235.Peoplev.

Arves
G.R.No.134628
October13,2000
Sec.13absenceofqualifyingcircumstance
Facts:Arveswasfoundconvictedofrape,andwasimposedwithdeathpenaltybythe
trialcourt.However,intheinformationsfiledagainsthim,itwasneverstipulatedthatthe
victimwasaminororatmost16yearsold.
Issue:whtherornotthecrimecanbequalified
Held:Here,itisreadilyapparentthattheInformationschargingaccusedappellantwith
rapefailedtoallegetheminorityoftherapevictimNerissa.Boththeageofthevictim
andherrelationshipwiththeoffendermustbeclearlyallegedintheInformation.We
havesaidthatitistheconcurrenceoftheminorityofthevictimandherrelationshipwith
theoffenderthatwouldqualifytherapeasheinousandthusjustifytheimpositionofthe

supremepenalty. Thisdoctrineisnotameretechnicality;itrestsontheconstitutional
principlethattheaccusedareentitledtobeinformedofthenatureandcauseofthe
accusationsagainstthem,asstatedintheInformationtowhichtheyareaskedtoplead
priortotrial.Inotherwords,theaccusedinthepresentcasecanbeconvictedonlyofthe
crimeallegedintheInformationanddulyprovenduringthetrial.
Insum,accusedappellantcanbeheldguiltyofsimplerapeonly,whichwasthecrime
chargedintheInformationsandprovenduringtrial.Theadditionalallegationthatthe
offenderisaparentoftheoffendedpartycanonlybedeemedagenericaggravating
circumstance.Thefailureoftheprosecutiontoallegetheageofthevictimhaseffectively
removedthecrimefromtheambitofArticle335oftheRevisedPenalCode,asamended
bySection11ofRepublicActNo.7659,whichprescribesthedeathpenaltywhenthe
victimisundereighteen(18)yearsofageandtheoffenderisaparent,ascendant,step
parent,guardian,relativebyconsanguinityoraffinitywithinthethirdcivildegree,orthe
commonlawspouseoftheparentofthevictim.

JobenOdulio1C