World News | Philippines Raises Age of Consent to 16

Manila [Philippines], March 8 (ANI/Sputnik): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill to raise the age of consent in the country from 12 to 16, media reported on Monday.

Until now the Philippines, according to UNICEF, has had one of the world's lowest ages of consent, second only to the 11-year threshold in Nigeria.

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The new law imposes criminal liability on those who have had sexual relations with minors under 16 if the difference in age between the parties is no more than three years, CNN said. Under this provision, sexual relations must be consensual, without violence or exploitation, the report said.

The Philippine House of Representatives and Senate approved the law in mid-December 2021. (ANI/Sputnik)

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(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)