THIRD DIVISION

[G.R. No. 229862. June 19, 2019.]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-

appellee, vs. ZZZ, accused-appellant.

DECISION

LEONEN, J : p

Recantations are viewed unfavorably especially in rape cases.

Circumstances in which the recantation was made are thoroughly examined
before the evidence of retraction can be given any weight.
Before this Court is a criminal case for rape committed by the common-
law spouse of the victim's mother. Accused-appellant ZZZ assails the
September 30, 2016 Decision 1 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC
No. 01769, which affirmed his conviction in the June 25, 2013
Judgment 2 of the Regional Trial Court.
On May 23, 2006, an Information 3 was filed against ZZZ charging him
with the crime of rape:
That on or about 11:00 o'clock (sic) on the
morning of the 12th day of April, 2006, in the
City of _____________, Philippines and within the
jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, the
live-in partner of the mother of the victim, by
means of force and intimidation, did then and there
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously have carnal
knowledge of the victim [AAA], a minor fourteen (14)
years old, against her will.
Contrary to Article 266-A, in relation to 266-B of the Revised
Penal Code. 4
ZZZ pleaded not guilty to the crime charged during his arraignment on
July 19, 2006. Pre-trial was held on October 25, 2006. Trial on the merits then
ensued. 5
The prosecution presented AAA 6 and Dr. Edalin Dacula (Dr. Dacula) as
its witnesses. 7
 AAA narrated that in the afternoon of April 12, 2006, she had fallen
asleep after doing laundry, while her stepfather, ZZZ, was doing carpentry
works. Suddenly, she woke up and found ZZZ on top of her, his lower body
naked. He then sat on the floor with his penis showing and removed her short
pants and underwear, after which he went back on top of her and
masturbated. He took AAA's hands and put them on his penis, 8 telling her
that if she became pregnant, "he [would] be happy." 9 ZZZ then inserted his
penis into her vagina "and sat, kissed her face, touched her vagina[,] and
kissed her breast." 10
AAA later reiterated on cross-examination that ZZZ put his penis into
her vagina. She failed to see the act, but felt it. She also felt pain on her
vagina's side, caused by the penis' insertion. 11
Dr. Dacula, who conducted the medical examination on AAA, testified
that she had found redness and abrasion on the right side of the victim's labia
minora, "caused by a smooth, soft object" 12 as indicated in the Medico-Legal
Report. 13
Meanwhile, the defense presented as witnesses: (1) AAA's mother
BBB; (2) ZZZ; and (3) AAA, on her affidavit of recantation. 14aScITE

