SC rules: frat leader raped girl

The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the conviction of a fraternity founder from Cebu City who raped a minor in 2006.

The SC’s First Division upheld both the ruling of the trial and appeals courts, which found Robert Balanza, founder of the Junior Krist King Kappa fraternity, guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

“It is clear from the above that Balanza was positively identified (by the victim) as the person who raped her in the cornfield,” read the SC decision penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo.

The ruling came after Balanza elevated his conviction to the high court after the trial and appeals courts affirmed his rape conviction in 2016.

The victim accused Balanza of raping her last Oct. 7, 2006 at 8 p.m. in Cebu City.

In her complaint, the victim said that while she was walking home from work, a certain Ronel, a member of the fraternity, told her that Balanza wanted to talk to her. When she refused, Ronel and other members of the fraternity forcibly took her to a hut owned by Balanza 20 meters away. There, Balanza offered to make her his group’s treasurer although she was not a member.

The victim said she was brought to a cornfield where she was raped by Balanza and a 13-year old boy.

The minor accused was then absolved of criminal liability, pursuant to Sec. 6 in relation to Section 20 of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The minor was subjected to an intervention program under the Department of Social Welfare Services.

Balanza denied the charges, saying he was in his neighbor’s house during the incident.

Last Sept. 25, 2009, the trial court convicted Balanza and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, or 20 to 40 years in jail. The convict was also ordered to pay P50,000 as civil indemnity.