Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by REP. RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES 
AN ACT PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZENS FROM VIOLENCE, DEFINING ELDER 
ABUSE, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable members of society. As individuals age, they 
often face increasing dependence on others for their physical, emotional, and financial needs. 
Sadly, this reliance can expose them to various forms of abuse, including violence, neglect, 
exploitation, and abandonment, frequently committed by those closest to them, such as family 
members, caregivers, or trusted acquaintances. 
While there are existing laws in the Philippines that penalize acts of violence and abuse, they 
do not sufficiently address the unique vulnerabilities of senior citizens. At present, there is no 
comprehensive legislation that defines and penalizes elder abuse, nor are there established 
protective measures that cater directly to the needs and circumstances of older persons. 
This proposed measure, entitled the “Anti-Elder Abuse Act,” seeks to fill this legislative gap 
by recognizing and protecting the rights of senior citizens against all forms of violence and 
maltreatment. It declares as a state policy the full respect for the dignity and human rights of 
elderly persons and emphasizes the duty of the State to protect them from abuse, exploitation, 
coercion, neglect, and discrimination. 
The bill clearly defines what constitutes elder abuse, including physical harm, emotional and 
psychological suffering, economic exploitation, and abandonment. It mandates a 
comprehensive set of services and interventions, such as the provision of shelters, 
psychosocial support, counseling, legal assistance, and livelihood programs. The measure also 
requires the establishment of a Senior Citizen Help Desk in every barangay to ensure that 
immediate assistance and protection are made accessible to elderly victims of abuse. 
It also empowers the courts and barangay officials to issue protection orders to prevent further 
acts of abuse and directs law enforcement agencies to take urgent and appropriate action in 
responding to reports of violence. The bill further mandates the Philippine National Police to 
adopt protocols for handling such cases and requires the Department of Justice to create 
special prosecution units to handle complaints involving elder abuse. 
Additionally, the proposed measure imposes penalties on perpetrators of elder abuse and 
holds public officials accountable for failing to act on reports or requests for assistance. It also 
underscores the importance of mandatory reporting by medical professionals and 
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12:51 pm
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government personnel who become aware of abuse incidents. The bill provides for mandatory 
education and training programs for barangay officials and law enforcement personnel to 
ensure that cases of elder abuse are handled with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and 
sensitivity. 
The “Anti-Elder Abuse Act” is a concrete expression of the nation’s obligation to uphold the 
welfare of its elderly population. It is not merely a legislative response—it is an act of justice. 
Our senior citizens, who have devoted their lives to building families, communities, and the 
nation, deserve our utmost protection, care, and respect. By enacting this measure, we honor 
their contributions and ensure that they live the remainder of their lives with dignity, security, 
and peace. 
Given the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by REP. RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES 
AN ACT PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZENS FROM VIOLENCE, DEFINING ELDER 
ABUSE, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREOF 
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 “Anti-Elder Abuse Act.” 
1 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the 
2 
dignity of senior citizens and thereby guarantee full respect for human rights. This State also 
3 
recognizes the need to protect the family and its members, particularly the senior citizens, 
4 
from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and coercion, especially acts 
5 
deleterious to their safety and security. 
6 
Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address all forms of violence, abuse, 
7 
neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts deleterious to their personal safety, security, 
8 
dignity, or any discriminatory act committed against senior citizens in keeping with the 
9 
fundamental freedom guaranteed under the Constitution and the provisions of the Universal 
10 
Declaration of Human Rights. 
11 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
12 
(a) Domestic violence refers to acts or threats of violence against a senior citizen,
13 
excluding an act of self-defense, committed by any of the following:
14 
1.
current or former spouse of the victim;
15 
2.
a person related by blood or marriage to the victim;
16 
3.
a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim;
17 
4.
a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
18 
5.
a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate
19 
nature with the victim; or
20 
6.
a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim, or by any other person,
21 
if the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction of the victim
22 
provide for legal protection of the victim;
23 
(b) Elder abuse refers to a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring
24 
within any relationship or interaction by any person that causes harm or distress
25 
to a senior citizen. It includes any act or series of acts committed by any person
26 
against a senior citizen, within or outside the family abode, which results or is
27 
likely to result in physical violence, psychological or emotional, economic or
28 
domestic violence, and neglect or abandonment;
29 
(c) Emotional abuse refers to acts that include shouting, swearing, scaring, or
30 
humiliating a senior citizen through name-calling, ridicule, constant criticism,
31 
accusing, blaming, showing disrespect, ignoring, or giving them the silent
32 
treatment;
33 
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(d) Safe place or shelter refers to any home or institution maintained or managed by the 
1 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by any other suitable 
2 
place that is willing to accommodate the aggrieved senior citizen; and 
3 
(e) Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years 
4 
old as defined under the Republic Act. No. 9994, otherwise known as the 
5 
“Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010.” 
