Filipino lawmaker wants to make ignoring text messages a crime

Don't be a ghost.

July 28, 2022

Filipino lawmaker wants to make ignoring text messages a crime

In the Philippines, a local lawmaker has suggested that the act of "ghosting" – or suddenly cutting off communications with others with no explanation – should be a crime.

The suggestion came from Arnolfo Teves Jr., a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition which is on friendly terms with the current ruling government.

The politician filed House Bill No. 611 titled "An Act Declaring Ghosting As An Emotional Offense", and explained his reasoning, saying that "ghosting is a form of spite that develops feelings of rejection and neglect" and should be considered a form of abuse.

The proposed bill – which was mooted last month but only revealed publicly this week – has no concrete suggestions for penalizing acts of ghosting, and only goes as far as saying that such acts should be punished.

Have you been "ghosted" by someone?

Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. filed a bill declaring "ghosting” as an "emotional offense." He says "ghosting" is when someone cuts off communication with friends, partners, and alike without real closure. pic.twitter.com/Vv56IQJbMg — ONE News PH (@onenewsph) July 26, 2022

Teves also said that thanks to modern technology, people have been more prone to cutting ties with one another without considering the feelings of the other party, especially in the realm of dating, which he claimed has "changed exponentially compared to previous years".

"The ambiguity with ghosting is that there is no real closure between the parties concerned," the proposed bill said.

Of course, Teves's suggestions aren't without merit, considering that even experts have admitted to such acts having negative effects on individuals. Many who have been on the receiving end of ghosting have called the act cruel, with some developing feelings of self-criticism and self-doubt among others.

But nevertheless, news of the proposal has so far received plenty of derision from social media users, with many more angry at the fact that such ideas were being put forth despite the severe social and economic problems being faced by the general Filipino population.

Some demanded that laws be instead created to help special-needs kids, while others have lamented the escalating cost of living in the country.

Others have even said that such a law is completely unnecessary considering that many people tend to get hurt in relationships regardless of the prevalence of technology.

"In the real world, people sometimes get hurt in the pursuit of happiness," one netizen said. "Life is unforgiving, you just need to adjust, survive, and move on. Don't waste my tax money on this. Instead, craft laws that create sustainable jobs."

As it stands, the bill is unlikely to get passed, and it's also doubtful if the proposal will have any societal effects, it at all. As bills are required to undergo three readings before even being considered for addition as law, this one has little chance (alongside many other proposals with low urgency) of ever becoming something more.

No stranger to controversy.

Earlier in July, Teves had also proposed renaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos – who led the Philippines for two decades and oversaw an iron-fisted reign filled with thousands of human rights violations and over US$10 billion plundered from the nation's coffers.

Teves speaking as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. IMAGE: Congressman Arnie Teves/YouTube

Many who survived the dark period of the senior Marcos's reign saw the proposal as a way for Teves to gain favor with new Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – the son of the former dictator.

One political expert in the Philippines described Teves's latest suggestion regarding ghosting as only a means to distract the general populace from the more serious problems facing the country, including plans for post-pandemic growth and soaring inflation.