Bill lowering age of criminal responsibility filed at the House of Representatives

(Malacanang stock photo)

MANILA—The second bill filed at the House of Representatives of the 17th Congress seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9344 or the “Juvenile Delinquency Act of 2006” which raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from nine to 15 years old.

Filed jointly by Davao del Norte Rep. and incoming Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, House Bill No.

002 would specifically amend Section 6 of R.A. 9344, more popularly known as the Pangilinan Law, and revert the minimum age of criminal responsibility to nine years old as set forth originally in the Revised Penal Code.

In filing the proposed Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act, the two lawmakers said that while the intent of the law (R.

A. 9344) may be highly laudable, it has had the opposite effect of “pampering youthful offenders who commit crimes knowing they can get away with it.”

Moreover, Alvarez and Castro said that “adult criminals knowingly and purposely make use of youths below 15 years of age to commit crimes, such as drug trafficking, aware that they cannot be held criminally liable.”

Likewise, the lawmakers said that the choice of nine years old as the minimum age of criminal responsibility under the Revised Penal Code was infused with wisdom.

“Most children above these age, especially in these times when all forms and manner of knowledge are available through the internet and digital media, are already fully informed and should be taught that they are responsible for what they say and do,” they said.