NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1459
Senate
*22 NOV “3 P5-44
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DEFINING ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR 
CHILDREN, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MEASURES, AND PRESCRIBING 
PENALTIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND 
THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A 2015 report by the United Nations Broadband Commission stated that "73% 
of women have already been exposed to or have experienced some form of online 
violence.1" It is not hard to imagine that with the ubiquity and accessibility of online 
platforms and rapid development of mobile technologies, the statistics could be much 
worse today. It could be described as another pandemic in terms of prevalence, if left 
unchecked.
This proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act 9262, otherwise known 
as "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004," to expand the acts 
of violence criminalized therein to include acts causing mental, emotional, or 
psychological distress or suffering perpetrated through electronic or digital means, and 
to provide penalties therefor.
Moreover, this bill provides for the immediate blocking, removal, or shutdown 
of any upload, program, or application that causes violence against the victim. It also 
mandates the Department of Justice to establish an "Address Confidentiality Program"
1 "Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls: A World-wide Wake-up Call." Accessed on June 20, 2020 through 
https://librarv.pcw.eov.ph/sites/default/files/Cvber violence Gender%20report.pdf


to ensure the protection and safety of the E-VAWC victims. Lastly, it expands the 
composition of the Inter-Agency Council to further strengthen the program 
formulation and monitoring to address and eliminate cyber violence. .
In this light, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMO^BONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1459
(f45| ®nw,f
(0fflCP of ll/p ,^CCl ■f.'UP
*22 NOV “3 P5 45
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DEFINING ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR 
CHILDREN, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MEASURES, AND PRESCRIBING 
PENALTIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND 
THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1, Short Title. - This Act shall be known as theExpandedAnti-Vioience
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Against Women and their Children (E- VA WC) Act'.
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Sec. 2. Section 3, paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as
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the "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004", is hereby amended
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to read as follows:
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"Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - x x x
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"A. XXX
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"B. XXX
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"C. XXX
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"D. XXX
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"E. ’ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE OR ICT-RELATED VIOLENCE'
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REFERS TO ANY ACT OR OMISSION INVOLVING THE USE OR
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EXPLOITATION OF DATA OR ANY FORM OF INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) WHICH CAUSES OR IS
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LIKELY TO CAUSE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL


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DISTRESS OR SUFFERING TO THE VICTIM, TO INCLUDE THE 
FOLLOWING:
"1. UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING, REPRODUCTION, 
DISTRIBUTION, USE, SHARING OR UPLOADING OF ANY 
PHOTOGRAPH, VIDEO, OR ANY OTHER FORM OR ELECTRONIC 
AND/OR ARTISTIC PRESENTATION SHOWING OR DEPICTING IN 
ANY FORM OR MANNER THE VICTIM'S GENITALIA, PUBIC AREA, 
BUTTOCKS, BREASTS, EXCRETORY BODY PART OR FUNCTION, 
NUDITY, SCENES WITH SEXUAL CONTEXT OR PORTRAYAL OF 
SEXUAL CONDUCT SUCH AS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, 
MASTURBATION, KISSING, CARESSING, HUGGING, AND 
PETTING;
"2. UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING, REPRODUCTION, 
DISTRIBUTION, USE, SHARING OR UPLOADING OF ANY 
PHOTOGRAPH, VIDEO, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ELECTRONIC 
AND/OR ARTISTIC PRESENTATION EXHIBITING ANY SEXUALLY- 
RELATED VERBAL OR NONVERBAL EXPRESSION OR GESTURE OF 
THE VICTIM;
"3. UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING, REPRODUCTION, 
DISTRIBUTION, USE, SHARING OR UPLOADING OF ANY 
PHOTOGRAPH, VIDEO, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ELECTRONIC 
AND/OR ARTISTIC PRESENTATION DEPICTING ANY PURPORTED 
VIOLENT OR ERRANT BEHAVIOR OF THE VICTIM OR THE USE OF 
INTOXICATING OR PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES OR DRUGS;
"4. ANY SIMILAR RECORDING, REPRODUCTION, 
DISTRIBUTION, USE, SHARING OR UPLOADING OF ANY AUDIO 
PRESENTATION AND DATA, INCLUDING SOUND CLIPS, OF THE 
SAME NATURE OR SIMILAR TO THOSE MENTIONED IN 
SUBSECTION (A) E.1-3;
”5. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE VICTIM'S PHOTOGRAPH, 
VIDEO, VOICE, NAME OR ANY MARK, REFERENCE OR CHARACTER 
IDENTIFIABLE WITH THE VICTIM, AND SUGGESTIVE OF ANY


