People v. Min

Summary

The Supreme Court dismissed XXX's appeal from his conviction for statutory rape, affirming the Court of Appeals decision. The case involved the rape of AAA, a victim under twelve years old. The SC ruled that the prosecution successfully established the two elements of statutory rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code: (1) the victim was under twelve years of age and (2) the accused had carnal knowledge of her. The Court emphasized that in statutory rape, force, intimidation, and physical evidence of injury are irrelevant; only the victim's age and the fact of carnal knowledge matter. The SC modified the monetary awards following People v. Jugueta, increasing civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages to P100,000.00 each per count, with 6% annual interest from finality until full payment.