The ardent moves in Congress to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 9 years old reflects the weakness, if not utter lack, of rehabilitation programs in the country.

MyPeace Boses ng Kabataan, a youth-led group, launched an information dissemination campaign on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) with a forum on BOL and civilian peacekeeping at Aleosan National High School in North Cotabato last October 5.

The passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) last July 2018 gives hope for a lasting peace in Mindanao. There is, however, much work to be done in defining the areas of the Bangsamoro, setting up governance structures, and, putting into motion administrative agreements.

The past continues to haunt nation even as it is once again confronted with a breakdown in the rule of law. This is a tragic commentary that was highlighted in the BALAY-sponsored showing of the film Respeto at the Cine Adarna Theater last Sept. 18, 2018 as part of activities to commemorate the imposition of military rule in 1972.