Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~ 2096

House Bill No.

Introduced by
rens Party-List Representative RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While the 1987 Constitution and existing laws are in place to protect the rights and welfare of
senior citizens, there is still prevalence of cases involving abuse of senior citizens.

‘The World Health Organization (WHO) defined Elder Abuse as a “single or repeated act, or lack of
appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes
harm or distress to an older person." This type of violence constitutes violation of human rights and
includes physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; neglect, and
serious loss of dignity and respect. WHO predicts that elder abuse will increase as many countries are

experiencing rapidly ageing populations.

‘According to the latest Philippine statistics, there are about ten million (10,000,000) senior citizens
all over the country. One of the risk factors that may increase the potential for abuse of an older person is
the poor physical and mental health of the victim. Based on the study conducted by the UP Wellness
Institute for Seniors and Elders (UPWISE), the number of frail senior citizens is 14.5%; pre-frall is 73.8%;
and, robust is 11.6%.

Due to the increasing number of senior citizens all over the country, there is an imperative need
to protect their rights and welfare against any form of abuse.

Thus, this Bill seeks to provide our dearly beloved senior citizens with ample protection against
violation of their human rights through programs and services that will promote their well-being. The
responsibility to protect senior citizens against any form of abuse will start in the barangay level due to the

establishment of Senior Citizens Help Desk.



The passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

RODOLFO “OMPO) |. ORDANES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Tn no. 2096

House Bill No.

Introduced by
Senior Citizens Party-List Representative RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES

AN ACT PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZEN FROM VIOLENCE, DEFINING ELDER ABUSE, AND
PRESCRIBING PENLATIES THEREOF

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 “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. This 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 threat 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.) @ person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim;
4.) person with whom the victim shares a child in common;



5.) @ 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 wi
relationship or interaction by any person which causes harm or distress to a senior citizen, It includes

in any

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 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;

d) 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. $994, 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
or cause financial damage to them; 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:
of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) of the

a) To avi
Department of Justice (D0J) 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 Violence, ~
‘The DSWD, in coordination with the LGU's, 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 counselling, psycho-social , recovery or rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance;

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

) The appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety and security of a senior citizen 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 perpetrator or one which is within plain view;

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

c) Transport the victim to a barangay hall, or to a clinic or hospital;

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

€) Ensure the enforcement of the Protection Order (PO) issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the
Punong Barangay ot Barangay Chairman and the Court;

f) Arrest the suspected 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

9) 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,

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 causes of violence;

b) The legal rights of, and remedies available to victim of violence;

©) The services and facilties available to victims or survivors;

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

e) The necessary techniques to be employed in handling incidents of violence to minimize the likelihood
of inquiry 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 counsellor who examined or rendered treatment to a senior citizen victim shall make a report of the

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 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 at the option of the complaint.

SEC. 14. Protection Order (PQ). ~ 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;

ing or contacting the peti

d) Prohit er;

e) Issuance of an Order to proper law enforcement offices to enforce the provisions of the Section;

f) Issuance of an Order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO) of the LGU
concerned to provide therapy, counselling 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

ition of the respondent from directly or indirectly commu!

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. If the applicant
int attesting to:

is not the victim, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit of the apy
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 the court processes.
‘The standard application form for PO shail 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) A statement 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) An attestation 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, counsellor, therapist or healthcare 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. — 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 DOJ, 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). ~ h 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.

BPO issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson and Barangay
Kagawad may cover 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 Kagawadshall personally serve
copy of the same of 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 the 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 the 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 the Act: Provided,
however, That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the person for who, 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 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 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 shalll 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 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 Lypong 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 alll 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. ~ \ 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 shall not apply in the proceedings where relief is sought under this Act.

this section shall render the concerned individuals, official or Judge administratively

Failure to comply
liable,

SEC. 22. Mutual Protection Order Prohibited. - No order for protection of the offender or respondent
may be granted by a Lypong 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 @ BPO shall be punishable by imprisonment of thirty (30) days without prejudice to any other criminal
action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed under Sec. 4 hereof.

A judgement on a violation of a BPO may be appealed according to the Rules of Court. During trial and
upon judgement, 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 continue contempt of Court
punishable under the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other criminal or 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.
and resolved by the Court within sixty (60) days from the
of probable cause, shall cause the arrest of

A criminal case for violation of a PO shall be
date the complaint was filed. The Court, upon determin
the accused who may post ball in the interim in an amount to be determined by the Court.

‘A judgement on a violation of a PO may be appealed according to the Rules of Criminal Procedure. During
trial and upon judgement, the Court may motu proprio 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 failing 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 shail be punishable with
the penalty of prision mayor; those resulting in less serious physical injuries shall be punishable by
‘prison correctional and those resulting in slight physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto mayor.

¢) _Allother acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be punishable by prison 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 (300,000.00).

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 counselling 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 behalf of a victim shall suffer imprisonment of six (6) months to one (1) year, at the discretion of the
Court and pay fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (PS,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 rehabilitation counselling
and treatment of perpetrators towards learning constructive ways of coping with anger and emotional
outburst 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 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 interval revenue allotment and
other internally generated funds of the LGU concerned.

In addition, the departments concerned 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 DOJ, 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 programs 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. 31. Repealing Clause.- Ail laws, presidential decrees executive orders rules and regulations or
is Act are hereby amended,

parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of
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.