MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Thursday stood by the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility despite a survey indicating that majority of Filipinos want it to remain at 15 years. SWS said among those who agreed that minors should be placed in jail for the five offenses, the median age of criminal liability is 15 years. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte administration is leaving it to Congress to decide on whether to lower the minimum age of criminal liability. But he maintained that the proposal was intended to protect children from criminal groups. The Senate version of the bill lowering the age of criminal liability is expected to be tackled at the plenary next week.

Source: Philippine Star January 31, 2019 10:05 UTC