COURT SCRIPT

SCENE 1
Arraignment
(Pin COURT INTERPRETER AND JUDGE)
COURT INTERPRETER: Let us all rise as we start this case with a solemn prayer and
plead with full honesty.
Almighty God, we stand in Your Holy Presence as our Supreme Judge. We humbly
beseech You to bless and inspire us / so that what we think, say and do will be in
accordance with Your will. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our spirit and fill our hearts
with fraternal love, wisdom and understanding, so that we can become effective
channels of truth, justice and peace.In our proceedings today, guide us in the path of
righteousness for the fulfillment of Your greater glory.
Remain standing, the court is now in session, the Honorable judge, Sheina Mansueto,
presiding.
JUDGE: (Gavel bang!)….
*ALL BE SEATED
(Pin PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE)
JUDGE: Good morning, ladies and Gentlemen, Criminal Case No. 5517-L. Calling the
case of the People of the Philippines v. Joshua Ferrer for violation of Republic Act No.
8353. Appearance for prosecution and the defense. Are both sides ready?
PROS. DURANO: Ready for the people your honor, I am Prosecutor Jessa Tadeo
appearing as Public Prosecutor for the government.
ATTY. ROSAL: Your honor, I am Atty. Jeffrey Valenzuela entering my appearance as
counsel for the accused.
Judge: will the clerk please swear in the jury.
COURT INTERPRETER: The jury please stand and raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will truly
listen to this case and render a true verdict and a fair sentence as to this defendant?
JURY: I do
COURT INTERPRETER: You may be seated.
(Unpin PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE)
JUDGE: Is the accused around?
ATTY. ROSAL: Yes, your honor.
JUDGE: Alright, arraign the accused.
(Pin ACCUSED Mr. JOSHUA)
COURT INTERPRETER: Which language do you prefer, English or Filipino?
JOSHUA: English your honor.
COURT INTERPRETER: Criminal Case No. 5517-L entitled People of the Philippines v.
Joshua Ferrer
In the information charter's view of the crime Rape commited that on or about 14 th day
December 2023 in Poblacion Danao City, Cebu, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the
Honorable court, accused Joshua Ferrer, the rape of a minor female with mental
incapacity unlawfully at a cinema in Violation of the Republic Act. No. 8353 thereby
causing serious emotional and mental anguish to the victim.
JUDGE: Do you understand the crime charged against you?
COURT INTERPRETER: How do you plea?
JOSHUA: Not guilty, your honor.
COURT INTERPRETER: The accused pleaded not guilty, your honor.
JUGDE: Let it be on the record that the accused pleaded not guilty for the violation of
Republic Act No. 9262.
Are the parties willing to enter into a plea bargaining?
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, the prosecutor does not desire to enter a plea
bargaining.
ATTY. ROSAL: Your honor, the defense does not desire to enter a plea bargaining.
JUDGE: Alright. Mark your exhibits.
(PROS. DURANO go in front of the judge)
PROS. DURANO: With the permission of this honorable court, your honor. This
persecution will present the following documentary evidence, Medico legal, ticket and
cctv footage in mark as persecution of exhibit.
The persecution your honor reserved its right to produce post markings to the pre-
marked exhibits and other documents evidence during the case of the trial subject to the
further direction and limitation that this Honorable court may impose.
JUDGE: How about the defense?
ATTY. ROSAL: With the permission of this honorable court, your honor. This
persecution will present the following documentary evidence in mark as persecution of
exhibit. The persecution your honor reserved its right to produce post markings to the
pre-marked exhibits and other documents evidence during the case of the trial subject
to the further direction and limitation that this Honorable court may impose.
JUDGE: Any admission?
PROS. DURANO: The prosecutor will present 3 witnesses your honor. The neighbor of
the victim who will testify to the incident, the mother of the victim and the teller of the
said movie house. The prosecution reserved its right to present other witnesses in the
court of the trial of your honor.
JUDGE: Okay, how are the defense, how many witnesses?
ATTY. ROSAL: The defense will present 1 witness in your honor. The wife of the
accused your honor will testify to disprove the allegations in the information.
JUDGE: The party is willing to consider the pre-trial terminated?
*PROS AND ATTY both stand and Answer YES, YOUR HONOR.
