Zubiri sees swift Senate approval of measure raising age of statutory rape

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri is optimistic that the measure seeking to raise the age of statutory rape to 16 years old will be quickly approved in the Senate, considering the groundswell of support among his fellow senators.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview on Sunday, Zubiri said there is a big chance that the measure will be approved in the upper chamber.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kasamahan ko sa Senado dahil halos lahat, wala akong narinig na negative. Puro gusto nilang lahat na maging co-sponsor, co-author ng measure. At ito ang pinakadisenteng gawin sa ating bansa," he said.

"Sa tingin ko mabilis itong maipapasa. Ang plano namin, sana before the break. Pero depende kay Senator Richard Gordon. Siya ang chairman ng Committee on Justice. Baka pumayag siya na maging subcommittee chair na lang ako," the senator added.

Under the measure, the age of statutory rape or age of consent will be increased to 16 years old from the current 12 years old.

This means that 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. Napakabata pa ng pag-iisip niyan. At napakadaling mawalan ng inosente, ng kabataan niyan. So ang daming nagte-take advantage nito," Zubiri explained.

Zubiri expressed alarm over the report of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) that among teenage girls who get pregnant, 80% of them have partners aged 21 years old and over.

"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 said.

"So 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," he added.

While adults engaging in sex with minors is illegal under the proposed measure, 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.

The measure 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, Zubiri said.

"Kung nakipagtalik kayo sa batang edad na 16 pababa, 'yan ay automatic rape ang kaso sa 'yo at makukulong ka habambuhay," he added. 

At the House of Representatives, the Committees on Revision of Laws and on Welfare of Children have jointly approved a similar measure. —KG, GMA News