John Sherwin Felix invokes Bawal Bastos Law, files complaint over online “gay” remark and harassment

Food heritage advocate cites Safe Spaces Act in legal action over alleged gender-based online harassment linked to viral comment and messages.

Food heritage advocate and Lokalpedia creator John Sherwin Felix is once again embroiled in a legal battle, this time over alleged gender-based online harassment.

Felix is seeking damages under the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), or the “Bawal Bastos Law,” over a persistent online commenter allegedly targeting him over his sexuality. The law penalizes gender-based harassment, including homophobic remarks.

In a post on Facebook, Felix did not name the respondent, identifying only an anonymous individual described as a resident of Caloocan City. The complaint stems from a series of alleged online remarks, including a comment that read “gay” on a Lokalpedia video on November 12, 2025. Felix says the alleged harassment also extended to private messages, prompting him to take legal action.

The post was accompanied by a photo appearing to show a point-of-view shot inside a Department of Justice office building, though he did not specify where the complaint was filed.

Felix had faced similar homophobic remarks from netizens in the past. In May, he called out a social media user who persistently made offensive comments on public posts and in private messages. The user turned out to be a high school teacher and later apologized to Felix following public backlash, citing concerns over the impact on his career.