JUDGE: The subject to the issuance of the pre-trial order, the pre-trial of this case is
hereby terminated.
You may now call your witness.
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, may we call on Myla Crisostomo.
JUDGE: Alright, swear in the witness
COURT INTERPRETER: Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
MYLA: Yes, I do.
JUDGE: the defense may now question the witness
*SITS DOWN
COURT INTERPRETER: Please state your name, address and other personal
circumstances.
MYLA: My name is Myla Crisostomo, 24 years old, single and residing in Suba Danao
City and I’m currently studying.
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, Ms. Mica, the victim cannot testify for herself due to
circumstances related to her health, however she is present in the court room today.
Instead, we are offering the testimony of the witness to prove that on December 14,
2023, accuse Joshua Ferrer entered the movie house and was seen in the women’s
restroom of the said movie house together with the victim Mica Cruz. She will also
identify the accused, identify pertinent documents and to testify on other related
matters. May I proceed?
JUDGE: Proceed.
PROS. DURANO: Good day, miss Myla.
MYLA: Good day.
PROS. DURANO: In the affidavit that submitted, it states that you know the victim. How
do you know her?
MYLA: She is our neighbor.
PROS. DURANO: And how about the accuse in this case, do you know him?
MYLA: Yes, atty. I know him, I usually saw him in our barangay selling fruits.
PROS. DURANO: is the person you’re referring to is in the court room now?
MYLA: Yes, atty.
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, may I request the witness to point the person she is
referring to in this court room now?
JUDGE: Okay, granted.
*POINT JOSHUA
PROS. DURANO: Miss witness, where were you when the crime happened?
MYLA: Nung araw po na yon ay nagpunta po ako nang movie house mga alas 2 po ng
hapon.
PROS. DURANO: At maari mo bang sabihin kong ano ang nakita mo sa movie house at
banyo ng mga babae?
MYLA: Nung una po ay hindi po ay hindi ko nakita si Mica na bumili ng ticket. Dun ko na
siya nakita sa loob ng Movie house na may kasamang lalaki pero yong lalaki po ay hindi
ko nakita kasi nakatalikod sha. Pero may palatandaan po ako kasi may tattoo po sha na
Rose sa kaliwang braso niya.
Nung malapit na po matapos ang pelikula ay lumabas na po si mica kasama yong
lalaki. Pagkatapos naman po ng pelikula ay napag isipan ko pong pumunta sa banyo
para umihi.
PROS. DURANO: At ano ang narinig mo sa labas palang ng banyo?
MYLA: May naririnig po akong umuungol at may halong iyak po na babae.
PROS. DURANO: Pumasok kaba sa banyo?
MYLA: Opo, tiningnan ko po sa may itaas ng cubicle kong sino po kasi parang umiiyak
yong nasa loob at baka kailangan po niya ng tulong.
PROS. DURANO: At sino ang nakita mo?
MYLA: Si mica po at yong lalaking kasama niya na may tattoo sa braso.
PROS. DURANO: At anong ginawa mo pagkatapos?
MYLA: Pinuntahan ko po yung teller ng movie house para ereklamo at sakluluhan man
lang si Mica.
PROS. DURANO: At anong sinabi ng teller?
MYLA: Sabi niya po wag na paki alaman kasi baka mag jowa lang po.
PROS. DURANO: Pagkatapos pinuntahan mo ba uli si Mica sa banyo?
MYLA: Hindi po, umuwi nlng po ako sa bahay.
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, May I present the cctv footage in this court room?
JUDGE: Proceed.
* PRESENTS THE CCTV FOOTAGE.
PROS. DURANO: Your honor, the cctv footage of the movie house at exactly 2:35 pm
match the testimony of the witness, that Mica and the accuse entered the said movie
house. It also matches with the footage that we recovered in the hallway of women’s
restroom. At exactly 4:50pm, 5 minutes before the movie ended. Mica went to the
women’s restroom together with the accuse.
The witness your honor, saw that the man who was with mica in the restroom and
movie house has a tattoo on his left arm, which also matched the tatoo of the accuse
Joshua Ferrer.
No further question, your honor.
JUDGE: Does the defense want to cross examination?
ATTY. ROSAL: Yes, your honor.
JUDGE: proceed.
