd day of March, 1993 in the Municipality of Antipolo
Province of Rizal, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable
Court, the above-named accused, with lewd designs and by means of force and
intimidation did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously have
sexual intercourse with a minor ten (10) years old girl, Leonila Bunagan,
without her consent and against her will.
CONTRARY TO
LAW."[2]
On August 22, 1994, SALVADOR entered a plea
of not guilty upon arraignment, trial then proceeded with the prosecution
presenting the following witnesses: Vilma Bunagan, mother of the victim,
Leonila Bunagan (hereafter LEONILA), private complainant, Dr. Hesusa Nieves
Vergara, Medico legal Officer, Camp Crame, Quezon City, Dr. Renato Bautista,
Medico Legal Officer, NBI Manila, Marvie Bunagan, Concepcion Bahiwag, Social
Worker and Roberto Bunagan. The prosecution offered Exhibits "A" to
"G" as evidence.
The defense for its part presented SALVADOR
as its lone witness and offered no documentary evidence.
The version of the People as presented by
the Solicitor General narrates the details of the crime, viz: Sclex
"On May 23,
1993, Vilma Bunagan, together with her eldest son Roberto, went to her parents'
house at Tuazon St., Marikina, Metro Manila to bring her two-year-old son who
was sick. She left behind in their Antipolo house her other five children,
namely, LEONILA, Marvie, Lotis, Marichu and Edmar, who were the ages 10, 8, 7,6
and 1, respectively.
Worried that
something bad could happen to her children while unattended by an adult
companion, because her husband Mario was staying in Divisoria and working as a
mason, Vilma instructed Roberto to fetch his younger brother and sisters from
Antipolo. Roberto, however, failed to do so as he went for an interview for a
job on the same day (TSN, Nov. 9, pp. 3-9; July 3, 1995, p.4).
At about 8:00
p.m., Vilma asked her youngest brother, Salvador Lomerio (SALVADOR), to fetch
the children from Antipolo and bring them to Marikina. SALVADOR agreed and left
that night for Antipolo in the company of Roberto (TSN, Nov. 9, 1994, pp. 7-8;
Nov. 22, 1994, p.5; July 3, 1995, p. 3).
SALVADOR and
Roberto arrived at the house in Antipolo at about 11:00 p.m. Roberto left
behind SALVADOR who stayed for the night. LEONILA was awakened when the two
arrived. LEONILA opened the door for SALVADOR and thereafter went back to
sleep. SALVADOR stayed in the sala smoking cigarettes while LEONILA and her
brother and sisters were lying down. Later, SALVADOR took off his clothes and
went near LEONILA. SALVADOR then got LEONILA's hands and pinned her down. After
taking off her shorts and panty, SALVADOR placed himself on top of LEONILA and
then forcibly inserted his organ in hers for a long time. LEONILA was hurting.
All she could do was cry. SALVADOR went back to the sala and slept (TSN, Nov.
22, 1994, pp. 5-8).
Again, at about
12:00 midnight of the same date, Salvador went back to LEONILA and raped her
for the second time. SALVADOR threatened LEONILA that he would kill all of them
if she would report the rapes to anybody. Marvie was likewise raped by SALVADOR
in the early morning of the following day (TSN, Nov. 22, 1994, pp. 8-10; March
13, 1995, pp. 3-5).
As if nothing
untoward happened, Salvador instructed the children to dress up so they could
go to Tuazon in Marikina and join their mother (TSN, Nov. 22, 1994,
p.10)."[3] Xlaw
Vilma Bunagan, the mother of LEONILA
testified that she learned of the rape on March 25, 1993 from a
"kumare", Anita Fernandez who heard of it from a certain Totoy, who
is one of the playmates of Marvie, sister of LEONILA. When Vilma asked LEONILA,
the latter confirmed that SALVADOR abused her. Vilma then brought Marvie and
LEONILA to Camp Crame to have the two girls examined after which, she filed a
complaint against SALVADOR with the Cogeo Police Station.
