People V Balgos

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372
SUPREMECOURTREPORTSANNOTATED
Peoplevs.Balgos
G.R.No.126115.January26,2000.
PEOPLEOFTHEPHILIPPINES,plaintiffappellee,vs.ALFONSO
BALGOS,AliasLupog,accusedappellant.
Criminal Law Rape Witnesses The trial courts evaluation of the
testimonies of witnesses is given great respect by the appellate court in the
absence of proof that it was arrived at capriciously or that the trial court
disregarded material facts which might affect the outcome of the case.
Prefatorily,wenotethewellestablishedrulethatthetrialcourtsevaluation
of the testimonies of witnesses is given great respect by the appellate court
in the absence of proof that it was arrived at capriciously or that the trial
courtdisregardedmaterialfactswhichmightaffecttheoutcomeofthecase.
Therationalebehindthisruleisthatthecredibilityofawitnesscanbestbe
determined by the trial court since it has the opportunity to observe the
candoranddemeanorofthewitnesses.Inthepresentcase,thetrialcourtis
correctingivingcredencetoCrissellestestimonyoverthatoftheaccused
appellant.Crissellestestimonywassimple,conciseandcohesive.
SameSameSameIthasbeenstressedoftenenoughthatthetestimony
of rape victims who are young and immature deserve full credence.If
Crisselles story was the product of her imagination, as the accused
appellant would like this Court to believe, she would have painted for the
court a more dastardly and gruesome picture of her ordeal. But true to her
innocence and coyness, being only six years old, the words she used on
crossexaminationweremild.Shementionedthathispenisdidnotpenetrate
her vagina but that it only touched its hole,that the attempt of the
accusedappellant to satisfy his lust for flesh was only for a short period,
thatnothinghappenedtohervaginaaftertheaccusedappellanttriedtoinsert
hispeniswithaninandoutmotion,andthatshedidnotactuallyseethe
penisoftheaccusedappellantenterhervagina.Thesearetelltalesignsatthe
victimshonestyandcandorinrelatingherunsavoryexperienceatthehands
ofaccusedappellant.Ithasbeenstressedoftenenoughthatthetestimonyof
rapevictimswhoareyoungandimmaturedeservefullcredence.
________________
*ENBANC.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
SameSameThemereintroductionofthepenisintotheapertureofthe
female organ, thereby touching the labia of the pudendum, already
consummates the crime of rape.In any case, even if his organ merely
touchedtheholeofCristsellesvagina,thisalreadyconstitutesrapesince
thecompletepenetrationofthepenisintothefemaleorganisnotnecessary.
The mere introduction of the penis into the aperture of the female organ,
therebytouchingthelabiaofthepudendum,alreadyconsummatesthecrime
of rape. Since the labia is the outer lip of the genital organ, accused
appellants act of repeatedly placing his organ in the hole of Crisselles
vaginawasrape.
Same Same Pleadings and Practice An accuseds shift in theory,
uponrealizingthefutilityofhisearlierdefense,ratherthanhelphiscause,
onlyfurtherdamageshiscredibility.TheCourtisnotpersuaded.Accused
appellants new defense of alibi is the weakest of all defenses. It cannot
prevailoverhispositiveidentificationbythevictimwhosetestimonyonthe
events that happened on that illfated day was direct and convincing.
Moreover, his shift of theory, upon realizing the futility of his earlier
defense,ratherthanhelphiscause,onlyfurtherdamagedhiscredibility.
SameSameQualifiedRapeThe penalty of death shall be imposed if
thecrimeofrapeiscommittedagainstachildbelowseven(7)yearsofage.
Thetrialcourtiscorrectinimposingthesupremepenaltyofdeathonthe
accusedappellant.UnderArticle335oftheRevisedPenalCodeasamended
by Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7659, the penalty of death shall be
imposed if the crime of rape is committed against a child below seven (7)
yearsofage.Inthepresentcase,thereisnodisputethatthevictimwassix
(6)yearsofagewhentheaccusedappellanthadcarnalknowledgewithher.
The victims age was duly established by the prosecution, through the
testimonyofthevictimsmother,CriseldaFuentes,andfurthercorroborated
byCrissellesCertificateofLiveBirth.
SameSameSameDamagesIf the commission of rape is effectively
qualifiedbyanyofthecircumstancesunderwhichthepenaltyofdeathmay
beimposed,thecivilindemnityforthevictimshallnotbelessthanSeventy
FiveThousandPesos(P75,000.00).Withrespecttotheawardofdamages,
wehaverecentlyheldthatifthecommissionofrapeiseffectivelyqualified
by any of the circumstances under which the penalty of death may be
imposed,thecivil
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Peoplevs.Balgos
indemnityforthevictimshallnotbelessthanSeventyFiveThousandPesos
(P75,000.00). Based on the foregoing judicial prescription, the trial courts
award of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) as civil indemnity should be
increased to SeventyFive Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00). Moreover, the
victim is entitled to moral damages under Article 2219 of the Civil Code,
withoutthenecessityforpleadingorproofofthebasisthereof.Inlinewith
current jurisprudence, accused appellants victim is entitled to moral
damagesintheamountofFiftyThousandPesos(P50,000.00).
AUTOMATICREVIEWofadecisionoftheRegionalTrialCourtof
RoxasCity,Br.15.
ThefactsarestatedintheopinionoftheCourt.
TheSolicitorGeneralforplaintiffappellee.
AlbertI.Potatoforaccusedappellant.
Benjamin R. Perez collaborating counsel for accused
appellant.
PERCURIAM:
InacriminalComplaint,dated9November1995,AlfonsoBalgos,
alias Lupog, was accused by Crisselle Ilanga 1Fuentes, a six (6)
yearoldchild,ofthecrimeofrape.Thecomplaint reads:
The undersigned complainant accuses ALFONSO BALGOS, alias
LUPOG,aresidentofBrgy.Libas,RoxasCity,Philippines,ofthecrime
of RAPE, defined and penalized under Article 335, par. 3 of the Revised
PenalCode,asamendedbyRepublicActNo.7659,committedasfollows:
That on October 8, 1995 at about 2:00 oclock in the afternoon, in the
City of Roxas, Philippines, and within the Jurisdiction (sic) of this
Honorable Court, the abovenamed accused, did then and there willfully,
unlawfullyandfeloniouslyhad(sic)carnalknowledgewiththeundersigned
whoissix(6)yearsold,tothedamageandpreju
________________
1Rollo,p.5.
375
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Peoplevs.Balgos
diceofthecomplainantinsuchamountasmaybeawardedtoherunderthe
NewCivilCodeofthePhilippines.
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CONTRARYTOLAW.
Upon arraignment on 21 February 1996, the accusedappellant,

assisted by counsel de oficio, pleaded not guiltyto the crime
charged.
Thefactsareasfollows:
Onthefatefuldayof8October1995,ataround2:00oclockin
the afternoon, Crisselle Fuentes went to the house of the accused
appellant to play with Michelle and
Waday, both surnamed Balgos
2
andniecesoftheaccusedappellant. Sincethehouseoftheaccused
appellant abuts a river, the three girls played near the window so
theycouldwatchthesmallcrabs(calamangi)wallowinginthesaid
river. While they were playing, the accusedappellant went up to
Michelle and asked her to go outside and buy cheese curls. When
Michelleleftthehouse,theaccusedappellantdirectedherattention
3
towardsCrisselle.Heopenedthezipperofhispants. Hethentook
Crissellebytherightforearmandmadeherholdhispenisforashort
4
time. When Michelle came back, the accusedappellant asked her
andWadaytogooutsideandbuymorecheesecurls.Thetwogirls
acceded and left Crisselle with the accusedappellant. Whereupon,
heclosedthedoorandlockedthesame.HethenremovedCrisselles
shortsandunderwear,tookoffhisownpantsandbriefandlaidher
5
downonamat. TheaccusedappellantnextwentontopofCrisselle
and used
his hand to direct his penis towards the opening of her
6
vagina. He made a push and pull movement with7 his penis into
Crisselles vagina which caused her to feel pain. However, the
accusedappellantcouldnotpenetrateCris
________________
2TSN,1March1996,pp.45.
3Id.,at9.
4Id.,at1718.
5Id.,at10.
6Id.,at19.
7Id.,at11.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
selles vagina and was

