A SENATOR on Monday filed a bill that seeks to impose the death penalty or life in prison on rape-murder convicts, citing the need to make laws against sexual violence harsher.
Under Senate Bill No. 2777, which Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla filed, people convicted of rape using a deadly weapon and carried out by multiple people and incidents that lead to victims becoming insane will also face life in prison or the death penalty.
“Despite the penalties under the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, this representation still finds it compelling to increase the punishment for any person who shall commit an act of rape,” the senator said in a statement.
“By doing so, we can be more certain that our laws are stronger, more gender-responsive and progressive especially in these changing times.”
Mr. Padilla said the government should ensure that men who are victims of rape and sexual violence are also protected.
More males aged 13 to 24 years experience sexual violence than females, Mr. Padilla said, citing a 2017 study by the United Nations Children’s Fund and Council for the Welfare of Children. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
