While it has still been a question in mind for many Filipinos, public service program ‘CIA with BA’ once and for all answered if a spouse can be accused of rape even within the bounds of marriage.

The query came from one of the members of show’s ‘Mariteam’ during the segment ‘Yes or No’ in the episode aired Sunday, Nov. 26.

Addressed to Pia Cayetano, Queen Manilyn asked: “Pwede po bang kasuhan ng rape ang asawa? Yes or No?”

“The answer is ‘yes,’” Pia replied.

“Konting background, medyo bago itong batas na ‘to — bago in a sense na noong nag-aaral pa lang ako ng law, hindi pa ‘yan batas,” she shared. “[But like] I said, nag-e-evolve tayo, nagma-mature ang society so naging understood ‘yon na kasama sa karapatan ng babae ‘yung katawan naman niya.”

“Hindi naman porke’t nag-asawa tayo, na mahal na mahal mo ‘yung asawa mo, nagmamahalan kayo, kung kailan lang niya gusto, siya ang magde-decide? ‘Di ba? So talagang rape pa rin kahit mag-asawa, ‘pag pinilit,” Pia explained. “So in a loving relationship, dapat mutual.”

Supporting his sister’s statements, Alan Peter Cayetano expounded in the spiritual context.

“Maraming nagquo-quote sa Bible na kapag mag-asawa kayo, ‘do not deny your body to the other.’ That’s directed to both of you. So ibig sabihin, hindi inaalis ng Bible na may personal choice at consent ka,” he said. “So ‘pag pinilit mo, rape pa rin ‘yon.”

‘CIA with BA’ is now on its fourth season since it premiered on February 5 this year.

The program continues the legacy of Senator Rene Cayetano, the late father of the sibling senators. The senior Cayetano was a renowned lawyer who gained fame through his radio and TV program 'Compañero y Compañera,' which aired from 1997 to 2001.

Don’t miss ‘CIA with BA’ with Alan, Pia, and Boy every Sunday, 11:30 p.m. on GMA7.