EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ‘
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 9238
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Latest data from the Philippines Statistics Authority show that there are around 8
milion senior citizens in the Philippines.

While there are numerous laws granting benefits and other advantages to our senior
citizens, there is no legislation on the prevention of elder abuse or on the provision of support
services and access to redress for victims.

In a study of the World Health Organization, it was revealed that elder abuse in the
country basically remains invisible and unaddressed. One in six elderly people experience
abuse but despite this, elder abuse remains one of the least investigated types of violence
and one of the least addressed in national plans to prevent violence.

This bill seeks to provide senior citizens who are victims of violence with protection
and legal assistance, medical assistance, support services from the DSWD and LGU
concerned, livelihood assistance, and all other appropriate programs to ensure the personal
safety and security of seniors and prevent the recurrence of violent acts committed against
them.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFYS B. Ri jUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriquez
No. 9238

House

AN ACT
PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZEN FROM VIOLENCE, DEFINING ELDER ABUSE, AND
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in session
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Elder Abuse Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the
dignity of senior citizens and thereby guarantee full respect for human rights. The State also
recognizes the need to protect the family and its members, particularly the senior citizens from
all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts deleterious to
their personal safety and security.

Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address all forms of violence, abuse,
neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts deleterious to their personal safety, security,
dignity or any discriminatory act committed against senior citizens in keeping with the
fundamental freedom guaranteed under the Constitution and the provisions of the universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act.
a) Domestic violence refers to acts or threats of violence on a senior citizen, to
exclude an act of self-defense, committed by any of the following:

1) current or former spouse of the victim;

2) a person related by blood or marriage to the victim;

3) a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim;

4) a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;

5) a person who is or has been in a social relationship of romantic or intimate
nature with the victim; or

6) a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim, or by any other person,
if the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction of the victim provide
for legal protection of the victim;

b) Elder abuse refers to a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action,
occurring with any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or
distress to a senior citizen. It includes any act or series of acts committed by any person
against a senior citizen, within or outside the family abode, which result or is likely to result in
physical or psychological harm, suffering or distress, or neglect including threats of such acts,
battery, physical assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. This includes physical
violence, psychological or emotional, economic or domestic violence, and neglect or
abandonment;

©) Emotional abuse refers to acts that include shouting, swearing, scaring or
humiliating a senior citizen through name-calling, ridicule, constant criticism, accusing,
blaming, showing disrespect, ignoring, or giving them the silent treatment;


4) _ Safe place or shelter refers to any home or institution maintained or managed
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by any other suitable place
that is willing to accommodate the aggrieved senior citizen; and

) Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60)
years old as defined under republic Act. No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
Citizen Act of 2010.”

SEC. 4. Acts of Violence Against a Senior Citizen. — Acts of violence against a senior
citizen are acts that cause harm or distress committed once or repeatedly through any of the
following:

a) Physical abuse or infliction of pain or injury with the use of physical force resulting in
bodily injury, physical harm, pain or impairment, suffering or distress;

b) Psychological, mental or emotional abuse causing mental or emotional suffering or
distress;

) Material exploitation through illegal or improper use of funds or resources of the senior
citizen; and economic or financial abuse through acts that make the senior citizen financially
dependent; and

d) Abandonment or desertion by leaving a senior citizen unattended at a place for such
a considerable length of time, as may be likely to endanger the health and welfare of a senior
citizen, by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for the senior
citizen, or by a person with custody of the senior citizen.

SEC. 5. Rights of a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of Violence. — During the pendency of
the case involving violence against a senior citizen, in addition to those provided under existing
law, a senior citizen shall have the following rights:

a) to avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) of
the Department of Justice (DOV) or any public legal assistance office;

b) to be entitled to support services from the DSWD and the Local Government Unit
(LGU) concerned;

©) to be entitled to all legal remedies as provided for under the Family Code;

d) to be informed through the Senior Citizen Help Desk established hereunder of the
senior citizen's rights and services available including the right to apply for a protection order;
and

e) to be entitled to actual, compensatory, moral and exemplary damages.

SEC. 6. Mandatory Programs and Services for a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of
The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs, shall provide a senior citizen who is a
victim of violence and similar acts the following services:

a) a safe place or temporary shelter, such as senior housing or nursing home or other
suitable facility or service, when appropriate, as emergency short-term shelters. This safe
place or temporary shelter shall provide counseling, psycho-social services, recovery or
rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance;

b) counseling, healing, recovery and rehabilitation services; and

©) the appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety and security of a senior citizen
and prevent the recurrence of the violent acts committed against them.

The Department of Health (DOH) shall provide medical assistance to senior citizens who
are victims or survivors of violence and similar acts.

