Senator Erwin T. Tulfo on Sunday said the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development will revisit the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 to assess the sufficiency of funding for youth rehabilitation and the age of criminal liability following the Tacloban school shooting, as reported by BusinessWorld.
Tulfo noted that he has repeatedly raised concerns about the implementation of the law, which sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old. The review comes in the wake of a shooting incident in Tacloban City that reportedly involved a minor, renewing debates on whether the current legal framework adequately deters youth offenders and supports their reintegration.
The Senate panel is expected to examine budget allocations for juvenile correctional facilities and community-based programs, as well as consider amendments to lower the age of criminal liability. Tulfo emphasized the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both public safety and the welfare of minors in conflict with the law.