only able to push his penis against the
8
openingofthesame. Becauseofthis,herepositionedhispenisand
9
triedagaintopenetrateCrissellesorgan.
Despitethiseffort,bestill
10
failed. The accusedappellant stopped his bestial act when he
noticedthroughthewindowthatMichelleandWadaywerereturning
andwereabouttounlockthedoor.Hethenputonhispants,covered
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Crisselle with a blanket and had her put on her underwear. When
MichelleandWadayenteredthehouse,Crissellewasstillcovered
withablanket.
Crisselledidnottellanybodyabouttheincident.However,on12
October1995,CrisartFuentes,theolderbrotherofCrisselle,toldhis
mother, Criselda Fuentes, that Michelle and Waday had11 informed
him that Crisselle was raped by the accusedappellant. Criselda
thenaskedCrisarttocallMichelleandWadaytoconfirmhisstory.
Upon being asked if Crisselle was raped by the accusedappellant,
12
Michelle and Waday answered in the affirmative. Thereupon,13
Criseldainformedherhusband,ArturoFuentes,abouttheincident.
ThespousesFuentesaskedCrisselleifthestorywastrue.Crisselle
14
criedandconfirmedthatshewasrapedbytheaccusedappellant.
Thereafter,CrisselleandherparentswenttotheirBarangayCaptain,
15
Loreto Arawaraw, to report the incident. The Barangay Captain,
togetherwithtwoofhistanods,pickeduptheaccusedappellantand
brought him to the Barangay Hall for questioning. Asked if he
indeed raped
Crisselle, the accusedappellant denied the
16
accusation. The Barangay Captain then asked Crisselle about the
incident.Crissellerecountedherharrowingexperienceatthehands
of
________________
8Id.,at1819.
9Id.,at12.
10Id.
11TSN,5March1996,p.6.
12Id.,at67.
13Id.,at7.
14Id.
16Id.
377
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Peoplevs.Balgos
17
the accusedappellant. After finishing his inquiry, the Barangay

Captain brought Crisselle, her parents and
the accusedappellant to
18
thepolicestationforfurtherinvestigation.
The following day, Criselda brought Crisselle to the Roxas
Memorial General Hospital for medical examination. Crisselle was
attended to by Dr. Ma. Lourdes B. Laada, a gynecologist
obstetrician,
who, after her examination, issued a medical
19
certificate whichstates:
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PhysicalExamination:Nobruises,hematomanoted
I.E.VaginaIntroitusadmitoneindexfingerwithease
Hymen + 0.2 CM. Lacerated wound at 3 oclock position () bleeding
noted
DischargesNegative
20
SpermatozoaDeterminationNegative
In his defense, the accusedappellant denied raping Crisselle but

claimed that he only inserted his left index finger
into her vagina
21
because he was sexually aroused at that time. In support of this
contention, the accusedappellant
testified that if his penis, with a
22
circumferenceof31/2inches, hadenteredthevaginaofCrisselle,
thelacerationofherhymenwouldhavebeenbiggerandnotjust0.2
23
cm. Oncrossexamination,theaccusedappellantadmittedthaton
8October1995,heaskedMichelleandWadaytogooutsidetobuy
24
food but he was never left alone with Crisselle since his first
cousin,EnecitoDalton,andhisuncle,RogelioManalo,
________________
17Id.,at69.
18Id.,at11.
19TSN,29February1996,pp.45,11.
20ExhibitA,Records,p.61.
21TSN,3May1996,p.3.
22Id.,at7.
23Id.,at3.
24Id.,at5.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
25
were also inside the house and listening to the radio. He also
admittedthathecoveredCrissellewithablanket,butclaimedthatit
was not only Crisselle who was under the blanket but also himself
andhistwo(2)nieces,MichelleandWaday.
InitsDecision,dated19July1996,thetrialcourtbelievedwhat
it described as the straightforward, clear and convincing open
court declarations of Crisselle as
against the uncorroborated
26
testimonyoftheaccusedappellant. Itdebunkedthedefenseofthe
accusedappellant that he merely inserted his finger inside the
vaginaofCrisselle,sayingthatthiswasmerelyalastditcheffortto
27
savehimselffromcriminalresponsibility. Thetrialcourtalsonoted
four circumstances that pointed towards the criminal culpability of
the accusedappellant. First, his admission that he asked Michelle
andWadaytobuyfoodandleavethehouseshowedhisintentionto
28
createanopportunitytocommithisbeastlyactagainstCrisselle.
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28
createanopportunitytocommithisbeastlyactagainstCrisselle.
Second, his disposition to play with young girls revealed his
libidinal predilection
which he wanted gratified even on young
29
girls like Crisselle. Third, his admission30that he was sexually
aroused exposed his lustful desire for flesh. Fourth, his failure to
show that Crisselle was motivated by illwill in fabricating
her
31
accusationlentcredencetothetestimonyofhisvictim. Inthelight
oftheseobservations,thetrialcourtconvictedtheaccusedappellant
of the crime of rape and imposed the supreme penalty of death, to
wit:
WHEREFORE, finding accused Alfonso Balgos alias Lupog guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape defined and punished under
Art. 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by RA 7659, judgment is
hereby rendered imposing upon him the supreme penalty of death. He is
likewise,orderedtoindemnifyprivate
________________
25Id.,at56.
26Decision,Records,p.107.
27Id.,at112.
28Id.
29Id.,at112113.
30Id.,at113.
31Id.
379
379
Peoplevs.Balgos
complainant
Crisselle Fuentes fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) as civil
32
damages.
InaccordancewithSection10,Rule122oftheRulesofCourt,the
caseisnowbeforeusforautomaticreview.
In his lone assignment of error, the accusedappellant contends
that:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN CONVICTING THE ACCUSED OF
THE CRIME OF RAPE AND NOT OF ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS
CONSIDERING THE TESTIMONY
OF THE VICTIM HERSELF AND
33
THEACCUSEDAPPELLANT.
The accusedappellant again plays up the fact that Dr. Laadas

