BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod has unanimously approved a proposed resolution condemning statements and public expressions that normalize or make light of rape, violence against women, and gender-based sexual harassment.
The resolution was passed during the regular session on May 20, 2026, following a controversial on-air incident involving a male news anchor and a female field reporter from a local radio station in the city.
Authored by Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the SP Committee on Gender, Family and Childcare, the resolution reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to promoting safe, respectful, and responsible public discourse.
The measure cited constitutional provisions protecting human dignity and human rights, particularly those of women and children, as well as Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, which penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, workplaces, media, and online platforms.
The resolution also referenced Bacolod City’s “Bawal Bastos Ordinance,” which localizes the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act and seeks to protect individuals from degrading remarks, verbal abuse, and other forms of harassment.
“Statements, jokes, threats, or expressions that normalize rape, sexual abuse, or violence against women — regardless of context, intent, or medium — contribute to a harmful culture of tolerance, fear, intimidation, and disrespect,” Flor said.
The city council emphasized that media platforms, including radio and digital spaces, carry significant influence over public behavior and therefore require greater sensitivity and accountability.
“Rape and all forms of abuse must never be trivialized or treated as humor,” part of the resolution stated.
The controversy stemmed from an incident in which a female reporter was discussing a police case involving child abuse during a live broadcast.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the male anchor allegedly interrupted the report by joking that he also wanted to go to jail and repeatedly asked the reporter on air if he could rape her so he could be imprisoned as well.
The incident drew widespread criticism from journalists, women’s rights advocates, and media organizations.
In a statement, the Negros Press Club condemned all acts of abuse, disrespect, and irresponsible broadcasting.
“Such conduct has no place in our profession or in our organization. Rape should never be used as material for humor,” the organization said.
“Rape is not a joke. It is a crime, and treating it as humor undermines survivors, erodes public trust, and violates the very purpose of the press,” the group added.
The organization also reminded its members to uphold responsible journalism and maintain respect for the dignity and safety of women at all times.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned the incident as a form of sexual harassment directed at a journalist simply doing her job.
The NUJP also raised concern over the anchor’s public apology, saying it failed to directly acknowledge the harassment committed against the female reporter.
The media group renewed its call for newsrooms and media companies to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment and establish safer working environments for journalists and media workers.
The city council, in its resolution, further urged broadcasters, media practitioners, content creators, public officials, and community leaders to exercise responsibility, sensitivity, and respect in all forms of public communication./PN
