Here’s a practical, one-stop explainer—Philippine context—on bail for Acts of Lasciviousness cases. I’m not your lawyer, but I’ll keep this accurate and useful so you can speak with counsel or handle a courthouse window with confidence.

What offense are we talking about?

Acts of Lasciviousness is a felony under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), Art. 336. In simple terms, it punishes indecent or lewd acts done under circumstances similar to rape—e.g., through force, intimidation, when the victim is unconscious or deprived of reason, by abuse of authority, or when the law deems the victim incapable of valid consent (see notes on age below).

Closely related (and often charged instead of or together with) is “lascivious conduct” involving children under RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act). That’s a special law with significantly heavier penalties than Art. 336.

Why this matters for bail: the nature and severity of the charge directly affect whether bail is a matter of right, how much it tends to be, and the conditions a court will set.

Is bail a matter of right?

Rule 114 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Constitution (Art. III, Sec. 13) govern this.

Before conviction by the RTC, bail is a matter of right for offenses not punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.
If the charge carries reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, bail becomes discretionary and may be denied if the evidence of guilt is strong (the court must hold a summary hearing on that point).

How that plays out by charge

Art. 336 (RPC) Acts of Lasciviousness: The statutory penalty is in the prisión correccional range (6 months and 1 day to 6 years). Result: Bailable as a matter of right (pre-conviction).
RA 7610 “lascivious conduct” with a child: Penalties range much higher (often reclusión temporal up to reclusión perpetua, depending on facts like the child’s age, relationship, exploitation, etc.). Result: If the maximum imposable is reclusión perpetua, bail is discretionary (and can be denied if evidence is strong). If the ceiling is below that, it remains a matter of right.

Tip: What’s written in the Information (the formal charge filed in court) and the penalty clause of the law alleged determine which rule applies—not the label you heard at the police station.

Who sets the bail and how is the amount decided?

The judge sets bail. Prosecutors often recommend an amount at inquest or filing, using an internal Bail Bond Guide (a schedule of suggested amounts by offense). Those guides vary over time and by office and are not binding on the court.

Under Rule 114, Sec. 9, judges consider:

Financial ability of the accused
Nature and circumstances of the offense
Penalty for the offense
Character and reputation, age, health
Weight of the evidence (for discretionary bail)
Probability of appearance at trial; past forfeitures; whether already under bond in another case
Other relevant factors (e.g., ties to the community)

Constitutional ceiling: “Excessive bail shall not be required.” If the figure is unreasonably high relative to the factors above, you can move to reduce it.

What amounts should you expect?

There is no single fixed nationwide figure. In practice:

Art. 336 cases (adult complainant; RPC) tend to have moderate bail relative to violent felonies because the statutory penalty tops at prisión correccional.
Child-related charges under RA 7610 can lead to substantially higher recommendations—sometimes high enough to feel unreachable—because the maximum penalty can be reclusión temporal or reclusión perpetua. If the charge includes a count with reclusión perpetua, expect a hearing on bail and the possibility of denial.

Real-world practice: Two cases with the same label can yield very different bail amounts depending on facts in the complaint (age of victim, use of threats, relationship, aggravating circumstances) and the judge’s assessment of flight risk and means.

Forms of bail you can post

Rule 114 allows several forms. You can mix and match if the court allows.

Corporate surety – A licensed bonding company issues the bond; you pay a premium (non-refundable). Often the fastest when cash is tight but recurring premiums may apply.
Property bond – You pledge real property (e.g., land). You’ll need the title, current tax declarations, tax clearance, proof of assessed value, and the court annotates the lien. Slower but useful if cash-poor, asset-rich.
Cash deposit – You deposit the full bail in cash with the court (or per court rules). Refundable after the case ends (less fees), provided you never jump bail.
Recognizance – Release to the custody of a responsible person or the local social welfare office; no cash. Available in limited situations (e.g., indigency, minor offenses, or as allowed by law and court assessment).

The bail process, step by step

Arrest & Inquest
- If warrantless arrest, you’ll face an inquest before a prosecutor. The prosecutor may recommend bail using the Guide.
- You can elect regular filing (“file for preliminary investigation”), but custody may continue unless bail is set and posted.
Filing of Information
- Once the case is filed in court, the judge has control. If bailable as a matter of right, the court sets the amount and approves the bond.
Posting bail
- Submit the bond (surety/property/cash), IDs, and any undertakings the court requires; pay legal fees.
- For property bonds, expect additional documents and time for verification and annotation.
Release order
- After approval, the court issues a Release Order to the jail, which should process you out.
Compliance
- Appear at arraignment and all hearings, notify the court of address changes, and follow conditions. Violations can lead to cancellation and forfeiture.

