Anti OSAEC Law
Anti OSAEC Law
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, psychological
and social well-being. Thus, it is the policy of the State to provide special protections to children from
all forms of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation especially those committed with the use of
information and communications technology (ICT), provide sanctions for their commission and carry
out programs for the prevention, deterrence and intervention in all situations of online sexual abuse
and exploitation of children in the digital and non-digital production, distribution or possession of
child sexual abuse or exploitation material. Towards this end, the State shall:
(a) Guarantee the fundamental rights of every child from all forms of neglect, cruelty and
other conditions prejudicial to their development;
(b) Protect every child from all forms of abuse or exploitation, whether committed with or
without the use of ICT, such as when the abuse or exploitation involves:
(c) Comply with international treaties concerning the rights of children to which the
Philippines is a signatory or a State party which include, but is not limited to, the United
Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Optional Protocol to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography,
the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 on the Elimination of the
Worst Forms of Child Labour, and the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime;
(d) Ensure the right of children to useful, meaningful and safe access to digital technologies
that will provide knowledge and develop their understanding of civil, political, cultural,
economic and social rights and help them achieve their potential to be empowered,
responsible, law-abiding citizens, with the end in view of protecting them from any form of
violence online; and
(e) Provide paramount consideration to the interests of children in all actions affecting them,
whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, executive
agencies, law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), legislative bodies, and
private business enterprises especially those related to the online safety and protection of
children.
(a) Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to
fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation
or discrimination because of physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disability or condition.
For purposes of this Act, a child shall also refer to:
(b) Child sexual abuse refers to any form of communication through any platform or format,
or any physical interaction between a child and any person when the child is being used for
any act or activity inducing sexual stimulation or for the purpose of sexual gratification or in
pursuit of the desire to have carnal knowledge of the child, regardless of the gender of the
perpetrator or the victim, or the consent of the victim;
(h) Content data refers to the content of the communication, the meaning or purport of the
communication, or the message or information being conveyed by the communication, other
than traffic data, or subscriber's information/registration information;
(m) Internet asset includes internet site and any device that is engaged in peer-to-peer
sharing of OSAEC and CSAEM
(o) Internet hotspot refers to an establishment or any place or venue that offers access to the
internet. It includes hotels or motels, malls, restaurants, internet cafés or kiosks, public
spaces or other related/similar places;
(p) Internet intermediaries refer to persons or entities that provide infrastructure, platforms,
access to, and host, transmit and index content, products and services originated by third
parties on the internet. These include, among others:
(4) E-commerce intermediaries;
(r) Internet site refers to a website, bulletin board service, internet chat room, newsgroup, or
any other internet or shared network protocol address;
(2) Masturbation;
(4) Lascivious exhibition of the genitals, buttocks, breasts, pubic area and anus;
(5) Bestiality;
(z) Sexualization of a child refers to the act of using a child as an object for the sexual desire
or satisfaction of another, even if there is no actual sexual intercourse or no private part of
the body of the child has been shown;
(aa) Streaming refers to the broadcasting or viewing through the use of ICT, whether the
viewer is passively watching or actively directing the content. It is considered live-streaming
when the broadcasting or viewing occurs in real-time;
(1) The type of communication service used, the technical provisions taken thereto
and the period of service;
(dd) Web hosting provider refers to a person that provides infrastructure for hosting, supplies
web server space and internet connectivity that enables a user to post, upload, download
and share user-generated content, or a content provider who supplies content to the internet.
It shall also refer to a person that provides specialized hosting services such as streaming
services or application hosting, domain name registration services, or services that enable
users to create and manage their websites.
