Paps, it’s a ban you’ll get over with

Over the weekend, I was scrolling through a private group chat with my friends in Facebook. And in the middle of the conversations and the usual antics, a friend in disbelief and hurtful disappointment, just announced the news that the government is now blocking pornography sites across the country. The natural reactions were of course diverse, not only among us but across social media as well.

Yes. I know everybody is entitled to their opinion but I find it quite hard to entertain the logic of those who are desperately justifying the “essence” of pornography in society, saying that ‘it’s a guilty pleasure Filipinos can never live without; and the ban is an act against human rights and democracy.’I was like, really? I still have to hear from experts how in the world does an x-rated material contribute to the holistic nourishment of our youth and how it makes better citizens out of us. But here’s an important note to take, especially to those who are fuming in anger right now:

Pornography is really illegal in the Philippines. The Revised Penal Code is existing to penalize the distribution and exhibition of films, prints, sculptures, and literature which are offensive to morals, or those that serve no purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography. Moreover, there are more specific crimes like the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

So by all means, the government has all the reason to outlaw these materials, thus internet providers must be reminded that they too can be held liable under the law as well for taking the role of conduits for the exhibition of such contents.

President Duterte isn’t the first world leader to set an uphill battle against it. But in response to the ban, an executive from a certain site has expressed his fears that those seeking child pornography in the Philippines will still be able to find it.

“We’re open to working with government officials to meet their standards in the Philippines,” the executive sai d.

The kicker? The age of sexual consent in the Philippines is just 12 years!

True enough, knowing how brilliant and “hustlers” Filipinos are, those who want to will surely find routes to private pleasures even in the techiest way. So be it! This is still better than being too and overly accessible for everyone— at any age and at any time.

No, we’re not hypocrites here. But to be tagged as the country with a world record on porn viewership is not something to take pride on.

There’s more to life than this and it’s not even close to a ‘Kung wala ka nang maintindihan’scene.

If there’s something that I think Pinoys can’t really live without are basketball and singing, so “Paps ipawis mo na lang sa court yan! Bes, ibirit mo na lang sa karaoke yan!” Stay active until our next chat!

***** Reach me a inspark.people@gmail.com