Senator Robinhood Padilla has introduced Senate Bill 2777, aimed at imposing stricter penalties under the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, including the death penalty for aggravated circumstances. Filed on Monday, the bill seeks to amend the current laws to make them more gender-responsive and strengthen protections against rape for both males and females.
Citing a need for more progressive legislation, Padilla emphasized the importance of aligning with the constitutional mandate to protect human dignity and fully respect human rights. His proposal includes provisions for reclusion perpetua to death in cases where a deadly weapon is used, the victim is driven to insanity, a homicide occurs during the rape, or any aggravating circumstances are present.
The bill’s filing was influenced by a 2017 study from the Council for the Welfare of Children and UNICEF, which found that males aged 13 to 24 are more likely to experience sexual violence than females. Currently, the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, chaired by Padilla, is conducting its second hearing on the bill.