Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law prohibiting the practice of child marriage and imposing penalties for violations thereof.
“The State affirms that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of capacitated parties, and child betrothal and marriage shall have no legal effect,” the law stated.
The law also states that any person who causes, fixes, facilitates, or arranges a child marriage “shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period and a fine of not less than P40,000.”
Should the violator be an ascendant, parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, or guardian of the child, the penalty shall be prison mayor in its maximum period, a fine of not less than P50,000, and perpetual loss of parental authority.
If the perpetrator is a public officer, he or she shall be dismissed from the service and may be perpetually disqualified from holding office, at the discretion of the courts, the law said.
Prison mayor carries a prison term of 6 years and 1 day to 12 years.
The law mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to lead its implementation and create programs that will address the prevalence of child marriage, and provide appropriate services, including legal, health, temporary shelter.
