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Jail, fine irresponsible parents – lawmaker


“Irresponsible" parents or guardians who allow children to play in accident-prone areas and join gangs should face a jail term or pay a fine of up to P80,000, a lawmaker from a youth-oriented party-list group said Sunday. Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez, who represents the Youth Against Corruption and Poverty party-list group, is seeking to impose stiffer penalties on irresponsible parents or guardians through a bill she filed, according to a statement posted on the House of Representatives website. “The bill seeks to prosecute and penalize to the full extent of the law, parents who are irresponsible in the performance of their duties to their children. It is easy to become a parent but it is very difficult to act as a parent," Lopez said. The proposed law shall consider as crimes the failure of parents or guardians to properly educate their minor children, allowing them to loiter, play, or wander without adult supervision in accident-prone areas like streets. Jail terms, fines Violators shall face a jail term of four years, a fine of up to P60,000, or both, at the discretion of the court. Parents who fail to prevent a minor from joining a street gang shall also face imprisonment of not more than 16 years and a fine of up to P80,000, at the discretion of the court, said the bill. Parents shall also be penalized when children engage or participate in any criminal activity using their mother or father’s firearms, under the bill. “The penalty corresponding to the felony or crime committed by the minor shall be imposed upon the parents or guardians," Lopez explained. “The parent or guardian found liable shall be required to undergo counseling by the Department of Social Welfare and Development," the solon added. “Should there be more than one minor involved, one minor is considered one violation." Lopez filed her bill amid recent reports of minors getting involved in various crimes like shooting and robbery. - Paterno Esmaquel II/KBK, GMA News

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