A bill that seeks to amend the country’s law against human trafficking has made it to the Senate plenary and is due for deliberations.

Hontiveros endorsed Senate Bill No. 2449 or Committee Report No. 333 that seeks to expand on the provisions of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended by Republic Act No. 10364, otherwise known as the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act.

During her sponsorship speech, Hontiveros, recalled her encounters with people during her work as Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality whose life stories, according to her, have made them difficult to forget.

"Nandyan si Carina, menor de edad na biktima ng sex trafficker na binenta siya sa mga kliyenteng Chinese na empleyado ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) (There's Carina, a minor who became a victim of sex trafficking after she was sold to Chinese clients who are POGO employees)," Hontiveros said.

She also mentioned "Omaima" whose age was altered as she fell victim to labor trafficking in the Middle East. Hontiveros also recalled Diana, who also became a victim of trafficking in Syria.

"It is for them -- and for the people and stories and realities they represent -- that we sponsor this important bill today. A bill that is also a LEDAC priority measure and one of the highest urgency," Among the key provisions Hontiveros mentioned is that it holds internet intermediaries accountable for knowingly allowing their infrastructure to be used for acts of trafficking of victims of all ages.

"It introduces additional aggravating circumstances, notably when the crime is committed during a crisis, a public health concern (this includes a pandemic), a disaster, a humanitarian conflict or emergency situation, or when the trafficked person is a survivor of the same," she added.

She also mentioned that it provides additional tools for law enforcers to pursue human traffickers, particularly when the violations involve the use of internet and digital platforms.

"An example is providing law enforcers the capacity to access non-content data (such as subscriber information and traffic data) upon formal request to internet intermediaries. To note, content data will still require a warrant," she explained.

Once enacted into law, it will increase protections to victims of trafficking, including Filipino victims of trafficking in persons overseas.

"Lastly, it increases duties of local government units in providing recovery and reintegration support to trafficked persons and their families. This is consistent with the planned devolution of anti-trafficking measures from the DSWD to local government units," she said.

In co-sponsoring the Bill, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Delar Rosa expressed his utmost gratitude to Hontiveros for never failing to champion the rights and needs of all, especially of those who are most vulnerable in our society.

He said that in the era of online classes, Zoom and Webex meetings, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram and a lot more, it is imperative for them to ensure the safety of children in the activities they are involved with.

"This is precisely one of the landmark changes in this proposed measure, Mr. President. It aims to strengthen our protection against all forms of exploitation and abuse, including the ones that may occur online," he added.