Senate aspirant Mangudadatu prefers 9 years old as age of criminal responsibility

Maguindanao Representative Zajid "Dong" Mangudadatu on Thursday said he prefers nine years old as the age of criminal liability over the 12 years old stipulated in the controversial bill’s amended version.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved on second reading the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility, but instead at nine years old, it was changed to 12 years old following criticisms. 

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV's Ikaw Na Ba? senatorial interviews, Mangudadatu said he prefers the original version of the bill.

"Sinusuportahan po natin ang lowering of age. Gusto ko pa nga po mga nine years old yan," he said.

For Mangudadatu, parents are the primarily responsible for steering their children away from crimes.

"Tignan natin yung social responsibility ng parents sa anak. Karamihan na sangkot na ginagamit ng sindikato mga kabataan kasi alam nila yung limitation ng age dyan. Now, nasa magulang po yan," he said.

In addition, Mangungudatu said even at the age of seven, children can already distinguish between right and wrong.

“Sila po, in fact, marunong silang mag-operate ng computer at the age of 7 years old. They know to distinguish the right to wrong,” he said.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker clarified the difference between "imprisonment" and "mandatory confinement" which will be imposed to "children in conflict with the law," saying these children will stay in rehabilitation centers called Bahay Pagasa with pleasant sleeping quarters and not in jail around adult criminals.

"[Sa Bahay Pagasa] walang rehas. Sa kulungan, may rehas. Maganda po yung tulugan nila," he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News