The Top 10 Ang Pinaka: Kakaibang Proposed Laws

In the spirit of election season, “Ang Pinaka” listed down a number of unusual laws, ordinances, and resolutions proposed by our lawmakers.

To help give context to the laws, “Ang Pinaka” sought the commentary of these guest panelists: award-winning TV, filmmaker, and director Joey Javier Reyes, sociologist Bro. Clifford Sorita, and Atty. Jonas Castro.
 

What bills made it to the list? Read below:
 

10. Street Tribute Bill
 

In 2008, Quezon City 1st District Representative Vincent Crisologo filed House Bill no. 4797, renaming Del Monte Ave. to Reynaldo A. Calalay Ave. In 2010, he also filed House Bill  no. 2964, renaming Roosevelt Ave. to Reynaldo A. Calalay Ave. too.
 

The same name for two different roads? What would be the repercussions?
 

“It will create confusion kung pareho ang pangalan. Kasi, kapag nagtanong ka na ‘Saan ka pupunta?’ iyang street na iyan eh magkapareho ang pangalan,” said Atty. Jonas Castro.
 

As for Bro. Clifford, “Magkakaroon ng kalituhan sa mga driver kasi permanente na iyan. Road consciousness kung tawagin sa sociology. Kung babaguhin mo bigla, magkakaroon ka na ng ibang consciousness.”
 

9. Junk Food Bill
 

In 2010, Senator Lito Lapid filed Senate Bill no. 2517 or the “School Nutrition and Balanced Diet Act of 2010” in order to ban junk food from schools.
 

Lapid proposed that the quality of food being served in schools would be monitored by a multi-agency body that includes the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Education, and other school boards.
 

“Kung magpapasa tayo ng batas, mayroong appropriation diyan ‘yung mga gastos din sa gobyerno. Eh nakalagay dito, multi-agency ang inaatasan doon sa batas na iyon na mag-monitor. Medyo matrabaho,” Atty. Jonas Castro observed.

8. Older Workers Bill

In 2004, Quezon City 4th District Representative Nanette Castelo-Daza filed House Bill no. 2529, an act declaring the period from May 1-7 of every year as the National Older Workers Week. The proposed bill aims to recognize the contribution of workers aged 50 and above, or pre-retirement age.
 

7. Congratulations Bill
 

In 2011, Senator Lito Lapid filed Senate Resolution 635, congratulating and commending Manny Pacquiao for defending his WBO welterweight title against archrival Juan Manuel Marquez. The following year, he also filed Senate Resolution 752, congratulating Eugene Domingo and Shamaine Centenera for their victory at the 6th Asia Film Awards in Hong Kong.
 

6. Good Drivers Bill
 

In 2010, Senior Citizens Partylist Representative Godofredo Arquiza filed House Bill no. 2012, a reward scheme for Filipino drivers who don’t incur road violations.
 

“Bakit mo rerewardan ang responsibilidad ng nagmamaneho? Ibig sabihin, eh kung ikaw ay responsableng nagmamaneho, kailangan bigyan ka ng pabuya bilang reward?” Direk Joey asked.
 

Bro. Clifford shared the same sentiment, “Eh, talagang dapat kang sumunod sa batas-trapiko, hindi ba? Bakit mo pa kailangan bigyan ng additional na compensation or benefit ‘yung isang bagay na dapat namang gawin bilang isang driver sa lansangan?”
 

5. Overloaded School Bags Bill
 

In 2010, Senator Lito Lapid filed Senate Bill 2179 which seeks to protect kids from adverse physical effects of carrying heavy school bags. Lapid said that as a child, he was made to carry heavy wood and sugarcane, an experience he believes affected his spinal column.
 

The proposed bill requires schools to limit the weight of a student’s school bag to 15 percent of his or her body weight. Schools will also be required to provide weighing scales to implement the regulation.
 

“Positibo siya,” said Bro. Clifford. “Pero di ba? Minsan we don’t need laws to do something na kaya namang i-regulate na ng tahanan at mga magulang.”
 

4. Anti-Condom Ordinance
 

In 2011, the Sangguniang Barangay of Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City issued Barangay Ordinance no. 01 called “The Protection of the Unborn Child Ordinance of 2011” which seeks to ban condoms and other contraceptives while within the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay Ayala Alabang.
 

“Restriction ng freedom iyan,” said Atty. Jonas. “Hindi naman kailangan lagyan ng prescription. Buying condoms lang naman iyan.”
 

3. Full-face Helmet Ban Ordinance
 

In 2012, Frederick Atilano, Barangay Captain of Lumayang, Zamboanga, issued a local ordinance banning the use of full-face helmets among motorcycle riders.  Full-face helmets are commonly used by riding-in-tandem assailants to conceal their faces.
 

“Depende sa lugar kung saan mas maraming nakawan. Maganda naman ang epekto pero ayusin lang nang kaunti so it won’t look funny. Para maglagay ng justification bakit ganoon ang klase ng helmet,” said Atty. Jonas.
 

2. Anti-Cloning Act
 

In 2004, Cagayan de Oro Representative Constantino Jaraula filed House Bill  no. 148, seeking to ban human cloning in all forms in the Philippines.
 

“Una, matatawa ka. Tapos iisipin mo at maiinis ka. Bakit makakaisip ng ganito,  imbes na seryosong bagay ang isipin ng mga mambabatas natin?” Atty. Jonas said.
 

1. Anti-Planking Bill
 

In 2011, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Winnie Castelo filed House Bill no. 5316, banning planking as a form of protest.
 

“Hindi ba mas marami kang puwedeng pagbuhusan ng pansin sa paggawa ng batas? Pati pa ba ‘yung paraan ko ng pagbibigay ko ng aking pagtutol ay bibigyan mo ng ganoong kalalim na atensyon? It’s just a waste of time,” said Bro. Clifford
 

The guest panelists’ views do not reflect the views of GMA News and Public Affairs.
 

Watch “Ang Pinaka” every Sunday at 6:30 PM on GMA News TV, or follow the show on Facebook and Twitter.
 

—CM, GMA News Online