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REPUBLIC Act No. 11648, or the act increasing the age for determining statutory rape, received the President’s signature on March 4, 2022. The long-awaited law raises the age of sexual consent from twelve (12) to below sixteen (16) years old. “I know this has been long-awaited by many families and child rights advocates, and as a parent to three young kids myself, I was really adamant that we get this out for the President’s signature this Congress,” said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, author and co-sponsor of the law. He also co-chaired the Senate bicameral conference committee panel for the bill, along with Sen. Richard Gordon. “At thirteen or fourteen, our kids cannot make informed decisions about sex yet, especially sex with adults, so this is a really important law ...

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (January 23)—GMA News and Public Affairs’ The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews on Saturday pressed candidates on their personalities, controversies, and stances on issues, including their plan of action to mitigate climate disasters. The presidential bets briefly discussed building back better through climate-resilient infrastructure, preventing loss and damage, the transition to renewable energy, and applying local solutions at the national level. Reacting to this, Greenpeace Philippines Country Director Lea Guerrero said: “The discussion on climate issues has been lacking throughout the election season so far, particularly on the struggle for climate justice. This reflects the lack of ambitious plans in candidates’ platforms that would protect Filip...