Can you ask to lower (or raise) the amount?

Yes. Either side may move to modify bail under Rule 114 and the Constitution’s “no excessive bail” clause.

Motion to Reduce Bail may highlight: indigency, stable residence, steady job, dependents, lack of prior record, voluntary surrender, cooperation, and minimal flight risk.
The prosecution may seek higher bail by pointing to aggravating facts, prior non-appearance, or strong evidence.

Practical note: Judges often look for realistic amounts that still ensure appearance. Make the court’s job easy: attach proofs (payslips, barangay certifications, leases, IDs, medical records if health is an issue).

Special scenarios that change the bail picture

Child complainant (RA 7610): If the Information alleges lascivious conduct under RA 7610 (not mere Art. 336), the penalty range may reach reclusión perpetua. In that setup, bail becomes discretionary and the court must hold a hearing to determine if the evidence of guilt is strong.
Multiple counts: Bail is typically fixed per count; amounts can stack.
Qualifying/aggravating circumstances: Use of a deadly weapon, in concert with others, or abuse of a position of authority can raise penalties or justify higher bail.
Plea bargaining: In some courts, credible plea talks (to a lesser offense) can inform a later motion to reduce bail, though they’re not a guarantee.
Protective orders: Courts may add non-monetary conditions (no-contact orders, stay-away zones). Violations can trigger arrest even if you posted bail.

What happens to your bail later?

Completion of case: If you appear when required and the case ends (acquittal or conviction after appeal periods), cash bail is refunded (less lawful deductions). Surety bonds don’t get “refunded” (you paid a premium). Property bonds get released/annotations cancelled.
Failure to appear: The court may forfeit the bond, issue a warrant, and, for sureties, start bond forfeiture proceedings.

Common pitfalls & practical tips

Mistaking the charge: “Acts of lasciviousness” on the blotter may become RA 7610 upon filing. Always read the Information to know the actual penalty exposure and bail posture.
Assuming the prosecutor’s figure is final: It’s recommendatory. The judge decides.
Going all-cash when a reduction is viable: Explore a Motion to Reduce Bail first if the amount is crushing; you can mix cash + surety or shift to property if allowed.
Skipping the hearing: For discretionary bail (e.g., RA 7610 with reclusión perpetua), you need the hearing to get bail at all.
Not documenting indigency: Barangay certs, DSWD assessments, payslips, dependents’ school/medical proofs help.

FAQ (quick hits)

Q: Is there a “standard” peso amount for Acts of Lasciviousness? A: No fixed nationwide amount. Prosecutors use Bail Bond Guides, but courts set bail based on Rule 114 factors. For Art. 336 (RPC), it’s generally bailable as a matter of right and typically lower than heinous-crime levels; RA 7610 cases can be far higher and may be non-automatic if reclusión perpetua is in play.

Q: Can I be released on recognizance? A: In some scenarios, yes—especially for indigents and lower-penalty cases—subject to court approval and eligibility under law and local programs. Ask counsel to explore it.

Q: Can the court add conditions beyond money? A: Yes. No-contact orders, periodic check-ins, travel restrictions, or counseling may be imposed.

Q: If I’m convicted, do I get the cash bail back? A: If you complied with all appearances through finality and there’s no lawful deduction or forfeiture, yes (cash). Surety premiums are not returned.

What to bring or prepare when posting bail

Government IDs (accused and representative)
Case details: case number, branch, copy of the Information
If surety: bonding company’s license, bond documents, premium receipt
If property bond: TCT/CTO, latest tax declarations, tax clearances, appraisal/assessed value proof, owner’s IDs/consents, and patience (annotation takes time)
Official receipts for court fees
Proofs for any motion to reduce bail (income, dependents, health, residence ties)

Bottom line

Acts of Lasciviousness (Art. 336 RPC) → Bailable as a matter of right; amount set by the judge using Rule 114 factors.
Lascivious conduct under RA 7610 (child) → Penalties can reach reclusión perpetua; bail may be discretionary and denied if the evidence is strong.
There is no one-size-fits-all peso figure. Expect variation by facts, court, and updated Bail Bond Guides. When an amount feels excessive, a motion to reduce bail invoking the Constitution and Rule 114 is the correct remedy.

If you want, tell me the exact wording of the Information (or paste a photo of it). I can quickly flag whether your scenario looks like Art. 336 (automatic bail) or RA 7610 (possible discretionary bail) and suggest a tailored checklist for posting bail or moving to reduce it.