medicalexaminationshowedthatthehymenofCrisselleonlyhada
34
0.2cm.laceration. Onthisscore,theaccusedappellantadmitsthat
something was indeed inserted in Crisselles vagina. However, he
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pointsoutthatitwasonlyhisfingerthatinflictedthesaidlaceration
35
andnothispeniswitha31/2inchcircumference. Heinsiststhatif
hispeniswastheoneinsertedinthevictimsvagina,thelaceration
would have been
more severe and she would have died from
36
hemorrhaging. The accusedappellant, likewise, asserts that since
theprosecutionclaimedthattherewasanactualpenetration,itmust
prove,therefore,thatthesmalllacerationinthevictimshymenwas
caused by the accusedappellants sex organ. Considering the
physicalevidenceadducedinthecase,theaccusedappellantclaims
that he should have only been convicted of acts of lasciviousness
andnotrape.
Afterameticulousreviewoftheevidenceinthiscase,wefindno
cogentreasontodisturbthefindingsofthetrialcourt.Theevidence
clearly establishes the guilt of the accusedappellant beyond
reasonabledoubt.
________________
32Supra,note26at117.
33AppellantsBrief,Rollo,p.44.
34Id.,at47.
35Id.,at48.
36Id.
380
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Peoplevs.Balgos
Prefatorily, we note the wellestablished rule that the trial courts

evaluationofthetestimoniesofwitnessesisgivengreatrespectby
the appellate court in the absence of proof that it was arrived at
capriciously or that the trial court disregarded
material facts which
37
mightaffecttheoutcomeofthecase. Therationalebehindthisrule
isthatthecredibilityofawitnesscanbestbedeterminedbythetrial
court since it has the opportunity
to observe the candor and
38
demeanorofthewitnesses.
Inthepresentcase,thetrialcourtiscorrectingivingcredenceto
Crisselles testimony over that of the accusedappellant. Crisselles
testimonywassimple,conciseandcohesive.
Q WhenMichele(sic)andWadayleftthehousewhatdidAlfonso
Balgosdo,iftherewereany?
A Heclosedthedoorandthenlockeditandthenheundress(sic)me
andhealsoundress(sic)himselfandtookoffhisbrief.
Q WhenyousaidundressyoumeaningAlfonsoBalgosremoved
yourentireclothing?
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A Ihave(sic)myclothesononlytheshort(sic)andpantywere
takenoff.
Q Whenyourpantyandshort(sic)was(sic)alreadyremovedby
AlfonsoBalgosandhealreadyremovedhispantsandbriefs(sic),
whatdidAlfonsoBalgosdo,ifany?
A Helay(sic)ontopofmeandhispenisheputitonmyorgan.
Q Wheredidyoulay(sic)down?
A Onthematwithoutapillow.
________________
37People vs. Larena,G.R. Nos. 12120509, 29 June 1999, p. 12, 309 SCRA 305
Peoplevs.Akhtar,G.R.No.130640,21June1999,p.10,308 SCRA 725People vs.

