Decision
G.R. No. 227363
- 27 -
As can be gleaned above, "force, threat or intimidation" is the element
of rape under the RPC, while "due to coercion or influence of any adult,
syndicate or group" is the operative phrase for a child to be deemed
"exploited in prostitution or other sexual abuse," which is the element of
sexual abuse under Section S(b) of R.A. No. 7610. The "coercion or
influence" is not the reason why the child submitted herself to sexual
intercourse, but it was utilized in order for the child to become a prostitute.
Considering that the child has become a prostitute, the sexual intercourse
becomes voluntary and consensual because that is the logical consequence
of prostitution as defined under Article 202 of the RPC, as amended by R.A.
No. 10158 where the definition of "prostitute" was retained by the new
law: 69
Article 202. Prostitutes; Penalty. - For the purposes of this article, women
who, for money or profit, habitually indulge in sexual intercourse or
lascivious conduct, are deemed to be prostitutes.
Any person found guilty of any of the offenses covered by this article shall
be punished by arresto menor or a fine not exceeding 200 pesos, and in
case of recidivism, by arresto mayor in its medium period to prision
correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000
pesos, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Therefore, there could be no instance that an Information may charge
the same accused with the crime of rape where "force, threat or
intimidation" is the element of the crime under the RPC, and at the same
time violation of Section S(b) ofR.A. No. 7610 where the victim indulged in
sexual intercourse because she is exploited in prostitution either "for money,
profit or any other· consideration or due to coercion or influence of any
adult, syndicate or group" - the phrase which qualifies a child to be deemed
"exploited in prostitution or other sexual abuse" as an element of violation
of Section 5(b) ofR.A. No. 7610.
Third, if the charge against the accused where the victim is 12 years
old or below 18 is sexual assault under paragraph 2, Article 266-A of the
RPC, then it may happen that the elements thereof are the same as that of
lascivious conduct under Section S(b) of R.A. No. 7610, because the term
"lascivious conduct" includes introduction of any object into the genitalia,
anus or mouth of any person. 70 In this regard, We held in Dimakuta that in
69
AN ACT DECRIMINALIZING VAGRANCY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 202
OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE.
70
Section 3(h) of the Rules and Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of Child Abuse
Cases states that "lascivious conduct" means the intentional touching, either directly or through clothing, of
the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks, or the introduction of any object into the
genitalia, anus or mouth, of any person, whether of the same or opposite sex, with an intent to abuse,
humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, bestiality, masturbation,
lasdvious exh ibifon of the genitals or pubic area of a person.
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