GMA files bill vs stalking

MANILA, Philippines - Former president and now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has filed a bill at the House of Representatives that seeks to make stalking a criminal offense, as it violates a person’s constitutional right to privacy.

House Bill No. 2890, or the “Anti-Stalking Act of 2016,” addresses the issue of stalking, since this violates the provisions guaranteed in the Constitution, and Arroyo believes present laws are insufficient in the prevention and punishment of such crimes.

The Pampanga congresswoman said the 1987 Constitution guarantees security of a person, his house and his papers, and that the Civil Code of the Philippines mandates that every person must respect the dignity, privacy, personality and peace of mind of others.

“The act of stalking or its accompanying behavior is a violation of legal rights, since it involves harassing, bothering, frightening and interfering with people’s private lives. Such act of a form of disguised intimidation is subtle attempt at harassment,” she said.

Under the bill, Arroyo said any person who harasses another by committing any of the following acts would be held liable for stalking: making unsolicited telephone calls without the purpose of legitimate communication; making repeated communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours or in an offensively course language; making repeated visits to the victim’s home or workplace; following or repeatedly maintaining visual or physical proximity to the victim in or about public place or places; and engaging in any other course of alarming conduct.

Any person found guilty of stalking will be penalized with imprisonment of up to six years and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.

If the act is again subsequently committed by the offender or is a relative or member of the household of the victim, the next higher penalty would be imposed, the measure proposed.