MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Grab driver who made lewd remarks against actress Xyriel Manabat may be charged with violating the Safe Spaces Act.
Manabat said she will pursue action against a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) driver who allegedly posted inappropriate remarks about her on social media following a recent ride.
The issue surfaced after a Facebook user operating under the name “Boss Toyo Mansi” shared a selfie with the actress, accompanied by a caption and comments that drew backlash from netizens for being sexually suggestive.
Hontiveros on Thursday condemned the incident, stressing that any form of sexual harassment—whether in private, in public spaces, inside vehicles, or online—is prohibited under the law.
“The driver may be specifically held liable for gender-based online sexual harassment, which is punishable by imprisonment or fines under the Safe Spaces Act,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
She added that TNVS and public utility vehicle drivers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers and must act immediately against any form of harassment.
“Moreover, being a public figure is not a permission to be abused by anyone, even in the comments section of social media,” she said, citing similar experiences involving actresses Anne Curtis and Angel Aquino.
“We must not stay silent or blind to this kind of harassment. Respect is the bare minimum and should be non-negotiable,” she added.