NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
fef'l Senate
of tlie g?r .:i '’iai7
23 FEB 16 P2-41
RLCEIVLD i3V.
SENi
S.B, NO. '1195
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT REMOVING AS ABSOLUTORY CAUSE THE SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE 
OF THE OFFENDED PARTY TO THE OFFENDER IN CASES OF RAPE, THEREBY 
EXTINGUISHING CRIMINAL LIABILITY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 
344 AND REPEALING ARTICLE 266-C OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State recognizes the 
roie of women in nation-buiiding, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of 
women and men.”
While we have enacted several laws seeking to protect the rights of women, such as 
Republic Act No. 9710 or "The Magna Carta of Women," many of them still become targets 
of gender-related crimes.
In 2022, there were a total of 7,197 rape cases monitored in the country and at least 
22 rape cases reported daily based on the records of the Philippine National Police. The highest 
number was recorded in Davao where 413 reports of rape were recorded and 123 rape cases 
were being monitored. Further, at least 90% of the incidents occurred in the victims' 
residences and involved their relatives.
Worse, under our existing laws, marriage of the offended party to the offender, in cases 
of rape, is considered as an absolutory cause. This means that the criminal liability shall be 
extinguished and there shall be no penalty to be imposed against the offender if the 
perpetrator manages to marry the victim. This antiquated provision is not in consonance with 
our commitment to uphold the rights of women. It serves as a convenient means for offenders 
to evade prosecution and indirectly reinforce forced marriages. In order to uphold a woman's 
dignity, they should be allowed to solely decide on matters pertaining to their body, life, and 
future.
As such, this bill seeks to finally rectify this error by amending the decades-old provision 
of the Revised Penal Code and, in effect, shall delete as absolutory cause the marriage of the 
offended party to the offender in cases of rape, as well as crimes against chastity, seduction, 
abduction, and acts of lasciviousness.
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought
MARCOS


^cnn;:e
23 FEB 16 P2 :41
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S.B. No.sen1^95
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT REMOVING AS ABSOLUTORY CAUSE THE SUBSEQUENT 
MARRIAGE OF THE OFFENDED PARTY TO THE OFFENDER IN CASES OF 
RAPE, THEREBY EXTINGUISHING CRIMINAL LIABILITY, AMENDING FOR 
THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 344 AND REPEALING ARTICLE 266-C OF ACT 
NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS 
AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION. 1. Article 266-C of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the Revised 
Penal Code, extinguishing the crime of rape by subsequent valid marriage between 
the offender and the offended party, is hereby repealed.
SEC. 2. Article 344 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Article 344. Prosecution of the crimes of adultery, concubinage, 
seduction, abduction, rape and acts of lasciviousness. - The crimes of 
adultery and concubinage shall not be prosecuted except upon a 
complaint filed by the offended spouse.
The offended party cannot institute criminal prosecution 
without including both the guilty parties, if they are both alive, nor, 
in any case, if he shall have consented or pardoned the offenders.
The offenses of seduction, abduction, rape or acts of 
lasciviousness, shall not be prosecuted except upon a complaint filed 
by the offended party or her parents, grandparents, or guardian, nor, 
in any case, if the offender has been expressly pardoned by the above 
named persons, as the case may be.
[In cases of seduction, abduction, acts of lasciviousness and 
rape, the marriage of the offender with the offended party shall 
extinguish the criminal action or remit the penalty already imposed 
upon him. The provisions of this paragraph shall also be applicable to


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the CO principals, accompliCGS and occcGGorics after the fact of the
above-mentioned crimesT]"
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingiy.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,