EN BANC
[ G.R. No. 137480, February 28, 2001 ]PEOPLE v. FILOMENO SERRANO Y CALLADO +
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. FILOMENO SERRANO Y CALLADO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.
D E C I S I O N
PEOPLE v. FILOMENO SERRANO Y CALLADO +
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. FILOMENO SERRANO Y CALLADO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.
D E C I S I O N
PER CURIAM:
A sad but concrete fact is that a remarkable number of rape cases passed upon by this Court involves incest. Rape in itself is prompted by the abnormal need of a man to overpower and control a woman by way of sexual abuse. But nothing is more barbaric and
inhuman than the act of a father sexually abusing his minor daughter, his own flesh and blood.
On automatic review before us is the decision of Branch 256 (Special Court for Heinous Crimes) of the Regional Trial Court at Pasig City, the Honorable Edwin A. Villasor presiding, the dispositive portion of which reads:
The inculpatory facts, based on the testimony of private complainant Gemmalyn, her mother Adel Serrano, and Dr. Thomas D. Suguitan, the Medico- Legal Officer who examined the victim, are as follows:
Gemmalyn Serrano is the third of six children of accused-appellant, Filomeno Serrano, and Adel Serrano (tsn, July 31, 1998, p. 11; Sept. 11, 1998, p. 4) whose family resided at 26 G. Esguerra St., Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. At around 9 P.M., February 19, 1997, Gemmalyn was about to sleep and was lying in bed between her brother and sister. Accused-appellant then called on Gemmalyn and ordered her to come to him. Adel Serrano was not at home that night having been sent away by accused-appellant (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 7-10; July 31, 1998, pp. 10-11). Out of fear of her father, Gemmalyn obeyed. Accused-appellant then touched her thigh and inserted his hands inside her panties. When he touched her vagina, she resisted. Accused-appellant then asked Gemmalyn to take off her clothes. She began crying and said, "Father, why are you doing this to me?" Because of her resistance, accused-appellant boxed Gemmalyn on the stomach (tsn, May 18, 1998, p. 10).
Accused-appellant proceeded to remove Gemmalyn's clothes. He raised her skirt and lowered her panties to her knees. He also removed her blouse and sando. After that, he sucked her nipples. Naked from the waist down, he proceeded to insert his penis into Gemmalyn's vagina. While doing so, he said, "Tutuluyan ko nang palayasin ang nanay mo at ikaw na ang gagawin kong asawa." Because of this, Gemmalyn broke down and cried. Accused-appellant again attempted to insert his penis into Gemmalyn's vagina. She continued her resistance which made him box her for the second time. He likewise threatened, "Kapag nagsumbong ka sa nanay ma, papatayin ko lahat ng kapatid mo!" (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 11-12, 14-15, and 20).
Finally, accused-appellant succeeded in slightly inserting his penis into Gemmalyn's sex organ when he was able to "rub" his penis into her vagina. This was when accused-appellant saw that his son Jeffrey was wide awake. He told him, "Why are you still awake? You are supposed to be asleep!"" He then proceeded to maul Jeffrey. After that, as if nothing unusual had occurred, he went to sleep (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 15-16).
Gemmalyn, accompanied by two of her sisters, left the house and went to the market where her mother was staying (tsn, May 18, 1998, p. 30). She told her mother that accused-appellant had raped her. Thereupon, mother and daughter went to the Barangay Hall of Pinagbuhatan and reported the crime. The barangay tanods then arrested accused-appellant who was still naked from waist down and was just wearing "nighties". He was brought to the Pasig City Jail (Ibid., pp. 17-18; tsn, July 31, 1998, pp. 11-12).
The following day, Gemmalyn was brought by her mother to Camp Crame in Quezon City for medical examination (tsn, July 31, 1998, p. 13). She was examined by Dr. Thomas D. Suiguitan, Medico-Legal Officer of the PNP Crime Laboratory, Camp Crame, who found that: Gemmalyn's labia minora was reddish in color; that her hymen bore a fresh laceration at the 7 o' clock position, which was inflicted within the last 24 hours, and two healed lacerations at the 5 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, and that said lacerations could have been caused by the insertion of a blunt object; that at the time of the examination, she was in a non-virgin state physically; and that she complained of pain in the knee, back, and buttocks (Ibid., pp. 3-5).
As his defense, accused-appellant denied the charge and presented his own version of the events. He testified that at about 9 o'clock on the night in question, he was with his six children looking for his wife Adel Serrano who had been gone for a week. Failing to find her, they just proceeded home. He explained that his wife left their house when he found out that she was having an affair with his " kumpadre". He also described their house as a small room measuring about four meters by four meters; that he and his children were all sleeping in that small room; that their house and that of their nearest neighbors were divided by a mere wall; and that most of their neighbors were his wife's relatives (tsn, Sept. 11, 1998, pp. 5-7; Sept. 17, 1998, p. 3).
The defense's second witness Jorge Serrano was the brother of accused-appellant. He testified that accused-appellant's wife and a certain "Toge" were having an illicit affair as relayed to him by Gemmalyn herself. He also corroborated accused-appellant's description of their house and the area thereof (tsn, Sept. 17, 1998, p. 9).
