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Duterte signs law allowing community service as penalty for minor offenses

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a law allowing courts to penalize those who committed minor offenses with community service. </p><p>Duterte signed on Aug. 8 Republic Act No. 11362 or the Community Service Act which allows courts to mete out community service as punishment instead of jail time from 1 to 30 days. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/08/13/part-1.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/08/13/part-2.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/08/13/img_2916.jpg"/></figure></div><p>Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said these minor offenses include causing alarm and scandal, malicious mischief, intentional breakage of others&#x27; goods, and causing riot in a religious activity.</p><p>Community service will be done in places where the crimes were committed. The court will determine how long it would be, depending on the gravity of the crime.</p><p>Offenders will have to undergo rehabilitative counseling led by a social welfare and development officer. Courts should also consider if the offender in question would repeat his or her offenses again, the measure read.</p><p>If the offender violates his or her terms regarding community service, the court may again order arrest.</p><p>The Department of Justice, along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will implement the said measure. <strong>- Report from Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News</strong></p>

<p>President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law allowing courts to penalize minor offenses with community service instead of jail time of up to 30 days. </p>

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law allowing courts to penalize minor offenses with community service instead of jail time of up to 30 days.