1 
 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 
) 
 
 
 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  
 
) 
Third Regular Session  
 
 
) 
 
SENATE 
 
S.B. No. _______ 
 
 
Submitted by the Committees on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender 
Equality, Science and Technology and Labor, Employment and Human Resources 
Development with Senators Cayetano, P., Villar, Gatchalian, Hontiveros, De Lima and 
Marcos as authors.  
 
 
AN ACT  
STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208, AS AMENDED BY 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10364, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO 
ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND/OR 
CHILDREN, 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
NECESSARY 
INSTITUTIONAL 
MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED 
PERSONS”, AND OTHER SPECIAL LAWS, 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-
1 
Trafficking Act of 2021”.  
2 
 
Sec. 2. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby deleted.  
3 
 
Sec. 3. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
4 
follows: 
5 
"SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared that the State values 
6 
the dignity of every human person and guarantees the respect of individual 
7 
rights. In pursuit of this policy, the State shall give highest priority to the 
8 
enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human 
9 
dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, 
10 
eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for involuntary 
11 
migration and servitude of persons, not only to support trafficked persons but 
12 
November 9, 2021
02:46 pm
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2 
 
more importantly, to ensure their recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration into 
1 
the mainstream of society IN A MANNER THAT IS GENDER-, AGE-, AND 
2 
CULTURALLY- RESPONSIVE, AND DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE.  
3 
"It shall be a State policy to recognize the equal rights and inherent human 
4 
dignity of women and men as enshrined in the United Nations Universal 
5 
Declaration on Human Rights, United Nations Convention on the Elimination of 
6 
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, United Nations Convention on the 
7 
Rights of the Child AND ITS OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS, the United Nations 
8 
Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, United 
9 
Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime Including its 
10 
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially 
11 
Women and Children; ILO CONVENTION NO. 182, CONCERNING THE 
12 
PROHIBITION AND IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF 
13 
THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR; THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT ON 
14 
SAFE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION; AND THE CONVENTION FOR THE 
15 
SUPPRESSION OF THE TRAFFIC IN PERSONS AND OF THE 
16 
EXPLOITATION OF THE PROSTITUTION OF OTHERS; and all other 
17 
relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments and other 
18 
international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory. IN ALL 
19 
ACTIONS CONCERNING CHILDREN, THEIR BEST INTERESTS SHALL 
20 
BE THE PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION.” 
21 
 
Sec. 4. Section 3 Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
22 
“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
23 
“(a) Trafficking in Persons – refers to the recruitment, obtaining, hiring, 
24 
providing, offering, transportation, transfer, maintaining, harboring, or 
25 
receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge, 
26 
within or across national borders by means of threat, or use of force, or 
27 
other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or 
28 
of position, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or, the 
29 
giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a 
30 
person having control over another person, for the purpose of 
31 
exploitation which includes at a minimum, the exploitation or the 
32 


3 
 
prostitution of others, OR THE ENGAGEMENT OF OTHERS FOR 
1 
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION MATERIALS, or other 
2 
forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude 
3 
or the removal or sale of organs. 
4 
“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, adoption or receipt 
5 
of a child for the purpose of exploitation or when the adoption is induced 
6 
by any form of consideration for exploitative purposes, shall also be 
7 
considered as ‘trafficking in persons’ even if it does not involve any of 
8 
the means set forth in the preceding paragraph. 
9 
x x x 
10 
(h) Sexual Exploitation – [refers to participation by a person in 
11 
prostitution, pornography or the production of pornography, in exchange 
12 
for money, profit or any other consideration or where the participation 
13 
is caused or facilitated by any means of intimidation or threat, use of 
14 
force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, debt 
15 
bondage, abuse of power or of position or of legal process, taking 
16 
advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or giving or receiving of 
17 
payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control 
18 
over another person; or in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct 
19 
caused or facilitated by any means as provided in this Act.]  MEANS 
20 
ANY ACTUAL OR ATTEMPTED ABUSE OF A POSITION OF 
21 
VULNERABILITY, DIFFERENTIAL POWER, OR TRUST, FOR 
22 
SEXUAL PURPOSES OR LEWD DESIGNS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT 
23 
LIMITED 
TO, 
PROFITING 
MONETARILY, 
SOCIALLY 
OR 
24 
POLITICALLY FROM THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF ANOTHER, 
25 
REGARDLESS OF CONSENT.  
26 
x x x 
27 
(j) Pornography – refers to any representation through publication, 
28 
exhibition, cinematography, indecent shows, information technology, or 
29 
by whatever means, of a person engaged in real or simulated explicit 
30 
sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of a person 
31 
primarily for sexual purposes: PROVIDED, THAT WHEN A CHILD IS 
32 


4 
 
INVOLVED, THE MATERIAL SHALL BE CONSIDERED CHILD 
1 
SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION MATERIALS AS DEFINED 
2 
UNDER PARAGRAPH L OF THIS SECTION. 
3 
x x x 
4 
(L) CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION MATERIALS – 
5 
REFER TO PHOTOS, IMAGES, VIDEOS, RECORDINGS, STREAMS, 
6 
OR ANY OTHER FORM OF MEDIA, DEPICTING ACTS OF SEXUAL 
7 
ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD OR REPRESENTATION 
8 
OF A CHILD AS A SEXUAL OBJECT, WHETHER GENERATED 
9 
DIGITALLY OR NOT. THIS INCLUDES MATERIALS THAT FOCUS 
10 
ON THE ANAL OR GENITAL REGION OF A CHILD; 
11 
 
(M) INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY – 
12 
SHALL MEAN THE TOTALITY OF ELECTRONIC MEANS TO 
13 
ACCESS, CREATE, COLLECT, STORE, PROCESS, RECEIVE, 
14 
TRANSMIT, PRESENT AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION; 
15 
 
(N) INTERNET INTERMEDIARIES – REFERS TO A PERSON OR 
16 
ENTITY THAT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE, PLATFORMS, 
17 
ACCESS TO, AND HOST, TRANSMIT AND INDEX CONTENT, 
18 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORIGINATED BY THIRD PARTIES ON 
19 
THE INTERNET. IT INCLUDES AMONG OTHERS: 
20 
 
(1) INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPs); 
21 
 
(2) DATA PROCESSING AND WEB HOSTING PROVIDERS 
22 
INCLUDING DOMAIN NAME REGISTRARS; 
23 
 
(3) INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES AND PORTALS; 
24 
 
(4) E-COMMERCE INTERMEDIARIES; 
25 
 
(5) INTERNET PAYMENT SYSTEM PROVIDERS, WHETHER 
26 
SUPERVISED BY THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS (BSP) 
27 
OR NOT; AND  
28 
 
(6) 
PARTICIPATIVE 
NETWORK 
PLATFORM 
29 
PROVIDERS/SOCIAL MEDIA INTERMEDIARIES; 
30 


5 
 
 
(O) ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN. 
1 
– 
REFERS 
TO 
THE 
USE 
OF 
DIGITAL 
OR 
ANALOG 
2 
COMMUNICATION, AND ICT, AS A MEANS TO ABUSE AND 
3 
EXPLOIT CHILDREN SEXUALLY, WHICH INCLUDES CASES IN 
4 
WHICH CONTACT CHILD ABUSE AND/OR EXPLOITATION 
5 
OFFLINE IS COMBINED WITH AN ONLINE COMPONENT. THIS 
6 
CAN ALSO INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE 
7 
PRODUCTION, DISSEMINATION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD 
8 
SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION MATERIALS; ONLINE 
9 
GROOMING OF CHILDREN FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES; SEXUAL 
10 
EXTORTION OF CHILDREN; SHARING IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL 
11 
ABUSE; COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN; 
12 
EXPLOITATION 
OF 
CHILDREN 
THROUGH 
ONLINE 
13 
PROSTITUTION; AND LIVE-STREAMING OF SEXUAL ABUSE, 
14 
WITH OR WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE VICTIM. 
15 
 
Sec. 5. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
16 
follows: 
17 
“SEC. 4. Acts of Trafficking in Persons. – It shall be unlawful for any 
18 
person, natural or juridical, to commit BY MEANS OF THREAT, OR 
19 
USE OF FORCE, OR OTHER FORMS OF COERCION, ABDUCTION, 
20 
FRAUD, DECEPTION, ABUSE OF POWER OR OF POSITION, OR 
21 
THROUGH TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE VULNERABILITY OF 
22 
THE PERSON, OR THE GIVING OR RECEIVING OF PAYMENTS OR 
23 
BENEFITS TO ACHIEVE THE CONSENT OF A PERSON HAVING 
24 
CONTROL OVER ANOTHER PERSON, OR any of the following acts: 
25 
 
“(a) To recruit, obtain, hire, provide, offer, transport, transfer, maintain, 
26 
harbor, or receive a person by any means, including those done under 
27 
the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or 
28 
apprenticeship, for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, or sexual 
29 


6 
 
exploitation, 
FORCED 
LABOR, 
SLAVERY, 
INVOLUNTARY 
1 
SERVITUDE OR DEBT BONDAGE; 
2 
XXX  
3 
“(h) To recruit, hire, adopt, transport, transfer, obtain, harbor, maintain, 
4 
provide, offer, receive or abduct a person, [by means of threat or use of 
5 
force, fraud, deceit, violence, coercion, or intimidation] for the purpose 
6 
of removal or sale of organs of said person; 
7 
“(i) To recruit, transport, obtain, transfer, harbor, maintain, offer, hire, 
8 
provide, receive, or adopt a child to engage in armed activities OR 
9 
PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ARMED 
10 
CONFLICT in the Philippines or abroad; 
11 
“(J)[g] To adopt or facilitate the adoption of persons for the purpose of 
12 
prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, 
13 
involuntary servitude or debt bondage, OR TO FACILITATE ILLEGAL 
14 
ADOPTIONS AND/OR CHILD-LAUNDERING; 
15 
XXX  
16 
“(l) To organize, PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, or direct other 
17 
persons to commit the offenses defined as acts of trafficking under this 
18 
Act. 
19 
 
