THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
'04 AUG -2 
p 2 :cj 7 
First Regular Session 
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BY: c 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 157 
Introduced by Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The advancements in technology have made access to information a cinch with the mere touch of 
a button. Indeed, one can learn what is happening on the other side of the globe by accessing the Internet, 
perhaps man's most important communication tool ever. Vital information can be accessed, exchanged 
and viewed through this sophisticated technology. 
Unfortunately, what good intentions the inventors had in mind, and good uses and purposes that 
internet offers can also be distorted for their own ends by unscrupulous elements that lurk in society. 
What used to he mail-order bride schemes have become more sophisticated and accessible e-mail 
order bride schemes. The Philippines, unfortunately, has not been spared from this plagne that has heen 
touted as another version of human trafficking. Filipino women, hoping to escape the clutches of poverty, 
have been easy prey to syndicates offering these services, like one sells a piece of meat. 
At the height of the mail-order bride fever, Republic Act 6955 was enacted in 1990 to declare 
unlawful, and thus provide for penalties for, the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to 
foreign nationals on 'a mail-order basis and similar practices. Philippine law classifies this scheme as 
illegal and not only a form of human smuggling but also as a ploy for sex trafficking. R.A. 6955 however 
has not anticipated its evolution into the e-mail bride scheme. 
Gabriela, a left-leaning women's group has said in its online primer on sex trafficking: "These 
international prostitution syndicates capitalize on the internet and the e-mail to advertise Filipinas as 'pen 
pals' to circumvent the law banning the system of mail-order-bride." 
This piece of legislation aims to broaden the scope of unlawful and punishable schemes of 
matching Filipino women to foreign nationals. It does not condone cross-cultural marriages because such 
are not the problem. The problem is that there are syndicates that use these schemes to recruit women 
into prostitution. 
This bill illso charges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of 
Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and the National Commission on the Role of Women 
(NCRFW) with the implementation of the provisions of this measure. 
The immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
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Introduced by Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon 
AN ACT 
BROADENING THE SCOPE OF UNLAWFUL PRACTICES OF MATCHING 
FILIPINO WOMEN FOR MARRIAGE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS TO INCLUDE 
VARIOUS SCHEMES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INTERNET, AMENDING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6955 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. 
Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6955 is amended to read as follows: 
SEC. 2. 
Pursuant thereto, it is hereby declared unlawful: 
(a) For a person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity 
to commit, directly or indirectly, any of the following acts: 
To establish or carry on a business which has for its 
purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to 
foreign nationals (either) on a mail-order basis (or) through 
personal 
introduction 
OR THROUGH 
E-MAILS OR 
WEBSITES IN THE INTERNET; 
To advertise, publish, print or distribute, or cause the 
advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of any 
brochure, flier or any propaganda material, INCLUDING 
THOSE 
DISTRIBUTED 
AND 
MADE 
AVAILABLE 
THROUGH THE INTERNET WHICH ARE calculated to 
promote the prohibited acts in the preceding subparagraph; 
To solicit, enlist or in any manner attract or induce any 
Filipino woman to become a member in any club or 
association whose objective is to match women for marriage to 
foreign nationals (either) on mail-order basis (or) through 
personal 
introduction OR 
THROUGH E-MAILS OR 
WEBSITES IN THE INTERNET for a fee; 
To use the postal service AND THE INTERNET to promote 
the prohibited acts in subparagraph 1 hereof. 


(b) For the manager or officer-in-charge or advertising manager of any 
newspaper, magazine, television of any newspaper, magazine, 
television or radio station, or other media INCLUDING INTERNET 
WEBSITES AND OTHER SCHEMES MADE AVAILABLE 
THROUGH THE WORLDWIDE WEB, or of an advertising agency, 
printing company or other similar entities, to knowingly allow or 
consent to, the acts prohibited in the preceding paragraph.” 
Section 2. A new section is hereby added after Section 4 of R.A. No. 6955 as follows: 
“SEC. 5.A. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - THE 
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
(DFA), THE DEPARMENT OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND 
COMMUNICATION (DOTC), 
THE NATIONAL 
COMMISSION ON THE ROLE OF FILIPINO WOMEN (NCRFW), AND AT LEAST 
THREE (3) REPRESENTATIVES FROM NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS 
(NGOS), WHICH ARE ENGAGED IN ASSISTING VICTIMS OF MAIL-ORDER 
BRIDE AND OTHER SCHEMES, SHALL BE CHARGED WITH CARRYING OUT 
THE 
PROVISIONS 
OF 
THIS 
ACT 
AND 
SHALL 
FORMULATE 
ITS 
IMPLEMENTING RULES .AND REGULATIONS WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS 
AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.” 
Section 3. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved;