Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Got Questions? 5 Ways to Get Legal Help - Finances - Law and Daily Life

see  -  Got Questions? 5 Ways to Get Legal Help - Finances - Law and Daily Life


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Assuming that you didn’t go to law school and don’t have a subscription to expensive legal research services, how do you go about finding these answers? We have some suggestions.
  1. Do your own research. It’s not necessarily quick, but there are resources out there if you need to answer to a legal question. You can look up the relevant laws, use a free legal research tool like FindLaw, or check out your local court website for information.
  2. Post on a forum. If your question is specific or personal the answer might not be out there yet. But you can post it to an expert on the Answers forum and get a free response, or at least a nudge in the right direction.
  3. Find your local self-help center. For issues that involve the court or at least require filing legal documents, you might be able to get some free assistance. Many courts and counties have a free self-help center with all the forms you might need and hopefully someone to help you with filling them out.
  4. Pay for a legal consultation. It’s not necessarily cost-effective but you might be able to get a one or two hour consultation with a local attorney. For some issues that might be a bit of overkill but for others, it could be worth it for the peace of mind. Got a lawyer in the family? You might even be able to get a discount.
  5. Get a legal plan. There’s a happy medium between do-it-yourself and shelling out money for a lawyer. You can join a legal plan that gives you access to phone consultations with a lawyer. Plans like LegalStreet charge a low monthly fee; in exchange, you can ask your legal questions and get help with basic legal documents. When choosing a plan, look for one that will help you now and give you a discount if you later need an attorney to represent you in court. You know, for just in case.
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Philippines rights victims to receive compensation | ABC Radio Australia

see - Philippines rights victims to receive compensation | ABC Radio Australia


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Philippines rights victims to receive compensation

Updated 26 February 2013, 7:59 AEST
Philippines pass law to compensate victims of human rights abuses under Ferdinand Marcos regime.
Philippines President Benigno Aquino has passed landmark legislation to compensate victims of human rights abuses under late former president Ferdinand Marcos.
The Human Rights Reparation Law will give financial compensation to at least 10,000 people, who claim to have suffered from abuses under the Marcos regime.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of Society of Ex-Detainees Against Detention and Arrest (SELDA) has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific the move to compensate victims represents a "correction of history".
"I think more than the monetary compensation, the one important thing for us is the recognition that there have been people who fought during those dark years of martial law," she said"
The money will come from a fund worth US $250 million, made up of assets the government confiscated from Ferdinand Marcos.
The law was signed on the 27th anniversary of the bloodless revolt, which ended Ferdinand Marcos' 20-year rule.
Human rights victims and their families have welcomed the law, saying it is long overdue.
The son of the late president, Ferdinand Junior, has shrugged off the law, saying the government has confiscated his family's assets and the issue of compensation is now between the victims and the government.
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Republic Act No. 10361 - domestic workers act - batas kasambahay - Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

see - Republic Act No. 10361 | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines


"x x x.


[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361]
AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION
AND WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. – It is hereby declared that:
(a) The State strongly affirms labor as a primary social force and is committed to respect, promote, protect and realize the fundamental principles and rights at work including, but not limited to, abolition of child labor, elimination of all forms of forced labor, discrimination in employment and occupation, and trafficking in persons, especially women and children;
(b) The State adheres to internationally accepted working conditions for workers in general, and establishes labor standards for domestic workers in particular, towards decent employment and income, enhanced coverage of social protection, respect for human rights and strengthened social dialogue;
(c) The State recognizes the need to protect the rights of domestic workers against abuse, harassment, violence, economic exploitation and performance of work that is hazardous to their physical and mental health; and
(d) The State, in protecting domestic workers and recognizing their special needs to ensure safe and healthful working conditions, promotes gender-sensitive measures in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs affecting the local domestic work.
SEC. 3. Coverage. – This Act applies to all domestic workers employed and working within the country.
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term:
(a) Debt bondage refers to the rendering of service by the domestic worker as security or payment for a debt where the length and nature of service is not clearly defined or when the value of the service is not reasonably applied in the payment of the debt.
(b) Deployment expenses refers to expenses that are directly used for the transfer of the domestic worker from place of origin to the place of work covering the cost of transportation. Advances or loans by the domestic worker are not included in the definition of deployment expenses.
(c) Domestic work refers to work performed in or for a household or households.
(d) Domestic worker or “Kasambahay” refers to any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship such as, but not limited to, the following: general househelp, nursemaid or “yaya”, cook, gardener, or laundry person, but shall exclude any person who performs domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.
The term shall not include children who are under foster family arrangement, and are provided access to education and given an allowance incidental to education, i.e. “baon”, transportation, school projects and school activities.
(e) Employer refers to any person who engages and controls the services of a domestic worker and is party to the employment contract.
(f) Household refers to the immediate members of the family or the occupants of the house that are directly provided services by the domestic worker.
(g) Private Employment Agency (PEA) refers to any individual, legitimate partnership, corporation or entity licensed to engage in the recruitment and placement of domestic workers for local employment.
(h) Working children, as used under this Act, refers to domestic workers who are fifteen (15) years old and above but below eighteen (18) years old.
ARTICLE II
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
SEC. 5. Standard of Treatment. – The employer or any member of the household shall not subject a domestic worker or “kasambahay” to any kind of abuse nor inflict any form of physical violence or harassment or any act tending to degrade the dignity of a domestic worker.
SEC. 6. Board, Lodging and Medical Attendance. – The employer shall provide for the basic necessities of the domestic worker to include at least three (3) adequate meals a day and humane sleeping arrangements that ensure safety.
The employer shall provide appropriate rest and assistance to the domestic worker in case of illnesses and injuries sustained during service without loss of benefits.
At no instance shall the employer withdraw or hold in abeyance the provision of these basic necessities as punishment or disciplinary action to the domestic worker.
SEC. 7. Guarantee of Privacy. – Respect for the privacy of the domestic worker shall be guaranteed at all times and shall extend to all forms of communication and personal effects. This guarantee equally recognizes that the domestic worker is obliged to render satisfactory service at all times.
