Bill criminalising child marriage lapsed into law

A bill banning child marriages in the country, including cohabitation with a minor, has lapsed into law, with corresponding penalty for violators, House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, one of the authors of the law, said.

Herrera said that Malacanang Palace has confirmed that the “End Child Marriage Bill” passed at the House of Representatives has lapsed into law on Dec 11, and is now known as Republic Act No.11596, after President Rodrigo Duterte did not act on the measure 30 days upon submission to his office.