(a) To hire, employ, use, persuade, induce, extort, engage, or coerce a child to perform or
participate in whatever way in the creation or production of any form of OSAEC and CSAEM;
(b) To produce, direct, manufacture, facilitate, or create any form of CSAEM, or participate in
the production, direction, manufacture, facilitation or creation of the same;
(c) To offer, sell, distribute, advertise, promote, export, or import, by any means, any form of
CSAEM;
(d) To knowingly publish, transmit and broadcast, by any means, any form of CSAEM;
(e) To permit or influence the child to engage, participate or assist in any form of CSAEM;
(f) To produce, direct, create, hire, employ or pay a facilitator to stream or livestream acts of
child sexual abuse or exploitation
(g) To stream or live-stream acts of, or any form of, child sexual abuse and exploitation;
(h) To recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, provide, or receive a child or to induce or influence
the same, for the purpose of violating this Act;
(i) To introduce or match a child to a foreign national or to any person for the purpose of
committing any of the offenses under this Act;
(j) For film distributors, theaters and ICT services by themselves or in cooperation with other
entities, to distribute any form of CSAEM or to facilitate the commission of any of the
offenses under this Act;
(k) To knowingly benefit from, financial or otherwise, the commission of any of the offenses
of this Act;
(l) To provide a venue for the commission of prohibited acts under this section such as dens,
private rooms, cubicles, cinemas, houses, private homes, or other establishments;
(p) To willfully subscribe, join, donate to, or support an internet site that hosts OSAEC or the
streaming or live-streaming of child sexual abuse and exploitation;
(r) To possess any form of CSAEM: Provided, That possession of three (3) or more CSAEMs
is prima facie evidence of the intent to sell, distribute, publish or broadcast;
Section 5. Effect of Consent of the Victim. — The consent of the victim is not material or relevant
and shall not be available as a defense in the prosecution of the unlawful acts prohibited under
this Act.
Section 7. Protection of a Good Samaritan. — Any person who has the responsibility of reporting
cases under this Act, blocking an internet address, removing a website or domain, taking down of
shared videos, pictures, or messages for the services provided by an internet intermediary, and
providing information for the purpose of an investigation or prosecution of a case involving acts of
OSAEC shall not be held civilly, criminally or administratively liable: Provided, That the action was:
(3) reported within twenty-four (24) hours from the act of blocking an internet address,
removing a website or domain, or taking down of shared video, picture or messages.
Section 8. Safe Harbor Exception. — Access, possession and recording of any CSAEM of any
person for the purpose of complying with the duties under this Act; the reporting to government
authorities; legitimate investigation and administration of the criminal justice system; and legitimate
policy, scholarly and academic purposes with requisite ethical clearance, shall not be subject to any
civil, criminal, or administrative liability.
Section 9. Duties and Responsibilities of Private Sectors. —
(2) Preserve within six (6) months from the date of the transaction extendible for
another six (6) months or during the pendency of the case, all subscriber's or
registration information and traffic data in its control and possession: Provided, That
in the case of content data, the same shall be preserved within one (1) year, and
upon notice by the competent authority, the preservation shall be extendible for
another six (6) months: Provided, however, That the competent authority shall
expressly identify and specify such relevant evidence that needs
preservation: Provided, further, That the integrity of all computer data such as
subscriber's information, traffic data and content data relating to communication
services provided by a service provider shall be protected for the purpose of
investigation and prosecution of cases under this Act: Provided, finally, That the
preservation period provided under the law governing foreign corporations doing
business in the Philippines or the period provided under this Act, whichever is longer,
shall prevail;
(3) Immediately block access to, remove or take down the internet address, uniform
resource locator (URL), websites or any content thereof containing CSAEM or
involving streaming or live-streaming of OSAEC, within twenty-four (24) hours from
receipt of notice from a competent authority or notice containing sufficient information
to identify the content and its source: Provided, That this period may be extended to
another twenty-four (24) hours upon submission of a written justification if the notice
was made by any private citizen or by a competent authority without sufficient
information to identify the content and its source: Provided, however, That the period
provided in the preceding paragraph on the period of preservation of subscriber's or
registration information, traffic or content data shall apply: Provided, further, That the
competent authority shall, as far as practicable, expressly identify and specify such
relevant evidence that needs preservation
(4) Report to the Department of Justice (DOJ), within three (3) days, the internet
address or websites blocked, removed or taken down, or any form of unusual data
activity using its server or facility: Provided, That in cases when a foreign internet
intermediary is prohibited by its country to share data, the reports filed by such
foreign internet intermediary to the corresponding entity tasked by its government to
receive cybercrime reports shall be deemed in compliance with this
provision: Provided, however, That the said foreign internet intermediary shall inform
the DOJ of such reporting: Provided, further, That whatever relevant evidence
otherwise not prohibited by law to be shared shall nevertheless be reported to the
DOJ;
The subpoena must particularly describe the information asked for and indicate the
relevancy of such information to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children
(SAEC) case.
