Ka Leody lauds raising age of sexual consent from 12 to 16

Leody de Guzman, a presidential contender, stated his support for the newly passed law that defines statutory rape and raises the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old.

“Isang magandang hakbang iyon, dahil ang nasa batas na 12 years old, ay isang legal na ekspresyon ng represyon ito sa kabataan, lalo na sa kabataang kababaihan. Kapag ganung kababang edad, wala pang kamalay-malay yon. Parang rape yun eh,” De Guzman said in a statement.

(That’s a good step. The 12 years old, which was previously in the law, is a legal expression of repression on the youth, especially among young women. At such a young age, they are not yet aware of it. It’s like rape.)

According to the labor leader, the age of sexual consent should be raised to 16 to 18 years old when a person understands sexuality, human life, and societal issues.

“Makakatulong ito upang kahit papaano’y mapigilan ang sekswal na pagsasamantala sa mga kabataan nating menor de edad. Maigi rin ang 18, 17, at siyempre itong 16.  Sa ganyang edad dapat. Pero yung 13, ‘wag naman. ‘Wag naman. Masyado nang exploitative,” he added.

(This will help prevent sexual exploitation among minors. The age should be 16, 17, or 18, but not 13. That’s too exploitative.)

Ka Leody lauds raising age of sexual consent from 12 to 16

Under Republic Act 11648, a person who has carnal knowledge of another person under the age of 16 is not criminally liable if the age gap between the parties is less than three years and the sexual act in issue is proven to be “consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative.”

It further said that children, whether male or female, are considered exploited in prostitution and other forms of sexual abuse whenever they engage in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct for money, profit, or any other consideration, or as a result of adult compulsion or influence.