Bill to ban mail-order grooms, too

A bill protecting Filipino men and women from “unlawful matchmaking activities” with foreigners on the Internet or via the postal service has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

Once enacted, the proposed law will repeal the 25-year-old Anti-Mail Order Bride Law, or Republic Act 6955, which outlaws such schemes only for women, said Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, chair of the women and gender equality committee.

Under House Bill No. 5572, or the proposed Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act, mail-order grooms will be outlawed as well. The scope of the law has also been expanded to include on-line transactions and imposes heavier penalties.

“The State shall prevent the exploitation of Filipinos, male and female, and protect them from unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes which offer Filipinos for marriage to unscrupulous foreign nationals and expose them to abuse, exploitation, prostitution, and violent situations,” Villarica said.

House Bill No. 5572, notes that “at present, it has also been a trend for Filipino men to be engaged in mail-order spouse schemes and RA 6955 does not protect them from falling prey to exploitation,” he said.