The subpoena must particularly describe the information asked for and indicate the
relevancy of such information on violations of this Act.
(8) Have a policy on notifying their community to ensure that their policy has a
provision on delaying or dispensing with notification to an account holder, subscriber
or customer of the internet intermediary who is stated to be a suspected offender of
an act of OSAEC in an ongoing criminal investigation, of the existence of a
subpoena, warrant, court order, or other governmental request directing the internet
intermediary to disclose information about the said account holder, subscriber or
customer for the purposes of the criminal investigation.
(b) Duties of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). — In addition to the above duties and
responsibilities, all ISPs shall:
(1) Notify the PNP or the NBI within forty-eight (48) hours from receipt of information
that any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation is being committed using its server
or facility, or is likely being committed using its server or facility based on, among
others, traffic analysis and observed sudden surges in usage;
(2) Block CSAEM or the streaming or live-streaming of a child sexually abused or
exploited within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of notice containing sufficient
information to identify the content and its source: Provided, That if the information
contained in the notice points to a legitimate website where the blocking thereof may
result to blocking of legitimate contents therein, the ISPs shall have the obligation to
inform the PNP or NBI within the same period of such fact: Provided, further, That
failure of the ISPs to block any form of CSAEM or the streaming and/or live-
streaming of child sexual exploitation within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of
notice as described above, shall be prima facie evidence of knowledge, as punished
under Section 4 (d) of this Act;
(3) Maintain logs of each and every subscriber and the IP address assigned to each
and every subscriber at a given date and time
(4) Develop and adopt a set of systems and procedures for preventing, blocking,
detecting, and reporting of OSAEC and CSAEM committed within their platforms,
which are compatible with the services and products they offer, including the
maintenance and management of an updated list of URLs containing CSAEM by
partnering with organizations that maintain the most comprehensive list of URLs with
CSAEM, and those with hashes of the same;
(6) Establish high privacy setting as default safety and privacy settings for children,
and where practicable and necessary, adopt age-verification controls and protocols
to restrict their access to materials within the purview of Section 3 (c) (iv) of
Presidential Decree No. 1986, entitled as "Creating the Movie and Television Review
and Classification Board."
(c) Duties of PSPs. In addition to the duties specified for internet intermediaries as applicable
to internet PSPs, any person who has direct knowledge of any OSAEC and CSAEM financial
activity shall have the duty to report any suspected OSAEC and CSAEM-related activity or
suspicious transaction to the DOJ-OOC within twenty-four (24) hours and they shall also
have the duty to report to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), within five (5) days
from discovery thereof.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 1405, entitled "An Act Prohibitng
Disclosure of or Inquiry into Deposits with any Banking Institution and Providing Penalty
Therefor," as amended, Republic Act No. 6426, otherwise known as the "Foreign Currency
Deposit Act of the Philippines," as amended,Republic Act No. 8791, otherwise known as
"The General Banking Law of 2000," as amended, and other pertinent laws, the law
enforcement agencies investigating cases under this Act may inquire into or examine any
particular deposit or investment, including related accounts, with any banking institution or
any non-bank financial institution upon order of any competent court when it has been
established that there is reasonable ground to believe that the deposit or investments,
including related accounts involved, are related to violations of this Act.
