This kind of report merely shows that existing good laws like the anti-trafficking of persons act is rendered useless by the failure of the agencies concerned to implement the same to its full extent thereby depriving our women the protection they need against abuse and exploitation,” said Cruz-Gonzalez.

A MEMBER of the House committee on justice yesterday asked the authorities to triple its effort in ensuring the full implementation of laws on the protection of women and children following the continued mail-order bride cases of Filipino women to Korea.

Leyte Rep.  Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a member of the House committee on justice, lamented that despite the ongoing ban on illegal matchmaking agencies, the problem continue to hit the country through the marriage of Filipino women with their South Korean partners.
   
Romualdez said authorities should implement Republic Act (RA) 6955, or the Anti-Mail-Order-Bride Law, RA No.  9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and RA No.  9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act.
   
“It seems that there is a need for the authorities to put more pressure in implementing these laws.  The mail-order bride must be stopped now before problems hit us soon,” said Romualdez.
   
Romualdez said the “whirlwind marriage” in exchange for employment and better opportunities abroad should be put to rest since many Filipino women are being abused.
   
Ambassador Luis Cruz reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that around 6,000 Filipino women meet their South Korean spouses through matchmaking agencies since April 2009.
   
Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep.  Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales said Romualdez was right in making the call, saying the existence of the problem indicates government’s failure to implement the laws.
   
“This kind of report merely shows that existing good laws like the anti-trafficking of persons act is rendered useless by the failure of the agencies concerned to implement the same to its full extent thereby depriving our women the protection they need against abuse and exploitation,” said Cruz-Gonzalez.

SOURCE:   PEOPLE'S TONIGHT  by Ryan Ponce Pacpaco   September 16, 2009   Wednesday