Restrictions Arising from Minority – Republic Act No. 11596

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Alburo Law
April 08, 2026

AT A GLANCE

Republic Act No. 11596 views child marriage as a practice constituting child abuse because it debases, degrades, and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children.

Republic Act No. 11596 seeks to eradicate the practice of child marriage in the Philippines by declaring it unlawful and imposing penalties on those who facilitate, solemnize, or participate in such acts. 

Under its Declaration of State Policy, Section 1 of Republic Act No. 11596 provides that, consistent with Section 13, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. In the pursuit of this policy, the State shall abolish all traditional and cultural practices and structures that perpetuate discrimination, abuse, and exploitation of children such as the practice of child marriage. 

Section 1 of Republic Act No. 11596 further provides that:

The State likewise recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall therefore protect and promote their empowerment. This entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality. 

The State further affirms that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of capacitated parties, and child betrothal and marriage shall have no legal effect. 

Pursuant to these policies, the State thus views child marriage as a practice constituting child abuse because it debases, degrades, and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children.

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