The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to raise the age of statutory rape to 16 years old from the current 12 years old to protect minors against sexual abuse.
With 22 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and one abstention, the chamber approved Senate Bill 2332 which sets the age of sexual consent to 16 years and amends the Anti-Rape Law as well as the Revised Penal Code.
Under the measure, any person, regardless of sex or sexual orientation, can be charged with statutory rape if they sexually abuse anyone who is 16 years old and below.
Young couples 16 years old and below who engage in consensual sexual activity are exempted from criminal liability, as long as their age difference is not more than three years and the victim is no younger than 13 years old.
Sen. Richard Gordon, who sponsored the bill, stressed the need to come up with a measure to address child sexual abuse and exploitation in the country.
One in every five children in the Philippines between the ages 13 and 17 years old said they experienced sexual violence while one in 25 suffered from forced consummated sex during childhood, a 2015 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children showed.
“Rape is a very violent crime, especially when performed against a minor. It is important that we amend the old law which clearly states that it applies to certain individuals, for women, for example, and not for men or for gay personalities,” he said in his sponsorship speech.
“Keeping 12 as the age of consent endangers children and makes them more vulnerable to sexual abuse. Congress must uphold the right of every child to freedom from sexual exploitation,” he added.
The House of Representatives approved its version of the measure in December last year.
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