Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) lauded the House of Representatives for unanimously approving on its third and final reading a bill that will strengthen the government's fight against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill (HB) No. 9461, or the proposed Child Online Safety and Protection Act of 2026, was overwhelmingly approved with 284 votes during the plenary session on Tuesday. The bill aims to expand the reach of existing programs, especially interventions for victim-survivors and their families who have experienced OSAEC. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, expressed the department's support, highlighting the bill's alignment with the mandate of the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).
The proposed measure enhances enforcement mechanisms under Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act. A significant aspect of HB 9461 is the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated, synthetic, and digitally manipulated content alongside deepfakes involving children in the definition of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials.
The bill introduces recognizable offenses such as online grooming, sexual extortion, luring, image-based sexual abuse, and livestreamed exploitation. It stipulates severe penalties for offenders, including life imprisonment and fines of at least PHP2 million for those convicted of producing, distributing, livestreaming, or facilitating child sexual abuse materials. Possession of such materials could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison, while accessing exploitation materials could result in up to 12 years of imprisonment.
Dumlao highlighted Project SAFE, a DSWD initiative aimed at strengthening the prevention, protection, recovery, and safe reintegration of OSAEC victim-survivors to ensure such incidents do not recur. She emphasized the alignment of the project's goals with those of the proposed Child Online Safety and Protection Act of 2026.
Following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Dumlao stated that DSWD programs are adapting to technological advancements. She stressed the need to bolster protection for children, particularly those accessing various online platforms, as digital crimes continue to evolve.
