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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE RESPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5, provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty 
and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
Older victims of violent crime are almost twice as likely as younger victims to be 
raped, robbed, or assaulted at or in their own homes. 
As the number of older Filipinos is growing both numerically and proportionally 
in the country, this bill seeks to develop strategies for preventing and punishing crimes 
that target or otherwise disproportionately affect seniors by collecting appropriate data to 
measure the extent of crimes committed against seniors and determine the extent of 
domestic and elder abuse of seniors. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE RESPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO CQMBAT ABUSE AND ENHANCE PENALTIES FOR CRIMES AGAINST 
SENIORS 
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 “Senior’s Safety Act.” 
SECTION 2. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to develop strategi s for 
preventing and punishing crimes that target or otherwise disproportionately affect s niois 
by collecting appropriate data to measure the extent of crimes committed against seniors 
and determine the extent of domestic and elder abuse of seniors. 
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SECTION 3. Definitions. -In this Act - 
(1) the term “crime” means any criminal offense under the Penal Code 
and special laws; and 
(2) the term “senior” means an individual who is more than fifty five (55) 
years of age. 
SECTION 4. Study of crimes against seniors. - 
(1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of Justice shall conduct a study relating 
to crimes against seniors in order to assist in developing new strategies to prevent and 
otherwiseXduce the incidence of those crimes. 
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(2) ISSUES ADDRESSED - The study conducted under this section shall 
include an analysis of - 


(A) the nature and type of crimes perpetrated against seniors, with special 
focus on- 
(i) the most common types of crimes that affect seniors; 
(ii) the nature and extent of elder abuse inflicted upon seniors; 
(iii) the nature and extent of health care fraud and abuse targeting 
seniors; 
(B) the risk factors associated with seniors who have been victimized; 
(C) the manner in which the criminal justice systems respond to crimes 
against seniors; 
(D) the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a centralized computer 
database on the incidence of crimes against seniors that will promote the uniform 
identification and reporting of such crimes; 
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(E) crimes targeting or disproportionately affecting seniors; 
(F) crime risk factors for seniors, including the times and locations at 
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which crimes victimizing seniors are most likely to occur; 
(G) specific characteristics of the victims of crimes who are s niors, 
including age, gender, race'or ethnicity and socio-economic status; 
(H) the nature and extent of crimes targeting seniors, such as health care 
fraud; and 
(I) other effective ways to prevent or reduce the occurrence of crimes 
against seniors. 
(3) REPORT - Not later than eighteen (1 8) months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Justice shall submit to the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report describing the results of the study under this section. 
SECTION 5. Enhanced sentencing penalties bused on age of victim.- The 
Department of Justice shall. - 
(1) review existing sentencing guidelines and recommend the possibility of 
increased penalties for persons convicted of offenses in which the victim was a senior in 
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appropriate circumstances, given the serious economic and physical harms assdciated 
with criminal activity targeted at seniors due to their particular vulnerability; 
(2) consult with individuals or groups representing seniors, law enforcement 
agencies, victims organizations, and the judiciaty, as part of the review described in this 
section: 
(3) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that may justify 
exceptions in order to provide sentencing enhancements; 
(4) REPORT - Not later than one (1) year after the promulgation of this Act, the 
department shall submit to Congress a report on issues relating to the age of crime 
victims, which shall include any recommendations o f  the department relating to any 
revision or modification of penalty levels, including statutory penalty, for offenses 
involving seniors. 
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SECTION6. Separability Clause. - If any provisions, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulations 
or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, 
accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn : 1835