Youth

Bam to PNP: Look into illegal drug problems in SUCs, public and private schools

Senator Bam Aquino called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine the accessibility of illegal drugs in state colleges and universities (SUCs) and public and private schools in the country.

 During the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Sen. Bam asked PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa if he has information on how prevalent illegal drugs in SUCs and private schools.

 “Gaano ho ka-available ang illegal drugs sa ating mga eskuwelahan?” Sen. Bam asked Director General Dela Rosa.

 Currently, Dela Rosa said the PNP has no data but promised Sen. Bam that he will look into the matter and provide the Senate with the needed information immediately.

 As chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam plans to conduct a separate hearing to determine the prevalence of illegal drugs in SUCs, public and private schools.

 Sen. Bam also plans to look into the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) proposal to include drug testing as a requirement for admission in colleges and universities.

 “Maganda ang layunin ng plano ngunit dapat nating timbangin ang lahat ng panig at isa-alang-alang ang karapatan ng ating mga estudyante na makakuha ng edukasyon sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: SK abolition ‘premature’

A senator described as premature plans to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), stressing that improvements in the SK Reform Act must be given a chance to be implemented so its success can be gauged.

“It is premature to abolish the SK before we have a chance to implement the improvements in the SK Reform Act and gauge its success,” said Sen. Bam, who worked for passage of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress.

 “Let’s have a little more faith in the Filipino youth and their ability to contribute to their communities,” the senator added, saying “they might even surprise us with innovative solutions to critical issues, like hunger or drug use.”

 Aside from rejecting calls for SK abolition, Sen. Bam also rebuffed moves to postpone the SK elections for two years.

 “It is unacceptable. At most, we can postpone elections for a few months to give the Commission on Elections (Comelec) time for better preparation and recruitment of more voters and candidates,” said Sen. Bam.

 The first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision, the SK Reform Act prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

 In addition, the law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

 Furthermore, Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

 The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

 The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Bam: Let’s give SK a chance to produce new heroes

Let’s give the new Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) a chance to produce a young generation of heroes.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this plea as the country celebrates National Heroes Day amid growing calls to postpone the SK elections for two years, adding that the reforms will be for naught if not implemented immediately.

 “Sayang naman ang repormang isinulong natin sa batas kung maghihintay pa tayo ng dalawang taon para ito’y makita,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress.

 “Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang SK na humubog ng mga bagong bayani mula sa ating mga kabataan na tutulong sa pagpapalakas ng ating mga komunidad,” added Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

 Instead of a two-year wait, Sen. Bam is open to postpone the SK elections for several months until early 2017 to give the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ample time to prepare.

 “Huwag na nating pag-antayin pa ng matagal ang ating mga kabataan na kasalukuyan nang naghahanda para sa halalan at sabik nang maglingkod sa kapwa nila kabataan,” Sen. Bam asserted.

 “Gamitin natin ang pagpapaliban na ito bilang dagdag na panahon sa pagpaparehistro at paghikayat sa ating mga kabataan na tumakbo sa ilalim ng bagong SK,” he added.

 The SK Reform Act is the first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision, prohibiting relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

 Aside from its anti-dynasty provision, the new law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

 Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

 The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

 The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Bam on postponement of SK elections

We waited long enough for the SK to be reformed.

 Now we have an SK Reform Law we can all be proud of, the agencies involved have made their commitments, and the youth have registered to vote.

 Ready na po tayo para sa bagong SK.

 Bukas po tayo sa pagpapaliban ng SK elections pero sana ay hindi hihigit sa isang taon at magamit ang panahon para pagbutihin pa ang implementasyon at paramihin pa ang mga botante at kandidato.

 Huwag naman sanang maagrabyado pa ang kabataang Pilipino.

 

Bam on PH’s campaign in The International DOTA 2 tournament

Congratulations to TNC for putting the Philippines in the spotlight as a force to reckon with in the DOTA 2 community.

 TNC’s outstanding performance at The International will leave a lasting mark, especially your win over heavily favored OG squad, in the biggest DOTA 2 stage in the world.

 Maraming salamat sa buong giting na pagdala ng bandila ng Pilipinas sa nasabing torneo. Ipinagmalalaki kayo ng buong bansa!

 Tuloy pa po ang laban ni DJ ng Team Fnatic. Congratulations, DJ! We’re all behind you!

 

* Sen. Bam is a staunch supporter of eSports and video game development industry in the country.

Bam: All systems go for 2 PH teams to The International

With all kinks now ironed out, it’s all systems go for the two Philippine teams that will see action in The International – the biggest DOTA tournament in the world —  in Seattle, Washington, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
Sen. Bam announced that Execration and TNC Pro Team have received the required visas to participate in the tournament with a grand prize of 18 million US dollars, which will be held from August 3 to 13.
 
“Our prayers for TNC and Execration have been answered. Matutuloy sila sa The International DOTA2 Championships at tuloy rin ang ating pagsuporta!” said Sen. Bam, an ardent supporter of local eSports and video game development industry in the country. 
 
Out of around 20,000 teams vying to qualify for this competition, Sen. Bam said only 18 will compete and two are from the Philippines.
 
“I would like to wish our Philippine teams good luck as they represent our country in the world stage! We are very proud of you,” the senator added.
 
Execration and TNC, for their part, thanked Sen. Bam for his continuing support to the eSports community.

 

Bam: Go out and register for Barangay, SK polls

Go out and register.
 
Sen. Bam Aquino urges qualified individuals to register for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections before the non-extendible July 30 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), stressing this is an opportunity to effect change in their communities.
 
“Sayang naman ang pagkakataon na makatulong sa pagbabago at makapamili ng mga karapat-dapat na lider sa ating barangay at sa kabataan kung hindi natin sasamantalahin ang pagkakataong ito,” said Sen. Bam, co-author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act.
 
Sen. Bam issued the call after the Comelec announced that it will not extend the registration period for the Barangay and SK elections.
 
The SK Reform Act is the first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision as it prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.
 
Aside from its anti-dynasty provision, the new law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.
 
Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.
 
The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.
 
The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.
 
“Nakakapanghinayang naman ang mga pagbabagong ito sa ating SK kung kaunti lang ang lalahok dito,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: Strengthen juvenile delinquency facilities

Instead of lowering age of criminal liability to nine years old, a senator urges the government to focus on strengthening the country’s juvenile centers to make it more effective in rehabilitating youth offenders.

 “Bakit hindi na lang palakasin ang Juvenile Delinquency Facility. Pondohan po natin, siguraduhin na kaya talagang ma­rehabilitate yung mga bata,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth, in a radio interview.

 In fact, Sen. Bam pointed out that one of the best juvenile facilities in the country is in Davao City, where President Duterte was a former mayor.

 “Kung tutuusin, mayroon namang pong track record ang ibang mga facility na may kakayahan silang mag-rehabilitate. May mga na-meet na po tayong mga batang kalye na na-rehabilitate, lumabas, bumalik sa eskwelahan, nakapag-graduate, nag-aaral at ngayo’y nagtatrabaho,” the senator stressed.

 Sen. Bam issued the pronouncement in response to Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez’s position that his bill lowering the age of criminal liability to nine years old is focused on rehabilitation and not punishment.

 “Masyado po yang marahas. Palagay ko, kapag kapanahunan ng debate, puwede namang maghanap ng compromise o maghanap ng paraan na hindi maperwisyo ang mga bata pero iyong goal na maging mas malakas tayo sa paglaban sa krimen, ma­achieve pa rin natin,” he said.

 Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, if a child taken into custody is fifteen (15) years old or below, the child can be either released to its parents or be referred to a youth care facility or “Bahay Pag-asa”.

 A child who is above twelve (12) years of age up to fifteen (15) years of age and who commits specific crimes shall be deemed a neglected child under Presidential Decree No. 603, as amended, and shall be mandatorily placed in a special facility within the youth care facility or ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ called the Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (IJISC).

 These crimes are 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.

 

Bam on bills lowering age of criminal liability and revival of death penalty

Kapag hinayaan nating makalusot ang dalawang panukalang ito, pati mga batang siyam na taong gulang ay kandidato na rin sa bitay.  Ito ba ang Pilipinas na ating ninanais?

 Excerpts from Sen. Bam’s television interview re: two bills

 To give full criminal liability to nine years old, masyadong marahas po iyon at baka hindi rin po iyon akma sa development ng isang tao. 

If you put the two bills that Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez  filed together, iyong pagbalik ng death penalty tsaka pagbaba ng age to nine years old, mayroon tayong sitwasyon na baka nine years old, binibigyan mo ng life imprisonment o binibigyan mo ng death penalty.

 I don’t know kung na-realize iyan ng mga proponents ng batas na ito but there could be a case, ginawang courier ng isang drug lord o drug pusher ang isang bata tapos nahuli.

 Ang batang iyan can actually get life imprisonment or death penalty. Handa ba ang Pilipinas na pumatay ng nine years old na nasangkot sa ganoong klaseng pangyayari?  I don’t think that’s what we want to do, na pumatay tayo ng mga bata.

Bam: Lowering age of criminal liability may result in more criminals

Lowering the age of criminal liability may result in more criminals rather than reduce crime.

Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth, issued this warning in reaction to the incoming government’s plan to lower the criminal liability to 12 years old. 

 “With the current state of our justice system and the poor condition of our prisons and detention centers, placing a child with incarcerated criminals will likely encourage criminal leanings instead of rehabilitation,” he said.

Sen. Bam stressed that this proposal must be studied carefully because it may lead to more problems, rather than prevent crime.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act or Republic Act 10630, children below 15 years old are exempted from criminal liability and can be released to the custody of his/her parents or may be referred to a youth care facility or “Bahay Pag-asa”.

“Rather than meting out full criminal liability to children, we can look at reforms improving our juvenile delinquency facilities or even adding penalties to their parents,” he added.

“These improvements and amendments are items the Committee can take up and study.”

 

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