As the 2025 Philippine senatorial elections draw closer, Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia) is calling on candidates and policymakers to put children’s rights at the forefront of their legislative agendas. CRC Asia’s recent consultations on children’s access to justice and effective remedies highlight the urgent need for justice reforms that protect and empower children—an issue that voters, especially youth advocates, will be watching closely.

Through these engagements, children across Asia emphasized that justice is not just about punishment—it must be about healing, dignity, and protection from future harm. “Justice should not just be about punishing the bad guys. It should help us feel safe again, help us recover,” shared one child participant.

With over 40 million Filipinos under the age of 18, CRC Asia stresses that children’s rights must be a key election issue, urging senatorial candidates to take a stand for child-friendly justice policies.

A Call for Senators to End Barriers to Justice for Children

CRC Asia’s findings reveal that fear of retaliation, corruption, and systemic intimidation are among the biggest barriers preventing children from seeking justice. Many children worry that speaking up about abuse will put them in greater danger, while others feel that the legal system is stacked against them. “Rich people can pay their way out. We don’t stand a chance,” a child shared.

Senatorial candidates must commit to passing laws that ensure free legal aid, create child-friendly reporting mechanisms, and strengthen protections for child complainants. With the election season in full swing, CRC Asia challenges candidates to clearly articulate their positions on justice reforms for children and pledge concrete actions to address these long standing barriers.

Updating Laws to Address Digital Crimes and Emerging Child Rights Issues
The consultations also revealed gaps in legal protections for children in the digital space, including online sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, and violations of digital rights. Additionally, issues like excessive academic pressure and the right to play remain unaddressed in legal frameworks. “There are no legal pathways for some children’s rights. If a child is overburdened with schoolwork or deprived of play, how do they seek justice?” questioned one adult participant.

With digital platforms playing an increasingly central role in children’s lives, CRC Asia is calling on senatorial candidates to champion legislation that strengthens digital child protection, ensures cross-border cooperation on online child abuse cases, and includes emerging child rights concerns in the country’s legal framework.

Justice Systems Must Speak to Children, Not Intimidate Them
Children also highlighted how courtrooms, police interactions, and legal jargon make the justice system inaccessible and intimidating. “Courtrooms are terrifying. The police talk like we’re criminals, even when we’re the victims,” one child shared.

To address this, CRC Asia is urging the next batch of lawmakers to push for:

Simplified, child-friendly legal language in courts and law enforcement,
Safe and welcoming spaces where children can report violations without fear, and
Mandatory child-rights training for police officers, judges, and legal professionals.
These reforms should be front and center in the 2025 elections, ensuring that justice systems are not just accessible to adults, but designed with children’s needs in mind.

Children and Youth Voters Demand Meaningful Participation
With over 13 million Filipino youth aged 18-24 eligible to vote in 2025, CRC Asia stresses that young people will play a significant role in shaping the country’s future. Youth-led movements have already demonstrated their power in past elections, and this time, they are demanding more than just promises—they want clear action plans on child rights and justice reform.

“We should be involved in designing justice programs. Not just adults telling us what is good for us,” a child advocate emphasized.

Senatorial candidates must not only listen to young voters but include them in policy-making processes, ensuring that children and youth have a say in the reforms that will shape their future.

Holding Governments, Businesses, and Institutions Accountable
Justice is not just about punishing individuals—it is about ensuring that governments, corporations, and institutions uphold children’s rights. Adults in CRC Asia’s consultations stressed that accountability must extend beyond individual crimes, saying, “Justice should address corporate and government accountability, not just individual crimes.”

This means stronger corporate responsibility laws, stricter enforcement against child labor and exploitation, and increased funding for child protection services. As the 2025 elections approach, CRC Asia challenges candidates to present clear policy positions on holding state and private actors accountable for violations against children.

Justice Requires Adequate Resources and Political Will
Without proper funding and government commitment, justice reforms remain ineffective. Adults highlighted the lack of resources for child protection services, with one participant stating, “Without resources, justice for children will always be just a dream.”

Elected officials must ensure sufficient budget allocations for:

• Legal aid for child victims,
• Shelters and psychosocial support services, and
• Strengthening the capacities of justice institutions to be child-friendly.

A Challenge to 2025 Candidates: Will You Stand for Children?
As General Comment No. 27 moves forward, CRC Asia is calling on senatorial candidates, policymakers, and voters to recognize that justice for children is a national priority. Those running for office must go beyond rhetoric and commit to tangible legislative action that ensures child-sensitive justice systems, both online and offline.

“Justice is not just about punishing bad people. It’s about making sure no child ever has to go through the same pain again,” one child powerfully stated.

With the elections fast approaching, CRC Asia urges Filipino voters—especially young voters—to choose candidates who prioritize children’s rights, commit to meaningful reforms, and take a stand for justice.