kepub||c of the h|||pp|nes

Congress of the h|||pp|nes

MeLro Manlla
1h|rteenth Congress
Second kegu|ar Sess|on
8egun and held ln MeLro Manlla, on Monday, Lhe LwenLy-flfLh day of !uly, Lwo Lhousand and flve.
kepub||c Act No. 9344
AN AC1 LS1A8LISnING A CCMkLnLNSIVL IUVLNILL IUS1ICL AND WLLIAkL SS1LM, CkLA1ING 1nL IUVLNILL IUS1ICL AND WLLIAkL CCUNCIL
UNDLk 1nL DLAk1MLN1 CI IUS1ICL, AkCkIA1ING IUNDS 1nLkLICk AND ICk C1nLk UkCSLS
!" $% "&'(%") *+ %," -"&'%" '&) ./01" /2 3"45"1"&%'%$6"1 /2 %," 7,$8$44$&"1 $& 9/&:5"11 '11";*8"):
1I1LL I
GCVLkNING kINCILLS
CnA1Lk 1
1I1LL, CLIC AND DLIINI1ICN CI 1LkMS
Sect|on 1. !"#$% '(%)* +,- !.#/*0 - 1hls AcL shall be known as Lhe "Iuven||e Iust|ce and We|fare Act of 2006."lL shall cover Lhe dlfferenL sLages
lnvolvlng chlldren aL rlsk and chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law from prevenLlon Lo rehablllLaLlon and relnLegraLlon.
SLC. 2. 1*.)+$+%(#, #2 !%+%* 3#)(.40 - 1he followlng SLaLe pollcles shall be observed aL all Llmes:
(a) 1he SLaLe recognlzes Lhe vlLal role of chlldren and youLh ln naLlon bulldlng and shall promoLe and proLecL Lhelr physlcal, moral,
splrlLual, lnLellecLual and soclal well-belng. lL shall lnculcaLe ln Lhe youLh paLrloLlsm and naLlonallsm, and encourage Lhelr lnvolvemenL ln
publlc and clvlc affalrs.
(b) 1he SLaLe shall proLecL Lhe besL lnLeresLs of Lhe chlld Lhrough measures LhaL wlll ensure Lhe observance of lnLernaLlonal sLandards of
chlld proLecLlon, especlally Lhose Lo whlch Lhe hlllpplnes ls a parLy. roceedlngs before any auLhorlLy shall be conducLed ln Lhe besL
lnLeresL of Lhe chlld and ln a manner whlch allows Lhe chlld Lo parLlclpaLe and Lo express hlmself/herself freely. 1he parLlclpaLlon of
chlldren ln Lhe program and pollcy formulaLlon and lmplemenLaLlon relaLed Lo [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare shall be ensured by Lhe
concerned governmenL agency.
(c) 1he SLaLe llkewlse recognlzes Lhe rlghL of chlldren Lo asslsLance, lncludlng proper care and nuLrlLlon, and speclal proLecLlon from all
forms of neglecL, abuse, cruelLy and explolLaLlon, and oLher condlLlons pre[udlclal Lo Lhelr developmenL.
(d) ursuanL Lo ArLlcle 40 of Lhe unlLed naLlons ConvenLlon on Lhe 8lghLs of Lhe Chlld, Lhe SLaLe recognlzes Lhe rlghL of every chlld alleged
as, accused of, ad[udged, or recognlzed as havlng lnfrlnged Lhe penal law Lo be LreaLed ln a manner conslsLenL wlLh Lhe promoLlon of Lhe
chlld's sense of dlgnlLy and worLh, Laklng lnLo accounL Lhe chlld's age and deslrablllLy of promoLlng hls/her relnLegraLlon. Whenever
approprlaLe and deslrable, Lhe SLaLe shall adopL measures for deallng wlLh such chlldren wlLhouL resorLlng Lo [udlclal proceedlngs,
provldlng LhaL human rlghLs and legal safeguards are fully respecLed. lL shall ensure LhaL chlldren are dealL wlLh ln a manner approprlaLe
Lo Lhelr well-belng by provldlng for, among oLhers, a varleLy of dlsposlLlon measures such as care, guldance and supervlslon orders,
counsellng, probaLlon, fosLer care, educaLlon and vocaLlonal Lralnlng programs and oLher alLernaLlves Lo lnsLlLuLlonal care.
(e) 1he admlnlsLraLlon of Lhe [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare sysLem shall Lake lnLo conslderaLlon Lhe culLural and rellglous perspecLlves of
Lhe llllplno people, parLlcularly Lhe lndlgenous peoples and Lhe Musllms, conslsLenL wlLh Lhe proLecLlon of Lhe rlghLs of chlldren
belonglng Lo Lhese communlLles.
(f) 1he SLaLe shall apply Lhe prlnclples of resLoraLlve [usLlce ln all lLs laws, pollcles and programs appllcable Lo chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe
law.
SLC. 3. 5(6*$+) 7#,8%$9.%(#, #2 %"(8 :.%0 - ln case of doubL, Lhe lnLerpreLaLlon of any of Lhe provlslons of Lhls AcL, lncludlng lLs lmplemenLlng rules
and regulaLlons (l88s), shall be consLrued llberally ln favor of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
SLC. 4. 1*2(,(%(#, #2 '*$;80 - 1he followlng Lerms as used ln Lhls AcL shall be deflned as follows:
(a) "8all" refers Lo Lhe securlLy glven for Lhe release of Lhe person ln cusLody of Lhe law, furnlshed by hlm/her or a bondsman, Lo
guaranLee hls/her appearance before any courL. 8all may be glven ln Lhe form of corporaLe securlLy, properLy bond, cash deposlL, or
recognlzance.
(b) "8esL lnLeresL of Lhe Chlld" refers Lo Lhe LoLallLy of Lhe clrcumsLances and condlLlons whlch are mosL congenlal Lo Lhe survlval,
proLecLlon and feellngs of securlLy of Lhe chlld and mosL encouraglng Lo Lhe chlld's physlcal, psychologlcal and emoLlonal developmenL. lL
also means Lhe leasL deLrlmenLal avallable alLernaLlve for safeguardlng Lhe growLh and developmenL of Lhe chlld.
(e) "Chlld" refers Lo a person under Lhe age of elghLeen (18) years.
(d) "Chlld aL 8lsk" refers Lo a chlld who ls vulnerable Lo and aL Lhe rlsk of commlLLlng crlmlnal offenses because of personal, famlly and
soclal clrcumsLances, such as, buL noL llmlLed Lo, Lhe followlng:
(1) belng abused by any person Lhrough sexual, physlcal, psychologlcal, menLal, economlc or any oLher means and Lhe parenLs
or guardlan refuse, are unwllllng, or unable Lo provlde proLecLlon for Lhe chlld,
(2) belng explolLed lncludlng sexually or economlcally,
(3) belng abandoned or neglecLed, and afLer dlllgenL search and lnqulry, Lhe parenL or guardlan cannoL be found,
(4) comlng from a dysfuncLlonal or broken famlly or wlLhouL a parenL or guardlan,
(3) belng ouL of school,
(6) belng a sLreeLchlld,
(7) belng a member of a gang,
(8) llvlng ln a communlLy wlLh a hlgh level of crlmlnallLy or drug abuse, and
(9) llvlng ln slLuaLlons of armed confllcL.
(e) "Chlld ln ConfllcL wlLh Lhe Law" refers Lo a chlld who ls alleged as, accused of, or ad[udged as, havlng commlLLed an offense under
hlllpplne laws.
(f) "CommunlLy-based rograms" refers Lo Lhe programs provlded ln a communlLy seLLlng developed for purposes of lnLervenLlon and
dlverslon, as well as rehablllLaLlon of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, for relnLegraLlon lnLo hls/her famlly and/or communlLy.
(g) "CourL" refers Lo a famlly courL or, ln places where Lhere are no famlly courLs, any reglonal Lrlal courL.
(h) "ueprlvaLlon of LlberLy" refers Lo any form of deLenLlon or lmprlsonmenL, or Lo Lhe placemenL of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ln a
publlc or prlvaLe cusLodlal seLLlng, from whlch Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls noL permlLLed Lo leave aL wlll by order of any [udlclal or
admlnlsLraLlve auLhorlLy.
(l) "ulverslon" refers Lo an alLernaLlve, chlld-approprlaLe process of deLermlnlng Lhe responslblllLy and LreaLmenL of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh
Lhe law on Lhe basls of hls/her soclal, culLural, economlc, psychologlcal or educaLlonal background wlLhouL resorLlng Lo formal courL
proceedlngs.
([) "ulverslon rogram" refers Lo Lhe program LhaL Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls requlred Lo undergo afLer he/she ls found
responslble for an offense wlLhouL resorLlng Lo formal courL proceedlngs.
(k) "lnlLlal ConLacL WlLh-Lhe Chlld" refers Lo Lhe apprehenslon or Laklng lnLo cusLody of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law by law enforcemenL
offlcers or prlvaLe clLlzens. lL lncludes Lhe Llme when Lhe chlld alleged Lo be ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law recelves a subpoena under SecLlon
3(b) of 8ule 112 of Lhe 8evlsed 8ules of Crlmlnal rocedure or summons under SecLlon 6(a) or SecLlon 9(b) of Lhe same 8ule ln cases LhaL
do noL requlre prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon or where Lhere ls no necesslLy Lo place Lhe chlld alleged Lo be ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law under
lmmedlaLe cusLody.
(l) "lnLervenLlon" refers Lo a serles of acLlvlLles whlch are deslgned Lo address lssues LhaL caused Lhe chlld Lo commlL an offense. lL may
Lake Lhe form of an lndlvlduallzed LreaLmenL program whlch may lnclude counsellng, skllls Lralnlng, educaLlon, and oLher acLlvlLles LhaL
wlll enhance hls/her psychologlcal, emoLlonal and psycho-soclal well-belng.
(m) "!uvenlle !usLlce and Welfare SysLem" refers Lo a sysLem deallng wlLh chlldren aL rlsk and chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, whlch
provldes chlld-approprlaLe proceedlngs, lncludlng programs and servlces for prevenLlon, dlverslon, rehablllLaLlon, re-lnLegraLlon and
afLercare Lo ensure Lhelr normal growLh and developmenL.
