Year 2012 is a prolific year for the passing of much needed laws in our country.
One practical and much needed law that was passed this year is Republic Act 10172. The law allows for the correction of clerical error in the birthday and/or month as well as sex of a person without the need of a court proceeding. This makes the proceeding an administrative one which is less tedious and
economical.
The Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012 (RA 10351) was signed into law December 20 of this year. This law aims to to generate more revenue from alcohol and cigarettes while discouraging their consumption. It ensures that the eighty per cent of the money collected from excise taxes on these vices will fund universal health care. It seeks to simplify the current taxation scheme on these items. It also lifted the price/brand classification freeze on these vices so that they can be taxed accordingly.
The passage of the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012 (RA 10350) officially eliminates the notorious OB or Order of Battle of the military and the police. It also prohibits the "arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty committed by government authorities or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of such persons in authority, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which places such person outside the protection of the law.
The Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA10175) though effectively suspended up to January of next year and considered by some as seriously flawed is still a welcome development. The law aims to fight crimes in the internet such as child pornography, spamming, cyberse, hacking and theft of identity.
These are just some of the relevant laws that were passed last year. We are still awaiting the signing of the Reproductive Health Bill by the president as of this writing and the vote on the Freedom of Information Bill. There is also a proposed expansion of the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to cover greater protection to women and children who are the consistent victims of the types of crimes prohibited by this law. It is hoped that 2013 will bring more useful laws and the updating of some that have not kept abreast with the time.
Published in Sarangani Journal
These are just some of the relevant laws that were passed last year. We are still awaiting the signing of the Reproductive Health Bill by the president as of this writing and the vote on the Freedom of Information Bill. There is also a proposed expansion of the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to cover greater protection to women and children who are the consistent victims of the types of crimes prohibited by this law. It is hoped that 2013 will bring more useful laws and the updating of some that have not kept abreast with the time.
Published in Sarangani Journal
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