Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. AND 
HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is a nation of close-knit families with a natural reverence for the elderly. 
Our culture is laden with stories, traditions, and norms that place them in high esteem. 
We seek the wisdom of their counsel, appreciate their decades of hard work and 
invaluable contribution to our society, and in the twilight of their years, we express our 
respect, love, and gratitude to the senior citizens of the country by taking care of them. 
In the same vein, the State has legislated mechanisms to provide various benefits and 
assistance to the elderly to ensure that the latter live their remaining years safely, 
peacefully, and happily. 
Statistics reveal that senior citizens, or those aged 60 years old and over, currently 
comprise 6.8% of the country’s total population of around seven million. By 2040, the 
numbers are expected to reach 13.8% of the population, or almost 14 million. This 
representation has come to the knowledge that more than 10,000 seniors in 46 
countries around the world are subject to physical violence every day, according to 
World Report on Violence and Health released by the World Health Organization 
(WHO). On a yearly basis, one million old people are subject to sexual abuse while 29 
million are subject to psychological abuse, and about 6 million are subject to financial 
abuse. This bill is intended to safeguard the lives, liberty, and property of these senior 
citizens who are usually physically and mentally frail with age, and unable to defend 
themselves against any and all forms of abuse that might befall them. 
Under this bill, crimes against the elderly shall be specifically identified and given stiffer 
penalties than those provided for similar acts in the Revised Penal Code (RPC). 
Additionally, senior citizen abuse shall be categorized as a public crime, and a charge 
may be instituted against the perpetrator by any person having personal knowledge of 
the circumstances involving the commission of the crime. 
Furthermore, a Senior Citizens Help Desk shall be established in every barangay 
which shall provide immediate assistance to victims of Senior Citizen Abuse. This is 
to ensure that representatives of the State are present and ready to extend help to 
senior citizens in times of dire need and in the face of abuse. 
May 9, 2023
8:00 am
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Currently, there are several laws in place for the benefit of Filipino senior citizens. For 
instance, Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provides 
them additional benefits and privileges. However, there is no legislation yet that is 
expressly and specifically for their physical safety, as well as the protection of their 
property and liberty. 
We constantly strive to improve the living conditions and overall welfare of our elderly 
not only because it is the tradition of our heritage, but also because it is a core tenet 
of basic morality to care for the weak and defend the vulnerable. Ultimately, this 
representation believes that our senior citizens still contribute to nation-building, and 
deserve their dignity upheld. 
In consideration of the foregoing premises, the passage of this bill is most urgently 
sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. AND 
HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AND PROHIBITING SENIOR CITIZEN ABUSE, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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-Senior Citizen Abuse 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. – It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the rights, dignity, security, and welfare of the senior citizens of our society. 
Towards this end, the State shall work actively for the elimination of all forms of senior 
citizen abuse. The State shall provide sanctions for the commission of any form of 
senior citizen abuse and adopt a program for the prevention and deterrence of crisis 
intervention in situations of senior citizen abuse. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a)
“Senior Citizen” refers to a person 60 years old or above;
b)
“Senior Citizen Abuse” refers to a single, or repeated act, lack of appropriate
action, occurring within any relationship where there is an exception of trust
which causes harm or distress to a Senior Citizen. It includes, but is not limited
to, the following acts:
A.
“Physical Abuse” refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm. It
includes striking, hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking,
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pinching, and burning, inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraint, force-
feeding, and physical punishment of any kind. 
 
B. 
“Sexual Abuse” refers to non-consensual acts which are sexual in nature. It 
includes rape, acts of lasciviousness, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually 
explicit photographing and unwanted touching. 
 
C. 
“Psychological Abuse” refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause 
mental or emotional suffering. It includes verbal assaults, insults, threats, 
intimidation, public ridicule, humiliation, mockery and vilification, harassment, 
and enforced social isolation. 
 
D. 
“Economic Abuse” refers to acts that make or attempt to make a Senior 
Citizen financially dependent. It includes withdrawal of financial support, 
controlling or misusing a Senior Citizen’s own money or properties, cashing a 
Senior Citizen’s checks without authorization or permission, forging a Senior 
Citizen’s signature coercing or deceiving a Senior Citizen into signing any 
document, and the improper use of conservatorship, guardianship, or power 
of attorney. 
 
