Removing condom without consent as crime, bill proposes

Removing condom without consent as crime, bill proposes
Removing condom without consent may be a crime once “Anti-Stealthing” become law.

Members of Congress filed a bill proposing removing condom without consent to be equal with sexual assault or rape.

Ako Bicol Reps. Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Elizaldy Co want “stealthing” or condom removal without the sexual partner’s agreement to be penalized by law. It also includes damaging or tampering the condom or other protective devices and luring the partner that a condom will be used to gain sexual permission.

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Garbin said that House Bill No. 3957 also aimed to refine sexual assault through the “stealthing” description as it was not clearly stated in the Revised Penal Code or in the Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.

“We also defined in HB 3957 what sexual activity is so that the definition of sexual assault would be strengthened with a definition which uses the gender-inclusive word ‘sexual partner.’ In RA 8393, the word ‘other person’ is used to refer to the victim of the male offender,” he added.

Removing condom without consent 

According to Atty. Claire Castro, the “Anti-Stealthing” bill would also address the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases in the Philippines.

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The bill would also benefit all genders, children, teenagers, and even senior citizens.

“Sa batas kasi hindi na-identify na ‘yung victim babae lang. So in other words, kung nagkaroon ng relasyon, sexual intercourse ang lalaki sa lalaki at alam ng partner mo na may protection na gagamitin, eh tinanggal? Ang lalaki nagiging biktima ng rape,” (In that law, the victim is not identified to be women only. So in other words, if both men have intercourse, and you know your partner will use protection but what suddenly removed it? Male will be a victim of rape.)

Under the proposed law, anyone convicted of “stealthing” will be given reclusion temporal and  P100,000 to P500,000 fine as minimum penalty.

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However, the bill drew flack from netizens saying Congress paid more attention to condoms and comfort rooms for the LGBTQ than the worsening conditions of Filipino farmers.