CIA with BA’: Is it legal to sell or give up a child on social media?

 

In the age of social media where almost anything can be bought and sold online, a viral video shocked netizens after a parent appeared to sell their own child through a post. This disturbing case became the subject of discussion in the Tanong ng Pilipino segment of Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda (CIA with BA), where Boy Abunda and the program’s legal experts weighed in on the question: is it legal to give up or even sell a child on social media?

The first issue raised was whether adoption becomes valid if announced or facilitated through a social media post.

According to Atty. Marian Cayetano, adoption only becomes legal once it goes through the proper process with government agencies. “Nagiging legal ang adoption kapag ito ay dumaan sa proseso—sa DSWD. Hindi po basta-basta pino-post lang sa social media,” she clarified.

She further explained that selling a child falls into an even more serious offense. “At ‘yun namang pagbebenta, papasok na siya sa trafficking. ‘Pag ang adoption ay may kapalit na pera, trafficking na ang tawag don,” Atty. Marian stressed.

Another concern raised by viewers was whether such a post could be considered child abuse or abandonment.

“It can be considered, kasi ‘yung child abuse includes exploitation,” said Atty. Matt Cesa. “The fact na parang pinapamigay mo na ‘yung anak mo—parang ginawa mong commodity ‘yung bata—ine-exploit mo siya.”

However, abandonment has a distinct legal definition. “For abandonment, ibang usapan kasi siya. Dapat clear na iniwan mo na ‘yung bata, sinever mo na ‘yung ties, wala ka nang intensyon na balikan siya o alagaan. Kumbaga, iniwan mo siya ng walang alternative na mag-aalaga,” he explained.

The discussion made it clear: adoption is only legal when processed through proper government channels like the DSWD, while selling a child falls under trafficking. As Atty. Matt Cesa emphasized, treating a child “parang ginawa mong commodity” is already exploitation and can be considered child abuse.

In the end, the episode served as a strong reminder that children are not possessions to be given away online but individuals whose rights and welfare must always come first.

‘CIA with BA’--led by sibling senators Alan and Pia Cayetano, together with Tito Boy–continues the advocacy of the late Sen. Rene Cayetano. The program airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on GTV.