TWENTTETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
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SENATE
S. No. 89
BILLS
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262 OR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST 
WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004, EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE 
PROTECTION TO ALL FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGARDLESS OF 
SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PROVIDING FOR THE SAME PROTECTIVE MEASURES, 
PRESCRIBING THE SAME PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In protecting those who are found to be vulnerable, we must not exclude those 
who may be subject to the same abuses. Violence in a relationship knows no sexual 
orientation, or gender identity or expression. Persons in heterosexual or homosexual 
relationships have become repeated victims of various kinds of abuses that are left 
insufficiently addressed and punished by our Revised Penal Code due to the lack of 
recognition of multiple kinds of abuse.
A biological male may be similarly abused through psychological, emotional, or 
economic abuse but he may not claim protection against his abusive female partner. 
Further, physical altercations may not necessarily cause sufficient and manifest damage 
in order to effectively prosecute under the current crimes of Physical Injuries despite the 
habitual infliction of the same having deeper and more lasting scars in a person's psyche. 
Effectively, persons who are abused in this manner are left without an effective, efficient, 
and specific remedy to protect them as our archaic Revised Penal Code does not properly 
provide for such nature of crimes.


In amending and expanding the coverage of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti- 
Vioience Against Women and Children Law, no right nor privilege is lost by those who 
were previously covered. It is not by this iaw that inequaiity is generated as it simiiariy 
recognizes the fact that battered women are more seriousiy affected by domestic vioience 
and, as such, the concept of battered woman syndrome is still maintained without a 
corresponding clause for men pending any scientific finding justifying the same. Rather, 
this biii seeks to modernize our iegal system by recognizing the equality in vulnerability 
inherent in ali genders when engaging in any kind of reiationship.
It is unjust and improper for our laws to remain unamended as in maintaining the 
status quo, we effectiveiy stand idie in the face of abuse that affects persons of ail 
genders. It is time for our legal system to embody true equality and equity by recognizing 
that an injury caused to a person does not become mitigated solely based on a person's 
gender or sex.
It is for this purpose that the approvai of this biii is earnestiy sought.
FFY T. TULFO


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 89
,C0 TIME:
BILLS &
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262 OR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST 
WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004, EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE 
PROTECTION TO ALL FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGARDLESS OF 
SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PROVIDING FOR THE SAME PROTECTIVE MEASURES, 
PRESCRIBING THE SAME PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by die Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, 
in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Domestic Violence 
Act of 2025."
Sec. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
'SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared that the State 
values the dignity of every person, particularly children and guarantees full respect 
for human rights. The State similarly recognizes the need to protect the family and 
its members particularly children, from violence and threats to their personal safety 
and security.
Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address domestic violence, 
regardless of sexual orientation or gender in keeping with the fundamental 
freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the provisions of the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights, the convention on the Elimination of all forms of


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discrimination against women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other
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international human rights instruments of which the Philippines is a party."
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Sec. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act,
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(a)"Domestic Vioience"shdW refer to any act or series of acts committed
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by any person against their spouse, former spouse, or a partner with whom the
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person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom the former has a
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common chiid, adopted child, or child in their common care, custody, or support,
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or against the partner's child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without
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the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual,
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psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts,
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battery, assault, coercion, harassment, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It
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includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
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A. "Physicai Vioience"refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm;
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B. "Sexuai Vioience" refers to an act which is sexual in nature, committed
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against any of those mentioned in (a) of this Section. It includes, but is not limited
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to:
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i. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating another as a sex
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object, making demeaning and sexually suggestive remarks, physically
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attacking the sexual parts of the victim's body, forcing another to watch
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obscene publications and indecent shows, or forcing the victim to do
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indecent acts and/or make films thereof, forcing the victim and another
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lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together in the same room with
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the abuser.
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ii. Acts causing or attempting to cause the abuser's spouse, intimate partner
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or their common child, or the child of the intimate partner to engage in any


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sexual activity by force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of
physical or other harm or coercion;
iii. Prostituting a spouse or partner or his/her/their child.
C. "Psychological violence' refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause 
mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to 
intimidation, harassment, staiking, damage to property, public ridicule or 
humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing 
or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse 
of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness 
pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or 
unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and/or visitation of common 
children.
D. "Economic abusd' refers to acts that make or attempt to make a spouse or 
partner financially dependent which inciudes, but is not limited to the following:
1. withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim from engaging 
in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, except in 
cases wherein the other spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and 
moral grounds as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code;
2. deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right 
to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned 
in common;
3. destroying househoid property;
4. controlling the victim's own money or properties or solely controlling 
the conjugal money or properties.
(b) "Battery' refers to an act of inflicting physical harm upon another or 
his/her/their child resulting to physical and psychological or emotional distress.
(c) "Battered Woman Syndromd' refers to a scientifically defined pattern 
of psychological and behavioral symptoms found in women living in battering 
relationships as a result of cumulative abuse.


