Senator Risa Hontiveros has voiced her strong opposition to proposals aimed at lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the Philippines, arguing that scientific research on youth development firmly contradicts treating children as adults in the justice system.
“Tutol po ako sa pagpapababa ng minimum age of criminal responsibility,” Hontiveros said during a media forum on Thursday.
“Pero sang-ayon ako na dapat i-review at evaluate at kung kinakailangan i-amend para palakasin ‘yung Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” she added.
Her remarks follow a recent Senate inquiry into a tragic school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and 20 others injured. The attack, allegedly perpetrated by two Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15, has reignited intense national debate over reforming Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
As the head of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros pointed out that developmental psychology underscores how young brains are not yet fully matured.
“Ang science ngayon, sa mga developmental psychologists, talagang nabubuo ‘yung discernment natin bilang tao, bilang adults, in our 20s,” Hontiveros said.
The lawmaker cautioned that placing minors through the adult punitive system would yield counterproductive results, potentially turning young offenders into career criminals.
“Kung halimbawa ikukulong sila kasama ng mga adults, hardened criminals for example, eh ‘di lalo lang silang ma-re-recruit at matuturuan ng mali,” she added.
Rather than lowering the liability threshold to age 10 as suggested by some colleagues, Hontiveros urged the government to resolve the funding shortages hindering youth rehabilitation.
She highlighted that numerous local government units, including highly urbanized cities, have failed to build their mandatory “Bahay Pag-asa” juvenile intervention centers due to tight budgets.
“In the meantime, pwedeng doon magkaroon ng intervention o diversion program sa mga children in conflict with the law. So it’s also a limitation on resources, ‘yung budget, titingnan namin ulit in a few months’ time sa budget debates,” she added.