Sec. 6. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
20 
follows: 
21 
“SEC. 5. Acts that Promote Trafficking in Persons. – The following acts 
22 
which promote or facilitate trafficking in persons, shall be unlawful: 
23 
 
"(a) To knowingly lease or sublease, use or allow to be used any house, 
24 
building or establishment, OR ANY VEHICLES OR CARRIERS BY 
25 
LAND, SEA AND AIR, AND ANY OF THEIR ONLINE OR DIGITAL 
26 
PLATFORMS AND APPLICATIONS, for the purpose of promoting 
27 
trafficking in persons; 
28 
“(b) FOR INTERNET INTERMEDIARIES TO KNOWINGLY OR BY 
29 
GROSS NEGLIGENCE ALLOW THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE 
30 


7 
 
USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TRAFFICKING IN 
1 
PERSONS; 
2 
“(c) FOR INTERNET CAFES,  KIOSKS, AND HOTSPOTS, 
3 
INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENTS OFFERING WI-FI ACCESS 
4 
SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, TO KNOWINGLY OR BY GROSS 
5 
NEGLIGENCE ALLOW ITS FACILITIES TO BE USED FOR THE 
6 
PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
7 
“(d) FOR FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT 
8 
LIMITED TO BANKS AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND 
9 
MONEY TRANSFER OR REMITTANCE CENTERS, TO KNOWINGLY 
10 
OR BY GROSS NEGLIGENCE ALLOW ITS SERVICES, INCLUDING 
11 
ITS ONLINE PLATFORM AND APPLICATIONS TO BE USED FOR 
12 
THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
13 
“(E) [(b)] To produce, print and issue or distribute unissued, tampered 
14 
or fake PASSPORTS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, AFFIDAVITS OF 
15 
DELAYED 
REGISTRATION 
OF 
BIRTHS, 
FOUNDLING 
16 
CERTIFICATES, TRAVEL CLEARANCES, counseling certificates, 
17 
registration stickers and certificates of any government agency which 
18 
issues these certificates and stickers as proof of compliance with 
19 
government regulatory and pre-departure requirements for the purpose 
20 
of promoting trafficking in persons; 
21 
 
“(F) [(c)] To advertise, publish, print, broadcast or distribute, or cause 
22 
the advertisement, publication, printing, broadcasting or distribution by 
23 
any means, including the use of information technology and the internet, 
24 
of any brochure, flyer, or any propaganda material that promotes 
25 
trafficking in persons; 
26 
 
“(G) [(d)] To assist in the conduct of misrepresentation or fraud for 
27 
purposes of facilitating the acquisition of clearances and necessary exit 
28 
documents from government agencies that are mandated to provide pre-
29 


8 
 
departure registration and services for departing persons for the purpose 
1 
of promoting trafficking in persons; 
2 
 
"(H) [(e)] To facilitate, assist or help in the exit and entry of persons 
3 
from/to the country at international and local airports, territorial 
4 
boundaries and seaports [who are in possession of unissued, tampered 
5 
or fraudulent travel documents], KNOWING THEY ARE NOT IN 
6 
POSSESSION OF REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, OR ARE IN 
7 
POSSESSION OF 
TAMPERED, FAKE, OR FRAUDULENTLY 
8 
ACQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, for the purpose of promoting 
9 
trafficking in persons; 
10 
 
"(I) TO KNOWINGLY FACILITATE, ASSIST OR HELP IN THE 
11 
ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY OF PERSONS WHO ARE CONVICTED 
12 
SEX OFFENDERS WHETHER AT INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL 
13 
AIRPORTS, TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES AND SEAPORTS FOR 
14 
THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
15 
 
(J) [(f)] To confiscate, conceal, or destroy the passport, travel 
16 
documents, or personal documents or belongings of trafficked persons 
17 
in furtherance of trafficking or to prevent them from leaving the country 
18 
or seeking redress from the government or appropriate agencies;  
19 
 
"(K) [(g)] To knowingly benefit from, financial or otherwise, or make 
20 
use of, the labor or services of a person held to a condition of involuntary 
21 
servitude, forced labor, or slavery; 
22 
 
“(L) [(h)] To tamper with, destroy, or cause the destruction of evidence, 
23 
or to influence or attempt to influence witnesses, in an investigation or 
24 
prosecution of a case under this Act; 
25 
 


9 
 
“(M) [(i)] To destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate or possess, or attempt 
1 
to destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate or possess, any actual or 
2 
purported passport or other travel, immigration or working permit or 
3 
document, or any other actual or purported government identification, 
4 
of any person in order to prevent or restrict, or attempt to prevent or 
5 
restrict, without lawful authority, the person’s liberty to move or travel 
6 
in order to maintain the labor or services of that person; or 
7 
 
“(N) [(j)] To utilize his or her office to impede the investigation, 
8 
prosecution or execution of lawful orders in a case under this Act.” 
9 
 
 
Sec. 7. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
10 
follows: 
11 
 
“SECTION 6. Qualified Trafficking in Persons. – Violations of Section 4 
12 
of this Act shall be considered as qualified trafficking:  
13 
“(a) When the trafficked person is a child, PROVIDED THAT ACTS OF 
14 
ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN 
15 
SHALL 
BE 
WITHOUT 
PREJUDICE 
TO 
APPROPRIATE 
16 
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION UNDER OTHER RELATED 
17 
LAWS;  
18 
xxx 
19 
 “(J) WHEN THE CRIME IS COMMITTED DURING A CRISIS, A 
20 
PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN, A DISASTER, A HUMANITARIAN 
21 
CONFLICT, OR EMERGENCY SITUATION, OR WHEN THE 
22 
TRAFFICKED PERSON IS A SURVIVOR OF THE SAME; 
23 
 
“(K) WHEN THE TRAFFICKED PERSON BELONGS TO AN 
24 
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OR RELIGIOUS MINORITY; 
25 
 
“(L) WHEN THE TRAFFICKED PERSON IS A PERSON WITH 
26 
DISABILITY;  
27 


10 
 
 
“(M) WHEN THE CRIME HAS RESULTED IN PREGNANCY; 
1 
 
“(N) WHEN THE ACT IS COMMITTED BY OR THROUGH THE USE 
2 
OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY OR 
3 
USING ANY COMPUTER SYSTEM; OR 
4 
 
“(O) WHEN THE TRAFFICKED PERSONS SUFFERED MENTAL 
5 
AND/OR EMOTIONAL DISORDER AS A RESULT OF THE 
6 
TRAFFICKING.” 
7 
 
 
Sec. 8. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10364 is hereby amended to read as 
8 
follows: 
9 
 
"SECTION 8.  [Initiation and] Prosecution AND INVESTIGATION of Cases. –  
10 
"(a) Initiation of Investigation. – Law enforcement agencies are 
11 
mandated to immediately initiate investigation and counter-trafficking-
12 
intelligence gathering MOTU PROPRIO OR WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS 
13 
upon receipt of REPORTS, statements or affidavitS from victims of 
14 
trafficking, migrant workers, or their families, AND OTHER PERSONS 
15 
WHO HAVE PERSONAL knowledge or information about POSSIBLE 
16 
VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT, INCLUDING THE PRIVATE SECTOR, 
17 
AND FOR THIS PURPOSE SHALL CLOSELY COORDINATE WITH 
18 
ONE ANOTHER; 
19 
 
20 
IN INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT INVOLVING THE 
21 
USE OF THE INTERNET AND OTHER DIGITAL PLATFORMS, A 
22 
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY, UPON A WRITTEN ORDER 
23 
FROM THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, TRACK, INTERCEPT, VIEW, 
24 
MONITOR, SURVEIL, LISTEN TO AND RECORD BY TECHNICAL 
25 
OR 
ELECTRONIC 
MEANS, 
ANY 
COMMUNICATIONS, 
26 
INFORMATION OR MESSAGES, INCLUDING PROCUREMENT OF 
27 


11 
 
CONTENT DATA, TRANSMITTED BY MEANS OF A COMPUTER 
1 
SYSTEM INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PERSON REASONABLY 
2 
BELIEVED TO HAVE COMMITTED VIOLATIONS UNDER THIS 
3 
ACT.  
4 
 
THE ORDER SHALL ONLY BE ISSUED OR GRANTED UPON 
5 
WRITTEN APPLICATION OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, 
6 
WHO SHALL BE EXAMINED UNDER OATH OR AFFIRMATION, 
7 
AND THE WITNESSES HE/SHE MAY PRODUCE, AND THE 
8 
SHOWING THAT: (1) THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO 
9 
BELIEVE 
THAT 
ANY 
OF 
THE 
CRIMES 
ENUMERATED 
10 
HEREINABOVE 
HAS 
BEEN 
COMMITTED, 
OR 
IS 
BEING 
11 
COMMITTED, OR IS ABOUT TO BE COMMITTED; (2) THAT THERE 
12 
ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT EVIDENCE THAT 
13 
WILL BE OBTAINED IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CONVICTION OF ANY 
14 
PERSON FOR, OR TO THE SOLUTION OF, OR TO THE 
15 
PREVENTION OF, ANY SUCH CRIMES; AND (3) THAT THERE ARE 
16 
NO OTHER MEANS READILY AVAILABLE FOR OBTAINING SUCH 
17 
EVIDENCE.  
18 
 
THE ORDER SHALL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE LENGTH OF 
19 
TIME AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT, WHICH SHALL NOT 
20 
EXCEED A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM ITS ISSUANCE. 
21 
THE COURT ISSUING THE ORDER MAY, UPON MOTION, EXTEND 
22 
ITS EFFECTIVITY BASED ONLY ON JUSTIFIABLE REASONS FOR 
23 
A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE 
24 
EXPIRATION OF THE ORIGINAL PERIOD.  
25 
 
