ANGARA BATS FOR LAW THAT PROHIBITS ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION

?? Senator Sonny Angara is calling for the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination bill which aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination.??

Angara's Senate Bill 948 seeks to penalize discriminatory practices based on age, racial or ethnic origin, religious belief or activity, political inclination or conviction, social class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, marital or relationship status, disability, HIV status, health status or medical history, language, physical features, or other status.??

"Kung patas ang pagtrato natin sa bawat Pilipino, katumbas nito ay patas din na oportunidad para sa lahat. We must protect every Filipino against all forms of discrimination in order to promote equal protection and equal opportunity," Angara said.

??Under the proposed measure, acts of discrimination include promoting and encouraging stigma, inciting hatred or violence, inflicting harm on health and well-being, and engaging in profiling.??

Denial of political, civil and cultural rights; denial of right to education, right to work, right to organize, right to expression; and, denial of access to goods and services such as medical services, insurance and housing will also be penalized.

"Dapat ay mawakasan na ang lahat ng uri ng diskriminasyon lalo na sa mga paaralan at sa trabaho upang ang lahat ay mabigyan ng pagkakataong umunlad at umangat sa buhay. Any form of discrimination threatens social instability and economic progress in our country. It is our hope that through this bill, discrimination will be eliminated," Angara said.??

Under the bill, offenders may face penalties of not less than a year but not more than six years imprisonment, or a fine of not more than P500,000, or both.??

All government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions will also be mandated to establish programs and policies that would ensure that discrimination and abuse are prevented.