In response to the increasing incidents of road accidents involving buses, House Bill No. 3370 was filed in Congress. It provides, among others, for a maximum 8 hours of work and a compulsory monthly salary for bus drivers and conductors. This is in lieu of the existing commission basis. Continue reading
Category Archives: Discuss-a-Bill
Decriminalizing Libel in the Philippines
There are a number of proposals in Congress to decriminalize libel. We’ve previously noted a similar bill in 2004. The explanation remains the same — the removal of imprisonment is more in keeping with the protection of the right of individuals to freedom of speech and expression. Continue reading
Filed under Criminal Law, Discuss-a-Bill
Protecting the Whistleblowers
Government officials and employees, including the President himself, acknowledge that graft and corruption is rampant in government. “Graft and corruption become very prevalent in the country making the Philippines as one of the most corrupt countries in Asia.” This acknowledgment is contained in Senate Bill 1063, filed by Senator Manny Villar, proposing a “Whistleblower Act of 2010″. Graft and corruption, according to the Villar Bill, “will be lessened if not eradicated”. Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill, Politics & Society
The Divorce Issue, Again: Year 2010
It seems the divorce bill is again alive in Congress (House Bill 1799; explanatory note and full text). Controversial issue, equally supported and opposed by a multitude. Yet it’s going nowhere. I don’t think we’ll see a divorce law in our lifetime. Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill, Family Law
House Bill 1799: Proposing Divorce in the Philippines
(This is the Explanatory Note and full text of House Bill No. 1799, filed on 27 July 2010 by Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus, both of Gabriela Women’s Party. HB 1799 proposes a law introducing divorce in the Philippines. Discuss here, please click) Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill
Right of Reply: Discussing SB 2150 and HB 3306
There are existing proposals in both chambers for a right of reply. In essence, the right of reply means that all persons who are accused directly or indirectly of committing or having committed or of intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to the charges published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or to criticisms aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic device. Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill, Politics & Society
Discussion: Proposed Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008
You may be aware that there’s a growing debate on the proposed “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008″ filed in the House of Representatives. Rep. Edcel Lagman as the principal sponsor (the Fact Sheet and the Explanatory Note to House Bill No. 17, substituted by HB 5043, is here. See also updated bill, House Bill 4244 and the general discussion on RH Bill). Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill
Allowing Absolute Divorce in the Philippines
Divorce is a controversial topic, except that it’s often discussed with hushed voices. Many are just waiting for the right opportunity to end their respective marriages, and the reasons are diverse — physical abuse (against the spouse and/or the children), sexual infidelity, irreconcilable differences and conflicting personalities, gross irresponsibility, loss (and transfer) of affection, among others. Unfortunately, these grounds are not enough to severe the marital bond through annulment. In lieu of divorce, married persons resort to annulment and according to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), there is an alarming increase in the number of annulment cases in the Philippines. The number of annulment cases filed in courts, which never breached the 7,000-mark prior to 2006, rose to 7,138 (2006) and 7,753 (2007). Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill, Family Law
In Memory of the Lemon Law: Discuss-a-Bill
Maybe not everyone noticed that there was an attempt (Senate Bill 2464) to enact a Philippine “Lemon Law,” which is intended to provide protection for buyers of motor vehicles that turn out to be defective. The Senate Bill sought to promote full protection to the rights of consumers in the sale of motor vehicles against sales and trade practices which are deceptive, unfair, or otherwise inimical to consumers and the public interest. Continue reading
Filed under Discuss-a-Bill
Decriminalize libel?
In 2004, Rep. Imee Marcos filed a bill (HB00330; I don’t know its status) seeking to extinguish the penalty of imprisonment and to impose higher fines for offenders of the crime of libel. The accompanying explanation states that the imposition of a more reasonable set of fines for offenders of the crime of libel is more in keeping with the protection of the right of individuals to freedom of speech and expression rather than the imposition the penalty of imprisonment. Continue reading
Filed under Criminal Law, Discuss-a-Bill
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