IN INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT INVOLVING THE 
26 
USE OF THE INTERNET AND OTHER DIGITAL PLATFORMS, LAW 
27 
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACTING IN AN UNDERCOVER 
28 
CAPACITY WHO RECORD THEIR COMMUNICATIONS WITH A 
29 


12 
 
PERSON OR PERSONS REASONABLY BELIEVED TO HAVE 
1 
COMMITTED, IS COMMITTING, OR IS ABOUT TO COMMIT ANY 
2 
OF THE VIOLATIONS UNDER THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE 
3 
CONSIDERED AS WIRETAPPING OR ILLEGAL INTERCEPTION, 
4 
AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 
5 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4200, OR THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION 
6 
ACT OF 2012: PROVIDED, THAT VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN 
7 
PERSONS, OF WHATEVER AGE, SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER 
8 
THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4200, OR THE ANTI-
9 
WIRETAPPING 
ACT, 
IF 
THEY 
RECORD 
THE 
ACT 
OF 
10 
EXPLOITATION, ABUSE OR VIOLENCE AGAINST THEM. 
11 
 
(B) PROSECUTION. - OFFENSES PUNISHABLE UNDER THIS ACT 
12 
ARE PUBLIC CRIMES. Any person who has personal knowledge of the 
13 
commission of any offense under this Act, such as the trafficked person, 
14 
the parents, spouse, siblings, children, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OFFICER 
15 
OR SOCIAL WORKER OR REPRESENTATIVE OF A LICENSED 
16 
CHILD-CARING INSTITUTION, OFFICER OR SOCIAL WORKER 
17 
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
18 
(DSWD), PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) AND NATIONAL 
19 
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI) OFFICERS, BARANGAY 
20 
CHAIRPERSON, AT LEAST THREE (3) CONCERNED CITIZENS 
21 
WHERE THE VIOLATION OCCURRED, may file a complaint UNDER 
22 
THIS ACT; 
23 
 
“(C) VENUE. – A CRIMINAL ACTION ARISING FROM A 
24 
VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL BE FILED WHERE THE OFFENSE 
25 
WAS COMMITTED, OR WHERE ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS 
26 
OCCURRED, OR WHERE THE TRAFFICKED PERSON ACTUALLY 
27 
RESIDES AT THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE: 
28 
PROVIDED, THAT THE COURT WHERE THE CRIMINAL ACTION 
29 
IS FIRST FILED SHALL ACQUIRE JURISDICTION TO THE 
30 


13 
 
EXCLUSION OF OTHER COURTS. CASES INVOLVING OSAEC 
1 
SHALL BE HEARD IN THE CHAMBER OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL 
2 
COURT DULY DESIGNATED AS FAMILY COURTS; 
3 
 
“(D) (c) Affidavit of Desistance. – Cases involving trafficking in persons 
4 
should not be dismissed based on the Affidavit of Desistance executed 
5 
by the victims or their parents or legal guardians. Public and private 
6 
prosecutors are directed to oppose and manifest objections to motions 
7 
for 
dismissal. 
ATTEMPTS 
TO 
UNDULY 
PRESSURE 
THE 
8 
COMPLAINANT TO EXECUTE AN AFFIDAVIT OF DESISTANCE 
9 
SHALL BE PUNISHABLE UNDER THIS ACT; 
10 
 
(E) IMMEDIATE PROTECTION OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. -
11 
WHERE 
WARRANTED, 
TRAFFICKING 
VICTIMS 
SHALL 
12 
IMMEDIATELY BE PLACED UNDER THE PROTECTIVE CUSTODY 
13 
OF THE DSWD, PURSUANT TO R.A. NO. 7610. IN THE REGULAR 
14 
PERFORMANCE OF THIS FUNCTION, THE DSWD SHALL BE FREE 
15 
FROM ANY ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY. 
16 
CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 
17 
PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603.  
18 
 
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING OF ALL AGES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO 
19 
IMMEDIATE TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE SHELTER FROM THE 
20 
DSWD; PROVIDED, THAT IF THE TRAFFICKED PERSON IS 
21 
OVERSEAS, IT SHALL BE THE RELEVANT EMBASSY OR 
22 
CONSULATE THAT SHALL PROVIDE THE SAME.  
23 
 
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS 
24 
SHALL 
BE 
ENTITLED 
TO 
PROTECTION 
AS 
WELL 
AS 
25 
PREFERENTIAL ENTITLEMENT TO THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS 
26 
OF WITNESSES UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981, OTHERWISE 
27 
KNOWN AS THE “WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND 
28 


14 
 
BENEFIT ACT”; PROVIDED, THAT THEY POSSESS ALL THE 
1 
QUALIFICATIONS AND NONE OF THE DISQUALIFICATIONS 
2 
UNDER THE SAID LAW.  
3 
 
4 
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING SHALL ALSO BE CONSIDERED AS A 
5 
VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME DEFINED UNDER SECTION 3(D) 
6 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7309, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT 
7 
CREATING A BOARD OF CLAIMS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF 
8 
JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF UNJUST IMPRISONMENT OR 
9 
DETENTION AND VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND FOR 
10 
OTHER PURPOSES”, SO THAT THE CHILD MAY CLAIM 
11 
COMPENSATION THEREIN.  
12 
 
(F) CONFIDENTIALITY. ALL RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS 
13 
UNDER THIS LAW FROM THE INITIAL CONTACT UNTIL THE 
14 
FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE CASE SHALL BE CONSIDERED 
15 
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL. THE PUBLIC SHALL BE 
16 
EXCLUDED DURING THE PROCEEDINGS AND THE RECORDS 
17 
SHALL NOT BE DISCLOSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO 
18 
ANYONE BY ANY OF THE PARTIES OR THE PARTICIPANTS IN 
19 
THE PROCEEDINGS FOR ANY PURPOSE WHATSOEVER. WHERE 
20 
THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHILD SHALL BE TAKEN IN 
21 
ACCORDANCE WITH A.M. NO. 004-07-SC OR THE RULES ON THE 
22 
EXAMINATION OF THE CHILD WITNESS. 
23 
 
 IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY EDITOR, PUBLISHER, 
24 
REPORTER OR COLUMNIST IN CASE OF PRINTED MATERIALS, 
25 
ANNOUNCER OR PRODUCER IN CASE OF TELEVISION AND 
26 
RADIO BROADCASTING AND DIGITAL MEDIA, AND PRODUCER 
27 
AND DIRECTOR OF THE FILM IN CASE OF THE MOVIE 
28 
INDUSTRY, TO CAUSE ANY PUBLICITY THAT MAY RESULT IN 
29 
THE FURTHER SUFFERING OF THE VICTIM. ANY PERSON OR 
30 


15 
 
AGENCY INVOLVED IN THE REPORTING, INVESTIGATION OR 
1 
TRIAL OF CASES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SHALL REFRAIN 
2 
FROM ANY ACT OR STATEMENT THAT MAY BE CONSTRUED AS 
3 
BLAMING THE VICTIM OR PLACING RESPONSIBILITY ON THE 
4 
VICTIM FOR THE OFFENSE COMMITTED AGAINST THEM.  
5 
 
Sec. 9. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby deleted, and a new Section 
6 
9 shall read as follows: 
7 
“SECTION 9. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIVATE 
8 
SECTOR.  
9 
A. DUTIES 
OF 
INTERNET 
INTERMEDIARIES. 
INTERNET 
10 
INTERMEDIARIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 
11 
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, INTERNET CONTENT 
12 
HOSTS, PARTICIPATIVE NETWORK PLATFORM PROVIDERS, 
13 
FINANCIAL 
INTERMEDIARIES, 
ELECTRONIC 
MONEY 
14 
ISSUERS, 
SHALL 
PREVENT 
THEIR 
FACILITIES, 
15 
INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLATFORMS FROM BEING UTILIZED 
16 
IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, SHALL 
17 
COOPERATE 
AS 
FAR 
AS 
PRACTICABLE 
WITH 
LAW 
18 
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES FOR THE PROSECUTION OF 
19 
OFFENDERS AND THE PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE, 
20 
INCLUDING 
THE 
PROVISION 
OF 
SUBSCRIBER 
21 
INFORMATION AND/OR TRAFFIC DATA OF ANY PERSON OR 
22 
SUBSCRIBER WHO HAS COMMITTED, IS COMMITTING, OR 
23 
IS ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ACT 
24 
UPON FORMAL REQUEST OF DULY AUTHORIZED LAW 
25 
ENFORCEMENT BODIES WITH NO NEED OF WARRANT AND 
26 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH DUE PROCESS.  
27 
 
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION MAY BE CONSTRUED TO 
28 
REQUIRE INTERNET INTERMEDIARIES TO ENGAGE IN THE 
29 
MONITORING OF ANY USER, SUBSCRIBER OR CUSTOMER, 
30 


16 
 
OR THE CONTENT OF ANY COMMUNICATION OF ANY SUCH 
1 
PERSON.  
2 
 
THESE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE WITHOUT 
3 
PREJUDICE TO OTHER DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS THAT 
4 
MAY BE IMPOSED IN OTHER LAWS, PARTICULARLY WHEN 
5 
THE VIOLATIONS INVOLVE ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND 
6 
EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN.   
7 
 
B. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF INTERNET CAFES, 
8 
HOTSPOTS 
AND 
KIOSKS, 
MONEY 
TRANSFER 
AND 
9 
REMITTANCE CENTERS, TRANSPORT SERVICES, TOURISM 
10 
ENTERPRISES, 
MALLS 
AND 
OTHER 
BUSINESS 
11 
ESTABLISHMENTS OPEN AND CATERING TO THE PUBLIC. 
12 
THESE PERSONS AND ENTITIES ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY 
13 
THE PNP OR THE NBI WITHIN FORTY EIGHT HOURS (48) 
14 
HOURS FROM OBTAINING FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES 
15 
THAT VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT ARE TAKING PLACE WITHIN 
16 
THEIR PREMISES, OR THAT THEIR FACILITIES AND 
17 
SERVICES ARE BEING USED TO COMMIT VIOLATIONS OF 
18 
THIS ACT. ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL PROMOTE AWARENESS 
19 
AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS THROUGH CLEAR AND 
20 
VISIBLE SIGNAGES IN BOTH ENGLISH AND THE LOCAL 
21 
DIALECT, WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL HOTLINES POSTED 
22 
WITHIN THEIR FACILITIES. MONEY TRANSFER AND 
23 
REMITTANCE CENTERS SHALL REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS 
24 
TRANSACTING 
WITH 
THEM 
TO 
PRESENT 
VALID 
25 
GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS.  
26 
 
C. BANKS, MONEY SERVICE BUSINESSES, CREDIT CARD 
27 
COMPANIES, ELECTRONIC MONEY ISSUERS, AND OTHER 
28 
BSP-SUPERVISED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.  BANKS, 
29 


17 
 
MONEY SERVICE BUSINESSES, CREDIT CARD COMPANIES, 
1 
ELECTRONIC 
MONEY 
ISSUERS 
AND 
OTHER 
BSP-
2 
SUPERVISED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR ANY PERSON 
3 
WHO HAS DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF, OR HAS REASONABLE 
4 
SUSPICION THAT A FINANCIAL ACTIVITY IS RELATED TO 
5 
SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING ACTIVITY OR TRANSACTION, 
6 
SHALL HAVE THE DUTY TO REPORT TO THE PROPER 
7 
AUTHORITIES, SUCH AS THE AMLC, WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS 
8 
FROM DISCOVERY THEREOF. 
9 
 
THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL (AMLC) SHALL 
10 
PROMULGATE THE NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS 
11 
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROVISION WHICH 
12 
SHALL INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE GUIDELINES TO 
13 
DETERMINE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND INDICATORS THAT 
14 
OSAEC-RELATED ACTIVITIES ARE BEING CONDUCTED. 
15 
AMLC SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES WITH 
16 
REGARD TO THIS PROVISION WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS 
17 
FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT. 
18 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVESTIGATING TIP CASES 
19 
MAY REQUIRE FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES, INTERNET 
20 
PAYMENT SYSTEM PROVIDERS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL 
21 
FACILITATORS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS AND 
22 
INFORMATION UPON ORDER OF ANY COMPETENT COURT 
23 
BASED ON AN EX PARTE APPLICATION IN CASES OF 
24 
VIOLATIONS 
OF 
THIS 
ACT, 
WHEN 
IT 
HAS 
BEEN 
25 
ESTABLISHED THAT THERE IS REASONABLE GROUND TO 
26 
BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSACTIONS TO BE EXAMINED ARE 
27 
IN ANY WAY RELATED TO TIP.  
28 
 


18 
 
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 
1 
NO. 1405 AS AMENDED, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6426 AS 
2 
AMENDED, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8791 AND OTHER PERTINENT 
3 
LAWS, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVESTIGATING 
4 
TIP CASES MAY INQUIRE INTO OR EXAMINE ANY 
5 
PARTICULAR 
DEPOSIT 
OR 
INVESTMENT, 
INCLUDING 
6 
RELATED ACCOUNTS, WITH ANY BANKING INSTITUTION OR 
7 
NON-BANK FINANCIAL INSTITUTION UPON ORDER OF ANY 
8 
COMPETENT COURT BASED ON AN EX PARTE APPLICATION 
9 
IN CASES OF VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT, WHEN IT HAS BEEN 
10 
ESTABLISHED THAT THERE IS REASONABLE GROUND TO 
11 
BELIEVE THAT THE DEPOSIT OR INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING 
12 
RELATED ACCOUNTS INVOLVED, ARE RELATED TO TIP AND 
13 
VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT.  
14 
 
D. HOTELS, 
TRANSIENT 
AND 
RESIDENTIAL 
HOUSES, 
15 
CONDOMINIUMS, DORMITORIES AND APARTMENTS OR 
16 
ANY ANALOGOUS LIVING SPACES.  ALL OWNERS, LESSORS, 
17 
SUB-LESSORS AND OPERATORS OF HOTELS, TRANSIENT 
18 
AND 
RESIDENTIAL 
HOUSES, 
CONDOMINIUMS, 
19 
DORMITORIES AND APARTMENTS OR ANY ANALOGOUS 
20 
LIVING SPACES SHALL NOTIFY THE PNP OR THE NBI 
21 
IMMEDIATELY BUT NOT LATER THAN 48 HOURS FROM 
22 
OBTAINING 
FACTS 
AND 
CIRCUMSTANCES 
THAT 
23 
TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES AND/OR OSAEC ACTIVITIES ARE 
24 
BEING COMMITTED WITHIN THEIR PREMISES; PROVIDED, 
25 
THAT 
ACTUAL 
KNOWLEDGE 
BY 
THE 
26 
OWNERS/LESSORS/SUB-LESSEES/OPERATORS 
AND 
27 
OWNERS 
OR 
LESSORS 
OF 
OTHER 
BUSINESS 
28 
ESTABLISHMENTS IS REQUIRED FOR THERE TO BE A 
29 
VIOLATION UNDER THIS ACT;  PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT 
30 
THE RECEIPT OF INFORMATION THAT TRAFFICKING 
31 


19 
 
ACTIVITY HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE PREMISES ALSO GIVES 
1 
RISE TO THE DUTY TO NOTIFY THE PNP OR THE NBI.  
2 
 
 
THE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE ABOVE ENTITIES AS 
3 
STATED 
HEREIN, 
WHEN 
REQUESTED 
BY 
LAW 
ENFORCERS, 
4 
PROSECUTORS AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE BODIES THROUGH 
5 
PROPER PROCESSES AND DONE IN GOOD FAITH, SHALL NOT BE 
6 
CONSTRUED AS A VIOLATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10173, OR THE 
7 
“DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012” AND/OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10175, 
8 
OR THE “CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2012”.  
9 
 
 
Sec. 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
10 
follows:  
11 
 
“SEC. 10. Penalties and Sanctions. – The following penalties and sanctions 
12 
are hereby established for the offenses enumerated in this act:  
13 
x x x 
14 
 
(G) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SECTION 9 HEREOF SHALL 
15 
SUFFER THE PENALTY OF A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO MILLION 
16 
PESOS (P2,000,000.O00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIVE MILLION 
17 
PESOS (P5,000,000.00) FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE. IN CASE OF 
18 
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE, THE PENALTY OF FINE OF NOT LESS THAN 
19 
TWO MILLION PESOS (P2,000,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN TEN 
20 
MILLION 
PESOS 
(P10,000,000.00) 
AND 
REVOCATION 
OF 
21 
FRANCHISE AND LICENSE TO OPERATE.  WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 
22 
THE CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS 
23 
WILFULLY REFUSING TO PERFORM THE RESPONSIBILITIES 
24 
UNDER SECTION 9 OF THIS ACT, JURIDICAL PERSONS OWNING 
25 
OR MANAGING THE AFOREMENTIONED ENTERPRISES SHALL BE 
26 
SUBSIDIARILY LIABLE, AND THEIR LICENSE OR PERMIT TO 
27 
OPERATE MAY BE REVOKED. 
28 


20 
 
 
WILFUL AND INTENTIONAL VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 9 OF THIS 
1 
ACT ARE SUBJECT TO THE PENALTIES IN PARAGRAPH (F) OF THIS 
2 
SECTION;  
3 
 
(H)  ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING PARAGRAPHS D 
4 
AND G OF SECTION 8 SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTY OF 
5 
IMPRISONMENT OF SIX (6) YEARS AND A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN 
6 
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00) BUT NOT MORE 
7 
THAN ONE MILLION PESOS (P1,000,000.00), PROVIDED, THAT IF 
8 
HE OR SHE IS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, HE OR SHE SHALL BE 
9 
HELD ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE, WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY 
10 
CRIMINAL LIABILITY UNDER THIS ACT. THE CONCERNED 
11 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE MAY, UPON CONVICTION, 
12 
BE 
DISMISSED 
FROM 
THE 
SERVICE 
AND 
BE 
BARRED 
13 
PERMANENTLY 
TO 
HOLD 
PUBLIC 
OFFICE. 
HIS 
OR 
HER 
14 
RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS SHALL LIKEWISE BE 
15 
FORFEITED.  
16 
 
 (I) [(g)] If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, club, 
17 
establishment or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon 
18 
the owner, president, partner, manager, and/or any responsible officer who 
19 
participated in the commission of the crime or who shall have knowingly 
20 
permitted or KNOWINGLY failed to prevent its commission; 
21 
(J) [(h)] The registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
22 
(SEC) AND/OR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) 
23 
and license to operate of the erring agency, corporation, association, 
24 
religious group, tour or travel agent, club or establishment, [or] any place 
25 
of entertainment, OR ANY OF THE ENUMERATED ENTITIES UNDER 
26 
SECTION 9, shall be cancelled and revoked permanently. The owner, 
27 
president, partner or manager thereof shall not be allowed to operate similar 
28 
establishments in a different name; 
29 


21 
 
(K) [(i)] If the offender is a foreigner, he or she shall be immediately 
1 
deported after serving his or her sentence and be barred permanently from 
2 
entering the country; 
3 
(L) [(j)] Any employee or official of government agencies who shall issue 
4 
or approve the issuance of travel exit clearances, passports, registration 
5 
certificates, counseling certificates, marriage license, and other similar 
6 
documents to persons, whether juridical or natural, recruitment agencies, 
7 
establishments or other individuals or groups, who fail to observe the 
8 
prescribed procedures and the requirement as provided for by laws, rules 
9 
and regulations, shall be held administratively liable, without prejudice to 
10 
criminal liability under this Act. The concerned government official or 
11 
employee shall, upon conviction, be dismissed from the service and be 
12 
barred permanently to hold public office. His or her retirement and other 
13 
benefits shall likewise be forfeited; and 
14 
(M) [(k)] Conviction, by final judgment of the adopter for any offense under 
15 
this Act shall result in the immediate rescission of the decree of adoption." 
16 
 
