The Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development is set to conduct a “total review” of Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, following several high-profile crimes involving minors.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who chairs the committee, said the review was prompted by recent incidents, including the fatal shooting in Tacloban City and stabbing cases in Negros Occidental and Cavite.
The solon said he has long raised concerns over gaps in the implementation of the law, particularly the lack of adequate intervention and rehabilitation mechanisms for children in conflict with the law (CICL).
“Even before I became a public servant, I witnessed the harsh realities of this law on the ground. For years, helpless victims of minor-led crimes flooded our public service shows who feel completely helpless because of the Juvenile Law implementation,” the solon said Sunday.
A former media practitioner, the lawmaker noted he had previously questioned the lack of funding for Bahay Pag-asa centers and the practical enforcement of the current age threshold for criminal liability.
He said his concerns deepened during his stint as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, where he saw firsthand the systemic weaknesses in the law’s implementation.
He said the committee review will focus on the shortage of functional Bahay Pag-asa facilities, the effectiveness of intervention programs for CICLs and children at risk, and the enforcement of parental accountability.
“Is the age threshold on criminal liability still realistic given the signs of the times? Are parents of these CICLs being held accountable enough? Are the rehabilitation facilities even existing let alone working?” Tulfo said.
He said the goal is to fix weak enforcement mechanisms while balancing justice for victims with genuine rehabilitation for minors.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate has already allocated funds in the 2026 national budget for the construction of additional Bahay Pag-asa centers nationwide.
“Actually, this year, or last year, nung chairman ako ng finance committee, nakapaglagay tayo ng pondo para magpatayo ng limang Bahay Pag-asa nationwide. Gagawin parang provincial. At least one province, isa. So patuloy na susuportahan natin yung pagdagdag nitong Bahay Pag-asa,” the Senate President said in a radio interview.
He said he believes Bahay Pag-asa centers play an important role in rehabilitating minors who have committed offenses and helping them reintegrate into society.
He also said discussions on the minimum age of criminal liability are expected to trigger heated debates once Congress resumes session in July.
“Malaking debate yan. Alam ko lalabas rin yan pagbukas ng Kongreso. So alam ko lalabas siyang debate sa minimum age of criminal liability. At pag-uusapan rin yan pagbukas ng Senado,” the lawmaker noted.
At present, the minimum age of criminal liability is 15 years old.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go also called for stronger action on school safety, youth protection, and mental health following the June 25 shooting outside Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Davao de Oro.
The incident involved a man who had just attended his graduation rites and was shot outside the campus. Reports said the victim was in stable condition.