REPUBLIC ACT No.

11313 a male or female identity with physiological characteristics

of the opposite sex in which case this person is considered
An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public transgender:
Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training
Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing (g) Public spaces refer to streets and alleys, public parks,
Penalties Therefor schools, buildings, malls, bars, restaurants, transportation
terminals, public markets, spaces used as evacuation
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the centers, government offices, public utility vehicles as well
Philippine Congress assembled: as private vehicles covered by app-based transport
network services and other recreational spaces such as,
but not limited to, cinema halls, theaters and spas; and
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Safe Spaces
Act".
(h) Stalking refers to conduct directed at a person
involving the repeated visual or physical proximity, non-
Section 2. Declaration of Policies. -It is the policy of the State to
consensual communication, or a combination thereof that
value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect
cause or will likely cause a person to fear for one’s own
for human rights. It is likewise the policy of the State to recognize
safety or the safety of others, or to suffer emotional
the role of women in nation-building and ensure the fundamental
distress.
equality before the law of women and men. The State also
recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security
and safety not only in private, but also on the streets, public spaces, ARTICLE I
online, workplaces and educational and training institutions. GENDER-BASED STREETS AND PUBLIC SPACES

Section 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act: SEXUAL HARASSMENT

(a) Catcalling refers to unwanted remarks directed Section 4. Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual
towards a person, commonly done in the form of wolf- Harassment. -The crimes of gender-based streets and public spaces
whistling and misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexual harassment are committed through any unwanted and
sexist slurs; uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of
the motive for committing such action or remarks.
(b) Employee refers to a person, who in exchange for
remuneration, agrees to perform specified services for Gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes
another person, whether natural or juridical, and whether catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic,
private or public, who exercises fundamental control over transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited
the work, regardless of the term or duration of comments or gestures on a person’s appearance, relentless requests
agreement: Provided, That for the purposes of this law, a for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions,
person who is detailed to an entity under a subcontracting public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any
or secondment agreement shall be considered an advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has
employee; threatened one’s sense of personal space and physical safety, and
committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads, sidewalks and
parks. Acts constitutive of gender-based streets and public spaces
(c) Employer refers to a person who exercises control over
sexual harassment are those performed in buildings, schools,
an employee: Provided, That for the purpose of this Act,
churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet
the status or conditions of the latter’s employment or
shops, public markets, transportation terminals or public utility
engagement shall be disregarded;
vehicles.

(d) Gender refers to a set of socially ascribed

Section 5. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Restaurants and
characteristics, norms, roles, attitudes, values and
Cafes, Bars and Clubs, Resorts and Water Parks, Hotels and Casinos,
expectations identifying the social behavior of men and
Cinemas, Malls, Buildings and Other Privately-Owned Places Open to
women, and the relations between them;
the Public. -Restaurants, bars, cinemas, malls, buildings and other
privately-owned places open to the public shall adopt a zero-
(e) Gender-based online sexual harassment refers to an tolerance policy against gender-based streets and public spaces
online conduct targeted at a particular person that causes sexual harassment. These establishments are obliged to provide
or likely to cause another mental, emotional or assistance to victims of gender-based sexual harassment by
psychological distress, and fear of personal safety, sexual coordinating with local police authorities immediately after gender-
harassment acts including unwanted sexual remarks and based sexual harassment is reported, making CCTV footage available
comments, threats, uploading or sharing of one’s photos when ordered by the court, and providing a safe gender-sensitive
without consent, video and audio recordings, cyberstalking environment to encourage victims to report gender-based sexual
and online identity theft; harassment at the first instance.

