Nilagdaan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang batas na nagtataas ng edad ng sexual consent mula 12  hanggang 16 taong gulang.

Inilabas ng Malacañang nitong Lunes, Marso 7, ang nilagdaang Republic Act (RA) No. 11648 o ang “Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse."

Ang bagong batas na ito ay nagbibigay ng karagdagang proteksyon sa mga menor de edad laban sa rape at iba pang uri ng sexual abuse kagaya ng child prostitution, child trafficking, at puwersahang pagkuha para sa mga malalaswang publikasyon at malaswang palabas.

Ang inamyenda nitong Republic Act No. 7610 o ang Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, ay nagpapataas ng edad para sa pagtukoy sa komisyon ng statutory rape.

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Ang sexual act ay dapat mapatunayang “consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative.”

“Non-abusive shall mean the absence of undue influence, intimidation, fraudulent machinations, coercion, threat, physical, sexual, psychological, or mental injury or maltreatment, either with the intention of, or through neglect, during the conduct of sexual activities with the child victim,” ayon sa batas.

“On the other hand, non-exploitative shall mean there is no actual or attempted act or acts of unfairly taking advantage of the child’s position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust during the conduct of sexual activities.”

Gayunpaman, ang exemption ay hindi mailalapat kung ang biktima ay wala pang 13 taong gulang.

Inaamyenda rin ng bagong batas ang isang probisyon sa ilalim ng RA 7610 o ang "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act."

“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 or other sexual abuse."