What is considered a 'dress code' violation? Legal expert shares take on 'short shorts' issue in Caloocan

Thousands of netizens were baffled by a controversial incident wherein a woman was issued a ticket for wearing "short shorts" in Caloocan City.

After the incident went viral online, police clarified that the officer involved had misunderstood the city ordinance which specifies a "dress code" in some public areas.

While discussing the issue on Unang Hirit's "Kapuso sa Batas" segment Friday, legal expert Atty. Gabby Concepcion pointed out that dress codes are not uncommon in the Philippines. 

"Hindi unusual ang mga dress code, ang regulasyon sa pananamit in public at hindi 'yan unusual sa ating lipunan," she said.

"So ngayon, ang masasabi ko lang, kung merong batas o ordinansang in place, wala ho tayong choice ngayon kung di i-implement ito."

According to the legal expert, it is important to be knowledgeable about the existing rules and regulations that apply to certain areas.

"Kung may dayo — [like 'yung] usual na sinasabi  — ignorance of the law excuses no one," Atty. Gabby said.

"Kailangan sumunod dahil magiging disorderly naman ang lipunan natin kung laging sasabihin, 'Hindi ko alam may batas na ganyan so pag na-publish na ang ordinansa o batas usually ito ay ini-implement."

Nevertheless, Atty. Gabby shared some advice for those who deem some dress code ordinances as "questionable."

"Posible ang magiging complaint ay ang paglabag sa ating freedom of expression kung may pagbabasihan kunyari may safety issue or protection issues, at kung reasonable naman 'to, maaaring talaga itong i-set in place at hindi man lalabag sa karapatang pantao. Eventually, maaaari sigurong magdala ng kaso to question this, or magkaroon din ng batas to resolve it."

"Kunyari... hindi na i-require ng merong dresscode kung ito ay pagbibigay ng serbisyo ng isang government agency. But, of course, ito ay opinion lamang at isang suggestion." — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News