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People vs. Ausrtria

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, V. BENJAMIN AUSTRIA, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

G.R. No. 210568 | 2017-11-08

D E C I S I O N
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
A stepfather's moral ascendancy or influence over his stepdaughter, who grew up knowing him as the only father she has ever had, supplants the element of violence or intimidation in a charge of rape. In this case, such influence over the stepdaughter is the reason why she silently endured years of sexual abuse without fighting back or confiding in anyone.
 
This Court is asked to review the Court of Appeals February 6, 2013 Decision[1] and August 13, 2013 Resolution[2] in CA-GR. CR-H.C. No. 03855. The assailed Decision and Resolution affirmed the conviction of accused-appellant Benjamin Austria...