Co-sponsorship of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Expanded law against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children
10 February 2026
Mr. President,
Allow me to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 1819 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.
The Philippines has emerged as a global hotspot for online child sexual exploitation, with almost 80% of Filipino children vulnerable to online sexual abuse. Connectivity, large English-speaking population, and poverty are the main factors in the rise in online child exploitation cases in the country.
With the proliferation of the Internet and the transformation of communication through expansive social media use, we have seen or heard harrowing stories of Filipino children being sexually exploited online—and at times, even involving their very own mothers or families who acted as enablers in exchange for sums of money.
May mga magulang na naaatim na ibenta ang malalaswang video ng kanilang mga anak online. May mga ulat din na kasing-bata ng 10-month-old baby ay nasasangkot na sa ganitong kalakaran.
Online child exploitation is one of the gravest and most alarming forms of human trafficking that is happening in the country, with 6 out of 10 children at risk of cybercrime.
These stories are deeply disturbing, Mr. President. These cases underscore the need for the government to aggressively pursue policies that would better protect Filipino children.
And now is the time to act swiftly.
We need a more stringent law that would grant special protection to children against these forms of abuses.
We thank the good sponsor, Senator Risa Hontiveros, for shepherding this measure and advocating for the protection of children and prosecution of perpetrators of this crime.
Thank you, Mr. President.