Manila, Philippines - The debate on lowering the age of criminal liability heated up when the House justice committee approved House Bill (HB) 8858 on January 22, 2019.

Under the proposed bill, children aged 9 to below 15 will face criminal charges if found guilty of committing serious crimes. These crimes include kidnapping, murder, parricide, infanticide, and serious illegal detention.

Two days later, the committee increased the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 9 to 12.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Act of 2006, which exempts 15- to 18-year-olds from criminal liability.

A minimum of 12 years of imprisonment in juvenile care units would be imposed as punishment.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) and other licensed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be mainly responsible for taking care of "criminally liable" children in Bahay Pag-Asa centers or youth care facilities. (READ: When 'Houses of Hope' fail children in conflict with the law)

The hashtag #ChildrenNotCriminals flooded social media with sentiments decrying the consequences of putting minors behind bars.

'Children' as defined by-laws

The Child and Youth Welfare Code recognizes the child as the country's "most important asset."

Thus, the nation must make sure that the rights of a child are protected - from the moment he/she is born to the time he/she becomes a fully-developed Filipino citizen.

Article 3, Section 12 of the code states:

"Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual, in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, tolerance, and universal brotherhood, and with the determination to contribute his share in the building of a better world."

Also, under this law, a "child" is defined as anyone who is below 21 years old.

Source:https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/222335-lowering-age-of-criminal-liability-contradicts-laws-protecting-children

Questions:

1. What are the pros and cons of the law being suggested?
2. Do you agree with the law? Why or why not?