Irah brought her concerns about Junell’s inconsistent support for their two children to the public service program CIA with BA.
During the “Case 2 Face” segment of the episode aired on May 19, Irah shared, “This year, I have already filed two complaints against him (Junell) for violence against women and their children (VAWC).”
“We had an agreement that he would send P6,000 every month for the children,” she continued. “He was the one who provided the amount.”
Irah also mentioned that the support started at P4,000 in 2019, but during the pandemic, Junell requested to pause the payments despite having a job as a food delivery rider.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano explained the legal perspective on such situations for everyone’s understanding.
“The Supreme Court has stated that if you don’t have money and you’re poor, you can’t give anything, and it’s not a crime not to provide support because poverty is not a crime, especially in a country where many are poor,” he explained.
“The criminal offense is twofold: willful infliction of psychological violence against the woman and her child by denying them the financial support that is legally due to them,” he continued.
“So, for example, if you’ve been without money for several months but now you have some, but you still don’t give it, and it causes psychological harm to the woman and her child, it’s still a criminal offense.”
“The second offense is to control or restrict the woman or her child’s movement or behavior,” he said. “It’s like blackmailing them. Especially if the mother and child have no money, and you say, ‘Okay, if you don’t come here or if you don’t do this, I’ll withhold support,’ because support should come without conditions as it is an obligation as a father,” he concluded.
In front of Alan, Pia Cayetano, Boy Abunda, and Irah, Junell pledged to be consistent with his financial support, agreeing to provide P4,000 every month. “I can’t do anything if that’s all he can afford,” Irah commented, which Pia commended.
“That’s a good attitude. Because as the law says, the obligation to provide support is based on the capability of the provider and the needs,” she said.
“If you can only afford to give P4,000 but of course, if you can increase it, that would be better, right? But stick to your commitment. If you need to be reminded, it can be considered deliberate,” Pia emphasized.
Alan added that the show is willing to help if Junell decides to take a vocational course through TESDA.
In addition to the P2,000 for a new delivery bag from the show, Tito Boy said he would contribute P9,000 for the monthly amortization of his motorcycle.
CIA with BA upholds the legacy of Senator Rene Cayetano, the father of the sibling senator-hosts. A distinguished lawyer, the senior Cayetano gained prominence through his radio and TV program ‘Compañero y Compañera,’ which aired from 1997 to 2001.
CIA with BA airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays on GTV the following Saturday at 10:30 p.m.