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PEOPLE vs Rogelio Bitancor

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. ROGELIO BITANCOR alias “BOY,” appellant.

G.R. No. 147968 | 2002-12-04

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

In this Decision, the Court reiterates the familiar doctrine that the lone credible testimony of the victim in a prosecution for rape is sufficient to sustain a verdict of conviction. Courts take judicial notice of the fact that, more often than not, rape is committed in solitude and is witnessed only by the complainant and the offender. Thus, a finding of innocence or guilt is oftentimes dependent on the assessment of their credibility.
Statement of the Case

Rogelio Bitancor appeals the February 1, 2001 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Bohol (Branch 50) in Criminal Case No. 96-67,...