This case has been cited 3 times or more.
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2002-06-06 |
QUISUMBING, J. |
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| Once again we must stress that matters concerning the credibility of the witnesses are best addressed to the sound judgment of the trial court.[13] It is well-settled that appellate courts will not interfere with the trial court's assessment in this regard, absent any indication or showing that the trial court has overlooked some material facts of substance or value or gravely abused its discretion.[14] As often held, the matter of assigning values to declarations at the witness stand is best and most competently performed or carried out by a trial judge who, unlike appellate magistrates, can weigh such testimony in the light of accused's behavior, demeanor, conduct, and attitude at the trial.[15] | |||||
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2001-03-07 |
BELLOSILLO, J. |
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| Indeed, it is highly unlikely for a young girl like Lourdes to falsely accuse an uncle of a heinous crime, undergo a medical examination of her private parts, subject herself to the humiliation of a public trial and tarnish her family's honor and reputation, unless motivated by a potent desire to seek justice for the wrong committed against her.[9] In the absence of evidence of improper motive on the part of the victim to falsely testify against the accused, her testimony deserves credence.[10] | |||||
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2000-11-20 |
BELLOSILLO, J. |
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| Adora explained that during the first rape, she was not able to shout because the left hand of accused-appellant covered her mouth[17] and he told her to be quiet otherwise somebody would be involved.[18] While he was removing her panty, she kept on moving but her efforts proved useless because he was too big.[19] She was not able to get to her sister because he was already on top of her[20] and we must not lose sight of the presence of the two (2) children between them. We thus find Adora's explanation satisfactory. The evil in man has no conscience - he bears no respect for time and place, driving him to commit rape anywhere, even in places where people converge such as in parks, along the roadside, within school premises, inside a house where there are other occupants[21] or in the same room where other members of the family are sleeping[22] including the rapist's own spouse.[23] | |||||