AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION

AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

ARTICLE I
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Section 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to provide special
protection to children from all firms of abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial their
development; provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and crisis intervention in
situations of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
Section 3. Definition of Terms.
(a) Children refers to person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect
themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition;
(b) Child abuse refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the child which includes any of the following:

Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment;

Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being;

Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter;

Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his growth and
development or in his permanent incapacity or death.
(c) Circumstances which gravely threaten or endanger the survival and normal development of children include, but are not
limited to, the following;

Being in a community where there is armed conflict or being affected by armed conflict-related activities;

Working under conditions hazardous to life, safety and normal which unduly interfere with their normal development;

Living in or fending for themselves in the streets of urban or rural areas without the care of parents or a guardian or basic
services needed for a good quality of life;

Being a member of an indigenous cultural community and/or living under conditions of extreme poverty or in an area which is
underdeveloped and/or lacks or has inadequate access to basic services needed for a good quality of life;

Being a victim of a man-made or natural disaster or calamity; or

(d) Comprehensive program against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination refers to the coordinated program of services and
facilities to protected children against:

Child Prostitution and other sexual abuse;

Child trafficking;

Obscene publications and indecent shows;

Other acts of abuses

ARTICLE II
Section 4. Formulation of the Program. There shall be a comprehensive program to be formulated, by the Department of Justice and
the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with other government agencies and private sector concerned,
within one (1) year from the affectivity of this Act, to protect children against child prostitution and other sexual abuse; child trafficking,
obscene publications and indecent shows; other acts of abuse; and circumstances which endanger child survival and normal
development.
ARTICLE III
Section 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other
consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct,
are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.
The penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the following:
(a)Those who engage in or promote, facilitate or induce child prostitution
(b) Those who commit the act of sexual intercourse of lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution or subject to other sexual
abuse; Provided, That when the victims is under twelve (12) years of age, the perpetrators shall be prosecuted under Article 335,
paragraph 3, for rape and Article 336 of Act No. 3815, as amended, the Revised Penal Code, for rape or lascivious conduct, as the
case may be: Provided, That the penalty for lascivious conduct when the victim is under twelve (12) years of age shall be reclusion
temporal in its medium period; and
(c) Those that derive profit or advantage therefrom, whether as manager or owner of the establishment where the prostitution takes
place of entertainment or establishment serving as a cover or which engages in prostitution in addition to the activity for which the
license has been issued to said establishment.
Sec. 6. Attempt To Commit Child Prostitution. - There is an attempt to commit child prostitution under Section 5, paragraph (a)
hereof when any person who, not being a relative of a child, is found alone with the said child inside the room or cubicle of a house, an
inn, hotel, motel, pension house, apartelle or other similar establishments, vessel, vehicle or any other hidden or secluded area under
circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the child is about to be exploited in prostitution and other sexual
abuse.
ARTICLE IV Child Trafficking
Sec. 7. Child Trafficking. - Any person who shall engage in trading and dealing with children including, but not limited to, the act of
buying and selling of a child for money, or for any other consideration, or barter, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal to
reclusion perpetua. The penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period when the victim is under twelve (12) years of age.
Sec. 8. Attempt to Commit Child Trafficking. - There is an attempt to commit child trafficking under Section 7 of this Act:
(a) When a child travels alone to a foreign country without valid reason therefor and without clearance issued by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development or written permit or justification from the child's parents or legal guardian;
(c) When a person, agency, establishment or child-caring institution recruits women or couples to bear children for the purpose of child
trafficking; or
(d) When a doctor, hospital or clinic official or employee, nurse, midwife, local civil registrar or any other person simulates birth for the
purpose of child trafficking; or
(e) When a person engages in the act of finding children among low-income families, hospitals, clinics, nurseries, day-care centers, or
other child-during institutions that can be offered for the purpose of child trafficking.
A penalty lower two (2) degrees than that prescribed for the consummated felony under Section 7 hereof shall be imposed upon the
principals of the attempt to commit child trafficking under this Act.
ARTICLE V Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows
Sec. 9. Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. - Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to
perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in obscene publications or pornographic
materials or to sell or distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period.
ARTICLE VI Other Acts of Abuse
Sec. 10. Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the Child's Development.
(a) Any person who shall commit any other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other conditions
prejudicial to the child's development, shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period.

