Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.4297

INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL M. MORDEN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is provided in Article Il, Sections 10 and 11 of the Philippine Constitution, that the State shall
provide social justice in all phases of national development and that the State values the dignity of
every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. In addition, pursuant to Article
XV, Section 4, it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members and the State may
provide social security programs for the elderly.

The World Health Organization (WHO defines “elder abuse” as a single or repeated act, or
even lack of appropriate action, that occurs within any relationship where there is an
expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. And this type of
violence, according to the Commission on Human Rights, is a violation of the human rights
of older people and includes physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse; financial
and material abuse; abandonment; neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect,”

Elder abuse in the Philippines remains invisible and unaddressed because of the failure or inability
of most victims to report the abuses they experienced, hence data and research is limited or even
non-existent. Hence it is important that a law to prevent elder abuse and the provision of support
services should be enacted in order to address the lack of protection for the elderly population. The
provision of legal assistance, medical assistance, support services from the DSWD and LGU
concerned, livelihood assistance, and all other appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety
and security of seniors and prevent the recurrence of violent acts committed against them should
be ensured for our Senior Citizens.

With the importance of this measure for our elderly citizens, the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

MI LM. MORDEN
Representative
‘Abante Pangasinan llokano Party-list,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No. 4297

INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL M. MORDEN

AN ACT

PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZENS FROM ABUSES AND VIOLENCE, DEFINING
ELDER ABUSE, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR

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 of 2022".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy— It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the dignity
of senior citizens and thereby guarantee full respect for human rights. The State also recognizes the
need to protect the family and its members, particularly the senior citizens from all 6 forms of violence,
abuse, neglect, exploitation, and coercion especially acts deleterious to their 7 personal safety and
security

Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address all forms of violence, abuse, neglect,
exploitation, and coercion especially acts deleterious to their personal safety, security, dignity, or any
discriminatory act committed against senior citizens in keeping with the fundamental freedom
guaranteed under the Constitution and the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act.

a). Domestic violence refers to acts or threats of violence on a senior citizen, to exclude an act of
self-defense, committed by any of the following:
1) current or former spouse of the victim;
2) a person related by blood or marriage to the victim;
3) a person who is cohabiting. with or has cohabited with the victim;
4) a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
5) a person who is or has been in a social relationship of romantic or intimate
nature with the victim; or
6) a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim, or by any other person,
if the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction of the victim provide
for legal protection of the victim;



b). Elder abuse refers to a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring with any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to a senior citizen. It
includes any act or series of acts committed by any person against a senior citizen, within or outside
the family abode, which result or is likely to result in physical or psychological harm, suffering or
distress, or neglect including threats of such acts, battery, physical assault, coercion or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty. This includes physical violence, psychological or emotional, economic or
domestic violence, and neglect or abandonment,

c). Emotional abuse refers to acts that include shouting, swearing, scaring or humiliating a senior
citizen through name-calling, ridicule, constant criticism, accusing, blaming, showing disrespect,
ignoring, or giving them the silent treatment;

d). Safe place or shelter refers to any home or institution maintained or managed by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by any other suitable place that is 13 willing to
accommodate the aggrieved senior citizen; and

©). Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old as
defined under Republic Act. No. 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizen Act of
2010."

SECTION 4. Acts of Violence Against a Senior Citizen. — Acts of violence against a senior citizen are
acts that cause harm or distress committed once or repeatedly through any of the following:

a) Physical abuse or infliction of pain or injury with the use of physical force resulting in bodily

b)

injury, physical harm, pain or impairment, suffering or distress;

Psychological, mental or emotional abuse causing mental or emotional suffering or distress;

) Material exploitation through illegal or improper use of funds or resources of the senior citizen; and

economic or financial abuse through acts that make the senior citizen financially dependent; and

d) Abandonment or desertion by leaving a senior citizen unattended at a place for such a considerable

length of time, as may be likely to endanger the health and welfare of a senior citizen, by an
individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for the senior citizen, or by a person
with custody of the senior citizen.

