Should a law protecting battered husbands be passed?

A bill seeking to penalize the abuse of male partners and children was recently filed at the House of Representatives. In his Brigada report on Tuesday, Oscar Oida asks: Does the country need this bill?

Rizal 2nd District Representative Fidel Nograles filed House Bill No. 4888 or the “Anti-Violence Against Partners and the Children or Anti-VAPC Law” which aims to expand the coverage of the existing Anti-Violence Against Women Act.

“Marami rin ho akong nakausap na humihingi ng tulong at legal advice kung ano ba ang gagawin ng isang abused or battered husband. Tingnan natin ‘yung umiiral na batas ngayon-- kababaihan lang ‘yung binibigyan ng proteksyon,” he said.

One of the supporters of this bill is Rom Factolerin, co-founder of the online group Diego Silang Movement which seeks to empower battered husbands or live-in partners.

“Sa ngayon, ang pinaka-primary advantage nitong nakikita ko [ay] mapapansin na merong pang-aabusong nangyayari sa mga kalalakihan. Marami kasing nagde-deny na hindi naman nangyayari ‘yan,” he explained.

“Tandaan [dapat] ng mga kalalakihan na nakararanas ng abuso na walang kinikilalang kasarian ang karahasan.”

However, women’s group Gabriela said the bill is “unnecessary.”

“Sa tingin namin din, ito ay taliwas sa diwa kung saan unang ginawa ‘yung unang bill na Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act [na] merong pagkilala na hindi na nga pantay ‘yung kalagayan ng kababaihan at kalalakihan sa ating lipunan,” said Gabriela Secretary General Jang Monte-Hernandez. 

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—Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News