The examination conducted by Dr. Jesusa
Nieves Vergara, Medico Legal Officer, Camp Crame, Quezon City reveals that
LEONILA is in virgin state physically as there was an absence of external signs
of recent application of violence although there are congestions or redness on
the genital and sex organ of LEONILA which could have been caused by possible
penetration on the labia minora.[4]
SALVADOR as the lone witness for the defense
testified that on March 23, 1993, he was at the Bunagan's house to accompany
the children of his sister. There was no bedroom in the house and the children
slept on the floor in the main sala while he slept on one side near the window
and was separated from the children. When he woke up at about 6:00 o'clock in
the morning, he did not remember any unusual incident that happened on that
night except that he accidentally touched the breast of LEONILA when he woke
up. He apologized to her. SALVADOR believes that the accidental touching of
LEONILA's breasts triggered the filing of the complaint for rape.
On January 16, 1997, the trial court found
SALVADOR guilty of Statutory Rape. The dispositive portion of the judgment
reads:
"WHEREFORE,
the Court finds the accused Salvador Lomerio guilty beyond reasonable doubt of
the offense of Statutory Rape as defined and penalized under Art. 335 (c) of
the Revised Penal Code and considering against him two aggravating
circumstances of nocturnity and abuse of confidence, accused Salvador Lomerio
is hereby sentenced to suffer the indivisible penalty of Reclusion Perpetua
(the offense was committed before the effectivity of the Heinous Crimes law);
to pay the offended party P100,000.00 in moral damages, and to pay costs.
SO ORDERED."[5]
SALVADOR maintains his innocence and seeks
the reversal of the quoted decision on these grounds: Xsc
I
THE TRIAL COURT
GRAVELY ERRED IN CONVICTING THE ACCUSED FOR RAPE AS THERE WAS NO RAPE AT ALL.
II
THE TRIAL COURT
GRAVELY ERRED IN GIVING FULL WEIGHT AND CREDENCE TO THE TESTIMONIES OF THE
VICTIM WHICH ARE UNNATURAL TO A PERSON HAVING BEEN ALLEGEDLY RAPED.
III
THE TRIAL COURT
ERRED IN GIVING CREDENCE TO THE INCONSISTENT AND REHEARSED TESTIMONIES OF
PROSECUTION WITNESSES.[6]
The overwhelming evidence of the prosecution
against SALVADOR clearly establishes his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In claiming that no rape at all was
committed, SALVADOR relies on some portions of the direct examinations of Vilma
Bunigan, LEONILA, Dr. Jesusa Nieves, and Dr. Renato C. Bautista. SALVADOR also
capitalizes on the medico legal finding that "complainant is in virgin
state with no signs of injury in the genitalia" and concludes that
"in the absence of these injuries, there is doubt that rape was
committed against the victim".[7] Sc
Contrary to SALVADOR's claim, the
testimonies of Vilma Bunigan, LEONILA, Dr. Jesusa Nieves, and Dr. Renato C.
Bautista, taken in their entirety tell a credible account of the rape of
LEONILA by SALVADOR.
In a prosecution for rape, courts exercise
circumspection in determining the credibility of the victim. If her testimony
meets the test of credibility, the accused may be convicted on the basis
thereof.[8] The convincing and credible testimony of LEONILA
sealed the conviction of SALVADOR. Moreover, the prosecution also drew its
strength from its other witnesses, particularly from Marvie, LEONILA's sister
who saw how SALVADOR ravished LEONILA that fateful night. Marvie, then eight
years old, was also allegedly raped by SALVADOR the morning after he raped
LEONILA.
We recognize the doctrine that testimonies
of rape victims who are of tender age are credible. The revelation of an
innocent child whose chastity was abused deserves full credit as the
willingness of the complainant to face police investigation and to undergo the
trouble and humiliation of public trial is eloquent testimony of the truth of
her complaint.[9] In this case, LEONILA was proven to be only ten
years old when SALVADOR raped her.
Furthermore, the issue of credibility is
best addressed to the trial court judge who observed first hand the demeanor
and deportment of the witnesses. Appellate courts will not disturb the findings
on the credibility, or lack of it, accorded by the trial court to the testimony
of witnesses, unless it be clearly shown that the trial court had overlooked or
disregarded arbitrarily certain facts and circumstances of significance in the
case.[10]
SALVADOR insists that the inconsistencies in
the testimony of LEONILA as to the location of the floor where she was sleeping
on, which brother or sister woke up, or the size of the room, taint the credibility
of LEONILA. We are not persuaded. The so-called lapses in the testimony of
LEONILA are trivial and do not touch upon the material aspects of the crime. Scmis
We take note of the fact that the victim in
this case is a child. Ample margin of error and understanding should be
accorded to young witnesses who, much more than adults, would be gripped with
tension due to the novelty of the experience of testifying before a court.[11] To LEONILA's credit, she was forthright and
consistent in describing how SALVADOR raped her, as can be seen from the
following:
"Q: Do you
recall anything that happened that night?
