SC: Victim’s youth, immaturity strengthen credibility in molestation case

The Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of an individual for lascivious conduct after he molested a 14-year-old girl, saying the minor’s youth and immaturity strengthened her credibility.

In a 16-page decision, the SC’s Third Division did not give weight to the man’s argument that the 14-year-old’s testimony was inconsistent because she initially told her father that it was not the man who molested her.

“The Court has consistently held that when the offended party is a young and immature girl, her version of what happened is generally given credence because of her relative vulnerability and the same and embarrassment that may arise if the matter about which she testified were not true,” it said.

“Youth and immaturity are generally badges of truth and sincerity,” it added.

Further, the SC said the victim already explained that she did not immediately reveal the man’s identity because she did not want her father to suffer from a heart attack.

According to the court, the victim said she was sleeping at home with her siblings when she woke up to a person standing at her feet while holding a cellphone. 

The person pulled down her blanket and caressed her leg up to her groin. The victim then shouted for help, causing the man to flee. 

The victim said she was able to see the man’s face due to the light from the cellphone. The victim and her sister later identified the assailant as their neighbor. 

In defense, the man said he was elsewhere at the time of the incident.

However, the SC said that his denial and alibi “should be rejected considering the categorical testimonies and positive identification made by [the victim and her sister] in open court.”

“The defense also failed to prove any ill-motive on the part of [the victim and her sister] in testifying against petitioner,” the SC said.

The man was sentenced eight to 17 years imprisonment. 

He was also ordered to pay P165,000 to the victim as civil indemnity, damages, and fine. 

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, was promulgated in October 2024 and published in March 2025.—AOL, GMA Integrated News