Pasado na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Senado ang panukalang batas na nagtataas sa edad ng sexual consent sa 16-anyos mula sa dating 12-anyos.
Mayroong nakuhang boto ito na 22-0-1 ang Senate Bill 2332 o An Act Increasing the Age for Determining Statutory Rape and other Acts of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation to Protect Children.
Sinabi ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros, ang may akda ng panukalang batas na makasaysayan ang nasabing batas na matagal na dapat ibinigay sa mga bata.
Sa ilalim daw kasi ng kasalukuyang batas pinapayagang ang adult na makipag-sex ng hanggang sa 12-anyos.
“Our current law allows adults to have sex with children who are as young as 12 years old. Our children would be made to testify in court, recall traumatic events, just to prove the crime of rape. The pain of remembering alone has scarred many Filipino kids. The lifelong psychological and emotional injury inflicted upon them is a cruelty we should no longer allow,” ani Hontiveros. “This is as much a victory for our children as it is a victory for all advocates, civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and concerned parents and individuals who are committed to protect and defend every Filipino child. Today, the Senate has finally and clearly said no to child rape. Today, the Senate has sounded the clarion call for change.”
Isa rin sa principal sponsor ng panukalang batas ay si Sen. Richard Gordon na nagsabing ang Pilipinas ang may pinakamababang edad ng mga sexual consent sa Asya at isa sa pinakamababa sa buong mundo.
