Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña filed House Bill No. 11078 or the Open Door Policy Act (Bawal Judgement Bill), to prohibit the implementation of strict dress codes among Filipinos who are seeking essential government services.
On Friday, the Akbayan Partylist representative annnounced that they have already filed the Bawal Judgemental Bill. The said bill aims to make services accessible for the marginalized and indigenous communities, who often face discrimination due to their social status.
Cendaña stressed that one's right to equality and nondiscrimination is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the country. Regardless of one's social standing, race, or culture, the Party-list representative said that strict dress codes have often discriminated against the poorest Filipinos who cannot afford to comply with some government offices.
Additionally, vulnerable groups like farmers, fisherfolks, the urban poor, and Indigenous people have experienced being subjected to dress codes imposed by public institutions. Cendaña emphasized that frontline services are supposed to be open and accessible to common Filipinos, not prohibitive.
“These impositions prevent many ordinary citizens from accessing services that they should rightfully enjoy. These unjust requirements hinder public participation in government processes,” Cendaña highlighted.
Therefore, Cendaña said that unnecessary prescriptions in attire in government offices should be prohibited.
“Discrimination based on clothing has no place in public offices, the establishment and operations of which, all taxpayers paid for. The principles of equality and non-discrimination must be observed and adhered to most especially by government institutions,” he ended.
