G.R. No. 218584 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, V. DENNIS MANALIGOD Y SANTOS, ACCUSED-.

Ruling

WHEREFORE, finding the accused DENNIS MANALIGOD y SANTOS guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Rape as defined and penalized under Article 266-A paragraph (D) in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 8353 he is hereby sentenced to suffer imprisonment of Reclusion Perpetua and to indemnify the victim minor [AAA] and her mother [BBB] in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND (P50,000.00) PESOS. Costs to be paid by the accused. [11] Aggrieved, accused-appellant elevated an appeal before the CA. The Court of Appeals' Ruling In its decision, the CA affirmed the conviction of accused-appellant for statutory rape but modified the award of damages. It opined that AAA recounted her tragic experience, unflawed by inconsistencies or contradictions in its material points and unshaken by the tedious and gruelling cross-examination. The appellate court noted that AAA's declaration revealed each and every detail of the incident and gave no impression whatsoever that her testimony was a mere fabrication. It held that contrary to accused-appellant's contention that the medical findings did not prove sexual intercourse, Dr. Lorenzo found an old laceration at 7 o'clock position which she said may have been caused by the insertion of a blunt object that may not be too hard or too soft, and can possibly be caused by the insertion of a penis. Finally, the CA declared that even without the medical findings, AAA's testimony was sufficient to justify accused-appellant's conviction for the crime of statutory rape. It disposed the case thus: WHEREFORE , the Decision of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 20, 2nd Judicial Region [XXX], Isabela, in Criminal Case No. Br. 20-6024, is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION . In addition to the civil indemnity of P50,000.00, the accused-appellant is also ORDERED to pay the victim the amount of P50,000.00 as moral damages and P30,000.00 as exemplary damages for the crime of statutory rape committed and that interests at the rate of 6% per annum shall be imposed on all damages awarded from the finality of the judgment until fully paid. The assailed decision is affirmed in all other respects. [12] Hence, this appeal. ISSUE WHETHER THE GUILT OF ACCUSED-APPELLANT HAS BEEN PROVEN BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. Accused-appellant asserts that there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of BBB and Dr. Lorenzo as to the time of the alleged rape; that BBB testified that the incident happened at around 11:00 A.M., while Dr. Lorenzo testified that she examined AAA at around 8:30A.M.; that the medical findings contradicted AAA's claim that she was raped because the latter underwent medical examination on the same day that she was raped but the medical findings revealed that she had an old hymenal laceration; and that his act of not leaving the place where the alleged rape was committed bolsters his innocence. [13] THE COURT'S RULING The appeal is without merit. Statutory rape is committed by sexual intercourse with