Sandico,G.R.No.128104,18May1999,p.6,307SCRA204Peoplevs.Manggasin,
G.R.Nos.130599600,21April1999,pp.1011,306SCRA228Peoplevs.Cantos,Sr.,
G.R.No.129298,14April1999,p.6,305SCRA786.
38Peoplevs.Reola,G.R.Nos.12290912,10June1999,p.8,308SCRA145.
381
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Peoplevs.Balgos
Q YousaidAlfonsoBalgoswhileyouwerelyingdownonthemat
withoutapillowplacedhimselfontopofyou,didheplaced(sic)
hispenisinyourorgan?
ATTY.POTATO:
Objection,leading
COURT:
Alreadytestified.
PROSECUTOR:
Q WhenAlfonsoBalgosplacedhissexorganintoyourvagina,what
wasAlfonsoBalgosdoing?
A Hisorgan,hepusheditinandoutofmyorgan.
Q WhenAlfonsoBalgosplacedhisorganintoyourvaginainand
out,whatdidyoufeel?
A Pain.
Q AbouthowlongdidAlfonsoBalgosplaced(sic)hisorganinto
yourvaginainandoutabouthowlong?
A Forashortperiod.
COURT:
Q Didhisorganenteryourvagina?
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A Nosir.
PROSECUTOR:
Q Butyoucanfeelthatittouchedyourvagina?
ATTY.POTATO:
Objection,leading.
COURT:
Sustained.
PROSECUTOR:
Q WhenAlfonsoBalgosstoppedplacinghisorganintoyourvagina
buthavingitinandoutwhatdidAlfonsoBalgosdo?
A Heagainputhispenisandpush(sic)itinandoutmotion.
COURT:
Q Whathappenedtoyourvaginaifanythinghappenedtoit?
A Nothing.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
Q Yousaidthattheaccusedpushedhisagaininandoutofyour
vagina,howlongdidhedothat?
A Forashortperiod.
PROSECUTOR:
Q WhendidAlfonsoBalgosstopplacinghisorganintoyour
vagina?
A WhenMichele(sic)andWadayarrived.
Q HowdidyouknowthatMichele(sic)andWadayarrivedalready?
A Becausetheywerecomingandtheycanbeseenthroughthe
windowandAlfonsoBalgosoutonhispants.
Q Howaboutyou?
A Hecoveredmewithablanketandhehe(sic)letmeputonmy
pantybecauseMichele(sic)andWadaywereunlockingthedoor.
Q Was(sic)Michele(sic)andWadayabletoenterthehouse?
A Yessir.
Q WhenMichele(sic)andWadaywas(sic)alreadyinsidethehouse
youwerestillcoveredwithablanket?
ATTY.POTATO:
Objection,questionisleading.
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COURT:
Letheranswer.
A Yessir.
PROSECUTOR:
Q WhatdidAlfonsoBalgostellyouiftherewasany?
ATTY.POTATO:
COURT:
Nobasis.
PROSECUTOR:
Q DidyoureportofwhatAlfonsoBalgosdidtoyouintheafternoon
ofOctober8,1995toyourparents?
ATTY.POTATO:
COURT:
Nobasis.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
PROSECUTOR:
Q
Didyoumeetyourmotherandfatherintheafternoonof
thatday?
Yessir.
Didyoutellyourparentsaboutwhathappenedtoyou?
ATTY.POTATO:
Objection,leading.
COURT:
Q
Didyouhaveanyconversationwithyourfatherand
mother?
Yessir.
PROSECUTOR:
Q
Whatwasyourconversationwithyourparents?
AstowhatAlfonsoBalgosdidtomethathewrestledme
(gindumog).
Q
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IfAlfonsoBalgosisinsidethecourtroomnow,willyou
pointtotheHonorableCourtwhereheis?
A
There(witnesspointingtoapersonsittingontheside
benchwearingorangetshirtwhenaskedofhisname
answeredAlfonsoBalgos.)
PROSECUTOR:
Thatwouldbeall.
COURT:
Cross.
CROSSEXAMINATIONBYATTY.ALBERTPOTATO:
xxxxxxxxx
Q
NowyoualsotestifiedthatAlfonsoBalgosplacedhis
sexualorganinsideyourvaginaandpush(sic)itinand
out,isthatcorrect?
Yessir.
DidyoufeelthesexualorganofAlfonsoBalgosinside
yourvagina?
Nosir.
Youmeanitnevertouchedyourvagina,thesexualorgan
ofAlfonsoBalgosnevertouchedyourvagina?
Ittouchedthetop.
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Peoplevs.Balgos
COURT:
Q OnwhatpartofyourvaginadidthepenisofAlfonsoBalgos
touches(sic)?
A Inthehole.
Q Butitdidnotentertheholeofthevagina.
A Nosir.
ATTY.POTATO:
Q NowyousaidthatAlfonsoBalgoswasontopofyou,wasitnot?
A Yessir.
Q So,youcouldnotseewhatwasactuallytouchingyourvagina
becauseshewasontopofyou?
A Nosir.
COURT:
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Q Howdidyoucometoknowthatitwastheorganoftheaccused
whichtouches(sic)theholeofyourvagina?
A Iknowbecausewithhishandheheldhisorganandputitinmy
vagina.
ATTY.POTATO:
Q Butasyouhavestatedhewasontopofyouandyoucouldnot
seewhatwastouchingyourvaginawhetheritwasasexorgan,the
sexorganofAlfonsoBalgosorthefingerofAlfonsoBalgos,isit
not?
A Nosir.
Q Haveyoueverfeltbefore,priortothisincidentinquestion,ever
feltthetouchofamaleorgantoyourvagina?
A Nosir.
Q So,youcannotdistinguishwhetherwhattouchedyourvaginawas
amaleorganorafingertoyourvagina?
A WhilewewerewatchingTVinourneighborshouse,itwashis
fingerthatheputinsidemyvagina.
COURT:
Q Whendidtheaccusedplacehisfingerinyourvaginawhile
watchingTV,wasitbeforetheincidentinquestion?
A Nosir.
Q Howmanytimesbeforetheincidentinquestiondidheplacehis
fingerinyourvagina?
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Peoplevs.Balgos
A Onlyones(sic).
Q Inwhatplacedidhedid(sic)that?
A Inourneighborshouse.
Q Wasitinsideyourneighborshouseoroutside?
A Insideourneighborshouse.
ATTY.POTATO:
Q Weretherepeopleinsidethehouseofyourneighboratthattime?
A Yessir.
Q Therewerepeoplewatching?
A Yessir.
COURT:
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Q Watchingwhat?
A Watchingpowerrangerin(sic)theTV.
xxxxxxxxx
ATTY.POTATO:
Q Duringtheincidentinquestionyoucouldnotdefinitelytell
whethertheaccusedplacedhissexualorganinyourvaginaorjust
hisfinger,amIcorrect?
A Hisorgan.
Q Didyouseehissexualorganactuallyplacedinyourvagina,by
theaccused?
A Nosir.
ATTY.POTATO:
ThatsallYourHonor.
39
As shown in the above testimony, the trial court is correct in

