The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure seeking to define grooming and impose penalties of up to eight years in prison and fines of as much as ₱600,000 to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse.
The measure advanced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, targeting individuals who establish relationships of trust with minors to sexually exploit them, whether online or in person.
Under House Bill No. 11264, grooming involves establishing trust or an emotional connection with a child, someone believed to be a child, or their caregivers for the purpose of sexual abuse or exploitation.
The bill proposes imprisonment of six years and one day to eight years, fines ranging from ₱300,000 to ₱600,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.
“The accomplishment of grooming, regardless of whether it leads to actual sexual abuse or exploitation, shall be punished as a consummated offense under this Act,” Section 23-B states.
The measure also imposes the maximum applicable penalty on perpetrators holding positions of authority, influence, or trust over victims. Imprisonment becomes mandatory when the perpetrator is an adult and the victim is a child.
The proposal seeks to expand Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, which prohibits gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and online environments.
It also proposes imprisonment of four years, two months and one day to six years, fines of ₱250,000 to ₱500,000, or both, for sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.
Other provisions require pre-hiring safety clearances in educational institutions, impose stricter sanctions on public officials promoting sexual harassment, and address online harassment involving artificial intelligence.
House Bill No. 11264 consolidates eight earlier proposals and lists Reps. Kaka Bag-ao, Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Sarah Jane Elago, and Leila de Lima among its authors.
The measure must still pass third reading, undergo Senate consideration, and receive presidential approval before becoming law.
