GABRIELA Solons Continue Support For Pantabangan Rape Victims, Join “JASMIN” In First PI Hearing of Rape Case VS. Vice Mayor

Gabriela Women’s Party today joined “Jasmin” at the Department of Justice in her first hearing on the rape case she filed on May 7, 2012 against Pantabangan Vice Mayor Romeo R. Borja, Jr.

“Gabriela Women’s Party lauds the Department of Justice for the prompt action on the rape case filed by Jasmin against Vice Mayor Romeo Borja, Jr. This has flamed Jasmin’s resolve to pursue the case despite the fact that the vice mayor has been using his power and money in an attempt to discredit Jasmin’s claims,” said GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus.

Accused Vice Mayor Borja, Jr. had gone on a media spree and circulated text and audio communications between him and Jasmin allegedly providing that they had a consensual relationship. He also organized a rally in Pantabangan on May 9, 2012 to explain his side. “The moves of the Vice Mayor show how he can use his power to defend himself and to discredit “Jasmin”.

This is a tactic used to warn his other victims to continue their silence because he is capable of discrediting them with the means at his disposal. There are many victims who are forced to submit to the perpetrator who is a person of authority or someone who has moral ascendancy,” added GWP Rep. Luz Ilagan.

“But Gabriela Women’s Party, Jasmin, Mina, and other Pantabangenyos who want to see justice served are not moved. Nananawagan rin kami sa lahat ng mga Pantabangenyo. Suportahan po natin sina Jasmin at Mina sa laban nilang ito. Tulungan natin silang makamit ang katarungan. Ipagtanggol natin ang Pantanbangan laban sa mga umaabuso sa kanilang kapangyarihan at nandarahas sa kababaihan,” added Rep. De Jesus.

“Rape destroys a person’s dignity. Victims seeking justice need to muster strength and courage after the violation has been committed and it is our role as legislators to make sure that when victims turn to our legal system for redress, justice can and will be served in the fastest, least traumatic and least humiliating manner possible,” stressed Rep. Ilagan.

“This is the main reason why GWP filed House Bill 6170 seeking to amend the Anti-Rape Law of 1997. The amendments that GWP pushed included the redefinition of the term rape, the enumeration of circumstances where there is a presumption of lack of consent, the inclusion of cases where there is non-penile penetration, the repeal of Articles 266-C and 266-D, and the specification of aggravating circumstances,” Rep. De Jesus further explained.

The amendments for Section 2 (Presumption of Lack of Consent) of the Anti-Rape Law list the following circumstances:

• When the act is attended by force, threat, or intimidation;

• When there is fraudulent machination, grave abuse of authority or moral ascendancy;

• When the victim is deprived of reason or is otherwise unconscious;

• When the victim is incapable of giving consent due to his or her mental or physical state or capacity;

• When the victim is below fifteen years (15) of age or if fifteen (15) years of age and above, but he or she has the mental capacity of that of a fifteen (15) year old or below and the offender is of legal age;

• When the offender is a biological or adoptive parent or de facto parents or a person who has raised the offended party without the benefit of legal adoption, ascendant, step-parent, de facto or legal guardian, relative by consanguinity or affinity within the third civil degree, or the common-law spouse or live-in partner of the parent of the victim.