Money transfer and remittance centers shall require individuals transacting with them to
present valid government identification cards.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the AMLC shall
promulgate, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and
regulations for the implementation of this provision.
(2) Install and update programs and software designed to detect sexually explicit
activities involving children and ensure that access to or transmittal of such materials
will be blocked or filtered; and
(3) Promote awareness against OSAEC and CSAEM through clear and visible
signages in both English and the local dialect, with local and national hotlines posted
within their facilities.
Section 10. Penalties. — The following penalties shall be imposed on the following offenses:
(a) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j)
of this Act shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million
pesos (P2,000,000.00).
(b) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraphs (k) and (l) of this Act shall suffer the
penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to reclusion perpetua and a fine of not
less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00).
(c) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraphs (m), (n), and (o) of this Act shall suffer the
penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Eight hundred
thousand pesos (P800,000.00) but not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
(d) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraph (p) of this Act shall suffer the penalty
of reclusion temporal in its medium period and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than Eight hundred thousand pesos (P800,000.00).
(e) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraph (q) of this Act shall suffer the penalty
of reclusion temporal in its minimum period and a fine of not less than Three hundred
thousand pesos (P300,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00).
(f) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraph (r) of this Act shall suffer the penalty
of reclusion temporal and a fine of not less than Three hundred thousand pesos
(P300,000.00).
(g) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraph (s) of this Act shall suffer the penalty
of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Two hundred thousand
pesos (P200,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).
(h) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraph (t) of this Act shall suffer the penalty
of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
(i) Any person who violates Section 6 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment
and a fine of not less than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) but not more than Twenty
million pesos (P20,000,000.00).
In addition to the above penalties, the following offenders shall be ineligible for parole:
(2) An offender who is a step-parent or collateral relative within the third (3rd) degree of
consanguinity or affinity having control or moral ascendancy over the child; and
(3) Any offender whose victim died or suffered permanent mental, psychological or physical
disability.
Except for the violations of this Act that are penalized with life imprisonment, the frustrated
commission of the acts prohibited under Section 4 shall be punishable with the penalty one degree
lower than that prescribed under this Act: Provided, That attempted commission of
the acts prohibited under Section 4 shall be punishable with the penalty two (2) degrees lower than
that prescribed under this Act.
Any person found guilty of violating Section 9 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in
its medium period and a fine of not less than One million two hundred thousand pesos
(P1,200,000.00) but not more than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) for the first offense. In case of
subsequent offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not less than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00)
but not more than Three million pesos (P3,000,000.00) and revocation of its license or franchise to
operate and the immediate closure of the establishment, when applicable.
Any government official or employee or agent who abuses the authority provided for under Sections
9 and 23 of this Act shall be penalized with imprisonment of prision mayor in its maximum period and
perpetual disqualification to hold public office, the right to vote and participate in any public election
and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00). All the benefits due from
service in the government of such public officer or employee shall also be forfeited.
Section 11. Juridical Persons. — If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed
upon the owner, manager, partner, member of the board of directors and/or any responsible officer
of an enterprise who participated in the commission of the crime or shall have knowingly permitted or
failed to prevent its commission. In addition, the corporation shall be fined a minimum of ten percent
(10%) but not more than thirty percent (30%) of its net worth and its respective license or permit to
operate may be revoked.
Section 12. Alien Offenders. — If the offender is a foreigner, the offender shall be criminally
prosecuted immediately. Thereafter, the offender shall be deported after serving sentence and will
be permanently barred from re-entering the Philippines
Section 13. Confiscation and Forfeiture of the Proceeds, Tools and Instruments Used in Child
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation. — In addition to the penalty imposed for violations of this Act, the
court shall order the confiscation and forfeiture in favor of the government of all the proceeds, tools
and instruments used in the commission of the crime, unless these are properties of a third person
not liable for the unlawful act: Provided, That all awards for damages shall be taken from the
personal and separate properties of the offender: Provided, however, That if such properties are
insufficient, the deficiency shall be taken from the confiscated and forfeited proceeds, tools and
instruments.
