Bong Go backs veto of bill vs. corporal punishment, cites parents’ rights

Photo courtesy of Bong Go’s staff

  MANILA, Philippines – Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go backed the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the proposed law promoting positive and non-violent discipline for children.

Senate Bill No. 1477 and House Bill No. 8239 prohibit subjecting a child to any form of punishment or discipline using physical force and intended to cause pain or discomfort or any nonphysical act that causes a child to feel belittled, denigrated, threatened, or ridiculed.

“Kilala ko po si Pangulong Duterte bilang mapagmahal na ama at hindi niya gustong makaranas ng anumang klase ng parusa ang mga bata na makakasama sa kanila. Tulad niya, ganun din po ang pananaw ko bilang isang ama ,” Go said.

(President Duterte is a loving father and would not want children to experience punishment that will be bad for them.)

Go, however,  said Duterte has valid reasons for vetoing SB No. 1477, or An Act Promoting Positive and Nonviolent Discipline, Protecting Children from Physical, Humiliating or Degrading Acts as a Form of Punishment and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”

Go said the bill practically prohibits all forms of corporal punishment, including those done responsibly by parents who intend to discipline their children within the confines of the family home.

“Sinasaklaw na ng bill na ito lahat ng klase ng corporal punishment at tinatanggal ang karapatan ang mga magulang na gamitin ito kung sa palagay nila ay nararapat sa pagdisiplina sa kanilang mga anak. Hindi naman po dapat ganun, kaya tama lamang ang ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte,” Go said.

(The bill covers all forms of corporal punishment and removes the right of parents to carry out what they think are rightful ways of disciplining a child.  That should not be the case, which is why I believe what the President did was right.)

Parents’ rights, role

Go noted that the constitution recognizes the role of the parents in determining how they would raise their children to be morally upright and responsible citizens.

Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution provides in part that “the natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government.”

“Lahat po tayo ay gustong lumaki ng matino ang ating mga anak. Pero kung paaano ito gagawin ay karapatan at tungkulin ng mga magulang at hindi po naman dapat basta-basta pakialaman ng gobyerno,” Go said.

(We all want our children to grow up right.  But how to achieve it is the right and responsibility of parents, and the government must not just interfere.)

“Ako mismo—at marami sa atin–ay nakaranas maparusahan ng magulang natin at nakatulong iyon para lumaki tayo bilang mga mabuting mamamayan,” he added.

(I myself, many of us, experienced being punished, which helped rear us into good citizens.)

In his veto message, President Duterte said he is aware of the growing trends in Western nations that see all forms of corporal punishment as an outdated form of disciplining children.

However, the President said he will resist this trend in favor of a more balanced and nuanced approach, which is both protective of the child but recognizing the right of parents who believe in the merits of corporeal punishment properly administered.

Child protection laws

Likewise, Go said there are several laws that provide ample protection to children from physical and emotional abuse.

“Isa pa po, marami naman tayong mga batas na nagbibigay ng sapat na proteksyon ang mga bata laban sa pagmamalupit,” he added.

(One more thing, there have been laws on the protection of children from maltreatment.)

He cited the Family Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Act of 1992, and Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code and RA 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

Sports development

Go said child discipline is the underlying reason for his advocacy for long-term sports development.

Aside from instilling discipline, it can also help develop the talent of young people in sports and keep them away from destructive influences like illegal drugs.

“Yan pong droga ang salot sa ating mga kabataan, kaya galit si Pangulong Duterte sa droga. Ako rin po galit sa droga. Naniniwala ako na sa pamamagitan ng long-term sports development, matuturuan natin ng tamang disiplina ang mga kabataan at mailalayo sila sa droga,” Go said.

(Drugs are a menace to the youth, which is why the President hates drugs.I also hate drugs. I believe that through long-term sports development,  we can instill discipline in the youth and keep them off drugs.)

Malasakit Centers

In addition to long-term sports development, Go’s legislative agenda include improved delivery of health services, particularly the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center so they could be established in every province and in key urban centers of the country.

A Malasakit Center brings under one roof concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and Philhealth to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.

Go’s other legislative priorities cover programs on agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, education, housing, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, anti-corruption, creation of a Department of OFW, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens. / gsg