SC affirms lascivious conduct conviction for touching minor’s rear

The Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of an individual for lifting the skirt of a 16-year-old and touching her buttocks, saying it found the victim’s testimony to be clear, candid, and categorical.

According to a press release, the court affirmed the conviction in G.R. No. 228980 (Villanueva v. People) and sentenced the accused to prison from 15 years to eight months to 20 years for lascivious conduct against a minor.

However, the Court also asked the President, through the Department of Justice, to look into the possible mitigation of the penalty imposed on the accused.

“The Court further noted that it is not unmindful of the accused’s claim that the penalty imposed is disproportionate to the crime committed and the surrounding circumstances of its commission,” the SC PIO said in the statement.

“However, the Court stressed that it is duty-bound to apply the law in full force and impose the proper penalty for the crime committed by the accused,” it added.

The accused was also ordered to pay the complainant P50,000 as civil indemnity, P50,000 as moral damages, and P50,000 as exemplary damages, with a legal interest rate of 6% per annum at the date of finality of the decision until full payment. — BM, GMA Integrated News