SEC. 7. Response to a Request for Assistance. - In responding to a request for assistance,
a barangay official or law enforcer shall have the following duties:

a) respond immediately to a call for help or request for protection of the victim by entering
the senior citizen victim's dwelling, if necessary, whether or not a protection order has been
issued to ensure the safety of the victim;

b) confiscate any harmful object in the possession of the perpetrator, or one which is
within plain view;


©) transport the victim to a barangay hall, or to a clinic or hospital;

d) assist the victim in removing personal belongings from the dwelling;

e) ensure the enforcement of the Protection Order (PO) issued by the Lupong
Tagapamayapa, the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman and the Court;

f) arrest the suspected perpetrator even without a warrant when any of the acts of
violence defined in this Act is occurring, or on a personal knowledge, an act of violence has
been committed, and there is imminent danger to the life or limb of the senior citizen as defined
in this Act; and

g) immediately report the call for assistance to the DSWD, the LGU or accredited
Non-Government Organization (NGO).

‘SEC. 8. Philippine National Police (PNP) Protocol in Responding to Violence Committed
Against a Senior Citizen. - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is hereby directed to adopt
a written protocol establishing written guidelines and procedures to be followed by police
officers in responding to request for assistance and calls related to violence against senior
citizens.

SEC. 9. Education and Training Programs for Law Enforcement Officers and Persons
Involved in Responding to Cases of Violence Against a Senior Citizen. - All persons
involved in responding to cases on all forms of abuse, violence, threats to personal safety and
security or any discriminatory act committed against a senior citizen, shall be required to
undergo education and training. The PNP, in coordination with the LGU concerned and the
DSWD shall establish education and training programs to assist law enforcement officers and
barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of violence against senior citizens
and acquaint them with:

a) the nature, extent and causes of violence;
b) the legal rights of, and remedies available to victims of violence;
c) the services and facilities available to victims or survivors;

d) the duties imposed on police officers in making lawful arrest and to offer
protection and assistance; and,

) ___ the necessary techniques to be employed in handling incidents of violence to
minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim or survivor.

SEC. 10. Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence.- A public officer who receives a
complaint of violence committed against a senior citizen or the head of a public or private
hospital, medical clinic or similar institutions, as well as the attending physician or nurse,
clinician, barangay health worker, therapist or counselor who examined or rendered treatment
to a senior citizen victim shall make a report of the complaint, examination or treatment within
forty-eight (48) hours form the time of complaint, examination or treatment to the nearest police
station.

All public workers and medical professionals who have knowledge of the incident
involving domestic violence and to whom said abuse or violence was reported or revealed in
the course of the performance of official duty, shall immediately report the incident to the
proper authorities,

In all cases, a report shall be made to any law enforcement agency with forty-eight (48)
hours from knowledge of the same. Whereupon, investigation shall immediately follow. The
DSWD shall assign a social worker to verify incidents of violence and file a petition for PO, if
warranted.

SEC. 11. Establishment of a Senior Citizen Help Desk. - Every barangay shall establish a
Senior Citizen Help Desk which shall provide immediate assistance to victim-survivors of
abuse. Besides barangay officials, it may be manned by representatives of the senior citizen
‘sector or by members of a local senior citizen organization designated and authorized by the
Barangay Council or Chairperson.


SEC. 12. Special Prosecution Units. - The DOJ is hereby directed to establish special units
that shall handle complaints of violence against senior citizens as defined in this Act, and the
prosecution thereof.

SEC. 13. Venue. - The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a Family Court shall have
original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against senior citizen as provided in
this Act. In the absence of such court in the place where the offense was committed, the case
shall be filed in the nearest RTC where the crime or any of its elements was committed at the
option of the complainant.

SEC. 14. Protection Order (PO). — A Protection Order (PO) is an injunction under this Act
that maybe requested or issued for the purpose of preventing further acts of abuse or violence
against senior citizens as specified in Section 4 of this Act and granting other necessary relief.
The provisions of the PO shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies.

The types of PO that may be issued under this Act are, as follows:

a. Barangay Protection Order (BPO);

b. Temporary Protection Order (TPO); and

c. Permanent Protection Order (PPO).

