Lewd website stirs Cebu City officials

The city government is alarmed with the existence of a website that uses the city's official seal and contains pictures that are seemingly obscene.

Paul Villarete, City Planning and Development Coordinator, has asked the city council's committee on laws, the city attorney's office and the Cebu Anti-Indecency Board to conduct an inquiry to determine what legal steps the city can take on the matter.

"We feel that an official legal inquiry into the matter is essential in order to come up with policies and courses of action to further protect the city... it is also deemed very important that the issue of the usage of the Official Seal of the City of Cebu in such an internet site, maybe considered a legal violation especially that it (the site) is promoting a side of the city which is not particularly appealing to the senses of most people," Villarete said.

The website, www.cebuliving.com/cebu_night_life.html has the logo of the city government at the upper right portion of its main page. It also contains a list of the nightclubs in Cebu City and even in Lapu-Lapu City. The lower portion of the main page also contains pictures of women in skimpy clothing.

The website caught Villarete's attention after a Cebu city resident raised the concern in the forum page of the city's official website.

Villarete is also asking CAIB to look into the issue of decency and to subsequently formulate policies and actions that can protect the interest and reputation of the city.

This is not the first time that the city government has looked into an issue raised in its website. Months ago, Villarete also stumbled upon a concern regarding the seeming proliferation of "bikini open" shows in Cebu, which the resident fears have been openly accessible even to minors. Villarete then forwarded the concern to CAIB for appropriate action.

The forum page is a feature in the website wherein members exchange their views on different topics, in this case, topics that concern and affect the city.

Villarete said the city's official website, www.cebucity.gov.ph, is a useful venue wherein Cebuanos and even non-Cebu residents can manifest their concerns on anything regarding governance in the city. All that needs to be done is access the website and register to participate in the forum page.

The city's Management Information Computer Services manages the city's official website. - Joeberth M. Ocao