A: He was then at
the sala and smoking a cigarette while we were on the bedroom and already lying
down. During the night he took off is pants and went on top of me.
Q: Where did
Salvador take off his clothes, in the sala or in your room?
A: At the sala,
mam.
Q: Where were you
sleeping that night?
A: On the floor,
mam.
Q: Where is the
floor located in the bedroom or in the sala?
A: In the bedroom.
Q: Who were with
you who were sleeping with you in the bedroom?
A: Marvie, Lotis
and Edmar.
Q: You mentioned
earlier that Salvador took off his clothes and then what did he do afterwards?
A: He took off his
clothes but I was then sleeping and he went near me and got my hands and pinned
them down and he went on top of me and then he (witness demonstrating pumping
motion).
Q: Did he take off
his clothes that night?
A: Shorts and
panty.
Q: , Did he take
off your shorts and panty before he went on top of you? Maniks
A: Yes, mam.
Q: When you
mentioned that he placed himself on top of you and pinned your arms. Did he
insert his organ in your sex organ?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: What did you do
feel when he inserted his organ to your sex organ?
A: It hurt and I
cried and cried.
Q: How long did he
insert his organ to your sex organ?
A: For a long
time, mam.
Q: What did you
do?
A: I cried and
cried.
Q: Did anyone of
your brothers and sisters wake up due to your crying?
A: There was, mam,
my younger sister.
Q: What is the
name of your younger brother or sister who woke up?
A: Edmar, mam.
Q: Did you notice
anyone of your brothers and sisters who also woke up that night?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: Who else woke
up that night?
A: He was the only
one.
Q: How long did he
insert his organ to your sex organ?
A: For a long
time.
Q What did he do
afterwards?
A: After that he
left.
Q: And then what
happened afterwards? Nexold
A: He went to lay
down in the sala and went to sleep.
Q: Do you recall
anything else that happened that night?
A: There was at
around 12:00 o'clock.
Q: What happened
at around 12:00 o’clock that night?
A: He went back to
me.
Q. What did
Salvador do to you?
A: He again went
on top of me.
Q: Did he take off
his clothes?
A: He took off his
shirt, but he did not take off his pants.
Q: When he was on
top of you at around 12:00 o'clock, did he take off his short?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: Did he take off
your shorts or panty at around 11:00 o'clock?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: Did he insert
his organ to your sex organ at around 11:00 o'clock?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: How long did he
insert his organ to your sex organ?
A: For a long
time, mam.
Manikx
Q: What did you
do?
A: I cried and
cried.
Q: Did Salvador
threaten you?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: What did
Salvador tell you?
A: That he was
going to kill us whenever we reported.[12]
SALVADOR's defense that the only unusual
thing that happened on the night of the rape was his accidental touching of
LEONILA's breast cannot override LEONILA's positive assertion that SALVADOR
defiled her. Denial is an intrinsically weak defense which must be buttressed
by strong evidence of non-culpability to merit credence.[13] It is an established rule that an affirmative
testimony is far stronger than negative testimony, especially so when it comes
from the mouth of a credible witness.[14] Thus, SALVADOR's defense of denial cannot prevail
over the unwavering and consistent testimony of LEONILA.
Moreover, Marvie corroborates LEONILA's
testimony when the former testified that:
Q: When you
mentioned earlier that Salvador Lomerio pinned down the thighs of your sister,
can you describe how he pinned down your sister?
A: He used his two
(2) thighs to pinned down the thighs of my ate, mam.
Q What exactly was
he doing while he was pinning down the thighs of your sister? Misox
A: He was
inserting his sex organ on the sex organ of my sister, mam.
Q: And how did
your sister react to this?