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(d) "Stalking' refers to an intentional act committed by a person who,
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knowingly and without lawful justification follows a spouse/partner or
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his/her/their child or places the spouse/partner or his/her/their child under
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surveillance directly or indirectly or a combination thereof.
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(e) "Dating relationshifj' refers to a situation wherein the parties live as
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husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved
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over time and on a continuing basis during the course of the relationship. A
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casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization between two individuals in a
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business or social context is not a dating relationship.
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(f) "Sexual relation^ refers to a single sexual act which may or may not
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result in the bearing of a common child.
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(g) "Safe Place orSheltef' refers to any home or institution maintained or
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managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by
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any other agency or voluntary organization accredited by the DSWD for the
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purposes of this Act or any other suitable place the resident of which is willing
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temporarily to receive the victim.
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(h) "ChUdreti' refer to those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but
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are incapable of taking care of themselves as defined under Republic Act No.
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7610. As used in this Act, it includes the biological children of the victim and
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other children under her care."
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Sec. 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 4. Construction. - This Act shall be liberally construed to promote the
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protection and safety of victims of Domestic Violence."
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Sec. 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 5. Acts of Domestic Violence. - The crime of Domestic Violence
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is committed through any of the following acts against those mentioned under
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paragraph (a) of Section 2:


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a. 
Causing Physical Harm toward the spouse/partner or his/her/their child;
b. 
Threatening to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child physical 
harm;
c. 
Attempting to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child physical 
harm;
d. 
Placing the spouse/partner or his/her/their child in fear of imminent harm;
e. 
Attempting to compel or actually compelling the spouse/partner or 
his/her/their child to engage in conduct which the victim has the right to desist 
from or desist from conduct which the victim has the right to engage in or 
attempting to restrict or restricting the victim's freedom of movement or conduct 
by force or threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other 
harm, or intimidation directed against the spouse/partner or his/her/their 
child. This shall include, but not limited to, the following acts committed with the 
purpose or effect of controlling or restricting the spouse/partner or his/her/their 
child's movement or conduct:
1. Threatening to deprive or actually depriving the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child custody or access to 
her/his family;
2. Depriving or threatening to deprive the spouse/partner or 
his/her/their child of legally due financial support for the 
spouse/partner or his/her family, or deliberately providing 
insufficient financial support;
3. Depriving or threatening to deprive the spouse, intimate 
partner, their common child, or the child of the intimate 
partner of a legal right;
4. Preventing the spouse, intimate partner, their common chiid, 
or the child of the intimate partner in engaging in any 
legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity or 
controlling the victim's own money or properties, or solely 
controlling the conjugal or common money, or properties;
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f. Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm on oneself for the purpose of
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controlling the spouse/partner's actions or decisions;
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g. Causing or attempting to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child to
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engage in any sexual activity which does not constitute rape, by force or threat
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of force, physical har, or through intimidation directed against the
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spouse/partner or his/her/their child or her/his immediate family;
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h. Engaging in purposeful, knowing, or reckless conduct, personally or through
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another, that alarms or causes substantial emotional or psychological distress
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to the spouse/partner or his/her/their child. This shall include, but not be
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limited to, the following acts:
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(1) Stalking or following the spouse/partner or his/her/their child in public or
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private places;
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(2) Peering in the window or lingering outside the 
residence of the
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spouse/partner or his/her/their child;
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(3) Entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the
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spouse/partner or his/her/their child against her/his will;
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(4) Destroying the property and personal belongings or inflicting harm to
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animals or pets of the spouse/partner or his/her/their child; and
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(5) Engaging in any form of harassment or violence;
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i. Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the
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spouse/partner or his/her/their child, including, but not limited to, repeated
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verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of
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minor children or denial of access to the spouse/partner's child/children."
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Sec. 6 Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
25 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 6, Penalties. — The crime of Domestic Violence, under Section 5 hereof
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shall be punished according to the following rules:
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(a) Acts falling under Section 5(a) constituting attempted, frustrated or
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consummated parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with


