EN BANC

[G.R. Nos. 130714 and 139634. December 27, 2002.]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES , plaintiff-appellee, vs . DONEL GO and

VAL DE LOS REYES, accused.

DONEL GO, accused-appellant.

[G.R. Nos. 139331 and 140845-46. December 27, 2002.]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. VAL DE LOS

REYES, accused-appellant.

The Solicitor General for plaintiff- appellee.

Levi M Ramirez for accused-appellant Val delos Reyes.
The Solicitor General for accused-appellant Donel Go.

SYNOPSIS

Accused-appellants Go and de los Reyes were charged before the Regional Trial
Court (RTC) of Tabaco, Albay with two and three counts of rape, respectively, all
committed against Imelda Brutas. Only accused-appellant Go was initially apprehended;
de los Reyes remained at large. Subsequently, Branch 16 of the RTC of Tabaco, Albay
found appellant Go guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two counts of rape and sentenced
him to suffer the death penalty for each count. Hence, the automatic review of the cases
against appellant Go.
Appellant de los Reyes was later apprehended, hence, Branch 16 of the RTC of
Tabaco, Albay ordered the revival of the cases against him. The cases were transferred to
Branch 15 of the same court, which found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of three
counts of rape and sentenced him to suffer reclusion perpetua in each count. Appellant de
los Reyes appealed to this Court questioning the regularity of the procedure adopted by
the trial court by allowing the prosecution witnesses to merely a rm on direct
examination their previous testimonies taken during the trial of appellant Go.
In the case of People vs. Estenzo, this Court held that the witness should have been
examined directly on the statements in her affidavit. The Supreme Court held that the same
rule applies in the present cases against appellant de los Reyes where the prosecution
witnesses merely asked to con rm their testimonies given at the trial of another in which
he took no part.
The Court further ruled that in the case at bar, the apprehensions of the prosecution
that the lapse of time may have compromised the memory of the witnesses are
understandable. In any event, lapse of time is a matter that the trial court would consider in
weighing the credibility of witnesses and their testimonies; it does not justify the
abbreviated procedure adopted by the trial court, especially considering that the case
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 against appellant Go was tried before another branch of the RTC. As irregularities
prejudicial to the substantial rights of the accused were committed during the trial, the
accused is entitled to a new trial. The Court ordered that all the proceedings and evidence
affected by such irregularities must be set aside and taken anew. Pending the rehearing
proceedings in the trial court, the automatic review of the cases against Go was held in
abeyance.

SYLLABUS

1.REMEDIAL LAW; EVIDENCE; PRESENTATION OF; EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES;

TESTIMONIES OF WITNESSES MUST BE GIVEN ORALLY. — In People v. Estenzo, after the
therein accused had testi ed, the defense counsel manifested that for the subsequent
witnesses, he was ling only their a davits subject to cross-examination by the
prosecution on matters therein and on all matters pertinent and material thereto. The trial
court acceded to the manifestation over the objection of one of the private prosecutors.
This Court held that such procedure violated Sections 1 and 2, Rule 132 and Section 1, Rule
133 of the then Revised Rules of Court, which required that the testimonies of witnesses
be given orally. . . . The ruling in Estenzo was reiterated in Sacay vs. Sandiganbayan where,
at the close of her direct examination, a witness was asked to con rm the truth of the
contents of her sworn statement. This Court held that the witness "should have been
examined directly on the statements in her a davit." The same rule applies in the present
cases against accused-appellant de los Reyes where the prosecution witnesses were
merely asked to con rm their testimonies given at the trial of another in which he took no
part.
2.ID.; ID.; CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES; LAPSE OF TIME, A MATTER THAT TRIAL
COURT WOULD CONSIDER IN WEIGHING THE CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES AND THEIR
TESTIMONIES. — The apprehensions of the prosecution that the lapse of time may have
compromised the memory of the witnesses are understandable. But following this line of
thought, would not the witnesses have just the same gone over the transcripts of their
testimonies during the trial of accused-appellant Go to refresh them to thereby enable
them to answer the questions of accused-appellant de los Reyes' counsel on cross-
examination? [L]apse of time is a matter that the trial court would consider in weighing the
credibility of witnesses and their testimonies; it does not justify the abbreviated procedure
adopted by the trial court, especially considering that the case against accused-appellant
Go was tried before another branch of the RTC.
3.ID.; ACTIONS; NEW TRIAL; REMEDY OF ACCUSED IN CASE IRREGULARITIES
PREJUDICIAL TO HIS SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS WERE COMMITTED DURING TRIAL. — As
irregularities prejudicial to the substantial rights of the accused were committed during
the trial, the accused is entitled to a new trial. All the proceedings and evidence affected by
such irregularities must thus be set aside and taken anew.