A: She was crying,
mam.[15]
In foisting the defense that no rape at all
was committed, SALVADOR harps on the findings of the medico legal that LEONILA
is in virgin state with no signs of injury in the genitalia. SALVADOR directs
the attention of this Court to some portions of the testimonies of Dr. Jesusa
Nieves and Dr. Renato C. Bautista to show that another object could have caused
the congestion in LEONILA's sex organ. SALVADOR then impresses upon this Court
the possibility that a finger of another person could have caused the redness
in the labia minora of LEONILA. Contrary to SALVADOR's claim, Dr. Nieves and
Dr. Bautista did not absolutely rule out rape as borne out by their
testimonies:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
OF DR. BAUTISTA:
Q: Can you say
something else about your conclusion is it conclusive, would it definitely
preclude a conclusion that there was rape from this findings?
A: Actually, mam,
our job is only to state whether there was sexual intercourse or not.
Q: So, from your
findings could you surmise that there was sexual intercourse?
A: I would say
that there was a possibility that there was a sexual intercourse, your honor,
but I would like to point out there is no medical evidence to prove that there
was such.[16]
DIRECT EXAMINATION
OF DR. NIEVES-VERGARA
Q: What could have
been the cause of this redness?
A: Forcible entry
of a hard blunt object.
Q: So, what are
usually the causes of a hard blunt object which could cause such congestion?
A: An erect male
sex organ, your honor. Sppedjo
Q: So, what is
your conclusion from your examination?
A: Based on my
findings my conclusion is that the victim is in virgin state physically.
Q: When you said
that the victim is in virgin state physically could you state in layman's term?
A: I only mean to
say that considering the absence of alteration on the hymen I consider the
victim as virgin.
Q: Are you aware
of the concept of rape in legal jurisprudence?
A: The slightest
penetration even only the labia was touched by the male sex organ.
Q: When you say
labia which part of the female genitary is that?
A: It is the
outermost part of the upper lip.
Q: Upper lip of?
A: Upper lips of
the female sex.
xxx
COURT:
Q: With the
congestion on the vestibule which you found, Doctor, is it your opinion that
there is a possible penetration of the labia minora?
A: Yes, your
honor, a pressure was applied on the area.[17]
The term "carnal knowledge" as
used in the Revised Penal Code, unlike its ordinary connotation of sexual
intercourse, does not necessarily require that the vagina be penetrated or that
the hymen be ruptured.[18] In fact, rape is deemed consummated even when the
man's penis merely enters the labia or lips of the female organ, e.g.,
by "the mere touching of the external genitalia by a penis capable of
consummating the sexual act".[19]In the case at bar, the straightforward and credible
testimony of LEONILA as to how SALVADOR raped her and the medical finding that
LEONILA's hymen suffered congestion due to the forcible entry of a hard blunt
object, convince this Court with clear certainty that SALVADOR had carnal
knowledge with LEONILA. Jospped
SALVADOR asserts that the testimonies of the
witnesses of the prosecution were inconsistent and rehearsed. Again, SALVADOR
merely relies on the selected portions of the testimonies of the prosecution
witnesses[20] referring to certain details about the rape
incident, i.e. whether it happened on the floor of the sala or the
bedroom, whether there were three or five people In the bedroom, or whether she
was awakened only by the cry of Elmer, whether a knife was used during the
rape, but these details do not detract from the essential import of the
testimonial evidence that LEONILA was raped by the accused-appellant on March
23, 1993. Although the responses were not perfect, it was reasonably
ascertainable from the testimonies of LEONILA, Marvie and Robert that SALVADOR
had a knife with him but was not holding any object in his hand while raping
LEONILA, that when Marvie woke up, the rape was not yet finished. The other
so-called inconsistencies relied upon by SALVADOR relate to minor matters and
do not vitiate the finding that the rape was more than adequately proven.
