I
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of <M fetcrtoff
•22 JUL-7 P5 '43
RECEiV'cD BY;
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
^11
Introduced by: Senator RaffyT. Tulfo
"AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262 OR THE ANTI­
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004, 
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION TO ALL FORMS OF 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, 
PROVIDING FOR THE SAME PROTECTIVE MEASURES, PRESCRIBING 
THE SAME PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In protecting those who are found to be vulnareble, we must not exclude 
those who may be subject to the same abuses. Violence in a relationship knows 
no sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Persons in heterosexual 
or homosexual relationships have become repeated victims of various kinds of 
abuses that are left insufficiently punsihed by our Revised Penal Code due to 
the lack of recognition of multiple kinds of abuse.
A biological male may be similarly abused through psychological or 
emotional violence but he may not claim protection against his abusive partner. 
Further, physical altercations may not necessarily cause sufficient and manifest 
damage in order to effectively prosecute under the current crimes of Physical


Injuries despite the habitual infliction of the same having deeper and more 
lasting scars in a persons psyche. Effectively, persons who are abused in this 
manner are left without an effective, efficient, and specific remedy to protect 
them as our archaic Revised Penal Code does not properly provide for such 
nature of crimes.
In amending and expanding the coverage of Republic Act No. 9262 or 
the Anti-Vioience Against Women and Children Law, no right nor privilege is 
lost by those who were previously covered. It is not by this law that inequality 
is generated as it similarly recognizes the fact that battered women are more 
seriously affected by domestic violence and, as such, the concept of battered 
woman syndrome is still maintained without a corresponding clause for men 
pending any scientific finding justifying the same. Rather, this bill seeks to 
modernize our legal system by recognizing the equality in vulnerability inherent 
in all genders when engaging in any kind of relationship.
It is unjust and improper for our laws to remain unamended as in 
maintaining the status quo, we effectively stand idle in the face of abuse that 
affects persons of all genders. It is time for our legal system to embody true 
equality and equity by recognizing that an injury caused to a person does not 
become mitigated solely based on a persons gender or sex.
It is for this purpose that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
ulfo


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
F/rst Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 211
^enau
of tl)f #!r?’.‘’tnrp
■22 JUL-7 P5 -43
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT AMENDING REPUBUC ACT NO. 9262 OR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE 
AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004, EXPANDING THE 
SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION TO ALL FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 
REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PROVIDING FOR THE SAME 
PROTECTIVE MEASURES, PRESCRIBING THE SAME PENALTIES THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:


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SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Domestic 
Violence Act of 2022."
SECTION 2, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
'SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It Is hereby declared that the State values 
the dignity of every person, particularly children and guarantees full respect for 
human rights. The State similarly recognizes the need to protect the family and 
its members particularly children, from violence and threats to their personal 
safety and security.
Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address domestic 
violence, regardless of sexual orientation or gender in keeping with the 
fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the provisions of 
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the convention on the Elimination 
of all forms of discrimination against women, the Convention on the Rights of 
the Child, and other international human rights Instruments of which the 
Philippines Is a party."
SECTION 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
SECTION3. Definition of Terms. - As used In this Act, (apDomestic Violence"
shall refer to any act or series of acts committed by any person against their
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spouse, former spouse, or a partner with whom the person has or had a sexual 
or dating relationship, or with whom the former has a common child, adopted 
child, or child in their common care, custody, or support, or against the 
partner's child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family 
abode, which result in or Is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological 
harm or suffering, or economic abuse Including threats of such acts, battery, 
assault, coercion, harassment, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It includes, 
but is not limited to, the following acts:
A. "Physical Violence"refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm;
B. "Sexual Violence"refers to an act which is sexual in nature, committed 
against any of those mentioned in (a) of this Section. It includes, but Is 
not limited to:
i. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating 
another as a sex object, making demeaning and sexually 
suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts 
of the victim's body, forcing another to watch obscene 
publications and indecent shows, or forcing the victim to 
do indecent acts and/or make films thereof, forcing the 
victim and another lover to live in the conjugal home or 
sleep together In the same room with the abuser.
ii. Acts causing or attempting to cause the abuser's spouse, 
intimate partner or their common child, or the child of the 
intimate partner to engage in any sexual activity by force, 
threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical 
or other harm or coercion;
iii. Prostituting a spouse or partner or hIs/her/their child.
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C. "Psychological violencd' refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to 
cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not 
limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, 
public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital 
infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the 
physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to 
which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to 
witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation 
of the right to custody and/or visitation of common children.
