Solon wants to classify tabloids with sexual stories, images as porn

A House bill has been filed categorizing tabloids publishing sexual stories and images as pornographic or x-rated, thus they should be "for adults" only.

In filing House Bill 4733, Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo pushed to finally classify as pornographic or x-rated tabloids containing sexual stories and images as they are distributed "for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal."

"Movies and television programs are strictly reviewed and classified with the end in view of achieving intelligent viewing and protecting our children," Castelo said in the explanatory note of her bill.

"By the same token, smutty tabloids should be regulated in such manner as to keep them at bay to protect the moral integrity of our children," she added.

Citing a study by the Commission on Population, Castelo pointed out that pornography drives the youth to engage in sexual activity at a young age.

"With our country experiencing rising rates of teenage pregnancy, coupled with alarming increase in HIV infections, our leaders would do well to incorporate systematic domestic regulatory system banning the youth from all forms of pornography in their programs," she said.

"The immediate passage of this timely proposed measure is thus most earnestly sought," she added.

The bill mandates the proper agency to issue the pertinent rules and regulations in the implementation of the measure.

Competent courts are likewise tasked to determine the appropriate penalties for the violation of the measure's provisions. —KBK, GMA News