Hontiveros Slams Quezon City Council for Banning Public Nudity

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday criticized the Quezon City Council for passing a bill that will ban public nudity in the city.

In a statement, Hontiveros said the Council violated the freedom of expression of every individual who wish to achieve something in their own personal capacity.

In the interest of “propriety,” the Quezon City Council now bans nudity in public places in the city, where violators can face at least a year of jail time after multiple offenses.

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Authored by Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, City Ordinance 2623-2017 fines violators P1,000 or 3-day community service in their barangay of residence for the first offense; P1,500 or 5-day community service for the second offense; and P3,000 or 6-month imprisonment for the third offense.

For the fourth and subsequent offenses, violators will be meted out a fine of P5,000 and at least a year of jail time, subject to the court’s decision, according to a media release from the QC government.

People suffering from mental illness who will be caught breaking the rule will be “apprehended” but will be exempt from the corresponding penalty, it said.

The ordinance, the release said, is “anchored on propriety” and on “social behavior [being] acceptable, morally correct and proper.”

Hontiveros descrived the bill as blatant violation of human rights.

“Hindi po katanggap tanggap ang ganitong batas. Labag po ito sa karapatang pantao, lalo na sa mga estudyante sa UP na mayroon nang “oblation run” na tradisyon”, Hontiveros said.

The City Council has yet to respond Hontiveros’ comment, but Ludovica said there is no plan to retract the bill as it is for the good of the people living in Quezon City.

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