D. "Economic abusd' refers to acts that make or attempt to make a 
spouse or partner financially dependent which includes, but is not 
limited to the following:
1. withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim from 
engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, 
except in cases wherein the other spouse/partner objects on valid, 
serious and moral grounds as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code;
2. deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the 
right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property 
owned in common;
3. destroying household property;
4. controlling the victim's own money or properties or solely controlling 
the conjugal money or properties.
(b) "Battery!' refers to an act of inflicting physical harm upon another or 
his/her/their child resulting to physical and psychological or emotional 
distress.
(c) "Battered Woman Syndromd' refers to a scientifically defined pattern of 
psychological and behavioral symptoms found in women living in battering 
relationships as a result of cumulative abuse.
(d) "Stalking' refers to an intentional act committed by a person who, 
knowingly and without lawful justification follows a spouse/partner or


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his/her/their child or places the spouse/partner or his/her/their child under 
surveillance directly or indirectly or a combination thereof.
(e) ''Dating relationship' refers to a situation wherein the parties live as 
husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved 
over time and on a continuing basis during the course of the relationship. A 
casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization between two individuals in a 
business or social context is not a dating relationship.
(f) "Sexualrelation^' refers to a single sexual act which may or may not result 
in the bearing of a common child.
(g) "Safe Place or Shdtef refers to any home or institution maintained or 
managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or 
by any other agency or voluntary organization accredited by the DSWD for 
the purposes of this Act or any other suitable place the resident of which is 
willing temporarily to receive the victim.
(h) "ChUdrerf refer to those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but 
are incapable of taking care of themselves as defined under Republic Act No. 
7610. As used In this Act, It includes the biological children of the victim and 
other children under her care."
SECTION 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 4. Construction. - This Act shall be liberally construed to promote
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the protection and safety of victims of Domestic Violence."
SECTION 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:


""SECTION 5. Acts of Domestic Violence. - The crime of Domestic Violence is 
con imitted through any of the following acts against those mentioned under 
paragraph (a) of Section 2:
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(a) Causing Physical Harm toward the spouse/partner or his/her/their child;
(b) Threatening to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child physical 
harm;
(c) Attempting to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child physical 
harm;
(d) Placing the spouse/partner or his/her/their child in fear of imminent 
harm;
(e) Attempting to compel or actually compelling the spouse/partner or 
his/her/their child to engage in conduct which the victim has the right to 
desist from or desist from conduct which the victim has the right to 
engage in or attempting to restrict or restricting the victim's freedom of 
movement or conduct by force or threat of force, physical or other harm 
or threat of physical or other harm, or Intimidation directed against the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child. This shall include, but not limited 
to, the following acts committed with the purpose or effect of controlling 
or restricting the spouse/partner or his/her/their child's movement or 
conduct:
(1) Threatening to deprive or actually depriving the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child custody or 
accesss to her/his family;
(2) Depriving or threatening to deprive the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child of legally due 
financial support for the spouse/partner or his/her 
family family, or deliberately providing insufficient
financial support;
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(3) Depriving or threatening to deprive the spouse, 
intimate partner, their common child, or the child 
of the intimate partner of a legal right;
(4) Preventing the spouse, intimate partner, their 
common child, or the child of the Intimate partner 
in engaging in any legitimate profession, 
occupation, business or activity or controlling the 
victim's own money or properties, or solely 
controlling the conjugal or common money, or 
properties;
(f) Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm on oneself for the 
purpose of controlling the spouse/partner's actions or decisions;
(g) Causing or attempting to cause the spouse/partner or his/her/their child 
to engage In any sexual activity which does not constitute rape, by force 
or threat of force, physical har, or through intimidation directed against 
the spouse/partner or his/her/their child or her/his immediate family;
(h) Engaging In purposeful, knowing, or reckless conduct, personally or 
through another, that alarms or causes substantial emotional or 
psychological distress to the spouse/partner or his/her/their child. This 
shall include, but not be limited to, the following acts:
(1) Stalking or following the spouse/partner or his/her/their child In 
public or private places;
(2) Peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child;
(3) Entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child against her/his will;
(4) Destroying the property and personal belongings or Inflicting harm 
to animals or pets of the spouse/partner or hIs/her/their child; and


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(5) Engaging in any form of harassment or violence;
(i) Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to 
the spouse/partner or his/her/their child, including, but not limited to, 
repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support 
or custody of minor children or denial of access to the spouse/partner's 
child/children."