(n) "Law LnforcemenL Cfflcer" refers Lo Lhe person ln auLhorlLy or hls/her agenL as deflned ln ArLlcle 132 of Lhe 8evlsed enal Code,
lncludlng a barangay Lanod.
(0) "Cffense" refers Lo any acL or omlsslon wheLher punlshable under speclal laws or Lhe 8evlsed enal Code, as amended.
(p) "8ecognlzance" refers Lo an underLaklng ln lleu of a bond assumed by a parenL or cusLodlan who shall be responslble for Lhe
appearance ln courL of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, when requlred.
(q) "8esLoraLlve !usLlce" refers Lo a prlnclple whlch requlres a process of resolvlng confllcLs wlLh Lhe maxlmum lnvolvemenL of Lhe vlcLlm,
Lhe offender and Lhe communlLy. lL seeks Lo obLaln reparaLlon for Lhe vlcLlm, reconclllaLlon of Lhe offender, Lhe offended and Lhe
communlLy, and reassurance Lo Lhe offender LhaL he/she can be relnLegraLed lnLo socleLy. lL also enhances publlc safeLy by acLlvaLlng Lhe
offender, Lhe vlcLlm and Lhe communlLy ln prevenLlon sLraLegles.
(r) "SLaLus Cffenses" refers Lo offenses whlch dlscrlmlnaLe only agalnsL a chlld, whlle an adulL does noL suffer any penalLy for commlLLlng
slmllar acLs. 1hese shall lnclude curfew vlolaLlons, Lruancy, parenLal dlsobedlence and Lhe llke.
(s) "?ouLh ueLenLlon Pome" refers Lo a 24-hour chlld-carlng lnsLlLuLlon managed by accredlLed local governmenL unlLs (LCus) and
llcensed and/or accredlLed nongovernmenL organlzaLlons (nCCs) provldlng shorL-Lerm resldenLlal care for chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe
law who are awalLlng courL dlsposlLlon of Lhelr cases or Lransfer Lo oLher agencles or [urlsdlcLlon.
(L) "?ouLh 8ehablllLaLlon CenLer" refers Lo a 24-hour resldenLlal care faclllLy managed by Lhe ueparLmenL of Soclal Welfare and
uevelopmenL (uSWu), LCus, llcensed and/or accredlLed nCCs monlLored by Lhe uSWu, whlch provldes care, LreaLmenL and
rehablllLaLlon servlces for chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. 8ehablllLaLlon servlces are provlded under Lhe guldance of a Lralned sLaff
where resldenLs are cared for under a sLrucLured LherapeuLlc envlronmenL wlLh Lhe end vlew of relnLegraLlng Lhem lnLo Lhelr famllles and
communlLles as soclally funcLlonlng lndlvlduals. hyslcal moblllLy of resldenLs of sald cenLers may be resLrlcLed pendlng courL dlsposlLlon
of Lhe charges agalnsL Lhem.
(u) "vlcLlmless Crlmes" refers Lo offenses where Lhere ls no prlvaLe offended parLy.
CnA1Lk 2
kINCILLS IN 1nL ADMINIS1kA1ICN CI IUVLNILL IUS1ICL AND WLLIAkL
SLC. S. <(="%8 #2 %"* 7"()- (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - Lvery chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall have Lhe followlng rlghLs, lncludlng buL noL llmlLed Lo:
(a) Lhe rlghL noL Lo be sub[ecLed Lo LorLure or oLher cruel, lnhuman or degradlng LreaLmenL or punlshmenL,
(b) Lhe rlghL noL Lo be lmposed a senLence of caplLal punlshmenL or llfe lmprlsonmenL, wlLhouL Lhe posslblllLy of release,
(c) Lhe rlghL noL Lo be deprlved, unlawfully or arblLrarlly, of hls/her llberLy, deLenLlon or lmprlsonmenL belng a dlsposlLlon of lasL resorL,
and whlch shall be for Lhe shorLesL approprlaLe perlod of Llme,
(d) Lhe rlghL Lo be LreaLed wlLh humanlLy and respecL, for Lhe lnherenL dlgnlLy of Lhe person, and ln a manner whlch Lakes lnLo accounL
Lhe needs of a person of hls/her age. ln parLlcular, a chlld deprlved of llberLy shall be separaLed from adulL offenders aL all Llmes. no chlld
shall be deLalned LogeLher wlLh adulL offenders. Pe/She shall be conveyed separaLely Lo or from courL. Pe/She shall awalL hearlng of
hls/her own case ln a separaLe holdlng area. A chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall have Lhe rlghL Lo malnLaln conLacL wlLh hls/her famlly
Lhrough correspondence and vlslLs, save ln excepLlonal clrcumsLances,
(e) Lhe rlghL Lo prompL access Lo legal and oLher approprlaLe asslsLance, as well as Lhe rlghL Lo challenge Lhe legallLy of Lhe deprlvaLlon of
hls/her llberLy before a courL or oLher compeLenL, lndependenL and lmparLlal auLhorlLy, and Lo a prompL declslon on such acLlon,
(f) Lhe rlghL Lo ball and recognlzance, ln approprlaLe cases,
(g) Lhe rlghL Lo LesLlfy as a wlLness ln hld/her own behalf under Lhe rule on examlnaLlon of a chlld wlLness,
(h) Lhe rlghL Lo have hls/her prlvacy respecLed fully aL all sLages of Lhe proceedlngs,
(l) Lhe rlghL Lo dlverslon lf he/she ls quallfled and volunLarlly avalls of Lhe same,
([) Lhe rlghL Lo be lmposed a [udgmenL ln proporLlon Lo Lhe gravlLy of Lhe offense where hls/her besL lnLeresL, Lhe rlghLs of Lhe vlcLlm and
Lhe needs of socleLy are all Laken lnLo conslderaLlon by Lhe courL, under Lhe prlnclple of resLoraLlve [usLlce,
(k) Lhe rlghL Lo have resLrlcLlons on hls/her personal llberLy llmlLed Lo Lhe mlnlmum, and where dlscreLlon ls glven by law Lo Lhe [udge Lo
deLermlne wheLher Lo lmpose flne or lmprlsonmenL, Lhe lmposlLlon of flne belng preferred as Lhe more approprlaLe penalLy,
(l) ln general, Lhe rlghL Lo auLomaLlc suspenslon of senLence,
(m) Lhe rlghL Lo probaLlon as an alLernaLlve Lo lmprlsonmenL, lf quallfled under Lhe robaLlon Law,
(n) Lhe rlghL Lo be free from llablllLy for per[ury, concealmenL or mlsrepresenLaLlon, and
(o) oLher rlghLs as provlded for under exlsLlng laws, rules and regulaLlons.
1he SLaLe furLher adopLs Lhe provlslons of Lhe unlLed naLlons SLandard Mlnlmum 8ules for Lhe AdmlnlsLraLlon of !uvenlle !usLlce or "8el[lng 8ules",
unlLed naLlons Culdellnes for Lhe revenLlon of !uvenlle uellnquency or Lhe "8lyadh Culdellnes", and Lhe unlLed naLlons 8ules for Lhe roLecLlon of
!uvenlles ueprlved of LlberLy.
SLC. 6. ?(,(;9; :=* #2 7$(;(,+) <*8/#,8(6()(%40 - A chlld flfLeen (13) years of age or under aL Lhe Llme of Lhe commlsslon of Lhe offense shall be
exempL from crlmlnal llablllLy. Powever, Lhe chlld shall be sub[ecLed Lo an lnLervenLlon program pursuanL Lo SecLlon 20 of Lhls AcL.
A chlld above flfLeen (13) years buL below elghLeen (18) years of age shall llkewlse be exempL from crlmlnal llablllLy and be sub[ecLed Lo an
lnLervenLlon program, unless he/she has acLed wlLh dlscernmenL, ln whlch case, such chlld shall be sub[ecLed Lo Lhe approprlaLe proceedlngs ln
accordance wlLh Lhls AcL.
1he exempLlon from crlmlnal llablllLy hereln esLabllshed does noL lnclude exempLlon from clvll llablllLy, whlch shall be enforced ln accordance wlLh
exlsLlng laws.
SLC. 7. 1*%*$;(,+%(#, #2:=*0 - 1he chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall en[oy Lhe presumpLlon of mlnorlLy. Pe/She shall en[oy all Lhe rlghLs of a chlld
ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law unLll he/she ls proven Lo be elghLeen (18) years old or older. 1he age of a chlld may be deLermlned from Lhe chlld's blrLh
cerLlflcaLe, bapLlsmal cerLlflcaLe or any oLher perLlnenL documenLs. ln Lhe absence of Lhese documenLs, age may be based on lnformaLlon from Lhe
chlld hlmself/herself, LesLlmonles of oLher persons, Lhe physlcal appearance of Lhe chlld and oLher relevanL evldence. ln case of doubL as Lo Lhe age
of Lhe chlld, lL shall be resolved ln hls/her favor.
Any person conLesLlng Lhe age of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law prlor Lo Lhe flllng of Lhe lnformaLlon ln any approprlaLe courL may flle a case ln a
summary proceedlng for Lhe deLermlnaLlon of age before Lhe lamlly CourL whlch shall declde Lhe case wlLhln LwenLy-four (24) hours from recelpL
of Lhe approprlaLe pleadlngs of all lnLeresLed parLles.
lf a case has been flled agalnsL Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law and ls pendlng ln Lhe approprlaLe courL, Lhe person shall flle a moLlon Lo deLermlne
Lhe age of Lhe chlld ln Lhe same courL where Lhe case ls pendlng. endlng hearlng on Lhe sald moLlon, proceedlngs on Lhe maln case shall be
suspended.
ln all proceedlngs, law enforcemenL offlcers, prosecuLors, [udges and oLher governmenL offlclals concerned shall exerL all efforLs aL deLermlnlng Lhe
age of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.


1I1LL II
S1kUC1UkLS IN 1nL ADMINIS1kA1ICN CI IUVLNILL IUS1ICL AND WLLIAkL
SLC. 8. @9A*,()* @98%(.* +,- B*)2+$* 7#9,.() C@@B7D0 - A !uvenlle !usLlce and Welfare Councll (!!WC) ls hereby creaLed and aLLached Lo Lhe
ueparLmenL of !usLlce and placed under lLs admlnlsLraLlve supervlslon. 1he !!WC shall be chalred by an undersecreLary of Lhe ueparLmenL of Soclal
Welfare and uevelopmenL. lL shall ensure Lhe effecLlve lmplemenLaLlon of Lhls AcL and coordlnaLlon among Lhe followlng agencles:
(a) Councll for Lhe Welfare of Chlldren (CWC),
(b) ueparLmenL of LducaLlon (uepLd),
(c) ueparLmenL of Lhe lnLerlor and Local CovernmenL (ulLC),
(d) ubllc ALLorney's Cfflce (AC),
(e) 8ureau of CorrecLlons (8uCC8),
(f) arole and robaLlon AdmlnlsLraLlon (A)
(g) naLlonal 8ureau of lnvesLlgaLlon (n8l),
(h) hlllpplne naLlonal ollce (n),.
(l) 8ureau of !all ManagemenL and enology (8!M),
(l) Commlsslon on Puman 8lghLs (CP8),
(k) 1echnlcal LducaLlon and Skllls uevelopmenL AuLhorlLy (1LSuA),
(l) naLlonal ?ouLh Commlsslon (n?C), and
(m) CLher lnsLlLuLlons focused on [uvenlle [usLlce and lnLervenLlon programs.
1he !!WC shall be composed of represenLaLlves, whose ranks shall noL be lower Lhan dlrecLor, Lo be deslgnaLed by Lhe concerned heads of Lhe
followlng deparLmenLs or agencles:
(a) ueparLmenL of !usLlce (uC!),
(b) ueparLmenL of Soclal Welfare and uevelopmenL (uSWu),
(c) Councll for Lhe Welfare of Chlldren (CWC)
(d) ueparLmenL of LducaLlon (uepLd),
(e) ueparLmenL of Lhe lnLerlor and Local CovernmenL (ulLC)
(f) Commlsslon on Puman 8lghLs (CP8),
(g) naLlonal ?ouLh Commlsslon (n?C), and
(h) 1wo (2) represenLaLlves from nCCs, one Lo be deslgnaLed by Lhe SecreLary of !usLlce and Lhe oLher Lo be deslgnaLed by Lhe SecreLary
of Soclal Welfare and uevelopmenL.
1he !!WC shall convene wlLhln flfLeen (13) days from Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL. 1he SecreLary of !usLlce and Lhe SecreLary of Soclal Welfare and
uevelopmenL shall deLermlne Lhe organlzaLlonal sLrucLure and sLafflng paLLern of Lhe !!WC.
1he !!WC shall coordlnaLe wlLh Lhe Cfflce of Lhe CourL AdmlnlsLraLor and Lhe hlllpplne !udlclal Academy Lo ensure Lhe reallzaLlon of lLs mandaLe
and Lhe proper dlscharge of lLs duLles and funcLlons, as hereln provlded.
SLC. 9. 19%(*8 +,- E9,.%(#,8 #2 %"* @@B70 - 1he !!WC shall have Lhe followlng duLles and funcLlons:
(a) 1o oversee Lhe lmplemenLaLlon of Lhls AcL,
(b) 1o advlse Lhe resldenL on all maLLers and pollcles relaLlng Lo [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare,
(c) 1o asslsL Lhe concerned agencles ln Lhe revlew and redrafLlng of exlsLlng pollcles/regulaLlons or ln Lhe formulaLlon of new ones ln llne
wlLh Lhe provlslons of Lhls AcL,
(d) 1o perlodlcally develop a comprehenslve 3 Lo 3-year naLlonal [uvenlle lnLervenLlon program, wlLh Lhe parLlclpaLlon of governmenL
agencles concerned, nCCs and youLh organlzaLlons,
(e) 1o coordlnaLe Lhe lmplemenLaLlon of Lhe [uvenlle lnLervenLlon programs and acLlvlLles by naLlonal governmenL agencles and oLher
acLlvlLles whlch may have an lmporLanL bearlng on Lhe success of Lhe enLlre naLlonal [uvenlle lnLervenLlon program. All programs relaLlng
Lo [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare shall be adopLed ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe !!WC,
(f) 1o formulaLe and recommend pollcles and sLraLegles ln consulLaLlon wlLh chlldren for Lhe prevenLlon of [uvenlle dellnquency and Lhe
admlnlsLraLlon of [usLlce, as well as for Lhe LreaLmenL and rehablllLaLlon of Lhe chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law,
(g) 1o collecL relevanL lnformaLlon and conducL conLlnulng research and supporL evaluaLlons and sLudles on all maLLers relaLlng Lo
[uvenlle [usLlce and welfare, such as buL noL llmlLed Lo:
(1) Lhe performance and resulLs achleved by [uvenlle lnLervenLlon programs and by acLlvlLles of Lhe local governmenL unlLs and
oLher governmenL agencles,
(2) Lhe perlodlc Lrends, problems and causes of [uvenlle dellnquency and crlmes, and
(3) Lhe parLlcular needs of chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ln cusLody.
1he daLa gaLhered shall be used by Lhe !!WC ln Lhe lmprovemenL of Lhe admlnlsLraLlon of [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare sysLem.
1he !!WC shall seL up a mechanlsm Lo ensure LhaL chlldren are lnvolved ln research and pollcy developmenL.
(h) 1hrough duly deslgnaLed persons and wlLh Lhe asslsLance of Lhe agencles provlded ln Lhe precedlng secLlon, Lo conducL regular
lnspecLlons ln deLenLlon and rehablllLaLlon faclllLles and Lo underLake spoL lnspecLlons on Lhelr own lnlLlaLlve ln order Lo check
compllance wlLh Lhe sLandards provlded hereln and Lo make Lhe necessary recommendaLlons Lo approprlaLe agencles,
(l) 1o lnlLlaLe and coordlnaLe Lhe conducL of Lralnlngs for Lhe personnel of Lhe agencles lnvolved ln Lhe admlnlsLraLlon of Lhe [uvenlle
[usLlce and welfare sysLem and Lhe [uvenlle lnLervenLlon program,
([) 1o submlL an annual reporL Lo Lhe resldenL on Lhe lmplemenLaLlon of Lhls AcL, and
(k) 1o perform such oLher funcLlons as may be necessary Lo lmplemenL Lhe provlslons of Lhls AcL.
SLC. 10. 3#)(.(*8 +,- 3$#.*-9$*8 #, @9A*,()* @98%(.* +,- B*)2+$*0 - All governmenL agencles enumeraLed ln SecLlon 8 shall, wlLh Lhe asslsLance of
Lhe !!WC and wlLhln one (1) year from Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL, drafL pollcles and procedures conslsLenL wlLh Lhe sLandards seL ln Lhe law. 1hese
pollcles and procedures shall be modlfled accordlngly ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe !!WC upon Lhe compleLlon of Lhe naLlonal [uvenlle lnLervenLlon
program as provlded under SecLlon 9 (d).
SLC. 11. 7"()- <(="%8 7*,%*$ C7<7D0 - 1he exlsLlng Chlld 8lghLs CenLer of Lhe Commlsslon on Puman 8lghLs shall ensure LhaL Lhe sLaLus, rlghLs and
lnLeresLs of chlldren are upheld ln accordance wlLh Lhe ConsLlLuLlon and lnLernaLlonal lnsLrumenLs on human rlghLs. 1he CP8 shall sLrengLhen Lhe
monlLorlng of governmenL compllance of all LreaLy obllgaLlons, lncludlng Lhe Llmely and regular submlsslon of reporLs before Lhe LreaLy bodles, as
well as Lhe lmplemenLaLlon and dlssemlnaLlon of recommendaLlons and concluslons by governmenL agencles as well as nCCs and clvll socleLy.


1I1LL III
kLVLN1ICN CI IUVLNILL DLLINULNC
CnA1Lk 1
1nL kCLL CI 1nL DIIILkLN1 SLC1CkS
SLC. 12. '"* E+;()40 - 1he famlly shall be responslble for Lhe prlmary nurLurlng and rearlng of chlldren whlch ls crlLlcal ln dellnquency prevenLlon.
As far as pracLlcable and ln accordance wlLh Lhe procedures of Lhls AcL, a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall be malnLalned ln hls/her famlly.
SLC. 13. '"* F-9.+%(#,+) !48%*;0 - LducaLlonal lnsLlLuLlons shall work LogeLher wlLh famllles, communlLy organlzaLlons and agencles ln Lhe
prevenLlon of [uvenlle dellnquency and ln Lhe rehablllLaLlon and relnLegraLlon of chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. Schools shall provlde adequaLe,
necessary and lndlvlduallzed educaLlonal schemes for chlldren manlfesLlng dlfflculL behavlor and chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. ln cases where
chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law are Laken lnLo cusLody or deLalned ln rehablllLaLlon cenLers, Lhey should be provlded Lhe opporLunlLy Lo conLlnue
learnlng under an alLernaLlve learnlng sysLem wlLh baslc llLeracy program or non- formal educaLlon accredlLaLlon equlvalency sysLem.
SLC. 14. '"* <#)* #2 %"* ?+88 ?*-(+0 - 1he mass medla shall play an acLlve role ln Lhe promoLlon of chlld rlghLs, and dellnquency prevenLlon by
relaylng conslsLenL messages Lhrough a balanced approach. Medla pracLlLloners shall, Lherefore, have Lhe duLy Lo malnLaln Lhe hlghesL crlLlcal and
professlonal sLandards ln reporLlng and coverlng cases of chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. ln all publlclLy concernlng chlldren, Lhe besL lnLeresL of
Lhe chlld should be Lhe prlmordlal and paramounL concern. Any undue, lnapproprlaLe and sensaLlonallzed publlclLy of any case lnvolvlng a chlld ln
confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls hereby declared a vlolaLlon of Lhe chlld's rlghLs.
SLC. 1S. F8%+6)(8";*,% +,- !%$*,=%"*,(,= #2 5#.+) 7#9,.()8 2#$ %"* 3$#%*.%(#, #2 7"()-$*,0 - Local Counclls for Lhe roLecLlon of Chlldren (LCC)
shall be esLabllshed ln all levels of local governmenL, and where Lhey have already been esLabllshed, Lhey shall be sLrengLhened wlLhln one (1) year
from Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL. Membershlp ln Lhe LCC shall be chosen from among Lhe responslble members of Lhe communlLy, lncludlng a
represenLaLlve from Lhe youLh secLor, as well as represenLaLlves from governmenL and prlvaLe agencles concerned wlLh Lhe welfare of chlldren.
