Law Summary
Prohibition of Forced Labor for Debt (Peonage)
- It is unlawful to compel a person against their will to work or render services as payment for a debt.
- Accepting such labor or services with knowledge that it was compelled is punishable.
- Convicted offenders face imprisonment of 6 months to 5 years, fines between 100 and 1,000 pesos, or both.
- Penalties are subject to the court’s discretion.
Prohibition of Sale or Purchase of Human Beings
- Selling, bartering, buying, or exchanging any human being is strictly prohibited.
- Conviction leads to imprisonment for 1 to 20 years and fines of 500 to 10,000 pesos, or both.
- The court exercises discretion in determining penalties.
Presumption Regarding Minors
- In prosecutions under this law, if the victim is under 18 years of age, lack of consent is conclusively presumed.
- This removes the need to prove lack of consent for minors in such cases.
Distribution of Fines and Civil Remedies
- Half of all fines collected under this Act is paid directly to the injured person.
- Payment of this portion of the fine does not extinguish any civil claim for damages that the injured party may pursue.
Territorial Scope
- The law is applicable specifically to the Mountain Province and the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Agusan.
- Its provisions govern acts occurring within these geographic areas.