Manila cell phone ban looms

The move to prohibit the use of cell phones and other similar gadgets in churches, movie houses and other public places gained ground after the Manila City Council committees which conducted studies on the matter raised no objections.

The Manila City Council’s Committee on Laws and Committee on Justice and Human Rights recommended the approval of the ordinance authored by Manila Councilor Ma. Asuncio Fugoso of the city’s Third District.

"The committee interposed no objection to the proposed measure intended to impose orderliness in public places and to inculcate discipline among the users of the gadgets," the committee on laws said in its report.

However, the committee noted that the term "other public places" should be specified because the term appeared to be so broad.

On the other hand, the committee on justice and human rights reported that "we Filipinos have a penchant for bringing and using cell phones and other noise emitting gadgets in enclosed places that are for public use."

The committee said people bring them to auditoriums and public libraries even if it is obvious that other people are annoyed.

"The right to enjoy some peace and quite is a basic human right and should be respected by everyone," the committee noted.

If approved, Fugoso said those found violating the measure would be fined P500 for the first offense, and P1,000 for the second offense. For a third offense, violators would be fined P3,000 or do 72 hours of community work or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

"People go to church and place of worship to pray, students and researchers go to a library to read and study, everyone goes to theaters to be entertained," Fugoso stressed in pushing the measure. – Cecille Suerte Felipe