Pangilinan: Juvenile law was already amended

CEBU, Philippines - Amid criticisms on the Juvenile Justice Law, former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, the law’s main author, explained that it has already been amended, but faces a problem on its full implementation.

Pangilinan, who is seeking for a seat in the senate in the 2016 election, is appealing to local chief executives to strongly implement the juvenile justice law.

 “As legislators, we already did our part to address the loopholes in the law. Now, the chief executives need to put their hearts and minds to it for the proper implementation of the law,” he said.

 “The law is enough and that needs to be executed and implemented properly. Common effort is also needed,” he added.

 Pangilinan said there is a problem with the executive and implementation of the law.

 “Sabi pa nga police ginagamit ng mga syndicate ang mga bata in illegal activities kay hinuhuli ang mga bata. Kaya nila ang bata tapos yung mga syndicate hindi nila kaya. Baka kasabwat sila sa sindikato kaya bata lang kaya nilang hulihin,” he said. 

 Last October 3, 2013, Pangilinan said the juvenile justice law was already amended to bridge the gap.

 Republic Act 10630 or the Act Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines amended RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

 RA 9344 was amended to ensure a more focused intervention for children involved in serious crimes, especially those who are below the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

 He said the amended law provides a comprehensive and effective intervention program aimed at curbing the involvement of children in crimes.

 The law stipulates that a child who is 15 years old or under at the time of the commission of the offense shall remain exempted from criminal liability. However, the offender shall be subjected to an intervention program of the government, unless he has acted with discernment.

 The exemption from criminal liability, however, does not include exemption from civil liability.   Pangilinan further said children in conflict with the law, who have committed serious offenses like rape, homicide, murder and involved in illegal drugs, would be involuntarily confined for not less than one year.

 “Those who do serious offenses will not be let go they will be in involuntarily confine for minimum of 1 year,” he said.

 To accommodate these children, he said local government units are mandated by law to allocate at least one percent of their annual budget for implementation of the law.

 Also, he cited that the new law also punishes drug couriers.

 “The law addresses that already. For drug courier will also be penalized, aggravating circumstance to use children,” he said.

 Pangilinan was in Cebu yesterday together with Camarines sur Representative and Liberal Party vice presidentiable bet Leni Robredo and COOP NATCCO Party List Representative Cres Paez.  (FREEMAN)