The Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009

BACKGROUND

Senate Bill No. 2317 entitled "An Act Prohibiting Child Pornography, Imposing Penalties for the Commission Thereof and for Other Purposes" passed the Third and Final Reading last November 24, 2008. All Senators unanimously voted for the approval. The Bill has been forwarded to the lower house for concurrence.

In the House of Representatives, House Bill No.644o entitled "An Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography, Prescribing Penalties Thereof, and for Other Purposes" has passed First Reading. The Committee on Justice, Committee on the Welfare of Children and Committee on Appropriations has reviewed and forwarded the same for consideration by the Plenary for Second Reading. Once the lower house version has passed Second and Third Reading, a bi-cameral session will be held to come-up with a consolidated version of the Senate Bill and House Bill.

An Open Letter to the President has been finalized by the Core Group on Child Pornography of the Sub-Committee on Sexual Abuse and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (SC SACSEC) under the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).

Intended to be printed on the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 26 July 2009, (a day before the State of the Nation Address [SONA]), this letter is calling for a Presidential Certification of the Anti-Pornography Act of 2009 as a priority bill of this administration.

Here is a copy of the open letter.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

Dear Madame President,

We, the concerned organizations and individuals working for children’s rights and welfare, strongly appeal for the consideration of the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 as a priority bill for passage during your administration.

Senate Bill No. 2317 entitled “An Act Prohibiting Child Pornography, Imposing Penalties for the Commission Thereof and for Other Purposes" passed the Third and Final Reading last November 24, 2008. All Senators unanimously voted for the approval. This Bill has been forwarded to the lower house for concurrence.

In the House of Representatives, House Bill No.6440 entitled "An Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography, Prescribing Penalties Thereof, and for Other Purposes" has passed First Reading. As of May 28, 2009, the Committee on Justice, Committee on the Welfare of Children and Committee on Appropriations has reviewed and forwarded the same for consideration by the Plenary for Second Reading.

Child Pornography is a grave violation of the Rights of the Child. The use of children and young people in pornographic materials demeans their intrinsic worth and dignity as human beings. It reduces them into commercial sexual objects. The internet is the new playground for pedophiles and sex offenders who lure and groom children into becoming victims of child pornography.

We commend the Government of the Philippines ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and other relevant international instruments and treaties. However, the continued proliferation of child pornography in the Philippines and around the world indicates that more action needs to be taken. The absence of a comprehensive law to prevent and respond to child pornography has negated most efforts to protect children and paved the way for the continued perpetuation of this crime.

As a nation, we cannot afford to lose the gains we have made for the Filipino Child. Neither can we let go of the pride we have in measuring up to the expectations of the Filipino Child. Together, we must effectively and decisively respond to the needs of the Filipino Child.

Madame President, we reiterate our appeal for the certification of the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 as a priority bill of the Administration.

In the best interest of the Filipino Child,

Lunduyan para sa Pagpapalaganap, Pagtataguyod at Pagtatanggol ng Karapatang Pambata

SPREAD THE WORD AND/OR HELP GENERATE PLEDGES IN WHATEVER AMOUNT WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS BEGINNING JULY 01 FOR THE PRINTING.

Deposit pledges to:
Metrobank 20th Avenue Branch
Acct: # 7-320-50470-4

Fax deposit slip with full name and contact number of depositor to: 9117867
Lunduyan will immediately acknowledge and send you a copy of the receipt.

Lunduyan para sa Pagpapalaganap, Pagtataguyod at Pagtatanggol ng Karapatang Pambata(Lunduyan)
Chair, Sub-Committee on Sexual Abuse and Commercial Exploitation of Children (SC SACSEC)
c/o: Irene Fonacier Fellizar – 09175312252 or Nelia Dychinco Sevidal – 09206349841