IACAT 7- VAWC

04/10/2026

02/10/2026

The PNP-WCPC, in collaboration with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other partners, continues its relentless pursuit of justice for victims of trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

After three years of legal proceedings, the accused was successfully convicted for violations of RA 9208, as amended, and RA 11930. Five (5) cases resulted in life imprisonment, while one (1) case resulted in reclusion temporal.

The case was strengthened through HSI referrals and operational support, contributing to the investigation and law enforcement response against transnational child exploitation.

Behind every conviction is a shared commitment to protect children, hold offenders accountable, and ensure that justice is served.

𝑱𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑫!

The PNP-WCPC, in collaboration with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other partners, continues its relentless pursuit of justice for victims of trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

After three years of legal proceedings, the accused was successfully convicted for violations of RA 9208, as amended, and RA 11930. Five (5) cases resulted in life imprisonment, while one (1) case resulted in reclusion temporal.

The case was strengthened through HSI referrals and operational support, contributing to the investigation and law enforcement response against transnational child exploitation.

Behind every conviction is a shared commitment to protect children, hold offenders accountable, and ensure that justice is served.

28/09/2026

The has adopted the term "𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮-𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳" when referring to persons who have experienced sexual violence.

In a Decision written by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, the SC’s Third Division affirmed a man’s conviction for the r**e of a 12-year-old child.

The minor testified that while everyone was asleep, the accused, who was the common-law spouse of the minor’s mother, dragged the child outside the residence of her uncle, r**ed her, pointed a knife at her, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.

She told her uncle and aunt that the accused had been sexually abusing her since she was nine years old. She did not report it earlier because she feared his threats.

The SC found all the elements of r**e present and the accused positively identified as the ra**st. In addition to the penalty of 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘢 or up to 40 years in prison, the SC ordered the man to pay the victim-survivor PHP 450,000 in civil indemnity and damages.

The SC clarified its terminology in cases involving sexual violence. Rather than using the term "𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮," it adopted "𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮-𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳" to acknowledge both the harm caused by the crime and the strength victims show in enduring and recovering from such violence.

As part of the government’s efforts to provide comprehensive support for victim-survivors, the SC also directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to refer the minor to the proper r**e crisis center for assistance.

Read the full text of the Press Release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=174013.

Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=168013.

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution-policy/.

27/09/2026

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), through the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (PCAT-VAWC) and Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC), convened a joint meeting on September 22, 2026, at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City to strengthen provincial efforts against human trafficking, violence against women and children (VAWC), and child protection concerns.

The meeting brought together local leaders, government agencies, and partner organizations, including the Bohol Employment and Placement Office–Public Employment Service Office (BEPO-PESO), represented by Blezzy Virgini Porpor, to discuss accomplishments, emerging concerns, and priority interventions.

Among the key matters discussed was the Executive Order establishing the Technical Working Group for the Local Development Plan for Children (LDPC). The councils also recognized 43 local government units for achieving high-functionality ratings in their Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC during the World Day Against Trafficking observance on July 30.

Agency partners also presented their July to September accomplishments and updates, while the councils began preparations for the 2027 LDPC and action plans, the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, National Children’s Month, Children’s Summit, and Cyber Caravan.

The joint efforts reinforce Bohol’s commitment to responsive governance, child protection, and safer communities, anchored in the Strategic Governance Roadmap in promoting inclusive and resilient communities in Bohol, a UNESCO Global Geopark.

27/09/2026

Presiding Judge Janice L. Andrade-Udarbe of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 57, Lucena City, Quezon, and Acting Presiding Judge of Pasig City RTC Branch 161, discusses the use of online chat logs and videos as evidence vis-à-vis the right to privacy in 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏𝟑𝟔: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭. Judge Andrade-Udarbe is also a Professorial Lecturer at the Philippine Judicial Academy, an MCLE Lecturer, a law professor, Bar reviewer, and author of law books.

• 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘺?

• 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘦𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴, 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵?

This week's podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, and the website.

LISTEN to the FULL episode of this Podcast on

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HuDktLKbdJjycBCQG6vSB?si=hIhZEJDFSVWyHePsaXNSjQ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/supreme-court-ph-podcast/id1852172756?i=1000791593771

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EJib6T4j3/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y6SNhYJA8Bo

SC website: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/podcasts/

22/09/2026

LOOK | Project SAFE Against OSAEC, through its Social Technology Unit, participated in the 3rd Quarter Council Meeting of the Region VII Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT7-VAWC) for CY 2026 on September 16, 2026 at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Region 7 in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

During the meeting, key implementation updates were presented, alongside a significant milestone for child protection in the region: the approval in the adoption of the Strong Network of Care (SNoC) into the Region VII RIACAT-VAWC service delivery mechanism.

Designed to address critical gaps and challenges in the delivery of care, SNoC provides a comprehensive referral pathway that responds to the complex and evolving needs of child victim-survivors of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OSAEC) complementing and strengthening the vital mandate of RIACAT-VAWC.

The institutionalization of the Strong Network of Care marks another step toward creating a safer, more responsive, and child-centered support system where victim-survivors can access the care they need to heal, recover, and pursue justice.

22/09/2026

18/09/2026

The has reiterated that what Republic Act No. 9262, or the 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘝𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 2004, criminalizes is not marital infidelity by itself but the psychological violence that goes with it causing mental or emotional suffering to the wife.

In a Decision penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the SC’s Second Division affirmed the conviction of a husband for violation of Section 5(i) of the 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘝𝘈𝘞𝘊 𝘈𝘤𝘵, which penalizes the act of causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to a woman or her child.

Married in 1999, the husband and wife’s marital problems began in 2009, when the husband started coming home late and grew distant from his family. In January 2010, the husband sent his wife text messages saying he would no longer return home, wanted to start a new life alone, and intended to seek the nullity of their marriage. The wife later discovered that her husband was living with another woman.

The husband was charged with psychological violence before the Regional Trial Court. During trial, the wife claimed that her husband’s actions caused her severe mental and emotional suffering, and loss of self-esteem and dignity. She said she experienced depression and attempted to take her own life several times.

The psychologist who evaluated the wife found signs of depression, including feelings of inferiority, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and problems relating with others. The psychologist linked these emotional difficulties to the wife’s conflict with her husband and his abandonment of the family for another woman.

The SC affirmed in full the finding that the husband is guilty of psychological violence under the 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘝𝘈𝘞𝘊 𝘈𝘤𝘵, sentencing the husband to up to eight years in prison and ordering him to pay a PHP 100,000 fine and PHP 30,000 in moral damages to his wife. The SC also directed him to undergo mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

The SC explained that, depending on the circumstances, an extramarital relationship may or may not cause mental or emotional anguish to the wife. Infidelity may be one of the acts through which psychological violence is committed, but the resulting mental or emotional suffering must still be proven.

In this case, the SC held that the wife’s testimony, psychological evaluation, and other witness testimonies sufficiently proved that her husband’s acts caused her mental and emotional suffering.

Read the full text of the Press Release at: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=173362.

Read the full text of the Decision: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/268619-###-vs-people-of-the-philippines/.

Read the Dissenting Opinion of Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=168031.

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution-policy/.

15/09/2026