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'CIA with BA': Dad faces liability for urging son's fistfight
'CIA with BA': Dad faces liability for urging son's fistfight
A viral video showing a father urging his son’s classmates to engage in a fistfight with his son has raised serious legal questions on the program Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda (CIA with BA). The incident was discussed in the show’s Tanong ng Pilipino segment, where experts shed light on the possible consequences of such actions.
“Ano ang pananagutan ng isang magulang kung siya mismo ang nag-udyok o pumayag sa makipag-away ang kanyang anak sa ibang bata?” a viewer asked, setting the tone for the discussion.
According to Atty. Marian Cayetano, parents who encourage their children to engage in a fistfight with classmates may face both criminal and civil charges. “‘Pag inudyukan mo kasi ang anak mo na makipag-away sa iba, pwede kasing makasuhan siya criminally and civilly,” she explained. She added, “Isa sa mga pwedeng maikaso sa kanya is child abuse. Bakit? Kasi inilagay niya ‘yung anak niya sa isang sitwasyon na may karahasan.”
Atty. Matt Cesa echoed this, noting that even if the parent did not personally commit the act, the law recognizes “principal inducement.” He explained, “Meron kasi tayong concept sa criminal [case] na principal inducement. So hindi ikaw mismo ‘yung gumawa ng krimen pero ikaw ‘yung nag-udyok e. If ever natuloy ‘yung away, nagkaroon ng sakitan, nagkademandahan.. pwedeng ma-involve ‘yung tatay as a principal do’n sa criminal case.”
The issue also extends to possible complaints from the parents of the other children involved. If the fistfight between the children had taken place, they would have grounds to file cases against the father, as Atty.
Bernadette Maybituin clarified, “Meron din concept kasi under the new Civil Code na parental authority. So may vicarious liability ang mga magulang. Kung mag-fa-file man sila ng kaso, pwede nilang sampahan ng damages kasi [‘yung tatay] ang may parental authority over minors.”
Wrapping up the discussion, Boy Abunda reminded viewers of the greater lesson: “Ang ating natutunan dyan: hindi solusyon na ‘pag may problema ang mga menor de edad na bata ay, ‘O sige, magsabunutan kayo diyan!’ O kaya, ‘Magsuntukan kayo!’ Because you’re putting the children or the kids in danger.”
Through this conversation, "CIA with BA" emphasized once again that parental responsibility includes guiding children toward safe and constructive conflict resolution—never toward violence.
‘CIA with BA’--led by sibling senators Alan and Pia Cayetano, together with Abunda–continues the advocacy of the late Sen. Rene Cayetano. The program airs every Sunday at 11 p.m. on GMA7, with replays every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on GTV. (Robert R. Requintina)