The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) hailed both houses of congress on the recent approval of the consolidated version of Senate Bill No. 2625 and House Bill No. 6339, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Enrolled copies of the bill are now given to the Office of the President for approval after it has been ratified by both Senate and Congress last December 4, 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 consolidated bill eliminates the privacy clause enjoyed by the accused which means that any person including media, who reveals the identity of the respondent in any human trafficking case shall not be answerable to any criminal sanctions.

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.

Source:http://www.iacat.net/index.php/82-congress-ratifies-amendments-to-human-trafficking-law