SECTION 6. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 6. Penalties. — The crime of Domestic Violence, under Section 5 
hereof shall be punished according to the following rules:
(a) Acts falling under Section 5(a) constituting attempted, frustrated 
or consummated parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in 
accordance with the provisions of the Revised Penal Code. If these acts 
resulted in mutilation, it shall be punishable in accordance with the Revised 
Penal Code; those constituting serious physical injuries shall have the 
penalty of prision mayor, those constituting less serious physical injuries 
shall be punished by prision correccionat, and those constituting slight 
physical Injuries shall be punished by arresto mayor.
Acts falling under Section 5(b) shall be punished by imprisonment of 
two (2) degrees lower than the prescribed penalty for the consummated 
crime as specified in the preceding paragraph but shall in no case be lower 
than arresto mayor.
(b) Acts falling under Section 5(c) and 5(d) shall be punished by 
arresto mayor;
(c) Acts falling under Section 5(e) shall be punished by prision 
correccionat,


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(d) Acts falling under Section 5(f) shall be punished by arresto
mayor;
(e) Acts falling under Section 5(g) shall be punished by prision
mayor,
(f) Acts fading under Section 5(h) and Section 5(i) shad be punished 
by prision mayor.
If the acts are committed while a woman or child is pregnant or 
committed in the presence of a child, the penalty to be applied shall be the 
maximum period of penalty prescribed in the section.
In addition to Imprisonment, the perpetrator shall (a) pay a fine in 
the amount of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) 
but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00); (b) 
undergo mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment and 
shall report compliance to the court."
SECTION 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7. Venue - The Regional Trial Court designated as a Family Court 
shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of Domestic Violence 
under this law. In the absence of such court in the place where the offense was 
committed, the case shall be filed in the Regional Trial Court where the crime 
or any of its elements were committed at the option of the complainant."
SECTION 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:


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"SECTION 8, Protection Orders- A protection order Is an order issued under 
this act for the purpose of preventing further acts of Domestic Violence 
specified in Section 5 of this Act and granting other necessary relief. The relief 
granted under a protection order serve the purpose of safeguarding the victim 
from further harm, minimizing any disruption in the victim's daily life, and 
facilitating the opportunity and ability of the victim to independently regain 
control over their life. The provisions of the protection order shall be enforced 
by law enforcement agencies. The protection orders that may be issued under 
this Act are the Barangay Protection Order (BPO), Temporary Protection Order 
(TPO) and Permanent Protection Order (PPO). The Protection orders that may 
be issued under this Act shall include any, some, or all of the following reliefs:
(a) Prohibition of the respondent from threatening to commit or 
committing, personally or through another, any of the acts mentioned in 
Section 5 of this Act;
(b) Prohibition of the respondent from harassing, annoying, telephoning, 
contacting or otherwise communicating with the petitioner, directly or 
indirectly;
(c) Removal and exclusion of the respondent from the residence of the 
petitioner, regardless of ownership of the residence, either temporarily for 
the purpose of protecting the petitioner, or permanently where no property 
rights are violated, and if respondent must remove personal effects from 
Lhe residence, the court shall direct a law enforcement agent to accompany 
the respondent has gathered his things and escort respondent from the 
residence;
(d) Directing the respondent to stay away from petitioner and designated 
family or household member at a distance specified by the court, and to 
stay away from the residence, school, place of employment, or any 
specified place frequented by the petitioner and any designated family or 
household member;
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(e) Directing lawful possession and use by petitioner of an automobile and 
other essential personal effects, regardless of ownership, and directing the 
appropriate law enforcement officer to accompany the petitioner to the 
residence of the parties to ensure that the petitioner is safely restored to 
the possession of the automobile and other essential personal effects, or 
to supervise the petitioner's or respondent’s removal of personal 
belongings;
(f) Granting a temporary or permanent custody of a child/children to the 
petitioner;
(g) Directing the respondent to provide support to the spouse/partner or 
his/her/their child If entitled to legal support. Notwithstanding other laws 
to the contrary, the court shall order an appropriate percentage of the 
income or salary of the respondent to be withheld regularly by the 
respondent's employer for the same to be automatically remitted directly 
to the spouse/partner or hIs/her/their child. Failure to remit and/or withhold 
or any delay in the remittance of support to the spouse/partner or 
his/her/their child without justifiable cause shall render the respondent or 
his employer liable for indirect contempt of court;
(h) Prohibition of the respondent from any use or possession of any firearm 
or deadly weapon and order him to surrender the same to the court for 
appropriate disposition by the court, including revocation of license and 
disqualification to apply for any license to use or possess a firearm. If the 
offender is a law enforcement agent, the court shall order the offender to 
surrender his firearm and shall direct the appropriate authority to 
investigate on the offender and take appropriate action on matter;
(I) Restitution for actual damages caused by the violence inflicted, 
including, but not limited to, property damage, medical expenses, childcare 
expenses and loss of income;
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(j) Directing the DSWD or any appropriate agency to provide petitioner may 
need; and
(k) Provision of such other forms of relief as the court deems necessary to 
protect and provide for the safety of the petitioner and any designated 
family or household member, provided petitioner and any designated family 
or household member consents to such relief.