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the provisions of the Revised Penal Code. If these acts resulted in mutilation, it shall
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be punishable in accordance with the Revised Penal Code; those constituting serious
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physical injuries shall have the penalty of prision mayor, those constituting less
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serious physical injuries shall be punished by prision correccionat, and those
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constituting slight physical injuries shall be punished by arresto mayor.
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Acts falling under Section 5(b) shall be punished by imprisonment of two (2)
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degrees lower than the prescribed penalty for the consummated crime as specified
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in the preceding paragraph but shall in no case be lower than arresto mayor.
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(b) Acts falling under Section 5(c) and 5(d) shail be punished by arresto
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mayor;
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(c) Acts falling under Section 5(e) shall be punished by prision correccionat,
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(d) Acts falling under Section 5(f) shall be punished by arresto mayor;
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(e) Acts falling under Section 5(g) shall be punished by prision mayor,
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(f) Acts falling under Section 5(h) and Section 5(i) shall be punished by prision
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mayor.
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If the acts are committed while a woman or child is pregnant or committed
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in the presence of a child, the penalty to be applied shall be the maximum period
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of penalty prescribed in the section.
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In addition to imprisonment, the perpetrator shall (a) pay a fine in the
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amount of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not
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more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00); (b) undergo
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mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment and shall report
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compliance to the court."
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Sec. 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
25 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 7. Venue-JY\q Regional Trial Court designated as a Family Court shall
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have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of Domestic Violence under this
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law. In the absence of such court in the place where the offense was committed.


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the case shall be filed in the Regional Trial Court where the crime or any of its
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elements were committed at the option of the complainant."
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Sec. 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 8. Protection Orders- A protection order is an order issued under this act
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for the purpose of preventing further acts of Domestic Violence specified in Section
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5 of this Act and granting other necessary relief. The relief granted under a protection
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order serve the purpose of safeguarding the victim from further harm, minimizing
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any disruption in the victim's daily life, and facilitating the opportunity and ability of
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the victim to independently regain control over their life. The provisions of the
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protection order shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies. The protection
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orders that may be issued under this Act are the Barangay Protection Order (BPO),
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Temporary Protection Order (TPO) and Permanent Protection Order (PPO). The
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Protection orders that may be issued under this Act shall include any, some, or all of
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the following reliefs:
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(a) Prohibition of the respondent from threatening to commit or committing,
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personally or through another, any of the acts mentioned in Section 5 of this Act;
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(b) Prohibition of the respondent from harassing, annoying, telephoning, contacting
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or otherwise communicating with the petitioner, directly or indirectly;
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(c) Removal and exclusion of the respondent from the residence of the petitioner,
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regardless of ownership of the residence, either temporarily for the purpose of
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protecting the petitioner, or permanently where no property rights are violated, and
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if respondent must remove personal effects from the residence, the court shall direct
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a law enforcement agent to accompany the respondent has gathered his things and
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escort respondent from the residence;
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(d) Directing the respondent to stay away from petitioner and designated family or
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household member at a distance specified by the court, and to stay away from the


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residence, school, place of employment, or any specified piace frequented by the
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petitioner and any designated famiiy or househoid member;
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(e) Directing lawful possession and use by petitioner of an automobiie and other
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essentiai personal effects, regardless of ownership, and directing the appropriate law
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enforcement officer to accompany the petitioner to the residence of the parties to
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ensure that the petitioner is safely restored to the possession of the automobiie and
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other essentiai personai effects, or to supervise the petitioner's or respondent's
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removai of personal belongings;
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(f) Granting a temporary or permanent custody of a child/chiidren to the petitioner;
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(g) Directing the respondent to provide support to the spouse/partner or his/her/their
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child if entitled to legal support. Notwithstanding other laws to the contrary, the court
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shall order an appropriate percentage of the income or salary of the respondent to
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be withheld regularly by the respondent's employer for the same to be automatically
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remitted directly to the spouse/partner or his/her/their child. Failure to remit and/or
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withhoid or any deiay in the remittance of support to the spouse/partner or
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his/her/their child without justifiable cause shall render the respondent or his
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employer liable for indirect contempt of court;
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(h) Prohibition of the respondent from any use or possession of any firearm or deadly
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weapon and order him to surrender the same to the court for appropriate disposition
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by the court, inciuding revocation of iicense and disqualification to apply for any
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license to use or possess a firearm. If the offender is a law enforcement agent, the
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court shall order the offender to surrender his firearm and shall direct the appropriate
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authority to investigate on the offender and take appropriate action on matter;
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(i) Restitution for actuai damages caused by the violence inflicted, inciuding, but not
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iimited to, property damage, medicai expenses, chiidcare expenses and loss of
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income;


