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PEOPLE vs. Marieto Adora

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee vs. MARIETO ADORA, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 116528-31 | 1997-07-14

D E C I S I O N


PANGANIBAN, J.:

In prosecutions for rape resulting in pregnancy, it is not essential to establish the exact date of the fertilization of the egg; forensic experts agree that such exact date is still medically unascertainable. In any event, pregnancy is a non-issue in a criminal prosecution for rape, the essential element of which is the absence of the victim's consent to the sexual congress.

This appeal seeks the reversal of the July 11, 1994 Joint Decision 1 of the Regional Trial Court of Legaspi City, Branch 5, convicting appellant of four (4) counts of rape and sentencing him to four (4) terms of reclusion perpetua....