All proceeds derived from the sale of properties used for the commission of any form of child sexual
abuse or exploitation shall be exclusively used for the purpose of child-rearing programs under the
special account of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
When the proceeds, tools and instruments used in the commission of the offense have been
destroyed, diminished in value or otherwise rendered worthless by any act or omission, directly or
indirectly, of the offender, or it has been concealed, removed, converted or transferred to prevent the
same from being found or to avoid forfeiture or confiscation, the offender shall be ordered to pay the
amount equal to the value of the proceeds, tools and instruments used in the commission of the
offense.
Section 14. Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction. — The State shall exercise jurisdiction over any act defined
and penalized under this Act, even if committed outside the Philippines and whether or not
such act or acts constitute an offense at the place of commission, if the offense, being a continuing
offense, was either commenced in the Philippines; or committed in another country: Provided, That
in the case of the latter, the suspect or accused is a Filipino citizen, a permanent resident of the
Philippines, and has committed the act against a citizen of the Philippines.
No prosecution may be commenced against a person under this section if a foreign government, in
accordance with jurisdiction recognized by the Philippines, has prosecuted or is prosecuting such
person for the conduct constituting such offense, except upon the approval of the Secretary of
Justice.
Section 15. Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance. — The DOJ shall be the central authority for
all requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance in all legal matters: Provided, That the
government may surrender or extradite any person accused or convicted of child sexual abuse or
exploitation pursuant to the extradition law and applicable extradition treaty.
The DOJ shall make and receive requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters from a
foreign State relative to the investigation or prosecution of, related criminal proceedings to, any form
of child sexual abuse or exploitation and execute or arrange for the execution of such request for
assistance. In case there is an existing mutual legal assistance treaty between the Philippines and a
foreign State, the provisions of that treaty shall apply.
Section 18. Appointment of Special Prosecutors. — The DOJ shall appoint or designate special
prosecutors to prosecute cases for the violation of this Act.
Section 19. Jurisdiction. — Jurisdiction over cases for the violation of this Act shall be vested in the
Family Court which has territorial jurisdiction over the place where the offense or any of its essential
elements was committed pursuant to Republic Act No. 8369, otherwise known as the "Family Courts
Act of 1997,": Provided, That the court shall not require the presence of a child victim during the trial
and that the child shall testify in accordance with "Rule on Examination of a Child Witness," as may
be provided by the Supreme Court and the Rules of Court.
Section 20. Venue. — A criminal action arising from a violation of this Act shall be filed where the
offense was committed, where any of its elements occurred, or where the child is found or actually
resides at the time of the commission of the offense: Provided, That the court where the criminal
action is first filed shall acquire jurisdiction to the exclusion of the other courts.
Section 21. Confidentiality. — The right to privacy of the child shall be ensured at any stage of the
investigation, prosecution and trial of an offense under this Act. Towards this end, the following rules
shall be observed:
(a) The judge, prosecutor or any officer of the law to whom the complaint has been referred
may, whenever necessary, ensure a fair and impartial proceeding and after considering all
circumstances for the best interest of the child, conduct a closed-door investigation,
prosecution or trial;
(b) The name and personal circumstances of the child, including the child's immediate family,
or any other information tending to establish the identity of the child shall not be disclosed to
the public;
(c) Any record regarding a child shall be confidential and kept under seal. Except upon
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written request and order of the court, a record shall be released only to the following:
(d) Any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation that is part of the court records shall be
subject to a protective order that provides as follows:
(1) Any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation may be viewed only by the parties,
their counsel, their expert witness and guardian ad litem;
(2) Neither form of child sexual abuse or exploitation nor any portion thereof shall be
divulged to any other person, except as necessary for investigation, prosecution or
trial; and
(e) It shall be unlawful for any editor, publisher, reporter or columnist in case of printed
materials, announcer, producer or social media influencer or content creator, in case of
television and radio broadcasting and digital media, and producer and director of the film in
case of the movie industry, to cause any undue publicity that may result in the further
suffering of the child. Any person or agency involved in the reporting, investigation or trial of
cases under this Act shall refrain from any act or statement that may be construed as
blaming the victim or placing responsibility on the victim for the offense committed against
them.