BBB testified that ZZZ had been her common-law spouse for four (4)
years. At 10:00 a.m. on April 12, 2006, she and her stepdaughter, CCC, went
for a 30-minute walk to the barangay hall to request a toilet bowl, as instructed
by ZZZ. They went back home after being told that the toilet bowl was not yet
available. 15
When she arrived at their house, BBB was surprised to see that the
door and window were shut. Upon opening the door, she saw AAA sitting and
ZZZ standing, both silent. BBB got mad and whipped ZZZ with a plastic hose,
but he remained silent. 16
Thinking that her daughter was raped, BBB brought AAA to the
barangay hall. Then, with the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development and the police, they went to __________ City for
AAA's physical examination. 17
On cross-examination, BBB stated that she brought AAA to the
barangay hall "because her vision at that time was blurred as if she cannot
notice a person[.]" 18 Maintaining that their house was closed when she first
arrived from the barangay hall, she reiterated seeing ZZZ and AAA inside
when she opened the door and thinking that her daughter was raped. 19
ZZZ testified that he was BBB's common-law spouse. He took AAA as
his stepdaughter, supporting her since childhood. He narrated that at 6:00
a.m. on April 12, 2006, he was working on the kitchen in their house while
AAA and DDD did the laundry. Meanwhile, BBB proceeded to the barangay
hall to check if the toilet bowl they requested was already available.
ZZZ further narrated that at around 10:00 a.m. on April 12, 2006, DDD
and AAA were eating breakfast after they had finished washing clothes. AAA
then went up the second floor of their house and slept, while he was then
installing an electric bulb in the kitchen. When BBB arrived, she opened the
door at once. 20 AAA "was surprised because [BBB] was shouting as if she
was dreaming." 21 BBB asked ZZZ if he raped AAA, which he denied. He was
around 12 meters away from AAA, holding a hammer on the window. BBB
then went to AAA and pinched her "bulog[.]" 22 Afterwards, BBB grabbed a
hose and whipped ZZZ, who was able to parry the strike. BBB then went out
with AAA only to return the following morning. 23
ZZZ claimed that BBB was influenced by her cousins to accuse
him. 24 The cousins were allegedly mad at him and wanted BBB and him to
separate since he was "not a useful person." 25
On cross-examination, ZZZ stated that the house's window and door
were always shut because the house was still unfinished. He restated that
when BBB arrived, she saw him standing by the window and AAA sitting at a
corner of their house. He reiterated that BBB whipped him with a hose. 26 He
added that when he saw AAA crying, he thought that she would not pinpoint
him as her rapist "because her conscience [was] bothered." 27
On August 8, 2008, AAA executed her Affidavit of Recantation and
Desistance, 28 praying that the rape case be dismissed. She claimed that her
declarations during the direct and cross-examinations "were done under
duress and that she was afraid of the authorities at that time[.]" 29 Maintaining
that ZZZ did not rape her, she claimed that she was forced by a certain EEE
to file the rape case.
On cross-examination, AAA testified that she was not compelled by the
prosecutor to testify. Contrary to her Affidavit, she also admitted that she was
not under duress when she was presented as a witness. She recalled crying
during the direct examination and pointing to ZZZ as her rapist when she was
asked. EEE, she added, was their neighbor. 30
In its June 25, 2013 Judgment, 31 the Regional Trial Court found ZZZ
guilty beyond reasonable doubt of simple statutory rape. 32
The trial court found that the prosecution failed to establish AAA's
minority. It did not present documentary evidence, such as her birth
certificate, or even testimonial evidence to prove that AAA was a minor when
the crime was committed. 33
The trial court further gave weight to AAA's declaration that she was
raped. It noted her sincerity during trial and her candid and straightforward
manner in giving her testimony. It held that her allegations were corroborated
by Dr. Dacula's findings and BBB's subsequent acts in bringing AAA to the
barangay officials, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and
the police. 34
The trial court did not give merit to ZZZ's denial for
being unsubstantiated. It further held that instead of discrediting the
prosecution's evidence, AAA's Affidavit of Recantation and Desistance
bolstered her earlier statements by reaffirming that: (1) ZZZ sexually molested
her; (2) the prosecutor did not force her to testify; and (3) she was not put
under duress. 35 HEITAD

The dispositive portion of the Regional Trial Court Judgment read:

