Pangasinan barangays punish 'chismis' makers

Barangays in Binalonan, Pangasinan passed the anti-chismis ordinance to shut up gossipers who are primary cause of feuds in neighborhoods.

The ordinance was first legislated in Barangay Moreno in 2012 and was strictly imposed in Barangay Capas in 2016. Due to its effectiveness, six other communities adapted the ordinance.

Proven offenders shall render community service and pay a fine of PHP 300.00, PHP 500.00 and PHP 1,000.00 for the first, second and third offense respectively.

“[In Filipino] Gossips are source of fights and won't bring anything good,” said Danilo Tabucol Sr., chairman of Barangay Capas. He affirmed that the ordinance helped in maintaining peace among villagers and in  preserving their reputation.

Last October, a lady rendered community service after being proven to be circulating rumors against her neighbor. Tabucol said that they did a three-degree investigation before imposing the penalty.

"Before, people stay here to tell gossips. But now, they leave immediately after buying because they were afraid," Myla, a store-owner in Brgy. Capas, said.

Aside from that, they have an ordinance against street noise involving late-night videoke users and motorcycle riders which share the same penalties with anti-chismis ordinance.

Source: Philippine Star

The chief of Barangay Capas also shared that others scorn the unusual ordinance. "They said we seem to have a lot of gossipers here but we implement rules for the good of people," he said.

According to Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, provincial legal officer of Pangasinan, freedom of expression is a human right but should be responsibly practiced.

“We should also consider other’s rights – the right of one person to his dignity and the right to express and also if others' rights will be compromised by it," she ended.

Barangay Capas has a population of 4,000.