A class suit has been filed against publishers and editors of lewd magazines in the Philippines for alleged violation of a city ordinance which prohibits the printing, publication, sale, distribution and exhibition of obscene and pornographic acts and materials.

The criminal complaint was filed by Manila congressman Bienvenido Abante and a group of pastors and preachers from different churches in Manila. They said the publication of Playboy Philippines, Maxim, and FHM violated Ordinance No. 7780 of the City of Manila.

The complaint stated that sometime in September 2007 to July 2008, “the said magazines and tabloids printed, published, distributed, circulated and sold in the City of Manila contain pornographic, obscene, erotic, indecent, or lewd pictures or poses that show, depict, exhibit, or describe nude or semi-nude bodies, sexual acts, sexual intercourse, private parts of the human body of both male and female, with no educational, artistic, cultural or scientific value, but clearly and purely intended or calculated to draw lust, stimulate sexual drive, excite impure imagination or arouse prurient interest.

Named respondents were:

• Lance Gokongwei and Lisa Gokongwei Cheng, chairman of the board and president of Summit Publishing, publisher of FHM Philippines;
• Eugenio Lopez III and Ernesto Lopez, chairman of the board and president, respectively of ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., publisher of Maxim.
• Ramon Faustino, editor-in-chief; Vince Sales, managing editor; and Clarisa Palomo, circulation manager (Playboy Philippines);
• Allan Madrilejos, editor-in-chief; Allan Hernandez, managing editor; and Glenda Gil, circulation manager (FHM Philippines);
• Pierre Inaki Calasanz, editor-in-chief; Beting Dolor, managing editor; Thelma Sioson San Juan, general manager; and Rina Lareza, head of circulation (Maxim Philippines);
• Zak Zorro Zamora, editor-in-chief; Dexter Manila, managing editor; Deo Alvarez, general manager;Norie Villanueva, circulation manager (Playhouse Men’s Magazine).

The complaint also included editors of some tabloids which contain nudity and sexual content. They were identified as Editha Asumbrado, editor-in-chief; Lyn Panus, president; and Mae Mai Gener, vice president, all of Sagad; Gloria Galuno, managing editor; and Edwin Alcala, circulation manager, both of Hataw; and Joe Dalde, editor-in-chief of Toro.

(Source: Sandy Araneta/Philippine Star/Yahoo News)

3,404 views This entry was posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am and is filed under Cover Page, Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.