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PHILIPPINE LAWS
RELATED TO CHILD
PROTECTION
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1987 Philippine Constitution
The State shall defend the
right of children to assistance,
including proper care and
nutrition, and special
protection from all forms of
neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation, and other
conditions prejudicial to their
development. (Art. XV, sec. 3.)
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U.N. Convention on the
Rights of the Child (1989)
Recognizes the right of the child to
protection from -
economic exploitation
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
sexual exploitation and sexual abuse
abduction, sale or trafficking
torture and cruel or inhuman treatment; arbitrary detention
Also protects CSAC and CICL
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Optional Protocols to the CRC
Protocol on the involvement of children
in armed conflict
Prohibits recruitment and use in hostilities of persons
under 18 years of age.
Protocol on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography
Prohibition also includes sexual exploitation, sale of
organs, and engagement of child in forced labor
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R.A. 7610 (1992)
Special protection of children against
child abuse, exploitation and
discrimination
Penalizes -
Child prostitution and other sexual abuse
Child trafficking
Obscene publications and indecent shows
Other acts of abuse
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R.A. 8353 (1997)
Reclassifies rape as a crime against
persons
Provides for sexual assault as a
form of rape
Provides for the death penalty for
incestuous rape or where the victim
is below 7 years of age
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R.A. 9231 (2003)
(Repeals R.A. 7658 [1993])
Prohibits the employment of children
below 15 years of age
Exceptions -
Child works directly under the sole
responsibility of his parent or guardian
Childs employment in public
entertainment or information through
cinema, theater, radio or television
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R.A. 9208 (2003)
Punishes trafficking in person,
especially women and children,
including:
Prostitution, pornography or sexual
exploitation
Forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or
debt bondage
Sale of organs
Recruitment of child soldiers
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R.A. 9262 (2004)
Punishes violence against women and
their children
Classifies VAWC as a public offense
Provides for issuance of protection
orders
Allows battered woman syndrome as a
defense
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P.D. 603 (1974) Child & Youth
Welfare Code
Minimum age of criminal liability
child 9 years of age or under - exempt
child over 9 to under 15 - exempt, unless he
acted with discernment
child 15 to below 18 - liable
Separate detention facilities for youth
offenders (CICL)
Suspended sentence for youth
offenders (CICL)
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R.A. 9165 (2002)
Rehabilitation of
minor drug
offender
Suspended
sentence of minor
drug offender
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R.A. 8369 (1997)
Establishes Family Courts
Jurisdiction includes
cases where one or more of the accused is below 18 but not
less that 9 years of age at the time of the commission of the
crime

cases where one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of
the commission of the crime

cases of violation of RA 7610 or RA 7658

cases of domestic violence committed against women or
children
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Supreme Court Rules
Rule on Examination of a Child Witness
(2000)
Provides for flexible and liberal rules for testimony of
a child in court
Rule on Commitment of Children (2002)
Provides for court procedure for DSWD or NGO to
take custody of abused, neglected, abandoned or
disabled child
Rule on Juveniles in Conflict with the
Law (2002)
Provides for diversion, suspension of sentence and
alternatives to imprisonment for CICL
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U.N. Standards on Juvenile
Justice
U.N. Rules for the Protection of
Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
U.N. Guidelines for the Prevention of
Juvenile Delinquency
U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the
Administration of Juvenile Justice

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The Pillars in the Justice System
for Children
Courts
Prosecution
Public Attorneys Office
Law Enforcers
Corrections Officers
Social Workers
Community