CEBU, Philippines - A public school teacher accused of rape by his student girlfriend pleaded not guilty to charges of qualified seduction and child abuse.
The 28-year-old accused was assisted by his lawyer Wendell Quiban when he entered his “not guilty” plea during his arraignment yesterday before the Regional Trial Court Branch 6 presided by Judge Ester Veloso.
Electronic teacher Raul Bayotlang was earlier charged with rape by his 13-year old student. The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas however downgraded the complaint into qualified seduction and child abuse after the victim admitted that the accused was her boyfriend.
Graft investigator Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja also noted that there was nothing in the victim’s affidavit that she alleged to have raped by her teacher.
“While it is undisputed that respondent had carnal knowledge of the complainant on the night of August 29, 2011 at one of the rooms inside the campus, there is nothing in the affidavit of the complainant that would show that the incident falls under any of the circumstances under rape law,” Naraja ruled.
The complainant herself admitted it was not the first time that she and her teacher had sexual contact since their relationship started in July 10, 2011.
She said she was not surprised when the accused kissed and hugged her on August 29, 2011. She reportedly said that she allowed having sex with the accused because the latter promised to be “gentle”.
In his counter-affidavit, Bayotlang said he never employed intimidation nor tricked the victim. The court has scheduled the pre-trial conference on December 6.
Meanwhile, the arraignment of Lyndon Horandoy, alleged gunman of assistant city prosecutor Patrick Ian Osorio, was postponed for the fourth time after his new found lawyer moved for its resetting because it was allegedly in conflict with his other schedule.
Lawyer Daryll Roque Amante has entered his appearance for Horandoy but immediately filed a motion seeking postponement of the scheduled arraignment. He claimed to have prior commitments.
Horandoy’s wife, Virgie, was surprised by Amante’s appearance for her husband. Virgie told the court that she did not hire the services of Amante. In fact, she does not know Amante in person.
According to her, it was Amante’s assistant who went to Cebu City Jail and offered to defend Horandoy. - (THE FREEMAN)