Capitol’s next target: lewd AM radio shows

Not just sexy tabloids, but AM radio stations with “sexually provocative” programs will be studied for possible regulation, said Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magapale.
Magpale said the Provincial Board agreed in last Monday’s caucus to consider this for review.

She said they initially discussed the matter with PB Member Julian Daan also known as “Teban,” a radio talent of radio dyHP owned by Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).

Magaple stood firm on her proposal for the  “Anti-Tabloid Ordinance of 2011,” which was passed on first reading last Monday, even as PB Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. withdrew his co-sponsorship of the measure over questions about its scope, legality and lack of a glossary of terms.

The vice governor, who is at the forefront of a campaign against cyberpornography where children are the victims, said she was only interested to “regulate” tabloids whose photos and articles are “vulgar,” “immoral” and a bad influence on children.

She said local tabloids had been warned before about this content.

“Ako sa dili inabogado nga argument. I’m a wife, I’m a mother, I’m a grandmother.  We’ve been repeatedly appealing not to use such vulgar (law-ay) content, but they still repeat it,” she said.

“I thought of enacting an ordinance that will just regulate or curtail their activities,” she added.

“But anyway this will go through three readings and a public hearing. We will see what will happen,” she said.

She showed a 2008 Resolution of the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) “urging the Cebu Provincial government to pass and approve an ordinance that prohibits and penalize the publication of pornographic literary pieces and pictures in Cebu-based newspapers and tabloids of general circulation and to make representations with the management of the same to refrain from publishing the herein- mentioned pornographic materials.”

It said “pornography in all forms” is among the illegal acts prohibited in PB Ordinance No. 2005-18 or the Women Development Code of the Province.

The PWC resolution cited Banat News and SuperBalita as “among the sources of pornography” in pictures as well in the series of literary pieces inside such as “Moonlight Romance,” “Intimate Moments,” “Teen Romance,” etc.

The low price of the tabloids make it easily available and within the reach of minors, it said.

Magpale said her proposed “Anti-Tabloid Ordinance”  is similar to how the provincial government dealt  with lingam spas, whose operation was eventually banned.

She said she expected adverse reactions to her new ordinance.

“Whether this will be passed or not, let it be known to all Cebuanos that I did something in my capacity as chair of the committee on women, children and family in protecting our children,” she said.

The draft ordinance is under study by the PB committee on laws.

Magpale begged off naming the six tabloids that she earlier pointed to as samples of “lurid” and “vulgar” publications. She said she doesn’t want to “provoke” anyone by giving.

She said she was happy to learn that Banat News is removing its daily  “Wildflower” series, which was the subject of a complaint by the Cebu City Anti-Indecency board.

“They’re willing to cancel that box inside that we questioned. I’m very happy over that,” she said.

“I am not banning tabloids per se. Just the law-ay” articles inside,” she added.