The bill, filed by Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., said stalking may include the following acts:
- repeated phone calls for no legitimate reason
- sending messages without introducing oneself, or using rude words
- repeatedly going to a target’s home or office
- frequently following someone
- making a scene
Under Villar’s bill, such acts may be punished with jail time of one to six months, and/or a fine of P1,000 to P5,000.
At the House of Representatives, a report on Journal Online said the anti-stalking bills filed there included:
House Bill 5099 by Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo
House Bill 3367 by Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III
House Bill 6114 by Buhay party-list Reps. Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde.
The report said the Philippine National Police’s Police Security Protection Office (PSPO) welcomed the bill, saying it would define and penalize specific acts tantamount to stalking.
Presently, the PSPO is guarding at least 1,000 personalities who face security threats.
Such a proposed measure is also welcome for public figures, including celebrities who have had to deal with stalkers.
Trending on Twitter
The “Anti Stalking Bill” also trended among Twitter users in the Philippines on Thursday, as netizens debated over whether the bill’s potential passage would prevent starstruck fans from following their favorite celebs on social media.
