Is it true that community service is considered a corporal punishment? Can anyone give his legal stand on this issue?

By itself, corporal punishment is NOT at all illegal in the Philippines. The right and duty of those with parental authority over children "to impose discipline on them as may be required under the circumstances" is recognized in the Family Code (Art. 20). The Child and Youth Welfare Code recognized as well the right of parents "to discipline the child as may be necessary for the formation of his good character" (Art. 45).

Even the Code of Muslim Personal Laws states that in relation to their children parents have "the power to correct, discipline, and punish them moderately" (Art. 74). The Rules and Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of Child Abuse Cases, approved October 11, 1993, states that "discipline administered by a parent or legal guardian to a child does not constitute cruelty provided it is reasonable in manner and moderate in degree and does not constitute physical or psychological injury".

In schools, however, corporal punishment is prohibited (Art. 233, Family Code). This is true for public schools, according to the 1992 DECS Service Manual (sorry, I can't cite you the exact article/section as I don't have a copy with me right now), as well as in the 1992 Manual of Regulations for Private Schools, Art. XIV, Sec. 75. (Note: There seems to be an updated copy of this 1992 Manual, but I don't have that one yet, nor have I confirmed its actual existence.)

However, corporal punishment does not seem to include community service. According to the Revised Rule on Children in Conflict with the Law, A.M. No. 02-1-18-SC, issued November 24, 2009, "[c]orporal punishment is any kind of physical punishment inflicted on the body as distinguished from pecuniary punishment or fine."

Further notes:
1. There is a 2000 DepEd Service Manual, which, according to DepEd Memo No. 297, s. 2006, "are replete with provisions on the proper treatment of pupils/students and their rights which must be respected."
2. Here's a good article re corporal punishment in the Philippines: Please register to see links.

punishment? YES. corporal punishment? NO, unless one is beating a student doing community service.

The confusion and perhaps the negative connotation maybe caused by the use of the term "community service", it can be replaced with "service learning" to really emphasize the lessons that come with being of service to the community.

The confusion and perhaps the negative connotation maybe caused by the use of the term "community service", it can be replaced with "service learning" to really emphasize the lessons that come with being of service to the community.

(06-05-2010 10:52 PM)mendoza Wrote:  The confusion and perhaps the negative connotation maybe caused by the use of the term "community service", it can be replaced with "service learning" to really emphasize the lessons that come with being of service to the community.

i agree. "community service", like honesty, is such a lonely [and often misunderstood] word

???

Other than "community service" issue as a corporal punishment. I don't believe in corporal "punishment", but rather in corporal "discipline". Discipline is something you do "for" a child, and not "to" the child. If a teacher would just spank a student "anywhere" without explaining properly and privately why that student is being spanked, even if he/she has the parent consent, that person imposing it should be reprimanded. Corporal discipline should not be prohibited in the schools, but rather the wrong implementation of discipline.