HOUSE Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima filed a bill to strengthen Republic Act (RA) No. 11313, or the “Safe Spaces Act”, by imposing stiffer penalties for its violations, and enhancing protections against gender-based sexual harassment.
In filing House Bill (HB) No. 8717, De Lima seeks to add more prohibited acts under the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the “Bawal Bastos Law”, by including the recognition of “grooming” as a form of predatory conduct, and by addressing gender-based online harassment committed through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
HB 8717 likewise imposes stiffer penalties for gender-based sexual harassment in workplaces and educational or training institutions, where power imbalances may place victims in particularly vulnerable situations.
“By upgrading the penalties, expanding protections, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms, this bill aims to ensure that the Safe Spaces Act continues to effectively safeguard dignity, equality, and safety in workplaces, educational institutions, public spaces, and digital environments,” De Lima, former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), said.
“Through this measure, we seek greater accountability for public officials and government employees who engage in or promote gender-based harassment,” she added.
RA 11313 was enacted in 2019 to prevent and penalize gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and online platforms. The law marked a significant step in protecting individuals – particularly women and marginalized groups – from harassment and abuse in both physical and digital environments.
De Lima pointed to reports of continuing incidents of sexual harassment and abuse in educational institutions, some of which even involve persons in positions of authority or trust, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen safeguards, improve accountability mechanisms, and ensure stronger deterrence against offenders.
“Dahil marami pa ring hindi tinatablan ng kahihiyan at proud pa sa kanilang kabastusan, kailangan natin ng mas malakas na batas laban sa karahasan at pambabastos,” De Lima, who has been at the receiving end of continuing vilification, slut-shaming, and attacks on her womanhood, said.
“While we may have had a misogynist, foul-mouthed former president and government officials who enable the objectification of women, this should never be acceptable. This must not be normalized. This must stop now,” she added.
Earlier, De Lima, along with 41 fellow lawmakers, also filed a related bill seeking to define and criminalize violence against women in politics (VAWP)
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