RESOLUTION

CARPIO-MORALES , J : p

Accused-appellants Donel Go and Val de los Reyes were charged before the
Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tabaco, Albay with two and three counts of rape, respectively,
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 all committed against Imelda Brutas. Of the two, only accused-appellant Go was initially
apprehended; de los Reyes remained at large.
Arraigned on May 3, 1995, accused-appellant Go pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Before the prosecution could nish presenting evidence, he jumped bail and was tried in
absentia.
The evidence for the prosecution consists of the testimonies of its ve witnesses,
namely: private complainant Imelda Brutas, her mother Adela, sister Clara, Dr. Marissa
Saguinsin of the Rural Health Unit in Tabaco, Albay, and SPO4 Rosalino Bonavente; Imelda's
p ant y 1 and watch 2 which she was wearing when the rape allegedly occurred; the
certi cation 3 about the entry in the police blotter of Imelda's complaint; the medical
certi cates issued by Dr. Estela Zenit of the Ziga Memorial District Hospital 4 and Dr.
Marissa Saguinsin of the Rural Health Unit in Tabaco, Albay; 5 the a davit executed by
Marivic after the alleged incident; 6 the photographs of accused-appellants Go and de los
Reyes; 7 and the Referral Form of the ABS-CBN program "Hoy Gising." 8
For the defense, the testimonies of five witnesses were offered.
In its Decision of June 25, 1997, Branch 16 of the RTC of Tabaco, Albay found
accused-appellant Go guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two counts of rape and
sentenced him to suffer the death penalty for each count. An alias warrant of arrest
against accused-appellant de los Reyes was issued and the cases against him were
archived.
Hence, the automatic review of the cases against accused-appellant Go, docketed
herein as G.R. Nos. 130714 and 139634.
Accused-appellant de los Reyes was later apprehended, hence, Branch 16 of the
Tabaco, Albay RTC ordered the revival of the cases against him. On December 3, 1997, the
cases were transferred to Branch 15 of the same court, it having been designated by this
Court as a heinous crimes court. At his arraignment on January 8, 1998, he pleaded not
guilty to all three charges of rape. Trial ensued thereafter.
Except for SPO4 Bonavente, the same prosecution witnesses who testi ed at the
trial of accused-appellant Go were availed of at the trial of accused-appellant de los Reyes.
When Adela Brutas, Imelda's mother, was called to the witness stand, the private
prosecutor started rereading the questions and answers as recorded in the transcript of
her testimony at the trial of accused-appellant Go. Before he could go over the entire
transcript, however, the defense counsel objected. The private prosecutor thereupon
asked Adela, as the following transcript of the proceedings, quoted verbatim, shows, if she
a rmed all her answers appearing in the transcript of stenographic notes taken during her
testimony at the trial of accused-appellant Go:
[Private prosecutor Atty. Sarte]
QAre you the same Adela Brutas who on January 10, 1996 testified at RTC
Branch [16] in the Criminal Case of People vs. Donel Go and Val de Los
Reyes?
A.Yes, sir.
Q.Do you remember that you were asked a question by this representation you
stated that your name is Adela Brutas the victim, what is your relation to
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 the victim Imelda Brutas in these cases and your answered "she is my
daughter" do you affirm same answer propounded by you?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.And then again the question is: In whose house?" and you answered, "In our
house, sir."
A.Yes, sir.

