Oct.

25,2011 Theres Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344 Maasin City, Southern Leyte- There is now the compelling need to amend as soon a s possible RA9344 or the Juvenile Welfare Act. This law on the so-called minors, e xempts them of criminal liabilities if they would commit criminal acts. However, based on what were happening during the past years, many minors who commi tted crimes for whatever were the reasons were freed from criminal liabilities b y not incarcerating or punishing them. This is a strange way of considering to forgive what crimina ls have had committed against their fellowmen, and some crimes being committed h ave 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 the minors who committed crimes from cr iminal liabilities is incurring injustice to the victims and their respective fa milies who have been graving for the lost of their loved ones. The illogical and intolerable consideration granted by the nor criminals would only teach them to become abusive and RA 9344 would not be amended now the injustice suffered by would then reach the uncontrollable stage that may become e law enforcers themselves. law on favoring the mi spoiled brats,which,if the victims of crimes hard to contain by th

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 w ith what Congress has proposed/planned as reported by a Cebu-based and Manila-ba sed daily. Nevertheless,in case a 9 years old would commit a crime,he/she should be subject ed to sessional rehabilitation. A psychologist or social worker who has sufficie nt knowledge/background on therapeutic counseling should inculcate on the concer ned minor/s the importance of acquiring the virtues of patience,sacrifice,indust ry,determination,perseverance,endurance,hope and courage. It is likewise imperat ive 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 tha t crimes committed by the so-called minors would not remain unabated. Enough is en ough in allowing 17 years old or below guys or gals to be exempted from criminal liabilities and remain unpunished. The unjustifiable exemption is prejudicial t o fair play among the victims of crimes wherein due process of law was being scr apped. 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 value s 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 willful ly as negative violent reaction with another party. Either the crime was committ ed to defend himself/herself or to protect his/her life; or that she/he did it b ecause of personal grudge, heated argument,unmet demand or quarrel. The causes m ight be made clear during hearing at the court where the suspects and the victim

s would be facing each other. So there would be no reason at all to not amend RA9344.Discipline always involve s 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.)