Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
4.'t      HouseBi||No9°88
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann ``Maan" A. Teodoro
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to institute violence against Persons with Disabilities as an Aggravating
Circumstance in the Revised Penal Code as one of our measures to protect those prone to
different kinds of abuses and discrimination.
Under Sec.  2(e)  of Republic Act No.  7277 or the M¢g73¢  Car£¢/or DischJcd Pcrso7rs,  it
specifically states ``to facilitate integration of disabled persons into the mainstream of society,
the State shall advocate for and encourage respect for disabled persons. The State shall exert
all efforts to remove all social, cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that
are prejudicial to disabled persons". They are defined in the same act that ``Disabled Dersous
are those suffering from restriction or different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or
sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the marmer of within the range considered
normal for a human being", which makes them one of the most vulnerable sectors worlwide;
They are more prone to violence as they are not as mentally, physically and psychologically
stable making it difficult for them to protect themselves from suspects.
In the Philippines alone, there are 1,187,563 registered Persons with Disabilities as of
August 2023  as reported  by the National Council  on Disability  Affairs.  These individuals
deserve protection from the State as part of our justice system against violators.
The U.S. Department of Justice published in 2021 the study of Erika Harrell, Ph.D., a
B|S Statistic±2Ln er\titled `` Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 -2019 -Statistical Tables"
stating the following:
1.    From 2017 to 2019, 26% of PWDs were victins of nonfatal violent crimes,
2.1 in 3 victims of robbery were pwDs,
3.    19%  of rape cases  were of those  against PWDs  compared  to  360/o  of those
persons without disabilities.
Inspite of the lack of data and statistics in the Philippines, violence against PWDs still exists
aandrequiresimmediateaction.


Therefore, to empower our PWDs and provide them equal protection against possible
suspects, violence against PWDs shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance in the
Revised Penal Code and suspects shall receive the appropriate penalty for their repulsive
actions in accordance to the law
Thus, this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
A,I
House Bill No. 9088
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann ``Maan" A. Teodoro
AN ACT
INSTITUTING VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AS AN
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 14 0F THE REVISED
PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10951
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION.  1.  The Revised Penal Code,  as amended by Republic Act No.  10951,  is hereby
amended by inserting a new section designated as Article 14 (22) to read as follows:
Article 14. Aggr¢z)af7.7zg a.rcw777sf¢#ccs. The following are aggravating circumstances:
XXXX
``22.  That  the  crime  be  committed  against  Persons  with  Disabilities  (PWDs)  in
accordance with Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magma Carla for Disabled Persons
Act" and its amendments.
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, issuances, rules
and  regulations,  or  parts  thereof  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act  are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 4. Effectivity clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,