Lawmaker files bill seeking to punish wives keeping husbands' ATM, salaries
Rep. Fidel Nograles, Rizal 2nd District, filed House Bill No. 4888, seeking to punish wives who hold hostage their husbands’ salaries and ATM cards. They could be held liable for economic abuse if said bill expanding the coverage of the Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 becomes law.
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HB 4888 seeks to amend and expand VAWC law to include husbands and LGBTQIA+ partners.
“Ang economic abuse ay ‘yung ginagawang financially dependent ‘yung partner sa inyo at nawawalan siya ng karapatan na magdesisyon kung paano tutugunan ang kanyang sariling pangangailangan,” Nograles explained in a news forum in Quezon City.
“Classic example dito ay ‘yung pagkuha ng ATM card ng partner, pagkuha ng lahat ng sweldo, tapos hindi bibigyan ng pagkakataon ‘yung partner na bumili o magdecide ng kanyang mga sariling gastusin,” Nograles added.
In proposing the bill, Nograles said he wants to “mainstream gender equality” and make protection “inclusive.”
“Sa panahon ngayon, hindi lang women and their children ang nangangailangan,” he explained.
Nograles pointed out that the existing VAWC only includes women and children, but studies would show that 12 to 15 percent of relationships are afflicted with abused husbands.
“Tumataas ang trend nito at dahil sa macho ego culture natin, nahihiya lumantad ang mga abused husbands,” he said.
“Mayroon din tayong instances ng mga abused husbands na sinusuko nila lahat ng kanilang sweldo o ‘yung ATM card sa kanilang misis at nawawalan sila ng karapatan na magdesisyon kung paano tugunan ang kanilang mga sariling pangangailangan,” he said.
