In a statement, Teodoro said "there is a need for a legislative measure to
address this disturbing social phenomena, which has been growing particularly
due to access to and availability on the Internet."
Teodoro said that aside from reinforcing Republic Act No. 7160--the Special
Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination
Act--the proposed measure also regulates Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and
all other players in the telecommunications and information technology
industry.
RA 7160 does not provide adequate protection to victims of other forms of
sexual abuse such as child pornography.
"Unlike in other countries, Internet service in the Philippines is loosely, if
at all, regulated, providing anyone with a computer or mobile phone access to
illicit material," Teodoro said.
The proposed measure conforms with Article 34 of the Convention of the Rights
of the Child to which the Philippines is a signatory.
The provision says that state parties should undertake measures to protect
children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse, such as inducement or
coercion to engage in any unlawful sexual activity, exploitative use in
prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices, and exploitative use in
pornographic performances and materials.
Complementary to the Convention, the Philippines is also a signatory to the
Optional Protocol which prohibits the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography.
