EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
s e n /u e  
S. B. No. ' ' J 0
•19 JUL23 P5n3
R E C E IV tD b;__
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
DEFINING AND PROHIBITING SENIOR CITIZEN ABUSE, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Respect for our elders has been one of the hallmarks of Philippine culture and 
society. The Constitution has several provisions relating to the protection of the elders 
and quite emphatically, it makes it the duty of the family and the State to take care 
of the elderly members of society.
This notwithstanding and despite our strong tradition of filial piety, senior 
citizen abuse is not unheard of in modern Filipino culture. A rise in the incidents of 
senior citizen abuse has been seen as of late. According to the Commission on 
Population (POPCOM), by the end of 2018, the Philippines is estimated to breach the 
8 million senior citizen population and that number is projected to grow to 19.6 million 
by 2040. As the population of the senior citizens increase, it is also expected that the 
incidence of abuse will also increase.
This bill seeks to provide proper and adequate protection for the welfare of our 
senior citizens. It aims to strengthen and reinforce the fact that senior citizen abuse 
is not a private matter but a public and serious one which should be the concern of 
the entire society. 
By clearly defining what constitutes senior citizen abuse and 
providing well-defined penalties therefor, this bill hopes to deter the abusers from 
committing any form of abuse against our senior citizens. This bill also aims to provide 
institutional support to victims of senior citizen abuse with the hope that a more 
participative involvement of the society will afford our senior citizens more protection.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 705
•
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*19 JUL 23 P5:W
RECEIVED a <■
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
DEFINING AND PROHIBITING SENIOR CITIZEN ABUSE, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Senior Citizen
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Abuse Act o f 2019."
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and
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promote the rights, dignity, security and welfare of the senior citizens of our society.
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Towards this end, the State shall work actively for the elimination of all forms of senior
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citizen abuse. The State shall provide sanctions for the commission of any form of
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senior citizen abuse and adopt a program for the prevention and deterrence of and
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crisis intervention in situations of senior citizen abuse.
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Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act:
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a) 
Senior Citizen refers to a person 60 years old or above; and
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b) 
Senior Citizen Abuse refers to a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate
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action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust
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which causes harm or distress to a Senior Citizen. It includes, but is not limited
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to, the following acts:
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A. Physical Abuse refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm. It
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includes striking, hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping,
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kicking, pinching, and burning, inappropriate use of drugs and physical
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restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment of any kind.


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B. Sexual Abuse refers to non-consensual acts which are sexual in nature.
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It includes rape, acts of lasciviousness, sodomy, coerced nudity, and
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sexually explicit photographing and unwanted touching.
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C. Psychological Abuse refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause
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mental or emotional suffering. 
It includes verbal assaults, insults,
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threats, 
intimidation, 
public 
ridicule, 
humiliation, 
mockery 
and
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vilification, harassment, and enforced social isolation.
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D. Economic Abuse refers to acts that make or attempt to make a Senior
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Citizen financially dependent. It includes withdrawal of financial support,
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controlling or misusing a Senior Citizen's own money or properties,
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cashing a Senior Citizen's checks without authorization or permission,
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forging a Senior Citizen's signature, coercing or deceiving a Senior
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Citizen into signing 
any document, 
and the improper use of
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conservatorship, guardianship, or power of attorney.
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E. Neglect refers to the failure of those responsible to feed, provide shelter
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or health care, or protection to the Senior Citizen.
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Sec. 4. Prohibited Acts Constituting Senior Citizen Abuse. -  The crime of Senior
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Citizen Abuse is committed through any of the following acts:
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a) 
Causing Physical Abuse to a Senior Citizen;
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b) 
Threatening to cause Physical Abuse to a Senior Citizen;
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c) 
Attempting to cause a Senior Citizen Physical Abuse;
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d) 
Placing a Senior Citizen in fear of imminent Physical Abuse;
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e) 
Causing or attempting to cause Sexual Abuse to a Senior Citizen;
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f) 
Causing or attempting to cause Psychological Abuse to a Senior Citizen;
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g) 
Causing or attempting to cause Economic Abuse to a Senior Citizen; and
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h) 
Neglect of a Senior Citizen.
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Sec. 5. Penalties. -  The crime of Senior Citizen Abuse under Section 4 hereof
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shall be punished according to the following rules:
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a) 
Acts falling under Sec 4(a) constituting attempted, frustrated or consummated
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parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with the
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provisions of the Revised Penal Code;


