Aquino urged to veto bill criminalizing prostitutes
March 27, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - A lady lawmaker today urged President Benigno Aquino III to veto a consolidated bill that proposes to decriminalize vagrancy and criminalize women in prostitution.
Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said in a statement that the consolidated version of Senate Bill 2726 and House Bill 4936 that proposes to decriminalize vagrancy violates Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.
"A consolidated bill amending the Anti-Vagrancy Act while continuing to criminalize women in prostitution violates the Magna Carta of Women or RA 9710 which clearly recognizes prostitution as a form of violence against women, and prostituted women as victims and as among the most vulnerable women in society," De Jesus said.
She said that the consolidated bills have passed the level of Congress and has been submitted to President Aquino. The bill will lapse into law on Saturday next week or on April 7.
“To continue treating prostituted women as criminals which this consolidated bill will guarantee if not vetoed by the President, is a clear violation of their right to be protected from abuse and violence. Prostituted women and girls are victims," reiterated the lady lawmaker.
She said that instead of treating women in prostitution as criminals, the government should protect them through "economic empowerment" and "social reintegration" programs.
De Jesus also urged President Aquino to push for the passage of a law that would give protection to victims of prostitution and punish "buyers" and owners of prostitution operations.
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