Section 22. Applicability of Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as Amended. — In cases where the
offender is a child, the prosecution of the offense shall be in accordance with Republic Act No.
9344, otherwise known as the "Juvenile Justice and Wlefare Act of 2006," as amended, and the
child shall be accorded the appropriate treatment and services under the said law: Provided, That in
cases of self-generated CSAMs, the child producing the sexualized materials shall be considered as
a victim and not as an offender. The child victim shall be accorded the necessary treatment and
services under this Act and in existing laws.
Agencies that receive complaints of violations of this Act shall develop both online and face-to-face
reporting mechanisms that are gender-sensitive, age-appropriate and culturally sensitive to children,
especially girls.
In investigating violations of this Act, a law enforcement officer may, upon a written order from the
regional trial court, track, intercept, view, monitor, surveil, listen to, and record, by technical or
electronic means, any communications, information or messages, including the procurement of
content data, transmitted by means of a computer system involving at least one (1) person
reasonably believed to have committed violations under this Act: Provided, That when the offense
involves the use of computer systems and digital platforms, a court order shall not be required in
order for a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity to intercept a communication
with a person reasonably believed to have committed, is committing, or is about to commit any of the
violations of this Act.
Where an order is required, the order shall only be issued or granted upon written application of a
law enforcement officer, who shall be examined under oath or affirmation, and the witnesses he or
she may produce and the showing that:
(1) there are reasonable grounds to believe that any of the crimes enumerated hereinabove
has been committed, or is being committed, or is about to be committed;
(2) that there are reasonable grounds to believe that evidence that will be obtained is
essential to the conviction of any person for, or to the solution of, or to the prevention of, any
such crimes; and
(3) that there are no other means readily available for obtaining such evidence.
The order shall only be effective for the length of time determined by the court, which shall not
exceed a period of ten (10) days from its issuance. The court issuing the order may, upon motion,
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extend its effectivity based only on justifiable reasons for a period not exceeding ten (10) days from
the expiration of the original period.
In investigating violations of this Act involving the use of the internet and other digital platforms, law
enforcement officers acting in an undercover capacity who record their communications with a
person or persons reasonably believed to have committed, is committing, or is about to commit any
of the violations under this Act shall not be considered as wiretapping or illegal interception, shall not
be liable under the provisions of Republic Act No. 4200, otherwise known as "The Anti-Wiretapping
Law": Provided, That victims of violations of this Act shall not be liable under the provisions of "The
Anti-Wiretapping Law" and the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012" if they record, transmit, or
perform any other acts directly or indirectly related to the reporting of any violation of
this Act committed against them.
Section 24. Who May File a Complaint. — Complaints on cases of any form of child sexual abuse or
exploitation punishable under this Act may be filed by the following:
(1) Offended party;
(2) Parents or guardians;
(9) At least three (3) concerned responsible citizens residing in the place where the violation
occurred; or
(10) Any person who has personal knowledge of the circumstances of the commission of any
offense under this Act.
Section 25. Affidavit of Desistance. — Cases involving OSAEC and CSAEM shall not be dismissed
based on the affidavit of desistance executed by the victims or their parents or legal guardians.
Public and private prosecutors are directed to vigorously oppose and manifest objections to motions
for dismissal. Any act that unduly pressures the complainant to execute an affidavit of desistance
shall be punishable under this Act.