Q.Likewise you were asked the question: "Where is your daughter living in
December 1994?" and you answered, "In Tayhi, Tabaco, Albay." do you
affirm that that was your answer when you're asked that question?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.In like manner on December 22, at about 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon of 1994
do you remember of any unusual incident that happened to your daughter
and you answered . . . I know it.

[Defense counsel]
ATTY. RAMIREZ:
Objection your Honor, I object your Honor to the question it is not stated your
Honor to the purpose for which this witness will testify as either narrated in
order to prove morale damages; that the witness is looking for her daughter
and her daughter was allegedly sent to an errand to deliver pictures.
JUDGE SARTE:

Your Honor my question is not yet finished your Honor, because I am referring to
the sending by her sister. . .

COURT:
Conditional.
xxx xxx xxx

JUDGE SARTE:
Then you answered: I heard that Imelda was sent for an errand by your sister
Clara, I heard Clara telling Imelda to bring pictures to a house in front of a
demolished house." Is that your answer to the question that was
confronted to you?

ATTY. RAMIREZ:

Your Honor I object to the way it was being propounded, it would not be in a
manner be the form direct testimony because the witness direct questions
pertaining to the alleged declaration relative to the purpose for which she is
being offered to testify, but not to affirm an earlier declaration your Honor.

COURT:
What is your purpose Judge?

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 JUDGE SARTE:
The purpose that we present the same testimony as we presented in the case of
People versus Donel Go and Val de los Reyes, because would supposedly
jointly to be tried in Branch 16, but for reason that the other accused was
no where to be found Branch 16 proceeded only with the trial of Donel Go
excluding Val de los Reyes so, we have the same testimony we have the
same evidence to be submitted.
ATTY. LEVI RAMIREZ:
Well your Honor the manner of this witness being presented is that there is a
question and the counsel is already stating the answer.

JUDGE SARTE.
That is why I am asking her whether she affirm that because that is her answer in
Branch 16.
COURT:

To obviate objection Pañero why don't you just proceed directly with your direct-
examination?
JUDGE SARTE:
But your Honor there would be a variation in the answer which we do not want to
happen here, because she cannot remember all her answer that she gave in
Branch 16.
COURT:

That will be the risk of the prosecution Pañero.

ATTY. RAMIREZ:

Because your Honor there is a question propounded and at the same time counsel
is answering already.
JUDGE SARTE:

I am not answering it it is in the transcript.

COURT:

Anyway that particular piece of evidence was offered here, you can offer it here
subject to cross-examinations. Anyway that is the direct testimony of this
witness.
xxx xxx xxx
All right you proceed with the direct testimony of this case.

JUDGE SARTE:
Yes, your Honor.

Q.All right, do you affirm all your answers you told, you made by this
representation on January 10, 1996?

COURT:
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 Cross?

ATTY. RAMIREZ:
No cross your Honor.
COURT:

Whatever testimonies he testified to other than that? So you are waiving the
cross-examination Pañero?

ATTY. RAMIREZ:

As far as their documents are concerned, the identification of the contents yes,
the refusal of admission to that.

COURT:
You will refuse admission when it is presented in evidence?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:
Yes, your Honor, because so far a mere declaration is limited to fact that she was
a witness of a case before RTC, Branch 16, on that aspect we have no
cross.
COURT:

So discharge the witness. 9 (Italics supplied.)

