Senator Robin Padilla wants children who commit serious crimes to be held responsible as early as 10 years old.
In a new bill, Padilla is asking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old.
Right now, under the law (RA 9344), kids under 15 cannot be sent to jail. But if Padilla’s proposal becomes law, those aged 10 and up could face criminal charges, especially if they commit heinous crimes.
What are heinous crimes?
These are very serious crimes like:
- Murder
- Kidnapping (especially if the victim is killed or raped)
- Robbery with rape or murder
- Destructive arson
- Serious drug crimes
- Carnapping with rape or killing
What happens to children who commit crimes?
- Children aged 10 to 18 who break the law will still be placed in a special facility called Bahay Pag-asa, a center for young offenders.
- But if the crime is heinous, they will no longer be exempt from being charged in court.
- Children below 15 years old will only be excused if the crime is not heinous.
Padilla says the goal is still to help children change through rehabilitation, not punishment, but adds that the current law is too soft and lets serious young offenders go without consequences.
He believes this bill will fix the system and protect the justice process.
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