(Eagle News) — Focus on the country’s problems, not on the critics.
This was the message of Senator Kiko Pangilinan to President Rodrigo Duterte, who had slammed him for authoring the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
Duterte had said the law, which exempts minors under 15 years old from criminal liability, only served to produce and embolden criminals.
“Instead of attacking those who disagree with his policies he should just focus on solving the nationwide rice crisis, bringing down the high prices of basic commodities, and creating jobs and better pay for our people who are now struggling desperately to make ends meet,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
In a speech on Thursday, Sept. 27, the President said he met with several senators who said they would try to repeal the law.
Allies of President Duterte in the House of Representatives want the age of criminal responsibility pegged at 9 years old.
In the Senate, Senate President Tito Sotto also introduced a bill that aims to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.