Solons want to criminalize any and all acts of sexual infidelity A measure has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to criminalize any and all acts of sexual infidelity amending the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on adulte ry and conc ubi nage, whi ch the proponent s desc ribed as dis cri mi nat ory aga ins t women House !i ll "#$#, author ed by %a gdal o Part y&l ist Re ps 'ra ncis co Ashle y ( Acedillo and )ary C Ale*ano, aims to do away with the discrimination perpetuated by the existence of Articles +++ and ++ of the Revised Penal Code -.he proposed amendment also abrogates the traditional essence of adultery, that is, the danger of introducing spurious heirs into the family,/ A cedillo said Acedillo said under Article +++ of the Revised Penal Code, adultery is committed by a married woman who shall have sexual intercourse with a man not her husband and by the man who has carnal knowledge of her, knowing her to be married, even if the marriage be subse0uently declared void 1n the other hand, he added, under the same law, Article ++, concubinage may be committed by a husband who shall keep a mistress in the con*ugal dwelling, or shall have sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods -2e spi te laws promoti ng e0uali ty bet wee n men and women, 'il ipi no women continue to suffer from various forms of ine0ualiti es and discrimination And our laws on Adultery and Concubinage unde r the Revised Penal C ode are such an example !oth seek to punish marital infidelity of spouses but provides higher burden on wives than the husbands,/ Acedillo stressed Acedillo said the existence of these discriminatory provisions contradicts Article 34g5 of the Convention on the 6limination of All 'orms of 2iscrimination A gainst 7o men 4C62A75, wherein the Philippines is a signatory, which re0uires the state to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations customs and practices that constitute discrimination against women Ale*ano said under their bill, Article +++ is now read as follows8 -7ho are guilty of 9adultery: %arital ;nfidelity & %arital ;nfidelity is committed by any married person who shall have sexual intercourse with another person not his or her spouse, and by the person who has carnal knowledge of him or her knowing him or her to be married, even if the marriage be subse0uently declared void/ NR # 3947 SEPT 4, 2015