SEC. 8. Access to Outside Communication. – The employer shall grant the domestic worker access to outside communication during free time:Provided, That in case of emergency, access to communication shall be granted even during work time. Should the domestic worker make use of the employer’s telephone or other communication facilities, the costs shall be borne by the domestic worker, unless such charges are waived by the employer.
SEC. 9. Right to Education and Training. – The employer shall afford the domestic worker the opportunity to finish basic education and may allow access to alternative learning systems and, as far as practicable, higher education or technical and vocational training. The employer shall adjust the work schedule of the domestic worker to allow such access to education or training without hampering the services required by the employer.
SEC. 10. Prohibition Against Privileged Information. – All communication and information pertaining to the employer or members of the household shall be treated as privileged and confidential, and shall not be publicly disclosed by the domestic worker during and after employment. Such privileged information shall be inadmissible in evidence except when the suit involves the employer or any member of the household in a crime against persons, property, personal liberty and security, and chastity.
ARTICLE III
PRE-EMPLOYMENT
SEC. 11. Employment Contract. – An employment contract shall be executed by and between the domestic worker and the employer before the commencement of the service in a language or dialect understood by both the domestic worker and the employer. The domestic worker shall be provided a copy of the duly signed employment contract which must include the following:
(a) Duties and responsibilities of the domestic worker;
(b) Period of employment;
(c) Compensation;
(d) Authorized deductions;
(e) Hours of work and proportionate additional payment;
(f) Rest days and allowable leaves;
(g) Board, lodging and medical attention;
(h) Agreements on deployment expenses, if any;
(i) Loan agreement;
(j) Termination of employment; and
(k) Any other lawful condition agreed upon by both parties.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall develop a model employment contract for domestic workers which shall, at all times, be made available free of charge to domestic workers, employers, representative organizations and the general public. The DOLE shall widely disseminate information to domestic workers and employers on the use of such model employment contract.
In cases where the employment of the domestic worker is facilitated through a private employment agency, the PEA shall keep a copy of all employment contracts of domestic workers and shall be made available for verification and inspection by the DOLE.
SEC. 12. Pre-Employment Requirement. – Prior to the execution of the employment contract, the employer may require the following from the domestic worker:
(a) Medical certificate or a health certificate issued by a local government health officer;
(b) Barangay and police clearance;
(c) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance; and
(d) Duly authenticated birth certificate or if not available, any other document showing the age of the domestic worker such as voter’s identification card, baptismal record or passport.
However, Section 12(a), (b), (c) and (d) shall be standard requirements when the employment of the domestic worker is facilitated through the PEA.
The cost of the foregoing shall be borne by the prospective employer or agency, as the case may be.
SEC. 13. Recruitment and Finder’s Fees. – Regardless of whether the domestic worker was hired through a private employment agency or a third party, no share in the recruitment or finder’s fees shall be charged against the domestic worker by the said private employment agency or third party.
SEC. 14. Deposits for Loss or Damage. – It shall be unlawful for the employer or any other person to require a domestic worker to make deposits from which deductions shall be made for the reimbursement of loss or damage to tools, materials, furniture and equipment in the household.
SEC. 15. Prohibition on Debt Bondage. – It shall be unlawful for the employer or any person acting on behalf of the employer to place the domestic worker under debt bondage.
SEC. 16. Employment Age of Domestic Workers. – It shall be unlawful to employ any person below fifteen (15) years of age as a domestic worker. Employment of working children, as defined under this Act, shall be subject to the provisionsof Section 10(A), paragraph 2 of Section 12-A, paragraph 4 of Section 12-D, and Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7610, as amended, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”.
Working children shall be entitled to minimum wage, and all benefits provided under this Act.
Any employer who has been sentenced by a court of law of any offense against a working child under this Act shall be meted out with a penalty one degree higher and shall be prohibited from hiring a working child.
SEC. 17. Employer’s Reportorial Duties. – The employers shall register all domestic workers under their employment in the Registry of Domestic Workers in the barangay where the employer’s residence is located. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall, in coordination with the DOLE, formulate a registration system for this purpose.
SEC. 18. Skills Training, Assessment and Certification. – To ensure productivity and assure quality services, the DOLE, through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), shall facilitate access of domestic workers to efficient training, assessment and certification based on a duly promulgated training regulation.
ARTICLE IV
EMPLOYMENT – TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SEC. 19. Health and Safety. – The employer shall safeguard the health and safety of the domestic worker in accordance with laws, rules and regulations, with due consideration of the peculiar nature of domestic work.
SEC. 20. Daily Rest Period. – The domestic worker shall be entitled to an aggregate daily rest period of eight (8) hours per day.
SEC. 21. Weekly Rest Period. – The domestic worker shall be entitled to at least twenty-four (24) consecutive hours of rest in a week. The employer and the domestic worker shall agree in writing on the schedule of the weekly rest day of the domestic worker: Provided, That the employer shall respect the preference of the domestic worker as to the weekly rest day when such preference is based on religious grounds. Nothing in this provision shall deprive the domestic worker and the employer from agreeing to the following:
(a) Offsetting a day of absence with a particular rest day;
(b) Waiving a particular rest day in return for an equivalent daily rate of pay;
(c) Accumulating rest days not exceeding five (5) days; or
(d) Other similar arrangements.
SEC. 22. Assignment to Nonhousehold Work. – No domestic worker shall be assigned to work in a commercial, industrial or agricultural enterprise at a wage rate lower than that provided for agricultural or nonagricultural workers. In such cases, the domestic worker shall be paid the applicable minimum wage.
SEC. 23. Extent of Duty. – The domestic worker and the employer may mutually agree for the former to temporarily perform a task that is outside the latter’s household for the benefit of another household. However, any liability that will be incurred by the domestic worker on account of such arrangement shall be borne by the original employer. In addition, such work performed outside the household shall entitle the domestic worker to an additional payment of not less than the existing minimum wage rate of a domestic worker. It shall be unlawful for the original employer to charge any amount from the said household where the service of the domestic worker was temporarily performed.
SEC 24. Minimum Wage. – The minimum wage of domestic workers shall not be less than the following:
(a) Two thousand five hundred pesos (P2,500.00) a month for those employed in the National Capital Region (NCR);
(b) Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) a month for those employed in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and
(c) One thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) a month for those employed in other municipalities.
