8) When by reason or on the occasion of the rape, the victim has suffered
permanent physical mutilation or disability;
9) When the offender knew of the pregnancy of the offended party at the time of
the commission of the crime; and
10) When the offender knew of the mental disability, emotional disorder and/or
physical handicap of the offended party at the time of the commission of the crime.
x x x x (Emphases supplied)
Significant to this case, the above-highlighted provisions of RA 8353 already
accounted for the circumstance of minority under certain peculiar instances. The
consequence therefore is a clear overlap' with minority as an element of the crime
of sexual intercourse against a minor under Section 5 (b) of RA 7610. However, as
it was earlier intimated, RA 8353 is not only the more recent statutory enactment
but more importantly, the more comprehensive law on rape; therefore, the Court
herein clarifies that in cases where a minor is raped through sexual intercourse, the
provisions of RA 8353 amending the RPC ought to prevail over Section 5 (b) of RA
7610 although the latter also penalizes the act of sexual intercourse against a
minor.
The Court is not unaware of its previous pronouncements in People v. Tubillo,[31]
citing the cases of People v. Abay[32] and People v. Pangilinan[33] (Tubillo, et al.),
wherein the potential conflict in the application of Section 5 (b) of RA 7610, on the
one hand, vis-a-vis RA 8353 amending the RPC, on the other, was resolved by
examining whether or not the prosecution's evidence focused on the element of
"coercion and influence" or "force and intimidation." In Tubillo:
To reiterate, the elements of rape under Section 266-A of the RPC are: (1) the
offender had carnal knowledge of the victim; and (2) such act was accomplished
through force or intimidation; or when the victim is deprived of reason or otherwise
unconscious; or when the victim is under twelve years of age.
On the other hand, the elements of Section 5 (b) of R.A. No. 7610, are: (1) the
accused commits the act of sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct; (2) the act is
performed with a child exploited in prostitution or subjected to other sexual abuse;
and (3) the child, whether male or female, is below 18 years of age. It is also
stated there that children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse are those
children, whether male or female, who, for money, profit, or any other
consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group,
indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct.