Lawyerly

GR No. 189324

2013-03-20

PEREZ, J.

The contentions of Penilla on the credibility of complainant refer only to peripheral and trivial matters; they do not touch on the issue of whether or not the crime of rape was in fact committed.[10]

GR No. 183093

2012-02-01

PEOPLE v. DIOSDADO TUBAT Y VERSOZA

PEREZ, J.

We are also convinced that AAA was not able to fight back not only because appellant was strong but because a knife was poked on her neck. He also threatened to kill her children. These also explained why she did not shout for help. As held in People v. Fernandez:[21]

GR No. 175595

2010-07-28

PEOPLE v. TEDDY MAGAYON

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.

The focal point of almost all rape cases is the issue of credibility of the witnesses, to be addressed primarily by the trial court, which is in a better position to decide the question, having heard the witnesses and observed their deportment and manner of testifying.[44] The manner of assigning values to declarations of witnesses on the witness stand is best and most competently performed by the trial judge, who has the unique and unmatched opportunity to observe the witnesses and assess their credibility.[45] In essence, when the question arises as to which of the conflicting versions of the prosecution and the defense is worthy of belief, the assessment of the trial court is generally given the highest degree of respect, if not finality.[46] Accordingly, its findings are entitled to the highest degree of respect and will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of any showing that the trial court overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight or substance which would otherwise affect the result of the case. The assessment made by the trial court is even more enhanced when the Court of Appeals affirms the same, as in this case.[47]

GR No. 178199

2009-10-05

PEOPLE v. YOON CHANG WOOK

VELASCO JR., J.

Under items 1 and 2 of the assignment of errors, Yoon submits that the trial court erred in ruling that AAA's "lone testimony x x x met the required test of credibility to warrant conviction" and in concluding that the fate of Yoon boils down to the "word of [AAA] against the word of [Yoon]." In fine, the alleged errors 1 and 2 go directly to the trial court's appreciation of the private offended party's testimony and its sufficiency to sustain a finding of guilt. They need not detain us long. By the peculiar nature of rape cases, conviction most often rests solely on the basis of the victim's testimony, if credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things.[18] When a woman testifies to having been raped, she says in effect all that is necessary to show that rape has been committed, for as long as her testimony hurdles the test of credibility.[19]

GR No. 175238

2009-02-24

PEOPLE v. ELMER BALDO Y SANTAIN

QUISUMBING, J.

[21] People v. Fernandez, G.R. No. 172118, April 24, 2007, 522 SCRA 189, 203; People v. Batiancila, supra at 443.

GR No. 169642

2007-09-14

PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES

CARPIO MORALES, J.

In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]

GR No. 169642

2007-09-14

PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES

CARPIO MORALES, J.

In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]

GR No. 169642

2007-09-14

PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES

CARPIO MORALES, J.

In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]

GR No. 169642

2007-09-14

PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES

CARPIO MORALES, J.

In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]

GR No. 172875

2007-08-15

PEOPLE v. DANIEL PEREZ Y BACANI

CARPIO MORALES, J.

The credibility of the victim is, in rape cases, almost always the single most important issue.[38] If her testimony passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on the basis thereof.[39] If the prosecution, however, fails to discharge the onus of proving the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of the accused, even if his defense is weak, he has the right to be freed. More than that, it is the Court's constitutional duty to acquit him.[40]

GR NO. 171163

2007-07-04

PEOPLE v. MELITON JALBUENA Y TADIOSA

CARPIO MORALES, J.

In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[26] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[27] Significantly, the trial court, passing on AAA's credibility, noted:The credibility of the testimony of the offended party is put to a stringent test in order that it could be said as credible to sustain a conviction. The Court finds [AAA's] testimony to have passed said test. Her testimony given in open court is clear, consistent, direct and without any hesitation when confronted by the presence of her own abuser.

