By Billy Begas
Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula has introduced a measure seeking to repeal the “forgiveness clause” in the Philippine penal laws that allows rapists to marry their victims and escape persecution.
“Rape is a grave crime. Marriage should never be used to shield the rapist from accountability and condemn the survivor to a lifetime of hell,” Ismula said.
“Nakakahiya na nasa batas pa rin natin ito. Panahon na para i-amend ang ating batas para sa dignidad ng mga victim survivors ng rape,” she added.
House Bill 10099 seeks to repeal Article 266-C and amend Articles 23, 89, and 344 of the Revised Penal Code (Republic Act 3815).
“This clause reflects an outdated and harmful notion that marriage or pardon can erase the trauma of rape. In practice, it risks compelling victims to remain tied to their aggressors, thereby perpetuating cycle of abuse and enabling offenders to escape accountability,” the explanatory note of the bill read.
“Such a legal mechanism undermines the seriousness of rape as a crime and diminishes the rights and dignity of women,” it added.
The measure is also authored by Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
