Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Kiko's office to review juvenile law, Acosta says By Grace L. Plata
THE office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, author of the much-debated Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 or Republic Act 9344, has committed to revisit the law.
This, according to Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta who had a chance to talk with Pangilinan's chief of staff in her visit to Manila last month.
"I met with Mr. Rollie Fabi, the chief of staff of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and also several others, to personally relay the feedback of the Mayor of Davao City, as well as that of other government officials and well-meaning citizens, regarding the law (RA 9244)," Acosta said.
"In turn, it is good to note that the office of the good senator is very receptive about all these reactions and gave assurance that the senator himself reiterates his personal commitment to act on the several observations from various sectors. The office of Senator Pangilinan has committed to revisit the law and is preparing the amendments to the law to make it more effective and beneficial to society as a whole," Acosta added.
Meanwhile, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the committee on peace and order, said he will be completing the committee report, which will be sent to Pangilinan's office as supporting data for a soon-to-be proposed resolution requesting the visitation of RA 9344.
Dayanghirang said that while Acosta's report is a welcome development, there is still a need to furnish Pangilinan with accurate information and statistics of youth offenders in the city since the implementation of the law. This is to back the resolution to be proposed by the committee requesting Pangilinan to revisit RA 9344.
"I am waiting for the reports from the barangay officials. I already have the police survey at hand and it showed an increase in crimes committed by the youth," Dayanghirang said.
He added that he will also try to talk with Pangilinan in person deliver the report as well as tackle the recommendations that will be formulated by the city council.