1he local councll shall serve as Lhe prlmary agency Lo coordlnaLe wlLh and asslsL Lhe LCu concerned for Lhe adopLlon of a comprehenslve plan on
dellnquency prevenLlon, and Lo oversee lLs proper lmplemenLaLlon.
Cne percenL (1) of Lhe lnLernal revenue alloLmenL of barangays, munlclpallLles and clLles shall be allocaLed for Lhe sLrengLhenlng and
lmplemenLaLlon of Lhe programs of Lhe LCC: rovlded, 1haL Lhe dlsbursemenL of Lhe fund shall be made by Lhe LCu concerned.
SLC. 16. ://#(,%;*,% #2 5#.+) !#.(+) B*)2+$* +,- 1*A*)#/;*,% G22(.*$0 - All LCus shall appolnL a duly llcensed soclal worker as lLs local soclal
welfare and developmenL offlcer Lasked Lo asslsL chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
SLC. 17. '"* !+,==9,(+,= H+6+%++,0 - 1he Sanggunlang kabaLaan (Sk) shall coordlnaLe wlLh Lhe LCC ln Lhe formulaLlon and lmplemenLaLlon of
[uvenlle lnLervenLlon and dlverslon programs ln Lhe communlLy.
CnA1Lk 2
CCMkLnLNSIVL IUVLNILL IN1LkVLN1ICN kCGkAM
SLC. 18. 1*A*)#/;*,% #2 + 7#;/$*"*,8(A* @9A*,()* I,%*$A*,%(#, 3$#=$+;0 - A Comprehenslve [uvenlle lnLervenLlon program coverlng aL leasL a
3-year perlod shall be lnsLlLuLed ln LCus from Lhe barangay Lo Lhe provlnclal level.
1he LCus shall seL aslde an amounL necessary Lo lmplemenL Lhelr respecLlve [uvenlle lnLervenLlon programs ln Lhelr annual budgeL.
1he LCus, ln coordlnaLlon wlLh Lhe LCC, shall call on all secLors concerned, parLlcularly Lhe chlld-focused lnsLlLuLlons, nCCs, people's organlzaLlons,
educaLlonal lnsLlLuLlons and governmenL agencles lnvolved ln dellnquency prevenLlon Lo parLlclpaLe ln Lhe plannlng process and lmplemenLaLlon of
[uvenlle lnLervenLlon programs. Such programs shall be lmplemenLed conslsLenL wlLh Lhe naLlonal program formulaLed and deslgned by Lhe !!WC.
1he lmplemenLaLlon of Lhe comprehenslve [uvenlle lnLervenLlon program shall be revlewed and assessed annually by Lhe LCus ln coordlnaLlon wlLh
Lhe LCC. 8esulLs of Lhe assessmenL shall be submlLLed by Lhe provlnclal and clLy governmenLs Lo Lhe !!WC noL laLer Lhan March 30 of every year.
SLC. 19. 7#;;9,(%4J6+8*- 3$#=$+;8 #, @9A*,()* @98%(.* +,- B*)2+$*0 - CommunlLy-based programs on [uvenlle [usLlce and welfare shall be
lnsLlLuLed by Lhe LCus Lhrough Lhe LCC, school, youLh organlzaLlons and oLher concerned agencles. 1he LCus shall provlde communlLy-based
servlces whlch respond Lo Lhe speclal needs, problems, lnLeresLs and concerns of chlldren and whlch offer approprlaLe counsellng and guldance Lo
Lhem and Lhelr famllles. 1hese programs shall conslsL of Lhree levels:
(a) rlmary lnLervenLlon lncludes general measures Lo promoLe soclal [usLlce and equal opporLunlLy, whlch Lackle percelved rooL causes
of offendlng,
(b) Secondary lnLervenLlon lncludes measures Lo asslsL chlldren aL rlsk, and
(c) 1erLlary lnLervenLlon lncludes measures Lo avold unnecessary conLacL wlLh Lhe formal [usLlce sysLem and oLher measures Lo prevenL
re-offendlng.


1I1LL IV
1kLA1MLN1 CI CnILDkLN 8LLCW 1nL AGL CI CkIMINAL kLSCNSI8ILI1
SLC. 20. 7"()-$*, K*)#> %"* :=* #2 7$(;(,+) <*8/#,8(6()(%40 - lf lL has been deLermlned LhaL Lhe chlld Laken lnLo cusLody ls flfLeen (13) years old or
below, Lhe auLhorlLy whlch wlll have an lnlLlal conLacL wlLh Lhe chlld has Lhe duLy Lo lmmedlaLely release Lhe chlld Lo Lhe cusLody of hls/her parenLs
or guardlan, or ln Lhe absence Lhereof, Lhe chlld's nearesL relaLlve. Sald auLhorlLy shall glve noLlce Lo Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL
offlcer who wlll deLermlne Lhe approprlaLe programs ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe chlld and Lo Lhe person havlng cusLody over Lhe chlld. lf Lhe parenLs,
guardlans or nearesL relaLlves cannoL be locaLed, or lf Lhey refuse Lo Lake cusLody, Lhe chlld may be released Lo any of Lhe followlng: a duly
reglsLered nongovernmenLal or rellglous organlzaLlon, a barangay offlclal or a member of Lhe 8arangay Councll for Lhe roLecLlon of Chlldren
(8CC), a local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer, or when and where approprlaLe, Lhe uSWu. lf Lhe chlld referred Lo hereln has been found
by Lhe Local Soclal Welfare and uevelopmenL Cfflce Lo be abandoned, neglecLed or abused by hls parenLs, or ln Lhe evenL LhaL Lhe parenLs wlll noL
comply wlLh Lhe prevenLlon program, Lhe proper peLlLlon for lnvolunLary commlLmenL shall be flled by Lhe uSWu or Lhe Local Soclal Welfare and
uevelopmenL Cfflce pursuanL Lo resldenLlal uecree no. 603, oLherwlse ,known as "1he Chlld and ?ouLh Welfare Code".
1I1LL V
IUVLNILL IUS1ICL AND WLLIAkL SS1LM
CnA1Lk I
INI1IAL CCN1AC1 WI1n 1nL CnILD
SLC. 21. 3$#.*-9$* 2#$ '+L(,= %"* 7"()- (,%# 798%#-40 - lrom Lhe momenL a chlld ls Laken lnLo cusLody, Lhe law enforcemenL offlcer shall:
(a) Lxplaln Lo Lhe chlld ln slmple language and ln a dlalecL LhaL he/she can undersLand why he/she ls belng placed under cusLody and Lhe
offense LhaL he/she allegedly commlLLed,
(b) lnform Lhe chlld of Lhe reason for such cusLody and advlse Lhe chlld of hls/her consLlLuLlonal rlghLs ln a language or dlalecL undersLood
by hlm/her,
(e) roperly ldenLlfy hlmself/herself and presenL proper ldenLlflcaLlon Lo Lhe chlld,
(d) 8efraln from uslng vulgar or profane words and from sexually harasslng or abuslng, or maklng sexual advances on Lhe chlld ln confllcL
wlLh Lhe law,
(e) Avold dlsplaylng or uslng any flrearm, weapon, handcuffs or oLher lnsLrumenLs of force or resLralnL, unless absoluLely necessary and
only afLer all oLher meLhods of conLrol have been exhausLed and have falled,
(f) 8efraln from sub[ecLlng Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law Lo greaLer resLralnL Lhan ls necessary for hls/her apprehenslon,
(g) Avold vlolence or unnecessary force,
(h) ueLermlne Lhe age of Lhe chlld pursuanL Lo SecLlon 7 of Lhls AcL,
(l) lmmedlaLely buL noL laLer Lhan elghL (8) hours afLer apprehenslon, Lurn over cusLody of Lhe chlld Lo Lhe Soclal Welfare and
uevelopmenL Cfflce or oLher accredlLed nCCs, and noLlfy Lhe chlld's apprehenslon. 1he soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer shall
explaln Lo Lhe chlld and Lhe chlld's parenLs/guardlans Lhe consequences of Lhe chlld's acL wlLh a vlew Lowards counsellng and
rehablllLaLlon, dlverslon from Lhe crlmlnal [usLlce sysLem, and reparaLlon, lf approprlaLe,
([) 1ake Lhe chlld lmmedlaLely Lo Lhe proper medlcal and healLh offlcer for a Lhorough physlcal and menLal examlnaLlon. 1he examlnaLlon
resulLs shall be kepL confldenLlal unless oLherwlse ordered by Lhe lamlly CourL. Whenever Lhe medlcal LreaLmenL ls requlred, sLeps shall
be lmmedlaLely underLaken Lo provlde Lhe same,
(k) Lnsure LhaL should deLenLlon of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law be necessary, Lhe chlld shall be secured ln quarLers separaLe from
LhaL of Lhe opposlLe sex and adulL offenders,
(l) 8ecord Lhe followlng ln Lhe lnlLlal lnvesLlgaLlon:
1. WheLher handcuffs or oLher lnsLrumenLs of resLralnL were used, and lf so, Lhe reason for such,
2. 1haL Lhe parenLs or guardlan of a chlld, Lhe uSWu, and Lhe A0 have been lnformed of Lhe apprehenslon and Lhe deLalls
Lhereof, and
3. 1he exhausLlon of measures Lo deLermlne Lhe age of a chlld and Lhe preclse deLalls of Lhe physlcal and medlcal examlnaLlon
or Lhe fallure Lo submlL a chlld Lo such examlnaLlon, and
(m) Lnsure LhaL all sLaLemenLs slgned by Lhe chlld durlng lnvesLlgaLlon shall be wlLnessed by Lhe chlld's parenLs or guardlan, soclal worker,
or legal counsel ln aLLendance who shall afflx hls/her slgnaLure Lo Lhe sald sLaLemenL.
A chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall only be searched by a law enforcemenL offlcer of Lhe same gender and shall noL be locked up ln a deLenLlon
cell.
SLC. 22. 19%(*8 19$(,= I,(%(+) I,A*8%(=+%(#,0 - 1he law enforcemenL offlcer shall, ln hls/her lnvesLlgaLlon, deLermlne where Lhe case lnvolvlng Lhe
chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law should be referred.
