Binary report on Juvenile Law to be presented May 9

Monday, April 18, 2011

SENATOR Francis Escudero pushes for the suspension of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act pending amendments, as he is set to present a binary report on the law on May 9.

The law has been earning flak from law enforcers and local executives as it exempts all minors below 18 years of age from criminal liability.

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Escudero said it would be best if the law would be suspended because the premises for the delivery of such justice cannot be served because of lack of facilities.

The senator was reacting to Local Government Secretary Jesse Robrero's plan to ask the legislative branch to amend the law, which has been deemed to have contributed to the increasing number of crimes committed by minors.

"We will be reporting on the amendment of Juvenile Justice Law tungo sa pagsuspende ng batas since wala rin naman tayong facilities in implementing the law. Kaya kung sino man ang huhulihin, pinapakawalan dahil pagkinulong ng police yung minor kakasuhan naman sila, kawawa naman," Escudero said.

He said it would be better for the government to use the old code, which is the Child and Welfare Code of the Philippines until Congress is convinced that there are sufficient facilities at the provincial level for children in conflict with the law (CICLs).

Escudero added a strong intervention program should be in place for CICLs.

"I will bring up that hopefully sa May 9 na. Ilalahad ko yan sa mga miyembro ng senado kung saka-sakali," he said, adding this will probably cause a short debate in the Senate.