Salient Features of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (R.A. 9344 as amended by R.A.

10630):
Salient Features of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (R.A. 9344 as amended by R.A. 10630) By: Debbie G. Dulay -
Del Val Public Attorney, Baguio City

OVERVIEW:
OVERVIEW Brief History and Background of the Law Conceptual Framework of the Law Salient Features of R.A.
9344 as amended by R.A. 10630 Role of Barangay Council for Protection of Children (BCPC’s)

Philippine Laws on Youthful Offenders prior to R.A. 9344, as amended:

Philippine Laws on Youthful Offenders prior to R.A. 9344, as amended National Laws protecting the Rights of
Youthful Offenders were limited . Revised Penal Code P.D. 603

Revised Penal Code:

Revised Penal Code It was enacted in 1932 Adult-oriented / Distinct circumstances of a CICL are not taken into
account / No Diversion / Stigma of Criminality / No provision for aftercare / Punishes Status Offenses Children as
young as 9 yrs. old can be incarcerated inside the jail

P.D. 603:
P.D. 603 T he Child and Youth Welfare Code enacted on Dec. 10, 1974 It spelled out special procedures in handling
youthful offenders (Art. 189-204) E.g . recognizance, suspension of sentence, rehabilitation in RRCY, etc .

P.D. 603:
P.D. 603 Recognition of the role of the Five Pillars of Justice ( Community, Law Enforcement, Prosecution Service,
Courts, Correctional Institution ) in a collective effort to rehabilitate youthful offenders and dispense justice
Establishment of BCPC’s Studies showed a gap in the implementation of the law by the Five Pillars of Justice

Result:
Result Continued violations of child rights were easily observed at the time of arrest and incarceration of a CICL.
Formal education of child offenders who were enrolled at the time of arrest was disrupted. At the same time they also
learn vices such as smoking, gambling, drinking and substance abuse from them.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Adopted by different nations on November 1989 Philippines became a
signatory in 1990 It defines a “child” as any human being below 18 years old

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child The Convention establishes in international law that: Signatory Nations
must ensure that all children — without discrimination in any form —benefit from: Special protection measures and
assistance Have access to services such as education and health care Can develop their personalities, abilities and
talents to the fullest potential Grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding Are informed about
and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner.

Art. 40 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

Art. 40 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Right of CICL to legal help and fair treatment in a justice system
that respects their rights To set a minimum age below which children cannot be held criminally responsible To
provide the minimum guarantees for the fairness and quick resolution of judicial or alternative proceedings

What does the Convention mean for the Philippines?:

What does the Convention mean for the Philippines? By accepting the Convention, the Philippines committed itself to
undertake “…all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or
punishment”

What does the Convention mean for the Philippines?:

What does the Convention mean for the Philippines? the country was entrusted with the mission to “…undertake all
appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the
Convention.”

Philippine Response:
Philippine Response June 17, 1992 (2 yrs. From UN Convention) – enactment of R.A. 7610 (Law on Special
Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) April 28, 2006 (16 yrs. From UN
Convention) – enactment of R.A. 9344 (Juvenile Justice Welfare Act) which became effective on May 20, 2006

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344?:

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344? Two Kids, aged 9 and 10, arrested allegedly for
Theft, are jailed in this small cell with 18 other child detainees and 16 adult prisoners. (Photo: PREDA)

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344?:

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344? Rosie, aged 5 years old, found wandering alone in
the streets of Cebu, arrested allegedly for Vagrancy, was jailed in this small cell together with adult prisoners. (Photo:
PREDA )

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344?:

What was happening to youthful offenders BEFORE R.A. 9344? A child’s depiction of his arrest by law enforcers.
When dealing with children, the Police Handbook states that, on arrest, children should be “taken by the hands”
rather than “dragged” or “collared .” Despite these provisions, many child suspects are handcuffed upon arrest and
during transfer . There also continue to be persistent reports of torture or ill-treatment including punches, slaps, blows
on the soles of the feet, being grabbed around the neck , etc.

Conceptual Framework of R.A. 9344:

Conceptual Framework of R.A. 9344 Principle of Restorative Justice Includes Diversion Best Interest of the Child

Restorative Justice:
Restorative Justice Enhancement of public safety by activating the offender, the victim and the community in
prevention strategies. It is one that presumes that children in conflict with the law are themselves victims.

