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Sixteenth Congress of the 
) 
Republic ofthe Philippines ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B: No. 938 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5 provides: 
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JUL 18 P5 :41 
"The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and 
property and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy." 
Older victims of violent crimes are almost twice as likely as younger victims to be raped, 
robbed or assaulted at or in their own homes. 
As the number of older Filipinos increases, this bill seeks to develop strategies for the 
prevention and punishment of crimes that target or otherwise affect seniors by collecting 
appropriate data to measure the extent of crimes committed against them and to determine the 
extent of elder abuse. 
Passage ofthis bill is earnestly requested. 


Sixteenth Congress. of. the. ). 
Republic or the Philippines) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 938 
'13 
JUL 18 P5 :41 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO COMBAT ABUSE AND ENHANCE PENALTIES FOR CRIMES AGAINST 
AND TO STRENGTHEN GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND SUPPORT 
MECHANISMS FOR SENIORS 
Re it enacted hy the Senate and the Hnuse if Representatives nf the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Seniors S~fety ~nd Service 
Act of 2013". 
Section 2. Pllrpose. - The purpose of this Act is to develop strategies for preventing and 
punishing crimes that target or otherwise disproportionately affects seniors by collecting 
appropriate data to measure the extent of crimes committed against seniors and determine the 
extent of domestic and elder abuse. It likewise seeks to strengthen existing services being 
accorded to senior citizens by the government 
Section 3. Definition. - As used in this Act -
1. Crime - means any criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code and special laws; and 
2. Senior - means an individual who is at least 60 years of age. 
Section 4. Study of Crimes Against Seniors. -
a. In General - The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the National Bureau of 
Investigation (NEI) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DlLG), 
through the Philippine National Police (PNP), shall conduct a study relating to crimes 
against seniors in order to assist in developing new strategies to prevent and 
otherwise reduce the incidence of these crimes. 
b. 
T.~sues Addressed - the study conducted under this section shaH include an analysis of 
1. The nature and type of crimes perpetrated against seniors with special focus on: 
a. The most common type of crimes that affect seniors; 
b. The nature and extent of elder abuse inflicted upon seniors; and 
c. The nature and extent of health care fraud and abuse targeting seniors. 
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2. The risk factors associated with seniors who have been victimized: 
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3. The manner in which the criminal justice systems respond to crimes against 
seniors; 
4, The feasibility of establishing and maintaining a centralized computer database on 
the incidence of crimes against seniors that will promote the uniform 
identification and reporting of such crimes; 
), Crimes targeting or disproportionately affecting seniors: 
6. Crime risk factors for seniors, including the times and locations at which crimes 
victimizing seniors are most likely to occur; 
7. Specific characteristics of the victims of crimes who are seniors including age, 
gender, race or ethnicity and socio-economic status; 
g, The nature and extent of crimes targeting seniors such as health care tTaud; and 
9. Other effective ways to prevent or reduce the occurrence of crimes against 
seniors. 
c, 
Report - not later than one (1) year after the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ and the 
DILO shall submit to the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
describing the results of the study under this section. Thereafter, the study and 
report shall be done on an annual basis. 
Section 5. Rnhllnced Sentencing Penaltie$ Bllsed on Age of Victim. - The DOl, in 
coordination with agencies of government concerned, shall: 
1. review existing sentencing guidelines and recommend the possibility of increased 
penalties for persons convicted of offenses in which the victim was a senior in 
appropriate circumstances, given the serious economic and physical harms 
associated with criminal activities targeted at seniors due to their particular 
vulnerability; 
2, consult with individuals or groups representing seniors, law enforcement agencies, 
victims organizations and the judiciary as part of the review described in this 
section; 
3, Account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that may justiry 
exceptions in order to provide sentencing enhancements; 
Not later than one (I) year after the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ shall submit to 
Congress a report on issues relating to the age. of crime victims, which shall include any 
recommendations of the DOJ relating to any revision or modification of penalty levels, 
including statutory penalty, for offenses involving seniors, 
Section 6. Strengthening Government Service lind Support Mechllnism. -
All 
agencies of government, including local government units (LOUs) and government owned and 
controlled corporations (GOCCs) shall endeavor to strengthen all present and existing service 
and support mechanisms to seniors. As such, the establishment and enhancement of senior's desk 
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in all government offices shall be mandatory by utilizing similar facilities or resources devoted 
by such offices for the same purpose. 
Section 7. Appropriations. -
The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOJ. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
Section II. Sepl!rability Clause. Tf any provision of thi~ Act is declared invalid the 
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, nlles and regulations, and 
other parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
Section 10. Rffectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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