People v. Sarmiento

Summary

Mark Sarmiento was prosecuted for rape of 26-year-old AAA committed on October 2, 2016, using a kitchen knife as threat while having carnal knowledge of her in her bedroom. The Regional Trial Court convicted him of simple rape based on AAA's credible testimony, rejecting his defenses of denial and alibi. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, finding physical evidence immaterial when victim's testimony is credible. The Supreme Court ultimately affirmed the conviction but corrected the designation to qualified rape due to use of deadly weapon, imposing reclusion perpetua and P225,000 total damages. The case demonstrates that medical evidence and DNA analysis are merely corroborative in rape prosecutions, with victim's clear and consistent testimony being sufficient for conviction when credible.