Sombilon Vs People

PO3 BENITO SOMBILON, JR. vs.
PEOPLE
G.R. No. 175528
September 30, 2009
Related Articles and Doctrines:
Acts of Lasciviousness, under Art. 336, in relation to Art. 344 of the Revised
Penal Code
FACTS: AAA, a fifteen (15)-year old minor, was investigated by Appellant at the
Calinan Police Station. AAA alleged that Sombilon, in conducting the investigation, took
her inside a room and locked it. She claimed that Appellant pointed a gun at her and
asked her: "Did you steal the necklace?" She answered that she did not. Sombilon then
electrocuted her fingers with the end of the wire. She was again asked the same
question, which she kept answering in the negative. Sombilon subsequently asked her
"Dalaga ka na ba? and was told: "I am single too." Sombilon touched all over her body
including her breasts, her belly, and her private parts. She was also kissed on her
cheek. She struggled to resist the sexual advances but Sombilon prevailed. The police
officers allowed AAA and her mother to go home on the condition that they would pay
the value of the necklace. Because of AAAs condition, AAAs mother brought her to the
Medical Clinic of St. Luke where AAA was examined by Dr. Manuel Garcia. The latter
diagnosed AAA with slight physical injuries. The RTC rendered a decision finding
petitioner guilty of acts of lasciviousness with the aggravating circumstance of
petitioners taking advantage of his public position. In appeal, the CA increased the
maximum penalty imposed against petitioner to its maximum period of six years of
prision correccional.
ISSUE:
1. W/N THE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN AFFIRMING THE TRIAL COURT
THAT THE ACCUSED IS GUILTY OF THE CRIME CHARGED BEYOND
REASONABLE DOUBT
2. W/N THE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN AFFIRMING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIS
PUBLIC POSITION FOR FAILURE TO ALLEGE IN THE INFORMATION
RULING: For an accused to be convicted of acts of lasciviousness under the foregoing
provision, the prosecution is burdened to prove the confluence of the following essential
elements: (1) that the offender commits any act of lasciviousness or lewdness; and (2)
that it is done under any of the following circumstances: (a) by using force or
intimidation; (b) when the offended woman is deprived of reason or otherwise
unconscious; or (c) when the offended party is under twelve (12) years of age.
"Lewd" is defined as obscene, lustful, indecent, and lecherous. It signifies that form of
immorality which has relation to moral impurity; or that which is carried on a wanton
manner. The evidence shows that appellant committed lewd acts against AAA when he
touched her "all over her body" which includes mashing her breasts, touching her
private parts, and kissing her on the cheek. These acts were clearly done with lewd
designs as appellant even previously asked AAA, as if it was a prelude for things to
come, "Dalaga ka na ba?" and thereafter conveyed to her that "he is single too."
Undoubtedly, petitioner committed acts which fall within the above described lascivious
conduct. It cannot be viewed as mere unjust vexation as petitioner would have the Court
do. The intention of petitioner was intended neither to merely annoy or irritate the victim
nor to force her to confess the theft. He could have easily achieved that when he
electrocuted the latter. Petitioner intended to gratify his sexual desires.
In People v. Victor,16 the Court held that in cases of acts of lasciviousness, it is not
necessary that intimidation be irresistible. It being sufficient that some compulsion
equivalent to intimidation annuls or subdues the free exercise of the will of the offended
party. Here, the victim was locked inside a windowless room together with her
aggressor who poked a gun at her forehead.
Clearly, it is now a requirement that the aggravating as well as the qualifying
circumstances be expressly and specifically alleged in the complaint or information.
Otherwise, they cannot be considered by the trial court in its judgment, even, if they are
subsequently proved during trial. Rule 110, Section 8 simply provides that the
information or complaint must state the designation of the offense given by the statute
and specify its qualifying and generic aggravating circumstances. With regard to Section
9, we held in People vs. Nerio Suela that the use of the word "must" in said Section 9
indicates that the requirement is mandatory and therefore, the failure to comply with
sec. 9, Rule 110, means that generic aggravating circumstances, although proven at the
trial, cannot be appreciated against the accused if such circumstances are not stated in
the information.
Here, the crime was committed in 1998, the generic aggravating circumstance of taking
advantage of public position was not alleged in the information. As such, it cannot be
appreciated as an aggravating circumstance. Consequently, the penalty imposed must
be modified. Applying the ISL, the proper penalty would be imprisonment of six (6)
months of arresto mayor as minimum to four (4) years and two (2) months of prision
correccional as maximum.

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PO3 BENITO SOMBILON, JR. vs.

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