President Rodrigo Duterte. Image from PCOO / Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a measure restricting and criminalizing child marriage.
A signed copy of Republic Act No. 11596 or An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof was released to reporters on Thursday.
Under the measure, the following are unlawful and prohibited acts:
-facilitation of child marriage
-solemnization of child marriage
-cohabitation of an adult with a child outside wedlock
The said actions are “deemed public crimes and can be initiated by any concerned individual.”
Adults who fixed, facilitated, or arranged a child marriage will be faced with a fine of at least P40,000 and a jail term of up to 12 years.
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