“We are here to collectively voice out our call to all our legislators, listen to the public and vote against (lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility),” Eule Rico Bonganay, Salinlahi secretary general, said at a press conference in Quezon City yesterday. The House of Representatives passed House Bill 8858 that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years on third and final reading early this week. Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed a bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal liability to “above 12 years old,” while Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon wants to lower the age to 12 years. “We fear that this kind of situation will continue especially if the minimum age criminal responsibility is lowered to 12 years old. A recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed majority of Filipinos want the minimum age of criminal responsibility to remain at 15 years.

Source: Philippine Star February 02, 2019 21:56 UTC