Senate minority to revive pending 19th Congress bills

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Senate will revisit several priority measures left pending in the previous Congress, with Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Thursday vowing to refile key legislation focused on child protection and women’s rights under the minority bloc’s legislative agenda.

During the regular Kapihan sa Senado media forum, Hontiveros said she is set to reintroduce amendments to the Safe Spaces Act, the proposed Magna Carta of Children, and “Sandy’s Law” or the Child Tourist Safety Bill—measures that reached advanced stages in the 19th Congress but were not enacted into law.

“Excited akong ituloy ang trabaho lalo na sa Safe Spaces Law na kailangang i-update laban sa mga panibagong banta tulad ng deepfakes (I’m eager to continue the work, especially on strengthening the Safe Spaces Law against emerging threats like deepfakes),” Hontiveros said.

She said the proposed amendments aim to expand protections in digital spaces, particularly for women, children, and persons of diverse SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics), amid growing concerns over artificial intelligence and online abuse.

Also among her priority refiled measures is the Magna Carta of Children, which seeks to enhance the rights and welfare of Filipino children, particularly in situations involving disasters, conflict, and abuse.

“Dapat may sapat na legal framework para tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng bata, lalo na sa panahon ng sakuna, krimen, o emergency (There must be a clear legal framework to address children’s needs, especially during disasters, crimes, or emergencies),” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros also committed to refile the Child Tourist Safety Bill, or Sandy’s Law, which aims to strengthen safety protocols and liability standards in tourist destinations following reported incidents involving children.

“May mga insidente ng pagkamatay o injury ng mga bata sa tourist spots, kaya kailangan ng mas mahigpit na batas para masiguro ang kaligtasan nila (There have been incidents where children died or were injured in tourist spots, so we need stricter laws to ensure their safety),” she added.

The senator said these measures remain relevant and urgent, and expressed hope that with broader support in the 20th Congress, they can finally be passed into law.

“Boses ng minority man kami, pero dadalhin namin ulit ang mga panukalang para sa kapakanan ng mga bata at kababaihan (We may be the voice of the minority, but we will continue to push for legislation that protects children and women),” she said.

Hontiveros currently chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

She said she looks forward to working closely with her colleagues to schedule hearings and mobilize inter-agency collaboration on these refiled bills.