‘Bawal Bastos’ law shouldn’t exempt public officials especially Duterte — De Lima

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the ceremonial awarding of housing units to former rebels at the Freedom Residences in Tagum City on July 16, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Opposition Senator Leila De Lima on Tuesday, July 16, said government officials should not be exempted from the “Bawal Bastos” law, even President Rodrigo Duterte who signed it.

“I hope that this new law will be implemented strictly and properly, and will not exempt from compliance our public officials, especially Mr. Duterte who is infamous for his sexist jokes and misogynist remarks. He should respect his own signature under a presidential seal affixed in that law,” De Lima said.

Republic Act (RA) No. 11313, also known as the “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act,” will impose stiffer penalties against gender-based sexual harassment occurring in streets, public places, online workplaces, and educational and training institutions.

According to the new law, gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping or any advances, whether verbal or physical.

Gender-based online sexual harassment, meanwhile, includes acts that use information and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through physical, psychological, and emotional threats; and unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks and comments online, among others.

This law imposes penalties range from P1,000 to P500,000 fine, community service, and imprisonment of six days up to six months.

De Lima said considering all previous acts and remarks of the President committed against women since the day he assumed office, these penalties are not enough to punish him.

“Baka nga kulang pa ang parusang reclusion perpetua para sa kanya (The penalty of reclusion perpetua might not be sufficient for him),” she said.

Duterte has been drawing flak for his controversial statements against women which was repeatedly defended by the Palace.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive will be the “first” to obey the new law since he was the one who signed it.

He also lashed out at Duterte’s critics for thinking that the latter was “bastos (rude)” because of his remarks.

“He never was bastos (rude). When he cracks jokes, it was intended to make people laugh, never to offend,” Panelo said.

He added that women should know the difference between being offensive to being funny.

“If you will just listen to the jokes of the President talagang matatawa ka eh (you will really laugh). Audience, they give a hearty laughter. Hindi naman bastos (It was not rude). Iba kasi iyong pambabastos (Being rude is different). You women should know that,” the spokesman stressed.

But should the President be found to have violated the new law, Panelo said anyone can file charges against the former.

“You can always sue him after the presidency. No one is above the law, including this President, and he always tells us that,” he said.