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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The prevalence of crimes against women has created a frightening and 
traumatic experience upon the person of every Filipina. It leaves a devastating 
effect not only on their physical but on their emotional and mental being, as well, 
which at times, is irreversible. This in turn, impairs the woman-victim's ability to 
live normally and productively as a citizen of this nation. 
The continuous occurrence of increasing violence perpetrated against the 
female populace results not only to meaningless loss of lives but also affect our 
nation's efforts in the establishment of a just and humane SOCiety committed 
towards sustained development and progress. 
This bill seeks to equip women with a means to defend themselves 
against all forms of assault. Because not until we have implemented and 
enhance the mechanism by which we protect our female population, the 
government will have no more chance of doing a noble job to empower each and 
every Filipina out there. 
Thus, the approval of this bill is urgently requested. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1534 
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'13 SEP-5 Pl :51 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE MOVEMENT TO HELP ERADICATE RAPE AND OTHER 
FEMALE 
ABUSES 
("MOTHER"), 
MANDATING 
THE 
COMPULSORY 
TEACHING OF SELF DEFENSE TO ALL FEMALE CONSTITUTENT, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Movement to Help 
Eradicate Rape and Other Female Abuses (MOTHER) Act" or "MOTHER 
Rape Prevention Act". 
I. '. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. Article 11 of the Constitution, Sec. 14 
states that "the state recognizes the role of women in nation-building and small 
ensure the fundamentally equality before the law of women and men." 
This Act therefore seeks to prevent sexual harassment, assault and other 
forms of abuses by enabling females to have a defense mechanism, based on 
the principle that self-defense is an instinct which needs to be developed. With 
[roper technique, knowledge of self-defense results in self-confidence, good 
disposition and quick reflexes in the face of imminent danger. It is high time that 
the state addresses from this perspective the issue of violence and other crimes 
perpetuated against our females. 
A suitable basic and non-complicated program of self-defense accessible 
to all females will be incorporated in a training course under the respective public 
and private entities: 
(a) as part of the Physical Education program of the Department of 
Education (DepEd) for female students in the Primary, secondary and 
Tertiary Schools; 
(b) as part of the technical and vocational Technical Education and 
Technical and Vocational Education for female students of schools and 
training centers under the supervision of the Skills Development Authority; 
(c) as part of the day-to-today routine of female employees as well as the 
out-of-school female constituents in each Baranggay, Municipality, 
Provincial, of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 


(d) all female employees of the private, government and semigovernment 
offices under the supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment 
(DOLE); 
(e) all female employees of a government offices under the supervision of 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC); 
(f) the overseas Filipino contract workers (OCWs) under the jurisdiction of 
the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); 
(9) all females traveling abroad as migrants, whether on short or long term 
journeys, supervised by the Department of Foreign Affairs; 
(h) all females associated in any group, organization, NGOs under their 
respective umbrella organizations. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms: For purposes of this Act. 
(a) "Basic Self-Defense" means the ability of an individual female to 
discern "at-risk situations and the instinctive reaction using reflexes and judgment 
for protection against an impending danger. 
(b) "Females: are girls of and beyond school age, young and old, 
regardless of socio-economic and marital status, calling, sect and location of 
residence; 
(c) "MOTHER is the "self-defense discipline designed taking into 
consideration the characteristics of a Filipina; 
(d) "Government Agencies" are the branches of Government which are the 
implementing arms of this Bill: the Department of Education (DepEd); the 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); the Department of Foreign Affairs 
(DFA); all private, government, semigovernment sectors that have an authority 
power to mandate this Act to females under their respective jurisdictions; 
(e) Female Group are the NGOs, schools, workplace, congregations, an 
associations, safe house, halfway houses, orphanages, were females abound, 
not included in the above classifications; 
. 
(f) "Public and Private Schools" mean the elementary, primary, secondary 
and tertiary learning institutions operating outside the jurisdiction of DepEd; and 
(g) "Advance Self-Defense Training" means the rigid training for female to 
enable those deployed in high-risk areas, overseas employment to defend 
themselves. 
SEC. 4. Establishment of the Movement to Help Eradicate Rape and 
Other Female Abuses (MOTHER). To achieve the above objectives, the 
Movemetn to Help Eradicate Rape (MOTHER), having the rank of a Committee 
is hereby established (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee"). 
The Committee shall be an independent entity separate from the DepEd, 
DFA. DILG and DOLE, and attached to the Office of the President for 
administrative purposes only. Its coverage shall be both public and private 
institutions as stipulated in this Act. 


