FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
1424 
S.B. No. ___ _ 
, "" 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
i' • 
"0' .,,' 1 • 
AJL !.) '" 
.j~l" 
This bill seeks to amend Article 341 (White Slave Trade) of Commonwealth 
Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code", by increasing the 
penalty of imprisonment and fine to dissuade the promotion of prostitution all over 
the country. 
. 
Over a decade ago, the International Labor Organization logged nearly half a 
million prostitutes in the country. In 1997, Asiaweek reported that there were 
300,000 Filipino women in the sex trade while 75,000 children were prostituted. 
Experts have claimed that the Asian Financial Crisis has pushed more women to join 
the oldest profession known to man. Over the years, the Philippines has become 
known for its sex trade and as a sex tourist destination. The increasing number of 
women and children prostitutes, along with the alarming number of victims of 
human trafficking, validate the pressing need to increase the penalties in order to 
strongly discourage persons from promoting and soliciting the services of a sex 
worker and an individual from entering the trade. 
This measure amends the conditions and penalties provided in Article 341 of 
the Revised Penal Code by adding the circumstances that warrant imprisonment, 
namely: soliciting a prostitute in behalf of another; advertising the services of a 
prostitute and recruiting a woman under false pretenses of lawful employment to be 
later turned into a sex worker. 
In an age where the rights of women and children are advocated and 
respected, women and children should be given added protection. Through the 
increased penalties and detailed circumstances, the security of their well-being is 
assured. 
In light of the escalating demands and conditions of the sex trade, the passage 
of this bill is earnestly sought to deter such illicit and immoral trade. 
d~ 
LOREN"EiGAIfDA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1424 
""" 
" 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLE 341 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Article 341 of Republic Act No, 3815, as amended, otherwise 
2 
known as the Revised Penal Code, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
3 
4 
"Art. 341. White slave trade. - The penalty of RECLUSION 
5 
TEMPORAL [Prision mayor] in its medium and maximum periods 
6 
shall be imposed upon any person who, in any manner, or under any 
7 
pretext, shall engage in the business or shall profit by prostitution or 
8 
shall [enlist the services of any other for the purpose of prostitution]: 
9 
10 
(A) 
ENGAGE IN OR PROMOTE, FACILITATE OR 
11 
INDUCE PROSTITUTION WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT 
12 
LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: 
13 
1. ACTING AS A PROCURER OF A PROSTITUTE; 
14 
2. INDUCING A. PERSON TO BE A CLIENT OF A 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
PROSTITUTE 
BY 
MEANS 
OF 
WRITTEN 
OR 
ORAL 
ADVERTISEMENTS OR OTHER SIMILAR MEANS; 
3. TAKING 
ADVANTAGE 
OF 
ANY 
ASCENDANCY, 
INFLUENCE OR RELATIONSHIP TO PROCURE A PERSON 
AS A PROSTITUTE: 
4. THREATENING OR USING VIOLENCE TOWARDS A 
PERSON TO ENGAGE HIMfHER AS A PROSTITUTE; OR 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
5. 
GIVING MONETARY CONSIDERATION, GOODS 
OR OTHER PECUNIARY BENEFIT TO A PERSON WITH THE 
INTENT TO ENGAGE SUCH PERSON IN PROSTITUTION; OR 
(B) 
DERIVE 
PROFIT 
OR 
ADVANTAGE 
FROM 
6 
PROSTITUTION, WHETHER AS MANAGER OR OWNER OF THE 
7 
ESTABLISHMENT WHERE THE PROSTITUTION TAKES PLACE, 
8 
OR OF THE SAUNA, DISCO, BAR, RESORT, PLACE OF LEISURE 
9 
AND/OR ENTERTAINMENT OR ESTABLISHMENT SERVING AS 
10 
A COVER OR WHICH ENGAGES IN PROSTITUTION IN 
11 
ADDITION TO THE ACTIVITY FOR WHICH THE LICENSE HAS 
12 
BEEN ISSUED TO SAID ESTABLISHMENT. 
13 
14 
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, THE TERM PROSTITUTE 
15 
SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON WHO, FOR MONEY, PROFIT OR 
16 
ANY FORM OF MATERIAL CONSIDERATION OR ADVANTAGE 
17 
SHALL HABITUALLY OR WITH INTENT TO HABITUALLY 
18 
ENGAGE OR INDULGE IN SEXUAL 
INTERCOURSE OR 
19 
LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT." 
20 
21 
SEC. 2. Common Penal Provisions. - The penalty provided under this Act 
22 
shall be imposed in its maximum period if the offender: 
23 
(a) 
has been previously convicted under this Act or under Article 
24 
341 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, in its form prior to its 
25 
amendment by this Act; 
26 
(b) 
is, in reference to the prostitute, an ascendant, parent, guardian, 
27 
stepparent or collateral relative within the second degree of consanguinity or 
28 
affinity; 
29 
(c) 
is a manager or owner of an establishment which has no license 
30 
. to operate or its license has expired or has been revoked; 
31 
(d) 
is a foreigner, who shall likewise be deported immediately after 
32 
service of sentence and forever barred from entry to the Philippines; and 
33 
(e) 
is a public officer or employee, who shall likewise suffer the 
34 
penalty of perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification. 
35 
2 


1 
In addition to the penalty of imprisonment, a fine to be determined by the 
2 
court, which shall not be less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Phpl00,000.00), 
3 
shall be imposed. Said fine shall be administered as a cash fund by the Department 
4 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and disbursed, for the rehabilitation of 
5 
each prostitute victim and any immediate member of his/her family if the latter is 
6 
the perpetrator of the offense, in this order. 
7 
8 
When the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the officer, 
9 
director, employee or agent thereof who is responsible for the violation of this Act 
10 
shall suffer the corresponding penalty imposed. 
11 
12 
SEC. 3. Rules and Regulations. - Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the 
13 
Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the DSWD, shall promulgate rules 
14 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
15 
16 
. SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
17 
rules and regulations which are contrary to the provision of this Act are hereby 
18 
repealed, amended and modified accordingly. 
19 
20 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act shall be held to be 
21 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or p~ovisions hereof whi'ch are not affected 
22 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
23 
24 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
25 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
26 
27 
Approved, 
3