People of the Philippines v. Anacito Dimanawa, G.R. No. 184600 (2010)

The appellant was convicted of raping his 12-year-old daughter. He claimed that the rape had not happened because his daughter was not home, and she was not a credible witness. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed with the findings and conclusions of the trial and appeals courts that he had committed the crime of rape. The Supreme Court noted that the testimony of a child-victim is to be given full weight and credence. The Supreme Court also reasoned that respect for elders is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and recognized by law, such that there is a presumption that the child testified truthfully. Thus, given the age of the victim and her relationship to the offender, the Supreme Court upheld his sentence of between 20 and 40 years in prison without parole, as well as the order to pay the victim a total of PHP 150,000.00 in indemnity and moral damages. In addition, the Court increased the exemplary damages that he had to pay the victim to PHP 30,000.00, for a total payment of PHP 180,000.00.

Topics

• Sexual violence and rape
• Statutory rape or defilement

Geographical location

• Asia
• Philippines

Keywords

• child abuse
• Children's rights
• criminal law and procedure
• incest
• sentencing
• victim stigmatization

Year

• 2010

External URL

• People of the Philippines v. Anacito Dimanawa, G.R. No. 184600 (2010)

Court

• Supreme Court of the Philippines

Type

• Domestic Case Law

Jurisdiction

• Philippines