Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday rejected proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility, saying children in conflict with the law should be rehabilitated rather than imprisoned following the Tacloban City school shooting.
Instead, he renewed his push for a proposed law banning children aged 16 and below from accessing social media, citing police findings that the teenage suspects were heavily influenced by violent online games and content.
Gatchalian said proper education, guidance, and rehabilitation through Bahay Pag-asa facilities are more effective in reforming young offenders.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International Philippines also opposed lowering the age of criminal liability, warning that such proposals fail to address the root causes of youth violence and could put more children at risk.
The group urged lawmakers to strengthen child protection measures and fully implement existing juvenile justice laws instead of pursuing harsher penalties.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 25, 2026
