Sixteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. ,16 
'13 
JIJL ·-1 
PJi1 :19 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On 20 November 1989, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the 
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD. The "CONVENTION (for brevity) in sum 
brings together in one (I) comprehensive code on the legal benefits and stipulations concerning 
children of the world. It enshrines three (3) main areas of children's rights, namely: survival, 
development and protection and further stresses that these rights apply to all children regardless 
of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, 
property, disability, birth or other status. As signatory thereto, the Philippines through the Senate 
and in accordance with Article 47 of the 'Convention' and in compliance with Section 21, 
Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, unanimously concerned in the ratification of the 
Convention and finally adopted the same on 26 July 1990. 
By virtues of such ratification (Senate Resolution No. 109), the precepts of the 
"Convention" are deemed part of the law of the land. The ratification of the "Convention" is not 
merely a manifestation of our determination to cooperate with the family of nations as member 
thereof, but more so an assertion of the Philippines, unwavering commitment to the protection of 
children's welfare not only and humanitarian exercise but as a matter of serious obligation. 
As such, Congress is committed to undertake all efforts to uplift the conditions of the 
Filipino children through the protection and promotion of their rights and welfare. 
There are at present several laws and ordinances upholding, protecting, and/or promoting, 
the rights and welfare of the Filipino child. The two recent and thus noteworthy laws are RA 
7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation 
and Discrimination Act and RA 7658, An Act Amending in Section 12, RA 7610 (on Child 
Employment). 
This notwithstanding, violations and malicious disregard of children's rights and welfare 
are to date increasing. Evil men remain undeterred in their commission of evil against children. 
Clearly, what we have done is inadequate to fully protect our children. For one, 
notwithstanding the constitutionally recognized role of the State as 'PARENS PATRIAE' or 
'guardian of the rights of the people,' there is the conspicuous absence of a government agency 
independent and powerful enough to function exclusively as a true and aggressive 'watchdog' 
that might be called 'Champion of Children's Rights.' 
RA 7610 is comprehensive enough in defining and providing penalties for the different 
acts and/or omissions of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination. But the law does not 
mandate the creation of a body that shall exclusively be in charge of pursuing and ensuring the 
successful prosecutiori of perpetrators. 


Existing public and private agencies have proven to be effective in reporting and 
monitoring child abuses, exploitation and discrimination. But they have not been as effective in 
the prosecution and ultimately the successful final conviction of violators of children's rights. 
For more often than not, the complainants, due to tlnancial reasons, among others, abandon 
and/or lose interest in pursuing the case. Hence, the criminals go scot-free, remaining 
unrestrained to commit their crimes all over again. 
What we need therefore is a body wbich shall be powerful and aggressive enough to 
initiate investigation and pursue the prosecution, on its own, of any all incidences of child abuse, 
exploitation and discrimination. The body must be independent, with special juridical capacity to 
legally initiate a complaint and/or intervene in any and/or all cases, criminal or otherwIse, child 
abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, particularly but not limited to cases where the parent, 
guardian, teacher or person having care or custody of the child fails or is unable to FULLY 
represent and protect the child's rights. We need, therefore, a guardian exclusively of children's 
rights. We ought, to create the Office of "TANODBATA" 
We owe to the children the best we can give. Obviously we have not done so. They need 
a Tanodbata of their own. And they need it now. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


/ 
.I / 
Sixteenth Congress of the Republic 
ofthe Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
~n 
S.B. No. '11ti 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE OFFICE OF TANODBATA AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. -This Act shall be known as "Tanodbata Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State as 
'PARENS PATRIAE' of the Filipino people, particularly of the Filipino children, to provide not 
only special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and 
discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development but also to ensure the 
prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination. The 
State shall intervene and initiate criminal complaints on behalf of the child when the parent, 
guardian, teacher or person having care or custody of the child fails or is unable to initiate andlor 
pursue the prosecution for child abuse, exploitation. Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -
(a) "Children" refers to persons below eighteen (18) years of age which shall include the 
conceived but unborn child or those over eighteen (18) years but who are unable to 
fully take care of, or protect themselves from, abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or 
discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. 
(b) "Office" means the office of Tanod Bata. 
(c) "Child Abuse" refers to any act or omission as defined and penalized by Republic 
Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child 
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," and/or crimes against children, 
including the conceived but unborn child as provided for by the Revised penal Code 
and other pertinent laws. 
SECTION 4. The Office of the Tanodbata. - There is hereby created the independent 
Office of the Tanodbata, composed of the Chief Tanodbata and three (3) Deputy Tanodbata. 
SECTION 5. Appointment of the Chief and Deputy Tanodbata. -The Chief 
Tanodbata and the Deputies shall be appointed by the President. The Chief Tanodbata shall have 
1 


