EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
ei8
S. B. NO.
(SHuf af !l)r » r  rftnrp
*19 
JUL 18 PI -A3
RELti / L 
.i'
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT DETERRING THE CONTINUED PROLIFERATION OF 
IMMORAL DOCTRINES, OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS AND 
EXHIBITIONS AND INDECENT SHOWS BY INCREASING THE 
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The rise of the world wide web has the unintended consequence of the 
rise of online pornography, and the proliferation of users that prey on and 
victimize minors and children. According to a 2017 report by the United Nations 
Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 80% of Filipino children that have access 
to the Internet are in danger of being victimized by purveyors of child 
pornography.1
Currently, the Revised Penal Code penalizes grave scandal, immoral 
doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows. In 2017, 
Republic Act No. 10951 increased the penalty for promoting immoral doctrines, 
obscene publications and indecent shows under Article 201 of the Revised 
Penal Code from a fine of at least Php6,000 to a fine ranging from Php20,000 
to Php200,000.
In addition to the felonies punishable under the Revised Penal Code, 
Consequently, Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children 
Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, penalizes any person 
who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in
1 2017, December 13. Philippines top global source of child pornography -  Unicef. Retrieved 
from: https://\www.rapDler.com/nation/19121 Q-philipoines-toD-olobal-source-child- 
pornooraphy-unicef (date last accessed: June 24. 2019).


obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, or model in obscene publications or 
pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials.
Despite these laws, however, Filipino children continue to be vulnerable 
to online child predators and pornographers. In February 2019, it was reported 
that online sexual exploitations remain widespread in the Philippines, 80% of 
the victims of which are minors, most of whom are 12 years old or younger.2 In 
most instances, these minors are compelled to undress in front of an 
international audience of sexual predators online.3
The continued prevalence of these incidents in the Philippines may be 
attributed to the fact that despite the deplorable nature of the offense, the 
prescribed penalties for these offenses are not commensurate to their gravity.
Under the Revised Penal Code, an offender who is found guilty of 
violating Article 201 may be punished by a fine ranging from Php20,000 to 
Php200,000 or imprisonment of not more than six years. Thus, even if an 
offender is convicted, there is no assurance that the offender would be put 
behind bars and kept away from the public. The fine is also negligible when 
compared to the profit that the pornography business generates.
This bill seeks to give greater protection to minors, increase the penalties 
for obscene, pornographic and immoral activities, and update our penal laws to 
adapt to the advanced technology now employed by those in the business of 
defiling the dignity of persons through lust and greed.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR J ^ ^ ? IL L A N U E V A
2 2019, February 22. Cybersex ops still prevalent in PH; 80 pet of victims are minors. Retrieved 
from: 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sDotlicihty02/22/19/cvbersex-ops-still-prevalent-in-ph-80-oct- 
of-victims-are-minors (date last accessed: June 24, 2019).
3 2018, February 14. Gov’t to boost crackdown on child pornography. Retrieved from: 
https://cnnphilippines.eom/news/2018/02/14/crackdown-on-child-pornoqraphv.html (date last 
accessed: June 24, 2019).


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. B18
f-jT i?
ol tilt fet a t invp
'19 JUL 18 PI ••43
RECti' .,
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT DETERRING THE CONTINUED PROLIFERATION OF 
IMMORAL DOCTRINES, OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS AND 
EXHIBITIONS AND INDECENT SHOWS BY INCREASING THE 
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Immorality,
2 
Pornography and Obscenity Deterrence Act.”
3 
SEC. 2. Article 201 of Act No. 3815, as amended by Republic Act No. 10951,
4 
otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as
5 
follows:
6 
"Article 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions,
7 
and indecent shows. - The penalty of both [prision mayor] RECLUSION
8 
PERPETUA [or] AND a fine ranging from [Twenty thousand pesos
9 
(P20,000)] FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (P500,000.00) 
TO [Two
10 
hundred 
thousand 
pesos 
(P200.000)] 
ONE 
MILLION 
PESOS
11 
(PI,000,000.00) [, or both such imprisonment and fine, ] shall be
12 
imposed upon:
13 
(1) Those who shall publicly, in whatever form, medium or technology,
14 
expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals;
15 
(2) (a) The authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge
16 
in 
any form; 
the editors publishing 
such 
literature; 
and 
the
17 
owners/operators and employees of the establishment selling the same;
18 
(b) Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place
19 
accessible or made accessible to the public even if privately-owned, or


