television and radio, producer and director of a film in case of the movie industry, or any person utilizing
tri-media facilities or information technology to cause publicity of any case of trafficking in persons.
Section 8. Prosecution of Cases. - Any person who has personal knowledge of the commission of any
offense under this Act, the trafficked person, the parents, spouse, siblings, children or legal guardian
may file a complaint for trafficking.
Section 9. Venue. - A criminal action arising from violation of this Act shall be filed where the offense
was committed, or where any of its elements occurred, or where the trafficked person actually resides
at the time of the commission of the offense: Provided, That the court where the criminal action is first
filed shall acquire jurisdiction to the exclusion of other courts.
Section 10. Penalties and Sanctions. - The following penalties and sanctions are hereby established
for the offenses enumerated in this Act:
(a) Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 4 shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than One
million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00);
(b) Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts enumerated in Section 5 shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos
(P1,000,000.00);
(c) Any person found guilty of qualified trafficking under Section 6 shall suffer the
penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00);
(d) Any person who violates Section 7 hereof shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of
six (6) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00)
but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);
(e) 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, and/or any responsible officer who participated in the commission of the
crime or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent its commission;
(f) The registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and license to
operate of the erring agency, corporation, association, religious group, tour or travel
agent, club or establishment, or any place of entertainment shall be cancelled and
revoked permanently. The owner, president, partner or manager thereof shall not be
allowed to operate similar establishments in a different name;
(g) If the offender is a foreigner, he shall be immediately deported after serving his
sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country;
(h) Any employee or official of government agencies who shall issue or approve the
issuance of travel exit clearances, passports, registration certificates, counseling
certificates, marriage license, and other similar documents to persons, whether juridical
or natural, recruitment agencies, establishments or other individuals or groups, who fail
to observe the prescribed procedures and the requirement as provided for by laws,