“Those who have less in life, should have more in law.”
Ramon Magsaysay
Good day PeePes! Today we’re to discuss more serious topic which is about lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 9 years old. Are you in favor of this? Comment down your argument.
Section 7. Determination of Age. The child in conflict with the law shall enjoy the presumption of minority. He/She shall enjoy all the rights of a child in conflict with the law until he/she is proven to be eighteen (18) years old or older. The age of a child may be determined from the child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate or any other pertinent documents. In the absence of these documents, age may be based on information from the child himself/herself, testimonies of other persons, the physical appearance of the child and other relevant evidence. In case of doubt as to the age of the child, it shall be resolved in his/her favor. (An excerpt from Law of the Philippines)
The human rights and legislators warned that the move on lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 won’t help yet can harm the children and their rights. However, this proposal is approved by justice committee of house representatives. Children from age 9 to 15 that violated the law will be under mandatory confinement. The crimes covered by this bill are murder, parricide, infanticide, serious illegal detention, car-jacking and violation of the dangerous drugs act.
Rep. Doy Leachon stated that those children will not be imprisoned but would instead undergo rehabilitation, reformation and confinement inside the childcare facilities. Bahay Pag-asa is a facility for Children-In-Contact with the Law (CICL).
I couldn’t agree more to Senator Risa Hontiveros as she stated that “There is no sense debating and choosing whether the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be pegged at 12 or 9 years old. There is really no difference. Can a 12 year old compared to a nine year old get married, get a driver’s license, participate in elections, buy alcohol and watch R-16/18 films? The obvious answer is no,”. 9-12 years old children already have a judgement and can discern right or wrong yet their mind are not yet fully develop. It will be harmful for them because their brain is still developing and can easily accept and adopt to harsh environment.
This videos are related to my domain which is human and this article focuses on children who have a conflict with law. I aim to enlighten my readers about how harsh it is for a nine to twelve year old child to be confine and be labeled by society as criminal.
Criminal rates are higher that leads the President Rodrigo Duterte has urged congress to lower the age of criminal liability to ensur Filipino youth would accept responsibility for their action.
My stand change as I watch those videos. Before, my stand is 50-50 because I considered both sides and the two have heavy argument based on my moral dilemma.
It truly increase my level of understanding about humans and how they weigh things based on given arguments by both sides. Moreover, how they value children of our society.
Those vidoes are highly recommended for better understanding about the issue and the status of Children-In-Contact with the Law (CICL). I want my friends and family to be aware about this controversial issue.
Thus, I beg to disagree in lowering the age of criminal responsibility to nine years old. There’s not enough facilities and social workers.
Protect children, I’mCaptivated out pssh!
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