(b) If the child is above fifteen (15) years old but below eighteen (18) and who acted with
discernment, proceed to diversion under the following chapter.
CHAPTER 2
DIVERSION
SEC. 23. System of Diversion. - Children in conflict with the law shall undergo diversion programs
without undergoing court proceedings subject to the conditions herein provided:
(a) Where the imposable penalty for the crime committee is not more than six (6) years
imprisonment, the law enforcement officer or Punong Barangay with the assistance of the
local social welfare and development officer or other members of the LCPC shall conduct
mediation, family conferencing and conciliation and, where appropriate, adopt indigenous
modes of conflict resolution in accordance with the best interest of the child with a view to
accomplishing the objectives of restorative justice and the formulation of a diversion
program. The child and his/her family shall be present in these activities.
(b) In victimless crimes where the imposable penalty is not more than six (6) years
imprisonment, the local social welfare and development officer shall meet with the child and
his/her parents or guardians for the development of the appropriate diversion and
rehabilitation program, in coordination with the BCPC;
(c) Where the imposable penalty for the crime committed exceeds six (6) years
imprisonment, diversion measures may be resorted to only by the court.
SEC. 24. Stages Where Diversion May be Conducted. - Diversion may be conducted at the
Katarungang Pambarangay, the police investigation or the inquest or preliminary investigation stage
and at all 1evels and phases of the proceedings including judicial level.
SEC. 25. Conferencing, Mediation and Conciliation. - A child in conflict with law may undergo
conferencing, mediation or conciliation outside the criminal justice system or prior to his entry into
said system. A contract of diversion may be entered into during such conferencing, mediation or
conciliation proceedings.
SEC. 26. Contract of Diversion. - If during the conferencing, mediation or conciliation, the child
voluntarily admits the commission of the act, a diversion program shall be developed when
appropriate and desirable as determined under Section 30. Such admission shall not be used
against the child in any subsequent judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings. The
diversion program shall be effective and binding if accepted by the parties concerned. The
acceptance shall be in writing and signed by the parties concerned and the appropriate authorities.
The local social welfare and development officer shall supervise the implementation of the diversion
program. The diversion proceedings shall be completed within forty-five (45) days. The period of
prescription of the offense shall be suspended until the completion of the diversion proceedings but
not to exceed forty-five (45) days.
The child shall present himself/herself to the competent authorities that imposed the diversion
program at least once a month for reporting and evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract of diversion, as certified by the local
social welfare and development officer, shall give the offended party the option to institute the
appropriate legal action.