The Philippine Educators Alliance for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Party-list lauded the enactment of a landmark measure prohibiting child marriage in the country.
“The Prohibition of Child Marriage Law is a necessary measure to protect and uphold the welfare of Filipino children. The practice of child marriage has prevailed long enough, and we in PEACE Party-list laud the government for taking the steps to put a stop to this sordid practice,” PEACE PL’s president and first nominee, Marie Paz T. Abante, said.
According to the group Child Rights Network, one in six Filipino girls get married before reaching the age of 18.
“Children should be in school and not married off to their abusers,” Abante added.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Law, or Republic Act 11596, lapsed into law after Pres. Rodrigo Duterte failed to act on the bill ratified by Congress in November last year.
The 1987 Constitution provides that the President has 30 days to either sign or veto a bill transmitted to his office. The bill lapses into law if he or she does not act on the measure within the allotted period.
Abante noted that RA 11596 would be crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty to which victims of child marriages are thrust.
Under the new law, facilitation and solemnization of child marriage, as well as the cohabitation of an adult with a child out of wedlock are now considered public crimes with corresponding penalties.
“Child marriage is a destructive practice that disrupts the growth and development of children. Young girls who are victims of child marriages are forced to deal with teenage pregnancy, which in turn causes their education and future to suffer,” the long-time educator said.
“Dahil dito, dumarami ang mga napapabilang sa hanay ng mahihirap. Kaya’t napakahalagang papel ang ginagampanan ng batas na ito upang maiwasan ang pagdami ng naghihikahos nating kababayan,” Abante also said.
Under the new law, facilitation and solemnization of child marriage, as well as the cohabitation of an adult with a child out of wedlock are now considered public crimes with corresponding penalties.
Solemnizing officers, parents, guardians, or adults who fixed, facilitated, or arranged a child marriage would be penalized with prision mayor in its medium period, which is equivalent to eight years and one day to 10 years of imprisonment, and a fine of P40,000. However, perpetrators who are ascendants, parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, or guardians of the victim would be imposed the maximum period, or equivalent to 10 years and one day to 12 years of imprisonment, and a fine of P50,000.
Abante urged the government to immediately craft the law’s implementing rules and regulations.
“We need specific operational details and clearly defined standards as soon as possible to ensure the law is properly implemented,” she said.
“Enough Filipino children have already suffered, so I hope that we give the extra effort to promulgate the IRR as fast as we can so that no more children would fall victim to this practice,” Abante added.
According to the group Child Rights Network, one in six Filipino girls get married before reaching the age of 18. The Philippines also currently ranks 10th worldwide in terms of absolute number of child marriages and unions.
