THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Flavier 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to mandate that basic self-defense techniques be taught to 
enable females to protect themselves in the event of imminent danger. This is 
based on the principle that self-defense is an instinct that needs to be developed. 
Equipping our female populace with self-defense mechanisms hits two 
birds with one stone, as .it will also address another sensitive issue; heinous. 
crimes. 
The alarming upsurge of such (heinous) crimes has resulted not only in 
the loss of human lives and wanton destruction of property, but has also affected 
the nation’s efforts towards sustainable economic development and prosperity. At 
the same time, it has undermined the people’s faith in the Government and the 
latter’s ability to maintain peace and order in the country. 
Rape is a heinous crime; an act of violence. A frightening and traumatic 
experience. Rape exempts no female - gi; Is, wives, mothers, grandmothers, the 
rich and poor. The recent rape incidents are repugnant and outrageous to the 
common standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized, and 
ordered society. 
Recent incidents to wit: Physically and sexually abused children 17 years 
and below in 1997 = 657; Unclassified Age Group: 1998 (January to June) - 
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50 I999 (January to June) - 1,509, indicate that the imposition of the death 
penalty (R.A. No. 7659) and Lethal Injection (R.A. No. 8177), failed to curb rape 
incidents during recent years. As a consequence, the Philippines is known as the 
No. 1 rape country in Asia. 
Without a defense mechanism, the physically weaker gender is likely 
vulnerable to assault, harassment, rape, and other violence. The pain, trauma, 
humiliation and damage inflicted on the victims are irreversible. Preventions, 
therefore, worth a ton of cure. 
Violence against women creates a devastating effect not only on their 
physical, emotional well-being. It affects not only the victim herself, but the 
people around her, as well as future generations. To address this concern, the 
State needs a program to implement and enhance the protection of females. 
Toward this end, the State shall provide a more responsive scheme of 
prevention. Thus, there is an urgent need to impose that self-defense be taught 
to every female. 


TYIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
First Regular Sessicln 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
, .  
THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. NO. 
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Introduced by Senator Flavier 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE MOVEMENT TO HELP ERADICATE RAPE AND OTHER 
FEMALE 
ABUSES 
“(MOTHER)”, MANDATING 
THE 
CO$PULSORY 
TEACHING OF SELF-DEFENSE TO ALL FEMALE CONSTUTUENTS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “MOVEMENT TO 
HELP ERADICATE RAPE & OTHER FEMALE ABUSES (MOTHER) ACT” OR 
“MOTHER RAPE PREVENTION ACT” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article 2 of the -Constitution, Sec. 14 
states that “the State recognize the role of women in nation-building and shall 
ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.” 
This Act therefore seeks to prevent sexual harassment, assaults and other 
forms of abuses by enabling females to have a defense mechanism, base on the 
principle that self-defense is an instincts which needs to be developed. With 
proper technique, knowledge of self-defense results in self-confidence, good 
disposition and quick reflexes in the face cf imminent danger. It is high time that 
the State addresses from this perspective the issues 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, 
Culture and Sports (DECS) for femqle students in the Primary, Secondary 
and Tertiary Schools; 
b. as part of the Technical and Vocational Education for female students of 
technical and vocational schools and training centers under the 
supervision of the Technical Education and Skills development Authority; 
c. as part of the day-to-day routine of female employees, as well as the out- 
of-school female constituents in each Barangay, Municipality, Provincial, 
of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG); 
d. all female employees of the priva’te government and semi-government 
offices, under the supervision of the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE); 
e. all female employees of all government offices under the supervision of 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC); 
f. the overseas Filipino contract workers (OCWs) under the jurisdiction of the 
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); 
g. all females traveling abroad as migrants, whether on shod or long-term 
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journeys, supervised by the Departrr(uent 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 Training” means the ability of an individual 
female to discern “at-risk” situations and the instinctive reaction 
using reflexes and judgment for protection against and 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, Culture, and Spcrts (DECS); the Department of Labor 
and Employment (DOLE); the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); 
all private government, semi-government sectors that have an 
authority power to mandate this Act to females under their 
respective jurisdictions; 
e. “Female 
Groups” 
are 
the 
NGOs, 
school, 
workplace, 
congregations and associations, safe houses, halfway houses, 
orphanages, where 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 DECS; and 
g. “Advance Self-Defense Training” means the rigid training for 
females to enable those deployed in high-risk areas, overseas 
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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 
Movement 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 DECS, 
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 handouts and film showings as well as the mass 
media. To provide the techniques lectures to create Awareness, 
Education, Mental Preparedness, Do’s and Don’ts; Developing Self 
Confidence and Removing Fear, Knowing the vital weak points; 
Developing one’s strengths; Enhancing of weaknesses; Creating 
opportunities for escaping threatening situations. 
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b. 
Advance training-comprised of hands-on and actual drills, practicum 
and continuous training; 
Continuing Education, Refresher Courses, Crisis Intervention; and 
Certification - to eradicate proof of training, participants of the Self 
Defense basic and advanced training course will be certified after 
c. 
d. 
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 of 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 office for a term of four (4) years, the next 


