Several local celebrities aired their opinions after the House Committee on Justice approved on Monday a bill lowering the age of criminal liability from 15 to nine years old, which amends Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
It can be recalled that the bill, House Bill No. 505 filed by Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap, was approved during the panel’s executive session.
The bill states that only those below ten years old during the commission of the crime will be exempted from any criminal liability. Meanwhile, those aged ten to 18 will be exempted from any criminal liability if proven to be conscious of the commission of the crime.
After which, some of the biggest names in Philippine show business expressed their dismay with the bill’s approval.
One of them is actress and UNICEF ambassadress Anne Curtis who wrote on Twitter: “Nakakalungkot isipan na ibaba nila ang criminal responsibility to the age of 9. At that age, they are still very much children. They still have a chance to change their ways if they happen to cause or get into any trouble instead of being sent to jail & sentenced as an adult.”
Nakakalungkot isipan na ibaba nila ang criminal responsibility to the age of 9. At that age, they are still very much children. They still have a chance to change their ways if they happen to cause or get into any trouble instead of being sent to jail & sentenced as an adult. ? https://t.co/H9to9QHyjD
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) January 22, 2019
Curtis’ “It’s Showtime” co-host and Rocksteddy frontman Teddy Corpuz was also against the bill and tweeted: “Paano daw yung mga 9years old na mga bata na ginagamit nang mga sindikato para gumawa nang krimen? Eh Di hulihin nyo yung SINDIKATO!”
Paano daw yung mga 9years old na mga bata ginagamit nang mga sindikato para gumawa nang krimen?
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Eh Di hulihin nyo yung SINDIKATO!— teddy corpuz (@teddspotting) January 22, 2019
Kapuso actor Dingdong Dantes also posted a photo on Twitter wchich reads, “Criminalizing children will not address crime. It victimizes them into bearing the burden of our government and society.”
https://t.co/yLHlk42bXp @dakila_ph pic.twitter.com/JuBDMut4D4
— Dingdong Dantes (@iamdongdantes) January 21, 2019
He also retweeted and agreed with Atty. Chel Diokno’s stand on the issue.
“Crucial stage ang childhood and adolescence to one’s development. These are periods where psychological, emotional, social and physical aspects are strongly influenced by the surroundings and are formed,” Dantes said.
“Instead of focusing on criminalizing children, the government should invest more on creating an enabling environment that will allow young people to be productive members of the society,” he added.
Agree ako sa iyo, @ChelDiokno! Crucial stage ang childhood and adolescence to one’s development. These are periods where psychological, emotional, social and physical aspects are strongly influenced by the surroundings and are formed. https://t.co/SaTLxEdYZC
— Dingdong Dantes (@iamdongdantes) January 20, 2019
2…. Instead of focusing on criminalizing children, the government should invest more on creating an enabling environment that will allow young people to be productive members of the society. https://t.co/SaTLxEdYZC
— Dingdong Dantes (@iamdongdantes) January 20, 2019
Actress Agot Isidro also tweeted a verse from the APO Hiking Society song “Batang-bata Ka Pa” and added the hashtag #ChildrenNotCriminals.
“Hayaan mong mong maglaro ang bata sa araw
Kapag umulan nama’y nagtatampisaw
Mahirap man o may kaya
Maputi, kayumanggi
At kahit ano mang uri ka pa
Sa ‘yo ang mundo pag bata ka.”Apparently, not in the Philippines. ?#ChildrenNOTCriminals
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) January 22, 2019
Musician Ebe Dancel also took to Twitter to ask his followers what they were doing wjen they were 9 years old. He then posted a following tweet which reads, “I was exactly like you when I was 9. I was free, I was playing outdoors, I was looking forward to life. Now, we have people who think kids aged 9 can be jailed. Makes me sad. Makes me angry”.
Based on answers that i got, i was exactly like you when i was 9. I was free, i was playing outdoors, i was looking forward to life. Now we have people who think kids aged 9 can be jailed. Makes me sad. Makes me angry
— Ebe Dancel (@ebedancel) January 21, 2019
TV host and author Bianca Gonzales etweeted a post by Sports 5 reporter Carlo Pamintuan that said, “Jailing nine-year-olds will not solve anything. We need to address the real issue here. Younger people are forced to commit crime because of poverty. Pupunuin natin ng bata ang mga kulungan for petty theft while those who steal millions roam free.”
