{painting by Dave Ledow}
This is my reply to Sassy’s wonderful wonderful article Headlines you wont see in local papers.
Why I think it will not push through:
The Philippines is a moderate conservative country, neither too conservative (some Arab Muslims country where prostitution penalty is death), nor too liberal (Netherlands). This moderate conservatism plays an intricate role on the flesh exchange. Unlike many countries where prostitution is legal, the Philippines is by rule of majority, a Catholic nation.
Mystery. Part of what makes prostitution, so alluring, is its covert aspect. There is a thrill, when something is done in secret - this is a basic human nature. Legalizing prostitution will take away the mystique of it - what used to be sordid fantasy is now a cold business transaction.
Cost. With legal prostitution, many incurring expense will be added – VAT, income tax, club tax, advertisement, etc. Add to this the forming of a government body that will monitor this industry, and prices skyrockets. Its basic economics, prices goes up, demand goes down. In a third world country like us, legalizing prostitution will kill prostitution. And with the Catholic-backed government, programs that will subsidize the disenfranchise prostitutes who lost their jobs will be minimal, if at all.
Red tape and the usual corruption of our government. Let’s face it: even without a regulating government body on prostitution, the government is by default a regulator. And who execute the laws? Yep, the kotongs. There’s nothing worst than a prostitute working for a bureaucratic police.
Distinction between free choice and forced (without consent) prostitution. How can you distinguish one from the other? I’ve heard of stories like a Filipina maid working in a Hong Kong being sold to a Russian mob who specializes in pimping white slaves. Then there are those who have to fill the sales quotas of an abusive pimp.
Elevation of women’s status? Is prostitution a patriarchal scheme, to keep women in line?
Why I think it should push through:
Will legalizing promote human rights and empower women?
Barring red tape, and the usual corruption, a budget from the government will curb the white slavery more, and will minimize child pornography and minor-age trading.Instead of a multi-tasking agency (e.g. NBI), a branch of government with just this one task of monitoring the prostitute scenario, will have more resources (finance, time, manpower) allotted.
There are some feminist who think legalizing prostitution will protect the prostitutes from abuse – this is the part where I’m 50/50. I am not a lawyer but from what I know of the Revised Penal Code, the most that you can charge a prostitute is vagrancy. So I partly agree but only to an extent - if only to prosecute the extortionist (policemen, pimps) and the prostitute beaters (unless one is into deliberate sado-masochism).The prostitutes together with their Pinoy patrons should not be punished, but extortionist should be.
The prostitute getting her full worth. With the pimp out of the scene, the middle man expense will be redirected to the woman. In so doing, should a Pinay decide to trade her flesh, this measure will make sure that she gets the body and the fruits of her labor.
Another contradicting statement of mine on coercion (free or forced?): In capitalism, choices are limited. A smart card dispensing MRT civil service teller with just enough suweldo to get his kids and wife through the month has as much choice as the elementary graduate only prostitute who supports her ailing parents.
It helps curb the spreading of health risks - with the government issuing a mandatory health check and sex education, together with a check on the brothel or apartment building for fire and construction hazards
Demand and unique needs of patrons.Why do men subscribe to prostitutes when they can get sex for free with a steady girlfriend/wife or a one night-stand? Read my previous article entitled Kuwentong Prosti Exhibit A on why.
Symbol of Progress. If, and that is a big IF, ever our law allows prostitute to do their business without fear of extortion, then our country has indeed transformed from a conservative society to a more progressive nation. Prostitution will then shift from a moral question (it is a vice, evil?) to a humanist question (does it exploit women or like any other is it trabaho lang?).
If our country ever reach this stage, Camille Paglia statement will then be true:
"Prostitution is not just a service industry, mopping up the overflow of male demand, which always exceeds female supply. Prostitution testifies to the amoral power struggle of sex, which religion has never been able to stop."
i am for the legalization of prostitution if only to regulate the industry and to give them social security. it may also help curb sexually transmitted diseases if they put in place a mandatory medical check up for each sex worker.
what needs to be addressed, i believe, is teenage prostitution. these kids peddle their flesh not because they have to but because it can afford them extra luxuries like buying the latest cell phone model or an iPod. And they actually enjoy it. they don't need middlemen to do this.
also, not all sex workers are women. male prostitution is also rampant. not to mention transgendered individuals or transvestites who also ply the streets to sell their wares. these various sectors have different issues that need to be addressed.
