Senate to suspend Juvenile Justice Law

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  — Sen. Francis Escudero said yesterday the Senate is set to suspend implementation of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice Law, for lack of rehabilitation facilities for youthful offenders.

“We shall suspend the law until such time that the necessary rehabilitation centers for these children are established,” he said.

Escudero arrived here over the weekend for commencement exercises of the Davao Medical School Foundation, among other engagements.

RA 9344, signed into law last July 25, 2005, is an act establishing a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system, creating a juvenile justice and welfare council under the Department of Justice.

Escudero’s amendment of the juvenile justice law shall be discussed when the Senate plenary session starts on May 9.

“Right now, we do not have the necessary facilities even up to provincial level only that would serve as rehabilitation center for these youth offenders which is an important component of the juvenile justice law,” he said.

Escudero said juvenile delinquents cannot be detained in municipal jails alongside hardened criminals as it would mean that authorities can be charged with both administrative and criminal charges.

Not all local government units can afford or have the funds for such facilities, he added.

Escudero said the young have been used in criminal activities because under the existing juvenile justice law they cannot be imprisoned.

“More often than not, the authorities release these minors due to lack of detention facilities,” he said.

“There is a need for a strong intervention program for children in conflict with the law and it is high time that we discuss the existing legislation.”