Wala nang height limit sa pulis, bumbero

Tuluyan nang inaprubahan ng Senado ang panukalang batas na tanggalin ang height limit sa sinumang mamamayan na gustong pumasok bilang pulis, bumbero at jail guard.   Sa ginanap na botohan nitong Lunes, walang tumutol upang tanggalin ang height limit bilang pangangailangan sa mga aplikante sa Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology alinsuno da panukalang Senate bill No. 3217 na inihain ni Sen. Gregorio Honasan.   Bomoto pabor sa panukala sina Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Majority Floor Leader Tito Sotto, Joker Arroyo, Pia Cayetano, Frank Drilon, Chiz Escudero, T.G. Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Bongbong Marcos, Serge Osmeña, Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, Bong Revilla Jr., Sonny Trillanes at Manny Villar.   Hindi naman nakaboto sina Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago at Edgardo Angara. Si Santiago ay may sakit, samantalang nasa Singapore naman si Angara.   “Heightism or discrimination based on height is a reality today that has been practice among law enforcement agencies in the country,” ayon kay Honasan.   Aniya, ibinabasura ng panukala ang height requirement na itinatakda ng Section 30 ng Republic Act (RA) 6975 o ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act of 1990, as amended by RA 1998.   “As provided in RA 1998, known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, the height must be at least 1.62 meters and 1.57 meters for male and female, respectively,” ayon sa batas.   “Height discrimination unnecessarily limits quality choice while promoting social injustice. Height may be a consideration in tasks requiring certain physical activities but not all who are short are physically, much less intellectually, impaired,” ayon kay Honasan.   “The Philippine Constitution affirms the principles of employment and non-discrimination. While it is right for hiring institutions to employ people for their intellect, for their drive and for what they can bring to the organization, it is wrong to deny them for reasons of creed, color, culture, gender identity or height,” patapos ng senador. - BM, GMA News