CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City government will look into the legality of spas offering lingam massage as such is not included in the business permits granted to the establishments offering them.
City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said that they will refer the matter to the City Legal Office.
The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported that they issued permits for spas offering other forms of massage, but not lingam.
Oliva said that the move to close such establishments will depend on the recommendation of the legal department.
It will, however, be the mayor who will order such as he is the only one with the power to do so.
Mayor Michael Rama said that if it will be proven that such establishments promote prostitution, closure will have to be served.
Pro-life advocate Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer said that lingam must be cracked down because it is being used to legalize prostitution.
He disclosed that there are about 20 massage parlors offering lingam services in the city.
But spa owners in Cebu offering authentic lingam massage said that it is not indecent.
Lingam is the Sanskrit word for the male organ so the massage procedure involves stroking the male sexual organ to soothe and relax the client.
Other than relaxation, it is said to be beneficial because it prevents premature ejaculation and prevents one from getting prostate cancer.
But Mayor Rama said that it does not matter whether the operation of these lingam spas are legal through permits or not or if good or bad for the health of those availing the services.
“It’s not a question of whether it is good or not. It’s a question of whether if it is not going to fall within the word decency, if it is not going to fall within the word morality, if it is not going to fall to what we call proper, no doubt that should be closed,” Rama said.
“That’s the reason why I’m having CAIB (Cebu City Anti-indecency Board) reactivated. They should be looking into this issue about ling-am,” Rama said.
The mayor is yet to name the new CAIB chairman to reactivate the board that has been inactive since the chairmanship was vacated by Bullecer last January 21.
Rama is considering Dr. Lucille Mercado, wife of Rene Mercado, one of his trusted men, for the position.
Lucille, he said, expressed her willingness to hold the job and he has seen in her the determination to help plus the fact that she is a woman and a doctor. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)