(f) Gender identity and/or expression refers to the personal All restaurants, bars, cinemas and other places of recreation shall
sense of identity as characterized, among others, by install in their business establishments clearly-visible warning signs
manner of clothing, inclinations, and behavior in relation against gender-based public spaces sexual harassment, including the
to masculine or feminine conventions. A person may have anti-sexual harassment hotline number in bold letters, and shall
designate at least one (1) anti-sexual harassment officer to receive (c) Providing capacity-building and training activities to
gender-based sexual harassment complaints. Security guards in build the capability of local government officials to
these places may be deputized to apprehend perpetrators caught implement this Act in coordination with the Philippine
in flagrante delicto and are required to immediately coordinate with Commission on Women (PCW). the Local Government
local authorities. Academy (LGA) and the Development Academy of the
Philippines (DAP).
Section 6. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Public Utility
Vehicles. -In addition to the penalties in this Act, the Land Section 10. Implementing Bodies for Gender-Based Sexual
Transportation Office (LTO) may cancel the license of perpetrators Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces. -The Metro Manila
found to have committed acts constituting sexual harassment in Development Authority (MMDA), the local units of the Philippine
public utility vehicles, and the Land Transportation Franchising and National Police (PNP) for other provinces, and the Women and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) may suspend or revoke the franchise of Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the PNP shall have the
transportation operators who commit gender-based streets and authority to apprehend perpetrators and enforce the
public spaces sexual harassment acts. Gender-based sexual law: Provided, That they have undergone prior Gender Sensitivity
harassment in public utility vehicles (PUVs) where the perpetrator is Training (GST). The PCW. DILG and Department of Information and
the driver of the vehicle shall also constitute a breach of contract of Communications Technology (DICT) shall be the national bodies
carriage, for the purpose of creating a presumption of negligence on responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Act and
the part of the owner or operator of the vehicle in the selection and formulating policies that will ensure the strict implementation of this
supervision of employees and rendering the owner or operator Act.
solidarity liable for the offenses of the employee.
For gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment, the
Section 7. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets and Public MMDA and the local units of the PNP for the provinces shall
Spaces Committed by Minors. -In case the offense is committed by a deputize its enforcers to be Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers
minor, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) (ASHE). They shall be deputized to receive complaints on the street
shall take necessary disciplinary measures as provided for under and immediately apprehend a perpetrator if caught in flagrante
Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the "Juvenile Justice and delicto. The perpetrator shall be immediately brought to the nearest
Welfare Act of 2006". PNP station to face charges of the offense committed. The ASHE unit
together with the Women’s and Children’s Desk of PNP stations shall
Section 8. Duties of Local Government Units (LGUs). -local keep a ledger of perpetrators who have committed acts prohibited
government units (LGUs) shall bear primary responsibility in under this Act for purposes of determining if a perpetrator is a first-
enforcing the provisions under Article I of this Act. LGUs shall have time, second-time or third-time offender. The DILG shall also ensure
the following duties: that all local government bodies expedite the receipt and processing
of complaints by setting up an Anti-Sexual Harassment Desk in all
barangay and city halls and to ensure the set-up of CCTVs in major
(a) Pass an ordinance which shall localize the applicability
roads, alleys and sidewalks in their respective areas to aid in the
of this Act within sixty (60) days of its effectivity;
filing of cases and gathering of evidence. The DILG, the DSWD in
coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the PCW
(b) Disseminate or post in conspicuous places a copy of shall coordinate if necessary to ensure that victims are provided the
this Act and the corresponding ordinance; proper psychological counseling support services.

(c) Provide measures to prevent gender-based sexual Section 11. Specific Acts and Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual
harassment in educational institutions, such as information Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces. -The following acts are
campaigns and anti-sexual harassment seminars; unlawful and shall be penalized as follows:

