Navotas OKs ‘overhauled’ curfew ordinance

Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco

Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco has signed into law a new curfew ordinance which he described as a “complete overhaul” of the old one declared void by the Supreme Court three months ago.

Approved on Dec. 7, City Ordinance No. 2017-16 imposes a curfew on minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and penalizes the violators’ parents or guardians.

According to Tiangco, the ordinance was a complete overhaul of the previous one that was disapproved by the high tribunal for lacking safeguards to protect the constitutional rights of minors.

Tiangco expressed confidence that the city’s new ordinance would pass legal scrutiny, saying it was patterned after a similar measure adopted in Quezon City.

In August, the Supreme Court upheld Quezon City’s curfew ordinance, saying it was compliant with the law, while nullifying those of Manila and Navotas.

Councilor Ethel Arriola, who authored the new Navotas curfew ordinance, said the revised measure, for example, expanded the list of those qualified for exemption, like minors who are forced to stay out late to attend activities related to school, socialization or religion.

No mention, however, was made of political activities such as rallies and demonstrations. But Arriola said it was agreed upon during the public hearing that these would be considered “sociocivic activities.”

Minors attending parties or other celebrations, as well as those running errands or doing chores, were also exempted from the curfew.

As for violators, it will be their parents and guardians who will be penalized with fines ranging from P2,000 to P5,000, in addition to community service and counseling for at-risk children.

The ordinance also required barangays to create “children at-risk spaces” where repeat offenders would be held, Arriola said.