There is something inherently wrong in legalizing prostitution, yet it is allowed in such countries as the U.S. In Las Vegas, for example, pimps can openly “sell” their ladies in public through the use of flyers and magazine advertisements. Even some hotels offer women via closed-circuit ads.
Isn’t this dehumanizing?
While most prostitutes are women, it is no longer unusual to hear of male prostitutes, or call boys as they are called here in the Philippines.
One question to ask: At what point do we stop? If we allow adult men and women to become prostitutes, does this automatically exclude minors? I think not. Even the definition of minors changes from country to country. Is it 21? 18? Or even 16? This is the age when driver’s licenses are granted in some countries.
Also, if we allow prostitution, can we limit the acts that are committed? If it’s plain sexual intercourse, fine. But this can lead to role playing. Then light forms of S&M. then who knows where?
Then there’s the issue of same-sex encounters. This way, we also legalize homosexuality, don’t we? And if we legalize homosexuality, then what follows? How about man-boy encounters? How about orgies? Fine with everyone?
Will bestiality be next?
Don’t get me wrong. Prostitution will exist in any society, rich or poor. And men will look for sex, paid or free, at every opportunity they get.
Is there a solution? My answer is no. It’s called the oldest profession, isn’t it? This means it’s been around since the beginning of time, and will be around long after all of us are dead and gone.This may seem silly, but perhaps modern technology can be a solution. Virtual sex can be a legal option. Orgasms are all in the mind, right? And at some point in the future, robot prostitutes. This isn’t as stupid as it sounds. Robotics is moving at a faster pace than we can imagine.
Sorry, sir bp, napahaba. Got carried away hehehe
ella,
yes it's a domino effect. that's why I've written IF ever...
okay lang kahit mahaba, masaya nga eh. salamat sa pag-comment.
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slim whale,
about the teenage, male and gay prostitutes, I think that needs a separate topic, hmmm... perhaps Exhibit C & D?
maraming salamat sa muling pagbisita.
In the Philippines, there is very very very very very little chance that prostitution will be legalized. The main reason is because Philippines is predominantly a Catholic country, and the role the church plays is a very strong role. Philippines is a country where the church played an important part in "people power."
If prostitution is to be legalized, the first thing that should happen is a clear separation between church and state. And the only way to achieve this is for a strong leader to tell the church to "mind their own business." Until that happens, prostitution will never be legalized.
And the number one reason why prostituion should be legalized? I am surprised you did not mention it. It is not because of health (MPs and KTVs already provide for health provisions) or child prostituion (as this is already clearly illegal by law), but for TAXES.
Now conservative people will argue. "This is immoral!" they will chant. But legalities have nothing to do with morals. Being legal does not necessarily mean that it is moral, it just means that it is allowed.
If you want to see more heated discussions on prostitution and how the conservatives and the moral high-ground view it, check out my latest discussion here.
Uy, Buwayahman, I'm glad you've commented on this topic. If there is a person who knows this topic it is you.
Taxes (by the way I've mention it), as in any business, can go both ways. The trickling effect of taxes, for me as I've written it in the above post, would be the dwindling of poorer customer base.
This could of course go the other way, as you've mentioned. More taxes, more support from government, in the long run lesser cost (or not, with the current state of kotongs?).
Thank you for commenting again. Hope you return soon.
Eh parang Ligal na rin naman sya.
http://monmon.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/how-about-the-legalization-of-prostitution-in-the-philippines/
If you say "Yes" to ligalized prostitotion
You can say also that your mother is a prostitute or even your sister....(we don't know they have an extra job or there are someone who forcing them to engage this prostitution) because the effect of this issue mostly in "Pchycologically"
(emotion,etc...) or even You you may question your Parent.. are you really my Mother/ Father?????
^_^