Labella seeks ban on posters of women in bikinis

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City legislator has recommended that all establishments like bars and night clubs shall not be allowed to post obscene photos of women wearing bikinis outside of their premises.

City Councilor Edgardo Labella has asked the City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) to act on it saying that installing large photos of women in two-piece will not be good for the minors.

Labella cited the huge poster of a woman in bikini along Morelos and Escario Sts. that is intended to entice customers to a restobar operating in the same location.

The city councilor said a lawyer had requested for the removal of the said poster after his grandchild keeps commenting on it every time they pass by the area.

Labella described the posting of nude photos of women in the streets or in front of establishments as “porn on the street.”

Citing the case of the City of Manila vs. Laguio, Labella said the Supreme Court has ruled that one can only “seek to legislate morality but try as we may to shape morality, we should not foster the illusion that it can make a moral man because immorality is not a thing, a building or establishment; it is in the hearts of men.”

According to Labella that there’s a lot that can be done to shape morality in the hearts of minors, who can readily point out what is obscene and improper in areas of the city.

In today’s regular session of the City Council, Labella would convince other city legislators through the CAIB to improve public morals and to regulate some aspects of operation and maintenance of bars, resto-bars, massage parlors, and other places for entertainment or amusement.

He said the CAIB should intensify the campaign to improve public morals to protect minors who are most vulnerable. (FREEMAN)