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Republic Act No. 10906· Enacted 2016-07-21

Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act Philippines (RA 10906) — BatasKo ELI5

Nagpa-register ka ba sa website na nag-match ng Filipinos sa foreigners para sa kasal? Maaaring ilegal iyon. Alamin ang RA 10906 ngayon.

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Official text — Republic Act No. 10906

Jump to section ↓12 sections

Preamble

Sixteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10906

An Act Providing Stronger Measures Against Unlawful Practices, Businesses, and Schemes of Matching and Offering Filipinos to Foreign Nationals for Purposes of Marriage of Common Law Partnership, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 6955, Also Referred to as the "Anti-Mail Order Bride Law"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1

Section 1.

Short Title.

- This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act".

Section 2

Section 2.

Declaration of Policy.

- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and guarantee the individual rights of the Filipino people. Towards this end, the State shall prevent the exploitation of Filipinos, and protect them from unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes which offer Filipinos for marriage to unscrupulous foreign nationals and expose them to abuse, exploitation, prostitution, and violent situations.

Section 3 — Prohibited Acts.→

Section 3.

Prohibited Acts.

- It shall be unlawful for any person, whether natural or juridical, to commit, directly or indirectly, any of the following acts:

(a) Engage in any business or scheme for money, profit, material, economic or other consideration which has for its purpose the matching or offering of a Filipino to a foreign national for marriage or common law partnership on a mail-order basis or through personal introduction, email, or websites on the internet;

(b) Exhibit, advertise, publish, print, or distribute, or cause the exhibition, advertisement, publication, printing, or distribution of brochures, flyers, or propaganda materials which are calculated to promote the prohibited acts in the preceding paragraph, or to post, advertise, or upload such materials through websites on the internet;

(c) Solicit, enlist, or in any manner, attract or induce any Filipino to become a member in any club or association whose objective is to match Filipino nationals to foreign nationals for the purpose of marriage or common law partnership for a fee; and

(d) To use the postal service or any website on the internet to promote the prohibited acts under this section.

The above notwithstanding, legitimate dating websites, which have for their purpose connecting individuals with shared interests in order to cultivate personal and dating relationships, are not covered by this Act.

Section 4 — Penalties.→

Section 4.

Penalties.

- Any person found guilty by the court to have committed any of the prohibited acts provided under Section 3 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (₱1,000,000.00).

Any person who shall abet or cooperate in the execution of the prohibited acts mentioned in Section 3 of this Act, by previous or simultaneous acts, shall suffer the same penalty provided in the preceding paragraph.

If the prohibited act is committed by a syndicate or committed on a large scale, the offender shall suffer the penalty of twenty (20) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than two million pesos (₱2,000,000.00) but not more than five million pesos (₱5,000,000.00).

The prohibited act is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another.

The prohibited act is deemed committed on a large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons, individually or as a group.

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Any person who has knowledge of the commission of the unlawful acts and profits from it, assists the offender to profit from it, without having participated therein, either as a principal or as an accomplice, shall be punished as an accessory to the offense committed and shall suffer the penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00).

If the offender is a foreigner, the offender shall be immediately deported after serving the sentence and payment of fine and shall be barred permanently from entering the country.

If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, club, establishment, or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, partner, manager, or any responsible officer who participated in the commission of the prohibited acts or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent its commission.

The court may also suspend or revoke the license or permit to operate in the Philippines of the advertising agency, newspaper, and magazine publisher, television or radio station, internet websites, or other entities who commit any of the prohibited acts.

Section 5 — Confiscation and Forfeiture.→

Section 5.

Confiscation and Forfeiture.

- The court shall order the confiscation and forfeiture of all the proceeds and properties derived from the commission of the prohibited act in favor of the government. All awards for damages shall be taken from the personal and separate properties of the offender and if such properties are insufficient, the balance shall be taken from the confiscated and forfeited properties.

When the proceeds, properties, and instruments of the offense have been destroyed, diminished in value, or otherwise rendered worthless by any act or omission, directly or indirectly, by the offender or they have been concealed, removed, converted, or transferred to prevent or avoid forfeiture or confiscation, the offender shall be ordered to pay the amount equal to the value of the proceeds, property, or instruments of the offense.

Section 6 — Mandatory Programs.→

Section 6.

Mandatory Programs.

- The government shall establish and implement preventive, protective, and rehabilitative programs for victims of the unlawful acts and practices enumerated in Section 3 of this Act. For this purpose, the following agencies are hereby mandated to implement their respective programs:

(a) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – The DFA shall make available its resources and facilities overseas for victims of mail-order marriage and other similar schemes regardless of their manner of entry to the receiving country. It shall provide Filipino victims overseas with free legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against offenders, and represent their interests in any criminal investigation or prosecution. The DFA, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall likewise provide free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of this Act.

