House acts on & lsquo;special powers& rsquo; bill
The House of Representatives has committed to pass today a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to expedite the issuance of government permits and licenses amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the Senate passed its version last Wednesday......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community
Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao - In a significant stride towards ensuring equal rights and protection for the LGBTQIA+ community, the Municipal Council of Panglima Sugala has passed a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance, No. 001. This landmark decision comes after a series of campaigns, highlighting the pressing need for safeguarding the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bangsamoro region, amidst increasing acts of violence and discrimination. HUMAN RIGHTS Caravan headed by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines, along with Google, Commission on Human Rights and implemented by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. The urgency to address the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community was also recognized by the Bangsamoro Parliament through resolutions 524 and 526 in 2021, which called for a thorough investigation into instances of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Emphasizing the significance of these resolutions, they are expected to contribute towards protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals from illegal acts, while preventing discrimination, harassment, and inhumane treatment. Human Rights Training/Workshop lead by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. Bangsamoro Region has been marked by a series of reported cases of LGBTQIA+ members being subjected to harassment, physical attacks, and even murder in recent years. The passage of this ordinance is seen as a crucial step towards curbing these acts of violence and promoting tolerance, acceptance, and equality within the community.The passage of the ordinance was spearheaded by Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali, with support from the Mujer LGBT+ Organization, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany through their Human Rights Caravan program. The collaborative efforts of these organizations and individuals have been instrumental in ensuring the successful enactment of this legislation along with the members of the Municipal legislative council. This landmark passage was welcomed by the Executive Director of Mujer LGBT+ Organisation Alvin ''Toni Gee'' Fernandez, saying "Our organization is overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news of the passage of the landmark law. For years, we have dedicated ourselves tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive space for the Moro LGBTQIA+ community in Bangsamoro. The importance of anti-discrimination ordinances has never been more crucial than now. We firmly believe that these measures serve as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where every Moro individual is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive. This achievement is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community, and we will continue our unwavering commitment to championing equality and justice for all in Bangsamoro." Panglima Sugala Municipal Government Officials with Mujer LGBT+ Organisation What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the lack of a national anti-discrimination law in the Philippines, which has remained unresolved in the Congress for the past 24 years. This void has left LGBTQIA+ communities reliant on local legislation for protection and deprived them of their basic human rights for decades. The passage of this ordinance is a strong message that local communities are determined to initiate change and create an inclusive and safe environment for all. Panglima Sugala Municipality - Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance No. 001 Under the newly enacted anti-discrimination ordinance, the LGBTQIA+ community in Panglima Sugala will be afforded vital protection against all forms of discrimination, including denial of access to public services, education, employment, and healthcare due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The ordinance also empowers victims of discrimination to seek legal redress by providing a clear avenue to file complaints and ensuring the enforcement of penalties against offenders. ''Whether people agree with it or not, it is a fact that people with different SOGIEs are humans as well. They deserve protection along with every Filipino in the Philippines. The passage of this ordinance is sending a message of inclusivity and acceptance to my colleagues in the Bangsamoro region. It shows that Panglima Sugala local government recognizes the rights and needs of all sectors of society, including those with varying SOGIEs and those living with HIV. By enacting this ordinance, we hope to set a precedent and inspire other municipalities in the Bangsamoro region to follow suit and implement similar measures to protect the rights of marginalized groups.'' - Vice Mayor Sahali strongly affirmed. Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali This historic passage of comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance No. 001 adds momentum to the ongoing struggle for equal rights in the Bangsamoro region. It is seen as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQIA+ community, setting a precedent for other municipalities and cities in the region to address their own local legislation and embrace inclusivity.While this ordinance is a positive step forward, advocates and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to push for the timely passage of the national anti-discrimination bill in the Philippines Congress. The hope is that such a law will provide comprehensive protection and recognition of the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the country.As society progresses towards acknowledging and respecting the diversity of its citizens, the passage of this anti-discrimination ordinance in Panglima Sugala is a commendable milestone in the long journey towards equal rights and acceptance for all, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. The post Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House OKs bill imposing stiffer penalties on smuggling
The bill considers P2.5 million as the minimum threshold for hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing and other acts of market abuse involving agri-fishery products......»»
