G.R. No. 117951 June 18, 1998
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. EDWIN DAGANGAN, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

The accused-appellant, Edwin Dagangan, was charged with the crime of Rape with the aggravating circumstance of dwelling. The prosecution’s evidence, as summarized by the Solicitor General, stated that on March 4, 1993, complainant Felma Baldomar was alone, sick, and asleep in her house in Sitio Pandan, Barangay Tibyawan, Ayungon, Negros Oriental. She was awakened by the accused-appellant on top of her, who covered her mouth and held her hands. Due to her illness and weakness, she was unable to resist. After about five minutes, upon hearing a sound downstairs (her brother Franklin arriving), the accused-appellant released her and fled. Franklin Baldomar testified that upon arriving home at noon, he heard moans, went upstairs, and saw the accused-appellant naked and getting up from atop his sister. The accused-appellant then ran away. Franklin later found the accused-appellant playing basketball at a flea market about one kilometer away, brought him home for investigation, and later to the barangay captain. A medical examination of Felma revealed a hymenal tear and a blood-tinged discharge. The defense’s evidence, as summarized in the accused-appellant’s brief, claimed that the accused-appellant and Felma were former sweethearts since January 1989, but he denied raping her on March 4, 1993. He claimed that on that day, he was in the area to sell a cow, had lunch, and played basketball. While playing, he was surrounded by armed men, including Franklin, hogtied, and brought to a house where Felma demanded he live with her. When he refused, he was slapped and maltreated. He was brought before a barangay councilman and later the barangay captain, where he denied the charge. While being transported to the municipal hall, he jumped from the jeep to escape. The Regional Trial Court found the accused-appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of rape and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua.

ISSUE

Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused-appellant is guilty of the crime of rape.

RULING

The Supreme Court REVERSED the decision of the trial court and ACQUITTED accused-appellant Edwin Dagangan for failure of the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The Court emphasized the duty to scrutinize rape claims with utmost caution. It found the prosecution’s evidence improbable and raised suspicions that the complainant and the accused-appellant were lovers having a tryst, not that a rape occurred. The Court noted several inconsistencies and improbabilities: the complainant’s claim of being sick yet able to identify her assailant immediately; the brother’s unusually civil and non-confrontational behavior towards the accused-appellant immediately after the alleged rape; the medical finding that the hymenal tear could have been caused by voluntary first-time sexual intercourse; and the defense evidence suggesting the case arose from the complainant’s desire for the accused-appellant to live with her after their past relationship. The trial court erred in focusing on the weakness of the defense of alibi and overlooked the grave doubts in the prosecution’s story.