Senators eye 13 as minimum age of criminal responsibility

MANILA, Philippines — As the debates continue on the controversial measure seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the emerging consensus among senators is to set the threshold at 13 from 15, Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday.

Villar said many of her colleagues are inclined to support lowering the age of criminal liability to 13 instead of 12.

She told reporters 13 is more acceptable as it is in the teen years, whereas 12 is too young. 

On Monday, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading the bill lowering to 12 the age of criminal liability for juvenile offenders.

The Senate committee on justice chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon is set to recommend 12 as the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

Villar said they would have to establish consensus among Senate members before approving the measure.

She said one of the concerns of the senators is the setting up of Bahay Pag-asa or transformation centers for children found in conflict with the law.

“We are working on the provision to build rehabilitation centers in every province. It would be unfair if you arrest juvenile offenders and detain them with hardened criminals. There should be intervention programs for minors,” Villar said.

“When they commit a crime, there should be a home for them to be rehabilitated,” she added.

Villar said Bahay Pag-asa facilities should be constructed all over the country so mothers can easily visit their detained children.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, welcomed the Social Weather Stations survey showing that a majority of Filipinos want the age of criminal liability to remain at 15.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said yesterday they are carefully studying the measure seeking to lower the crime liability age threshold to 12.

Briones said they have to know the number of children who will be affected once the measure is approved by Congress.

 “We want to know what crimes are covered by the proposed law,” she said.

The Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking said the bill lowering the age of criminal responsibility, if passed and implemented, would be the “greatest sin” that can be done to children and future generations. 

“Children are not criminals,” the group, composed of officials from religious organizations, said.

They urged the faithful and human rights advocates to join them in opposing the measure. – With Eva Visperas, Evelyn Macairan