After one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Regional Tripartite and Productivity Wage Boards (RTPWBs) shall review, and if proper, determine and adjust the minimum wage rates of domestic workers.
SEC 25. Payment of Wages. – Payment of wages shall be made on time directly to the domestic worker to whom they are due in cash at least once a month. The employer, unless allowed by the domestic worker through a written consent, shall make no deductions from the wages other than that which is mandated by law. No employer shall pay the wages of a domestic worker by means of promissory notes, vouchers, coupons, tokens, tickets, chits, or any object other than the cash wage as provided for under this Act.
The domestic worker is entitled to a thirteenth month pay as provided for by law.
SEC. 26. Pay Slip. – The employer shall at all times provide the domestic worker with a copy of the pay slip containing the amount paid in cash every pay day, and indicating all deductions made, if any. The copies of the pay slip shall be kept by the employer for a period of three (3) years.
SEC. 27. Prohibition on Interference in the Disposal of Wages. – It shall be unlawful for the employer to interfere with the freedom of any domestic worker to dispose of the latter’s wages. The employer shall not force, compel or oblige the domestic worker to purchase merchandise, commodities or other properties from the employer or from any other person, or otherwise make use of any store or services of such employer or any other person.
SEC 28. Prohibition Against Withholding of Wages. – It shall be unlawful for an employer, directly or indirectly, to withhold the wages of the domestic worker. If the domestic worker leaves without any justifiable reason, any unpaid salary for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days shall be forfeited. Likewise, the employer shall not induce the domestic worker to give up any part of the wages by force, stealth, intimidation, threat or by any other means whatsoever.
SEC. 29. Leave Benefits. – A domestic worker who has rendered at least one (1) year of service shall be entitled to an annual service incentive leave of five (5) days with pay: Provided, That any unused portion of said annual leave shall not be cumulative or carried over to the succeeding years. Unused leaves shall not be convertible to cash.
SEC. 30. Social and Other Benefits. – A domestic worker who has rendered at least one (1) month of service shall be covered by the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the pertinent provisions provided by law.
Premium payments or contributions shall be shouldered by the employer. However, if the domestic worker is receiving a wage of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and above per month, the domestic worker shall pay the proportionate share in the premium payments or contributions, as provided by law.
The domestic worker shall be entitled to all other benefits under existing laws.
SEC. 31. Rescue and Rehabilitation of Abused Domestic Workers. – Any abused or exploited domestic worker shall be immediately rescued by a municipal or city social welfare officer or a social welfare officer from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the concerned barangay officials. The DSWD and the DILG shall develop a standard operating procedure for the rescue and rehabilitation of abused domestic workers, and in coordination with the DOLE, for possible subsequent job placement.
ARTICLE V
POST EMPLOYMENT
SEC. 32. Termination of Service. – Neither the domestic worker nor the employer may terminate the contract before the expiration of the term except for grounds provided for in Sections 33 and 34 of this Act. If the domestic worker is unjustly dismissed, the domestic worker shall be paid the compensation already earned plus the equivalent of fifteen (15) days work by way of indemnity. If the domestic worker leaves without justifiable reason, any unpaid salary due not exceeding the equivalent fifteen (15) days work shall be forfeited. In addition, the employer may recover from the domestic worker costs incurred related to the deployment expenses, if any: Provided, That the service has been terminated within six (6) months from the domestic worker’s employment.
If the duration of the domestic service is not determined either in stipulation or by the nature of the service, the employer or the domestic worker may give notice to end the working relationship five (5) days before the intended termination of the service.
The domestic worker and the employer may mutually agree upon written notice to pre-terminate the contract of employment to end the employment relationship.
SEC. 33. Termination Initiated by the Domestic Worker. – The domestic worker may terminate the employment relationship at any time before the expiration of the contract for any of the following causes:
(a) Verbal or emotional abuse of the domestic worker by the employer or any member of the household;
(b) Inhuman treatment including physical abuse of the domestic worker by the employer or any member of the household;
(c) Commission of a crime or offense against the domestic worker by the employer or any member of the household;
(d) Violation by the employer of the terms and conditions of the employment contract and other standards set forth under this law;
(e) Any disease prejudicial to the health of the domestic worker, the employer, or member/s of the household; and
(f) Other causes analogous to the foregoing.
SEC. 34. Termination Initiated by the Employer. – An employer may terminate the services of the domestic worker at any time before the expiration of the contract, for any of the following causes:
(a) Misconduct or willful disobedience by the domestic worker of the lawful order of the employer in connection with the former’s work;
(b) Gross or habitual neglect or inefficiency by the domestic worker in the performance of duties;
(c) Fraud or willful breach of the trust reposed by the employer on the domestic worker;
(d) Commission of a crime or offense by the domestic worker against the person of the employer or any immediate member of the employer’s family;
(e) Violation by the domestic worker of the terms and conditions of the employment contract and other standards set forth under this law;
(f) Any disease prejudicial to the health of the domestic worker, the employer, or member/s of the household; and
(g) Other causes analogous to the foregoing.
SEC. 35. Employment Certification. – Upon the severance of the employment relationship, the employer shall issue the domestic worker within five (5) days from request a certificate of employment indicating the nature, duration of the service and work performance.
ARTICLE VI
PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
SEC. 36. Regulation of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). – The DOLE shall, through a system of licensing and regulation, ensure the protection of domestic workers hired through the PEAs.
The PEA shall be jointly and severally liable with the employer for all the wages, wage-related benefits, and other benefits due a domestic worker.
The provision of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the “Labor Code of the Philippines”, on qualifications of the PEAs with regard to nationality, networth, owners and officers, office space and other requirements, as well as nontransferability of license and commission of prohibited practices, shall apply.
In addition, PEAs shall have the following responsibilities:
(a) Ensure that domestic workers are not charged or levied any recruitment or placement fees;
(b) Ensure that the employment agreement between the domestic worker and the employer stipulates the terms and conditions of employment and all the benefits prescribed by this Act;
(c) Provide a pre-employment orientation briefing to the domestic worker and the employer about their rights and responsibilities in accordance with this Act;
(d) Keep copies of employment contracts and agreements pertaining to recruited domestic workers which shall be made available during inspections or whenever required by the DOLE or local government officials;
(e) Assist domestic workers with respect to complaints or grievances against their employers; and
(f) Cooperate with government agencies in rescue operations involving abused or exploited domestic workers.
