d i f f e r e n t branches o f g o v e r n m e n t t o p r o m o t e , protect a n d f u l f i l l r i g h t s o f e v e r y o n e i n c l u d i n g c h i l d r e n . A deep i n s t i t u t i o n a l i n g u i d e d b y t h e p r i n c i p l e o f t h e best interest o f t h e c h i l d w i l l f o r t i f y t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t m a i n t a i n i n g the age o f c r i m i n a l l i a b i l i t y y e a r s o f age i s m o r e i n c o n s o n a n c e w i t h t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l d i r e c t " S t a t e s h a l l defend t h e r i g h t o f c h i l d r e n t o assistance, i n c l u d i n a n d n u t r i t i o n , a n d special p r o t e c t i o n from a l l f o r m s o f neglect, ab exploitation and other conditions prejudicial t o their development Art. X V , Constitution) I n v i e w o f the foregoing, the Commission o n H u m a n Rights st opposes a n y m e a s u r e t h a t w i l l decrease t h e age o f c r i m i n a l l i a b i l t o w h a t i s p r o v i d e d f o r u n d e r t h e J u v e n i l e Justice a n d W e l f a r e A c t . Issued this day o f February 2009 at Q u e z o n City, Philippines. Chairperson CECILIA RACHEIiA^. QUISUMBING Commissioner 4 MA. VICTORIA V. CARDONA Commissioner