DEPUTY Speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva on Wednesday lauded the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling affirming the prison term on a man who caused his wife psychological harm and anguish by having an extramarital affair and fathering three children with a mistress.
“I would like to commend and thank the Supreme Court decision for this landmark decision. It is not only pro-woman but definitely a big win for the Filipino family. With this decision, we have restored the high premium and regard we Filipinos have in protecting marriages and as well as promoting the interest of the family, which is the very foundation of our society,” said Villanueva founder of Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL Church) and a party-list lawmaker representing Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC).
In a landmark decision by the High Tribunal penned by no less than Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, the SC First Division found Jaime Araza guilty of violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act and sentenced him to suffer a minimum of six months to a maximum of eight years in prison.
Section 5 (i) of the said law states that causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman is a form of violence against woman and will merit an imprisonment penalty.
“CIBAC Party-List is a staunch champion of the anti-marital infidelity bill in Congress because we believe in the importance of having a legal framework which criminalizes and penalizes extramarital affairs, which is inimical to the welfare of the family. With this SC decision which implies that infidelity by a husband can already be penalized under the anti-VAWC law, we are seeing ahead of us a great season of restoration of the country’s moral fiber and values system which will enable this nation to be recipient of God’s blessings and favor,” Villanueva explained.
“I hope this serves as a warning to those husbands who are entertaining thoughts of playing with fire and infidelity. With this development, the country’s legal arms are already up to protect marriages and families from the life-shattering consequences of the sin of unfaithfulness. For those who are already caught in the mire of infidelity, the only pill of hope and sensible thing to do is to repent, seeks God’s promised forgiveness and healing and start anew,” Villanueva added.
