xxxx Section 5 of RA 7610 penalizes those "who commit the act of sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution or subjected to other sexual abuse." The act of sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct may be committed on a child already exploited in prostitution, whether the child engages in prostitution for profit or someone coerces her into prostitution against her will. The element of profit or coercion refers to the practice of prostitution, not to the sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct committed by the accused. A person may commit acts of lasciviousness even on a prostitute, as when a person mashes the private parts of a prostitute against her will. The sexual intercourse or act of lasciviousness may be committed on a child already subjected to other sexual abuse. The child may be subjected to such other sexual abuse for profit or through coercion, as when the child is employed or coerced into pornography. A complete stranger, through force or intimidation, may commit acts of lasciviousness on such child in violation of Section 5 of RA 7610. The phrase "other sexual abuse" plainly means that the child is already subjected to sexual abuse other than the crime for which the accused is charged under Section 5 of RA 7610. The "other sexual abuse" is an element separate and distinct from the acts of lasciviousness that the accused performs on the child. The majority opinion admits this when it enumerates the second element of the crime under Section 5 of RA 7610 - that the lascivious "act is performed with a child x x x subjected to other sexual abuse."[18] In its bare essentials, the second element can be met by allegation and proof of either circumstance; a) the child is exploited in prostitution; OR b) the child is subjected to other sexual abuse. which should already be existing at the time of sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct complained of. Otherwise stated, in order to impose the higher penalty provided in Section 5(b) as compared to Article 336, it must be alleged and proved that the child (1) for money, profit, or any other consideration or (2) due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group - indulges in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct. In People v. Fragante,[19] the accused was convicted of seven (7) counts of acts of lasciviousness and one (1) count of rape committed against his own minor daughter. The Court found that the elements of Section 5(b) were present.

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents