Ryza Cenon opposes lowering age of criminal responsibility

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Ryza Cenon has made a stand against the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

Cenon took to Instagram on Monday to oppose the proposal which is up for debate in the Senate.

“Naniniwala ako na hindi ang pagkulong sa kanila ang sagot para maturuan ang mga kabataan ngayon. Ituro natin ang tamang paraan ng magdedesiplina sa kanila,” Cenon wrote in her post.

The actress said this proposal will only hinder the dreams of children in conflict with the law and pointed out they still have to learn and change.

“Wag tayong maging hadlang sa mga pangarap ng mga batang ito. Kung ikukulong natin sila sa murang edad, paano na ang mga pangarap na yun. Bata pa sila!” Cenon said.

“Mahaba ang panahon nilang magbago at matuto. Dumaan din tayo sa pagiging bata, maswerte tayong may magulang na nandyan para sa atin. Paano naman sila?” she added.

Cenon emphasized the need to understand these children more because they still have many opportunities ahead of them.

“Maging malawak ang ating pang unawa sa mga katulad ng mga batang ito. Marami pang mangyayari sa kanila. Maraming pa magagandang opportunidad ang naghihintay para sa kanila. Wag natin tong ipagdamot. Tulungan natin sila hindi ikulong,” she said.

Meanwhile, United Nations’ Children’s Fund (Unicef) urged Congress to strengthen Republic Act (RA) 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act instead of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 and promotes a child-friendly justice system focused on rehabilitation and restoration rather than on punishment.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

READ: Unicef to PH Congress: Strengthen Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act