Senate probe sought into 'surrogacy scheme' victimizing Filipinas | ABS-CBN
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Senate probe sought into 'surrogacy scheme' victimizing Filipinas
Senate probe sought into 'surrogacy scheme' victimizing Filipinas
Candidates for surrogacy share a meal together inside a transition house. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File
Candidates for surrogacy share a meal together inside a transition house. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has sought a Senate investigation into the alleged "surrogacy scheme" in Cambodia after 20 Filipina women, 13 of whom were already pregnant, were rescued by Cambodian authorities last month.
MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has sought a Senate investigation into the alleged "surrogacy scheme" in Cambodia after 20 Filipina women, 13 of whom were already pregnant, were rescued by Cambodian authorities last month.
"An investigation is crucial to identify gaps in current legislation including but not limited to reproductive labor and Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, to prevent the proliferation of this new form of human trafficking scheme in the country," Hontiveros said in Resolution 1211, which she filed Thursday.
"An investigation is crucial to identify gaps in current legislation including but not limited to reproductive labor and Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, to prevent the proliferation of this new form of human trafficking scheme in the country," Hontiveros said in Resolution 1211, which she filed Thursday.
Yale Medicine describes surrogacy as a "process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual."
Yale Medicine describes surrogacy as a "process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual."
"Surrogate mothers are impregnated through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF)," it said.
"Surrogate mothers are impregnated through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF)," it said.
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There is no law prohibiting or allowing surrogacy in the Philippines, providing a legal gray area prone to abuse.
There is no law prohibiting or allowing surrogacy in the Philippines, providing a legal gray area prone to abuse.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said preliminary investigation showed that the Filipino women were recruited online by someone whose identity and nationality have yet to be determined.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said preliminary investigation showed that the Filipino women were recruited online by someone whose identity and nationality have yet to be determined.
The recruiter allegedly "arranged for the women to travel to another Southeast Asian country but eventually sent them to Cambodia, where surrogacy is banned."
The recruiter allegedly "arranged for the women to travel to another Southeast Asian country but eventually sent them to Cambodia, where surrogacy is banned."
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Friday it was investigating reports that a local recruitment agency facilitated the deployment of the Filipina women to Cambodia.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Friday it was investigating reports that a local recruitment agency facilitated the deployment of the Filipina women to Cambodia.
If proven true, the said agency will suffer the "most severe penalty" of cancellation of permit, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told ANC, adding that the DMW would recommend criminal complaints if necessary.
If proven true, the said agency will suffer the "most severe penalty" of cancellation of permit, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told ANC, adding that the DMW would recommend criminal complaints if necessary.
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Cacdac also admitted that the case of "surrogacy scheme" was "peculiar" for the agency.
Cacdac also admitted that the case of "surrogacy scheme" was "peculiar" for the agency.
"This case is indeed highly peculiar to us because obviously surrogacy is not one of those job categories or areas where OFWs apply for clearance... So this is nowhere near the legitimate kinds of work our OFWs are engaged in," he said.
"This case is indeed highly peculiar to us because obviously surrogacy is not one of those job categories or areas where OFWs apply for clearance... So this is nowhere near the legitimate kinds of work our OFWs are engaged in," he said.
The DMW said it was closely coordinating with the DFA on the matter.
The DMW said it was closely coordinating with the DFA on the matter.
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