Errorless recollection of a harrowing incident cannot be expected of a witness
especially when she is recounting details of an experience so humiliating and
so painful as rape.[21] Moreover, the minor lapses contradict SALVADOR’s
claim that the testimonies were rehearsed. We believe that the lapses serve to
strengthen rather than weaken the credibility of the witnesses because they
erase any suspicion of coached or rehearsed testimony.[22] This Court has consistently held that where there is
no evidence to show any dubious reason or improper motive why a prosecution
witness should testify falsely against the accused or implicate him in a
serious offense, the testimony deserves full faith and credit.[23] Misspped
It would be highly improbable for LEONILA, a
ten-year-old girl, to cry rape against SALVADOR, her own uncle. By saying that
she was raped, LEONILA also embroiled her own sister Marvie into the case when
the latter corroborated LEONILA's testimony. Marvie's testimony revealed that
SALVADOR also raped her the day after he raped LEONILA. These two young and
inexperienced girls could not have woven an intricate story of defoliation that
will forever mar their lives. Truly, they must have been impelled by a desire
so strong as to let justice find its way.[24]
SALVADOR cannot also impute any ill motive
on the part of the mother of LEONILA in pursuing this case against him. No
mother in her right mind would subject her child to the humiliation, disgrace
and trauma attendant to a prosecution for rape, if she were not motivated
solely by her desire to incarcerate the person responsible for her child's
defilement or if the same is not true.[25] In filing this case, Vilma Bunagan did not only
expose her daughter LEONILA but also her other daughter, Marvie, to the
ignominy that rape victims must face. Vilma Bunagan was not daunted by the fact
that SALVADOR is her brother and that she would earn the wrath of their parents
who have demanded that she retract the charge against SALVADOR. To our mind, the
mother's zeal in prosecuting this case evinces the truth that she merely seeks
justice for her daughter whose honor has been debased.
In a feeble attempt to overturn the judgment
of conviction, SALVADOR questions the composed behavior of LEONILA after the
rape. We have time and again declared that there is no standard form of
behavior that is expected of rape victims right after they have been defiled
because people react differently to emotional stress.[26] This experience is relative and may be dealt with in
many ways by the victim depending on the circumstances, but her credibility
should not be tainted with any modicum of doubt.[27]
Based on the testimonies of LEONILA and
Marvie, prior to March 23, 1993, SALVADOR had repeatedly raped them. According
to LEONILA, she was five years old when SALVADOR began to rape her.[28] Missc
The rape that occurred on March 23, 1993 was
just the last of the many rapes that SALVADOR committed against LEONILA. It is
therefore not difficult to fathom the psychological trauma that LEONlLA
experienced every time her uncle would sexually abuse her. SALVADOR's threat to
kill LEONILA and her family if she would tell anyone of the rape[29] naturally frightened the child-victim. The silence
or "composed reaction" of LEONILA as SALVADOR describes it, does not
therefore impair her claim that he raped her.
SALVADOR also faults Marvie for not helping
LEONILA if the former truly saw him rape LEONILA. This reasoning must likewise
fail. Marvie, was only eight years old when she witnessed the rape on March 23,
1993. Marvie could have been gripped by fear when she saw the accused rape
LEONILA.
The trial court therefore correctly ruled
that SALVADOR is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the offense of Statutory
Rape and should suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua. Article 335 of
the Revised Penal Code applies to this case because the rape was committed
prior to the passage of the Heinous Crimes Law.[30] Article 335 states that rape is committed by having
carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following circumstances:
1. By using force
or intimidation;
2. When the woman
is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious; and
3. When the woman
is under twelve years of age even though neither of the circumstances mentioned
in the two next preceding paragraphs shall be present. Manikanx
The birth certificate[31] of LEONILA shows that she was born on November 10,
1982 and this was admitted by SALVADOR during the formal offer of evidence.[32] Since the prosecution established that LEONILA was
only ten years old when the rape occurred on March 23, 1993, the crime SALVADOR
committed falls under the third paragraph of Article 335.
We do not, however agree with the trial
court that the aggravating circumstances of nighttime and abuse of confidence
are present in this case. The elements of nocturnity as an aggravating
circumstance are: (a) when it facilitated the commission of the crime; or (b)
when especially sought by the offender to insure the commission of the crime or
for the purpose of impunity, or (c) when the offender took advantage thereof
also for purposes of impunity.[33] There are two tests for nocturnity as an aggravating
circumstance: the objective test, under which nocturnity is aggravating because
it facilitates the commission of the offense; and the subjective test, under
which nocturnity is aggravating because it was purposely sought by the
offender.[34] These two tests should be applied in the
alternative.[35] In this case, the subjective test is not passed
because there is no showing that SALVADOR purposely sought the cover of
nighttime. The mere fact that the rape was committed at nighttime with nothing
more does not make nocturnity in this particular case an aggravating
circumstance.
