`Shame campaign' law proposed in Caloocan

A Caloocan City councilor filed a proposed ordinance allowing Department of Interior and Local Governments Secretary Alfredo Lim's "shame campaign" against drug pushers in the city.

Councilor Luis Chito Abel filed Proposed Ordinance No. 0889 "providing and prescribing the manner for the public identification of known and confirmed drug lords, drug peddlers, drug protectors and drug users by way of painting, inscribing, and/or posting appropriate information on their houses, walls, fences, gates or other premises thereof, for the purpose of protecting and promoting the welfare of the general public."

In his proposal, Abel underscored Section 16 of Republic Act 7.160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which he said emphasizes that every local government unit can exercise the powers "expressly and impliedly granted thereform" to ensure the promotion of public health and safety.

Abel said that the law also empowers a city council to enact ordinances intended to suppress drug addiction, drug pushing and the maintenance of drug dens.