Junk bill lowering age of criminal liability, P-Noy urged

MANILA, Philippines - A children's welfare advocacy group on Friday called on President Benigno Aquino III to veto a House bill, seeking to lower the age of criminal liability for juvenile offenders,  once approved by legislators.

Akap Bata partylist group said a series of bicameral session of Senate and Congress amending Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 were being conducted.

Child advocates already made statements rejecting provisions on reducing age of criminal liability under the approved House Bill 6052, while welcoming some of the favourable provisions strengthening JJWA under approved Senate Bill 3324.

"PNoy has the last say on this issue, he must draw the line and must have clear and strong position opposing these moves to criminalize our children," the group said.

Meanwhile, child advocates and militant groups Bayan and Anakbayan marched this morning to Mendiola in Manila to appeal to Malacañan and immediately reject the proposal.

"For the longest time, the clamor of poor children in terms of their basic rights as human has never been addressed. Now is the best time for President Aquino to once and for all have a big heart for the best interest of every Filipino child," Arlene Brosas, National Secretary-General and the First Nominee of Akap Bata Party-List, said.

"Aside from this very particular issue of child protection, we challenge President Aquino to also address the very basic needs of Filipino children and their families for education, nutrition and shelter. The lack of these core necessities of a child in order to grow and live holistically pushes them to commit petty crimes and make them vulnerable in abuses from syndicate groups," she added.

Brosas said that "criminalizing children will never be a solution to juvenile delinquency in the country", but  "will only worsen the problem." - Dennis Carcamo