Manila to impose ‘lenient’ curfew

MANILA, Philippines — After the Supreme Court struck down its curfew ordinance for being unconstitutional, the city government of Manila will introduce a new measure that will be more lenient and less restrictive to minors, Mayor Joseph Estrada said yesterday.

Estrada has asked the city council to prioritize the passage of the proposed ordinance but reminded the councilors to hear the people’s views first and change some of the provisions if necessary before they pass it.

District 5 Councilor Ricardo Isip Jr., the principal author of the draft ordinance, said the proposed measure was approved during the first reading last August.

A series of public hearings will start today, he added. 

Isip’s proposed ordinance sets the curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Unlike City Ordinance 8046 passed in 2002 during the incumbency of then mayor Lito Atienza, the proposed ordinance is more “relaxed” and “child-friendly,” Isip said.

“For one, we took out the provision that penalizes the offending minor, including putting them in jail. This time, we will hold their parents or guardians responsible, not them,” Isip said.

For the first to third offenses, the parents or guardians will be fined and made to perform community service.

For the fourth and subsequent offenses, the parent or guardian will be fined P5,000, serve six months in jail or both as well as attend a one-day seminar on responsible parenting. 

The Supreme Court nullified Ordinance 8046, which imposes reprimands, fined and imprisonment on minors. The SC said it is unconstitutional and runs counter to Republic Act 9344, the juvenile justice law.

Estrada had said the city government will comply with the ruling of the SC.