Criminal liability vs abusadong amo ng kasambahay, ikakasa sa Senado

Ni Estong Reyes

NAKATAKDANG amyendahan ng  Senate committee on justice and human rights  ang  Republic Act 10361 o ang Kasambahay Law upang maglagay ng espisipikong probisyon na magtatakda ng criminal liabilities laban sa abusive employers.

Inirekomenda ito ng panel pagkatapos ng isinagawang imbestigasyon sa kaso ni Elvie Vergara na inabuso ng amo at ilang kapamilya na ikinabulag ng biktima.

Base sa rekomendasyon ng lupon, palalakasin ang   RA 10361, sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng probisyon na naglalaman ng: “provide for specific criminal liability for abusive employers with corresponding penalties for any death or physical injuries sustained by the Kasambahay resulting from, or sustained in the course of his or her employment.”

Ayon sa komite, walang nakalagay na espisipikong penal provision sa kasalukuyang bersiyon ng basa sakaling mamatay o malubhang masugtan ang kasambahay. Nakatakda lamang sa batas na idudulog angkaso alinsunod sa itinakda ng  Revised Penal Code at nagtatakda lamang ng multang P10,000 hanggang P40,000 sa paglabag ng batas.

Kung lalagyan ng espisipikong probisyon sa pananagutang kriminal at multa laban sa abusadong amo, sinabi ng lupn na  “will greatly caution employers from committing any kind of abuse against their helpers.”

Gustong itaasdin ng komite ang multa mula P100,000 ngunit hindi hihigit sa P250,000 sa sinumang employer na lantaran at tahasang lalabag sa probisyon ng Kasambahay Law nang hindi nasasagkaan ang Pagsasampa ng kasong sibil o kriminal.

Mahaharap ang sinumang kaaanak o kasamahan ng amo na napatuyang nagmaltrato, nang-abuso, pananakit o harassment, sa mga sumusunod na kaparusahan:

1.     If no injury was caused, or only minor injuries were caused, the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to four years and two months and a fine not less than P250,000.00 but not more than P500,000.00.

2.     If by reason or on the occasion of such abuse, physical violence or harassment inflicted, the kasambahay shall have become deformed, or shall have lost any body part, or shall have lost the use thereof, the employer or member of the household responsible for the same shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from four years, two months and one day to eight years and a fine not less than P1,000,000.00 but not more than P2,000,000.00 shall be imposed.

3.     If by reason or on the occasion of such abuse, physical violence or harassment inflicted, the kasambahay shall become insane, imbecile, impotent, or blind, the employer or member of the household responsible for the same shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for eight years and one day to 12 years and a fine not less than P2,000,000.00 but not more than P4,000,000.00 shall be imposed.

4.     If by reason or on the occasion of the said abuse, physical violence or harassment inflicted, the kasambahay died, the penalty of imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine not lower than P5,000,000.00 shall be imposed.

5.     The committee also recommends administrative charges and a fine ranging P100,000 to P250,000 for any national or local government official or employee who fails to take appropriate action on reported or suspected cases of kasambahay abuse.

Narito ang iba pang rekomendasyon ng lupon:

1.     Establishment of a Kasambahay Registry

2.     Creation of a Kasambahay Help Desk or Hotline in every barangay hall, municipal or city hall, and in every municipal, city, or regional offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment.

3.     Revisit of roles of the Philippine National Police Women’s Desk

Nanawagan din ang Senate panel sa  DSWD, DOLE, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Commission on Human Rights at iba pang ahensiyang sangkot dito na palakasin ang koordinasyon  sa pamamagitan ng   -to-date agreements at memoranda patungkol sa  monitoring ng kasambahays upang mahigpit na maipatupad ang RA 10361.

“As our kasambahays uplift our lives through diligent service and care, it is imperative that we take action and do our part in protecting their rights and treating them with the dignity that they deserve,” ayon sa committee report.