Sen. Risa Hontiveros has expressed opposition to proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility amid renewed discussions following recent school-related violence, while supporting a review and possible amendments to strengthen the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
“Tutol po ako sa pagpapababa ng minimum age of criminal responsibility, pero sang-ayon ako na dapat i-review at i-evaluate at kung kinakailangan, i-amend para palakasin ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” Hontiveros said during “Kapihan sa Maynila” on Thursday, July 2.
She added that any review should focus on strengthening intervention and diversion programs for children in conflict with the law, including those involved in serious offenses.
“Lalo na doon sa usapin ng pagmamandato at pagsuporta sa mas komprehensibo at epektibong intervention and diversion programs sa mga children in conflict with the law, kasama na po ’yung mga nakakagawa ng heinous crime,” she said.
Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, children aged 15 and below are generally exempt from criminal liability, while those above 15 but below 18 may be held liable if they are found to have acted with discernment.
Earlier, Sen. Robin Padilla urged colleagues to consider lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 10 and to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, following the June 22 shooting incident in Tacloban City that involved two underage suspects and left three students dead and 20 others injured.
Hontiveros said she is prepared to participate in discussions if the matter is referred to the Senate Committee on Justice, noting that lawmakers would likely consider updated research on child psychology and juvenile justice.
She emphasized that the priority should be intervention rather than lowering the age of criminal responsibility, stressing that the most important aspect of the law is the implementation of effective intervention and diversion programs for minors.
“Ang tamang direksyon kung may gustong magrevisit ng minimum age of responsibility ay hindi pababa, baka nga pataas. Kaya para sa akin ang pinaka-interesanteng probisyon doon sa Juvenile Justice and Welfare act ay yung isyu ng intervention at diversion. Na kapag ang isang 15 years old isang 14 years old ay nakagawa ng ganitong heinous crimes sa kanilang kapwa bata,” she said.
“Paano mag-iintervene sa kanila, paano sila ida-divert habang patanda sila hanggang 18. Para tanggalin sila sa cycle of violence kung saan sila isinadlak,” she said.
