G.R. No. 188901 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. GILBERT CASTRO Y AGUILAR, ACCUSED-.D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

WHEREFORE, finding herein accused Gilbert Castro y Aguilar guilty as principal beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as charged in Criminal Case No. 772-M-2003 , without any circumstance, aggravating or mitigating, found attendant in its commission, he is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua , to indemnify victim AAA in the amount of P50,000.00, plus another P50,000.00 as moral damages subject to the corresponding filing fees as a first lien, and to pay the costs of the proceedings. xxx Aggrieved, Castro appealed to the CA, [10] assigning the following error: THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING ACCUSED-APPELLANT GUILTY DESPITE THE PROSECUTION'S FAILURE TO PROVE HIS GUILT BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT Accused-appellant argued that the lower court failed to appreciate the fact that the testimony of private complainant was full of contradictions. The trial court allegedly gave credence to the inconsistent statements made by AAA which when analyzed are highly illogical. Accused Castro averred that the inconsistent statements of AAA were made apparent during the cross-examination. She allegedly denied that the accused was courting her despite her previous statement in court that she was being courted by accused-appellant. Accused also submitted that the failure of AAA to offer any resistance when she was allegedly being sexually molested belies the charge of rape. Ruling of the CA In its decision dated 11 May 2009, the CA affirmed with modification the findings of the RTC, to wit: WHEREFORE , the assailed Decision of the Regional Trial Court dated January 2, 2007 and its subsequent Order dated March 2, 2007 finding accused-appellant Gilbert Castro guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Rape are hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION as to the damages awarded. Accordingly, accused-appellant is ordered to pay AAA the amounts of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity; P75,000.00 as moral damages; and P25,000.00 as exemplary damages. [11] Hence, this appeal. In a resolution dated 1 February 2010, the Court required the parties to simultaneously file their supplemental briefs, if they so desire, within thirty (30) days from notice. In their respective pleadings, both the appellee, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, and the appellant, represented by the Public Attorney's Office, manifested that they will no longer be filing any supplemental briefs in support of their respective positions. The appellant merely repleaded and adopted all the defenses and arguments raised in his Appellant's Brief. The vital issue before this Court is whether the pieces of evidence adduced by the prosecution is sufficient to convict Castro beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape committed against AAA. In fine, assailed in this recourse are the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses and the adequacy of its evidence. This Court has painstakingly perused over the records as well as the transcripts of stenographic notes of this case