FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
840 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5 provides: 
"The maintenance of peace and order, the protection 
of life, liberty and property and the promotion of the general 
welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of 
the blessings of democracy." 
As the number of older Filipinos increases, this bill seeks to develop 
strategies for the prevention and punishment of crimes that target or otherwise 
affect seniors by collecting appropriate data to measure the extent of crimes 
committed against them and to determine the extent of elder abuse. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
840 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
aT' 
L-
TO COMBAT ABUSE AND ENHANCE PENALTIES FOR CRIMES AGAINST 
SENIORS 
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 "Seniors Safety 
Act." 
SEC. 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to develop strategies for 
preventing and punishing crimes that target or otherwise disproportionately affect 
seniors by collecting appropriate data to measure the extent of crimes committed 
against seniors and determine the extent of domestic and elder abuse of seniors. 
SEC. 3. Definition. As used in this Act. -
(1) 
"Crime" means any criminal offense under the Penal Code and 
special laws; 
(2) 
"Senior" means an individual who is more than 55 years of age; and 
(3) 
"Secretary" means Secretary of Justice. 
SEC. 4. Study of Crimes Against Seniors. -
(a) 
In Genera/- The Secretary shall conducta study relating to crimes 
against seniors in order to assist in developing new strategies to 
prevent and otherwise reduce the incidence of these crimes. 
(b) 
Issues Addressed - The study conducted under this section shall 
include an analysis of -
(1) 
the nature' and type of crimes perpetrated against seniors 
with special focus on: 
(A) 
the fTlost common type of crimes that affect seniors; 
(8) 
the nature and extent of elder abuse inflicted upon 
Seniors 


(C) 
the nature and extent of health care fraud and abuse 
targeti(1g seniors; 
(2) 
the risk factors associated with seniors who have been 
victimized; 
(3) 
the manner in which the criminal justice systems respond to 
crimes again,st seniors; 
(4) 
the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a centralized 
computer database on the incidence of crimes against 
seniors that will promote the uniform identification and 
reporting of such crimes; 
(5) 
crimes targeting or disproportionately affecting seniors; 
(6) 
crime risk factors for seniors, including the times and 
locations at which crimes victimizing seniors are most likely 
to occur; 
(7) 
specific characteristics of the victims of crimes who are 
seniors including age, gender, race or ethnicity and 
socioeconomic status; 
(8) 
the nature and extent of crimes targeting seniors such as 
health care fraud; and 
(9) 
other effective ways to prevent or reduce the occurrence of 
crimes against seniors. 
(c) 
Report. - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of 
enactment of this Act the Secretary shall submit to the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report describing the results of 
the study under this section. 
SEC. 5. 
Enhanced Sentencing Penalties Based on Age of Victim. 
The Department of Justice shall: 
(1) 
review existing sentencing 
guidelines and 
recommend the 
possibility of increased penalties for persons convicted of offenses 
in which the victims was a senior in appropriate circumstances 
given the serious economic and physical harms associated with 
criminal activity targeted at seniors due to their particular 
vulnerability; 
(2) 
consult with individuals or groups representing seniors, law 
enforcement agencies, victims organizations and the judiciary as 
part of the review described in this section; 
(3) 
account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that may 
justify exceptions in order to provide sentencing enhancements; 
(4) 
report not later than one (1) year after the promUlgation of this Act, 
the Department shall submit to Congress a report on issues relating 
to 
the 
age 
of 
crime 
victims 
which 
shall 
include 
any 


recommendations of the Department relating to any revIsion or 
modification of penalty levels including statutory penalty levels for 
offenses involving seniors. 
SEC. 6. 
Separability Clause. If any provIsion or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the proviSion of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its pUblication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,