The trial court favored Gemmalyn's version of the events and ruled in this wise:
In support of these arguments, accused-appellant posits that the commission of the crime charged was improbable considering the size of the room (4 x 4 meters), the fact that said place and the next room (the neighbor's place) were separated by a flimsy wall, and that accused-appellant's neighbors were relatives of his wife. Because of these circumstances, the opportunity to commit rape was hardly present, it is said, with accused-appellant further asking that had it been true that he had sexually assaulted Gemmalyn, why is it that she did not make an outcry when she had all the opportunity to shout or resist since there was no showing that accused-appellant was armed with any weapon. He argues that Gemmalyn's declaration that she did not shout for help because her father would kill her brothers and sisters is false and a mere afterthought because she did not mention this matter in her affidavit.
Accused-appellant further asserts that the accusation lodged against him is a mere concoction since both complainant and her mother have a standing grudge against him for his habitual drunkenness and the alleged beating he gave them; and that their only means to get rid of him was to charge him with rape so that he could be imprisoned or even given lethal injection.
Accused-appellant also maintains that Gemmalyn gave flip-flopping testimony. First, she did not state in her affidavit that accused-appellant mauled her brother when the latter was awakened during the alleged rape. However, in open court, she declared that her brother was mauled by accused- appellant. Second, she said that her father boxed her at the stomach, but that this is negated by the findings of the medico-legal officer who found no external signs of violence. In addition, accused-appellant points out, Gemmalyn testified that she told her mother about the rape at the market, whereas Adel Serrano claimed that she was informed by her daughter at their residence.
In accused-appellant's reply-brief, he places emphasis on what he describes as the doubtful and incredible testimony given by Gemmalyn that sexual intercourse took place. In support, he quotes that portion of Gemmalyn's testimony when she said accused-appellant "tried to insert his penis to [her] vagina" creating a doubt as to whether or not the penis of accused-appellant did enter the vagina or pudendum of Gemmalyn. Further, he says, Gemmalyn's resistance made it impossible for him to insert his penis.
Time and again, the Court has been consistent in laying down the guiding principles in reviewing rape cases, to wit: (a) an accusation of rape can be made with facility and while the accusation is difficult to prove, it is even more difficult for the person accused, although innocent, to disprove; (b) considering the intrinsic nature of the crime, only two persons being usually involved, the testimony of the complainant should be scrutinized with great caution; and (c) the evidence for the prosecution must stand or fall on its own merit, and cannot be allowed to draw strength from the weakness of the evidence for the defense (People vs. Gallo, 284 SCRA 590 [1998]; People vs. Barrientos, 285 SCRA 221 [1998]; People vs. Balmoria, 287 SCRA 687 [1998]; People vs. Sta. Ana, 291 SCRA 188 [1998]; People vs. Perez, 270 SCRA 526 [1997]).
Not unlike the trial Court, we are now faced with two opposing and contradictory versions of what occurred on the night of February 19, 1997.
The focal point of the prosecution's evidence is inevitably Gemmalyn's testimony. After carefully observing the demeanor of Gemmalyn, accused- appellant, and other witnesses, with emphasis on gesture and tenor of voice, the trial court arrived at a favorable assessment of Gemmalyn's testimony. As mentioned above, the trial court found Gemmalyn's testimony spontaneous and straightforward, as opposed to accused-appellant's evasive demeanor.
It has long been held that the trial court's evaluation as to the credibility of witnesses is viewed as correct and entitled to the highest respect because it is more competent to so conclude, having had the opportunity to observe the witnesses' demeanor and deportment on the stand, and the manner in which they gave their testimony. The trial judge, therefore, can better determine if such witnesses were telling the truth, being in the ideal position to weigh conflicting testimony. Thus, unless the trial judge plainly overlooked certain facts of substance and value which, if considered, might affect the result of the case, his assessment on credibility must be respected (People vs. Ramirez, 266 SCRA 336 [1997]; People vs. Gabris, 258 SCRA 663 [1996]; People vs. Vallena, 244 SCRA 685 [1995]).
Accused-appellant's defense is primarily denial which is essentially a weak defense, for denials unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence are negative and self-serving which merit no weight in law and cannot be given greater evidentiary value over the testimony of credible witnesses who testified on affirmative matters (People vs. Tumaob, Jr., 291 SCRA 133 [1998]). Denial cannot prevail over the positive identification of the accused by the prosecution witnesses (People vs. Villamor, 297 SCRA 262 [1998]).
Accused-appellant argues that the commission of the crime charged was improbable considering the physical circumstances surrounding the event. In the first place, there is no rule that rape can be committed only in seclusion. Rape may in fact be committed in a room adjacent to where the victim's family was sleeping or even in a room which the victim shared with other women (People vs. Talaboc, 256 SCRA 441 [1996]; People vs. Burce, 269 SCRA 293 [1997]). In this light, rape, in the case at bar, is not an impossibility.
Verily , the evil in man has no conscience-the beast in him bears no respect for time and place, driving him to commit rape anywhere, even in places where people congregate such as in parks, along the roadside, within school premises, and inside a house where there are other occupants (People vs. Agbayani, 284 SCRA 315 [1998]). Lust is no respecter of time and place (People vs. Gementiza, 285 SCRA 478 [1998]; People vs. Lusa, 288 SCRA 296 [1998]).
Gemmalyn's testimony creates a graphic picture of her father as someone, who, as correctly described by the Solicitor General, could carry out whatever he wanted- a man without fear or shame. Notably, he mauled his wife and children when intoxicated. Surely, cries and moans of his family members during a mauling incident would have been easily heard by neighbors. But did that stop accused-appellant from hurting them? What then would deter him from satisfying his bestial instincts in a house where there was only the presence of young children?
