The House of Representatives on Tuesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to increase the age of statutory rape from 12 to 16 years old to protect young people from sexual exploitation and abuse.
A “sweetheart clause” and a close-in relationship as an exception to the statutory rape are included in the bill. It also provides that rape, sexual exploitation, and abuse cases are kept private.
The measure also aims to disallow the submission of affidavit of desistance and amicable settlement between parties in all stages of the proceedings of rape and abuse cases.
It also mandates the provision of capability building program for child-serving institutions.
Meanwhile, several lawmakers lauded the ratification of the amendments to the Anti-Rape Law.
Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas said it was a huge step forward to give victims ample remedies under the law.
“Today, overt physical force and physical resistance are no longer the only factors that constitute rape. Nowadays, most victims are being threatened, manipulated, or even groomed to engage in sexual relations with perpetrators who are most of the time, a powerful individual or person of authority,” Brosas said.
“Hindi rito natatapos ang laban (The fight does not end here.) We will continue to push for the other amendments to the Anti-Rape Law, including the broadening the definition of rape, enumeration of circumstances where there is a presumption of lack of consent.”
Zambales Representative Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, chairman of the House committee on revision of laws, said that the enactment of the bill is “long overdue,” adding that cases of rape remain rampant in the country.
“What we know are the reported cases but the true statistics may be higher considering that there are a lot of unreported and unaccounted cases of rape and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation that are happening,” Deloso-Montalla said.
“We will always endure to ascertain that our children are given optimum protection under our laws and within the bounds of the democratic society that we have.” — VBL, GMA News
House ratifies bicam report on bill raising statutory rape age to 16
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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