observingthatthevictimrecountedherordealinastraightforward,
40
clearandconvincingmanner. Hertestimonyisverytypicalofan
41
innocentchildwhosevirtuehasbeenviolated.
________________
39TSN,1March1996,pp.923.
40Supra,note26.
41Peoplevs.Jose,G.R.No.128789,24May1999,p.7,307SCRA571.
386
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Peoplevs.Balgos
Ontheotherhand,accusedappellantsassertionthathemerelyput
his finger into the victims vagina is incredible and contrary to the
evidence.Ifthiswasallthathedid,whydidhehavetopulldown
thezipperofhispants,puthispenisout,layhimselfontopofher,
put his organ into hers, move it in and out of her organ, meaning
doing a push and pull movement? And while he was doing this,
Crissellesaidshefeltpain.Ontopofthis,themedicalexamination
conductedonhershowedalaceratedwoundinherorganpositioned
at3oclock.IfCrissellesstorywastheproductofherimagination,
astheaccusedappellantwouldlikethisCourttobelieve,shewould
havepaintedforthecourtamoredastardlyandgruesomepictureof
her ordeal. But true to her innocence and coyness, being only six
yearsold,thewordssheusedoncrossexaminationweremild.She
42
mentioned that his penis did not penetrate her vagina but that it
43
onlytoucheditshole, thattheattemptoftheaccusedappellantto
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43
onlytoucheditshole, thattheattemptoftheaccusedappellantto
44
satisfy his lust for flesh was only for a short period, that nothing
happenedtohervaginaaftertheaccusedappellanttriedtoinserthis
45
peniswithaninandoutmotion, andthatshedidnotactuallysee
46
the penis of the accusedappellant enter her vagina. These are
telltale signs at the victims honesty and candor in relating her
unsavory experience at the hands of accusedappellant. It has been
stressed often enough that the testimony 47of rape victims who are
youngandimmaturedeservefullcredence.
In any case, even if his organ merely touched the holeof
Crisselles vagina, this already constitutes rape since the complete
penetrationofthepenisintothefemaleorganisnot
________________
43Id.,at1819.
44Id.,at1112.
45Id.,at11.
46Id.,at1920.
47Peoplevs.Carullo,G.R.No.129289,29July1999,p.9,311SCRA680People
vs.Pineda,G.R.Nos.11831213,28July1999,p.11,311SCRA368.
387
387
Peoplevs.Balgos
48
necessary. Themereintroduction of the penis into the aperture of