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WRONGDOING OR ANY CONDUCT OR ATTRIBUTE TENDING TO 
BLACKEN THE REPUTATION OF THE VICTIM;
"6. HARASSING OR THREATENING THE VICTIM THROUGH 
TEXT MESSAGING OR OTHER CYBER, ELECTRONIC, OR 
MULTIMEDIA MEANS; AND
"7. HACKING OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTS ON SOCIAL 
NETWORKING SITES AND THE USE OF LOCATION DATA FROM 
ELECTRONIC DEVICES."
Sec. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 5. Acts of Violence Against Women and Their Children.-x x x
"(a) XXX
"(b) XXX
"(c) XXX
"(d) XXX
"(e) XXX
"(f) XXX
"(g) XXX
"(h) XXX 
"(0 XXX [.];
"(J) CAUSING ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE AGAINST A WOMAN 
OR HER CHILD; AND
"(K) THREATENING TO CAUSE ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE 
AGAINST A WOMAN OR HER CHILD."
Sec. 4. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 6. Penalties, x x x 
"(a) XXX 
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX


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"(d) XXX
"(e) XXX
"(f) XXX [.];
"(G) ACTS FALLING UNDER SECTION 5(J) SHALL BE 
PUNISHED BY PRISION CORECCIONAL; AND
"(H) ACTS FALLING UNDER SECTION 5(K) SHALL BE 
PUNISHED BY ARRESTO MA YOR.
"If the acts are committed while the woman or child is pregnant or 
committed in the presence of her child, the penalty to be applied shall be 
the maximum period of penalty prescribed in this section.
"In addition to imprisonment, the perpetrator shall (a) pay a fine in 
the amount of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) 
but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00); 
PROVIDED, THAT, IN CASES OF ELECTRONIC VIOLENCE, THE 
FINE THAT MAY BE IMPOSED SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN THREE 
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P300,000.00) BUT NOT MORE 
THAN FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00); (b) 
undergo mandatory psychological counselling or psychiatric treatment and 
shall report compliance to the court."
Sec. 5. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 7. Venue. - The Regional Trial Court designated as a Family 
Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence 
against women and their children under this law. In the absence of such 
court in the place where the offense was committed, the case shall be filed 
in the Regional Trial Court where the crime or any of its elements was 
committed at the option of the complainant. IN CASES OF ELECTRONIC 
VIOLENCE, THE CASE MAY BE FILED IN THE PLACE WHERE THE 
COMPLAINANT RESIDES AT THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF 
THE OFFENSE."


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Sec. 6. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"SEC. 8. Protection Orders. - x x x 
"(a) XXX 
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX
"(d) XXX
"(e) XXX 
"(f) XXX
"(g) XXX
"(h) XXX 
"(i) XXX
"0) XXX [and]
"(k) XXX [.]; AND
"(L) FOR E-VAWC CASES, ORDERING THE IMMEDIATE 
BLOCKING, BLACKLISTING, REMOVAL, OR SHUTDOWN OF ANY 
UPLOAD, PROGRAM, OR APPLICATION THAT CAUSES OR TENDS 
TO CAUSE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE VICTIM."
Sec. 7. Section 39 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 39. Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and 
Their Children (lAC-VAWC). - x x x 
"(a) XXX
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX 
"(d) XXX
"(e) XXX 
"(f) XXX 
"(g) XXX 
"(h) XXX 
"(i) XXX