And how come there was no outcry from Gemmalyn during the rape? The workings of the human mind when placed under emotional stress are unpredictable, and people react differently- some may shout, some may faint, and some may be shocked into insensibility; while others may openly welcome the intrusion (People vs. Alfeche, 294 SCRA 352 [1998]). The fact that Gemmalyn suffered in silence hardly makes her testimony incredible.
The meat of accused-appellant's defense is the theory that Gemmalyn was induced by her mother to file the case against him because his wife had a lover- referring to a certain "Toge" who is their "kumpadre". Thus, the claim that the accusation lodged against him was a mere concoction, further stressing that mother and daughter had a standing grudge against him for his habitual drunkenness and his mauling of the family members when drunk.
The Court is more inclined to believe that it is accused-appellant who had desperately concocted a story in response to the rape charge. Accused- appellant claimed that his wife was maintaining illicit relations with their "kumpadre", Florencio "Toge" Sanchez, but he was also quick to add that he came to know this matter only because it was relayed to him by his brother, Jorge Serrano. However, when the latter was asked who his source of the information is, he said he obtained the same from Gemmalyn.
We believe that Gemmalyn, a young woman of tender age, would not concoct a story of defloration, allow an examination of her private parts, and thereafter pervert herself by being subjected to a public trial if she were not motivated solely by the desire to have the culprit apprehended and punished (People vs. Taneo, 284 SCRA 251 [1998]). And as accurately put by the trial court, it is "inconceivable that a daughter would agree to charge her own father with rape exposing herself to the ordeal and embarrassment of a public trial" just to protect her mother's illicit affair with another man. No mother would sacrifice her own daughter and subject her to the rigors and humiliation of a public trial for rape if she were not motivated by an honest desire to have her daughter's transgressor punished accordingly (People vs. Tumala, Jr., 284 SCRA 436 [1998]). Adel's hatred for her husband could not have been the principal motive for accusing accused-appellant with rape. A mother would not expose her own daughter to the ignominy of a rape trial merely to retaliate against him for his transgressions as a family man (People vs. Burce, supra).
Accused-appellant also points out Gemmalyn's "flip-flopping testimony" as allegedly shown by lapses in her affidavit and inconsistencies in her testimony. First, as regards her affidavit wherein she failed to state that her brother Jeffrey was mauled by accused-appellant, suffice it to state that an affidavit, taken as it is ex parte, is generally considered inferior to the testimony given in open court (People vs. Agbayani, supra) for it is almost always incomplete and often inaccurate, sometimes from partial suggestion, or for want of suggestions and inquiries. Its infirmity as a species of evidence is a matter of judicial experience (People vs. Enciso, 223 SCRA 675 [1993]; People vs. Marcelo, 223 SCRA 24 [1993]).
Also, it is only when no reasonable explanation is given by a witness in reconciling conflicting declarations that he should be impeached (People vs. De Guzman, 288 SCRA 346 [1998]). On the contrary, Gemmalyn credibly explained why she testified that she told her mother about the rape at the market whereas Adel Serrano claimed that Gemmalyn informed her of the incident at her residence. Gemmalyn was utterly confused after the gruelling incident. Her testimony cannot be ruled out just because of a discrepancy on a minor point.
With respect to Gemmalyn's claim that her father boxed her in the abdomen juxtaposed to the findings of the medico-legal officer which showed no external signs of infliction of any kind of violence, one's attention may be rightly called to Dr. Thomas D. Suiguitan's testimony that Gemmalyn complained of pain in the knee, back, and buttocks.
It should also be observed that blows to the abdominal area invariably leave no marks. Moreover, physical signs of abuse are not even necessary in the case at bar for in rape committed by a father against his own daughter, the former's moral ascendancy and influence over the latter substitutes for violence or intimidation. This means that in a criminal case such as the one herein involved, violence and intimidation need not even be established. Accused-appellant's ascendancy or influence necessarily flows from his parental authority as a father which our Constitution and the laws actually recognize, support, and enhance, as well as from the children's duty to obey and observe reverence and respect toward their parents. Such reverence and respect are deeply ingrained in the minds of Filipino children and are recognized by law. Abuse of both by a father can subjugate his daughter's will, thereby forcing her to do whatever he wants (People vs. Matrimonio, 215 SCRA 613 [1992]).
As a last point, accused-appellant argues that Gemmalyn herself testified that accused-appellant merely attempted to insert his penis into her vagina. We are not persuaded and in fact have no doubt that rape was committed. Notably, the findings of the medico-legal officer reveal that Gemmalyn's labia minora was reddish in color and that her hymen bore a fresh laceration at the 7 o'clock position which was inflicted within the last 24 hours previous to the examination, and two healed lacerations at the 5 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions (suggesting previous abuse which may be explained by the instances of physical maltreatment mentioned by Gemmalyn to Dr. Suiguitan during the physical examination). Further, Gemmalyn was found to be in a non-virgin state physically.
The pertinent portions of the transcript of stenographic notes are as follows:
Perforce, we conclude that both Gemmalyn's positive testimony and the findings of the medico-legal officer complement each other in the conclusion that there was penetration, however slight. Accused-appellant attempted to insert his penis twice. And because of Gemmalyn's resistance, the penetration was slight. Nevertheless, this constitutes rape considering that accused-appellant's penis did not just "touch" Gemmalyn's organ but entered the same. The mere penetration of the penis by entry thereof into the labia majora of the female organ suffices to warrant a conviction for rape (People vs. Cabiles, 284 SCRA 199 [1998]; People vs. Sanchez, 250 SCRA 14 [1995]).