the rank and receive the salary of an associate justice of the Court of Appeals while, the deputies 
shall have the rank and receive the salary of a judge of the Regional Trial Court RTC). 
SECTION 6. Qualifications. -The Chief Tanodbata and his Deputies shall be natural-
born citizens of the Philippines, and at the same time of their appointment, at least thirty-five 
(35) years old, of recognized probity and independence, members of the Philippine Bar and have 
proven ability and experience to analyze problems of law, administration, and public policy. 
They must have for five (5) years Of more been a judge or engaged in the practice of law in the 
Philippines and shall not have been actively involved m partisan politics. 
SECTION 7. Disqualification. - The Chief Tanodbata and his Depufies shall not, during 
their tenure in otfice, engage in the practice of any profession Of in the management of any 
business, or be financially interested directly or indirectly in any contract with or in any franchise 
or privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, Of instrumentality thereof 
including government-owned or controlled corporations. 
SECTION 8. Term of Office. - The Chief Tanodbata and his Deputies shall serve for a 
term of seven (7) years without reappointment. If the Office of the Chief Tanodbata becomes 
vacant for any cause, the Senior Deputy Tanodbata shall serve as Acting Chief Tanodbata until a 
Chief Tanodbata shall have been appointed for full term. 
SECTION 9. Organization of Office. - The Office shall have one (I) Executive Director 
and an Administrative Officer, a Finance, Management and Planning Office, a Legal Office and 
an Investigation and Prosecution Office. 
The Executive /director shall have the rank of a judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court and 
shall receive the same salary. Each of the aforesaid offlces shall be Headed by a Director which 
shall have the rank and receive the salary ofa Clerk ofeomt of the Regional Trial Courts. 
The lnvestigation and Prosecution Office shall, aside from the Director, have three (3) 
special prosecutors and three (3) investigators or one (1) special prosecutor and one (1) 
investigator for Luzon, Visayas and Minadanao. The Special Prosecutors shall have the rank and 
receive compensation equivalent to that of an Assistance City Prosecutor (Assistant Fiscal); 
while the investigators shall have the fank and receive the salary of a Regional Tnal Court 
Assistant Sheriff 
The Legai Office shall aside from the DIrector have three (3) Legal Officers or one (I) 
each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. TIl",y shali also haw the rank and receive salary 
equivalent to an Assistant City Prosecutor {Assistant Fiscal). 
The Administrative Office shall consist of the General Services DiVIsion and Personnel 
Division. 
Tbe Finance, Management alld Planning Office shall consist of the Budget Division, 
Accounting Division and Management Plaomng Division. 
All of these officials shaH be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the 
Chief Tanodbata. The Chief Tanodbata may also select, appoint, and compensate ill accordance 
with law and within the amount available by apPfOpri2ttion, such other assistants and employees 
as may be necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the Oftlce under this law. 
When the Chief Tanodbata is disabled or absent and so notifies his office, the Senior 
Deputy Tanodbata shall have authority to act on his stead. 
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The Chief Tanodbata may delegate to other members of his stafT any of his authority or 
duties under this law except his power of decision in all cases and duty of formally making 
recommendations to administrative agencies or reports to the President or to Congress. 
SECTION 10. Powers, Functions and Duties. - The Office shall have the following 
powers, functions and duties. 
I. Investigate, on complaint by any person or on its own, and initiate court action, 
criminal or otherwise, or in any manner proceed against any person, corporation or 
firm for any and all commissions of child abuse; 
2. Prescribe the methods by which complaints are to be made, received, and acted upon; 
detennine the scope and manner of investigations to be made, and the form, 
frequency and distribution of its conclusions and recommendations; 
3. Issue subpoena to compel any person to appear, give sworn statement/testimony, or 
produce documentary Of other evidence which the Office deems relevant to a matter 
under his inquiry; 
4. Utilize the personnel of its oUke and/or with the approval of the Secretary of justice, 
designate or deputize any fiscal/state prosecutor or lawyer of the Justice Department 
to act as special investigator or prosecutor to assist the Office in the investigation and 
prosecution of child abuse case; 
5. Appear in any court as special prosecutor in any criminal actioll and/or complainant 
in any case involving the commission of child abuse when in its judgment its 
intervention is necessary or when requested by the COUlt; 
6. Direct any government agency to render assistance and furnish infonnatioll necessary 
to children's rights and welfare, in order to 0nhance the condition of Filipino children 
and improve its own functions; 
7. Prepare and present to the President and COllf,rress an annual report Oil its 
accomplishments, dispOSition of cases, other relevant funds, problems and obstacles 
encOlmtered, fInancial and other administrative information as well as its insights and 
recommendations, when clearly in the public interest, subject to law aud regulations 
relating to protection of witness, the rights of the victim, the collateral rights of the 
accused and his/her defense, sound prose.:ution practice and prop,)] administration of 
justice; 
8. Ensure that legislation relating to the protection of children's interest is observed; 
9. Propose measures which can strengthen children's safety under the law; 
10. ProjJose lllt~asures which call "trengll1cH dlJitlferi'S saiety umiel the law: 
II. Ensure that sufticient information is given to the public and private sectors 
concerning children's rights and measures required for children; and 
12. Promulgate slIch mles and procedures and exercise such other fUllctiolls or duttes as 
may be provided by law. 
3 


