(Eagle News)–The House of Representatives on Monday, Jan. 28, approved on final reading a measure that lowers the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old.
More than 100–or 144–voted for House Bill 8858, while 34 voted against it.
There were no abstentions.
The approved measure is an amended version of an original bill approved by the House justice committee that pegged the minimum age of criminal responsibility to nine years old.
The amended version also changes the term criminal responsibility to social responsibility.
Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate justice committee, earlier said the panel would recommend the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability to 12 years old.
President Rodrigo Duterte has vouched for the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability, saying children were already being used by criminals in their illegal activities.
The current law, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, pegs the same at 15 years old.
https://youtu.be/-g-q8VOtiS4
