Duterte hits Pangilinan anew over raised age of criminal liability

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday once again criticized Senator Kiko Pangilinan for authoring a law that increased the age of criminal liability. 

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, a child 15 years old or below at the time when the crime is committed shall be exempt from criminal liability, but subject to interventions as provided by Section 20 of the same law.

"Here comes Pangilinan.. yun ang problema natin ngayon nang-iisnatch takbo rito takbo dun. They (children) are so bold to do that because sa experience nila  under the Pangilinan law, hindi ka makulong," said Duterte during his pre-recorded Talk to the People.

He claimed that because of this law, children who committed a crime can be set free, adding that it raises the number of crimes "tenfold."

"Pagdating sa estasyon report na recorded. Go where you want," said Duterte.

"That increased the number of crimes tenfold," he also said.

Duterte even urged the public not to vote for Pangilinan and Senator Richard Gordon, who was also criticized during Duterte's speeches.

"Dalawa lang yan, Gordon pati Pangilinan, matagal na yan sa Senado tanggalin nila yan," he said.

Pangilinan is running for vice president in Eleksyon 2022.

Duterte also spilled his mug filled with drink while expressing his anger on Pangilinan.

"Dahil galit ako kay Pangilinan actually, galit lang... Ganoon talaga ako nasanay, mayor e. Helpless ang public, helpless ang gobyerno," he said.

Pangilinan, for his part, said over the Mangahas Interviews that the government did not fund the law which resulted in poor implementation.

In defending the law, he said members of criminal syndicates should be the ones put to jail and not the young offenders.

Pangilinan also pointed out connivance between the criminal syndicates and corrupt law enforcers.

“Ginagamit ng mga sindikato at kasabwat ng mga corrupt na pulis itong batas na ito. Sinasabi kulang, etcetera. Habulin ‘yung mga sindikato, wala nang mang-aabuso at ikakasangkapan ang mga bata,” he said.

In 2019, the United Nations even praised the country for passing such law because it lays out the protections afforded to children, which it largely defines as those under the age of 18.—LDF, GMA News