The PO that may be issued under this Act shall include any or all of the following reliefs:

a) _ Prohibition of the respondent or offender from threatening to commit, personally
or through another, any of the acts of violence as defined in Sec. 4;

b) Whenever applicable, issuance of an order to the respondent or offender to

immediately leave the domicile or residence of the petitioner. If personal effects must be
removed from the residence, the Court shall direct a law enforcement officer to accompany
the respondent to the residence until such time that respondent has gathered all belongings,
and to escort the respondent from the residence: Provided, that the victim or the aggrieved
party shall likewise be accorded the same protection contemplated herein;

°) Issuance of an Order to the respondent to stay away from the petitioner within
a distance to be determined by the Court: Provided, That the order shall ensure the physical
safety of the petitioner in the residence, place of work, school and such other places
frequented by the offended party;

4) Prohibition of the respondent from directly or indirectly communicating or
contacting the petitioner;

) _ Issuance of an Order to proper law enforcement offices to enforce the provisions
of this Section;
f) Issuance of an Order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office

(SWDO) of the LGU concemed to provide therapy, counseling and other support services to
the aggrieved party or parties;

9) _ Issuance of an Order for the restitution for actual damages caused by the
violence inflicted, including but not limited to property damaged, medical expenses, and loss
of income; and

h) Such other relief of the deemed necessary by the Court for the protection of the
petitioner and such other persons who may be in need of the same.

Any of the reliefs provided under this Section shall be granted even in the
absence of a decree of legal separation or annulment, or declaration of absolute nullity of
marriage in the case of married individuals.

The application for PO must be in writing, signed and verified under oath by the
applicant. Ifthe applicant is not the victim, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit
of the applicant attesting to:

1) _ the circumstances of the disclosure of the violence or abuse suffered
by the victim; and

2) _ the circumstances of consent, or lack thereof, given by the victim for the
filing of the application.

When disclosure of the address of the abused senior citizen will pose danger to that
person's life, it shall be stated in the application. In such a case, the applicant shall attest that


the victim is residing in the municipality or city over which the Court has territorial jurisdiction,
and shall provide a mailing address for purpose of the service of court processes.
The standard application form for PO shall include the following information:
1) names and addresses of petitioner and respondent;
2) description of relationship between petitioner and respondent, in the
case of violence within the context of Section 4 of this Act;
3) _astatement of the circumstances and the nature of violence or abuse;
4) description of the reliefs requested by the petitioner as specified in this
section;
5) request for counsel and reasons for such request;
6) __request for waiver of application fees until hearing; and
7) anattestation that there is no pending application for a PO in another
Court.
The following persons may file the petition for a PO:
1) the offended party;
2) any member of the family or household of the victim as defined in this
Act;
3) social worker from the DSWD or the SWDO of the LGU or any
accredited social welfare organization;

4) law enforcement officer or agent;
5) _ lawyer, counselor, therapist or healthcare provider of the petitioner; and
6) —_any concerned responsible citizen of the community who has personal

knowledge of the offense committed

No filing fee shall be required in the application for a PO.

An application for a PO filed with the Court shall be considered an application for both a
TPO and a PPO.

SEC. 15. Transfer of Residence; New Application Needed. — A petitioner previously
granted a BPO under this Act and who desires to relocate to a new residence outside the
original city or municipality of residence has to apply for a new BPO.

When a PO has been issued by a Court of competent jurisdiction and the person in
whose favor it is issued transfers to a place outside the court's jurisdiction, the person may
still have the order enforced by filing a petition before a court in the place where the person
has transferred. The petition to enforce the order shall include a copy of the previously
obtained PO. The respondent shall be noticed of the issuance of a new PO.

SEC. 16. Legal Representation of Applicant for a PO. - If a petitioner for a PO is requesting
for the appointment of a counsel because of lack of economic means to hire a counsel de
parte, the Court shall immediately direct the Office of the Public Prosecutor who has
jurisdiction over the case to represent the petitioner in the hearing on the application sought.
The applicant who cannot afford to hire the services of a private counsel or lacks access to
family or conjugal resources such as when the same are controlled by the abuse, shall qualify
for legal representation by the DO4, the Public Prosecutors’ Office or the PAO.

However, a private counsel offering free legal service is not barred from representing the
petitioner with the latter's consent, and with the leave of Court.

SEC. 17. Barangay Protection Order (BPO). — A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is issued
by the Lupong Tagapamayapa and the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman. The
issuance of a BPO or the pendency of an application for a BPO shall not preclude petitioner
from applying for, the Court from granting a TPO or PPO.

Application for a BPO shall follow the Rules on venue under the Local Government Code
of 1991 and its implementing rules and regulations.

‘A Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson who receives application for a BPO shall
issue the PO to the applicant on the date of filing after ex parte determination of the basis of
the application. If the Punong Barangay or the Barangay Chairman is unavailable to act on


the application for a BPO, the application shall be acted upon by any available Lupong
Tagapamayapa or Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by a Barangay Kagawad that the
Punong Barangay and the Lupong Tagapamayapa were not available at the time of the
issuance of the BPO.

