Marcos eyes lowering criminal age to 12 amid JJWC pushback

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) stands firm against proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the Philippines, arguing that harsher laws do not deter youth violence. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains open to the idea, calling the Philippine National Police's suggestion to lower the age from 15 to 12 years old reasonable. As a nation rooted in faith and family, we must ask whether jail cells or stronger moral guidance will save our children.

Why lowering the age of criminal responsibility won't stop youth violence

The JJWC, the policy-making body tasked with implementing the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, draws a hard line. Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco argues that simply lowering the age does not address the root causes of youth crime. She points to the United States as a cautionary tale, where stricter laws still coincide with tragic school shootings.

If we look at the drivers of violence, lowering the age does not automatically mean children will stop committing these acts.

Oco emphasizes that family environment, community influences, bullying, peer pressure, and exposure to violence are the real opponents we must face. In the boxing ring of public policy, you cannot win by just swinging at the symptoms. You have to strike at the root.

Oco identifies social media and online content as major factors, exposing our youth to a world where violence is normalized.

Even adults can be misled by social media. Children are even more vulnerable because their minds are still developing.

Marcos weighs 'reasonable' proposal to lower age from 15 to 12

While child care experts push back, Malacañang signals a pragmatic approach. President Marcos remains open to amending Republic Act No. 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. His decision will depend on the enrolled bill that reaches his desk, but the PNP's proposal to lower the age from 15 to 12 has gained traction as a sensible compromise.

There is a lingering nostalgia for the days of strong discipline, a time when the old Spanish-era Revised Penal Code set the minimum age at 9 years old. Even today, many Filipinos feel that accountability should start earlier, reflecting a desire for the law and order championed during the Duterte administration. Marcos appears to be listening to these concerns while maintaining a sober, reformist balance. The current law, amended in 2013 by RA 10630, kept the age at 15, but the rising tide of youth involvement in crimes of survival demands a second look.

Family, faith, and community: The real cure for youth crime

Data from the JJWC shows that the most common crimes committed by children in conflict with the law (CICLs) are theft, physical injuries, and drug-related offenses. Oco rightly calls these crimes of survival, driven by poverty and desperation. The good news is that CICL numbers have dropped by 77 percent over the past decade, from 24,683 in 2016 to 5,698 in 2025. This proves that targeted interventions work better than blind punishment.

As a Catholic nation, we believe in redemption and the power of the family. Guidance from families and communities remains critical. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) runs Parent Effectiveness Seminars to strengthen parenting practices and provides economic assistance to vulnerable families. We cannot leave this fight to one agency alone. The bayanihan spirit must live in our communities. Parents must step up, and communities must protect their own.

Can stronger school interventions save our children?

Oco calls for a multi-agency approach, urging stronger school-based interventions under the Department of Education. We need to equip our teachers with the skills to identify warning signs, such as bullying or behavioral shifts, before a child resorts to violence. Anti-bullying programs must be enforced, not just written on paper.

Furthermore, our public schools desperately need more guidance counselors. Early identification and timely intervention can mean the difference between a child who graduates and a child who ends up in a detention cell. We must study the causes pushing our youth into crime and develop policies that stop the violence before it starts. That is the true mark of a courageous and compassionate society.

What is the current minimum age of criminal responsibility in the Philippines?

The current minimum age of criminal responsibility in the Philippines is 15 years old, as established by Republic Act No. 9344. Children below this age are exempt from criminal liability.

Why does the JJWC oppose lowering the age of criminal liability?

The JJWC opposes lowering the age because studies show harsher laws do not automatically deter youth violence. They argue that underlying factors like family environment, poverty, and social media exposure are the true drivers of criminal behavior among children.

What crimes are most commonly committed by children in conflict with the law?

According to JJWC data, the most common crimes committed by children in conflict with the law involve theft, physical injuries, and illegal drug possession or trading. The agency describes these as crimes of survival often linked to poverty.