ARTICLE VII
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
SEC. 37. Mechanism for Settlement of Disputes. – All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the DOLE Regional Office having jurisdiction over the workplace without prejudice to the filing of a civil or criminal action in appropriate cases. The DOLE Regional Office shall exhaust all conciliation and mediation efforts before a decision shall be rendered.
Ordinary crimes or offenses committed under the Revised Penal Code and other special penal laws by either party shall be filed with the regular courts.
ARTICLE VIII
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 38. Information Program. – The DOLE shall, in coordination with the DILG, the SSS, the PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG develop and implement a continuous information dissemination program on the provisions of this Act, both at the national and local level, immediately after the enactment of this law.
SEC. 39. “Araw Ng Mga Kasambahay”. – The date upon which the President shall approve this “Domestic Workers Act” shall be designated as the “Araw ng mga Kasambahay”.
ARTICLE IX
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 40. Penalty. – Any violation of the provisions of this Act declared unlawful shall be punishable with a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than Forty thousand pesos (P40,000.00) without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil or criminal action by the aggrieved party.
SEC. 41. Transitory Provision; Non-Diminution of Benefits. – All existing arrangements between a domestic worker and the employer shall be adjusted to conform to the minimum standards set by this Act within a period of sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That adjustments pertaining to wages shall take effect immediately after the determination and issuance of the appropriate wage order by the RTWPBs:Provided, further, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to cause the diminution or substitution of any benefits and privileges currently enjoyed by the domestic worker hired directly or through an agency.
SEC. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and the Director General of the Philippine National Police, in coordination with other concerned government agencies and accredited nongovernment organizations (NGOs) assisting domestic workers, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
ARTICLE X
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 43. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. – All articles or provisions of Chapter III (Employment of Househelpers) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended and renumbered by Republic Act No. 10151 are hereby expressly repealed. All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 45. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.Speaker of the House
of Representatives
(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident of the Senate
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 78 and House Bill No. 6144 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on November 27, 2012 and November 26, 2012, respectively.
(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAPSecretary General
House of Representatives
(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate
Approved: JAN 18 2013
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO IIIPresident of the Philippines

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Republic Act No. 10364 expanding RA 9208 re human trafficking - Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

see -  Republic Act No. 10364 | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines


"x x x.


[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10364]
AN ACT EXPANDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012″.
SEC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared that the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees the respect of individual rights. In pursuit of this policy, the State shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons, not only to support trafficked persons but more importantly, to ensure their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream of society.
“It shall be a State policy to recognize the equal rights and inherent human dignity of women and men as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime Including its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and all other relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments and other international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.”
SEC. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:
“(a) Trafficking in Persons – refers to the recruitment, obtaining, hiring, providing, offering, transportation, transfer, maintaining, harboring, or receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge, within or across national borders by means of threat, or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or, the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation which includes at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude or the removal or sale of organs.
“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, adoption or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation or when the adoption is induced by any form of consideration for exploitative purposes shall also be considered as ‘trafficking in persons’ even if it does not involve any of the means set forth in the preceding paragraph.
“(b) Child – refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or one who is over eighteen (18) but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself/herself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.
“(c) Prostitution – refers to any act, transaction, scheme or design involving the use of a person by another, for sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct in exchange for money, profit or any other consideration.
“(d) Forced Labor – refers to the extraction of work or services from any person by means of enticement, violence, intimidation or threat, use of, force or coercion, including deprivation of freedom, abuse of authority or moral ascendancy, debt-bondage or deception including any work or service extracted from any person under the menace of penalty.
“(e) Slavery – refers to the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.
“(f) Involuntary Servitude – refers to a condition of enforced and compulsory service induced by means of any scheme, plan or pattern, intended to cause a person to believe that if he or she did not enter into or continue in such condition, he or she or another person would suffer serious harm or other forms of abuse or physical restraint, or threat of abuse or harm, or coercion including depriving access to travel documents and withholding salaries, or the abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process.
“(g) Sex Tourism – refers to a program organized by travel and tourism-related establishments and individuals which consists of tourism packages or activities, utilizing and offering escort and sexual services as enticement for tourists. This includes sexual services and practices offered during rest and recreation periods for members of the military.
“(h) Sexual Exploitation – refers to participation by a person in prostitution, pornography or the production of pornography, in exchange for money, profit or any other consideration or where the participation is caused or facilitated by any means of intimidation or threat, use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, debt bondage, abuse of power or of position or of legal process, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person; or in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct caused or facilitated by any means as provided in this Act.
“(i) Debt Bondage – refers to the pledging by the debtor of his/her personal services or labor or those of a person under his/her control as security or payment for a debt, when the length and nature of services is not clearly defined or when the value of the services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt.
“(j) Pornography – refers to any representation, through publication, exhibition, cinematography, indecent shows, information technology, or by whatever means, of a person engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of a person for primarily sexual purposes.
“(k) Council – shall mean the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking created under Section 20 of this Act.”
