Sotto seeks to lower criminal liability age to 13
MANILA, Philippines — Citing exploitation of criminal syndicates, Senate President Vicento "Tito" Sotto wants to lower the age of criminal liability to 13 years old.
The senator filed Senate Bill 2026, which amends Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, to "adapt to changing times."
"Not only was the law abused by criminals but the innocence of these youngsters were deliberately taken from them," Sotto said in his explanatory note.
The Senate leader said the proposed measure is consistent with President Rodrigo Duterte's goal to counter criminality in the country.
He also cited a Child Rights International Network study which showed that the average minimum age of criminal responsibility in Africa and Asia is 11 years old, while it is 13 years old in America and Europe.
"The State must ensure that those children in conflict with the law who are currently exempted from criminal liability who take advantage of the same must not be given the same privilege," Sotto said.
Under Sotto's proposed bill, children above nine years old to 12 years old would be deemed neglected under Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code of they commit serious crimes such as parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and homicide. They would be placed in a special facility within youth care faculty or Bahay Pag-asa.
Lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine was among the Duterte administration's top priority legislative measure last year.
However, the House subcommittee in correctional reforms rejected the bill making children aged at least nine years liable for their crime. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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