Senator Robin Padilla has sharply criticized the Senate for delaying two legislative measures aimed at child protection, warning that young Filipinos remain highly vulnerable to juvenile crime and online radicalization.
In a social media statement released Friday, June 26, Padilla questioned the need for further studies on internet-driven extremism.
He emphasized that the country has already seen multiple instances of minors being manipulated by radical political, religious, and ideological agendas.
”Radicalization mula sa internet kailangan pa bang pag-aralan? Can we not learn from our past experiences?” Padilla remarked.
The lawmaker specifically urged his colleagues to fast-track the “Children’s Safety in Social Media Act,” which seeks to restrict minors’ access to social media platforms to protect them from digital exploitation and radicalization.
Padilla expressed deep frustration that the critical bill remains stalled in the plenary.
He also pressed for the advancement of Senate Bill No. 372, which proposes to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act by lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old. Padilla argues that the adjustment is crucial to deterring youth involvement in heinous crimes.
”Ano po ba ang hinihintay natin talaga? Huwag po nating ipakita na parang naglolokohan na lang tayo sa Senado,” he stated.
While noting his recent co-authorship of a bill declaring the Waling-waling as the national orchid, Padilla maintained that his child-safety proposals carry far greater national urgency.
”Sabi ninyo po magtrabaho na tayo! Magtrabaho po tayo ng tama! Hindi po maganda ang patintero sa oras ng napapahamak ang ating kabataan,” Padilla asserted.
Concluding his statement, the senator expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of “political maturity” stalling these urgent safety measures in the legislative process.