1he Laklng of Lhe sLaLemenL of Lhe chlld shall be conducLed ln Lhe presence of Lhe followlng: (1) chlld's counsel of cholce or ln Lhe absence Lhereof,
a lawyer from Lhe ubllc ALLorney's Cfflce, (2) Lhe chlld's parenLs, guardlan, or nearesL relaLlve, as Lhe case may be, and (3) Lhe local soclal welfare
and developmenL offlcer. ln Lhe absence of Lhe chlld's parenLs, guardlan, or nearesL relaLlve, and Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer,
Lhe lnvesLlgaLlon shall be conducLed ln Lhe presence of a represenLaLlve of an nCC, rellglous group, or member of Lhe 8CC.
AfLer Lhe lnlLlal lnvesLlgaLlon, Lhe local soclal worker conducLlng Lhe same may do elLher of Lhe followlng:
(a) roceed ln accordance wlLh SecLlon 20 lf Lhe chlld ls flfLeen (13) years or below or above flfLeen (13) buL below elghLeen (18) years old,
who acLed wlLhouL dlscernmenL, and
(b) lf Lhe chlld ls above flfLeen (13) years old buL below elghLeen (18) and who acLed wlLh dlscernmenL, proceed Lo dlverslon under Lhe
followlng chapLer.
CnA1Lk 2
DIVLkSICN
SLC. 23. !48%*; #2 1(A*$8(#,0 - Chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall undergo dlverslon programs wlLhouL undergolng courL proceedlngs sub[ecL Lo
Lhe condlLlons hereln provlded:
(a) Where Lhe lmposable penalLy for Lhe crlme commlLLee ls noL more Lhan slx (6) years lmprlsonmenL, Lhe law enforcemenL offlcer or
unong 8arangay wlLh Lhe asslsLance of Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer or oLher members of Lhe LCC shall conducL
medlaLlon, famlly conferenclng and conclllaLlon and, where approprlaLe, adopL lndlgenous modes of confllcL resoluLlon ln accordance
wlLh Lhe besL lnLeresL of Lhe chlld wlLh a vlew Lo accompllshlng Lhe ob[ecLlves of resLoraLlve [usLlce and Lhe formulaLlon of a dlverslon
program. 1he chlld and hls/her famlly shall be presenL ln Lhese acLlvlLles.
(b) ln vlcLlmless crlmes where Lhe lmposable penalLy ls noL more Lhan slx (6) years lmprlsonmenL, Lhe local soclal welfare and
developmenL offlcer shall meeL wlLh Lhe chlld and hls/her parenLs or guardlans for Lhe developmenL of Lhe approprlaLe dlverslon and
rehablllLaLlon program, ln coordlnaLlon wlLh Lhe 8CC,
(c) Where Lhe lmposable penalLy for Lhe crlme commlLLed exceeds slx (6) years lmprlsonmenL, dlverslon measures may be resorLed Lo
only by Lhe courL.
SLC. 24. !%+=*8 B"*$* 1(A*$8(#, ?+4 6* 7#,-9.%*-0 - ulverslon may be conducLed aL Lhe kaLarungang ambarangay, Lhe pollce lnvesLlgaLlon or
Lhe lnquesL or prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon sLage and aL all 1evels and phases of Lhe proceedlngs lncludlng [udlclal level.
SLC. 2S. 7#,2*$*,.(,=M ?*-(+%(#, +,- 7#,.()(+%(#,0 - A chlld ln confllcL wlLh law may undergo conferenclng, medlaLlon or conclllaLlon ouLslde Lhe
crlmlnal [usLlce sysLem or prlor Lo hls enLry lnLo sald sysLem. A conLracL of dlverslon may be enLered lnLo durlng such conferenclng, medlaLlon or
conclllaLlon proceedlngs.
SLC. 26. 7#,%$+.% #2 1(A*$8(#,0 - lf durlng Lhe conferenclng, medlaLlon or conclllaLlon, Lhe chlld volunLarlly admlLs Lhe commlsslon of Lhe acL, a
dlverslon program shall be developed when approprlaLe and deslrable as deLermlned under SecLlon 30. Such admlsslon shall noL be used agalnsL
Lhe chlld ln any subsequenL [udlclal, quasl-[udlclal or admlnlsLraLlve proceedlngs. 1he dlverslon program shall be effecLlve and blndlng lf accepLed
by Lhe parLles concerned. 1he accepLance shall be ln wrlLlng and slgned by Lhe parLles concerned and Lhe approprlaLe auLhorlLles. 1he local soclal
welfare and developmenL offlcer shall supervlse Lhe lmplemenLaLlon of Lhe dlverslon program. 1he dlverslon proceedlngs shall be compleLed wlLhln
forLy-flve (43) days. 1he perlod of prescrlpLlon of Lhe offense shall be suspended unLll Lhe compleLlon of Lhe dlverslon proceedlngs buL noL Lo
exceed forLy-flve (43) days.
1he chlld shall presenL hlmself/herself Lo Lhe compeLenL auLhorlLles LhaL lmposed Lhe dlverslon program aL leasL once a monLh for reporLlng and
evaluaLlon of Lhe effecLlveness of Lhe program.
lallure Lo comply wlLh Lhe Lerms and condlLlons of Lhe conLracL of dlverslon, as cerLlfled by Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer, shall
glve Lhe offended parLy Lhe opLlon Lo lnsLlLuLe Lhe approprlaLe legal acLlon.
1he perlod of prescrlpLlon of Lhe offense shall be suspended durlng Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhe dlverslon program, buL noL exceedlng a perlod of Lwo (2)
years.
SLC. 27. 19%4 #2 %"* 39,#,= K+$+,=+4 B"*, '"*$* (8 N# 1(A*$8(#,0 - lf Lhe offense does noL fall under SecLlon 23(a) and (b), or lf Lhe chlld, hls/her
parenLs or guardlan does noL consenL Lo a dlverslon, Lhe unong 8arangay handllng Lhe case shall, wlLhln Lhree (3) days from deLermlnaLlon of Lhe
absence of [urlsdlcLlon over Lhe case or LermlnaLlon of Lhe dlverslon proceedlngs, as Lhe case may be, forward Lhe records of Lhe case of Lhe chlld
Lo Lhe law enforcemenL offlcer, prosecuLor or Lhe approprlaLe courL, as Lhe case may be. upon Lhe lssuance of Lhe correspondlng documenL,
cerLlfylng Lo Lhe facL LhaL no agreemenL has been reached by Lhe parLles, Lhe case shall be flled accordlng Lo Lhe regular process.
SLC. 28. 19%4 #2 %"* 5+> F,2#$.*;*,% G22(.*$ B"*, '"*$* (8 N# 1(A*$8(#,0 - lf Lhe offense does noL fall under SecLlon 23(a) and (b), or lf Lhe chlld,
hls/her parenLs or guardlan does noL consenL Lo a dlverslon, Lhe Women and Chlldren roLecLlon uesk of Lhe n, or oLher law enforcemenL offlcer
handllng Lhe case of Lhe chlld under cusLody, Lo Lhe prosecuLor or [udge concerned for Lhe conducL of lnquesL and/or prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon Lo
deLermlne wheLher or noL Lhe chlld should remaln under cusLody and correspondlngly charged ln courL. 1he documenL LransmlLLlng sald records
shall dlsplay Lhe word "CPlLu" ln bold leLLers.
SLC. 29. E+.%#$8 (, 1*%*$;(,(,= 1(A*$8(#, 3$#=$+;0 - ln deLermlnlng wheLher dlverslon ls approprlaLe and deslrable, Lhe followlng facLors shall be
Laken lnLo conslderaLlon:
(a) 1he naLure and clrcumsLances of Lhe offense charged,
(b) 1he frequency and Lhe severlLy of Lhe acL,
(c) 1he clrcumsLances of Lhe chlld (e.g. age, maLurlLy, lnLelllgence, eLc.),
(d) 1he lnfluence of Lhe famlly and envlronmenL on Lhe growLh of Lhe chlld,
(e) 1he reparaLlon of ln[ury Lo Lhe vlcLlm,
(f) 1he welghL of Lhe evldence agalnsL Lhe chlld,
(g) 1he safeLy of Lhe communlLy, and
(h) 1he besL lnLeresL of Lhe chlld.
SLC. 30. E#$;9)+%(#, #2 %"* 1(A*$8(#, 3$#=$+;0 - ln formulaLlng a dlverslon program, Lhe lndlvldual characLerlsLlcs and Lhe pecullar clrcumsLances
of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall be used Lo formulaLe an lndlvlduallzed LreaLmenL.
1he followlng facLors shall be consldered ln formulaLlng a dlverslon program for Lhe chlld:
(a) 1he chlld's feellngs of remorse for Lhe offense he/she commlLLed,
(b) 1he parenLs' or legal guardlans' ablllLy Lo gulde and supervlse Lhe chlld,
(c) 1he vlcLlm's vlew abouL Lhe proprleLy of Lhe measures Lo be lmposed, and
(d) 1he avallablllLy of communlLy-based programs for rehablllLaLlon and relnLegraLlon of Lhe chlld.
SLC. 31. H(,-8 #2 1(A*$8(#, 3$#=$+;80 - 1he dlverslon program shall lnclude adequaLe soclo-culLural and psychologlcal responses and servlces for
Lhe chlld. AL Lhe dlfferenL sLages where dlverslon may be resorLed Lo, Lhe followlng dlverslon programs may be agreed upon, such as, buL noL
llmlLed Lo:
(a) AL Lhe level of Lhe unong 8arangay:
(1) 8esLlLuLlon of properLy,
(2) 8eparaLlon of Lhe damage caused,
(3) lndemnlflcaLlon for consequenLlal damages,
(4) WrlLLen or oral apology,
(3) Care, guldance and supervlslon orders,
(6) Counsellng for Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law and Lhe chlld's famlly,
(7)ALLendance ln Lralnlngs, semlnars and lecLures on:
(l) anger managemenL skllls,
(ll) problem solvlng and/or confllcL resoluLlon skllls,
(lll) values formaLlon, and
(lv) oLher skllls whlch wlll ald Lhe chlld ln deallng wlLh slLuaLlons whlch can lead Lo repeLlLlon of Lhe offense,
(8) arLlclpaLlon ln avallable communlLy-based programs, lncludlng communlLy servlce, or
(9) arLlclpaLlon ln educaLlon, vocaLlon and llfe skllls programs.
