Manila to ban corporal punishment

Manila: The Philippines is aiming to be the first country in Asia to pass a law against corporal punishment.

Visiting UN official, Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, said the Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill recently passed in the House of Representatives could be first in the entire Asia.

A counterpart bill at the Senate is still pending.

During her recent dialogue with child rights advocates in Manila, Pais said that she is going to speak about her visit in the Philippines during the UN meeting on violence against children in Geneva set March this year.

"I will mention my visit in Manila and tell them that the Philippines is one of the most important countries where I had a dialogue with the children themselves and heard their recommendations on how to eliminate violence among them," she said.

"I will also tell them [UN] that a law on anti-corporal punishment has been passed in the House of Representatives but is still pending in the Senate. I will also tell them that the bill needs to be passed as quickly as possible."

The Philippines' like much of Asia is a largely paternalistic society. But traditional views on the rights of children are slowly changing with the times as with the increasing influence from the West.

House Bill 4455 titled "Promoting Positive Discipline of Children and Prohibiting Corporal Punishment Act" authored by Rep Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon (New Generation) Party List and Rep Susan Yap of 2nd District of Tarlac was passed in 2011.

The bill seeks to promote positive discipline techniques in all settings, including the home and institutions.

During the dialogue, children shared their situation and expressed their hope to be protected from all forms of abuse. One participant, a street child, lamented the kind of treatment they get inside temporary shelters where they are placed after being "rescued."

He said that they are treated like criminals.