We are thus convinced that when Gemmalyn testified that she had been raped, she says, in effect, all that is necessary to constitute the commission of the crime. And this is applied with more vigor in the case at bar where the culprit is the victim's father. An incestuous sexual assault is a psycho-social deviance that inflicts a stigma, not only on the victim but their whole family, as well (People vs. Burce, supra). In these cases, the sole testimony of a credible victim may seal the fate of the ravisher. Gemmalyn, who had forgiven her savage and plundering father for previous charges of physical injuries and acts of lasciviousness (tsn, September 17, 1998, pp. 3-4, pp. 120 and 122, Record), must finally obtain justice.
In imposing the supreme penalty of death, the trial court applied Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7659 (the Death Penalty Law), which pertinently reads:
x x x
x x x
x x x
Significantly, the trial court took into consideration the testimonial and documentary evidence adduced. We agree that it has been duly established that Gemmalyn is the daughter of accused-appellant and that she was only thirteen years old at the time of her sexual assault.
Proof of these circumstances are the marriage contract between accused-appellant and Adeluisa ("Adel") Biato Agos (Exhibit "D" and sub-markings, p. 103, Record), and the certificate of live birth of Gemmalyn indicating therein that she was the second child of accused- appellant
and Adeluisa ("Adel") Biato Agos, and that she was born on June 13, 1983 (Exhibit "E" and submarkings, p. 104, Record). Accused-appellant never disowned this relationship when he was put on the stand during the trial. There was likewise no competent evidence presented by
accused-appellant to rebut the documents presented by the prosecution.
Although four Justices of the Court continue to maintain their adherence to the separate opinions expressed in People vs. Echegaray (267 SCRA 682 [1997]) that Republic Act No.7659 is unconstitutional insofar as it prescribes the death penalty, they nonetheless abide by the ruling of the majority and assent that the death penalty should herein accordingly be imposed.
We, however, modify the monetary awards granted by the trial court as follows: (a) the civil indemnity of P50,000.00 is increased to P75,000.00 in line with the ruling in People vs. Victor (292 SCRA 186 [1998]) where we held that if the crime of rape is committed or effectively qualified by any of the circumstances under which the death penalty is authorized by the present amended law, the indemnity for the victim shall be in the increased amount of not less than P75,000.00; (b) the award of P30,000.00 as moral damages is increased to P50,000.00 which is more in accord with the ruling in People vs. Prades (293 SCRA 411 [1998]) in regard to moral damages that may additionally be awarded to the victim in rape cases in such amount as the Court deems just, without the necessity for pleading or proof as basis thereof.
Lastly, considering the depravity of the act done by accused-appellant, having not only sexually abused his own helpless minor daughter, but also telling her in ultimate perversion that she would be substituted for his wife, the award of exemplary damages in the amount of P20,000.00 is proper to deter similar perversities, particularly the sexual abuse of one's minor daughter (People vs. Sangil, Sr., 276 SCRA 532 [1997]).
WHEREFORE, the decision under review is hereby AFFIRMED with the following modifications: (a) the civil indemnity and moral damages awarded by the trial court to private complainant are respectively, increased to Seventy Five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00); and (b) accused-appellant is additionally ordered to pay the victim P20,000.00 as exemplary damages.
Let the records of this case, upon finality of this Decision, be forwarded to the President, for the possible exercise of the pardoning power.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Kapunan, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Pardo, Buena, Gonzaga-Reyes, Ynares-Santiago, De Leon, Jr., and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.
On automatic review before us is the decision of Branch 256 (Special Court for Heinous Crimes) of the Regional Trial Court at Pasig City, the Honorable Edwin A. Villasor presiding, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, judgment is hereby rendered finding Accused FILOMENO SERRANO y CALLADO Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of RAPE, aggravated by the fact that the victim was the Accused's minor daughter, and hereby sentences him to suffer the penalty of DEATH, as provided for under R. A. No.7659; to pay the Complainant, Gemmalyn Serrano, the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) by way of indemnity; THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (P30,000.00) as moral damages, plus all the accessory penalties provided by law, without subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency; and to pay the costs.The instant case was initiated by a complaint against accused-appellant filed by Gemmalyn Serrano y Hagos, which resulted in the filing of an Information charging:
SO ORDERED.
(p. 39, Rollo.)
On or about February 19, 1997 in Pasig City and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the accused, with lewd designs and by means of force and intimidation, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously have sexual intercourse with one Gemmalyn Serrano y Hagos, his daughter, a minor, thirteen (13) years of age, against her will and consent.At his arraignment on July 31, 1997, accused-appellant entered a plea of not guilty. Afterwards, trial on the merits ensued, resulting in the judgment of conviction now under automatic review considering that the supreme penalty of death was imposed.
Contrary to law.
(p. 1, Record.)
The inculpatory facts, based on the testimony of private complainant Gemmalyn, her mother Adel Serrano, and Dr. Thomas D. Suguitan, the Medico- Legal Officer who examined the victim, are as follows:
Gemmalyn Serrano is the third of six children of accused-appellant, Filomeno Serrano, and Adel Serrano (tsn, July 31, 1998, p. 11; Sept. 11, 1998, p. 4) whose family resided at 26 G. Esguerra St., Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. At around 9 P.M., February 19, 1997, Gemmalyn was about to sleep and was lying in bed between her brother and sister. Accused-appellant then called on Gemmalyn and ordered her to come to him. Adel Serrano was not at home that night having been sent away by accused-appellant (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 7-10; July 31, 1998, pp. 10-11). Out of fear of her father, Gemmalyn obeyed. Accused-appellant then touched her thigh and inserted his hands inside her panties. When he touched her vagina, she resisted. Accused-appellant then asked Gemmalyn to take off her clothes. She began crying and said, "Father, why are you doing this to me?" Because of her resistance, accused-appellant boxed Gemmalyn on the stomach (tsn, May 18, 1998, p. 10).