(d) Discourage and impose fines on acts of gender-based (a) For acts such as cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling,
sexual harassment as defined in this Act; leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, pursing, unwanted
invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and
(e) Create an anti-sexual harassment hotline; and sexist slurs, persistent unwanted comments on one’s
appearance, relentless requests for one’s personal details
(f) Coordinate with the Department of the Interior and such as name, contact and social media details or
Local Government (DILG) on the implementation of this destination, the use of words, gestures or actions that
Act. ridicule on the basis of sex, gender or sexual orientation,
identity and/or expression including sexist, homophobic,
and transphobic statements and slurs, the persistent
Section 9. Role of the DILG. -The DILG shall ensure the full telling of sexual jokes, use of sexual names, comments and
implementation of this Act by: demands, and any statement that has made an invasion on
a person’s personal space or threatens the person’s sense
(a) Inspecting LGUs if they have disseminated or posted in of personal safety –
conspicuous places a copy of this Act and the
corresponding ordinance; (1) The first offense shall be punished by a fine of
One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00) and community
(b) Conducting and disseminating surveys and studies on service of twelve (12) hours inclusive of
best practices of LGUs in implementing this Act; and attendance to a Gender Sensitivity Seminar to be
 conducted by the PNP in coordination with the Section 12. Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment. -Gender-based
LGU and the PCW; online sexual harassment includes acts that use information and
communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims
(2) The second offense shall be punished through physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted
by arresto menor (6 to 10 days) or a fine of Three sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks
thousand pesos (₱3,000.00); and comments online whether publicly or through direct and private
messages, invasion of victim’s privacy through cyberstalking and
incessant messaging, uploading and sharing without the consent of
(3) The third offense shall be punished by arresto
the victim, any form of media that contains photos, voice, or video
menor (11 to 30 days) and a fine of Ten thousand
with sexual content, any unauthorized recording and sharing of any
pesos (₱10,000.00).
of the victim’s photos, videos, or any information online,
impersonating identities of victims online or posting lies about
(b) For acts such as making offensive body gestures at victims to harm their reputation, or filing, false abuse reports to
someone, and exposing private parts for the sexual online platforms to silence victims.
gratification of the perpetrator with the effect of
demeaning, harassing, threatening or intimidating the
Section 13. Implementing Bodies for Gender-Based Online Sexual
offended party including flashing of private parts, public
Harassment. -For gender-based online sexual harassment, the PNP
masturbation, groping, and similar lewd sexual actions –
Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNPACG) as the National Operational
Support Unit of the PNP is primarily responsible for the
(1) The first offense shall he punished by a fine of implementation of pertinent Philippine laws on cybercrime, shall
Ten thousand pesos (₱10,000.00) and receive complaints of gender-based online sexual harassment and
community service of twelve (12) hours inclusive develop an online mechanism for reporting real-time gender-based
of attendance to a Gender Sensitivity Seminar, to online sexual harassment acts and apprehend
be conducted by the PNP in coordination with perpetrators.1âшphi1 The Cybercrime Investigation and
the LGU and the PCW; Coordinating Center (CICC) of the DICT shall also coordinate with the
PNPACG to prepare appropriate and effective measures to monitor
(2) The second offense shall be punished and penalize gender-based online sexual harassment.
by arresto menor (11 to 30 days) or a fine of
Fifteen thousand pesos (₱15,000.00); Section 14. Penalties for Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment. -
The penalty of prision correccional in its medium period or a fine of
(3) The third offense shall be punished by arresto not less than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not
mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months) and a more than Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00), or both, at
fine of Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000.00). the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person found
guilty of any gender-based online sexual harassment.
(c) For acts such as stalking, and any of the acts mentioned
in Section 11 paragraphs (a) and (b), when accompanied by If the perpetrator is a juridical person, its license or franchise shall be
touching, pinching or brushing against the body of the automatically deemed revoked, and the persons liable shall be the
offended person; or any touching, pinching, or brushing officers thereof, including the editor or reporter in the case of print
against the genitalia, face, arms, anus, groin, breasts, inner media, and the station manager, editor and broadcaster in the case
thighs, face, buttocks or any part of the victim’s body even of broadcast media. An alien who commits gender-based online
when not accompanied by acts mentioned in Section 11 sexual harassment shall be subject to deportation proceedings after
paragraphs (a) and (b) – serving sentence and payment of fines.

(1) The first offense shall be punished by arresto Exemption to acts constitutive and penalized as gender-based online
rnenor (11 to 30 days) or a line of Thirty sexual harassment are authorized written orders of the court for any
thousand pesos (₱30,000.00), provided that it peace officer to use online records or any copy thereof as evidence
includes attendance in a Gender Sensitivity in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of the crime: Provided, That
Seminar, to be conducted by the PNP in such written order shall only be issued or granted upon written
coordination with the LGU and the PCW; application and the examination under oath or affirmation of the
applicant and the witnesses may produce, and upon showing that
(2) The second offense shall be punished there are reasonable grounds to believe that gender-based online
by arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 sexual harassment has been committed or is about to be committed,
months) or a fine of Fifty thousand pesos and that the evidence to be obtained is essential to the conviction of
(₱50,000.00); any person for, or to the solution or prevention of such crime.

(3) The third offense shall be punished by arresto Any record, photo or video, or copy thereof of any person that is in
mayor in its maximum period or a fine of One violation of the preceding sections shall not be admissible in
hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00). evidence in any judicial, quasi-judicial, legislative or administrative
hearing or investigation.

ARTICLE II
GENDER-BASED ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ARTICLE III
QUALIFIED GENDER-BASED STREETS, PUBLIC SPACES
AND ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT electronic documents and includes the computer system
or other similar devices by or in which data are recorded
Section 15. Qualified Gender-Based Streets, Public Spaces and Online or stored and any procedure related to the recording or
Sexual Harassment. -The penalty next higher in degree will be storage of electronic data messages or electronic
applied in the following cases: documents.

