4/17/2017 G.R. No.

179187

RepublicofthePhilippines
SupremeCourt

SECONDDIVISION

PEOPLEOFTHEPHILIPPINES, G.R.No.179187
Appellee, Present:

versus QUISUMBING,J.,Chairperson,
CARPIOMORALES,
CHICONAZARIO,*
LEONARDODE CASTRO,**
and
BRION,JJ.
RENATO TALUSAN y
PANGANIBAN,
Appellant. Promulgated:

July14,2009
xx

DECISION

CARPIOMORALES,J.

[1]
ByDecisionofMay25,2007,theCourtofAppeals affirmedtheconvictionbytheRegional
TrialCourt(RTC),Branch199ofLasPiasCityofRenatoTalusanyPanganiban(appellant)of
[2]
kidnappingwithrapeofAAA, aminorofsixyears.

TheInformationfiledagainstappellant,togetherwithoneEljoySalonga,reads:

ThatduringtheperiodfromJanuary15,2004uptoJanuary23.2004,intheCityofLasPinas,
Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the abovenamed accused,
conspiring and confederating together with one ELJOY SALONGA, whose true identity and
present whereabout is still unknown, without legal authority or justifiable motive, did then and
therewillfully,unlawfullyandfeloniouslykidnap,carryaway,detainanddepriveAAA,aSIX(6)
yearold,minor,ofherliberty,againstherwillandconsent,andthesaiddetentionlastedforeight
(8)days,andwhileaccusedRENATOTALUSANyPANGANIBAN@Nato,@RoxellB.Verga,
Jr.,wasincustodyofAAAandarmedwithagun,bymeansofforce,threat,orintimidation,did
thenandthere,willfully,unlawfully,andfeloniouslyinsertedhisfingerintothevaginaofAAA
forseveralinstancesagainstherwillandconsenttherebysubjectinghertosexualabuse,whichis
prejudicialtoherphysicalandpsychologicaldevelopment.

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[3]
CONTRARYTOLAW.


Salongastrueidentityand...whereabout[s]were,asstatedintheInformation,unknown.

Fromtheevidencefortheprosecution,thefollowingversionisgathered:

IntheearlymorningofJanuary14,2004,asAAAwasonherwaytoschool,appellant,whowas
sittingbyatreeinLasPias,pulledherasideandcajoledherintojoininghimbytellingherthat
theywouldgotoJollibee.AAAobligedassheknewappellanttobeafellowattendeeofSunday
Bibleclasses.AppellantbroughtAAA,however,toahouseinImus,CaviteoccupiedbyoneEl
JoySalongaandtwounidentifiedindividualstowhomheintroducedherashisdaughter.

AAAwasthereafterunderappellantscontrolandcustodyforeightdaysduringwhichhe
abusedherbyinsertinghisfingerinsidehervaginaonadailybasisbeforebreakfast,despiteher
resistance.

AAAhavingfailedtoreturnhomebynoonofJanuary14,2004,herstepfatherBBBwenttoher
schooltoinquire.Asnobodyknewherwhereabouts,BBBdecidedtoreportthemattertotheLas
PiasCityPoliceStation.Aneighbortheninformedhimthathesawappellantsittingbyatreeat
thesametimethatAAAwasonherwaytoschool.

BBBthereuponwentaroundthecommunitytoelicitinformationaboutappellant.Aformerco
workerofappellantgaveBBBanaddressinImus,Cavite,promptingBBBtoreportonJanuary
22,2004totheImusPoliceStationthedisappearanceofAAA.

At dawn of the following day, January 23, 2004, appellant, who was with AAA, was
apprehended.

For inquest purposes, Dr. Pierre Paul Carpio, medicolegal officer of the Philippine National
Police(PNP)CrimeLaboratory,conductedaninitialmedicolegalexaminationwhichrevealed
thefollowing

Findings:

Hymen:Deepfresh3&9oclockposition
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Vestibulecongested

Conclusion:

Subjectcompatiblewithrecentlossofvirginity
[4]
There are no ext. signs of application of any form of trauma (Emphasis
supplied)

Hence,thefilingoftheInformationforkidnappingwithrape.

Upon arraignment, appellant, with the assistance of his counsel de oficio, entered a plea of
guilty. The lower court thereupon conducted a searching inquiry into the voluntariness of
appellants plea, and despite repeated questions and just as repeated answers showing that
appellantunderstoodhispleaanditsconsequences,thetrialcourtstillorderedtheprosecution
to,asitdid,presentevidence.

