Prime Minister
Motion: This House believes that lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility will
dissuade minors from committing felonious acts.
A. Defining important terms and setting parameters
● “Lowering”
○ In the context of Philippine law, based on recent proposed reformations, refers to lowering
the MACR from 15 to 12 yrs. old (some 9)
● “Criminal responsibility”
○ Implies receiving appropriate detention and rehabilitation and not imposing traditional
incarceration
○ Not mean putting children into the harsh living conditions in prisons
● “Minors”
○ Refers to ages below 18 years old
B. Further set the context: current practices around the world and in the country
● Outside the Philippines
○ MACR varies considerably…
■ Dr. Bliecke
■ From 7 to 8 (ex. Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, India)
■ Up to 16 years (ex. Cuba, Argentina)
○ Alden: Several parts of Southeast Asia - as young as seven or eight
○ Statistics:
■ Penal Reform International: Median 12
■ Child Rights International Network: Average
● Asia and Africa - 11 years old
● United States and Europe - 13 years old
○ Philippines - above median and average
● In the Philippines
○ 1974 - P.D. 603 or Child and Youth Welfare Code - set MACR to 9 years old (Jur.ph, n.d.)
○ 2006 - R.A. 9344 or Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) of 2006 - raised the MACR
from 9 to 15
○ 2012 - R.A. 10630 - amended R.A. 9344
■ Hence, current Philippine law - MACR is 15, but children as young as 12 may be
“detained in youth care facilities or Bahay Pag-asa for serious crimes only such as rape,
murder, and homicide, among others”
○ 2018 - Senate Bill 2026 attempted to lower the MACR to 13 years old
○ 2021 - Several house bills proposed the MACR of 12 years old
C. Overview of the pros or advantages our team will be highlighting in the debate
● Prevention of criminal exploitation among children
● Rehabilitative focus over traditional imprisonment
● Early accountability and cognitive development
D. First 2 arguments
