Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday rejected renewed calls to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility following the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City, but said she is open to amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to strengthen intervention programs for children in conflict with the law.
“Tutol ako sa pagpapababa ng minimum age for criminal responsibility,” Hontiveros said at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum.
“Pero sang-ayon ako na dapat i-review at i-evaluate at kung kinakailangan i-amend para palakasin ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act lalo na sa usapin ng pagmamandato at pagsuporta sa mas komprehensibo at epektibong intervention at diversion programs sa mga children in conflict with the law, kasama na mga nakakagawa ng heinous crimes sa mga kapwa bata tulad nang sa Tacloban and always, always based sa principle ng best interest of the child,” she added.
Hontiveros issued the statement after the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students, aged 15 and 14, allegedly shot their schoolmates, killing three and injuring several others.
During a Senate Committee on Children hearing on Wednesday, Jennelyn Badoria, mother of 14-year-old victim Joyancee Badoria Separa, appealed to lawmakers to lower the age of criminal responsibility so the alleged shooters could be held criminally liable.
Badoria also said sending the suspects to Bahay Pagasa was not enough, and called for separate detention facilities for youth offenders.
Authorities said the 15-year-old suspect used a .38 caliber revolver owned by his grandfather, while the 14-year-old suspect used a 9mm pistol owned by his aunt, a police officer, who claimed the firearm was stolen from its hiding place.
Police filed criminal charges against the 15-year-old suspect after determining that he acted with discernment. No criminal case was filed against the 14-year-old suspect, as children aged 14 and below are exempt from criminal liability under existing law.
Both suspects were turned over to Bahay Pagasa, a youth care facility where they are expected to undergo intervention programs.
Hontiveros also opposed proposals to place youth offenders in ordinary detention facilities with adults or hardened criminals, warning that this could expose them to further harm and criminal influence.
“For sure, kapag nakagawa ng krimen, may consequences; kailangan pagbayaran sila according to their developmental status as defined in the law. Pero kung halimbawa, ikukulong sila kasama ng mga adults, hardened criminals, for example, eh di lalo lang sila mare-recruit at matuturuan,” she said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said the issue also points to the need to restore discipline among young people.
In a post on X, Lacson said his generation was raised with what he called “tough love” from parents and teachers, including strict discipline at home and in school.
“Juvenile Justice Law: My generation must be missing our fathers’ belts, our mothers’ bamboo sticks, and our teachers’ rulers. We were disciplined, always at home for the 6 o’clock evening prayers to receive our daily blessings from our elders. Those were the days,” Lacson said.
He said that kind of discipline helped instill values that guided him through his years as a law enforcer and lawmaker.