MANILA – The passage of measure seeking to raise the age of statutory rape to 16 years old could lead into the decrease in number of teenage pregnancy in the country, said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Zubiri said the report of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) that among teenage girls who get pregnant, 80 percent have partners aged 21 years old and above, is alarming.
“Gusto natin mawala na ang sexual predation or predators na ito at pedophile, ika nga, na makipagtalik sa mga bata. Kaya gusto natin para may deterrent by law,” Zubiri said in an interview over DZBB on Sunday.
Under his bill, the age of statutory rape or age of consent will be increased to 16 years old from the current 12 years old. This means any adult who has sexual intercourse with a minor below 16 years old will be considered guilty of rape even if the minor gave his or her consent.
“Gusto natin iangat ‘yan ng 16 years old, dahil ang batang 13, 14, 15 years old hanggang 16 years old, musmos pa ang pag-iisip niyan. At napakadaling mawalan ng inosente, ng kabataan niyan. So ang daming nagte-take advantage nito,” Zubiri said.
“So ang nangyayari, nawawalan sila ng pag-asa dahil minsan kapag nabubuntis ka, 15 years old ka, 14 years old, hindi na kayo bumabalik sa eskuwelahan. At lalong nababaon ang pamilya sa utang at kahirapan dahil siyempre, nawawala sa eskuwela,” he added.
While adults having sex with minors is illegal under his bill, Zubiri said it includes a “Romeo and Juliet” provision where a relationship between minors with close ages is accepted, so long as no party forces another to have sexual intercourse.
“Let’s say nagkaroon ng relasyon ang isang 14 years old sa isang 15 years old or 16 years old, medyo magkalapit ang edad, walang problema ‘yan. That is what you call ‘Romeo and Juliet’ provision kung saan okay lang basta magkalapit ang kanilang edad,” he said.
“Kapag magkaedad walang kaso unless pinilit ng isang partido o isang grupo na magtalik, babalik ‘yan sa rape,” he added.
Zubiri’s proposed measure also retains the punishment under the Revised Penal Code of reclusion perpetua for anyone who engages in sex with a person 16 years old and below.
“Kung nakipagtalik kayo sa batang edad na 16 pababa, ‘yan ay automatic rape ang kaso sa ‘yo at makukulong ka habambuhay,” Zubiri said./PN
