EPRES,
Zs WN
Khe A)

RECE IVED =

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__8971_

Introduced by Representative CHING B. BERNOS

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 11313 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS.
SAFE SPACES ACT PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR GENDER-BASED
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING
INSTITUTIONS AND THE WORKPLACE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 7877 otherwise known as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
was enacted to protect both women and men from unlawful sexual harassment.
‘Twenty-three years after its passing, Republic Act 11313, also known as Safe Spaces
Act, was enacted into law.

‘The Safe Spaces Act offers a more comprehensive scope as opposed to the Anti-
Sexual Harassment Act. It expanded the definition of sexual harassment perpetrated
in Educational and Training Institutions, to include offenders or any person who has
authority, influence, or moral ascendancy over another. Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act
broadens the coverage of sexual harassment committed in the workplace to include
those committed by peers, subordinates, students, and trainees.

However, the imposable penalty available for Gender-Based Sexual
Harassment in Educational and Training Institutions and Workplaces found in Anti-
Sexual Harassment Act and Safe Spaces Act have an insignificant amount. Considering
the gravity and impact of sexual harassment on the victims, the imposable penalty
should be greater than that provided for Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment in
the Safe Spaces Act, and considerably larger than that provided in the Anti-Sexual
Harassment Act.


Hence, the Safe Spaces Act should be amended to further provide appropriate
penalties for violators. These additional penal provisions shall encompass the
expanded definition provided by the Safe Spaces Act.

In light of the foregoing reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

. CHING B. BERNOS
Lone District of Abra


15

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiI'No._ 6971

Introduced by Representative CHING B. BERNOS

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 11313 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS.
SAFE SPACES ACT PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR GENDER-BASED
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING
INSTITUTIONS AND THE WORKPLACE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION. 1. A new section denominated as Section 20-A is hereby inserted

after Section 20 of the Republic Act 11313 otherwise known as Safe Spaces Act, to read
as follows:

“Section 20-A. Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in the
Workplace. - The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period or a
fine of not less than two hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00) but not
more than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or both, at the
discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any
gender-based sexual harassment under this Article.

If the perpetrator is the head of the workplace or organization, his or her
appointment shall be automatically deemed revoked upon conviction. An alien
who commits gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace shall be subject
to deportation proceedings after serving sentence and payment of fines.”

SECTION. 2. A new section denominated as Section 26-A is hereby inserted
after Section 26 of the same Act, to read as follows:


oanrhon

~

“Section 26-A. Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in
Education of Training Institutions. - The penalty of prision correccional in its
maximum period or a fine of not less than two hundred fifty thousand pesos
(P250,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00),
or both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person found
guilty of any gender-based sexual harassment under this Article.

If the perpetrator is the head of the school or organization, his or her
appointment shall be automatically deemed revoked upon conviction. An alien
who commits gender-based sexual harassment in an education or training
institution shall be subject to deportation proceedings after serving sentence
and payment of fines.”

SECTION. 3. Separability Clause. Should any provision of this Act or any
part thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, insofar as they are separable
from the invalid one, shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,