Padilla bill seeks heavier penalty for rape with aggravating circumstances

Sen. Robin Padilla (File photo from Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla wants an amendment to the Anti-Rape Law and he is seeking to make sexual assault punishable by reclusion perpetua to even death for cases with aggravating circumstances.

In 2006, then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed a law reducing the maximum punishment of crimes to the death penalty to reclusion perpetua, which calls for imprisonment of 20 to 40 years.

In his Senate Bill No. 2777 filed on Monday, Padilla said there is a need to make the country’s laws “stronger” and “gender-responsive.”

READ: Rape accomplice learns what’s reclusion perpetua the hard way

“Despite the penalties under Republic Act 8353 [The Anti Rape Law of 1997], this representation still finds it compelling to increase the punishment for any person who shall commit an act of rape,” Padilla’s measure reads.

As stated in his SBN 2777, Padilla said the penalty of reclusion perpetua (life term) to death may apply if:

•  the rape is committed with the use of a deadly weapon or by two or more persons
• the victim becomes insane due to the rape
• the rape is attempted and a homicide is committed during the crime
• the rape is committed with any of the aggravating or qualifying circumstances in the article

According to the senator, the Constitution stresses the value that the state gives in protecting the dignity of every person and in guaranteeing full respect for human rights.

Padilla cited a study conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children and the United Nations Children’s Fund, noting that not only women suffer from sexual assault.

“[M]ore males aged 13 to 24 experience sexual violence more than females. The study also revealed that prevalence of forced consummated sex is higher among males below the age of 18 than females,” he said.

READ: High court rules for first time: Husbands can’t rape wives

Although not included in his bill, Padilla’s panel — Senate panel on public information and mass media — is leading a probe into the policies of television networks and artist management agencies regarding complaints of abuse and harassment.

Being tackled in the same probe is the case of Sandro Muhlach and his alleged abusers, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, who are “independent contractors” working for GMA Network.