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Sec. 68. Privilege of Suspended Sentence to be Availed of Only Once by a First-Time Minor Offender. The privilege of suspended sentence shall be availed of only once by an accused drug dependent who is a first-time offender over fifteen (15) years of age at the time of the commission of the violation of Sec. 15 of this Act but not more than eighteen (18) years of age at the time when judgment should have been promulgated.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 69. Promulgation of Sentence for First-Time Minor Offender. If the accused first-time minor offender violates any of the conditions of his/her suspended sentence, the applicable rules and regulations of the Board exercising supervision and rehabilitative surveillance over him, including the rules and regulations of the Center should confinement be required, the court shall pronounce judgment of conviction and he/she shall serve sentence as any other convicted person.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 70. Probation or Community Service for a First-Time Minor Offender in Lieu of Imprisonment. Upon promulgation of the sentence, the court may, in its discretion, place the accused under probation, even if the sentence provided under this Act is higher than that provided under existing law on probation, or impose community service in lieu of imprisonment. In case of probation, the supervision and rehabilitative surveillance shall be undertaken by the Board through the DOH in coordination with the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Probation Administration. Upon compliance with the conditions of the probation, the Board shall submit a written report to the court recommending termination of probation and a final discharge of the probationer, whereupon the court shall issue such an order.

The community service shall be complied with under conditions, time and place as may be determined by the court in its discretion and upon the recommendation of the Board and shall apply only to violators of Sec. 15 of this Act. The completion of the community service shall be under the supervision and rehabilitative surveillance of the Board during the period required by the court. Thereafter, the Board shall render a report on the manner of compliance of said community service. The court in its discretion may require extension of the community service or order a final discharge.

In both cases, the judicial records shall be covered by the provisions of Sections 60 and 64 of this Act.

If the sentence promulgated by the court requires imprisonment, the period spent in the Center by the accused during the suspended sentence period shall be deducted from the sentence to be served.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 71. Records to be kept by the Department of Justice. The DOJ shall keep a confidential record of the proceedings on suspension of sentence and shall not be used for any purpose other than to determine whether or not a person accused under this Act is a first-time minor offender.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 72. Liability of a Person Who Violates the Confidentiality of Records. The penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years and a fine ranging from One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Six thousand pesos (P6,000.00), shall be imposed upon any person who, having official custody of or access to the confidential records of any drug dependent under voluntary submission programs, or anyone who, having gained possession of said records, whether lawfully or not, reveals their content to any person other than those charged with the prosecution of the offenses under this Act and its implementation. The maximum penalty shall be imposed, in addition to absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, when the offender is a government official or employee. Should the records be used for unlawful purposes, such as blackmail of the drug dependent or the members of his/her family, the penalty imposed for the crime of violation of confidentiality shall be in addition to whatever crime he/she may be convicted of.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 73. Liability of a Parent, Spouse or Guardian Who Refuses to Cooperate with the Board or any Concerned Agency. Any parent, spouse or guardian who, without valid reason, refuses to cooperate with the Board or any concerned agency in the treatment and rehabilitation of a drug dependent who is a minor, or in any manner, prevents or delays the after-care, follow-up or other programs for the welfare of the accused drug dependent, whether under voluntary submission program or compulsory submission program, may be cited for contempt by the court.chanrobles virtualaw library