1) The prosecution alleged that AAA was raped by Amarela and Racho on February 10, 2009 near a basketball court. AAA claimed Amarela pulled her away and raped her, then Racho brought her elsewhere and also raped her.
2) Amarela and Racho denied the allegations and claimed nothing inappropriate occurred.
3) The trial court convicted Amarela and Racho, finding AAA's testimony clear and credible. However, the Supreme Court acquitted them, finding reasonable doubt in AAA's testimony based on inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence.
1) The prosecution alleged that AAA was raped by Amarela and Racho on February 10, 2009 near a basketball court. AAA claimed Amarela pulled her away and raped her, then Racho brought her elsewhere and also raped her.
2) Amarela and Racho denied the allegations and claimed nothing inappropriate occurred.
3) The trial court convicted Amarela and Racho, finding AAA's testimony clear and credible. However, the Supreme Court acquitted them, finding reasonable doubt in AAA's testimony based on inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence.
1) The prosecution alleged that AAA was raped by Amarela and Racho on February 10, 2009 near a basketball court. AAA claimed Amarela pulled her away and raped her, then Racho brought her elsewhere and also raped her.
2) Amarela and Racho denied the allegations and claimed nothing inappropriate occurred.
3) The trial court convicted Amarela and Racho, finding AAA's testimony clear and credible. However, the Supreme Court acquitted them, finding reasonable doubt in AAA's testimony based on inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence.
1) The prosecution alleged that AAA was raped by Amarela and Racho on February 10, 2009 near a basketball court. AAA claimed Amarela pulled her away and raped her, then Racho brought her elsewhere and also raped her.
2) Amarela and Racho denied the allegations and claimed nothing inappropriate occurred.
3) The trial court convicted Amarela and Racho, finding AAA's testimony clear and credible. However, the Supreme Court acquitted them, finding reasonable doubt in AAA's testimony based on inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence.
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PEOPLE vs. AMARELA and RACHO in a neighboring house.
When she saw that the persons were no longer
around, she proceeded on her way home. She went to the house of Godo G.R. No. 225642-43, January 17, 2018 Dumandan who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind So Doctrines: Neneng asked her son Racho to bring her to her aunt's house instead. AAA Rape; how committed; consent.— Rape is essentially a crime committed through force then said that Racho brought her to a shanty along the way against her will. or intimidation, that is, against the will of the female. It is also committed without force or She was told to lie down. When she refused, Racho boxed her abdomen and intimidation when carnal knowledge of a female is alleged and shown to be without she felt sick. She resisted by kicking him but he succeeded in undressing her consent. Carnal knowledge of the female with her consent is not rape, provided her. He, then, undressed himself and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho she is above the age of consent or is capable in the eyes of the law of giving consent. then inserted his penis into AAA's vagina. After consummating the act, The female must not at any time consent; her consent, given at any time prior to Racho left her. So AAA went home alone. When she reached home, her penetration, however reluctantly given, or if accompanied with mere verbal protests parents were already asleep. She went inside her room and cried. The and refusals, prevents the act from being rape, provided the consent is willing and following morning, she decided to leave home. Her mother was surprised at free of initial coercion. her decision until eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her. They reported the matter to the police and eventually Amarela and Women’s honor doctrine; no longer holding.— The “women’s honor doctrine” states Racho were arrested. that no young Filipina of decent repute would publicly admit that she has been 2. Version of the Defense: Amarela testified for himself denying that he had sexually abused, unless that is the truth, for it is her natural instinct to protect her anything to do with what happened with AAA. On his part, Racho honor. However, such opinion borders on the fallacy of non sequitur. We simply confirmed that he went with AAA to bring her home but also denied raping cannot be stuck to the Maria Clara stereotype of a demure and reserved Filipino her. woman. We, should stay away from such mindset and accept the realities of a 3. Ruling of the RTC and CA: RTC found AAA's testimony, positively woman's dynamic role in society today; she who has over the years transformed into a identifying both Amarela and Racho, to be clear, positive, and strong and confidently intelligent and beautiful person, willing to fight for her rights. straightforward. Hence, the trial court did not give much weight to their denial as these could not have overcome the categorical testimony of AAA. Facts: As a result, Amarela and Racho were convicted. CA affirmed. 1. Version of the Prosecution: On 10 February 2009, at around 6:00 o'clock in Issues: Whether Amarela and Racho are guilty of rape. the evening, AAA was with her aunt watching a beauty contest held at a basketball court where a make-shift stage was put up. She had the urge to Ruling: No, they are not guilty of rape. Prosecution was not able to prove beyond urinate so she went to the comfort room beside the building of the reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused. The first duty of the prosecution is not Cooperative near the basketball court. Between the cooperative building to prove the crime but to prove the identity of the criminal, for even if the and the basketball court were several trees. She was not able to reach the commission of the crime can be established, there can be no conviction without comfort room because Amarela was already waiting for her along the way. proof of identity of the criminal beyond reasonable doubt. After a careful review Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the day care center. She was shocked of the records and a closer scrutiny of AAA's testimony, reasonable doubt lingers and was no match to the strength of Amarela who pulled her under the as we are not fully convinced that AAA was telling the truth. The following stage of the day care center. He punched her in the abdomen which circumstances, particularly, would cast doubt as to the credibility of her rendered her weak. He boxed her upper thigh and she felt numb. He placed testimony: (1) the version of AAA's story appearing in her affidavit-complaint himself on top of her and inserted his penis inside her vagina and made a differs materially from her testimony in court; (2) AAA could not have easily push and pull movement. She shouted for help and then three (3) men came identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark and she only saw him for to her rescue so Amarela fled. The three (3) persons brought her to a hut. the first time; (3) her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought But they closed the hut and had bad intentions with her. So she fled and hid under the stage against her will; and (4) the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.