When Compassion Backfires: Rethinking the Juvenile Justice Law

More than two decades ago, Republic Act No. 9344 The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 was passed with noble intentions. It was a law born out of compassion: to protect the youth, to rehabilitate them, to offer them a second chance, and to help restore their moral footing.

But in today’s social reality, this very law while well-meaning has become, arguably, a legal shield not for the innocent, but for those who commit heinous acts and then walk free. It has become the legal weapon of criminal syndicates, street gangs, and drug traffickers who exploit the loopholes in the system by recruiting minors as their foot soldiers. Why? Because they know that the law will protect them, not punish them.

Today, a child as young as 13 can rob, rape, or even murder and still be released under protective custody, claiming they “didn’t know what they were doing.” And tragically, under the current legal framework, that’s acceptable.

Let’s be clear: this is not about removing compassion from the law. This is not about locking up every misguided child. This is about setting firm and fair boundaries in a society that is slowly crumbling under the weight of unchecked impunity.

In governance, one cannot be soft on both legal and illegal acts. A leader, or a law, must be firm in its commitment to justice. We cannot keep shielding every crime under the blanket of mercy especially when that mercy no longer protects the victims, but the perpetrators.

This is why I fully support the call to amend Republic Act No. 9344 particularly to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility, especially for heinous crimes. Senator Robin Padilla’s proposal to hold minors accountable from the age of 10 for serious offenses is not a return to authoritarianism. It is a recognition that today’s children are growing up in a digital age where access to violence, drugs, pornography, and criminal influence is just a click away. Children are exposed, and many are emboldened.

We must face this uncomfortable truth: compassion without consequence becomes complicity.

Of course, the proposed amendments must be studied carefully. I urge my fellow citizens and lawmakers to weigh both the positive and negative consequences of such legislation. Will this reduce juvenile crime? Will it overburden the justice system? Will it promote discipline or further traumatize the youth?

Let’s not pass laws in haste, but neither should we cling blindly to laws that are no longer effective.

At the heart of all this, we must return to the foundation: the family. The home remains the first school of values, discipline, and morality. This crisis is a wake-up call not just to Congress, but to parents, educators, and the Church. If we want responsible Filipino citizens in the next generation, we must start with strong families, moral guidance, and a community that upholds accountability.

Children still have a chance to be restored but society must make it clear that freedom comes with responsibility, and actions have consequences. Only then can we build a future where our compassion uplifts and not enables those who choose to break the law.

Philippine People's Press | In Truth We Prevail 

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