People vs Orbita : 136591 : July 11, 2002 : J. Puno : Third Division

THIRD DIVISION

[G.R. No. 136591. July 11, 2002]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. FEDERICO ORBITA, accused-appellant.

D E C I S I O N

PUNO, J.:

Accused-appellant Federico Orbita y Retumba was charged with the crime of Rape in an Information which reads, thus:

“That on or about April 14, 1995, in the Municipality of Biñan, Province of Laguna, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, accused Federico Orbita y Retumba, with lewd design and by means of force, violence and intimidation, did then and there, wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously have carnal knowledge of said Marijoy Sumapang y Tijano, against her will and consent, to her damage and prejudice.

CONTRARY TO LAW.”[1]

On July 19, 1995, appellant Orbita pleaded "not guilty" to the crime charged.[2] Prior to the initial presentation of prosecution evidence or on October 17, 1995, appellant escaped from the Laguna Provincial Jail. He was recaptured on January 11, 1996 in Purok San Francisco, Barangay Red V, Lucena City.[3] His trial was resumed.

The evidence shows that at about 5:00 P.M. of April 14, 1995, Mayla Belasa learned from her neighbors that Mary Joy was missing. Mayla and her sister boarded their sidecar to look for her.[4] When they passed by the house of the accused, Mayla saw at its doorstep a pair of shoes similar to the one used by Mary Joy. They went home and Mayla told her neighbor whom she fondly calls Nanay Belen about the shoes. Nanay Belen immediately repaired to the house of the accused where she found a red-faced Mary Joy and brought her home.[5]

Meanwhile, the neighbors fetched Mary Joy's mother, Lourdes, from the church. Nanay Belen told her that Mary Joy was brought by the accused to his house. Mary Joy was crying inside her bedroom, lying face down. Upon Lourdes’ inquiry, Mary Joy revealed that the accused covered her mouth so she could not shout and then inserted his organ inside her private part. She complained of pain in her private part. There were bloodstains on her underwear.[6]

Lourdes went to Jojo Castillo, ex-President of the Homeowners Association of Adeline III, Biñan, Laguna who accompanied her to the house of the accused. Lourdes' sister-in-law confronted the accused who admitted that he did something wrong to Mary Joy. However, he said the wrong was not consummated. The accused was brought to the Biñan Police Station where he was investigated by SPO1 Bertito Almenanza. The statements of the victim and the witnesses were taken.[7]

On April 15, 1995, Mary Joy was examined by Dr. Rolando Poblete, then Municipal Health Officer of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. His examination yielded the following results:

“MENTAL STATUS:

Patient has a mental age of (10) TEN years old.

MEDICO-GENITAL EXAM:

GENITALIA - normal external genitalia; with very slight bleeding (droplet) coming from the vaginal os; I.E. - laceration (hymenal) at 6 o'clock and also at the right perihymenal area; admits 2 fingers snuggly; cervix - close, hard, no bleeding nor tenderness noted; uterus is small.

LMP - 3rd week March 1995.

Impression: There is an evidence of vaginal penetration.”[8]

Mary Joy was likewise examined by Dr. Diane Dijamco, resident physician of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). A mental status examination was conducted by Dr. Dijamco on the patient while the psychological examination was conducted and evaluated by a psychologist.[9] The results of the two (2) examinations were then correlated by Dr. Dijamco as embodied in the Medical Certificate[10] dated November 14, 1995, the pertinent portions of which state, viz.:

“BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY:

Patient is the 5th of (7) siblings born to a retired OCW father and a plain housewife mother. She had apparently normal growth and development until she developed Benign Febrile convulsions which lasted until age 3. Consultations were made and she had several hospitalizations. When she started schooling, she was noted to be a slow learner. She only reached grade III after which she just (sic) stay home occasionally helping out with the chores.

Owing to observed "childish" behavior, a private physician was seen in 1991, was then recommended confinement, with home medications of Chlorpromazine, Depresil and AS-trivon, which were basically given in (sic) an irregular basis, or in events when patient would start Headbanging and she was just tolerated at home. She would only associate outside of the home during church services.

MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATIONS:

Patient was seen and examined on (sic) (3) separate dates October 16, and November 7, 1995.

Patient's a young adult female, sthenic, short-statured and with shaggy-styled, shoulder-length hair. She was seemingly behaved, cooperative to queries, had to be prodded every now and then. She's unable to recall date and failed to explain why she was brought here.

Patient related only a limited account of self, abling to identify her companion, added that she helps out at home with chores. She claimed to unimpaired sleep and appetite. Denied any perceptual disturbances as well as morbid ideations. Mood's euthymic, affect adequate.

On further interview, she had difficulty comprehending cognitive function testing. When asked about head banging episodes, she affirmed to this and claimed to an irrelevant explanation.

As to case filed, she attested to knowing the accused, but failed to narrate any specifics – ‘kaibigan ko lang yon.’

Test judgment was poor, with an insight into illness.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION:

Subject's mental functioning is roughly estimated to be within the Mentally Retarded level Mild category; with a mental age of 9 years and 3 months.

Other tests production likewise show that she is an individual whose intelligence belong to the mentally retarded level. Poor judgment and reasoning power are noted. Generalized feelings of inadequacy and insecurity are shown; although she was able to identify with her own sex, she showed along heterosexual relationships is encountered. Some negativistic trends are also noted which also brought about her difficulty in interpreting relationships. Marked feelings of hostility is reflected. She has very shallow and affectless contact with her environment.

Her ego functions are weak.

x x x x x x x x x

REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Based on the history, physical, neurological, psychological and mental status examinations, patient was assessed to be suffering from a mild form of mental retardation, with a mental age of (9) years and (3) months.

Her condition could be attributed to a history of repeated seizures in childhood, resulting to the irreversible condition.

As far as functioning is concerned, she's only able to achieve minimal social and occupational skills which enables her to do simple household tasks, with supervision.

In terms of academic performance, she's not expected to perform beyond Grade VI course in level."[11]

Accused interposed the defense of denial. On the date and time of the incident, he claims that he was cooking for dinner at his house with his relatives Jeffrey de Leon and Jun Eugenio. At about 8:00 o'clock in the evening, a group of women knocked on his door and asked who among them raped Mary Joy. He denied having any knowledge of the crime but nonetheless went with them to the police station.[12]

On May 26, 1998, the trial court rendered a Decision[13] finding the appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape under paragraph 2 of Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code and sentenced him to suffer the penalty of RECLUSION PERPETUA and to indemnify the victim the sum of P50,000.00, to pay moral damages in the amount of P50,000.00 and the costs.[14] Hence, the instant appeal.

Appellant raises the following Assignment of Errors:

“I

THE TRIAL COURT GRAVELY ERRED IN RENDERING A DECISION WITHOUT EXPRESSING THEREIN CLEARLY AND DISTINCTLY THE LAW ON WHICH IT IS BASED.

THE TRIAL COURT GRAVELY ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT THE VICTIM IS A MENTAL RETARDATE.

III

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE CRIME OF RAPE.”[15]

We affirm the conviction of the accused-appellant.

In his first assigned error, appellant argues that the decision of the court a quo violates Article VIII, Section 14 of the Constitution which states that "no decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based." The lower court allegedly made generalizations without detailing the basis of its findings.[16]

We hold that the assailed decision substantially complied with the constitutional mandate of Article VIII, Section 14 of the Constitution. The decision contains a summary of the evidence for both the prosecution and the defense, findings of facts as well as an application of case law. The decision states, thus:

“Upon a careful study of the entire records and evidence, this Court finds that there is no dispute that Marijoy Sumagpang, a mental retardate, was raped. At the time she was sexually ravaged, Marijoy was twenty years of age albeit her mental state is that of a nine year and three month old child. The real issue then is whether or not accused Federico Orbita raped her.

x x x x x x x x x

A review of the evidence convinces the Court with moral certainty that Marijoy Sumagpang was sexually ravaged by the accused. The victim Marijoy Sumagpang was unequivocal in stating that while she was at the residence of the accused on April 14, 1995, the latter kissed her on the lips, embraced her, removed her clothes and her panty, and thereafter inserted his penis on (sic) her vagina. The ravishment of the victim is confirmed by the report of Dr. Poblete that there was evidence of vaginal penetration; that there was a slight bleeding (droplet) coming from the vaginal os and that there was a hymenal laceration at 6:00 o'clock and also at the right parihymenal, that is, on the sidings of the hymen.

It is a rule that (sic) in rape cases that sexual intercourse with a woman who is deprived of reason constitutes rape (People vs. Estrebella, 124 SCRA 114). This is because while, as in this case, the woman may be twenty years of age, her mental capacity is that of a nine year and three month old child. Hence, she is incapable of giving consent to the sexual intercourse. (People vs. Sunga, 137 SCRA 131). The necessity of proof beyond reasonable doubt of force or intimidation having been applied is absent.”[17] (emphasis supplied)

The purpose of Article VIII, Section 14 of the Constitution is to inform the person reading the decision, and especially the parties, of how it was reached by the court after consideration of the pertinent facts and examination of the applicable laws.[18] The losing party is entitled to know why he lost, so he may appeal to a higher court, if permitted, should he believe that the decision should be reversed. A decision that does not clearly and distinctly state the facts and the law on which it is based leaves the parties in the dark as to how it was reached and is especially prejudicial to the losing party, who is unable to pinpoint the possible errors of the court for review by a higher tribunal.[19] Thus, a decision is adequate if a party desiring to appeal therefrom can assign errors against it.[20] The accused-appellant cannot pretend he is unable to understand the basis of his conviction for he was able to assign specific errors against the trial court's decision and discuss them intelligently.

We shall now deal with the issue which, although not raised by the accused-appellant in his Brief, was discussed by the Solicitor General in his Comment, i.e., whether the accused-appellant, who is charged with rape under paragraph 1 of Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, may be convicted under paragraph 2 or 3 of the same article even if the Information did not allege her mental state.

Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, states:

“Art. 335. When and how rape is committed. - 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 or is demented.

x x x x x x x x x.”

The Information against accused-appellant alleged that he had carnal knowledge of the victim by means of force, violence and intimidation, against the latter's will and consent.[21] It did not allege her mental state. During the trial, however, the prosecution proved that the victim is a mental retardate and the accused-appellant was convicted under paragraph 2 of Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code.

Considering the circumstances of the case at bar, we hold that the accused-appellant was properly convicted under paragraph 2 of Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code. To be sure, the issue is not novel. As well pointed out by the Office of the Solicitor General in its Comment, viz.:

“However, we submit that accused-appellant has waived his constitutional right to be informed of the accusation against him. During the trial, he did not register objection to the introduction of any evidence that would prove complainant's mental condition (see: People vs. Romua, 272 SCRA 818 [1997]; People vs. Tabao, 240 SCRA 758 [1995]; People vs. Tormentos, 211 SCRA 212 [1992]. His objection was against the competency of the expert witnesses, Drs. Dijamco and Poblete, but not to the admissibility of their testimonies on the ground that it would prove a crime with which he was not charged. Moreover, while the Information did not allege her mental condition, such fact appeared in the medical report (Rec., p. 6), request for medical examination (ibid., p. 7), and the affidavits of Belen Payongayong (ibid., p. 8) and Lourdes Sumagpang (ibid., p. 11) which were attached to the complaint. In People vs. Rosare (264 SCRA 398 [1996]), it was held that even if the information filed did not allege that the victim was a mental retardate, there was substantial compliance with the constitutional mandate that an accused be informed of the nature of the charge against him where the resolution issued by the investigating prosecutor, a copy of which was attached to the information, clearly stated that the offended party was suffering from mental retardation.

The separate opinion of Chief Justice Davide in People v. Moreno, (supra at pp. 747-748) is very appropriate:

‘I respectfully submit that accused-appellant may be validly convicted of rape under either the second or third circumstance provided for in Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, even if the information has charged him only with rape under the first circumstance.

x x x x x x x x x.”

The complaint here contained sufficient allegations showing that rape was committed under the first circumstance of Article 335.

The evidence, however, established that the victim was an imbecile with the mental age of a six-year old child. The record does not disclose that appellant objected to the presentation and offer by the prosecution of evidence of such fact. Appellant's failure to object was thus a waiver of the constitutional right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation. It is competent for a person to waive a right guaranteed by the Constitution, and to consent to action which would be invalid if taken against his will. (1 ARTURO M. TOLENTINO, CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 31-32 [1983 ed.]). This Court has, on more than one occasion, recognized waivers of constitutional rights, e.g., the right against unreasonable searches and seizures (People v. Malasugui, 63 Phil. 221 [1936]; Viuda de Gracia v. Locsin, 65 Phil. 689 [1938]; the right to counsel and to remain silent (People v. Royo, 114 SCRA 304 [1982]); the right to be heard (Abriol v. Homeres, 84 Phil. 525 [1949]; People v. Dichoso, 96 SCRA 957 [1980] and the right to bail (People v. Donato, 198 SCRA 130 [1991]). Reliance on US v. Karelsen (3 Phil. 223 [1904] and People v. Mabag y Labado (98 SCRA 730 [1980] is inapposite for the former did not involve a conviction for an offense other than that charged, accused was in fact charged with and convicted of embezzlement; while in the latter, this Court sustained the conviction of the accused under Article 335 although he was charged with having violated Article 293 in relation to Paragraph 2 of Article 296 of the Revised Penal Code. Neither is People v. Pailano (169 SCRA 649 [1989]) of any persuasive import, for in fact, it did not totally discount a valid conviction for rape under the second circumstance of Article 335 although the complaint charged a violation of the first paragraph, in light of the failure on the part of the accused to object to the evidence to support the second circumstance. This Court noted there, thus:

