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PEOPLE vs Atanacio Mendoza

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. ATANACIO MENDOZA, appellant.

G.R. Nos. 143844-46 | 2002-11-19

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

A rape victim, especially one who is of tender age, would not normally concoct a story of defloration, allow an examination of her private parts and undergo a public trial, if she is not motivated solely by the desire to have her ravisher apprehended and punished. As long as her testimony meets the test of credibility, the accused may be convicted on that sole basis.

Statement of the Case

Atanacio Mendoza appeals the March 23, 2000 "Joint Judgment"[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Calamba, Laguna (Branch 34) in Criminal Case Nos. 6059-98-C, 6060-98-C and 6061-98-C, convicting him of three (3)...