	GR No. 189324 2013-03-20	PEOPLE v. GILBERT PENILLA Y FRANCIA PEREZ, J.
The contentions of Penilla on the credibility of complainant refer only to peripheral and trivial matters; they do not touch on the issue of whether or not the crime of rape was in fact committed.[10]
	GR No. 183093 2012-02-01	PEOPLE v. DIOSDADO TUBAT Y VERSOZA PEREZ, J.
We are also convinced that AAA was not able to fight back not only because appellant was strong but because a knife was poked on her neck. He also threatened to kill her children. These also explained why she did not shout for help. As held in People v. Fernandez:[21]
	GR No. 175595 2010-07-28	PEOPLE v. TEDDY MAGAYON LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.
The focal point of almost all rape cases is the issue of credibility of the witnesses, to be addressed primarily by the trial court, which is in a better position to decide the question, having heard the witnesses and observed their deportment and manner of testifying.[44] The manner of assigning values to declarations of witnesses on the witness stand is best and most competently performed by the trial judge, who has the unique and unmatched opportunity to observe the witnesses and assess their credibility.[45] In essence, when the question arises as to which of the conflicting versions of the prosecution and the defense is worthy of belief, the assessment of the trial court is generally given the highest degree of respect, if not finality.[46] Accordingly, its findings are entitled to the highest degree of respect and will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of any showing that the trial court overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight or substance which would otherwise affect the result of the case. The assessment made by the trial court is even more enhanced when the Court of Appeals affirms the same, as in this case.[47]
	GR No. 178199 2009-10-05	PEOPLE v. YOON CHANG WOOK VELASCO JR., J.
Under items 1 and 2 of the assignment of errors, Yoon submits that the trial court erred in ruling that AAA's "lone testimony x x x met the required test of credibility to warrant conviction" and in concluding that the fate of Yoon boils down to the "word of [AAA] against the word of [Yoon]." In fine, the alleged errors 1 and 2 go directly to the trial court's appreciation of the private offended party's testimony and its sufficiency to sustain a finding of guilt. They need not detain us long. By the peculiar nature of rape cases, conviction most often rests solely on the basis of the victim's testimony, if credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things.[18] When a woman testifies to having been raped, she says in effect all that is necessary to show that rape has been committed, for as long as her testimony hurdles the test of credibility.[19]
	GR No. 175238 2009-02-24	PEOPLE v. ELMER BALDO Y SANTAIN QUISUMBING, J.
[21] People v. Fernandez, G.R. No. 172118, April 24, 2007, 522 SCRA 189, 203; People v. Batiancila, supra at 443.
	GR No. 169642 2007-09-14	PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES CARPIO MORALES, J.
In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]
	GR No. 169642 2007-09-14	PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES CARPIO MORALES, J.
In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]
	GR No. 169642 2007-09-14	PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES CARPIO MORALES, J.
In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]
	GR No. 169642 2007-09-14	PEOPLE v. ENRIQUE CEBALLOS JR. Y CABRALES CARPIO MORALES, J.
In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[57] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[58]
	GR No. 172875 2007-08-15	PEOPLE v. DANIEL PEREZ Y BACANI CARPIO MORALES, J.
The credibility of the victim is, in rape cases, almost always the single most important issue.[38] If her testimony passes the test of credibility, which means it is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, the accused may be convicted solely on the basis thereof.[39] If the prosecution, however, fails to discharge the onus of proving the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of the accused, even if his defense is weak, he has the right to be freed. More than that, it is the Court's constitutional duty to acquit him.[40]
	GR NO. 171163 2007-07-04	PEOPLE v. MELITON JALBUENA Y TADIOSA CARPIO MORALES, J.
In rape cases, the credibility of the victim is almost always the single most important issue.[26] If the testimony of the victim passes the test of credibility, the accused may be convicted solely on that basis.[27] Significantly, the trial court, passing on AAA's credibility, noted:The credibility of the testimony of the offended party is put to a stringent test in order that it could be said as credible to sustain a conviction. The Court finds [AAA's] testimony to have passed said test. Her testimony given in open court is clear, consistent, direct and without any hesitation when confronted by the presence of her own abuser.

PEOPLE v. WARLITO C. FERNANDEZ