Lowering age of discernment opposed

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the Senate is considering proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility, although not to as low as nine years old as pushed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children Marta Santos-Pais recently wrote to both leaders to urge them not to push through with the plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility, arguing that this would only expose the children to violence, neglect and social exclusion.

The current age of criminal responsibility is 12, which Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said was reached through a compromise in the previous Congress. He noted that he previously filed a bill to lower the age to nine but this was opposed by several senators.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the UN should consider the distinct standards, cultures and moral values of the East and West when it comes to what is right and moral. He also urged critics to first read and understand the entirety of the bill before passing judgment.

“Even if the age of criminal responsibility is lowered from say, 15 to nine, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we will incarcerate or even execute nineyear-olds, assuming that the death penalty law is passed,” Lacson said.

“Their sentences would be suspended and if they are re- habilitated while undergoing such, they won’t be punished anymore. There will be mechanisms for it. At least that’s the way we should direct the leg- islative proposal if and when it reaches the floor deliberation. That is how I will premise my interpellation and amendments,” he added.