REPUBLIC ACT NO.

8043 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RULES TO GOVERN INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION OF FILIPINO CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1. 1&&'. Sec. (. )eclaration o% Polic". - It is hereb" #eclare# the $olic" o% the State to $ro*i#e e*er" ne+lecte# an# aban#one# chil# with a %a,il" that will $ro*i#e s!ch chil# with lo*e an# care as well as o$$ort!nities %or +rowth an# #e*elo$,ent. Towar#s this en#- e%%orts shall be e.erte# to $lace the chil# with an a#o$ti*e %a,il" in the Phili$$ines. /owe*er- reco+ni0in+ that inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion ,a" be consi#ere# as allowin+ aliens not $resentl" allowe# b" law to a#o$t 1ili$ino chil#ren i% s!ch chil#ren cannot be a#o$te# b" 2!ali%ie# 1ili$ino citi0ens or aliensthe State shall take ,eas!res to ens!re that inter-co!ntr" a#o$tions are allowe# when the sa,e shall $ro*e bene%icial to the chil#3s best interests- an# shall ser*e an# $rotect his4her %!n#a,ental ri+hts. c#t Sec. 5. )e%inition o% Ter,s. - As !se# in this Act. the ter,6 a7 Inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion re%ers to the socio-le+al $rocess o% a#o$tin+ a 1ili$ino chil# b" a %orei+ner or a 1ili$ino citi0en $er,anentl" resi#in+ abroa# where the $etition is %ile#the s!$er*ise# trial c!sto#" is !n#ertaken- an# the #ecree o% a#o$tion is iss!e# o!tsi#e the Phili$$ines. b7 b" law. c7 )e$art,ent re%ers to the )e$art,ent o% Social 9el%are an# )e*elo$,ent o% the Re$!blic o% the Phili$$ines. #7 Secretar" re%ers to the Secretar" o% the )e$art,ent o% Social 9el%are an# )e*elo$,ent. ac# e7 A!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc" re%ers to the State wel%are a+enc" or a license# a#o$tion a+enc" in the co!ntr" o% the a#o$tin+ $arents which $ro*i#e co,$rehensi*e social ser*ices an# which is #!l" reco+ni0e# b" the )e$art,ent. %7 Le+all"-%ree chil# ,eans a chil# who has been *ol!ntaril" or in*ol!ntaril" co,,itte# to the )e$art,ent- in accor#ance with the Chil# an# :o!th 9el%are Co#e. +7 ;atchin+ re%ers to the <!#icio!s $airin+ o% the a#o$ti*e chil# an# the a$$licant to $ro,ote a ,!t!all" satis%"in+ $arent-chil# relationshi$. h7 =oar# re%ers to the Inter-co!ntr" A#o$tion =oar#. ARTICLE II T/E INTER-CO>NTR: A)OPTION =OAR) Chil# ,eans a $erson below %i%teen 81'7 "ears o% a+e !nless sooner e,anci$ate# Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Inter-Co!ntr" A#o$tion Act o%

Sec. ?. The Inter-Co!ntr" A#o$tion =oar#. - There is hereb" create# the Inter-Co!ntr" A#o$tion =oar#- hereina%ter re%erre# to as the =oar# to act as the central a!thorit" in ,atters relatin+ to inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion. It shall act as the $olic"-,akin+ bo#" %or $!r$oses o% carr"in+ o!t the $ro*isions o% this Act- in cons!ltation an# coor#ination with the )e$art,ent- the #i%%erent chil#-care an# $lace,ent a+encies- a#o$ti*e a+encies- as well as non-+o*ern,ental or+ani0ations en+a+e# in chil#-care an# $lace,ent acti*ities. As s!ch- it shall6 a7 Protect the 1ili$ino chil# %ro, ab!se- e.$loitation- tra%%ickin+ an#4or sale or an" other $ractice in connection with a#o$tion which is har,%!l- #etri,ental- or $re<!#icial to the chil#@ b7 Collect- ,aintain- an# $reser*e con%i#ential in%or,ation abo!t the chil# an# the a#o$ti*e $arents@ c7 ;onitor- %ollow !$- an# %acilitate co,$letion o% a#o$tion o% the chil# thro!+h a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc"@ #7 Pre*ent i,$ro$er %inancial or other +ain in connection with an a#o$tion an# #eter i,$ro$er $ractices contrar" to this Act@ e7 i %7 License an# accre#it chil#-carin+4$lace,ent a+encies an# collaborate with the, in the $lace,ent o% 1ili$ino chil#ren@ +7 Accre#it an# a!thori0e %orei+n a#o$tion a+enc" in the $lace,ent o% 1ili$ino chil#ren in their own co!ntr"@ an# h7 Cancel the license to o$erate an# blacklist the chil#-carin+ an# $lace,ent a+enc" or a#o$ti*e a+enc" in*ol*e# %ro, the accre#itation list o% the =oar# !$on a %in#in+ o% *iolation o% an" $ro*ision !n#er this Act. Sec. '. Co,$osition o% the =oar#. - The =oar# shall be co,$ose# o% the Secretar" o% the )e$art,ent as e. o%%icio Chair,an- an# si. 8A7 other ,e,bers to be a$$ointe# b" the Presi#ent %or a nonrenewable ter, o% si. 8A7 "ears6 Pro*i#e#- That there shall be a$$ointe# one 817 $s"chiatrist or $s"cholo+ist- two 8(7 law"ers who shall ha*e at least the 2!ali%ications o% a re+ional trial co!rt <!#+e- one 817 re+istere# social worker an# two 8(7 re$resentati*es %ro, non+o*ern,ental or+ani0ations en+a+e# in chil#-carin+ an# $lace,ent acti*ities. The ,e,bers o% the =oar# shall recei*e a $er #ie, allowance o% One tho!san# %i*e h!n#re# $esos 8P1-'BB7 %or each ,eetin+ atten#e# b" the,6 Pro*i#e#- %!rther- That no co,$ensation shall be $ai# %or ,ore than %o!r 8?7 ,eetin+s a ,onth. Sec. A. Powers an# 1!nctions o% the =oar#. - The =oar# shall ha*e the %ollowin+ $owers an# %!nctions6 a7 to $rescribe r!les an# re+!lations as it ,a" #ee, reasonabl" necessar" to carr" o!t the $ro*isions o% this Act- a%ter cons!ltation an# !$on %a*orable reco,,en#ation o% the #i%%erent a+encies concerne# with the chil#-carin+- $lace,ent- an# a#o$tion@ b7 to set the +!i#elines %or the con*enin+ o% an Inter-co!ntr" A#o$tion Place,ent Co,,ittee which shall be !n#er the #irect s!$er*ision o% the =oar#@ Pro,ote the #e*elo$,ent o% a#o$tion ser*ices incl!#in+ $ost-le+al a#o$tion@ c#

c7 to set the +!i#elines %or the ,anner b" which selection4,atchin+ o% $ros$ecti*e a#o$ti*e $arents an# a#o$ti*e chil# can be ,a#e@ #7 to #eter,ine a reasonable sche#!le o% %ees an# char+es to be e.acte# in connection with the a$$lication %or a#o$tion@ e7 to #eter,ine the %or, an# contents o% the a$$lication %or inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion@ +7 to instit!te s"ste,s an# $roce#!res to $re*ent i,$ro$er %inancial +ain in connection with a#o$tion an# #eter i,$ro$er $ractices which are contrar" to this Act@ h7 ser*ices- c# to $ro,ote the #e*elo$,ent o% a#o$tion ser*ices- incl!#in+ $ost-le+al a#o$tion

i7 to accre#it an# a!thori0e %orei+n $ri*ate a#o$tion a+encies which ha*e #e,onstrate# $ro%essionalis,- co,$etence an# ha*e consistentl" $!rs!e# non-$ro%it ob<ecti*es to en+a+e in the $lace,ent o% 1ili$ino chil#ren in their own co!ntr"6 Pro*i#e#- That s!ch %orei+n $ri*ate a+encies are #!l" a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# b" their own +o*ern,ent to con#!ct interco!ntr" a#o$tion6 Pro*i#e#- howe*er- That the total n!,ber o% a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# %orei+n $ri*ate a#o$tion a+encies shall not e.cee# one h!n#re# 81BB7 a "ear@ <7 to take a$$ro$riate ,eas!res to ens!re con%i#entialit" o% the recor#s o% the chil#the nat!ral $arents an# the a#o$ti*e $arents at all ti,es@ k7 to $re$are- re*iew or ,o#i%"- an# therea%ter- reco,,en# to the )e$art,ent o% 1orei+n A%%airs- ;e,oran#a o% A+ree,ent res$ectin+ inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion consistent with the i,$le,entation o% this Act an# its state# +oals- entere# into- between an# a,on+ %orei+n +o*ern,ents- international or+ani0ations an# reco+ni0e# international non-+o*ern,ental or+ani0ations@ l7 to assist other concerne# a+encies an# the co!rts in the i,$le,entation o% this Act- $artic!larl" as re+ar#s coor#ination with %orei+n $ersons- a+encies an# other entities in*ol*e# in the $rocess o% a#o$tion an# the $h"sical trans%er o% the chil#@ an# ,7 to $er%or, s!ch other %!nctions on ,atters relatin+ to inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion as ,a" be #eter,ine# b" the Presi#ent. ARTICLE III PROCE)>RE Sec. C. Inter-Co!ntr" A#o$tion as the Last Resort. - The =oar# shall ens!re that all $ossibilities %or a#o$tion o% the chil# !n#er the 1a,il" Co#e ha*e been e.ha!ste# an# that interco!ntr" a#o$tion is in the best interest o% the chil#. Towar#s this en#- the =oar# shall set !$ the +!i#elines to ens!re that ste$s will be taken to $lace the chil# in the Phili$$ines be%ore the chil# is $lace# %or inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion6 Pro*i#e#- howe*er- That the ,a.i,!, n!,ber that ,a" be allowe# %or %orei+n a#o$tion shall not e.cee# si. h!n#re# 8ABB7 a "ear %or the %irst %i*e 8'7 "ears. Sec. D. 9ho ;a" be A#o$te#. - Onl" a le+all" %ree chil# ,a" be the s!b<ect o% interco!ntr" a#o$tion. In or#er that s!ch chil# ,a" be consi#ere# %or $lace,ent- the %ollowin+ #oc!,ents ,!st be s!b,itte# to the =oar#6 c#asia a7 b7 Chil# st!#"@ =irth certi%icate4%o!n#lin+ certi%icate@

c7 $arents@ #7 e7 %7

)ee# o% *ol!ntar" co,,it,ent4#ecree o% aban#on,ent4#eath certi%icate o% ;e#ical e*al!ation 4histor"@ Ps"cholo+ical e*al!ation- as necessar"@ an# Recent $hoto o% the chil#.

Sec. &. 9ho ;a" A#o$t. - An alien or a 1ili$ino citi0en $er,anentl" resi#in+ abroa# ,a" %ile an a$$lication %or inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion o% a 1ili$ino chil# i% he4she6 a7 is at least twent"-se*en 8(C7 "ears o% a+e an# at least si.teen 81A7 "ears ol#er than the chil# to be a#o$te#- at the ti,e o% a$$lication !nless the a#o$tor is the $arent b" nat!re o% the chil# to be a#o$te# or the s$o!se o% s!ch $arent6 b7 i% ,arrie#- his4her s$o!se ,!st <ointl" %ile %or the a#o$tion@ c7 has the ca$acit" to act an# ass!,e all ri+hts an# res$onsibilities o% $arental a!thorit" !n#er his national laws- an# has !n#er+one the a$$ro$riate co!nselin+ %ro, an accre#ite# co!nselor in his4her co!ntr"@ #7 e7 has not been con*icte# o% a cri,e in*ol*in+ ,oral t!r$it!#e@ is eli+ible to a#o$t !n#er his4her national law@

