Bills passed protecting women, kids on Internet

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The House of Representatives has approved on second reading two key bills seeking to protect women from physical violence and from abuse on the Internet.

The House approved on second reading House Bill No. 5675 which expands the coverage of sexual harassment violations in the workplace and schools. The third and final reading is just a formality.

The bill defines sexual harassment as an act or a series of acts, which may be committed physically, verbally or visually with the use of information communication technology or any other means or technology within or outside of the place of employment, training or education.

It proposes to impose the maximum penalty if the perpetrator is the employer, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainer or any other person having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another’s work, training or education.

The House also approved on second reading HB 5675 which strengthens the rules on violations against women and children on the Internet.

The Expanded Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act defines electronic violence, or ICT-related violence, as any act or omission involving the use or exploitation of data or any form of information and communication technology (ICT) which causes or is likely to cause mental, emotional or psychological distress or suffering to the victim.–Gil Cabacungan