BAGUIO CITY – A Catholic priest was sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping a minor in March 2023 here.
The priest was convicted by the Baguio City Regional Trial Court on Dec. 17 of three counts of rape.
The court has ordered his immediate transfer to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
He was ordered to pay the victim P75,000 as civil damages, P75,000 as moral damages, and P75,000 as exemplary damages for each count, with interest at six percent per annum from the time the decision becomes final until full payment.
The victim, a 16-year-old student, was living in a compound when she was allegedly raped by the priest in March 2023.
The priest denied the accusation against him but the court found the testimony and evidence presented by the victim as strong.