Rama to council: Revise anti-corporal punishment ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has suggested that the Cebu City Council revise the provisions of the controversial anti-corporal punishment ordinance so it can be acceptable to the public, particularly to parents who strongly criticized the proposal.

Rama said he explained his stand on the issue to the representatives of various non-government organizations and urban poor groups who visited his office last week.

The mayor said he also asked the opinion of his 22 department heads of City Hall and almost all of them are against the idea that parents will be penalized if they spank their children for committing offenses.

Although Rama is not sure that those who visited him accepted his stand on the issue, he explained to them that the parents should not be prevented from disciplining their own children.

Councilors Lea Ouano-Japson, Alvin Dizon and Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, the proponents of the ordinance, did not go to the mayor’s office with the NGO representatives.

“Wala man ko nila pahibaw-a nga mangadto sila,” Japson said.

Rama said he already received the copy of the ordinance, but he did not say whether he already returned the vetoed copy to the City Council.

The mayor said he will not approve the ordinance because he believes that the parents are the best persons to discipline their children.

He suggested that the ordinance should not immediately penalize the offender but it shall give the parent a second chance.

Japson said it is provided for in the ordinance that first time offenders shall be called first before the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children for assessment and intervention, instead of immediately taking the case to court.

The BCPC, however, may also refer the case directly to the Cebu City Social Welfare Office for further assessment, except if the offender has been previously charged with any crime against a child. The social welfare officer would be the one to determine whether proper charges are to be filed against the concerned violator.

Punishable acts include any form of physical or humiliating, or degrading punishment like kicking, slapping, beating, lashing with the use of instrument like belt, broom and other hard objects, pulling of hair, twisting of joints, cutting and shaving of hair, piercing of skin, dragging and throwing the child and threats.

Other prohibited acts include the letting the child to do some hazardous task as punishment for the purpose of discipline, particularly if it is already beyond the child’s strength, and the placing of the child inside a room without proper ventilation, yelling and making the child to look or feel foolish in front of one’s peer or the public.

If found guilty, the violators will be imprisoned for six months and fined up to P5,000. 

The Children’s Legal Bureau expressed its support to the anti-corporal punishment as they would like to promote positive discipline to children.

“The anti-corporal punishment doesn’t mean that the parents are prevented from disciplining their children but what we are advocating is for positive discipline among children,” said CLB executive director Joan Saniel during the 888 Forum yesterday at the Marco Polo Plaza.

To support this advocacy, CLB will conduct training for teachers on positive discipline, wherein they will be oriented with rules and the ways on how a positive discipline should be done.

“We will start with the teachers and these teachers will then disseminate the learning from the training to other teachers and these teachers will then share these learning to the parents of their students,” Saniel said.

Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon said he will oppose the ordinance if it intends to prevent the parents from disciplining their children.

“I believe that the best way to solve and fight for this problem is to regain the moral values and the parents should be taught on positive discipline,” he said.

On the other hand Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, supports the advocacy as he is also into positive reinforcement and alternative style of disciplining the children.

“This law supports the call of the hour, which allows to develop the children in a climate where they are not punished and that they will grow up without fear of physical punishment,” he said. –(FREEMAN)