6 
SEC. 4. Acts of Violence Against a Senior Citizen - Acts of violence against a senior 
7 
citizen are acts that cause harm or distress, committed once or repeatedly, through any of the 
8 
following: 
9 
(a) Physical abuse or infliction of pain or injury with the use of physical force resulting 
10 
in bodily injury, physical harm, pain or impairment, suffering or distress; 
11 
(b) Psychological, mental, or emotional abuse causing mental or emotional suffering 
12 
or distress; 
13 
(c) Material exploitation through illegal or improper use of funds or resources of the 
14 
senior citizen; and economic or financial abuse through acts that make the senior 
15 
citizen financially dependent or cause financial damage to them; and 
16 
(d) Abandonment or desertion by leaving a senior citizen unattended at a place for 
17 
such a considerable length of time, as may be likely to endanger the health and 
18 
welfare of a senior citizen, by an individual who has assumed responsibility for 
19 
providing care for the senior citizen, or by a person with custody of the senior 
20 
citizen. 
21 
SEC. 5. Rights of a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of Violence. - During the pendency 
22 
of the case involving violence against a senior citizen, in addition to those provided under 
23 
existing law, a senior citizen shall have the following rights: 
24 
(a) To avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) 
25 
of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or any public office of legal aid; 
26 
(b) To be entitled to support services from the DSWD and the Local Government Unit 
27 
(LGU) concerned; 
28 
(c) To be entitled to all legal remedies as provided for under the Family Code; 
29 
(d) To be informed through the Senior Citizen Help Desk established hereunder of the 
30 
senior citizen’s rights and services available, including the right to apply for a 
31 
protection order; and 
32 
(e) To be entitled to actual, compensatory, moral, and exemplary damages. 
33 
SEC. 6. Mandatory Programs and Services for a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of 
34 
Violence – The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs, shall provide a senior citizen who is a 
35 
victim of violence and similar acts the following services: 
36 
(a) A safe place or temporary shelter, such as senior housing, a nursing home, or other 
37 
suitable facility or service, when appropriate, as emergency short-term shelters. 
38 
This safe place or temporary shelter shall provide counselling, psycho-social, 
39 
recovery, or rehabilitation programs, and livelihood assistance; 
40 
(b) Counselling, healing, recovery, and rehabilitation services; and 
41 
(c) The appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety and security of senior 
42 
citizens who are victims or survivors of violence and similar acts. 
43 
SEC. 7. Response to a Request for Assistance. - In responding to a request for 
44 
assistance, a barangay official or law enforcer shall have the following duties: 
45 
(a) Respond immediately to a call for help or a request for protection of the victim by 
46 
entering the senior citizen victim’s dwelling, if necessary, whether or not a 
47 
perpetrator is within plain view; 
48 
(b) Confiscate any harmful object in the possession of the perpetrator, or one that is 
49 
within plain view; 
50 
(c) Transport the victim to a barangay hall, a clinic, or a hospital; 
51 
(d) Assist the victim in removing personal belongings from the dwelling; 
52 


(e) Ensure the enforcement of the Protection Order (PO) issued by the Lupong 
1 
Tagapamayapa, the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman, and the Court; 
2 
(f) Arrest the suspected even without a warrant when any of the acts of violence 
3 
defined in this Act are occurring, or on personal knowledge, an act of violence has 
4 
been committed, and there is imminent danger to the life or limb of the senior 
5 
citizen as defined in this Act; and 
6 
(g) Immediately report the call for assistance to the DSWD, the LGU, or an accredited 
7 
Non-Government Organization (NGO) 
8 
SEC. 8. Philippine National Police (PNP) Protocol in Responding to Violence 
9 
Committed Against a Senior Citizen. - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is hereby 
10 
directed to adopt a written protocol establishing written guidelines and procedures to be 
11 
followed by police officers in responding to requests for assistance and calls related to violence 
12 
against senior citizens. 
