At the inaugural roll of SC’s Justice on Wheels in this town, Governor Ynares cited the need for swift trial of young detainees in various municipal jails in the province, "considering that lost time during their younger years is crucial in determining their future."
Ynares told newsmen that aside from their goal of decongesting jails of minors who are accused of petty crimes, the Rizal provincial government recognizes the human rights of young citizens.
He said that while minors are not immune from criminal prosecution, under laws on human rights, particularly the Bill of Rights, minors accused of criminal offenses should be taken to a government sanctioned youth reformatory institution and should not be treated as criminals.
At the inaugural roll of SC’s "Justice on Wheels," the rolling court dismissed outright eight of the nine cases of minors detained in the Antipolo City jail. "They are currently hearing cases and have announced readiness to promulgate resolution of those involving six minors from Cainta and eight from Taytay," Ynares said.
The "Justice on Wheels," which is presided over by Antipolo RTC Executive Judge Ruth Santos, is slated to roll to Tanay, Rizal next week, "Justice on Wheels" proponent Justice Zenaida Elipano said.
SC’s "Justice on Wheels" is program designed to decongest Metro Manila jails of minors, but a request by Governor Ynares, a younger brother of SC Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, was accommodated by the Supreme Court which is reportedly planning to make the project nationwide.
Ynares said that the "Justice on Wheels" program will not only help them decongest jails in Rizal, but will also help hasten the legal proceedings of the cases filed against minors.
In a brief talk, Justice Zenaida Elipano said that an accused minor may opt to admit his crime by pleading guilty or may opt for a plea bargain in which case he gets to admit guilt on a lesser offense for a lighter sentence.
However, Elipano said that the convicted minors would not be brought to a big jail to serve their jail term, but will instead be brought to a government rehabilitation institution on a suspended sentence.
"But in most cases they are either acquitted or the cases filed against them are dismissed."
Aside from Ynares, other officials present during the inaugural roll of the Justice on Wheels in Rizal were Justice Zenaida Elipano, Mayors Ramon Ilagan of Cainta and Joric Gacula of Taytay.
Ynares also announced that Rizal Province is also set to provide a rolling court for use in the whole province. (FJA)