E. 
“Neglect” refers to the failure of those responsible to feed, provide shelter or 
health care, or protection to the Senior Citizen. 
 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts Constituting Senior Citizen Abuse. – The crime of 
Senior Citizen Abuse is committed through any of the following acts: 
a) 
Causing physical abuse to a senior citizen; 
b) 
Threatening to cause physical abuse to a senior citizen; 
c) 
Attempting to cause a senior citizen physical abuse; 
d) 
Placing a senior citizen in fear of imminent physical abuse; 
e) 
Causing or attempting to cause psychological abuse to a senior citizen 
f) 
Causing or attempting to cause economic abuse to a senior citizen; and 
g) 
Neglect of a senior citizen. 
 


SECTION 5. Penalties. – The crime of Senior Citizen Abuse under Section 4 hereof 
shall be punished according to the following rules: 
a) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(a) constituting attempted, frustrated or consummated 
parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with the 
provisions of the Revised Penal Code; 
 
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 prision mayor, those constituting less serious physical injuries 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; and 
 
d) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(e), except rape, shall be punished by prision mayor. 
 
Rape 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 correccisional; and 
g) 
Acts falling under Sec. 4(h) shall be punished by arresto mayor. 
 
The penalty provided shall be imposed in its maximum period if: 
1) 
The offender-perpetrator has been previously convicted under this Act; 
2) 
The offender is a descendant, collateral relative, or family member up to the 2nd 
degree of consanguinity or affinity; 
3) 
The offender is an owner-operator, manager, or employee of a privately-operated 
elderly facility; and 
4) 
The offender is a public official, staff, or employee of a government-operated 
elderly residential 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). 
 
SECTION 6.  Public Crime. – Senior Citizen Abuse shall be considered a public 
offense that may be prosecuted upon the filing of a complaint by any citizen having 
personal knowledge of the circumstances involving the commission of the crime. 
 
SECTION 7. Prohibited Defense. – Being under the influence of alcohol, any illicit 
drugs, or any other mind-altering substance shall not be a defense under this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Persons Intervening Exempt from Liability. – Any person or a private 
individual acting in accordance with the law, responding or intervening without using 
violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure the safety of the victim, shall 
not be liable for any criminal, civil, or administrative case resulting therefrom. 
 
SECTION 9. Confidentiality. – All cases pertaining to Senior Citizen Abuse cases 
shall be confidential and all public officers and employees of public or private hospitals 
and clinics shall respect the right to privacy of the victim. Any person who shall make 
public any relevant or identifying information about the case or the victim shall be made 
liable for contempt of court and shall suffer the penalty of one (1) year imprisonment 
and a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00). 
 
SECTION 10. Establishment of a Senior Citizens Help Desk. – Every barangay 
shall establish a Senior Citizen Help Desk which shall provide immediate assistance 
to the victims of Senior Citizen Abuse. The Senior Citizen Help Desk may be manned 
by representatives of the Senior Citizens who are residents of the barangay or 
members of a local Senior Citizen organization designated and authorized by the 
Barangay Council or Chairperson. 
 


Barangay officials or law enforcers shall respond immediately to a call for help or 
request for assistance by entering the dwelling, checking on the well-being of the 
victim, and ensuring the safety of the victim. As immediate respondents, they must 
also transport or escort the victim to a safe place of their choice or to a clinic or hospital, 
if and when necessary. 
 
SECTION 11. Healthcare Provider Response to Abuse. – Any healthcare provider, 
including but not limited to, an attending physician, nurse, clinician, barangay health 
worker, therapist, social worker, or counselor who suspects abuse or has been 
informed by the victim of Senior Citizen Abuse shall: 
a) 
Properly document any of the victim’s physical, emotional or psychological 
injuries; 
b) 
Properly record any of the victim’s suspicions, observations, and circumstances 
of the examination or visit; 
c) 
Automatically provide the victim, free of charge, a medical certificate concerning 
the examination or visit; 
d) 
Safeguard the records and make them available to the victim upon request at 
actual cost; and 
e) 
Provide the victim immediate and adequate notice of rights and remedies 
provided under this Act, and services available to them. 
 
SECTION 12. Rights of Victims. – In addition to their rights under existing laws, 
victims of Senior Citizen Abuse shall have the following rights: 
a) 
To be treated with respect and dignity; 
b) 
To avail of legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO); 
c) 
To be entitled to support services from the DSWD and Local Government Units 
(LGUs); 
d) 
To be entitled to all legal remedies and support as provided for under the Family 
Code; and 
e) 
To be informed of their rights and the services available to them including their 
right to apply for a protection order. 
 
