Lawyer elevates raps vs Freddie to child abuse

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyer who earlier filed a qualified seduction complaint against Freddie Aguilar is now accusing the folk singer of committing child abuse for having a relationship with a minor.

Lawyer Fernando Perito, as well as concerned citizens Peter Sesbreño and Christine Joy Bangalisan, also accused the parents of Aguilar’s 16-year-old partner of corrupting a minor.

Records show that Perito filed a motion before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on Friday, the day the 60-year-old Aguilar married his girlfriend in Islamic rites in Maguindanao.

The said motion seeks to amend the qualified seduction complaint earlier filed by Perito. It included a seven-page joint complaint-affidavit signed by the lawyer, Sesbreño, and Bangalisan.

During yesterday’s hearing, Aguilar again failed to appear before investigating prosecutor Edgardo Saplala. The hearing is set for the last time on Dec. 9.

According to Saplala, the complaint will be deemed submitted for resolution if the singer fails to attend the hearing for the third time. Perito and the two other complainants were represented by lawyer Sherwin Casurao.

In their joint-affidavit, the three complainants accused Aguilar of violating Section 5 of Republic Act 7610, the Anti-Child Abuse law, when he “took advantage of his alleged popularity over a young minor.” 

They said sexual abuse is occurring as the couple is already living under one roof. The complainants also submitted “promiscuous” photos of the couple that have been shared on social media site Facebook.

The complainants said they decided to file the complaint to discourage and prevent similar incidents in the future.