Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 53)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 53, s. 2011 is to strengthen and reorganize the Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC) to effectively coordinate and monitor the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violations of RA No. 7610 and other child-related criminal laws.
Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, is the principal and comprehensive law for the protection of children against abuse and exploitation.
The Secretary of Justice chairs the Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC).
Three categories of children covered are: (a) Physically abused children, including victims of cruelty and corporal punishment; (b) Sexually abused children including victims of rape and other sexual assaults; (c) Children in prostitution, including those involved in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows.
The CSPC acts as the principal body responsible for coordinating and monitoring the investigation and prosecution of violations of RA No. 7610 and other related child protection laws and formulates and monitors comprehensive programs for child protection as stipulated in the law.
The CSPC is co-chaired by the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development. Members include the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights; Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Labor and Employment, Tourism, Interior and Local Government, Health, and Education; Commissioner of Immigration; Director of the National Bureau of Investigation; Chief of the Philippine National Police; Prosecutor General; and three representatives from NGOs/POs working for child protection.
Special bodies include the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) under RA No. 9208, the Inter-Agency Committee on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IAC-VAWC) under RA No. 9262, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) under RA No. 9344, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IAC-ACP) under RA No. 9775.
The CSPC establishes a system for collecting periodic reports on filed cases, requests member agencies to address urgent issues, coordinates with other inter-agency councils, develops policies and guidelines, formulates uniform protocols for capacity-building, and submits annual accomplishment reports to the Office of the President.
Executive Order No. 53 amended Executive Order No. 275 (s. 1995) and complements Republic Act No. 7610 by strengthening the CSPC's role in coordinating and monitoring child protection laws and enforcement.
If any part or provision of Executive Order No. 53 is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.