Diversion:
Diversion The various processes by which child offenders are prevented from entering the formal criminal justice
system. A typical component of the restorative approach

R.A. 9344:
R.A. 9344 Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 It became effective on May 20, 2006 Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) were enacted on September 19, 2006

Who are covered under R.A. 9344?:

Who are covered under R.A. 9344? Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) children who are alleged, accused of or
adjudged of or adjudged as having committed an offense under Phil. Laws Children-At-Risk refers to children who are
vulnerable to and at the risk of committing criminal offenses because of personal, family and social circumstances

What is the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility?:

What is the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility? Children above 15 years of age but below 18 years of age who
acted WITH DISCERNMENT Increased from above 9 years old to above 15 years old (as under the Revised Penal
Code)

What is Discernment?:
What is Discernment? The mental capacity of a child to understand the difference between what is right or wrong and
the consequences of his acts Discernment relates to the moral significance that the person attaches to the act

Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility?:

Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility? A child fifteen (15) years of age or under at the time of the
commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. A child is deemed to be fifteen (15) years of age on
the day of the fifteenth anniversary of his/her birthdate . The child shall be subjected to an intervention program
. (mandatory)

Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility?:

Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility? A child above fifteen (15) years but below eighteen (18) years
of age who acted WITHOUT DISCERNMENT. The child shall be subjected to an intervention program . (mandatory)
Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility?:
Who is a Child Exempted from Criminal Responsibility? Those who commit Status Offenses Any conduct not
considered an offense or not penalized if committed by an adult shall not be considered an offense and shall not be
punished if committed by a child . E.g. vagrancy, prostitution, sniffing of rugby

Violation of Local Ordinances:

Violation of Local Ordinances Ordinances enacted by local governments concerning juvenile status offenses such as,
but not limited to: curfew violations / truancy / parental disobedience / anti-smoking and anti-drinking laws / light
offenses and misdemeanors against public order or safety such as, but not limited to, disorderly conduct / public
scandal / harassment / drunkenness / public intoxication / criminal nuisance / vandalism /gambling / mendicancy /
littering / public urination / and trespassing, Shall be for the protection of children.

Violation of Local Ordinances:

Violation of Local Ordinances No penalty shall be imposed on children for said violations. They shall instead be
brought to their residence or to any barangay official at the barangay hall to be released to the custody of their
parents.

Violation of Local Ordinances:

Violation of Local Ordinances Appropriate intervention programs shall be provided for in such ordinances. The child
shall also be recorded as a ‘child at risk’ and not as a ‘child in conflict with the law’ . The ordinance shall also provide
for intervention programs, such as counseling , attendance in group activities for children, and for the parents,
attendance in parenting education seminars.”

Are They Exempted Also from Civil Liability?:

Are They Exempted Also from Civil Liability? NO. “ The exemption from criminal liability herein established does not
include exemption from civil liability , which shall be enforced in accordance with existing laws .” To be paid by their
parents or guardian/s.

Procedure for Taking into Custody a Child Exempted from Criminal Liability:
Procedure for Taking into Custody a Child Exempted from Criminal Liability Authority in Initial Contact with Child 15
yrs. old and below Consult/Inform/Report to LSWD Officer Immediately release the child to his/her parents or
guardian, or, the child’s nearest relative Community-Based Intervention Program for Child by LSWD Officer If for best
interest of child: Refer to a Y outh Care Facility or ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’

Slide32:
If the parents, guardians or nearest relatives cannot be located, or if they refuse to take custody, the child may be
released to any of the following : A duly registered nongovernmental or religious organization; A barangay official or a
member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC); A local social welfare and development
officer; or, when and where appropriate, the DSWD .

Slide33:
If the child has been found by the LSWD officer to be dependent, abandoned, neglected or abused by his/her parents
and the best interest of the child requires that he/she be placed in a youth care facility or ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’, the
child’s parents or guardians shall execute a written authorization for the voluntary commitment of the child

Slide34:
If the child has no parents or guardians or if they refuse or fail to execute the written authorization for voluntary
commitment, the proper petition for involuntary commitment shall be immediately filed by the DSWD or the Local
Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) pursuant to PD 603. The minimum age for children committed to a
youth care facility or ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ shall be twelve (12) years old .”

Procedure During Initial Investigation (Inquest):

Procedure During Initial Investigation (Inquest)

Procedure During Preliminary Investigation & Filing of Information:

Procedure During Preliminary Investigation & Filing of Information
What if Children who are Exempt from Criminal Responsibility Commit Serious Crimes?:
What if Children who are Exempt from Criminal Responsibility Commit Serious Crimes ? He/She shall be deemed a
neglected child under PD 603 He/She shall be mandatorily placed in a special facility within the youth care faculty or ‘
Bahay Pag-asa ’ called the Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (IJISC).

Slide38:
Qualifications : The child is above twelve (12) years of age up to fifteen (15) years of age The child commits: parricide
, murder , infanticide , kidnapping and serious illegal detention where the victim is killed or raped, robbery , with
homicide or rape, destructive arson, rape , or carnapping where the driver or occupant is killed or raped or offenses
under Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) punishable by more than twelve (12)
years of imprisonment

Slide39:
Procedure : Petition for involuntary commitment and placement under the IJISC shall be filed by the local social
welfare and development officer of the LGU where the offense was committed or by the DSWD worker Filed within 24
hours from the time of the receipt of a report on the alleged commission of said child. The Court shall decide on the
petition within 72 hours.

What if Children who are Exempt from Criminal Responsibility are Repeat Offenders?:
What if Children who are Exempt from Criminal Responsibility are Repeat Offenders ? He/She shall be deemed a
neglected child under PD 603 He/She shall undergo an intensive intervention program supervised by the local social
welfare and development officer

Slide41:
Qualifications : The child is above twelve (12) years of age up to fifteen (15) years of age The child was previously
subjected to a community-based intervention program The child’s parents or guardians shall execute a written
authorization for the voluntary commitment of the child if the best interest of the child requires that he/she be placed
in a youth care facility or ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ Petition for Involuntary Commitment shall be immediately filed by the
DSWD or the LSWDO: if the child has No parents or guardians or if they refuse or fail to execute the written
authorization for voluntary commitment

What if the Children are Exploited by Adults for the Commission of Crimes?:
What if the Children are Exploited by Adults for the Commission of Crimes? Any person who, in the commission of a
crime, makes use, takes advantage of, or profits from the use of children, i ncluding any person who abuses his/her
authority over the child or who, with abuse of confidence, takes advantage of the vulnerabilities of the child and shall
induce, threaten or instigate the commission of the crime, shall be imposed the penalty prescribed by law for the
crime committed in its maximum period .

What if the Children are Exploited by Adults for the Commission of Crimes?:
What if the Children are Exploited by Adults for the Commission of Crimes? Under R.A. 7610 : Any person who shall
use, coerce, force or intimidate a street child or any other child to: Beg or use begging as a means of living ; Act as
conduit or middlemen in drug trafficking or pushing; or Conduct any illegal activities, shall suffer the penalty of prision
correccional in its medium period to reclusion perpetua

Diversion:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Diversion An alternative, child-appropriate process of determining
the responsibility and treatment of a CICL Based on his/her social, cultural, economic, psychological or educational
background WITHOUT resorting to formal court proceedings

Who Undergoes Diversion?:

January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Who Undergoes Diversion? CICL above fifteen (15) years but
below eighteen (18) years of age who acted with discernment Children who are 15 years old and below who
committed an offense Diversion is the same a Tertiary Intervention

Venues Of Diversion:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Venues Of Diversion Barangay, Police, Prosecutor Level If offense
has imposable penalty of not more than six (6) years of imprisonment Court If the imposable penalty is more than six
(6) years of imprisonment but not more than twelve (12) years imprisonment
Katarungang Pambarangay Level:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Katarungang Pambarangay Level Conducted by the Lupon
Tagapamayapa, chaired by the Punong Barangay, with the assistance of the members of the BCPC Punong
Barangay shall conduct mediation / family conferencing / conciliation / adopt indigenous modes of conflict resolution

Barangay Level…:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Barangay Level… Absence of the offended party or his/her
disagreement in its conduct shall not prevent the proceedings from being conducted. The Punong Barangay shall,
however, endeavor to obtain the participation and the consent of the offended party in the formulation of the diversion
program.

