Duterte would be first to obey Bawal Bastos Law, spokesman says
PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte, known for his colorful language and oftentimes controversial jokes, would be the first to follow the Bawal Bastos Law, which penalizes gender-based street harassment against women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said when sought for comment on the newly-signed law: “Since the President signed that law, it means that he recognizes the need of that law. And since he is the chief enforcer of all laws of the Philippines, he will be the first one to obey the law.” He also brushed off accusations that Mr. Duterte had been, on more than one occasion, vulgar in his remarks about women, saying he was only trying to be funny. “You’ve assumed that the President is bastos, naging bastos (rude, became rude). He never was bastos. When he cracks jokes, it was intended to make people laugh, never to offend,” the spokesman explained. Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11313, the Safe Spaces Act or also known as the Bawal Bastos Law, on April 17, but copies were released only on Monday. Under the law, gender-based sexual harassment covers “catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slur,” among others. Public places include restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs, resorts, hotels, and casinos. — Arjay L. Balinbin
SC gives lawyers more time to confer with fisherfolk clients in West PHL Sea case
THE SUPREME Court (SC), sitting en banc, has granted the request of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to be given more time to confer with their clients involved in the writ of kalikasan petition seeking the protection of shoals in the West Philippine Sea. SC Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka, in a text message, said the lawyers were given until July 19, earlier than the July 22 date requested. In a social media post, the SC PIO said the en banc also reminded the counsels of both parties under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules of Court “not to litigate their cases through media or social media.” “Infractions shall be dealt with severely,” it said. The IBP on July 12 asked the high court for more consultation time with fishermen from Palawan and Zambales, following the submission of the Office of the Solicitor General on July 9 of judicial affidavits of 19 fishermen who were withdrawing from the petition. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
SC upholds Comelec declaration on PDP-Laban officers
THE SUPREME Court (SC) upheld a resolution of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which recognizes the group of Senator Aquilino L. Pimetel III as the officers of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). In a resolution dated June 18 but released only on Tuesday, the SC dismissed the petition of the PDP-Laban faction led by Rogelio V. Garcia over the November 2018 resolution of the Comelec declaring the group led by Mr. Pimentel as the legitimate officers of the ruling political party. It also denied the application for a temporary restraining order and or preliminary injunction against the group of Mr. Pimentel. “As correctly found by the COMELEC …it must continue to recognize them as the legitimate officers authorized to act for and in behalf of PDP LABAN,” the SC’s resolution read. The high court also said its ruling is without prejudice to the filing of a direct challenge by the petitioner before a Comelec division questioning the legitimacy of Mr. Pimentel’s group. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
