Senator Hontiveros opposes lowering age of criminal liability in PH

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she remains opposed to proposals seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility, but expressed support for reviewing and strengthening the country's juvenile justice law.

Speaking during a media forum at the Manila Prince Hotel, Hontiveros said the focus should be on improving existing protections and intervention mechanisms under Republic Act No. 9344.

"Tutol ako sa pagpapababa ng minimum age for criminal responsibility," Hontiveros said.

"Pero sang-ayon ako na dapat i-review at i-evaluate at kung kinakailangan i-amend para palakasin yung Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act lalo na sa usapin nang pagmamandato at pagsuporta sa mas komprehensibo at epektibong intervention at diversion programs sa mga children in conflict with the law kasama mga nakakagawa ng heinous crimes sa mga kapwa bata tulad nang sa Tacloban and always, always based sa principle ng best interest of the child," she added.

Renewed calls to amend the law and reduce the age of criminal responsibility surfaced after the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City. Earlier on Thursday, the mother of Grade 9 student Joyancee Separa, one of the victims, also voiced support for the proposal.

Hontiveros said lawmakers are instead looking at legislative measures to address gaps in existing laws, particularly in preventing online exploitation and criminal activity involving minors.

"May mga gaps sa current legislation na hindi timely at epektibong nae-equipt ang iba't-ibang ahensya na i-disrupt at harangin at hulihin ang malign actors sa digital spaces...Nagsisimula na kami mag-usap na punuin ang gaps in terms of amendment sa mga kasalukuyang batas o pagsasabatas ng bago rin," she added.

On June 22, two minors aged 14 and 15 allegedly opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, killing three students and injuring several others.

The Police Regional Office 8 said a criminal complaint has been filed against the 15-year-old suspect, while both children in conflict with the law have been turned over to the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Tacloban City.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, children aged 15 and below are exempt from criminal liability and may instead undergo intervention programs.

Those above 15 but below 18 are likewise exempt unless prosecutors establish that they acted with discernment. In such cases, they are subject to child-centered proceedings and may qualify for diversion programs or suspended sentences instead of imprisonment.