Findingfortheprosecution,thetrialcourt,notingthatAAAsdetailedaccountofherordealisa
[5]
manifestationofherhonestyandforthrightness, convictedappellant,disposinginitsDecision
ofJune7,2004asfollows:

WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing discussions and finding the guilt of the accused
beyondreasonabledoubtbyhisvoluntaryandspontaneouspleaofguilty,whiletheundersigned
Presiding Judge does not believe in the imposition of death penalty as a form of punishment,
nevertheless, in obedience to the law which is his duty to uphold, this Court finds the accused,
RENATO TALUSAN y PANGANIBAN, GUILTY, beyond reasonable doubt for the special
complexcrimeofKIDNAPPINGwithRAPE and hereby sentences him to suffer the supreme
penaltyofDEATH.

The Court did not consider the mitigating circumstance of voluntary plea of guilty because the
penaltyimposableissingleandindivisibleandthisisregardlessofitspresence.xxx

Accused is hereby ordered to pay the victim AAA, the amount of P50,000.00 by way of civil
indemnityandanadditionalamountofP50,000.00bywayofmoraldamageswhichbycaselaw
isautomaticallyawardedtorapevictimswithoutneedofproof.xxx

[6]
SOORDERED. (Emphasisintheoriginalunderscoringsupplied)


ThecasewasforwardedtothisCourtonautomaticreviewduetothedeathpenaltyimposed.Per
[7]
Peoplev.Mateo, however,theCourtreferredthecasetotheCourtofAppealsbyResolution
ofNovember22,2005forintermediatedisposition.
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By Decision of May 25, 2007, the Court of Appeals, upholding with modification appellants
conviction,disposedasfollows:

WHEREFORE, the decision dated 07 June 2004 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 199, Las
Pinas City is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION. Appellant Renato Talusan y
Panganiban @ Natol @ Roxell B. Vergara, Jr. is sentenced to reclusion perpetua, conformably
with R.A. No. 9346, without eligibility for parole and is ordered to indemnify the AAA the
following:(a)P50,000.00ascivilindemnityand(b)P50,000.00asmoraldamages.

Costsdeoficio.(Underscoringsupplied)

[8]
SOORDERED.


ByResolutionofDecember3,2007,theCourtrequiredthepartiestosimultaneouslyfiletheir
[9]
respective Supplemental Briefs if they so desired within thirty (30) days from notice. In
compliance,thepartiessubmittedtheirrespectiveManifestationsthattheAppealBriefstheyhad
earlierfiledwouldsuffice.

Inhisloneassignmentoferror,appellantfaultsthetrialcourtforconvictinghimonthebasisof
an improvident plea of guilt as it failed, so he claims, to judiciously follow the guidelines set
[10]
forthinPeoplev.Pastor.

Theappealisbereftofmerit.

InPastor,theCourt,holdingthatthereisnodefiniteandconcreteruleastohowatrialjudge
mustconductasearchinginquiry,neverthelesscameupwiththefollowingguidelines:

1.Ascertain from the accused himself (a) how he was brought into the custody of the law (b)
whether he had the assistance of a competent counsel during the custodial and preliminary
investigations and (c) under what conditions he was detained and interrogated during the
investigations. This is intended to rule out the possibility that the accused has been coerced or
placedunderastateofduresseitherbyactualthreatsofphysicalharmcomingfrommalevolent
quartersorsimplybecauseofthejudge'sintimidatingrobes.

2. Ask the defense counsel a series of questions as to whether he had conferred with, and
completelyexplainedto,theaccusedthemeaningandconsequencesofapleaofguilty.

3.Elicitinformationaboutthepersonalityprofileoftheaccused,suchashisage,socioeconomic
status, and educational background, which may serve as a trustworthy index of his capacity to
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giveafreeandinformedpleaofguilty.

4.Informtheaccusedtheexactlengthofimprisonmentornatureofthepenaltyunderthelawand
thecertaintythathewillservesuchsentence.Fornotinfrequently,anaccusedpleadsguiltyinthe
hopeofalenienttreatmentoruponbadadviceorbecauseofpromisesoftheauthoritiesorparties
ofalighterpenaltyshouldheadmitguiltorexpressremorse.Itisthedutyofthejudgetoensure
thattheaccuseddoesnotlaborunderthesemistakenimpressionsbecauseapleaofguiltycarries
with it not only the admission of authorship of the crime proper but also of the aggravating
circumstancesattendingit,thatincreasepunishment.