(b) Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who in ten (10) years or more his junior in
any public or private place, shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
pesos (P50,000.00): Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity
or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal duty.
(c) Any person who shall induce, deliver or offer a minor to any one prohibited by this Act to keep or have in his company a minor as
provided in the preceding paragraph shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than Forty
thousand pesos (P40,000.00); Provided, however, That should the perpetrator be an ascendant, stepparent or guardian of the minor,
the penalty to be imposed shall be prision mayor in its maximum period, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), and
the loss of parental authority over the minor.
(d) Any person, owner, manager or one entrusted with the operation of any public or private place of accommodation, whether for
occupancy, food, drink or otherwise, including residential places, who allows any person to take along with him to such place or places
any minor herein described shall be imposed a penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
pesos (P50,000.00), and the loss of the license to operate such a place or establishment.
(e) Any person who shall use, coerce, force or intimidate a street child or any other child to:

Beg or use begging as a means of living;

Act as conduit or middlemen in drug trafficking or pushing; or

Conduct any illegal activities, shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional in its medium period to reclusion perpetua.

The victim of the acts committed under this section shall be entrusted to the care of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.
ARTICLE VII Sanctions for Establishments or Enterprises
Sec. 11. Sanctions of Establishments or Enterprises which Promote, Facilitate, or Conduct Activities Constituting Child
Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse, Child Trafficking, Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows, and Other Acts of Abuse. All establishments and enterprises which promote or facilitate child prostitution and other sexual abuse, child trafficking, obscene
publications and indecent shows, and other acts of abuse shall be immediately closed and their authority or license to operate
cancelled, without prejudice to the owner or manager thereof being prosecuted under this Act and/or the Revised Penal Code, as
amended, or special laws. A sign with the words "off limits" shall be conspicuously displayed outside the establishments or enterprises
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for such period which shall not be less than one (1) year, as the Department
may determine. The unauthorized removal of such sign shall be punishable by prision correccional.
ARTICLE VIII Working Children
Sec. 12. Employment of Children. - Children below fifteen (15) years of age may be employed except:
(1) When a child works directly under the sole responsibility of his parents or legal guardian and where only members of the employer's
family are employed
(2) When a child's employment or participation in public & entertainment or information through cinema, theater, radio or television is
essential: Provided, That the following requirements in all instances are strictly complied with:
(a) The employer shall ensure the protection, health, safety and morals of the child;
(b) the employer shall institute measures to prevent the child's exploitation or discrimination taking into account the system and level of
remuneration, and the duration and arrangement of working time; and
(c) The employer shall formulate and implement, subject to the approval and supervision of competent authorities, a continuing program
for training and skill acquisition of the child.
In the above exceptional cases where any such child may be employed, the employer shall first secure, before engaging such child, a
work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment which shall ensure observance of the above requirement.
The Department of Labor and Employment shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this
Section.
Sec. 13. Non-formal Education for Working Children. - The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall promulgate a course
design under its non-formal education program aimed at promoting the intellectual, moral and vocational efficiency of working children
who have not undergone or finished elementary or secondary education.
Sec. 14. Prohibition on the Employment of Children in Certain Advertisements. - No person shall employ child models in all
commercials or advertisements promoting alcoholic beverages, intoxicating drinks, tobacco and its byproducts and violence.
Sec. 15. Duty of Employer. - Every employer shall comply with the duties provided for in Articles 108 and 109 of Presidential Decree
No. 603.
Sec. 16. Penalties. - Any person who shall violate any provision of this Article shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than One
thousand pesos (P1,000) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not
more than three (3) years, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, That, in case of repeated violations of the provisions of this
Article, the offender's license to operate shall be revoked.
ARTICLE IX Children of Indigenous Cultural Communities
Sec. 17. Survival, Protection and Development. - In addition to the rights guaranteed to children under this Act and other existing
laws, children of indigenous cultural communities shall be entitled to protection, survival and development consistent with the customs
and traditions of their respective communities.
Sec. 18. System of and Access to Education. - The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall develop and institute an
alternative system of education for children of indigenous cultural communities which culture-specific and relevant to the needs of and
the existing situation in their communities. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall also accredit and support non-formal
but functional indigenous educational programs conducted by non-government organizations in said communities.
Sec. 19. Health and Nutrition. - The delivery of basic social services in health and nutrition to children of indigenous cultural
communities shall be given priority by all government agencies concerned. Hospitals and other health institution shall ensure that
children of indigenous cultural communities are given equal attention.
Sec. 20. Discrimination. - Children of indigenous cultural communities shall not be subjected to any and all forms of discrimination.
Any person who discriminate against children of indigenous cultural communities shall suffer a penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum
period and a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).
Sec. 21. Participation. - Indigenous cultural communities, through their duly-designated or appointed representatives shall be involved
in planning, decision-making implementation, and evaluation of all government programs affecting children of indigenous cultural
communities. Indigenous institution shall also be recognized and respected.
ARTICLE X Children in Situations of Armed Conflict
Sec. 22. Children as Zones of Peace. - Children are hereby declared as Zones of Peace. It shall be the responsibility of the State and
all other sectors concerned to resolve armed conflicts in order to promote the goal of children as zones of peace. To attain this
objective, the following policies shall be observed.
(a) Children shall not be the object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect.
(b) Children shall not be recruited to become members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines of its civilian units or other armed groups,
nor be allowed to take part in the fighting, or used as guides, couriers, or spies;
(c) Delivery of basic social services such as education, primary health and emergency relief services shall be kept unhampered;
(d) The safety and protection of those who provide services including those involved in fact-finding missions from both government and
non-government institutions shall be ensured. They shall not be subjected to undue harassment in the performance of their work;