(a) If the act takes place in a common carrier or PUV, Section 17. Duties of Employers. -Employers or other persons of
including, but not limited to, jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, or authority, influence or moral ascendancy in a workplace shall have
app-based transport network vehicle services, where the the duty to prevent, deter, or punish the performance of acts of
perpetrator is the driver of the vehicle and the offended gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace. Towards this end,
party is a passenger; the employer or person of authority, influence or moral ascendancy
shall:
(b) If the offended party is a minor, a senior citizen, or a
person with disability (PWD), or a breastfeeding mother (a) Disseminate or post in a conspicuous place a copy of
nursing her child; this Act to all persons in the workplace;

(c) If the offended party is diagnosed with a mental (b) Provide measures to prevent gender-based sexual
problem tending to impair consent; harassment in the workplace, such as the conduct of anti-
sexual harassment seminars;
(d) If the perpetrator is a member of the uniformed
services, such as the PNP and the Armed Forces of the (c) Create an independent internal mechanism or a
Philippines (AFP), and the act was perpetrated while the committee on decorum and investigation to investigate
perpetrator was in uniform; and and address complaints of gender-based sexual
harassment which shall:
(e) If the act takes place in the premises of a government
agency offering frontline services to the public and the (1) Adequately represent the management, the
perpetrator is a government employee. employees from the supervisory rank, the rank-
and-file employees, and the union, if any;
ARTICLE IV
GENDER-BASED SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE (2) Designate a woman as its head and not less
than half of its members should be women;
Section 16. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. -The
crime of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes (3) Be composed of members who should be
the following: impartial and not connected or related to the
alleged perpetrator;
(a) An act or series of acts involving any unwelcome sexual
advances, requests or demand for sexual favors or any act (4) Investigate and decide on the complaints
of sexual nature, whether done verbally, physically or within ten (10) days or less upon receipt thereof;
through the use of technology such as text messaging or
electronic mail or through any other forms of information (5) Observe due process;
and communication systems, that has or could have a
detrimental effect on the conditions of an individual’s (6) Protect the complainant from retaliation; and
employment or education, job performance or
opportunities;
(7) Guarantee confidentiality to the greatest
extent possible;
(b) A conduct of sexual nature and other conduct-based on
sex affecting the dignity of a person, which is unwelcome,
(d) Provide and disseminate, in consultation with all
unreasonable, and offensive to the recipient, whether
persons in the workplace, a code of conduct or workplace
done verbally, physically or through the use of technology
policy which shall:
such as text messaging or electronic mail or through any
other forms of information and communication systems;
(1) Expressly reiterate the prohibition on gender-
based sexual harassment;
(c) A conduct that is unwelcome and pervasive and creates
an intimidating, hostile or humiliating environment for the
recipient: Provided, That the crime of gender-based sexual (2) Describe the procedures of the internal
harassment may also be committed between peers and mechanism created under Section 17(c) of this
those committed to a superior officer by a subordinate, or Act; and
to a teacher by a student, or to a trainer by a trainee; and
(3) Set administrative penalties.
(d) Information and communication system refers to a
system for generating, sending, receiving, storing or Section 18. Duties of Employees and Co-Workers. -Employees and
otherwise processing electronic data messages or co-workers shall have the duty to:
 (a) Refrain from committing acts of gender-based sexual hostile environment, the school must take immediate action to
harassment; eliminate the same acts, prevent their recurrence, and address their
effects.
(b) Discourage the conduct of gander-based sexual
harassment in the workplace; Once a perpetrator is found guilty, the educational institution may
reserve the right to strip the diploma from the perpetrator or issue
(c) Provide emotional or social support to fellow an expulsion order.
employees, co-workers, colleagues or peers who are
victims of gender-based sexual harassment; and The Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) of all
educational institutions shall address gender-based sexual
(d) Report acts of gender-based sexual harassment harassment and online sexual harassment in accordance with the
witnessed in the workplace. rules and procedures contained in their CODI manual.

