NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 734
Senate
of t!)t'
*22 JUL18 P4 54
RECEIVED BV;
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
Under Philippine law, immoral doctrines, obscene publications and 
exhibitions and indecent shows are penalized under Article 201 of the Revised 
Penal Code (RPC). Offenders shall be imprisoned for a maximum of six years 
and/or fined Php6,000.00 to Php :2,000.00. In 2017, Republic Act No. 10951 
increased the fine to a range of Php20,000.00 to Php200,000.00.
In addition to the felonies punishable under the RPC, 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 obscene exhibitions and 
indecent shows, or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or 
to sell or distribute the said materials.
1 Rappler, Philippines top global source of child pornography - Unicef, December 13, 2017, accessible at 
https://www.rappler.eom/nation/191219-nhiliDpines top-qlobal-source-child-pornoqraphv-unicef (last accessed July 
13, 2022).


Despite these laws, however, Filipino children continue to be vulnerable 
to online child predators and pornographers. Pre-pandemic, or 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
When the pandemic started, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) 
reported a surge in suspicious transactions linked to online sexual exploitation 
of children to more than 20,448 by June 2020. This represents a 192% increase 
from the 10,633 suspicious transactions reported in 2019. From January to July
2020, AMLC also investigated seven (7) money laundering cases predicated 
on child exploitation involving about Php17 million worth of illegal funds.4
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. 
The fine is 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 JOEL VILLANUEVA
2 ABS-CBN, Cybersex ops still prevalent in PH; 80 pet of victims are minors, February 22, 2019, accessible at 
https://news.abs-cbn.eom/spotlight/02/22/19/cybersex-ops-still-prevalent-in-ph-80-pct-of-victims-are-minors {last 
accessed July 13, 2022).
3 CNN Philippines, Gov’t to boost crackdown on child pornography, February 14, 2018, accessible at 
https://cnnphilippines.eom/news/2018/02/14/crackdown-on-child-pornoqraphv.html (last accessed July 13, 2022).
4 AMLC, Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A crime with a global impact and an evolving transnational threat,
August 
2020, 
accessible 
at
http://www.amlc.gov.ph/images/PDFs/2020%20AUG%20AMLC%200SEC%20AN%20EMERGING%20RISK%20AMI 
D%20THE%20COVID19%20PANDEMIC.pdf {last accessed July 13, 2022).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO. *^34
fei Senate
of tlic
'22 JUL18 P4 54
RliCEIVui) fiV.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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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:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Immorality, 
Pornography and Obscenity Deterrence Act.”
SEC. 2. Article 201 of Act No. 3815, as amended by Republic Act No. 10951, 
otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Article 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and 
indecent shows. - The penalty of BOTH [prision mayor] RECLUSION 
PERPETUA [or] AND a fine ranging from [Twenty thousand pesos 
(P20,000)j FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (P500,000.00) TO [Two hundred 
thousand pesos (P200.000)] FIVE MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) [, or 
both such imprisonment and fine,] shall be imposed upon:
(1) Those who shall publicly, in whatever form, medium or technology, 
expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals;
(2) (a) The authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge in 
any form; the editors publishir.g such literature; and the owners/operators 
and employees of the establishment selling the same;


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(b) Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place 
accessible or made accessible to the public even if privately-owned, or 
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; (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;
(3) Those who shall sell, give away, DISTRIBUTE, LEASE, CIRCULATE or 
exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture, PICTURES, [or] literature, 
SOUND RECORDINGS, OR ANY MATERIAL, IN WHATEVER FORM, 
which are offensive to morals, ESPECIALLY THOSE REFERRED TO IN 
SUBSECTION (2)(B)(1) TO (5) ABOVE.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, ANY MATERIAL WHICH, TO A 
REASONABLE PERSON USING THE MORAL AND ETHICAL 
STANDARDS OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE MATERIAL 
WAS SOLD, DISTRIBUTED, EXHIBITED AND/OR CIRCULATED, 
UNNECESSARILY EMPLOY THE USE OF SEX AND/OR VIOLENCE, OR 
UNNECESSARILY ADVERTISE AND/OR PROMOTE DRUG ABUSE, 
CRIME OR OTHER UNLAWFUL OR IMMORAL ACTS SHALL BE 
DEEMED TO BE IMMORAL, OBSCENE AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC.
IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, THE 
MAXIMUM PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED, INCLUDING THE 
ACCESSORY PENALTY OF PERPETUAL ABSOLUTE 
DISQUALIFICATION.
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY 
ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM, WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION OR 
OTHERWISE, ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE OFFENSES 
MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS SHALL BE 
PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE OF FIVE 
MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) INCLUDING PERMANENT 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.
SEC. 3. A new Article 201 -A or Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as 
the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE 201-A. SALE, DISTRIBUTION OR TRANSFER OF IMMORAL, 
OBSCENE AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS TO MINORS - ANY 
PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF SELLING, DISTRIBUTING OR 
TRANSFERRING TO A MINOR, FOR CONSIDERATION OR 
OTHERWISE, ANY IMMORAL, OBSCENE AND/OR PORNOGRAPHIC


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MATERIAL IN WHATEVER FORM, MEDIUM OR TECHNOLOGY, SHALL 
SUFFER THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION PREPETUA AND A FINE 
RANGING FROM FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (P500.000.00) TO FIVE 
MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00).
IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, THE 
MAXIMUM PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED, INCLUDING THE 
ACCESSORY PENALTY OF PERPETUAL ABSOLUTE 
DISQUALIFICATION.
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY 
ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM, WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION OR 
OTHERWISE, ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE OFFENSES 
MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS SHALL BE 
PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE OF FIVE 
MILLION PESOS (P5,0U0,000.00), INCLUDING PERMANENT 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.
SEC. 4. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the Special 
Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act is 
hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 9. Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. - Any person who 
shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in 
obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model 
in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the 
said materials shall suffer the penalty of [prision mayor in its medium period] 
RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE RANGING FROM FIVE HUNDRED 
THOUSAND PESOS (P5C9,000.00) TO FIVE MILLION PESOS 
(P5,000,000.00).
THE SAME PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED ON ANY PERSON WHO 
SHALL USE VIRTUAL OR DIGITAL IMAGES OF A CHILD OR 
INDIVIDUALS MADE TO APPEAR LIKE MINORS IN ANY OBSCENE 
PUBLICATION OR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL IN WHATEVER FORM 
OR MEDIUM.
ANY PERSON WHO SHALL SELL, GIVE AWAY, DISTRIBUTE, LEASE, 
CIRCULATE, PRODUCE, SPONSOR OR EXHIBIT ANY MATERIAL 
ENCOURAGING OR PROMOTING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE OR ANY 
SEXUAL OR PROFANE ACTIVITY WITH A MINOR OR MINORS SHALL 
LIKEWISE SUFFER THE PENALTY PROVIDED UNDER THE FIRST 
PARAGRAPH OF THIS SECTION.
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 to


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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.
ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL KNOWINGLY 
ASSIST, IN WHATEVER FORM, WHETHER FOR CONSIDERATION OR 
OTHERWISE, ANY PERSON IN COMMITTING ANY OF THE OFFENSES 
MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS SHALL BE 
PENALIZED WITH RECLUSION PERPETUA AND A FINE OF FIVE 
MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) INCLUDING PERMANENT 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.
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.
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,