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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8997

Introduced by HON. FRANCISCO G. DATOL, JR.
Representative, Senior Citizens Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While the 1987 Constitution and existing laws are in place to protect the rights and
welfare of senior citizens, there is still prevalence of cases involving abuse of senior citizens.

‘The World Health Organization (WHO) defined Elder Abuse as a “single or repeated
act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an
expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person." This type of
violence constitutes violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological,
and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; neglect, and serious loss of dignity and
respect. WHO predicts that elder abuse will increase as many countries are experiencing
rapidly ageing populations.

According to the latest Philippine statistics, there are about ten million (10,000,000)
senior citizens all over the country. One of the risk factors that may increase the potential
for abuse of an older person is the poor physical and mental health of the victim. Based on
the study conducted by the UP Wellness Institute for Seniors and Elders (UPWISE), the
number of frail senior citizens is 14.5%; pre-frail is 73.8%; and, robust is 11.6%.

Due to the increasing number of senior citizens all over the country, there is an
imperative need to protect their rights and welfare against any form of abuse.

Thus, this Bill seeks to provide our dearly beloved senior citizens with ample
protection against violation of their human rights through programs and services that will


promote their well-being. The responsibility to protect senior citizens against any form of
abuse will start in the barangay level due to the establishment of Senior Citizens Help Desk.

The passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Senior Citizens Party-Lh


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8993

Introduced by HON. FRANCISCO G. DATOL, JR.
Representative, Senior Citizens Party-List

AN ACT PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZEN FROM VIOLENCE, DEFINING ELDER
ABUSE, AND PRESCRIBING PENLATIES THEREOF

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”.

SEC. 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. This State also
recognizes the need to protect the family and its members, particularly the senior citizens
from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts
deleterious to their 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.


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

a) Domestic violence refers to acts or threat 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.) aperson 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
within any relationship or interaction by any person 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 violence, psychological or emotional, economic or domestic violence, and
neglect or abandonment;

©) 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 willing to accommodate the aggrieved senior citizen; and

e) 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.”

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


b) 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 or cause financial damage to them; 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.

SEC. 5. Rights of a Senior Citizen Who is a Victim of 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) To avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO)
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) concemed;

c) Tobe entitled to all legal remedies as provided for under the Family Code;

b

d) 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.

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

a) A safe place or temporary shelter, 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 shelter shall provide counselling, psycho-social , recovery or
rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance;

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

) The appropriate programs to ensure the personal safety and security of a senior citizen
who are victims or survivors of violence and similar acts.


SEC. 7. Response to a Request for Assistance. — In responding to a request for
assistance, a barangay official or law enforcer shail 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 perpetrator
or one which is within plain view;

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;

d) 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;

f) Arrest the suspected even without a warrant when any of the acts of violence defined in
this Act is occurring, or on a 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 accredited Non-
Government Organization (NGO)

SEC. 8. Philippine National Police (PNP) Protocol in Responding to Violence
Committed Against a 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 request for assistance and calls related to
violence against senior citizens.

SEC. 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 on 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
concerned 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 acquaint them with:

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


d) The duties imposed on police officers in making lawful arrest and to offer protection and
assistance; and,

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

SEC. 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, medical clinic or similar institutions, as well as the attending physician or nurse,
clinician, barangay health worker, therapist or counsellor who examined or rendered
treatment to a senior citizen victim shall make a report 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 with forty-eight
(48) hours from knowledge of the same. Whereupon, investigation shall immediately follow.
The DSWD shall assign a social worker to verify incidents of violence and file a petition for
PO, if warranted.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 12. Special Prosecution Units. - The DO) 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.

SEC. 13. Venue. — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a Family Court shall have
original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against senior citizen as provided in
this Act. In the absence of such court in the place where the offense was committed at the
option of the complaint.


SEC. 14, Protection Order (PO). — A Protection Order (PO) is an injunction under this Act
that maybe 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 respondent has gathered all
belongings, and to escort the respondent from the residence: Provided, that the victim
or the aggrieved 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 the
Section;

f)_ Issuance of an Order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO)
of the LGU concerned to provide therapy, counselling and other support services to the
aggrieved 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 damaged, 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
the court processes.

‘The standard application form for PO shall include the following information:

1) Names and addresses of petitioner and respondent;

2) Description of 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, counsellor, therapist or healthcare 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.

SEC. 15. Transfer of Residence; New Application Needed. ~ 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 noticed of the issuance of a new PO.

SEC. 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 are controlled by the abuse,
shall qualify for legal representation by the DOJ, the Public Prosecutors’ 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 Court.

SEC. 17 Barangay Protection Order (BPO). — A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is
issued by the Lypong 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 TPO 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 application for a BPO shalll 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 Barangay 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 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 copy of the same of 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.

SEC. 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 the filing of
the application for ex parte determination that such order shall be issued. The TPO shall 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.

SEC. 19. Permanent Protection Order (PPO). — A Permanent Protection Order (PPO)
may be issued only by the Court after the 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 their
place of residence of the offended family or the abused senior citizen who suffered violence
described under Section 4 of the Act: Provided, however, That if a Family Court exists in the
place of residence of the person for who, 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 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 of the case until final resolution on the case is issued. Provided, however, that
the PPO may be modified by the Court accordingly to address the needs of 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
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 @ PPO,
the same shall be granted as long as there is no clear showing that the act which the order
might arise did not 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 Tagapamayapa, the Punong Barangay or
the Barangay Chairman, the Barangay Kagawad, the Official of the Judge administratively
liable.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 21. Prohibition Against Undue Influence Over a Protection Order Applicant.
— A Lupong Tagapamayapa, a Punong Barangay ot 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 reliefs sought in the
application for a PO provided under this Act. Section 7 of the Family Courts Act of 1997 shall
not apply in the proceedings where relief is sought under this Act.

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

SEC. 22. Mutual Protection Order Prohibited. — No order for protection of the offender
or respondent may be granted by a Lupong Tagapamayapa or a Punong Barangay or
Barangay Chairman and the Courts.

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

A violation of any provision of a TPO or a PPO issued under this Act shall continue 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 judgement on a violation of a PO may be appealed according to the Rules of Criminal
Procedure. During trial and upon judgement, the Court may motu proprio a PO as it deems
necessary.

SEC. 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.

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

a) Acts failing under Section 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.

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 prison correctional and those resulting in slight
physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto mayor.

©) All 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 (P100,000.00) but
not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (300,000.00).

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 counselling or
psychiatric treatment and 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 fine of not less than Five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00), but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).

Any person who fails to report any act of violence described in Section 3 hereof as required
herein shall be liable for a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). Whenever
applicable, criminal or administrative charges may also be filed.

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

SEC. 27. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of concerned 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 interval revenue
allotment and other internally generated funds of the LGU concerned.

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

SEC. 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
DO}, 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 programs on violence
against senior citizens. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) provided for under this
Act shall be reviewed periodically, and revised if necessary.

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

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 32. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it publication in the
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.