SECOND DIVISION
[G.R. No. 242168. November 25, 2020.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, accused-appellee, vs. AMELIA CULIS Y GUALBERTO AND MARVIN CULIS Y CORDERO, accused-appellant.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, Second Division, issued a Resolution dated 25 November 2020 which reads as follows:
"G.R. No. 242168 (People of the Philippines v. Amelia Culis y Gualberto and Marvin Culis y Cordero). — After a review of the records, this Court resolves to DISMISS the appeal for failure to sufficiently show that the Court of Appeals (CA) committed any reversible error in upholding the conviction of Amelia Culis y Gualberto and Marvin Culis y Cordero (accused-appellants).
It is settled that when the victim's testimony is straightforward, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things, unflawed by any material or significant inconsistency, it passes the test of credibility, and the accused may be convicted solely on the basis thereof. 1 Therefore, without any corroboration, accused-appellants' denial and alibi cannot overcome the positive and straightforward testimony of the victim. In this case, the prosecution was able to prove all the elements of the crime. As such, the trial court and the CA correctly ruled that accused-appellants are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of qualified trafficking.
This Court likewise agrees with the CA on the increase in the amount of moral damages, the award of exemplary damages, and imposition of interest on the monetary awards in accordance with jurisprudence. 2 However, We delete the imposition of interest on the fine.
WHEREFORE, the Court AFFIRMS the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Court of Appeals in its April 16, 2018 Decision in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 08781. Accused-appellants Amelia Culis y Gualberto and Marvin Culis y Cordero are found GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of Qualified Trafficking punishable under Section 4 (e) in relation to Sections 6 (a) and 10 (a) of Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003."
The interest imposed on the P2,000,000.00 FINE is DELETED.
Accused-appellants are ORDERED to PAY private complainant moral damages in the amount of P500,000.00 and exemplary damages in the amount of P100,000.00, with interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the finality of this Resolution until full payment.
SO ORDERED. (Rosario, J., designated additional member per Special Order No. 2797 dated November 5, 2020; Delos Santos, J., designated additional member per raffle dated November 9, 2020 vice Lazaro-Javier, J.)"
By authority of the Court:
(SGD.) TERESITA AQUINO TUAZONDivision Clerk of Court
Footnotes
1.People v. Ocdol, 741 Phil. 701, 714 (2014).
2. See People v. Casio, 749 Phil. 458, 482-484 (2014).