%7 is in a $osition to $ro*i#e the $ro$er care an# s!$$ort an# to +i*e the necessar" ,oral *al!es an# e.a,$le to all his chil#ren- incl!#in+ the chil# to be a#o$te#@ +7 a+rees to !$hol# the basic ri+hts o% the chil# as e,bo#ie# !n#er Phili$$ine lawsthe >.N. Con*ention on the Ri+hts o% the Chil#- an# to abi#e b" the r!les an# re+!lations iss!e# to i,$le,ent the $ro*isions o% this Act@ h7 co,es %ro, a co!ntr" with who, the Phili$$ines has #i$lo,atic relations an# whose +o*ern,ent ,aintains a si,ilarl" a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc" an# that a#o$tion is allowe# !n#er his4her national laws@ an# i7 $ossesses all the 2!ali%ications an# none o% the #is2!ali%ications $ro*i#e# herein an# in other a$$licable Phili$$ine laws. Sec. 1B. 9here to 1ile A$$lication. - An a$$lication to a#o$t a 1ili$ino chil# shall be %ile# either with the Phili$$ine Re+ional Trial Co!rt ha*in+ <!ris#iction o*er the chil#- or with the =oar#- thro!+h an inter,e#iate a+enc"- whether +o*ern,ental or an a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc"- in the co!ntr" o% the $ros$ecti*e a#o$ti*e $arents- which a$$lication shall be in accor#ance with the re2!ire,ents as set %orth in the i,$le,entin+ r!les an# re+!lations to be $ro,!l+ate# b" the =oar#. c#asia The a$$lication shall be s!$$orte# b" the %ollowin+ #oc!,ents written an# o%%iciall" translate# in En+lish. a7 b7 =irth certi%icate o% a$$licant8s7@ ;arria+e contract- i% ,arrie#- an# #i*orce #ecree- i% a$$licable@

c7 9ritten consent o% their biolo+ical or a#o$ti*e chil#ren abo*e ten 81B7 "ears o% a+e- in the %or, o% sworn state,ent@

#7 $s"cholo+ist@ e7 a$$licant8s7@ %7

Ph"sical- ,e#ical an# $s"cholo+ical e*al!ation b" a #!l" license# $h"sician an# Inco,e ta. ret!rns or an" #oc!,ent showin+ the %inancial ca$abilit" o% the Police clearance o% a$$licant8s7@

+7 Character re%erence %ro, the local ch!rch4,inister- the a$$licant3s e,$lo"er an# a ,e,ber o% the i,,e#iate co,,!nit" who ha*e known the a$$licant8s7 %or at least %i*e 8'7 "ears@ an# h7 Recent $ostcar#-si0e $ict!res o% the a$$licant8s7 an# his i,,e#iate %a,il"@ The R!les o% Co!rt shall a$$l" in case o% a#o$tion b" <!#icial $rocee#in+s. Sec. 11. 1a,il" Selection4;atchin+. - No chil# shall be ,atche# to a %orei+n a#o$ti*e %a,il" !nless it is satis%actoril" shown that the chil# cannot be a#o$te# locall". The clearance- as iss!e# b" the =oar#- with the co$" o% the ,in!tes o% the ,eetin+s- shall %or, $art o% the recor#s o% the chil# to be a#o$te#. 9hen the =oar# is rea#" to trans,it the Place,ent A!thorit" to the a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion a+enc" an# all the tra*el #oc!,ents o% the chil# are rea#"- the a#o$ti*e $arents- or an" one o% the,- shall $ersonall" %etch the chil# in the Phili$$ines. Sec. 1(. Pre-a#o$ti*e Place,ent Costs. - The a$$licant8s7 shall bear the %ollowin+ costs inci#ental to the $lace,ent o% the chil#@ a7 The cost o% brin+in+ the chil# %ro, the Phili$$ines to the resi#ence o% the a$$licant8s7 abroa#- incl!#in+ all tra*el e.$enses within the Phili$$ines an# abroa#@ an# b7 The cost o% $ass$ort- *isa- ,e#ical e.a,ination an# $s"cholo+ical e*al!ation re2!ire#- an# other relate# e.$enses. Sec. 15. 1ees- Char+es an# Assess,ents. - 1ees- char+es- an# assess,ents collecte# b" the =oar# in the e.ercise o% its %!nctions shall be !se# solel" to $rocess a$$lications %or interco!ntr" a#o$tion an# to s!$$ort the acti*ities o% the =oar#. Sec. 1?. S!$er*ision o% Trial C!sto#". - The +o*ern,ental a+enc" or the a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc" in the co!ntr" o% the a#o$ti*e $arents which %ile# the a$$lication %or interco!ntr" a#o$tion shall be res$onsible %or the trial c!sto#" an# the care o% the chil#. It shall also $ro*i#e %a,il" co!nselin+ an# other relate# ser*ices. The trial c!sto#" shall be %or a $erio# o% si. 8A7 ,onths %ro, the ti,e o% $lace,ent. Onl" a%ter the la$se o% the $erio# o% trial c!sto#" shall a #ecree o% a#o$tion be iss!e# in the sai# co!ntr" a co$" o% which shall be sent to the =oar# to %or, $art o% the recor#s o% the chil#. )!rin+ the trial c!sto#"- the a#o$tin+ $arent8s7 shall s!b,it to the +o*ern,ental a+enc" or the a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# a+enc"- which shall in t!rn trans,it a co$" to the =oar#- a $ro+ress re$ort o% the chil#3s a#<!st,ent. The $ro+ress re$ort shall be taken into consi#eration in #eci#in+ whether or not to iss!e the #ecree o% a#o$tion. aisa #c The )e$art,ent o% 1orei+n A%%airs shall set !$ a s"ste, b" which 1ili$ino chil#ren sent abroa# %or trial c!sto#" are ,onitore# an# checke# as re$orte# b" the a!thori0e# an# accre#ite# inter-co!ntr" a#o$tion a+enc" as well as the re$atriation to the Phili$$ines o% a 1ili$ino chil# whose a#o$tion has not been a$$ro*e#.

