This case has been cited 2 times or more.
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2010-07-28 |
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J. |
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| In any case, the testimony of Asi and the medical report do not affect the outcome of the case since they are mere corroborative evidence. This is so because in rape cases, the accused may be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided that such testimony is credible, natural, convincing and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things.[53] Such is the case here. In fact, AAA's credibility is bolstered by her lack of ill motive to testify against Magayon and there is no iota of evidence where it can be inferred that she could have been impelled by such motive. In one case the defense argued that the testimony of the prosecution witness varied from that of the victim. This Court debunked said contention in this manner: At any rate, that the testimony of private complainant's mother did not jibe with that of private complainant's testimony is not fatal to the prosecution's cause for the latter's testimony is only corroborative. In rape cases, the accused may be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided that such testimony is credible, natural, convincing and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. In the case at bar, the rape victim's testimony is credible, natural, convincing and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. Her credibility is augmented by the fact that she has no motive to testify against the accused and there is no evidence which even remotely suggests that she could have been actuated by such motive.[54] | |||||
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2003-10-15 |
PER CURIAM |
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| As to the first specified inconsistent or contradictory statements, we believe that the complainant merely corrected an earlier inaccurate account when she declared that her father placed his organ on top of hers and did not insert it during the 1996 incident. Rather than evincing a falsehood as appellant suggests, we believe that the inconsistency does not detract from the veracity of her whole narration. We recognize that the complainant had to testify on several incidents of molestations which occurred on separate occasions. Considering her state of distress at having to recount each incident during trial, it is not unusual that she would confuse the details of one incident for another. This Court has held that error-free testimony cannot be expected of a rape victim for she may not be able to remember and recount every ugly detail of the harrowing experience and the appalling outrage she went through especially so since she might in fact be trying not to recall the same, as they are too traumatic and painful to remember.[17] Lapses in the testimony of the witness should be expected especially when the case involves a victim who has been subjected to multiple rapes at a tender age. | |||||