'Students see sex toys sold openly'

MANILA, Philippines - As public schools open today, two congressmen are seeking a ban on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of sex toys and gadgets so students would not see these devices sold openly in shops and on the street.

In filing House Bill 4509, Buhay party-list Reps. Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde said sex gadgets and toys are openly sold in the country, especially in Metro Manila.

“The influence of obscene devices designed primarily for the physical stimulation of human genitals may seem unnoticed. The proliferation of these gadgets, which are insensitively and openly displayed in shops and stalls, is very alarming,” Tieng said.

“People, especially schoolchildren and students, who are being exposed to these obscenities, may suffer disturbing effects as the devices could trigger sexually impure ideas and acts that could lead to sexually related offenses,” he added.

He said Bill 4509 aims to punish the importation, production, sale, or distribution of any obscene device designed primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs.

“This is also in keeping with the policy of the state to value the dignity of every person and to promote and safeguard its integrity and the moral, spiritual and social being of its citizenry from the pernicious effects of obscene devices,” he added.

Under the bill, a device not otherwise obscene may be classified as obscene if it stimulates lust and sexual desires. Violators of the ban would suffer imprisonment of up to one year and a P30,000 fine.

The Department of Justice, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Interior and Local Government would be mandated to issue rules and regulations enforcing the ban.