Accused-appellant proceeded to remove Gemmalyn's clothes. He raised her skirt and lowered her panties to her knees. He also removed her blouse and sando. After that, he sucked her nipples. Naked from the waist down, he proceeded to insert his penis into Gemmalyn's vagina. While doing so, he said, "Tutuluyan ko nang palayasin ang nanay mo at ikaw na ang gagawin kong asawa." Because of this, Gemmalyn broke down and cried. Accused-appellant again attempted to insert his penis into Gemmalyn's vagina. She continued her resistance which made him box her for the second time. He likewise threatened, "Kapag nagsumbong ka sa nanay ma, papatayin ko lahat ng kapatid mo!" (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 11-12, 14-15, and 20).
Finally, accused-appellant succeeded in slightly inserting his penis into Gemmalyn's sex organ when he was able to "rub" his penis into her vagina. This was when accused-appellant saw that his son Jeffrey was wide awake. He told him, "Why are you still awake? You are supposed to be asleep!"" He then proceeded to maul Jeffrey. After that, as if nothing unusual had occurred, he went to sleep (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 15-16).
Gemmalyn, accompanied by two of her sisters, left the house and went to the market where her mother was staying (tsn, May 18, 1998, p. 30). She told her mother that accused-appellant had raped her. Thereupon, mother and daughter went to the Barangay Hall of Pinagbuhatan and reported the crime. The barangay tanods then arrested accused-appellant who was still naked from waist down and was just wearing "nighties". He was brought to the Pasig City Jail (Ibid., pp. 17-18; tsn, July 31, 1998, pp. 11-12).
The following day, Gemmalyn was brought by her mother to Camp Crame in Quezon City for medical examination (tsn, July 31, 1998, p. 13). She was examined by Dr. Thomas D. Suiguitan, Medico-Legal Officer of the PNP Crime Laboratory, Camp Crame, who found that: Gemmalyn's labia minora was reddish in color; that her hymen bore a fresh laceration at the 7 o' clock position, which was inflicted within the last 24 hours, and two healed lacerations at the 5 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, and that said lacerations could have been caused by the insertion of a blunt object; that at the time of the examination, she was in a non-virgin state physically; and that she complained of pain in the knee, back, and buttocks (Ibid., pp. 3-5).
As his defense, accused-appellant denied the charge and presented his own version of the events. He testified that at about 9 o'clock on the night in question, he was with his six children looking for his wife Adel Serrano who had been gone for a week. Failing to find her, they just proceeded home. He explained that his wife left their house when he found out that she was having an affair with his " kumpadre". He also described their house as a small room measuring about four meters by four meters; that he and his children were all sleeping in that small room; that their house and that of their nearest neighbors were divided by a mere wall; and that most of their neighbors were his wife's relatives (tsn, Sept. 11, 1998, pp. 5-7; Sept. 17, 1998, p. 3).
The defense's second witness Jorge Serrano was the brother of accused-appellant. He testified that accused-appellant's wife and a certain "Toge" were having an illicit affair as relayed to him by Gemmalyn herself. He also corroborated accused-appellant's description of their house and the area thereof (tsn, Sept. 17, 1998, p. 9).
The trial court favored Gemmalyn's version of the events and ruled in this wise:
The testimony of the Private Complainant, Gemmalyn Serrano, appeared convincing. She testified candidly and in a straightforward manner with firmness and spontaneity, only interrupted at times with emotional sobs when asked to recall details of the incident and the lewd advances and acts of her own father upon her. While on the witness stand, she re-affirmed her accusation and pointed to her father as the man who raped her.In his brief, accused-appellant argues that the trial court erred in (1) giving weight and credence to the improbable and incredible testimony of private complainant and in disregarding the theory of the defense; and (2) in finding that his guilt had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
On the other hand, the Accused appeared evasive and was observed to be avoiding looking straight at his accuser-daughter. He did not give the appearance of a man unjustly and falsely accused of a very grave offense who, understandably, would manifest loud protestations. His answers to simple questions propounded to him appeared to be irresponsive. He spoke in a low voice while casting his eyes towards other directions and barely whispered his answers prompting the direct and cross examiners to repeat and clarify their questions.
(pp. 196-197, Record.)
In support of these arguments, accused-appellant posits that the commission of the crime charged was improbable considering the size of the room (4 x 4 meters), the fact that said place and the next room (the neighbor's place) were separated by a flimsy wall, and that accused-appellant's neighbors were relatives of his wife. Because of these circumstances, the opportunity to commit rape was hardly present, it is said, with accused-appellant further asking that had it been true that he had sexually assaulted Gemmalyn, why is it that she did not make an outcry when she had all the opportunity to shout or resist since there was no showing that accused-appellant was armed with any weapon. He argues that Gemmalyn's declaration that she did not shout for help because her father would kill her brothers and sisters is false and a mere afterthought because she did not mention this matter in her affidavit.
Accused-appellant further asserts that the accusation lodged against him is a mere concoction since both complainant and her mother have a standing grudge against him for his habitual drunkenness and the alleged beating he gave them; and that their only means to get rid of him was to charge him with rape so that he could be imprisoned or even given lethal injection.
