Bill lowering age of criminal liability gets support

Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Friday said he supports proposals to lower the age of criminal liability — provided the measure is backed by scientific research.

Torre explained that his office will formally submit its position to Congress as part of its legislative agenda. 

“We do support the lowering of the age of discernment, but it should be based on scientific evidence,” he said after a command conference at Camp Crame.

He noted that existing studies should guide lawmakers in reviewing Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, especially as children’s access to information may be accelerating their maturity.

UNICEF Philippines has pointed out that brain function typically reaches maturity at around 16 years old, which directly affects reasoning and impulse control.

Proponents of the measure, however, argue that children as young as nine are already capable of criminal intent. 

Pending proposals in the House seek to lower the age of criminal responsibility from the current 15 years old to 12, or even 9 years old.