Facts:
Salvador Tulagan, in two separate occasions, did willfully,
and unlawfully, assaulted and had forcefully had intercourse with a minor. Both
occasions were in the same year. Salvador denied the allegations claiming that
he was out gathering banana leaves during the incident and that the grandmother
of the victim was spreading false rumours as she had squabble with his mother.
The RTC ruled that statutory rape was established. CA affirmed the decision of
the RTC.
Issue: Whether or not that the testimony of the victim was fraught with
inconsistencies and lapses which affected her credibility.
Held:
No. Time and
again, we have held that when it comes to the issue of credibility of the
victim or the prosecution witnesses, the findings of the trial courts carry
great weight and respect and, generally, the appellate courts will not overturn
the said findings unless the trial court overlooked, misunderstood or
misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight and substance which will alter
the assailed decision or affect the result of the case.
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