13 
SEC. 9. Education and Training Programs for Law Enforcement Officers and Persons 
14 
Involved in Responding to Cases of Violence Against a Senior Citizen. - All persons involved 
15 
in responding to cases on all forms of abuse, violence, threats to personal safety and security, 
16 
or any discriminatory act committed against a senior citizen shall be required to undergo 
17 
education and training. The PNP, in coordination with the LGU concerned and the DSWD, 
18 
shall establish education and training programs to assist law enforcement officers and 
19 
barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of violence against senior citizens 
20 
and acquaint them with: 
21 
(a) The nature, extent, and causes of violence; 
22 
(b) The legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of violence; 
23 
(c) The services and facilities available to victims or survivors; 
24 
(d) The duties imposed on police officers include making lawful arrests and offering 
25 
protection and assistance; and, 
26 
(e) The necessary techniques to be employed in handling incidents of violence are to 
27 
minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim 
28 
or survivor. 
29 
SEC. 10. Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence. – A public officer who receives 
30 
a complaint of violence committed against a senior citizen or the head of a public or private 
31 
hospital, medical clinic or similar institutions, as well as the attending physician or nurse, 
32 
clinician, barangay health worker, therapist or counsellor who examined or rendered 
33 
treatment to a senior citizen victim shall make a report of the complaint, examination or 
34 
treatment to the nearest police station. 
35 
All public workers and medical professionals who have knowledge of the incident 
36 
involving domestic violence and to whom said abuse or violence was reported or revealed in 
37 
the course of the performance of official duty shall immediately report the incident to the 
38 
proper authorities. 
39 
In all cases, a report shall be made to any law enforcement agency within forty-eight 
40 
(48) hours from knowledge of the same. Whereupon, investigation shall immediately follow. 
41 
The DSWD shall assign a social worker to verify incidents of violence and file a petition for 
42 
PO, if warranted. 
43 
SEC. 11. Establishment of Senior Citizen Help Desk. - Every barangay shall establish 
44 
a Senior Citizen Help Desk, which shall provide immediate assistance to victim-survivors of 
45 
abuse. Besides barangay officials, it may be manned by representatives of the senior citizen 
46 
sector or by members of a local senior citizen organization designated and authorized by the 
47 
Barangay Council or Chairperson. 
48 
SEC. 12. Special Prosecution Units. - The DOJ is hereby directed to establish special 
49 
units that shall handle complaints of violence against senior citizens as defined in this Act, 
50 
and the prosecution thereof. 
51 


SEC. 13. Venue. - The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a Family Court shall 
1 
have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against senior citizens as 
2 
provided in this Act. In the absence of such a court in the place where the offense was 
3 
committed, at the option of the complainant. 
4 
SEC. 14. Protection Order (PO). - A Protection Order (PO) is an injunction under this 
5 
Act that may be requested or issued for the purpose of preventing further acts of abuse or 
6 
violence against senior citizens as specified in Section 4 of this Act and granting other 
7 
necessary relief. The provisions of the PO shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies. 
8 
The types of PO that may be issued under this Act are as follows: 
9 
(a) Barangay Protection Order (BPO); 
10 
(b) Temporary Protection Order (TPO); and 
11 
(c) Permanent Protection Order (PPO). 
