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PEOPLE vs Prudencio Villaflores

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. PRUDENCIO VILLAFLORES y VIRGINIA, appellant.

G.R. Nos. 135063-64 | 2001-12-05

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

Convictions or acquittals in prosecutions for rape almost always depend on the credibility of the victim and her testimony. For this reason, the testimonies of alleged rape victims must be scrutinized by the trial court to ascertain the veracity of the charges and to determine whether the guilt of the accused has been established beyond reasonable doubt. While judges ought to be cognizant of the anguish and the humiliation that a rape victim undergoes as she seeks justice, they should equally bear in mind that their responsibility is to render justice based on the law.

The Case

Elevated to this Court on...