Accused-appellant also maintains that Gemmalyn gave flip-flopping testimony. First, she did not state in her affidavit that accused-appellant mauled her brother when the latter was awakened during the alleged rape. However, in open court, she declared that her brother was mauled by accused- appellant. Second, she said that her father boxed her at the stomach, but that this is negated by the findings of the medico-legal officer who found no external signs of violence. In addition, accused-appellant points out, Gemmalyn testified that she told her mother about the rape at the market, whereas Adel Serrano claimed that she was informed by her daughter at their residence.
In accused-appellant's reply-brief, he places emphasis on what he describes as the doubtful and incredible testimony given by Gemmalyn that sexual intercourse took place. In support, he quotes that portion of Gemmalyn's testimony when she said accused-appellant "tried to insert his penis to [her] vagina" creating a doubt as to whether or not the penis of accused-appellant did enter the vagina or pudendum of Gemmalyn. Further, he says, Gemmalyn's resistance made it impossible for him to insert his penis.
Time and again, the Court has been consistent in laying down the guiding principles in reviewing rape cases, to wit: (a) an accusation of rape can be made with facility and while the accusation is difficult to prove, it is even more difficult for the person accused, although innocent, to disprove; (b) considering the intrinsic nature of the crime, only two persons being usually involved, the testimony of the complainant should be scrutinized with great caution; and (c) the evidence for the prosecution must stand or fall on its own merit, and cannot be allowed to draw strength from the weakness of the evidence for the defense (People vs. Gallo, 284 SCRA 590 [1998]; People vs. Barrientos, 285 SCRA 221 [1998]; People vs. Balmoria, 287 SCRA 687 [1998]; People vs. Sta. Ana, 291 SCRA 188 [1998]; People vs. Perez, 270 SCRA 526 [1997]).
Not unlike the trial Court, we are now faced with two opposing and contradictory versions of what occurred on the night of February 19, 1997.
The focal point of the prosecution's evidence is inevitably Gemmalyn's testimony. After carefully observing the demeanor of Gemmalyn, accused- appellant, and other witnesses, with emphasis on gesture and tenor of voice, the trial court arrived at a favorable assessment of Gemmalyn's testimony. As mentioned above, the trial court found Gemmalyn's testimony spontaneous and straightforward, as opposed to accused-appellant's evasive demeanor.
It has long been held that the trial court's evaluation as to the credibility of witnesses is viewed as correct and entitled to the highest respect because it is more competent to so conclude, having had the opportunity to observe the witnesses' demeanor and deportment on the stand, and the manner in which they gave their testimony. The trial judge, therefore, can better determine if such witnesses were telling the truth, being in the ideal position to weigh conflicting testimony. Thus, unless the trial judge plainly overlooked certain facts of substance and value which, if considered, might affect the result of the case, his assessment on credibility must be respected (People vs. Ramirez, 266 SCRA 336 [1997]; People vs. Gabris, 258 SCRA 663 [1996]; People vs. Vallena, 244 SCRA 685 [1995]).
Accused-appellant's defense is primarily denial which is essentially a weak defense, for denials unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence are negative and self-serving which merit no weight in law and cannot be given greater evidentiary value over the testimony of credible witnesses who testified on affirmative matters (People vs. Tumaob, Jr., 291 SCRA 133 [1998]). Denial cannot prevail over the positive identification of the accused by the prosecution witnesses (People vs. Villamor, 297 SCRA 262 [1998]).
Accused-appellant argues that the commission of the crime charged was improbable considering the physical circumstances surrounding the event. In the first place, there is no rule that rape can be committed only in seclusion. Rape may in fact be committed in a room adjacent to where the victim's family was sleeping or even in a room which the victim shared with other women (People vs. Talaboc, 256 SCRA 441 [1996]; People vs. Burce, 269 SCRA 293 [1997]). In this light, rape, in the case at bar, is not an impossibility.
Verily , the evil in man has no conscience-the beast in him bears no respect for time and place, driving him to commit rape anywhere, even in places where people congregate such as in parks, along the roadside, within school premises, and inside a house where there are other occupants (People vs. Agbayani, 284 SCRA 315 [1998]). Lust is no respecter of time and place (People vs. Gementiza, 285 SCRA 478 [1998]; People vs. Lusa, 288 SCRA 296 [1998]).
Gemmalyn's testimony creates a graphic picture of her father as someone, who, as correctly described by the Solicitor General, could carry out whatever he wanted- a man without fear or shame. Notably, he mauled his wife and children when intoxicated. Surely, cries and moans of his family members during a mauling incident would have been easily heard by neighbors. But did that stop accused-appellant from hurting them? What then would deter him from satisfying his bestial instincts in a house where there was only the presence of young children?
And how come there was no outcry from Gemmalyn during the rape? The workings of the human mind when placed under emotional stress are unpredictable, and people react differently- some may shout, some may faint, and some may be shocked into insensibility; while others may openly welcome the intrusion (People vs. Alfeche, 294 SCRA 352 [1998]). The fact that Gemmalyn suffered in silence hardly makes her testimony incredible.
The meat of accused-appellant's defense is the theory that Gemmalyn was induced by her mother to file the case against him because his wife had a lover- referring to a certain "Toge" who is their "kumpadre". Thus, the claim that the accusation lodged against him was a mere concoction, further stressing that mother and daughter had a standing grudge against him for his habitual drunkenness and his mauling of the family members when drunk.
