QUESTIONING THE LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT

 

QUESTIONING THE LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT

Republic Act 11846 has raised the age of consent in the Philippines from 12 to 16. The new law, signed about two years ago by former President Rodrigo Duterte, was hailed as a major breakthrough by many sectors, considering that it put the Philippines at par with other countries that also has 16 as the age of consent. But should we be happy about that?

The age of voting in the Philippines is 18, and so is the age of drinking, although some LGUs have raised the minimum age to 21. Any Filipino citizen aged 16 years old and above could apply for a student permit, and anyone aged 17 years old and above could apply for a non-professional driver’s license if they are allowed by their parents. As for me, I suggest that the permit be extended up to 18 years old, after which the licensees could apply on their own, even without parental consent.

Since the age of majority in the Philippines is 18 years old, it goes without saying that that anyone who is under 18 is technically a child, and therefore should neither be allowed to vote nor drink. He or she may be allowed to drive, but only with a student permit. That said, I think that anyone below the age of 18 should not be legally allowed to consent to sex, on the simple argument that he or she is still a child. Statistics show that teen pregnancy is increasing, and it could be partly due to the age of consent being below 18. Depression among the youth is also increasing, and could be a contributing factor to higher teenage suicides rates. IKE SENERES/04-03-2024

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