Councilors bashed for posing shirtless after passage of anti-half naked ordinance

Four councilors in Roxas City, Capiz, received backlash for posing shirtless and disregarding health protocols after the anti-half-naked ordinance was passed on the third reading.

According to Rida Reyes’ report on “24 Oras” Friday, four councilors took off their shirts and posed for a photo together without wearing face masks or face shields and practicing social distancing at the Roxas City Hall.

The four posed for the photo right after the anti-half-naked ordinance, which prohibits residents from being shirtless in public areas and punishes violators with Php 500 fine and community service, was passed on the third reading.

Their act was criticized not only on the internet, but also by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“They’re supposed to practice social distancing, they’re supposed to practice the use of face masks, face shields. Paano sila magiging magandang halimbawa sa kanilang constituents kung hindi naman nila sinusunod ’yung patakaran ng pamahalaan of which they are part?” said Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

One of the councilors involved in the act, who also happens to be the author of the ordinance, explained that it was still waiting for the mayor’s signature, which technically meant no violation was committed.

“Ang intention lang namin is to give emphasis on the ordinance and not to violate it and in the first place there’s no ordinance yet,” said Councilor Jericho Angel Celino.

“It is only to mark the last time that you could take off your clothes, being half-naked because after the mayor will sign the ordinance there will be an infraction already ... You can call it pasikat but for us it is the last time that you’re going to see us naked because the ordinance will be passed,” he added.

However, despite Celino’s explanation, Malaya said: “While we commend them for passing this ordinance, hindi sa akin uubra ’yung ganoong klaseng paliwanag. Kasi government officials must always take the lead in following the ordinances or laws that they pass.”

The DILG has urged the Roxas City mayor to conduct an investigation on the incident. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News