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MANILA, Philippines – Senators Risa Hontiveros and Imee Marcos are suggesting a “Romeo and Juliet clause” in the proposed measure that seeks to increase the age of sexual consent in the country.
Hontiveros and Marcos raised this issue this Thursday during a joint hearing of the Senate’s justice and human rights committees, and of women, children, family relations and gender equality on Thursday that addressed eight similar bills that seek to increase the age for determine the rape.
“Regarding this so-called Romeo and Juliet clause or age-rapprochement clause, I would just like to add the point that to mitigate the punitive effects of increasing the age of sexual consent and the possible unintended consequences in relationships between young people close to the age, in fact I am seeking to introduce the following condition that as long as there should be no criminal liability on the part of the perpetrator if the victim is between 14 and 18 years of age, the age difference between the perpetrator and the victim is no more than four years, and it is shown that the sexual act in question is consensual, not exploitative and not abusive, ”said Hontiveros.
This proposal is included in Senate Bill No. 163 presented by Hontiveros, president of the women’s commission, which aims to raise the age of sexual consent from the current 12 years to 18 years.
Senator Imee Marcos said she supports this proposal.
“I fully agree with your proposal that if the victim is under 18 years of age, even if none of the above circumstances prevail, there will be no criminal liability between the perpetrator and the victim between 14 and 18 years of age.” she said.
“Let me simply add, Mr. President, for your consideration, that you must both be minors on the date of the commission of the crime for it to be well defined. I think it is important that while we provide this kind provision, we must also ensure that we take the punishment for rape seriously, ”Marcos added, addressing Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Justice and Human Rights Committee.
“I think they shouldn’t be punished exactly as Senator Risa Hontiveros says, but if one of them is over 18, they should be held accountable,” he added.
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/ MUF
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