Angara wants to criminalize all forms of discrimination

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sonny Angara has filed a measure that seeks to penalize all forms of discrimination.

Senate Bill No. 137, or the Comprehensive Anti-Discriminatory Act of 2019, identified 13 “acts of discrimination” that Angara sought to penalize with jail time of up to six years and fine of up to P500,000.

As a general rule, the bill said, discrimination based on the following “protected attributes” is prohibited: age, racial or ethnic origin, religious belief, political inclination or conviction, social class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, marital or relationship status, disability, HIV status, health status or medical history, language, physical features or other status.

“Discrimination remains a problem be it for women, children, persons with disabilities or the LGBTQ community. We are currently enjoying remarkable economic growth, but while there is still discrimination taking place, we cannot call ourselves a truly progressive nation,” Angara said in a statement.

Under the bill, it will be deemed illegal for any person to commit any acts that promote or encourage stigma, which includes content in the media and educational textbooks.

A person also cannot be refused admission, denied honors or scholarships or be expelled from any educational institution on the basis of the stated protected attributes.

It will also be illegal to deny the right to expression, whether it is in the form of speech, deportment, dress, bodily characteristics or choice of name.

The measure also prohibits denying a person employment or promotion, also on the basis of the mentioned protected attributes.

Barring a person access to goods and services, including being refused entry into an establishment, based on the protected attributes, is also prohibited under Angara’s proposed law.

Other acts of discrimination included in the bill are: denial of the right to organize; inflicting harm on health and well-being; engaging in profiling; abuses by state and non-state actors; detention and confinement; inciting hatred or violence; and other analogous circumstances.

“Discrimination is a problem that is not confined to a few people alone. It concerns everyone. No one should feel helpless when faced with discrimination. We appeal to our colleagues to support this bill,” the senator said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has also filed a similar bill that seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

READ: Hontiveros makes fresh bid to push SOGIE bill

(Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)