BB Gandanghari Speaks Out on Lowering Criminal Responsibility Age to 10
BB GANDANGHARI – A controversial proposal on juvenile accountability has gained another high-profile supporter as BB Gandanghari publicly backed Sen. Robin Padilla’s position on the issue.
BB Gandanghari has expressed support for the proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice Law by lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old.
During a Facebook Live hosted by Sen. Robin Padilla on Thursday, June 25, BB shared that she believes in her sibling’s position regarding the controversial proposal. According to BB, the intent behind the measure is not to punish young children but to prevent them from committing crimes through accountability.
“Naniniwala ako sa sinasabi ni Robin. Hindi po ito para parusahan ang mga bata. Ang sinasabi po niya is magkaroon ng deterrent. Magkaroon ng kinatatakutan ang mga bata,” said BB.
She further explained, “So sinusulong niya ang panukalang ito hindi para ikulong ang lahat ng ten-year-olds. Ang talagang pinanggagalingan lang po no’n ay may katakutan ang mga batang ito.”
BB also emphasized that she views the proposal as a form of protection rather than punishment. She compared the measure to the purpose of moral guidance found in religious teachings.
“Hindi ko po ginagamit ang Diyos. Pero ang totoo po niyan, kaya tayo binigyan ng ten commandments ng Panginoon is not to punish us or to condemn us, but actually to protect us from sin,” she added.
The discussion on lowering the age of criminal responsibility resurfaced after Sen. Robin renewed his call to revisit the issue following the tragic shooting incident in Tacloban City on Monday morning, June 22. The shooting, allegedly involving two minors, claimed the lives of three students and reignited debates on juvenile accountability and crime prevention.
However, the proposal immediately drew criticism from the Akbayan Party-list, which accused Sen. Robin of taking advantage of the tragic incident to push what it described as an ill-conceived measure. The group argued that lowering the age of criminal responsibility is not the appropriate solution to address youth violence and criminal behavior.
Aside from advocating for the amendment to the Juvenile Justice Law, Sen. Robin has also proposed banning minors from using social media platforms, citing concerns over the possible radicalization and harmful influence that online content may have on young users.
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