As to the aggravating circumstance of abuse
of confidence, it is essential to show that confidence between the parties must
be immediate and personal, such as would give the accused some advantage or
make it easier for him to commit the criminal act.[36] The confidence must be a means of facilitating the
commission of the crime, the culprit taking advantage of the offended parties'
belief that the former would not abuse said confidence.[37] In this case, the bare allegation that the victim's
mother asked SALVADOR to fetch her children from Antipolo to Marikina does not
prove that she reposed such confidence in SALVADOR that he could have used to
his advantage in committing the crime.
The aggravating circumstance that is present
in the case at bar is relationship since LEONILA is the niece of SALVADOR. In
crimes against chastity, such as rape, relationship is aggravating.[38] However, the penalty herein of reclusion perpetua
would not be affected because it is an indivisible penalty which must under
Article 63 of the Revised Penal Code, be applied regardless of any mitigating
or aggravating circumstance that may have attended the commission of the crime
of rape.[39] Oldmiso
In accordance with current rulings,
accused-appellant SALVADOR must pay civil indemnity in the amount of P50,
000.00 and moral damages in the amount of P50,000.00 which is automatically
granted in rape cases, separate and distinct from the indemnity.[40]
WHEREFORE, the decision of the Regional Trial Court of
Antipolo, Rizal, Branch 74, in Criminal Case No. 93-9893 is hereby AFFIRMED
with the MODIFICATION that accused-appellant is ordered to pay Leonila Bunagan
the amount of P50,000.00 as indemnity and P50,000.00 as moral damages.
SO ORDERED. GONZAGA-REYES
Melo, (Chairman), Vitug, Panganiban, and Purisima, JJ., concur.
[1] Per Judge Francisco A. Querubin.
[2] Rollo, p. 1.
[3] Records, pp. 91-93.
[4] TSN, March 6, 1995, p. 8.
[5] Records, p. 26.
[6] Ibid., p. 43.
[7] Ibid., p. 48.
[8] People vs. Lacaba, G.R. No. 130591, November 17, 1999, citing People vs. Cragto, 253 SCRA 455 (1996)
[9] People of the Philippines vs. Mengote, G.R. No. 130491, March 25, 1999 citing People vs. Baculi, 246 SCRA 756 (1996); People vs. Junio, 237 SCRA 826 (1994); People vs. Victor, 292 SCRA 186 (1998)
[10] People vs. Sagun, G.R. No. 110554, February 19, 1999, citing People vs. Tahuyan, 218 SCRA 464 (1993) citing People vs. Simbulan, 214 SCRA 537 (1992)
[11] People vs. Garigadi, G.R. No. 110111, October 26, 1999, citing People vs. De la Cruz, 276 SCRA 352 (1997), citing People vs. Salazar, 221 SCRA 170 (1993)
[12] TSN, November 22, 1994, pp. 189-192.
[13] Sagun, supra, citing People vs. Burce, 269 SCRA 293 (1997)
[14] Ibid., citing People vs. Antonio, 233 SCRA 283 (1994)
[15] TSN, March 13, 1995, pp. 234-235.
[16] TSN, March 6, 1995, p. 225.
[17] TSN, March 6, 1995, pp. 6-8.
[18] People vs. Quiñanola, G.R. No. 126148, May 5, 1999.
[19] Ibid., citing People vs. Cabebe, 290 SCRA 543 (1998); People vs. De la Peña, 233 SCRA 573 (1994) cited in People vs. Castromero, 280 SCRA 421 (1997)
[20] LEONILA BUNAGAN
Q: Do you recall anything that occurred that
night?
A: He was then at the sala and smoking a cigarette while we were on the bedroom
and already lying down.
Q: Where were you sleeping that night?
A: At the sala.
Q: Where were you sleeping that night?
A: On the floor, mam.
Q: Where is the floor located, in the bedroom
or in the sala?
A: In the bedroom. (TSN, dated 11/22/94, p. 6)
xxx
Q: Did he take off his clothes that night?
A: No, mam. (TSN dated 11/22/94, p.7)
Q: Did anyone of your brothers o sisters wake
up due to your crying?
A: There was, mam, my younger sister.