When called to the witness stand, Imelda, after relating on direct examination the
events immediately preceding the alleged rapes, the following transpired, also quoted
verbatim:
Q.Now do you remember whether on June 21, 1995 in Branch 16 you testified
regarding this matter?
A.Yes, sir.
JUDGE SARTE:
Now your Honor please for purpose of evidence we would request that this
transcript be marked as Exhibit "F" dated June 21, 1995.
COURT:

Mark it.
JUDGE SARTE:
And also pages 4-37 be consecutively marked as Exhibit "F-1" etc.
Q.Now in said transcript you were asked a question — "Because of that heavy rain
what did you do." And you made an answer, "According to Donel Go I
should take shelter in his house."
ATTY. RAMIREZ:
Objection your Honor.
JUDGE SARTE:
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 No question yet.

COURT:
Let him finish.
JUDGE SARTE: (continuing)
Q.Is this the question and your answer when you testified in Branch 16?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:

Well, your Honor I would object because the question would be very leading the
question propounded was already made by the counsel.

Well that is on record, whether he said that?

COURT:
Lay the basis first Judge.
JUDGE SARTE:
Now you declared that there was something that happened, because of that what
did you do and you said you take shelter in his house, do you confirm that
that is the answer you gave?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:
I will object because that would be improper for direct testimony.

COURT:
Well that is in the transcript.
ATTY. RAMIREZ:
No your Honor, because the question and answer being conferred with the
witness would be improper for direct testimony because there is already
that answer.
COURT:
Anyway Judge that transcript has already been marked, it is not necessary for you
to take the individual questions asked and that has been adopted and
marked already.

JUDGE SARTE:
Now in view of that your Honor, we are adopting all the direct-examinations all the
answers of the witness appearing on the transcript which was taken from
Branch 16, dated June 21, 1995 this already marked Exhibit "F".
xxx xxx xxx

That is all your honor. 1 0 (Italics supplied.)

At the succeeding hearing, defense counsel cross-examined Imelda but only on

matters preceding and following the alleged rapes. 1 1
The prosecution employed the same procedure when it presented Imelda's sister
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 Clara, 12 and Dr. Marissa Saguinsin, Medical O cer of the Rural Health Unit in Tabaco,
Albay. 13
Thereafter, the prosecution formally offered its evidence including the panty (Exhibit
"A") and the wristwatch (Exhibit "B") worn by Imelda when the alleged rapes occurred; the
Certi cation of Entry in the Police Blotter of the Tabaco Police Department (Exhibit "C");
the Medico-Legal Certi cate issued by the Dr. Saguinsin (Exhibit "E"); the Referral Form of
the ABS-CBN program (Exhibit "H") to prove, among other things, "the extent to which Clara
Brutas went through in order to seek justice for the cause of her younger sister"; and the
decision of the Tabaco, Albay RTC, Branch 16, (Exhibit "I") "to show that Donel Go was
convicted" by said court. DCAHcT

Also offered in evidence were the transcripts of the testimonies of Adela (Exhibit
"D"), Dr. Saguinsin (Exhibit "E-2-A" to "E-2-I"), Imelda (Exhibit "F") to prove that she was
raped by accused-appellant Val de los Reyes, and Clara (Exhibit "G") to corroborate
Imelda's testimony taken at the trial of accused-appellant Go were also in evidence.
The defense objected to the admission of, among others, Exhibits "A," "B," "D" and "F",
they having "never [been] identi ed and presented in court," it adding that the "court cannot
take judicial notice" thereof "as accused [de los Reyes] was never a party to the trial" of
accused-appellant Go. The objection of the defense notwithstanding, the trial court
admitted all the exhibits offered by the prosecution.
After the prosecution rested its case, the defense presented three witnesses. And it
presented a letter 1 4 to accused-appellant de los Reyes allegedly written by Imelda who
returned to the witness stand to rebut the defense evidence.
In its Decision of February 22, 1999, the Tabaco, Albay RTC, Branch 15 found
accused-appellant de los Reyes guilty beyond reasonable doubt of three counts of rape
and sentenced him to suffer reclusion perpetua in each.
His motion for reconsideration having been denied, accused-appellant de los Reyes
appealed to this Court. His appeal, G.R. Nos. 139331 and 140845-46, and that of accused-
appellant Go, G.R. Nos. 130714 and 139634, were consolidated.
Accused-appellant de los Reyes assigns to the trial court the following errors:
1.THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN ALLOWING A SUMMARY
PROCEEDING INSTEAD OF A FULL DRESS TRIAL.
2.THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN CONVICTING THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT
DESPITE ABSENCE OF ANY EVIDENCE ON RECORD.
3.THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF THE ACCUSED
TO DUE PROCESS. 1 5