the female organ, thereby touching the
labia of the pudendum,
49
alreadyconsummatesthecrimeofrape.
Sincethelabiaistheouter
50
lip of the genital organ, accusedappellants act of repeatedly
placinghisorganintheholeofCrissellesvaginawasrape.
Accusedappellant compounded the incredibility of his defense
when he, through his collaborating counsel, Atty. Benjamin R.
51
Perez, filed a supplemental brief putting up an inconsistent story.
He now asserts that he was earlier persuaded by his lead counsel,
Atty.AlbertI.Potato,toadmitthatwhathedidtothevictimwasto
insert her finger into her vagina so as to characterize his crime
merely as acts of lasciviousness. He claims that he could not have
possiblyrapedCrissellesincehewasthenatseaengagedindeepsea
fishing on 6 October 1995 and it was only on 8 October 1995, at
aroundthreeoclockintheafternoon,whenhereturnedtoshore.He
was the last one to leave the boat since he was tasked to properly
store their fishing equipment. Upon his arrival at his house, he
listenedtotheradiowithEnecitoDaltonandRogelioManalo,then
tookhisdinnerandwenttosleep.Hefurtheraversthatitwasonly
uponhisarrivalfromanotherfishingexpeditionon13October1995
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thathelearnedfromtheBarangayCaptainoftheaccusationsagainst
him.
________________
48Peoplevs.Peurtollano,G.R. No. 122423, 17 June 1999, p. 10, 308 SCRA 356
Peoplevs.Quianola,G.R.No.126148,5May1999,p.23,306SCRA710Peoplevs.
Almaden,G.R.No.112088,25March1999,p.8,305SCRA157.
49Peoplevs.Silvano,G.R.No.127356,29June1999,p.9,309SCRA362People
vs.Ablog,G.R.No.124005,28June1999,p.8,309SCRA222.
50Peoplevs.Ayo,G.R.No.123540,30March1999,p.12,305SCRA543.
51Rollo,pp.8790.
388
388
Peoplevs.Balgos
The Court is not persuaded. Accusedappellants

new defense of
52
alibi is the weakest of all defenses. It cannot prevail over his
positiveidentificationbythevictimwhosetestimonyontheevents
53
that happened on that illfated day was direct and convincing.
Moreover,hisshiftoftheory,uponrealizingthefutilityofhisearlier
defense, rather
than help his cause, only further damaged his
54
credibility.
The trial court is correct in imposing the supreme penalty of
death on the accusedappellant. Under Article 335 of the Revised
55
PenalCodeasamendedbySection11ofRepublicActNo.7659,
the penalty of death shall be imposed if the crime of rape is
committed against a child below seven (7) years of age. In the
presentcase,thereisnodisputethatthevictimwassix(6)yearsof
agewhentheaccusedappellanthadcarnalknowledgewithher.The
victims age was duly established by the prosecution, through the
testimony of the victims mother, Criselda Fuentes, and
further
56
corroborated by Crisselles Certificate of Live Birth. Criselda
Fuentestestifiedasfollows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY ASST CITY PROSECUTOR VICTOR
POSADAS:
FISCALPOSADAS:
Q
CriseldaFuentes,doyouknowacertainCrisselleFuentes?
Yessir,mydaugther.
HowoldisyourdaughterCrisselleFuentes?
7yearsold.
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________________
52Peoplevs.Carullo,289SCRA481,496(1998)Peoplevs.Nang,289SCRA16,
31(1998)Peoplevs.Azugue,268SCRA711,723(1997).
53Peoplevs.Lozano,296SCRA403,415(1998).
54Peoplevs.Trimor,243SCRA129,132(1995).
55FurtheramendedbyRepublicActNo.8353,otherwiseknownasTheAntiRape
Law.
56ExhibitB,Records,p.62.
389
389
Peoplevs.Balgos
Q Doyouknowwhenisthedateofbirthofyourdaughter?
A November24,1988.
Q DoyouhaveanydocumentstoshowthatCrisselleFuentesis
yourdaughterandthatyourdaughterCrisselleFuenteswasborn
onNovember24,1988?
A Yes,sir.
Q Now,IamshowingtoyouaCertificateofLiveBirth,willyou
pleasegooverthisifthisisthedocumentwhichyousaid?
A Yes,sir.
FISCALPOSADAS:
Irequest,YourHonorforthepurposeofcomparison,Iam
showingthiscertifiedoriginaloftheBirthCertificateofCrisselle
Fuentestobecomparedwiththemachinecopy,YouHonorI
requestAtty.Potatotocomparetheoriginalwiththemachine
copy.
ATTY.POTATO:
Admitted,yourhonor.
COURT:
Noted.
57
Withrespecttotheawardofdamages,wehaverecentlyheldthatif
the commission of rape is effectively qualified by any of the58
circumstances under which the penalty of death may be imposed,
thecivilindemnityforthevictimshallnot
________________
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58UnderArt.335oftheRevisedPenalCode,thedeathpenaltyshallbeimposedif
thecrimeiscommittedwithanyofthefollowingattendingcircumstances:
1. When the victim is under eighteen (18) years of age and the offender is a
parent,ascendant,stepparent,guardian,relativebyconsanguinityoraffinity
withinthethirdcivildegree,orthecommonlawspouseoftheparentofthe
victim.
2. Whenthevictimisunderthecustodyofpoliceormilitaryauthorities.
3. Whentherapeiscommittedinfullviewofthehusband,parent,anyofthe
childrenorotherrelativeswithinthethirddegreeofconsang
uinity.
390
390
Peoplevs.Balgos
59
belessthanSeventyFiveThousandPesos(P75,000.00). Basedon
the foregoing judicial prescription, the trial courts award
of Fifty
60
Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) as civil indemnity should be
increasedtoSeventyFiveThousandPesos(P75,000.00).Moreover,
the victim is
entitled to moral damages under Article 2219 of the
61
CivilCode,
withoutthenecessityforpleadingorproofofthebasis
62
thereof. In line with current jurisprudence, accused appellants
victimisentitledtomoraldamagesintheamountofFiftyThousand
63
Pesos(P50,000.00).
_______________
4. Whenthevictimisareligiousorachildbelowseven(7)yearsold.
5. When the offender knows that he is afflicted with Acquired Immune
DeficiencySyndrome(AIDS)disease.
6. WhencommittedbyanymemberoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesor
thePhilippineNationalPoliceoranylawenforcementagency.
7. Whenbyreasonoronoccasionoftherape,thevictimhassufferedpermanent
physicalmutilation.
59Peoplevs.Losano,G.R.No.127122,20July1999,p.17,310SCRA707People
vs. Aquino and Catap, G.R. Nos. 12355051, 19 July 1999, p. 24, 310 SCRA 437
Peoplevs.Alitagtag,G.R.Nos.12444951,29June1999,p.11,309SCRA325.
60Supra,note26at117.
61Art.2219.Moraldamagesmayberecoveredinthefollowingandanalogouscase:
xxxxxxxxx
(3)seduction,abduction,rapeorotherlasciviousacts
xxxxxxxxx
Theparentsofthefemaleseduced,abductedorraped,orabused,referredtoinNo.
3ofthisArticle,mayalsorecovermoraldamages.
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xxxxxxxxx
62Peoplevs.Mijano,G.R.No.129112,p.17,23July1999,311SCRA81.
63Peoplevs.Flores,G.R.No.130546,p.13,26July1999,311SCRA170.
391
391
Peoplevs.Balgos
FourmembersoftheCourtmaintaintheirpositionthatRepublicAct
No. 7659, insofar as it prescribes the death penalty, is
unconstitutionalneverthelesstheysubmittotherulingoftheCourt,
byamajorityvote,thatthelawisconstitutionalandthatthedeath
penaltyshouldbeaccordinglyimposed.
WHEREFORE, the decision of the trial court finding accused
appellantAlfonsoBalgos,aliasLupog,guiltybeyondreasonable
doubtofthecrimeofrapeandsentencinghimtosufferthepenalty
ofdeathisherebyAFFIRMED,withtheMODIFICATIONthatthe
accusedappellantisorderedtoindemnifythevictimintheamount
of SeventyFive Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) as civil indemnity
andFiftyThousandPesos(P50,000.00)asmoraldamages.
In accordance with Section 25 of Republic Act No. 7659,
amendingArticle83oftheRevisedPenalCode,uponfinalityofthis
Decision, let the records of this case be forthwith forwarded to the
OfficeofthePresidentforpossibleexerciseofexecutiveclemency
orpardoningpower.
Nopronouncementastocost.
SOORDERED.
Davide,Jr.(C.J.),Bellosillo,Melo,Puno, Vitug, Kapunan,
Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Purisima, Pardo, Buena,
GonzagaReyes,YnaresSantiagoandDeLeon,Jr.,JJ.,concur.
Judgmentaffirmedwithmodification.
Notes.Wherethevictim,atthetimeofherpenileinvasion,was
unconscious,itcouldsafelybeconcludedthatshehadnotgivenfree
and voluntary consent to her defilement, whether before or during
thesexualact.(Peoplevs.Mahinay,302SCRA455[1999])
Jurisprudence has consistently held that full penetration of the
femalegenitalorganisnotindispensabletosustainaconvictionfor
rapeitsufficesthatthereisproofoftheen
392
392
AbbottLaboratoriesPhilippines,Inc.vs.AbbottLaboratories
EmployeesUnion
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11/3/2016
trance of the male organ within the labia of the pudendum of the
femaleorgan.(Peoplevs.DelaCuesta,304SCRA83[1999])
o0o
Copyright2016CentralBookSupply,Inc.Allrightsreserved.
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Upon arraignment on 21 February 1996, the accusedappellant,

selles vagina and was

the accusedappellant. After finishing his inquiry, the Barangay

In his defense, the accusedappellant denied raping Crisselle but

The accusedappellant again plays up the fact that Dr. Laadas

Prefatorily, we note the wellestablished rule that the trial courts

Peoplevs.Akhtar,G.R.No.130640,21June1999,p.10,308 SCRA 725People vs.

As shown in the above testimony, the trial court is correct in

necessary. Themereintroduction of the penis into the aperture of

The Court is not persuaded. Accusedappellants

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