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By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
Impersonators beware.
It is perhaps no laughing matter
that the House Committee on National Cultural Communities headed by
Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa had approved for floor debate House Bill
948 authored by Rep. Faysah Dumarpa of Lanao del Sur’s first
district.
Dumarpa’s bill calls for
sanctions on impersonators, particularly those impersonating others
in an insulting manner.
The co-authors of the bill
include Reps. Carlos Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya, Solomon Chungalao of
Ifugao and Mujiv Hataman of the Anak Mindanao party-list.
Hataman said the bill also seeks
to prohibit religious or racial discrimination against Muslims and
other members of ethnic minorities.
In the penal provision of the
bill, violators face a fine ranging from P200 to P6,000 or a jail
term of between one month and six years.
Besides mimicking or imitating
someone, a person can get into trouble by subjecting others to
unnecessary, unjustified, illegal and degrading search because of
his or her clothing, religion, color, creed and ethnic identity.
Dumarpa said the bill also
includes a measure against discrimination of job applicants because
of his or her name, religion or ethnic background.
Plus, the bill also provides that
a person wearing a traditional costume, veil or turban should be
allowed to enter business establishments, such as a restaurant,
hotel or shopping mall. They should also be allowed on public
transportation, like passenger buses, taxis, ships or airplanes.
Dumarpa pointed out that her bill
is designed to guarantee equal protection and religious freedom to
all Filipinos.
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