It appears that the worst is nearly over for “J”, the teenage girl from Southern Letye who skipped through a boutique, salon and beach resort without paying her bills.
After spending more than a month in the custody of social workers, she no longer has to worry about facing trial or getting sentenced for juvenile delinquency.
No more court case hangs over her head. With the dismissal of the estafa case filed by a resort owner, she’s one step closer to going home to Southern Leyte.
Or is that ending still way ahead?
The “beautiful girl” who thrilled Netizens with her boutique shoplifting spree, is in limbo.
Her parents, who are separated, don’t want to get involved or come over to visit. An aunt who was her unofficial guardian no longer wants to take her in.
Does that mean “J” isn’t welcome at home, wherever that is?
The insistence of a Cebu-based lawyer that the minor is his “client” raised the eyebrows of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who held back from his persistent request to have the girl released to him.
She wonders who the lawyer is really representing.
By whose authority is this adult male staking this claim and why should the 16-year-old mestiza, who had checked into the Asturias beach resort presumably for a rendezvous with a married man whom resort personnel remember from a previous visit, be allowed to go with him?
Trust the maternal instincts of Vice Governor Magpale to surface. Would she even consider handing over “J” over to parties who could shuttle the girl back to the company of a much older man who can indulge her whims? Not likely.
As head of the Provincial Womens Commission, Magpale and the team of Capitol social workers who have been watching over “J” since her arrest in December are playing it by the book.
The girl will turned over only to a parent, guardian or government agency because that’s the law. The mayor of the the Southern Leyte town where “J” resides has been contacted and arrangements are being made to have her turned over to responsible parties.
The precocious “J”, who has proven her ability to sweettalk shop keepers, has had time to develop some regret over her choices. She spent Christmas, the New Year and all of the Sinulog festival in undisclosed government centers for children in conflict with the law.
For all her patience, Magpale admits that the Cebu provincial government can’t play nanny to her indefinitely. It’s high time the local government in Southern Leyte take its share of duties in the “diversion program” the law prescribes for minors in trouble.
Despite her age, “J’ doesn’t think or act like a child. The DSWD evaluation showed she acted “with discernment” in her escapades in Cebu.
In keeping with the generous spirit of the resort owner who withdrew the charges, and the merciful mood of Lent, we hope “J”makes use of this second chance for real change. The only alternative is to grow up.