5.Inquireiftheaccusedknowsthecrimewithwhichheischargedandfullyexplaintohimthe
elements of the crime which is the basis of his indictment. Failure of the court to do so would
constitute a violation of his fundamental right to be informed of the precise nature of the
accusationagainsthimandadenialofhisrighttodueprocess.

6.Allquestionsposedtotheaccusedshouldbeinalanguageknownandunderstoodbythelatter.

7. The trial judge must satisfy himself that the accused, in pleading guilty, is truly guilty. The
accusedmustberequiredtonarratethetragedyorreenactthecrimeorfurnishitsmissingdetails.
[11]


Thereisthusnohardandfastruleastohowajudgemayconductasearchinginquiry.Aslongas
thevoluntaryintentoftheaccusedandhisfullcomprehensionoftheconsequencesofhisplea
areascertained,aswasdoneinthepresentcase,theaccusedspleaofguiltissustained.Consider
the following transcript of stenographic notes of the proceedings taken during appellants
arraignment:

ATTY.CABARDO
Accusedisreadyforarraignment,YourHonor.

COURT
ArraigntheaccusedinTagalog.
(AccusedisarraignedandhepleadsGuiltytotheCriminalInformation)
COURT
Whatishisplea?Hespleadingguilty?

COURTINTERPRETER
Yes,YourHonor.

COURT
ThisCourtwillconductasearchinginquiryintothevoluntarinessofhisplea.

QMr.RenatoTalusan,whatisyoureducationalattainment?

ACCUSED

AIreached2ndyearHighSchool,YourHonor.

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QDoyouknowhowtoreadandwrite?

AYes,YourHonor.

QWhatisyouroccupation?

AImadriver,YourHonor.

QWhen you were arraigned today, you pleaded Guilty as charged in theCriminalInformation.
DidyoupleadGuiltyvoluntarily,freelywithoutanyoneforcingorintimidatingyou?

AYes,YourHonor.

QDidAtty.Cabardo,yourcounselexplained[sic]toyoutheeffectsandconsequencesifyouwill
pleadGuiltytotheCriminalInformationascharged?

AYes,YourHonor.

QIsittheunderstandingoftheCourtthatAtty.Cabardoexplainedtoyoufullyyourrightsunder
theConstitutionbeforeyoupleadGuiltytotheCriminalInformation?

AYes,YourHonor.

QDoyouknowMr.Talusanthat,ifyouwillpleadGuiltytotheCriminalInformation,thisCourt
willimmediatelysentenceyouandconfineyouattheNationalPenitentiary?

AYes,YourHonor.

QDidAtty.CabardoexertpressureonyouorinfluenceyousothatyouwillpleadGuiltytothe
CriminalInformation?

ANo,YourHonor.

Q Are you saying, Mr. Talusan that you are doing this voluntarily, freely and of your own
volition?
AYes,YourHonor.

QDidFiscalassignedinthisCourt,StateProsecutorNapoleonA.Monsodintimidateyouorexert
pressureonyousothatyouwillpleadGuiltytotheCriminalInformation?

ANo,YourHonor.

COURT

Pleasespeaklouder.

ACCUSED

ANo,YourHonor.

COURT

QDidanyoneoutsideorinsideofthiscourtroomthreatenyou,exertpressureonyousothatyou
willpleadGuiltyaschargedtotheCriminalInformation?
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ANone,YourHonor.

Q So, it is therefore true that on January 15, 2004 up to January 23, 2004, you kidnapped,
detainedoneAAA,asix(6)yearoldminoragainstherwillandconsent?

AYes,YourHonor.

QAndthatwhileinyourcustody,bymeansofforceintimidation,youinsertedyourfingerinside
thevaginaofthesaidminorforseveralinstancesagainstherwill?

AYes,YourHonor.

QForthelasttime,Mr.RenatoTalusan,despitetheadmonitiongiventoyoubythisCourt,
doyoustillinsistandreiterateyourpleadingGuiltytotheCriminalInformationascharged
forKidnappingwithMultipleRape?

AYes,YourHonor.

COURT
TheCourtisconvinced.IadmireyouMr.TalusanfortakingtheresponsibilitiesandIhopethat
youwillbecompletelyreformed.

ACCUSED
Yes,YourHonor.