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"(j) XXX
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"(k) XXX [and]
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"(I) X X X [.]
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"(M) MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND
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CLASSIFICATION BOARD (MTRCB);
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"(N) DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE 
AND TECHNOLOGY
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(DOST); AND
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"(O) NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
COMMISSION
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(NTC).
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"x X x"
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Sec. 8. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"Sec. 40. Mandatory Programs and Services for Victims. - The
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DSWD, and LGUs shall provide the victims temporary shelters, provide
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counselling, psycho-social 
services and/or[,j recovery, rehabilitation
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programs and livelihood assistance.
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"The DOH shall provide medical assistance to victims.
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"THE DOJ SHALL ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER AN
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ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM WHICH SHALL BE
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REFERRED TO AS THE 'PROGRAM' WHICH SHALL ENSURE THE
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PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF E-VAWC VICTIMS BY PROVIDING
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THEM WITH SUBSTITUTE ADDRESS TO BE USED WHEN
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INTERACTING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND A NEW
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MAILING ADDRESS WHICH KEEPS THEIR ACTUAL ADDRESS
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CONFIDENTIAL AND FREE FROM THE RISK OF DISCOVERY BY
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THIRD PARTIES. THE PROGRAM SHALL CATER TO VICTIMS WHO
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INTEND TO ESTABLISH A NEW RESIDENCE AND THOSE WHO
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HAVE ALREADY RELOCATED TO ANOTHER PLACE UNKNOWN TO
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THEIR ASSAILANTS OR ABUSERS WHO MAY USE PUBLIC
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RECORDS TO FIND THEM.


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"IN THIS REGARD, THE APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION IN 
THE PROGRAM AS WELL AS OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 
SUBMITTED BY A VICTIM SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS 
PUBLIC RECORD AND SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL BY THE 
DOJ. ANY EMPLOYEE WHO WILLFULLY BREACHES THE 
CONFIDENTIALITY OF THESE RECORDS OR WILLFULLY 
DISCLOSES THE NAME, RESIDENTIAL OR MAILING ADDRESS OF 
A VICTIM IN VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION SHALL SUFFER 
THE PENALTY OF ONE (1) YEAR IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF 
NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS 
(P500,000.00)."
Sec. 9. Section 43 of Republic Act No. 9262 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 43. {Entitlement to Leave. - Victims under this Act shall be 
entitled to take a paid leave of absence up to ten (10) days in addition to 
other paid leaves under the Labor Code and Civil Service Rules and 
Regulations, extendible when the necessity arises as specified in the 
protection order.
"Any employer who shall prejudice the right of the person under 
this section shall be penalized in accordance with the provisions of the 
Labor Code and Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Likewise, an employer 
who shall prejudice any person for assisting a co-employee who is a victim 
under this Act shall likewise be liable for discrimination.] TEN(lO)-DAY 
PAID LEAVE IN ADDITION TO OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS. - ANY 
TIME DURING THE APPLICATION OF ANY PROTECTION ORDER, 
INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND/OR TRIAL OF THE 
CRIMINAL CASE, A VICTIM OF VAWC WHO IS EMPLOYED SHALL 
BE ENTITLED TO A PAID LEAVE OF UP TO TEN (10) DAYS IN 
ADDITION TO OTHER PAID LEAVES UNDER THE LABOR CODE, 
CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND OTHER EXISTING 
LAWS AND COMPANY POLICIES, EXTENDIBLE WHEN THE