SECTION 5.- Rights of a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of Abuse and Violence. — During the
pendency of the case involving violence against a senior citizen, in addition to those provided under existing
law, a senior citizen shall have the following rights:

a)

»d)

°)

d

e)

to avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAC) of the
Department of Justice (DOJ) or any public legal assistance office;

) to be entitled to support services from the DSWD and the Local Government Unit (LGU)
concerned;

to be entitled to all legal remedies as provided for under the Family Code;

1) to be informed through the Senior Citizen Help Desk established hereunder of the senior citizen's
rights and services available including the right to apply for a protection order; and

to be entitled to actual, compensatory, moral, and exemplary damages.


SECTION 6. Mandatory Programs and Services for a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of Violence. —
The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs, shall provide a senior citizen who is a victim of violence and
similar acts the following services:

a) a safe place or temporary shelters, such as senior housing or nursing home or other suitable facility or
service, when appropriate, as emergency short-term shelters. This safe place or temporary 10 shelters
shall provide counseling, psycho-social services, recovery or rehabilitation programs, and_ livelihood
assistance;

b) counseling, healing, recovery, and rehabilitation services; and

c) the appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety and security of a senior citizen and prevent the
recurrence of the violent acts committed against them.

The Department of Health (DOH) shall provide medical assistance to senior citizens who are victims or
survivors of violence and similar acts.

SECTION 7. Response to 2 Request for Assistance. — In responding to a request for assistance, a
barangay official or law enforcer shall have the following duties:

a) respond immediately to a call for help or request for protection of the victim by entering the
senior citizen victim's dwelling, if necessary, whether or not a protection order has been issued to
ensure the safety of the victim;

b) confiscate any harmful object in the possession of the perpetrator, or one which is within plain view;
) transport the victim to a barangay hall, or to a clinic or hospital;
4) assist the victim in removing personal belongings from the dwelling;

) ensure the enforcement of the Protection Order (PO) issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa,
the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman and the Court;

£) arrest the suspected perpetrator even without a warrant when any of the acts of violence defined in
this Act is occurring, or on personal knowledge, an act of violence has been committed, and there is
imminent danger to the life or limb of the senior citizen as defined in this Act; and

g) immediately report the call for assistance to the DSWD, the LGU or an accredited Non-Government
Organization (NGO).

SECTION 8. Philippine National Police (PNP) Protocol in Responding to Violence 36 Committed
Against 2 Senior Citizen. - "The Philippine National Police (PNP) is hereby directed to adopt a written
protocol establishing written guidelines and procedures to be followed by police officers in responding to
requests for assistance and calls related to violence against senior citizens.

SECTION 9. Education and Training Programs for Law Enforcement Officers and Persons

Involved in Responding to Cases of Violence Against a Senior Citizen. — All persons involved in
responding to cases of all forms of abuse, violence, threats to personal safety and security or any
discriminatory act committed against a senior citizen; shall be required to undergo education and training.

The PNP, in coordination with the LGU concemed and the DSWD shall establish education and training
programs to assist law enforcement officers and barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of
violence against senior citizens and acauaint them with:


a) the nature, extent, and causes of violence;
b) the legal rights of, and remedies available to victims of violence;
) the services and facilities available to victims or survivors;

d) the duties imposed on police officers in making a lawful arrest and offering protection
and assistance; and,

e) the necessary techniques to be employed in handling incidents of violence to
minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety of the victim or survivor.

SECTION 10. . Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence.- A public officer who receives a complaint
of violence committed against a senior citizen or the head of a public or private hospital, the medical clinic or
similar institutions, as well as the attending physician or nurse, clinician, barangay health worker, therapist, or
counselor who examined or rendered treatment to a senior citizen victim shall make a report of the complaint,
examination, or treatment within forty-cight (48) hours from the time of the complaint, examination, or
treatment to the nearest police station.

All public workers and medical professionals who have knowledge of the incident involving domestic
violence and to whom said abuse or violence was reported or revealed in the course of the performance of
official duty, shall immediately report the incident to the proper authorities.

In all cases, a report shall be made to any law enforcement agency within forty-eight (48) hours from
knowledge of the same. Whereupon, an investigation shall immediately follow. The DSWD shall assign a
social worker to verify incidents of violence and file a petition for PO, if warranted.

SECTION 11. Establishment of Senior Citizen Help Desk. — Every barangay shall establish a Senior
Citizen Help Desk which shall provide immediate assistance to victim-survivors of abuse.

Besides barangay officials, it may be manned by representatives of the senior citizen sector or by members of
a local senior citizen organization designated and authorized by the Barangay Council or Chairperson.

SECTION 12. Special Prosecution Units. — The DOJ is hereby directed to establish special units that shall
handle complaints of violence against senior citizens as defined in this Act, and the prosecution thereof.

SECTION 13. Venue. — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a Family Court shall have original
and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against senior citizens as provided in this Act. In the absence
of such court in the place where the offense was committed, the case shall be filed in the nearest RTC where
the crime or any of its elements was committed at the option of the complainant.

SECTION 14. Protection Order (PO). — A Protection Order (PO) is an injunction under this Act that may
be requested or issued for the purpose of preventing further acts of abuse or violence against senior citizens as
specified in Section 4 of this Act and granting other necessary relief. The provisions of the PO shall be
enforced by law enforcement agencies.

The types of PO that may be issued under this Act are, as follows:
a. Barangay Protection Order (BPO);

b. Temporary Protection Order (TPO); and
c. Permanent Protection Order (PPO).


The PO that may be issued under this Act shall include any or all of the following reliefs:

a) Prohibition of the respondent or offender from threatening to commit, personally or through another,
any of the acts of violence as defined in Sec. 4;

b) Whenever applicable, issuance of an order to the respondent or offender to immediately leave the
domicile or residence of the petitioner. If personal effects must be removed from the residence, the
Court shall direct a law enforcement officer to accompany the respondent to the residence until such
time that the respondent has gathered all belongings, and to escort the respondent from the residence:

Provided, that the victim or the aggricved party shall likewise be accorded the same protection

contemplated herein;

c) Issuance of an Order to the respondent to stay away from the petitioner within a distance to be
determined by the Court: Provided, That the order shall ensure the physical safety of the petitioner
in the residence, place of work, school, and such other places frequented by the offended party;

d) Prohibition of the respondent from directly or indirectly communicating or contacting the petitioner;

e)Issuance of an Order to proper law enforcement offices to enforce the provisions of this Section;

f) Issuance of an Order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO) of the LGU
concemed to provide therapy, counseling, and other support services to the party or parties;

g) Issuance of an Order for the restitution for actual damages caused by the violence inflicted, including
but not limited to property damage, medical expenses, and loss of income; and

h)Such other relief of the deemed necessary by the Court for the protection of the petitioner and such
other persons who may be in need of the same.

Any of the reliefs provided under this Section shall be granted even in the absence of a decree of legal
separation or annulment, or declaration of absolute nullity of marriage in the case of married individuals.

The application for PO must be in writing, signed, and verified under oath by the applicant. If the applicant is
not the victim, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit of the applicant attesting to:

1)the circumstances of the disclosure of the violence or abuse suffered by the victim; and

2)the circumstances of consent, or lack thereof, given by the victim for the filing of the application.
When disclosure of the address of the abused senior citizen will pose danger to that person's life, it shall be
stated in the application. In such a case, the applicant shall attest that the victim is residing in the municipality
or city over which the Court has territorial jurisdiction, and shall provide a mailing address for purpose of the
service of court processes.
‘The standard application form for PO shall include the following information:

1)names and addresses of petitioner and respondent;

2)description of the relationship between petitioner and respondent, in the case of violence within the
context of Section 4 of this Act;