‘A BPO issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay
Chairperson and Barangay Kagawad may cover only the relief provided in Section 14 hereof
and shall be effective for fifteen (15) days. Immediately after the issuance of an ex parte BPO,
the Punong Barangay or Kagawad shall personally serve a copy of the same to the
respondent, or direct any barangay official to personally serve the order.

Within forty-eight (48) hours of issuance of an ex parte, BPO, the Punong Barangay or
Barangay Kagawad must refer the case to the Lupong Tagapamayapa. The case shall be
heard by the Lupong Tagapamayapa within seven (7) days from the date of referral and within
the fifteen (15) — day effectivity period of the ex parte BPO.

Notice of the hearing shall be given to both parties. Subsequent to a hearing on the
merits of the application, the Lupong Tagapamayapa may extend a BPO that grants relief
under Section 14 for a period of six (6) months. The issuance of a BPO shall not preclude any
applicant from applying or receiving a subsequent BPO concerning the same matter.

SEC. 18. Temporary Protection Oder (TPO). - A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) may
be issued by a Court prior to the issuance of a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) and shall
be based on an application under Section 14 herein. Any application for TPO or PPO must be
made with territorial RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit
Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the offended family or the
senior citizen victim who suffered violence described under Section 4 of this Act: Provided,
however, That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the person for whom the
application is made, the application shall be filed with that Court.

A Court that receives an application for a PO shall issue a TPO on the date of filing of
the application for ex parte determination that such order shall be issued. The TPO shall be
effective for thirty (30) days. The Court shall schedule a hearing on the issuance of a PPO
prior to or on the date of expiration of the TPO. The Court shall order the immediate service
of the TPO on respondent by the Court Sheriff who may obtain the assistance of law
enforcement agents for the purpose. The TPO shall include a notice of the hearing on the
merits of the issuance of PPO.

SEC. 19, Permanent Protection Order (PPO). - A Permanent Protection Order (PPO) may
be issued only by the Court after notice and hearing.

Any application for TPO or PPO must be made with a RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court,
Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over their place
of residence of the offended family or the abused senior citizen who suffered violence
described under Section 4 of this Act: Provided, however, That if a Family Court exists in the
place of residence of the person for whom the application is made, the application shall be
filed with that Court

Respondent's non-appearance despite proper notice, or lack of a lawyer, or the non-
availability of respondent's lawyer shall not be a ground for rescheduling or postponing the
hearing on the merits of the issuance of a PPO. If the respondent appears without counsel on
the date of the hearing on the PPO, the Court shall appoint a lawyer for the respondent and
immediately proceed with the hearing. In case the respondent fails to appear despite proper
notice, the Court shall allow ex parte presentation of the evidence by the applicant and render
judgment on the basis of the evidence presented. The Court shall allow the introduction of any
history of abusive conduct of a respondent even if the same was not directed against the
applicant or the person for whom the application is made.

The court shall, to the extent possible, conduct the hearing on the merits of the issuance
of a PPO in one(1) day. Where the court is unable to conduct the hearing within one (1) day
and the TPO issued is due to expire, the court shall continuously extend or renew the TPO for


the duration of the case until final resolution on the case is issued. Provided, however, that
the PPO may be modified by the Court accordingly to address the needs of the applicant.

The Court may grant any, some, or all of the reliefs provided in Section 14 hereof through
a PPO. A PPO shall be effective until revoked by a Court upon application of the person in
whose favor the order was issued. The Court shall ensure immediate service of the PPO on
respondent.

The Court shall not deny the issuance of a PO on the basis of the lapse of time between
the act of violence or abuse as defined in Section 4 herein, and the filing of the application.

Regardless of the conviction or acquittal of the respondent, the Court must determine
whether or not the PPO shall become final. Even in a dismissal of the application for a PPO,
the same shall be granted as long as there is no clear showing that the act which the order
might arise did not exist.

Failure to act on an application for a PO within the period specified in the previous
sections without justifiable cause shall render the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the Punong
Barangay or the Barangay Chairman, the Barangay Kagawad, the Official of the Judge
administratively liable.

SEC. 20. Priority Action on Application for a Protection Order. — Hearings on applications
for a PO under this Act shall have priority over all other proceedings. Barangay officials,
Lupong Tagapamayapa and the Courts shall schedule and conduct hearings on applications
for a PO under this Act above all other businesses and, if necessary, suspend other
proceedings in order to hear applications for a PO.

Respondents shall be notified of the issuances of a PO.