(e) Public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and rural health units shall not be utilized for military purposes such as command
posts, barracks, detachments, and supply depots; and
(f) All appropriate steps shall be taken to facilitate the reunion of families temporarily separated due to armed conflict.
Sec. 23. Evacuation of Children During Armed Conflict. - Children shall be given priority during evacuation as a result of armed
conflict. Existing community organizations shall be tapped to look after the safety and well-being of children during evacuation
operations. Measures shall be taken to ensure that children evacuated are accompanied by persons responsible for their safety and
well-being.
Sec. 24. Family Life and Temporary Shelter. - Whenever possible, members of the same family shall be housed in the same
premises and given separate accommodation from other evacuees and provided with facilities to lead a normal family life. In places of
temporary shelter, expectant and nursing mothers and children shall be given additional food in proportion to their physiological needs.
Whenever feasible, children shall be given opportunities for physical exercise, sports and outdoor games.
Sec. 25. Rights of Children Arrested for Reasons Related to Armed Conflict. - Any child who has been arrested for reasons related
to armed conflict, either as combatant, courier, guide or spy is entitled to the following rights;
(a) Separate detention from adults except where families are accommodated as family units;
(b) Immediate free legal assistance;
(c) Immediate notice of such arrest to the parents or guardians of the child; and
(d) Release of the child on recognizance within twenty-four (24) hours to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and
Sec. 26. Monitoring and Reporting of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict. - The chairman of the barangay affected by the
armed conflict shall submit the names of children residing in said barangay to the municipal social welfare and development officer
within twenty-four (24) hours from the occurrence of the armed conflict.
ARTICLE XI Remedial Procedures
Sec. 27. Who May File a Complaint. - Complaints on cases of unlawful acts committed against the children as enumerated herein
may be filed by the following:
(a) Offended party;
(b) Parents or guardians;
(c) Ascendant or collateral relative within the third degree of consanguinity;
(d) Officer, social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring institution;
(e) Officer or social worker of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
(f) Barangay chairman; or
(g) At least three (3) concerned responsible citizens where the violation occurred.
Sec. 28. Protective Custody of the Child. - The offended party shall be immediately placed under the protective custody of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development pursuant to Executive Order No. 56, series of 1986. In the regular performance of this
function, the officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall be free from any administrative, civil or criminal liability.
Custody proceedings shall be in accordance with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 603.
Sec. 29. Confidentiality. - At the instance of the offended party, his name may be withheld from the public until the court acquires
jurisdiction over the case.
It shall be unlawful for any editor, publisher, and reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer or producer in case of
television and radio broadcasting, producer and director of the film in case of the movie industry, to cause undue and sensationalized
publicity of any case of violation of this Act which results in the moral degradation and suffering of the offended party.
Sec. 30. Special Court Proceedings. - Cases involving violations of this Act shall be heard in the chambers of the judge of the
Regional Trial Court duly designated as Juvenile and Domestic Court.
Any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding and with the exception of habeas corpus, election cases, and cases
involving detention prisoners and persons covered by Republic Act No. 4908, all courts shall give preference to the hearing or
disposition of cases involving violations of this Act.
ARTICLE XII
Common Penal Provisions
Sec. 31. Common Penal Provisions. (a) The penalty provided under this Act shall be imposed in its maximum period if the offender has been previously convicted under this
Act;
(b) When the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the officer or employee thereof who is responsible for the violation of
this Act shall suffer the penalty imposed in its maximum period;
(c) The penalty provided herein shall be imposed in its maximum period when the perpetrator is an ascendant, parent guardian,
stepparent or collateral relative within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, or a manager or owner of an establishment which
has no license to operate or its license has expired or has been revoked;
(d) When the offender is a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence and forever barred from entry to the
country;
(e) The penalty provided for in this Act shall be imposed in its maximum period if the offender is a public officer or employee: Provided,
however, That if the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or reclusion temporal, then the penalty of perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification shall also be imposed: Provided, finally, That if the penalty imposed is prision correccional or arresto mayor, the penalty
of suspension shall also be imposed; and
(f) A fine to be determined by the court shall be imposed and administered as a cash fund by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development and disbursed for the rehabilitation of each child victim, or any immediate member of his family if the latter is the
perpetrator of the offense.
ARTICLE XIII
Final Provisions
Sec. 32. Rules and Regulations. - Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the Department of Justice, in coordination with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall promulgate rules and regulations of the effective implementation of this Act.
Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Sec. 33. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.