Ejercito: Punish parents of child offenders

SEN. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito wants harsher penalties against parents who use their children to commit crimes.

The senator also pressed for similar penalties against criminal syndicates who employ children for their illegal activities.

Ejercito stressed this during a debate among senators aired on television Saturday evening.

Asked by a fellow senatorial candidate whether he supports the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), Ejercito, in Filipino, said, “I believe that the Juvenile Justice Act has good intentions of protecting minors, protecting children.”

The House of Representatives has passed a bill amending the juvenile justice law by lowering the MACR from 15 years old to 12.

“In my experience as a former mayor, I observed that this [law] has been used and abused by criminals and sometimes by their own parents as well,” Ejercito said.

“Sa akin ang dapat ay harsher penalties ‘ dun sa mga adult, sa mga mag u lang, sam ga kri min al nagu mag am it( There must be harsher penalties against adults, parents, criminals who use children [for their illegal activities] insofar as I’m concerned),” he said.

Ejercito added :“Kaya ako ay ang usapin (That’s why I believe it is necessary to start discussions on this matter).”

The senator, who is seeking re-election, noted that the international standard for MACR is between 11 and 12 years old.

The House’s original proposal for MACR is nine years old, which Ejercito rejected.

“The age of nine is too low. That’s too young. I have a young child,” he said.