An act raising the age of sexual consent

 

RA 11648 amended the RA 8353 or the “Anti-Rape Law of 1997”, which provides stronger protection for children against sexual exploitation and abuse. RA 11648 raises the age for statutory rape from 12 years old to 16 years old, this means that a person who had sexual intercourse with a minor aged below 16 years will be charged with Rape even if the minor consented to the act.

There shall be no criminal liability on the part of a person having carnal knowledge of another person sixteen (16) years of age when the age difference between the parties is not more than three (3) years, and the sexual act in question is proven to be consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative: Provided, further, That if the victim is under thirteen (13) years of age, this exception shall not apply.