March 16, 2023

Danao, Joice S.
BAPOS 2A

Babai, Ipatpategdaka: Lecture-Forum on Legal Update on the Protection of Women and

Children was a seminar to celebrate Women’s Month and was spearheaded by the Public Attorney’s
Office's Atty. Gil P. Viloria, Atty. Daphne Tricia Cadiente, Atty. Rochelle L. Torida, and Atty.
Candice B. Ramos, respectively. The event was conducted at the ISU-CC gymnasium and attended
by the Department of School of Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Criminology, and the
College of Business and Management. Specifically, Atty. Gil gives an introduction and overview of
the laws and international agreements for the protection of women and children; Atty. Daphne on the
updates of Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act) and
updates on Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and
Discrimination); Atty. Rochelle on the Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos
Law); and Atty. Candice on the Republic Act 8972 as amended by Republic Act 11861, the
Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act

It was a big opportunity for us students to be there, and just by merely sitting, we are gaining
so much knowledge. And as Atty. Gil discussed earlier, Republic Act No. 6949 is an Act to declare
March eight (8) of every year as a working special holiday to be known as National Women’s Day.
Recognizing the roles of every woman in our lives as well as their contributions to society requires
an attention worth celebrating. For their bravery, intelligence, incomparable patience, love, and many
other things that fit the idea of a wonderful woman. The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act is a special law that defines acts of violence against women and their children, or
"VAWC," penalizes such acts, and provides protective measures and remedies. Although March is
the month of women, their importance must be recognized without regard to any particular month.
Upon this, I came to the realization that I should value more the role of my mother as well as the
other women in my life. I casually show affection to my mom whenever I have the chance, but I
think it’s not enough. I think I need to make an extra effort to show how much I love her, how much
I value her, what she means to me, and how she plays an important role in my life to keep going.

On the other hand, I found myself to be as attentive as ever as Atty. Daphne holds the
microphone. She’s very passionate on inculcating on us what she have to talk about.  I like the idea
of discussing such cases related to her topic, and G.R. No. 239215 is my favorite. In that case, Randy
Michael Knutson, acting on behalf of minor Rhuby Sibal Knutson, their child, is filing a lawsuit
against Rosalina Sibal Knutson, the mother of their child. Admitting that I have known nothing about
the law, I’m surprised that a woman herself can be subjected to being held liable despite the law
protecting them, for as long as she committed abuse, especially to her child, which is covered under
this act, she can be an offender under the Anti-VAWC Act. Moreover, fathers can apply for remedies
under the law on behalf of the abused children. With that, I’ve gotten interested in reading some
cases, and I hope that I have time to sit on them when I have free time. In addition, the Bawal Bastos
Law, the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act, and other laws mentioned are very important to
discuss among students.

To sum up everything that has been stated so far, women are indeed wonderful persons who
need appreciation for all their hardships. Violence and abuse should have no room for them, which is
why such laws are crafted to protect their rights and uplift their status in the society. Salute to every
woman, a month of March is yours.