Child rights group: Pass anti-rape bill

Child protection advocates are again calling on the country's legislators to approve the anti-rape bill, which seeks to amend and modernize the current law on rape.

Melanie Llana of the Child Rights Network, in yesterday's forum on the raising of the minimum age of sexual consent, said they have been pushing for an amendment to Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Act of 1997 since the 14th Congress.

It's now the 17th Congress, which is set to end in June next year.

Lawyer Cecille Latuno lamented that the passage of the bill is not a priority of the Congress.

"We are competing with so many priority bills. That is why we conduct forums, such like this for the people to be involved on this cause," Llana added.

At present, the bill is still pending before House committee on children, while the counterpart measure is still pending before the Senate.

The bill sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros aims to increase the age of statutory consent to 18 from 12. She said the country's age of sexual consent is one of the lowest in the world, and the lowest in the region.

The senator earlier said the 20-year-old law must be revised to reflect the country's commitment to fighting rape and violence against women and children.

"The difference in penalty for violating a minor below 12 years old from a 12-year- old who consents to sex is contrary to basic principles of law. Any person below 18 years of age cannot yet be qualified and held responsible for all acts of civil life. A minor cannot validly enter into contracts and would need parental assistance to validate an act committed," read the group's statement.

Lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarientos, Children's Legal Bureau (CLB) Litigation and Advocacy coordinator, said the country's child rights advocates do not find the existing law favorable to the child.

She said the law must be amended for further protection of children.