(b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – The DSWD shall implement preventive, protective, and rehabilitative programs for victims. The DSWD, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), shall likewise provide case management service and develop a system for accreditation among nongovernment organizations (NGOs) for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of the community. The DSWD shall also provide the following basic services to victims:

(1) Temporary shelter or housing and food;

(2) Psychological support and counseling;

(3) Twenty-four (24)-hour call center for crisis calls and technology-based counseling and referral system;

(4) Assistance in coordination with local law enforcement entities; and

(5) Assistance in coordination with the Department of Justice, among others.

(c) Department of Justice (DOJ) – The DOJ shall ensure the prosecution of the persons accused of violating this Act. It shall also establish a mechanism for free legal assistance for victims in coordination with the DSWD, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other NGOs and volunteer groups.

(d) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – The PCW shall, in coordination with relevant government agencies, actively participate in the formulating and monitoring of policies addressing the issue of mail-order marriages and other similar practices. It shall likewise advocate for the inclusion of the issue of mail-order marriages and other similar schemes in both local and international advocacy for women issues.

(e) Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) – The CFO shall conduct pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos who have contracted marriages with partners from other countries with different cultures, faiths, and religious beliefs. It shall develop a system for accreditation of NGOs that may be mobilized for purposes of conducting pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. The CFO shall ensure that the counselors contemplated under this Act shall have the minimum qualifications and training required by law.

Further, the CFO shall collect and analyze pertinent data, statistics, and conduct case studies and research on mail-order spouses. It shall come up with essential analysis and papers to guide concerned agencies in formulating policies. It shall likewise assist in the conduct of information campaigns against unlawful acts under this Act and other similar schemes in coordination with LGUs, the Philippine Information Agency, and NGOs.

Show 5 more sections +→
Section 7 — Venue.→

Section 7.

Venue.

- A criminal action arising from the violation of this Act shall be filed in the place where the offense was committed, where any of its elements occurred, or where the victim actually resides. The court where the criminal action is first filed shall acquire jurisdiction to the exclusion of other courts.

Section 8 — Implementing Rules and Regulations.→

Section 8.

Implementing Rules and Regulations.

- Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the DOJ shall, in coordination with the DFA, DSWD, CFO, the PCW, and NGOs which are engaged in assisting victims of mail-order marriages and other schemes, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 9 — Separability Clause.→

Section 9.

Separability Clause.

- If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10 — Repealing Clause.→

Section 10.

Repealing Clause.

- Republic Act No. 6955, also referred to as the "Anti-Mail Order Bride Law", is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11 — Effectivity.→

Section 11.

Effectivity.

- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

FRANKLIN M. DRILON

President of the Senate

FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Senate Bill No. 3209, which was approved by the Senate on May 23, 2016, was adopted as an amendment to House Bill No. 5572 by the House of Representatives on May 23, 2016.

OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary of the Senate

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved: July 21, 2016

(Sgd.)

BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III

President of the Philippines

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

Full text on BatasKo. Original source: Official Gazette / Lawphil.

Pumunta ka sa Facebook at may nag-message sa'yo: "Join our group! We match Filipinas to kind and wealthy foreign gentlemen looking for serious relationships. Registration fee: ₱2,000." Parang legit, 'di ba? Pero sa ilalim ng batas, ang taong nag-message sa'yo ay posibleng naka-commit na ng krimen na may kasamang 15 taon na pagkabilanggo.

ELI5 Summary: Ang Republic Act No. 10906, o ang Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act, ay nagbabawal sa sinumang kumita mula sa pag-match o pag-offer ng mga Pilipino sa mga dayuhan para sa kasal o live-in na relasyon — kahit online, kahit sa personal na pagpapakilala. Hindi ito tungkol sa pagbabawal ng pagmamahal sa dayuhan. Ito ay tungkol sa pagbabawal ng negosyo na gumagamit ng mga Pilipino bilang produkto.

Real Filipino Scenario: Tess at ang "Club" sa Facebook

Si Tess, 34, ay habal-habal driver sa Baguio na nag-iisang magulang. Pagod na siya sa kabuhayan at nais niyang makahanap ng seryosong relasyon. Isang araw, may nag-invite sa kanya sa isang private Facebook group na tinatawag na "Pinay Hearts International."

Sinabi ng grupo na para sa ₱3,500 na membership fee, ilalagay nila ang kanyang profile sa kanilang database at ipagpapakilala siya sa "pre-screened na mga foreign nationals na naghahanap ng seryosong relasyon."

Ano ang nangyari sa batas? Ang grupong ito ay direktang lumalabag sa Section 3(a) at 3(c) ng RA 10906. Ang pag-solicit sa isang Pilipino na sumali sa isang club na may layuning i-match sila sa mga dayuhan para sa kasal — para sa bayad — ay ilegal na, kahit gawin ito sa social media.