WHEREFORE, based on the prevailing facts, evidences, law
and jurisprudence applicable, the court finds accused [ZZZ] GUILTY
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT of the crime of simple statutory rape
and hereby sentenced him to suffer the
penalty of imprisonment of reclusion perpetua. He is hereby ordered to
pay to the victim civil indemnity in the amount of P50,000.00 and moral
damages in the amount of P50,000.00 without proof of its basis.
SO ORDERED. 36
ZZZ appealed 37 before the Court of Appeals. In turn, the People of the
Philippines, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, filed its Brief. 38
In its September 30, 2016 Decision, 39 the Court of Appeals denied the
appeal and affirmed the trial court Judgment with modification. 40 It declared
that the trial court erroneously used the word "statutory" since it was not
established that AAA was below 12 years old when the crime was committed.
Nonetheless, the error was harmless because the penalty meted and the
monetary awards granted were for the crime of simple rape. 41 It sustained
ZZZ's conviction based on AAA's "vivid recollection" 42 of how rape was
committed against her. 43
The Court of Appeals did not give merit to ZZZ's argument that the
prosecution failed to prove the presence of force, intimidation, threat, fraud, or
grave abuse of authority. 44 Citing People v. Arpon, 45 it held that the moral
influence or ascendancy of the common-law spouse of the victim's mother
replaced the elements of violence and intimidation. 46
Likewise, the Court of Appeals gave no merit to either AAA's
recantation or the argument that her lack of hymenal laceration negated the
crime of rape. 47
The dispositive portion of the Court of Appeals Decision read:
WHEREFORE, the appeal is DENIED. The Judgment dated
June 25, 2013, of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 63, Bayawan City,
 in Criminal Case No. 529 is hereby AFFIRMED, but with modification
only in that the word "statutory" in the dispositive portion thereof is
DELETED.
SO ORDERED. 48
Hence, ZZZ appealed his case before this Court. 49
On April 5, 2017, this Court issued a Resolution 50 requiring the parties
to file their supplemental briefs. The parties filed their respective
Manifestations, 51 stating that they would no longer file their supplemental
briefs as they had sufficiently exhausted their arguments in their Briefs before
the Court of Appeals. 52
Accused-appellant argues that the crime of statutory rape was not
proven because the prosecution failed to sufficiently establish AAA's minority,
which the trial court also noted. 53
Assuming that the prosecution established her age, accused-appellant
contends that he was still wrongly convicted of statutory rape. Pointing out
that AAA's alleged age in the Information was 14 years old, he argues that
under the law and jurisprudence, the victim must be below 12 years old for the
crime to be statutory rape. 54
Accused-appellant avers that since the case does not involve statutory
rape, the presence of force, intimidation, threat, fraud, or grave
abuse of authority must be established in the alleged crime's commission. He
contends that the prosecution failed to show these circumstances. 55
Moreover, accused-appellant alleges that AAA's "[i]nconsistent and
improbable statements[,]" 56 particularly on direct examination and on her
Affidavit of Recantation and Desistance, raised doubts on the
credibility of her allegations. 57
Accused-appellant also points out that Dr. Dacula only found redness
and abrasion, and not hymenal laceration, which should have been present
had there been sexual intercourse. 58 These manifestations "could have been
easily caused by pinching, scratching, or wearing very tight underwear." 59
Lastly, accused-appellant argues that the prosecution should not draw
its strength on the alleged weakness of the defense. 60 He maintains that he
should be acquitted considering that his guilt was not proven beyond
reasonable doubt. 61
Plaintiff-appellee counters that accused-appellant was actually
convicted not of statutory rape, but of simple rape, and was meted with the
penalty of simple rape. Hence, even if the trial court erroneously included the
word "statutory" in describing the crime, there was no effect in the imposed
penalty. 62
 Plaintiff-appellee insists that accused-appellant's guilt was proven
beyond reasonable doubt. 63 It was able to establish the following elements:
First. [AAA] was then 14-year-old when appellant had sexual
intercourse with her. ATICcS

Second. Appellant who is the common-law husband of [AAA's]

mother exercises moral ascendancy and authority over her.
Third. [AAA] testified that appellant had carnal knowledge of her
on April 12, 2006 at about 11:00 o'clock (sic) in the morning while her
mother went to the Barangay Hall to do an errand for
appellant. 64 (Emphasis in the original)
Plaintiff-appellee maintains that AAA's narration of the incident proves
that accused-appellant raped her. 65 It adds that recantations are usually
viewed unfavorably since it can be secured by intimidating the witness or in
exchange of monetary consideration. 66 It alleges that AAA's recantation was
doubtful because BBB and accused-appellant continued their common-law
relationship and AAA's new claim "was a mere legal conclusion, bereft of any
details or other indicia of credibility, much less truth." 67
Finally, plaintiff-appellee contends that AAA's intact hymen is not fatal
to its cause. In the crime of rape to be consummated, it is sufficient that the
penis touched the pudendum or the labia. 68
The sole issue for this Court's resolution is whether or not accused-
appellant ZZZ's guilt for the crime of rape has been proven beyond
reasonable doubt.
In arguing for his innocence, accused-appellant maintains that the
element of force, intimidation, threat, fraud, or grave abuse of authority in the
crime of rape was not established, and that the element of the victim's
minority in the crime of statutory rape was not proven. Moreover, AAA's
recantation and her intact hymen both negate the allegation of rape.
Accused-appellant's contentions have no merit.
I
Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code defines rape as:
Article 266-A. Rape; When and How Committed. — Rape is committed
—
1) By a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under
any of the following circumstances:
a) Through force, threat, or intimidation;
b) When the offended party is deprived of reason or otherwise
unconscious;
 c) By means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; and
d) When the offended party is under twelve (12) years of age or is
demented, even though none of the circumstances mentioned
above be present.
2) By any person who, under any of the circumstances mentioned in
paragraph 1 hereof, shall commit an act of sexual assault by inserting
his penis into another person's mouth or anal orifice, or any instrument
or object, into the genital or anal orifice of another person.
After a careful examination of the case records, this Court holds that the
prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that accused-appellant
is guilty of raping AAA. The trial court also found AAA's testimony credible and
supported by evidence:
The candid, straightforward and unrehearsed testimony of victim
[AAA] who declared against the bestial acts of the accused on her
person and maintained that she was required to hold his penis and
thereafter, again, rode on top of her placing his penis on her vagina is
corroborated by the unrefuted findings of Dr. Edalin L. Dacula who
found that the abrasion and redness in color on the right side of the
labia minora is caused by a smooth, soft object. A smooth, soft object
is a penis and that the abrasion and redness in color on the right
side of the labia minora is caused probably by the friction of the
hardened and erected penis of the accused. That was why the victim
complained that she felt pain on her vagina. 69
The Court of Appeals, likewise, found that AAA's testimony during the
direct examination showed that she clearly remembered how accused-
appellant committed the crime:
PROS. BALBUENA ON DIRECT EXAMINATION:
(COURT INTERRUPTED)
COURT
. . . Which come (sic) first, the raping or the masturbating?
WITNESS
The raping.
Q How did he rape — How did the accused rape you? TIADCc

