Mandaluyong starts crackdown on juvenile offenders’ parents

MANILA, Philippines - The Mandaluyong City government will start enforcing today an ordinance that will fine or jail parents of minors who violate the law.

Under Ordinance 528, series of 2014, parents or guardians face up to one year in jail or a fine of P5,000 “if (they) permit, allow or cause their child to commit criminal acts.”

The ordinance, called the Code of Parental Responsibility, also states that if the parents “lack knowledge” of the child’s actions, “they can raise it in their defense but must have evidence” to back up their claim, according to city public information officer Jimmy Isidro.

He explained that the children addressed by the ordinance are those abandoned, neglected or abused by their parents.

“The primary aim of the ordinance is really not to imprison erring parents, but to teach, guide and help them raise their children to be responsible citizens of Mandaluyong City,” Isidro said.

The ordinance, passed by the city council on Feb. 7, covers the parents of minors apprehended for possession of deadly weapons, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of illegal drugs, gambling and violation of the city’s 10 p.m. curfew.

The ordinance stressed that a minor’s deviant behavior could be largely due to the absence or lack of parental supervision.

Barangay officials and the police will play key roles in the implementation of the ordinance, Isidro said.

No-contest provision

The PIO chief said a no-contest provision was also made available for the parents, wherein they can pay a fine or render community service for the first three times they violate the ordinance.

For the first offense, there is a P1,000 fine or eight hours community service; second offense, P3,000 fine or 16 hours’ community service; and for the third offense, a P5,000 fine or 24 hours’ community service.

The parents would only be in danger of being put in jail after the third offense, Isidro said.

Consultations made

Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. conducted consultative meetings with all stakeholders in the city’s 27 barangays to explain the mechanics of the ordinance, which met opposition from a small number of parents.

“When Abalos explained that parents would not be punished outright but only after a thorough process, those opposing the ordinance relented and are now supporting it,” Isidro said.

Abalos had meetings with health and social workers, school principals and students, police stations and its women’s desks, barangay officials and their councilors, homeowners’ associations and parent-teacher groups.

Councilor Charisse Abalos, author of the ordinance, said the rationale behind the ordinance is that the first people who should be taking care of minors and preventing them from becoming lawbreakers are their parents.

Abalos said it pains her to see children, some as young as 12, repeatedly caught violating laws and being used by street gangs, drug pushers and other criminal groups.

“You return them to their homes and talk to their parents about it – and yet you see the same kids doing it again as if nothing happened,” she said.