 
Sec. 11. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
17 
follows: 
18 
 
“Section 15. Trust Fund. All fines imposed under this Act and the 
19 
proceeds and properties forfeited and confiscated pursuant to Sec. 14 
20 
hereof, AS WELL AS THOSE COLLECTED BY THE AMLC, shall accrue 
21 
to a Trust Fund to be administered and managed by the Council to be 
22 
used exclusively for programs that will prevent acts of trafficking and 
23 
protect, rehabilitate, reintegrate trafficked persons into the mainstream 
24 
o society. Such programs shall include, but are not limited to, the 
25 
following: 
26 
 
(a) Provision for mandatory services set forth in Section 23 of this Act; 
27 


22 
 
(b) Sponsorship of a national research program on trafficking and 
1 
establishment of a data collection system for monitoring and 
2 
evaluation purposes; 
3 
(c) Provision of necessary technical and material support services to 
4 
appropriate government agencies and non-government organizations 
5 
(NGOs); 
6 
(d) Sponsorship of conferences and seminars to provide venue for 
7 
consensus building amongst the public, the academe, government, 
8 
NGOs and international organizations; and  
9 
(e) Promotion of information and education campaign on trafficking.  
10 
 
 
Sec. 12. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
11 
follows: 
12 
 
“SECTION 16. Programs that Address Trafficking in Persons– The 
13 
government shall establish and implement preventive, protective and 
14 
rehabilitative programs for trafficked persons. For this purpose, the 
15 
following agencies are hereby mandated to implement the following 
16 
programs: 
17 
 
“(a) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – shall make available its 
18 
resources and facilities overseas for trafficked persons regardless of their 
19 
manner of entry to the receiving country, and explore means to further 
20 
enhance its assistance in eliminating trafficking activities through closer 
21 
networking with government agencies in the country and overseas, 
22 
particularly in the formulation of policies and implementation of relevant 
23 
programs. It shall provide Filipino victims of trafficking overseas with free 
24 
legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against his or her 
25 
traffickers, represent his or her interests in any criminal investigation or 
26 
prosecution, and assist in the application for social benefits and/or 
27 
regular immigration status as may be allowed or provided for by the host 
28 
country. The DFA shall repatriate trafficked Filipinos with the consent of 
29 


23 
 
the victims AND ASSIST IN THE PROSECUTION OF THEIR 
1 
TRAFFICKERS.  
2 
 
“The DFA shall take necessary measures for the efficient implementation 
3 
of the Electronic Passporting System to protect the integrity of Philippine 
4 
passports, visas and other travel documents to reduce the incidence of 
5 
trafficking through the use of fraudulent identification documents. 
6 
 
In coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment, it shall 
7 
provide free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of 
8 
trafficking overseas through the Migrant Workers and other Overseas 
9 
Filipinos Resource Centers established overseas under Republic Act No. 
10 
8042, as amended.  
11 
 
“IN COORDINATION WITH THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION (BI) 
12 
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ), THE DFA SHALL 
13 
ENSURE, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, THAT ALL CONVICTED SEX 
14 
OFFENDERS IN ALL JURISDICTIONS, OR THOSE LISTED IN THE 
15 
REGISTRY OF SEX OFFENDERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES 
16 
SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED ENTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES. IT 
17 
SHALL DISALLOW ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO HAVE 
18 
BEEN BLACKLISTED OR PLACED IN THE WATCHLIST STATUS 
19 
FOR HAVING COMMITTED SEX OFFENSES AGAINST WOMEN 
20 
AND CHILDREN, OR SIMILAR ACTIVITIES AS TRAFFICKING IN 
21 
PERSONS AND OSAEC, IN ANY JURISDICTION.  
22 
 
FURTHERMORE, THE DFA, THE BI, AND THE DOJ SHALL 
23 
DEVELOP 
MECHANISMS 
TO 
ENSURE 
THE 
TIMELY, 
24 
COORDINATED, AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO CROSS-BORDER 
25 
CASES OF TRAFFICKING; RECOMMEND MEASURES AND 
26 
UNDERTAKE JOINT ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE COOPERATIVE 
27 
EFFORTS 
AND 
MUTUAL 
ASSISTANCE 
AMONG 
FOREIGN 
28 


24 
 
COUNTRIES THROUGH BILATERAL AND/OR MULTI-LATERAL 
1 
ARRANGEMENTS 
TO 
PROMOTE 
THE 
REGISTRATION 
OF 
2 
TRAFFICKING AND SEX OFFENDERS AND THEIR NOTIFICATION 
3 
TO PERSONS CONCERNED; ADOPT MEASURES AND POLICIES 
4 
TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF VICTIMS WHO ARE 
5 
FOREIGN NATIONALS OR WHO ARE STATELESS IN THE 
6 
PHILIPPINES 
AND 
FOREIGN 
NGOs 
CARING 
FOR 
AND 
7 
PROTECTING VICTIMS; INITIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN 
8 
IDENTIFYING AND PROVIDING THE NECESSARY MEASURES 
9 
FOR INTERVENTION OR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OR NGOs 
10 
PROTECTING VICTIMS. 
11 
 
“(b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – shall 
12 
implement rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficked persons. 
13 
It shall provide counseling and temporary shelter to trafficked persons 
14 
and develop a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of 
15 
establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of 
16 
the community. It shall establish free temporary shelters, for the 
17 
protection and housing of trafficked persons to provide the following 
18 
basic services: 
19 
(1) temporary housing and food facilities;  
20 
(2) psychological support and counseling;  
21 
(3) 24-hour call center for crisis calls and technology-based counseling 
22 
and referral system;  
23 
(4) coordination with local law enforcement entities; and 
24 
(5) coordination with the Department of Justice, among others. 
25 
 
The DSWD must conduct information campaigns in communities and 
26 
schools teaching parents and families that receiving consideration in 
27 
exchange for adoption is punishable under the law.  Furthermore, 
28 
information campaigns must be conducted with the police AND LOCAL 
29 


25 
 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS that they must not induce poor women to 
1 
give their children up for adoption in exchange for consideration.  
2 
 
“(c) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – shall ensure the 
3 
strict implementation and compliance with the rules and guidelines 
4 
relative to STANDARD LABOR CONDITIONS AND the employment 
5 
of persons locally and overseas ACROSS ALL SECTORS. It shall 
6 
likewise monitor, document and report cases of trafficking in persons 
7 
involving employers and FORMAL/INFORMAL labor recruiters 
8 
ACROSS ALL SECTORS, PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FACILITATION 
9 
AND LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAFFICKED VICTIMS 
10 
AND SURVIVORS. IT SHALL ASSIST IN THE PROSECUTION OF 
11 
EMPLOYERS HIRING TRAFFICKED FOREIGN NATIONALS.  IN 
12 
COORDINATION WITH THE DFA, IT SHALL PROVIDE FREE 
13 
TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND OTHER SERVICES TO FILIPINO 
14 
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING THROUGH THE MWOFRC UNDER 
15 
REPUBLIC 
ACT 
NO. 
8042. 
IT 
SHALL 
ALSO 
PROVIDE 
16 
REINTEGRATION SUPPORT TO THESE VICTIMS UPON THEIR 
17 
REPATRIATION. 
18 
 
“(d) Department of Justice (DOJ) – shall ensure the prosecution of 
19 
persons accused of trafficking and designate and train special 
20 
prosecutors who shall handle and prosecute cases of trafficking. It shall 
21 
also establish a mechanism for free legal assistance for trafficked 
22 
persons, in coordination with the DSWD, Integrated Bar of the 
23 
Philippines (IBP) and other NGOs and volunteer groups. THE DOJ 
24 
SHALL CONDUCT TRAININGS AND CONTINUOUS EDUCATION 
25 
PROGRAMS ON INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION FOR 
26 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND OTHER RELATED OFFENSES 
27 
FOR PROSECUTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; MAKE 
28 
AND/OR PROCESS REQUESTS FOR MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE 
29 
OR EXTRADITION; COORDINATION WITH INTERNATIONAL 
30 


26 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION AUTHORITIES FOR 
1 
THE PROSECUTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKERS WITH A CROSS-
2 
BORDER ELEMENT; INSTITUTIONALIZE BORDER CONTROL 
3 
MECHANISMS TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; 
4 
AND COORDINATE WITH AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE 
5 
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL (AMLC) ON CASES OF 
6 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS WITH POSSIBLE MONEY LAUNDRY 
7 
UNDERPINNINGS.  
8 
“(e) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – shall actively participate 
9 
and coordinate in the formulation and monitoring of policies addressing 
10 
the issue of trafficking in persons in coordination with relevant 
11 
government agencies. It shall likewise advocate for the inclusion of the 
12 
issue of trafficking in persons in both its local and international advocacy 
13 
for women’s issues.  
14 
 
“(f) Bureau of Immigration (BI) – shall strictly administer and enforce 
15 
immigration and alien administration laws, INCLUDING THE 
16 
PROHIBITION AGAINST THE ENTRY OF CONVICTED HUMAN 
17 
TRAFFICKERS. It shall adopt measures for the apprehension of 
18 
suspected traffickers both at the place of arrival and departure, ENSURE 
19 
STRONGER 
BORDER 
PROTECTION 
AGAINST 
HUMAN 
20 
TRAFFICKING 
INCLUDING 
BUT 
NOT 
LIMITED 
TO 
THE 
21 
REGULATION OF VISA UPON ARRIVALS, and shall ensure 
22 
compliance by the Filipino fiancés/fiancées and spouses of foreign 
23 
nationals with the guidance and counseling requirement as provided for 
24 
in this Act. 
25 
XXX  
26 
“(i) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – shall 
27 
institute a systematic information and prevention campaign in 
28 
coordination with pertinent agencies of government as provided for in 
29 
this Act. IN COORDINATION WITH THE IACAT, it shall provide 
30 