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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 prison mayor, those constituting less serious physical injures shall be 
punished by prision correccional; and those constituting slight physical injuries 
shall be punished by arresto mayor.
b) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(b) shall be punished by imprisonment of one degree 
lower than the prescribed penalty for the consummated crime as specified in 
Sec. 5(a) but shall in no case be lower than arresto mayor;
c) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(c) and 4(d) shall be punished by arresto mayor,
d) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(e), except rape, shall be punished by prision mayor; 
Rape shall be shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Revised
Penal Code.
e) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(f) shall be punished by prision mayor;
f) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(g) shall be punished by prision correccional; and
g) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(h) shall be punished by arresto mayor.
1)
2)
The penalty provided shall be imposed in its maximum period if:
The offender-perpetrator has been previously convicted under this Act;
The offender is a descendant, collateral relative or family member of up to the
2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity;
3) 
The offender is a owner-operator, manager, or employee of a privately- 
operated, for profit or non-profit, elderly facility; and
4) 
The offender is a public official, staff or employee of a government-operated 
elderly residential/group home; Provided that said public servant or employee 
can be subjected to suspension and/or termination according to administrative 
discipline procedures.
The above-mentioned penalties shall not preclude the consequent civil case for 
damages or administrative charges that may also result in the suspension or 
revocation of accreditation or license to operate of any institution from the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Sec. 6. Public Crime. -  Senior Citizen Abuse shall be considered a public offense 
which may be prosecuted upon the filing of a complaint by any citizen having personal 
knowledge of the circumstances involving the commission of the crime.
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Sec. 7. Prohibited Defense. -  Being under the influence of alcohol, any illicit
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drugs, or any other mind-altering substance shall not be a defense under this Act.
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Sec. 8. Persons Intervening Exempt from Liability. -  Any person or private
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individual acting in accordance with law, responds or intervenes without using violence
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or restraint greater than necessary to ensure the safety of the victim, shall not be
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liable for any criminal, civil, or administrative case resulting therefrom.
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Sec. 9. Confidentiality. -  All cases pertaining to Senior Citizen Abuse cases shall
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be confidential and all public officers and employees of public or private hospitals and
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clinics shall respect the right to privacy of the victim. Any person who shall make public
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any relevant or identifying information about the case or the victim shall be made
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liable for contempt of court and shall suffer the penalty of one (1) year imprisonment
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and a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00).
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Sec. 10. Establishment o f a Senior Citizens Help Desk. -  Every barangay shall
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establish a Senior Citizen Help Desk which shall provide immediate assistance to the
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victims of Senior Citizen Abuse. The Senior Citizen Help Desk may be manned by
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representatives of the Senior Citizens who are residents of the barangay or members
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of a local Senior Citizen organization designated and authorized by the Barangay
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Council or Chairperson.
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Barangay officials or law enforcers shall respond immediately to a call for help
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or request for assistance by entering the dwelling, checking on the well-being of the
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victim, and ensuring the safety of the victim. As immediate responders, they must also
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transport or escort the victim to a safe place of their choice or to a clinic or hospital,
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if and when necessary.
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Sec. 11. Healthcare Provider Response to Abuse. -  Any healthcare provider,
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including, but not limited to, an attending physician, nurse, clinician, barangay health
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worker, therapist, social worker or counselor who suspects abuse or has been
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informed by the victim of Senior Citizen Abuse shall:
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a) 
Properly document any of the victim's physical, emotional or psychological
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injuries;
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b) 
Properly record any of the victim's suspicions, observations and circumstances
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of the examination or visit;


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c) 
Automatically provide the victim, free of charge, a medical certificate
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concerning the examination or visit;
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d) 
Safeguard the records and make them available to the victim upon request at
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actual cost; and
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e) 
Provide the victim immediate and adequate notice of right and remedies
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provided under this Act, and services available to them.
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Sec. 12. Rights o f Victims. -  In addition 
to their rights under existing laws,
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victims of Senior Citizen Abuse shall have the following rights;
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a) 
To be treated with respect and dignity;
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b) To avail of legal assistance from the Public Attorneys Office (PAO);
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c) 
To be entitled to support services from the DSWD and Local Government Units
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(LGUs);
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d) 
To be entitled to all legal remedies and support as provided for under the Family
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Code; and
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e) 
To be informed of their rights and the services available to them including their
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right to apply for a protection order
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Sec. 13. Barangay Protection Order. -  Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs) refer
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to the protection order issued by the Punong Barangay ordering the perpetrator to
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desist from committing acts under Section 4 of this Act. A Punong 
Barangay who
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receives applications for a BPO shall issue the protection order to the applicant on the
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date of filing after expa/tedetermination of the basis of the application. If the Punong
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Barangay is unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the application shall be
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acted upon by any available Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by a Barangay
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Kagawad the order must be accompanied by an attestation by the Barangay Kagawad
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that the Punong Barangay was unavailable at the time for the issuance of the BPO.
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BPOs shall be effective for thirty (30) days. Immediately after the issuance of an ex
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parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad shall personally serve a copy
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of 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 proceeding
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before the Punong Barangay.


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Sec. 14. Mandatory Programs and Services for Victims. -  The DSWD and LGUs
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shall provide the victims temporary shelters, provide counseling, psycho-social
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services and/or recovery, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance.
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The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) shall include services addressing
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Senior Citizen Abuse. All suspected cases of Senior Citizen Abuse must be reported in
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accordance with existing laws. The OSCA, in coordination with the Local Social Welfare
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and 
Development Office (LSWDO), 
shall maintain 
a 
Senior Citizen Abuse
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documentation and case monitoring system, and set up a databank to keep an
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accurate and reliable record of instances of abuse and violence committed against the
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Senior Citizens.
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Sec. 15. 
Formulation o f the Program. -  There shall be a comprehensive
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program to be formulated, by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the DSWD in
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coordination with other government agencies and private sector concerned, within
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one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, to protect the Senior Citizen against Senior
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Citizen Abuse.
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Sec. 16. Duties o f Other Government Agencies and LGUs. -  Other government
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agencies and LGUs shall establish programs such as, but not limited to, education and
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information campaign and seminars or symposia on the nature, causes, incidence and
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consequences of Senior Citizen Abuse particularly towards educating the public on its
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social impacts.
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It shall be the duty of the concerned government agencies and LGUs to ensure
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the sustained education and training of their officers and personnel on the prevention
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of Senior Citizen Abuse under the Act.
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Sec. 17. 
Trainings and Capacity-Building for Intervenors. -  All government
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agencies involved in responding to Senior Citizen Abuse cases shall be required to
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undergo education and training to be conducted by the DSWD to acquaint them with:
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a) 
the nature, extent, causes, and risk factors of Senior Citizen Abuse;
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b) 
the legal rights and remedies of victims of Senior Citizen Abuse;
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c) 
legal duties of barangay officials, OSCA Heads, LSWDOs, police officers and
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court authorities in offering assistance and protection;
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d) 
the available services and facilities for victims of Senior Citizen Abuse; and


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e) 
specific techniques in handling Senior Citizen Abuse cases to minimize injury
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and promote the safety and ensure the well-being of the victim.
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The Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned institutions shall provide
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capacity-building on the prevention, detection, and management of psycho-social
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problems and other geriatric concerns of Senior Citizens such as dementia and
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Alzheimer's Disease, among healthcare providers, home caregivers, and staff and
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employees of nursing homes and/or elderly residential facilities, specifically on
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handling Senior Citizen Abuse.
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Sec. 18. Counseling and Rehabilitation o f Offenders-Perpetrators. -  The DSWD
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shall provide rehabilitative counseling and treatment of perpetrators towards learning
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constructive ways of coping with their anger, emotional outbursts, or stress, and
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reforming their ways. Psychiatric treatment or confinement may also be recommended
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by the responsible authorities if necessary.
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Sec. 19. Funding. -  The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
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Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the
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year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
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Sec. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within six (6) months from the
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approval of this Act, the DOJ, the DSWD, the DOH, the Department of Interior and Local
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Government, and the Philippine National Police, and three (3) representatives from non-
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government organizations to be identified by the DSWD shall promulgate the
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Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.
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Sec. 21. Suppletory Application. -  For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code
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and other applicable laws, shall have suppletory application.
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Sec. 22. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
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shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
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orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which
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are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
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amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 24. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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