‘Jasmin’ living example of the need to amend anti-rape law — Gabriela
“…it is our role as legislators to make sure that when victims turn
to our legal system for redress, justice can and will be served in the
fastest, least traumatic and least humiliating manner possible.” – Rep.
Luz Ilagan, Gabriela Women’s Party
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – As ”Jasmin” and her mother pursue justice here in Manila,
Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) said the accused, Pantabangan Vice Mayor
Romeo Borja Jr., is using all means at his disposal to discredit the
victim.
“The violence committed against Jasmin (not her real name) clearly
shows why amendments on the present anit-rape law should be pushed,”
Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said in a protest action in front of the
Department of Justice on June 5, 2012.
Jasmin accused Borja of repeatedly raping her for six times since
June 2011 when she was only 17 years old. She added that the official
threatened to kill her and her family if she refused to give in to him.
The victim is about to give birth to Borja’s child sometime this week or
next week.
In a statement, Gabriela said Borja “had gone on a media spree and
circulated text and audio communications between him and Jasmin
allegedly proving that they had a consensual relationship. He also
organized a rally in Pantabangan on May 9, 2012 to explain his side.”
De Jesus said Gabriela Women’s Party filed House Bill 6170 seeking to
amend the Anti-Rape Law of 1997. “The amendments that GWP pushed
included the redefinition of the term rape, the enumeration of
circumstances where there is a presumption of lack of consent, the
inclusion of cases where there is non-penile penetration, the repealing
of Articles 266-C and 266-D and the specification of aggravating
circumstances,” the lawmaker said.
“The moves of the Vice Mayor show how he can use his power to defend
himself and to discredit Jasmin,” Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said, “This
is a tactic used to warn his other victims to continue their silence
because he is capable of discrediting them with the means at his
disposal. There are many victims who are forced to submit to the
perpetrator who is a person of authority.”.... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/09/%E2%80%98jasmin%E2%80%99-living-example-of-the-need-to-amend-anti-rape-law-gabriela/
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