PH Senate reviewing Juvenile Justice law after school shooting incident — Senator Erwin Tulfo

Senator Erwin Tulfo announced on Friday that the Senate is conducting a comprehensive review of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

This review comes amid ongoing debate regarding whether to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility following the recent school shooting in Tacloban City.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said it has become clear that the law needs to be reexamined, particularly how it is being enforced.

"Naging malinaw para sa atin na dapat nang repasuhin at suriin nang mas malalim ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Hindi lamang yung mga probisyon nito, kundi yung implementasyon at on-ground application nito na nakakaapekto sa buhay at kalayaan ng mga kabataan," he said in a statement.

The senator noted that some sectors are calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be lowered, citing cases involving minors accused of serious crimes, including those linked to the recent school shooting in Tacloban City, Leyte.

At the same time, Tulfo said child psychologists and social workers believe the issue lies not with the law itself but with its implementation, as well as the role of parents and communities in raising children.

He said his office is consulting criminal law experts, law enforcement officials, juvenile justice specialists, and social welfare agencies to determine whether lowering the age of criminal responsibility is warranted.

"Kailangan nating tapat na sagutin: Dapat na nga ba ibaba ang age of criminal liability? Effective ba ang implementasyon ng batas na ito para sa pagbalanse ng rehabilitation ng mga batang nagkasala at ng seguridad ng mga komunidad? May mga sapat bang pasilidad ang pamahalaan para maisakatuparan yung mithiin ng batas?" Tulfo said.

The review will also assess whether the government has sufficient facilities and programs to fulfill the law's rehabilitation goals.

While acknowledging that opinions remain divided, Tulfo urged stakeholders to work toward lasting reforms.

"Kailangan na ng totoong solusyon," he said. "Isulong na ang mga polisiya at programa na di lang magiging reactive kapag may nabiktima na, kundi magiging proactive sa paggabay sa ating kabataan upang di na sila maligaw ng landas."

-Paraluman News