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People vs. Lucas
People vs. Lucas
Lucas
December 24, 2012 by Lagangang Butas
People vs. Lucas G.R. No. 80102. January 22, 1990 Plaintiff-appellee: People of the Philippines Accused-appellant: Jovencio Lucas Ponente: J. Cortes FACTS: Mauricia Lucas was then thirteen years old and working as a housemaid in Sampaloc, Manila. Sometime in September 1985, she was fetched by her father, herein accused Jovencio Lucas, from her place of work. They boarded a jeepney and alighted in a place which Mauricia found unfamiliar. She was thereafter brought to a dark room where the accused tied both her hands and feet to a bed, undressed her, burnt her face with a lighted cigarette, kissed her, fondled her private parts, pointed a knife at her neck, and laughed while consummating the sexual act. The physical and genital examination supported the fact of defloration and further testified that the findings were consonant to that of a woman who had several experience with sexual intercourse. Nonetheless, as the examinations were conducted about six months after the alleged rape took place, evidence of violence can no longer be established. ISSUE: 1) Whether or not the trial court correctly appreciated the aggravating circumstance of cruelty in the case. 2) Whether or not the trial court correctly appreciated the aggravating circumstance of relationship in the case. HELD: 1) Yes. The Court held that there is cruelty when the offender enjoys and delights in making his victim suffer slowly and gradually, causing unnecessary physical pain in the consummation of the offense. Moreover, the absence of any evidence of force does not negate a finding that forcible sexual intercourse actually took place. The trial court, having had the opportunity of hearing the witnesses of both prosecution and defense, gave weight to the sincerity and conviction of the victim. The appellant tied the victim to a bed, burnt her face with a lighted cigarette, and laughed while consummating the crime. Undeniably, cruelty is present in this case. 2) Yes. Article 15 of the Revised Penal code provides that, in the case of rape, the alternative circumstance of relationship shall be taken into consideration when the victim is the descendant of the offender. The Court found that in order for the appellant to carry out the crime to his advantage, the filial trust reposed in him by his daughter was undeniable abused. He personally fetched his daughter, at her place of work, took her to the scene of the crime, and forced himself sexually. The aggravating circumstance of relationship in the case was correctly applied in the case.