Despite Congress’ setting of the age of criminal liability to 12 years old instead of nine on a proposed measure, the Commission on Human Rights on Thursday still posed a strong objection to the bill’s approval on second reading.
Commission spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said the agency was deeply alarmed after the members of the House of Representatives stood firm on lowering the age for criminal responsibility to 12 from 15.
Despite the calls of experts on child development and advocates of children’s rights, Congress continued to ignore their pleas, she said.
READ: Criminal liability bill draws flak
De Guia said the existing law”•the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act”•had not yet been “fully and properly” implemented, adding it still required enough funding and support from the government.
Under the law, local government units must establish, finance and manage Bahay Pag-asa facilities with appropriate programs for youth delinquents.
“Yet, in 2018, only 58 were operational and only eight had been accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” De Guia said.
READ: ‘Criminal age’ set at 12, not 9
The House of Representatives earlier proposed to lower the age of criminal liability to nine from 15, but House leaders came up with a consensus to pass a substitute bill lowering the minimum age to 12.
“Adjusting the proposed age of criminal liability from nine to 12 is not an act of compassion, nor is it aligned with the government’s responsibility to uphold its obligation to protect the rights of children, including the most vulnerable and marginalized,” De Guia said.
“We must stop shifting the burden to children and start addressing lapses in the law’s implementation, providing better support and guidance to children as well as stricter means to curb syndicates and individuals who feed on our children’s vulnerabilities.”