The House Committee on Welfare of Children has approved a substitute bill that seeks to deter the the exploitation of minors and impose stiffer penalties for those who abuse them. The substitute bill was authored by Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Michael Romero. ADVERTISEMENTIn a statement, Roman said the law needed updating as the penalties imposed do not seem attuned to the 21st century. The bill imposes the penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua to any person who will use, coerce, force, or intimidate a street child or any other child to conduct any illegal activities. Section 14 prohibits any person from employing child models in all commercials or advertisements promoting alcoholic beverages, intoxicating drinks, tobacco and its byproducts and violence.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 09, 2018 10:52 UTC