FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
9. No. 370 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 13 and Article XIV, Section 3 (2) of the 1987 Constitution both provide for 
the protection and development of the youth. However, it has been evident that there has been 
nationwide rise of drop-outs and the slump of children's school participation and cohort 
survival. In fact, according to the government education agency, drop-out rates for both 
elementary and secondary levels, went up by above 7% and nearly 13% in school year 2005-
2006, from 6.98% and 7.99%, respectively, in school year 2004-2005.' 
It could not be concealed that the frequent habit of cutting classes or the act of skipping classes 
due to peer pressure, or an act of juvenile rebellion has often resulted to the formation of illiterate 
drop-outs who resort to deviant behaviors such as stealing, gang wars, dru!l; addiction, teenage 
pregnancy, vandalism, and other crimes against persons, property and even thf state. 
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The development of our young people is in jeopardy because of various inflJ~nces and activities 
that destroy their lives and future, causing them to become illiterate and irre~. onsible drop-outs 
who resort to deviant behaviors and rebellion against established institutions } authorities. 
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Given this situation, a legislation that will ensure the promotion of general 'Y/;Ifare of the youth 
and their protection from acts, conditions, or influences that are prejudicial to'lfheir development 
is therefore deemed necessary. 
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In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
r 
~~~"~S40-NN-Y")~LAN>~IV 
Senator 
1 http://www.philippinestoday.nctlindex.php?module~article&view~994 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
~. No.3', 0 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
ENSURING THE WELFARE AND PROTECTION OF MINORS 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be knowu as the "Youth Welfare and Protection 
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Act. " 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt 
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and impose policies and regulations that would ensure the welfare and protection of minors, both 
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in·school and out-of-school youth. Their development shall be given consideration in all of its 
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government programs. 
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SEC. 3. Coverage. - All persons below eighteen (\8) years old, both in-school and out-
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of-school, as well as all establishments that cater to such, shall be covered by this Act. 
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the followings terms shall 
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mean: 
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a) Child/Juvenile/Minor - any person below eighteen (18) years old; 
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b) Department - Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
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c) Community Service - a penalty imposed upon a minor for violation of this Act, as 
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defined and within the parameter of the Diversion Program as provided for in 
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Republic Act 9344 otherwise known as "An Act Establishing a Comprehensive 
Juvenile Justice and Welfare System". 
d) Fraternity - a group of people associated or formally organized for a common 
purpose, interest, or pleasure; 
e) Gambling-
1) playing games of chance or betting in the hope of winning money; 
2) wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain 
outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material 
goods. 
t) Gang - a group of persons acting in accord who are believed to engage in improper 
acts or to be influenced by self-seeking, corrupt, or unworthy motives; 
g) Hazing - an initiation rite being conducted as a prerequisite for admission as member 
in a fraternity, sorority, or organization by placing the recruit, neophyte, or applicant 
in an embarrassing or humiliating situation such as forcing himlher to do menial, silly 
foolish, and other similar tasks or activities, or otherwise subjecting him/her to 
physical suffering or injury; 
h) Liquor - an alcoholic drink, especially ofthe type produced by distillation; 
i) Recruiter - a person who enlists or causes other persons to join or become a member 
of a fraternity, sorority, or gang; 
j) Republic Act No. 8049 - An Act regulating hazing and otller forms of initiation rites 
in fraternities, sororities, and other organizations. 
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SEC. 5. Loitering During School Hours. - Students or schoolchildren are banned from 
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loitering in public places outside their school grounds/campuses during school hours unless they 
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are accompanied by their parents/guardians or are attending an official school function/duty. To 
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curtail this practice, stndents and/or school children who will be caught loitering in public places 
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outside their school grounds/campuses during school/class hours, without being accompanied by 
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their parents/guardians or attending an official school function/duty, shall be sanctioned 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 6. Restricted Areas for Minors. - The following areas shall be restricted for 
mmors: 
a) 
Videoke Bars/Beer Houses - It shall be unlawful for establishments such as, but not 
limited to videoke bars, beer houses, night clubs, and/or any establishment that offer 
similar services, to allow the entry of minors within their premises at any time and 
any day, whether or not they are in the company of their parents, guardians, elders, 
or relatives who are not otherwise covered by these prohibition; 
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Hotels/MotelslLodging Houses - It shall be unlawful for all hotels, motels, lodging 
houses, and/or similar establishments to allow the entry of minors within their 
premises, unless such minors are in the company of their parents, guardians, or adult 
relatives. 
