Lowering the age of criminal liability is a controversial issue that has been heavily debated in the

Philippines in recent years. The current age of criminal liability in the Philippines is 15 years old, but
some politicians and policymakers are pushing to lower it to as young as nine years old. However, I
strongly believe that this move is misguided and would ultimately do more harm than good.

Firstly, children are not fully matured and are not fully capable of understanding the full
consequences of their actions. Their brains are still developing, and they are more likely to be impulsive
and make decisions based on immediate gratification rather than considering the long-term effects of
their actions. Thus, they should not be held responsible for crimes in the same way that adults are.

Secondly, lowering the age of criminal liability would not address the root causes of juvenile
delinquency, such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate social services. Instead, it would only
punish young offenders without addressing the underlying issues that led them to commit crimes in the
first place. Moreover, it would only create a vicious cycle where young offenders are further
marginalized and pushed into a life of crime because they now have a criminal record.

Thirdly, the Philippines already has a system in place to address juvenile delinquency, which is
the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. This law provides a framework for rehabilitating and
reintegrating young offenders back into society. If the government fully funded and implemented this
law, it would go a long way towards reducing juvenile crime in the country.

Lastly, the move to lower the age of criminal liability seems to be driven by a desire to appear
tough on crime and to pander to public sentiment, rather than based on sound evidence and research.
There is no evidence to suggest that punishing young offenders more harshly will lead to a reduction in
crime.

In conclusion, lowering the age of criminal liability in the Philippines is not the solution to
juvenile delinquency. Instead, the government should focus on addressing the root causes of youth
crime and providing more support and services to young people in need. The Juvenile Justice and
Welfare Act of 2006 should be fully implemented and funded, and the government should explore other
evidence-based solutions that prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration over punishment. By doing so,
we can build a more just and equitable society for all Filipinos.