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.
The issuance of a BPO or the pendency of an application for BPO shall not 
preclude a petitioner from applying for, or the court from granting a TPO or 
PPO."
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SECTION 9. Section 9 paragraph (e) and (h) of Republic Act No. 9262
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otherwise known as "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of
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2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 9. Who may file Petition for Protection Orders. - xxx
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(e) police officers, preferably those in charge of domestic violence desks;
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(h) At least two (2) concerned responsible citizens of the city or municipality 
where the Domestic Violence occurred and who has personal knowledge of 
the offense committed."
SECTION 10. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 13. Legal Representation of Petitioners for Protection Order. - If the 
spouse/partner or his/her/their child requests in the applications for a 
protection order for the appointment of counsel because of lack of economic 
means to hire a counsel de parte, the court shall immediately direct the Public 
Attorney's Office (PAO) to represent the petitioner in the hearing on the 
application. If the PAO determines that the applicant can afford to hire the 
services of a counsel de parte, it shall facilitate the legal representation of the 
petitioner by a counsel de parte. The lack of access to family or conjugal 
resources by the applicant, such as when the same are controlled by the 
perpetrator, shall qualify the petitioner to legal representation by the PAO.
However, a private counsel offering free legal service is not barred from 
representing the petitioner."
SECTION 11. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows;
"SECTION 14. Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs); Who May Issue and How. 
- Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs) refer to the protection order issued by 
the Punong Barangay ordenng the perpetrator to desist from committing acts 
under Section 5 (a) and (b) of this Act. A Punong Barangay receives 
applications for a BPO shall Issue the protection order to the applicant on the 
date of filing after ex pa/te determination of the basis of the application. If 
the Punong Barangay \s unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the 
application shall be acted upon by any available Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO 
is issued by a Barangay Kagawad the order must be accompanied by an 
attestation by the Barangay Kagawad that the Punong Barangay was 
unavailable at the time for the issuance of the BPO. BPOs shall be effective for 
thirty (30) days. Immediately after the issuance of an ex parte BPO, 
the Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad shall personally serve a copy of
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the same on the respondent, or direct any barangay official to effect Is personal
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service.
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The parties may be accompanied by a non-lawyer advocate in any
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proceeding before the Punong Barangay."
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SECTION 12. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 22. Applicability of Protection Orders to Criminal Cases. - The 
foregoing provisions on protection orders shall be applicable in Impliedly 
Instituted with the criminal actions involving Domestic Violence."
SECTION 13. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 25. Public Crime. - Domestic Violence shall be considered a public 
offense which may be prosecuted upon the filing of a complaint by any citizen 
having persona! knowledge of the circumstances involving the commission of 
the crime."
SECTION 14. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 28. Custody of Children. - The woman victim of violence shall be 
entitled to the custody and support of her child/children. Children below seven 
(7) years old older but with mental or physical disabilities shall automatically be
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given to the mother, with right to support, unless the court finds compelling
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reasons to order otherwise.
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A victim who is suffering from battered woman syndrome shall not be 
disqualified from having custody of her children. In no case shall custody of 
minor children be given to the perpetrator of a woman who is suffering from 
Battered woman syndrome.
Jf the victim of Domestic Violence is the father, he shall be entitled to custody 
and support of his child or children upon showing that the abuser is incapable 
of attending to the best interests of the child whose custody is in issue applying 
the provisions of the Family Code."
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SECTION 15. Paragraph a) of Section 29 of Republic Act No. 9262
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otherwise known as "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of
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2004" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 29. Duties of Prosecutors/Court Personnel, - xxx:
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a) communicate with the victim in a language understood by the victim; and
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xxx"
SECTION 16. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 32. Duties of Other Government Agencies and LGUs- Other 
government agencies and LGUs shall establish programs such as, but not 
limited to, education and information campaign and seminars or symposia on 
the nature, causes. Incidence and consequences of Domestic Violence 
particularly towards educating the public on its social Impacts.