The Court is more inclined to believe that it is accused-appellant who had desperately concocted a story in response to the rape charge. Accused- appellant claimed that his wife was maintaining illicit relations with their "kumpadre", Florencio "Toge" Sanchez, but he was also quick to add that he came to know this matter only because it was relayed to him by his brother, Jorge Serrano. However, when the latter was asked who his source of the information is, he said he obtained the same from Gemmalyn.
We believe that Gemmalyn, a young woman of tender age, would not concoct a story of defloration, allow an examination of her private parts, and thereafter pervert herself by being subjected to a public trial if she were not motivated solely by the desire to have the culprit apprehended and punished (People vs. Taneo, 284 SCRA 251 [1998]). And as accurately put by the trial court, it is "inconceivable that a daughter would agree to charge her own father with rape exposing herself to the ordeal and embarrassment of a public trial" just to protect her mother's illicit affair with another man. No mother would sacrifice her own daughter and subject her to the rigors and humiliation of a public trial for rape if she were not motivated by an honest desire to have her daughter's transgressor punished accordingly (People vs. Tumala, Jr., 284 SCRA 436 [1998]). Adel's hatred for her husband could not have been the principal motive for accusing accused-appellant with rape. A mother would not expose her own daughter to the ignominy of a rape trial merely to retaliate against him for his transgressions as a family man (People vs. Burce, supra).
Accused-appellant also points out Gemmalyn's "flip-flopping testimony" as allegedly shown by lapses in her affidavit and inconsistencies in her testimony. First, as regards her affidavit wherein she failed to state that her brother Jeffrey was mauled by accused-appellant, suffice it to state that an affidavit, taken as it is ex parte, is generally considered inferior to the testimony given in open court (People vs. Agbayani, supra) for it is almost always incomplete and often inaccurate, sometimes from partial suggestion, or for want of suggestions and inquiries. Its infirmity as a species of evidence is a matter of judicial experience (People vs. Enciso, 223 SCRA 675 [1993]; People vs. Marcelo, 223 SCRA 24 [1993]).
Also, it is only when no reasonable explanation is given by a witness in reconciling conflicting declarations that he should be impeached (People vs. De Guzman, 288 SCRA 346 [1998]). On the contrary, Gemmalyn credibly explained why she testified that she told her mother about the rape at the market whereas Adel Serrano claimed that Gemmalyn informed her of the incident at her residence. Gemmalyn was utterly confused after the gruelling incident. Her testimony cannot be ruled out just because of a discrepancy on a minor point.
With respect to Gemmalyn's claim that her father boxed her in the abdomen juxtaposed to the findings of the medico-legal officer which showed no external signs of infliction of any kind of violence, one's attention may be rightly called to Dr. Thomas D. Suiguitan's testimony that Gemmalyn complained of pain in the knee, back, and buttocks.
It should also be observed that blows to the abdominal area invariably leave no marks. Moreover, physical signs of abuse are not even necessary in the case at bar for in rape committed by a father against his own daughter, the former's moral ascendancy and influence over the latter substitutes for violence or intimidation. This means that in a criminal case such as the one herein involved, violence and intimidation need not even be established. Accused-appellant's ascendancy or influence necessarily flows from his parental authority as a father which our Constitution and the laws actually recognize, support, and enhance, as well as from the children's duty to obey and observe reverence and respect toward their parents. Such reverence and respect are deeply ingrained in the minds of Filipino children and are recognized by law. Abuse of both by a father can subjugate his daughter's will, thereby forcing her to do whatever he wants (People vs. Matrimonio, 215 SCRA 613 [1992]).
As a last point, accused-appellant argues that Gemmalyn herself testified that accused-appellant merely attempted to insert his penis into her vagina. We are not persuaded and in fact have no doubt that rape was committed. Notably, the findings of the medico-legal officer reveal that Gemmalyn's labia minora was reddish in color and that her hymen bore a fresh laceration at the 7 o'clock position which was inflicted within the last 24 hours previous to the examination, and two healed lacerations at the 5 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions (suggesting previous abuse which may be explained by the instances of physical maltreatment mentioned by Gemmalyn to Dr. Suiguitan during the physical examination). Further, Gemmalyn was found to be in a non-virgin state physically.
The pertinent portions of the transcript of stenographic notes are as follows:
In the recent case of People vs. Campuhan (G.R. No.129433, March 30, 2000), we pronounced that it is necessary to carefully ascertain whether the penis of the accused in reality entered the labial threshold of the female organ to accurately conclude that rape was consummated. Explained thus the Court through Mr. Justice Bellosillo:
PROSEC. QUINTANO: After he took off your clothes, what happened next? WITNESS: He sucked my nipples. PROSEC. QUINTANO: After he sucked your nipples, what happened next? WITNESS: After that, I resisted and then he said to me, after that, he tried to insert his penis to my vagina. PROSEC. QUINTANO: You said a while ago, he told something to you, do you remember, madam witness what was that? WITNESS: PROSEC. QUINTANO: So what was your reaction, madam witness? WITNESS: I just cried. PROSEC. QUINTANO: So after that, what happened next? WITNESS: After that, he tried again to insert his penis to my vagina and when I resisted, he boxed again my stomach. PROSEC. QUINTANO: So he boxed you for the second time? WITNESS: Yes, sir. (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 11-12) x x x
COURT: Alright, to the stenographer, repeat the last question. STENOGRAPHER: COURT: Did you understand the question? WITNESS: Yes, sir. COURT:
You may answer. WITNESS: PROSEC. QUINTANO: So madam witness, he was trying to insert his penis into your vagina, is that what you mean? WITNESS: Yes, sir. PROSEC. QUINTANO: Did he succeed? WITNESS: "Hindi po masyado". PROSEC. QUINTANO: Why, was he not able to insert his penis into your vagina? WITNESS: I was trying to push him and then he just rubbed his penis into my vagina. PROSEC. QUINTANO: So what happened next after he tried to rub his penis to your vagina? WITNESS:
He was not successful in pulling me out again? PROSEC. QUINTANO: So your father was not able to pull you out again? WITNESS: No, he saw my little brother Jeffrey and then he mauled my brother. (tsn, May 18, 1998, pp. 14-16.)
