GORDON TO ELIMINATE DOUBLE
STANDARD IN ADULTERY AND CONCUBINAGE

Senator Richard J. Gordon filed separate bills, amending the crimes of adultery and concubinage under the Revised Penal Code into marital infidelity for both sexes to eliminate the double standard between husband and wife.

"While dealing with the same basic subject of marital infidelity, adultery and concubinage differ in elements, circumstances, and penalties. One sexual intercourse by a wife with a man not her husband is already adultery, but concubinage can only committed by a husband if he keeps a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or has sexual intercourse with a woman not his wife under scandalous circumstances, or cohabits with his mistress in any other place." Said Gordon.

Gordon added that "the imposable penalty for adultery, which is from 2 years, 4 months, and 1 day up to 12 years, is also much higher than concubinage, which is only from 6 months and 1 day to 4 years and 2 months."

In his Senate Bill Nos. 1362 and 1363, Gordon seeks to retain only one of these crimes and repeal the other. The retained crime of either adultery or concubinage will then become marital infidelity that will made be applicable to both husband and wife. According to Gordon, "this legislative measure implements the State policy under the Constitution on the fundamental equality before the law of women and men."