Anti-profanity law in Baguio okayed

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance instituting an anti-profanity ordinance in all schools, computer shops and other business establishments frequented by children, high school or college students in the city.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas stated profanity refers to blasphemous or obscene language, irregular or irreverent speech or action, expletive, oath, swearing, swearword, coarse, cussword, profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger.

Anti-profanity would mean acts or measures to counter and prohibit the practice of profanity, or the use of obscene language.

The ordinance declared that all schools in all levels, whether pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, high school, college and universities and business establishments such as, but not limited to, computer shops and other places frequented by children and students in the city are prohibited from cursing, cussing, expressing insults, whether directly or indirectly, to anyone or using profane and foul language as a means of expression, or as a manifestation of anger, surprise, disgust, or any other form of extreme emotion that yields to such expressions of profanity.

The proposal said it has been observed nowadays that cursing has become a normal practice in common places everywhere that even children seem to have even accepted the habit as a customary routine in the society, oblivious of the repercussions that it may result to.

The proponent claimed the revolting habit can be observed most often in computer shops where children of different ages play games, especially those that engage in war games and feudal battles which cause them to insult each other with indecent and profane language, as if it were okay to do so, and especially because their parents or guardians are not present to correct their actions.

According to her, this habit of cursing has not only been confined to such places, but has already penetrated the schools and educational system, business establishments, and the society as a whole, that even the very fabric of morals and human decency has deteriorated to such a degree that it has to be prevented before the damage would become irreparable.

She said legislation was necessary to imbue a legacy towards the preservation of the morals of the people and the Filipino youth, not only in the observance of the national children’s month but as an everyday advocacy, to preserve the identity of the Filipinos as a decent and ethically upright people.

The ordinance requires all schools, whether public or private, to include in their educational system, particularly in their constitution and by-laws, code of conduct, or rules and regulations, that profane language and all its attributes are strictly prohibited while school administrators and teachers will be tasked to install signs and signages in their classrooms, and in noticeable places to announce the observance of the anti-profanity ordinance.

Schools shall provide the necessary penalties, graduated accordingly to the extent they may deem necessary, and shall be consistent with the limitations on penalties as provided for by the Constitution, the Juvenile Justice Act and all other related laws and statutes that may govern the specific age group in the particular case concerned. – Dexter A. See