There's Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344

Oct.10,2011

There’s Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- 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, and 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 the minors who committed crimes from criminal liabilities 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 so-called “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 aforesaid suggestion of age bracket as classification for minors has coincided with what Congress has planned/proposed as reported by a Cebu-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 scrapped.

The17 years olds, 16 years olds, fifteen 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 towards 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 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 to not 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 Manners and Right Conduct to their children to make them good citizens of the country.{QMG,JR.)