ATTY. ROSAL: Myla, you’ve mentioned earlier they heard a moan coming for the
women’s bathroom, is that correct?
MYLA: Yes po.
ATTY ROSAL: Now, what do you think is the meaning of that moan? Was it a moan of
pleasure or pain?
MYLA: May narinig lng po ako na umiiyak at ungol.
ATTY. ROSAL: That’s not my question. Based on the tone and sound of the moan of
mica, nasasaktan ba siya sa nangyari ?
MYLA: hindi ko po alam
ATTY. ROSAL: Oh, you don’t know? Or you just don’t want to tell the truth that mica’s
moan was due to pleasure
PROS. DURANO: Objection, your honor!
JUDGE: Overrule! The witness may answer.
ATTY. ROSAL: It is obvious your honor na sa hindi pag piglas ng biktima and sa moan
that shemade;, she wanted what happened to her with my client.
No further question your honor.
JUDGE: The prosecutor may now bring their second witness.
PROS. DURANO: May we call on our second witness, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Swear in the witness.
COURT INTERPRETER: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth
and nothing but the truth in
this Court?
MERNA: Yes, Maam .
COURT INTERPRETER: Please tell us your name, age and other personal
circumstances.
A Merna Cruz, 45 years old, a resident of Suba, Danao City, a housewife and the
mother of Mica Cruz.
PROS. TADEO:
The purpose of the testimony of this witness Your Honor is to corroborate the testimony
of their neighbor. May I proceed?
JUDGE: Proceed.
PROS. DURANO: Mrs. Merna Cruz, may I ask what happened to your house on the day
of the incident December 14, 2023.
MERNA: I was at home with my four children, that day we were supposedly planning to
go to the movie house with all my children because it was Mica’s dream to watch a
cinema. Unfortunately, her 3 sisters had worked because they asked them to work on
their day off due to shortage of employees. Since we were not able to go as planned,
Mica was asked by her sister Lea if they could postpone it, pero nagwala po si Mica,
pinigilan pa nga po niya yong mga kapatid niyang lumabas.
Pagkatapos po ay hindi na lumabas si Mica sa kwarto dahil nagtatampo. Iniwan ko po
muna sha mga saktong alas 1:45 ng hapon para pumunta sa palengke.
PROS. DURANO: Pagbalik mo sa bahay, nakita mo ba si Mica sa kwarto niya?
MERNA: Hindi na po, hinanap ko po sha sa may kapit bahay baka nakikinood lng po ng
Tv. Nagtanong tanong rin po ako kong may nakakita po ba sa kanya. Wala din po. Kaya
tinawagan ko po ang mga kapatid niya.
PROS. DURANO: Mrs. Cruz, Anong oras na nakauwi ng bahay si Mica?
MERNA: Umuwi po sha mga alas 6 na po ng gabi banda.
PROS. DURANO: May nagbago ba sa galaw niya o di kaya sa damit?
MERNA: *umiyak. Nagulat nlng po ako kasi inantay ko po sha sa labas. Hindi ako
mapakali, nakita ko sha na magulo po yung buhok, umiiyak at may hawak hawak po na
pera sa kamay niya.
PROS. DURANO: Umimik ba sha ng tinatanong niyo kong saan sha galing?
MERNA: Hindi po, iyak lang sha ng iyak. Sobrang naawa po ako sa kanya. Bigla nlng
niya pong inabot yong pera sa akin at umiyak.
PROS. DURANO: Pano ninyo nasabi na si Joshua ang kasama ni Mica ng hapon na
iyon?
MERNA: Habang nasa labas po kami ay napadaan po si Myla. Sinabi nya po na nakita
niya si Mica sa Movie house sa Poblacion may kasama raw na lalaki na may tattoo sa
kaliwang braso.
PROS DURANO: May naiisip ka ba kong pwedeng sino ang lalaking iyon?
MERNA: Opo, habang naghahanap po kami kay mica, may nakita po yong kapatid niya
na drawing sa kwarto niya, isang lalaki po at babae na magka holding hands at
inabutan po ng manga. Naalala ko po si Joshua, na nagtitinda ng prutas kasi may tattoo
din po yun sa kanyang kaliwang baso.
PROS. DURANO: No further question your honor.
JUDGE: Does the defense want to cross examination?
