Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan expressed optimism that Senate Bill 1402 will finally be approved after being shelved in the Senate for many years.
"The measure has been in the legislative mill as early as the 9th Congress," Pangilinan, principal author of the measure, said.
"I am glad that the Juvenile Justice bill is up for approval. I am positive that my colleagues in the Senate will not allow any more delays in its passage. The bill has solicited attention from various sectors and it’s high time that we get these children out of jail and into restorative programs," the senator said.
Pangilinan explained that the passage of the bill would mean that the country is serious in providing for the rehabilitation of children who are in conflict with the law.
"The bill’s passage will not only send the message that we will not allow, as a nation, our children to suffer the inconceivable conditions of incarceration. Its passage will also salvage the future of every child who is languishing in jail. We are also in a way saving the future of our nation," he said in a statement.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, vowed last week to speed up the approval of the bill so as to rescue children being detained in jails intended only for adult criminals.
Drilon said the country was painted in a bad light when CNN recently documented the plight of children in adult jails. The documentary was seen across Asia and the United States.
Moreover, aside from the Juvenile Justice bill, other legislative measures to be discussed during this week’s sessions are the Franchise Bill, sponsored by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and some telecommunication measures.
Senators are also expected to debate during interpellations the Credit Information Bill, a measure sponsored by Sen. Edgardo Angara, and the 2006 national budget.
Drilon said the Upper Chamber is only waiting for the final approval of the 2006 budget in the Lower House so as not to delay the passage of next year’s national budget.
In the past, the national budget was deemed reenacted after the bicameral conference committee failed to submit for approval the national budget.
This year, Congress is expected to approve over P1 trillion budget for 2006.
