This case has been cited 3 times or more.
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2000-07-31 |
MENDOZA, J. |
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| The trial court correctly awarded moral damages in the amount of P50,000.00, in accordance with our recent rulings that moral damages may be awarded in rape cases without any need of proof of moral suffering. However, in addition, civil indemnity in the amount of P50,000.00 should have been awarded the complainant consistent with the ruling that rape victims are entitled to such an award without need of proof except the fact of the commission of the offense.[43] On the other hand, the plea of the prosecution that the indemnity should be raised to P75,000.00 cannot be granted because such amount is awarded only in cases of qualified rape. In this case, there were no qualifying circumstances raising the penalty to death.[44] | |||||
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2000-03-03 |
GONZAGA-REYES, J. |
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| The testimony of Ester and Reylan were assessed by the trial court to be credible. Unless certain facts of substance and value were overlooked which, if considered, might affect the result of the case, its assessment must be respected for it had the opportunity to observe the conduct and demeanor of the witnesses while testifying and detect if they are lying.[14] We find no reason to deviate from the findings of the trial court. If their story had only been contrived, Ester and Reylan would not have been composed and consistent in the face of such intense and lengthy interrogation. | |||||
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2000-02-29 |
BELLOSILLO, J. |
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| Considering all the foregoing, we affirm the trial court's finding of accused-appellant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape. A slight modification of the Decision however is in order. The trial court merely ordered accused-appellant to pay private complainant P50,000.00 as civil indemnity. But since moral damages are now automatically awarded to victims of rape without need of proving the same,[30] the additional amount of P50,000.00 may properly be awarded in favor of private complainant Maria Theresa Obias. | |||||