Barangay Level…:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Barangay Level… Objectives: restorative justice / formulation of a
diversion program Child and his/her family shall be present in the conduct of these diversion proceedings Offended
party may participate in the diversion proceedings

Contract of Diversion:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Contract of Diversion Child voluntarily admits commission of the act
Victim and offender must both agree to diversion

Diversion Program:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Diversion Program must be in writing signed by parties & concerned
authorities Local Social Welfare Officer implements/supervises the Diversion Program Diversion proceedings to be
completed in 45 days

On Diversion Program…:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay On Diversion Program… Child must present himself/herself at least
once a month for reporting & evaluation Failure to comply w/ the terms and conditions of DP as certified by the
LSWDO, victim has the option to institute appropriate legal action

Formulation of the Diversion Program:

January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Formulation of the Diversion Program An individualized treatment
Consider the following factors: Child’s feelings of remorse for the offense he or she committed / Parents’ or legal
guardians’ ability to guide and supervise the child / Victim’s view about the propriety of the measures to be imposed /
Availability of community-based programs for rehabilitation and reintegration of the child

Kinds of Diversion Program:

January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Kinds of Diversion Program Restitution of property Reparation of
the damage caused Indemnification for consequential damages Written or oral apology Care, guidance and
supervision orders / Counseling for the CICL and the child’s family Attendance in trainings, seminar and lectures on:
anger management skills, problem solving and/or conflict resolution skills, values formation, other skills in dealing w/
situations which can lead to repetition

Barangay Level…:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Barangay Level… Participation in available community-based
programs including community service Participation in education, vocation and life skills programs

Law Enforcement & Prosecution & Social Worker Level …:

January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Law Enforcement & Prosecution & Social Worker Level …
Diversion programs previously specified Confiscation and forfeiture of the proceeds or instruments of the crime

Court Level …:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Court Level … Diversion programs previously specified Written or
oral reprimand or citation Fine Payment of cost of the proceedings Institutional care and custody

Court Proceedings:
January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay Court Proceedings Apply privileged mitigating circumstance of
Minority to fix, Reduce Bail IF CHILD IS DETAINED: Release On Recognizance, Bail, Transfer to Youth Home,
Rehabilitation Center Institutionalization Last Resort, for Shortest Period No detention of child in jail pending trial

When CICL Found Guilty:

January 24, 2008 Notes of Atty. Debbie G. Dulay When CICL Found Guilty Determine Civil Liability Instead of
pronouncing judgment of conviction, automatic suspension of sentence ‘ full credit of time in detention, actual
confinement / other disposition measures under SC Rule on JICL

Establishment of “Bahay Pag-asa”:

Establishment of “ Bahay Pag-asa ” Each province and highly-urbanized city (the LGUs) shall be responsible for
building, funding and operating a ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ within their jurisdiction following the standards that will be set by
the DSWD and adopted by the JJWC.

“Bahay Pag-asa”:
“ Bahay Pag-asa ” Refers to a 24-hour child-caring institution established, Funded and managed by local government
units (LGUs) and licensed and/or accredited nongovernment organizations (NGOs) Providing short-term residential
care for children in conflict with the law who are above fifteen (15) but below eighteen (18) years of age who are
awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.

“Bahay Pag-asa”:
“ Bahay Pag-asa ” “A multi-disciplinary team composed of a social worker, a psychologist/mental health professional,
a medical doctor, an educational/guidance counselor and a Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC)
member shall operate the ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’. The team will work on the individualized intervention plan with the child
and the child’s family.

Establishment of IJISC:
Establishment of IJISC “Part of the features of a ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ is an Intensive Juvenile Intervention And Support
Center (IJISC). “ Every ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ will have a special facility called the IJISC. This Center will be allocated for
children in conflict with the law in accordance with Sections 20, 20-A and 20-B hereof.

Establishment of IJISC:
Establishment of IJISC These children will be required to undergo a more intensive multi-disciplinary intervention
program.

Establishment of IJISC:
Establishment of IJISC The JJWC in partnership with, but not limited to, the DSWD, the DOH, the DepED and the
DILG, will develop and set the standards for the implementation of the multi-disciplinary intervention program of the
IJISC. Upon institutionalization of the IJISC program, the JJWC will continue to monitor and provide technical
assistance to the multi-disciplinary teams operating the said centers .”

Care and Maintenance of the Child in Conflict with the Law:

Care and Maintenance of the Child in Conflict with the Law The LGUs expected expenditures on the local juvenile
intervention program for children at risk and children in conflict with the law shall be included in the LGUs annual
budget. Highly-urbanized cities and provincial governments should include a separate budget for the construction and
maintenance of the ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’ including the operation of the IJISC within the ‘ Bahay Pag-asa ’.”