12 
The PO that may be issued under this Act shall include any or all of the following 
13 
reliefs: 
14 
(a) Prohibition of the respondent or offender from threatening to commit, personally 
15 
or through another, any of the acts of violence as defined in Sec. 4; 
16 
(b) Whenever applicable, issuance of an order to the respondent or offender to 
17 
immediately leave the domicile or residence of the petitioner. If personal effects 
18 
must be removed from the residence, the Court shall direct a law enforcement 
19 
officer to accompany the respondent to the residence until such time that the 
20 
respondent has gathered all belongings, and to escort the respondent from the 
21 
residence: Provided, that the victim or the aggrieved party shall likewise be 
22 
accorded the same protection contemplated herein; 
23 
(c) Issuance of an Order to the respondent to stay away from the petitioner within a 
24 
distance to be determined by the Court: Provided, That the order shall ensure the 
25 
physical safety of the petitioner in the residence, place of work, school, and such 
26 
other areas frequented by the offended party; 
27 
(d) Prohibition of the respondent from directly or indirectly communicating or 
28 
contacting the petitioner; 
29 
(e) Issuance of an Order to the proper law enforcement offices to enforce the 
30 
provisions of the Section; 
31 
(f) Issuance of an Order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office 
32 
(SWDO) of the LGU concerned to provide therapy, counselling, and other support 
33 
services to the aggrieved party or parties; 
34 
(g) Issuance of an Order for the restitution of actual damages caused by the violence 
35 
inflicted, including but not limited to property damage, medical expenses, and loss 
36 
of income; and 
37 
(h) Such other relief deemed necessary by the Court for the protection of the petitioner 
38 
and such other persons who may need the same. 
39 
Any of the reliefs provided under this Section shall be granted even in the absence of 
40 
a decree of legal separation or annulment, or declaration of absolute nullity of marriage in the 
41 
case of married individuals. 
42 
The application for a PO must be in writing, signed, and verified under oath by the 
43 
applicant. If the applicant is not the victim, the application must be accompanied by an 
44 
affidavit of the applicant attesting to: 
45 
1) The circumstances of the disclosure of the violence or abuse suffered by the 
46 
victim; and 
47 
2) The circumstances of consent, or lack thereof, given by the victim for the filing 
48 
of the application. 
49 
When disclosure of the address of the abused senior citizen will pose a danger to that 
50 
person’s life, it shall be stated in the application. In such a case, the applicant shall attest that 
51 


the victim resides in the municipality or city over which the Court has territorial jurisdiction 
1 
and shall provide a mailing address for the purpose of serving court processes. 
2 
The standard application form for a PO shall include the following information: 
3 
1) Names and addresses of the petitioner and the respondent; 
4 
2) Description of the relationship between the petitioner and the respondent, 
5 
in the case of violence within the context of Section 4 of this Act; 
6 
3) A statement of the circumstances and the nature of violence or abuse; 
7 
4) Description of the reliefs requested by the petitioner as specified in this 
8 
section; 
9 
5) Request for counsel and reasons for such request; 
10 
6) Request for waiver of application fees until hearing; and 
11 
7) An attestation that there is no pending application for a PO in another 
12 
Court. 
13 
The following persons may file the petition for a PO: 
14 
1) The offended party; 
15 
2) Any member of the family or household of the victim, as defined in this 
16 
Act; 
17 
3) Social worker from the DSWD or the SWDO of the LGU or any accredited 
18 
social welfare organization; 
19 
4) Law enforcement officer or agent; 
20 
5) Lawyer, counsellor, therapist, or healthcare professional of the petitioner; 
21 
and 
22 
6) Any concerned responsible citizen of the community who has personal 
23 
knowledge of the offense committed 
24 
No filing fee shall be required for the application for a PO. An application for a PO 
25 
filed with the Court shall be considered an application for both a TPO and a PPO. 
26 
SEC. 15. Transfer of Residence; New Application Needed. - A petitioner previously 
27 
granted a BPO under this Act and who desires to relocate to a new residence outside the 
28 
original city or municipality of residence has to apply for a new BPO. 
29 
When a PO has been issued by a Court of competent jurisdiction and the person in 
30 
whose favor it is issued transfers to a place outside the court's jurisdiction, the person may 
31 
still have the order enforced by filing a petition before a court in the place where the person 
32 
has transferred. The petition to enforce the order shall include a copy of the previously 
33 
obtained PO. The respondent shall be notified of the issuance of a new PO. 
34 
SEC. 16. Legal Representation of Applicant for a PO. - If a petitioner for a PO is 
35 
requesting the appointment of a counsel because of a lack of economic means to hire a counsel 
36 
de parte, the Court shall immediately direct the Office of the Public Prosecutor who has 
37 
jurisdiction over the case to represent the petitioner in the hearing on the application sought. 
38 
The applicant who cannot afford to hire the services of a private counsel or lacks access to 
39 
family or conjugal resources, such as when the abuser controls the same, shall qualify for legal 
40 
representation by the DOJ, the Public Prosecutors' Office, or the PAO. However, a private 
41 
counsel offering free legal service is not barred from representing the petitioner with the 
42 
latter’s consent, and with the leave of the Court. 
