Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has opposed Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla’s proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability to 10 years old for minors accused of heinous crimes, saying the root of the problem lies in the weak implementation of existing laws rather than in their provisions.
In a report by RH Raymund Dadpaas on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Padilla filed Senate Bill 372 seeking to amend Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, to remove criminal liability exemptions for offenders aged 10 to 17 who are charged with heinous crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping with homicide, destructive arson, and drug-related offenses punishable by more than 12 years in prison.
"Palagay ko, masyadong mababa ang 10 years old. Although even if you are 10 years old at ikaw ay nag-commit ng rape, minimum one year, mandatory confinement. Pwedeng ma-extend dahil ‘yan naman ang sinasabi ng batas,” Pangilinan said.
But Pangilinan, the principal author of RA 9344, maintained that minors are not automatically freed from accountability.
Under the law, children in conflict with the law can be placed in mandatory custody for at least one year, extendable depending on the gravity of the offense.
"Dapat lang mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng karumaldumal na krimen na galing sa menor de edad. Subalit hindi tama pag sinabing kapag minor de edad dapat pakawalan. Number one, dahil pag pinakawalan 'yan, labag sa batas yan at dapat parusahan yung mga nagpapakawala ng mga minor de edad na nagkasala. 'Yan ang batas. Iba ang batas, iba naman ang implementasyon,” Pangilinan stressed.
He said minors are not automatically freed from accountability, noting that the law allows their custody for at least one year, extendable depending on the offense.
Pangilinan also pointed out that minors who are proven to have acted with discernment may be tried and penalized as adults.
He cited the 2021 Maguad siblings’ murder case in North Cotabato, where the 16- and 17-year-old suspects were tried as adults and sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
“‘Yung bitiw na salita nung bata… na ginawa namin ang krimen dahil alam namin hindi kami mapaparusahan, ay maling impormasyon. Hindi tama na hindi sila mapaparusahan… Maliwanag sa batas na maaari silang litisin bilang mga nasa hustong gulang na kapag napatunayan na meron silang discernment,” Pangilinan said.
He added that the law penalizes parents or syndicates who use minors to commit crimes, imposing the maximum sentence for the offense committed.
“A person who abuses his authority over the child or instigates the commission of the crime shall be imposed a penalty prescribed by law for the crime committed in its maximum period,” Pangilinan cited.
"Bakit hindi habulin ‘yung mga sindikato? Kasi mas madali parusahan ‘yung bata. Mahirap parusahan ‘yung mga sindikato dahil ‘yun makapangyarihan. ‘Yung bata, vulnerable. Ginamit na ng mga sindikato, exploited na, biktima na dahil ginagamit at kinakasangkapan, at mabibiktima ulit ng estado dahil kailangan silang parusahan at ikulong.” said Pangilinan.
Meanwhile, Padilla clarified that his proposal is not meant to undermine Pangilinan’s law.
“Wala po akong nakikitang hindi maganda sa batas na ginawa po ninyo… Yun lamang po [sa] usapin, doon lamang po sa edad. At yun po talaga ang aming intention na bumaba po ito dahil sa nakita naman po natin, talagang yung mga nakakagawa po ng krimen ngayon ay nasa ganoong edad [10 years old pababa] na po,” he noted.
“Isa lang po yung ating mithiin, proteksyon ang mga bata. Pero ‘yung mga nakagawa po ng mga heinous crime, hindi ko po talaga matatanggap na tatawagin nating mga bata itong mga ito,” Padilla added.
Pangilinan maintained that instead of lowering the age of criminal liability, the focus should be on ensuring the law is enforced properly and that authorities are held accountable for lapses.
Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed support for Padilla’s proposal to lower the age of criminal liability for heinous crimes, citing numerous cases he had encountered through his radio program.
“I would like to commend Sen. Padilla for his privilege speech, which primarily seeks to improve our peace and order situation. I understand his intention, Mr. President,” said Tulfo.