27 
 
training 
CAPACITY-BUILDING 
AND 
AWARENESS-RAISING 
1 
programs to local government units, in coordination with the Council  TO 
2 
SUPPORT 
THE 
EFFECTIVE 
IMPLEMENTATION 
OF 
A 
3 
COMMUNITY-BASED TRAFFICKING EDUCATION PROGRAM, [in 
4 
ensuring] AND TO ENSURE wide understanding and application of this 
5 
Act at the local level. 
6 
 
IT SHALL MANDATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO PASS AN 
7 
ORDINANCE TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND 
8 
OTHER FORMS OF EXPLOITATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.  
9 
 
“(j) Commission on Filipinos Overseas – shall conduct pre-departure 
10 
counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages, INCLUDING AN 
11 
ORIENTATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER FORMS 
12 
OF EXPLOITATION, REPORTING MECHANISMS AND SERVICES 
13 
AVAILABLE TO THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS, MAINTAIN A 
14 
WATCH LIST DATABASE OF FOREIGN NATIONALS WITH A 
15 
HISTORY 
OF 
DOMESTIC 
VIOLENCE, 
INVOLVEMENT 
IN 
16 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, MAIL-ORDER-BRIDE SCHEMES, 
17 
CHILD ABUSE, AND SEXUAL ABUSE. It shall develop a system of 
18 
accreditation of NGOs that may be mobilized for purposes of conducting 
19 
pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. As 
20 
such, it shall ensure that the counselors contemplated under this Act 
21 
shall have the minimum qualifications and training of guidance 
22 
counselors as provided for by law.  
23 
 
It shall likewise assist in the conduct of information campaigns against 
24 
trafficking in coordination with local government units, the Philippine 
25 
Information Agency, and NGOs. 
26 
 
(k) Local government units (LGUs) – shall monitor and document cases 
27 
of trafficking in persons in their areas of jurisdiction, effect the 
28 


28 
 
cancellation of licenses of establishments which violate the provisions of 
1 
this Act and ensure effective prosecution of such cases. They shall also 
2 
undertake an information campaign against trafficking in persons 
3 
through the establishment of the Migrants Advisory and Information 
4 
Network (MAIN) desks in municipalities or provinces in coordination with 
5 
the DILG, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Filipinos 
6 
Overseas (CFO), NGOs and other concerned agencies. They shall 
7 
encourage and support community-based initiatives which address the 
8 
trafficking in persons, PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF REPORTING HUMAN 
9 
TRAFFICKING CASES; PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES FOR THE 
10 
PREVENTION, RESCUE, RECOVERY, REHABILITATION, AND 
11 
REINTEGRATION AND AFTER-CARE SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF 
12 
TRAFFICKING AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND ESTABLISH A 
13 
SEPARATE AND SPECIALIZED CENTRE FOR TRAFFICKED 
14 
VICTIMS. 
15 
 
 
LGUs SHALL ALSO ENACT ORDINANCES OR ISSUANCES AIMED 
16 
AT PROVIDING PROTECTION AND SUPPORT TO TRAFFICKED 
17 
PERSONS 
AND 
THEIR 
FAMILIES; 
CREATE 
EDUCATION 
18 
PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH; PRESCRIBE 
19 
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ACT AS REQUISITE FOR THE 
20 
ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL  OF LICENSES AND PERMITS TO 
21 
ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION, WHICH MAY 
22 
INCLUDE 
INTERNET 
SERVICE 
PROVIDERS, 
INTERNET 
23 
CONTENT HOSTS, INTERNET CAFES AND ESTABLISHMENTS 
24 
OFFERING WIFI SERVICES, TOURISM ENTERPRISES AND 
25 
MALLS, 
TRANSPORTATION 
SERVICES, 
FINANCIAL 
26 
INTERMEDIARIES, 
AND 
TO 
EFFECT 
CANCELLATION 
OF 
27 
LICENCES FOR VIOLATIONS. IT SHALL ALSO STRENGTHEN, 
28 
ACTIVATE AND MOBILIZE EXISTING COMMITTEES AND 
29 
COUNCILS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSON AT EVERY LGU 
30 
LEVEL. 
31 


29 
 
 
LGUs SHALL ALSO UNDERTAKE INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS 
1 
AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
2 
LIMITED TO THE CONDUCT, ORIENTATION, AND SEMINARS, 
3 
AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MIGRANTS ADVISORY AND 
4 
INFORMATION NETWORK (MAIN) DESKS IN MUNICIPALITIES 
5 
OR PROVINCES IN COORDINATION WITH DILG, PIA, CFO, 
6 
NGOs AND OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES AND SHALL 
7 
ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES 
8 
WHICH ADDRESS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS STARTING AT THE 
9 
BARANGAY 
LEVEL, 
THROUGH 
A 
HUMAN 
TRAFFICKING 
10 
PREVENTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO EDUCATE 
11 
AND ORIENT THE PUBLIC AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND 
12 
THE SERVICES THAT MAY BE AVAILED OF FOR VICTIMS AND 
13 
SURVIVORS. 
14 
 
In implementing this Act, the agencies concerned may seek and enlist 
15 
the assistance of NGOs, people’s organizations (POs), civic organizations 
16 
and other volunteer groups. 
17 
 
“(L) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) – SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE 
18 
RESOURCES AND FACILITIES IN PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO 
19 
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING, WHICH SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE 
20 
HELD CONFIDENTIAL. IT SHALL LIKEWISE DEVELOP A 
21 
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO PREVENT THE TRAFFICKING 
22 
OF PERSONS FOR THE REMOVAL OR SALE OF ORGANS, AND 
23 
RENDER 
ASSISTANCE 
IN 
THE 
INVESTIGATION 
AND 
24 
PROSECUTION OF THE SAME.  IT SHALL ALSO UNDERTAKE 
25 
ACTIVITIES 
TO 
INCREASE 
PUBLIC 
AWARENESS 
ON 
26 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS FOR THE REMOVAL OR SALE OF 
27 
ORGANS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, 
28 
AWARENESS AMONG MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, FAMILY AND 
29 


30 
 
PATIENT 
INFORMATION 
AND 
EDUCATION, 
PUBLIC 
1 
EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS. IT SHALL ALSO 
2 
PROVIDE 
ASSISTANCE 
IN 
THE 
INVESTIGATION 
AND 
3 
PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS OF INFANTS BORN IN HEALTH 
4 
FACILITIES.  
5 
 
“(M) DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
6 
TECHNOLOGY 
(DICT) 
 
– 
SHALL 
EXTEND 
IMMEDIATE 
7 
ASSISTANCE FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE COMMISSION OF 
8 
CYBERCRIME 
OFFENSES 
RELATED TO 
TRAFFICKING 
IN 
9 
PERSONS, PARTICULARLY ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND 
10 
EXPLOITATION 
OF 
CHILDREN, 
AND 
ASSIST 
LAW 
11 
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF 
12 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS THROUGH THE USE OF ICT; 
13 
“(N) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOTR) –SHALL 
14 
DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM AND AWARENESS 
15 
CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST ALL TRANSPORTATION SECTORS, 
16 
INCLUDING 
TRANSPORT 
NETWORK 
VEHICLE 
SERVICES 
17 
(TNVS), 
AND 
TRANSPORTATION 
PERSONNEL, 
SUCH 
AS 
18 
AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, AIRPORT AGENTS, TAXI AND 
19 
BUS DRIVERS, TNVS DRIVERS, TRUCKERS, TRAIN AND 
20 
DELIVERY DRIVERS, AND PASSENGER BOAT CREW IN 
21 
IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND 
22 
REPORTING INCIDENTS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
23 
 
“(O) DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (DOT) – IN COORDINATION 
24 
WITH THE IACAT AND OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENT 
25 
AGENCIES, SHALL FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT PREVENTIVE 
26 
MEASURES AGAINST SEX TOURISM PACKAGES AND THE USE OF 
27 
TOURISM ENTERPRISES AS SITUS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; 
28 
DEVELOP 
A 
COMPREHENSIVE 
PROGRAM, 
INCLUDING 
29 


31 
 
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES, TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT 
1 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM 
2 
INDUSTRY AND IN PLACES OF AMUSEMENT; 
3 
 
IT SHALL ALSO ENSURE THAT RELEVANT NATIONAL AND LOCAL 
4 
LABOR STANDARDS AND PRACTICES ARE BEING FOLLOWED 
5 
AND ADOPTED WITHIN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY 
6 
AND IN PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.  
7 
 
“(P) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) – SHALL PROVIDE 
8 
MEASURES TO PREVENT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN 
9 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS THE CONDUCT OF 
10 
INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
11 
REPORTING 
MECHANISMS 
IN 
THE 
SCHOOL 
SYSTEM 
12 
CONSISTENT WITH ITS CHILD PROTECTION AND GENDER AND 
13 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THE DEPED SHALL ALSO DEVELOP 
14 
A TEACHER TRAINING MANUAL AND MODULES/CURRICULUM 
15 
FOR STUDENTS AIMED AT AWARENESS-RAISING AND THE 
16 
PREVENTION OF CASES OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
17 
 
IN COORDINATION WITH THE IACAT, THE COMMISSION ON 
18 
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND 
19 
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA), AND CIVIL 
20 
SOCIETY ACTORS, THE DEPED SHALL IMPLEMENT A SCHOOL-
21 
BASED 
ANTI-TRAFFICKING 
AND 
OSAEC 
PREVENTIVE 
22 
EDUCATION PROGRAM; 
23 
 