Section 26. Protective Custody of the Child. — The child victim shall be immediately placed under
the protective custody of the city or municipal social welfare and development office: Provided, That
in cases where (a) the city or municipal social welfare and development office has no registered
social worker that can perform case management; (b) the LGU does not have any residential care
facility that can afford center-based intervention and rehabilitation; and/or (c) it was assessed that
there are safety and risk factors detrimental to the child's stay in the same locality, the DSWD shall
provide support and assistance to the concerned city or municipal social welfare and development
office by assuming temporary protective custody over the child: Provided, however, That the needs
of the child shall be provided for by the concerned LGU: Provided, further, That the custody
proceedings shall be in accordance with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 603, otherwise
known as "The Child and Youth Welfare Code."
The DSWD and the DOJ shall extend all necessary legal assistance and support to the city or
municipal social welfare and development office for any legal impediment that may arise in
performing their functions in assuming temporary protective custody as another form of technical
assistance and resource augmentation. In the regular performance of this function, the city or
municipal social welfare and development office or the DSWD shall be free from any administrative,
civil or criminal liability.
The child shall also be considered as a victim of a violent crime defined under Section 3 (d) of
Republic Act No. 7309, entitled "An Act Creating a Board of Claims under the Department of Justice
for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes and for Other
Purposes," and may claim compensation therefor.
(b) Counseling;
(c) Free legal services, which shall include information about the victim's rights and the
procedure for filing of complaints, claims for compensation and such other legal remedies
available to them in a language understood by the child;
(f) Educational assistance.
Sustained supervision and follow-through mechanism that will track the progress of recovery,
rehabilitation and reintegration of the child victims shall be adopted and carried out.
The DSWD and other concerned national government agencies may provide the necessary
technical assistance and resource augmentation to the LGUs or city or municipal social welfare and
development office, subject to the availability of funds.
Section 28. Programs for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation. — The National
Coordination Center against OSAEC and CSAEM created under Section 30 of this Act shall develop
and implement the necessary programs that will prevent any form of child sexual abuse or
exploitation, as well as protect, heal and reintegrate the child or children into the mainstream of
society. Such programs shall include the
(e) promotion of information and education campaigns regarding the safe and responsible
use of the internet in relation to the violations of this Act to educate the public, including
children; and
Section 29. Reasonable Accommodation for Children with Disabilities. — The DOJ and the DSWD
shall develop guidelines, within ninety (90) days from the finalization of the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act and pursuant to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
for the provision, as far as practicable, of necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments
across all stages of case management of OSAEC cases to ensure children with disabilities will have
access to justice.
The Supreme Court shall, in accordance with its rules and the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, issue guidelines for the provision, as far as practicable, of necessary and
appropriate modification and adjustments across all stages of case management of OSAEC and
CSAEM cases to ensure children with disabilities will have access to justice.
Section 30. National Coordination Center against OSAEC and CSAEM. — There shall be a National
Coordination Center against OSAEC and CSAEM (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) under the Inter-Agency
Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) formed under Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the
"Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003," as amended. The IACAT shall retain its composition and
functions as provided under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended, with the
additional mandate of addressing cases falling under this Act. The NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, under the
direction of the IACAT, shall develop and implement the necessary programs that will prevent the
commission of OSAEC and CSAEM, as well as protect, heal and reintegrate the child into the
mainstream of society. Such programs shall include the following:
(b) Advise and assist the IACAT Chairpersons in formulating and implementing the
objectives, policies, plans and programs of the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, including those
involving mobilization of government offices as well as other relevant government offices,
task forces, and mechanisms;
(i) Submit periodic reports to the IACAT members on the progress of objectives, policies,
plans and programs;
Section 32. Referral Pathway for OSAEC Cases. — There shall be an organized and unified referral
pathway for reporting, detecting, investigating, prosecuting, and providing aftercare assistance and
support in OSAEC and CSAEM cases. The NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM shall develop a system and a set
of gender-responsive, child-friendly, victim-centered and trauma-informed protocols for referring
OSAEC and CSAEM cases and recording and maintaining a unified database for the purpose of
tracking and updating the status and stages of investigation and prosecution of the same, consistent
with existing laws on the protection of the welfare of children. The NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM shall also
develop a feedback mechanism for victim-survivors who have accessed its services via this
pathway.
