Duterte signs bill punishing catcalling, sexual harassment

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the measure penalizing cat-calling and other forms of harassment in public areas because of a person’s gender, sex, or sexual orientation. The bicameral committee report of the bill was approved by both chambers of Congress last February.

A copy of Republic Act 11213 or the Safe Spaces Act signed by Duterte on April 12 was released Monday. The law, principally authored and signed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, outlines gender-based harassment in streets and other public areas, online, in government offices, in workplaces and educational institutions.

Hontiveros in late May said the bill had lapsed into law, with no known action on it by Duterte. Also, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said that since there is no recommendation from Duterte to veto, it may have been signed or it lapsed into law.

Under the final version of the bill agreed upon by the bicameral conference committee, those apprehended for cursing, wolf whistling, catcalling, and saying misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs for the first time will be fined ₱1,000 and will serve 12 hours in community service, which includes attendance in a gender sensitivity seminar. Second-time offenders will be jailed for six to 10 days or fined ₱3,000, while third-time offenders will be jailed 11 to 30 days and fined ₱10,000.

Penalties for making offensive body gestures and exposing private parts are at ₱10,000 for first-time offenders, and ₱15,000 for first-time offenders along with jail time of 11 to 30 days for second-time offenders. Those who commit the crime for the third time will be fined ₱20,000 and will be detained for a minimum of one month and a day up to six months.

Stiffer sanctions are provided for perpetrators of sexual harassment in public utility vehicles, as well as on those who are either minors, senior citizens, or persons with disability. The penalties higher in degree will be applied in case the perpetrator is a government employee, or a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police — and the acts were done while in uniform.

Local government units shall pass corresponding anti-catcalling ordinances, and are required to have an anti-sexual harassment hotline.