Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7) — Various government agencies officially signed on Wednesday the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for a new law that bans and criminalizes child marriage.
In December 2021, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11596 or “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof,” which aims to protect Filipino children from abusive practices and unwanted responsibility.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development led the crafting of the IRR with other agencies and advocates including the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Justice, the United Nations Population Fund, and Oxfam Philippines.
“Marami ka maririnig na ayaw, hindi supportive, pero sa plenary wala naman nag-express ng objection to it. But sasabihin ito may reservation, hindi pwede because of the Quran, because sa indigenous communities it’s been a tradition,” Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, who co-authored the measure, said.
“Pero sabi nga natin hindi porke’t tradition or part of culture ay tama,” she added. “Hindi porke’t kinagisnan ay pwedeng magtuloy-tuloy.”
[Translation: You would hear a lot of people objecting to the measure, who are not supportive, but there was none of that in the plenary. But now there were those who would express reservation, saying it is not allowed because of the Quran and because in indigenous communities it’s been a tradition. But as we said, something being part of tradition or culture doesn’t mean it’s right. Not all things we are accustomed to should continue.]
Under the law, any person who arranges the marriage of a minor can be imprisoned up to 10 years and subject to pay a fine of not less than ₱40,000.
The penalty increases to up to 12 years behind bars and a fine of not less than ₱50,000 if the violator is found to be the child’s parent or guardian.
The same penalty applies to anybody who officiates a child marriage.
According to a 2020 report by UNICEF, 12 million adolescent girls enter into marriage each year.
In the Philippines, the practice is mostly seen in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“We need to move from policy towards implementation, and the IRR will help you,” United Nations Population Fund Philippine representative Leila Joudane said.
“We need to move from ideas to action,” she also said. “Now is the time to act to realize the vision of the law.”