(b) AL Lhe level of Lhe law enforcemenL offlcer and Lhe prosecuLor:
(1) ulverslon programs speclfled under paragraphs (a)(1) Lo (a)(9) hereln, and
(2) ConflscaLlon and forfelLure of Lhe proceeds or lnsLrumenLs of Lhe crlme,
(c) AL Lhe level of Lhe approprlaLe courL:
(1) ulverslon programs speclfled under paragraphs(a)and (b) above,
(2) WrlLLen or oral reprlmand or clLaLlon,
(3) llne:
(4) aymenL of Lhe cosL of Lhe proceedlngs, or
(3) lnsLlLuLlonal care and cusLody.
CnA1Lk 3
kCSLCU1ICN
SLC. 32. 19%4 #2 %"* 3$#8*.9%#$O8 G22(.*0 - 1here shall be a speclally Lralned prosecuLor Lo conducL lnquesL, prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon and
prosecuLlon of cases lnvolvlng a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. lf Lhere ls an allegaLlon of LorLure or lll-LreaLmenL of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law
durlng arresL or deLenLlon, lL shall be Lhe duLy of Lhe prosecuLor Lo lnvesLlgaLe Lhe same.
SLC. 33. 3$*)(;(,+$4 I,A*8%(=+%(#, +,- E()(,= #2 I,2#$;+%(#,0 - 1he prosecuLor shall conducL a prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon ln Lhe followlng lnsLances:
(a) when Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law does noL quallfy for dlverslon: (b) when Lhe chlld, hls/her parenLs or guardlan does noL agree Lo dlverslon
as speclfled ln SecLlons 27 and 28, and (c) when conslderlng Lhe assessmenL and recommendaLlon of Lhe soclal worker, Lhe prosecuLor deLermlnes
LhaL dlverslon ls noL approprlaLe for Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
upon servlng Lhe subpoena and Lhe affldavlL of complalnL, Lhe prosecuLor shall noLlfy Lhe ubllc ALLorney's Cfflce of such servlce, as well as Lhe
personal lnformaLlon, and place of deLenLlon of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
upon deLermlnaLlon of probable cause by Lhe prosecuLor, Lhe lnformaLlon agalnsL Lhe chlld shall be flled before Lhe lamlly CourL wlLhln forLy-flve
(43) days from Lhe sLarL of Lhe prellmlnary lnvesLlgaLlon.
CnA1Lk 4
CCUk1 kCCLLDINGS
SLC. 34. K+()0 - lor purposes of recommendlng Lhe amounL of ball, Lhe prlvlleged mlLlgaLlng clrcumsLance of mlnorlLy shall be consldered.
SLC. 3S. <*)*+8* #, <*.#=,(P+,.*0 - Where a chlld ls deLalned, Lhe courL shall order:
(a) Lhe release of Lhe mlnor on recognlzance Lo hls/her parenLs and oLher sulLable person,
(b) Lhe release of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law on ball, or
(c) Lhe Lransfer of Lhe mlnor Lo a youLh deLenLlon home/youLh rehablllLaLlon cenLer.
1he courL shall noL order Lhe deLenLlon of a chlld ln a [all pendlng Lrlal or hearlng of hls/her case.
SLC. 36. 1*%*,%(#, #2 %"* 7"()- 3*,-(,= '$(+)0 - Chlldren deLalned pendlng Lrlal may be released on ball or recognlzance as provlded for under
SecLlons 34 and 33 under Lhls AcL. ln all oLher cases and whenever posslble, deLenLlon pendlng Lrlal may be replaced by alLernaLlve measures, such
as close supervlslon, lnLenslve care or placemenL wlLh a famlly or ln an educaLlonal seLLlng or home. lnsLlLuLlonallzaLlon or deLenLlon of Lhe chlld
pendlng Lrlal shall be used only as a measure of lasL resorL and for Lhe shorLesL posslble perlod of Llme.
Whenever deLenLlon ls necessary, a chlld wlll always be deLalned ln youLh deLenLlon homes esLabllshed by local governmenLs, pursuanL Lo SecLlon
8 of Lhe lamlly CourLs AcL, ln Lhe clLy or munlclpallLy where Lhe chlld resldes.
ln Lhe absence of a youLh deLenLlon home, Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law may be commlLLed Lo Lhe care of Lhe uSWu or a local rehablllLaLlon
cenLer recognlzed by Lhe governmenL ln Lhe provlnce, clLy or munlclpallLy wlLhln Lhe [urlsdlcLlon of Lhe courL. 1he cenLer or agency concerned shall
be responslble for Lhe chlld's appearance ln courL whenever requlred.
SLC. 37. 1(A*$8(#, ?*+89$*80 - Where Lhe maxlmum penalLy lmposed by law for Lhe offense wlLh whlch Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls charged
ls lmprlsonmenL of noL more Lhan Lwelve (12) years, regardless of Lhe flne or flne alone regardless of Lhe amounL, and before arralgnmenL of Lhe
chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, Lhe courL shall deLermlne wheLher or noL dlverslon ls approprlaLe.
SLC. 38. :9%#;+%(. !98/*,8(#, #2 !*,%*,.*0 - Cnce Lhe chlld who ls under elghLeen (18) years of age aL Lhe Llme of Lhe commlsslon of Lhe offense
ls found gullLy of Lhe offense charged, Lhe courL shall deLermlne and ascerLaln any clvll llablllLy whlch may have resulLed from Lhe offense
commlLLed. Powever, lnsLead of pronounclng Lhe [udgmenL of convlcLlon, Lhe courL shall place Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law under suspended
senLence, wlLhouL need of appllcaLlon: 75/6$)"), ,/<"6"5, 1haL suspenslon of senLence shall sLlll be applled even lf Lhe [uvenlle ls already elghLeen
years (18) of age or more aL Lhe Llme of Lhe pronouncemenL of hls/her gullL.
upon suspenslon of senLence and afLer conslderlng Lhe varlous chcumsLances of Lhe chlld, Lhe courL shall lmpose Lhe approprlaLe dlsposlLlon
measures as provlded ln Lhe Supreme CourL 8ule on !uvenlles ln ConfllcL wlLh Lhe Law.
SLC. 39. 1(8."+$=* #2 %"* 7"()- (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - upon Lhe recommendaLlon of Lhe soclal worker who has cusLody of Lhe chlld, Lhe courL
shall dlsmlss Lhe case agalnsL Lhe chlld whose senLence has been suspended and agalnsL whom dlsposlLlon measures have been lssued, and shall
order Lhe flnal dlscharge of Lhe chlld lf lL flnds LhaL Lhe ob[ecLlve of Lhe dlsposlLlon measures have been fulfllled.
1he dlscharge of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall noL affecL Lhe clvll llablllLy resulLlng from Lhe commlsslon of Lhe offense, whlch shall be
enforced ln accordance wlLh law.
SLC. 40. <*%9$, #2 %"* 7"()- (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+> %# 7#9$%0 - lf Lhe courL flnds LhaL Lhe ob[ecLlve of Lhe dlsposlLlon measures lmposed upon Lhe
chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law have noL been fulfllled, or lf Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law has wlllfully falled Lo comply wlLh Lhe condlLlons of
hls/her dlsposlLlon or rehablllLaLlon program, Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall be broughL before Lhe courL for execuLlon of [udgmenL.
lf sald chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law has reached elghLeen (18) years of age whlle under suspended senLence, Lhe courL shall deLermlne wheLher Lo
dlscharge Lhe chlld ln accordance wlLh Lhls AcL, Lo order execuLlon of senLence, or Lo exLend Lhe suspended senLence for a cerLaln speclfled perlod
or unLll Lhe chlld reaches Lhe maxlmum age of LwenLy-one (21) years.
SLC. 41. 7$*-(% (, !*$A(.* #2 !*,%*,.*0 - 1he chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall be credlLed ln Lhe servlces of hls/her senLence wlLh Lhe full Llme
spenL ln acLual commlLmenL and deLenLlon under Lhls AcL.
SLC. 42. 3$#6+%(#, +8 +, :)%*$,+%(A* %# I;/$(8#,;*,%0 - 1he courL may, afLer lL shall have convlcLed and senLenced a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law,
and upon appllcaLlon aL any Llme, place Lhe chlld on probaLlon ln lleu of servlce of hls/her senLence Laklng lnLo accounL Lhe besL lnLeresL of Lhe chlld.
lor Lhls purpose, SecLlon 4 of resldenLlal uecree no. 968, oLherwlse known as Lhe "robaLlon Law of 1976", ls hereby amended accordlngly.
CnA1Lk S
CCNIIDLN1IALI1 CI kLCCkDS AND kCCLLDINGS
SLC. 43. 7#,2*-*,%(+)(%4 #2 <*.#$-8 +,- 3$#.**-(,=80 - All records and proceedlngs lnvolvlng chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law from lnlLlal conLacL
unLll flnal dlsposlLlon of Lhe case shall be consldered prlvlleged and confldenLlal. 1he publlc shall be excluded durlng Lhe proceedlngs and Lhe
records shall noL be dlsclosed dlrecLly or lndlrecLly Lo anyone by any of Lhe parLles or Lhe parLlclpanLs ln Lhe proceedlngs for any purpose
whaLsoever, excepL Lo deLermlne lf Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law may have hls/hes senLence suspended or lf he/she may be granLed probaLlon
under Lhe robaLlon Law, or Lo enforce Lhe clvll llablllLy lmposed ln Lhe crlmlnal acLlon.
1he componenL auLhorlLles shall underLake all measures Lo proLecL Lhls confldenLlallLy of proceedlngs, lncludlng non-dlsclosure of records Lo Lhe
medla, malnLalnlng a separaLe pollce bloLLer for cases lnvolvlng chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law and adopLlng a sysLem of codlng Lo conceal
maLerlal lnformaLlon whlch wlll lead Lo Lhe chlld's ldenLlLy. 8ecords of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall noL be used ln subsequenL proceedlngs
for cases lnvolvlng Lhe same offender as an adulL, excepL when beneflclal for Lhe offender and upon hls/her wrlLLen consenL.
A person who has been ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law as a chlld shall noL be held under any provlslon of law, Lo be gullLy of per[ury or of concealmenL or
mlsrepresenLaLlon by reason of hls/her fallure Lo acknowledge Lhe case or reclLe any facL relaLed LhereLo ln response Lo any lnqulry made Lo
hlm/her for any purpose.