43 
SEC. 17. Barangay Protection Order (BPO). - The Lupong Tagapamayapa and the 
44 
Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman issue a Barangay Protection Order (BPO). The 
45 
issuance of a BPO or the pendency of an application for a BPO shall not preclude the petitioner 
46 
from applying for, or the Court from granting, a TPO or PPO. 
47 
Application for a BPO shall follow the Rules on venue under the Local Government 
48 
Code of 1991 and its implementing rules and regulations. 
49 
A Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson who receives an application for a BPO 
50 
shall issue the PO to the applicant on the date of filing after ex parte determination of the basis 
51 
of the application. If the Punong Barangay or the Barangay Chairman is unavailable to act on 
52 


the application for a BPO, the application shall be acted upon by any available Lupong 
1 
Tagapamayapa or Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by a Barangay Kagawad when the 
2 
Punong Barangay and the Lupong Tagapamayapa are unavailable at the time of issuance, 
3 
A BPO issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay 
4 
Chairperson, and Barangay Kagawad may cover the relief provided in Section 14 hereof and 
5 
shall be effective for fifteen (15) days. Immediately after the issuance of an ex parte BPO, the 
6 
Punong Barangay or Kagawad shall personally serve a copy of the same to the respondent, or 
7 
direct any barangay official to personally serve the order. 
8 
Within forty-eight (48) hours of issuance of an ex parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or 
9 
Barangay Kagawad must refer the case to the Lupong Tagapamayapa. The Lupong 
10 
Tagapamayapa shall hear the case within seven (7) days from the date of referral and within 
11 
the fifteen (15) - day effectivity period of the ex parte BPO. 
12 
Notice of the hearing shall be given to both parties. Subsequent to a hearing on the 
13 
merits of the application, the Lupong Tagapamayapa may extend a BPO that grants relief 
14 
under Section 14 for a period of six (6) months. The issuance of a BPO shall not preclude any 
15 
applicant from applying or receiving a subsequent BPO concerning the same matter. 
16 
SEC. 18. Temporary Protection Order (TPO). - A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) 
17 
may be issued by a Court prior to the issuance of a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) and 
18 
shall be based on an application under Section 14 herein. Any application for TPO or PPO 
19 
must be made with territorial RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court or 
20 
Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the 
21 
offended family or the senior citizen victim who suffered violence described under Section 4 
22 
of this Act: Provided, however, That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the 
23 
person for whom the application is made, the application shall be filed with that Court. 
24 
A Court that receives an application for a PO shall issue a TPO on the date of the filing 
25 
of the application for ex parte determination that such order shall be issued. The TPO shall be 
26 
effective for thirty (30) days. The Court shall schedule a hearing on the issuance of a PPO prior 
27 
to or on the date of expiration of the TPO. The Court shall order the immediate service of the 
28 
TPO on the respondent by the Court Sheriff, who may obtain the assistance of law 
29 
enforcement agents for the purpose. The TPO shall include a notice of the hearing on the 
30 
merits of the issuance of the PPO. 
31 
SEC. 19. Permanent Protection Order (PPO). - A Permanent Protection Order (PPO) 
32 
may be issued only by the Court after notice and a hearing. 
33 
Any application for TPO or PPO must be made with a RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, 
34 
Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over their 
35 
place of residence of the offended family or the abused senior citizen who suffered violence 
36 
described under Section 4 of the Act: Provided, however, That if a Family Court exists in the 
37 
place of residence of the person for who, the application is made, the application shall be filed 
38 
with that Court. 
39 
Respondent's non-appearance despite proper notice, or lack of a lawyer, or the non-
40 
availability of the respondent’s lawyer shall not be a ground for rescheduling or postponing 
41 
the hearing on the merits of the issuance of a PPO. If the respondent appears without counsel 
42 
on the date of the hearing on the PPO, the Court shall appoint a lawyer for the respondent 
43 
and immediately proceed with the hearing. In case the respondent fails to appear despite 
44 
proper notice, the Court shall allow ex parte presentation of the evidence by the applicant and 
45 
render judgment based on the evidence presented. The Court shall allow the introduction of 
46 
any history of abusive conduct of a respondent, even if the same was not directed against the 
47 
applicant or the person for whom the application is made. 
