CCAIB files complaint against tabloid

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Indency Board (CCAIB) filed a criminal complaint against Bomba newspaper for allegedly publishing obscene articles.

CCAIB’s Cebu City Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, Michael Ralota, Juliet Balboa, Cipriano Balili, Dominic Diño, Ma. Socorro Alfafara, Tessa Paradiang-Cang, Esperidion Yting, Jess Anthony Dela Cruz and chairperson Lucell Mercado filed the case for violation of article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Presidential Decree 969 and City Ordinance 1408 as amended.

Named respondents were Florescita Arellano, president/ editor-in-chief; Art Tapalla, entertainment editor; Joncon; Joaquin Valderama; Jimmy Boy Savellano; Rosemarie Rivera; Maureen Carlos; Krystille Asuncion and some John Does.

In their complaint, the CCAIB stated they are tasked to monitor the publications within the Cebu City, one of which is Bomba, a newspaper of general publication.

“It was brought to our attention that there are columns and pictures in the tabloid, Bomba Saksi sa Katotohanan (referred to as Bomba), which are obscene and indecent and contained language or words that are totally vulgar,” complaint reads.

CCAIB stated they verified the report and found it positive.

“We all agreed that the photographs of naked women, photographs of naked men and women who are apparently copulating and stories found therein are totally obscene and vulgar, which must be regulated considering the accessibility and availability of the said publication to the public in general, including minors,” the complaint further reads.

As evidence, the CCAIB attached the articles.

They said they were able to secure a copy of the February 24, 2012 with five obscene articles in the fourth page namely; Gulong ng Palad, Sir Rex, Kakaibang Karanasan sa Sex, Wala ng Gatas sa Labi and Biniyak. They claimed such articles were “totally vulgar in words with details of the sexual act that went on the stories.”

In its fifth page of the said tabloid, there is a picture of a man and a woman locked in a passionate kiss with the title, “Isang gabi ng kalibugan.”

In its eighth page, a picture of a woman “scantily dressed in a seductive pose” is also printed with the background picture of a couple’s intimate kiss.  (FREEMAN)