xxx xxx xxx

A First, he positioned himself on top of me and then he undressed me,
and then he sat on the floor and masturbated. He let me hold his
penis, kissed me. On top of me, he kissed me, and he undressed
me, sat on the floor and masturbated, and then he let me hold his
penis, and then he again positioned himself on top of me.
 Q Court.
Tell in straight words; answer 'yes' or 'no.' Did he place his penis
inside your vagina?
A Yes.
xxx xxx xxx
[ON CROSS EXAMINATION]
(COURT INTERRUPTED)
Q Did you feel?
A Yes.
Q And what was your feeling?
A Pain
Q What was painful?
A At the side
Q Of what?
A The side of my vagina.
Q Why?
A Because his penis [was] in my vagina. 70 (Emphasis in the original)
This Court finds no reason to disturb the findings of the trial court and
the Court of Appeals. In People v. Quintos: 71
The observance of the witnesses' demeanor during an oral
direct examination, cross-examination, and during the entire period
that he or she is present during trial is indispensable especially in rape
cases because it helps establish the moral conviction that an accused
is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime charged. Trial provides
judges with the opportunity to detect, consciously or unconsciously,
observable cues and microexpressions that could, more than the
words said and taken as a whole, suggest sincerity or betray lies and ill
will. These important aspects can never be reflected or reproduced in
documents and objects used as evidence.
Hence, "[t]he evaluation of the witnesses' credibility is a matter
best left to the trial court because it has the opportunity to observe the
witnesses and their demeanor during the trial. Thus, the Court accords
great respect to the trial court's findings," more so when the
Court of Appeals affirmed such findings. 72 (Citations omitted)
There is also no merit in accused-appellant's argument that force,
intimidation, threat, fraud, or grave abuse of authority was not present.
In People v. Gacusan, 73 this Court reiterated that "[t]he abuse of moral
influence is the intimidation required in rape committed by the common-law
father of a minor." 74
As to the inclusion of the word "statutory" in the dispositive
portion of the trial court Judgment, this Court holds that it was erroneously
added by the trial court judge.
In People v. Dalan: 75
The gravamen of the offense of statutory rape, as provided for
in Article 266-A, paragraph 1 (d) of the Revised Penal Code, as
amended, is the carnal knowledge of a woman below 12 years old. To
convict an accused of the crime of statutory rape, the prosecution must
prove: first, the age of the complainant; second, the identity of the
accused; and last but not the least, the carnal knowledge between the
accused and the complainant. 76 (Citation omitted)
Here, the Information against accused-appellant did not allege AAA to
be below 12 years old, but 14 years old, when the crime was committed upon
her. The trial court even held that without documentary or testimonial
evidence, the prosecution failed to substantiate the qualifying
circumstance of minority. Despite this, it still found him guilty of simple
statutory rape and imposed the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Nonetheless, this Court finds that the penalty imposed on accused-
appellant is correct as it is the penalty for offenders who were found guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of simple rape under Article 266-B 77 of the Revised
Penal Code. 78
II
As a rule, affidavits of desistance are viewed with skepticism and
reservation because they can be "easily obtained for monetary consideration
or through intimidation." 79
AIDSTE