3)a statement of the circumstances and the nature of violence or abuse;


4)description of the reliefs requested by the petitioner as specified in this
section;

5) request for counsel and reasons for such request;
6) request for waiver of application fees until hearing; and;
7) an attestation that there is no pending application for a PO in another Court.
The following persons may file the petition for a PO:
1) the offended party;
2) any member of the family or household of the victim as defined in this Act;
3) social worker from the DSWD or the SWDO of the LGU or any accredited
social welfare organization;
4) law enforcement officer or agent;
5) lawyer, counselor, therapist, or healthcare provider of the petitioner; and
6) any concerned responsible citizen of the community who has personal
knowledge of the offense committed.
No filing fee shall be required in the application for a PO.

An application for a PO filed with the Court shall be considered an application for both a TPO and a PPO.

SECTION 15. Transfer of Residence; New Application Needed. — A petitioner previously granted a BPO
under this Act and who desires to relocate to a new residence outside the original city or municipality of
residence has to apply for a new BPO.

When a PO has been issued by a. Court of competent jurisdiction and the person in whose favor it is issued
transfers to a place outside the court's jurisdiction, the person may still have the order enforced by filing a
petition before a court in the place where the person has transferred. The petition to enforce the order shall
include a copy of the previously obtained PO. The respondent shall be notified of the issuance of a new PO.

SECTION 16. Legal Representation of Applicant for a PO. — If a petitioner for a PO is requesting for the
appointment of a counsel because of lack of economic means to hire a counsel de parte, the Court shall
immediately direct the Office of the Public Prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case to represent the
petitioner in the hearing on the application sought, The applicant who cannot afford to hire the services of a
private counsel or lacks access to family or conjugal resources such as when the same is controlled by the
abuse, shall qualify for legal representation by the DOJ, the Public Prosecutor’s Office or the PAO.

However, a private counsel offering free legal service is not barred from representing the petitioner with the
latter's consent, and with the leave of the Court.

SECTION 17. Barangay Protection Order (BPO). — A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is issued by the
Tagapamayapa and the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman. The issuance of a BPO or the pendency of
an application for a BPO shall not preclude petitioner from applying for, the Court from granting a ITC) or
PPO.

Application for a BPO shall follow the Rules on venue under the Local Government Code of 1991 and its
implementing rules and regulations.


‘A Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson who receives an application for a BPO shall issue the PO to
the applicant on the date of filing after ex parte determination of the basis of the application. If the Punong
Barangay or the Barangay Chairman is unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the application shall
be acted upon by any available Lupong Tagapamayapa or Baranggy Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by a
Barangay Kagawad that the Punong Barangay and the Lupong Tagapamayapa were not available at the time
of the issuance of the BPO.

‘A BPO issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson and Barangay
‘Kagawad may cover only the relief provided in Section 14 hereof and shall be effective for fifteen (15) days.
Immediately after the issuance of an ex parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or Kagawad shall personally serve
a copy of the same to the respondent or direct any barangay official to personally serve the order.

Within forty-eight (48) hours of issuance of an ex parte, BPO, the Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad
must refer the case to the Lupong TagaPamayapa. The case shall be heard by the Lupong TagaPamayapa
within seven (7) days from the date of referral and within the fifteen (15) day effectivity period of the ex
parte BPO.

Notice of the hearing shall be given to both parties. Subsequent to a hearing on the merits of the application,
the Lupong Tagapamayapa may extend a BPO that grants relief under Section 14 for a period of six (6)
months. The issuance of a BPO shall not preclude any applicant from applying or receiving a subsequent
BPO concerning the same matter.

SECTION 18. Temporary Protection Oder (TPO). —A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) may be issued
by a Court prior to the issuance Of a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) and shall be based on an application
under Section 14 herein. Any application for TPO or PPO must be made with territorial RTC, Metropolitan
Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over the place
of residence of the offended family or the senior citizen victim who suffered violence described under Section
4 of this Act: Provided, however, That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the person for
whom the application is made, the application shall be filed with that Court.

