09/30/2026
The has adopted the term "๐ท๐ช๐ค๐ต๐ช๐ฎ-๐ด๐ถ๐ณ๐ท๐ช๐ท๐ฐ๐ณ" when referring to persons who have experienced sexual violence.
In a Decision written by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, the SCโs Third Division affirmed a manโs conviction for the r**e of a 12-year-old child.
The minor testified that while everyone was asleep, the accused, who was the common-law spouse of the minorโs mother, dragged the child outside the residence of her uncle, r**ed her, pointed a knife at her, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.
She told her uncle and aunt that the accused had been sexually abusing her since she was nine years old. She did not report it earlier because she feared his threats.
The SC found all the elements of r**e present and the accused positively identified as the ra**st. In addition to the penalty of ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ค๐ญ๐ถ๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ข or up to 40 years in prison, the SC ordered the man to pay the victim-survivor PHP 450,000 in civil indemnity and damages.
The SC clarified its terminology in cases involving sexual violence. Rather than using the term "๐ท๐ช๐ค๐ต๐ช๐ฎ," it adopted "๐ท๐ช๐ค๐ต๐ช๐ฎ-๐ด๐ถ๐ณ๐ท๐ช๐ท๐ฐ๐ณ" to acknowledge both the harm caused by the crime and the strength victims show in enduring and recovering from such violence.
As part of the governmentโs efforts to provide comprehensive support for victim-survivors, the SC also directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to refer the minor to the proper r**e crisis center for assistance.
Read the full text of the Press Release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=174013.
Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=168013.
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