SOLID NORTH PL CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO SAFE SPACES ACT

With the country marking the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, a party-list lawmaker has called on her colleagues to pass a bill that would impose stiffer penalties against sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.

“I call on my fellow legislators to pass House Bill No. 3118, which amends the Safe Spaces Act, to show our solidarity with women and the drive to end the violence perpetrated against them,” Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos said.

House Bill No. 3118 seeks to establish higher penalties for gender-based sexual harassment, as Bernos noted that the current penalties are not enough to deter violators.

The bill proposes a penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period, or a fine of not less than P250,000 but not more than P500,000, or both, for persons found guilty of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational and training institutions.

Violators who are heads of the workplace or organization would have their appointments revoked upon conviction; while aliens who commit gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace shall be deported after serving a sentence and/or paying a fine.

Public officials and employees who are found guilty of fomenting, promoting, or exhorting sexual harassment, mysoginistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs either verbally, in writing, or on social media would also be meted a fine ranging from P100,000 to P300,000, suspension without pay for not less than six months, and mandatory completion of a gender-sensitivity and anti-harassment training program certified by an accredited institution.

Repeat offenders, on the other hand, would be dismissed from office and disqualified from holding any public position (elective or appointive) for a period of not less than five years, and a permanent record of the offense on public service credentials and prohibition from receiving benefits tied to the office.

Offenders would also be required to issue a public apology to the victims and the general public, acknowledging the misconduct and reaffirming a commitment to upholding the Safe Spaces Act’s principles.

Bernos noted that like most other cases of VAW, cases of sexual harassment in the workplace and educational institutions are under-reported. The Philippine National Police estimates that only one in every 10 VAW incidents is reported to authorities.

“Sadly, many still see workplace harassment, especially verbal remarks, as simply innocuous banter rather than an insidious crime that takes a toll on victims. We can also not discount the victims’ fear of repercussions if they reported that they were harassed, as the perpetrators are persons of authority—may pangamba na mawawalan ng trabaho, o babagsak sa klase, at iba pang maaaring epekto ng pagsumbong,” the lawmaker lamented.

The 18-Day Campaign runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 12 (International Day Against Trafficking and the signing anniversary of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons).