Upon resumption of regular sessions Monday, Jan. 17, the House of Representatives swiftly passed on final reading two bills strengthening the human and religious rights of citizens as guaranteed under the 1987 Constitution.
With 200 members voting in the affirmative and zero negative votes and abstention, the Lower House passed on third reading House Bill 10576 entitled “An Act Defining the Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Human Rights Defenders.”
Also receiving unanimous approval with 205 “yes’ votes was House Bill No. 10569 or the Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act.
Authored by Reps. Edcel Lagman (1st District, Albay); Jose Christopher Belmonte (6th District, Quezon City) and members of the Makabayan partylist bloc, HB 10576 or the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act underscores the State’s recognition of the right of every person, whether as an individual or in association with others, to promote and strive for the protection of human rights and fundamental rights of citizens.
The bill defines a human rights defender as one who acts, seeks to act to protect, promote or strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms and welfare of the people.
It mandates government authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee that human defenders are able to undertake their activities and freely work in a “safe and enabling environment” without restrictions.
HB 10576 proposes the creation of a Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee and penalizes acts that will prevent the promotion and protection of human rights and the right of people to form groups to promote and pursue human rights programs.
Violators face at least six years imprisonment or/and a fine of P100,000.
Authored by Reps. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo Rivera of CIBAC Partylist, together with Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, HB 10569 provides guarantees in the protection of fundamental rights of every citizen to “freely choose and exercise” religion and belief.
HB 01569 defines religious freedom as the freedom to change, adopt or retain one’s religion or belief, or from coercion that would impair one’s freedom to have or adopt a religion and to manifest one’s religion or belief in worship.
Acts violative of the law under the bill are compelling a person, through force, threat, or undue influence to choose and not to choose a particular religion.
Denial of employment on basis of religious belief; defaming, harassing or offending a person by reason of one’s religious practice and threatening a person harm to change religious belief are also acts punishable under the bill.
Persons found guilty of violating any provision of the measure face a prison term ranging from six to eight years and payment of fine not exceeding P2 million.