Senator Robin Padilla has renewed his call for Congress to review his proposed amendments to the country’s juvenile justice system following a tragic school shooting in Mindanao that left three students dead and seven others wounded.
In a social media post, Padilla questioned if a special legislative session could be called to tackle pressing issues surrounding minors who commit crimes, highlighting a string of recent violent offenses.
“May pag-asa kaya na ma-special session ang kalagayan ng aking panukala para amendahan ang Juvenile Justice Act? Sunod-sunod na po ito: may hold-up, may rape, ngayon, pamamaril sa paaralan…Ano po ba hinihintay ng mga kasama nating mga senador?” he said.
While thanking his fellow lawmakers for passing the co-authored Waling-Waling bill, the senator urged them to show the same urgency for his juvenile justice measure.
His statement follows the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School, which took place during morning hours.
Padilla’s bill, initially filed in July 2025, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9344 (the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006) by lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old. It also aims to strip criminal immunity from minors aged 10 to 17 who perpetrate heinous crimes. Currently, Philippine law shields any child under 15 from criminal prosecution.
During a brief interview, Padilla once again pressed the Senate to prioritize the debate on his bill.
“Dapat gawin na natin gawin yan, ngayon na,” he said.
Padilla noted that other nations have already lowered their age of criminal liability, arguing that the Philippines should consider following suit to deter youth involvement in severe crimes.