House OKs bill penalizing discrimination

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill that would penalize discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and religion. Voting 208-0-0, the House approved House Bill No. 8243, or the Equality and Non-Discrimination on Race, Ethnicity, and Religion Act. If signed into law, prohibited acts of discrimination include preventing the exercise of political rights, refusing employment, dismissing an employee, refusing admission to an educational institution, delivering speech or performing acts of hatred or violence against another person’s ethnicity, race, or religion and refusing to allow a person to access or use any public place, vehicle or facility. Violators will be punished with 30 days up to six months in jail and may be fined P10,000 to P100,000. —Nestor Corrales