People v. Anthony Rante y Reyes

Summary

Anthony Rante was convicted of raping 12-year-old AAA on December 13, 2000. AAA testified that while walking home from a house blessing, appellant grabbed her, hit her head with a hollow block, dragged her to a vacant house, and raped her. She positively identified appellant, who was wearing a distinctive blue cap. Medical examination confirmed hymenal lacerations consistent with rape. The Regional Trial Court convicted appellant and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua with civil damages. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, finding the victim's testimony credible and corroborated by medical evidence, while rejecting appellant's alibi defense. The Court modified the damages to include P30,000.00 exemplary damages to deter similar crimes against minors, bringing total civil liability to P130,000.00.