‘A Court that receives an application for a PO shall issue a TPO on the date of filing of the application for ex
parte determination that such order shall be issued. The TPO shalll be effective for thirty (30) days. The Court
shall schedule a hearing on the issuance of a PPO prior to or on the date of expiration of the TPO. The Court
shall order the immediate service of the TPO on respondent by the Court Sheriff who may obtain the
assistance of law enforcement agents for the purpose. The TPO shall include a notice of the hearing on the
merits of the issuance of PPO.

SECTION 19. Permanent Protection Order (PPO). — A Permanent Protection Order (PPO) may be
issued only by the Court after notice and hearing.

‘Any application for TPO or PPO must be made with a RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court,
or Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the offended family
or the abused senior citizen who suffered violence described under Section 4 of this Act: Provided, however,
‘That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the person for whom the application is made, the
application shall be filed with that Court.

Respondent's non-appearance despite proper notice, or lack of a lawyer, or the non-availability of
respondent's lawyer shall not be a ground for rescheduling or postponing the hearing on the merits of the
issuance of a PPO. If the respondent appears without counsel on the date of the hearing on the PPO, the Court
shall appoint a lawyer for the respondent and immediately proceed with the hearing. In case the respondent
fails to appear despite proper notice, the Court shall allow ex parte presentation of the evidence by the
applicant and render judgment on the basis of the evidence presented. The Court shall allow the introduction
of any history of abusive conduct of a respondent even if the same was not directed against the applicant or
the person for whom the application is made.


The court shall, to the extent possible, conduct the hearing on the merits of the issuance of a PPO in one(1)
day. Where the court is unable to conduct the hearing within one (1) day and the TPO issued is due to expire,
the court shall continuously extend or renew the TPO for the duration 4 of the case until a final resolution on
the case is issued. Provided, however, That the PPO may be modified by the Court accordingly to address the
needs of the applicant.

‘The Court may grant any, some, or all of the reliefs provided in Section 14 hereof through a PPO. A PPO
shall be effective until revoked by a Court upon application of the person in whose favor the order was
issued. The Court shall ensure immediate service of the PPO on the respondent.

The Court shall not deny the issuance of a PO on the basis of the lapse of time between the act of violence or
abuse as defined in Section 4 herein and the filing of the application.

Regardless of the conviction or acquittal of the respondent, the Court must determine whether or not the PPO
shall become final. Even in a dismissal of the application for a PPO, the same shall be granted as long as
there is no clear showing that the act in which the order might arise did not exist.

Failure to act on an application for a PO within the period specified in the previous sections without
justifiable cause shall render the Lupong Tagaamayapa, the Punong Barangay ot the Barangay Chairman, the
Barangay Kagawad, the Official of the Judge administratively liable.

SECTION 20. Priority Action on Application for a Protection Order. — Hearings on applications for a
PO under this Act shall have priority over all other proceedings. Barangay officials, Lupong Tagapamayapa,
and the Courts shall schedule and conduct hearings on applications for a PO under this Act above all other
businesses and, if necessary, suspend other proceedings in order to hear applications for a PO.

Respondents shall be notified of the issuances of a PO.

SECTION 21. Prohibition Against Undue Influence Over a Protection Order Applicant. — A

Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman, or the Court hearing an application for a
PO shall not order, direct, force, or in any way unduly influence the application for a PO to compromise or
abandon any of the relief sought in the application for a PO provided under this Act. Section 7 of the Family
Courts Act of 1997 and Sections 410, 411, 412, and 413 of the Local Government Code of 1991 shall not
apply in the proceedings where relief is sought under this Act.

Failure to comply with this section shall render the concerned individual, official, or Judge administratively
liable.

SECTION 22. Mutual Protection Order Prohibited. — No order for the protection of the offender or

respondent may be granted by a Lupong Tagapamayapa or a Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairman and
the Courts.

