I am not entirely sure Mike but I think the law in the Phils is or was age 12 but if the other party was over 18 and there had been any financial transaction involved the man would be as good as dead and too damn right! I will check when I get home, laptop battery is about to die
Jim - from Wiki: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines The age of consent in the Philippines is complex. Interpol lists the age of consent of Philippines as 18.[51] According to Article III, Section 5, consensual sex between an adult and a child 12–18 can be prosecuted if the child has sex "due to the coercion or influence" of that adult or if the child is paid (see below). Sex with a child under 12 is considered rape, under Article 266-A. Bill 583, which is currently in the House of Representatives aims to raise the age under which sex is to be considered rape to 16.[52] Sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 12 is defined as rape: Chapter Three Rape "Article 266-A. Rape: When And How Committed. – Rape is committed: "1) By a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following circumstances: "a) Through force, threat, or intimidation; "b) When the offended party is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious; "c) By means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; and "d) When the offended party is under twelve (12) years of age or is demented, even though none of the circumstances mentioned above be present.[53] In regard to children aged 12–18, the law reads (any person under 18 is considered a child): Article III, Section 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.[54] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wiki states that the Vatican City is 14, the same as Italy.
Yeah that is the bit I remember reading, I think that parts of their law are more reasonable for kids that experiment than our laws, the reality is that many experiment at a very young age in the UK but then become criminalised for something that is really just a bad mistake for their age. Philippine law in regards to the age of consent is strict which is clearly a very good thing, but the actual age can be as low as age 12 if both parties are consenting i.e. two kids, one 14 years old one 12 years old, that would appear to be legal which is something that is far from legal in the UK. In such a case it is clearly not a wise thing that the two kids have done but they at least are not criminals as a result. Their law regards adults and children is I think too woolly, it is very open to interpretation, I suspect that there may be many adults who claim no coercion where coercion has in fact taken place and get away with it.
The Philippines and Vatican City are the only two countries in the world where there is no divorce. There is an exception for Muslims in the Philippines, who can divorce.
I'm not lawyer, but my advice is to not engage in any sexual relationship with anyone under 18 years. Even if over 18 years then make yourself aware of the potential legal implications. Here's why and and how I understand it:- 1. Sexual activity with anyone up to the age of 12 years is automatically classified as statutory rape. 2. Sexual activity with someone over the age of 12 years, but less than 18 years may sometimes be allowable in law provided that it can be proven without doubt to be consensual. The problems now begin with so many legal technical issues relating to:- Legality of consent of persons under 18 years Potential for crimes of Seduction In regards to consensual sex, it must be completely consensual, with no hint of coercion, payment for sex, fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority. Even if you claim that you are paying to support your future spouse, you must be able and ready to prove that you financially supported her before starting a sexual relationship with her. The problem is a lot of foreigners are not aware of the laws which, in principle, makes all prostitution, child prostitution. What everyone may fail to understand is that if you walk into a bar in philippines and bar fine a girl, it is now child prostitution because there is no age of consent for anyone trafficked into prostitution in the philippines. Check out trafficking and find even more pitfalls for the unprepared. Also please take special note here:- REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610 Section 3. Definition of Terms (a) "Children" refers to person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition; Article III, Section 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse. ARTICLE VI Other Acts of Abuse Sec. 10 (b) Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who is ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000): Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal duty. ARTICLE XII Sec. 31 (d) When the offender is a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence and forever barred from entry to the country;
I think we all started out with that premise Peter. I don't think any of us were even vaguely suggesting that it was in any sense acceptable behaviour by anyone.
