President Duterte Criticize Kiko Pangilinan and His Juvenile Law Anew
President Rodrigo Duterte criticized Senator Kiko Pangilinan and his Juvenile Law protecting children below 18 years old from being jailed.
During his Talk to the People, Duterte criticizes Senator Kiko Pangilinan, the vice-presidential candidate, for enacting a bill that aids huge syndicates abusing minors. The Senator, according to Duterte, is to blame for the increased criminality as a result of the law he authored.
READ ALSO: Kiko Pangilinan Defends Juvenile Law After Criticized Over Maguad Case
The “Pangilinan Law,” or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, according to Duterte, has empowered juvenile offenders. According to the law, a kid who was 18 years old or under at the time of the offense is excluded from criminal culpability, subject to the same law’s interventions.
“Here comes Pangilinan… yung problema natin ngayon… nang-iisnatch, takbo rito, takbo dun… Do you know why they [children] are so bold to do that, daring, because sa experience nila under the Pangilinan law hindi ka makukulong,” said Duterte.
Duterte, who was mayor of Davao City at the time the law was passed, said he was OK with the earlier version of the law, which stated that minors under the age of nine are not criminally liable, while those under the age of 12 are subject to the law based on the fiscal assessment. Duterte stated that children aged 12 to 16 who commit crimes would already face criminal charges.
The Chief Executive also voiced his displeasure with the legislators, claiming that the police are now unable to process and hold juvenile criminals. This, according to Duterte, simply encourages kids to commit crimes.
“Itong si Pangilnan talagang di nya ginamit yung utak nya,” the president said. “Helpless ang public, helpless ang gobyerno,” Duterte said.
The people were therefore advised not to vote for Pangilinan, who is vying for vice president, and another critic, Senator Richard Gordon, who is seeking re-election. Senator Richard Gordon, who leads the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, is running as the opposition’s vice president.
READ ALSO: Maguad Family Slams Anne Curtis Over Stance Not to Lower Criminal Age
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