Newborn’s father welcomes Binay’s Senate investigation

CEBU, Philippines - The father of the newborn whose lips were allegedly taped to stop him from crying was pleased with Senator Nancy Binay’s initiative to look into the incident.

Ryan Noval said he was glad with Binay’s interest over the case of his daughter.

 â€œNagpasalamat ko na naa sila’y engagement ani nga incident ug ni-involve gyod sila,” he said.

Binay has proposed a resolution in the Senate asking the proper committees to investigate the report. She cited Section 3, Article XV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that the “State shall defend the right of children to special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.”

Section 11, Article II of the same constitution also declares that the government values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), on the other hand,  “affirms the policy of the State to provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial their development; provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and crisis intervention in situations of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.”

“An incident of this nature is very alarming considering that Filipino culture and values foster affection, care and protection of children,” the resolution read.

Noval said he did not expect the Senate to take cognizance of his family’s concern.

“Bisa’g gamay nga bata ang na-issue, dako kaayo’g impact sa atong nasud,” he said.

Lawyer Cornelio Mercado, counsel for Maternity House, refused to comment on the impending Senate investigation.

“I cannot comment on that, yet,” he said.

An inter-agency meeting will be held today in which all parties involved are expected to be present.

Noval and his girlfriend Jasmine Badocdoc together with their lawyers will attend the meeting.

“We have been waiting for the time nga magkaatubang na gyod mi. And we are very much willing to face them,” Noval said.

Three nurses including the chief nurse, a midwife, and the hospital’s director are also attending in today’s meeting.

 â€œYes, we will be attending the probe tomorrow (today),” Mercado said.

The meeting today will be attended by various government agencies under the Regional Sub-committee for the Welfare of Children led by the Commission on Human Rights.  (FREEMAN)