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PEOPLE vs. LEODEGARIO BASCUGUIN Y AGQUIZ

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. LEODEGARIO BASCUGUIN Y AGQUIZ, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 144404 | 2001-09-24

D E C I S I O N

BUENA, J.:

There is an alarming increase of heinous crimes being committed in the country. Notwithstanding the existence of the death penalty, criminal cases involving rape with homicide is a constant subject of our automatic review. In the exercise of our review power, we seek justice not merely for the victim but for the accused as well to guarantee that his constitutional rights are safeguarded.

Leodegario Bascuguin, herein accused-appellant, was charged with the crime of rape with homicide before the Regional Trial Court of Balayan, Batangas [Branch X]. At his arraignment on August 5, 1999, he appeared without the...