Manila: Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V has joined legislators across party lines in endorsing a bill declaring that the battle to protect women from discrimination and violence in the political sphere transcends every divide and belongs to the entire nation. House Bill No. 8393, or the Prevention of Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) Act, was filed by House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and 41 other lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ortega emphasized that VAWP is not only a women's issue nor confined to any political camp. He stated, "When a woman is attacked, threatened, shamed, or driven out of politics because of her gender, it is not just her voice that is silenced-it is our democracy that is weakened." Ortega further highlighted the importance for every Filipino to ensure politics is safe and inclusive, noting that ending VAWP could pave the way for fresh, independent leaders, reduce systemic corruption, and boost national progress through the active participation of women in governance.
Ortega called on Congress, political parties, digital platforms, civil society organizations, and citizens to support the bill, stating, "This is not about left or right, administration or opposition. This is about right and wrong. Protecting women in politics protects the future of our country-and that is everyone's responsibility."
HB 8393 seeks to define and criminalize Violence Against Women in Politics and Gender-Based Political Violence as distinct, politically motivated offenses. The bill addresses a wide range of abuses including physical attacks, sexual harassment, psychological torment, economic sabotage, institutional exclusion, and symbolic degradation. It also covers modern forms of technology-facilitated violence such as gendered disinformation, deepfakes, doxxing, slut-shaming, coordinated online harassment, and brigading, which are used to silence and exclude women from political life.
The ongoing threat of VAWP deters many capable women, especially those from marginalized communities, such as young leaders, indigenous women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and solo parents. The proposed law treats VAWP as a serious attack on democratic participation, with electoral-related offenses punishable by one to six years of imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and loss of voting rights.
