Saturday, September 06, 2008 Fine for porn sellers to hike By Erwin Cabarles
CONTINUING the campaign against the proliferation of pornographic materials in Iloilo City, penalty for those who are caught selling pornographic materials will be increased.
Iloilo City Councilor and Task Force Adams Apple (TFAA) Chairman, Councilor Ely Estante, in a hearing last Thursday, said the fine which is originally P1,000 will be raised to P5,000.
The increase is part of the few amendments that will be applied on the city's anti-pornography law.
It is hoped that the said hike in fine will deter sellers in pursuing the said business.
Estante said that one of his goals, as chairman of the TFAA, is to rid the city of things that breed immorality.
A few weeks ago, pornographic materials like smut tabloids were confiscated by the task force from some sidewalk vendors along the city's main streets. This was during a surprise inspection done by the task force.
Estante was relatively alarmed with the discovery and previously said that something has to be done with it.
Mayor Jerry Treñas also issued a warning to those who will be caught selling smut and other pornographic materials to the public, especially to minors.
He made it clear that stiff penalty awaits those who would be caught violating the city's law on pornography.
Also, during the hearing, Estante said they will intensify the operation against the selling of pornographic VCDs and DVDs in some parts of the city, especially in Delgado, Ledesma and Solis streets in downtown proper.
The task force has confiscated pornographic materials but still such things are being sold discretely by unscrupulous vendors.
According to Estante, such sources of immorality must be eliminated in the city to avoid pornography-related crimes, especially rape involving minors. (EC)
