No lewd performances for kids in Valenzuela

Making children wear skimpy clothing and sing or dance to suggestive songs may soon be a crime in Valenzuela City if a 73-year-old grandmother were to have her way.

Councilor Corazon Cortez   told the Inquirer on Wednesday that she introduced proposed Ordinance No. 2014-060 or the “Children in Public Shows Ordinance” to protect young kids, especially females, from being forced to perform indecent acts in public and making them the objects of ridicule.

“I don’t want my grandchildren being exploited,” she said.

Under the measure recently referred to the Valenzuela City Council’s committee on youth and sports after a public hearing, children appearing in public shows cannot wear age-inappropriate clothing and sing indecent songs.

Also prohibited are making them perform acts that are sexually suggestive, expose them to ridicule or endanger their safety, whether they be below 18 years old or above 18 but suffering from a physical or mental defect. Lastly, the proposed ordinance makes it illegal for children to perform publicly between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

A public show was defined as a “program or activity held in public” such as “pageants, dance contests, [fiestas] and singing competitions.”
Those organized by schools and religious groups, however, were exempted.

Violators face one to six months in jail or fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000. Corporations involved in such events may also end up having their business permits revoked.