Kiko Pangilinan: ‘Hindi po krimen ang tumambay’

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday reminded law enforcers that loitering has been decriminalized, following directives of President Rodrigo Duterte that officials should be strict against loiterers. 

"Para po sa mga tagapagpatupad ng batas, hindi na po krimen ang tumambay, o mag-loiter. Republic Act (RA) 10158 has decriminalized vagrancy, amending Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code," Pangilinan said in an emailed statement.

Signed on March 27, 2012 by former President Benigno Aquino III, RA 10158 effectively decriminalized vagrancy.

Under one of the definitions in Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, a vagrant may be "any person found loitering about public or semi-public buildings or places of trampling or wandering about the country or the streets without visible means of support."

"Doble na sweldo ng mga pulis, sundalo, at lahat ng uniformed personnel ng pamahalaan. Gampanan niyo naman ang inyong tungkulin sa taumbayang pinagmumulan ng inyong kabuhayan at kapangyarihan," said Pangilinan.

"Maglingkod nang maayos at nang ayon sa batas," he explained.

His remarks came after Duterte ordered authorities to step up their campaign against loiterers in the streets whom he viewed as a 'potential trouble for the public.'

"'Pag hindi kayo umuwi ihatid ko kayo doon sa opisina ni ano --- Pasig. Ako nang bahala. Ilagay mo lang diyan. Talian mo ‘yung kamay pati. Ihulog ko yan diyan sa…,” Duterte said.

"You [have to] be strict. Part of confronting people who do not do nothing and just idling around, they are potential trouble for the public," he added.

With this, Pangilinan called on enforcers to take note and follow the rule of law.

"Kayo ang tagapagpatupad ng batas, alamin ito at ipatupad nang tama. Kayo ang dapat manguna sa pagsunod ng batas at hindi pasimuno sa paglabag dito. Sumunod sa batas at hindi sa utos na lumabag dito," Pangilinan said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RSJ, GMA News