Panday Sining slams House bill seeking 15-year prison time for vandals

Cultural youth group Panday Sining on Tuesday criticized a House bill that seeks to impose up to 15 years of imprisonment for vandals and those found stealing or destroying government property.

In a statement, Panday Sining said that the proposed law only aims to remove the statements of protest in wage, employment, education, rights, and freedom on the streets.

“Malinaw na ang tunay na target nito ay ang mga artista ng bayan at mga mamamayan na nagpapahayag ng kanilang mga panawagan sa mga pader at mga kalsada,” it said.

According to Panday Sining, House Bill 2090 will impose a minimum jail term of 12 years to a maximum of 15 years to violators.

The group said the treatment of the administration towards protesters is worse compared to its alleged protection of big criminals, murderers, drug lords, and corrupt government officials.

“Kung ang nais talaga nito ay alisin ang mga panawagan sa pader, dapat ay solusyunan ang mga nakapintang panawagan,” Panday Sining said.

“Ibigay ang nakabubuhay na sahod, bigyan ng lupa ang mga magsasaka,  ibigay ang karaptan sa edukasyon at serbisyong panlipunan, ipagtanggol ang soberanya ng bansa laban sa dayuhan,” it added.

The city government of Manila recently declared the art group persona non grata over their writings on walls of some establishments.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News