Nope, this isn’t a joke. Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves just filed House Bill 611 or “An Act Declaring Ghosting As An Emotional Offense.” To the innocent and uninitiated (sana all), ghosting is the act of suddenly cutting all communication with someone without explanation. But why is this super important for this lawmaker to the point where “ghosters” should be punishable by law?

Ghosting creates emotional damage

The lawmaker further argued that ghosting can develop feelings of rejection and neglect. Since the abrupt cutting off of all forms of communication offers no closure and only brings trauma, “it could be likened to emotional cruelty.”

The bill, however, failed to suggest penalties for ghosting.

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who earlier proposed renaming NAIA after the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, now files House Bill 611 to declare ‘ghosting’ as an emotional offense. https://t.co/aKKwOvZDPQ | @xianneangel pic.twitter.com/U5FUxJKmgO

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) July 26, 2022

It might be crucial at this point to mention that Teves is the same lawmaker who also pushed to rename Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport (House Bill 610). Hmm.

How is House Bill 611 relevant?

That’s a nice gesture and all but netizens speak for the rest of the country when it asks: What is the point of this bill? Is this where taxes are going? Are we out to punish ghosters when we could punish, I don’t know, corrupt government officials?

“No sense of priority for the more urgent pressing issues plaguing the country. What the heck! We deserve better Mr. Congressman,” commented one heated netizen on Facebook.

“I feel that this is a total waste of government resources. This is where your taxes go,” said another.

“The State interfering into how citizens in a budding relationship should conduct themselves?” wrote one netizen, criticizing the bill. “This law as proposed which merely declares ghosting as an emotional offense is not worth a second of attention as it provides no relief to the putative victim of the proposed crime of ghosting. May the ghost be with you.”

All it will do is let everyone know someone ghosted you. And then what?

Filipinos poke fun (as usual)

And since this bill is ridiculous, Pinoys decided to do what Pinoys do best — react with humorous takes.

One Facebook page imagined how a conversation between a “ghoster” and a “ghostee” would go: “Ano na? Magrereply ka ba or sa court na lang tayo magkikita?”

Another netizen shared the post with a caption, “Napaka anti-Thomasians.”

“Lagot na kayong mga taga-UST,” another netizen echoed, implying local inside joke that Thomasians are the poster kids for ghosting.

“Hula ko lang, [naka-experience] yata ng ghosting si congressman,” mused yet another.

Another netizen also poked fun at the ridiculous measure: “Sobrang dami na ng problema sa mundo, nakuha niyo pang dagdagan.”

Emotional damage brought about by ghosting is never fun especially when someone played with your heart but what’s more important: Planning to lower inflation rates or addressing relationship woes? You decide.

Do you think House Bill 611 on ghosting is necessary? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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