48 
The court shall, to the extent possible, conduct the hearing on the merits of the issuance 
49 
of a PPO in one (1) day. Where the court is unable to conduct the hearing within one (1) day 
50 
and the TPO issued is due to expire, the court shall continuously extend or renew the TPO for 
51 


the duration of the case until a final resolution is issued. Provided, however, that the PPO may 
1 
be modified by the Court accordingly to address the needs of the applicant. 
2 
The Court may grant any, some, or all of the reliefs provided in Section 14 hereof 
3 
through a PPO. A PPO shall be effective until revoked by a Court upon application of the 
4 
person in whose favor the order was issued. The Court shall ensure immediate service of the 
5 
PPO on the respondent. The Court shall not deny the issuance of a PO based on the lapse of 
6 
time between the act of violence or abuse as defined in Section 4 herein and the filing of the 
7 
application. 
8 
Regardless of the conviction or acquittal of the respondent, the Court must determine 
9 
whether or not the PPO shall become final. Even in a dismissal of the application for a PPO, 
10 
the same shall be granted as long as there is no clear showing that the act which the order 
11 
might arise did not arise did not exist. 
12 
Failure to act on an application for a PO within the period specified in the previous 
13 
sections without justifiable cause shall render the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the Punong 
14 
Barangay or the Barangay Chairman, the Barangay Kagawad, and the Official of the Judge 
15 
administratively liable. 
16 
SEC. 20. Priority Action on Application for a Protection Order. - Hearings on 
17 
applications for a PO under this Act shall have priority over all other proceedings. Barangay 
18 
officials, Lupong Tagapamayapa, and the Courts shall schedule and conduct hearings on 
19 
applications for a PO under this Act above all other businesses and, if necessary, suspend 
20 
other proceedings in order to hear applications for a PO. Respondents shall be notified of the 
21 
issuance of a PO. 
22 
SEC. 21. Prohibition Against Undue Influence Over a Protection Order Applicant. - A 
23 
Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman, or the Court hearing an 
24 
application for a PO shall not order, direct, force, or in any way unduly influence the 
25 
application for a PO to compromise or abandon any of the reliefs sought in the application for 
26 
a PO provided under this Act. Section 7 of the Family Courts Act of 1997 shall not apply in 
27 
the proceedings where relief is sought under this Act. Failure to comply with this section shall 
28 
render the concerned individuals, official or Judge, administratively liable. 
29 
SEC. 22. Mutual Protection Order Prohibited. - No order for protection of the offender 
30 
or respondent may be granted by a Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay, a Barangay 
31 
Chairman, or the Courts. 
32 
SEC. 23. Complaint Against a Violation of Protection Order. - A complaint on the 
33 
violation of a BPO issued under this Act shall be filed directly with any Municipal Trial Court, 
34 
Metropolitan Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court that has territorial jurisdiction over 
35 
the barangay that issued the BPO. Violation of a BPO shall be punishable by imprisonment of 
36 
thirty (30) days without prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party 
37 
may file for any of the acts committed under Sec. 4 hereof. 
38 
A judgment on a violation of a BPO may be appealed in accordance with the Rules of 
39 
Court. During trial and upon judgment, the trial court may, motu proprio, issue a PO as it 
40 
deems necessary, without the need for an application. 
41 
A violation of any provision of a TPO or a PPO issued under this Act shall constitute 
42 
contempt of Court, punishable under the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other 
43 
criminal or civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed in 
44 
accordance with Section 4 hereof. 
45 
Any violation of a PO issued under this Act shall constitute an offense punishable by 
46 
imprisonment of thirty (30) days, without prejudice to any criminal or civil action that the 
47 
offended party may file against a person who has committed any acts described in Section 4 
48 
hereof. 
49 
A complaint on a violation of a PO shall be filed by the complainant directly with the 
50 
Court that issued the order, or with that Court in the place of residence of the complainant, if 
51 
the former is not practicable. 
52 


A criminal case for violation of a PO shall be tried and resolved by the Court within 
1 
sixty (60) days from the date the complaint was filed. The Court, upon determination of 
2 
probable cause, shall cause the arrest of the accused who may post bail in the interim in an 
3 
amount to be determined by the Court. 