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(j) Directing the DSWD or any appropriate agency to provide petitioner may need;
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and
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(k) Provision of such other forms of relief as the court deems necessary to protect
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and provide for the safety of the petitioner and any designated family or household
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member, provided petitioner and any designated family or household member
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consents to such relief.
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Any of the reliefs provided under this section shall be granted even in the absence
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of a decree of legal separation or annulment or declaration of absolute nullity of
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marriage.
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The issuance of a BPO or the pendency of an application for BPO shall not preclude
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a petitioner from applying for, or the court from granting a TPO or PPO."
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Sec. 9. Section 9 paragraph (e) and (h) of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known
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as "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to
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read as follows:
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"SECTION 9. Who may file Petition for Protection Orders. - xxx
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(e) police officers, preferably those in charge of domestic violence desks;
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xxx
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(h) At least two (2) concerned responsible citizens of the city or municipality where
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the Domestic Violence occurred and who has personal knowledge of the offense
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committed."
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Sec. 10. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
22 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 13. Legal Representation of Petitioners for Protection Order. - If
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the spouse/partner or his/her/their child requests in the applications for a
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protection order for the appointment of counsel because of lack of economic
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means to hire a counsel de parte, the court shall immediately direct the Public
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Attorney's Office (PAO) to represent the petitioner in the hearing on the
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application. If the PAO determines that the applicant can afford to hire the services
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of a counsel de parte, it shall facilitate the legal representation of the petitioner by
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a counsel de parte. The lack of access to family or conjugal resources by the
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applicant, such as when the same are controlled by the perpetrator, shall qualify
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the petitioner to legal representation by the PAO.
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However, a private counsel offering free legal sen/ice is not barred from
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representing the petitioner."
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Sec. 11. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 14. Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs); Who May Issue and
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How. - Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs) refer to the protection order issued by
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the Punong Barangayox6,ex\x\q the perpetrator to desist from committing acts
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under Section 5 (a) and (b) of this Act. A Punong Barangay\N\\o receives
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applications for a BPO shall issue the protection order to the applicant on the date
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of filing after ex parte determination of the basis of the application. If the Punong
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Barangay \s unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the application shall
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be acted upon by any available Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by
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a Barangay Kagawadthe. order must be accompanied by an attestation by
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the Barangay Kagawadthe Punong Barangay unavailable at the time for
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the issuance of the BPO. BPOs shall be effective for thirty (30) days. Immediately
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after the issuance of an ex parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or Barangay
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Kagawadshd\\ personally serve a copy of the same on the respondent, or direct
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any barangay official to effect is personal service.
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The parties may be accompanied by a non-lawyer advocate in any
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proceeding before the Punong Barangay."
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Sec. 12. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
27 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 22. Applicability of Protection Orders to Criminal Cases. - The
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foregoing provisions on protection orders shall be applicable in impliedly instituted
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with the criminal actions involving Domestic Violence."
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Sec. 13. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 25. Public Crime. - Domestic Violence shall be considered a
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public offense which may be prosecuted upon the filing of a complaint by any
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citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances involving the commission
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of the crime."
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Sec. 14. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
11 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 28. Custody of Children. - The woman victim of violence shall be
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entitled to the custody and support of her child/children. Children below seven (7)
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years old or older but with mental or physical disabilities shall automatically be
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given to the mother, with right to support, unless the court finds compelling
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reasons to order otherwise.
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A victim who is suffering from battered woman syndrome shall not be
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disqualified from having custody of her children. In no case shall custody of minor
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children be given to the perpetrator of a woman who is suffering from battered
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woman syndrome.
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If the victim of Domestic Violence is the father, he shall be entitled to custody and
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support of his child or children upon showing that the abuser is incapable of
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attending to the best interests of the child whose custody is in issue applying the
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provisions of the Family Code."
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Sec. 15. Paragraph a) of Section 29 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as
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"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read
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as follows:
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"SECTION 29. Duties of Prosecutors/Court Personnel. - xxx:
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a) communicate with the victim in a language understood by the victim; and
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"XXX"
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Sec. 16. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
