Life term for hazing participants pushed

MANILA, Philippines – Alarmed by reports of hazing injuries and deaths, Sen. Vicente Sotto III proposed yesterday that anyone who participates in hazing be given the life term regardless of the condition of the victim.
Sotto has filed a bill seeking to amend Republic Act 8049 or the 17-year-old Anti-Hazing Law.
Sotto argued that the law has proven to be inadequate in deterring fatal hazing in universities and colleges and in making fraternities and sororities accountable.
The most recent victim is 25-year-old San Beda freshman law student Marvin Reglos, who was reportedly beaten to death during a hazing incident.
Sotto’s proposal came a few days after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also sought a review of the Anti-Hazing Law. She pushed for the need to look into the liability of leaders of fraternities on the conduct of initiation rites under the law.
In his measure, Sotto wants the automatic punishment of life imprisonment for any fraternity or sorority officer or member who participates “in the infliction of physical harm in a hazing or other forms of initiation rites.”
The present law provides for a graduated level of penalty, depending on the harm that the victim suffered.
It states that life imprisonment will only be imposed if “death, rape, sodomy or mutilation” results from the hazing.
Imprisonment of 17-20 years on the other hand, is imposed if the victim “shall become insane, imbecile, impotent or blind.”
If the victim loses the use of speech, or lost an eye, or a hand or any limb, the penalty is between 14 to 17 years imprisonment.
The lightest penalty, four to six years in prison, will be meted if the victim suffers physical injuries “which do not prevent him from engaging in his habitual activity or work.”
On the other hand, Sotto’s bill seeks an absolute imposition of reclusion perpetua, whatever the condition of the victim.
“The bill seeks to amend Section 4 of the Anti-Hazing Law, where the mere fact of participation in inflicting injuries in hazing will be penalized with reclusion perpetua, regardless of the consequence,” Sotto said.
He said many lives of young students have been lost and ruined, and some are suffering from life-long injuries because of hazing.
“How many promising lives should suffer or die before we finally realize the folly of hazing? How many families, how many parents have to suffer the pain of seeing their child dead or maimed for life, before we put an end to hazing?” he asked.
“We have to make accountable, with the firmness of the law, those behind these fatal hazing. If a higher penalty will serve as a deterrence, then let’s push it,” he added.
Sotto is also proposing to include additional circumstances that will warrant the imposition of life imprisonment.
This time, he wants the maximum penalty to be handed down “when the hazing or initiation rite is committed under the influence of illegal drugs or liquor” and when a fraternity or sorority alumni is present during the hazing.
The Anti-Hazing Law was passed in 1995, yet despite this, Sotto said “there are still numerous reports of deaths and injuries. It only shows that there is a need to strengthen the law, by providing a higher penalty.”
One of the most celebrated cases was the death of Ateneo law student Leonardo “Lenny” Villa in 1991. The Supreme Court recently upheld the guilty ruling on five members of the Aquila Legis Fraternity for Villa’s death.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=781600&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga. This is a great place to buy wine and also to drink wine in Pampanga.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com