Pimentel wants tougher sexual harassment laws

Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III. INQUIRER FILE

The time is ripe to revisit the country’s sexual harassment laws and toughen the penalties provided by the legislations, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III urged on Sunday.

In a statement, Pimentel stressed that this would serve “both as a deterrent, and as proof of government’s unwavering commitment to protecting and upholding gender rights.”

Noting that Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children Law was passed or more than a decade ago in 2004, and Republic Act 7877, the Anti Sexual Harassment Act, in 1995, the Senate President said: “We must update and toughen these laws to be able to adjust to the demands of the times.”

“The Philippines has been a trendsetter and pioneer in women’s rights. We have produced two female Presidents. We granted Filipino women the right of suffrage in 1937, even before many of the modern republics in Asia were born. It’s incumbent upon us today to protect not only women’s political rights but their civil rights as well, those that protect the dignity of their persons,” he added.

Pimentel said there had been increased focus on sexual harassment and women’s rights lately with reports of sexual abuse and intimidation in show business and sports in the United States, dragging previously illustrious names such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Closer to home, meanwhile, he said Dr. Carmen Valdes, president of the Assumption College all-female educational institution, revealed in a recently-released book this month that she was repeatedly sexually-abused during her childhood.

With these events in consideration, Pimentel said he is planning to direct appropriate Senate committees to look into increasing the penalties for acts of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.

“For example, under the 1995 Harassment Law, those convicted only face imprisonment not more than six months or a fine of not more than P20,000. We should update these penalties to reflect modern realities,” he said.

“As a lawyer and legislator, I consider sexual harassment as one of the sickest and most deplorable offenses that can be committed because it goes into the very dignity of the victim,” he added. /cbb