It’s not often that Cordi legislators land in the news for their legislative initiatives so this news report is interesting. Not sure what to say about it yet but we hope to get a copy of the bill to understand it more clearly hehe.
Based on the report below however, it seems like the bill is out to do a lot of things: sanction impersonators (does this include anti-Gloria impersonators?); prohibit religious or racial discrimination; prevent unnecessary, unjustified, illegal and degrading search because of his or her clothing, religion, color, creed and ethnic identity; discrimination of job applicants because of his or her name, religion or ethnic background; etc.
Quite a tall order. By the way, I heard some stories about our Muslim brothers and sisters having to change their names to non-Muslim sounding ones just so they can have a chance to get employed. Apparently, some employers/recruiters will reject a candidate’s resume simply because of his/her Muslim name.
How bad is that? Very bad. And we have the gall to call ourselves “the only Christian nation in Asia”. What a shame, no?
House bill seeks to outlaw impersonations
By Jomar Canlas/Manila Times
Impersonators beware.
It is perhaps no laughing matter that the House Committee on National Cultural Communities headed by Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa had approved for floor debate House Bill 948 authored by Rep. Faysah Dumarpa of Lanao del Sur’s first district.
Dumarpa’s bill calls for sanctions on impersonators, particularly those impersonating others in an insulting manner.
The co-authors of the bill include Reps. Carlos Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya, Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao and Mujiv Hataman of the Anak Mindanao party-list.
Hataman said the bill also seeks to prohibit religious or racial discrimination against Muslims and other members of ethnic minorities.
In the penal provision of the bill, violators face a fine ranging from P200 to P6,000 or a jail term of between one month and six years.
Besides mimicking or imitating someone, a person can get into trouble by subjecting others to unnecessary, unjustified, illegal and degrading search because of his or her clothing, religion, color, creed and ethnic identity.
Dumarpa said the bill also includes a measure against discrimination of job applicants because of his or her name, religion or ethnic background.
Plus, the bill also provides that a person wearing a traditional costume, veil or turban should be allowed to enter business establishments, such as a restaurant, hotel or shopping mall. They should also be allowed on public transportation, like passenger buses, taxis, ships or airplanes.
Dumarpa pointed out that her bill is designed to guarantee equal protection and religious freedom to all Filipinos.