Quezon City court convicts mom for selling her baby online
A Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) has convicted a mother of child abuse for selling her baby online.
In a three-page judgment issued last April 14, RTC Judge Roslyn M. Rabara-Tria convicted the mother of child abuse under Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, the law on Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.
The names of the mother and the child and other circumstances related to the case were not mentioned in the judgment in accordance with the rules issued by the Supreme Court (SC).
Whether the child was actually sold online or the mother merely offered the sale of her child online was not also mentioned.
The mother was originally charged with violation of Section 10(a) of RA 7610 in relation to RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
She pleaded not guilty when arraigned.
Assisted by her lawyer, the mother asked the court to plead guilty to a lesser offense for a lesser penalty under plea bargaining.
The prosecution agreed and the court approved the plea bargaining.
Pleading guilty only to violation of Section 10 (a) of RA 7610, the court convicted the mother and sentenced her to an indeterminate imprisonment ranging from four years, nine months and 11 days up to six years, eight months, and one day.
The mother was also ordered to pay a fine of P15,000 and to pay the victim of P20,000 as moral damages, P20,000 as exemplary damages, and P20,000 as temperate damages.
“The period within which the accused was detained shall be credited to her in full, as long as she abides by and follows strictly the rules and regulations of the institution where she is detained or confined,” the trial court also ruled.
A copy of the trial court’s judgment was provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) which prosecuted the case before the trial court.
The DOJ said: “This case underscores the DOJ’s firm commitment to upholding the rights of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation. We remain resolute in our duty to pursue justice and we will continue to exert our utmost efforts to ensure that offenders are held accountable in accordance with the law.”