ATTY. ROSAL: No cross, your honor.
PROS. DURANO: Your Honor, may we manifest that the physician who examined the
victim, present in court to be presented later as a prosecution witness?
JUDGE: Manifestation noted.
PROS DURANO: The prosecution calls Dr. Marie Lopez to the witness stand
COURT INTERPRETER: do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth?
MARIE: I do your honor
JUDGE: the defense may now question the witness
PROS DURANO: Doctor Lopez, kailan dinala sa iyo si mica for an examination?
MARIE: right after the incident happened
PROS DURANO: Can you devote to this court what was the result of your findings?
MARIE: Based on the results of the examination, there was sperm found in the vaginal
canal and cervix of the patient, it also shows signs that she had sexual intercourse prior
to the check up
PROS DURANO: No further question your honor.
JUDGE: The defense may now present their witness.
ATTY. VALENZUELA:
For the defense, we are ready to present our lone witness, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Swear in the witness.
COURT INTERPRETER: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth
and nothing but the truth in
this Court?
JOSHUA: Yes, Ma’am.
COURT INTERPRETER: Please tell us your name, age and other personal
circumstances.
I am Joshua Ferrer, 28 years old, married, a resident of Taytay, Danao City, a fruit
vendor.
ATTY. ROSAL: Mr (name of suspect) can you please tell us what happened
JOSHUA: Totoo pong may nangyari sa amin ni mica, pero ginusto po namin pariho ang
nangyari. Nagkita talaga kami sa sinehan noong araw nayun para gawin yun
ATTY. ROSAL: nag kita? Does that mean that you both planned what happened?
Mother: ang kapal ng mukha mo para sabihin mong ginusto ng anak ko ang
kahayopang ginawa mo sa kanya. Walang babae, bata man o matanda ang gustohing
maranasan ang kahayopang ginawa mo sa anak ko. Pepe at bingi ang anak ko, hindi
siya nakakasalita, hindi sya nakakarinig, at yung ungol na sinasabi ninyo yung lang ang
paraan para makapagsalita siya, para masabi niya kung ano ang nararamdaman nya at
hindi ibig sabihin non na ginusto nya ang ginawa mo sa kanya! Hindi ibig sabihin na
pumapayag siya! (While crying)
JUDGE: People in the court room pls remain silent.
JOSHUA: yes, and in fact, siya pa nga po ang nag yaya eh, kaya magkaholding hands
kami non habang ginagawa namin yun dahil ginusto namin pariho. Mica is inlove with
me for a long time now, pero ayoko lang talaga sa kanya kaya nga pagkatapos nang
nangyaring yun nagpabayad pasya eh
ATTY. ROSAL: habang nangyayari ang lahat ng iyon, are you aware that mica is deaf
and mute?
JOSHUA: Yes, I am very aware.
ATTY. ROSAL: matagal na ba kayong magka relasyon ni Mica?
JOSHUA: Opo, matagal na po, lagi ko nga shang binibigyan ng prutas, kaya din po ako
nagtitinda sa may barangay nila, kasi na mimiss nya raw ako palagi.
ATTY. ROSAL: No further question your honor.
JUDGE: Does the prosecutor wish to cross examine?
PROS. DURANO: Yes, your honor.
PROS DURANO: Joshua, you said earlier na pinagplanohan niyo ni Mica ang lahat ng
yon, paano niya sinabi sa iyo na gusto niyang makipagtalik sayo?
JOSHUA: Ah eh, nakalimotan ko na po
PROS DURANO: Nakalimotan? Or are you just really lying to defend yourself?
Your honor, his answers make it clear that he is a predator, and he took advantage of
the weaknesses and condition of the victim kaya at dapat lamang na makulong siya.
*PASSING THE VERDICT
COURT INTERPRETER: Will the accused please stand.
(Mr. JOSHUA stand along with his lawyer)
JUDGE: You may read the verdict
COURT INTERPRETER:
WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the Court finds accused Joshua Ferrer GUILTY
beyond reasonable doubt of violating Republic Act No. 8353, otherwise known as the
Anti-Rape law, and is hereby sentenced to suffer to the penalty of reclusion perpetua. .
JUDGE:
So, ordered. Court adjourned.
(Gavel)