G.R. No. 262197. August 14, 2023.
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Joko Celis y Pine a.k.a. “Jaztine” or “Joco/Joko,” Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

Joko Celis y Pine was charged with seven counts of Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Republic Act No. 9208, as amended. The Informations alleged that on or about January 30, 2018, at Turtles Family KTV in Quezon City, Celis recruited, obtained, offered, and transported several private complainants (AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF, GGG, HHH, III, and JJJ) by taking advantage of their vulnerability due to age and poverty for the purpose of sexual exploitation in exchange for money. The cases were consolidated. The prosecution presented the testimonies of the ten private complainants and apprehending officers, detailing that the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center-Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, acting on a tip from Destiny Rescue, conducted a surveillance and entrapment operation. During the operation, Celis offered minor girls for sexual services at PHP 3,000.00 each. A poseur-customer (SPO1 Alcaraz) handed marked money to Celis, after which Celis was arrested. The private complainants testified that they were fetched and brought to Celis’s house and then to the KTV bar, where they were instructed to sit with customers and agree to be taken out for sexual activities in exchange for money, which they needed for personal expenses.

ISSUE

Whether the Court of Appeals correctly affirmed the Regional Trial Court’s decision finding accused-appellant Joko Celis y Pine guilty beyond reasonable doubt of seven counts of Qualified Trafficking in Persons.

RULING

The Supreme Court denied the appeal and affirmed the convictions. The Court held that all elements of qualified trafficking in persons were proven beyond reasonable doubt: (1) the act of recruiting, obtaining, offering, or transporting a person; (2) the means used, such as deceit or abuse of vulnerability due to age or poverty; (3) the purpose of exploitation, which includes sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct; and (4) the qualifying circumstance that the offense was committed against a child or in large scale. The testimonies of the private complainants, corroborated by police officers, established that Celis recruited and transported them, exploiting their vulnerability as minors and due to poverty, for the purpose of sexual exploitation for money. The defense of denial and frame-up was rejected for being weak and unsupported by evidence. The Court also ruled that the consolidation of the seven cases for joint trial was proper and did not violate Celis’s right to be informed of the charges. The penalties imposed by the lower courts were affirmed, including life imprisonment and a fine of PHP 2,000,000.00 for each count, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.