It may be argued that although initially deficient, the criminal complaint was deemed corrected when the prosecution introduced evidence of the complainant's mental condition and the defense did not object, thereby waiving the procedural defect. Even so, the charge has not been adequately established.

In the first place, the doctor who examined Anita reported that he saw no evidence of insanity on (sic) her family history nor was there any indication of such condition in the complainant herself. He did observe that age and the mentality of a thirteen-year old, which was not that serious an impediment as her age at the time was only fifteen.

Secondly, and more importantly, the prosecution has not proved that during the encounter in the bushes, Anita's mental condition was so weakened that she could not resist Pailano's supposed advances.

Accordingly, appellant here can be convicted of the crime charged through either the second or third circumstance of committing such crime.

It is settled that an imbecile or a retardate woman with a mental age below that of a woman less than twelve (12) years of age is deprived of reason and carnal knowledge of her is considered rape under the second circumstance of Article 335 (People v. Gallano, 108 SCRA 405 [1981]; People v. Sunga, 137 SCRA 130 [1985] or is of the same category as a woman under 12 years of age and carnal knowledge of her is deemed rape under the third circumstance (People v. Manlapaz, 88 SCRA 704 [1979]; People v. Asturias, 134 SCRA 405 [1985]; People v. Race, 212 SCRA 90 [1992]. (emphasis supplied).’”[22]

The records show that accused-appellant did not object to the manifestation made by the prosecution that the complainant should first be examined to determine her mental condition. He neither moved for reconsideration nor appealed the Order of the trial court directing the National Center for Mental Health to conduct the mental examination of the complainant.[23] The accused-appellant likewise did not oppose the prosecution's presentation and offer of evidence that would prove complainant's mental condition. During the direct examination of the complainant, the public prosecutor asked permission from the judge and was allowed to propound leading questions in view of the complainant's mental condition. There was no objection from the defense.[24]

Prescinding from these premises, the accused-appellant cannot complain that he was denied due process when the trial court convicted him of raping the complainant, a mental retardate, under an Information that did not allege her mental state. He had notice that the prosecution would prove that the complainant had a mental age of a child below ten (10). He was given all the opportunity to meet the evidence of the prosecution on the issue. He could not say he was taken by surprise and was not able to defend himself. Indeed, he has never taken this posture.

Appellant, however, contends that the prosecution failed to prove that the complainant is indeed a mental retardate. He alleges that the computed mental age of the victim was made by a psychologist who was not presented in court and whose testimony constitutes hearsay evidence.

In People vs. Cartuano, Jr.,[25] this Court explained the concept of mental retardation, viz:

“Mental retardation is a clinical diagnosis which requires demonstration of significant subaverage intellectual performance (verified by standardized psychometric measurements); evidence of an organic or clinical condition which affects an individual's intelligence; and proof of maladaptive behavior. The degree of intellectual impairment must be shown to be at least two (2) standard deviations (SD<2) below the mean for age as confirmed by reliable standardized tests such as the Stanford Binet Test and the Weschler Intelligence Tests. Non-standardized, non-parametric tests, such as the Denver Development Screening Tests or non-standardized, non-specific "quick" tests such as sentence completion tests and the Goodenough Drawing Test are unreliable.

In making a diagnosis of mental retardation, a thorough evaluation based on history, physical and laboratory examination made by a clinician is necessary. The reason for this universal requirement is well-explained in both the medical and clinical psychology literature: mental retardation is a recognized clinical syndrome usually traceable to an organic cause, which determinants are complex and multifactorial. As the boundaries between normality and retardation are difficult to delineate, proper identification requires competent clinical evaluation of psychometric parameters in conjunction with medical and laboratory tests.

x x x x x x x x x.”

x x x It is held in the most recent of the Medical, Psychiatric, and General and Clinical Psychology literature on mental retardation and deficiency here and abroad, that identification of mentally deficient subjects cannot be left to ambiguous social notions and assumptions alone, such markers being unfortunately vague, sometimes discriminatory and widely open to chance. The proper clinical determination of mental deficiency requires several legs. Needless to say, after psychometric diagnosis utilizing the proper tests has been confirmed, a comprehensive medical evaluation, (all reasonably within the capacity (sic) major provincial and city hospitals and centers) is necessary to complete the process.

It is necesary to stress here, conformably with what the Court has been saying in jurisprudence on the matter, that deprivation of reason need not be complete. Mental abnormality or deficiency is enough. However, abnormality or deficiency of whatever state or degree should be sufficiently and adequately established by orthodox and reasonably available methods and procedures. It is possible that complainant could well have been on the lower end of the acceptable mean for her age group, a condition which would have been aggravated by her lack of education, but this, by any medical or psychological yardstick, does not itself negate autonomous choice or decision-making based on reasoning.”[26]

A circumspect consideration of the evidence will show that the mental condition of the complainant was sufficiently established. Dr. Dijamco, a psychiatrist, testified that she conducted a mental status examination of the complainant. She interviewed the complainant and evaluated her mental capacity. In the course of her examination, she found out that the complainant has difficulty in recalling events and in identifying people.[27] The medications prescribed and taken by the complainant in her childhood days, namely chlorpromazine, depresil and AS-trivon, are anti-psychotic or for disturbance in thoughts or insanity.[28] Dr. Dijamco correlated the conclusions made by the psychologist to her own findings.

The expert opinion of Dr. Dijamco was corroborated by the other prosecution witnesses. Dr. Poblete testified that based on his conversations with the complainant, the latter's mental age is up to ten (10) years old which is not compatible with her chronologic age.[29]

Complainant's mother, Lourdes, likewise recounted that when Mary Joy was three (3) years old, they consulted a doctor who diagnosed her daughter's mental state as delayed. Thereafter, Mary Joy continued to see a doctor at the mental hospital.[30]

Another prosecution witness, Mayla Belasa, described complainant as “isip- bata.”[31]

The testimony of the complainant herself proves her mental condition. She had extreme difficulty in understanding the questions propounded to her. Most of her answers were not responsive or too far-off. She could not even remember her birthday, address and the name of her English teacher.[32]

The sum total of these testimonial and documentary evidence proves beyond doubt that the complainant is a mental retardate at the time she was raped by the accused-appellant.

In his third assigned error, accused-appellant contends that he cannot be convicted of rape considering the testimony of complainant herself that accused-appellant is her boyfriend and that she voluntarily offered herself to him.[33] Accused-appellant's argument cannot be sustained. It is well-entrenched in jurisprudence that a mentally retarded victim is incapable of giving a valid consent to the sexual act.[34] She is in the same class as a woman deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious[35] or as a child below 12 years of age.[36] Carnal knowledge of a woman who is so weak in intellect to the extent that she is incapable of legally consenting constitutes rape.[37] In People vs. Antonio,[38] we ruled that:

“We have held that if the mental age of a woman above twelve years is that of a child below twelve years, even if she voluntarily submitted to the bestial desires of the accused, or even if the circumstances of force or intimidation, or of the victim being deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious are absent, the accused would still be liable for rape under the third paragraph of Article 335. The rationale for this is that if sexual intercourse with a victim under twelve years of age is rape, then it should follow that carnal knowledge of a woman whose mental age is that of a child below twelve years would also constitute rape.”[39]

We also reject accused-appellant's contention that the case at bar was filed against him because his neighbors found him boastful and proud. It is unthinkable that a mother would expose her daughter's misfortune to the public just to please their neighbors who find accused-appellant boastful.

Accused-appellant's defense of denial merits scant consideration. The plea of denial is viewed with disfavor by courts due to the facility with which it can be concocted.[40] While he testified that he was with his three (3) housemates cooking dinner when the crime was committed, the said persons were never presented in court to corroborate his testimony. Unsubstantiated denials merit no weight in law and cannot be given greater evidentiary value over the testimony of credible witnesses who testified on affirmative matters.[41]

Finally, the act of accused-appellant in escaping from prison during the pendency of the case is hardly consistent with his plea of innocence. Unless explained, the act of fleeing shows a consciousness of guilt and operates as an admission implied from the party's own conduct. As the Good Book says, the wicked fleeth when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.[42]

IN VIEW WHEREOF, the judgment of the Regional Trial Court of San Pedro, Laguna, Branch 93 in Criminal Case No. 9256-B is AFFIRMED. Costs against accused-appellant.

SO ORDERED.

Panganiban, Sandoval-Gutierrez, and Carpio, JJ., concur.