Decision
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G.R. No. 227363
established. Considering that in the resolution of the Assistant Provincial
Prosecutor, he resolved the filing of rape under Article 266-A of the
Revised Penal Code for which appellant was convicted by both the RTC
and the CA, therefore, we merely affirm the conviction. 62
In the recent case of Tubillo where We noted that the Information
would show that the case involves both the elements of paragraph 1, Article
266-A of the RPC and Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610, We likewise
examined the evidence of the prosecution, whether it focused on the specific
force or intimidation employed by the offender or on the broader concept of
coercion or influence to have carnal knowledge with the victim. In ruling
that appellant should be convicted of rape under paragraph I (a), Article 266A of the RPC instead of violation of Section 5(b) of R.A. No. 7610, We
explained:
Here, the evidence of the prosecution unequivocally focused on the
force or intimidation employed by Tubillo against HGE under Article 266A(l )(a) of the RPC. The prosecution presented the testimony of HGE who
narrated that Tubillo unlawfully entered the house where she was sleeping
by breaking the padlock. Once inside, he forced himself upon her, pointed
a knife at her neck, and inserted his penis in her vagina. She could not
resist the sexual attack against her because Tubillo poked a bladed weapon
at her neck. Verily, Tubillo employed brash force or intimidation to carry
out his dastardly deeds. 63
With this decision, We now clarify the principles laid down in Abay,
Pangilinan and Tubillo to the effect that there is a need to examine the
evidence of the prosecution to determine whether the person accused of rape
should be prosecuted under the RPC or R.A. No. 7610 when the offended
party is 12 years old or below 18.
First, if sexual intercourse is committed with an offended party who is
a child less than 12 years old or is demented, whether or not exploited in
prostitution, it is always a crime of statutory rape; more so when the child is
below 7 years old, in which case the crime is always qualified rape.
Second, when the offended party is 12 years old or below 18 and the
charge against the accused is carnal knowledge through "force, threat or
intimidation," then he will be prosecuted for rape under Article 266-A(l)(a)
of the RPC. In contrast, in case of sexual intercourse with a child who is 12
years old or below 18 and who is deemed "exploited in prostitution or other
sexual abuse," the crime could not be rape under the RPC, because this no
longer falls under the concept of statutory rape, and the victim indulged in
sexual intercourse either "for money, profit or any other consideration or due
62
63
People v. Pangilinan, supra note 60, at 37.
People v. Tubi/lo, supra note 58, at I 07.
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