SEC. 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 4. Acts of Trafficking in Persons. – It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to commit any of the following acts:
“(a) To recruit, obtain, hire, provide, offer, transport, transfer, maintain, harbor, or receive a person by any means, including those done under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or apprenticeship, for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, or sexual exploitation;
“(b) To introduce or match for money, profit, or material, economic or other consideration, any person or, as provided for under Republic Act No. 6955, any Filipino woman to a foreign national, for marriage for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling or trading him/her to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;
“(c) To offer or contract marriage, real or simulated, for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling, or trading them to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor or slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;
“(d) To undertake or organize tours and travel plans consisting of tourism packages or activities for the purpose of utilizing and offering persons for prostitution, pornography or sexual exploitation;
“(e) To maintain or hire a person to engage in prostitution or pornography;
“(f) To adopt persons by any form of consideration for exploitative purposes or to facilitate the same for purposes of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;
“(g) To adopt or facilitate the adoption of persons for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;
“(h) To recruit, hire, adopt, transport, transfer, obtain, harbor, maintain, provide, offer, receive or abduct a person, by means of threat or use of force, fraud, deceit, violence, coercion, or intimidation for the purpose of removal or sale of organs of said person;
“(i) To recruit, transport, obtain, transfer, harbor, maintain, offer, hire, provide, receive or adopt a child to engage in armed activities in the Philippines or abroad;
“(j) To recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, obtain, maintain, offer, hire, provide or receive a person by means defined in Section 3 of this Act for purposes of forced labor, slavery, debt bondage and involuntary servitude, including a scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person either:
“(1) To believe that if the person did not perform such labor or services, he or she or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint; or
“(2) To abuse or threaten the use of law or the legal processes; and
“(k) To recruit, transport, harbor, obtain, transfer, maintain, hire, offer, provide, adopt or receive a child for purposes of exploitation or trading them, including but not limited to, the act of baring and/or selling a child for any consideration or for barter for purposes of exploitation. Trafficking for purposes of exploitation of children shall include:
“(1) All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, involuntary servitude, debt bondage and forced labor, including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict;
“(2) The use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography, or for pornographic performances;
“(3) The use, procuring or offering of a child for the production and trafficking of drugs; and
“(4) The use, procuring or offering of a child for illegal activities or work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm their health, safety or morals; and
“(l) To organize or direct other persons to commit the offenses defined as acts of trafficking under this Act.”
SEC. 5. A new Section 4-A is hereby inserted in Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 4-A. Attempted Trafficking in Persons. – Where there are acts to initiate the commission of a trafficking offense but the offender failed to or did not execute all the elements of the crime, by accident or by reason of some cause other than voluntary desistance, such overt acts shall be deemed as an attempt to commit an act of trafficking in persons. As such, an attempt to commit any of the offenses enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall constitute attempted trafficking in persons.
“In cases where the victim is a child, any of the following acts shall also be deemed as attempted trafficking in persons:
“(a) Facilitating the travel of a child who travels alone to a foreign country or territory without valid reason therefor and without the required clearance or permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or a written permit or justification from the child’s parent or legal guardian;
“(b) Executing, for a consideration, an affidavit of consent or a written consent for adoption;
“(c) Recruiting a woman to bear a child for the purpose of selling the child;
“(d) Simulating a birth for the purpose of selling the child; and
“(e) Soliciting a child and acquiring the custody thereof through any means from among hospitals, clinics, nurseries, daycare centers, refugee or evacuation centers, and low-income families, for the purpose of selling the child.”
SEC. 6. A new Section 4-B is hereby inserted in Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 4-B. Accomplice Liability. – Whoever knowingly aids, abets, cooperates in the execution of the offense by previous or simultaneous acts defined in this Act shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(c) of this Act.”
SEC. 7. A new Section 4-C is hereby inserted in Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 4-C. Accessories. – Whoever has the knowledge of the commission of the crime, and without having participated therein, either as principal or as accomplices, take part in its commission in any of the following manners:
“(a) By profiting themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime;
“(b) By concealing or destroying the body of the crime or effects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery;
“(c) By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principal of the crime, provided the accessory acts with abuse of his or her public functions or is known to be habitually guilty of some other crime.
“Acts defined in this provision shall be punished in accordance with the provision of Section 10(d) as stated thereto.”
SEC. 8. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 5. Acts that Promote Trafficking in Persons. – The following acts which promote or facilitate trafficking in persons, shall be unlawful:
“(a) xxx
“(b) To produce, print and issue or distribute unissued, tampered or fake counseling certificates, registration stickers, overseas employment certificates or other certificates of any government agency which issues these certificates, decals and such other markers as proof of compliance with government regulatory and pre-departure requirements for the purpose of promoting trafficking in persons;
“(c) xxx
“(d) xxx
“(e) xxx
“(f) xxx
“(g) xxx
“(h) To tamper with, destroy, or cause the destruction of evidence, or to influence or attempt to influence witnesses, in an investigation or prosecution of a case under this Act;
“(i) To destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate or possess, or attempt to destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate or possess, any actual or purported passport or other travel, immigration or working permit or document, or any other actual or purported government identification, of any person in order to prevent or restrict, or attempt to prevent or restrict, without lawful authority, the person’s liberty to move or travel in order to maintain the labor or services of that person; or
“(j) To utilize his or her office to impede the investigation, prosecution or execution of lawful orders in a case under this Act.”
SEC. 9. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 6. Qualified Trafficking in Persons. – Violations of Section 4 of this Act shall be considered as qualified trafficking:
“x x x
“(d) When the offender is a spouse, an ascendant, parent, sibling, guardian or a person who exercises authority over the trafficked person or when the offense is committed by a public officer or employee;
“x x x
“(f) When the offender is a member of the military or law enforcement agencies;
“(g) When by reason or on occasion of the act of trafficking in persons, the offended party dies, becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is afflicted with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS);
“(h) When the offender commits one or more violations of Section 4 over a period of sixty (60) or more days, whether those days are continuous or not; and
“(i) When the offender directs or through another manages the trafficking victim in carrying out the exploitative purpose of trafficking.”
SEC. 10. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 7. Confidentiality. – At any stage of the investigation, rescue, prosecution and trial of an offense under this Act, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, court personnel, social workers and medical practitioners, as well as parties to the case, shall protect the right to privacy of the trafficked person. Towards this end, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges to whom the complaint has been referred may, whenever necessary to ensure a fair and impartial proceeding, and after considering all circumstances for the best interest of the parties, order a closed-door investigation, prosecution or trial. The name and personal circumstances of the trafficked person or any other information tending to establish the identity of the trafficked person and his or her family shall not be disclosed to the public.
“It shall be unlawful for any editor, publisher, and reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer or producer in case of television and radio, producer and director of a film in case of the movie industry, or any person utilizing tri-media facilities or electronic information technology to cause publicity of the name, personal circumstances, or any information tending to establish the identity of the trafficked person except when the trafficked person in a written statement duly notarized knowingly, voluntarily and willingly waives said confidentiality.
“Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, court personnel, social workers and medical practitioners shall be trained on the importance of maintaining confidentiality as a means to protect the right to privacy of victims and to encourage victims to file complaints.”
SEC. 11. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 8. Initiation and Prosecution of Cases. –
“(a) Initiation of Investigation. – Law enforcement agencies are mandated to immediately initiate investigation and counter-trafficking-intelligence gathering upon receipt of statements or affidavit from victims of trafficking, migrant workers, or their families who are in possession of knowledge or information about trafficking in persons cases.
“(b) Prosecution of Cases. – Any person who has personal knowledge of the commission of any offense under this Act, such as the trafficked person, the parents, spouse, siblings, children or legal guardian may file a complaint for trafficking.
“(c) Affidavit of Desistance. – Cases involving trafficking in persons should 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 oppose and manifest objections to motions for dismissal.
“Any act involving the means provided in this Act or any attempt thereof for the purpose of securing an Affidavit of Desistance from the complainant shall be punishable under this Act.”
SEC. 12. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 10. Penalties and Sanctions. – The following penalties and sanctions are hereby established for the offenses enumerated in this Act:
“(a) Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 4 shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twenty (20) years 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);
“(b) Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 4-A of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
“(c) Any person found guilty of Section 4-B of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
“In every case, conviction shall cause and carry the automatic revocation of the license or registration of the recruitment agency involved in trafficking. The license of a recruitment agency which trafficked a child shall be automatically revoked.
“(d) Any person found, guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 5 shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
“(e) Any person found guilty of qualified trafficking under Section 6 shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00);
“(f) Any person who violates Section 7 hereof shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
“(g) If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, club, establishment or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, partner, manager, and/or any responsible officer who participated in the commission of the crime or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent its commission;
“(h) The registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and license to operate of the erring agency, corporation, association, religious group, tour or travel agent, club or establishment, or any place of entertainment shall be cancelled and revoked permanently. The owner, president, partner or manager thereof shall not be allowed to operate similar establishments in a different name;
“(i) If the offender is a foreigner, he or she shall be immediately deported after serving his or her sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country;
“(j) Any employee or official of government agencies who shall issue or approve the issuance of travel exit clearances, passports, registration certificates, counseling certificates, marriage license, and other similar documents to persons, whether juridical or natural, recruitment agencies, establishments or other individuals or groups, who fail to observe the prescribed procedures and the requirement as provided for by laws, rules and regulations, shall be held administratively liable, without prejudice to criminal liability under this Act. The concerned government official or employee shall, upon conviction, be dismissed from the service and be barred permanently to hold public office. His or her retirement and other benefits shall likewise be forfeited; and
“(k) Conviction, by final judgment of the adopter for any offense under this Act shall result in the immediate rescission of the decree of adoption.”
SEC. 13. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 11. Use of Trafficked Persons. – Any person who buys or engages the services of a trafficked person for prostitution shall be penalized with the following: Provided, That the Probation Law (Presidential Decree No. 968) shall not apply:
“(a) Prision Correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor or six (6) years to twelve (12) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00): Provided, however, That the following acts shall be exempted thereto:
“(1) If an offense under paragraph (a) involves sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct with a child, the penalty shall be reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua or seventeen (17) years to forty (40) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
“(2) If an offense under paragraph (a) involves carnal knowledge of, or sexual intercourse with, a male or female trafficking victim and also involves the use of force or intimidation, to a victim deprived of reason or to an unconscious victim, or a victim under twelve (12) years of age, instead of the penalty prescribed in the subparagraph above the penalty shall be a fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and imprisonment of reclusion perpetua or forty (40) years imprisonment with no possibility of parole; except that if a person violating paragraph (a) of this section knows the person that provided prostitution services is in fact a victim of trafficking, the offender shall not be likewise penalized under this section but under Section 10 as a person violating Section 4; and if in committing such an offense, the offender also knows a qualifying circumstance for trafficking, the offender shall be penalized under Section 10 for qualified trafficking. If in violating this section the offender also violates Section 4, the offender shall be penalized under Section 10 and, if applicable, for qualified trafficking instead of under this section;
“(b) Deportation. – If a foreigner commits any offense described by paragraph (1) or (2) of this section or violates any pertinent provision of this Act as an accomplice or accessory to, or by attempting any such offense, he or she shall be immediately deported after serving his or her sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country; and
“(c) Public Official. – If the offender is a public official, he or she shall be dismissed from service and shall suffer perpetual absolute disqualification to hold public, office, in addition to any imprisonment or fine received pursuant to any other provision of this Act.”
SEC. 14. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 12. Prescriptive Period. – Trafficking cases under this Act shall prescribe in ten (10) years: Provided, however, That trafficking cases committed by a syndicate or in a large scale as defined under Section 6, or against a child, shall prescribe in twenty (20) years.
“The prescriptive period shall commence to run from the day on which the trafficked person is delivered or released from the conditions of bondage, or in the case of a child victim, from the day the child reaches the age of majority, and shall be interrupted by the filing of the complaint or information and shall commence to run again when the proceedings terminate without the accused being convicted or acquitted or are unjustifiably stopped for any reason not imputable to the accused.”
SEC. 15. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 16. Programs that Address Trafficking in Persons. – The government shall establish and implement preventive, protective and rehabilitative programs for trafficked persons. For this purpose, the following agencies are hereby mandated to implement the following programs:
“(a) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – shall make available its resources and facilities overseas for trafficked persons regardless of their manner of entry to the receiving country, and explore means to further enhance its assistance in eliminating trafficking activities through closer networking with government agencies in the country and overseas, particularly in the formulation of policies and implementation of relevant programs. It shall provide Filipino victims of trafficking overseas with free legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against his or her traffickers, represent his or her interests in any criminal investigation or prosecution, and assist in the application for social benefits and/or regular immigration status as may be allowed or provided for by the host country. The DFA shall repatriate trafficked Filipinos with the consent of the victims.
“The DFA shall take necessary measures for the efficient implementation of the Electronic Passporting System to protect the integrity of Philippine passports, visas and other travel documents to reduce the incidence of trafficking through the use of fraudulent identification documents.