SEC. 5. Components. The components of the MOTHER program are: 
(a) Prevention through Basic Self Defense and Practical Rape Prevention 
Techniques: 
As an introductory program, comprising of theories discussed in a 
seminar with hand-outs and film showings as well as the use of mass 
media; to provide the techniques lectures to create Awareness, Education 
Mental Preparedness, Do's and Don'ts; Developing one's strength; 
Enhancing of weakness; Creating opportunities for escaping threatening 
situations. 
(b) Advance training - comprised of hands-on and actual drills, practicum 
an continuous training; 
(c) Continuing education, Refresher courses Crisis Intervention; and 
(d) Certification - to indicate proof of training, participants of the Self-
Defense basic and advanced training course will be certified after completion of 
the corresponding requirements. 
SEC. 6. Composition of the Committee. The Committee shall be 
composed of five (5) full time members. During the transition period, which 
begins upon approval of this Act, the President may appoint the Interim 
Chairman for a maximum period of one (1) year. Thereafter, the President shall 
appoint a Chairman of the Committee and four (4) Commissioners who shall be 
holders of earned doctorate(s) who have been actively engaged in self-defense 
training or equivalent qualifications. They shall be educators known for their high 
degree of professionalism and integrity who have distinguished themselves as 
authorities in the self-defense field. In no case shall any of the Commissioners 
appoint representatives to act on their behalf. 
SEC. 7. Term or Office. The President shall appoint the full-time 
chairman and the Commissioners for a term of four (4) years, without prejudice to 
their reappointment. The term of the initial appointees shall be on a staggered 
basis: the full-time chairman shall hold for a term of four (4) years, the next two 
years. 
SEC. 8. Board of Advisers. There shall be constituted a board of 
Advisers which shall meet with the Committee at least once a year to assist it in 
aligning its policies and plans with the cultural political, and socio-economic 
development needs of the nation and with the demands of the project. The board 
of Advisers shall be composed of the Secretaries of DECS, DFA, DILG, DOLE, 
the Chief of the Philippine national Police, and the Administrator of the Philippine 
Overseas Employment Administration. 
SEC. 9. Power and Functions of the Committee. The Commission shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Through the assistance of the Philippine National Police, to oversee 
the formulation, recommendation, and enforcement of a suitable self-defense 
module for females which will be called "MOTHER"; 


:. 
(b) Ensure that the program is introduced and implemented on a gradual, 
staggered basis to all females in the various government agencies, monitor and 
evaluate the performance of the program; 
(c) Formulate rules and regulations and exercise other powers and 
functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purpose and objectives 
of this Act; and 
(d) Perform other functions as may be necessary for its effective 
operations and for the continued enhancement, improvement or development of 
the program. 
SEC. 10. Basic or Central Provisions. Article 2, Section 14 of the 
Constitution declares: the State the role of women in nation-building, and shall 
ensure the fundament equality before law of women and men. Violence against 
women has a devastating impact on women's physical and emotional health and, 
and as an answer to the 'needs of the changing times, the State clearly 
recognizes the need to fight against all forms of abuse perpetrated against 
women as part of its duty and obligation to serve and protect them. 
The preventive measures provided under this Act encompass the State's 
response to increase incidents of sexual harassment and abuse committed on 
women in today's society. 
SEC. 11. Rape Awareness ,and Preventive Week. The second Sunday 
of May every year shall usher the Rape awareness and Prevention week, 
coinciding with the celebration of Mother's Day. 
SEC. 12. Implementation. In collaboration with the cooperating 
government institution of this Act by the various government agencies 
concerned, to wit: 
(a) the Department of Education (DepEd) - shall ensure that all female 
students have an access to the MOTHER self-defense program, incorporated in 
their physical education (PE) curriculum in the elementary, secondary and 
tertiary levels; 
(b) the department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - shall ensure 
that all female employees in all the DILO-attached agencies, including the out-of-
school youth I every Barangay have access to the self-defense training sessions; 
(c) the Department of Labor and employment females employed in the 
private and government provided the opportunities to undertake the necessary 
(DOLE) - shall mandate that all sectors, locally or overseas. 
(d) the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration -shall mandate 
that all prospective female OCWs; who are applying for foreign employment, are 
mandated to undergo trainin'g' as part of the orientation prior to taking up their 
assignment; 
(e) The Department of Foreign Affairs - shall require that every Filipina 
wishing to go out of the Country for any purpose is required to have a basic self-
defense knowledge; and All. other government agencies, private corporations, 


