ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | Nov. 14, 2024
Dear Chief Acosta,
Ako ay sumakay sa isang pampasaherong jeep papuntang Earnshaw, Sampaloc, Manila. Habang iniaabot ko ang buong P500.00 ko bilang pamasahe ay patawang sinabihan ako ng jeepney driver na: “Manang na nakaputing blouse, gandang kargada, barya lang po sana sa umaga.” Patuloy din niyang kinukuha ang aking pangalan at address ng aking tirahan. Sobra akong napahiya at nabastos sa mga sinabi niya, lalo na’t marami ring ibang pasahero ang nakarinig nito. Maaari ba akong magsampa ng kaso laban sa kanya at ano ang maaaring parusa? — Norliza
Dear Norliza,
Ang sagot sa iyong katanungan ay matatagpuan sa Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11313 o “Safe Spaces Act”.
Ayon sa Sections 4, 6, at 11 ng nasabing batas:
“Section 4. Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual Harassment. -- The crimes of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks.
Gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, …, and sexist slurs, …, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, …, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads, sidewalks and parks. Acts constitutive of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are those performed in buildings, schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops, public markets, transportation terminals or public utility vehicles.”
“Section 6. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Public Utility Vehicles. -- In addition to the penalties in this Act, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) may cancel the license of perpetrators found to have committed acts constituting sexual harassment in public utility vehicles, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) may suspend or revoke the franchise of transportation operators who commit gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment acts. Gender-based sexual harassment in public utility vehicles (PUVs) where the perpetrator is the driver of the vehicle shall also constitute a breach of contract of carriage, for the purpose of creating a presumption of negligence on the part of the owner or operator of the vehicle in the selection and supervision of employees and rendering the owner or operator solidarity liable for the offenses of the employee.”
“Section 11. Specific Acts and Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces. -- The following acts are unlawful and shall be penalized as follows:
(a) Xxx.
(1) The first offense shall be punished by a fine of One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) and community service of twelve (12) hours inclusive of attendance to a Gender Sensitivity Seminar to be conducted by the PNP in coordination with the LGU and the PCW;
(2) The second offense shall be punished by arresto menor (6 to 10 days) or a fine of Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00);
(3) The third offense shall be punished by arresto menor (11 to 30 days) and a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).”
Base sa nasabing batas, malinaw na ang mga aksyon at katagang binitawan sa inyo ng jeepney driver habang nakasakay ka sa pampasaherong jeep o public utility vehicle ay maituturing na paraan o uri ng “catcalling” o “sexist slurs” at ang patuloy na paghingi sa inyong pangalan at address ng tirahan ay katumbas sa “relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, or any advances, whether verbal or physical.” Ang mga ito ay uri ng Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual Harassment na pinaparusahan ng “Safe Spaces Act.” Ayon din sa batas, ang paglabag nito ay may kaakibat na parusang pagtanggal ng lisensya ng drayber at prangkisa ng operator ng jeep o public utility vehicle gayundin ang pagbabayad ng fine at pagkakakulong nito. Kaya naman puwede ninyong kasuhan ang nasabing jeepney driver ayon sa nasabing batas.
Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa mga impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.
Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.
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