Based on the circumstances here, this Court cannot give any weight to
AAA's Affidavit of Recantation and Desistance.
If the crime did not really happen, AAA would have made the Affidavit at
the earliest instance — but she did not. Instead, she executed it more than
two (2) years after the crime had been committed. If the crime did not really
happen, she would not have submitted herself to physical examination or
hours of questioning — but she did.
Moreover, her recollection on how accused-appellant committed the
crime was detailed; her testimony, consistent. There was no evidence that
AAA was forced or pressured by the prosecutor to take the witness stand, as
manifested by her answer during the cross-examination:
PROS. BALBUENA ON CROSS EXAMINATION:
 Q: Now, Mrs. (sic) Witness, can you recall having testified in this case?
A: Yes.
Q: In fact, it was I who presented you as our witness, Mrs. (sic) Witness?
A: Yes.
Q: And when you testified Mrs. (sic) Witness, of course, this Fiscal did
not force you to testify, is that not right?
A: I was not forced.
Q: So, in your testimony when you were presented by the prose[cu]tion
as our witness[,] you were not under duress then,
Mrs. (sic) Witness?
ATTY. CABUSAO:
Objection Your honor. What has be[e]n testified by the witness, Your
Honor, it is not the Prosecutor who forced her, Your Honor.
PROS. BALBUENA:
I am on cross examination, Your Honor and the credibility of this
witness is questioned, Your Honor.
COURT:
Okay, let her answer.
xxx xxx xxx
WITNESS:
A: I was not forced by the Fiscal. 80 (Emphasis in the original, citation
omitted)
Likewise, the absence of hymenal laceration fails to exonerate
accused-appellant. As explained in People v. Osing: 81
[M]ere touching, no matter how slight of the labia or lips of the female
organ by the male genital, even without rupture or laceration of the
hymen, is sufficient to consummate rape. The absence of fresh
hymenal laceration does not disprove sexual abuse, especially when
the victim is a young girl[.] 82 (Citation omitted)
This Court has consistently held that an intact hymen does not negate
the commission of rape. 83 The element of rape does not even include
hymenal laceration:
The absence of external signs or physical injuries on the complainant's
body does not necessarily negate the commission of rape, hymenal
laceration not being, to repeat, an element of the crime of rape. A
healed or fresh laceration would of course be a compelling
proof of defloration. What is more, the foremost consideration in the
prosecution of rape is the victim's testimony and not the findings of the
 medico-legal officer. In fact, a medical examination of the victim is not
indispensable in a prosecution for rape; the victim's testimony alone, if
credible, is sufficient to convict. 84 (Citations omitted)
The guilt of accused-appellant having been proven beyond reasonable
doubt for the crime of rape, the penalty of reclusion perpetua was correctly
imposed. However, in line with prevailing jurisprudence, 85 this Court increases
the amount of civil indemnity to P75,000.00 and moral damages to
P75,000.00. Exemplary damages of P75,000.00 shall also be awarded to
AAA. 86
Finally, a six percent (6%) per annum legal interest shall be imposed on
all the damages awarded to AAA from the date of finality of the judgment until
fully paid. 87AaCTcI

WHEREFORE, the Court of Appeals' September 30, 2016 Decision in

CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 01769 is AFFIRMED. Accused-appellant ZZZ is
found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of rape, as punished under Article
266-B of the Revised Penal Code. He is sentenced to suffer the
penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Accused-appellant is further DIRECTED to pay AAA: (1) Seventy-Five
Thousand Pesos (P75,000,00) as moral damages; (2) Seventy-Five
Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) as civil indemnity; and (3) Seventy-Five
Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) as exemplary damages.
All damages awarded shall be subject to interest at the rate of six
percent (6%) per annum from the finality of this Decision until its full
satisfaction.
SO ORDERED.
A.B. Reyes, Jr. and Inting, JJ., concur.
Peralta * and Hernando, ** JJ., are on official leave.