As for accused-appellant Go, he assigns these errors:

I
THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE GUILT OF ACCUSED-
APPELLANT DONEL GO HAS BEEN PROVEN BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.
II

THE TRIAL COURT GRAVELY ERRED IN GIVING FULL WEIGHT AND CREDENCE
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 TO THE TESTIMONY OF THE PRIVATE COMPLAINANT.

In view of the discussion which follows, this Court shall rst pass on accused-
appellant de los Reyes' appeal.
Accused-appellant de los Reyes questions the regularity of the procedure adopted
by the trial court by allowing prosecution witnesses Adela, Clara, Imelda, and Dr. Saguinsin
to merely a rm on direct examination their previous testimonies taken during the trial of
accused-appellant Go. Such proceeding, he contends, violated his right to confront and
cross-examine said witnesses.
In People v. Estenzo , 1 6 after the therein accused had testi ed, the defense counsel
manifested that for the subsequent witnesses, he was ling only their a davits subject to
cross-examination by the prosecution on matters therein and on all matters pertinent and
material thereto. The trial court acceded to the manifestation over the objection of one of
the private prosecutors.
This Court held that such procedure violated Sections 1 1 7 and 2 , 1 8 Rule 132 and
Section 1, Rule 133 1 9 of the then Revised Rules of Court, which required that the
testimonies of witnesses be given orally. Those provisions are substantially reproduced in
the Revised Rules of Court as follows:
SECTION 1. Examination to be done in open court. — The examination of
witnesses presented in a trial or hearing shall be done in open court, and under
oath or a rmation. Unless the witness is incapacitated to speak, or the question
calls for a different mode of answer, the answers of the witness shall be given
orally.
SEC. 2.Proceedings to be recorded. — The entire proceedings of a trial or
hearing, including the questions propounded to a witness and his answers
thereto, the statements made by the judge or any of the parties, counsel, or
witnesses with reference to the case, shall be recorded by means of shorthand or
stenotype or by other means of recording found suitable by the court.
A transcript of the record of the proceedings made by the o cial
stenographer, stenotypist or recorder and certi ed as correct by him shall be
deemed prima facie a correct statement of such proceedings. (Rule 131.)
SECTION 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined. — In civil cases,
the party having the burden of proof must establish his case by a preponderance
of evidence. In determining where the preponderance or superior weight of
evidence on the issues involved lies, the court may consider all the facts and
circumstances of the case, the witnesses' manner of testifying, their intelligence,
their means and opportunity of knowing the facts to which they are testifying, the
nature of the facts to which they testify, the probability or improbability of their
testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal credibility so
far as the same may legitimately appear upon the trial. The court may also
consider the number of witnesses, though the preponderance is not necessarily
with the greater number. (Rule 133, italics supplied.)

The Court, still in Estenzo, elaborated:

