Uh-oh, this might destroy friendships. How else will titas, manangs, and tambays of the town spend their daily bonding sessions?
The local government of Barangay Capas in Pangasinan has moved to silence rumormongers with an ordinance that bans and penalizes some people’s favorite hobby: tsismis (gossip).
The unusual ordinance is said to help keep the town peaceful. Violators will be required to pay a fine and render community service.
Barangay Captain Danilo Tabucol Sr explained that the law is meant to prevent community members from spreading lies and destroying reputations.
According to a report by the Philippine Star, “The anti-gossip regulation imposes a penalty of community service plus PHP300, PHP500 or PHP1,000 for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.”
Tabucol narrated that a woman has already been punished for spreading a rumor about someone in the community. While she was not asked to pay the fine yet, she was already required to render community service.
The townspeople have mixed reactions to the ordinance.
Some are saying that it makes their town look like it’s full of gossipers, others are saying that will help keep their town peaceful.
Tabuco defended the ordinance. He said that a mayor in another town wants to adopt it too.