SECTION 13. Barangay Protection Order. – Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs) 
refer to the protection order issued by the Punong Barangay ordering the perpetrator 


to desist from committing acts under Section 4 of this Act. A Punong Barangay who 
receives applications for a BPO shall issue the protection order to the applicant on the 
date of filing after ex parte determination of the basis of the application. If the Punong 
Barangay is unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the application shall be 
acted upon by any available Barangay Kagawad. If the BPO is issued by a Barangay 
Kagawad, the order must be accompanied by an attestation by the Barangay Kagawad 
that the Punong Barangay was unavailable at the time for the issuance of the BPO. 
BPOs shall be effective for thirty (30) days. Immediately after the issuance of an ex 
parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or the Barangay Kagawad shall personally serve a 
copy of the same on the respondent or direct any barangay official to affect his 
personal service. 
 
The parties may be accompanied by a non-lawyer advocate in any proceeding before 
the Punong Barangay. 
 
SECTION 14. Mandatory Programs and Services for Victims. – The DSWD and 
the LGUs shall provide the victims temporary shelters, provide counseling, psycho-
social services and/or recovery, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance. 
 
The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) shall include services addressing Senior 
Citizen Abuse. All suspected cases of Senior Citizen Abuse must be reported in 
accordance with existing laws. The OSCA, in coordination with the Local Social 
Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), shall maintain a Senior Citizen Abuse 
documentation and case monitoring system, and set up a databank to keep up an 
accurate and reliable record of instances of abuse and violence committed against the 
Senior Citizens. 
 
SECTION 15. Formulation of the Program. – There shall be a comprehensive 
program to be formulated, by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the DSWD in 
coordination with other government agencies and the private sector concerned, within 
one (1) year from the effectivity of the Act, to protect the Senior Citizen against Senior 
Citizen Abuse. 
 


SECTION 16. Duties of Other Government Agencies and LGUs. – Other 
government agencies and LGUs shall establish programs such as, but not limited to, 
education and information campaign and seminars or symposia on the nature, causes, 
incidence and consequences of Senior Citizen Abuse particularly towards educating 
the public on its social impacts. 
 
 
It shall be the duty of the concerned government agencies and LGUs to ensure the 
sustained education and training of their officers and personnel on the prevention of 
the Senior Citizen Abuse under the Act. 
 
SECTION 17. Trainings and Capacity-Building for Intervenors. – All government 
agencies involved in responding to Senior Citizen Abuse cases shall be required to 
undergo education and training to be conducted by the DSWD to acquaint them with: 
a) 
the nature, extent, causes and risk factors of Senior Citizen Abuse; 
b) 
the legal rights and remedies of victims of Senior Citizen Abuse; 
c) 
legal duties of barangay officials, OSCA Heads, LSWDOs, police officers and 
court authorities in offering assistance and protection; 
d) 
the available services and facilities for victims of Senior Citizen Abuse; 
e) 
specific techniques in handling Senior Citizen Abuse Cases to minimize injury 
and promote the safety and ensure the well-being of the victim. 
 
The Department of Health (DOJ) and other concerned institutions shall provide 
capacity-building on the prevention, detection, and management of psycho-social 
problems and other geriatric concerns of Senior Citizens such as dementia and 
Alzheimer’s Disease, among healthcare providers, home caregivers, and staff and 
employees of nursing homes and/or elderly residential facilities, especially on handling 
Senior Citizen Abuse. 
 
SECTION 18. Counseling and Rehabilitation of Offenders-Perpetrators. – The 
DSWD shall provide rehabilitative counseling and treatment of perpetrators towards 
learning constructive ways of coping with their anger, emotional outburst, or stress 
and reforming their ways. Psychiatric treatment or confinement may also be 
recommended by the responsible authorities if necessary. 
 


SECTION 19. Funding. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the 
year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
 
SECTION 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within six (6) months from 
the approval of this Act, the DOJ, the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
the Philippine National Police, and three (3) representatives from non-government 
organizations to be identified by the DSWD shall promulgate the Implementing Rules 
and Regulations of this Act.  
 
SECTION 21. Suppletory Application. – For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal 
Code and other applicable laws, shall have suppletory application. 
 
SECTION 22. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected. 
 
SECTION 23. Repealing Clause. – All laws, Presidential decrees, executive orders, 
and rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 24. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date 
of its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,