SEC. 21. Prohibition Against Undue Influence Over a Protection Order Applicant. — A
Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman, or the Court hearing an
application for a PO shall not order, direct, force or in any way unduly influence the application
for a PO to compromise or abandon any of the reliefs sought in the application for a PO
provided under this Act. Section 7 of the Family Courts Act of 1997 and Sections 410, 411,
412 and 413 of the Local Government Code of 1991 shall not apply in the proceedings where
relief is sought under this Act.

Failure to comply with this section shall render the concerned individual, official or Judge
administratively liable.

SEC. 22. Mutual Protection Order Prohibited. — No order for protection of the offender or
respondent may be granted by a Lupong Tagapamayapa or a Punong Barangay or Barangay
Chairman and the Courts.

SEC. 23. Complaint Against a Violation of Protection Order. — A complaint on the violation
of a BPO issued under this Act shall be filed directly with any Municipal Trial Court,
Metropolitan Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court that has territorial jurisdiction over the
barangay that issued the BPO. Violation of a BPO shall be punishable by imprisonment of
thirty (30) days without prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party
may file for any of the acts committed under Sec. 4 hereof.

‘A judgment on a violation of a BPO may be appealed according to the Rules of Court.
During trial and upon judgment, the trial court may motu proporio issue a PO as it deems
necessary without need of an application.

A violation of any provision of a TPO or a PPO issued under this Act shall constitute
contempt of Court punishable under the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other criminal
oF civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed in accordance with
Section 4 hereof.

Any violation of a PO issued under this Act shall constitute an offense punishable by
imprisonment of thirty (30) days, without prejudice to any criminal or civil action that the
offended party may file against a person who has committed any acts described in Section 4
hereof.


A complainant on a violation of a PO shall be filed by the complainant directly with the
Court that issued the order, or with that Court in the place of residence of the complainant, if
the former is not practicable. A criminal case for violation of a PO shall be tried and resolved
by the Court within sixty (60) days from the date the complaint was filed. The Court, upon
determination of probable cause, shall cause the arrest of the accused who may post bail in
the interim in an amount to be determined by the Court.

‘A judgment on a violation of a PO may appealed according to the Rules of Criminal
Procedure. During trial and upon judgment, the Court may motu proprioissue a PO as it deems
necessary.

SEC. 24. Hold Departure Order. — A hold departure order shall be issued immediately by the
Court against the respondent of a complaint of abuse against a senior citizen as described
under this Act

SEC. 25. Penalties. - Commission of the acts described under Sec. 3 hereof shall suffer the
following penalties:

a) Acts falling under Section 4 (a) constituting attempted, frustrated or
‘consummated parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with the
provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

b) _ Acts falling under Section 4 (a) resulting in mutilation shall be punishable in
accordance with the Revised Penal Code: Provided, that those resulting in serious physical
injuries shall be punishable with the penalty of prision mayor; those resulting in less serious
physical injuries shall be punishable by prision correctional and those resulting in slight
physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto mayor.

c) _ Allother acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be punishable by prision
correctional and a fine in an amount not less than One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00)but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty of any of the acts enumerated in
Section 4 hereof shall be required to undergo mandatory psychological counseling or
psychiatric treatment and shall report compliance therewith to the court.

A Barangay Official or law enforcer who fails to respond to any request for assistance or
protection from or on behaif of a victim shall suffer imprisonment of six (6) moths to one (1)
year, at the discretion of the Court and pay fine of not less than Five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00), but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).

‘Any person who fails to report any act of violence described in Section 3 hereof as
required herein shall be liable for a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00)
Whenever applicable, criminal or administrative charges may also be filed.

SEC. 26. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. - The DSWD shall provide rehabilitative
counseling and treatment to perpetrators towards learning constructive ways of coping with
anger and emotional outbursts and reforming their ways. When necessary, the offender shall
be ordered by the Court to submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement.

SEC. 27. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the concerned departments.
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included
in the budget of the concerned departments in the annual General Appropriations Act.

For LGUs, the implementation of the programs shall be charged against the internal
revenue allotment and other internally generated funds of the LGU concerned.

In addition, the departments concemed and the LGUs may accept donations,
contributions and grants from various sources for purpose of implementing this Act.

SEC. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within six (6) months from the

approval of this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD in coordination with the Secretaries of the
DO4J, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the DOH shall formulate


rules and guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of
this Act. This shall include developing protocols and training programs for all agencies and
public officers concerned and a public information and education program on violence against
senior citizens. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) provided for under this Act shall
be reviewed periodically, and revised, if necessary.

SEC. 29. Suppletory Application. - For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code and
other applicable laws, shall have suppletory application.

SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional
or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act
are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 32. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it publication in the
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,