Reducing age of criminal liability filed

Aida Mae P. Magno

As minors violating laws are turning younger, a proposed law to reduce the age of criminal liability to 9 years old has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Irwin Tieng, Mariano Michael Velarde and Joselito Atienza, Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (BUHAY) party-list Representatives trooped House Bill (HB) No. 922 or An Act Amending the Juvenile Justice Act even before President Benigno "Noynoy” Aquino III signs a new law passed by 15^th Congress seeking to lower the age of criminal liability to 12 years.

Under the HB No. 922, the child at least 9 years of age but below 15 years old who acted with sensitivity at the commission of the crime would face criminal liabilities.

However, the said bill explains that the children aged 9 to 14 will be excused from the liability if they did not act with discernment during the crime commission.

"Recent reports show that numerous syndicates are taking advantage of the exempting circumstances to use minors in committing crimes. Furthermore, the massive influence of modern communication has brought minors massive consciousness of their environments, making them more mature,” party-list lawmakers said.

Based on the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on HB No. 6052 and Senate Bill No. 3324 Amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act which is awaiting the president’s signature, a suspended sentence on criminal liability will be allowed on child lawbreakers aged 12 to 15 who acted with discernment at the crime is committed.

Aside from the deferred sentence, child offenders aged 12 to 15 who acted with shrewdness will also be sent to either of the following: a repository institution, the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or any suitably licensed agency.

If the offender aged 12 to 15 failed to comply with the conditions of the repository institutions mentioned, he/she will be returned to the committing court for the obligation of the penalty upon reaching 18 years of age.