Case Digest (A.C. No. 9081) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
This case involves the petitioner, identified as BBB255466, who was charged with two crimes: psychological violence against his common-law partner CCC and acts of lasciviousness against his daughter AAA. The incidents took place from 2010 until June 2012 in Benguet, Philippines. In Criminal Case No. 12-CR-8989, the petitioner was accused of willfully causing substantial emotional and psychological distress to CCC by repeated physical and verbal abuse, including threats and violent acts such as attempting to throw an LPG tank and chasing her with a bolo. He was also accused of not supporting the family financially. In Criminal Case No. 12-CR-8990, the petitioner was charged with sexually abusing his 7-year-old daughter AAA, forcibly making her hold his penis and touching her vagina against her will. Both petitioner and CCC were common-law partners since 2003 and had a child, AAA. CCC testified extensively about the abuse suffered, corroborated by her daughter AAA’s testimony des
Case Digest (A.C. No. 9081) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Charges
- Petitioner BBB255466 (hereafter "petitioner") filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari contesting the Decisions of the Court of Appeals (CA) and Regional Trial Court (RTC) concerning two criminal cases.
- Criminal Case No. 12-CR-8989 charged petitioner with psychological violence against his common-law partner, CCC, in violation of Section 5(i) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262.
- Criminal Case No. 12-CR-8990 charged petitioner with acts of lasciviousness against his daughter, AAA, a minor aged seven years at the time, under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Section 5(b) of RA No. 7610.
- Relationship and Background
- Petitioner and CCC had been common-law partners since 2003 and had one child, AAA, born in 2005.
- CCC testified to repeated physical and verbal abuse by petitioner, including throwing an LPG tank, slapping, chasing her with a bolo, and threatening to kill her.
- CCC left petitioner in 2010 due to abuse and lived in Benguet with their daughter.
- Abuse Against CCC (Psychological Violence)
- Petitioner continuously harassed CCC at her boarding house, forcibly entering and verbally abusing her.
- Petitioner asked for money and tried to reconcile, but also threatened CCC.
- CCC's testimony described a persistent pattern of physical and verbal abuse causing mental and emotional anguish, fear, and trauma.
- Abuse Against AAA (Acts of Lasciviousness)
- AAA recounted that petitioner sexually abused her from the age of seven by making her hold his penis and touching her vagina, mostly when petitioner was drunk.
- Medical examination showed physical injuries consistent with abuse.
- Trial and Lower Court Decisions
- Petitioner pleaded not guilty and did not present defense evidence.
- The RTC found petitioner guilty of both charges, imposing appropriate penalties, fines, and ordering psychological counseling.
- The CA affirmed the convictions with modifications to penalties and damages.
- Petitioner moved to reconsider the CA decision, which the CA denied.
- Petitioner's Arguments
- Petitioner argued insufficient proof of mental or emotional anguish against CCC.
- Petitioner also contested the elements of RA 7610 violation, especially the age of AAA and the proof of sexual abuse.
- Government's Position
- The Office of the Solicitor General opposed the petition, asserting that factual findings were supported by evidence and properly upheld.
Issues:
- Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming petitioner’s conviction for psychological violence against CCC under Section 5(i) of RA No. 9262.
- Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming petitioner’s conviction for acts of lasciviousness against AAA under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(b) of RA No. 7610.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)