Climate change, human rights bills await GMA signature

MANILA, Philippines - Two very important pieces of legislation – the Climate Change Act of 2009 and Anti-Torture Act of 2009 – have been approved in the bicameral conference committee and are just awaiting approval from President Arroyo.

The versions of the Senate and that of the House of Representatives have already been reconciled, according to Speaker Prospero Nograles, who expressed confidence the two vital measures would soon become landmark laws promoting environment and human rights protection.

“We approved the conference committee reports which reconciled the House and Senate versions of the proposed landmark laws, both aimed at promoting quality human development,” he said.

The committee report on the Anti-Torture Act is a reconciled version of House Bill 5709 and Senate Bill 1978, while that of the proposed “Climate Change Act” is the consolidation of HB 5982 and SB 2583.

House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said that “once the enrolled or final copies of the reconciled versions are approved by both chambers of Congress, printed (enrolled) copies are sent to the President for her appropriate action.”

“Even as the budget deliberation on committee level has started, our legislative agenda will not be derailed,” the Iloilo congressman said.

The House, also approved on third reading HB 6633, or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity,” and HB 6517 or the “Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.”

The House also adopted 24 various House Resolutions and approved on third and final reading 12 bills of various local concerns.

Also during plenary, the chamber presented House Resolution 555, citing the achievements of this year’s winners of the Metro Bank Foundation Outstanding Teachers award.

Authors of HB 6633 (crimes against humanitarian law) include Reps. Roilo Golez, Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong, Rufus Rodriguez, Mat Defensor, Lorenzo Tañada III, Salvador Escudero III, Jose Carlos Lacson, Rafael Mariano, Eduardo Nonato Joson, Reps. Edgardo Chatto, Luzviminda Ilagan, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Al Francis Bichara, Niel Tupas Jr. and Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The authors stressed that the “State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights, including the rights of indigenous cultural communities and other vulnerable groups.”

Authors of HB 6517 are Reps. Monico Puentevella, Irwin Tieng, Rufus Rodriguez, Mat Defensor, Bienvenido Abante, Eufrocino Codilla Sr., and Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa.

Under HB 6517, appropriate penalties will be imposed against acts that would destroy or have the tendency to destroy the honor, dignity and integrity of a person, especially women.

Miriam bats for anti-torture bill

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged Malacañang yesterday to sign into law the Anti-Torture Bill once the House of Representatives ratified the consolidated version of the landmark legislation.

The Senate ratified Wednesday the measure seeking to end the human rights violations allegedly committed by state agents. The reconciled version of bill was approved by the bicameral conference committee on Monday.

“I first filed the Anti-Torture Bill during my first term as a senator and I have been seeking its passage into law ever since. I am very elated that it is near realization,” Santiago said.

Santiago said that the bill’s ratification fulfilled the country’s obligation as a signatory of various international treaties such as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights; the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Punishment; the Convention on the Rights of a Child; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The senator also emphasized the importance of the bill’s provisions for the protection, rehabilitation, and compensation for torture victims.

“Torture victims remain under physical and psychological threats, especially in communities where the perpetrators are not brought to justice. In many instances, even those who treat torture victims are threatened with reprisals, including torture, for carrying out their ethical duties to provide care. They deserve protection from further repression,” Santiago said.

Santiago co-authored the landmark legislation with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senators Rodolfo Biazon, and Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights to which the bill was referred.

“The prohibition on torture is enshrined in our Constitution, which states that the employment of physical and psychological, or degrading punishment against any prisoner or detainee shall be dealt with by law,” Santiago said.

Climate Change Commission

In December 2008, two committees of the House of Representatives have jointly approved a proposal to create a climate change framework program and establish a Climate Change Commission.

The House committees on appropriation and government organization are in the process of finalizing the committee report, which is a consolidation of House Bills 400, 1775, 3291, 4051 and 4853.

Deputy Minority Leader Roilo Golez, author of HB 400, said the bill aims to address the “growing concerns on the impact of climate change, not only on the country but on other nations as well, ensuring that the world will still be fit for human habitation in the future.”

For his part, Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, who is also author of HB 1775, said climate change presents very serious global risks and demands an urgent global response.

The brother-in-law of President Arroyo, Negros Occidental Rep. Iggy Arroyo, who is also the proponent of HB 4051, said doing something concrete about climate change should include the passage of the lawmakers’ proposal.

“Global warming, the gradual worldwide rise in surface temperature is no longer a hypothetical threat to mankind but now a clear and observable fact,” said the senior administration lawmaker.

Neophyte Rep. Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela, author of HB 4853, said the creation of a national framework program on climate change shall establish mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. – With Aurea Calica