COURT
Fiscal,inspiteof[sic]thefactthattheaccusedhaspleadedGuiltyaschargedinthe
Criminal Information, I am directing the Prosecution to present evidence to
[12]
determinetheculpabilityoftheaccused. (Emphasisandunderscoringsupplied)


Butevenassumingarguendothatappellantenteredanimprovidentpleaofguiltwhenarraigned,
there is no compulsion to remand the case to the trial court for further reception of evidence.
WhiletheCourthassetasideconvictionsbasedonimprovidentpleasofguiltincapitaloffenses,
whichpleashadbeenthesolebasisofthejudgment,wherethetrialcourtreceivesevidenceto
determine precisely whether the accused erred in admitting his guilt, the manner in which the
pleaismadeloseslegalsignificanceforthesimplereasonthattheconvictionis,independently
oftheplea,basedonevidenceprovingthecommissionbytheaccusedoftheoffensecharged.

Inthepresentcase,evenwithoutthepleaofguiltofappellant,theevidencepresentedby
[13]
theprosecutionsupportshisguiltbeyondreasonabledoubt ofthespecialcomplexcrimeof
kidnappingwithrapeunderArticle267oftheRevisedPenalCode,asamendedbyRepublicAct
[14] [15]
No.7659. ThusinPeoplev.Larraaga theCourtheld:

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Wherethelawprovidesasinglepenaltyfortwoormorecomponentoffenses,theresultingcrime
iscalledaspecialcomplexcrime.SomeofthespecialcomplexcrimesundertheRevisedPenal
Codeare(1)robberywithhomicide,(2)robberywithrape,(3)kidnappingwithseriousphysical
injuries, (4) kidnapping with murder or homicide, and (5) rape with homicide. In a special
complexcrime,theprosecutionmustnecessarilyproveeachofthecomponentoffenseswiththe
sameprecisionthatwouldbenecessaryiftheyweremadethesubjectofseparatecomplaints.As
earlier mentioned, R.A. No. 7659 amended Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code by adding
theretothisprovision:Whenthevictimiskilledordiesasaconsequenceofthedetention,oris
raped, or is subjected to torture or dehumanizing acts, the maximum penalty shall be imposed
andthatthisprovisiongivesrisetoaspecialcomplexcrime.(Italicsintheoriginalunderscoring
supplied)

Areviewoftheevidencefortheprosecutionshowsthattheactualconfinement,restraint
andrapeofAAAwereproven.

Thus,AAA,aminorwhosetestimonyisgivenfullfaithandcredit,youthandimmaturitybeing
[16]
generallybadgesoftruthandsincerity, declared:

Q:Didyougovoluntarilywiththeaccused?

A:Heforcedme,YourHonor.

Q:Whydidyousaythattheaccusedforcedyoutogowithhim,whatdidtheaccuseddotoyou?

A:HetoldmethatwearegoingtoJollibeebutitturnedoutthatitwasnottrue.

Q:Whenyouwentwiththeaccusedandboardedatricycle,youreallywantedtogotoJollibee,isthatthe
understandingoftheCourt?

A:Ididnotwantto,YourHonor.

Q:Whatdidyoudowhenyousaythatyoudonotwanttogowiththeaccused?

A:Nothing,YourHonor.

Q:Didyoucry?

A:Yes,YourHonor.

Q:Howdidyoucry?

[17]
A:Iwasjustcrying,YourHonor.

xxxx

Q:Canyourememberhowmanynightsanddaysyouhavenotseenyourmotherandfather?

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A:Yes,sir.

Q:Howmanynights?

A:Eight(8)nights,sir.

Q:Afteryouwerebroughttothewake,wherethereisadeadpersonandattheclub,whereelse
wereyoutakenbyKuyaRenato?

A:Atcoastalmall,sir.

Q:Awhileago,AAA,yousaidthatkuyaRenatoabusedyouandKuyaRenatoinsertedhispenis
inyourvagina,doyourecallthat?

A:Yes,sir.

Q:Whichwasinserted,hispenisorhisfinger?

A:Hisfinger,sir.

xxxx

Q:Whenitwasinsertedinside,didyoucry?

A:Yes,sir.

Q:WhatdidyousaytoKuyaRenato?

[18]
A:Itoldhimthatitwaspainful.


