Pasay mayor warns: We’re watching

As vandals attacked the newly painted walls of Manila, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano warned individuals with a penchant for writing or drawing on walls to beware city hall and police are strictly enforcing an ordinance against vandalism.

In a statement, Calixto-Rubiano said that City Ordinance 1496 is being enforced in Pasay and apprehend violators would need to either pay a fine or spend time in jail or community service.

“Pasay is a travel city. Volumes of people come here either because our city serves as their jumping-off point to other places, or they visit attractions and other key centers here,” Mayor Calixto-Rubiano said.

The Pasay mayor added that they are already exerting all efforts to make the city clean, beautiful and attractive to visitors.

“For this, we are keen on instilling discipline, not only among Pasayenos, but also among those who are visiting our city,” Calixto-Rubiano said.

The ordinance defines vandalism as “any form of writing, scribbling, scrawling or drawing… of any word, sign, or logo… or painting, spraying or splashing of paints, inks or coloring materials…or scratching or etching with the use of pointed or sharp object… or pasting or posting of any campaign or advertising materials on any private or public wall, fence, gate, building or legitimate signs, billboards or public announcements or removing or defacing any legitimate signs, billboards of public announcements… without written consent of the owner.”

It also states that “vandalism is a sign of disorder in a community and an open and direct challenge to authorities.”

The ordinance imposes penalties ranging from a fine of P1,000 up to imprisonment of not more than six months and if the violator is below 18 years old, he or she shall be fined the amount of P1,000 in addition to the community service consisting of removing, cleaning and repainting to its former condition the damaged wall, gate and building at the expense of the violator.