While a person was passing through a construction site for a new Hall of Justice building, construction workers shouted: “Hoy bakla, halika rito at haplusin mo ‘ko!” “Hoy bakla, ang pangit mo!” “Bakla, mukha ka pa ring lalaki kahit ano’ng gawin mo!” The person victimized by these remarks asks you: Was a crime committed by the workers who shouted these statements? Explain briefly.
Suggested answer only. Not an official answer and not legal advice.
Yes, the construction workers committed the crime of Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual Harassment under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act. Under Section 4, in relation to Section 11(a) of R.A.
Unlock the full Criminal Law answers365 days of full access. GCash, Maya and card accepted.
This is not an official scoring system and carries no weight with the Supreme Court or any bar review provider. It measures how much of the suggested answer's wording your response covers, not whether your reasoning is correct. For practice only.
Quick check
What crime is committed by construction workers who shout unwanted sexual invitations and homophobic slurs at a passerby?
Shouting unwanted sexual invitations and homophobic slurs in public constitutes gender-based sexual harassment under RA 11313.
Which of the following acts is explicitly penalized as gender-based public spaces sexual harassment under RA 11313?
Catcalling, unwanted sexual invitations, and homophobic slurs are explicitly penalized under RA 11313.
Does the crime of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment require actual physical contact with the victim?
Verbal remarks, catcalling, and homophobic slurs in public spaces complete the crime without physical contact.
Are construction sites open to public view or passage classified as public spaces under the Safe Spaces Act?
Choices available with full access.
What protection does Republic Act No. 11313 afford against homophobic and transphobic slurs in public spaces?
Choices available with full access.
Learn more about these topics
1. Public Spaces Harassment
Under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment is committed through acts such as catcalling, unwanted invitations, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic slurs, and persistent uninvited comments on one's appearance. The law penalizes acts committed in streets, alleys, construction sites, and other areas accessible to the public. These provisions protect all individuals from public harassment regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
2. Homophobic Slurs Prohibition
The Safe Spaces Act explicitly penalizes homophobic and transphobic slurs directed at individuals in public areas. Shouting derogatory remarks such as "bakla" combined with insult or taunts regarding gender identity constitutes actionable gender-based sexual harassment. By defining homophobic and transphobic slurs as illegal public harassment, the law safeguards human dignity and ensures that public thoroughfares remain safe environments free from identity-based intimidation.
3. Unwanted Sexual Remarks
Catcalling and unwanted sexual invitations, such as shouting "haplusin mo 'ko" to a passing pedestrian, violate Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11313. The law does not require physical contact to consummate the crime of public spaces sexual harassment; verbal slurs and unsolicited sexual proposals are sufficient. Offenders who indulge in public catcalling or unwanted sexual remarks face administrative fines and criminal penalties under special penal laws.