and those not covered by the above Departments, shall enable their female 
constituents to acquire the basic self-defense knowledge. 
SEC. 13. Collaboration with NGOs. There shall be MOTHER Chapter to 
be formed in collaboration with NGOs which will support the maximum 
awareness and implementation of the program. 
SEC. 14. The Secretariat. The Committee shall be assisted by a 
secretariat, headed by an executive officer, subject to the national compensation 
and position classifications, responsibilities and functions, as well as the 
compensation scheme of the positions to be created upon the recommendation 
of the executive officer. It shall also prepare and approve its budget. 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders letter of instruction, rules and regulations inconsistent with 
provisions of this act are hereby repealed. 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. A fund hereafter referred to as "Prevention 
against rape and other female abuses or MOTHER Fund" is hereby established 
exclusively for the implementation of the self-defense training program in the 
entire country. 
(a) The Governments co,ntribution to the Fund shall be the following: 
(1) Appropriate from the National Treasury: for the initial operation of the 
Committee, such sum as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be 
appropriated from" the National Treasury. Thereafter, the sum necessary for the 
continuous operation for the program shall be included in the appropriations for 
the respective government agencies concerned, namely: the Department of 
Labor and Employment, the .Department of Interior and Local Government, the 
Department of Education and the Department of Foreign Affairs; and 
(2) An amount equivalent to one percent (1%) of the gross rates of the 
lotto operation of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shall be 
contributed to the Committee for its operational expenses. 
(b) Starting the fiscal year 2013 and every year thereafter, government 
financing institutions identified and requested by the Committee may contribute 
to the Fund an amount as deemed necessary for the implementation of the 
program. 
(c) The fund shall have a private component to be raised form donations, 
gifts, and other conveyances by gratuitous title including material, equipment, 
properties and services. 
SEC. 17. Management "and Administration of the MOTHER Fund. The 
fund shall be administered by the Committee and judicious management of the 
Fund, Committee shall appoint a reputable government financial institution as a 
portfoliO manager of the Fund, subject to the conditions set by the Committee. 
As administrator of the Fund, the committee shall prepare the necessary 
guidelines for its use, subject to the conditions set by the Committee. 


(a) No part of the seed capital of he fund, including earnings, there of shall 
be used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration; 
(b) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donors, only earnings of 
private contributions shall be used for administrative expenses; 
(c) The commission shall appoint and organize a separate staff which 
shall be independent administratively and in its budget, from the Committee 
Secretariat; and 
(d) The Fund shall be utilized equitably according to regions. 
SEC. 18. Technical Committees. The Committee shall reconstitute 
and/or organize a technical panel whose job description is to formulate, review, 
evaluate, restructure, and improve the module of self-defense discipline based 
on the criteria; 
(a) The model self-defense program shall be called "MOTHER"; 
(b) The MOTHER Self-Defense discipline shall give due consideration to 
the cultural heritage and image of the Filipina and her culture; 
(c) Due consideration shall be given to the strength, weakness and other 
qualities of the individuals; 
(d) Discipline will be the primordial that will be inculcated in each and 
every MOTHER-trained participant. 
. 
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 20. Effectivity Date. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
the date of its publication at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,