Equalizing the infidelity law

"Give love on Christmas day," a popular tune goes — but only to your legitimate spouse, says House Bill 5729, more popularly known as the Marital Infidelity Law. Under the proposed bill, government officials found to be engaged in extra-marital relations will get six to 12 years in jail, while private citizens convicted of infidelity get a shorter jail term of six months to six years. HB 5729’s main proponent, CIBAC Rep. Joel Villanueva, says the new bill is a fitting way to end the year, and is a "gift" to the women in the country because husbands will now have to be more careful. Under current legislation, women are easier to convict of adultery than men, where circumstantial evidence can be enough to declare a woman guilty of marital infidelity. On the other hand, wives accusing husbands of infidelity have to show proof that the men had been living with their mistresses for them to be convicted of concubinage. The proposed law will correct this gender bias and strengthen marriage in this country, Villanueva said. However, women, especially battered wives, are waiting for word about the proposed divorce law authored by Rep. Liza Maza, which has been languishing in the cellar and is not likely to see the light of day in the next few years.

Unappreciated P125 ‘gift’

It looks like workers do not really appreciate Congress’ ‘gift’ of P125 across the board daily wage hike. In a statement, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called the recent approval of the bill a "cheap political stunt," saying the late passing was purposely done because Congressmen never really wanted to approve the bill in the first place. Pro-administration Congressman Prospero Nograles had said that Congress purposely delayed the third and final reading of the bill because they wanted to know the position of employer regarding the proposed salary increase. Employers had complained that a legislated wage hike could force small businessmen to close shop. The P125 wage increase will come in increments over the next three years, with P45 on the first year and P40 each on the second and third years. TUCP secretary General Ernesto Herrera meanwhile denounced the delay, claiming Congress wanted to put the Senate in a bad light knowing there will only be nine session days left before that start of the election campaign period — which could make it difficult for senators to focus on the proposed bill. Several readers belittled the P125 wage hike, expressing concern that it might not be enough to cover any potential increase in the cost of goods and services.

Whitewash?

Concerned readers are asking whatever happened to several individuals that have been implicated in carnapping activities. It can be recalled that in November last year, a shootout occurred in Ortigas between operatives of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) and several carjacking suspects, three of whom were killed. Several months ago, the Commission on Human Rights had recommended the filing of criminal charges against TMG operatives involved in the shootout, saying the actions of the policemen showed "criminal intent." However, there has been no word about three other suspected carnappers who are allegedly the friends of the three who were killed in the Ortigas shootout. There are stories going around that Millions have been paid allegedly to "whitewash" the investigation against the alleged carnap masterminds. As the saying goes, your guess is as good as mine.

Holiday cheers from Spybiz

Merry Christmas to readers, Spy-ring members and loyal Spybiz supporters. As a popular saying goes, but whose author unfortunately remains anonymous to this day, the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. So go ahead, give those facial muscles a good workout this Holiday Season. Cheers!

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