Anti VAWC Act: Elevate Awareness to Liberate Women in the Society

 Venue: Kamog, Sablan, Benguet

 Timeline of Events:
1. Assembly – 10:45am
2. Arrival – 12:51pm
3. Lunch – 1:10-1:15
4. Preparation – 1:15-1:30
5. Lecture – 1:30-3:30
6. Question and Answer – 3:30-4:00
7. Legal consultation – 4:30-5:00
8. Departure – 5:00pm

 Number of participants:
1. Community – thirty five(35)
2. Legal Studies Society – fifteen(15)
3. CLAO volunteers – ten(10)

The outreach program was started with an opening prayer, followed by the introduction of
the legal topics to be tackled by the volunteers of Chief Justice Moran Legal Assistance Office
(CLAO) and Legal Studies Society (LSS).
Some introductory questions and answers by the LSS and community participants
respectively, were as follows:
Q1: What are the rights of a woman?
A1: Gender equality
A2: Right to work
Q2: What are the rights of children?
A1: Shelter, food, education
A2: Learning in a fun environment
Q3: What is the role of a woman at home, and in the barangay?
A1: They provide wisdom to the community, especially those women with advanced
ages.
A2: Source of love and standard for equality.
Thereafter, the CLAO and the services it provides were apprised upon the participants by Mr.
Reynolds Busain before moving on to the lecture proper.
The law as provided by R.A. 9262 or the Anti VAWC Act of 2004 was discussed by Ms.
Crystalline Siguenza.
Among the points she mentioned are the following:
 Who can become victims of these acts;
 Ways on how the Law is violated;
 Acts punished by the Law;
 Whom to approach when there is abuse;
 The concept of Battered Woman Syndrome; and
 Important notes to be remembered regarding the Anti VAWC Act
The law as prescribed by RA 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 was then
discussed by Ms. Marigold Adarlyne Agod. The important issues she pointed out are the
following:
 Who can be held liable? Someone who has:
1. Authority;
2. Influence; and
3. Moral Ascendancy over the victim.

 Where can it be committed?

1. Workplace
2. Educational Institutions; and
3. Training institutions

 What constitutes violation of the act? When it creates:

1. Intimidation;
2. Hostile; or
3. Offensive environment for the victim.
Questions were raised after the lectures, which were answered in collaborate by our legal
aid volunteers.
Q1: What will a victim do to take action against a perpetrator despite the absence of any
evidence?
A1: Mr. Reynolds Busain – The positive testimony by the private offended party may be held
as a competent and relevant evidence admissible in Court, so long as the behavior of the
victim and the truthfulness of her testimony has been taken into consideration by the Court.
Q2: Can rape cases be subjected to compromise agreements?
A2: Ms Crystalline & Ms. Adarlyne – As to the civil aspect, yes. As to the criminal aspect,
generally no. The exceptions to this rule is when the private offended party as the primary
witness, failed to fulfill her duties in order for the prosecution to proceed with the criminal
action.
Q3: How about the confidentiality of the victim?
A3: Ms Crystalline – Information with regard the victim of a rape case is confidential. Her
name is not disclosed in the discussion of the case in open court.
Q4: How much is the fee in filing criminal cases in court?
A4: Atty. Ramolete – As a general rule, there shall be no filing fee for criminal cases, except
when the action is based on collection of sum of money.
Throughout the question and answer portion, it has been observed that most of the
participants were not aware of the nature and services being offered by the Public Attorney’s
Office, which is then reiterated by Atty. Ramolete.
Games related to the legal lectures were facilitated by the LSS in order to reinforce the legal
lessons that has just been established.
During the legal counseling, two community participants has approached our volunteers to
seek advice. There concerns are:
1. A mother who is asking for support against the biological father of her illegitimate
child.
2. Settlement of Memorial Services.
Picture taking commenced, and thereafter, the CLAO together with the LSS concluded the
outreach program.