Wrong Use of Rights
“Dito sa mabilisang kaso, sa child abuse dito ka namin yayariin… Yayariin ka talaga namin,” Tulfo told the teacher
who made a pupil sit outside the classroom as punishment for not bringing his report card.
On a recent episode of Tulfo’s “Wanted sa Radyo” program, a grandmother and two parents complained against
Grade 2 teacher Melita Limjuco, who allegedly mistreated and subjected their child to corporal punishment and
public humiliation on different occasions. The child’s mother said that she doesn’t want the teacher to be in jail but
rather have her license revoked. Netizens criticized Tulfo for his 'on-the-spot compromise' that deprived the
teacher of due process.
After this news became viral, “Pa-Tulfo natin si ma’am/sir” has become a famous expression among students be it
on social media or in their classroom. It became a humorous remark that they say whenever they think their
teacher “oversteps” on the line drawn by the hundreds of lawmakers to keep the youth and children from any type
of “ruthlessness.”
“The child is one of the most important assets of the nation. Every effort should be exerted to promote his welfare
and enhance his opportunities for a useful and happy life.”
The Presidential Decree No. 603 also called as “The Child and Youth Welfare Code” opens with this statement. This
Code protects children and youth against “exploitation, improper influences, hazards and other conditions or
circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and moral development.”
Other relevant Codes and ranges of legislation that address the rights of children include, but is by no means
limited to: Civil Code, Family Code, Labor Code, Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (Republic Act
9262), Child Protection Act (Republic Act No 7610), and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (Republic Act 9344).
Through these many laws that cover children, people could already discern that lawmakers in the Philippines
greatly emphasize the importance of minor people as they are the remaining hope for the future. They give them
utmost protection… which results to children incapable of comprehending the meaning of discipline.
Kids these days bear thick shields that defend them from “cruelty” and “abuse.” But, what if this so-called “cruelty”
is only the way of a certain person in disciplining that child? What if that “abuse” is only out of care and it was
meant to correct the child’s wrong behavior?
Most of the children and youth of this generation feel entitled. They think that they deserve all privileges or special
treatment because of all these laws that cushion them. The “hit” that was supposed to teach them that what they
did was wrong -- they took it as “physical abuse.” The words that were supposed to straighten their attitude were
taken as “verbal abuse.” Just, what is going on?
Parents who also have children who are “maltreated” by teachers are also being hysterical, saying that their child
doesn’t deserve such “unlawful” act. Even if it was obvious that it is their child who did wrong, the teacher would
be the one held accountable because he/she did something to correct their child’s behavior.
Everyone should be given knowledge about these laws. They should know and be able to comprehend when a
certain action really violates their right or just a way of a certain person in disciplining and cultivating them.
