By CESAR JOLITO III

Bacolod City Councilor Celia Flor has strongly condemned any public statement that normalizes rape, sexual abuse and other forms of gender-based sexual harassment, stressing that such remarks have no place in responsible public discourse.

This, after a local radio anchor directed a sexually explicit remark at a female reporter during an on-air segment, saying, “I-rape ta ka para mapriso ko.”

In her statement, Flor specifically denounced the statement, calling it unacceptable, especially when expressed on media platforms such as radio, which have wide influence over the public.

Flor also emphasized that the city already enforces a local “Bawal Bastos Ordinance,” aligned with the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), which penalizes harmful language, threats and degrading remarks that contribute to a culture of abuse and harassment.

Flor called on all sectors, particularly media practitioners, to exercise responsibility in their statements and help foster a community that protects the dignity of women and children.

“Ang rape kag bisan ano nga porma sang pagpang-abuso indi dapat himuon nga joke,” she stressed, urging public respect and accountability in all forms of communication./CJ, WDJ