Social Service cmte to tackle RDC resolution on lowering of minimum age of criminality

THE City Council committee on social services chaired by Councilor Reuben R. Daba is set to tackle the resolution of the Regional Development Council (RDC-Region 10) opposing House Bill 002 of the 17th Congress, “An act amending RA No. 9344, as amended by RA No. 10630 and reverting the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to nine years old.”

The Power learned that RA 9344 of 2006, more specifically Section 6, minimum age of criminal responsibility provides that a child 15 years of age or under at the time of the commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability.

According to the RDC-10, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), under the Juvenile Justice Act, was created to oversee and monitor the implementation of the law, supports the President’s goal of a crime-free and peaceful country.

The RDC-10 with the DSWD-10 passed a resolution adopting and approving the position paper of the committee opposing the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine years old.

The said resolution stipulates that lowering the minimum age will not address the problem of crimes committed by children nor them being used by syndicates to perpetuate crimes, encourages syndicates to use younger children causing increased exposure to risks and vulnerabilities.

It is also against the best interest of children and violates international laws and standards such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides firm position of the state to ensure and defend the right of children from all conditions prejudicial to their development, among others.

The councilor invited Teddy Sabuga-a Jr., Acting City Administrator and OIC-CSWD concurrent capacity, City Legal Officer Atty. Reymond Villablanca, Engr. Leon Dacanay of RDC-10 and Director Nestor Ramos of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-10) to attend the meeting on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the City Council Session Hall. (JBD)