UNICEF: Lowering age of criminal liability 'act of violence against children'

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The United Nations Children&#x27;s Fund (UNICEF) opposed Friday fresh calls to lower the age of criminal liability, saying it is an act of violence against children.&quot;Children in conflict with the law are already victims of circumstance, mostly because of poverty and exploitation by adult crime syndicates,&quot; UNICEF representative to the Philippines Lotta Sylwander said in a statement.Lawmakers, she said, should instead focus on strengthening the implementation of the law to address juvenile delinquency.&quot;There is a lack of evidence and data that children are responsible for the increase in crime rates committed in the Philippines,&quot; Sylwander added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/01/17/speaker-still-wants-9-as-minimum-age-of-criminal-responsibility">Speaker still wants 9 as minimum age of criminal responsibility</a></li></ul>The House Committee on Justice on Monday, Jan. 21, will hold a hearing to repeal Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, which exempts children 15 years old and younger from criminal liability.An amendment to the law in 2013, through RA 10630, states that children aged 12 to 15 who were involved in serious crimes shall be mandatorily placed at the Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center, which is located within youth facilities called “Bahay Pag-asa” (House of Hope).The <a href="http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00002.pdf">proposed measure</a> from the House of Representatives seeks to lower criminal responsibility to 9.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/18/sotto-seeks-to-lower-age-of-criminal-liability-to-13">Sotto seeks to lower age of criminal liability to 13</a></li></ul>At the upper chamber, Senator Tito Sotto III wants to set the minimum age at 13.President Rodrigo Duterte had said that he was in favor of repealing the law, saying that discerning teens lose their “sense of accountability.”Law enforcers, he said, are dealing with a lot crimes committed by minors.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/27/18/duterte-backs-senators-pushing-to-repeal-pangilinan-law">Duterte backs senators pushing to &#x27;repeal&#x27; Pangilinan law</a></li></ul>The UNICEF however argued the proposals, saying that a person reaches maturity only at 16 based on scientific studies.&quot;Proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility argue that children as young as 9 years old are criminally mature and are already capable of discernment,&quot; Sylwander said.She added, &quot;If this was the case, then why is the legal age to enter marriage, legal contracts and employment in the Philippines at 18 years old?&quot;What children in conflict with the law, UNICEF said, is a strong support program and access to social services and child-sensitive justice system.

MANILA - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) opposed Friday fresh calls to lower the age of criminal liability, saying it is an act of violence against children.

MANILA - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) opposed Friday fresh calls to lower the age of criminal liability, saying it is an act of violence against children.

UNICEF: Lowering age of criminal liability 'act of violence against children' | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

News

UNICEF: Lowering age of criminal liability 'act of violence against children'

UNICEF: Lowering age of criminal liability 'act of violence against children'

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2019 05:02 AM PHT

Read More:

United Nations Children's Fund

UNICEF

juvenile delinquency

criminal liability

minors

children

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.