“(Q) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) AND BUREAU OF 
24 
FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES (BFAR) – SHALL 
25 
INSTITUTE A SYSTEMATIC INFORMATION AND PREVENTION 
26 
CAMPAIGN IN COORDINATION WITH PERTINENT AGENCIES 
27 
OF GOVERNMENT AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. IT SHALL 
28 


32 
 
PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS TO ITS REGIONAL, 
1 
CITY, AND MUNICIPAL UNITS, IN COORDINATION WITH THE 
2 
IACAT AND OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES, IN ENSURING 
3 
WIDE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF THIS ACT TO 
4 
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SECTOR AT THE LOCAL 
5 
LEVEL. THEY SHALL ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT ANTI-
6 
TRAFFICKING INITIATIVES FROM THE NATIONAL TO THE 
7 
LOCAL LEVELS. THEY SHALL ALSO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM TO 
8 
RECEIVE COMPLAINTS AND CALLS TO ASSIST TRAFFICKED 
9 
PERSONS AND FACILITATE REFERRAL TO THE APPROPRIATE 
10 
AGENCY; 
11 
 
“(R) PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG) – CONSISTENT WITH 
12 
ITS MANDATE TO PERFORM MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE, 
13 
MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT, MARITIME SAFETY, AND 
14 
MARITIME 
SECURITY, 
IT 
SHALL 
UNDERTAKE REGULAR 
15 
INSPECTIONS, SURVEILLANCE, INVESTIGATION AND ARREST 
16 
OF INDIVIDUALS OR PERSONS SUSPECTED TO BE ENGAGED IN 
17 
TRAFFICKING AT SEA. THEY SHALL CLOSELY COORDINATE 
18 
WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO SECURE 
19 
CONCERTED EFFORTS FOR EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATION AND 
20 
APPREHENSION OF SUSPECTED TRAFFICKERS. THEY SHALL 
21 
ALSO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS AND 
22 
CALLS TO ASSIST TRAFFICKED PERSONS AND CONDUCT 
23 
RESCUE 
OPERATIONS. 
IT 
SHALL 
PROVIDE 
CAPACITY 
24 
BUILDING 
PROGRAMS 
TO 
ITS 
REGIONAL, 
CITY, 
AND 
25 
MUNICIPAL 
UNITS, 
IN 
COORDINATION 
WITH 
OTHER 
26 
CONCERNED AGENCIES, IN ENSURING WIDE UNDERSTANDING 
27 
AND APPLICATION OF THIS ACT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THEY 
28 
SHALL 
ENCOURAGE 
AND 
SUPPORT 
ANTI-TRAFFICKING 
29 
INITIATIVES FROM THE NATIONAL TO THE LOCAL LEVELS;  
30 
 


33 
 
(S) NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS – IN 
1 
COORDINATION 
WITH THE IACAT, SHALL DEVELOP A 
2 
PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING OF 
3 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF 
4 
PWDs WHO ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING; 
5 
 
(T) NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES – IN 
6 
COORDINATION 
WITH THE IACAT, SHALL DEVELOP A 
7 
PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN 
8 
INDIGENOUS PERSONS AND IN INDIGENOUS CULTURAL 
9 
COMMUNITIES; PROVIDED, THAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
10 
CASES ARE MATTERS THAT CANNOT BE THE SUBJECT OF 
11 
SETTLEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRIBAL CUSTOMS; 
12 
 
(U) OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE - NATIONAL DISASTER RISK 
13 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (OCD-NDRRMC) – IN 
14 
COORDINATION WITH IACAT, THE OCD-NDRRMC SHALL 
15 
DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR THE PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING 
16 
IN PERSONS IN EMERGENCY, DISASTER, PANDEMIC AND 
17 
CRISIS SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS MANDATE THE LOCAL 
18 
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT OFFICE (LDRRMO) 
19 
AND COUNCIL (LDRRMC) TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO PREVENT 
20 
AND PROTECT THE SURVIVORS OF DISASTER OR CONFLICT 
21 
FROM TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
22 
 
(V) PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION 
23 
(PAGCOR) – IN COORDINATION WITH IACAT AND THE DOLE, 
24 
SHALL DEVELOP GUIDELINES TO MONITOR PHILIPPINE OFF-
25 
SHORE GAMING OPERATOR (POGO) OUTFITS TO ENSURE 
26 
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. IT SHALL 
27 
ALSO MONITOR GAMING AND AMUSEMENT VENUES TO 
28 
PREVENT SEX TRAFFICKING AND PROSECUTE VIOLATORS; 
29 


34 
 
 
(W) PHILIPPINE CENTER ON TRANSNATIONAL CRIME —  SHALL 
1 
UNDERTAKE STRATEGIC RESEARCH ON THE STRUCTURE AND 
2 
DYNAMICS 
OF 
TRAFFICKING 
IN 
PERSONS 
WITH 
3 
TRANSNATIONAL CRIME DIMENSION, PREDICT TRENDS AND 
4 
ANALYZE GIVEN FACTORS FOR THE FORMULATION OF 
5 
INDIVIDUAL 
AND 
COLLECTIVE 
STRATEGIES 
FOR 
THE 
6 
PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
7 
AND THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS INVOLVED; 
8 
STRENGTHEN INFORMATION EXCHANGE ON TRAFFICKING IN 
9 
PERSONS 
WITH 
GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES, 
FOREIGN 
10 
COUNTERPARTS 
AND 
INTERNATIONAL 
ORGANIZATIONS; 
11 
SERVE 
AS 
THE 
FOCAL 
POINT 
IN 
INTERNATIONAL 
12 
ENFORCEMENT COORDINATION ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
13 
PARTICULARLY WITH THE INTERPOL AND COOPERATION 
14 
WITH 
REGIONAL 
AND 
INTERNATIONAL 
FOREIGN 
15 
COUNTERPARTS; 
AND, 
PROMOTE 
FORMULATION 
AND 
16 
DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING COURSES IN RELATION TO 
17 
COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS; 
18 
 
(X)  COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN (CWC) -  SHALL 
19 
INTEGRATE 
IN 
ITS 
DEVELOPMENT 
AND 
STRATEGIC 
20 
FRAMEWORKS 
ISSUES 
AND 
CONCERNS 
AFFECTING 
21 
TRAFFICKING IN CHILDREN AND ENSURE THE ADOPTION OF 
22 
SUCH 
FRAMEWORKS 
BY 
THE 
LGUs 
AND 
OTHER 
23 
STAKEHOLDERS; 
VIGOROUSLY 
ADVOCATE 
AGAINST 
24 
TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN; IMPROVE DATA ON TRAFFICKING 
25 
IN CHILDREN THROUGH INTEGRATION OF CRITICAL AND 
26 
RELEVANT INDICATORS INTO THE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR 
27 
CHILDREN; ADOPT POLICIES AND MEASURES THAT WILL 
28 
PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF 
29 
CHILDREN VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING AND COORDINATE AND 
30 


35 
 
MONITOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION; AND, ADDRESS ISSUES 
1 
ON TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN THROUGH POLICY AND 
2 
PROGRAM INTERVENTIONS; 
3 
 
(Y) PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY (PPA) – CONSISTENT 
4 
WITH 
ITS 
MANDATE, 
SHALL 
ENHANCE 
ITS 
SECURITY 
5 
MEASURES AND SHALL UNDERTAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS 
6 
OF THE COUNTRY’S PORTS AND HARBORS, COORDINATE WITH 
7 
OTHER 
LAW 
ENFORCEMENT 
AGENCIES 
FOR 
EFFECTIVE 
8 
INVESTIGATION 
AND 
APPREHENSION 
OF 
SUSPECTED 
9 
TRAFFICKERS AND DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS AND 
10 
PREVENT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS COMMITTED WITHIN THE 
11 
PORTS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION.  
12 
 
 
Sec. 13. Section 19 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended as follows:  
13 
 
“Section 19. Trafficked Persons Who are Foreign Nationals. – Subject to 
14 
the guidelines issued by the Council, trafficked persons in the Philippines 
15 
who are nationals of a foreign country shall also be entitled to 
16 
appropriate protection, assistance and services available to trafficked 
17 
persons under this Act, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF 
18 
INTERPRETERS, 
AND 
COORDINATION 
WITH 
THEIR 
19 
RESPECTIVE EMBASSIES WITH THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE 
20 
VICTIMS; Provided, That they shall be permitted continued presence in 
21 
the Philippines for a length of time prescribed by the Department of 
22 
Justice as necessary to effect the prosecution of offenders.  
23 
 
 
Sec. 14. Section 20 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
24 
follows: 
25 
"SECTION 20. Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – There is 
26 
hereby established an inter-agency council against trafficking, to be 
27 
composed of the Secretary of the Department of Justice as Chairperson 
28 


36 
 
and the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
1 
as co-chairperson and shall have the following as members: 
2 
"(a) Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; 
3 
"(b) Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment; 
4 
"(c) Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government; 
5 
"(D) SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  
6 
"(E) SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND 
7 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY;  
8 
"(F) SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; 
9 
“(G) SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; 
10 
“(H) SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; 
11 
"(I)[d] 
Administrator, 
Philippine 
Overseas 
Employment 
12 
Administration; 
13 
"(J) ADMINISTRATOR, OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE 
14 
ADMINISTRATOR; 
15 
"(K) [e] Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration; 
16 
“(L) COMMANDANT, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD; 
17 
"(M)[f] Chief, Philippine National Police; 
18 
"(N) [g] Chairperson, Philippine Commission on Women; 
19 
“(O) [h] Chairperson, Commission on Filipinos Overseas; 
20 
"(P) [i] Executive Director, Philippine Center for Transnational 
21 
Crimes; 
22 
“(Q) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE 
23 
OF CHILDREN; 
24 
“(R) DIRECTOR, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION;  
25 
“(S) THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS 
26 
PEOPLES; 
27 
"(T) [j] Three (3) representatives from NGOs, who shall include 
28 
one (1) representative each from among the sectors representing 
29 
women, overseas Filipinos, and children, with a proven record of 
30 
involvement in the prevention and suppression of trafficking in 
31 
persons, 
AND 
WITH 
A 
VIEW 
TOWARDS 
EVEN 
32 