Section 19. Liability of Employers.— In addition to liabilities for Section 22. Duties of School Heads. -School heads shall have the
committing acts of gender-based sexual harassment, employers may following duties:
also be held responsible for:
(a) Disseminate or post a copy of this Act in a conspicuous
(a) Non-implementation of their duties under Section 17 of place in the educational institution;
this Act, as provided in the penal provisions; or
(b) Provide measures to prevent gender-based sexual
(b) Not taking action on reported acts of gender-based harassment in educational institutions, like information
sexual harassment committed in the workplace. campaigns;

Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section, shall upon (c) Create an independent internal mechanism or a CODI
conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Five thousand to investigate and address complaints of gender-based
pesos (₱5,000.00) nor more than Ten thousand pesos (₱10,000.00). sexual harassment which shall:

Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section, shall upon (1) Adequately represent the school
conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten thousand administration, the trainers, instructors,
pesos (₱10,000.00) nor more than Fifteen thousand pesos professors or coaches and students or trainees,
(₱15,000.00). students and parents, as the case may be;

Section 20. Routine Inspection. -The Department of Labor and (2) Designate a woman as its head and not less
Employment (DOLE) for the private sector and the Civil Service than half of its members should be women;
Commission (CSC) for the public sector shall conduct yearly
spontaneous inspections to ensure compliance of employers and (3) Ensure equal representation of persons of
employees with their obligations under this Act. diverse sexual orientation, identity and/or
expression, in the CODI as far as practicable;
ARTICLE V
GENDER-BASED SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN (4) Be composed of members who should be
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS impartial and not connected or related to the
alleged perpetrator;
Section 21. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Educational and
Training Institutions.— All schools, whether public or private, shall (5) Investigate and decide on complaints within
designate an officer-in-charge to receive complaints regarding ten (10) days or less upon receipt, thereof;
violations of this Act, and shall, ensure that the victims are provided
with a gender-sensitive environment that is both respectful to the (6) Observe due process;
victims’ needs and conducive to truth-telling.
(7) Protect the complainant from retaliation; and
Every school must adopt and publish grievance procedures to
facilitate the filing of complaints by students and faculty members.
(8) Guarantee confidentiality to the greatest
Even if an individual does not want to file a complaint or does not
extent possible.
request that the school take any action on behalf of a student or
faculty member and school authorities have knowledge or
reasonably know about a possible or impending act of gender-based (d) Provide and disseminate, in consultation with all
sexual harassment or sexual violence, the school should promptly persons in the educational institution, a code of conduct or
investigate to determine the veracity of such information or school policy which shall:
knowledge and the circumstances under which the act of gender-
based sexual harassment or sexual violence were committed, and (1) Expressly reiterate the prohibition on gender-
take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. If a school knows or based sexual harassment;
reasonably should know about acts of gender-based sexual
harassment or sexual violence being committed that creates a
 (2) Prescribe the procedures of the internal Section 29. Administrative Sanctions.— Above penalties are without
mechanism created under this Act; and prejudice to any administrative sanctions that may be imposed if the
perpetrator is a government employee.
(3) Set administrative penalties.
Section 30. Imposition of Heavier Penalties.— Nothing in this Act
Section 23. Liability of School Heads.— In addition to liability for shall prevent LGUs from coming up with ordinances that impose
committing acts of gender-based sexual harassment, principals, heavier penalties for the acts specified herein.
school heads, teachers, instructors, professors, coaches, trainers, or
any odier person who has authority, influence or moral ascendancy Section 31. Exemptions.— Acts that are legitimate expressions of
over another in an educational or training institution may also be indigenous culture and tradition, as well as breastfeeding in public
held responsible for: shall not be penalized.

