PEOPLE v PACAYRA

People of the Philippines Vs. Wilfredo Pacayra y Mabutol

G.R. No. 216987

June 5, 2017

FACTS:

Wilfredo Pacayra was a father of six children. AAA was the fourth child am8ng the six siblings. The first incident of rape happened when AAA was about seven years of age. Since AAA stopped schooling, due to the birth of another child in her family, she was often left alone at home taking care of the house chores. One day, while taking care of her baby sibling, her father, Wilfredo, arrived home and had carnal knowledge with her against her will. The second incident happened less than a year after that first sexual abuse while they were staying in Samar. The third and the fourth happened while the family was in Calbiga and in the appellant’s brother’s house respectively. AAA hid the incident fearing that her family would be broken. The revelation of the matters only came into open when AAA told them to her aunt.

Wilfredo denied all the incidents. He was prosecuted and was charged by the RTC guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape. The CA affirmed the decision.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the trial court erred in convicting the accused-appellant of the crime of rape despite the fact that the guilt was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING:

No. The SC ruled against the appellant. It found the appeal lacking of merit. Under the RPC Art. 226-A and Art. 266-B with all the elements therein present during the commission of the crime, Wilfredo was decided guilty of qualified rape. In the instant case, SC found that the accused-appellant guilty of the crime beyond reasonable doubt.