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through the internet or some other virtual location where information 
can be posted, stored or transferred, willingly exhibit, for free, profit or 
any consideration, indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, or 
clips, whether visually or through the use of the other senses, whether 
live or [in film,] recorded, [which are proscribed by virtue hereof,] These 
shall include those which (1) glorify criminals or condone crimes; (2) 
serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or 
pornography; (3) intentionally offend or discriminate any race, [or] 
religion or gender; (4) tend to abet traffic and use of prohibited drugs 
and the abuse of regulated drugs; and (5) are contrary to law, public 
order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful orders, 
decrees and edicts;
13 
(3) Those who shall sell, give away, DISTRIBUTE, LEASE, CIRCULATE
14 
or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture, PICTURES, [or] literature,
15 
SOUND RECORDINGS, OR ANY MATERIAL, IN WHATEVER FORM,
16 
which are offensive to morals, ESPECIALLY THOSE REFERRED TO
17 
IN SUBSECTION (2)(B)(1) TO (5) ABOVE.
18 
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, ANY MATERIAL WHICH, TO A
19 
REASONABLE 
PERSON 
USING THE MORAL AND 
ETHICAL
20 
STANDARDS OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE
21 
MATERIAL 
WAS 
SOLD, 
DISTRIBUTED, 
EXHIBITED 
AND/OR
22 
CIRCULATED, UNNECESSARILY EMPLOY THE USE OF SEX
23 
AND/OR VIOLENCE, OR UNNECESSARILY ADVERTISE AND/OR
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PROMOTE DRUG ABUSE, CRIME OR OTHER UNLAWFUL OR
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IMMORAL ACTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE IMMORAL OBSCENE
26 
AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC.
27 
IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, THE
28 
MAXIMUM 
PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED, 
INCLUDING THE
29 
ACCESSORY 
PENALTY 
OF 
PERPETUAL 
ABSOLUTE
30 
DISQUALIFICATION.
31 
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY
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ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM, WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION
33 
OR OTHERWISE, ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE
34 
OFFENSES MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS
35 
SHALL BE PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE
36 
OF ONE MILLION PESOS (P1,000,000.00) INCLUDING PERMANENT
37 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.
38 
SEC. 3. A new Article 201-A of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known
39 
as the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows:
40 
ARTICLE 201-A. SALE, DISTRIBUTION OR TRANSFER OF IMMORAL,
41 
OBSCENE AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS TO MINORS - ANY
42 
PERSON 
FOUND 
GUILTY 
OF 
SELLING, 
DISTRIBUTING 
OR
43 
TRANSFERRING 
TO 
A 
MINOR, 
FOR 
CONSIDERATION 
OR
44 
OTHERWISE, ANY IMMORAL, OBSCENE AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC


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MATERIAL IN WHATEVER FORM, MEDIUM OR TECHNOLOGY.
2 
SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION PREPETUA AND A
3 
FINE RANGING FROM FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (P500,000.00) TO
4 
ONE MILLION PESOS (PI ,000,000.00).
5 
IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, THE
6 
MAXIMUM 
PENALTY 
SHALL 
BE 
IMPOSED, 
INCLUDING 
THE
7 
ACCESSORY 
PENALTY 
OF 
PERPETUAL 
ABSOLUTE
8 
DISQUALIFICATION.
9 
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY
10 
ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM. WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION
11 
OR OTHERWISE. ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE
12 
OFFENSES MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS SHALL
13 
BE PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE OF ONE
14 
MILLION 
PESOS 
(PI ,000,000.00) 
INCLUDING 
PERMANENT
15 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.
16 
SEC. 4. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the Special
17 
Protection of Children Against Child Abuse. Exploitation and Discrimination
18 
Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
19 
Section 9. Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. - Any person who
20 
shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in
21 
obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or
22 
model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or
23 
distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of [prision mayor in its
24 
medium period] RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE RANGING
25 
FROM FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500.000.00) TO ONE
26 
MILLION PESOS (PI,000,000.00).
27 
THE SAME PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED ON ANY PERSON WHO
28 
SHALL USE VIRTUAL OR DIGITAL IMAGES OF A CHILD OR
29 
INDIVIDUALS MADE TO APPEAR LIKE MINORS IN ANY OBSCENE
30 
PUBLICATION OR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL IN WHATEVER
31 
FORM OR MEDIUM.
32 
ANY PERSON WHO SHALL SELL, GIVE AWAY, DISTRIBUTE, LEASE,
33 
CIRCULATE. PRODUCE, SPONSOR OR EXHIBIT ANY MATERIAL
34 
ENCOURAGING OR PROMOTING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE OR ANY
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SEXUAL OR PROFANE ACTIVITY WITH A MINOR OR MINORS
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SHALL LIKEWISE SUFFER THE PENALTY PROVIDED UNDER THE
37 
FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THIS SECTION.
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If the child used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below 
twelve (12) years of age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum 
period AND THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FINE.
Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the 
care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or


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to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any 
other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of [prision 
mayor] RECLUSION PERPETUA [in its medium period],
IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, THE 
MAXIMUM 
PENALTY 
SHALL 
BE 
IMPOSED, 
INCLUDING 
THE 
ACCESSORY 
PENALTY 
OF 
PERPETUAL 
ABSOLUTE 
DISQUALIFICATION.
8 
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY
9 
ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM, WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION
10 
OR OTHERWISE, ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE
11 
OFFENSES MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS SHALL
12 
BE PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE OF ONE
13 
MILLION 
PESOS 
(P1,000,000.00) 
INCLUDING 
PERMANENT
14 
DISQUALIFICATION 
FROM 
HOLDING 
PUBLIC 
OFFICE
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to 
be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation.
Approved,