Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid filed a bill for a central database for temporary and permanent protection orders for women and children. FILE PHOTO (Screengrab/ Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines – A bill seeking to create a central database for temporary and permanent protection orders for women and children was filed in the Senate on Thursday.
Senate Bill 2143, filed by Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, strengthens the enforcement of Temporary Protection Order (TPOs) and Permanent Protection Orders (PPOs) under Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004.
“Malinaw ang responsibilidad ng ating gobyerno sa ilalim ng RA 9262 na protektahan ang lahat ng mga kababaihan at mga kabataan mula sa kahit anong pananakit at pananakot sa kanila,” Lapid said in a statement.
(Under RA 9262, our government is responsible for protecting all women and youth at all times from any harm and intimidation against them.)
“At mangyayari lamang ‘yan kung may isang database kung saan mairerecord ang lahat ng iniisyung orders ng korte. Sa ganitong paraan masisiguro na magiging mabilis ang pagtulong ng ating mga [pulis] na maipatupad ang mga protection orders. Hindi na rin kailangan pang mangamba ng mga biktima para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” he added.
(And it will only happen if we have a database with all court orders recorded. This way, police can be quick to enforce protection orders. Victims don’t have to worry about their safety.)
According to Lapid, the bill would also ensure that all police officers and law enforcement officials have easy access to protection orders filed by the courts.
In addition, the Philippine National Police will maintain a central database with all valid and current TPOs and PPOs that will be accessible to all police officers and law enforcement officials.
The proposed measure requires courts to register TPOs and PPOs immediately to the central repository to make sure it’s always updated.
“With this measure, victims will not be burdened with the task of always providing certified copies of TPOs and PPOs whenever they ask for police assistance.” the senator concluded.
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