PROSTITUTION

IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
Hidden In
Plain Sight

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 PROSTITUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES:
Hidden in Plain sight

I. SEE
Prostitution has been institutionalized and globalized more than ever before. The
Philippines, like some other Southeast Asian countries, has an unfortunate reputation
for prostitution and sex tourism. It’s a huge industry domestically with an estimated 800,000
men, women and, sadly, children working in the trade. The country’s international image as a
sex destination was largely a result of the US military presence here during and after World War
II when bars flourished around the bases at Clark and Subic Bay.

Looking at the streets around us, we see the explosion in budget hotels which are so clean
but not so good, the all-pervasive sight of girly bars and the numerous high class clubs and
establishments that seem to cater for so many well to do clientele. Different forms of prostitution
thus exist: street prostitution, bars, brothels, akyat-barko, “massage parlors,” escort services, sex
tourism, cybersex, local & international sex trafficking. The question is why Filipino people
engage in Prostitution? Are there any law that penalize those who involves in Prostitution?
Poverty is often cited as the primary reason why some people choose to engage in
prostitution. It forces some persons to seek any means to survive - even if it means allowing
themselves to be abused and endangering their lives. Whether voluntary or involuntary, we
cannot deny the fact that this system uses, oppresses, and violates the rights of persons exploited
in prostitution, particularly, women and children.
Senate Bill No. 2341 otherwise known as the Anti- Prostitution Act of 2010 (a) Declares
its commitment to end the continuing sexual exploitation of women, men and children, and all
forms of gender-based violence; (b) Recognizes prostitution as a human rights violation that calls
for coordinated and sustained response from all agencies of government; (c) Recognizes that
women and children are systematically victimized by, and in, the system of prostitution and must
therefore be given protection and support by the State, instead of being treated as criminals; and
(d) Recognizes that eliminating prostitution is essential for women and children to genuinely and
meaningfully participate in nation-building. This Bill seeks to address the root of the problem. It
emphasizes that persons exploited in prostitution may be a woman, a man, or a child. Given the
reason that people are forced into prostitution due to poverty, it seeks to change the public
perception and treatment of persons exploited in prostitution as victims of the system and not as
criminals. The bill also provides mechanisms to ensure that the human rights of persons
exploited in prostitution are upheld and that the victims, aside from being extracted out of the
system, can and reinstate themselves into the society through certain rehabilitation programs.
Furthermore, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 penalizes those who involve in human
trafficking with penalty ranging up to life imprisonment.

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 Despite the laws existing regarding prostitution, lesser implementation on the law, made
Prostitution to become normal which gives enormous number of prostitutes every year, making
Prostitution in the Philippines as a de facto legal industry.

II. JUDGE

Prostitution has been a serious problem for many years, mainly due to economic factors
and custom, and our reasoning for why we don’t approve of prostitution as an institution or to be
practiced can relate back to Christian values. As Deuteronomy 23:17-18 says “None of the
daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, and none of the sons of Israel shall be a cult
prostitute. You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the
Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your
God.” Our body is the holy temple of our soul thus; practicing prostitution violates the holiness
of our body. Moreover, Divine command also says that any form of sexual prostitution is wrong.
Accordingly, prostitution also violates Utilitarianism which says that mind-set would not be
averse to prostitution if it was benefiting to another person or to one’s self but if the situation was
creating problematic results, the mind-set would not approve. Prostitution also violates moral and
ethical relativism which suggest that we should follow societal standards.
Our country have made efforts to control prostitution through enacting legislative
measures as we have learned in the “SEE” aspect of this paper, The Senate Bill 2341 otherwise
known as the Anti- Prostitution Act of 2010 and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 which
proposes mechanisms to ensure that the human rights of persons exploited in prostitution are
upheld.
There are legislative measures regarding prostitution but it seems like it is not given
priority. We take this kind of issue taken for granted because in our mind, in most cases, those
who engage themselves are because of their free will and own choice. Despite of the various
interventions of the government and the negative effect of prostitution, it is still prevalent. Laws
are existing but with least implementation. There are reports or news that says that there are fund
allocated for activities that controls prostitution but the question is, are they giving what is due?
The goal is to combat the issue of prostitution because it is illegal in all sense but why is
it that it’s somehow “regulated” like requiring women in establishments to get regular health
certificates to prove they are free of diseases? It is ironic that government control prostitution
through laws but somehow support them through medical services. Prostitution became
increasingly widespread because we have made it “hidden in plain sight”. It is everywhere but
we try to ignore it.

III. ACT

Our country is trying its best to resolve this problem through different legislative
measures. We personally suggest that our country should focus on economic developments, for
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poverty is the root and often cited primary reason why some people choose to engage in
prostitution. There should be livelihood projects and should promote women empowerment. It is
necessary to focus on important things and projects. Give to the people what is due so that
eventually; people will be a support system of the government.
Moreover, we should not also treat “prostitutes” as criminals because whether it’s their
own free will or not to engage in such activity, their rights as humans are violated and oppressed.
They are also victims. Our law focuses on controlling or eliminating “prostitutes”, why don’t we
also penalize or take action on those men who “use” these women? Prostitution became normal.
We can observe it in our society and it is alarming but why we let it happen? Combatting the
negative effect of it like STI’s or AIDS are much given priority but the root of it which is
prostitution is somewhat taken for granted.
There have been tourists who commented to the problem of the Philippines regarding
prostitution but our senators were desperate to protect the good name and reputation of our
country. It would be just and fitting if they had the same zeal to protect the good name and
dignity of many women who are involved in the sex trade here in Philippines.
Let us start giving ourselves what is due which is self-respect and love. We should work
hand in hand to help combat our society’s issues. Let’s be part of the solution.

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