two (2) commissioners for three (3) years, and the last two (2) commissioners for 
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 
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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 Em ploy ment Administration. 
Sec. 9. Powers and Functions of the Committee. - The commission 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
a. 
Through the assistance of the Philippine National Police, 
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. I O .  Basic or Central Provisions. - Article 2, Section 14 of the 
Constitution declares: “The State recognizes the role of women in nation building 
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before law of women and men. 
Violence against women has a devastating impact on women’s physical and 
emotional health 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 increasing incidents of sexual harassment and abuse committed on 
women in today’s society. 
SEC. 11. Rape Awareness and Prevention Week. - 
The second 
Sunday of May every year shall usher the “Rape Awareness and Prevention 
Week’, coinciding with the celebration of Mother’s Day. 
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SEC. 12. Implementation. - ID collaboration with the cooperating 
government institutions for the proper implementation of this Act, the Committee 
shall oversee the implementation of this Act by the various government agencies 
concerned, to wit: 
a. 
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports - shall ensure 
that all female students have an access to the MOTHER self- 
defense program, incorporated in their physical education (PE) 
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curriculum in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels; 
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - shall 
b. 
ensure that all female employees in all the DILG attached agencies, 
including the out-of-school youth in every barangay have an access 
to the self-defense training sessions; 
c. 
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - shall mandate 
that all females employed in, the private and government sectors, 
locally or overseas, are provided the opportunity to undertake the 
necessary self-defense training modules; 
d. 
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - shall 
mandate that all prospective female OCw’s who are applying for 
foreign employment, are mandated to undergo training as part of 
the orientation prior to taking up their assignment. 


e. 
The Department of foreign Affairs - shall require the 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 
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constituents to acquire the basic self-defense knowledge. 
SEC. 13. 
Collaboration with NGO’s. - There shall be MOTt 
Chapters to be formed in collaboration with NGO’s, which will support 
maximum awareness and implementation of the program. 
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SEC. 14. The Secretariat. - The Committee shall be assisted by a 
secretariat, headed by an .executive officer, subject to the national compensation 
and position classification plan. 
It shall fix the secretariat’s staffing pattern, 
determine the duties, qualifications, 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, letters of instruction, rules or regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
according I y . 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - A fund hereinafter referred to as “Prevention 
against rape and other female abuses fund” or “MOTHER Fund” is hereby 
established exclusively for the implementation of the self-defense training 
program in the entire country. 
a. 
The Government’s contribution to the Fund shall be the following: 
1. 
Appropriation 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. 
Thereafthr, the sums necessary for the 
continuous operation of the program shall be included in the 
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appropriations for the respective government agencies 
concerned namely: 
the Department of 
Labor and 
Employment, the Department of Education, Culture and 
Sports, and the Department of Foreign affairs; and 
An amount equivalent to one percent (1%) of the gross sales 
of the lotto operation of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes 
Office (PCSO) shall be contributed to the Committee for its 
operational expenses. 
2. 
b. 
Starting fiscal year 2001 and every year thereafter, the 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 from 
donations, gifts, and other conveyances by gratuitous title, ‘including 
materials, equipment, propert:es and services. 
SEC. 17. Management and Administration of the MOTHkR Fund. - 
The Fund shall be administered by the Committee. For sound 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 the Fund, including earnings, thereof, 
shall be used to 
underwrite overhead expenses for the 
administration; 
Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donors, only earnings of 
private contributions shall be used for administrative expepses; 
b. 


c. 
The Commission shall appoint and organize a separate staff, which 
shall be independent administratively and in its budget, from the 
Committee Secretariat; and 
The Fund shall be utilized equitable accordingly to regions. 
d. 
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. 
b. 
The model self-defense program shall be called “MOTHER.” 
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. 
Discipline will be the primordial aim that will be inculcated in each 
and every MOTHER-trained participant. 
d. 
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected 
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thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC 20. Effectivity Date. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days 
from the date of its publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Aprroved,