Caloocan Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan said authorities will be investigating the grievance of a woman who complained about receiving a ticket for reportedly wearing "short shorts."
The woman, who posted her complaint on social media, said she received a ticket from a policeman for wearing "short shorts" in public.
She attached an image of the ticket that she received, where it said she breached Caloocan's Ordinance No. 0439 S. 2007, or the Dress Code in Public Places.
The ordinance states that "all persons must be properly and decently attired, while moving about in public places within the city such as, but not limited to, sidewalks, roads, markets, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities."
According to the ordinance, vendors, drivers, and passengers are not allowed to be topless or half-naked and are prohibited from wearing "short shorts" or any sleeveless shirt or blouse, as well as dirty or tattered clothes and slippers.
However, Oca told DZRH in the interview that he saw what the woman was wearing as she posted it online, and he disagreed with the police's actions.
"Nakita ko naman 'yung picture, mahaba naman 'yung shorts nung babae, kaya kako bakit sinita, bakit hinuli?" he told DZRH.
(I saw the picture. The woman’s shorts were long enough, so I asked why she was reprimanded? Why caught?)
Oca said he already summoned the police and will be inviting the woman to see if she wants to file a formal complaint.
"Pinatawag ko na yung puils, pinaimbestigahan ko na, at yung babae ipatatawag ko sa Monday kung anong nangyari at kung magrereklamo siya," he said.
(I summoned the police, I asked for an investigation. And the girl I asked her to come on Monday to find out what happened and if she will file a complaint.)
On the city ordinance, Malapitan said he will ask the city council to review it.
"Iparereview ko sa city council, kung kailangang i-repeal, ire-repeal ko," he said.
(I will ask the city council to review it. If it needs to get repealed, it will be repealed.)
In 2019, the Caloocan mayor already said he wanted the ordinance appealed after netizens took notice of the policy.
"For me, I really want the ordinance to be repealed as I stand for equal rights to freedom and I believe that all women should be respected no matter what they wear," Malapitan said in 2019.
