PH Embassy in Israel Gathers Filipino Community for Talk on Marriage, Domestic Violence Laws
The attendees with the Embassy personnel. (Tel Aviv PE Photo)
TEL AVIV 18 March 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv gathered the Filipino community in Israel on 08 March 2024 for a series of presentations on the Philippine law on marriage, marital property relations, and violence against women and children in celebration of International Women’s Day and Philippine National Women’s Month.
Entitled “Falling in and out of Love in Israel,” the event focused on marriage law to broaden the community’s awareness of their legal options regarding relationship and property issues engendered or complicated by living or working overseas, including domestic violence, the social costs of separation from spouses and children, or entering into complicated relationships abroad.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Pedro “Junie” R. Laylo, Jr., paid tribute to the significant contributions of women in Philippine history and contemporary society, including sports, entertainment, politics, and society. At the same time, he acknowledged the need to further empower women by creating awareness of their newfangled rights, including the legal remedies available to them to address relationship issues.
“Bahagi po ito ng pangangalaga ng Embahada sa karapatan ng kababaihan, pagtaguyod sa mas malawak nilang pakikilahok sa lipunan, at pag-agapay sa kanilang pagtatagumpay sa anumang larangan o propesyon” (This [event] is part of the Embassy's protection of women's rights, promoting their wider participation in society, and supporting their success in any field or profession), Ambassador Laylo told the predominantly female crowd as he introduced the presentation topics.
Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Anthony Achilles L. Mandap presented Philippine law on marriage. (Tel Aviv PE Photo)
The first presentation, delivered by Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Anthony Mandap, covered the general principles of marriage law and answers to questions frequently asked by overseas Filipinos, usually women, relative to getting married, getting divorced, or securing annulment. He advised the participants to consult the Embassy on any legal questions on these concerns for them to be properly guided and avoid legal missteps.
Vice Consul Patricia D. Narajos discussed the Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Law, and property relations. (Tel Aviv PE Photo)
Meanwhile, Vice Consul Patricia Narajos discussed property relations between husbands and wives for the community to be guided on their legal options, rights, and obligations, especially to their incomes, benefits, and properties accumulated in the course of their work overseas. Vice Consul Narajos likewise discussed the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Law, or Republic Act 9262, which outlines the legal rights of spouses or children trapped in situations of abuse or domestic violence – a common occurrence in OFW households.
Before the community event, Embassy personnel sat down for a presentation on the Safe Spaces Act of 2019, or Republic Act 11313, also delivered by Vice Consul Narajos. The Safe Spaces Act expanded the coverage and punitive character of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, or Republic Act 7877 to include, among others, sexual offenses in public places such as public transport conveyances and frontline government offices. END
Ambassador Pedro R. Laylo, Jr. with the Embassy officers and staff. (Tel Aviv PE Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.telavivpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.il, https://www.facebook.com/PHinIsrael/, or https://twitter.com/PHinIsrael