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PEOPLE vs Rolendo Gaudia

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. ROLENDO GAUDIA @ “LENDOY” or “DODO”, appellant.

G.R. No. 146111 | 2004-02-23

D E C I S I O N

PUNO, J.:

There can be no greater violation of a person's right to feel safe and secure than the crime of rape. When one commits such a horrible act on another, he degrades not only that person's body; more importantly, he defiles that person's mind. When the victim is a little child, the act and the perpetrator himself assume a bestiality beyond the comprehension of normal human beings. Yet, the law must apply equally upon saints and sinners alike, even to the most salacious ruffian.

Before us is the Decision[1] dated 10 July 2000 of Branch 19 of the Regional Trial Court of Digos, Davao del Sur, finding appellant...