4 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 32. Duties of Other Government Agencies and LGUs- Other
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government agencies and LGUs shall establish programs such as, but not limited to,
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education and information campaign and seminars or symposia on the nature, causes,
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incidence and consequences of Domestic Violence particularly towards educating the
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public on its social impacts.
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It shall be the duty of the concerned government agencies and LGU's to ensure the
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sustained education and training of their officers and personnel on the prevention of
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domestic violence under this Act."
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Sec. 17. Section 34 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
14 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 34. Persons Intervening Exempt from Liabiiity. -In every case of
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domestic violence as herein defined, any person, private individual or police authority or
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barangay official who, acting in accordance with law, responds or intervenes without
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using violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure the safety of the victim, shall
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not be liable for any criminal, civil or administrative liability resulting therefrom.
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Sec. 18. Section 35 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
21 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 35. Rights of Victims. -In addition to their rights under existing laws,
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victims of Domestic Violence shall have the following rights:
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(a) to be treated with respect and dignity;
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(b) to avail of legal assistance form the PAO of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or
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any public legal assistance office;
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(c) To be entitled to support services form the DSWD and LGUs'
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(d) To be entitled to all legal remedies and support as provided for under the Family
Code; and
(e) To be informed of their rights and the services available to them including their
right to apply for a protection order."
Sec. 19. Section 39 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 39. Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence (lAC-DV). In pursuance of 
the abovementioned policy, the previously established Inter-Agency Council on Violence 
Against Women and their children, shall be renamed to the Inter-Agency Council on 
Domestic Violence (lAC-DV) hereinafter known as the Council, which remains to be 
composed of the following agencies:
(a) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
(b) National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW);
(c) Civil Service Commission (CSC);
(d) Commission on Human rights (CHR)
(e) Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);
(f) Department of Justice (DOJ);
(g) Department of the Interior and Locai Government (DILG);
(h) Philippine National Police (PNP);
(i) Department of Health (DOH);
(j) Department of Education (DepEd);
(k) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and
(l) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
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These agencies are tasked to formulate new programs and projects to eliminate 
Domestic Violence against all genders and sexes based on their mandates as well as 
develop capability programs for their employees to become more sensitive to the needs 
of their clients. The Council will also serve as the monitoring body as regards to Anti- 
Domestic Violence initiatives.
The Council members may designate their duly authorized representative who shall 
have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent. These representatives 
shall attend Council meetings in their behalf, and shall receive emoluments as may be 
determined by the Council in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules and 
regulations."
Sec. 20. Section 42 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence 
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION 42. Training of Persons Invoived in Responding to Domestic Vioience 
Cases. - All agencies involved in responding to Domestic Violence shall be required 
to undergo education and training to acquaint them with:
a. the nature, extent and causes of Domestic Violence;
b. the legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of Domestic Violence;
c. the services and facilities available to victims or survivors;
d. the legal duties imposed on police officers to make arrest and to offer protection 
and assistance; and
e. techniques for handling incidents of Domestic Violence that minimize the likelihood 
of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim or survivor.
The PNP, in coordination with LGU's shall establish an education and training program for 
police officers and barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of Domestic 
Violence."
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Sec. 21. Section 44 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as foilows:
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"SECTION 44. Confidentiality. - Ail records pertaining to cases of Domestic
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Violence including those in the barangay shall be confidential and all public officers
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and employees and public or private clinics to hospitals shall respect the right to
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privacy of the victim. Whoever publishes or causes to be published, in any format,
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the name, address, teiephone number, school, business address, employer, or
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other identifying information of a victim or an immediate family member, without
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the iatter's consent, shall be liable to the contempt power of the court.
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Any person who violates this provision shall suffer the penalty of one (1) year
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imprisonment and a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand pesos
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(P500,000.00)."
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Sec. 22. Section 45 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as foilows:
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"SECTION 45. Funding -The amount necessary to implement the
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provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act
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(GAA).
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The Gender and Development (GAD) Budget of the mandated agencies and LGU's
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shail be used to implement services for victims of Domestic Violence.
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Sec. 23. Section 46 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-Violence
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Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6)
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months from the approval of this Act, the DOJ, the NCRFW, the DSWD, the DILG,
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the DOH, and the PNP, and three (3) representatives from NGOs to be identified
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by the NCRFW, shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
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of this Act.
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Sec. 24. SuppietoryApplication - For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code
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and other applicable laws, shall have suppietory application.
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Sec. 25. Separability Clause. -If any section or provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected.
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Sec. 26. Repealing Clause - All laws, Presidential decrees, executive orders and
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rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 27. Effectivity -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of
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its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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