People of the Philippines v. Mendoza Y Butones, G.R. No. 152589 & 152758 (2005)

The appellant was accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his daughter from the time she was 14 years of age, which resulted in her pregnancy. In 2001, the trial court convicted him of two counts of incestuous rape of a minor, sentenced him to two death penalties, and ordered him to pay the victim a total of PHP 130,000.00 in damages. The Supreme Court affirmed one of the counts of incestuous rape of a minor, asserting that Mendoza failed to proffer a credible defense and instead merely denied the accusations. The Court changed the other count to attempted rape due to a lack of evidence. In issuing this decision, the Supreme Court considered the appellant’s previous testimony that he had always been a caring provider for his family and questioned why the victim would accuse her father of such a grave criminal act if his claim were true.

Topics

• Sexual violence and rape
• Statutory rape or defilement

Geographical location

• Asia
• Philippines

Keywords

• carnal knowledge
• child abuse
• Children's rights
• criminal law and procedure
• incest
• sentencing
• testimony child-victim

Year

• 2005

External URL

• People of the Philippines v. Mendoza Y Butones, G.R. No. 152589 & 152758 (2005)

Court

• Supreme Court of Philippines

Type

• Domestic Case Law

Jurisdiction

• Philippines