07 Jan President Duterte Finally Signs Law Prohibiting Child Marriage
Mga higala! President Rodrigo Duterte has finally signed a law prohibiting CHILD MARRIAGE in the Philippines!
Under this new law, Republic Act No. 11596 (An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties), the President addresses the need to abolish “all traditional and cultural practices and structures that perpetuate discrimination, abuse, and exploitation of children such as the practice of child marriage.”
ICYDK, child marriage refers to any marriage where one or both parties are children and solemnized in civil or church proceedings, or in any recognized traditional, cultural, or customary manner.
It also includes an informal union or cohabitation outside of wedlock between an adult and a child, or between children.
With this law, child marriage is now officially a public crime. Below are the penalties:
Persons who cause, fix, facilitate or arrange child marriages
Parent, guardian, step parent, etc:
• prision mayor (maximum period)
• fine (not less than P50,000)
Others:
• prision mayor (medium period)
• fine (not less than P40,000)
Persons who perform or officiate child marriages
• prision mayor (maximum period)
• fine (not less than P50,000)
• disqualification from office (if a public officer)
Adult partners
• prision mayor (maximum period)
• fine (not less than P50,000)
• disqualification from holding office (if a public officer)
BTW, prision mayor is an “afflictive” type of penalty in terms of incarceration. Its minimum period is 6 years and one day to eight years, while its medium period is 8 years and one day to 10 years.
For more details:
No Comments