The Philippines raised its legal age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 in 2022, aligning with international standards and reflecting a significant shift in child protection laws. The amendment came after years of advocacy by human rights groups and legal experts, who argued that the previous threshold was dangerously low. Critics had long warned that the old law left children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. The change now sets a higher baseline for consent, though debates continue over enforcement and public awareness.
The legal age of sexual consent in the Philippines was 12 years old in 2019 before it was changed in 2022.
