Palma: Revisit Juvenile Law

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma believes that the increasing number of juvenile delinquents should be enough reason for the government to revisit the Juvenile Justice Law.

The prelate however is leaving the details of the amendment to the competence of the legislators.

“In or part as church leaders I believe our duty is to continue teaching people and reminding them that we have to live as peaceful as possible and address the many issues confronting us through measures like education and any other developmental process,” Palma said.

The Senate is set to deliberate the proposed amendments of the Republic Act 9344 otherwise known as the Juvenile Welfare Act. The law was authored by Senator Francis Pa-ngilinan and was signed into law by then president Gloria Arroyo in 2006.

Since its passage, the law has been blamed by most law enforcers in the rise of criminalities because crime syndicates are allegedly using minors to avoid prosecution.

This prompted Senator Vicente Sotto III to propose the amendment to the law. Sotto is proposing to reduce the age of criminal liability from 15 years old to 11 years old.

RA 9344 exempts all minors aged 15 and below from criminal liability and minors aged 16 to 18 are also exempted from criminal prosecution if they are found to have acted without discernment and modified the penalty if they did act with discernment.

Palma noted the several crime incidents in Cebu involving minors. —