THE GABRIELA Women’s Party has strongly condemned a proposed Senate bill seeking to lower the age of criminal liability to 10 years old for children accused of heinous crimes, calling it a dangerous rollback of child protection reforms.

Former Representative Sarah Elago, now National Vice Chairperson of Gabriela, denounced the bill as a form of institutionalized violence against children—many of whom are victims themselves.

“This bill is a dangerous reversal of hard-won reforms meant to protect Filipino children from institutionalized violence. Instead of offering support, understanding, and rehabilitation, it seeks to throw them into jail,” Elago said.

She stressed that research consistently shows children in conflict with the law are typically shaped by poverty, abuse, neglect, and systemic failures—not by criminal intent.

“It is deeply alarming to argue that children, simply because they’re exposed to technology and information, can fully comprehend and bear the weight of the law. This argument unfairly blames children while ignoring the real root causes of criminality—lack of social services, poverty, and abuse,” Elago added.

While proponents of the bill claim it will deter youth involvement in crime and reduce exploitation by criminal syndicates, Gabriela Women’s Party insists that the focus should be on dismantling those syndicates—not punishing children.

“The government must go after the syndicates exploiting minors, not the children who are often victims themselves,” said Elago.

“Children deserve care, not incarceration. Imprisoning them is an attack on the future of our society,” she added.

Gabriela Women’s Party is calling on the public to reject the punitive measure and instead support policies that uphold the rights, dignity, and potential of every Filipino child.

“Genuine justice must protect—not punish—our children,” the group said.