MANILA — The Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development will review the age of criminal liability and the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act following three fatal incidents involving minors, committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo said on Sunday.
Tulfo said the panel would examine what he described as gaps in the implementation of Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, including its provisions on the age of criminal liability.
The review follows separate incidents involving minors in Tacloban, Negros Occidental and Cavite, including a fatal shooting and stabbing cases.
In addition to the age of criminal liability, the committee will assess the availability of functional Bahay Pag-asa facilities for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR), intervention programs and measures to strengthen parental accountability.
Tulfo said the committee would consult law experts, social welfare groups, parents and other stakeholders as part of the review.
The planned assessment comes as lawmakers have proposed different responses to the recent incidents involving minors.
Sen. Robin Padilla has proposed lowering the age of criminal liability to 10 years old.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has called for an inquiry into children’s access to digital platforms and games with violent content.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio opposed proposals to lower the age of criminal liability.