Section 33. Local Governments. — Local governments shall pass an ordinance to localize efforts
against OSAEC and CSAEM, take account local culture and norms, institutionalize community-
based initiatives that address OSAEC and CSAEM at the barangay level, establish OSAEC and
CSAEM prevention programs that aim to educate families against OSAEC and CSAEM, and provide
a holistic local program for rehabilitation and reintegration under the local social welfare and
development office including support and protection for victims and survivors.
Section 35. Age Verification Protocols. — All online providers of adult content shall be required to
adopt an anonymous age verification process before granting access to adult content. Not later than
one (1) year after the passage of this Act, the NTC shall complete a policy study into age-verification
controls and protocols by internet intermediaries that may be put in place in order to restrict the
access of children to materials within the purview of Section 3 (c) (iv) of Presidential Decree No.
1986, with the end in view of promulgating rules and regulations to this effect. Said rules and
regulations governing the adoption of an anonymous age verification process shall be promulgated
not later than eighteen (18) months after the passage of this Act. Nothing in this provision shall be
construed as an exemption to the provisions of the "Data Privacy Act of 2012."
Section 36. Authorized Sharing of Information. — The AMLC shall share information relating to
activities prohibited under this Act with the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM for the purpose of prosecuting
offenders alleged to have committed such activities. This information may be shared among AMLA-
covered institutions to facilitate compliance with their obligations as reporting entities under this Act.
Section 37. Creation of the OSAEC and CSAEM Offenders Registry. — An OSAEC and CSAEM
offenders registry for both Filipino nationals and foreigners shall be created containing the following
information of adult individuals convicted of OSAEC, CSAEM and other sexual offenses against
children:
(a) name;
(b) address;
(c) employment;
(d) fingerprints;
(g) other relevant information necessary for the proper registration of child sexual offenders.
The OSAEC and CSAEM offenders registry shall be lodged in the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, shall be
regularly updated and shared with relevant national government authorities, and shall also be linked
to international law enforcement agencies. In accordance with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act
of 2012, the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM may release relevant information that is necessary to protect the
public from imminent danger concerning a specific person required to register under this
section: Provided, That juvenile offenders shall not be recorded in the registry.
The oversight committee shall monitor and ensure the effective implementation of this Act,
recommend the necessary remedial legislation or administrative measures, and perform such other
duties and functions as may be necessary to attain the objectives of this Act.
Section 39. Transitory Provisions. — The mandates, office and funding of the existing Inter-Agency
Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) under Republic Act No. 9775, otherwise known as the
"Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009," shall remain until the effectivity of this Act. Upon the effectivity
of this Act, all the powers, functions, offices, personnel, assets, information and database of the
IACACP shall be transferred to the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM without the need of conveyance or order,
as the case may be.
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the existing budget or funds of the IACACP shall
be utilized by the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM. 1a⍵⍴h!1
The Secretariat or employees of the IACACP shall continue to exercise their respective functions,
duties and responsibilities with the corresponding benefits and privileges. As far as practicable, all
personnel of the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by the NCC-OSAEC-
CSAEM.
Section 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The members of the IACAT shall
constitute itself as the IRR Committee with the DSWD and the DOJ as the lead agencies, and with
the inclusion of the Department of Education, Department of Information and Communications
Technology, DILG, Department of Tourism, National Privacy Commission, NTC and the AMLC, and
two (2) NGOs on children's rights, to promulgate rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act. The IRR Committee shall promulgate the rules and regulations within six
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Section 42. Suppletory Application of the Revised Penal Code. — The Revised Penal Code shall be
suppletorily applicable to this Act.
Section 43. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 44. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 9775 and Section 4 (c) (1) of Republic Act No.
10175, otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012," are hereby repealed.
All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed
accordingly.
Section 45. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.