Braulio invited Lulu, his 11-year old stepdaughter, inside the master bedroom. He pulled out a knife and threatened her with harm unless she submitted to his desires. He was touching her chest and sex organ when his wife caught him in the act. The prosecutor is unsure whether to charge Braulio for acts of lasciviousness under Art. 336 of the RPC; for lascivious conduct under RA 7610 (Special Protection against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act); or for rape under Art. 266-A of the RPC. What is the crime committed? Explain. (5%)
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Braulio committed Acts of Lasciviousness under Article 336 of the RPC in relation to Section 5(b) of RA 7610. Under Section 5(b) of RA 7610, when a victim of sexual abuse is under 12 years old, the offender is prosecuted for Acts of
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Quick check
What crime is committed when an offender touches a victim's private parts under threat without intent to penetrate?
Touching private parts under threat without intent to penetrate constitutes acts of lasciviousness.
Under Section 5(b) of RA 7610, how is acts of lasciviousness prosecuted when the victim is under 12 years of age?
Section 5(b) of RA 7610 prosecutes lewd acts against children under 12 under Art. 336 RPC with higher penalties.
What key element distinguishes attempted rape from acts of lasciviousness under Philippine penal law?
Attempted rape requires a specific intent to accomplish sexual penetration, which is absent in acts of lasciviousness.
Why is Braulio prosecuted under Article 336 of the RPC in relation to Section 5(b) of RA 7610 for touching Lulu?
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What penalty structure applies when acts of lasciviousness are committed against a child under twelve years old?
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Learn more about these topics
1. Acts of Lasciviousness
Under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code, acts of lasciviousness are committed by committing any act of lewdness or lasciviousness upon another person of either sex under circumstances that would constitute rape, such as using force, intimidation, or taking advantage of the victim's vulnerability. When an offender touches the private parts or breasts of a victim under threat of physical harm without attempting or intending carnal knowledge or sexual penetration, the offense committed is acts of lasciviousness rather than attempted rape.
2. Child Abuse Penalty
Under Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, when a victim of sexual abuse or lewd acts is a child under twelve years of age, the offender is prosecuted under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code for acts of lasciviousness. However, RA 7610 imposes a higher statutory penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period, special qualifying aggravating circumstances, and statutory protections specifically designed to safeguard young minors from child exploitation.
3. Intent to Penetrate
To sustain a prosecution for attempted rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the offender possessed the specific intent to accomplish carnal knowledge or sexual penetration. Touching private body parts or chest areas, even when accompanied by lewd design and physical intimidation, does not automatically constitute attempted rape in the absence of explicit overt acts demonstrating an intent to introduce the male organ or an object into the victim's genital orifice.