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People vs. Tayaban

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. GERALD TAYABAN, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 128481 | 1998-09-25

D E C I S I O N
 
PANGANIBAN, J.:
 
The sole testimony of a rape victim, if credible and clear, is enough to sustain a conviction for rape. Once force is proven by the prosecution, the "sweethearts defense" does not by itself negate rape.
 
The Case

On November 10, 1993, an Information[1] was filed before the Regional Trial Court of Lagawe, Ifugao, charging Gerald Tayaban with rape allegedly committed as follows:
 
"That on or about the 15th day of February, 1993, at Poblacion, Lagawe, Ifugao Province, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, by means of force and...