Sec. 1'. E.ec!ti*e A+ree,ents. - The )e$art,ent o% 1orei+n A%%airs- !$on re$resentation o% the =oar#- shall ca!se the $re$aration o% E.ec!ti*e A+ree,ents with co!ntries o% the %orei+n a#o$tion a+encies to ens!re the le+iti,ate conc!rrence o% sai# co!ntries in !$hol#in+ the sa%e+!ar#s $ro*i#e# b" this Act. ARTICLE IV PENALTIES Sec. 1A. Penalties. - a7 An" $erson who shall knowin+l" $artici$ate in the con#!ct or carr"in+ o!t o% an ille+al a#o$tion- in *iolation o% the $ro*isions o% this Act- shall be $!nishe# with a $enalt" o% i,$rison,ent ran+in+ %ro, si. 8A7 "ears an# one 817 #a" to twel*e 81(7 "ears an#4or a %ine o% not less than 1i%t" tho!san# $esos 8P'B-BBB7- b!t not ,ore than Two h!n#re# tho!san# $esos 8P(BB.BBB7- at the #iscretion o% the co!rt. 1or $!r$oses o% this Act- an a#o$tion is ille+al i% it is e%%ecte# in an" ,anner contrar" to the $ro*isions o% this Act or establishe# State $olicies- its i,$le,entin+ r!les an# re+!lations- e.ec!ti*e a+ree,ents- an# other laws $ertainin+ to a#o$tion. Ille+alit" ,a" be $res!,e# %ro, the %ollowin+ acts6 17 consent %or an a#o$tion was ac2!ire# thro!+h- or atten#e# b" coercion- %ra!#i,$ro$er ,aterial in#!ce,ent@ (7 there is no a!thorit" %ro, the =oar# to e%%ect a#o$tion@ 57 the $roce#!res an# sa%e+!ar#s $lace# !n#er the law %or a#o$tion were not co,$lie# with@ an# ?7 e.$loitation. the chil# to be a#o$te# is s!b<ecte# to- or e.$ose# to #an+er- ab!se an#

b7 An" $erson who shall *iolate establishe# re+!lations relatin+ to the con%i#entialit" an# inte+rit" o% recor#s- #oc!,ents an# co,,!nications o% a#o$tion a$$licationscases an# $rocesses shall s!%%er the $enalt" o% i,$rison,ent ran+in+ %ro, one 817 "ear an# one 817 #a" to two 8(7 "ears- an#4or a %ine o% not less than 1i*e tho!san# $esos 8P'-BBB7- b!t not ,ore than Ten tho!san# $esos 8P1B-BBB7- at the #iscretion o% the co!rt. A $enalt" lower b" two 8(7 #e+rees than that $rescribe# %or the cons!,,ate# %elon" !n#er this Article shall be i,$ose# !$on the $rinci$als o% the atte,$t to co,,it an" o% the acts herein en!,erate#. c#asia Acts $!nishable !n#er this Article- when co,,itte# b" a s"n#icate or where it in*ol*es two or ,ore chil#ren shall be consi#ere# as an o%%ense constit!tin+ chil# tra%%ickin+ an# shall ,erit the $enalt" o% recl!sion $er$et!a. Acts $!nishable !n#er this Article are #ee,e# co,,itte# b" a s"n#icate i% carrie# o!t b" a +ro!$ o% three 857 or ,ore $ersons cons$irin+ an#4or con%e#eratin+ with one another in carr"in+ o!t an" o% the !nlaw%!l acts #e%ine# !n#er this Article. Penalties as are herein $ro*i#e# shall be in a##ition to an" other $enalties which ,a" be i,$ose# %or the sa,e acts $!nishable !n#er other laws- or#inances- e.ec!ti*e or#ers- an# $rocla,ations. Sec. 1C. P!blic O%%icers as O%%en#ers. - An" +o*ern,ent o%%icial- e,$lo"ee or %!nctionar" who shall be %o!n# +!ilt" o% *iolatin+ an" o% the $ro*isions o% this Act- or who shall cons$ire with $ri*ate in#i*i#!als shall- in a##ition to the abo*e-$rescribe# $enalties- be $enali0e# in accor#ance with e.istin+ ci*il ser*ice laws- r!les an# re+!lations6 Pro*i#e#- That

!$on the %ilin+ o% a case- either a#,inistrati*e or cri,inal- sai# +o*ern,ent o%%icial- e,$lo"ee or %!nctionar" concerne# shall a!to,aticall" s!%%er s!s$ension !ntil the resol!tion o% the case. ARTICLE V 1INAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1D. I,$le,entin+ R!les an# Re+!lations. - The Inter-co!ntr" A#o$tion =oar#- in coor#ination with the Co!ncil %or the 9el%are o% Chil#ren- the )e$art,ent o% 1orei+n A%%airsan# the )e$art,ent o% E!stice- a%ter #!e cons!ltation with a+encies in*ol*e# in chil#-care an# $lace,ent- shall $ro,!l+ate the necessar" r!les an# re+!lations to i,$le,ent the $ro*isions o% this Act within si. 8A7 ,onths a%ter its e%%ecti*it". Sec. 1&. A$$ro$riations. - The a,o!nt o% 1i*e ,illion $esos 8P'-BBB-BBB7 is hereb" a$$ro$riate# %ro, the $rocee#s o% the Lotto %or the initial o$erations o% the =oar# an# s!bse2!entl" the a$$ro$riations o% the sa,e shall be incl!#e# in the General A$$ro$riations Act %or the "ear %ollowin+ its enact,ent. Sec. (B. Se$arabilit" Cla!se. - I% an" $ro*ision- or $art hereo% is hel# in*ali# or !nconstit!tional- the re,ain#er o% the law or the $ro*ision not otherwise a%%ecte#- shall re,ain *ali# an# s!bsistin+. c# i' Sec. (1. Re$ealin+ Cla!se. - An" law- #ecree- e.ec!ti*e or#er- a#,inistrati*e or#er or r!les an# re+!lations contrar" to- or inconsistent with the $ro*isions o% this Act are hereb" re$eale#- ,o#i%ie# or a,en#e# accor#in+l". Sec. ((. E%%ecti*it" Cla!se. - This Act shall take e%%ect %i%teen 81'7 #a"s a%ter its $!blication in two 8(7 news$a$ers o% +eneral circ!lation. A$$ro*e#- E!ne C- 1&&'.