Village chairman charged with qualified seduction for having sex with teener

MANILA, Philippines—A barangay (village) chairman in Binondo, Manila, was charged with qualified seduction in relation to child prostitution at the Manila Regional Trial Court on Friday for allegedly abusing a 14-year-old girl.

Assistant City Prosecutor Dennis Aguila endorsed the case against Barangay 272 Chair Roderick Bautista, 37, married, based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother.

In a sworn statement, the victim said Bautista, whom she called “Kuya Odeck,” was her boyfriend since July 4 and they had thrice engaged in sexual acts–on July 14, August 16 and August 20. The girl said that on August 20 Bautista gave her P300 to pay for a room and paid her P750 after the sexual act.

The mother only learned about it when the victim’s brother saw the girl leaving Dew Inn Hotel on Tambacan Street in Sta. Cruz on August 20.

The mother called a social worker and reported it to the Manila Police District women’s desk. Bautista was arrested on August 21. Bail was set at P200,000.