Bikini show organizers, performers indicted

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office indicted the organizers and performers of the controversial bikini show in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island during the Holy Week and approved the filing of the criminal case for violation of the Women Development Code of Cebu Province before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court.

Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba yesterday approved the indictment of sexy actress Maureen Anne Rodriguez Taylor alias Maui Taylor, model Jennifer Lee and Paulo Paraiso for violation of Section 19 of the Provincial Ordinance No. 2005-18.

The promoters and organizers of the show Elton Tio, Chinggay Floro, Mercury Gumera and resort owner Rommel Solomon were likewise charged for the same violations.

Assistant provincial prosecutor Napoleon Alburo recommended for the filing of the case before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Bantayan Island against the accused after finding probable cause the complaint filed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

On top of the violation of the provincial ordinance, Tio and Solomon were also separately charged for violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 01-2008, which regulates the activities during Holy Week in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe Mayor Jennifer Illustrisimo filed a complaint against Tio and Solomon for violations of sections 1.2; 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 because of the bikini show that they promoted at the Rommels Beach Resort in Santa Fe in the evening of April 11 until the dawn of April 12.

Illustrisimo alleged that such bikini show did not only violate the Women Development Code of the Province but of the municipal ordinance as well having no mayor’s permit.

Associate Prosecution Attorney Ryan Gingoyon likewise found probable cause to charge Tio and Solomon for violation of the municipal ordinance.

If convicted for violation of the provincial ordinance, all the accused could suffer a penalty of more than one year in prison or a fine of not more than P5,000 or both depending upon the court’s discretion. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)