Rama set to appoint new CAIB chief

CEBU, Philippines- Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will be naming soon the person to head the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) after it was left inactive for a while.

CAIB has been inactive since February this year because nobody has been appointed as its chairman when the position was vacated by pro-life advocate Rene Josef Bullecer.

Bullecer’s appointment, which expired last January 21, was not renewed by former Mayor Tomas Osmeña after more than four years of heading the board.

Osmeña was reportedly no longer happy with Bullecer’s service so he planned to hire a woman with a “strong maternal instinct” to protect the minors against exposure to indecent jobs and environment.

But Osmeña did not appoint anyone until his term ended last June 30.

Now, Rama is ready to name the next chairman and a woman doctor is being considered for the position.

Dr. Lucille Mercado, wife of his prime mover Rene Mercado, is being eyed as chairman of CAIB.

 “First, she is a woman and she is doctor. She is qualified and determined,” Rama said.

The mayor said that he will definitely retain and revive the CAIB to serve its purpose of being a moral guardian of Cebu City residents, eliminate lewd and indecent print and video materials in the city and prevent trafficking and pornography.

CAIB was created through City Ordinance No. 1408.

He said that CAIB should have been declared non-existent long ago had he not fought for it.

The chairmanship of CAIB is normally given to the city attorney or city fiscal but Rama will appoint a person from outside City Hall so he or she can focus on the job.

Councilor Edgardo Labella said that he believes the board must be revitalized and strengthened all the more at this time, when a lot of ‘lingam’ spas are reportedly sprouting in Cebu City.

‘Lingam’ spas are massage parlors offering massage for men’s genitals.

Church officials said that these parlors are promoting immorality and will lead to solicitation of prostitution.

Labella will propose a resolution in the council for the board’s revitalization.