Sen. Robin Padilla has renewed his call for the immediate consideration of his proposed amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, citing recent incidents involving crimes committed by minors.
In a social media post, Padilla questioned whether there is still an opportunity for his proposal to be tackled during a special session.
The senator said his concerns stem from recent incidents involving robbery, rape and, more recently, a shooting inside a school.
Padilla expressed hope that lawmakers would give the same level of urgency to his proposed measure as they did to another bill he co-authored.
The senator also thanked his colleagues for approving on third and final reading the measure declaring the Waling-Waling as the National Orchid of the Philippines.
He said he hopes the proposal concerning juvenile justice reforms could receive similar attention, emphasizing its relevance to public safety and the welfare of young people.
Padilla maintained that the measure is intended to address concerns involving crimes allegedly committed by minors and to strengthen accountability under existing laws.
Under the proposal being pushed by the senator, the minimum age of criminal responsibility would be lowered to 10 years old.
The proposed amendment has been the subject of public discussion in previous years, with supporters arguing that it would help address youth involvement in criminal activities, while critics have raised concerns about its impact on children’s rights and rehabilitation.
However, Padilla’s latest statement focused on his appeal for lawmakers to consider the proposal amid recent crime incidents that have drawn public attention.
As of this writing, the senator’s proposed amendments remain pending, and no announcement has been made regarding whether the measure will be included in any future special session.
Padilla said he remains hopeful that Congress will act on the proposal as discussions on public safety and juvenile accountability continue.
