Press Release
October 22, 2016

ANGARA PUSHES FOR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL ON NOONTIME SHOW

Senator Sonny Angara took the opportunity to raise awareness and push for the passage of the anti-discrimination bill during his guesting on a popular noontime show on Friday.

Angara brought up the anti-discrimination bill after the performance of Vice Ganda and Kim Atienza that sent a message about gender equality and social acceptance on "It's Showtime."

"I'm very grateful that you portrayed that. Ang isyu ng pagkakapantay-pantay ay napakahalaga sa lipunan natin ngayon. Kudos for portraying it in such a touching way," said Angara, a guest judge of the show's "Magpasikat" segment.

The senator hopes that such "simple but powerful" performance by the "It's Showtime" hosts will generate the much needed support for the anti-discrimination bill which, he said, has been languishing in the legislative mill for decades.

Angara has filed anew the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act or Senate Bill 948 that seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination that offend the equal protection clause of the Bill of Rights by penalizing discriminatory practices particularly those 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.

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 on the basis of personal characteristics cited above will also be penalized.

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.

"Any form of discrimination threatens social instability and economic progress in our country. It is imperative that discrimination-or any act that establishes, promotes and perpetuates standing inequalities and disregards the right to equality of treatment-be reduced," the lawmaker said.

All government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions will also be mandated to pursue and implement programs and policies that would enable an environment free of stigma and ensure that discrimination and abuse are prevented.

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