The Supreme Court (SC) recently ruled to increase the penalty for an individual convicted of psychological violence against his former partner, emphasizing that the offense was committed through social media.

In a 20-page resolution, the SC First Division denied the petitioner's motion for reconsideration, stating that the use of ICT (information and communications technology) in the crime justified a higher penalty.

The case involved XXX, who harassed his ex-partner AAA via Facebook, leading to her filing a complaint under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.The court upheld the penalty of imprisonment from six months to eight years, a fine of P100,000, and mandatory psychological counseling.

The SC clarified that Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 mandates a higher penalty for crimes committed through ICT, even if the term 'ICT' wasn't explicitly stated in the criminal information.The ruling underscores the legal consequences of online violence and serves as a warning to perpetrators.

The case highlights the judiciary's commitment to addressing cyber-enabled domestic violence, ensuring perpetrators cannot evade accountability by disclaiming social media ownership.