Case Digest (G.R. No. 244570)
Facts:
- Ernesto Joaquin y Arquillo (petitioner) was accused of child abuse against a nine-year-old girl, referred to as AAA, on March 22, 2014, in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
- The Information filed on April 7, 2014, charged Joaquin with violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, concerning the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
- Allegations included that Joaquin unlawfully kissed and licked AAA's breast, harming her normal growth and development.
- Joaquin was arraigned on May 13, 2014, and pleaded not guilty.
- During pre-trial, the parties agreed on several matters, including the RTC's jurisdiction and Joaquin's identity.
- The prosecution presented AAA, who had difficulty communicating due to meningitis and epilepsy, and her brother BBB as witnesses.
- AAA testified through gestures, confirming Joaquin's actions, while BBB corroborated her account, stating he witnessed the incident from outside Joaquin's van.
- The RTC of Malolos City, Bulacan, found Joaquin guilty on February 24, 2017, sentencing him to imprisonment and ordering him to pay moral damages to AAA.
- Joaquin appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA), which affirmed the RTC's decision but modified the penalty and damages awarded.
- Joaquin then filed a petition for review on certiorari before the Supreme Court.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court denied Joaquin's petition, affirming the CA's decision with modifications.
- Joaquin was found guilty of acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 5(b) of R.A. 7610.
- He was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of twelve years and one day as minimum to fifteen years, six months, and twenty days...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court determined that the elements of Section 10(a) of R.A. 7610 were adequately alleged in the Information, indicating Joaquin's actions were prejudicial to AAA's growth and development.
- The Court clarified that the acts attributed to Joaquin constituted sexual abuse, specifically penalized under Section 5(b) of R.A. 7610 and Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code. ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 244570)
Facts:
The case involves Ernesto Joaquin y Arquillo (petitioner) and the People of the Philippines (respondent). The events leading to the case unfolded on March 22, 2014, in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, where Joaquin was accused of committing acts of child abuse against a nine-year-old girl, referred to as AAA. The Information filed on April 7, 2014, charged Joaquin with violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, which pertains to the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. The allegations stated that Joaquin willfully and unlawfully kissed and licked AAA's breast, thereby placing her in conditions detrimental to her normal growth and development.
Joaquin was arraigned on May 13, 2014, and pleaded not guilty. During the pre-trial, the parties stipulated on several matters, including the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) and the identity of Joaquin as the accused. The prosecution presented AAA, who had difficulty expressing herself due to a history of meningitis and epilepsy, and her brother BBB as witnesses. AAA testified through gestures, confirming that Joaquin had licked her breast and vagina, often when her parents were absent. BBB corroborated her testimony, stating he witnessed the incident from outside Joaquin's van.
The RTC of Malolos City, Bulacan, found Joaquin guilty on February 24, 2017, sentencing him to imprisonment and ordering him to pay moral damages to AAA. Joaquin appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA), which affirmed t...