UV Law

Congratulations, Mayor Lito Castillo of Zumarraga, Samar!

Makakahatag ka na hin hul-os, matinumanon, ngan waray kaulangan nga serbisyo ha katawhan han Zumarraga, Samar. Padayon ha pagserbisyo ngan paghatag hin kauswagan para ha aton bungto!

EMOTIONAL ANGUISH OR ANXIETY DUE TO BREAK UP NOT AUTOMATICALLY VAWC— SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court (SC) held that emotional anguish and anxiety arising from a romantic breakup do not automatically constitute psychological violence punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the SC's Third Division acquitted Ronel Caridaoan of violating Section 5(i) of RA 9262 filed by his former live-in partner, who claimed to have suffered emotional anguish allegedly caused by his infidelity.

The Court found that the complainant failed to establish that her emotional suffering was directly caused by Caridaoan's actions, noting that they had already broken up when he entered into another relationship.

It stressed that psychological violence under RA 9262 is a mala in se offense, which technically provides that criminal intent is an essential element of the crime.