The main and essential purpose of requiring a witness to appear and
testify orally at a trial is to secure for the adverse party the opportunity of cross-
examination. "The opponent," according to an eminent authority, "demands
confrontation, not for the idle purpose of gazing upon the witness, or of being
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 gazed upon by him, but for the purpose of cross-examination which cannot be
had except by the direct and personal putting of questions and obtaining
immediate answers." There is also the advantage to be obtained by the personal
appearance of the witness before the judge, and it is this — it enables the judge as
the trier of facts "to obtain the elusive and incommunicable evidence of a witness'
deportment while testifying, and a certain subjective moral effect is produced
upon the witness." It is only when the witness testi es orally that the judge may
have a true idea of his countenance, manner and expression, which may con rm
or detract from the weight of his testimony. Certainly, the physical condition of
the witness will reveal his capacity for accurate observation and memory, and his
deportment and physiognomy will reveal clues to his character. These can only be
observed by the judge if the witness testi es orally in court. Indeed, the great
weight given the ndings of fact of the trial judge in the appellate court is based
upon his having had just that opportunity and the assumption that he took
advantage of it to ascertain the credibility of the witnesses. . . . .
Thus, Section 1 of Rule 133 of the Rules requires that in determining the
superior weight of evidence on the issues involved, the court, aside from the other
factors therein enumerated, may consider the "witness' manner of testifying"
which can only be done if the witness gives his testimony "orally in open court." If
a trial judge prepares his opinion immediately after the conclusion of the trial,
with the evidence and his impressions of the witnesses fresh in his mind, it is
obvious that he is much more likely to reach a correct result than if he simply
reviews the evidence from a typewritten transcript, without having had the
opportunity to see, hear and observe the actions and utterances of the witness.
There is an additional advantage to be obtained in requiring that the direct
testimony of the witness be given orally in court. Rules governing the examination
of witness are intended to protect the rights of litigants and to secure orderly
dispatch of the business of the courts. Under the rules, only questions directed to
the eliciting of testimony which, under the general rules of evidence, is relevant to,
and competent to prove, the issue of the case, may be propounded to the witness.
A witness may testify only to those facts which he knows of his own knowledge.
Thus, on direct examination, leading questions are not allowed, except on
preliminary matters, or when there is di culty in getting direct and intelligible
answer from the witness who is ignorant, a child of tender years, or feebleminded,
or a deaf-mute. It is obvious that such purpose may be subverted, and the orderly
dispatch of the business of the courts thwarted, if trial judges are allowed, as in
the case at bar, to adopt any procedure in the presentation of evidence other than
what is speci cally authorized by the Rules of Court. (Italics in the original;
emphasis and underscoring supplied.)

The ruling in Estenzo was reiterated in Sacay vs. Sandiganbayan 2 0 where, at the
close of her direct examination, a witness was asked to con rm the truth of the contents
of her sworn statement. This Court held that the witness "should have been examined
directly on the statements in her a davit." The same rule applies in the present cases
against accused-appellant de los Reyes where the prosecution witnesses were merely
asked to confirm their testimonies given at the trial of another in which he took no part.
The apprehensions of the prosecution that the lapse of time may have
compromised the memory of the witnesses are understandable. But following this line of
thought, would not the witnesses have just the same gone over the transcripts of their
testimonies during the trial of accused-appellant Go to refresh them to thereby enable
them to answer the questions of accused-appellant de los Reyes' counsel on cross-
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 examination?
In any event, lapse of time is a matter that the trial court would consider in weighing
the credibility of witnesses and their testimonies; it does not justify the abbreviated
procedure adopted by the trial court, especially considering that the case against accused-
appellant Go was tried before another branch of the RTC.
As irregularities prejudicial to the substantial rights of the accused were committed
during the trial, the accused is entitled to a new trial. 2 1 All the proceedings and evidence
affected by such irregularities must thus be set aside and taken anew. 2 2
Accordingly, the Court, with respect to the cases against accused-appellant de los
Reyes, sets aside Exhibits "D," "E-2," "E-2-I," "F" and "G", the transcripts of the testimonies of
witnesses Adela, Dr. Saguinsin, Imelda, and Clara Brutas, respectively, in the trial of
accused-appellant Go.
Exhibits "A" (the panty), "B" (the wrist watch), "C" (the Certi cation of entry in the
Police Blotter), and "H" (the Referral Form of the ABS-CBN program), none of which were
identi ed by any of the witnesses during the trial of accused-appellant de los Reyes, are
likewise set aside for lack of basis.
WHEREFORE, the Court Resolved to VACATE the judgment of Branch 15 of the
Regional Trial Court of Tabaco, Albay in Criminal Case Nos. T-2639-41, " People v. Val de
los Reyes", and to SET ASIDE Exhibits "A," "B," "C," "D," "E-2," "E-2-A" to "E-2-I," "F," "G" and "H."
Said criminal cases are REMANDED to Branch 15 of the Regional Trial Court of Tabaco,
Albay for the immediate rehearing of the testimonies of witnesses Adela Brutas, Imelda
Brutas, Clara Brutas and Dr. Marissa Saguinsin, in accordance with this Court's above
disquisition. The trial court is further directed to conduct said proceedings and render a
decision thereon within 90 days from receipt of this Resolution. Following Section 6 (a),
Rule 121 of the Revised Rules of Court, the trial court may, in the interest of justice, allow
the introduction of additional evidence.
Pending these rehearing proceedings in the trial court, the automatic review of the
cases against Donel Go in G.R. Nos. 130714 and 139634 is held in abeyance. aScITE

SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C .J ., Bellosillo, Puno, Vitug, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Ynares-
Santiago, Sandoval-Gutierrez, Carpio, Austria-Martinez, Corona, Callejo, Sr., and Azcuna, JJ .,
concur.

Footnotes
1.Exhibit "A."

2.Exhibit "B."
3.Exhibit "C."

4.Exhibit "D."

5.Exhibit "E."
6.Exhibit "F."

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 7.Exhibit "G."

8.Exhibit "H."
9.TSN, April 15, 1998, pp. 7-13.

10.TSN, July 29, 1998, pp. 3, 5-6.

11.TSN, August 19, 1998, pp. 2-9.

12.Q. [addressed to Clara)

Do you remember of any unusual incident that whereby your sister by the name of Imelda
Brutas was a victim of a rape incident?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:

Very leading your Honor.

COURT:
Reform the question.

JUDGE SARTE:
Q.You said that your sister is Imelda Brutas, do you know what happened to her on December
25, 1994.

A.Yes, sir.
JUDGE SARTE:

Q.Will you please narrate? What happened? Of your own knowledge of your sister Imelda
Brutas?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:

We will object there is no basis whether the witness was present on a particular place?

COURT:
All right to obviate objection Judge lay the basis.

JUDGE SARTE:

Q.Now you said you testified in Court in Branch 16, regarding this RAPE INCIDENT against the
accused Donel Go and Val de los Reyes but the case proceeded only to Donel Go
because during that time Val de los Reyes was at large, do you remember that incident
when you testified?

A.Yes, sir because I was the one who sent my sister with the pictures to Donel Go.
ATTY. RAMIREZ:

I move that the last phrase be stricken off the record, for being not responsive to the question.

COURT:
All right, we will allow — because it is part of the explanation.

JUDGE:

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 Is that in the transcript of your testimony when you testified in Branch 16? You go over the
question and answer then tell the Honorable Court whether that is the same question
asked to you? Tell the Court whether you answers were the same answers you said in
this Court?

WITNESS:
Yes, sir the same answers.

JUDGE SARTE:

Your Honor we request that this transcript be marked as Exhibit "G" as in good. Pages 11-27
dated February 5, 1996. I discovered that this transcript has no signature of the
stenographer and the the reserved signature be marked as G-18.

Q.You affirm that all of those answers are your answers?

A.Yes, sir.
JUDGE SARTE:

That is all your Honor. (TSN, July 29, 1998, pp. 8-9.)
13.Dr. Saguinsin identified the medico-legal certificate she issued as well as the transcript of
her testimony taken at the trial of Go:

Q.How long have you been in this office?

A.I start since October 1990 up to the present.

