MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Women’s party-list has expressed dismay over the approval by the House of Representatives’ of the lowered minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 15 to 12 years old, saying it would harm children’s rights.
“Dismayado ang GABRIELA sa pagpasa ng kamara sa pagpapababa ng edad ng kriminal na pananagutan sa edad na 12 taon,” Gabriela said in a statement.
“Sa halip na unawain, kalingain at bigyang konsiderasyon ang mga batang lumabag sa batas ay mas nais ng administrasyong Duterte na lalong ilugmok at palalain ang kanilang abang kalagayan sa murang edad,” it added.
Gabriela issued the statement after the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading the bill that seeks to lower the MACR from 15 to 12 years old.
READ: House OKs on final reading bill lowering age of criminal responsibility to 12
Gabriela also warned that government is not prepared for rehabilitation and program for children who will be tagged as criminals.
“Mismong ang gobyerno ay hindi handa sa anumang rehabilitasyon at programa sa mga batang may pananagutan dahil sa kawalan ng pasilidad at mga taong magsasagawa nito,” Gabriela said.
Gabriela meanwhile urged parents, child rights advocates and opposition senators not to allow the passage of the bill into law.
“Nanawagan kami sa mga magulang, child rights advocates at mga hindi sang-ayong senador na sama-sama nating pigilin na tuluyang maging batas ang panukalang ito para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak,” Gabriela said. /muf