Integrated Gender and Development Division

TWO LADY councilors on Tuesday delivered separate privilege speeches, calling for the accountability of the viral taxi driver who allegedly sexually harassed a senior high school student.

The video, which is widely circulated on Facebook, shows a taxi driver engaging in indecent and inappropriate remarks toward a young female passenger who was clearly still wearing her school uniform.

Councilor Richlyn Justol-Baguilod, committee chair on women, children, and family relations, called on transport agencies, operators, and local governments to intensify information campaigns on safe spaces and child protection laws.

“It reflects a troubling act of harassment, exploitation, and abuse of trust by someone who was entrusted with the safety and welfare of passengers, especially minors,” Baguilod said, noting the act is “deeply disturbing” considering it was in a public utility vehicle.

The councilor recognized the swift action of the authorities as the driver was already summoned by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao Region, the Land Transportation Office, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office. The incident showed that young women and students continue to experience harassment in public spaces.

“No child should ever be made to feel unsafe, violated, or demeaned on her way to school or home. No uniform should ever become an invitation for abuse,” Baguilod said.

“This behavior is unacceptable, unlawful, and deeply corrosive to the values of respect and dignity we strive to uphold as a society,” she added.

This was reechoed by councilor Pamela Librado, who said the driver’s actions fall within the definition of Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, or the Bawal Bastos Law. 

The Bawal Bastos Law penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, online platforms, workplaces, and educational or training institutions.

“We call on the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office to consider this incident for policy reflection and to require mandatory gender sensitivity training for transport operators and drivers prior to the issuance or approval of licenses, should this not yet be fully integrated into their respective gender and development plans,” Librado said.

The councilor pushed the concerned agency to take immediate action against the gender-based violence, and for the driver to be criminally charged under the Bawal Bastos Law.

“I further call on the Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) to assist the victim in the filing of the appropriate criminal case and to provide immediate psychosocial support to her and her family,” she stressed.

Librado pushed for a localized ordinance of the Bawal Bastos Law, which will provide preventive measures in educational institutions, including information campaigns and anti-sexual harassment seminars, impose fines for acts of gender-based sexual harassment, and establish an anti-sexual harassment hotline.

The speech was passed under the first reading and referred to the committee on women, children, and family relations for appropriate action.