1I1LL VI
kLnA8ILI1A1ICN AND kLIN1LGkA1ICN
SLC. 44. G6Q*.%(A* #2 <*"+6()(%+%(#, +,- <*(,%*=$+%(#,0 - 1he ob[ecLlve of rehablllLaLlon and relnLegraLlon of chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls Lo
provlde Lhem wlLh lnLervenLlons, approaches and sLraLegles LhaL wlll enable Lhem Lo lmprove Lhelr soclal funcLlonlng wlLh Lhe end goal of
relnLegraLlon Lo Lhelr famllles and as producLlve members of Lhelr communlLles.
SLC. 4S. 7#9$% G$-*$ <*R9($*-0 - no chlld shall be recelved ln any rehablllLaLlon or Lralnlng faclllLy wlLhouL a valld order lssued by Lhe courL afLer a
hearlng for Lhe purpose. 1he deLalls of Lhls order shall be lmmedlaLely enLered ln a reglsLer excluslvely for chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. no chlld
shall be admlLLed ln any faclllLy where Lhere ls no such reglsLer.
SLC. 46, !*/+$+%* E+.()(%(*8 2$#; :-9)%80 - ln all rehablllLaLlon or Lralnlng faclllLles, lL shall be mandaLory LhaL chlldren shall be separaLed from adulLs
unless Lhey are members of Lhe same famlly. under no oLher clrcumsLance shall a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law be placed ln Lhe same conflnemenL
as adulLs.
1he rehablllLaLlon, Lralnlng or conflnemenL area of chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall provlde a home envlronmenL where chlldren ln confllcL
wlLh Lhe law can be provlded wlLh quallLy counsellng and LreaLmenL.
SLC. 47. E*;+)* 7"()-$*,0 - lemale chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law placed ln an lnsLlLuLlon shall be glven speclal aLLenLlon as Lo Lhelr personal
needs and problems. 1hey shall be handled by female docLors, correcLlon offlcers and soclal workers, and shall be accommodaLed separaLely from
male chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
SLC. 48. S*,-*$J!*,8(%(A(%4 '$+(,(,=0 - no personnel of rehablllLaLlon and Lralnlng faclllLles shall handle chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law wlLhouL
havlng undergone gender senslLlvlLy Lralnlng.
SLC. 49. F8%+6)(8";*,% #2 T#9%" 1*%*,%(#, U#;*80 - 1he LCus shall seL aslde an amounL Lo bulld youLh deLenLlon homes as mandaLed by Lhe
lamlly CourLs AcL. ?ouLh deLenLlon homes may also be esLabllshed by prlvaLe and nCCs llcensed and accredlLed by Lhe uSWu, ln consulLaLlon wlLh
Lhe !!WC.
SLC. S0. 7+$* +,- ?+(,%*,+,.* #2 %"* 7"()- (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - 1he expenses for Lhe care and malnLenance of a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe
law under lnsLlLuLlonal care shall be borne by hls/her parenLs or Lhose persons llable Lo supporL hlm/her: 75/6$)"), 1haL ln case hls/her parenLs or
Lhose persons llable Lo supporL hlm/her cannoL pay all or parL of sald expenses, Lhe munlclpallLy where Lhe offense was commlLLed shall pay
one-Lhlrd (1/3) of sald expenses or parL Lhereof, Lhe provlnce Lo whlch Lhe munlclpallLy belongs shall pay one-Lhlrd (1/3) and Lhe remalnlng
one-Lhlrd (1/3) shall be borne by Lhe naLlonal governmenL. CharLered clLles shall pay Lwo-Lhlrds (2/3) of sald expenses, and ln case a charLered clLy
cannoL pay sald expenses, parL of Lhe lnLernal revenue alloLmenLs appllcable Lo Lhe unpald porLlon shall be wlLhheld and applled Lo Lhe seLLlemenL
of sald obllgaLlons: 75/6$)"), 205%,"5, 1haL ln Lhe evenL LhaL Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ls noL a resldenL of Lhe munlclpallLy/clLy where Lhe
offense was commlLLed, Lhe courL, upon lLs deLermlnaLlon, may requlre Lhe clLy/munlclpallLy where Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law resldes Lo
shoulder Lhe cosL.
All clLy and provlnclal governmenLs musL exerL efforL for Lhe lmmedlaLe esLabllshmenL of local deLenLlon homes for chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe
law.
SLC. S1. 7#,2(,*;*,% #2 7#,A(.%*- 7"()-$*, (, :=$(.9)%9$+) 7+;/8 +,- #%"*$ '$+(,(,= E+.()(%(*80 - A chlld
ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law may, afLer convlcLlon and upon order of Lhe courL, be made Lo serve hls/her senLence, ln lleu of conflnemenL ln a regular
penal lnsLlLuLlon, ln an agrlculLural camp and oLher Lralnlng faclllLles LhaL may be esLabllshed, malnLalned, supervlsed and conLrolled by Lhe 8uCC8,
ln coordlnaLlon wlLh Lhe uSWu.
SLC. S2. <*"+6()(%+%(#, #2 7"()-$*, (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - Chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, whose senLences are suspended may, upon order of
Lhe courL, undergo any or a comblnaLlon of dlsposlLlon measures besL sulLed Lo Lhe rehablllLaLlon and welfare of Lhe chlld as provlded ln Lhe
Supreme CourL 8ule on !uvenlles ln ConfllcL wlLh Lhe Law.
lf Lhe communlLy-based rehablllLaLlon ls avalled of by a chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, he/she shall be released Lo parenLs, guardlans, relaLlves or any
oLher responslble person ln Lhe communlLy. under Lhe supervlslon and guldance of Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer, and ln
coordlnaLlon wlLh hls/her parenLs/guardlan, Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall parLlclpaLe ln communlLy-based programs, whlch shall lnclude,
buL noL llmlLed Lo:
(1) CompeLency and llfe skllls developmenL,
(2) Soclo-culLural and recreaLlonal acLlvlLles,
(3) CommunlLy volunLeer pro[ecLs,
(4) Leadershlp Lralnlng,
(3) Soclal servlces,
(6) Pomellfe servlces,
(7) PealLh servlces, .
(8) SplrlLual enrlchmenL, and
(9) CommunlLy and famlly welfare servlces.
ln accordance LherewlLh, Lhe famlly of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law shall endeavor Lo acLlvely parLlclpaLe ln Lhe communlLy-based
rehablllLaLlon.
8ased on Lhe progress of Lhe youLh ln Lhe communlLy, a flnal reporL wlll be forwarded by Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer Lo Lhe
courL for flnal dlsposlLlon of Lhe case.
lf Lhe communlLy-based programs are provlded as dlverslon measures under ChapLer ll, 1lLle v, Lhe programs enumeraLed above shall be made
avallable Lo Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
SLC. S3. T#9%" <*"+6()(%+%(#, 7*,%*$0 - 1he youLh rehablllLaLlon cenLer shall provlde 24-hour group care, LreaLmenL and rehablllLaLlon servlces
under Lhe guldance of a Lralned sLaff where resldenLs are cared for under a sLrucLured LherapeuLlc envlronmenL wlLh Lhe end vlew of relnLegraLlng
Lhem ln Lhelr famllles and communlLles as soclally funcLlonlng lndlvlduals. A quarLerly reporL shall be submlLLed by Lhe cenLer Lo Lhe proper courL
on Lhe progress of Lhe chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law. 8ased on Lhe progress of Lhe youLh ln Lhe cenLer, a flnal reporL wlll be forwarded Lo Lhe
courL for flnal dlsposlLlon of Lhe case. 1he uSWu shall esLabllsh youLh rehablllLaLlon cenLers ln each reglon of Lhe counLry.
SLC. S4. G6Q*.%(A*8 #2 7#;;9,(%4 K+8*- 3$#=$+;80 - 1he ob[ecLlves of communlLy-based programs are as follows:
(a) revenL dlsrupLlon ln Lhe educaLlon or means of llvellhood of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law ln case he/she ls sLudylng, worklng or
aLLendlng vocaLlonal learnlng lnsLlLuLlons,
(b) revenL separaLlon of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law from hls/her parenLs/guardlans Lo malnLaln Lhe supporL sysLem fosLered by
Lhelr relaLlonshlp and Lo creaLe greaLer awareness of Lhelr muLual and reclprocal responslblllLles,
(c) laclllLaLe Lhe rehablllLaLlon and malnsLreamlng of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law and encourage communlLy supporL and
lnvolvemenL, and
(d) Mlnlmlze Lhe sLlgma LhaL aLLaches Lo Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law by prevenLlng [all deLenLlon.
SLC. SS. 7$(%*$(+ #2 7#;;9,(%4JK+8*- 3$#=$+;80 - Lvery LCu shall esLabllsh communlLy-based programs LhaL wlll focus on Lhe rehablllLaLlon and
relnLegraLlon of Lhe chlld. All programs shall meeL Lhe crlLerla Lo be esLabllshed by Lhe !!WC whlch shall Lake lnLo accounL Lhe purpose of Lhe
program, Lhe need for Lhe consenL of Lhe chlld and hls/her parenLs or legal guardlans, and Lhe parLlclpaLlon of Lhe chlld-cenLered agencles wheLher
publlc or prlvaLe.
SLC. S6. :2%*$J7+$* !9//#$% !*$A(.*8 2#$ 7"()-$*, (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - Chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law whose cases have been dlsmlssed by
Lhe proper courL because of good behavlor as per recommendaLlon of Lhe uSWu soclal worker and/or any accredlLed nCC youLh rehablllLaLlon
cenLer shall be provlded afLer-care servlces by Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL offlcer for a perlod of aL leasL slx (6) monLhs. 1he servlce
lncludes counsellng and oLher communlLy-based servlces deslgned Lo faclllLaLe soclal relnLegraLlon, prevenL re-offendlng and make Lhe chlldren
producLlve members of Lhe communlLy.
1I1LL VII
GLNLkAL kCVISICNS
CnA1Lk 1
LkLM1ING kCVISICNS
SLC. VW0 !%+%98 G22*,**80 - Any conducL noL consldered an offense or noL penallzed lf commlLLed by an adulL shall noL be consldered an offense and
shall noL be punlshed lf commlLLed by a chlld.