(a) Non-implementation of their duties under Section 22 of ARTICLE VII

this Act, as provided in the penal provisions; or FINAL PROVISIONS

(b) Failure to act on reported acts of gender-based sexual Section 32. PNP Women and Children’s Desks.— The women and
harassment committed in the educational institution. children’s desks now existing in all police stations shall act on and
attend to all complaints covered under this Act. They shall
Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section, shall upon coordinate with ASHE officers on the street, security guards in
conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Five thousand privately-owned spaces open to the public, and anti-sexual
pesos (₱5,000.00) nor more than Ten thousand pesos (₱10,000.00). harassment officers in government and private offices or schools in
the enforcement of the provisions of this Act.
Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section, shall upon
conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten thousand Section 33. Educational Modules and Awareness Campaigns.— The
pesos (₱10,000.00) nor more than Fifteen thousand pesos PCW shall take the lead in a national campaign for the awareness of
(₱15,000.00). the law. The PCW shall work hand-in-hand with the DILG and duly
accredited women’s groups to ensure all LGUs participate in a
sustained information campaign and the DICT to ensure an online
Section 24. Liability of Students.— Minor students who are found to
campaign that reaches a wide audience of Filipino internet-users.
have committed acts of gender-based sexual harassment shall only
Campaign materials may include posters condemning different
be held liable for administrative sanctions by the school as stated in
forms of gender-based sexual harassment, informing the public of
their school handbook.
penalties for committing gender-based sexual harassment, and
infographics of hotline numbers of authorities.
Section 25. Routine Inspection.— The Department of Education
(DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the
All schools shall educate students from the elementary to tertiary
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall
level about the provisions of this Act and how they can report cases
conduct regular spontaneous inspections to ensure compliance of
of gender-based streets, public spaces and online sexual harassment
school heads with their obligations under this Act.
committed against them. School courses shall include age-
appropriate educational modules against gender-based streets,
ARTICLE VI public spaces and online sexual harassment which shall be
COMMON PROVISIONS developed by the DepEd, the CHED, the TESDA and the PCW.

Section 26. Confidentiality.— At any stage of the investigation, Section 34. Safety Audits. -LGUs are required to conduct safety
prosecution and trial of an offense under this Act, the rights of the audits every three (3) years to assess the efficiency and effectivity of
victim and the accused who is a minor shall be recognized. the implementation of this Act within their jurisdiction. Such audits
shall be multisectoral and participatory, with consultations
Section 27. Restraining Order.— Where appropriate, the court, even undertaken with schools, police officers, and civil society
before rendering a final decision, may issue an order directing the organizations.
perpetrator to stay away from the offended person at a distance
specified by the court, or to stay away from the residence, school, Section 35. Appropriations.— Such amounts as may be necessary for
place of employment, or any specified place frequented by the the implementation of this Act shall be indicated under the annual
offended person. General Appropriations Act (GAA). National and local government
agencies shall be authorized to utilize their mandatory Gender and
Section 28. Remedies and Psychological Counselling.— A victim of Development (GAD) budget, as provided under Republic Act No.
gender-based street, public spaces or online sexual harassment may 9710, otherwise known as "The Magna Carta of Women" for this
avail of appropriate remedies as provided for under the law as well purpose. In addition, LGUs may also use their mandatory twenty
as psychological counselling services with the aid of the LGU and the percent (20%) allocation of them annual internal revenue allotments
DSWD, in coordination with the DOH and the PCW. Any fees to be for local development projects as provided under Section 287 of
charged in the course of a victim’s availment of such remedies or Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government
psychological counselling services shall be borne by the perpetrator. Code of 1991".
Section 36. Prescriptive Period.— Any action arising from the This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1558 and House
violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall prescribe as Bill No. 8794 was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the
follows: House of Representatives on February 6, 2019.

(a) Offenses committed under Section 11(a) of this Act (Sgd) DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING
shall prescribe in one (1) year; Acting Secretary General
House of Representatives
(b) Offenses committed under Section 11(b) of this Act
shall prescribe in three (3) years; (Sgd.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA
Secretary of the Senate
(c) Offenses committed under Section 11(c) of this Act shall
prescribe in ten (10) years; (Sgd) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines
(d) Offenses committed under Section 12 of this Act shall
be imprescriptible; and Approved: April 17, 2019.

(e) Offenses committed under Sections 16 and 21 of this

Act shall prescribe in five (5) years.

Section 37. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.— There is

hereby created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to
monitor the implementation of this Act and to review the
implementing rules and regulations promulgated. The Committee
shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives
to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee
shall be co-chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on
Women, Children. Family Relations and Gender Equality and the
House Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

Section 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).— Within

ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PCW as the lead
agency, in coordination with the DILG, the DSWD, the PNP, the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the DOH, the DOLE, the DepEd,
the CHED, the DICT, the TESDA, the MMDA, the LTO, and at least
three (3) women’s organizations active on the issues of gender-
based violence, shall formulate the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) of this Act.

Section 39. Separability Clause.— If any provision or part hereof is

held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not
affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

Section 40. Repealing Clause.— Any law, presidential decree or

issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order,
rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

Section 41. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2)
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,

(Sgd) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Speaker of the House of Representatives

(Sgd) VICENTE C. SOTTO III

President of the Senate