Online matchmaking to be criminalized under proposed bill

[BRB 6]

I wonder if meeting someone on Facebook will make you a criminal now?

Online matchmaking to be criminalized under proposed bill

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 08/19/2013 3:48 PM | Updated as of 08/19/2013 3:48 PM

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to protect the image of the Filipino women, a new bill (House Bill 222) seeking to amend the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law will criminalize matchmaking of Filipinas and foreign nationals on internet websites.

Under Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law of 1990, mail-order bride services are illegal in the Philippines.

But according to Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list representative Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, author of HB 222, mail-order bride services are now flourishing in different websites and have largely replaced traditional paper-cased classifieds.

"A new era of professional prostitution or high end pornography through the web was born which downgrades the integrity not only of Filipino women, but of the country as a whole," said Cruz-Gonzales.

"Filipino women are gravely abused by syndicates who conduct business and make women a commodity to be bought either through the Internet, websites or other written materials," she added.

Under HB 222, violators will face an imprisonment of 20 years and will have to pay a fine of not more than P100,000.

"If the offender is a foreigner, he shall be immediately deported and barred forever from entering the country after serving his sentence and payment of fine," warned Cruz-Gonzales.

The bill also penalizes persons who advertise, publish, print or distribute any brochure, flier or any propaganda material including those distributed and made available through the Internet.

Likewise, it shall be unlawful to use the postal service and the Internet to promote the mail order bride business according to the measure.

Filipino women who voluntarily engaged themselves in matchmaking activities and those who patronize the mail-order bride business as an accessory to the offense charged will also be penalized.

The manager, editor in chief, or advertising manager of any newspaper, magazine, television, radio station and other media including those of internet websites are likewise prohibited from allowing or consenting to the unlawful acts mentioned.

Under the RA 6955, any person found guilty of violating the law shall suffer an imprisonment of not less than six years and one day but not more than eight years, and a fine of not less than P8,000 but not more than P20,000.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/19/13/online-matchmaking-be-criminalized-under-proposed-bill

[Hank_ 9,174]

A quick web search finds there are websites that "arrange" for a person to meet a Filipina, arrange your hotel and a cocktail meet 'n' greet event. I would bet those are the outfits that law would be aimed at.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Unbefrickinbelievable!!!

Are they saying that sites such as DIA and Filipino Kisses are included? I met my wife on a web site and I never bought her. We are living happily ever after now in the US. Sounds to me like the Philippines Government is looking for yet another source of bribery and income. Can you see all the cops at the airport watching for Filipinas to be exiting the country with their fiance or spouse...then pulling the couple aside and asking for a payment??? I sure can.. Everyone in Manila was stealing from everyone. Filipinos stealing from Filipinos all day long. I can see the airport Police rubbing their hands together on this idea.

What a joke!!

I wonder if meeting someone on Facebook will make you a criminal now?

Online matchmaking to be criminalized under proposed bill

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 08/19/2013 3:48 PM | Updated as of 08/19/2013 3:48 PM

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to protect the image of the Filipino women, a new bill (House Bill 222) seeking to amend the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law will criminalize matchmaking of Filipinas and foreign nationals on internet websites.

Under Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law of 1990, mail-order bride services are illegal in the Philippines.

But according to Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list representative Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, author of HB 222, mail-order bride services are now flourishing in different websites and have largely replaced traditional paper-cased classifieds.

"A new era of professional prostitution or high end pornography through the web was born which downgrades the integrity not only of Filipino women, but of the country as a whole," said Cruz-Gonzales.

"Filipino women are gravely abused by syndicates who conduct business and make women a commodity to be bought either through the Internet, websites or other written materials," she added.

Under HB 222, violators will face an imprisonment of 20 years and will have to pay a fine of not more than P100,000.

"If the offender is a foreigner, he shall be immediately deported and barred forever from entering the country after serving his sentence and payment of fine," warned Cruz-Gonzales.

The bill also penalizes persons who advertise, publish, print or distribute any brochure, flier or any propaganda material including those distributed and made available through the Internet.

Likewise, it shall be unlawful to use the postal service and the Internet to promote the mail order bride business according to the measure.

Filipino women who voluntarily engaged themselves in matchmaking activities and those who patronize the mail-order bride business as an accessory to the offense charged will also be penalized.

The manager, editor in chief, or advertising manager of any newspaper, magazine, television, radio station and other media including those of internet websites are likewise prohibited from allowing or consenting to the unlawful acts mentioned.

Under the RA 6955, any person found guilty of violating the law shall suffer an imprisonment of not less than six years and one day but not more than eight years, and a fine of not less than P8,000 but not more than P20,000.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/19/13/online-matchmaking-be-criminalized-under-proposed-bill

[Hank_ 9,174]

Dating sites are not the same as those other types of sites.... no arranged/controlled meeting or any controlling factors with the dating sites.

[BRB 6]

I like the way the US kind of looks at this. As long as you are not paying to meet someone it is not a matchmaking site. With the corruption in the Phil no doubt it might be used to extract money or bribes. There are already laws against this in the Phil. This new law may blur the lines between legal and illegal activity.

Edited August 21, 2013 by BRB

[Bugs 455]

Facebook and similar social sites are not the target of this law, or it would be illegal for any type of social gathering, as they are the same thing. It is the arranger sites, or international broker sites that they are after,

Edited August 21, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[kambingaso 9]

Damn you, Alec Baldwin! heh heh! I think this affects "matchmaking" sites and arrangers--not necessarily online dating sites. I think there's a difference.

[madtownguy 164]

You certainly don't need a website to meet a girl in the philippines. It may help things I can see a positive outcome.