SECTION 7. Fraternities and Gangs. -
a) All newly formed youth organizations must apply for accreditation from the office of 
the city mayor of that particular place, upon the recommendation of its youth and 
sports council, and, accordingly, be issued a Certificate of Accreditation. The youth 
and sports council of each city is hereby tasked to guide, monitor, and supervise these 
organizations. 
b) No person shall force, coerce, bully, or deceive any juvenile into joining any 
organization, fraternity, sorority, gang, or association. Recruiters from any 
organization or fratemity/sorority must secure permission from the parents/guardians 
of the child/juvenile being recruited. 
c) Hazing or initiation rites are prohibited under Republic Act 8049. 
d) If the juvenile/minor subjected to hazing or other forms of initiation rites suffers any 
physical injury or dies as a result thereof, the officers (whether or not they 
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participated) and members of fraternity, sorority, or organization who actually 
participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals and will 
suffer the sanctions as provided under Republic Act 8049. 
SECTION 8. Other Acts Prejudicial to the Child's Development. -
a) Selling of Specific Products. - It shall be unlawful for any person or establishments 
such as, but not limited to groceries, department stores, eateries, restaurants, bakeries, 
market stalls, bazaars, general merchandise, hardware and construction supplies to 
sell liquor and/or any intoxicating drink, tobacco products, illegal drugs, "rugby" and 
other habit-inducing solvents, or pornographic materials to minors, such as videos, 
magazines or any publication, books or tapes, and other materials that are detrimental 
to the development ofthe child. 
b) Smoking Ban for Minors. - It shall be unlawful for any minor within the meaning of 
this Act to smoke cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products in any form 
whatsoever, whether or not they are in the company of their parents, guardians, 
elders, or relatives who are not otherwise covered by this prohibition. 
c) Ban on Rugby and other Habit-Inducing Solvents. - It shall be unlawful for any 
minor within the meaning of this Act to sniff "Rugby" or any habit-inducing solvent. 
d) Ban on Liquor and/or any Intoxicating Drink. - It shall be unlawful for all minors 
within the meaning of this Act to drink liquor and/or any intoxicating drink, whether 
or not they are in the company of their parents, guardians, elders, or relatives who are 
not otherwise covered by this prohibition. 
e) Gambling Ban for Minors. - Minors are banned from engaging in any form of 
gambling. Minors who are caught from engaging in any form of gambling, such as, 
but not limited to jueteng, lotto, all card games, cara y cruz, mahjong, bingo, and 
ending shall be properly sanctioned 
SEC. 9. Penalties for Specific Violations. -
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a) The parents/guardians of the offender shall be sanctioned to attend a Parents' 
Orientation Seminar for the First Offense, and a fine in the amount of One Thousand 
Pesos (P 1,000.00) or four (4) hours of community service for subsequent offenses. 
b) The Principal, Guidance Counselor, or Class Adviser of students who were 
apprehended while roaming in all parks, amusement centers, and other similar places 
during their prescribed school hours shall be notified by the apprehending officers 
concerning the matter, and the above school authorities shall bring the offenders to 
school for counseling and/or appropriate disciplinary action. 
c) Commercial establishments such as, but not limited to malls, video arcades, 
restaurants, fast food chains, carinderias, videoke bars, billiard pool halls, and other 
forms of recreation, amusement centers, movie houses, parlors or barber shops, and 
groceries or supelmarkets that allow school children to loiter in their premises during 
school days from 7:00 o'clock in the morning to 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon shall 
be subjected to a fine of Three Thousand Pesos (P 3,000.00) for every student caught. 
d) Violators whose business involve recreational/sports/amusement related activities 
shall suffer the same fine, plus the confiscation of all their gadgets, equipment, 
machines, and other paraphernalia such as computers, videos, billiard pools, bowling 
balls, machines, karaoke/videoke, television sets, and the like. 
e) The penalty for the commission of Section 8 (a) shall be as follows: 
I) First Offense - Fine of Three Thousand Pesos (P 3,000.00) plus three (3) 
months suspension of Business Permit; 
2) Second Offense - Fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P 5,000.00) and cancellation 
of Business Permit without prejudice to the filing of appropriate legal action. 
f) Any person caught in the act of forcing or deceiving any minor/juvenile, or those who 
have forced and deceived minors into joining any organization, fraternity/sorority, or 
gang within the campus or outside the school grounds will be sanctioned with two (2) 
hours of counseling at the Department and four (4) hours of community service to 
that particular City Government if the offender is a minor, or a fine of One Thousand 
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Pesos (P 1,000.00) and eight (8) hours of community service if the offender is an 
adult, without prejudice to filing of appropriate legal action. 
g) Any minor who is found violating Section 8 (d) of this Act shall be placed under 
preventive custody in holding centers until sober so as not to inflict harm on himself 
and others, ~nd shall be subject to a corresponding penalty as listed in Section 9 of 
this Act. 
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SEC. 9. General Penal Clause. -
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Violations of the provisions of this Act shall have the following penalties: 
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a) First Offense - Fine in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (P 1,000.00) or four (4) 
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hours of community service and two (2) hours of counseling; 
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b) Repeated Offense - Fine in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos (P 2,000.00) or six 
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(6) hours of community service and four (4) hours of counseling. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
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be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete pUblication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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