The House of Representatives has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill proposing to raise the age of sexual consent to 16 years old in a bid to further protect the youth from rape and other acts of sexual abuse.
The bill approved by both the Lower House and the Senate will be enroled for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature as soon as it is also ratified by the Upper House. Congressmen on Thursday, Sept. 30, ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the provisions of House Bill 7836 and Senate Bill 2332, which aim to provide a stronger protection against rape, sexual exploitation, and abuse.
HB 7836 provides for the re-definition of statutory rape by amending Republic Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, and Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discriminatory Act.
SB 2332, on the other hand, seeks to amend RA No. 3815, RA 7610, and RA 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.
The said measure also seeks to intensify the protection for children against such acts by increasing the age for determining the commission of statutory rape from the age of 12 to 16 years old.
When enacted into law, offenders would suffer stiffer penalties through amendments that would be made to RA 3815 and RA 7610.
Following the passage of HB 10153 or the 2022 General Appropriations Bill, Velasco addressed his fellow lawmakers and urged them to adopt practices that would further strengthen Congress as a true partner in the service of the Filipino people.
Shortly after, the Lower House adjourned its session until November 8, 2021 and all House committees have been authorized to conduct meetings and public hearings during the session break from October 1 to November 7, 2021. (Melvin Sarangay)