MANILA – Two committees in the House of Representatives have approved the measure that raises the age of statutory rape from the current 12 years old to 16 years old.
The House Committees on the Revision of Laws and Welfare of Children have approved the substitute measure which seeks to impose reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment for the crime of statutory rape against minors who are under 16 years old, regardless of the sexual orientation of the offenders or the victims.
Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said, under the bill, any adult who has sexual intercourse with a minor below 16 years old will be guilty of rape even if the minor has given his or her consent to the sexual act.
“Aside from the certainty of punishment for statutory rape as a deterrent against possible offenders, the bill also aims to strengthen the protection of children in order to enable them to “grow and live in a safe environment and a caring community,” she said.
Romualdez added that, by strengthening the protection of children, the measure firmly puts the safety and welfare of children “as a foremost concern – not only of the family – but that of the entire community.”
She also said that the bill seeks to educate and empower the home, the school, and the community to put safeguards that will prevent any such crimes from happening in the future.
“Prosecution can only go as far to eradicate the crime – but ensuring that children grow up to their fullest potential requires utmost attention and affirmative action on our part,” Romualdez said.
Statutory rape is non-forcible sexual activity in which one of the individuals is below the age of consent or the age required to legally consent to the behavior./PN
