House approves bill against child sexual abuse of all forms

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on final reading the bill aiming to prohibit all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation of children.

Having gotten 203 affirmative votes, zero negative and zero abstention, House Bill 10703 or the “Anti-Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children” received the nod of the lower chamber, amending Republic Act No. 9775 or The Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

Under the new measure, internet intermediaries and other internet or payment service providers are required to block, take down or remove websites that facilitate such offenses against children.

It also seeks to create an inter-agency body that will supersede the inter-agency council on anti-child pornography, as it outlines a system of reporting for activities concerning sexual abuse of children both offline and online.

To reconcile both versions of Congress’ upper and lower chambers, a bicameral conference committee will be formed, with Deputy Speaker Michael Romero, representatives Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Yedda Maria Romualdez, Evelina Escudero, Lawrence Fortun, Joy Myra Tambuntin and Arlene Brosas, as conferees of the House of Representatives.

During the pandemic, children’s rights groups have raised the alarm over the rising cases of abuse, especially online, as deepening poverty spurred by COVID-19 pushed families that were forced to stay at home to resort to easy money-making schemes.

In 2020 alone, there were 1.2 million tips about alleged activities involving the online sexual exploitation of children, according to ??the country’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.