MANILA, Philippines – Inihain ni Cotabato 3rd District Representative Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos ang panukalang magtatanggal sa kapatawaran bilang batayan upang i-abswelto o mapawalang-sala ang isang indibidwal na sangkot sa rape at crimes against chastity.
Partikular na tinukoy ng mambabatas ang Article 266-C ng Revised Penal Code, na nagsasabing “the subsequent valid marriage between the offended party shall extinguish the criminal action or the penalty imposed.”
Saad din dito na, “In case it is the legal husband who is the offender, the subsequent forgiveness by the wife as the offended party shall extinguish the criminal action or the penalty.”
Sinabi ni Santos sa paghahain ng House Bil; 8469 na “these forgiveness clauses in our rape laws are regressive and have the inevitable potential of leading to further abuse of the victims.”
Binanggit din niya ang datos mula sa
Philippine National Police, na noong 2021 ay may naitalang 12,492 kaso ng physical at sexual violence against women, kabilang ang 1,791 kaso ng rape.
“Due to stigma and fear, these numbers might understate the true reality of the prevalence of rape in the country,” ayon pa sa mambabatas.
Umaasa si Santos na sa pagpasa ng batas,
“we are upholding a person’s dignity, taking a strong stance against sexual offenses and ensuring that justice is served for the victims.” RNT/JGC
