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PEOPLE, appellee, vs. MARIO DUMAGAY TUADA

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. MARIO DUMAGAY TUADA, appellant.

G.R. No. 143486 | 2001-10-18

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

The trial court's assessment of the credibility of witnesses and their testimonies is entitled to great respect, because it had the opportunity to observe up close their demeanor and conduct during the trial -- an opportunity that is not accorded appellate tribunals.

Statement of the Case

Mario Tuada appeals the March 8, 2000 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC)[2] in Criminal Case No. Q-99-86505, in which he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of rape.

In an Information dated September 2, 1999, Assistant City Prosecutor Alessandro D. Jurado charged appellant as follows:

"That on or about...