The pudendum or vulva is the collective term for the female genital organs that are visible in the perineal area, e.g., mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, the hymen, the clitoris, the vaginal orifice, etc. The mons pubis is the rounded eminence that becomes hairy after puberty, and is instantly visible within the surface. The next layer is the labia majora or the outer lips of the female organ composed of the outer convex surface and the inner surface. The skin of the outer convex surface is covered with hair follicles and is pigmented, while the inner surface is a thin skin which does not have any hair but has many sebaceous glands. Directly beneath the labia majora is the labia minora. Jurisprudence dictates that the labia majora must be entered for rape to be consummated, and not merely for the penis to stroke the surface of the female organ. Thus, a grazing of the surface of the female organ or touching the mons pubis of the pudendum is not sufficient to constitute consummated rape. Absent any showing of the slightest penetration of the female organ, i.e, touching of either labia of the pudendum by the penis, there can be no consummated rape; at most, it can only be attempted rape, if not acts of lasciviousness.The trial court analyzed Gemmalyn's categorical and spontaneous answers and concluded that the penis of accused-appellant slightly entered the vagina or pudendum of Gemmalyn. We agree. Thirteen-year-old Gemmalyn is not expected to be knowledgeable of the act of sexual intercourse and every stage thereof. The fact that she answered "hindi po masyado' when asked whether or not accused-appellant succeeded in inserting his penis into Gemmalyn's vagina does not mean that there was no penetration.
(At pp. 9-10.)
Perforce, we conclude that both Gemmalyn's positive testimony and the findings of the medico-legal officer complement each other in the conclusion that there was penetration, however slight. Accused-appellant attempted to insert his penis twice. And because of Gemmalyn's resistance, the penetration was slight. Nevertheless, this constitutes rape considering that accused-appellant's penis did not just "touch" Gemmalyn's organ but entered the same. The mere penetration of the penis by entry thereof into the labia majora of the female organ suffices to warrant a conviction for rape (People vs. Cabiles, 284 SCRA 199 [1998]; People vs. Sanchez, 250 SCRA 14 [1995]).
We are thus convinced that when Gemmalyn testified that she had been raped, she says, in effect, all that is necessary to constitute the commission of the crime. And this is applied with more vigor in the case at bar where the culprit is the victim's father. An incestuous sexual assault is a psycho-social deviance that inflicts a stigma, not only on the victim but their whole family, as well (People vs. Burce, supra). In these cases, the sole testimony of a credible victim may seal the fate of the ravisher. Gemmalyn, who had forgiven her savage and plundering father for previous charges of physical injuries and acts of lasciviousness (tsn, September 17, 1998, pp. 3-4, pp. 120 and 122, Record), must finally obtain justice.
In imposing the supreme penalty of death, the trial court applied Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7659 (the Death Penalty Law), which pertinently reads:
The death penalty shall also be imposed if the crime of rape is committed with any of the following attendant circumstances:
- when the victim is under eighteen (18) years of age and the offender is a parent, ascendant, step- parent, guardian, relative by consanguinity or affinity within the third civil degree, or the common-law- spouse of the parent of the victim.
x x x
x x x
Although four Justices of the Court continue to maintain their adherence to the separate opinions expressed in People vs. Echegaray (267 SCRA 682 [1997]) that Republic Act No.7659 is unconstitutional insofar as it prescribes the death penalty, they nonetheless abide by the ruling of the majority and assent that the death penalty should herein accordingly be imposed.
We, however, modify the monetary awards granted by the trial court as follows: (a) the civil indemnity of P50,000.00 is increased to P75,000.00 in line with the ruling in People vs. Victor (292 SCRA 186 [1998]) where we held that if the crime of rape is committed or effectively qualified by any of the circumstances under which the death penalty is authorized by the present amended law, the indemnity for the victim shall be in the increased amount of not less than P75,000.00; (b) the award of P30,000.00 as moral damages is increased to P50,000.00 which is more in accord with the ruling in People vs. Prades (293 SCRA 411 [1998]) in regard to moral damages that may additionally be awarded to the victim in rape cases in such amount as the Court deems just, without the necessity for pleading or proof as basis thereof.
Lastly, considering the depravity of the act done by accused-appellant, having not only sexually abused his own helpless minor daughter, but also telling her in ultimate perversion that she would be substituted for his wife, the award of exemplary damages in the amount of P20,000.00 is proper to deter similar perversities, particularly the sexual abuse of one's minor daughter (People vs. Sangil, Sr., 276 SCRA 532 [1997]).
WHEREFORE, the decision under review is hereby AFFIRMED with the following modifications: (a) the civil indemnity and moral damages awarded by the trial court to private complainant are respectively, increased to Seventy Five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00); and (b) accused-appellant is additionally ordered to pay the victim P20,000.00 as exemplary damages.
Let the records of this case, upon finality of this Decision, be forwarded to the President, for the possible exercise of the pardoning power.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Kapunan, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Pardo, Buena, Gonzaga-Reyes, Ynares-Santiago, De Leon, Jr., and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.