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NECESSITY ARISES AS SPECIFIED IN THE PROTECTION ORDER. 
THE PUNONG BARANGAY/KAGAWAD OR PROSECUTOR OR THE 
CLERK OF COURT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL ISSUE A 
CERTIFICATION, AT NO COST TO THE WOMAN, THAT SUCH AN 
ACTION IS PENDING. THIS CERTIFICATION SHALL BE THE ONLY 
REQUIREMENT FOR THE EMPLOYER TO GRANT THE TEN (10)- 
DAY PAID LEAVE APPLICATION. FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, 
IN ADDITION TO THE AFOREMENTIONED CERTIFICATION, THE 
EMPLOYEE CONCERNED MUST FILE AN APPLICATION FOR 
LEAVE, CITING AS BASIS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262. THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS LEAVE ENTITLEMENT 
SHALL BE CONSIDERED WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DOLE UNDER ARTICLE 129 OF THE 
LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED, FOR 
EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND THE CSC, FOR 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
"THE AVAILMENT OF THE TEN (lO)-DAY LEAVE OF 
ABSENCE SHALL BE AT THE OPTION OF THE WOMAN EMPLOYEE, 
WHICH SHALL COVER THE DAYS THAT SHE HAS TO ATTEND TO 
MEDICAL AND LEGAL CONCERNS. LEAVES NOT AVAILED OF ARE 
NONCUMULATIVE AND NOT CONVERTIBLE TO CASH.
"THE IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR OF THE PERSON APPLYING 
FOR A TEN (10)-DAY PAID LEAVE MUST APPROVE THE 
APPLICATION ON THE SAME DAY OF APPLICATION. IF THE 
IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR IS UNAVAILABLE TO ACT ON THE 
APPLICATION FOR A LEAVE, THE APPLICATION SHALL BE ACTED 
UPON BY ANY AVAILABLE SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE PRIVATE 
COMPANY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
"EVERY PRIVATE COMPANY AND GOVERNMENT AGENCY 
SHALL RECORD ALL APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE IN A LOGBOOK 
SPECIFICALLY FOR CASES OF VAWC. THEY SHALL SUBMIT A 
QUARTERLY REPORT OF ALL APPLICATIONS ISSUED TO THE


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REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DOLE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE 
PRIVATE SECTOR, AND THE CSC, FOR GOVERNMENT 
EMPLOYEES.
"FAILURE TO ACT ON AN APPLICATION FOR A TEN (10)- 
DAY PAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE WITHIN THE GIVEN PERIOD 
WITHOUT JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE SHALL RENDER THE IMMEDIATE 
SUPERIOR OR SENIOR OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE, 
AND THE PENALTY OF SUSPENSION FOR FIFTEEN (15) DAYS 
SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON THE OFFICIAL. AN ADMINISTRATIVE 
COMPLAINT AGAINST THE IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR OR SENIOR 
OFFICIAL FOR FAILURE TO PERFORM ONE'S DUTIES CAN BE 
FILED BY A VICTIM-SURVIVOR WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR 
OF THE DOLE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND 
THE CSC, FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, FOR GROSS NEGLECT 
OF DUTY OR MALFEASANCE.
"THE IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR OR SENIOR OFFICIAL WHO 
DENIES THE APPLICATION FOR LEAVE, AND WHO SHALL 
PREJUDICE THE VICTIM-SURVIVOR OR ANY PERSON FOR 
ASSISTING A CO-EMPLOYEE WHO IS A VICTIM-SURVIVOR 
UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING 
TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) AND SUSPENSION FOR 
THIRTY (30) DAYS FOR DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLATION OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262.
"ANY SENIOR OFFICIAL WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE OF, BUT 
FAILED TO ACT ON, OR HAS IN ANY WAY INFLUENCED THE 
DENIAL OF THE IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR TO GRANT LEAVE TO A 
VICTIM-SURVIVOR SHALL BE HELD ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE 
AND THE PENALTY OF SUSPENSION FOR FIFTEEN (15) DAYS 
SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE OFFICIAL."


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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the OfUcia! Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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