Padilla wants death for grave sexual assault cases

SEN. Robin Padilla yesterday filed a bill calling for the imposition of the death penalty for grave sexual assault cases.

Senate Bill 2777, which seeks to amend Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law, was filed by Padilla amid the Senate probe into the policies of television networks and artist management agencies over complaints of sexual abuse and harassment.

Actor Sandro Muhlach has filed a case with the National Bureau of Investigation against two independent contractors of GMA Network, whom he claimed sexually abused him.

Padilla said his proposed legislation would strengthen the anti-rape law and be more gender-responsive amid what he noted as rape incidences that victimize males and females.

“Despite the penalties under RA 8353, this representation still finds it compelling to increase the punishment for any person who shall commit an act of rape as stated under Paragraph 2, Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by RA 8353,” Padilla said in the bill.

“By doing so, we can be more certain that our laws are stronger, more gender-responsive, and progressive, especially in these changing times,” he added.

He also cited a 2017 study by the Council for the Welfare of Children and the United Nations Children’s Fund showing more males aged 13 to 24 who have experienced sexual violence than females.

Under the proposed measure, the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death may apply in the following cases: If the rape is committed with the use of a deadly weapon or by two or more persons, the victims become insane due to the abuse, rape is attempted and homicide is committed during the crime, and rape is committed with any of the 10 aggravating or qualifying circumstances enumerated under Article 266-B of RA 8535.

The death penalty was abolished in 2006 with the signing of RA 9346 or An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of the Death Penalty in the Philippines, which repealed RA 7659 or the Death Penalty Law passed during the time of President Fidel Ramos.