If you live in Manila and like to look at dirty pics on the Internet, you could be in for a shock. In an effort to rid the city of sexually motivated crimes, Manila City Councilor Grecio Belgica has proposed a ban on risqué images of women in “videok” bars and Internet cafes.
Belgica said the ordinance came about due to an inordinate amount of violence in the city in recent years.
“I read a survey in 2003 showing that eight out of 10 cases filed in court are sexually related crimes such as rape, child molestation, and sexual harassment,” Belgica said in a recent statement. “The city government of Manila has launched a campaign against pornography in tabloids last year, and the passage of this ordinance would be the second phase of that campaign. This is part of the anti-pornography and moral recovery program of the city.”
According to the proposed ordinance, public display of sexually illicit and obscene images and lewd, pornographic, or erotic posters and movie billboards, sexually themed videoke shows, and related content would be banned. Videoke bars and Internet cafes would be given warnings for the first offense, with subsequent offenses receiving fines of not less than P5,000 plus imprisonment of up to one year for the owner. Additionally, Belgica said, “We would also like to confiscate their equipment and cancel their business permit. We would file charges not only against the owner, but also against the barangay officials and police stations [and] those who have jurisdiction over the establishment.”
As might be expected, religious groups have gotten behind the ordinance, and it also has seen support from Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, El Shaddai, the Philippine Alliance Against Pornography, and several young councilors from San Juan Municipality, Pasay City, Quezon City, and Navotas.
Belgica said he hoped his would not be the only crusade in the city.
“I am a member of a young legislators group, and definitely other areas in Metro Manila could craft their own versions of this ordinance,” he said.
A public hearing to discuss the proposed ordinance is in the works for the third and final reading at the Manila City Council.