Q.Now, do you recall having testified in the sala of the Hon. Judge, Cesar Bordeos in connection
with the trial of Crim. Cases Nos. T-2640-41 wherein the accused is one Donel Go?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.Now showing to you this transcript, is this transcript of your testimony you had with Br. 16 of
Judge Bordeos?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.Now in connection with this case now because you will note in the trial had before Branch 16
of Judge Bordeos there was almost mentioned of Val de los Reyes in connection with
these present three (3) cases numbers 2639-40-41 against the accused Val de los Reyes.
Now, do you recall if you had a patient by the name of Imelda Brutas who went to your
office in connection with these cases now?
ATTY. RAMIREZ:

I would object no basis. That she will be testifying in connection with the three (3) present
cases. She cannot be competent to testify on the accusation made by the accused
herein but merely to limit herself in the medical certificate your Honor.

COURT:
I think that is the purpose anyway. You can go direct.

ATTY. SARTE:

Q.Showing to you this medical certificate. Will you please tell the Hon. Court if that is the
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 medical certificate that you have issued?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.Now whose signature appears over the typewritten name, Marissa Saguinsin, M.D.?

A.That is my signature.
Q.So, the examination conducted by you more than one (1) month from the alleged complaint
of, Am I correct?

A.Yes, sir.
Q.Now, in the examination you made, Am I right to say that the patient was physically fit or in
good health?

A.Yes, sir.

ATTY. SARTE (Continuing)

May we request the medical certificate be marked as EXHIBIT "E" and in connection with that, I
will lay the introduction of the transcript and as EXHIBIT "E-1" signature of Dra.
Saguinsin. In connection with her testimony that she declared in these cases in Branch
16 before Judge Bordeos and identified this to be the transcript of the proceeding, we
request that the transcript of Dr. Saguinsin that was made on February 5, 1996 in Crim
Cases Nos. 2640 and 2641 be marked as Exhibit "E-2" starting from pages 4 to 10; and
the pages to be consecutively marked as Exhibit E-2-A, etc.

COURT:

Mark them accordingly.

ATTY. SARTE:

The purpose of presenting this transcript is that the victim and in Crim. Cases Nos. T-2639-40-
41 these cases here in Court is the same victim that was examined medically by Dr.
Saguinsin and the cases had in Branch 16 before the Honorable Judge Bordeos. (TSN,
July 6, 1998, pp. 6-8.)

The defense counsel, Atty. Levi Ramirez, then proceeded to cross-examine Dr. Saguinsin on the
contents of the medical certificate.
14.Exhibit "l."

15.Rollo, G.R. Nos. 139331 and 140845-46, pp. 89-90.

16.72 SCRA 428 (1976).

17.SECTION 1. Testimony to be given in open court. — The testimony of witnesses shall be
given orally in open court and under oath or affirmation.

18.SEC. 2. Testimony in superior courts to be reduced to writing. — In superior courts the

testimony of each witness shall be taken in shorthand or stenotype, the name, residence,
and occupation of the witnesses being stated, and all questions put to the witness and
his answers thereto being included. If a question put is objected to and the objection is
ruled on, the nature of the objection and the ground on which it was sustained or
overruled must be stated, or if a witness declines to answer a question put, the fact and
the proceedings taken thereon shall be entered in the record. A transcript of the record
made by the official stenographer or stenotypist and certified as correct by him shall be
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 prima facie a correct statement of such testimony and proceedings.
19.SECTION 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined. — In civil cases, the party having
the burden of proof must establish his case by a preponderance of evidence. In
determining where the preponderance or superior weight of evidence on the issues
involved lies, the court may consider all the facts and circumstances of the case, the
witnesses' manner of testifying, their intelligence, their means and opportunity of
knowing the facts to which they are testifying, the nature of the facts to which they
testify, the probability or improbability of their testimony, their interest or want of interest,
and also their personal credibility so far as the same may legitimately appear upon the
trial. The court may also consider the number of witnesses, though the preponderance is
not necessarily with the greater number.
20.142 SCRA 593 (1986).

21.Rules of Court, Rule 121, Sec. 2 (a).

22.Id., Sec. 6.

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