The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) hailed the approval by the Senate of Senate Bill 2625, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act on its third and final reading last Monday, October 8, 2012.

Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente B. Salazar, in-charge of IACAT, said the ratification of the bill will further fortify the gains of the government against elements of human trafficking.

"The unanimous approval of Senate Bill 2625 by our senators underscores their support for our efforts in eradicating all forms of modern-day slavery," Salazar said.

Salazar particularly cited the features of the bill which impose sanctions and penalties in the attempted stage of human trafficking related activities.

He noted that the bill "removes the confidentiality clause enjoyed by the accused which means that any person including media, who discloses the identity of the respondent in any human trafficking case shall not incur any criminal liability".

Other salient features of the bill are the inclusion of (1) evidence tampering, (2) confiscation of travel documents such as passports and working permits without lawful authority, and (3) use of public office to impede investigation, prosecution or execution of lawful orders in human trafficking cases, in the acts that promote trafficking in persons with the penalty of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

Salazar said these features "will further deter government personnel from being involved in human trafficking activities like escorting, issuing fake certificates and others".

Late July of this year, House Bill 6339 was also approved on its third and final reading. Next up in the legislative process is to reconcile the versions of the bill passed by both houses through a Bicameral Conference Committee. Upon approval of both the Senate and Congress, a reconciled version of the bill shall be printed in its enrolled form, to be submitted to the Chief Executive for signing it into law.

"Strengthening the existing pillar that is the anti-trafficking in persons law, serves as another significant gain in the efforts of the Philippine Government in combating the menace of human trafficking and gives our partners and stakeholders greater encouragement to rally behind this national concern," Salazar added.

Source: http://www.iacat.net/index.php/70-iacat-cites-unanimous-approval-of-expanded-anti-trafficking-bill