How to call underage criminals? House debates criminal liability

DESPITE the seeming openness in the House of Representatives toward the proposal to lower the age of criminal liability, there is still concern as to how to classify the underage caught in criminal activities.

“Deputy Speaker [ Pia S.] Cayetano proposed to rephrase the title so as not to label the CICLs (children in conflict with the law) as criminals but still make them accountable and responsible to their actions,” Kabayan partylist Rep. Ron P. Salo said of the substitute bill on the controversial proposal.

“In this regard, the TWG [technical working group] adopted her proposal for the title to read: ‘An Act Expanding the Scope of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System and Strengthening the Social Reintegration Programs for Children in Conflict with the Law, Amending for the Purpose RA No. 9344, as Amended by RA No. 10630,’ otherwise known as ‘Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006,’” added Mr. Salo, who heads the said group in the House sub-committee on correctional reforms.

Mr. Salo said the amendments still capture the intent of the bill to make children “accountable and responsible for their actions and make them undergo the necessary rehabilitative measures and programs of the government.”

This would also consider the primary objection of resource persons and child rights advocates during the committee hearings of not “branding” children as “criminals,” Mr. Salo said.

“All other provisions which shall empower the state to ensure that CICLs are rehabilitated and make them productive citizens of the country are being enhanced by the TWG,” he added.

The committee, headed by Misamis Occidental Henry S. Oaminal (2nd district), was scheduled to approve the substitute bill on Wednesday, Feb. 22. But Mr. Salo asked for another week.

“As such, we respectfully beg the indulgence of the sub-committee that we were not able to finish crafting the substitute bill in time for today’s hearing. The TWG is then respectfully requesting for another week, or until Tuesday, to submit the substitute bill,” he said.

Mr. Oaminal approved the motion and set the next sub-committee hearing on Tuesday next week. —