S~:CTlON 11. Matters Appropriate for illvestigation anll l'l'osecution. - The Office 
shaH have the authority to conduct preliminary investigation; to file information therei()re and to 
direct and control the prosecution, even on ils own, of tacts andlor omission of child abuse as 
defined and penalized by RA 7610 andlor crimes agamst children including the conceived and 
unborn as provided for by the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent laws. 
SECTION 12. Action on complaints. - The Office of the Tanodbata may receIve 
complaints from any source concerning child abuse. At no expense to the complainant, the 
Office shall immediately conduct a suitable investigation into the matters complained of If after 
completion of the investigation the Office finds a prima tacie case of child abuse, it shall tile the 
complaint with the proper court or government agency, whether or not the private complainant 
thereof who initially brought the matter to the attention of the Office is willing to pursue the 
Complaint/case. The Office may on its own still pursue the prosecution of the case for child 
abuse even jf the parent, guardian or any other person, having care and custody of the child has 
entered into an out-of-court settlement of the case. 
The Chief Tanodbata, his Deputies, investigators and prosecutors, whether regular 
members of his staff or designated by the Office as provided for in Section 10, shall have the 
authority to administer oaths, to issue subpoena duces tecum, to summon and compel witness to 
appear and testilY under oath before them and/of bring documents and other things under their 
control and to secure the attendance or presence of any absent or recalcitrant witness through 
application before the courts having jurisdiction of the place where the witness or evidence may 
be found. 
SECTION 13. Duty to Render Assistance to the Office of the Tanodbata. - Any 
public official or employee when called upon or required by the Office, is duty bound to render 
assistance to the office, otherwise he shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action. 
SrtCTfON 14. Ohstruction. -Any person who shall willfully obstruct or hinder the 
proper exercise of the offlr;r;'s fi.mctiolls ()( who sb<lIL clfter dm: hf.aring. be pUJ\j,hed with a flue 
not exce<;ding ~'JFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS \PI5, 000.(0) without l'rt~udicf.: to any crimiual 
or other administrative liability. 
SECTION 15. F'I'anking Privileges. - All official mail matters and telegrams of the 
office addressed for delivery within the Philippille,; shall he receivect, transrnltted and delivered 
free of charge. 
SECTION 16. Appropriation ... The amount of FIFTE~;N MILLlON PESOS (P1 S, 
000.000.(0) is hereby authorized to be appmpfiated equally from the savings of the Department 
of justice, Department of social Welfare and Development and from the Of1Jce of the President 
as the initial amount to implement the provision of this Act. 
Thereafter a rq,'1l1ar appropriation shall be included in the annllal General Appropriations 
Act for the support and maintenance of the ofhce. 
SECTION 17. ~eparability Clause. -Any part or provisions of this Act which may be 
held invalid Of unconstitutional shall not affect its remaining parts or provisions. 
S.~CTION 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
4 


SECTION 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
5