“In coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment, it shall provide free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of trafficking overseas through the migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos resource centers established overseas under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended.
“(b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – shall implement rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficked persons. It shall provide counseling and temporary shelter to trafficked persons and develop a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of the community. It shall establish free temporary shelters, for the protection and housing of trafficked persons to provide the following basic services to trafficked persons:
“(1) Temporary housing and food facilities;
“(2) Psychological support and counseling;
“(3) 24-hour call center for crisis calls and technology-based counseling and referral system;
“(4) Coordination with local law enforcement entities; and
“(5) Coordination with the Department of Justice, among others.
“The DSWD must conduct information campaigns in communities and schools teaching parents and families that receiving consideration in exchange for adoption is punishable under the law. Furthermore, information campaigns must be conducted with the police that they must not induce poor women to give their children up for adoption in exchange for consideration.
“(c) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – shall ensure the strict implementation and compliance with the rules and guidelines relative to the employment of persons locally and overseas. It shall likewise monitor, document and report cases of trafficking in persons involving employers and labor recruiters.
“(d) Department of Justice (DOJ) – shall ensure the prosecution of persons accused of trafficking and designate and train special prosecutors who shall handle and prosecute cases of trafficking. It shall also establish a mechanism for free legal assistance for trafficked persons, in coordination with the DSWD, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and other NGOs and volunteer groups.
“(e) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – shall actively participate and coordinate in the formulation and monitoring of policies addressing the issue of trafficking in persons in coordination with relevant government agencies. It shall likewise advocate for the inclusion of the issue of trafficking in persons in both its local and international advocacy for women’s issues.
“(f) Bureau of Immigration (BI) – shall strictly administer and enforce immigration and alien administration laws. It shall adopt measures for the apprehension of suspected traffickers both at the place of arrival and departure and shall ensure compliance by the Filipino fiancés/fiancées and spouses of foreign nationals with the guidance and counseling requirement as provided for in this Act.
“(g) Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – shall be the primary law enforcement agencies to undertake surveillance, investigation and arrest of individuals or persons suspected to be engaged in trafficking. They shall closely coordinate with each other and with other law enforcement agencies to secure concerted efforts for effective investigation and apprehension of suspected traffickers. They shall also establish a system to receive complaints and calls to assist trafficked persons and conduct rescue operations.
“(h) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) – POEA shall implement Pre-Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) while Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) shall be conducted by the OWWA. It shall likewise formulate a system of providing free legal assistance to trafficked persons, in coordination with the DFA.
“The POEA shall create a blacklist of recruitment agencies, illegal recruiters and persons facing administrative, civil and criminal complaints for trafficking filed in the receiving country and/or in the Philippines and those agencies, illegal recruiters and persons involved in cases of trafficking who have been rescued by the DFA and DOLE in the receiving country or in the Philippines even if no formal administrative, civil or criminal complaints have been filed: Provided, That the rescued victims shall execute an affidavit attesting to the acts violative of the anti-trafficking law. This blacklist shall be posted in conspicuous places in concerned government agencies and shall be updated bi-monthly.
“The blacklist shall likewise be posted by the POEA in the shared government information system, which is mandated to be established under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended.
“The POEA and OWWA shall accredit NGOs and other service providers to conduct PEOS and PDOS, respectively. The PEOS and PDOS should include the discussion and distribution of the blacklist.
“The license or registration of a recruitment agency that has been blacklisted may be suspended by the POEA upon a review of the complaints filed against said agency.
“(i) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – shall institute a systematic information and prevention campaign in coordination with pertinent agencies of government as provided for in this Act. It shall provide training programs to local government units, in coordination with the Council, in ensuring wide understanding and application of this Act at the local level.
“(j) Commission on Filipinos Overseas – shall conduct pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. It shall develop a system for accreditation of NGOs that may be mobilized for purposes of conducting pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. As such, it shall ensure that the counselors contemplated under this Act shall have the minimum qualifications and training of guidance counselors as provided for by law.
“It shall likewise assist in the conduct of information campaigns against trafficking in coordination with local government units, the Philippine Information Agency, and NGOs.
“(k) Local government units (LGUs) – shall monitor and document cases of trafficking in persons in their areas of jurisdiction, effect the cancellation of licenses of establishments which violate the provisions of this Act and ensure effective prosecution of such cases. They shall also undertake an information campaign against trafficking in persons through the establishment of the Migrants Advisory and Information Network (MAIN) desks in municipalities or provinces in coordination with the DILG, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), NGOs and other concerned agencies. They shall encourage and support community-based initiatives which address the trafficking in persons.
“In implementing this Act, the agencies concerned may seek and enlist the assistance of NGOs, people’s organizations (POs), civic organizations and other volunteer groups.”
SEC. 16. A new Section 16-A is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 16-A. Anti-Trafficking in Persons Database. – An anti-trafficking in persons central database shall be established by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking created under Section 20 of this Act. The Council shall submit a report to the President of the Philippines and to Congress, on or before January 15 of every year, with respect to the preceding year’s programs and data on trafficking-related cases.
“All government agencies tasked under the law to undertake programs and render assistance to address trafficking in persons shall develop their respective monitoring and data collection systems, and databases, for purposes of ensuring efficient collection and storage of data on cases of trafficking in persons handled by their respective offices. Such data shall be submitted to the Council for integration in a central database system.
“For this purpose, the Council is hereby tasked to ensure the harmonization and standardization of databases, including minimum data requirements, definitions, reporting formats, data collection systems, and data verification systems. Such databases shall have, at the minimum, the following information:
“(a) The number of cases of trafficking in persons, sorted according to status of cases, including the number of cases being investigated, submitted for prosecution, dropped, and filed and/or pending before the courts and the number of convictions and acquittals;
“(b) The profile/information on each case;
“(c) The number of victims of trafficking in persons referred to the agency by destination countries/areas and by area of origin; and
“(d) Disaggregated data on trafficking victims and the accused/defendants.”
