Lowering age of criminal liability just political accommodation, not for kids’ sake — sociologist

A youth sociologist from the University of Santo Tomas on Thursday said that the House of Representatives' move to lower the age of what they call "social responsibility" seems like it was only made to accommodate the administration.

"I really think that this is a political accommodation versus protection ng ating mga kabataan," Professor Clarence Batan said in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

He also said it was saddening that the lawmakers were able to change quickly the proposed minimum age from nine to 12—and that this showed a lack of research on the matter.

"It seems na 'yung nangyari na pagtaas agad from 9 years old to 12 years old in a day is a by-product of social media presence and an outpouring of sentiment," Batan said.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading the bill seeking to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years old.

The House's justice committee had earlier approved the bill when it sought to lower the criminal age of liability to nine.  

Panel chair Salvador Leachon, who sponsored the bill in the plenary, said the changing of the age of liability from nine to 12 years old was the consensus of the majority of House members when he went around to consult them.

President Rodrigo Duterte, for his part, said that he was "okay" with 12 years old.

"If it's the final decision, I'm comfortable with it... It's okay with me. Twelve, okay na," Duterte said in an event in Pasay City.

Various groups advocating the rights of children have strongly opposed the proposal in the Congress, whether the line was nine years old or 12.

The government should protect the vulnerable sector instead of criminalizing them, said sociologist Batan.

"Ang isyu rito ay tingnan kung paano lumalaki ang mga bata sa lipunan natin sa gitna ng maraming sosyo-politikal and economic problems," Batan said.

Moreover, he suggested that the government should shift its focus from amending the age of criminal liability to strengthening the existing Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

"Andami nang magandang nakalagay 'dun na dapat ipatupad at bigyan ng kaukulang pansin at pondo para makita talaga natin kung ano ang epekto ng batas na ito," he said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News