MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte wants parents of children in conflict with the law to also be punished for neglecting their offsprings, Malacañang said Thursday.

“Congress can introduce provisions to that… na in case of children committing crimes, parents proved to be neglectful then should also be accountable,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

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Asked if it is legally feasible, Panelo said: “Bakit naman hindi? ”

This came after the House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12 years old.

Panelo made the remarks after President Duterte, in an interview with reporters on Wednesday night, said he is “comfortable” with 12 as the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

Duterte said nine years old was just his “suggestion” to legislators, adding that parents should be “conscious of the criminal accountability” of their children because they, too, would be held accountable for their children’s offenses.

READ: Duterte: It’s OK if 12 is age of criminal responsibility

The Palace official, however, insisted that the President was just “expressing an idea” and it is ultimately up to Congress whether it will adopt the President’s suggestion.

“The President is expressing an idea, and again it’s on the part of Congress to realize this idea. If they are open to that they can do something about it,” he said.

Panelo earlier also said that parents of children involved in illegal activities should also be held accountable. /muf



READ: Palace: Parents of kids involved in crimes must be held accountable, too

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