MANILA, Philippines - The Senate is set to approve on second reading a bill that aims to protect senior citizens from abuses and enhance the penalties for crimes committed against them.
A committee report has been prepared on Senate Bill 3234, which was signed by almost all the senators that would substitute the three bills filed by Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon Revilla Jr.
The bill was aimed at protecting one of the most vulnerable members of society.
The measure would pave the way for the development of strategies for preventing and punishing crimes that target or disproportionately affect senior citizens.
Based on the bill, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police would be tasked to conduct a study relating to crimes against senior citizens, which would be used to develop strategies on reducing or preventing these types of crimes.
A review of the existing laws and policies regarding crimes against elderly people would also be conducted for the purpose of assessing the possibility of increasing the penalties for persons convicted of these crimes.
All of the findings would be submitted to Congress for its consideration in the crafting of legislation to protect senior citizens.
Santiago noted that one out of every 20 elderly people will be a victim of neglect or physical, psychological or financial abuse.
“As elders become more physically frail, they are less able to stand up to bullying or to fight back if attacked. They may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them,” she said.
“As the elderly population multiplies, so will the incidence of elder abuse. It is about time that we recognize the seriousness of the problem and take steps to prevent it,” she added.
Revilla, on the other hand, said that the elderly are twice as likely to become victims of crimes such as robbery or assault in their own homes.
He said that the number of senior citizens will continue to increase, so strategies must be developed to ensure they are protected in their twilight years.