Dennis Da Silva, a Filipino actor who rose to fame in the 1980s, faced the ultimate reckoning in 2002 when he was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of his live-in partner’s daughter, Kadian Paz, who was only 14 years old at the time.

The case, marked by a disturbing pattern of exploitation and familial betrayal, shocked the nation.

Da Silva’s career was derailed by substance abuse issues, leading to an arrest in the early 2000s. While incarcerated, he met Marilyn, who was serving time for assault.

The two formed a relationship, and upon their release on bail in 2001, Da Silva moved into Marilyn’s home in San Antonio Valley 5, Parañaque, where Kadian and her siblings lived.

THE GROOMING AND THE VIOLATION

Kadian, born in 1987, testified that Da Silva initiated a methodical “grooming” process.

He showed her special attention, giving her gifts and money, contrasting sharply with his often-angry demeanor towards her siblings and mother.

Kadian initially ignored the subtle advances but soon became fearful of resisting him, especially after witnessing Da Silva physically harm her mother.

The abuse escalated quickly. Kadian testified that in September 2001, she was forced into a relationship with the actor.

Her subsequent attempts to leave the house and stay with friends were undermined by Da Silva, who tracked her down and used threats of physical harm to coerce her into returning.

The situation was tragically compounded by Kadian’s mother, Marilyn. Despite knowing Da Silva was verbally abusive and addicted to substances, she chose to disbelieve Kadian’s initial complaints.

In one instance, Marilyn found texts between Kadian and Da Silva and, instead of confronting Da Silva, she called her own daughter a “whore” and slapped her, immediately siding with her abusive partner.

In October 2001, the horrific situation culminated when Marilyn caught Da Silva with Kadian in their bed. Instead of protecting her child, Marilyn focused her rage on Kadian, screaming at her and physically assaulting her.

Kadian fled the home, seeking refuge with a friend, but was tracked down by Da Silva, who repeatedly used threats and force to continue the cycle of abuse over the following months.

THE FINAL BETRAYAL

The most devastating consequence of the abuse was that Kadian became pregnant with Da Silva’s child.

In a final, desperate plea, Da Silva convinced Kadian to return to her mother’s home, claiming Marilyn wanted them both back. Marilyn, fully aware of her daughter’s pregnancy and the identity of the father, incredibly accepted Da Silva back into the household.

The toxic environment persisted, with Da Silva allegedly continuing to harm Kadian even while she was pregnant.

The situation finally came to a head in August 2002 when Kadian’s much older sibling intervened, contacting the authorities. Police arrested both Da Silva and Marilyn, who was charged as an accessory to the crime.

THE TRIAL AND SENTENCE

The trial was complex, with Da Silva’s defense employing the controversial “sweetheart defense theory,” arguing Kadian was a willing participant and that the acts were consensual.

The defense presented Da Silva as a loving partner and father figure, claiming Kadian’s testimony was motivated by shame or familial pressure.

However, the prosecution’s case was strong, built on expert testimony from Dr. Madrid of the Philippine General Hospital’s Child Protection Unit. Dr. Madrid testified that Da Silva engaged in a methodical “grooming process,” exploiting Kadian’s youth and vulnerability.

Crucially, the judge focused on the legal standard for consent. The court ruled that even if Kadian did not physically fight back, her simple verbal refusal—which the court believed—was sufficient under Philippine law to constitute a serious crime.

The judge emphasized that a victim’s trauma-induced inaction or silence does not equate to consent.

In December 2018, Da Silva was found guilty on multiple counts related to the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter.

He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua (life imprisonment), with the total sentence amounting to 624 years.

The judge explicitly ordered that he not be eligible for parole. Marilyn, Kadian’s mother, was also convicted as an accessory to the crime.

The case revealed the profound failure of trust and protection Kadian experienced.

The tragic irony is that after years of Da Silva claiming Kadian’s love was the only thing that mattered, her eventual conviction was secured because the law upheld her right to say no, regardless of the physical struggle.