Case Digest (G.R. No. 140604) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In an Information dated July 22, 1996, the People of the Philippines charged Dr. Rico S. Jacutin, then City Health Officer of Cagayan de Oro City (salary grade 26), with Sexual Harassment under Republic Act No. 7877. The complaint stemmed from an incident on December 1, 1995, when 22-year-old Ms. Juliet Q. Yee, a fresh nursing graduate seeking employment, first met petitioner at the City Health Office. Petitioner informed her of a vacancy in a family planning research project and arranged a follow-up “physical examination” the same day. Trusting his authority, Yee later met him in his car on Borja Street, where he requested her to lower her pants and exposed herself under the guise of medical research. He fondled her thigh and breast and attempted to insert his hand into her undergarment. Shocked, she pulled away and terminated the session. Petitioner then handed her ₱300, which she returned two days later but he refused. Traumatized, Yee exhibited post-trauma stress and underwe Case Digest (G.R. No. 140604) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Charge
- Petitioner Dr. Rico S. Jacutin, City Health Officer of Cagayan de Oro City, was charged by Information dated 22 July 1996 before the Sandiganbayan, Fourth Division, with Sexual Harassment under R.A. No. 7877.
- The alleged victim was Ms. Juliet Q. Yee, a 22-year-old fresh Nursing graduate seeking employment in the City Health Office.
- Circumstances of the Alleged Offense
- November 28–29, 1995: Ms. Yee, accompanied by her father (a boyhood friend of petitioner), made initial inquiries for employment; petitioner mentioned possible openings in a Family Planning research project and a visiting U.S. medical group.
- December 1, 1995 (morning): Ms. Yee and her father returned; petitioner interviewed her alone after her father left, inquired into her virginity, suggested hypothetical sexual touching, and scheduled a “research” physical examination after lunch.
- December 1, 1995 (afternoon): Unable to find hospital openings, petitioner reaffirmed the research offer, summoned Ms. Yee to a bowling outing, and instructed her to wait on Borja Street. In his car, he asked her to expose her legs for a varicose-vein check, pulled her pants down, inserted his hand into her panty, later fondled her abdomen and breast, and demanded silence in exchange for ₱300.
- Aftermath: Ms. Yee returned home, partially reported to her mother, attempted to return the money on December 4, 1995, suffered emotional disturbance, underwent counseling for post-traumatic stress, and attempted self-harm.
- Defense and Lower Court Proceedings
- Petitioner denied the allegations, claiming no vacancy existed, and asserted an alibi for the afternoon of December 1, supported by purported Committee on Awards meeting minutes and a plane ticket.
- He alleged the complaint was part of political harassment.
- On November 5, 1999, the Sandiganbayan convicted him of Sexual Harassment, sentencing him to six months’ imprisonment, a ₱20,000 fine, moral damages of ₱300,000, and exemplary damages of ₱200,000.
- Appeal to the Supreme Court
- Petitioner argued (I) R.A. No. 7877 did not apply to him, and (II) the evidence was insufficient, violating due process and the presumption of innocence.
- The Supreme Court set the case for resolution of these contentions.
Issues:
- Applicability of R.A. No. 7877 to public officers like Dr. Jacutin and to the facts of this case.
- Sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence and compliance with petitioner’s due process rights.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)