By I. Inojales | 11:04 AM July 02, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The Tagbilaran City Government has expressed strong support for amending the Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, to lower the age of exemption from criminal liability for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) from below 15 years old to below 10 years old.
The position was formalized through Proposed Resolution No. 200-26, Series of 2026, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its regular session on Tuesday.
The resolution urges Bohol’s three congressional representatives to file and support legislation amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
According to the resolution, the city government is concerned that criminal groups have allegedly exploited the current law by using minors below the existing age of criminal liability exemption to carry out illegal activities, knowing that they cannot be held criminally liable under the present statute.
Copies of the resolution will be furnished to Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol, First District Rep. John Geesnell Yap II, Second District Rep. Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado, and Third District Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor for their appropriate action.
The proposed amendment seeks to strike a balance between protecting children’s rights and ensuring accountability for minors who possess sufficient discernment to understand the consequences of committing crimes. It also emphasizes that rehabilitation, intervention, and restorative justice programs for CICL should continue to be implemented.
The resolution was passed just days after the fatal shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City, which has renewed public debate over the country’s juvenile justice law and prompted local officials to call for a review of the age of criminal liability exemption.
