With the proposed 2006 General Appropriations Act pending with the bicameral conference committee of Congress, there was a sigh of relief that the stalemate would be a blessing in disguise since the country's budget deficit could be wiped out next year or two. But with the introduction of the proposed supplemental budget by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the tune of P46.6 billion, new borrowings will be needed to support the P46.6-billion proposed supplemental budget.

According to administration Sen. Ralph Recto, to cover this year's deficit, government will have to borrow P44 billion or about P45 billion. This in effect, would deprive the business sector in any new investments or activities that will generate new jobs, Sen. Recto said.

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The House committee on justice last Wednesday declared that the eighth complaint filed against President Arroyo was sufficient in form.

However, the House committee has yet to decide next week whether the complaint was sufficient in substance.

House minority congressmen headed by Minority Leader Francis Escudero sought an amendment to the House impeachment rules to allow the complainants to present evidence before the House committee on justice to prove that the complaint is sufficient in substance.

Whether the House of Representatives will accede to the proposal of the minority congressmen remains to be seen.

We hope that the impeachment complaint would be transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate so that the President can present evidence to rebut the allegations of poll rigging, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and violations of human rights.

The only way to put closure to the allegations against the President was to transmit the complaint to the Senate.

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If the complaint would be dismissed by the House of Representatives, complainants are not barred from reviving anew their impeachment complaints next year. This would prolong the question of legitimacy of the President's stay in office.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran passed last Wednesday Proposed Ordinance No. 19-06 prohibiting children below 18 years of age from entering nightclubs, disco bars, karaoke and videoke bars at any time of any day in the city.

The proposed ordinance seeks to protect minors with the proliferation of nightclubs, and other places of entertainment.

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The proliferation of groups of children and young adults organized like gangs has been alarming in the city. Recently, some students were victimized by these groups of youngsters. One was seriously injured as a buckle was smashed on his head. Another was hit by a bullet when a group of youngsters fired at an ice-cream vendor. On the other hand, another was dispossesed of his cell phone.

What should be done about this problem of juvenile delinquency?

A thorough campaign should be made by the city government to solve this problem. He Pastoral Councils should also help in solving this problem.

Last week, the Parish Pastoral Council of the Birhen sa Barangay of Cogon District held its strategic planning and workshop.

The family and life sector of the Parish Pastoral Council proposed some activities to solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. Some of these activities are the family counseling, parent-youth encounter, and anti-drug campaigns through seminars and symposia.

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Some of the causes of juvenile delinquency are traced to broken homes. Some children are left unattended by their parents; thereby these youngsters go their peers for protection. The parents are supposed to be the protectors of their children. Some parents also left their children unattended because they are abroad working to earn a living and to look for greener pasture.

Those left by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) were proposed to be visited by family counselors. They need the help of some well-meaning volunteers so that these youngsters left at their homes will not go astray.

Those unattended by the parents due to broken homes should be taken care of by the government. They could be apprehended for roaming around and they could be placed in some reformatory institutions like the Boys Town.

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For comments and reactions, send mail to Atty. Jorge D. Cabalit, Cabalit Law Office, 74 Belderol Street, Tagbilaran City or send e-mail to: viewpoints@boholchronicle.com