Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairperson Senator Richard Gordon sponsored the passage of Senate Bill No. 2332 that seeks to raise the age of sexual consent from 12 years old to 16 years old on Wednesday (Aug. 25).
In a plenary session, Sen. Gordon urged the passing of the bill that also seeks to increase the age for determining statutory rape and other acts of sexual abuse.
“We advocate to increase the age of sexual consent, through multi-sectoral partnerships with the judiciary, social welfare, education and health sectors as thousands of children are robbed of their youth — the physical and emotional effect creates lasting emotional and psychological scars, that the damage can last for a lifetime,” he said.
The SB 2332 purses the amendment of the Republic Act (RA) 3815 or the Revised Penal Code, RA 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, and RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Gordon asserted that through the amendment, many Filipino minors will be protected against sexual abuse.
“Rape is a very violent crime, especially when performed against a minor. That is why it is important that we amend the old law, that I can show you right now clearly states that it applies to certain individuals, for women, for example, and not for men or for gay personalities…That’s why we’re having a legislative reform on rape, especially for the protection of our girls and boys, and others with different sexual preference from sexual violence,” Gordon said.
The lawmaker also pointed out that the Philippines has the lowest age of sexual consent in Asia.
Report from Eunice Samonte/NGS-rir
