Stalkers be warned. A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking to penalize those who are fond of making unsolicited late night phone calls without the purpose of legitimate communication, as well as other forms of “stalking." Senate Bill 2442, filed by Sen. Manny Villar, says a person commits stalking when he or she harasses another person by doing any of the following:
making repeated communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours or in offensively coarse language; making repeated visits to the victim’s home or workplace; following or repeatedly maintaining visual or physical proximity to victim in or about a public place or places; and engaging in any other course of alarming conduct. Under the measure, any person who commits any of these acts shall be punished by arresto mayor in its maximum period (imprisonment from four to six months) to prision correccional in its minimum period (imprisonment from six months to two years and four months) or a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000. But if the offender repeats the crime or if he or she is a family or household member of the victim, the next higher penalty shall be imposed, it said. SB 2442 was also filed during the 14th Congress but was not approved at the plenary level. Existing laws Article 26 of the Civil Code says that "every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons." Included in the acts that supposedly violate these rights are: prying into the privacy of another’s residence: meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another; intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends; and vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition. The Code, however, says that although they may be venues for relief or damages, the acts do not constitute a criminal offense. Villar, in filing SB 2442, said existing laws are insufficient in protecting a person's privacy. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV 
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