Q: What is the name of your younger brother
or sister who woke up?
A: Edmar, mam.
xxx
Q: Who else woke up that night?
A: He was the only one. (TSN dated 11/22/94, p. 8)
Q: How many rooms do you have?
A: Two (2) rooms, mam.
xxx
Q: So you were four then sleeping in that
room. How many beds are there inside that room?
A: There were two beds.
Q: How big was that bed?
A: It is big, mam.
Q: Miss witness, when you sleep, who is
sleeping beside you?
A: Marvie and Lotis.
Q: So you were three then in that room?
A: We are five, mam. (TSN dated 11/22/94, p. 21)
Q: Now Miss witness, when you stated that
your uncle put himself on top of you, does he has any object in his hand?
A: None, mam.
Spped
xxx
Q: When you were crying, did your brothers
and sisters notice that you were crying then?
A: No, mam, it was only Edmar. (TSN dated 11/22/94, p. 23)
MARVIE BUNAGAN
Q: And what did Salvador say if any?
A: He told me that if we tell anybody, he is going to kill us, mam.
Q: Did Salvador Lomerio have a knife with
him?
A: Yes, mam. (TSN dated 3/13/95, p. 5)
xxx
Q: So you mean to say that only after the
incident that you were awaken because of the cry of Edmar?
A: Yes, mam.
Q: You did not actually see what was
happening before Edmar cried?
A: Yes, mam. (TSN dated 3/13/95. p. 9)
Q: When you were awaken by the cry of Edmar,
all the things already happened between your uncle and your sister Ate Leonila?
A: When I woke up it was not yet finished, mam. (TSN dated 3/13/95, p. 11)
ROBERT BUNAGAN
Q: Did Leonila Bunagan tell you that she was
raped on March 23, 1993?
A: Yes mam, she told me.
xxx
Q: Did she tell you if the accused was holding any
instrument in threatening her?
A: He was holding a biente nueve, mam. (TSN dated 7/3/95, pp. 5 and 6)
[21] People vs. Calayca, 301 SCRA 192 (1999), p.200.
[22] Garigadi, supra, citing People vs. Pamor, 237 SCRA 462 (1994); People vs. Padilla, 242 SCRA 629 (1995); People vs. Conde, 252 SCRA 681 (1996)
[23] Quiñanola, supra, citing People vs. Banguis, G.R. No. 121626, June 28, 1996.
[24] People vs. Rivera, G.R. No. 130607, November 17, 1999 citing People vs. Vitor, 245 SCRA 392 (1995); People vs. Dado, 244 SCRA 655 (1995)
[25] People vs. Siulvano, G.R. No. 127356, June 29, 1999 citing People vs. Romua, 272 SCRA 818 (1997); People vs. San Juan, 270 SCRA 693 (1997); People vs. Zaballero, 274 SCRA 627 (1997); People vs. Bugarin, 273 SCRA 384 (1997)
[26] Sagun, supra.
[27] Ibid., citing People vs. Luzorata, 286 SCRA 487 (1998)
[28] TSN, November 22, 1994, pp. 14-18.
[29] TSN, November 22, 1994, p.192.
[30] Republic Act No. 7659 took effect on December 31, 1993.
[31] Rollo, Exhibit "A", p.90.
[32] Ibid., p. 101.
[33] People vs. Narciso, 262 SCRA 1(1996), p. 11.
[34] People vs. Parazo, 272 SCRA 512 (1997), p. 525 citing People vs. Garcia, 94 SCRA 14 (1979) and People vs. Palon, 127 SCRA 529 (1984)
[35] Ibid.
[36] People vs. Gelera, 277 SCRA 450, p. 460. Citing US vs. Torida, 23 Phil 189 (1912) and US vs. Luchico, 49 Phil 689 (1926); People vs. Hanasan, 29 SCRA 534 (1969)
[37] Ibid.
[38] People vs. Perez, 270 SCRA 526 (1997), p. 536 citing People vs. Porres 58 Phil 578 (1993); People vs. Lucas, 181 SCRA 316 (1990)
[39] Ibid., pp. 536-537, citing People vs. Matrimonio, 215 SCRA 613 (1992) citing People vs. Porres, supra; People vs. Lucas, supra.
[40] Garigadi, supra.