Anti-agricultural economic sabotage bill marked as urgent
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent a measure defining the crime of agricultural economic sabotage, providing penalties, and also creating an anti-agricultural economic sabotage council. The President approved Senate Bill No. 2432 as urgent earlier this week through a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. In the letter to Zubiri, Marcos said there is a need to facilitate the passage of SB No. 2432, "especially now that the country is beset by rising prices and shortages in agricultural products, partly due to the nefarious acts of smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel." The bill repeals Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and seeks to promote the productivity of the agriculture sector and protect farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous traders and importers and ensure reasonable and affordable prices of agricultural and fishery products for consumers. The bill also imposes severe sanctions on the nefarious acts of smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel of agricultural and fishery products, including a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime as economic sabotage. Any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime shall "suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits," the bill read. When the offender is a juridical person, criminal liability shall be attached to all officers who participated in the decision that led to the commission of the crime, with a penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation, transportation, storage, and warehousing, and domestic trade of agricultural and fishery products. Government authorities also have the right to confiscate the agricultural and fishery products that are subject to the prohibited acts and the properties used in the commission of the crime of agricultural economic sabotage, such as, but not limited to, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, storage areas, warehouses, boxes, cases, trunks, and other containers of whatever character used as a receptacle of agricultural and fishery products. The proposed measure is among the expanded Common Legislative Agenda discussed during the 3rd LEDAC Meeting. The bill is now pending in the period of interpellations in the Senate, while a Technical Working Group is currently finalizing the version of the House of Representatives. The post Anti-agricultural economic sabotage bill marked as urgent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GCash backs bills running after scams
GCash is expressing its full support for the urgent passage of a proposed law that will boost the fight against scammers and fraudsters. “As we place utmost priority on trust and security, we believe that House Bill 7393, or the ‘Anti-Financial Scamming Act’ and Senate Bill 2039, or the ‘Anti-Mule and Financial Fraud Act of 2023’ will greatly help deter financial cybercrimes in the country,” Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, said. The proposed legislations will primarily punish cybercriminals and their accomplices such as the so-called money mules who are used by scammers to receive stolen or illicit money and obscure the source of funds while keeping the criminals’ identity secret. While some money mules are aware that what they’re doing is illegal, others are more unwitting. “If urgently passed and implemented, the measures penalizing money mules and scammers can further accelerate the country’s digitalization and financial inclusion agenda,” Reyes indicated. GCash has been proactively blocking suspicious accounts to keep these bad actors from victimizing customers. Rounding up mules From January 2022 to June 2023, GCash had barred 4 million accounts from accessing the platform for fraud. The leading e-wallet is also in close coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Bureau of Investigation to ensure scammers and fraudsters are stopped in their tracks. House Bill 7393, once passed, will penalize any person who acts as a money mule or performs social engineering schemes. When done by a group of three or more persons, perpetrators will also face charges of economic sabotage. As for Senate Bill 2039, it expressly prohibits phishing and account takeovers — two of the most common schemes that criminals use to steal money from unsuspecting users. The post GCash backs bills running after scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GCash backs urgent passage of legislation against scammers