4 
A judgment on a violation of a PO may be appealed according to the Rules of Criminal 
5 
Procedure. During trial and upon judgment, the Court may, motu proprio, appoint a PO as it 
6 
deems necessary. 
7 
SEC. 24. Hold Departure Order. - A hold departure order shall be issued immediately 
8 
by the Court against the respondent of a complaint of abuse against a senior citizen as 
9 
described under this Act. 
10 
SEC. 25. Penalties. - Commission of the acts described under Sec. 3 hereof shall suffer 
11 
the following penalties: 
12 
(a) Acts failing under Section 4(a), constituting attempted, frustrated, or 
13 
consummated parricide, murder, or homicide, shall be punished in accordance 
14 
with the provisions of the Revised Penal Code. 
15 
(b) Acts falling under Section 4 (a) resulting in mutilation shall be punishable in 
16 
accordance with the Revised Penal Code: Provided, that those resulting in serious 
17 
physical injuries shall be punishable with the penalty of prision mayor; those 
18 
resulting in less serious physical injuries shali be punishable by prison correctional 
19 
and those resulting in slight physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto mayor. 
20 
(c) All other acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be punishable by imprisonment 
21 
and a fine in an amount not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) 
22 
but not more than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00). 
23 
In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty of any of the acts enumerated in 
24 
Section 4 hereof shall be required to undergo mandatory psychological counselling or 
25 
psychiatric treatment and shall report compliance therewith to the court. 
26 
A Barangay Official or law enforcer who fails to respond to any request for assistance 
27 
or protection from or on behalf of a victim shall suffer imprisonment of six (6) months to one 
28 
(1) year, at the discretion of the Court and pay fine of not less than Five thousand pesos 
29 
(P5,000.00), but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). 
30 
Any person who fails to report any act of violence described in Section 3 hereof as 
31 
required herein shall be liable for a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). 
32 
Whenever applicable, criminal or administrative charges may also be filed. 
33 
SEC. 26. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. - The DSWD shall provide 
34 
rehabilitation counselling and treatment of perpetrators towards learning constructive ways 
35 
of coping with anger and emotional outbursts and reforming their ways. When necessary, the 
36 
offender shall be ordered by the Court to submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement. 
37 
SEC. 27. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
38 
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the concerned departments. 
39 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included 
40 
in the budget of the concerned departments in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
41 
For LGUs, the implementation of these programs shall be charged against the interval 
42 
revenue allotment and other internally generated funds of the concerned LGU. 
43 
In addition, the departments concerned and the LGUs may accept donations, 
44 
contributions, and grants from various sources for the purpose of implementing this Act. 
45 
SEC. 28. Implementing Agency. – Initially, the implementation of this Act shall be 
46 
carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination 
47 
with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice 
48 
(DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units (LGUs). 
49 
Once the transition of all functions, duties, and responsibilities relating to senior 
50 
citizens has been completed pursuant to Republic Act No. 11350 or the Act creating the 
51 
National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), the full implementation of this Act, 
52 


including policy direction, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation, shall be transferred to 
1 
the NCSC. The DSWD and other agencies shall ensure a smooth transition in coordination 
2 
with the NCSC. 
3 
During the transition period, the DSWD shall continue to perform its role in 
4 
implementing this Act and providing services to senior citizens until the NCSC is fully 
5 
capacitated to assume its mandate. 
6 
SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within six (6) months from the 
7 
approval of this Act, the Chairperson of the NCSC and the Secretary of the DSWD, in 
8 
coordination with the Secretaries of the DOJ, the Department of Interior and Local 
9 
Government (DILG), and the DOH, shall formulate rules and guidelines as may be necessary 
10 
for the proper implementation and enforcement of this Act. This shall include developing 
11 
protocols and training programs for all relevant agencies and public officers, as well as a 
12 
public information and education program on violence against senior citizens. The 
13 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) provided for under this Act shall be reviewed 
14 
periodically and revised if necessary. 
15 
SEC. 30. Suppletory Application. - For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code 
16 
and other applicable laws shall have suppletory application. 
17 
SEC. 31. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
18 
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof, which 
19 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
20 
SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
21 
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
22 
Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly. 
23 
SEC. 33. Effectivity .- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
24 
the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation. 
25 
Approved, 
26