SEC. 17. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 17. Legal Protection to Trafficked Persons. – Trafficked persons shall be recognized as victims of the act or acts of trafficking and as such, shall not be penalized for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of, or as an incident or in relation to, being trafficked based on the acts of trafficking enumerated in this Act or in obedience to the order made by the trafficker in relation thereto. In this regard, the consent of a trafficked person to the intended exploitation set forth in this Act shall be irrelevant.
“Victims of trafficking for purposes of prostitution as defined under Section 4 of this Act are not covered by Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code and as such, shall not be prosecuted, fined, or otherwise penalized under the said law.”
SEC. 18. A new Section 17-A is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 17-A. Temporary Custody of Trafficked Victims. – The rescue of victims should be done as much as possible with the assistance of the DSWD or an accredited NGO that services trafficked victims. A law enforcement officer, on a reasonable suspicion that a person is a victim of any offense defined under this Act including attempted trafficking, shall immediately place that person in the temporary custody of the local social welfare and development office, or any accredited or licensed shelter institution devoted to protecting trafficked persons after the rescue.”
SEC. 19. A new Section 17-B is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 17-B. Irrelevance of Past Sexual Behavior, Opinion Thereof or Reputation of Victims and of Consent of Victims in Cases of Deception, Coercion and Other Prohibited Means. – The past sexual behavior or the sexual predisposition of a trafficked person shall be considered inadmissible in evidence for the purpose of proving consent of the victim to engage in sexual behavior, or to prove the predisposition, sexual or otherwise, of a trafficked person. Furthermore, the consent of a victim of trafficking to the intended exploitation shall be irrelevant where any of the means set forth in Section 3(a) of this Act has been used.”
SEC. 20. A new Section 17-C is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 17-C. Immunity from Suit, Prohibited Acts and Injunctive Remedies. – No action or suit shall be brought, instituted or maintained in any court or tribunal or before any other authority against any: (a) law enforcement officer; (b) social worker; or (c) person acting in compliance with a lawful order from any of the above, for lawful acts done or statements made during an authorized rescue operation, recovery or rehabilitation/intervention, or an investigation or prosecution of an anti-trafficking case: Provided, That such acts shall have been made in good faith.
“The prosecution of retaliatory suits against victims of trafficking shall be held in abeyance pending final resolution and decision of criminal complaint for trafficking.
“It shall be prohibited for the DFA, the DOLE, and the POEA officials, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges to urge complainants to abandon their criminal, civil and administrative complaints for trafficking.
“The remedies of injunction and attachment of properties of the traffickers, illegal recruiters and persons involved in trafficking may be issued motu proprio by judges.”
SEC. 21. Section 20 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 20. Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. – There is hereby established an Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, to be composed of the Secretary of the Department of Justice as Chairperson and the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as Co-Chairperson and shall have the following as members:
“(a) Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs;
“(b) Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment;
“(c) Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government;
“(d) Administrator, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration;
“(e) Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration;
“(f) Chief, Philippine National Police;
“(g) Chairperson, Philippine Commission on Women;
“(h) Chairperson, Commission on Filipinos Overseas;
“(i) Executive Director, Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes; and
“(j) Three (3) representatives from NGOs, who shall include one (1) representative each from among the sectors representing women, overseas Filipinos, and children, with a proven record of involvement in the prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons. These representatives shall be nominated by the government agency representatives of the Council, for appointment by the President for a term of three (3) years.
“The members of the Council may designate their permanent representatives who shall have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent to meetings, and shall receive emoluments as may be determined by the Council in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules and regulations.”
SEC. 22. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 22. Secretariat to the Council. – The Department of Justice shall establish the necessary Secretariat for the Council.
“The secretariat shall provide support for the functions and projects of the Council. The secretariat shall be headed by an executive director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the DOJ upon the recommendation of the Council. The executive director must have adequate knowledge on, training and experience in the phenomenon of and issues involved in trafficking in persons and in the field of law, law enforcement, social work, criminology, or psychology.
“The executive director shall be under the supervision of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking through its Chairperson and Co-Chairperson, and shall perform the following functions:
“(a) Act as secretary of the Council and administrative officer of its secretariat;
“(b) Advise and assist the Chairperson in formulating and implementing the objectives, policies, plans and programs of the Council, including those involving mobilization of government offices represented in the Council as well as other relevant government offices, task forces, and mechanisms;
“(c) Serve as principal assistant to the Chairperson in the overall supervision of council administrative business;
“(d) Oversee all council operational activities;
“(e) Ensure an effective and efficient performance of council functions and prompt implementation of council objectives, policies, plans and programs;
“(f) Propose effective allocations of resources for implementing council objectives, policies, plans and programs;
“(g) Submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress of council objectives, policies, plans and programs;
“(h) Prepare annual reports of all council activities; and
“(i) Perform other duties as the Council may assign.”
SEC. 23. A new Section 26-A is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 26-A. 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, the crime being a continuing offense, having been commenced in the Philippines and other elements having been committed in another country, if the suspect or accused:
“(a) Is a Filipino citizen; or
“(b) Is a permanent resident of the Philippines; or
“(c) 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.
“The government may surrender or extradite persons accused of trafficking in the Philippines to the appropriate international court if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties.”
SEC. 24. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended, to read as follows:
“SEC. 28. Funding. – The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking under the budget of the DOJ and the appropriations of the other concerned departments. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.”
SEC. 25. A new Section 28-A is hereby inserted into Republic Act No. 9208, to read as follows:
“SEC. 28-A. Additional Funds for the Council. – The amount collected from every penalty, fine or asset derived from any violation of this Act shall be earmarked as additional funds for the use of the Council. The fund may be augmented by grants, donations and endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions, subject to the existing accepted rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit.”
SEC. 26. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 9208 of the Repealing Clause is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. – Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and all laws, acts, 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: Provided, That this Act shall not in any way amend or repeal the provisions of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the ‘Special Protection of Child Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.’”
SEC. 27. Section 33 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 33. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.”
Approved,
(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident of the Senate
(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.Speaker of the House
of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6339 and Senate Bill No. 2625 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on December 4, 2012 and December 5, 2012, respectively.
(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate
(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAPSecretary General
House of Representatives
Approved: FEB 06 2013
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO IIIPresident of the Philippines

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