ESTABLISHING a minimum age of sexual consent is crucial in shielding children from sexual violence, Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. said.

Revilla called on his colleagues to immediately pass Senate Bill 2332 which increases the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16.

Revilla is one of the authors of the measure, as his Senate Bill 1258 was consolidated under Committee Report 279 of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The senator cited the #ENDChildRape social media campaign participated by celebrities and advocates calling on lawmakers to prioritize the legislation which amends the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 and strengthens the protection of children against sexual abuse and exploitation.

The Philippines’ age of sexual consent is one of the lowest in the world.

“Talaga pong nakakakulo ng dugo at nakakapanginig ng kalamnan ang mga balita ng pagsasamantala sa ating mga kabataang nasa edad dose anyos, na walang kamuwang-muwang at walang kalaban-laban. Nararapat lamang po na magkaroon tayo ng mas matibay na batas upang mapanagot at maparusahan ang sinumang gumagawa ng karumal-dumal na gawaing ito,” Revilla said.

The senator stressed that the Philippines is a party to the Convention on the Rights of a Child which obliges all State parties to take all measures to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse, including coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity.