House bills filed against stalking

Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest on electoral sabotage charges, said the act of stalking or its accompanying behavior was a violation of such constitutional/legal rights since it involves harassing, bothering, frightening and interfering with people’s private lives. AFP FILE PHOTO

Attention paparazzi: Be on the lookout for three pending House bills which seek to define and penalize the crime of stalking.

According to the proponents of the bills promoting an Anti-Stalking Act, the current civil and criminal remedies or statutes are insufficient to prevent the crime of stalking.

The House committee of justice, chaired by Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., is expected to consolidate the three related bills: House Bill No. 5099 authored by Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo and his mother, Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; HB 3367 by Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero III; and HB 6114 authored by Representatives Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde of the Buhay party-list group.

Civil Code roots

Article 26 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, or Republic Act No. 386, provides that “Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons.”

House Committee on Justice chairman Niel Tupas Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

It states that the following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief: Prying into the privacy of another’s residence; meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another; intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends; vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect or other personal condition.

Intimidation

Former President Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest on electoral sabotage charges, said the act of stalking or its accompanying behavior was a violation of such constitutional/legal rights since it involves harassing, bothering, frightening and interfering with people’s private lives. It is a form of disguised intimidation, which may be a subtle attempt at harassment.

Under the bill proposed by the Arroyos, the penalties range from imprisonment of six months to six years and/or a fine of not more than P500,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.