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It shall be the duty of the concerned government agencies and LGU's to ensure 
the sustained education and training of their officers and personnel on the 
prevention of Domestic Violence under this Act."
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SECTION 17. Section 34 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 34. Persons Inten/ening Exempt from Liability. -In every case of 
domestic violence as herein defined, any person, private Individual or police 
authority or barangay official who, acting in accordance with law, responds or 
intervenes without using violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure 
the safety of the victim, shall not be liable for any criminal, civil or administrative 
liability resulting therefrom."
SECTION 18. Section 35 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 35. Rights of Victims. -In addition to their rights under existing
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laws, victims of Domestic Violence shall have the following rights:
(a) to be treated with respect and dignity;
(b) to avail of legal assistance form the PAO of the Department of Justice 
(DOJ) or any public legal assistance office;
(c) To be entitled to support services form the DSWD and LGUs'
(d) To be entitled to all legal remedies and support as provided for under 
the Family Code; ana
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(e) To be Informed of their rights and the services available to them
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including their right to apply for a protection order."
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SECTION 19. Section 39 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
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"SECTION 39. Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence (lAC-DV). In
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pursuance of the abovementioned policy, the previously established Inter-
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Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their children, shall be
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renamed to the Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence (lAC-DV)
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hereinafter known as the Council, which remains to be composed of the
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following agencies:
(a) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
(b) National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW);
(c) Civil Service Commission (CSC);
(d) Commission on Human rights (CHR)
(e) Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);
(f) Department of Justice (DOJ);
(g) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
(h) Philippine National Police (PNP);
(i) Department of Health (DOH);
0) Department of Education (DepEd);
(k) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and
(l) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
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These agencies are tasked to formulate new programs and projects to eliminate 
Domestic Violence against all genders and sexes based on their mandates as 
well as develop capability programs for their employees to become more 
sensitive to the needs of their clients. The Council will also serve as the 
monitoring body as regards to Anti-Domestic Violence initiatives.
The Council members may designate their duly authorized representative who 
shall have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary or its equivalent. These 
representatives shall attend Council meetings in their behalf, and shall receive 
emoluments as may be determined by the Council in accordance with existing 
budget and accounting rules and regulations."
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SECTION 20. Section 42 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as
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"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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"SECTTON 42, Training of Persons Invoived in Responding to Domestic Violence
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Cases. -All agencies Involved in responding to Domestic Violence shall be
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required to undergo education and training to acquaint them with:
a. the nature, extent and causes of Domestic Violence;
b. the legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of Domestic 
Violence;
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d. the legal duties Imposed on police officers to make arrest and to offer 
protection and assistance; and
e. techniques for handling incidents of Domestic Violence that minimize the 
likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim or 
survivor.
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The PNP, in coordination with LGU's shall establish an education and training 
program for police officers and barangay officials to enable them to properly 
handle cases of Domestic Violence."
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SECTION 21. Section 44 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 44. Confidentiality. -All records pertaining to cases of Domestic 
Violence Including those in the barangay shall be confidential and all public 
officers and employees and public or private clinics to hospitals shall respect 
the right to privacy of the victim. Whoever publishes or causes to be published, 
in any format, the name, address, telephone number, school, business address, 
employer, or other identifying Information of a victim or an immediate family 
member, without the latter’s consent, shall be liable to the contempt power of 
the court.
Any person who violates this provision shall suffer the penalty of one (1) year 
imprisonment and a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00)."
SECTION 22. Section 45 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 45. Funding-The amount necessary to implement the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The Gender and Development (GAD) Budget of the mandated agencies and 
LGU's shall be used to implement services for victims of Domestic Violence.
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SECTION 23. Section 46 of Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as 
"Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004" Is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months 
from the approval of this Act, the DOJ, the NCRFW, the DSWD, the DILG, the 
DOH, and the PNP, and three (3) representatives from NGOs to be identified 
by the NCRFW, shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) 
of this Act.
SECTION 24. Suppletory Application - For purposes of this Act, the 
Revised Penal Code and other applicable laws, shall have suppletory 
application.
SECTION 25. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this 
Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not 
be affected.
SECTION 26. Repealing Clause -All laws. Presidential decrees, 
executive orders and rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 27. Effectivity -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of Its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved.
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