MANILA, Philippines — Children as young as 12 years old who acted with discernment should be held criminally liable while parents of children in conflict with the law should suffer stiffer penalties. ADVERTISEMENTThe report was signed by 11 of 21 committee members, including Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee on justice. READ: 11 senators sign report lowering age of criminal liability to 12Under the bill, a child below 12 years old at the time of the commission of an offense should be exempt from liability. The budget for building, funding, and operating the “Bahay Pag-asa” will be included in the DSWD’s annual budget. “The fact that the person who exploited the child for the commission of crimes shall be considered as a generic aggravating circumstance,” the bill further read.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 30, 2019 12:00 UTC