In line with its thrust of building the safest platform for its users, GCash is expressing its full support for the urgent passage of a proposed law that will give a big boost to the fight against scammers and fraudsters. “As we place utmost priority on trust and security, we believe that House Bill 7393, or the ‘Anti-Financial Scamming Act’ and Senate Bill 2039, or the ‘Anti-Mule and Financial Fraud Act of 2023’, will greatly help deter financial cybercrimes in the country,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash. The proposed legislation will primarily punish cybercriminals and their accomplices such as the so-called money mules who are used by scammers to receive stolen or illicit money and obscure the source of funds while keeping the criminals’ identity secret. While some money mules are aware that what they’re doing is illegal, others are more unwitting. “If urgently passed and implemented, the measures penalizing money mules and scammers can further accelerate the country’s digitalization and financial inclusion agenda,” noted Reyes. GCash has been proactively blocking suspicious accounts to keep these bad actors from victimizing customers. In fact, from January 2022 to June 2023, GCash has already barred four million accounts from accessing the platform for fraud. The leading e-wallet is also in close coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure scammers and fraudsters are stopped in their tracks. House Bill No. 7393, once passed, will penalize any person who acts as a money mule or performs social engineering schemes. When done by a group of three or more persons, perpetrators will also face charges of economic sabotage. As for Senate Bill No. 2039, it expressly prohibits phishing and account takeovers — two of the most common schemes that criminals use to steal money from unsuspecting users. Both proposed measures define money mules as persons who sell, buy, or lend e-wallets or other financial accounts, including those who register for such accounts using fake names or stolen identities to commit a crime. Other bills in the Senate aimed at beefing up the fight against fraudsters and scammers are SB 336, SB 2171, SB 2306, and SB 2407. “We look forward to collaborating with our legislators and other stakeholders for the protection of the Filipino people against evolving threats in this increasingly more digital world,” emphasized Reyes. The post GCash backs urgent passage of legislation against scammers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bills seek tougher rules vs scammers
Consumers will be better shielded from Internet fraud under two pending bills that seek to add teeth to agencies implementing laws on cybercrime and imposing imprisonment of individuals acting as cyber “mules.” Lawmakers recently filed House Bill 7393 or the Anti-Financial Scamming Act, and the counterpart Senate Bill 2039 or the Anti-Mule and Financial Fraud Act of 2023. The first measure penalizes person acting as a money mule or performs social engineering schemes, considered as a form of economic sabotage when carried out by a group of three or more persons. On the other hand, SB 2039 expands the punishable acts to include those who engage other persons to act as “money mules.” Likewise, phishing and account takeover are part of the prohibited acts. In both proposed bills, money mules include those who sell, buy or lend e-wallets or other financial accounts, as well as those who register e-wallets or other financial accounts using a fictitious name or stolen identity to perpetrate a crime. In a press statement on Monday, PLDT and Smart Communications president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio committed to support the legislation. State must offer protection “PLDT and Smart will support any form of timely and relevant legislation that protects our customers. For us, consumer protection is a significant part of our overall customer experience,” Panlilio said. “Since every Internet user is vulnerable to attacks that target our identity and our finances, protection by the State is equally vital to getting more Filipinos to maximize the opportunities that the Internet can offer,” he added. Based on figures provided by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, online fraud incidents in Metro Manila alone rose from 1,551 in the first half of 2022 to 4,446 in the first half of 2023, representing an increase of 186 percent. A report from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, based on the digital forensic investigation of the SIMs confiscated in raids against scammers, unscrupulous individuals have been selling their registered pre-paid SIMs with verified e-wallet accounts for use in various cybercrime operations. The post Bills seek tougher rules vs scammers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate bill filed to address increasing money mules, financial scams
Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday filed a measure seeking to penalize individuals engaged in money muling, social engineering schemes, and other fraudulent financial scams. Gatchalian said the Senate Bill 2407 or an “Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act” targets to align policies on the administration’s commitment to expand digital transactions, safeguarding the public from scammers and abusive online lenders. “We need to protect the integrity of the country’s financial system and ensure that financial accounts and their owners are protected and are not exploited or lured by cybercriminals or criminal syndicates into the commission of an unlawful or fraudulent activity,” the senator said, highlighting the importance of the significance of cashless transactions and digital payments during the Covid-19 pandemic. Gatchalian lamented the rapid growth and popularity of digital financial services also prompted the rise of financial-related cybercrimes. “Cybercriminals started taking advantage of technologies to transfer illicit or stolen funds across digital financial services, stealing vital information about account holders and taking over their accounts, or enticing account holders with gifts and incentives with the goal of covertly committing financial crimes,” he said. Gatchalian stressed the pressing need to enact a measure that imposes penalties on individuals “who are willingly become conduits for illicit transactions, those who engage in manipulative social engineering tactics and other deceitful schemes” that compromise financial accounts. He added that such encompasses actions such as account takeover, recruiting or enlisting others to commit these acts, and perpetration of these acts on a significant scale comparable to economic sabotage that jeopardizes the security of Filipinos’ financial accounts and the integrity of the country’s financial system. “For the past 3 years, the unsuspecting public lost millions of their hard-earned money to these cybercriminals,” Gatchalian said. As an example, Gatchalian cited the “Mark Nagoyo” scam event wherein more than 700 BDO Unibank customers’ accounts were hacked in late 2021. These unauthorized bank transfers targeted government teachers with Landbank accounts in January last year in which the victims lost between P26,000 to P121,000 from the incident and the massive phishing incident involving GCash users in May this year. “Operations of cybercriminals grew on a large scale, taking advantage of the unemployed, those who are looking for easy money, those who are unaware, and those who are willing to help others, and thriving in jurisdictions with very weak enforcements and penalties like the Philippines,” he noted. In fact, Kaspersky Security Network’s 2022 Report showed that the Philippines ranked 2nd among countries most attacked by web threats in 2022 and the most preferred attack method which includes social engineering schemes. The post Senate bill filed to address increasing money mules, financial scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UNITED AND PRODUCTIVE House of Representatives
Given its record harvest of legislation, the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez concluded the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress on a high note. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez Speaker - 19th Congress, House of Representatives First Regular Session Legislative Accomplishments BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEDAC Priority Bills: SIM Registration Act (RA 11934) Postponement of Barangay and SK Elections to October 2023 (RA 11935) Amending the Fixed Term of the AFP Chief of Staff and other High-Ranking Officials (RA 11939) Agrarian Reform Debts Condonation (RA 11953) Maharlika Investment Fund (RA 11954) Magna Carta of Seafarers E-Governance Act / E-Government Act Negros Island Region Virology Institute of the Philippines Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act National Disease Prevention Management Authority or Center for Disease Control and Prevention Medical Reserve Corps Philippine Passport Act Internet Transaction Act / E-Commerce Law Waste-to-Energy Bill Free Legal Assistance for Police and Soldiers Apprenticeship Act Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers Valuation Reform Eastern Visayas Development Authority Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery National Citizens Service Training Program Rightsizing the National Government National Land Use Act 30-Year National Infrastructure Program Department of Health Specialty Centers Act/Regional Specialty Hospitals Ease of Paying Taxes Local Government Unit Income Classification Amendment to Universal Health Care Act Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act Philippine Salt Industry Development Act Social Impact Bills: HB 5001 - No exam fees in private HEIs for underprivileged students who rank in the top 10 in high school HB 00005 - On-site, in-city, near city, and off-city resettlement program based on people's plan HB 0227 - Protection and welfare of caregivers HB 00988 - Increasing service incentive leave HB 00454 - Enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers HB 4477 - Greater responsibility and accountability from private employment agencies, amending Batas Kasambahay HB 04479 - Expanding prohibited acts of discrimination against women on account of sex, amending Labor Code HB 06416 - Strengthening mental health services of state universities and colleges HB 06483 - Abolition of "no permit, no exam" practice in college HB 06509 - Free legal assistance to uniformed personnel for the performance of duty HB 06492 - Freedom of Religion Act HB 00206 - Lowering the optional retirement age of government workers from 60 to 56 HB 06574 - Promotion and delivery of mental health services in basic education HB 06572 - Establishment of public schools of the future in technology HB 06680 - Free full insurance coverage to all qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries HB 01270 - Protection and promotion of the welfare of workers in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry HB 06716 - Mandating the establishment of fisherfolk resettlement areas HB 06718 - Protection and incentives for freelance workers HB 07354 - Evacuation centers in every city and municipality HB 04605 - Right of married women to retain their maiden surnames HB 06772 - Presidential power to suspend or adjust PhilHealth premium increases HB 07387 - Expanding the services for crop insurance HB 07535 - P1 million for centenarians HB 07561 - Mandatory insurance coverage and benefits for all line workers HB 07584 - Abolition of "no permit, no exam" in elementary and secondary classes HB 07909 - Extension of estate tax amnesty HB 07718 - Strengthening the law against illegal recruitment Quote (SFMGR): “As the House of Representatives amply demonstrated, we remain committed to implementing policies that will further stimulate economic activity, attract investments, and generate employment opportunities for our fellow Filipinos. We will not allow any distraction to derail our efforts at finding appropriate and timely solutions to the problems affecting the lives of our people.” House Leaders: Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" D. Puno Deputy Speakers: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Isidro T. Ungab Roberto V. Puno Camille A. Villar Kristine Singson-Meehan Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza Ralph G. Recto Vincent Franco "Duke" D. Frasco Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" M. Dalipe Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" A. Marcos The post UNITED AND PRODUCTIVE House of Representatives appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Office Maritess’ bill needs review
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Monday said that there is a need to study the effectiveness of a proposed bill that would penalize acts of bullying and spreading malicious information in the workplace. The measure — House Bill 8446 or the “Anti-Bullying in the Workplace Act” filed by Quezon City Representative Ralph Tulfo and Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Partylist Representative Jocelyn Tulfo — seeks to penalize bullying which affects workers’ mental and emotional health. In a radio interview, TUCP legislative officer Carlos Miguel Onate called for a comprehensive review of existing laws against violence and harassment in the workplace, creating a unified law against practices that adversely affect workers. “There are many existing laws against violence and harassment in the workplace, but our observation is that there needs to be a stronger implementation and harmonization of the law because there’s so many of them. It needs to be comprehensive,” Onate said. He also lauded the creation of the proposed legislation, saying that the bill jives with their calls to ratify International Labor Organization Convention 190 or the Violence and Harassment Convention. Onate explained that the ratification would institutionalize laws against violence and harassment of workers, many of which have not been able to address their concerns to their employers for fear of losing employment. He particularly cited the dynamics between regular and contractual workers, with the latter not having the chance of telling their experiences to their employers’ human resources divisions due to job security. “We welcome the legislation that advances the welfare of workers against office bullying. We need to reiterate the ratification of ILO Convention 190 which could allow a overhaul [and] comprehensive review of our legislation against violence and harassment in the world of work,” Onate said. Aside from such laws, Onate proposed more efforts from the government to curb bad practices in the workplace, including adding more labor inspectors, claiming that the current ratio of labor inspectors to companies is at one over 800. The post ‘Office Maritess’ bill needs review appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR backs passage of ‘long overdue’ SOGIESC bill
The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday threw its support behind the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality bill still pending at the House committee level, saying that the law has been long overdue to stamp down on discriminatory acts......»»
