MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros is known for her dislike of “fake news.”  In fact, she herself has been a victim of fake news when she was criticized on social media for proposing a bill that would prohibit tattoos in churches and universities.   She, of course, never  filed any such proposal in the Senate.

This time, however, Hontiveros is serious about something else that is fake: chicharron.

Today, she filed Senate Bill No. 69 that would outlaw the production, sale and consumption of fake chicharron, that all-time popular pork rind snack and pulutan (appetizer) among Filipinos.

“It is a disgrace that unscrupulous entrepreneurs would create a lucrative business by fooling the consumers,” Hontiveros said.

She singled out the popular brand, “Chicharron ni Mang Juan” which is famous for its special flavored no-pork chicharron.

In her bill, Hontiveros demanded that Chicharron ni Mang Juan immediately cease operations and set a penalty of P50,000 and a minimum of six months in jail for any individual or business that will market fake chicharron when the new law goes into effect.

When it comes to protecting consumers, Filipinos can rely on Ms. Hontiveros, especially when they become victims of fakery.