AAAsstepfatherBBBtestifiedonherdisappearanceforeightdaysandthemeasureshe
tookinordertorecoverher.Andtheinitialmedicolegalreportconductedforinquestpurposes
showsthatAAAsuffereddeepfreshlacerationsinherhymenwhicharecompatiblewithrecent
lossofvirginity.

The qualifying circumstance of minority was alleged and established with the presentation of
AAAscertificateoflivebirth,hence,thedeathpenaltyimposedbythetrialcourtisinorder.In
view, however, of the enactment in the interim of Republic Act 9346, An Act Prohibiting the
Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines, the appellate court correctly modified the
sentencetoreclusionperpetua,withouteligibilityforparole.

A word on the award of civil indemnity and moral damages. In accordance with prevailing
jurisprudence, the award of civil indemnity, which is mandatory upon a finding of the fact of

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rape, and the award of moral damages even without need of proof as it is presumed that the
[19]
victimsufferedmoralinjuries, arebothincreasedfromP50,000toP75,000.

WHEREFORE, the Decision of May 25, 2007 of the Court of Appeals is AFFIRMED with
MODIFICATION in that the separate awards of civil indemnity and moral damages are
increasedfromP50,000toP75,000.Inallotherrespects,theDecisionisAFFIRMED.

SOORDERED.

CONCHITACARPIOMORALES
AssociateJustice





WECONCUR:




LEONARDOA.QUISUMBING
AssociateJustice
Chairperson





MINITAV.CHICO TERESITAJ.LEONARDODECASTRO
NAZARIO AssociateJustice
AssociateJustice





ARTUROD.BRION
AssociateJustice



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ATTESTATION


IattestthattheconclusionsintheaboveDecisionhadbeenreachedinconsultationbeforethe
casewasassignedtothewriteroftheopinionoftheCourtsDivision.

LEONARDOA.QUISUMBING
AssociateJustice
Chairperson




CERTIFICATION


Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution, and the Division Chairpersons
Attestation,Icertifythattheconclusionsintheabovedecisionhadbeenreachedinconsultation
beforethecasewasassignedtothewriteroftheopinionoftheCourtsDivision.



REYNATOS.PUNO
ChiefJustice

*AdditionalmemberperSpecialOrderNo.658.
**AdditionalmemberperSpecialOrderNo.635.
[1]
PennedbyAssociateJusticeMarleneGonzalesSisonwiththeconcurrenceofAssociateJusticesJuanQ.Enriquez,Jr.andVicente
S.E.Veloso.
[2]
TheCourtshallwithholdtherealnameofthevictimandshallusefictitiousinitialsinsteadtorepresenther.Likewise,thepersonal
circumstancesofthevictimoranyotherinformationtendingtoestablishorcompromiseheridentities,aswellasthoseoftheir
immediatefamilyorhouseholdmembers,shallnotbedisclosed.(Peoplev.Cabalquinto,G.R.No.167693,September19,2006)
[3]
Records,pp.12.
[4]
Id.at5.
[5]
Id.RTCDecision,pp.91103,99.
[6]
Id.at91103,103.
[7]
G.R.Nos.14767887,July7,2004,433SCRA640.ThecasemodifiedthepertinentprovisionsoftheRevisedRulesonCriminal
Procedure,moreparticularlySection3andSection10ofRule122,Section13ofRule124,Section3ofRule125insofarasthey
provide for direct appeals from the Regional Trial Courts to the Supreme Court in cases where the penalty imposed is death,
reclusionperpetuaorlifeimprisonmentandallowedintermediatereviewbytheCourtofAppealsbeforesuchcasesareelevatedto
theSupremeCourt.
[8]
Rollo,pp.322,21.
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[9]
Id.at26.
[10]
G.R.No.140208,March12,2002,379SCRA181.
[11]
Id.at189190.
[12]
TSN,February20,2004,pp.38.
[13]
Peoplev.Gumimba,G.R.No.174056.February27,2007[FormerlyG.R.No.138257].
[14]
AnActtoImposetheDeathPenaltyonCertainHeinousCrimes,AmendingforthatPurposetheRevisedPenalCode,asamended,
otherspecialpenallawsandforotherpurposes.
[15]
G.R.No.13887475,February3,2004,421SCRA530,580.
[16]
Peoplev.Operario,G.R.No.146590,July17,2003,406SCRA564.
[17]
TSN,March15,2004,pp.1112.
[18]
Id.at1516.
[19]
Peoplev.Guillermo,G.R.No.173787,April23,2007,521SCRA597.

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