Mark Villar expects passage of Maharlika bill this week
Senator Mark Villar on Tuesday expressed confidence that the measure pushing for the establishment of the country’s wealth fund will be approved by the Senate before this weekend. During the plenary session, Villar said the Senate Bill 2020, or the Maharlika Investment Fund, has been carefully studied and analyzed and hence shoud hurdle the third and final reading of the Upper House. “We made revisions and added more safeguards to ensure that the version will benefit the Filipino people.” Villar said, adding that the bill if passed into law, will provide “numerous benefits” for the country and its people. “Actually, there are a lot of benefits that we can get from the MIF. First, it would create more jobs; more infrastructure projects mean more job opportunities for Filipinos. Secondly, we will promote economic growth since better infrastructure leads to more efficient transportation, communication and other systems,” he said. Villar also said the MIF will serve as a vehicle for poverty reduction and will particularly benefit the agricultural and energy sectors. “This would help the government manage its budget and mitigate fiscal pressures during economic downturns as it acts as a safety net for the country,” he added. “This is what the Maharlika is there for, it’s to generate jobs and generate investments in the sectors that lack investment.” Villar also enumerated other potential benefits from MIF including capital accumulation, sustainable development, economic stability, financial sustainability, foreign investments and reduction of foreign debt. The post Mark Villar expects passage of Maharlika bill this week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Outcry as Uganda’s anti-gay bill signed into law
Uganda announced Monday that President Yoweri Museveni had signed into law draconian new measures against homosexuality described as among the world's harshest, prompting condemnation from human rights and LGBTQ groups as well as Western powers. US President Joe Biden called for the immediate repeal of the measures he slammed as "a tragic violation of universal human rights", and threatened to cut aid and investment in the East African country. Museveni's office said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 was among six pieces of legislation the president signed into law on Sunday. Lawmakers passed a new draft of the legislation earlier this month, vowing to resist what they said was outside interference in their efforts to protect Uganda's values from Western immorality. The amended version said that identifying as gay would not be criminalized but "engaging in acts of homosexuality" would be an offense punishable with life imprisonment. Although Museveni had advised lawmakers to delete a provision making "aggravated homosexuality" a capital offense, lawmakers rejected that move, meaning that repeat offenders could be sentenced to death, though Uganda has not carried out capital punishment for several years. A rights group announced later Monday that it had filed a legal challenge with Uganda's High Court, arguing that the legislation was "blatantly unconstitutional". "By criminalizing what we call consensual same-sex activity among adults, it goes against key provisions of the constitution including rights on equality and non-discrimination," said Adrian Jjuuko, executive director of the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum. Deeply repressive law Biden said he had asked his National Security Council to assess what the law means for "all aspects of US engagement with Uganda", including services providing AIDS relief and other assistance and investments. He said the administration would also consider sanctions against Uganda and the restriction of entry into the United States of people engaging in human rights abuses or corruption there. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the Ugandan government had "an obligation to protect all of its citizens and uphold their basic rights". "Failure to do so will undermine relationships with international partners," he warned in a statement. Britain, the former colonial power in Uganda which criminalized homosexuality during its rule, said it was "appalled" and called the law "deeply discriminatory". "It will increase the risk of violence, discrimination, and persecution, will set back the fight against HIV/AIDS," Britain's Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said. The UN Human Rights Office, whose commissioner Volker Turk in March described the bill as "among the worst of its kind in the world", also condemned its passage into law. "It is a recipe for systematic violations of the rights of LGBT people & the wider population," the office said on Twitter. Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, Africa deputy director for Human Rights Watch, told AFP that it was "discriminatory and is a step in the wrong direction for the protection of human rights for all people in Uganda". Amnesty International also said the signing of this "deeply repressive law is a grave assault on human rights". But the legislation has broad public support in Uganda, a majority Christian country that has pursued some of the toughest anti-gay legislation in Africa, where around 30 nations ban homosexuality. "We have stood strong to defend the culture, values, and aspirations of our people," parliament speaker Anita Among, one of the bill's main proponents, said in a statement. Living in fear Discussion of the bill in parliament was laced with homophobic slurs, and Museveni himself referred to gay people as "deviants". Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, said the law would "bring a lot of harm" to the country's already persecuted LGBTQ community. "We feel so, so, so worried," he told AFP. The revised bill said, "A person who is believed or alleged or suspected of being a homosexual, who has not committed a sexual act with another person of the same sex, does not commit the offense of homosexuality". An earlier version also required Ugandans to report suspected homosexual activity to the police or face six months imprisonment. Lawmakers agreed to amend that provision, and instead, the reporting requirement pertained only to suspected sexual offenses against children and vulnerable people, with the penalty raised to five years in jail. Anyone who "knowingly promotes homosexuality" faces up to 20 years in jail, while organizations found guilty of encouraging same-sex activity could face a 10-year ban. Aid cuts Reaction from civil groups in Uganda has been muted following years of authoritarian rule under Museveni. But the European Parliament voted in April to condemn the bill and asked EU states to pressure Museveni to not implement it, warning that relations with Kampala were at stake. Asuman Basalirwa, the MP who sponsored the bill, said that aid cuts were expected and that Among, the parliament speaker, had already been informed her US visa had been revoked. The bill also risked undermining progress in combating HIV/AIDS in Uganda, according to a statement by UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. There has never been a conviction for consensual same-sex activity since independence from Britain in 1962. The post Outcry as Uganda’s anti-gay bill signed into law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prosecute gov’t execs coddling agri smugglers
A senator has filed a proposed measure seeking to amend certain provisions of Republic Act 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, to criminalize government officials found conniving with large-scale agricultural smugglers. In her Senate Bill 2205, Senator Risa Hontiveros lamented about the non-prosecution of individuals, groups or corporations, despite reports of seizure of smuggled products since the enactment of the law in 2016. “There has been no prosecution of government officials for facilitating and abetting acts of agricultural smuggling that amount to large-scale economic sabotage. As a result, smuggling activities continue with impunity,” she said. Under the proposed measure, any act by a public employee or officer that allows the importation into the country without the needed import permit shall be declared as economic sabotage. “In the sugar fiasco that is still unfolding, for example, documented accounts show that tens of thousands of metric tons of sugar — a regulated commodity — were allowed into the country without a sugar order,” she added. Likewise, the approval or issuance by a public employee or officer of any license, declaration, clearance, or permit, knowing that it is manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular, will also be considered economic sabotage. Any person who violates the measure will face life imprisonment and a fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product, including the taxes, duties, and other charges avoided plus interest at the legal rate. The prescription period or the time within which charges can be filed is 20 years. In her explanatory note, Hontiveros noted that agricultural smuggling is “costing the government billions of pesos a year in lost revenues.” “The smuggling of regulated agricultural commodities has also led to high prices for consumers, the violation of our competition laws, and most importantly, the further decline of our domestic agricultural sector,” she said. “It is time to hold to account government officials who allow smuggling to persist unfettered,” she added. The post Prosecute gov’t execs coddling agri smugglers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Laban vs disinformation, palalakasin ng media workers welfare bill – CHR
MANILA, Philippines – Umaasa ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) na palalakasin ng kakapasa pa lamang na proposed Media Workers Welfare Act sa Kamara ang laban kontra disinformation. “CHR acknowledges the bill’s measure on the responsibility of media entities in terms of possible gross negligence or malicious acts of block timers and media workers,” pahayag […] The post Laban vs disinformation, palalakasin ng media workers welfare bill – CHR appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Senate bill seeks more protections for women in the workplace
Senate Bill No. 2093, filed by Sen. Joel Villanueva, expands the list of prohibited discriminatory acts against women under the labor code......»»
House passes bill vs women discrimination
The House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that expands the prohibited acts of discrimination against women......»»
House acts on & lsquo;special powers& rsquo; bill
The House of Representatives has committed to pass today a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to expedite the issuance of government permits and licenses amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the Senate passed its version last Wednesday......»»
Increasing the age of sexual consent
Every year, thousands of children and teenagers fall prey to this cruel malaise of sexual abuse and exploitation. The prevalence of this has motivated the Committee on the Welfare of Children and the Committee on the Revision of Laws in the House of Representatives to finally approve at the committee level, House Bill 4160, which increases the age of sexual consent, and consequently the age for determining statutory rape and other acts of sexual abuse and exploitation......»»
Bill seeks to hold perpetrators of EJKs liable
MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to put a stop to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country, Sen. Leila de Lima has filed a bill that seeks to hold those who ordered and cooperated in these acts as liable as the actual killers themselves. De Lima’s bill provides for the definition of terms to prevent […] The post Bill seeks to hold perpetrators of EJKs liable appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»