DISCLAIMER : This entry is just my personal opinion and I do not represent or espouse the positions of any party involved in this controversy. It is just my take on the matter based on my limited knowledge of obscenity laws as they relate to the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression. My statements should not be taken as legal advice by any of the parties involved.

Continued from Freedom of Expression and Boybastos.com

Apart from allegedly maintaining an obscene website, Mr. Bastos may also be charged under Republic Act 9208, The Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act of 2003, according to T.V. reports and statements by NBI officials who invited Mark Verzo for questioning.

Maybe not the actual acts which constitute human trafficking, but those which indirectly promote human trafficking. It’s a stretch you might say, but the law is coached in the broadest possible terms and will be interpreted as such in order to attain its objective of promoting human dignity and protecting people from exploitation.

Thus, sexual tourism and exploitation of people through abuse of vulnerability to produce pornographic material , though not exactly involving transport of persons, can be considered as an aspect of human trafficking. Pornography, in a very comprehensive sense, is also a facet of human trafficking. Section 3 (h) of R.A. 9208 defines pornography as:

“(h) Pornography – refers to any representation, through publication, exhibition, cinematography, indecent show, information technology, or by whatever means, of a person engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of a person for primarily sexual purposes.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Mark Verzo

DISCLAIMER : This entry is just my personal opinion and I do not represent or espouse the positions of any party involved in this controversy. It is just my take on the matter based on my limited knowledge of obscenity laws as they relate to the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression. My statement should not be taken as legal advice by any of the parties involved.

Boybastos.com , a website offering “adult material”, got busted recently, to the probable consternation of its loyal clientele.

“Boy Bastos” literally means “rude, offensive or obscene boy” in Tagalog. “Boy” is a common Filipino nickname and is often affixed to descriptive terms to make for a more colorful colloquial designation (for example, Boy Bawang – a popular snack; Boy Negro – a crime figure etc.). But this bad boy is about to get a spanking.

The actual home of the randy lad behind the site, a certain Mark Verzo, located at the exclusive Ayala Alabang subdivision, was raided by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly maintaining a porn site. Not just a porn site, but an alleged portal providing links to various “adult” services. This move was prompted by a complaint from Sen. Loren Legarda, who fretted that this dude may have run afoul of laws affording protection to women.

Mr. Verzo was invited for “questioning” at the NBI offices but it remains unclear whether he was charged with anything. He was later released. When asked by reporters why he did it, Verzo predictably sought refuge in the Constitutional guarantee closest to the hearts of alleged porners everywhere, the fundamental freedom of expression.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

There has been speculation that the country does not have laws to cover offensive internet content. Not so. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Boy Bastos, Mark Verzo, Loren Legarda

The recent 28th Manila International Book Fair held at the grandiosely-named World Trade Center (no similarity to the late, lamented New York WTC) was a resounding success, judging by the crowds. Now I have even more books that I never find the time to read.

I have to vent, though, about something that has been bugging me for years but which I somehow never found the opportunity to rant about until I started a blog. I am talking about the price stickers on the books we buy.

Powerbooks and National Bookstore – this concerns you. So pay attention. Read the rest of this entry »