37 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION. These representatives 
1 
shall be nominated by the government agency representatives of 
2 
the Council, for appointment by the President for a term of three 
3 
(3) years. 
4 
 
The members of the council may designate their permanent 
5 
representatives who shall have a rank not lower than an assistant 
6 
secretary or its equivalent to meetings, and shall receive 
7 
emoluments as may be determined by the Council in accordance 
8 
with existing budget and accounting rules and regulations. 
9 
 
10 
 
Sec. 15. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
11 
follows: 
12 
“SECTION 21. Functions of the Council. 
13 
The Council shall have the following powers and functions: 
14 
“(a) Formulate a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and 
15 
suppress the trafficking in persons, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT 
16 
OF 
SCHOOL-BASED 
AND 
COMMUNITY-BASED 
HUMAN 
17 
TRAFFICKING PREVENTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS; 
18 
“(b) Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary for the 
19 
effective implementation of this Act; 
20 
“(c) Monitor and oversee the strict implementation of this Act; 
21 
“(d) Coordinate the programs and projects of the various member 
22 
agencies to effectively address the issues and problems attendant to 
23 
trafficking in persons; 
24 
“(e) Coordinate the conduct of massive information dissemination and 
25 
campaign on the existence of the law and the various issues and 
26 
problems attendant to trafficking through the LGUs, concerned agencies, 
27 
and NGOs; 
28 


38 
 
(f) Direct other agencies to immediately respond to the problems 
1 
brought to their attention and report to the Council on action taken; 
2 
(g) Assist in filing of cases against individuals, agencies, institutions or 
3 
establishments that violate the provisions of this Act; 
4 
(h) Formulate a program for the reintegration of trafficked persons in 
5 
cooperation with DOLE, DSWD, Technical Education and Skills 
6 
Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education 
7 
(CHED), LGUs and NGOs; 
8 
(i) Secure from any department, bureau, office, agency, or 
9 
instrumentality of the government or from NGOs and other civic 
10 
organizations such assistance as may be needed to effectively implement 
11 
this Act; 
12 
(j) Complement the shared government information system for 
13 
migration established under Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as 
14 
the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" with data on 
15 
cases of trafficking in persons, and ensure that the proper agencies 
16 
conduct a continuing research and study on the patterns and scheme of 
17 
trafficking in persons which shall form the basis for policy formulation 
18 
and program direction; 
19 
(k) Develop the mechanism to ensure the timely, coordinated, and 
20 
effective response to cases of trafficking in persons; 
21 
(l) Recommend measures to enhance cooperative efforts and mutual 
22 
assistance among foreign countries through bilateral and/or multilateral 
23 
arrangements to prevent and suppress international trafficking in 
24 
persons; 
25 
(M) COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION 
26 
AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT), DEPARTMENT 
27 
OF 
TRADE 
AND 
INDUSTRY 
(DTI). 
IN 
MONITORING 
28 
ADVERTISEMENTS THAT TEND TO PROMOTE TRAFFICKING IN 
29 
PERSONS; 
30 


39 
 
(n) Adopt measures and policies to protect the rights and needs of 
1 
trafficked persons who are foreign nationals in the Philippines; 
2 
(o) Initiate training programs in identifying and providing the necessary 
3 
intervention or assistance to trafficked persons; and 
4 
(p) Exercise all the powers and perform such other functions necessary 
5 
to attain the purposes and objectives of this Act. 
6 
 
 
Sec. 16. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
7 
follows:  
8 
“Section 22. Secretariat to the Council. - The Department of Justice 
9 
shall establish the necessary Secretariat for the Council.  
10 
The secretariat shall provide support for the functions and projects of 
11 
the Council. The secretariat shall be headed by an executive director, who shall 
12 
be appointed by the Secretary of the DOJ upon the recommendation of the 
13 
Council. The executive director must have adequate knowledge on, training and 
14 
experience in the phenomenon of and issues involved in trafficking in persons 
15 
and in the field of law, law enforcement, social work, criminology, or psychology. 
16 
The executive director shall be under the supervision of the Inter-Agency 
17 
Council Against Trafficking through its Chairperson and Co-Chairperson, and shall 
18 
perform the following functions: 
19 
(a) Act as secretary of the Council and administrative officer of its 
20 
secretariat; 
21 
(b) Advise and assist the Chairperson in formulating and implementing 
22 
the objectives, policies, plans and programs of the Council, including those 
23 
involving mobilization of government offices represented in the Council as well 
24 
as other relevant government offices, task forces, and mechanisms; 
25 
(c) Serve as principal assistant to the Chairperson in the overall 
26 
supervision of council administrative business; 
27 
(d) Oversee all council operational activities; 
28 
(e) Ensure an effective and efficient performance of council functions 
29 
and prompt implementation of council objectives, policies, plans and programs; 
30 


40 
 
(f) Propose effective allocations of resources for implementing council 
1 
objectives, policies, plans and programs; 
2 
(g) Submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress of council 
3 
objectives, policies, plans and programs; 
4 
(h) Prepare annual reports of all council activities; and 
5 
(i) Perform other duties as the Council may assign. 
6 
 
“THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE SHALL DETERMINE THE 
7 
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STAFFING PATTERN OF 
8 
THE SECRETARIAT. SUCH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND 
9 
STAFFING 
PATTERN 
SHALL 
BE 
SUBMITTED 
TO 
THE 
10 
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FOR APPROVAL.” 
11 
 
 
Sec. 17. Section 24 of Republic Act No. 9208 is hereby amended to read as 
12 
follows: 
13 
“Section 24. Other Services for Trafficked Persons. - 
14 
 (a) Legal Assistance. - Trafficked persons shall be considered under the 
15 
category "Overseas Filipino in Distress" and may avail of the legal 
16 
assistance created by Republic Act No. 8042, subject to the guidelines 
17 
as provided by law. 
18 
 (b) Overseas Filipino Resource Centers. - The services available to 
19 
overseas Filipinos as provided for by Republic Act No. 8042 shall also be 
20 
extended to trafficked persons regardless of their immigration status in 
21 
the host country. 
22 
 (c) The Country Team Approach. - The country team approach under 
23 
Executive Order No. 74 of 1993, shall be the operational scheme under 
24 
which Philippine embassies abroad shall provide protection to trafficked 
25 
persons insofar as the promotion of their welfare, dignity and 
26 
fundamental rights are concerned. 
27 
(D) RECOVERY 
AND 
REINTEGRATION 
PROGRAM 
FOR 
28 
TRAFFICKED 
PERSONS (RRPTP). 
–  
THE 
DSWD 
SHALL 
29 


41 
 
IMPLEMENT A RECOVERY AND REINTEGRATION PROGRAM 
1 
FOR 
TRAFFICKED 
PERSONS, 
WHICH 
INCLUDES 
A 
2 
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUAL 
3 
VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, FOR THE 
4 
IMMEDIATE 
FAMILY, 
AND 
FOR 
THE 
COMMUNITY 
AT 
5 
LARGE.  THE RRPTP MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR 
6 
PROGRAM COMPONENTS: 
7 
(1)  CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS; 
8 
(2) DIRECT SERVICES TO TRAFFICKED PERSONS, WHICH 
9 
SHALL COVER COSTS FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES TO 
10 
VICTIMS/WITNESSES, 
WHICH 
INCLUDES 
11 
TRANSPORTATION, 
BOARD 
AND 
LODGING, 
12 
DOCUMENTATION AND OTHER INCIDENTAL EXPENSES; 
13 
(3)  UPGRADE OF TEMPORARY SHELTERS; 
14 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL REFERRAL 
15 
SYSTEM AND UPDATING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 
16 
NATIONAL RECOVERY AND REINTEGRATION DATABASE; 
17 
AND 
18 
(5)  ADVOCACY. 
19 
 
 
Sec. 18. Section 26-A of Republic Act No. 9208 as amended, is hereby 
20 
amended to read as follows: 
21 
"SEC. 26-A. Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction. – The State shall exercise jurisdiction 
22 
over any act defined and penalized under this Act, even if committed outside 
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the Philippines and whether or not such act or acts constitute an offense at the 
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place of commission, IF the [crime] OFFENSE, being a continuing offense, 
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[having been] WAS EITHER commenced in the Philippines;  [and other 
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elements having been] OR committed in another country, [if] PROVIDED, 
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THAT IN THE CASE OF THE LATTER, the suspect or accused: 
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"(a) Is a Filipino citizen; or 
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"(b) Is a permanent resident of the Philippines; or 
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"(c) Has committed the act against a citizen of the Philippines. 
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No prosecution may be commenced against a person under this section if a 
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foreign government, in accordance with jurisdiction recognized by the 
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Philippines, has prosecuted or is prosecuting such person for the conduct 
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constituting such offense, except upon the approval of the Secretary of Justice. 
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The government may surrender or extradite persons accused of trafficking in 
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the Philippines to the appropriate international court if any, or to another State 
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pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties. 
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Sec. 19. Section 32, or the Repealing Clause, is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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“SECTION 32. Repealing Clause. – Article 202 of the Revised Penal 
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Code, as amended BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10158, IS DEEMED 
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REPEALED. All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
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administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary 
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to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified, or repealed 
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accordingly: Provided, that this Act shall not in any way amend or repeal 
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the provisions of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the ‘Special 
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Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and 
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Discrimination Act’.” 
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Sec. 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
 
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Approved, 
 
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