This case has been cited 4 times or more.
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2002-04-17 |
BELLOSILLO, J. |
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| Maricel's failure to immediately inform her mother as well as her relatives about her ordeal is consistent with reason. It must be remembered that Maricel depended on the accused for existence and protection as her mother lived far. As to her total obedience to her father and the stoic silence she kept about her sufferings, these were all brought about by her genuine fear of a man who on account of his moral ascendancy needed no weapon to instill such terror in her.[18] Maricel was convinced of a potential yet real danger posed by a beast masquerading as the family's paladin. | |||||
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2000-10-12 |
QUISUMBING, J. |
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| In a prosecution for rape, the complainant's credibility is the single most important issue.[13] The determination of the credibility of witnesses is primarily the function of the trial court. The rationale for this is that the trial court has the advantage of having observed at first hand the demeanor of the witnesses on the stand and, therefore, is in a better position to form an accurate impression and conclusion.[14] Absent any showing that certain facts of value have clearly been overlooked, which if considered could affect the result of the case, or that the trial court's finding are clearly arbitrary, the conclusions reached by the court of origin must be respected and the judgment rendered affirmed.[15] | |||||
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2000-04-12 |
PUNO, J. |
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| In People v. Sevilla,[14] where the child victim did not report the incident to her mother until after eight years, the Court held that: | |||||
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2000-04-12 |
PUNO, J. |
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| Appellant's defense hinges primarily on denial and alibi. No jurisprudence is more settled than that alibi is the weakest of all defenses, for which reason it is generally rejected especially when the complaining witness sufficiently and positively established the identity of the accused.[17] It must be buttressed by strong evidence of non-culpability to merit a serious consideration. Affirmative testimony like that of the victim is stronger than a negative one. Furthermore, a rape victim's testimony is entitled to greater weight when she accuses a close relative of having raped her, as in the case of a daughter against her father.[18] | |||||