SECTION 23. Complaint Against a Violation of Protection Order. — A complaint on the violation of a
BPO issued under this Act shall be filed directly with any Municipal Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, or
Municipal Circuit Trial Court that has territorial jurisdiction over the barangay that issued the BPO. Violation
of a BPO shall be punishable by imprisonment of thirty (30) days without prejudice to any other criminal or
civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed under Sec. 4 hereof.

‘A judgment on a violation of a BPO may be appealed according to the Rules of Court. During the trial and
upon judgment, the trial court may motu proporio issue a PO as it deems necessary without the need of
an application.


A violation of any provision of a TPO or a PPO issued under this Act shall constitute contempt of Court
punishable under the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended
party may file for any of the acts committed in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

Any violation of a PO issued under this Act shall constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment of thirty
(30) days, without prejudice to any criminal or civil action that the offended party may file against a person
who has committed any acts described in Section 4 hereof.

‘A complainant on a violation of a PO shall be filed by the complainant directly with the Court that issued the
order, or with that Court in the place of residence of the complainant, if the former is not practicable. A
criminal case for violation of a PO shall be tried and resolved by the Court within sixty (60) days from the
date the complaint was filed. The Court, upon determination of probable cause, shall cause the arrest of the
accused who may post bail in the interim in an amount to be determined by the Court.

A judgment on a violation of a PO may be appealed according to the Rules of Criminal Procedure. During the
trial and upon judgment, the Court may motu propio issue a PO as it deems necessary.

SECTION 24. Hold Departure Order, —A hold departure order shall be issued immediately by the Court
against the respondent of a complaint of abuse against a senior citizen as described under this Act.

SECTION 25. Penalties. — Commission of the acts described under Sec. 3 hereof shall suffer the following
penalties:

a) Acts falling under Section 4 (a) constituting attempted, frustrated or consummated 32
parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Revised 33
Penal Code.

b) Acts falling under Section 4 (a) resulting in mutilation shall be punishable in accordance with
the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That those resulting in serious physical injuries shall be punishable
with the penalty of prision mayor; those resulting in less serious physical injuries shall be punishable
by prision correctional and those resulting in slight physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto
mayor.

)AIl other acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be punishable by prison correctional and a
fine in an amount not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) but not more than 3 Three
hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty of any of the acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be
required to undergo mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment and 6 shall report
compliance therewith to the court.

‘A Barangay Official or law enforcer who fails to respond to any request for assistance or protection from or
on behalf of a victim shall suffer imprisonment of six (6) months to one (1) year, at the discretion of the Court
and pay a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P
10,000.00).

‘Any person who fails to report any act of violence described in Section 3 hereof as required 12 herein shall be
liable for a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00). Whenever applicable, criminal or
administrative charges may also be filed.

SECTION 26. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. — The DSWD shall provide rehabilitative
counseling and treatment to perpetrators towards learning constructive ways of coping with anger and
emotional outbursts and reforming their ways. When necessary, the offender shall be ordered by the Court to
submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement.


SECTION 27. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the current year's appropriations of the concemed departments. Thereafter, the amount
needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned
departments in the annual General Appropriations Act.

For LGUs, the implementation of the programs shall be charged against the internal revenue allotment and
other internally generated funds of the LGU concerned.

In addition, the departments concemed and the LGUs may accept donations, contributions and grants from
various sources for purpose of implementing this Act.

SECTION 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within six (6) months from the approval of
this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD in coordination with the Secretaries of the DOJ, the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the DOH shall formulate rules and guidelines as may be
necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of this Act. This shall include developing protocols
and training programs for all agencies and public officers concemed and a public information and education
program on violence against senior citizens. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) provided for
under this Act shall be reviewed periodically, and revised, if necessary.

SECTION 29. SuppletoryApplication. — For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code, and other
applicable laws, shall have suppletory application.

_SELIION 30. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or
invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which shall remain in full force and effect.

/

SECTION 31. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended,
repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 32. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it is published in the Official
Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.