Dapat gawin ni Tess: Huwag magbayad, huwag mag-share ng personal na impormasyon. I-report ang group sa Facebook at sa Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) sa 0917-XXX-XXXX . Maaari ring mag-report sa PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.

What the Law Actually Says

Ang RA 10906, na pinagtibay noong Hulyo 21, 2016, ay pinalitan ang lumang Anti-Mail Order Bride Law (RA 6955, 1990). Ang bagong batas ay mas malakas at mas updated — partikular na dahil naabot na nito ang internet at online platforms.

Ano ang ipinagbabawal ng Section 3:

  • Section 3(a): Bawal ang anumang negosyo o scheme na kumikita mula sa pag-match o pag-offer ng isang Pilipino sa isang dayuhan para sa kasal o common law partnership — mail-order man, personal na pagpapakilala, email, o website.

  • Section 3(b): Bawal ang mag-advertise, mag-print, mag-distribute, o mag-upload ng materials na nagpo-promote ng ganitong serbisyo — kasama na ang internet at social media.

  • Section 3(c): Bawal ang mag-solicit o mag-enlist ng mga Pilipino na maging miyembro ng sinumang club o asosasyon na ang layunin ay i-match sila sa mga dayuhan para sa kasal, lalo na kung may bayad.

  • Section 3(d): Bawal gamitin ang postal service o internet para i-promote ang mga nabanggit na bawal na gawain.

Importante: Ayon mismo sa Section 3, ang legitimate dating websites — yung mga nagko-connect ng mga indibidwal batay sa shared interests para sa personal at dating relationships — ay hindi saklaw ng batas na ito. Ang Bumble, Tinder, at katulad na apps ay hindi automatic na ilegal.

Ano ang parusa? (Section 4):

  • Regular na paglabag: 15 taon na pagkabilanggo at multa na ₱500,000 hanggang ₱1,000,000
  • Kung syndicate (3 o higit pang tao) o large-scale (3 o higit pang biktima): 20 taon at multa na ₱2,000,000 hanggang ₱5,000,000
  • Accessory (may alam pero kumita): 10 taon at ₱100,000 hanggang ₱500,000
  • Kung dayuhan ang nagkasala: deportasyon pagkatapos ng sentence at permanenteng pagbabawal sa pagbalik sa Pilipinas

What This Means for You

Simple: ang pagbebenta ng access sa mga Pilipino bilang potensyal na asawa ay isang krimen.

Hindi kailangan na may nangyaring kasal para maging ilegal. Ang pagkolekta ng bayad, ang pag-advertise, ang pag-solicit ng miyembro — ito mismo ang krimen.

Pero may importanteng linya na dapat maunawaan:

Ikaw bilang Pilipino ay hindi nagkakasala sa simpleng paggamit ng dating app o pag-date ng dayuhan. Ang batas na ito ay nakatuon sa mga operator at negosyante — yung mga kumikita mula sa proseso ng paghahanap ng asawa para sa iyo.

Kung ikaw ay nagbabayad ng membership fee sa isang serbisyo na nagsasabing i-match ka nila sa foreign nationals para sa kasal, may dalawang bagay ang nangyayari: una, maaaring biktima ka ng exploitative na scheme; pangalawa, ang operator ng serbisyong iyon ay posibleng lumalabag sa RA 10906.

Ang legal na dating apps ay iba. Ang Tinder ay hindi nagbebenta ng "access sa mga Pilipino para sa kasal." Ikaw mismo ang nagde-decide. Walang third party na kumikita mula sa iyong relasyon. Iyon ang pagkakaiba.

Real Filipino Scenario: Cherry at ang "Legitimate" na Matchmaking Agency

Si Cherry, 29, ay security guard sa isang mall sa Tarlac City. Narinig niya sa opisina na may matchmaking agency na "legal at rehistrado sa SEC" na nagko-connect ng mga Pilipina sa mga Korean at Japanese nationals para sa kasal. Sabi ng recruiter: "Ito ay normal na matchmaking lang, tulad ng ginagawa ng parents noong dati. May certificate pa kami."

Nagtaka si Cherry — legal ba talaga ito dahil rehistrado sa SEC?

Ang sagot ay hindi. Ang rehistrasyon sa SEC ay nagpapatunay na isang korporasyon ang entity — hindi nito ginagawang legal ang kanilang aktibidad. Ayon sa Section 3(a) ng RA 10906, kahit na anong legal na anyo ang ginagawa ng negosyo, kung ang layunin ay kumita mula sa pag-match ng Pilipino sa dayuhan para sa kasal, ito ay ilegal. Ang "SEC-registered" ay hindi exemption sa batas na ito.

