Imee: Probe child rights violations

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos has called on the House of Representatives to probe the reported sloppiness and negligence of courts in hearing the cases of youthful offenders.

In filing House Resolution No. 1164, Marcos said most lower courts have been lax in handling criminal cases against minors, in contravention of Article 3 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

"This is directly contrary to the mandate of Philippine laws and the Convention on the Rights of the Child," she said.

Marcos said reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development indicate that lower courts may have been hearing cases in a manner "virtually adverse" to youthful suspects.

Last April 1, the Supreme Court referred to the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court the cases of six youthful convicts languishing on death row at the National Penitentiary, she added.

The high tribunal ruled that youthful offenders generally cannot be meted out the death penalty, as minority is a "privileged circumstance" under Article 68 of the Revised Penal Code.

Several convicted minors are reportedly imprisoned in Camp Sampaguita at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

Under Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, shall have the best interest of the child as primary consideration. – Paolo Romero