Cursing now banned in some public places in Baguio City

MANILA, Philippines —Cursing in some public places in Baguio City could now get you in trouble under an ordinance the city government approved last week. 

The ordinance was authored by City Councilor Lilia Fariñas and bans cursing in schools, computer shops, arcades and other business establishments patronized by young people.

The ordinance — originally filed in 2017 — defines profanity as "blasphemous or obscene language, regular or irreverent speech or action, expletives, oath, swearing, cussing, profane, or obscene expressions, usually of surprise or anger." 

In simpler terms, it doesn't matter if you were mad or trying to be funny, the ordinance still bans anyone from cursing in these establishments regardless of the context.

The city council is requiring establishments to post signs about the new anti-cursing ordinance. 

Expulsion from school will be one of the penalties of the ordinance, but will be the prerogative of the school. 

Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico lauded the ordinance and said in an interview with Radyo Veritas that more places across the Philippines should follow suit. 

"I would urge them to replicate and implement this kind of ordinance in other places so that through this, at least our kids would be able to ear good words, not bad words," Bendico said.