SLC. VX0 G22*,8*8 N#% ://)(.+6)* %# 7"()-$*,0 - ersons below elghLeen (18) years of age shall be exempL from prosecuLlon for Lhe crlme of
vagrancy and prosLlLuLlon under SecLlon 202 of Lhe 8evlsed enal Code, of mendlcancy under resldenLlal uecree no. 1363, and snlfflng of rugby
under resldenLlal uecree no. 1619, such prosecuLlon belng lnconslsLenL wlLh Lhe unlLed naLlons ConvenLlon on Lhe 8lghLs of Lhe Chlld: 75/6$)"),
1haL sald persons shall undergo approprlaLe counsellng and LreaLmenL program.
SLC. VY0 FZ*;/%(#, 2$#; %"* ://)(.+%(#, #2 1*+%" 3*,+)%40 - 1he provlslons of Lhe 8evlsed enal Code, as amended, 8epubllc AcL no. 9163,
oLherwlse known as Lhe Comprehenslve uangerous urugs AcL of 2002, and oLher speclal laws noLwlLhsLandlng, no deaLh penalLy shall be lmposed
upon chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law.
CnA1Lk 2
kCnI8I1LD AC1S
SLC. [\0 3$#"(6(%(#, :=+(,8% 5+6*)(,= +,- !"+;(,=0 - ln Lhe conducL of Lhe proceedlngs beglnnlng from Lhe lnlLlal conLacL wlLh Lhe chlld, Lhe
compeLenL auLhorlLles musL refraln from brandlng or labellng chlldren as young crlmlnals, [uvenlle dellnquenLs, prosLlLuLes or aLLachlng Lo Lhem ln
any manner any oLher derogaLory names. Llkewlse, no dlscrlmlnaLory remarks and pracLlces shall be allowed parLlcularly wlLh respecL Lo Lhe chlld's
class or eLhnlc orlgln.
SLC. []0 G%"*$ 3$#"(6(%*- :.%80 - 1he followlng and any oLher slmllar acLs shall be consldered pre[udlclal and deLrlmenLal Lo Lhe psychologlcal,
emoLlonal, soclal, splrlLual, moral and physlcal healLh and well-belng of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law and Lherefore, prohlblLed:
(a) LmploymenL of LhreaLs of whaLever klnd and naLure,
(b) LmploymenL of abuslve, coerclve and punlLlve measures such as curslng, beaLlng, sLrlpplng, and sollLary conflnemenL,
(c) LmploymenL of degradlng, lnhuman end cruel forms of punlshmenL such as shavlng Lhe heads, pourlng lrrlLaLlng, corroslve or harmful
subsLances over Lhe body of Lhe chlld ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law, or forclng hlm/her Lo walk around Lhe communlLy wearlng slgns whlch
embarrass, humlllaLe, and degrade hls/her personallLy and dlgnlLy, and
(d) Compelllng Lhe chlld Lo perform lnvolunLary servlLude ln any and all forms under any and all lnsLances.
CnA1Lk 3
LNAL kCVISICN
SLC. [^0 _(#)+%(#, #2 %"* 3$#A(8(#,8 #2 %"(8 :.% #$ <9)*8 #$ <*=9)+%(#,8 (, S*,*$+)0 - Any person who vlolaLes any provlslon of Lhls AcL or any rule or
regulaLlon promulgaLed ln accordance Lhereof shall, upon convlcLlon for each acL or omlsslon, be punlshed by a flne of noL less Lhan 1wenLy
Lhousand pesos (20,000.00) buL noL more Lhan llfLy Lhousand pesos (30,000.00) or suffer lmprlsonmenL of noL less Lhan elghL (8) years buL noL
more Lhan Len (10) years, or boLh such flne and lmprlsonmenL aL Lhe dlscreLlon of Lhe courL, unless a hlgher penalLy ls provlded for ln Lhe 8evlsed
enal Code or speclal laws. lf Lhe offender ls a publlc offlcer or employee, he/she shall, ln addlLlon Lo such flne and/or lmprlsonmenL, be held
admlnlsLraLlvely llable and shall suffer Lhe penalLy of perpeLual absoluLe dlsquallflcaLlon.
CnA1Lk 4
AkCkIA1ICN kCVISICN
SLC. 63. ://$#/$(+%(#,80 - 1he amounL necessary Lo carry ouL Lhe lnlLlal lmplemenLaLlon of Lhls AcL shall be charged Lo Lhe Cfflce of Lhe resldenL.
1hereafLer, such sums as may be necessary for Lhe conLlnued lmplemenLaLlon of Lhls AcL shall be lncluded ln Lhe succeedlng Ceneral
ApproprlaLlons AcL.
An lnlLlal amounL of llfLy mllllon pesos (30,000,000.00) for Lhe purpose of seLLlng up Lhe !!WC shall be Laken from Lhe proceeds of Lhe hlllpplne
CharlLy SweepsLakes Cfflce.
1I1LL VIII
1kANSI1Ck kCVISICNS
SLC. 64. 7"()-$*, (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+> E(2%**, C]VD T*+$8 G)- +,- K*)#>0 - upon effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL, cases of chlldren flfLeen (13) years old
and below aL Lhe Llme of Lhe commlsslon of Lhe crlme shall lmmedlaLely be dlsmlssed and Lhe chlld shall be referred Lo Lhe approprlaLe local soclal
welfare and developmenL offlcer. Such offlcer, upon Lhorough assessmenL of Lhe chlld, shall deLermlne wheLher Lo release Lhe chlld Lo Lhe cusLody
of hls/her parenLs, or refer Lhe chlld Lo prevenLlon programs as provlded under Lhls AcL. 1hose wlLh suspended senLences and undergolng
rehablllLaLlon aL Lhe youLh rehablllLaLlon cenLer shall llkewlse be released, unless lL ls conLrary Lo Lhe besL lnLeresL of Lhe chlld.
SLC. 6S. 7"()-$*, 1*%+(,*- 3*,-(,= 1(+)0 - lf Lhe chlld ls deLalned pendlng Lrlal, Lhe lamlly CourL shall also deLermlne wheLher or noL conLlnued
deLenLlon ls necessary and, lf noL, deLermlne approprlaLe alLernaLlves for deLenLlon.
lf deLenLlon ls necessary and he/she ls deLalned wlLh adulLs, Lhe courL shall lmmedlaLely order Lhe Lransfer of Lhe chlld Lo a youLh deLenLlon home.
SLC. 66. I,A*,%#$4 #2 `5#.L*-J9/` +,- 1*%+(,*- 7"()-$*, (, 7#,2)(.% >(%" %"* 5+>0 - 1he n, Lhe 8!M and Lhe 8uCC8 are hereby dlrecLed Lo
submlL Lo Lhe !!WC, wlLhln nlneLy (90) days from Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL, an lnvenLory of all chlldren ln confllcL wlLh Lhe law under Lhelr cusLody.
SLC. 67. 7"()-$*, B"# <*+." %"* :=* #2 F(="%**, C]XD T*+$8 3*,-(,= 1(A*$8(#, +,- 7#9$% 3$#.**-(,=80 - lf a chlld reaches Lhe age of elghLeen (18)
years pendlng dlverslon and courL proceedlngs, Lhe approprlaLe dlverslon auLhorlLy ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe local soclal welfare and developmenL
offlcer or Lhe lamlly CourL ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe Soclal Servlces and Counsellng ulvlslon (SSCu) of Lhe Supreme CourL, as Lhe case may be, shall
deLermlne Lhe approprlaLe dlsposlLlon. ln case Lhe approprlaLe courL execuLes Lhe [udgmenL of convlcLlon, and unless Lhe chlld ln confllcL Lhe law
has already avalled of probaLlon under resldenLlal uecree no. 603 or oLher slmllar laws, Lhe chlld may apply for probaLlon lf quallfled under Lhe
provlslons of Lhe robaLlon Law.
SLC. 68. 7"()-$*, B"# U+A* K**, 7#,A(.%*- +,- +$* !*$A(,= !*,%*,.*0 - ersons who have been convlcLed and are servlng senLence aL Lhe Llme of
Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL, and who were below Lhe age of elghLeen (18) years aL Lhe Llme Lhe commlsslon of Lhe offense for whlch Lhey were
convlcLed and are servlng senLence, shall llkewlse beneflL from Lhe reLroacLlve appllcaLlon of Lhls AcL. 1hey shall be enLlLled Lo approprlaLe
dlsposlLlons provlded under Lhls AcL and Lhelr senLences shall be ad[usLed accordlngly. 1hey shall be lmmedlaLely released lf Lhey are so quallfled
under Lhls AcL or oLher appllcable law.


1I1LL Ik
IINAL kCVISICNS
SLC. 69. <9)* ?+L(,= 3#>*$0 - 1he !!WC shall lssue Lhe l88s for Lhe lmplemenLaLlon of Lhe provlslons of Lhls acL wlLhln nlneLy (90) days from Lhe
effecLlvlLy Lhereof.
SLC. 70. !*/+$+6()(%4 7)+98*0 - lf, for any reason, any secLlon or provlslon of Lhls AcL ls declared unconsLlLuLlonal or lnvalld by Lhe Supreme CourL,
Lhe oLher secLlons or provlslons hereof noL dfecLed by such declaraLlon shall remaln ln force and effecL.
SLC. 71. <*/*+)(,= 7)+98*0 - All exlsLlng laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulaLlons or parLs Lhereof lnconslsLenL wlLh Lhe provlslons of Lhls AcL are
hereby repealed or modlfled accordlngly.
SLC. 72. F22*.%(A(%40 - 1hls AcL shall Lake effecL afLer flfLeen (13) days from lLs publlcaLlon ln aL leasL Lwo (2) naLlonal newspapers of general
clrculaLlon.
Approved,
IkANkLIN DkILCN
resldenL of Lhe SenaLe
ICSL DL VLNLCIA Ik.
Speaker of Lhe Pouse of 8epresenLaLlves
1hls AcL whlch ls a consolldaLlon of SenaLe 8lll no. 1402 and Pouse 8lll no. 3063 was flnally passed by Lhe SenaLe and Lhe Pouse of 8epresenLaLlves
on March 22, 2006.
CSCAk G. A8LS
SecreLary of SenaLe
kC8Lk1C . NA2AkLNC
SecreLary Ceneral
Pouse of 8epresenaLlves
Approved: Aprll 28, 2006
GLCkIA MACAAGAL-AkkCC
75"1$)"&% /2 %," 7,$8$44$&"1