AKBAYAN Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula on Friday expressed support for actress Xyriel Manabat following a reported harassment incident involving a ride-hailing driver, citing the case as clear evidence to fast-track the expansion of the Safe Spaces Act.
House Bill 768, filed in July 2025, explicitly broadens the definition of “public spaces” to include “private vehicles covered by app-based transport network services”.
This amendment ensures that the same protections and penalties applied in streets and malls will cover every booked ride, providing a clear legal basis for accountability.
“Ang karanasan ni Xyriel ay posibleng nangyayari din sa marami pang mga kababaihan at bata ngunit hindi lang nagva-viral. Kailangan nating dagdagan ng proteksyon ang ating batas para ligtas ang lahat, kahit sa loob ng mga sasakyan,” Ismula said.
The lawmaker also pushed for mandatory gender-sensitivity training across all TNVS platforms to prevent sexual harassment between riders and customers.
“Saludo ako sa tapang ni Xyriel at ng mga kababaihang hindi pinapalagpas ang sexual harassment. Huwag kayong matakot magsalita. Nandito kami para siguraduhin na ang ating mga batas ay sapat at handang sumuporta sa inyo,” Rep. Ismula added.
The Expanded Safe Spaces Act was filed by the Akbayan Reform Bloc which includes Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, Rep. Perci Cendaña, Rep. Chel Diokno, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao
