MAN GETS 4 YEARS IN JAIL FOR SEXUAL ABUSE

Judge also orders man to pay the minor P20K as civil indemnity and P30K as moral damages plus six percent interest per year from the date of the ruling’s finality.

A former bar captain of a Mexican restaurant in Cebu City could face up to four years in jail for molesting his minor co-worker in 2010.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso convicted Basil Jun Tampus of acts of lasciviousness for sexually assaulting his subordinate last Nov. 20, 2010.

“In the case at bar, it has been established through the testimony of (the victim) that she was indeed molested by the accused, who touched her breasts and embraced her at the movie houses,” reads Veloso’s 10-page judgment.

The City Prosecutor’s Office charged Tampus with violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Jona (not her real name) said she was in the mall in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City with Tampus last Nov. 20, 2010.

The 17-year-old victim was having her on-the-job training in the restaurant where Tampus worked.

She said Tampus is known to be a religious person in the workplace since many of his co-workers sought his advice.

Tampus invited the victim and another co-worker for a movie. When they arrived at the mall, Jona’s co-worker excused herself since she had some errand to attend to.

Tampus and the victim ended up watching a movie together. Halfway through the movie, however, Tampus began touching her thigh, raised her shirt, and hugged her tight.

When Tampus began touching her private body parts, Jona ran to the toilet, hid and cried. She then rode a jeepney and proceeded to her locker in the restaurant.

Replying to the charges, Tampus denied sexually molesting Jona. He said Jona could have told her fellow workers about the incident.

In the ruling, Veloso gave credence to the victim’s straightforward, convincing, and consistent testimonies.

“Where there is no evidence that the witnesses of the prosecution were actuated by ill-motive, it is presumed that they were not so actuated and their testimony is entitled to full faith and credit,” Veloso said.

Apart from jail term, which ranges from six months to four years and two months, Veloso also ordered Tampus to pay the victim P20,000 as civil indemnity and P30,000 as moral damages plus six percent interest per year from the date of the finality of the ruling. /