Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima has filed House Resolution (HR) No. 641 seeking a congressional inquiry into the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (Anti-VAWC) Act of 2004, amid the continued prevalence of abuse cases despite the law’s existence.
The resolution aims to identify gaps in enforcement, assess accountability mechanisms, and recommend measures to strengthen protection for women and their children.
De Lima said the move seeks to address systemic and operational weaknesses in the law’s implementation and determine whether amendments are now necessary.
“The effective implementation of RA No. 9262 is essential not only for the protection of individual victims but also for advancing gender equality, public safety, and social justice, consistent with the State’s obligations under domestic law and international human rights commitments,” she said.
She also warned that evolving forms of abuse, particularly those involving digital platforms, may no longer be adequately covered by the current law.
“Emerging forms of violence, particularly those facilitated by information and communications technology (ICT), require a thorough assessment to determine if the current provisions of RA No.9262 are still sufficient to address new and emerging threats to the safety of women and children,” de Lima added.
RA 9262 was enacted nearly 22 years ago to address physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse arising from intimate or dating relationships. It also created the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), tasked with coordinating government programs to address such violence.
Despite this, abuse remains widespread. Data from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey show that nearly one in five women experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence from a current or former intimate partner.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police reported 6,883 cases involving women and children from August 26 to November 25, 2025, including 2,144 violations of RA 9262—the highest for the period.
The resolution cited studies indicating that while awareness of the law is high, many survivors still face barriers to justice due to fear of retaliation, trauma, bureaucratic delays, limited resources, and lack of survivor-centered support.
De Lima said these realities underscore the need to review and strengthen IACVAWC protocols to ensure a coordinated and victim-focused response.
“We have significant laws, such as the Anti-VAWC law, but if gaps in their implementation are not reviewed and addressed, they may become outdated and continue to be exploited by abusers,” she said.