Dapat gawin ni Cherry: Huwag mag-sign ng anumang kontrata o magbayad ng kahit anong bayad. I-verify ang legalidad sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) hotline. Kung na-recruit ka na, makipag-ugnayan sa DSWD para sa libreng konsultasyon.

What Most Filipinos Get Wrong

Mali #1: "Legal ang pag-match kung personal ang introduction, hindi online."

Hindi totoo ito. Ang Section 3(a) ng RA 10906 ay malinaw na nagtatakda na ang pagbabawal ay saklaw ng mail-order, at personal na pagpapakilala, at email, at websites. Walang puwang para sa personal introduction scheme na kumikita mula sa proseso.

Mali #2: "Ang batas ay para lang sa Filipinas — puwede pa ring mag-match ng Filipino men sa foreign women."

Ang batas ay gumagamit ng salitang "Filipino" — hindi "Filipina." Kasama ang lahat ng kasarian. Ang pag-match ng Filipino man sa foreign woman para sa kasal, kung may bayad at third-party operator, ay ilegal din.

Mali #3: "Kung ako ang nagbayad, ako ang nagkasala — hindi ang agency."

Hindi. Ikaw bilang nagbabayad ay maaaring biktima. Ang nagkasala ay ang operator ng scheme — ang nagkolekta ng pera, nag-advertise, at nag-solicit. Ikaw ay may karapatang humingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno bilang biktima.

Mali #4: "Ang lahat ng international dating ay ilegal na ngayon."

Hindi. Ang batas mismo ay nagtatakda ng exemption para sa legitimate dating websites na nagko-connect ng mga tao batay sa shared interests. Ang krimen ay nasa third party na kumikita mula sa relasyon bilang transaksyon, hindi sa dating mismo.

Mali #5: "Wala naman itong mangyayari, matagal nang ganito ang practice."

Ang RA 10906 ay may kasamang 15 hanggang 20 taon na pagkabilanggo. Ang parusa ay seryoso. Ang "lahat naman ginagawa ito" ay hindi depensa sa korte.

What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated

  1. Huwag magbayad ng karagdagang bayad. Kung na-recruit ka na at nagbayad ka, ihinto ang lahat ng transaksyon. Huwag magpadala ng pera, personal documents, o mga larawan sa operator.

  2. I-document ang lahat. I-screenshot ang mga mensahe, advertisement, at resibo. Itago ang lahat ng kommunikasyon sa operator. Ito ang magiging ebidensya mo.

  3. Mag-report sa awtoridad. Maaari kang mag-report sa:

    • PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG): Kung online ang scheme, pumunta sa pinakamalapit na ACG office o mag-report sa camp.crame@pnp.gov.ph
    • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division
    • Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT): Hotline 1343
    • Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)

  4. Humingi ng libreng legal na tulong. Ang Department of Justice (DOJ), sa ilalim ng Section 6(c) ng RA 10906, ay may obligasyong magbigay ng libreng legal assistance sa mga biktima. Pumunta sa pinakamalapit na DOJ office o Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter.

  5. Kumontak sa DSWD. Ang DSWD ay nagbibigay ng temporary shelter, psychological counseling, at 24-hour crisis support para sa mga biktima ng ganitong schemes, ayon sa Section 6(b) ng RA 10906.

  6. Kung may kakilala kang nag-ooperate ng ganitong negosyo, maaari kang mag-report nang hindi kailangang maging biktima ka mismo. Ang batas ay nagpoprotekta rin sa mga whistleblower.

Related Laws

Mga Madalas Itanong / FAQ

Q: Puwede ba akong mag-date ng dayuhan na nakilala ko online?

A: Oo, puwede. Ang batas ay hindi nagbabawal sa pagmamahal sa o pag-date ng dayuhan. Ang pinagbabawalang bagay ay ang negosyo o scheme na may third party na kumikita mula sa pag-match sa inyo. Kung nakilala mo siya sa isang dating app at walang nagkolekta ng bayad para "i-match" kayo, wala kang ginagawang ilegal.

Q: Ang mga parents na naghahanap ng asawa para sa anak nila sa ibang bansa — ilegal ba iyon?

A: Hindi, hanggang walang bayad na natatanggap ng third party at walang negosyo na naka-involve. Ang personal na pagpapakilala ng pamilya, nang walang pera at walang operator, ay hindi saklaw ng batas. Ang batas ay nakatuon sa mga negosyante na kumikita mula sa proseso.

Q: Paano ko malalaman kung ang isang website ay ilegal na mail-order spouse scheme o legal na dating app?

A: Tanungin ang sarili: Kumikita ba ang website mula sa pag-match ng Pilipino sa dayuhan para sa kasal o live-in? May bayad ka ba para "ma-introduce" sa specific na foreign nationals? Kung oo — mataas ang tsansa na ilegal ito. Ang legal na dating apps ay nagko

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Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

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