Juvenile delinquents can be reformed if given the chance – former DSWD chief

 MANILA, Philippines  – Children who are being tapped to commit crimes must receive ‘restorative justice’ instead of going after them by lowering the minimum age of criminal liability, former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman said on Friday.

“Restorative [justice] ang dapat nating gawin sapagkat meron tayong

Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (JJWA) na nagsasabing kinse anyos pababa kinakailangan, ang mga nagkamaling kinse anyos ay ating bigyan ng pagkakataon muli na magbago,” Soliman told reporters at the sidelines of a prayer rally at Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila.

(Restorative justice is what’s needed because we have the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act which states that erring 15-year olds must be given the chance to reform).

Soliman said restorative justice, which allows rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law, was also embraced by the church and non-government organizations.

“Dun sa restorative justice ng paggawa ng maraming non-government organizations at simbahan ay maraming patunay na ang mga bata na dadaan sa proseso at nagbabago at nagiging tagumpay,” Soliman said.

(Under the restorative justice program of NGOs and church organizations, it has been proven many times that children who undergo the process end up reformed).
“Pag binigyan ng pagkakataon na sila ay mag-aral at sila ay magabayan ay sila ay nagbabago,” she added.

(If given the chance to study and be properly guided they can be reformed).

Soliman also cited that it was then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now House Speaker, who signed the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act that raised the minimum age of criminal liability to 15.

In 2006, Arroyo signed Republic Act 9344 or Juvenile Justice Welfare Act into law which raised the minimum age of criminal liability to 15. /gsg