Some camps argue that Senator Hontiveros and her accomplices may be liable for violating Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, so let’s see if she can indeed be sued for it.
I consulted my lawyer-friends and MyLegalWhiz.com for the preparation of this article.
If the offender is a public officer, the crime committed would be arbitrary detention, but the public officer must have a duty under the law to detain a person. Since senators have no duty to detain or take custody witnesses (only PAO, NBI, DOJ, and PNP has such authority), Senator Hontiveros shall be prosecuted as a private individual.
This fulfills the first element.
This fulfills the second element.
Now, it may be argued that the minors – aged 16 and 13 – agreed or even volunteered to be taken into Hontiveros’ custody. However, parental consent is required in cases like these, something that Hontiveros failed to secure, as shown in the TV Patrol interview cited in the previous section.
Moreover, Hontiveros essentially induced two minors to abandon their homes, thereby violating Article 271 of the Revised Penal Code, which reads:
This fulfills the third element.
Suffice it to say, this fulfills the fourth element.
In short, Senator Risa Hontiveros can be sued – and will very likely be convicted – for kidnapping and serious illegal detention of the two minors.
As for [1] kidnapping serious illegal detention and [2] inducing a minor to abandon his home, any parent or household member can sue Senator Hontiveros. However, anybody who has personal knowledge of the commission of the offense may also file a case. Since Hontiveros was stupid enough to broadcast her deeds on national TV, everyone can be presumed to have personal knowledge, i.e. VIRTUALLY ANYONE CAN SUE HER.
Moreover, since the two witnesses are minors and no legal guardian has come forward, the concept of parens patriae (parent of the nation) applies.
In Nery vs. Lorenzo, [G.R. No. L-23096, G.R. No. L-23376]:
Risa the Kidnapper?
The elements of the crime of "Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention" are [JLP-Law]:- That the offender is a private individual.
- That he kidnaps or detains another, or in any other manner deprives the latter of his liberty.
- That the act of detention or kidnapping must be illegal.
- That in the commission of the offense, any of the following circumstances is present:
- That the kidnapping or detention lasts for more than five (5) days; or
- That it committed simulating public authority; or
- That any serious physical injuries are inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained or threats to kill him are made; or
- That the person kidnapped or detained is a minor, female, or a public officer.
Element 1: That Risa is a private individual.
Yesterday, PAO Chief Persida Acosta called out Senator Risa Hontiveros for refusing to turn over the underage witnesses, despite the fact that it’s PAO, along with NBI, DOJ, and PNP, that has the mandate to protect them [GMA].If the offender is a public officer, the crime committed would be arbitrary detention, but the public officer must have a duty under the law to detain a person. Since senators have no duty to detain or take custody witnesses (only PAO, NBI, DOJ, and PNP has such authority), Senator Hontiveros shall be prosecuted as a private individual.
This fulfills the first element.
Element 2: That Risa kidnaps or detains the minors
The two victims are minors, so parental consent was required before she took custody, i.e. before she limited their liberty. However, in an interview with TV Patrol, one of the minors’ parents said [FB]:“Actually, hindi ko alam eh. Hindi tama. Yun po yung isang foul din e. Bago po nila kukunin yung anak ko, kunin muna nila yung permiso sa akin kung papayag ba ako na sa kanilang panig ko ibibigay. Unang-una po yang Hontiveros na yan di po, hindi ko po siya nakakausap. Hindi man lang niya hinanap muna kung paano makokontak ang ina ng witness dahil minor po yan eh.”
The fact that Risa did not secure consent from the parents means she kidnapped these underage witnesses.
Translation: Actually, I wasn’t informed. That’s wrong. That’s foul. Before they take custody of my child, they should asked permission from me, if I will agree to give their side custody of my child. First and foremost is that Hontiveros, I haven’t spoken to her. She didn’t even find a way to contact the mother of the witness despite the witness being a minor.
This fulfills the second element.
Element 3: That Risa’s illegally took custody of the minors
The DOJ is the sole implementor of the Witness Protection Act [RA 6981]. Although the DOJ may call upon other executive agencies to implement the law, what’s clear is that the Senate is not an executive agency. That is, the Senate – along with any or all the Senators – have no legal authority to take protective custody of witnesses.Moreover, Hontiveros essentially induced two minors to abandon their homes, thereby violating Article 271 of the Revised Penal Code, which reads:
Art. 271. Inducing a minor to abandon his home. — The penalty of prision correccional and a fine not exceeding seven hundred pesos shall be imposed upon anyone who shall induce a minor to abandon the home of his parents or guardians or the persons entrusted with his custody.Hence, the detention of the minors, even if supposedly protective in nature, is illegal.
