DOJ: Mother Jailed for Online Child Sale

DOJ: Mother Jailed for Online Child Sale

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has achieved a pivotal victory in its relentless pursuit of justice for child victims, securing the conviction of a mother who shockingly sold her own child online. 

This landmark decision by the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 94, Quezon City, sends a powerful message that the exploitation and abuse of children will be met with the full force of the law.

In a significant ruling dated April 14, 2026, the court found the accused mother, XXX, guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. This conviction underscores the grave nature of the offense and the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.

The court’s decision was predicated on the accused’s voluntary plea of guilty to a lesser offense, a plea made with full comprehension of its severe consequences and with the unequivocal concurrence of both the diligent prosecution panel and the complainant. This collaborative effort ensured a swift and effective resolution while prioritizing the paramount interests and welfare of the child victim-survivor.

The successful prosecution was spearheaded by a dedicated team comprising Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Angelo P. Yanga, Assistant State Prosecutor Criselda B. Teoxon-Yanga, and Prosecution Attorney Angelica H. Sy. Their meticulous work and commitment to justice were instrumental in bringing this perpetrator to account.

The RTC imposed a stringent indeterminate sentence on the accused, ranging from four (4) years, nine (9) months, and eleven (11) days of prisión correccional, as a minimum, to six (6) years, eight (8) months, and one (1) day of prisión mayor, as a maximum. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court levied a substantial fine of fifteen thousand pesos (Php 15,000.00).

Further demonstrating the court’s emphasis on restitution and the victim’s recovery, the accused was ordered to pay the child victim damages amounting to twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) each for moral, exemplary, and temperate damages. These financial awards will accrue interest at six percent (6%) per annum until fully settled, providing a measure of redress for the profound trauma inflicted.

This harrowing case stands as a stark reminder of the insidious nature of online child exploitation and unequivocally reinforces the DOJ’s firm and unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of children and relentlessly protecting them from all forms of abuse and exploitation. 

The Department of Justice remains resolute in its sacred duty to pursue justice without compromise and will continue to exert its utmost efforts to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.