POE: WAIVER OF CHILD DEATH PROBES ILLEGAL

Sen. Grace Poe has filed Senate Resolution No. 214 urging the Senate to investigate the reported practice of allowing family members to waive further investigation in cases where possible culpable neglect of parents with their minor children is involved.

"It is imperative for the legislature to craft measures to ensure that those who are responsible for the death of or injuries suffered by children do not go unpunished simply because the parents can sign a waiver against further investigation," the senator said in her bill.

There were reports that parents or relatives of a deceased minor executed waivers against further investigation, which had no legal basis. Poe cited Article 231 of the Family Code which states that "culpable negligence of the parent or the person exercising parental authority" is a basis for suspending or depriving the guilty party of parental authority."

"Kadalasan, ang mga menor de edad ay hindi naipagtatanggol ang kanilang sarili ayon sa batas kaya nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng masusing imbestigasyon sa mga pagkakataong sila ay naaabuso. Hindi dapat maging daan ang waiver para hindi na imbestigahan ng kinauukulan ang mga pangyayaring ito," said Poe.