GR 233420; (April, 2021) (Digest)
G.R. No. 233420 , April 28, 2021
Wilbert Brozoto y De Leon, Petitioner, vs. People of the Philippines, Respondent.
FACTS
Petitioner Wilbert Brozoto y De Leon was charged with Child Trafficking under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9208 and Child Abuse under R.A. No. 7610 . The prosecution’s evidence, primarily from the testimony of AAA, a 14-year-old minor, established that on November 27, 2011, petitioner asked AAA if she would engage in sexual intercourse for money. AAA agreed due to financial need. The next day, petitioner procured a customer for AAA. AAA met the customer, was brought to a house, and sexual acts were performed. The customer paid AAA P2,000.00, from which she gave petitioner P600.00 as his share. A medical examination revealed injuries consistent with sexual intercourse. The defense presented alibi and denial, claiming petitioner was at a small town lottery outlet during the incident. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted petitioner. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction but imposed interest on damages.
ISSUE
Whether the prosecution has proven the guilt of the petitioner beyond reasonable doubt for the crimes of child trafficking and child abuse.
RULING
The Supreme Court DENIED the petition and AFFIRMED the conviction with MODIFICATIONS.
1. On the Crimes Charged: The Court found all elements present. For Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Section 6(a) of R.A. 9208, the act of recruiting a child for sexual exploitation constitutes trafficking, and the minority of the victim qualifies the offense. For Violation of Section 5(b), Article III of R.A. 7610 (Child Prostitution), the act of procuring a child for sexual intercourse for money constitutes child prostitution. The lone, credible, and categorical testimony of AAA, corroborated by medical findings, sufficiently established petitioner’s guilt.
2. On Credibility of Witness: The testimony of a single witness, if credible and positive, is sufficient to sustain a conviction. No ill motive was shown for AAA to falsely testify. The defenses of denial and alibi are weak against positive identification.
3. On Penalties and Damages:
* In Criminal Case No. 17296 (Qualified Trafficking), the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of P2,000,000.00 to P5,000,000.00 under R.A. 9208 was imposed.
* In Criminal Case No. 17297 (Child Prostitution under R.A. 7610), the indeterminate penalty was modified to fourteen (14) years and eight (8) months of reclusion temporal, as minimum, to twenty (20) years of reclusion temporal, as maximum.
* Moral damages were increased to P500,000.00 for each crime. Exemplary damages of P100,000.00 for each crime were awarded. All monetary awards shall earn legal interest at 6% per annum from finality of judgment until full payment.