Footnotes
*On official leave.
**On official leave.
1.Rollo, pp. 4-13. The Decision was penned by Associate Justice Edward B.
Contreras, and concurred in by Associate Justices Edgardo L. Delos Santos
and Geraldine C. Fiel-Macaraig of the Nineteenth Division, Court of Appeals,
Cebu City.
2.CA rollo, pp. 40-47. The Judgment, in Crim. Case No. 529, was penned by
Executive/Presiding Judge Ananson E. Jayme of Branch 63, Regional Trial
Court, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
3. Id. at 39.
4.Id.
5.Rollo, p. 5.
6.In People v. Cabalquinto, 533 Phil. 703 (2006) (Per J. Tinga, En Banc], this Court
discussed the need to withhold the victim's real name and other information
that would compromise the victim's identity, applying the confidentiality
provisions of: (1) Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children against
Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and its Implementing Rules
and Regulations; (2) Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and
their Children Act of 2004) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations; and (3)
this Court's October 19, 2004 Resolution in A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC (Rule on
Violence against Women and their Children).
7.CA rollo, p. 41.
8.Id.
9.Id.
10.Id.
11.Id.
12.Id.
13.Id.
14.Id. at 42-43.
15.Id. at 42.
16.Id.
17.Id.
18.Id.
19.Id.
20.Id. at 43.
21.Id.
22.Id.
23.Id.
24.Id.
25.Id.
26.Id.
27.Id.
28.Id. at 43 and rollo, p. 6.
29.Id. at 43.
30Id.
31.Id. at 40-47.
32.Id. at 47.
33.Id. at 44.
34.Id. at 44-46.
35.Id. at 45.
36.Id. at 47.
37.Id. at 18-37.
38.Id. at 67-81.
39.Rollo, pp. 4-13.
40.Id. at 13.
41.Id. at 8-10.
42.Id. at 10.
43.Id. at 8-10.
44.Id. at 10.
45.678 Phil. 752 (2011) [Per J. Leonardo-De Castro, First Division].
46.Rollo, p. 10.
47.Id. at 10-12.
48.Id. at 13.
49.Id. at 14-16.
50.Id. at 20-21.
51.Id. at 22-25, Manifestation for plaintiff-appellee, and 27-28, Manifestation for
accused-appellant.
52.Id. at 22 and 27.
53.CA rollo, p. 26.
54.Id.
55.Id. at 27.
56.Id.
57.Id. at 27-34.
58.Id. at 34.
59.Id.
60.Id. at 35.
61.Id. at 34.
62.Id. at 72-76.
63.Id. at 70-72.
64.Id. at 72.
65.Id.
 66.Id. at 76-78.
67.Id. at 77.
68.Id. at 78-79.
69.Id. at 46.
70.Rollo, pp. 9-10.
71.746 Phil. 809 (2014) [Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
72.Id. at 819-820.
73.809 Phil. 773 (2017) [Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
74.Id. at 774.
75.736 Phil. 298 (2014) [Per J. Brion, Second Division].
76.Id. at 303.
77.REV. PEN. CODE, art. 266-B provides:
ARTICLE 266-B. Penalties. — Rape under paragraph 1 of the next preceding
article shall be punished by reclusion perpetua.
78.See People v. Gacusan, 809 Phil. 773, 789 (2017) [Per J. Leonen, Second
Division] and People v. Corpuz, G.R. No. 208013, July 3, 2017, 828 SCRA 565,
600 [Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
79.People v. Bertulfo, 431 Phil. 535, 550 (2002) [Per C.J. Davide, Jr., First Division].
80.Rollo, p. 11.
81.402 Phil. 343 (2001) [Per J. Melo, Third Division].
82.Id. at 354.
83.People v. Francica, G.R. No. 208625, September 6, 2017, 839 SCRA 113, 135
[Per J. Leonen, Third Division]; People v. Austria, G.R. No. 210568, November
8, 2017, 844 SCRA 523, 543-544 [Per J. Leonen, Third Division]; and People v.
Opong, 577 Phil. 571, 592-593 (2008) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Third Division].
84.People v. Araojo, 616 Phil. 275, 288 (2009) [Per J. Velasco, Jr., Third Division].
85.People v. Jugueta, 783 Phil. 806, 851 (2016) [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
86.Id.
87.Nacar v. Gallery Frames, 716 Phil. 267 (2013) [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
||| (People v. ZZZ, G.R. No. 229862, [June 19, 2019])