BAGUIO (PHILIPPINES)
The Daily Chronicle PH [Philippines]
December 21, 2025
By Jose Oliver Caridad
The Catholic priest was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of raping a 16-year-old student-scholar.
On December 17, the Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2 convicted Father Mark Batolne with three counts of rape. Batolne was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for each of the three counts, with each term carrying 20 to 40 years, bringing his total prison sentence up to 120 years.
Presiding Judge Modesto Bahul Jr. ruled that Father Mark Batolne is guilty of raping the victim on three separate occasions.
The cases came from allegations that Batolne raped the 16-year-old student scholar in March 2023 inside the Bishop’s house compound, where she was staying at that time.
The prosecution claimed that the priest used his position as well as other means in two of the cases to take advantage of his victim.
Batolne was also ordered to pay the victim P75,000 as civil damages, P75,000 as moral damages, and P75,000 as exemplary damages for each count, with six percent annual interest until full payment.
The court also ordered his immediate transfer to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
Batolne pleaded not guilty and presented alibis in his defense but the court found the testimony and evidence presented by the victim as strong.