Principles in Rape cases

People of the Philippines vs. Ben Rubio, GR No. 195239, March 7, 2012

 In deciding rape cases, courts are guided by these three well-entrenched principles:(a) an accusation for rape is easy to make, difficult to prove and even more difficult to disprove; (b) in view of the intrinsic nature of the crime, the testimony of the complainant must be scrutinized with utmost caution; and (c) the evidence of the prosecution must stand on its own merits and cannot draw strength from the weakness of the evidence for the defense. As a result of these guiding principles, the credibility of the victim becomes the single most important issue.Furthermore, testimonies of child victims are given full weight and credit, for youth and immaturity are badges of truth. Here, the Supreme Court finds that the testimony of AAA is straightforward and convincing with no inconsistency with regard to the material elements of the crime of rape, and since all the elements of qualified rape were duly alleged and proved during the trial, accused-appellant’s conviction is affirmed.