This fulfills the third element.
Element 4: Circumstances
Recall that the fourth element is the presence of any of the following circumstances in the commission of the offense:(a) That the kidnapping or detention lasts for more than five (5) days; orHontiveros clearly simulated the authority of PAO, NBI, DOJ, and/or PNP, thereby fulfilling the second condition. Moreover, the persons kidnapped are two minors, fulfilling the fourth condition. Now, the fourth element requires the presence of ANY of the circumstances enumerated, so the presence of (b) and (d) is more than enough.
(b) That it committed simulating public authority; or
(c) That any serious physical injuries are inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained or threats to kill him are made; or
(d) That the person kidnapped or detained is a minor, female, or a public officer.
Suffice it to say, this fulfills the fourth element.
In short, Senator Risa Hontiveros can be sued – and will very likely be convicted – for kidnapping and serious illegal detention of the two minors.
Prison sentences
The overeager Hontiveros, blinded by political ambition, committed kidnapping and serious illegal detention that is punishable by reclusion perpetua [Gov], i.e. 30-year prison term. Note that she took custody of TWO minors, so she may even be found guilty of TWO COUNTS of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, translating to up to 60 years in prison.
Hontiveros also violated Article 271 or inducing minors to abandon their home, where the penalty is imprisonment ranging from six months to six years. Again, she may be guilty of TWO counts.
Hontiveros also committed Obstruction of Justice [P.D. 1829], as she prevented witnesses from reporting the commission of any offense or the identity of any offender/s by means of force, in light of her having kidnapped the underage witnesses and PAO Chief Acosta having to call her out for refusing to turn over the same. Again, she may be guilty of TWO (or even up to three) counts. The penalty is imprisonment ranging from six months to six years per count.
(30+30) + (6+6) + (6+6+6) = 90
With these said, Hontiveros faces the prospect of having to stay for up to 90 years behind bars.
Hontiveros also violated Article 271 or inducing minors to abandon their home, where the penalty is imprisonment ranging from six months to six years. Again, she may be guilty of TWO counts.
Hontiveros also committed Obstruction of Justice [P.D. 1829], as she prevented witnesses from reporting the commission of any offense or the identity of any offender/s by means of force, in light of her having kidnapped the underage witnesses and PAO Chief Acosta having to call her out for refusing to turn over the same. Again, she may be guilty of TWO (or even up to three) counts. The penalty is imprisonment ranging from six months to six years per count.
(30+30) + (6+6) + (6+6+6) = 90
With these said, Hontiveros faces the prospect of having to stay for up to 90 years behind bars.
Who can sue?
For Obstruction of Justice, the DOJ, PAO, NBI, or PNP can sue her.
Moreover, since the two witnesses are minors and no legal guardian has come forward, the concept of parens patriae (parent of the nation) applies.
In Nery vs. Lorenzo, [G.R. No. L-23096, G.R. No. L-23376]:
Concerning the protection of minors, the State's role as parens patriae burdens it with “the duty of protecting the rights of persons or individual who because of age or incapacity are in an unfavorable position, vis-a-vis other parties. Unable as they are to take due care of what concerns them, they have the political community to look after their welfare.Moreover, in Government of the Philippine Islands vs. Del Monte Piedad [G.R. No. L-9959]:
The prerogative of parens patriae is inherent in the supreme power of every State and is often necessary to be exercised in the interest of humanity and for the prevention of injury to those who cannot protect themselves.That is, should a parent or household member of the underage witnesses fail to file a case, the Department of Justice (DoJ) or even the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), can file a case instead, a case that is very likely to send the overeager Senator to jail.
Note that I have notified the DSWD of this issue and they're looking into the matter right now.
To cut the long story short, Senator Risa Hontiveros is in big trouble. And did I say reclusion perpetua may also include perpetual disqualification from public office? [TP]
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To cut the long story short, Senator Risa Hontiveros is in big trouble. And did I say reclusion perpetua may also include perpetual disqualification from public office? [TP]
DONT FORGET TO SHARE! Did you like this post? Help ThinkingPinoy stay up! Even as little as 50 pesos will be a great help!
