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Theres Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344 There is now the compelling need to amend as soon

as possible RA9344 or the Juvenile Welfare Act. This law on the so-called minors, exempts them of criminal liabilities if they would commit criminal acts. However, based on what were happening during the past years, many minors who committed crimes for whatever were the reasons were freed from criminal liabilities by not incarcerating or punishing them. This is a strange way of considering to forgive what criminals have had committed against their fellowmen. Some crimes being committed have even involved close relatives. The freeing of minor criminals sans punishments is an act of instilling tolerance to misdeed or wrongdoings which ought to be countered with arrest and jailing of the violators, not exemption. Exempting from criminal liabilities the so-called minors who committed crimes is incurring injustice to the victims and their respective families who have been graving for the lost of their loved ones. The illogical and intolerable consideration granted by the law on favoring the minor criminals would only teach them to become abusive and spoiled brats,which,if RA 9344 would not be amended now, the injustice suffered by the victims of crimes would then reach the uncontrollable stage that may become hard to contain by the law enforcers themselves. If our legislators are really sincere in amending the above-mentioned law which would truly classify who are those considered as minors, in a real sense, then I would like to suggest that we start at 9 years old and below for both boys and girls. Matter-of-factly,my suggestion of age bracket for minors has coincided with what Congress has proposed/planned as reported by a Cebu-based and Manila-based daily. Nevertheless,in case a 9 years old would commit a crime,he/she should be subjected to sessional rehabilitation. A psychologist or social worker who has sufficient knowledge/background on therapeutic counseling should inculcate on the concerned minor/s the importance of acquiring the virtues of patience,sacrifice,industry,determination,perseverance,endurance,hope and courage. It is likewise imperative to instill in them good christian values,good manners and right conduct,and to teach them what is right and what is wrong. Our lawmakers should not dilly-dally in amending the Juvenile Welfare Act so that crimes committed by the so-called minors would not remain unabated. Enough is enough in allowing 17 years old or below guys or gals to be exempted from criminal liabilities and remain unpunished. The unjustifiable exemption is prejudicial to fair play among the victims of crimes wherein due process of law was being scrapped. The17 years olds, 16 years olds, fifteen years old down to twelve and ten years olds can already understand what they were doing, whether it is right or wrong. Much more if the parents of these aforesaid ages have inculcated Christian values as part of the families disciplines.

Hence,whenever a 17 years old and below would commit a crime for whatever reason against his/her fellowmen or against his/her own relative,he/she did it willfully as negative violent reaction with another party. Either the crime was committed to defend himself/herself or to protect his/her life; or that she/he did it because of personal grudge, heated argument,unmet demand or quarrel. The other causes might be made clear during hearings at the court where the suspects and the victims would be facing each other. So there would be no reason at all not to amend RA9344.Discipline always involves punishment to regulate and curb bad behaviors and to make the young and adults behave with modesty and prudence coupled with the parental inculcation of Good Values. (Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.)

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